Contemporary Islamic Discourse Research Articles

Navigating the Fundamentalism/ “Usulia” Nexus: Contextualization and Acceptance

This article undertakes an examination of the contentious issue surrounding the translation of "fundamentalism" to "Usulia," with a specific focus on the divergent perceptions of this concept among both Muslims and non-Muslims. Through historical exploration and conceptual analysis, the study aims to illuminate the various perspectives regarding the usage of "Fundamentalism/Usulia" within an Islamic context. Drawing from an analysis of pertinent literature and scholarly discourse, it becomes apparent that despite attempts to incorporate fundamentalist ideologies into the “Usulia” framework, most Islamists vehemently reject this translation, perceiving it as perpetuating a negative Western stereotype. The article delves into the theological, social, and political factors that underpin these differing stances, along with their implications for Islamic movements. By providing insights into this ongoing debate, the research contributes to a deeper comprehension of the internal diversity within Islamic thought and the intricate relationship between fundamentalism as a Western concept and “Usulia” in contemporary Islamic discourse.

Mapping the Islamic Ethical Discourse on Prenatal Diagnosis and Termination of Pregnancy: A Methodological Analysis

Abstract The development of prenatal diagnosis technologies has created challenging ethical situations and raised complex ethical questions. The hardest among these is the question of whether to continue or terminate pregnancies due to fetal anomalies. This article examines the Islamic methodological approaches that are employed to resolve contemporary issues pertaining to prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly. The objective is, firstly, to understand on which basis the various Islamic views and perspectives have been constructed, and secondly, to assess the rules and principles that Muslim jurists apply to arrive at decisions regarding prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy across the different schools of thought. This helps in identifying the methodological characteristics of contemporary Islamic discourse on prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy, and recognizing existing gaps. This methodological analysis aspires to generate further and richer discussion on how to develop thorough ethical approaches to prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly with the aim of advancing antenatal care for Muslim patients. Key concepts and principles within Islamic theology, law, and ethics are explored.

Neo-Sufisme di Indonesia: Studi tentang Pemikiran KH Agoes Ali Masyhuri Sidoarjo

Sufism has long been revered for its emphasis on spiritual development and fostering a personal connection with the divine This qualitative study delves into the realm of Sufism and its contemporary manifestation known as Neo-Sufism, which represents a renewal of Sufism within the Islamic tradition. In contemporary Islamic discourse, Neo-Sufism emerges as a revitalized approach within the Sufi tradition, offering fresh insights and adaptive strategies to address the challenges of modernity. Using a biographical study approach, the research seeks to unravel the intricate thought patterns of Agoes Ali Masyhuri. It reveals that Agoes Ali Masyhuri draws inspiration from the sophisticated philosophies of al-Ghazali, yet he infuses his own dynamic reinterpretations to offer practical solutions, particularly tailored for modern society. Notable features of Neo-Sufism evident in his thought include a balanced and moderate stance, a rejection of extremism, and a strong emphasis on values such as dignity, benefit and peace. His neosufist perspective is characterized by inclusivity, adaptability, and relevance to contemporary life challenges, making it a pertinent approach amidst the complexities of the modern world.

INTERPRETASI AYAT-AYAT TEOLOGI FEMINIS PERSPEKTIF MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR (FIQH AL-MAR’AH SEBAGAI TEOLOGI FEMINIS MELAWAN ORTODOKSI ISLAM DALAM ISU PEREMPUAN)

There are several questions raised in this article, what is Syahrur's basic view of Islamic theology on women? How did the emergence and discussion of women's issues in the book Nahwa Ushul al-Jadidah What is fiqh al-Mar'ah? and how is the connection between the birth of the book in contemporary Islamic discourse and the Islamic State? The main data sources for the inner articles are two books by Syahrur, al-Islam wa al-Īmān: Manzhūmah al-Qiyam and Nahwa Ushul al-Jadidah Li Fiqh al-Mar'ah. The position of the research article in taking the space of discursive study, the discourse of the emergence of works with the domination of power in the Islamic State after the fall of Turkey. By analyzing the contents of the book (content analysis) and reading the discourse or historical data and the context of the birth of the book and the author's agent in the book, this article finds several main conclusions in the state's political discourse, Syahrur's feminist theological ideas and ideas in his work were born as an effort to fight against the hegemony of Islamic rule in Syria. Syahrur's thoughts can be placed as a tool or as a method in formulating Islam as a social theology, Islam that is not far from the reality of the existence of its people

