Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization

Investigating Intrinsic Duality of Law and Spirit: An Analysis of Abū Yazīd’s Sufism

2025-01-07T12:04:18+00:00

The intricate relationship between the duality of outward (ẓāhir) and inward (bātin) religiosity has expressed significant attention concerning contemporary scholars. This dynamic interplay of intrinsic spiritual realization offers a significant religious identity, which cannot stand alone. Such inquiries within the Islamic tradition, are expressed through the duality of terms such as “Sharīʻa and Ṭariqa,” “law and spirit,” or “fiqh and taṣawwuf.” The issue has remained highly contested throughout the history of Islamic thought. The idea that there are two categories of scholars—those who belong to the outward (ʻulamā' al-ẓāhir) and those who belong to the inward (ʻulamā' al-bāṭin)—are known in the intellectual and spiritual culture of Islam. For Sufis, the spiritual dimension constitutes the core of the Islamic perception of a well-rounded personality and maintaining the balance between both the internal and external aspects of human actions, ritual or otherwise, is foundational for realizing the Islamic ideals in life. Despite this, misunderstandings continue to surface in scholarly writings. Thus, this paper attempts to address this issue of outward and inward religiosity through the perspective of the pioneer of the Sufi movement in Islam, Abū Yazīd al-Bisṭāmī (d. 234/878), who was termed by al-Junayd as “Gabriel among the angels.” Additionally, this study aims to elaborate on the original Sufi position through al-Bisṭāmī and contribute to the contemporary awakening towards the spiritual value of human life.

The Dhofar Revolution: An Archival Analysis of the Conflict (1965-1976)

2025-01-07T12:04:35+00:00

Britain's military presence in the Middle East underwent a significant transformation by the 1960s, characterized by contractions to establish smaller bases in Aden and the Gulf; however, the British military marked a significant change in contrast to its former stronghold at the Suez base. These bases protected vital oil interests and fulfilled Britain's obligations to local rulers. However, political developments within the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula increasingly challenged Britain's strategic position. These evolving dynamics necessitated a re-evaluation of both diplomatic and military strategies leading to the most far-reaching anti-British revolution, the Dhofar Revolution in Oman. The scholarly discourses concerning the end of the revolution have highlighted the reintegration of the Dhofar society that was actively engaged in the revolutionary struggles of broader Omni society. Nevertheless, the mechanisms employed for their success/failures have not been covered in the existing literature. Consequently, this paper aims to fill this existing gap in the literature by contextually analysing the present literature and archival documents on the Dhofar war. For this purpose, the authors extensively utilized archival documents available within the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA) in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, the Dhofari rebel literature derived from The Gulf Bulletin fervently promoted the communist revolutionary ideology. On the other hand, the Omani government's viewpoint was extensively disseminated through its military propaganda branch, aiming to counter the rebels' influence. This paper posits that, despite the strong support from the Communist bloc, the Dhofari Revolution ultimately failed because the rebels made hastened attempts to replace the region's traditional cultural values and Islamic beliefs with their novel ideological vision. This alienated the Dhofari population, causing the rebels to lose the support of the people they aspired to lead.

The Role of Scientific Family Traditions in Societal Advancement in the Levant and Egypt:A Focus on Ibn Saghīr’s Family (478-759 AH / 1085-1357 AD)

2025-01-07T12:05:09+00:00

The current study aims to emphasize the importance of the ethical and scientific standards in child-rearing, encouraging parents to raise their children with a mindset that reflects the goals of modern society for holistic individual and societal growth. Additionally, it encourages the need to urge the ruling authority in the country to adopt a vision that reinforce and support the family unit’s role in society. The findings show that the Ibn Saghīr family maintained its esteemed reputation in Islamic history for over 280 years, due to their commitment to a well-rounded and morally-grounded education. This approach led to the emergence of around eighteen scholars, including a Hadīth scholar, jurist, poet, historian, engineer, and astronomer. They all spent their lives in significantly contributing to various fields within the Islamic community, such as science, administration, economics, and others. The government of that era recognized their contributions by appointing them on prominent positions like judge, minister, teacher, financial supervisor and royal envoy, honoring their academic achievements, administrative skill, and integrity.

