(toc) #title= (Table of Content)
Taha Husayn (1889–1973) remains one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic literature, education, and cultural reform. Blind from the age of two, Husayn overcame extraordinary challenges to establish himself as an autobiographer, essayist, critic, historian, novelist, and educator. His works not only reshaped Arabic literary studies but also left a lasting imprint on Egypt’s educational and cultural identity. Often celebrated as the “Dean of Arabic Literature,” Husayn combined scholarship, social criticism, and literary creativity in ways that continue to inspire generations.
Early Life and Struggles with Blindness
Born in Maghaghah, a small village in Upper Egypt, Husayn lost his sight due to the use of harmful traditional medicine. Growing up among sighted siblings intensified his feelings of isolation, yet this impairment sharpened his resolve. In his autobiography, al-Ayyam (The Days, 1929), he recounts how he relied heavily on his sister, while also developing a suspicion of others. This inner struggle fostered a determination that would define his intellectual journey.
Husayn’s early inspiration was Abu al-‘Ala’ al-Ma‘arri, the blind Abbasid poet-philosopher. Unlike his reclusive model, however, Husayn refused to retreat into solitude; he actively pursued a public role in Egypt’s cultural and educational reforms.
Education: From al-Azhar to the Sorbonne
Husayn’s father, despite modest means, ensured that all his children received education. Husayn memorized the Qur’an at a village kuttab before moving to Cairo in 1902 to study at al-Azhar University, where he encountered traditional Islamic scholarship. Though he admired reformist scholar Sheikh Muhammad Abdu, Husayn grew disillusioned with al-Azhar’s outdated methods and openly criticized its rigid system, which nearly cost him his place at the institution.
Simultaneously, he enrolled at the Egyptian University (now Cairo University), where his intellectual freedom flourished. He graduated in 1914 with a thesis on al-Ma‘arri and soon after received a scholarship to France. At the Sorbonne, Husayn earned a doctorate on the great Arab sociologist Ibn Khaldun and married Suzanne Bresseau, his French reader and lifelong companion.
Academic Career and Controversies
Returning to Egypt, Husayn began teaching at the Egyptian University. In 1926, his groundbreaking book Fi al-Shi‘r al-Jahili (On Pre-Islamic Poetry) stirred massive controversy. His skeptical approach questioned the authenticity of pre-Islamic poetry transmitted orally, which critics claimed undermined the Qur’an’s oral preservation. Despite accusations of blasphemy, Husayn clarified his position and continued his academic work, establishing himself as one of Egypt’s most daring literary critics.
This marked a shift toward more rigorous scholarship influenced by Orientalist methods he encountered in France. Husayn sought to modernize Arabic literary criticism, bridging classical texts with contemporary readers.
Literary Contributions
Husayn’s works span autobiography, fiction, criticism, and cultural commentary:
- Autobiography: al-Ayyam (The Days, published in three volumes between 1929 and 1967), a deeply personal narrative exploring blindness, education, and identity.
- Novels: Du‘a’ al-Karawan (The Call of the Curlew, 1941) condemns honor killings and critiques patriarchy. al-Hubb al-Da’i‘ (The Lost Love, 1942) and Ahlam Shahrazad (Scheherazade’s Dreams, 1943) explore love, society, and morality.
- Social Commentary: al-Mu‘adhdhabun fi al-Ard (The Sufferers on Earth, 1949) highlights poverty and social responsibility.
- Generational Novel: Shajarat al-Bu’s (The Tree of Misery, 1944), considered the first Arabic “novel of generations,” inspired Naguib Mahfouz’s later Cairo Trilogy.
- Cultural Vision: Mustaqbal al-Thaqafa fi Misr (The Future of Culture in Egypt, 1938), which outlined educational reforms and the role of Egypt as an Arab cultural leader.
His style combined didactic purpose with literary elegance, emphasizing social justice, education, and moral responsibility.
Educational Reforms and Public Service
Husayn’s influence extended beyond literature into national education policy. As Egypt’s Minister of Education (1959–62), he implemented reforms that reshaped the nation’s schools and universities. Key achievements include:
- Abolishing school fees to ensure free education for all Egyptians.
- Establishing two new universities to expand access to higher education.
- Advocating translation projects to bring world literature and philosophy into Arabic.
- Strengthening the role of Arabic as the language of instruction while protecting it from colloquial dilution.
Recognition and Legacy
Taha Husayn received numerous honors in Egypt and abroad, including honorary doctorates from Oxford University and other prestigious institutions. His contributions earned him the United Nations Prize for Human Rights, recognizing his defense of education, freedom of expression, and cultural development.
Today, Husayn is remembered as a symbol of resilience, intellectual courage, and reformist vision. His efforts to democratize education, defend the Arabic language, and modernize literary criticism cemented his reputation as the Dean of Arabic Literature.
Conclusion
Taha Husayn’s life story is one of triumph over adversity, intellectual courage, and enduring influence. From a blind child in a small Egyptian village to a global literary icon, he transformed personal struggles into a mission for cultural enlightenment. His writings challenged orthodoxy, his reforms reshaped education, and his legacy continues to define modern Arabic literature.
For students, writers, and lovers of literature, Husayn’s works remain a vital gateway to understanding not just Arabic culture, but also the universal struggle for knowledge, justice, and human dignity.
Leave a comment behind