Problematizing Contemporary Islamic Discourse: A Conceptual Modeling of New Heroes in Indonesian Islamic Biographical Films

PurposeThis study problematizes the interconnectedness between religion and media once again within the context of Indonesian biopics. This paper looks at the pattern of transformation of two Islamic elite-authoritative figures into Islamic-popular heroes that are thematically intertwined with Islamic discourse in Indonesia’s reform era. MethodThe research in this article combines several theoretical concepts by examining the relationship between text and context. The social semiotic paradigm of Kress becomes the main theory for disecting the text, while the concept of cultural commodities from Fiske and discourse formation from Foucault become the frame of reference for viewing the relationship between text and context. Results/findingsThe binary modes in those two biopics are not identical, according to this article, but both have transformed the stable concept of historical figures into more complex ones that generate polysemic ideas from an ideological standpoint. This article also explains how the process of meaning formation in the film's two Islamic figures are affected by three entities forming a three-party dialectic model. ConclusionIn the case of two biopics, Sang Pencerah (2010) and Sang Kiai (2013), this article confirms a dynamic model of conceptual design that connects texts and context. It demonstrates the existence of some variables that contribute to the polarization of contemporary Islam discourses in Indonesia.

Islam Dot Com: Contemporary Islamic Discourses in Cyberspace, written by Mohammed el-Nawawy and Sahar Khamis

Islam Dot Com: Contemporary Islamic Discourses in Cyberspace, written by Mohammed el-Nawawy and Sahar Khamis

Tinjauan Maqasid Asy-Syari’ah Terhadap Peraturan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Timur Nomor 16 Tahun 2012 Tentang Penyelenggaraan Perlindungan Perempuan Dan Anak Korban Kekerasan

The author's goal is to discuss the East Java Provincial Regulation Number 16 of 2012's review of maqasid asy-syariah on sexual violence against women and children in order to provide an understanding of Islam in contemporary Islamic discourse through maqasid asy-syariah, which includes humanitarian issues, particularly for women and children. The community is obliged to comply with regulations such as Regional Regulations (Perda) , despite the fact that there is no express instruction in the Qur’an or Hadith, even during the prophetic era. The need of comprehending maqasid asy-syariah in order to manage human life in order to maximize benefits and minimize harm. The data was analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method based on the maqasid asy-syariah theory. Data collection methods using library material and previous study. The findings revealed that the Regional Regulation No. 16 of 2012, which addressed the execution of the protection of women and children victims of violence, gave attention to the maqasid asy-syariah issues that arose in the community. This can be determined by referring to the regulation's "weighing" and "remembering" considerations. However, other aspects of the regional rule are disregarded, such as Article 17's requirement to report sexual abuse against women and children, for which they will face punishment as outlined in the applicable laws and regulations.

Kritika suvremenog znanja kod nekih islamskih mislilaca

A critical approach to the modern type of knowledge is a thematic issue of the contemporary Islamic discourse. Reducing the overall reality to the concept (rationalism), measure and quantity (empiricism) and to a set of objects (positivism), has led to the reduction of reality as well as neglecting of its metaphysical foundation and spiritual values. In modern history, this approach has led to a "technical picture of the world" or "technicalization of the world" that has created numerous crises in Western history: the ecological crisis, the crisis of instrumental rationality, the moral crisis... Everyone agrees that the problem of modern knowledge lies in the neglect of the essence and that it leans on change for the sake of change, losing its spiritual and moral content. Conceptualizing knowledge through metaphysical and moral contents is the goal of the discourse of Hossein Nasr, Naguib al-Attas, Ismail Faruqi and Fazlur Rahman.