Altruism and Social Cohesion: An Islamic Perspective of Charitable Acts for Sustainable Development

2025-01-07T12:06:00+00:00

This study aims to explore the role of altruism in Islam and its impact on achieving sustainable development goals. It highlights altruism as a catalyst for fostering positive Islamic social relationships and its significant role in promoting societal peace. The current research explores the topic from two key perspectives: Islam's comprehensive framework for social harmony, which serves as the foundation for social charity, and it’s encouraging charitable actions through socioeconomic and educational means. Thus, by using a historical method to review previous studies, the research focuses on faith, legislation, and diversity in Islam. The emphasis is on promoting social peace through conflict resolution, positive communication, justice advocacy, and recognizing diversity as a social asset. The study also examines the role of Islam in combating poverty, emphasizing aid to needy people as a required act of worship. Additionally, it analyzes the Islamic economic system’s balance between individual property rights and wealth distribution. The paper outlines educational strategies within families, mosques, and schools to foster charitable attitudes and behaviours among students. The study further underscores a series of Islamic principles that place charity at the core of social relationships, spanning familial, social, economic, and educational dimensions, which are crucial in meeting sustainable development goals. The results show Islam's approach towards human behaviour, centralizing altruism in its teachings. Through its intellectual, moral, and legal systems, Islam promotes social harmony, peace, and cooperation, urging preventive measures against conflict while emphasizing education in fostering charitable values in families, mosques, and schools.

Reconciling Religion and Reason: An Epistemic Perspective of European Muslims

2025-01-07T12:05:43+00:00

Religion is a hallmark of human life, manifesting today in various guises. Hence, reason and belief are two essential human qualities, which add depth and meaning to life. Every human mind, at some point in life, questions whether belief is reasonable or whether reason itself should be believed. Thinkers have spent most of their lives grappling with these timeless questions. It is not sure whether they found satisfactory answers, as it remains uncertain; because they lived and died without leaving behind any trace of convincing and epistemic responses for their contemporaries or to future generations. This article aims to offer the premise that secular philosophers maximized their arguments to prove that their preference for reasoning over beliefs comprehensively supplies the epistemological solution to the problem. However, they have ultimately failed to draw a parallel connection with an epistemic reality. Their arguments could not surpass the reasonable act of belief from an epistemic perspective. This study aims to prove that all their efforts failed from an epistemic point of view. Thus, striving to get rid of believing, they ended up believing in reason itself, which is the most unreasonable act from an epistemic standpoint. This research holds an intrinsic view that neither reasoning has any value without believing nor believing makes sense without reasoning. Reason compels us to believe, just as believing compels us to reason; as a result, they are not contradictory but complementary to each other. These are two intrinsic human capabilities, which are necessary for the growth of our knowledge, and serve as the constituents for our progress in understanding and interpreting the universe. Reason cannot exist without belief, and likewise belief cannot exist without reason. Humans have always struggled to rationalize their instability, beliefs, and reasons to achieve full confidence in their claims and to constitute prosperity towards better and more useful epistemic solutions to the existing challenges of reality.

Analysing Umrah Attributes in Relation to Tourist Travel Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review of Religious Destinations and Future Perspectives

2025-01-07T12:04:12+00:00

The study of Umrah religious tourism often focuses on understanding factors influencing Umrah travel behaviors. Despite the attention given to Umrah travel behavior, comprehensive reviews on this topic remain scarce. This is particularly evident with recent developments in the religious tourism industry. To address this research gap, the current study investigates Umrah travelers' behavior and highlights research gaps to guide researchers in developing their future studies on Umrah religious tourism. This study provides a holistic and comprehensive understanding of Umrah attributes related to tourist travel behavior. It achieves this by: 1) Identifying distribution by year, the journals' geographic distribution of publications, data analysis techniques, methodology, and theories used. 2) Proposing future research directions. 3) Offering practical guidelines for management and marketing. This systematic literature review analyzed 20 Scopus and WOS articles from 2013 to 2023. It examined attributes influencing Umrah travel behaviors and categorized these into seven key themes: personal, destination image, demographics, psychological factors, travel accommodation, experiences, and perceived risks. The findings emphasize the need for deeper exploration of the connections between Umrah attributes and travel behavior. Policymakers and destination managers can take targeted actions to improve the pilgrimage experience.

