Everyday Muslims and non-Muslims ask questions about Islam. Some want light reading and others want in-depth studies. Many seek spiritual solace or an increase in their Taqwa and Eman. I know, as a former Christian, that bookstores are full of inspirational Christian books and stories. When I first entered Islam eight years ago, I literally devoured book after book after in my thirst for knowledge.
After a while, however, I began to feel that most for knowledge. After a while, however, I began to feel that most books were very 'procedural' and dry in nature. They talked about laws or the five pillars or presented the beliefs in a very rote, uninspiring way. The only reading that gave me solace was the Qur'an translated by Yusuf Ali, Hadith Qudsi, and a few books by Muhammad Asad, Maududi and some other miscellaneous writers from the 1930s and 40s. (There was a lively literary scene among expat Muslims in London at that time, ironically.)
As my knowledge increased, as I knew more and more, I wanted to delve deeper into the realms of spirituality and practicality. How should I live as a Muslim today? How do I relate my faith to others? What lessons can life teach the concerned Muslim? How does the Qur'an guide my hunger for truth in this society? I looked avidly for pleasure reading that would help me in these and other areas. But nearly every book, new and old, that I encountered still stressed the same mechanical themes. Truly inspirational writing remained elusive.
And what of leisure reading selections? I love science-fiction, historical fiction, classical autobiographies and great literature. Where can I find, as a Muslim, such things that would satisfy my tastes and reflect my Islamic way of life? There's really not that much out there in these categories. The situation is even more bleak if you talk about good youth stories for teenagers and college-age Muslims. Sure there are lots of books in print, but most of them are, again, boring, written poorly or simply not interesting enough to capture our young minds.
When I used to walk through Borders Books, Barnes & Noble or other book stores (remember those), I used to see the shelves literally come alive in the religion section with colorful, interesting and inspirational books on Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and even Buddhism. But when I went to the tiny Islam section, if they had one, most of the books were basic-style technical manuals on Islam at best, or shirk-inducing, Sufi-style mystical works that were totally outside the pale of Islamic teachings. A few books were outright attacks on Islam.
I used to think: "Where are the good, solid inspirational books which show an accurate portrait of Islam as a beautiful pattern for life? Where are the biographies of practical, everyday Muslim trying to make it through this life?" I did visit a few Muslim-owned bookstores (the little holes-in-the-walls- selling mostly attar and prayer rugs and such), and for a time I ordered books from catalogs, but the selections were likewise not what I would have hoped. How must others be thinking, as well? Perhaps my own experience can help in the understanding of this shortage of a good range of materials addressing a wide variety of interests for Muslims.
Way back in 1989 I decided to write books myself, hoping to help other Muslims find things that would satisfy this or that spiritual craving, however, I have literally had a dozen influential men tell me to give up writing because "Muslims don't read." These men were doctors, school administrators, Imams and political activists. When you hear your vision dashed by men you normally would look up to, it can be very hard.
Also, my experience has taught me that it is true: some Muslims really don't read or buy books seemingly on principle. My brother-in-law and myself sometimes held book tables at conventions in the late 1990s. Many people came and got our books because they've never seen anything like them. But a few people seemed to walk by with a vacant stare on their faces. Even if their children dragged them to our table and begged to get one of our youth adventures, this type of parent often said no and asked their children if they wouldn't want a sticker or candy instead from another table.
It's amazing the reasons which have stunted the growth of our own writing industry, and they are many and varied. We have publishers who seek to suck the best deal out of starving Muslim authors; we have wealthy patrons shelling out thousands to print books that are boring, poorly written and undercut legitimate writers, but that the rich men like. This floods the market and lowers prices artificially so that genuine struggling writers have to actually lose money in order to stay competitive. We also have booksellers and stores who will only carry a book if some Sheikh or Maulana wrote it. (This is an exaggeration, of course, but you get the point.)
In addition, Muslim immigrants are oftentimes simply not aware of the wide choices available in reading because writing styles in their home countries were limited. Can you imagine a typical man from Cairo reading science fiction, poetic-prose, great plays, youth adventures, mysteries and such in his youth? (A recent study by an Arab think tank estimated that only 30% of Arabs in the Middle East are actually literate, for example.)
So when the American-raised children of such people beg for an Ahmad Deen adventure or a Muslim-oriented novella, such a parent doesn't see it as valuable reading. Instead they may try to steer their child towards reading that he may see as more worthwhile, like a boring technical manual on Islam - or a candy wrapper!
Luckily, like situation is beginning to improve. More native-born and second-generation Muslim authors are trying their hands at writing and some true gems are beginning to shine forth. But in order for this growth to be sustained, Muslims must take another look at the books being offered. Some are boring, of course, but a lot of new books are interesting. Also, Muslim parents are beginning to get fed up with their children reading their smart phone screens and nothing else. What is usually available in the schools is not much better. A lot of the 'youth stories' in your child's classroom promote dating, lying, disrespect for authority, gangsta life and many other poor values. Enlightened parents want a Muslim-based alternative that is just as good as secular offerings and written just as well.
I remember a conversation I had a few years ago with an elderly, Indo-Pak doctor. He told me that when he was young Islamic books in his area seemed so exciting that your eman became strong and your enthusiasm for Islam was peaked. He talked of the magic og Maududi and other writers and I could see in his eyes how those memories affected him so deeply. He then sadly lamented that there were few such books for Muslim youth in English.
Now the situation is changing. All the well-meaning brothers could not discourage me and other Muslims like me from using the pen for the service of Allah. I personally am working on book number 45, and many others are pushing the bounds of the market ever further so we can provide for the needs of all Muslim audiences right here in the English speaking world. Print-on-Demand services have also freed Muslim authors from the constraints of traditional publishers who had to weigh every penny when making a decision to adopt a new book or not.
How can you help? Well, there's an obvious answer and a not so obvious answer. Of course, be more willing to buy Muslim-written books, but widen your horizon. Patronize new authors whose writing styles interest you. Encourage your children to read Muslim-fiction and even buy the books for them before hand. If there is an author you like particularly, follow up on them and see what new things they've produced. Order from Muslim booksellers at least once or twice a month. Noorart is one such publisher with a large selection of interesting books. Amazon also has a huge number of Muslim stories in their catalog.
For you, it will only be a few dollars here and there. For your children, it is an encouragement to try new products and take a chance on new authors.
Together we can build a viable alternative of good, inspirational and insightful Muslim-oriented writing that we can all enjoy. May Allah help us to succeed with the pen in this society as we have succeeded in others. Ameen.
No comments:
Post a Comment