This article examines the influence of Islamic thought on the development of political worldviews. The article recounts the evolution of classical principles from the fundamental works of Al-Farabi and Ibn Khaldun, whose writings gave early frameworks for moral leadership and empirical political analysis, to current research facing contemporary governance issues. Drawing on primary texts and extensive scholarly literature, the study first contextualizes the historical deliberations on governance, space, and authority in the Islamic tradition. It then explores how these foundational principles have been inherited and reinterpreted to orient current sociopolitical dynamics, and finally, it offers a comparative analysis with Western political thought in the era of globalization. The findings underscore that an understanding of classical Islamic political philosophy enriches contemporary debates on statecraft and facilitates a critical reassessment of dominant Western narratives. The study advocates for an integrated framework that bridges traditional insights with modern imperatives, thereby enhancing cross-cultural understanding and contributing to the discourse on global political reform.
This study examines the intricate nexus between Iranian religious instrumentalization and Iraqi political dynamics in the post-2003 era. Employing a realist theoretical framework, the analysis investigates how Iran systematically exploits sectarian affiliations and ideological convergences to pursue its geopolitical objectives and project regional hegemony. The research delineates the mechanisms through which Iran exercises religious soft power and examines the consolidation of Shi'a political ascendancy in post-Ba'athist Iraq. Through systematic analysis of Iranian patronage networks and proxy organizations, this investigation evaluates the modalities of Iranian religious influence penetration within Iraqi political structures. While acknowledging the instrumental utility of religious discourse in contemporary statecraft, the study critically assesses the limitations inherent in realist analytical frameworks, particularly their tendency to marginalize grassroots mobilization and cross-cultural dynamics. The findings contribute to scholarly understanding of the multifaceted interplay between religious identity, political authority, and state behavior in the contemporary Middle Eastern context, as conceptualized through the lens of structural realism. This research offers empirical insights into the evolving patterns of transnational religious influence and its implications for regional security architecture.
This article is about women in the media in Indonesia in general and Muslim women in particular from Islamic dakwah perspectives. Generally, the media images of women have strengthened their position as inferior beings. The media in general have portrayed the images of women as the objects in the world dominated by men in their advertisements, the soap opera, as well as the coverages by some journalists. The negative and inferior status and position of women in the media should be improved based on Islamic da`wah perspectives. Since Allah has created men and women to live on this world planet in peaceful conditions as demanded by Him. This article explores Islamic da`wah perspectives for Muslim women and non-Muslim women in Indonesian media. For Muslim women, they are to be portrayed and presented in the media by referring to some verses of the Holy Quran and based on the status and position of Muslim women in the Muslim early historical period.
In the context of Halal tourism emerging as a strategic global segment characterized by rapid growth and heightened demands for cultural and religious identity, the development of Muslim-friendly destinations has become increasingly imperative for many countries, including Vietnam. However, Vietnam currently lacks an official set of criteria to assess the Halal compatibility of destinations, posing challenges for destination management, marketing, and service quality improvement. This study proposes a framework of evaluation criteria for Halal tourism destinations in Vietnam, constructed through a mixed-method approach that integrates the three-round Delphi technique and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The research results identify six main groups of criteria and 31 sub-criteria, each assigned specific weights to reflect their relative importance in the destination selection behavior of Muslim travelers. The proposed framework aligns with Vietnam's current institutional, cultural, and infrastructural conditions and contributes to guiding destination governance towards inclusiveness, multiculturalism, and sustainable competitiveness in the international tourism market.