Socio-Political Representation of Muslim Women: The Case of Palestinian Murabitat at Al-Aqsa Mosque

2025-01-07T12:03:10+00:00

The current study aims to explore Palestinian Murabitat’s roles in protecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Thus, this research highlights several activities organised by Palestinian women at Al-Aqsa, focusing particularly on two prominent Murabitat figures in Al-Aqsa: Hanadi Halawani and Fatimah Khedr. The study also highlighted how Murabitat contributed to Muslim women’s empowerment in Palestine. Secondary sources, including newspaper articles and journal publications, provided the data for this study. The researchers analyzed the data using qualitative methods. The study revealed that the notion of old Ribat extended to include various forms and activities that achieve the main purpose of Ribat, which is to maintain a standing guard to defend the country. These activities include educational initiatives, prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, coordinating visits to all martyrs’ mothers, visiting the owners of demolished homes to assist and console them, taking part in solidarity protests with detainees and martyrs’ families, participating in demonstrations against illegal attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, protesting through cuisine, and preserving heritage to depict Palestinian resistance. The researchers contended that Palestinian women exemplify the resilience of Muslim women through their liberation from occupation and their courage to face threats and abuses. Hence, this research reinterprets the notion of the traditional Ribat from a contemporary perspective, while also contributing to the present literature on Muslim women’s socio-cultural contributions to their cultures. This Muslim women representation contradicts the prevalent Western stereotype and negative portrayal of Muslim women around the world.

Ibn Sina’s Biopsychosocial Balance: Insights for Mental Health Preservation and Islamic Psychology

2025-01-07T12:04:41+00:00

Historically, the discourse surrounding mental health within the framework of intellectual traditions has held profound significance, reflecting this issue's enduring relevance and complexity. The contribution of the leading scholar in Islamic Psychology, Ali Bin Abdullah Ibnu Sina, deserves high recognition for his conceptual significance and practical impact concerning mental health and the Islamic perspective. Therefore, this research aims to reveal Ibn Sina's thoughts and ideas regarding the theory of balance between mental health and its impact on overall physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. For this purpose, the qualitative research methodology was deployed using descriptive analysis methods. The study found several pivotal results; firstly, in his corpus, Avicenna's theory has had a long-term impact on theoretical contributions to biopsychosocial health and well-being. Secondly, his ideas prioritize balance or I'tidal, which includes life balance, dietary recommendations, lifestyle adjustments, the balance of body humour, and psychological well-being, and elements that are significant for preserving mental stability. Lastly, his theory of I'tidal aims to serve as a foundational paradigm for the integrated analysis of psychological and biological medicine, focusing significantly on the psychological state continuance of the individual.

Orientalist Interpretations of Waḥy: Qur’ānic Revelation in 19th and 20th Century Studies

