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Ayat-ayat cinta, the best-selling Malay (Indonesian?) novel written by the M.A scholar of the University of Al-Azhar, Egypt had once again ignite the sparks of interest towards Malay literatures. I must admit that this novel is the first Malay novel that I read after more than three years when I was forced to read Malay novels like A Samad Said’s Salina back in my A level years. Admittedly, I’m not a fan of Malay novels and I find most of it (at least those that I have try to read) is generally typical love story that portray the general portrayal of the Malay image of indolence, backstabbing attitude, indulging in vices and many other non-progressing message. Definitely, I’m not saying all, I’m sure there are better Malay novels out there that has yet to come into my radar or it’s just me that have no interest in reading it. Literature works like Hamka’s “Di Bawah Lindungan Ka’bah” is perhaps some exceptional.

Anyway, back to “Ayat-ayat Cinta”. Months before I grabbed to read this book from JB’s MPH, several friends of were recommending this book to me. However I was contemplating as I do not like fictional books, I would rather read Mahbubani’s “Can Asians Think?” or Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”. Those books make more sense to me. But oh well, I decided to give it a try, it was between this novel and Tehrani’s “Bila Tuhan Berbicara”, apparently this title “ayat-ayat cinta” managed to ‘seduce’ me..haha! I remember when I was in my secondary school years; I’ve read novels like “Cinta Madinah” and “Sesegar Nailofar” which in my thought very similar to “Ayat-ayat Cinta” as the plots are all situated in Middle East. However, after begin to read “Ayat-ayat Cinta”, I realised this is even better than those novel I’ve previously read.

SYNOPSIS

The story begins in a suburb of an Egyptian street where Fahri, the post-graduate Islamic studies student from Indonesia were studying at Al-Azhar and his friendship with Maria, a Christian Coptic girl living upstairs. It is interesting how the author portray the amicable relationship between a religious and pious Muslim and a devoted Christian Coptic family. Despite having different faith, their love for The Holy Lord unites them in the name of humanity and compassion. I really like the part where Fahri asked Maria for help, when another Muslim girl downstairs, Noura was being brutally tortured by her ‘father’. Fahri SMS Maria and plead her help for the sake of Isa al-Masih (Jesus Christ), as Maria was reluctant to get involved and Fahri couldn’t attend to the girl as he observed a stringent religious code of conduct that prohibits him for touching the non-Mahram. There is also a part when Fahri went for a dinner with Maria’s family in a posh restaurant and Maria asked him to dance with her. Strongly upholding his faith, he explained to Maria graciously why he could not accept her offer to dance together and Marie politely understand.

Another memorable part for me is the first encounter between Fahri and Aisha, a Turkish-German lady who eventually asked for a marriage proposal via her uncle that happened to know Fahri personally. They first met in a public transport, when Fahri defended an American lady; Alicia who was being mocked by the Egyptians for she was an American (another Arab anti-American rhetoric). Aisha who was happened to be there joined to protect Alicia from being harmed by the emotionally-naive Egyptians. They managed to exchange contacts and Aisha made friend with Alicia, as she was eager to learn more about Islam from her. She contacted Fahri to arrange for a meet-up as Alicia wanted to ask him questions about Islam. Fahri had also seek Maria’s help to translate an Arabic book on Islam to English so Alicia can have a copy of it and read it herself.

To cut the story short, Fahri and Aisha finally get married in a moderately-lavish wedding, all arranged by Aisha. When Fahri was first proposed by Aisha’s guardian in Egypt, he had no idea how Aisha look like. He thought it was Nurul, (an Indonesia undergraduate that he likes and she in return also silently likes him) that had sent someone for a marriage proposal; instead he was shocked when it was Aisha, the lady barely met twice. As Aisha is wearing a ‘niqab’, he had no idea how she looked like. During the marriage proposal or in Syariah known as ‘khitbah’, Aisha revealed her face to Fahri, where he was mesmerized by her exceptional beauty, SubhanALLAH…”Fa bi ayyi alaai rabbikuma tukazziban” (And which bounty of your Lord that you want to refuse- Surah Al-Rahman) Without knowing that Aisha is a wealthy heir of her millionaire mum who married a Muslim convert while doing some ‘dakwah’, Fahri was shocked that Aisha brought him to a luxurious apartment facing the Nile River of Egypt. He was even given two ATM cards with hundred thousands worth of money inside. Aisha was determined and had full faith that these money and all her assets will be used for greater good by her beloved husband. Nevertheless, not used to luxurious life requested that they sell the luxurious apartment and live moderately. He even told his wife that he wanted to return to Indonesia and continue his ‘dakwah’ work. Being a diligent wife, she willingly agrees. Here, I personally see some resemblance to sacrifices of the very first Ummul Mukminin, Sayyidatina Khadijah r.a.

