Spiritual Inclination in Mahjar Literature: The Novel Mirdad as an Example

Abstract

The topic of spiritual inclination is of profound importance from multiple philosophical and literary perspectives, and it is closely connected to the Mahjar movement, which represents, in general, a significant phase in the history of modern Arabic literature. This movement examines the impact of migration and alienation on Arab writers who moved to Western countries during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Mahjar literature is not limited to expressing feelings of exile and estrangement; rather, it also serves as a mirror reflecting the literary and cultural transformations of that period. Within this context, Mikhail Naimy’s novel Mirdad emerges as a prominent model for the manifestation of spiritual inclination, as it encompasses philosophical ideas and spiritual meditations that embody values related to human identity.