2025-01-07T12:03:04+00:00

This research focuses on waḥy (Qur’ānic revelation), a central term in Islamic theology and a focal point in orientalist discourse. It scrutinizes the extensive array of orientalists’ interpretations of waḥy that ranged from scholarly inquiry to outright skepticism. It goes beyond standard linguistic interpretations, unraveling the concept of waḥy, its translation and broader meanings as viewed by prominent orientalists from the 19th and 20th centuries. The study applies both the analytical and the critical methodologies to provide a contextual analysis to the philosophical and scientific approaches that shaped these orientalists’ perceptions on waḥy, assessing their underlying assumptions. The critique approach aims to engage with their interpretations critically and evaluate their translations of waḥy, examining the extent to which they are anchored in trustworthy and genuine Islamic resources. The research concludes by revealing disparities among orientalists; some of whom challenged the divine essence of Islam and posited theories suggesting that waḥy might have stemmed from external influences or personal disposition of Muhammad (SAW), contrasting sharply with the Islamic sacred view of waḥy. Their theories have significantly shaped the broader western perception of Islam, often portraying Islam as a faith rooted in human and lacking divine authenticity and originality. While other orientalists demonstrated more balanced and impartial views on waḥy, basically rooted in genuine Islamic scholarship. Their views have actively promoted an authentic understanding of waḥy from within its own Islamic worldview, challenging the orientalists’ biased narrative.

Intangible Heritage: An Analysis of Jordanian Customs Signifying Societal Interdependence and Social Solidarity

2025-01-07T12:03:41+00:00

This study discusses a set of Jordanian customs and habits that characterize the Jordanian Arabic society. These custom and habits have played a key role in establishing interdependence and solidarity among Jordanian people in the past before the advent of modernity and civility. These include dakhalah, tu'mah, al'oneh, and inzalah. However, due to societal changes and the transition towards modernity, some of these customs have diminished and gradually disappeared from many parts of Jordan. To gather comprehensive data, interviews were conducted with 48 individuals who experienced and practiced these customs in different time periods. The results revealed that older participants still adhere to these authentic customs, contributing to increased intimacy and helping to navigate life's challenges. Some young and middle-aged participants recognized the significant impact of these customs on fostering love and intimacy, but chose to discontinue their practice when it conflicted with their time and financial constraints. On the other hand, some young participants perceived these customs as outdated and hindering their activities and progress. It is essential to signify these traditions importance and encourage their ongoing practice to protect Jordan's cultural heritage and retain the positive effects of these practices. By appreciating the importance of good habits in Jordanian culture, people may use them as a springboard to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility for the sake of a better future.

Critique of Spiritual Concepts in Transpersonal Psychology and Their Interrelation with The Qur’ān

2025-01-07T12:05:51+00:00

Spirituality holds a significant position within transpersonal psychology, where it is deemed crucial for individual development and psychological well-being. This research conducts a critical analysis of spiritual concepts within transpersonal psychology vis-à-vis the teachings of the Al-Qur'ān. The primary aim of this research is to delineate the similarities and disparities in the understanding of spirituality between transpersonal psychology and Qur’ānic concept of spirituality through an in-depth examination of literature and theoretical perspectives. The outcomes of this study are intended to highlight the importance of comprehending the multifaceted and diverse interpretations of spirituality across various contexts. In addition, a content analysis approach will be employed in this study, in which the gathered data will be meticulously screened. This research finds out that transpersonal psychology places spirituality as a central theme in its studies. In transpersonal psychology, spirituality refers more to human aspirations for a meaningful life and as a source of human qualities. In other words, spirituality in the transpersonal psychology conception focuses more on aspects of human spirituality without touching on broader spiritual dimensions as taught in religions. While Qur’ānic concept of spirituality encompasses more than just their inner attributes that are connected to transcendental objects; it also includes their spirit's essence and existence, which has a unique purpose that transcends their physical function, reason, and soul.

An Analytical Study of the Da'wah Movement of Prophet Muhammad in Relation to Social Movement Theory

2025-01-07T12:05:17+00:00

This article explores the da’wah activities of Prophet Muhammad through the perspective of social movements to provide new insights. This article explains that the Prophet Muhammad was not only a religious activist who worked to spread Islam but also a statesman who successfully led his followers to establish a new state in Yathrib (Medina). This research focuses on the Prophet's endeavours in political activism through the movement aimed at achieving social and political change. This study will analyse the da’wah movement using social movement perspectives, focusing on structural-functional theory, resource mobilization theory, political opportunity structure, and framing theory. This article argues that the success of the Prophet's da’wah and political initiatives is rooted in the structural conditions of Mecca and the mobilization strategies. The strength of religious narratives and the capacity to exploit narrow political opportunities while generating the new ones have played a vital role to support da’wah activities. This research uses a historical qualitative methodology, leveraging primary and secondary sources to analyse the socio-political landscape of Mecca, the Prophet's resource mobilization techniques, and the framing of his religious messages. This article is an initial investigation into the integration of social movement theories within the context of Islamic social movements, highlighting the importance of overcoming Western secular dominance of social movement studies.

