Islamic Society Research Articles

Fostering the Value of Religious Tolerance among Students through the Development of Potential Issues

Religious tolerance is a global priority amidst diverse beliefs and interests. This research explores potential issues in student religious tolerance for educational stakeholders. The study uses a qualitative bibliometric approach with descriptive data analysis. Findings indicate an increasing but modest trend in religious tolerance research over the past 14 years (2010-2024), peaking in 2023 with 65 articles. Electronic journals (e-journals) are the largest source of such research, with 150 publications. Four productive researchers from Jambi University produced two publications: Arizal Dwi Kurniawan, Nur Aini, Marlina Susanti, and Anisa Andrian. The study identifies several potential future research areas in student religious tolerance, including religion, mutual respect, analysis, tolerance, character education, data, institutions, teachers, Islamic religion, literature review, Islamic education, school, challenges, literacy, strategy, teacher, multicultural Islamic education, student ability, integration, multicultural education, society, tolerance, literature study, child, and concept.

Relationship Of Islam, China and Indonesia: The Study of Socio-Historical Perspective

The global community lacks awareness of the association between Muslims and Chinese society, although numerous historical records disclose the bond between them, as evidenced by the propagation of Islam in China and Indonesia. This research holds significance in unlocking the socio-historical aspects. In particular, the hierarchy of Islamic and Chinese societies and their potential for cooperation in various political, economic, and cultural missions are explored in this research. This research adopted a literature review approach with an integrative type of literature to identify the characteristics, social interactions, and political dynamics of Islam and China. The findings of this research deviate from prior studies, which uncovered various factors contributing to the diffusion of Islam in China and the emergence of Chinese Muslims in other countries. Our analysis result highlights parallels between Chinese culture and Muslim beliefs, specifically in their emphases on inclusivity, egalitarianism, and adaptability. Further, cultural assimilation plays a role in the collaboration between China and Islam.

Navigating historiographical boundaries in the early Turkish Republican period: astrology, nationalism and Aydın Sayılı’s scholarship

This article explores two aspects of Aydın Sayılı’s scholarship: his focus on astrology and the impact of nationalist sentiments on his research. Sayılı, perhaps the first globally recognized PhD-holder in history of science, completed his degree at Harvard in the early 1940s and established Turkey’s first academic chair in the field at the University of Ankara. His works addressed both international and local audiences, advancing the history of mathematics and astronomy in Islamic societies; his scholarship on Islamic observatories is still highly esteemed today. This study highlights Sayılı’s integration of astrology into discussions in the history of science, especially with respect to Islamic observatories, a significant choice in an era when astrology and related disciplines received minimal attention in Turkish historiography. While his approach to this discipline diverges from that of prevalent twentieth-century Turkish scholarship, Sayılı’s motivations were deeply intertwined with the nationalist sentiments of the early Turkish Republic, emphasizing ‘Turkish contributions to science’. His scholarship invites further examination of the intricate relationship between the historiography of science and nationalism, as well as of twentieth-century historicizations of astrological studies.

Development Strategy of Islamic Civil Society Organization (CSO) In Indonesia: A Case of Al Jamiyatul Al Wasliyah

One of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, Jamiyatul Alwasliyah, has a large identity and role in the development of Indonesia, even before Indonesia's independence. In fact there are not many researchers who pay attention to the political role of this organizational development. In reality, Jamiyatul Alwasliyah was formed with the spirit of advancing the nation and they succeeded with their development identity. This article, with a historical approach, will explain the background and political role of their development in Indonesia. This article examines some of the main political themes addressed in the NGO literature, as well as related themes in other political studies. This article analyses its development based on Islamic spirit and development strategy. It begins by examining competing theories regarding the political impact of the NGO sector. The article argues, make significant contributions of Jamiyatul Al Wasliyah as Civil Society Organization (CSO) to political life and to political change in developing countries, revealing a fertile, and hitherto neglected, research agenda.

Iṣlāḥ of al-Ghazālī’s Ideas and Movements and their Relevance to Contemporary Islamic Preaching

This study aims to examine the thoughts, movements of iṣlāḥ (reform) and tajdīd (renewal) of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111) and their relevance to the contemporary da‘wah. Based on a descriptively qualitative method and socio-historical approaches, this study shows that Al-Ghazālī prioritized self-reform before societal engagement. Al-Ghazālī emphasized Muslims’ mission to spread Islam and reform society. He identified societal issues, attributing the state of society to the knowledge and credibility of Islamic scholars, and advocated for nurturing new scholars, reforming education, reviving moral values, and promoting social justice. Furthermore, his ideas influenced the emergence of leaders like Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī through educational reforms. In the contemporary context, al-Ghazālī’s thought and movement provide an understanding that the current problems of Muslims need to be resolved from a fundamental problem in the form of “moral reform”. The roles of ‘ulamā’ (scholars) and umarā’ (leaders) are two essential pillars of the ummah (community), and these two aspects must receive necessary attention in Islamic da‘wah.

