Understanding of religion in Naguib Mahfouz's symbolic novels

Naguib Mahfouz, the first Muslim-Arab writer having received the Nobel Prize in Literature, was influenced by the religious understanding and politics of his environment and transfers this to his narratives. Mahfouz continues his writing career, which he started with stories and historical novels, with critical realism and symbolic narratives. In 1959, Necip Mahfuz's novel "Evlâdu Haratinâ" was requested not to be serialized and published in al-Ahram newspaper, but it goes so far that Naguib Mahfouz is accused of infidelity and in 1989 Sheikh Ömer Abdurrahman gave an interview about Naguib Mahfouz that can be understood as a death fatwa. Thereupon, Naguib Mahfouz was wanted to be killed in 1994 by a young man who had not even read his novel. He escaped death, but his right hand remained paralyzed. In our thesis, the understanding of religion in Naguib Mahfouz's seven symbolic novels is examined. Also, Mahfouz's view of religious Sufi understanding and Islamic mystical social justice are emphasized. The symbolic novels examined are: Evlâdu Hâratinâ (Children of The Alley) (1959); el-Liss- ve'l-Kilâb (The Thief and the Dogs) (1961); es-Summân ve'l-Harîf (Quail and Autumn) (1962); et-Tarîk (The Search)(1964); eş-Şehhâz (The Beggar) (1965); Sersera fevka'n-Nîl (Adrift on the Nile)(1966); Mîrâmâr (Miramar)(1967) Our thesis consists of an introduction and three parts. In the introduction part of the study, there is information about the purpose, importance and method of the research subject. In the first chapter, information about the life and literary personality of Naguib Mahfouz is given, but more emphasis is placed on his religious aspect. In the second part of the study, the historical, political, cultural and religious environment affecting Naguib Mahfouz is mentioned. In the third chapter, Naguib Mahfouz's understanding of religion and his view of sacred elements in his symbolic novels are discussed in detail.