In diverse Indonesia, the use of pigs as dowry in Dani Muslim marriages is a culturally significant practice; it serves as a powerful medium of confluence between Islam and local custom. Although pork consumption is considered haram in Islam, Dani Muslims still raise pigs and use them in various rituals. This article specifically discusses the cultural reasons for using pigs as dowry in Dani Muslim marriages. The data used for analyses were collected through ethnographic methods, including observations, interviews, and literature study. The study findings show that Dani Muslims use pigs as matrimonial dowry on account of three underlying reasons. First, a cultural reason in which pigs are considered an inseparable part of Dani culture and regarded to have close cultural ties with human beings, where they are even viewed as a sacred animal. Second, a political reason wherein pigs serve as power of identity that can be employed as a tool of intertribal diplomacy and conflict resolution. Third, an economic reason in which pigs hold a significant function for maintaining the tribe's daily life sustenance and as a tool of transactions, particularly for paying dowries. This article emphasizes that the use of pigs as dowry is a middle ground in the attempt at combining two practices: religious and customary. The resilience of Dani Muslims in preserving their custom of using pigs proved dilemmatic when they face conditions imposed by their professed religion, i.e., pigs are prohibited by Islam.
The study examines the impact of trauma on Palestinian women following the Nakba disaster, employing Kanafani's literary work Umm Saad to clarify the many psychological, social, and cultural challenges faced by Palestinian female refugees. The study illustrates how the protagonist's tenacity in the arduous setting of a refugee camp exhibits remarkable endurance in the face of adversity, displacement, and degradation of dignity. Employing Alexander's cultural trauma theory, this analysis of the character Umm Saad explores Palestinian mothers' responses to martyrdom shuhada', emphasising the interplay of religious, cultural, and social imperatives that impose unique constraints on maternal mourning, while simultaneously reinforcing their role as symbols of national resilience. Kanafani's oeuvre functions as both a literary homage to and a critique of the enduring cultural pain of the Nakba, illustrating Palestinian women's narratives as manifestations of political resistance that underscore the importance of motherhood in Palestinian identity. The findings highlight the importance of recognising these Palestinian women's resilience and reinterpreting cultural and political myths of sacrifice, emphasising the significant maternal strength amid systemic oppression and exile.
Love is a universal phenomenon; its expression and significance can differ markedly across individuals. Thus, it is important to understand the real form of love. This qualitative study examines the connection between Sternberg's triangular theory of love and the Quranic framework for love by utilizing primary and secondary data sourced from various Islamic texts and psychological theories. The data have been analyzed through content analysis and comparative methods. According to the Triangular Theory of Love, love is described as a blend of three essential components: commitment, intimacy, and passion. It also distinguishes eight different types of love based on their basic components. Similarly, the Quranic teachings emphasize the importance of love in the building of a healthy and long-lasting marriage, and they describe affection between intimate partners as a manifestation of God's blessing. In particular, Sternberg observes that consummate love is the most extensive form of love, as it encompasses all three components and is frequently observed in healthy marital relationships. Islam promotes the pursuit of love through marriage, which it regards as the optimal framework for cultivating affection between intimate partners. Thus, love within marriage provides long-lasting spiritual and psychological benefits. The findings of the study provide new insights to understand love from both Quranic and psychological perspectives.
The pursuit of sustainable development-balancing economic prosperity with social equity and environmental stewardship-has emerged as an imperative global paradigm in the 21st century. While often framed as a modern response to contemporary challenges, the intellectual foundations of sustainable development can be discerned in the works of earlier scholars across diverse civilisations. This paper examines the profound yet underexplored contributions of Ibn Khaldun. His magnum opus, Muqaddimah, presents a sophisticated analysis of civilisational dynamics that resonates remarkably with the current sustainability discourse. Through critical textual analysis, this study demonstrates how Ibn Khaldun's concept of `umran (civilisation/prosperity) anticipated the three pillars of sustainable development: his theories of economic development (ma`ash), social cohesion (`asabiyyah), and environmental balance (bi'ah) offer a comprehensive framework for understanding societal flourishing and decline. The paper argues that Ibn Khaldun's cyclical theory of civilisational development, rooted in his observations of North African and Mediterranean societies, provides valuable insights into the conditions necessary for long-term sustainability-particularly his emphasis on just governance, intergenerational equity and the delicate equilibrium between urban development and ecological limits. This research enriches our historical understanding of sustainability concepts by bridging classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary sustainable development goals.
