A Stylistic Study of Islamic Concepts in Selected Poems of Ramadan Sonnet by Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore

Abstract

This study explored Islamic principles in Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore’s Ramadan Sonnet through the stylistic framework of Leech and Short (1981). It analysed how linguistic features—graphical, lexical, grammatical, and semantic—convey key Islamic concepts such as fasting (ṣawm), spiritual purification (tazkiyah), remembrance of Allah (dhikr), and divine presence (ḥuḍūr). The poem was not only treated as literature but also regarded as a spiritual text rooted in Islamic theology. Findings reveal Moore’s stylistic choices, including repetition, parallelism, metaphor, and visual form, mirror the inner transformation of Ramadan. The study proved how poetry bridges the gap between language and spirituality, serving as both an artistic expression and a form of religious devotion. By applying stylistic analysis, it demonstrated the integration of faith and form, highlighting literature’s role in expressing metaphysical reflection. Ultimately, Ramadan Sonnet exemplified how poetic style can embody theological essence, enriching Islamic English literature and affirming the inseparability of art and spirituality in the Islamic literary tradition.