The Dean of Humanities Launches Latest Work at Library Visit Week

HUMANIORA – (20/9/2024) UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang held a series of activities as part of Library Visit Week on Thursday, September 19, 2024. The main agenda, which took place in the Literacy Information Room of UIN Malang's library on the first floor, was a Literacy Forum and a Book Review of "Qur'anic Narratology: Structure and Narrative Function of Prophetic Stories", written by Dr. M. Faisol, M.Ag., the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. The event was attended by academics, students, and literacy enthusiasts from various circles.

On this occasion, Dr. M. Faisol, M.Ag., who is also the Chairman of the Association of Adab Science Lecturers (ADIA), shared his extensive experience in the field of literature and Qur'anic studies, providing deep insights into narratology in the Holy Qur'an, particularly on the prophetic stories that have a unique narrative structure filled with moral values.

The book review was moderated by R.H. Authonul Muther, a columnist for semilir.co and a philosophy enthusiast. With his lively and critical moderation style, R.H. Authonul successfully led an interactive and thought-provoking discussion, facilitating dialogue between the author and the participants.

During the book review session, Dr. M. Faisol explained that Qur'anic Narratology was written with the aim of revealing how the Qur'an conveys its messages through a unique narrative structure. According to him, the stories of the prophets are not just historical accounts, but also serve as a means to convey ethical and spiritual teachings. These stories are intricately structured narratives that, when carefully understood, provide life guidance for Muslims.

Furthermore, Dr. M. Faisol elaborated on how the narratological approach helps readers delve deeper into the meaning of the Qur'anic text, particularly in terms of narrative function and story structure. Stories of prophets such as Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa, and Prophet Yusuf, for example, have complex story structures rich in symbolic meaning and moral messages.

"In the context of Prophet Musa’s story, which holds significant importance in Prophet Muhammad’s mission, there are sequences, character relationships, plotlines, and episodes that can be ethically contextualized in modern life," said the Secretary of PCNU Malang City.

Dr. M. Faisol also emphasized that this book is vital for researchers in the fields of literature and Islamic studies, as well as for the general public who want to understand the ethical dimensions of the prophetic stories in the Qur'an.

The participants’ enthusiasm was evident from the many questions raised during the discussion session. Both students and lecturers expressed their appreciation for the new perspectives offered by Dr. Faisol. They felt that the narratological approach opened up a broader field of study on the Qur'anic text, especially in understanding the meanings behind the prophetic stories.

The Literacy Forum and Book Review event is expected to be the beginning of many other scientific discussions involving literacy and Qur'anic studies. This event also inspired students and academics to delve deeper into Islamic literature through innovative approaches. [ar]