2024 AMCA MEMORIAL LECTURE HONOREE: MIR SUBHAN MULLA 1925-20231.

From 1979 to 2024, 51 individuals have been recognized as AMCA honorees for their lifetime achievements in mosquito and vector control. Mir Subhan Mulla (1925-2023) was the most recent honoree recognized in March 2024. Mulla received a scholarship in 1948 to attend Cornell University, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in entomology and parasitology. Mulla received his Ph.D. in entomology at the University of California, Berkeley in 1956, and then joined the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) faculty the same year. He retired in 2006 after 50 years of service. As one of the founding faculty in entomology at UC Riverside, Mulla created undergraduate and graduate courses and seminars in medical and veterinary entomology. As a leader in UC Riverside's world-renowned medical entomology graduate program, he advised 27 Ph.D. students, three master's students, 20 postdoctoral fellows, and 30 visiting scholars from many countries. Mulla contributed significantly to research and developments in biology, ecology, and control of arthropods of public health and economic importance, including but not limited to mosquitoes, flies, eye gnats, midges, blackflies, and stored product beetles. His work on biorational pesticides was remarkable. He published more than 550 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Mulla served the scientific community as a consultant, advisor, member, or chairman with numerous national and international organizations. He guided many universities in the development of their medical entomology programs. Mulla also served as one of the founding scientists of the Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE). He also provided financial support for facilities, faculty, and students at UC Riverside. Additionally, Mulla served as a leader in the Riverside Muslim community. He and his wife Lelia founded the Islamic Society of Riverside and Orange Counties in California. In recognition of Mulla's excellence in teaching, mentorship, and research, he received numerous prestigious recognitions from universities, communities, and professional organizations. He will be greatly missed by his loving and devoted family, friends, former students, and colleagues here in the USA and abroad.

Treatment of Non-Muslim Minorities in Islamic Nations: Prophetic Principles

This study aimed to clarify the prophetic rules concerning the relationship with non-Muslims in the Islamic society. The descriptive approach is used, and the findings revealed that the Prophetic controls in this regard are intellectual and cultural controls such as endorsing religious pluralism and ensuring learning and education without corruption or promoting atheism, as there is no compulsion in religion while guaranteeing the right to build and restore churches and places of worship. The study also reveals political and human rights controls such as respect for a decent life, and the sanctity of the human soul, which cannot be robbed or diminished except under legal conditions. These controls appear in prominent rights such as the right to citizenship, the right to political and professional work, and the right to justice. There are also economic and financial controls such as justice in acquiring rights and performing duties in a way that guarantees non-Muslims their economic stability. These include the right to protect money, freedom to work and earn, the right to guarantee the treasury, and their right to alms from rich Muslims. The results also showed social and family controls such as good family cohabitation and maintaining social ties and bonds. These controls are represented in the right to cohabitation, and the right to marry and divorce.

STRENGTHENING ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS IN WAQF INSTITUTIONS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Waqf institutions have faced several challenges in carrying out their functions and duties, including accountability issues that may hinder the growth and sustainability of waqf institutions. This journal aims to conduct a methodical review of the being literature on strengthening responsibility or accountability mechanisms in waqf institutions. Designed as a systematic study, it reviews articles published on scopus and google scholar from 2014 to 2024. The findings of this journal can provide insights and suggestions for the strengthening of appropriate accountability mechanisms, and it is hoped that waqf institutions can contribute more effectively in fulfilling their social objectives and strengthening the presence of Islam in society. Based on the systematic literature review, the article identifies three main dimensions relating to waqf institutions, namely: processes, institutional framework, and reporting techniques. The literature analysis also highlights the importance of cooperation between internal and external parties in strengthening accountability mechanisms within waqf institutions.