Citizenship in the Classical Islamic Political Thought According to the Charter of Medina

The Constitution of Medina, also known as The Charter of Medina was considered as the first and oldest political document in the Islamic political thought. It was regarded as the first written constitution for the Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad after the Hijra (migration). The document recorded various identities, nationalities and religions organized by Islamic government based onseveralprinciples. This study tried to analyze the document according to its form, contents, and historical background. Also, the principles mentioned in the document, whether it was political, constitutional, human rights or judiciary field. The standard of citizenship in the Constitution of Medina was written based on the country apart from language or beliefs diversities. This study invites a deeper search for the prophetic documents to rediscovery the Islamic political thoughts and its context to the contemporary Islamic political discourse.

Dominion Built of Praise: Panegyric and Legitimacy Among Jews in the Medieval Mediterranean by Jonathan Decter

Reviewed by: Dominion Built of Praise: Panegyric and Legitimacy Among Jews in the Medieval Mediterranean by Jonathan Decter David Torollo (bio) Dominion Built of Praise: Panegyric and Legitimacy Among Jews in the Medieval Mediterranean Jonathan Decter University of Pennsylvania Press, 2018. 400 pp. $79.95 cloth. Joining the panegyric turn in Classical and Arabic literary scholarship and applying the Mediterranean as an analytic framework, in Dominion Built of Praise, Jonathan Decter offers a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the way in which dominion and legitimacy were constructed among Jews living in the Islamic Mediterranean between the tenth and thirteenth centuries and those living in the Christian Mediterranean until the fifteenth century. Decter studies hundreds of panegyrics dedicated to Jews written either in Hebrew or Judeo-Arabic, in prose or in verse, in literary or documentary sources; he also explores the phenomenon of praise in medieval Jewish culture from multiple angles and the nature and development of images of the ideal Jewish leadership. Chapter one focuses on the use of panegyrics in exchange relationships. The survival of multiple examples demonstrates that poems were widely used either as letters per se or as literary pieces accompanying letters. Although "the function of the poems as correspondence does not preclude their circulation or even their oral performance" (65), instances of this performance are difficult to glimpse. In fact, the broad circulation of poem-letters and the scarcity of evidence of recurrent gatherings of poets prompt Decter to call into question the unchallenged idea of the courtly nature of the Andalusian Jewish intellectual life. He suggests the possibility of the parallel existence of a network of geographically disconnected thinkers who were connected through epistolary exchange, something akin to an Andalusian Republic of Letters. Consequently, chapter two analyses the metapoetic trope of panegyrics as gifts following the conceptualization of the reciprocity of presents by Marcel Mauss. Through an analysis of the use of gift discourse, Decter proves that panegyrics played a pivotal role in dynamic and reciprocal [End Page 139] exchanges to create and maintain bonds of loyalty, where the exchange of praise for favors, recognition, or help was the norm. Chapter three classifies the ideal virtues that are expected of Jewish mamdūḥs (the praised ones). These character traits, and the ways in which they were represented, are quite fixed; indeed, personalized portrayals are absent, since "mamdūḥs sought idealized depictions of social types that they were said to embody" (92). In this sense, Decter concedes that depicting traits such as humility, generosity, eloquence, or wisdom, and employing tropes such as the image of the leader as a shepherd or his connection with the divine world had a double purpose, for panegyrics "not only enhanced the legitimacy of those individuals but also gave the community a sense that these qualities resided within the group" (126). In addition, Hebrew panegyrics combined in a novel way the contemporary Islamic discourse of power with traditional Jewish formulas of praise, bolstering claims of legitimacy for the mamdūḥ and strengthening the community's sense of group identity. The following three chapters address specific elements of the production of medieval Jewish panegyric. Chapter four compares the representation and praise of figures in the East and the West, proving that differences existed within the corpus of conventional poems and that they responded to locally contingent portrayals of the images of leadership. Chapter five deals with the ethics of praise by exploring how panegyrics operated under theological and ethical tensions. On the one hand, praising men was permissible in order to offer worldly recognition and inspire others to emulate good virtues, but on the other hand, praise was the antithesis of piety. Besides this, concerns over plagiarism, the issue of poetry for pay, and the idea that poetry relied upon deception made the task of distinguishing truth from falsehood difficult. As a result, the authors' compunction can be read between the lines. Lastly, and in connection with the idea of the insincerity of poetry, chapter six traces the role of hyperbole (Hebrew: havai / Arabic: al-ghulū) in Arabic and Hebrew treatises on rhetoric and poetics back to the Aristotelian concept of auxesis (magnification). Chapter seven brilliantly explores the significance and meaning of the...

CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE THOUGH IN THE WORK OF KHALED ABOU EL FADL

With a qualitative approach, this research raises Khaled Abou El Fadl's thoughts on contemporary Islamic law discourse by analyzing one of his main works, namely Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority, and Women. This paper will be focused on two important questions. First, how is the history of Khaled Abou El Fadl's life? Second, how is Khaled Abou El Fadl’s thought style in the tradition of contemporary jurisprudence? Based on those two questions, this research finally produces that; First, Abou El Fadl grew out of the dialectic of Islamic thought in the Middle East which has grown since the 1970s. His thought was actually a reaction to the rise of Salafi discourses, especially in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The idea of Abou El Fadl is seen as a moderate wing representation in Salafi thought. Second, Atas Nama Tuhan, Khaled Aboul El Fadl's work is an experiment of his criticism of Salafism ideology which argues that Islamic reformism is also responsible for creating a creed closed, intolerant, and superficial in understanding the sacred texts of Islam should be taken seriously. His thought provides a discourse on Islamic law by combining classical Islamic thought with modern hermeneuticdiscourse.

PEMIKIRAN AMIN ABDULLAH

Amin Abdullah is a productive thinker in the arena of Indonesian Muslim scholars. Amin is not only able to synthesize among many conflicting arguments, but also more than that He is able to produce an intelligent and accommodating concept, so that a concept can be an answer to the problems raised. Amin Abdullah is an Islamic thinker in Indonesia. At first he was a santri whose life was full of conservative things. Even the pesantren learning system in Indonesia today is learning that emphasizes more on the rote system and not on the system of thought. But an Amin Abdullah has now become a thinker, even now many people call him an Indonesian philosopher. Amin Abdulah's thought is known for being so contemporary, because when viewed from various scientific writings he presents many present-day problems. Current issues that are often raised are problems in the post modern era, the dynamics of cultural Islam, and mapping of contemporary Islamic discourse.

EPISTEMOLOGI TAFSIR MAQASIDI

This article examines tafsîr maqâṣidî in epistemological outlook. It studies the origins, methodology, and validation of its construction. Based on depth literary analysis, this article argues that tafsîr maqâṣidî cannot be separated from its origins in the historical development of Islamic law. It can be seen from the rise of tafsîr maqâṣidî that is much more originated and established from maqâṣid al-sharî’ah in terms of Islamic law. The basic framework of tafsîr maqâṣidî is not only developed by Muslim scholars who are well educated in Islamic law such as Ibn ‘Âshûr and Jaser Auda, but also initiated by scholars of theology such like Muḥammad ‘Abduh and Muḥammad Rashîd Riḍâ. The article also suggests that the movement of maqâṣid al-sharî’ah thoughts including tafsîr maqâṣidî has relevant effort in constructing Islamic knowledge which is well known in contemporary Islamic discourse as islamization of knowledge. On the origins, tafsîr maqâṣidî is like tafsir bi al-ra’y that attempts to find a logical basis and methods that is appropriate to Islamic sources, and on the same time it tries to put a logic and reason as the basis for interpretation. On methodological side, tafsîr maqâṣidî is built in two traces of tafsir tradition that is well known as naqlî and ‘aqlî methods. And on validation, tafsîr maqâṣidî forms itself into a wide creativity in using naqlî and ‘aqlî methods by emphasizing on rational and empirical study with special reference to maṣâliḥ mursalah.