This study examines and compares the spiritual insights of Saint Augustine and Imam al-Ghazali in achieving balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of good works. They both analyse not only the normal outer conditions of good works, but also their inner aspects and revealing fundamental inner conditions that should be observed. Both Imam al-Ghazali and Saint Augustine maintain that good works consist of outer and inner dimensions or physical and spiritual realm. To realize the objective of any good work, therefore, these both aspects need to be observed simultaneously. This study is theoretical in nature, and it involves bibliographic research, employing descriptive and comparative analysis methods. This study found that despite coming from different religions, both of these great thinkers share a lot of common insights on the detailed items of inner conditions of good works and on the need to balance both dimensions. They believe that to achieve balance and real objective, believers should observe both physical and spiritual conditions of good works. Their insights are relevant and applicable to all individuals and societies, regardless of religion.
Contemporary medicine often overlooks the spiritual dimension of health and the critical role of preventive care, which are fundamental aspects of Ibn Sina's teachings. This paper explores the striking parallels between Ibn Sina's integrative medical principles and the biopsychosocialspiritual (BPS-S) model, demonstrating how his insights remain relevant in addressing contemporary health challenges. The emergence of the BPS-S model as a holistic healthcare framework has paved the way for reintegrating Ibn Sina's legacy into contemporary medicine. By incorporating spiritual well-being into mainstream healthcare, this approach offers a more balanced and patient-centered paradigm. Furthermore, the findings support the adoption of "Ibn Sina's Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Balance" as a guiding framework for healthcare, particularly in Malaysia, where holistic healing traditions remain influential. His philosophy aligns with this model by advocating for a multidimensional perspective on health, recognizing the interplay between biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors in disease prevention and treatment. This model can enhance medical education and improve well-being by integrating Ibn Sina's wisdom with modern advancements, redefining the future of healthcare.
Ijtihad is a dynamic mechanism in Islamic law that provides solutions to contemporary problems not explicitly explained in The Quran and Hadith. Artificial intelligence (AI) 's rapid advancement presents opportunities and challenges for contemporary ijtihad. This study aimed to explore the integration of AI in the ijtihad process through the maslahat mursalah approach. This study used a qualitative approach through literature study. Data sources were carefully selected to ensure the validity and relevance of the findings. In analyzing data, this study used qualitative content analysis techniques. The findings show that integrating AI in contemporary ijtihad offered great opportunities to support ulama in meeting the community's needs in the digital era. AI provided opportunities to increase efficiency, accessibility, and consistency in the ijtihad process. However, the application of this technology also posed challenges, such as the validity of data sources, contextual limitations, and conflict potential with the ulama authority. The study concluded that the successful implementation of AI required collaboration between ulama and technology experts, technology education in sharia studies, and strict ethical supervision. With a maslahat-based approach, AI can be an instrument that strengthens Islamic law while realizing sustainable benefits. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to bridging the gap between technological innovation and Islamic law, i.e., supporting the development of sharia-compliant AI applications to enhance the adaptability of Islamic law in the digital era.
The Quran and Hadith consider the purpose of the creation of nonhuman animals to guarantee humanity the enjoyment of life on earth, they are described as full individuals with full rights, enjoying a sense of similarity to humans and sometimes having abilities that exceed and surpass humans` capabilities. The current paper discusses the Islamic origin of trans- species zoochosis in Bear Boy, an autobiography by Justin Barker. This paper also aims to illustrate how Islam has influenced modern science and psychology. In particular, it aims to establish a link between Islam and trans-species psychology, a psychological theory innovated by the American psychologist and ecologist Gay Bradshaw. In addition, this paper elucidates that trans- species psychology retells and confirms what Islam has mentioned long time ago. Plainly, this paper states that there is a psychological similarity between humans and animals. Trans- species psychology has proven that animals, like humans, can suffer from trauma, stress and zoochosis. Clearly, Justin Barker was influenced by Islam which copes with trans-species psychology zoochosis. Barker portrays zoochosis as a psychological disorder that inflicts animals and humans. His vision of human animal similarity is already treated in surah al An`am of the Holy al-Quran.
