The Reflections

This book offers a faithful English translation of An-Nazarat (‘The Reflections’) by Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti, a distinguished essayist from the era of the Nahda, or the Modern Arabic Literary Renaissance in Egypt. Al-Manfaluti’s magnum opus, first published in 1910, is a rich collection of short stories, essays, and a few adapted translations, originally featured in Egypt’s al-Mu’ayyad newspaper.

With a sharp, reflective eye, al-Manfaluti captures the vibrant tapestry of life, inviting readers to explore the intricate interplay of cultural identity and the dynamic evolution of society. His works, which John A. Haywood describes as spanning the ‘whole gamut of current ethical and social problems,’ offer a glimpse into the early 20th-century Egyptian zeitgeist, touching on themes of political nationalism, pan-Islamic aspirations, and religious reform.

Al-Manfaluti’s unique, almost highbrow style, with its distinct lustre, sets his writings apart. Abdul-Sattar Jawad compares him to the Romantic essayist Lamb, noting al-Manfaluti’s use of personal reminiscences, stories, interest in the natural past, and prose poems, often reinforced with verse quotations.

Hailed as a genius in the art of literary composition and prose-writing, and a leader in pure stylistic diction, al-Manfaluti’s An-Nazarat remains a seminal work for those interested in the Middle East and the Nahda period, a melting pot of social and literary significance.