زينب

زينب is widely considered the first modern Arabic novel, marking a pivotal moment in the development of Arabic fiction. It introduced a new style of realistic prose and focused on social issues, departing from traditional forms of storytelling.

زينب stands out as Heikal's only novel, as he primarily focused on journalism, political writing, and historical biographies throughout his career. It represents a unique foray into fiction for an author better known for his non-fiction contributions.