This article explores the potential of Quranic hermeneutics as a transformative framework in addressing the contemporary ecological crisis. Through an in-depth analysis of Qur'anic verses related to the environment, this study reveals the Qurannot only as a normative text, but also as a comprehensive guide for sustainable environmental management. The study uses an integrative hermeneutics method, which combines textual, contextual, and empirical approaches, with a focus on its relevance in Indonesia as a case study. The findings show that Qur'anic hermeneutics is able to build ethical, ecological, and spiritual paradigms that are relevant to addressing global environmental challenges, while offering practical steps towards socio-ecological transformation.
This paper provides an in-depth exploration of the complex and multifaceted relationship between ethics and religion, offering a nuanced analysis of the various philosophical and theological views regarding their intersection and independence. It examines how religious doctrines, such as divine commandments, shape moral values like good and evil, justice, and virtue, while also considering perspectives that argue for the possibility of grounding moral principles outside of religious frameworks. The paper contrasts different schools of thought from both Western and Islamic traditions, including Kantian ethics, which emphasizes duty and the necessity of belief in God to uphold moral principles, as well as ethical theories that assert the sufficiency of reason, human nature, and social agreements for moral guidance. The Islamic view, represented by theological schools such as the Mu'tazila, Ash'ari, and Maturidi, presents a wide range of positions, from the belief in moral values existing independently of God's will to the assertion that morality is inherently tied to divine command. These perspectives are juxtaposed with Western philosophical traditions, including the moral autonomy argued by thinkers like Hobbes, Kant, and Hume, who contend that moral obligations can arise from human reason, societal contracts, or natural laws. Additionally, the paper delves into the role of religious belief in motivating ethical actions, examining arguments that suggest faith can inspire moral behavior by grounding it in a higher divine authority, while also considering critiques that question the necessity of religious belief for moral action. Through these discussions, the paper provides a comprehensive examination of the ethical frameworks proposed by both religious and non-religious traditions, highlighting their interplay and potential for mutual reinforcement or divergence.
The existence of hadith narrators from among the jinn has been acknowledged since the early Islamic centuries. The status of jinn as narrators can be verified through recorded chains of transmission or contextually within the text of hadith. However, the credibility (al-'adalah) and accuracy (al-dabt) of jinn as narrators have been subjects of scholarly debate. This study evaluates the status of jinn narrators, identifies their names, and examines their interactions in transmitting hadith according to the hadith tradition. By analyzing historical and social contexts, this research discovers 51 jinn narrators, concluding that their status is classified as jahalah (uncertain). Scholars of hadith have largely rejected and prohibited the transmission of hadith from jinn. An index of jinn narrators has been compiled to prevent confusion stemming from hadith dissemination based on claims, fantasies, or imagination.
Repressive and discriminatory oppression and tyranny against the lives of Uyghur Muslims in East Turkestan caused various violations of human rights. Therefore, multiple non-governmental organizations (NGOs) came forward to provide this vulnerable group with various forms of humanitarian assistance. The main objective of this study is to identify the forms of assistance and the role that international NGOs have successfully implemented. Based on a qualitative approach involving in-depth interview methods with six international NGOs. These NGOs were chosen because they are active in Uyghur Muslim humanitarian missions and have extensive networks with various other NGOs. The study's findings show that various forms of humanitarian aid have been given to international NGOs selected in this study involving basic needs, education, support, consultation, and so on. The form of aid given shows that NGOs are always trying to help ease the burden faced by Uyghur Muslims. In addition, brings awareness to the community about the real humanitarian situation in East Turkestan. In the context of the international NGO arena, this study contributes from the point of view of improving ISO 9001: 2000 standards in providing a positive impact on the quality and credibility of the humanitarian aid sector, to refocus activities involving international humanitarian aid organizations on humanitarian needs to stimulate aid agencies to meet the quality needs of each recipient.
