Naguib Mahfouz, born on December 11, 1911, in Cairo, Egypt, remains one of the most celebrated and influential writers in the Arab world. Renowned for his rich storytelling and profound exploration of Egyptian society, Mahfouz’s works have captivated readers, earning him international acclaim and the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988.
Mahfouz was raised in Cairo’s Al-Jamaliyya neighborhood, a vibrant community that would later serve as inspiration for his literary masterpieces. Despite initial opposition from his conservative family, Mahfouz pursued his passion for writing and graduated with a degree in philosophy from Cairo University. His early works, including “The Whisper of Madness” and “The Struggle of Thebes,” reflected his early exploration of social and political themes.
Mahfouz’s greatest contribution to literature lies in his meticulous portrayal of Egyptian society, capturing the essence of the nation’s history, traditions, and struggles. His most renowned work, the Cairo Trilogy (“Palace Walk,” “Palace of Desire,” and “Sugar Street”), is a sweeping epic that delves into the lives of a middle-class Cairo family spanning several generations. Through his vivid characters and intricate narratives, Mahfouz examines themes of patriarchy, societal change, and the interplay between tradition and modernity.
Mahfouz’s writing was not confined to the realm of fiction; he was an outspoken critic of social and political issues in Egypt. His works often explored themes of power, corruption, and the challenges of living in an authoritarian regime. Mahfouz’s unwavering commitment to free expression and his courage in addressing controversial topics made him a voice for change and a symbol of intellectual resistance.
Mahfouz’s writing style was characterized by his ability to effortlessly weave together historical context, philosophical musings, and intricate plots. His prose, translated into numerous languages, captivated readers around the world. Through his storytelling, Mahfouz provided insight into the complexities of Egyptian society, and his works continue to serve as a window into the Arab world for international audiences.
Naguib Mahfouz’s literary contributions have earned him a permanent place among the literary greats of the 20th century. His impact extends far beyond the borders of Egypt, shaping the broader landscape of world literature. Mahfouz’s Nobel Prize win brought international attention to Arabic literature, paving the way for other Arab writers to receive global recognition.
Naguib Mahfouz’s indelible mark on literature and his profound exploration of Egyptian society have solidified his place as one of the most important voices in contemporary Arabic literature. His literary genius, social critique, and unwavering commitment to portraying the human condition continue to inspire readers and resonate with those who seek to understand the complexities of society. Mahfouz’s legacy as a literary giant endures, reminding us of the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience and bridge cultural divides.
We used the Western style to express our own themes and stories. But don’t forget that our heritage includes The Thousand and One Nights.
Naguib Mahfouz
Winning Nobel imposed on me a lifestyle to which I am not used and which I would not have preferred.
Naguib Mahfouz
Without literature my life would be miserable.
Naguib Mahfouz
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
Naguib Mahfouz
My wife thought I deserved it, but I always thought the Nobel a Western prize.
Naguib Mahfouz
It’s clearly more important to treat one’s fellow man well than to be always praying and fasting and touching one’s head to a prayer mat.
Naguib Mahfouz
Insults are the business of the court.
Naguib Mahfouz
In Egypt today most people are concerned with getting bread to eat. Only some of the educated understand how democracy works.
Naguib Mahfouz
If you want to move people, you look for a point of sensitivity, and in Egypt nothing moves people as much as religion.
Naguib Mahfouz
If we reject science, we reject the common man.
Naguib Mahfouz
One effect that the Nobel Prize seems to have had is that more Arabic literary works have been translated into other languages.
Naguib Mahfouz
I’ve never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a political party.
Naguib Mahfouz
There are no heroes in most of my stories. I look at our society with a critical eye and find nothing extraordinary in the people I see.
Naguib Mahfouz
If the urge to write should ever leave me, I want that day to be my last.
Naguib Mahfouz
Sadat made us feel more secure.
Naguib Mahfouz
The Arab world also won the Nobel with me. I believe that international doors have opened, and that from now on, literate people will consider Arab literature also. We deserve that recognition.
Naguib Mahfouz
The criminal is trying to solve his immediate problems.
Naguib Mahfouz
The Koran and the laws of all civilized nations legislate against the vilification of religions.
Naguib Mahfouz
We are passing through a very sensitive time, and on the whole, this country is facing very big problems.
Naguib Mahfouz
The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art.
Naguib Mahfouz
Today’s interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.
Naguib Mahfouz
We are like a woman with a difficult pregnancy. We have to rebuild the social classes in Egypt, and we must change the way things were.
Naguib Mahfouz
I was suffering from a peculiar and persistent sense that I was being pursued, and also the conviction that under the political order of the times, our lives had no meaning.
Naguib Mahfouz
It is simply not part of my culture to preserve notes. I have never heard of a writer preserving his early drafts.
Naguib Mahfouz
The Nobel Prize has given me, for the first time in my life, the feeling that my literature could be appreciated on an international level.
Naguib Mahfouz
Events at home, at work, in the street – these are the bases for a story.
Naguib Mahfouz
My countrymen have the right to shake my hand and talk to me if they so wish. Don’t forget that their support and their reading of my works is what brought me the Nobel prize.
Naguib Mahfouz
I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like to write something like that someday.
Naguib Mahfouz
An allegory is not meant to be taken literally. There is a great lack of comprehension on the part of some readers.
Naguib Mahfouz
At my age it is unseemly to be pessimistic.
Naguib Mahfouz
According to Islamic principles, when a man is accused of heresy, he is given the choice between repentance and punishment.
Naguib Mahfouz
God did not intend religion to be an exercise club.
Naguib Mahfouz
History is full of people who went to prison or were burned at the stake for proclaiming their ideas. Society has always defended itself.
Naguib Mahfouz
Hosni Mubarak… his constitution is not democratic, but he is democratic. We can voice our opinions now. The press is free.
Naguib Mahfouz
I accepted the interviews and encounters that had to be held with the media, but I would have preferred to work in peace.
Naguib Mahfouz
I am practically in the employ of Mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he sends my way.
Naguib Mahfouz
I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees.
Naguib Mahfouz
I thought they would never select an Eastern writer for the Nobel. I was surprised.
Naguib Mahfouz
I defend both the freedom of expression and society’s right to counter it. I must pay the price for differing. It is the natural way of things.
Naguib Mahfouz
I wake up early in the morning and walk for an hour. If I have something to write, I prefer to write in the morning until midday, and in the afternoon, I eat.
Naguib Mahfouz
I didn’t make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80 stories for nothing. I spent on literature.
Naguib Mahfouz
I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism is like a mirage in the desert. It says to you, come and sit, relax and enjoy yourself for a while.
Naguib Mahfouz
I reject any path which rejects life, but I can’t help loving Sufism because it sounds so beautiful. It gives relief in the midst of battle.
Naguib Mahfouz
I started writing while I was a little boy. Maybe it’s because I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like to write something like that someday. Also, my love for good writing pushed me.
Naguib Mahfouz
As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education as our final goals, and toward democracy under Mr Mubarak.
Naguib Mahfouz
I was a government employee in the morning and a writer in the evening.
Naguib Mahfouz
I consider Khomeini’s position dangerous. He does not have the right to pass judgment-that is not the Islamic way.
Naguib Mahfouz
