This article offers a critical textual and theological examination of selected historical novels by Naseem Hijazi, situating his narrative practice within the broader discourse of Islamic historical fiction. Hijazi’s works have significantly contributed to the popular imagination of Islamic history in South Asia; however, they also raise interpretive questions when assessed through the lens of Islamic theological and epistemological frameworks. Using a qualitative hermeneutic methodology, this study analyzes selected passages from his novels with reference to the Qur’an, Hadith literature, and classical Islamic scholarship.

The analysis focuses on recurring narrative motifs, including the use of oaths invoking entities other than God, representations of agency attributed to martyrs after death, depictions of divine knowledge (ghayb), and idealized constructions of historical communities. Rather than evaluating literary merit, the study investigates how narrative strategies may generate varying levels of theological interpretation and ambiguity. The findings suggest that the fusion of historical fiction with religious discourse necessitates careful interpretive framing to avoid potential conceptual overlap between literary expression and doctrinal categories. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of methodological rigor in Islamic literary studies, particularly when engaging with historical fiction that intersects with theological themes.