American Literature: 04/25/12

There are various reasons for choosing American Literature as our main theme for this course (computer application)

Those reasons are:

• American Literature is one of the core courses for BENL students.

• American Literature relates to the American country’s literature, history, and belief system.

• Some themes or issues mentioned in the American's literature are against the Islamic tenets.

Therefore,

• We need to incorporate Islamic values in our educational system.

• To enable students to become a critical thinker (avoid taqlid)

• To remind students of their responsibilities as the vicegerent of Allah.

The relationship between Computer Application and American Literature

In computer application course, we learned how to use call, cmc and we also learned to include reflection in our study

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Compare and Contrast to Islamic Teaching

Themes in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

1) Racism and Slavery
Huckleberry Finn is a novel made after the Emancipation Proclamation of Civil War. America (especially the South) - was still struggling with the after-effects of slavery. The imposition of Jim Crow laws has limited the power of the blacks in the South. This law has brought up the beginning of an insidious effort to oppress the blacks. The illustrations of racism and slavery are shown by the blacks in the South and their relationship with the whites (the blacks work for the whites).

Islamic Point of View on Racism and Slavery
During Jahilliyyah period, the Arab do buy slaves and some of them work as slave trader. However, when Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) spread the teaching of Islam, he preached that all Muslim are equal in the eyes of Allah regardless of their worldly position. This statement is illustrated in Surah al-Hujurat, verse 13

"O Mankind, we created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you in to tribes and nations so that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you."

Al-Hujurat: 13

Thus, Islam seeks to eliminate racism as mention in Surah al-Hujurat: 13 that Allah (S.W.T) stated that He honored those who have the quality of righteous in life.

2) Intellectual and Moral Education
These themes revolve around Huck's education. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn depicts an individual's maturation. For example, as a poor and uneducated boy, Huck distrusts the moral values of the society that failed to protect him from his father's abuse. One of his aunts who took care of Huck insisted that he should go to school and learn. However, Huck who was previously unexposed to this new environment felt discouraged in going to school.

Islamic Point of View on Intellectual and Moral education.

Similar to the situation occurred in the novel, Islam also promotes the idea of seeking knowledge. The difference between human being and animal is the mind (al-aql). Human were blessed with mind to think rationally. In Surah al-Mujadalah, verse 11, Allah emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge.

Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks

Al- Mujadalah: 11

An Islamic scholar named al-Ghazali also stressed the need of seeking knowledge. Thus, it is compulsory for us to acquire knowledge and at the same time, serve as vicegerent of Allah.

3) Lies and Cons

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel fill with lies and scams. Huck, who is the main character of this story also told a number of lies and even cons a few people. For example, Huck made up a story on an outbreak of smallpox to the slave-hunters in order to protect Jim. Huck realized that telling a lie can actually be a good thing, depending on its purpose.

Islamic Point of View on Lies and Cons.

Lying is a part of human relationships. People lie for a variety of reasons. Some people lie for their self-interest and some lie in order to save others. People believe that lying is a necessity in life. However, Islam views lies as a sinful act. This statement can be demonstrated in Surah Al-Isra, verse 36.

And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).

Al- Isra’: 36

By being truthful to our own self and others can lead a Muslim to heaven. On the other hand, lying could leads to sinful acts that deviate from Islamic teaching and deviation from Islamic teaching equal to tickets towards the Hellfire. Therefore, one should train themselves not to lie and build their relationship with trust and honesty.

Malcom X

May 19, 1925

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

Malcom X was also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

He is an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist.

To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans.

Meanwhile, detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, anti-Semitism, and violence.

All in all, he has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.

Malcom X - Our History was destroyed by Slavery

References

Al-Quran: Surah Al-Hujurat: 13, Surah Al-Mujadalah: 11, Surah Al- Isra’: 36

Singer B. (2008, November 8). In Youtube. Retrieved April 9, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is5sTaUImls

Twain M. (2010). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. London: HarperCollins.

Antihostile. (2006, September 5). In Youtube. Retrieved April 9, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENHP89mLWOY

Reflection

When we first got this assignment, we thought that this type of assignment was interesting. The behind this statement is that we never really associated Islamic teaching with literature subject before. During the progress, we put our head together and had a few meetings in completing this task. It was fun and we hope that this type of assignment can be apply to other English subjects – officially.

American Literature

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Table of Contents

Profiles of Students

Theme: American Literature (Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

Islamization of American Literature