Analyzing the Mediating Roles of Attitude and Awareness in shaping the Relationship between Religiosity and the Purchase Intention of Halal Cosmetics

2025-01-07T12:05:25+00:00

This research investigates the influence of consumer attitude and awareness on the intention to buy halal cosmetics, particularly examining the role of consumer religiosity. As halal product demand rises, especially in Pakistan, it is essential to promote positive consumer attitudes and raise awareness to increase halal purchases. The current research was conducted in Punjab, Pakistan, with student participants from private medical colleges and universities. A quantitative approach was used, incorporating pre-testing and pilot testing, followed by survey distribution through random sampling. A total of 379 responses were deemed valid and analyzed. Data analysis was done using SPSS, while structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS. The study found that while religiosity alone did not directly influence halal purchase intentions; instead, both attitude and awareness served as significant mediators. In other words, religiosity only impacts purchase intentions when paired with positive attitudes and heightened awareness. These insights contribute to the halal cosmetics industry and literature, offering strategies for policymakers and marketers in Pakistan's expanding halal cosmetics market to better manage consumer awareness and attitudes.

The Role of Nahdlatul Ulama’ (NU) Diplomacy in Promoting Islam Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Exegesis to Strengthen Indonesian State-Religion Concepts: A Study of Gus Dur's Thought

2025-01-07T12:05:33+00:00

This research aims to examine the role of Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) diplomacy in spreading the values of Islam Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin to strengthen the conceptions of state and religion in Indonesia. This study is beneficial in understanding the fundamental religious organization (NU) that can contribute to interfaith and international dialogue and cooperation, support social harmony, and reinforce an inclusive and tolerant national foundation in Indonesia. Therefore, the current study deployed a qualitative research methodology. The analysis was conducted using data collected through a literature review, in-depth interviews with leaders and members of NU, and a content analysis of videos and netizen comments on the NU Online YouTube channel regarding discussions by Gus Dur about the formation of an Islamic state. This study also explores the genealogy of NU, the state and religious conceptions advocated by NU, and the biography and views of Gus Dur on the topic. The findings indicate that NU, through Gus Dur's thinking and an inclusive diplomatic approach, has actively promoted an interpretation of Islam oriented towards universal values such as justice, peace, and tolerance. NU reflects this by actively promoting Islam Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin as the foundation for a stronger, pluralistic, and democratic state. The study also examined the polemics of state and religious conceptions that trigger public discussions and explores the NU differences through cross-faith dialogue and understanding.

Emergence of Digital Matrimony: Exploring Islamic Legal Responses to Metaverse Marriages

2025-01-07T12:03:33+00:00

This research examines the Islamic legal perspective on conducting marriages within the virtual realm of the metaverse, by addressing the implications of digital advancements in religious practices and legal frameworks. The study explores how Islamic legal principles can be applied or adapted to virtual marriages in contemporary contexts. Thus, a qualitative methodology is employed that utilises document analysis and in-depth interviews with scholars and experts in contemporary Islamic jurisprudence and technology. This research focuses on assessing the validity, conditions, and execution of virtual marriages, identifying the challenges and potential solutions in aligning these practices with Sharia principles. The results indicate that integrating marriage practices into the metaverse is feasible with appropriate adjustments to ensure compliance with Islamic law, particularly regarding legal, technical, and ethical considerations. The uniqueness of this study stems from its exploration of previously unexplored areas, where digital innovation intersects with religious law, offering new perspectives on the adaptability of Islamic legal principles in response to emerging technologies. The implications of the findings are significant for policymakers, legal practitioners, and Muslim communities, as they provide a strategic framework for developing relevant Islamic legal policies and guidance for virtual interactions, ensuring that the evolving digital landscape respects and upholds religious values.

