Islamic literature

Islamic literature is literature written by Muslim people, influenced by an Islamic cultural perspective, or literature that portrays Islam. It can be written in any language and portray any country or region. It includes many literary forms including adabs, a non-fiction form of Islamic advice literature, and various fictional literary genres.

wikipedia/en/Islamic%20literature

• Content: Sayings, actions, approvals, and descriptions of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Major compilations: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud, Jami` al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Nasa’i, Sunan Ibn Majah.
• Aliases: Kutub al-Sittah (Six Books).
• Linked to: Sirah Literature and Tafsir Literature.

• Content: Biographical accounts of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Key works: Ibn Ishaq’s Sirah, preserved/edited by Ibn Hisham.
• Linked to: Maghazi Literature (military campaigns of the Prophet).

• Content: Exegesis of the Qur’an.
• Key works: Tafsir al-Tabari, Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Al-Kashshaf.
• Aliases: Qur’anic commentary.
• Linked to: ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (Sciences of the Qur’an).

• Content: Sciences of Qur’an: revelation context, abrogation, qira’at, i‘jaz.
• Key works: Al-Burhan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (al-Zarkashi), Al-Itqan fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an (al-Suyuti).
• Linked to: ‘Ulum al-Hadith.

• Content: Methodologies of isnad (chains of transmission), narrator criticism (al-jarh wa al-ta‘dil).
• Key works: Muqaddimah Ibn al-Salah, Tadrib al-Rawi.
• Linked to: Usul al-Fiqh.

• Content: Principles of deriving law (Qur’an, Sunnah, ijma‘, qiyas).
• Key works: Al-Risala (al-Shafi‘i), Al-Mustasfa (al-Ghazali), Al-Bahr al-Muhit (al-Zarkashi).
• Linked to: Fiqh Literature.

• Content: Codified rulings of the madhhabs.
• Key traditions: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, Hanbali.
• Key works: Al-Hidayah (Hanafi), Al-Mudawwana (Maliki), Al-Umm (Shafi‘i), Al-Mughni (Hanbali).
• Linked to: Fatwa Literature.

• Content: Responsa literature — applied fiqh for new cases.
• Examples: Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Majmu‘ al-Fatawa (Ibn Taymiyya).
• Linked to: Kalam Literature & Tasawwuf Literature.

• Content: Rational theology, defending aqidah.
• Schools: Ash‘ari, Maturidi, Athari.
• Key works: Al-Ibanah (al-Ash‘ari), Al-Mawaqif (al-Iji), Al-Tamhid (al-Baqillani).
• Linked to: Falsafa Literature.

• Content: Islamic philosophy, engagement with Greek thought.
• Figures: Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Rushd.
• Linked to: Tasawwuf Literature.

• Content: Spiritual purification (tazkiyah), gnosis (‘irfan).
• Key works: Risala al-Qushayriyya, Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, Futuhat al-Makkiyya.
• Aliases: Sufi manuals, works on ihsan.
• Linked to: Adab Literature.

• Content: Ethical, literary, cultural writings of Muslim civilization.
• Key works: Adab al-Dunya wa al-Din (al-Mawardi), Kalila wa Dimna.