One great Islamic historical fiction is 'The Moor's Account' by Laila Lalami. It tells the story from the perspective of a Moorish slave, providing a unique view of the early exploration of the Americas.
They tend to reflect the social and political landscapes of different historical periods in Islamic regions. For instance, they might show how empires rose and fell, and how Islamic communities were organized and governed. They can also highlight the interactions between different cultures within the Islamic world, like the exchange of ideas between Arabs, Persians, and Turks.
One of the best is 'The Moor's Last Sigh' by Salman Rushdie. It weaves a complex tapestry of family history against the backdrop of Islamic and Indian cultures. Another great one is 'The Conference of the Birds' by Farid ud - Din Attar. It is a Sufi - inspired work that uses the metaphor of birds on a journey to spiritual enlightenment. Also, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini, while not strictly only about Islamic history, portrays the lives of women in Afghanistan which is deeply influenced by Islamic culture.
It's a complex matter. In the eyes of the devout Muslims, Islamic eschatology books are not fiction. They are a crucial part of religious literature that elaborates on the end - time events as foretold in Islamic teachings. These books often draw from the Quran and Hadith. But for those outside the Islamic faith or those with a more secular view, they may seem like works of fiction because they deal with events like the return of the Mahdi, the appearance of Dajjal (the false messiah), and the resurrection, which are difficult to prove or understand from a non - religious or scientific perspective.
Often, they have strong moral and ethical teachings rooted in Islamic values. For example, they may emphasize concepts like charity, justice, and respect for others.
One of the great Islamic fiction books is 'The Conference of the Birds' by Farid ud - Din Attar. It uses the journey of the birds as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of the Sufi. Another good one is 'Rumi: Bridge to the Soul' which presents the works of Rumi in a fictionalized and accessible way. And 'The Forty Rules of Love' by Elif Shafak also has elements related to Islamic teachings and Sufi philosophy.
Modern Islamic fiction often combines traditional Islamic values with contemporary themes. It may explore the experiences of Muslims in modern society, such as dealing with cultural clashes, identity issues, and social changes. For example, some works might depict how young Muslims balance their religious beliefs with Western influences.
Spirituality is a major theme. Islamic fiction often explores the relationship between the individual and the divine, like the journey of the soul towards spiritual enlightenment. For example, in Sufi - inspired works, characters are on a quest to get closer to God through self - discovery.
Ibn Tufail's 'Hayy ibn Yaqdhan' is also an important Islamic historical novel. It tells the story of a self - taught man growing up on a deserted island, which reflects Islamic philosophical and scientific thought at that time. It has influenced many later works in different cultures and shows the breadth of Islamic intellectual history.