Formulating an Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (I-CSR) Model: Integrating Maqāṣid Sharī‘ah and Iḥsān

2025-01-07T12:04:52+00:00

This research aims to formulate a conceptual model of Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (I-CSR) by incorporating the principles of ihsān and maqāṣid sharī’ah. The research hypothesizes that maqāṣid sharī’ah provides a foundation for defining I-CSR dimensions, while ihsān theory offers a hierarchical structure. The study adopts a basic-level research and development (R&D) approach, employing qualitative content analysis through a textual examination of two theories. The process begins with an in-depth examination of maqāṣid sharī’ah and ihsān theories, followed by their integration. The research findings are as follows: First, specific I-CSR dimensions were identified rooted in maqāṣid sharī’ah, including faith (īmān), human dignity (fiṭrah), the self (nafs), intellect (‘aql), prosperity (nasl), society (ijtimā’), wealth (māl), and ecology (bī’ah). Second, companies within the I-CSR framework were categorized according to ihsān theory into seven types: fāsid, ṭayyib, khair, ma’rūf, ṣālih, birr, and ihsān. The limitations of the research are: (1) it focuses solely on the theories of maqāṣid sharī’ah and ihsān; (2) the conceptual model is in its preliminary stage and requires further refinement with additional indicators. Despite these limitations, the findings have practical implications, particularly in enhancing the assessment of I-CSR practices.

Navigating Modern Challenges: The Practical Role of Triple-Relationship of Religious Moderation through an Islamic Perspective

2025-01-07T12:03:48+00:00

Humans inherently maintain three inseparable relationships in life: their relationship with God, their interaction with fellow human beings, and their connection to the natural environment. These three relationships are essential for holding a balanced, harmonious, and meaningful life that prevents the detrimental consequences of misguided thinking. These relationships are intrinsically interconnected, with each exerting influence on one another. However, instability in one relationship can lead to imbalance, ultimately resulting in potential conflict and tension in social life. Hence, this research aims to interpret the in-depth meaning of religious moderation through the concept of the Tri-Relations of Religious Moderation, which includes hablum minallah (relationship with God), hablum minannas (relationship with fellow humans), and hablum minal ‘alam (relationship with nature). The study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. The study relied on the literature review that analyses various relevant sources on the selected topic. The findings indicated that the implementation of religious moderation from an Islamic perspective will not be complete if it solely focuses on human-to-human relationships, without involving their relationships with God and their natural environment. Moreover, this study claimed that Tri-Relations of Religious Moderation create a balance and harmony in life, especially in the contemporary era marked by technological advancements and modern challenges. Thus, implementing these tri-relations ensures a balanced, peaceful, and harmonious life. Additionally, this research aims to contribute to the study of religious moderation and the development of public policies that support strengthening religious moderation in society.

Faskh Law Reformulation in Malaysia: A Critical Examination of Terengganu Sharia Court Case

2025-01-07T12:03:27+00:00

This research aimed to discuss the impact of drug addiction and domestic violence as prominent reasons for the pronouncement of faskh (annulment) in the Terengganu Sharia Court, Malaysia as observed in decisions 11003-014-0372-2010 and 11300-014-0011-2011. The decisions are unprecedented ijtihad of the Judges because the reasons are not found in almost all classical schools of fiqh and the most credible relevant literature. The reasons also remain unclear and have not been addressed by contemporary fiqh scholars from the perspective of maqaṣid al-sharīʻa. Therefore, this research examined how drug addiction and domestic violence became legitimate reasons for faskh and explored the implication for the contemporary reformulation of Islamic family law discourse. This study employed a qualitative theoretical framework for maqāṣid al-sharīʻa analysis that developed based on the contributions of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī and Abū Isḥāq al-Shāṭibī. The results showed that the addiction of the husband to drugs and instances of domestic violence could be the legitimate reasons for faskh synthesized within the maqāṣid framework to protect (ḥifẓ) religion (al-dīn), soul (al-nafs), mind (al-ʻaql), descendent (al-nasl), and wealth (al-māl). It was further observed that maqāṣid successfully reformed the classical fiqh on faskh based on contemporary social behaviours. The two primary contributions of this research included the (1) provision of empirical evidence related to the adaptability of Islamic law that leads to contemporary social challenges, and (2) the development of a theoretical framework for further legal reforms in the Islamic family law, which are capable of maintaining fidelity to maqāṣid al-sharīʻa principles while addressing modern societal changes.