Previous research has revealed that expert decision makers possess the ability to overcome cognitive limitations, particularly in group decision making. This study aims to capitalize on these psychological cognitive complement strategies of experts in the development of a Shariah-compliant medical service framework, a growing need in the medical tourism industry. Twelve experts were selected to participate in the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This method involved breaking down the problem into its constituent elements and comparing their relative importance. This method involved breaking down the problem into its constituent elements and comparing their relative importance. By relying on expert opinions and following a structured decision-making process, the proposed framework provides healthcare professionals with guidelines for delivering exceptional and comprehensive care to Muslim patients and tourists globally, in accordance with the principles of Shariah.
Little is known about the contributions made by the Muslim literary philosophers of the medieval age since their ideas on poetics have not been well documented. Al-Farabi and Ibn-Sina, offered an explanation of reasoning to reconcile poetry with the corpus of consistent ideas regarding truths as revealed in the Quran. Ibn Rushd compared poetry to a logical organ of philosophy, claiming that its distinctive characteristics enable the communication of truth and draw the creative mind nearer to God. Despite their extensive theoretical resources in poetry, the literary philosophies of these thinkers are largely unknown to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. In addition, there are some amounts of confusion and ambivalence about the distinctiveness of their literary theories and has much misunderstanding regarding the importance of faith and logic, as revealed in their exposition of poetic language, imagination, syllogism, nature of the subject, aesthetics and moral validity. Therefore, this paper sheds light on the tradition of poetics in both pre-Islamic Arab culture and medieval Arabic-Islamic period, discusses the reasons for the acceptance of Aristotle's Poetics within the Muslim community and explores the distinctive aspects of the leading Muslim philosophers' literary theories that make them more advanced, and dynamic compared to the Greeks.
Averroes, a prominent Islamic philosopher, reconciled divine omniscience with human free will through a compatibilist framework. He argued that God's foreknowledge does not necessitate determinism; instead, it reflects the reality of events as they unfold. Drawing on Aristotelian metaphysics, Averroes distinguished between necessary events, like natural phenomena, and contingent events, such as human actions shaped by reason and choice. He maintained that human free will exists within a deterministic universe, preserving moral accountability. Averroes integrated Islamic theology with philosophy, addressing tensions between divine omnipotence and human agency. He proposed that God's knowledge does not compel human actions, likening it to an astronomer predicting an eclipse-knowledge does not equate to causation. Human actions are influenced by reason, imagination, and external factors, but free will arises from rational deliberation and the ability to act intentionally. In reconciling religion and philosophy, Averroes emphasized metaphorical interpretations of the Quran, appealing to both laypeople and intellectuals. He argued that verses emphasizing divine control foster submission among the masses, while those highlighting human agency guide scholars. Averroes' compatibilism upholds the coexistence of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, legitimizing philosophy within Islamic thought and supporting ethical accountability.
The expanding online religious experience is increasingly challenging, if not supplanting, the traditional offline counterpart, necessitating a thorough examination of the mechanisms underlying this transformative influence. Furthermore, this cybermediated religious experience has a significant influence not just on individuals who engage in religious pursuits through online channels, but also on authority structures and identity dynamics. Particularly, an overarching inquiry arises: does this switch from offline to online domains delineate a hybrid portrayal of contemporary Western Muslim religious life? Therefore, a critical examination regarding the ensuing status of traditional religious authorities within the Western milieu subsequent to this transition towards the online sphere is necessary. By synthesizing insights from the existing literature on Digital Islam and a comprehensive analysis of contemporary circumstances, this study argues that the emergence of Islamic cyber experience in the western world which has forged a new dimension for Muslims. Notably, the Cyber Islamic Environment (CIE), which competes with the traditional physical religious sphere, has had a significant impact on several elements of Muslim religious life. Within this investigation, emphasis is placed on two key tenets-authority and identity-to elucidate the multifaceted impacts experienced by Muslim communities. In terms of authority, while the traditional Islamic authority remains stable, cohesive, and community-centric, the cyber authority is characterized by being individualistic, uncensored, and heightened stringency, albeit being more accessible. The same applies to identity. Unlike the relatively stable and authentic nature of spatial identity, characterized by its static and realistic features, cyber identity is characterized by volatility, lack of genuineness, and a propensity for constant change.
