Sasterawan Sebagai lnsān: Satu Penelitian Terhadap Beberapa Pandangan Sarjana

This article focuses on the question of duty and position of poets/literary figures (al-shu ara ) in Islam. The article chooses to analyze this particular question based on the notion of The Nature of Man (Hakikat Insan), as explained by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas in his book entitled Islam and Secularism (1978). In addition, the viewpoints of several Islamic scholars such as Seyyed Hossien Nasr and Ismail R. Faruqi are also examined, either for further elaboration or comparison. By applying the framework of The Nature of Man according to al- Attas, this discussion brings to light several basic ideas such as the nature of debt of creation and existence natural inclinationibadah (worshipful service), judicious power (al- aql) man s forgetfulness (nisyan), and adab, all of which are examined in order to understand about the duty and position of poets/literary figures (al-shu ara ) in Islam. The discussion clearly shows the significant duty and position of poets/literary figures (al-shu ara ) in Islam, i.e. to carry out ibadah (worshipful service) for Allah SWT, through literary activities. This understanding also clarifies the objective of literature according to Islam, i.e. to teach or educate and remind mankind of the truth as prescribed by Allah SWT