Issues of Studying Sources Related to Islamic History

Lоlа K. Аzimоvа

International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Work, History, Method, Research, Short Story, Islam, Literature, Chronicle, Prophet, Companion, Epic, Book,

Analysis, Classification, Folk, Saint, Treatise, Genre.

Abstract: In the expansive landscape of world literature, various genres such as narrative, short stories, novels, and folk

tales hold significant sway, reflecting diverse cultures and traditions. Among Turkic peoples, literature often

intertwines with national and religious themes, manifesting unique artistic interpretations. Short stories,

particularly those infused with religious motifs, exhibit distinctive characteristics in Turkic literature,

especially in narrating Islamic history. From hagiographic works of the 17th-19th centuries to chronicles

chronicling the spread of Islam, these literary endeavours offer insights into cultural and historical narratives.

Scholars explore the historical significance and genre attributes of these works, delving into their ideological

underpinnings and narrative styles. However, there remains a need for deeper analysis of the amalgamation

of historical and artistic elements in literary compositions related to Islam. Investigating the nuances of Uzbek

literature's portrayal of Islamic history not only enriches scholarly discourse but also advances our

understanding of religious and cultural representations in literature.

1 INTRODUCTION

The exploration of historical battle narratives with

religious undertones in Uzbek literature has gained

traction since independence, fostering a deeper

understanding through various analytical lenses.

Notably, the proliferation of such works has bolstered

Uzbek literature, particularly enhancing the unique

short story genre. Within Uzbek classical literature,

historical-battle narratives from the 17th to 19th

centuries, categorized under the "short story" genre,

constitute a vital component of the broader term

"people's books". Scholars, drawing on diverse

methodologies, have underscored the significance of

these narratives, recognising them as a distinct genre

within Uzbek literary history. While some view them

solely as short stories, others acknowledge their

broader significance, encompassing both short stories

and epics. This broader perspective aligns with the

notion of "folk books" serving as a conduit between

classical written literature and medieval folk epic

traditions, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of

Uzbek literature. This study delves into the artistic

expressions within these narratives, spanning from

depictions of Islamic history to tales of heroic figures

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6916-4394

like Abu Muslim, thus illuminating the breadth and

depth of Uzbek folk literature.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The historical battle narratives with religious themes

in Uzbek literature have been a subject of growing

scholarly interest, particularly since the nation's

independence. Notably, Gyorres highlighted the

prominence of short narrative traditions in Uzbek

literature during the 17th to 19th centuries. This

narrative tradition draws heavily from Arabic and

Persian literary works, which served as foundational

texts for constructing narratives depicting Islamic

history. For instance, Kholis Tashkandi's creation of

the "Story of Shah Jarir" in Turkish, inspired by

earlier Arabic and Persian works, exemplifies this

trend. Moreover, manuscripts from this period reveal

translations and adaptations of Persian-Tajik texts,

such as Husain Vaiz Koshifi's "Ravzat ush-shuhado",

influencing the formation of unique short stories.

Additionally, Persian works by authors like

Burkhaniddin Rabguzi and Muhammad Fuzuli served

as primary sources for narratives on Islamic history,

Azimova, L.

Issues of Studying Sources Related to Islamic History.

DOI: 10.5220/0012989800003882

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies (PAMIR-2 2023), pages 1663-1665

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

1663

further enriching the Uzbek literary landscape. These

narratives, infused with religious reverence, not only

reflect the spiritual inclinations of the populace but

also demonstrate a rich tapestry of cultural and

historical influences.

Through creative reinterpretations, authors

endeavoured to convey the essence of Islamic history

to their audience, weaving together elements of

tradition and imagination.

The narrative exploration of figures like Imam

Hasan and Imam Husayn served as a vehicle for

expressing religious devotion and cultural identity,

contributing to the diverse literary heritage of

Uzbekistan. Moreover, the proliferation of

manuscripts containing works such as "Mulhaqot us-

Suroh", "Jami' ul-khutut", and "Ajayib ul-

Makhluqot" among the Turkic peoples underscores

the widespread interest in narratives that blend

historical events with religious themes.

In addition to established literary sources, oral

traditions and popular narratives played a crucial role

in shaping the content and themes of Uzbek literature.

For example, stories related to historical and cultural

landmarks, such as the Safed Bulan tomb or the Shahi

Zinda complex, provided inspiration for narratives

like "Story of Shah Jarir" and "Zevarshah and Qusam

ibn Abbas". This integration of local legends and

folklore into literary works not only added depth to

the narratives but also strengthened the cultural

connections between the past and present.