Morality from Classical Civilizations to Post-Modern Era: A Historical Account Through Islamic Lens

2025-01-07T12:03:16+00:00

The article provides a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of moral values across various civilizations. It begins by defining morality as a complex system of beliefs and ethical standards that shape human behavior and differentiate between right and wrong. The article then traces the historical perspectives on morality, starting from early classical civilizations like the Greeks and Hindus, to the influence of Semitic religions, particularly Islam, on the development of a coherent moral code. The central thesis revolves around how the perception of morality has shifted significantly over time, from a divine and transcendental pursuit in traditional civilizations to a secular, subjective notion in the modern Western world. The article highlights how traditional systems viewed morality as a pathway to achieving inner peace and cosmic harmony, while the Semitic religions, especially Islam, emphasize the divine command theory, where moral values are absolute, eternal, and rooted in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In contrast, modern Western thought, emerging after the Renaissance, places the individual at the center of morality, favoring subjective reasoning over divine guidance. The final sections argue that Islamic morality, unlike other systems, offers a balance between human instincts and divine will, portraying man as inherently good yet capable of moral failures. Islamic teachings provide a comprehensive and timeless framework for human conduct, ensuring both personal and societal harmony. The article concludes that the true understanding of morality lies in adhering to a divinely revealed code, as human nature is susceptible to corruption without the guiding principles set forth by Allah as mentioned in Quran and Hadith.

Merasi: Revitalisation in Early Divorce Prevention

2025-01-07T12:03:54+00:00

A couple's commitment to forming a household begins with harmony through several pre-marital stages. These stages are related to local wisdom that must be considered important to prevent early divorce. The current study aimed to revive a pearl of local wisdom, namely merasi, to revitalize it in order to find the harmony of a mate and make efforts to prevent early divorce. Additionally, the study employed a qualitative method for data analysis through observation, literature review, and content analysis of local wisdom and Islamic law. The study was conducted using deductive and inductive methods in placing the practice of merasi as an acculturation of Islamic teachings. The impact of globalization, on the culture of individualism and hedonistic lifestyles, has caused an increase in the cases of early divorce. The incompatibility of married couples is one of the most common causes of early divorce, which should have been identified by the practice of merasi. This practice needs to be revitalized in order to reduce the divorce rate among young couples. Acculturation is related to the practice of merasi as a local wisdom aimed to organize the household.

Leadership Lessons from the Battle of Uhud

2025-01-07T12:04:25+00:00

The current study aimed to probe into leadership lessons from the battle of Uhud by discussing the said historical event followed by the presentation of lessons. The first lesson learned from the battle is the importance of reliable information. When an information is confirmed to be accurate, the top management may plan how to react accordingly before discussing and deliberating on other options with the subordinates. The second lesson learned is that even when the management has different opinions and plans from what the leader has proposed, they must agree on a specific plan accordingly. The third lesson taught by the battle is to be the first-mover advantage in management. A company may outperform its competitors by being the first to market in a new product category. The fourth lesson maximises the advantage of a small group and follows the instructions based on a carefully laid out plan. The fifth lesson uses spiritual motivation to bring a sense of purpose that mobilises human potential in obedience to God’s guidance. The next lesson promotes important qualities of trustworthy followers, that is, obedience, courage, and jihadist mentality. The seventh lesson learned is the need to abide by the concept of “we hear and we obey” (sami’na wa ato’na) as a part of trust (amanah). The final lesson learned from the battle is that if one wants to engage in any endeavour, one must do so properly and leave everything to Allah (tawakkal ala Allah).