Enhancing resilience to climate events: A multi-capital approach in social work

Climate events have been identified as issues of global concern due to their devastating impacts. Social work seeks to reduce inequalities and promote empowerment to achieve the welfare of individuals and communities. It is, therefore, one of the key professions in reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience to natural hazards. This study explores how social work could enhance individuals’ resilience to climate events through employing the multi-capital approach. This qualitative study uses 43 semi-structured interviews with social workers, non-governmental organisation workers, religious leaders, and service users in Oman. After analysing their experiences thematically, the data indicate that risk is differentially distributed between and within communities. Climate events may affect two communities differently and even people within the same community differently. Based on the concepts of vulnerability and resilience, the impacts of climate events and individual responses would vary based on their capital levels. The findings also indicate that the multi-capital approach can be used as a guiding approach that assists social workers in identifying both strong and low capital and working to strengthen them. Interestingly, although the multi-capital approach does not consider spiritual capital, the findings illustrate that every aspect of human nature must be linked to God in Islamic societies and stresses faith and stability. Some implications for policy, practice, and education have been outlined, such as developing social work curricula by considering the modification proposed to the multi-capital approach. Moreover, integrating spiritual capital into disaster resilience frameworks is crucial for holistic policy development.

Management of Moral Development for Students

The research in this thesis descriptively explains the management of moral development at Dayah Nurul Islam in Southeast Aceh. The research method used in this study is qualitative with a phenomenological approach. Based on the research findings, it was found that Dayah Nurul Islam in Aceh was established in 1960 by Tengku Abuya Ja’far Sidik bin H. Hasan bin H. Abbas. In its subsequent development, the dayah has expanded in several aspects, including institutional development, curriculum, and facilities. The existence of Dayah Nurul Islam and its role in society is to foster the Muslim community. Therefore, the role of Dayah Nurul Islam in society is as a religious educational institution, a preaching institution, and a social institution. To realize these roles, the management of moral development for students is implemented by integrating modern management systems, including planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of moral development for students at Dayah Nurul Islam. The education and teaching system at Dayah Nurul Islam Southeast Aceh follows the modern pesantren system. This is evident from the planning of work programs for each section, the creation of an annual education and teaching calendar according to the work programs that have been prepared, the determination of consultation, coordination, and instruction methods for each section, and the determination of the form, method, and time of reporting for each section. The planning is carried out under the Deputy Director of the Dayah in collaboration with the heads of SMP and MA Nurul Islam Southeast Aceh.

Resolving lawsuits with a decisive oath: An economic analysis

The decisive oath is an interesting but little-known element in some legal proceedings, mostly in civil law traditions. It is different from ordinary (testimonial) oaths that are routinely administered to witnesses at trial with the aim of eliciting only truthful testimony, but which are of dubious value in achieving that end. By contrast, a decisive oath can end a lawsuit in cases where the plaintiff has no evidence. We use a simple economic model of litigation to examine the impact of the decisive oath in resolving lawsuits and the effects of religious status on the likelihoods of requesting and taking the oath. To test the implications of the model, we use data from the early nineteenth century Ottoman courts to examine the empirical relationship between the stakes of the case, religious status of defendants, and litigation outcomes. The results show that as the stakes of a case increased: (1) resolution by evidence-based trial or the oath option were both more likely than settlement; (2) the plaintiff was less likely to request an oath from non-religious defendants as the baseline, with an additional effect that was also negative and even greater for religious defendants; and (3) non-religious defendants were more likely to take the oath, with an additional effect that was negative for religious defendants, which offset or reversed the baseline positive effect. Our analysis contributes both to the theoretical literature on the economics of dispute resolution, and to the historical literature on the role of decisive oaths in resolving legal disputes, especially in Islamic societies and civil law traditions.

Difficulties in emotion regulation and attachment styles among Kurdish individuals in Eastern Turkey with substances use disorders

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between attachment style and emotion dysregulation in Kurdish individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) in Eastern Turkey, a non-Western, Islamic society, in a descriptive cross-sectional design. This study was conducted with 216 individuals with SUDs who were treated at the SBU Van Training and Research Hospital Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center in Eastern Turkey between April 2023 and June 2023. Almost half of the participants (44.5%, n = 96) were between 18 and 30 years old and almost all were men (96.3%, n = 208). The most commonly used substances were heroin (46.3%, n = 100), marijuana (28.7%, n = 62) and synthetic cannabinoids (7.9%, n = 12). The results showed that higher levels of emotion dysregulation were associated with increased avoidant attachment and anxious attachment style. The study found that anxious and avoidant attachment styles were a significant predictor of emotion dysregulation. These findings suggest that attachment styles may play an important role in emotion dysregulation in Kurdish individuals with SUDs. Future research should investigate whether interventions targeting attachment-based interventions could be effective in reducing emotion dysregulation in Kurdish individuals with SUDs.