Furthermore, the religious significance attributed

to figures like Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn is

evident in the meticulous attention to detail and

reverence with which their stories are depicted. The

portrayal of these figures as exemplars of piety and

righteousness resonated deeply with audiences,

fostering a sense of spiritual affinity and cultural

pride. Additionally, the scholarly engagement with

religious texts such as Imam Bukhari's "al-Jame' al-

Sahih" provided a scholarly framework for

interpreting and contextualizing historical events

within the Islamic tradition.

Overall, the exploration of historical battle

narratives with religious themes in Uzbek literature

reflects a dynamic interplay between tradition,

creativity, and cultural expression. By delving into

these narratives, scholars gain valuable insights into

the religious and cultural landscape of Uzbekistan,

illuminating the multifaceted nature of its literary

heritage.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Based on the analysis presented, the creation of

literary works in Uzbek literature depicting the

history of Islam in the 17

to 19

centuries draws

upon two primary sources:

Firstly, classical Islamic texts such as Imam

Bukhari's "al-Jame' as-Sahih" and Burhoniddin

Rabguzi's "Qisa Rabguzi" provide foundational

narratives about prophets and historical events. These

were originally written in languages like Turkish and

Persian, reflecting a deep-rooted tradition of

storytelling and religious discourse. Later literary

works such as Muhammad Fuzuli's "Hadiqat us-

suado" and Husayn Waiz Koshifi's "Rawzat ush-

Shuhado" further expanded the thematic scope,

weaving religious narratives into the fabric of Uzbek

literary expression.

Secondly, Persian-Tajik manuscripts such as

"Mulhaqot us-Suroh" and "Kanz ul-Gharayib" served

as significant artistic sources, capturing the lives of

historical figures within the context of their

communities. These texts not only chronicled events

but also portrayed the cultural and social landscapes

of their time through the lens of religious heroism and

moral guidance.

Historically, Western orientalists and scholars

like E.A. Belyaev and S.M. Marr analysed Islamic

history using methods rooted in historical-

comparative and typological approaches. Conversely,

Uzbek scholars like N. Ibragimov delved into the

empirical and theoretical dimensions of Arab folk

literature, offering insights into the cultural

significance of figures such as Hazrat Ali.

In the pre-independence era, Uzbek literature

grappled with varying attitudes towards works of

religious and spiritual content, either as mystical

narratives or subjects for secular analysis. Post-

independence, scholars such as U. Jumanazarov and

R. Jumaniyozov focused on theoretical aspects of folk

literature, employing observation, classification, and

analysis to explore its literary and historical value.

Moving forward, contemporary Uzbek scholars like

M. Hasani and B. Sarimsakov continue to study these

literary traditions, emphasising their role as sources

of historical and literary inspiration. The field

benefits from ongoing research that applies

hermeneutic interpretation and comparative-

textological analysis to deepen our understanding of

Uzbek literary heritage and its portrayal of Islamic

history.

The study of Uzbek literature's depiction of

Islamic history from the 17

to 19

centuries remains

a vibrant area of exploration, blending cultural

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insights with rigorous academic inquiry. As scholars

delve deeper into these texts, employing

interdisciplinary methodologies, they illuminate not

only the religious dimensions but also the artistic and

moral fabric of Uzbek society during these

transformative periods.

Despite these efforts, comprehensive research on

Uzbek literature's artistic portrayal of Islamic history

remains elusive. Works from the 17th to 19th

centuries await thorough examination, particularly

regarding their literary, artistic, and historical

significance. Moreover, the actions of historical

figures as literary protagonists and ideals merit

further exploration. Access to undiscovered literary

sources in manuscript funds underscores the need for

continued scholarly inquiry into Uzbek literature's

depiction of Islamic history.

4 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the study of Islamic history in Uzbek

literature from the 17th to 19th centuries necessitates

a methodical approach involving classification,

analysis, and interpretation. By categorizing works

based on their content and employing hermeneutic

methods, scholars can delve deeper into the emotional

and historical nuances portrayed in artistic creations.

The period witnessed significant advancements in the

short story genre, with folk heroes and Islamic history

being subjects of artistic interpretation by creators

from various walks of life, particularly in the fruitful

19th century.

The foundational sources for these artistic

expressions lie in Imam Bukhari's hadith collection

and Persian literature prevalent among the people of

that time. Understanding the plot variations and

compositions of works covering figures like Hazrat

Ali and Imam Husayn requires meticulous analysis

and hermeneutic interpretation. Moving forward, a

comprehensive study employing classification,

comparative analysis, observation, and hermeneutic

analysis promises to enhance our understanding of

Uzbek literature's portrayal of Islamic history during

this period.

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