Pencarian Otentisitas Islam Liberal Di Indonesia

In the contemporary Islamic discourse in Indonesia, an Islamic movement initiated by a group of young muslim intelectuals emerged which offered a new paradigm in comprehending Islamic doctrines. The movement naming itself Jaringan Islam Liberal (JIL) carrys some jargons of modern life like pluralism, tolerance, inclussivism, freedom of thought, and human rights.
 Through sociological approach, this article shows that JIL has played a significant role in dinamizing Islamic discouse in Indonesia. JIL proposed the “individualism” of Islamic thought; it is called “individual autonomy” in Berger and Luckman’s term, and “Islamic liberalism” in Binder and Kurzman’s one. Some methodologies applied by JIL in promoting its ideas are ijtihad freedom, hermeneutics, reactualization of Islamic doctrines, and “al-muhâfazhah ‘alâ al-qadîm al-shâlih wa al-akhdzu bi al-jadîd al-ashlah”.

"Harvesting" and Use of Human (Embryonic) Stem Cells: An Islamic Evaluation.

This paper gives insight into the Islamic bioethical discussion on harvesting and using human embryonic (hESC) and adult stem cells. It describes some of the Islamic legal mechanisms involved in the bioethical discourse among Muslims. As the contemporary Islamic bioethical discourse is very diverse, the paper focuses on the critical discussion of related resolutions of the Saudi-based Islamic Fiqh Academy due to the esteem in which the IFA is held in the Islamic world and the pertinence of their rulings on this issue. This study discusses the different sources of human adult and embryonic stem cells and their use from an Islamic perspective, while questioning some directions the Islamic bioethical discourse has taken. The paper invites interested parties to deliberate the use of some of the legal means resorted to in the ongoing Islamic bioethical discourse.

STRATEGI PEMBANGUNAN EKONOMI YANG ISLAMI MENURUT FAHIM KHAN

Several theories about the development strategy formulated by the most conventional neo-classical economists much criticized. Fahim Khan including contemporary Islamic economic thinkers who criticize conventional economic development strategy with alternative bids from the Islamic economics perspective. Their thinking is exciting to examined substance and its correlation with the economic development of contemporary Islamic discourse that dominated the development of financial institutions/syariah banking. The creation of entrepreneurial opportunities made Fahim Khan as a keyword in the concept of criticizing conventional strategy and supporting the Islamic economic development strategy. Strategy opened and graced this productive creative independent businesses are deemed appropriate and supported by the Islamic economic system based on profit and loss sharing partnership (profit-loss sharing). The idea is to promote excellence banking system of sharing based on the conventional interest-based banking system in spurring economic development suplus to enliven the entrepreneurial workforce.

The Use of Logic in Contemporary Islamic Discourses

In a fluid and ever changing global environment, the need to rationally engage and logically address the controversies that challenge the sanctity of Islam is an ubiquitous feature of contemporary times. As the challenges confronting Islamic thinkers are diverse and manifold, there is an urgent need for an advocacy approach that is premised on the rational application of Logic in Islamic Discourse. Nevertheless, the current approach of totally relying on Logic as a tool to elucidate the problems and controversies besetting the Ummah is replete with numerous shortcomings as evidenced by the advent of deviationist ideologies inimical to Islam such as pluralism, liberalism, and feminism. This paper purports to examine the nature of Logic within Islamic Discourse and how it is applied to not only portray Islam but to also delineate and clarify its adequacy in addressing contemporary issues and controversies bedeviling the Ummah. In seeking answers to these questions, the paper first sought to explicate upon the nature of Logic within the realm of knowledge. Next, it analyzed the use of logic in contemporary Islamic discourse. A qualitative approach which basically encompasses library research was utilized to obtain secondary data regarding the use of logic in contemporary Islamic discourse. Subsequently, the collated data was subjected to textual analysis. The findings reveal that there are at least two approaches that underpin the use of logic in Islamic discourse, namely, the reason (aql) based and the revelation (wahyu) based approaches with both approaches having their respective outcomes. Based on the analyzed data, the study recommends that the application of logic in contemporary Islamic Discourse should be premised upon on a hybrid approach named Contemporary Islamic Logic Approach (CILA) that draws its synergy from the revelation based approach but manifests itself via aql based arguments whilst simultaneously complying with four basic rules i.e., possessing a clear Islamic epistemology and tasawur, utilizing Islamic reasoning approaches, strengthening the Islamic framework and finally, emphasizing the means aspect of Western Logic rather than its end. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n5p171

