PANDANGAN ISLAM TERHADAP ILMU SASTRA

Literature exists to transfer the culture of one generation to the next. Literature becomes a cultural material that is taught so that it can be owned and developed by the next generation. Literature is a means to express feelings of religiosity experienced by writers. H.B.  Jassin implies that literature and religion do not always have to be contradicted. However, they fill each other's empty space until they reach the degree of perfection as human beings. In terms of the spirit of humanism, religion exists in human life to revolutionize social conditions in terms of justice. Religion exists to release humans from all forms of oppression. Through the Prophet, social conditions which were initially in a state of difficulty eventually experienced enlightenment. Literature exists to enlighten people because the authors of literary works are considered to have an inner sensitivity (which cannot be seen) that is higher than other humans. Therefore, it is not uncommon for criticism to occur over the irregular order of execution in forming literary works which we often refer to as works of social criticism. The similarities between religion and literature do not only lead to enlightenment. Religion and literature also both actually boil down to one soul. Literature with a cleansing aspect is a way for humanity to liberate the soul from the decay of the social order and its runaway. Humans are looking for the lost soul of literature by satisfying themselves with rhymes or prose. It is the same with religion which guides human beings to cleanse themselves of all mental disorders. Even though religion provides various formal rules for its adherents, religion also provides a touch of the soul.