Women's Right to Terminate Marriage by Individual Will According to Saudi Family Law

The issue of protecting women's rights has garnered extensive attention from international organizations, particularly the United Nations, through a range of international covenants and agreements, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Since the provisions of these declarations and agreements mandate equality between men and women upon the dissolution of marriage and prohibit discrimination against women in ending a marriage, and given that the marriage and divorce system in Islamic societies is religious, based on the sacred texts of Islamic Sharia, Islamic countries have attempted in their national laws to grant women the right to end the marital bond in a manner consistent with international agreements on one hand, and not in conflict with Islamic Sharia on the other. This study highlights the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting women's right to unilaterally terminate a marriage, in line with the provisions of the international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party, while also adhering to the sacred Islamic texts relevant to this context. The Saudi legislator has selected jurisprudential interpretations and explanations of Islamic texts that support this direction, avoiding strict interpretations and opinions on this issue, to balance as much as possible between the provisions of Islamic Sharia and the demands of modernity and development. This has resulted in a means that aims to establish balance upon the dissolution of a marriage. The study concluded that Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in this area, and it can ensure more rights for women by exploring non-strict religious opinions and jurisprudential interpretations.

Reintegrating Poso: A Comparative Study of Islam and Christianity in Sayo and Pamona Villages

This study aims to analyze Post-Conflict Social Reintegration in Poso. Post-conflict social reintegration in Poso needs to be carried out to realize lasting peace in Poso Regency and prevent the recurrence of conflicts. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out by interviewing 24 Muslim and Christian informants in Sayo and Pamona Villages. The results of the study found: 1. Social Reintegration of Islam and Christianity in Sayo Village and Pamona Village after the Poso Conflict, namely building trust between Muslims and Christians by Cultivating tolerance, mutual respect, appreciation, living and loving; increasing the role of religious leaders in providing soothing spiritual watering; instilling an attitude of loyalty in citizens; instilling an attitude of mutual trust through family education. Common identity, joint activities, and pro-reintegration policymaking also strengthened it. In realizing reintegration, Muslims and Christians have a strong desire to realize lasting peace. Finally, there are three values of Sintuwu Maroso as the most effective Local Wisdom in integrating Islamic and Christian societies after the Poso Conflict, namely: Tuwu Metubunaka, Mombepatuwu and Mombepomawo. These three values are infused and applied by Muslims and Christians in Sayo and Pamona Villages to blend in with each other, coexist, stay away from prejudice, accept each other and respect each other.

The Importance and Value of Knowledge in the Religion of Islam

This article discusses such questions as: what place is given to knowledge in the religion of Islam? What honorable place is given to literate people and teachers? And also it is about religious sciences and secular sciences, and that every Muslim in his life should strive to gain knowledge. The journal explores the critical role of knowledge in Islam. It highlights how Islam, as the true religion of Allah, emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge as essential for leading a righteous life. The teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) underscore that a Muslim is responsible before Allah for all actions and must pursue knowledge to avoid error and find the true path. The Quran encourages reflection and knowledge acquisition, linking religious values and scientific understanding, emphasizing the harmony between religion and science. Islam views education as the foundation of personal and societal prosperity, where knowledge gained must be applied for the benefit of others. Teachers hold an esteemed place in Islamic society, as they shape individuals into wise, ethical, and productive members of society. The article concludes that education fosters human progress, and Muslims must respect teachers and continue striving for knowledge, which ultimately leads to personal growth and societal welfare.

Felicitous Life with an Emphasis on Islamic Teachings

A felicitous life has always been the concern of the Islamic society and the present paper aims to explore the documents of Islamic teachings that refer to this issue. The research seems necessary to determine the basic dimensions of life to become operational. In this regard, the present paper tries to study Islamic teachings related to felicitous life and describe and examine its important dimensions using descriptive and analytical methods. By searching the two concepts of "life" and "felicity" in Islamic teachings, the materials related to the basic aspects of a felicitous life can be identified. Islamic texts (verses of the Holy Qur'an and narrations) that are mostly oriented to divinity and hereafter include descriptive and explanatory sentences about how to live. According to Islamic teachings, felicity consists of many components, each of which has a constructive contribution to a felicitous life. Life is a valuable capital and a hidden treasure, in which felicity and success depend on happiness, goodness, and worthiness. Happiness brings us bliss and joy in life; Goodness leads us to ethical living and altruism, and worthiness makes our life purposeful and meaningful. To live well or felicitously, one must learn "how to live" and deal with the important aspects of life.