Women, Piety and Political Representation

The aftermath of violent conflict provides opportunities for fresh debates about gender politics. In sub-Saharan Africa, several post-conflict states have introduced constitutional reforms and quotas to promote women’s participation in government. Yet, women’s political representation in Somalia is a matter that goes beyond the hotly-debated gender quotas which are often championed by international donors and other peacebuilding actors. In post-war Somalia, women believe that the question of political representation is closely linked to the recognition of women’s ongoing contributions to society. For many women, the contemporary post-war Islamic discourses in Somalia have eroded some rights previously guaranteed—if imperfectly—by the pre-war state. Such discourses today have also constructed a new ideal version of Somali women in an Islamic society which largely dispossesses them from public life. In this article, I highlight Somali women’s forms of activism which are centered on engaging Islamic discourses in an attempt to change current perceptions about women’s roles in politics and public life. I examine women’s narratives for insights into the root causes of women’s exclusion and the strategies used to resist, counter, and challenge oppositional Islamic discourses. I conclude by considering how women’s ‘unorganized’ movements across Somalia—premised on working within a framework of Islam, are suggestive of multifaceted expressions of women’s agency in patriarchal and non-liberal contexts.

Islam and Gender in the Thought of a Critical-Progressive Muslim Scholar-Activist: Ziba Mir-Hosseini

This article highlights the scholarly contribution of the Iranian-born Muslim scholar-activist Ziba Mir-Hosseini to the academic field of gender and Islam. In the first part, Mir-Hosseini's thought is positioned within the larger processes of the shifting loci of authority and normativity in contemporary Islamic discourses, particularly with reference to the emergence of what will here be termed critical-progressive Muslim scholar-activists. There follows a brief justification as to why a study of Mir-Hosseini's thought in relation to gender and Islam warrants examination. Mir-Hosseini's personal journey in the field of gender and Islam is then outlined and her major contributions to the field are noted. This is followed by a discussion of the support Mir-Hosseini finds for her ideas in the hermeneutical theories employed by reformist male Muslim scholars, and then an examination of her views on the relationship between Islamic feminism discourses and (neo-)traditional expressions of Islam. Mir-Hosseini's deconstruction of the assumptions governing classical Muslim family law and ethics that have been re-appropriated and legally enforced by some contemporary Muslim majority nation states is presented next, followed by a discussion of her proposals for the reform of Muslim family law and ethics. The final section discusses Mir Hosseini's activism with special reference to her involvement with Musawah, the global movement for equality in Muslim family law based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Contemporary Islamic Educational Discourse and the Philosophy of Empowerment

The central concern of this article is to examine the contemporary Islamic educational discourse from the perspective of the philosophy of empowerment. In line with this view, it proposes a new conceptual framework for empowerment in lieu of the traditional views, which consider empowerment in terms of infrastructural developments or shifting power from the powerful to the powerless. We suggest that empowerment should be viewed as a social process that helps people gain control over their lives by enabling them to act on issues important to them. Considered in this light, education that seeks to empower people must be a process that provides the fundamental freedom and resources to understand the world and grants the ability to change that world. Contemporary Islamic educational discourses are evaluated on this basis to determine to what extent Islamic educators are engaged with the idea of empowerment proposed in this article.