Exploring Interfaith Marriage in Qur’ān: A Hermeneutic and Anthropological Analysis of Permissibility

2025-01-07T12:04:04+00:00

This study seeks to explain the concept of the permissibility of interfaith marriage, as found in the interpretation of Surah Al-Maidah: 05, within the cultural context of Arabic society. It explores cultural systems, which influenced the socio-anthropological understanding of this permissibility. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing muqaran (comparative) and hermeneutic interpretation methods alongside an anthropological perspective. This study demonstrated several key findings on interfaith marriage in Al-Maidah: 05. The verse conceptually permits Muslim men to marry women from Ahl al-Kitab (People of the Book) under certain conditions, according to various scholarly interpretations. The text also indicates that Muslim men may marry women from Ahl al-Kitab who are independent and able to preserve their honor (muhsanat), provided they pay the dowry. Some scholars assert this permissibility applies without restriction, while others limit it to Ahl al-Kitab before Islam or to Ahl al-Kitab Dzimmiyyah, excluding Jews and Christians in some interpretations. The permissibility of such marriages from a socio-anthropological perspective reflects a continuation of earlier interfaith marriage practices among Arabs, influenced by the patriarchal social system, which was later redefined according to the Islamic perspective . Thus, the concept of interfaith marriage in Al-Maidah: 05 is deeply rooted in both pre-Islamic cultural practices and evolving Islamic jurisprudence, indicating that interfaith marriage conception has Quranic relevance.

Quranic TQM Philosophies and Principles: The Basis of an Islamic Welfare State

2025-01-07T12:05:01+00:00

The purpose of this research study is to establish the relationship, precedence order, and scope and application comparison between the Modern TQM knowledge as so-called by the modern societies of the world and the already existing Quranic TQM wisdom to bridge the gap among different religions and schools of thought.The terms modern, latest, and advanced philosophies, principles, and terminologies are continuously being coined in literature around the world across every field of business, socio-cultural, and economics, etc. CQI philosophy is the basic essence of the Modern TQM. Modern TQM is bound to a company’ business and focuses mainly on the profit generation. The Quranic TQM philosophies and principles encompass life and living in total (mindset, spiritual, religious, cultural, social, economic, and physical etc) here and in the hereafter, rather than being confined to business concerns only. Hence, its main focus is the welfare and well-being of the society and humanity. The aim for this research is to fill the gap that exists between the holistic Quranic TQM knowledge base and the Modern TQM knowledge and scientific exploration. Filling the gap mean to establish its relationship, the precedence order, size of scope and then compare the two TQM. An exploratory and qualitative research methodology is used to study, identify, analyze, and discuss the traces of the relationship, precedence order, scope and application comparison of the modern TQM philosophies and principles with Quranic TQM philosophies and principles of divine knowledge.

Philosophy of the Indic and Sufi Thought in the Islamic World - An Analysis of the Commonalities on the Ground of Spiritual and Religious Thought

2025-01-07T12:03:21+00:00

This research investigates the subject of the dialogue between the Indic and Sufi philosophies in the Muslim world and common theological and metaphysical backgrounds of the two traditions. Both Indic and Sufi traditions are based on the denial of the physical world, the sanctity of an individual and the achievement of the state of unity. The research is focused on the ontological side of the two traditions and their views on spirituality; non-dualism in Vedanta and tawhid in Sufism, their views on self, worship and the way to the divine. The study also captures the historical and cultural interaction that made it possible for the two traditions to touch each other intellectually and spiritually with special focus on the spread of Islam in South Asia. By analyzing these similarities this research conclude that Indic and Sufi philosophies offer two different ways of understanding the divine, human being and salvation. This comparative study helps readers to understand some of the syncretistic traditions that are part of the religious experience of the Islamic world and to better appreciate the complex patterns of religions of the world.