The ideological trends in Ali Ahmad Bakathir's Sallamat Al‐Qass

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines Ali Ahmad Bakathir's unique vision in terms of the theme of love, as a subject whose treatment varies according to the ideology and philosophy of the writers. On the basis of Islamic ideals, Sallamat Al‐Qass introduces a strange relationship between an ascetic worshiper, Abdurrahman, and the woman singer, Sallama; the two fall in love and hope for reunion if not in this world, then in the hereafter. This contrasts the stories of platonic love such as Romeo and Juliet which ends tragically and shows the possibility of reconciliation between the contradictory worlds of religion and art as well. In contrast to many love stories, love in Bakathir's novel not only changes the lover's view of the world positively and reconciles it with religion, but it also refines his poetry talent and makes him more active, more humane, and God‐fearing. The reconciliation reaches the point of accepting singing as an incentive to worship. The conclusion refutes the allegations of religious hardliners who take a contrary attitude and claim that love and singing are forbidden. Bakathir himself may have had the same experience encountered by his character Abdurrahman, as his novel seems to reflect the experience of such emotions from an Islamic perspective.