i have collected a couple of other suggestions from the forum:
- Theologus Autodidactus by Ibn al-Nafis (This work is one of the first Arabic novels, may be considered an early example of a science fiction novel, and an early example of a coming of age tale and a desert island story.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theologus_Autodidactus
enko wrote:Ḥayy ibn Yaqẓān (Arabic: حي بن يقظان "Alive, son of Awake"; Latin: Philosophus Autodidactus "The Self-Taught Philosopher"; English: The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan) was the first Arabic novel and the first philosophical novel, written by Ibn Tufail (also known as Aben Tofail or Ebn Tophail), an Arab philosopher and physician, in early 12th century Islamic Spain. The novel was itself named after an earlier Arabic allegorical tale and philosophical romance of the same name, written by Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in early 11th century, though they both had different stories.
Ibn Tufail's Hayy ibn Yaqdhan had a significant influence on Arabic literature, Persian literature, and European literature after it was translated in 1671 into Latin and then into several other European languages. The work also had a "profound influence" on both classical Islamic philosophy and modern Western philosophy, and became "one of the most important books that heralded the Scientific Revolution" and European Enlightenment. The novel is also considered a precursor to the European bildungsroman genre.
The text link is: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/16831
You can find more information on the book here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayy_ibn_Yaqdhan
Ibn Baṭūṭah (Arabic: أبو عبد الله محمد بن عبد الله اللواتي الطنجي بن بطوطة, ʾAbū ʿAbd al-Lāh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Lāh l-Lawātī ṭ-Ṭanǧī ibn Baṭūṭah), or simply Ibn Battuta (ابن بطوطة) (February 25, 1304 – 1368 or 1369), was a Moroccan explorer. He is known for his extensive travels, accounts of which were published in the Rihla (lit. "Journey"). Over a period of thirty years, Battuta visited most of the known Islamic world as well as many non-Muslim lands. His journeys included trips to North Africa, the Horn of Africa, West Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, and to the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and China in the East, a distance surpassing threefold his near-contemporary Marco Polo. Battuta is considered one of the greatest travellers of all time.[1]
From the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Battuta
Text link to 1829 translation by Rev. Samuel Lee: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wjAtGKM_-WIC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Abu at-Tayyib Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Mutanabbi (Arabic: أبو الطيب أحمد بن الحسين المتنبّي Abū aṭ-Ṭayyib ʾAḥmad ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Mutanabbī) (915 – 23 September 965) was an Arab (Iraqi-born) poet. He is considered as one of the greatest poets in the Arabic language. Much of his poetry revolves around praising the kings he visited during his lifetime. Some consider his 326 poems to be a great representation of his life story.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Mutanabbi
linadia wrote:Hello,
I would like to suggest the following 3 collections of Taymour's literary works:
http://www.archive.org/details/muallaftmuammadt01taymuoft
http://www.archive.org/details/muallaftmuammadt02taymuoft
http://www.archive.org/details/muallaftmuammadt03taymuoft
I am interested in participating in the recordings. I would, however, help with the division into sections. But since I don't have much experience, I'll appreciate all your kind help.
Thanks
Nadia