Cultural Contexts of the Formation of Science in the Social-Historical Context of Islamic Countries

Science has a social nature, which is formed and developed by the interaction of people in a society, and many sociological factors, including culture, are influential in its formation. This article deals with the cultural contexts of the formation of science in the social-historical framework of Islamic countries, which tries to answer the question of what place cultural factors and contexts have in the formation of science in Islamic societies. The research methodology is focused on the common paradigms in the field of the relationship between science and culture with the documentary method and logical reasoning and in the framework of the philosophy of the cultural system and has finally explained the process of how these two influence each other. The results of the study emphasize the to express the issue that science is the result of the systematic knowledge of people in every society. Science is formed and grows in the culture of societies, therefore, when a culture becomes materialistic, material sciences are inevitably formed in it with the same basis, and if it is a divine and religious culture, science is also formed on the same basis. Our definition of culture is “The set of human perceptions has reached a collective agreement ". These findings are the result of knowing the people of that society. Cognition is a tool that includes: the sense to collect information, intellect to categorize, conclude, and summarize, and heart to confirm the result. The solution for understanding science in Islam is to pay attention to the three tools of knowledge, are sense, intellect, and heart.

Prevailing Organizational Culture from the Perspective of the Quran and the Sunnah

The reality of the occupation and the repeated offensives the Palestinian people lived through every day across Palestine doubled the number of orphans. The resulting political and institutional need for the effective management of institutions that care for orphans in various governorates increased. This study aimed to identify the most important features of organizational behavior derived from the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, according to which work is carried out in the Dora Islamic Society for Orphan Care. The research problem was chosen to identify the main challenges facing this charity in managing its operations and to explore the strategies it uses to overcome these challenges. The study used the descriptive approach to study the descriptive case, which is the charity. The study used the interview tool, so the questions and topics that were discussed were developed, and answers to their questions were obtained with the charity’s team through interviews. The work of the charity stems strongly from the legal foundation of the disposal of (clean) money for the benefit of orphan care. The charity has become a reference for hundreds of needy families and a point of trust for them. The results indicated that the prevailing organizational behavior in the charity is linked to the Sharia rulings, and each procedure is tried according to its legislative principles. The team was genuine and reflective of strong trust internally, as well as a strong relationship between the servant leader style of the CEO and the rest of the team members.

No Compulsion in Religion: Jawdat Saʿīd (d. 2022) and the Jihād of the Prophets

Abstract Freedom of belief and of conscience is well attested in the Qurʾan by the many verses that exhort to tolerance towards “others”, among which Q. 2:256: ‘There is no compulsion in religion’. In contemporary Islam, some intellectuals have endeavoured to reaffirm this principle as an essential goal: among them, the Sunni Syrian thinker Jawdat Saʿīd (d. 2022). In his works, Q. 2:256 is at the core of an anthropocentric and social hermeneutics which emphasises the centrality of non-compulsion, considered as the true jihad that Muslims should undertake. His position is in open polemic with a tendency within Islamic societies not to recognise the legitimacy of those opinions – religious or political – that deviate from the “official” discourse on the one hand, and to combat this discourse with violence on the other. This entails a renegotiation of other key doctrinal concepts, the case of nasḫ, “abrogation”, being a key example.

Revisiting the Concepts of Centre and Peripheries in Islamic Art with Geographic Information Systems (GIS): the Creations of Western Islamic Societies

Abstract The aim of this paper is to review the concepts of centre and peripheries in Mediterranean Islamic art during the late Middle Ages. Traditionally, the idea of a unique Eastern production centre was widespread in historiographical debates; however, in the framework of current research projects, the need to review the well-established concepts of centre and peripheries has been identified. In this context, this paper considers the geographical distribution of muqarnaṣ in the Mediterranean basin between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries from the Almoravid period. In this framework, a double aspect has been analysed to examine: 1) how muqarnaṣ spread from the Almoravid Empire to other Mediterranean areas, and 2) if those Western muqarnaṣ can be related to the Eastern ones or if, on the contrary, they can be considered an independent manifestation of a new production centre located in an area traditionally considered peripheral. To achieve this aim, a geodatabase including the Mediterranean muqarnaṣ ensembles has been created. Different categorised analyses have been developed with a Geographic Information System (GIS), as well as an element concentration analysis, with the Heatmap plugin in the QGIS software, to determine where the centres with the highest concentrations of muqarnaṣ are located. On the basis of the different analyses, innovative cartographic materials have been developed and are included in the study. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the traditional view of a unique production centre in the case of muqarnaṣ should be discarded.