Anyway, coming back to this story, the apex of the story is when Fahri was accused of raping Noura (the girl that he helped). Noura had filed charges against him purposely as she was upset and disappointed with Fahri for rejecting her love. The only alibi that can testify of Fahri’s innocence is Maria. However, she was in a coma. Her illness is unknown but it was said that her health begun to get worst after Fahri’s marriage. Her diary revealed that she had secretly fallen in love with him and upon knowing of his marriage, she had no desire to continue living. In order to regain her consciousness, Maria’s mother approach Aisha and ask her a favor which many women will object to – asking her to let Fahri’s marry Maria. Aisha, already troubled to find solutions to free her husband from the unjust court ruling in Egypt, without much hesitation agreed and told Fahri to marry Aisha. Despite knowing the permissibility of polygamy, Fahri refused as it was his principle that he has not wish to marry more than one (same like me hahaha). Previously, Nurul had even written a letter suggesting polygamy for him as she had also fallen in love with him. However, after being persuaded, he finally agreed and Aisha took out her wedding ring and pass it to Fahri. Although she had initiated it, El-Shirazy’s managed to show her humane side when she felt jealous witnessing the marriage took place. Finally, Maria woke up and managed to testify Fahri’s innocence. Aisha was overjoyed and return to hospital to take care of Maria, as she had fainted after the verdict. During her unconsciousness, she dreamt that she wanted to enter paradise, and she met Mother Mary who told her of another one condition that she need to fulfill before the door of heaven can be opened for her. She woke up and……… (read the novel..haha)

My thought

Well, first of all, what I like about this novel is the methodology applied by El-Shirazy in educating the readers about the concept of love in Islam. He had succeeded in relaying that message, with sufficient verses of the Quran about love and also the hadiths of the Prophet S.A.W. He also creatively conveyed some other learning points, like some ‘ahkam’ (religious laws) and other pointer by inculcating the works of the great Muslim scholars in literary way, make it even easier to digest and less serious, yet the message is a serious one. He also touches on the issue of inter-faiths relation which I believe a very good portrayal. One thing I am surprised is his daring move to talk about polygamy, which is a taboo issue, especially in Indonesia. (I remember that when I was in Bandung, just after the Aaa Gym 2^nd marriage, it was a big issue and he was boycotted by almost half if not more for committing polygamy)

As for the realistic part of the story and the character, I guess it’s quite hard to find someone as-nearly-perfect as Fahri and Aisha, at least in Singapore, not sure about the Indonesians. Several friends of mine told me the characteristics of the characters are quite too idealistic, but perhaps that is something for us to ponder upon. Personally, I am not looking for someone as good as Aishah because I myself is not as almost-perfect as Fahri. However, what I can learn from them is the spirit of endurance of perseverance in our journey of obtaining love for the sake of The Master of Love.

As for some critique of this novel, I believe some feminists may condemn the portrayal of women in his writing. I disagree with how he showcased the emotional Nurul when she suggested for polygamy through a letter addressed to Fahri. The image given was as if even educated girl like Nurul could not resist her love and had to be reminded by the guy to be rational. I totally dislike this part as some people may interpret it in such a way.

Silver Screen

Anyway, the movie for this novel is already being played in Indonesia. I can’t wait for it to be screened in Malaysia, at least I can watch it in JB, hopefully, Amin J For those who like to read something different in Malay literatures, I would suggest you grab this book. I managed to read in less than a week despite it being nearly 500 pages (something which very rare for me to finish).

That’s all for now, kindly give your comments and share your thoughts.

Wassalam.

Ridhwan Bin Mohd Basor