Literature as Medium for Moral Instruction

A Swahili/Islamic Analysis of Ahmad Nassir’s 'Utenzi wa Mtu ni Utu'

Abstract

This paper analyzed a narrative poem Mtu ni Utu by Ahmad Nassir Juma Bhalo.The analysis will be guided by the thesis that Swahili-Islamic poetry has been and continues to be an important tool for moral instruction following in the teachings of the holy Qur’an and sunnah of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad ( PBUH).The poem continues in the long tradition of Swahili poets using literature as a tool for moral instruction in society. The poem exhorts an individual and society to preach and practice love, impeccable morality, to value and strive to uphold marital vows since family is the cradle and foundation of humanity; to peacefully co-exist,cultivate and uphold good manners.All these are the sure ingredients to a morally upright social order comprising of God-fearing individuals, tolerant, mindful of other people’s welfare-beliefs,life-styles,culture and above all else,to be each other’s keepers as the holy books teach.It was found out that, the poem addresses basic tenets and teachings of not only Islam,but humanity which are a sure ingredient to a harmonious society.Since Kiswahili literature (poetry) now traverses the globe (it is widely read outside its traditional setting), it is our view that it is an avenue for the construction of moral values even to a non-muslim non-Swahili audience the world over.