Criteria for Islamic Literature and Literary Criticism

Since Islamic literature and criticism are new areas in the vast field of literature and criticism, this paper mainly attempts to set criteria for Islamic literature and literary criticism in light of the positive efforts made by the contemporary figures in the field of Islamic literature and criticism. As an introduction to the paper, definitions of all the vocabularies related to literature, criticism, writer and critic are discussed. Following that are the similarities and differences between a literary writer and a literary critic. Before discussing any criteria of Islamic literature and literary criticism, some background on Islamic literature is discussed under different subtitles such as The relationship between literature, life and Islam and Definition of Islamic literature before pointing out the similarities and differences between Islamic Literature and other literatures. Furthermore, the role of criticism in a Muslim society, Horizon of Islamic literature and other Issues related to Islamic literature and Islamic criticism are discussed. Under the Criteria of Islamic literature, relevant areas such as Islamic literature and literary writers, The Characteristics of a Muslim Writer, as well as that of Islamic literature are highlighted before attempting to set a criterion for Islamic literature under the heading Towards a Theory of Islamic Literature and Literary Criticism. The last major part of the paper deals with the Criteria of Islamic Criticism. This part discusses The need for a Theory for Islamic Literature, The characteristics of Islamic Literacy Criticism as well as that of a Muslim Critic. Lastly, the conclusion highlights the significance of literature in general and Islamic literature in specific as well as the role in criticism in life sums up the whole paper.