Diary
Both Western and Islamic diary traditions evolved from a religious desire for introspection but developed distinct purposes, structures, and content shaped by their respective cultural and theological contexts. While Western diaries gravitated toward secular self-exploration and individualism, Islamic journaling remained rooted in spiritual growth and a relationship with God.
Western diary tradition The Western diary evolved from spiritual and devotional practices toward secular personal narrative, flourishing as literacy increased.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Emerged in the 17th century from the Puritan tradition of spiritual self-examination, where individuals recorded their daily failures and blessings in pursuit of spiritual discipline and salvation. |
| Shift to secularism | By the 19th century, the diary became a popular tool for broader self-reflection, intellectual growth, and the documentation of personal feelings and daily events. The rise of individualism encouraged the exploration of one’s own identity through writing. |
| Purpose | Originally for spiritual introspection, the purpose expanded to include a wide range of functions, such as: Recording historical events and eyewitness accounts. Documenting travel and exploration. Managing daily tasks and financial accounts.• Exploring personal thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. |
| Gender differences | Historically, diaries were especially popular with middle-class women, who were often confined to the domestic sphere. Diaries provided women with a private space to assert their voices and document their lives, which were often absent from public discourse. |
| Examples | Samuel Pepys (17th century): A detailed account of London life, from major events like the Great Fire to everyday happenings. Anne Frank (20th century): A personal and historical document detailing life in hiding during the Holocaust. |
Islamic diary tradition The Islamic tradition of personal writing, known by terms like tadhkira (memorandum) or kashkul (a compilation), focuses on spiritual development and a personal relationship with God, rather than a purely secular, ego-centric journey.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Figures like Imam al-Ghazali, Rumi, and Ibn Sina, writing hundreds of years ago, engaged in this practice. The aim was to connect with themselves and Allah through written reflection. |
| Purpose | The primary purpose is spiritual growth, with personal writing serving as a devotional tool for: Reflection on Quranic verses and teachings. Recording prayers (dua) and affirmations. Introspection on Islamic principles, such as gratitude (shukr) and patience (sabr). Understanding how religious principles guide everyday decisions. |
| Content and structure | Unlike the chronological, daily account typical of a Western diary, Islamic journals are often thematic. They may focus on reflections related to a specific religious text or a period of time like Ramadan. The content may also take the form of a compilation of knowledge, as seen in the tadhkira genre. |
| Avoidance of forbidden content | Islamic jurisprudence advises against recording forbidden thoughts, such as speaking ill of others, even in private journals. This emphasis promotes virtuous thought and speech and prevents the act of writing from becoming a vessel for harmful or sinful behavior. |
| Examples | Quran journaling: A contemporary practice involving daily reflections on specific verses or surahs (chapters). Dua journals: Notebooks specifically for recording and reflecting on prayers and supplications. 99 Names of Allah journals: Dedicated journals for reflecting on and contemplating the attributes of God. |
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www2.arpel.org/Resources/s125DC/242170/A%20Muslim%20Woman%20S%20Diary.pdf
[2] https://www.nypl.org/blog/2012/03/16/manifesting-destiny-first-person-accounts-westward-migration
[3] https://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/letters/letters.pdf
[5] https://www.instagram.com/reel/C32bn2GNVOM/
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/traditional-diary
[8] https://lifestoriesdiary.com/about-june/the-role-of-the-diary/
[9] https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/diaries
[10] https://origins.calvin.edu/2023/03/27/what-diaries-fictional-and-real-can-teach-us-about-history/
[11] https://ftp.kcregap.org/libweb/n6LYo1/277044/AMuslimWomansDiary.pdf
[13] https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/article_685jsp/