Islamic Studies Research Articles

New Methods in the Study of Islam and New Methodological Perspectives in Islamic Studies

New Methods in the Study of Islam and New Methodological Perspectives in Islamic Studies

Between Political Arena and the Mosque: Islamist Governance in Egypt and Tunisia after the 2011 Arab Uprisings

This article presents a comparative study of political Islam in Egypt and Tunisia after the 2011 Arab uprisings. The study offers a comparative analysis of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s (MB) and Tunisian Ennahda’s governance and practices in their respective countries. An insight on theoretical debates and ideological transformations across political Islam’s ideology is offered, while exploring the pathways towards political moderation. By comparatively investigating various sectors, such as politics, ideology, and social agendas, differentiated political Islam trajectories are uncovered and highlighted. Specifically, MB’s and Ennahda’s attainments, pitfalls, limitations, and the reasons behind their successes and failures, are presented. Furthermore, despite their “demise”, this article explores important strategies of survival, especially for the Egyptian MB.

Analisis Pemahaman Mahasiswa Terhadap Penerapan Akad Wadiah di Bank Syariah Indonesia (Studi Pada Mahasiswa Prodi Perbankan Syariah Angkatan 2023 IAIN METRO)

Understanding is the ability a person has to be able to understand or interpret something,for example in everyday life a person can provide an explanation of information obtained from various sources in detail using his own words according to existing concepts.Understanding of Islamic banking study program students class of 2023 about products and contracts in Islamic banks, especially on wadiah contracts. The data used are primary data and secondary data, this research is descriptive qualitative using interviews as primary data. The results we obtained from this study indicate that the level of understanding in Islamic banking study program students of class 2023 is included in the percentage of understanding about the wadiah contract.The results we obtained from this study show that the level of understanding in the 2023 class of Islamic banking study program students is included in the percentage of 85.42% so that it can be categorized as very good.

A Metamodern Paradigm for Islamic Studies Scholarship: Evaluating and Extending Shahab Ahmed's Theorization of Islam and the Islamic

This article explores the theorization of Islam developed by the late Shahab Ahmed in his major work What Is Islam? The Importance of Being Islamic, where he develops his thesis of Islam as hermeneutical engagement with the Pre-Text, Text, and Con-Text of Revelation to Muḥammad. I show how Ahmed’s approach to Islam displays many features of metamodern scholarship avant la lettre, which is evidenced by his treatment of the human and historical phenomenon of Islam as a process social kind. Further, through putting Ahmed in conversation with the ideas of Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm as developed in Metamodernism: The Future of Theory, Ahmed’s theorization of Islam can be further clarified and extended. Storm’s formulation of the anchoring processes of social kinds and his hylosemiotics are particularly instructive in this regard. Ahmed’s thinking itself may also make some constructive contributions to metamodern theorizing, particularly through his sensitivity to the dynamics of spacialization, which produce coherent contradiction in and as Islam. Through a careful reading of Ahmed’s work, and by developing and clarifying it through recourse to Storm’s ideas, one obtains a helpful example of the contours of metamodern scholarship within a particular field—here, Islamic studies.

Institutionalization of Peace And Justice in Yassawi Sufi Identity: A Value Context for Postnormal Times

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the ideas of Yassawi Sufism in the context of sustainable development of cultural identity in the Islamic World in the postnormal era, with the aim of the analysis of key aspects of Yassawi teachings that contribute contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by institutionalizing just and inclusive societies and creating an equal environment, as well as to the formation of social cohesion and mutual understanding among different cultures. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework of the interdisciplinary study of Sufism was formed by the historical-philosophical, theological, Islamic studies, cultural-anthropological fields of knowledge. Methodology: The methodology adopted for this research comprises the method of historical reconstruction, the method of the unity of the historical and logical, the methodology of actualization, hermeneutic analysis, Islamic hermeneutics and Islamic phenomenology. Results: The results obtained revealed that Yassawi Sufism not only enriches the spiritual life of Muslims, but also serves as an important tool for preserving cultural identity during the rapid transformations of post-normality. Theoretical implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research is determined by the role that the principles of sustainable development play in the creation of sustainable communities whose cultural heritage integrates the Yasawi worldview. Study contributes: This study contributes to the literature by revealing the role of the Yasawi Sufi worldview in the preservation and development of sustainable societies with traditional cultural identity that meets the standards of the postnormal period. The problematization of the axiological norms of Sufism carries the potential for the habitualization of social equality, the formation of peaceful inclusive societies and strong institutions, which confirms the relevance and value of this study.

A Development of the Turnitin System in Improving Plagiarism Detection for Islamic Religious Education Studies

The development of the turnitin system is used to minimize the similarities of words or sentences in writing articles or scientific papers. Turnitin, a widely used plagiarism detection software, provides a solution to identify and prevent plagiarism. However, it is important to adapt it to the context and specific needs of Islamic Religious Education studies at private Islamic universities. The proposed solution includes the integration of Turnitin with Islamic literature databases as well as the adjustment of detection algorithms to recognize religious texts. The existing problems include the impact of the turnitin system, development efforts and challenges, and problems related to plagiarism detection in the study of Islamic religious education. This type of research is called field research, which is to obtain data from direct research on the development of the turnitin system for improving plagiarism detection in Islamic religious education studies. The research is included in qualitative research with data collection techniques using direct observation in university libraries and supporting documents such as books, journals, and other sources. This Turnitin functions to check the level of similarity between sentences, words, paragraphs, and word structures of a written work with a written work made by someone or a student with someone else's previously published own. The development of the Turnitin system on each campus has its own advantages, but it also faces challenges from the side of students and the academic community related to maintaining academic integrity. This is essential for building trust, honesty, and creating a culture of excellence and professionalism while maintaining Turnitin's integrity. The biggest challenge faced is the emergence of the latest features provided by Turnitin, both turnitin draft coach and conventional turnitin.

Exploring Bilingual Dynamics

This paper delves into the perspectives of students regarding the integration of bilingualism in Islamic Studies (IS) classrooms across English and Arabic medium international schools in Malaysia. Through the analysis of six focus group interviews, themes emerged elucidating the importance and benefits of utilizing both English and Arabic languages in IS education. Participants emphasized the significance of bilingualism for enhanced comprehension, communication, and engagement in IS learning. The findings underscore the necessity of incorporating both languages to cater to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students and to facilitate a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.

For a History-Oriented Approach to Islamic Studies

For a History-Oriented Approach to Islamic Studies

Genre and Genesis: Locating Covenants in the Qurʾān and the Bible

The present article considers the intersection between genre and covenant in scripture in order to locate historical covenants and to trace their complex textual boundaries. Standing on the shoulders of Smith, Wellhausen, and Gunkel, the joint legacy left behind by Martin and Albrecht Noth is equally significant for both Biblical and Islamic studies. Nothian scholarship laid solid foundations for reconstructing the history of tribal traditions. Both of them together created a common frame of reference for studying primary and secondary themes (Themen), literary and documentary forms (Formen), introductory and concluding formulas (Formeln), and theological and political perspectives (Tendenzen), in addition to geographical, transitional, and framing devices (Schemata). In spite of this shared scholarly heritage, it appears that both Biblical and Qurʾānic studies have either been talking at cross-purposes or have reached a critical crossroads, as has happened in the case of covenant. All things considered, genre and tradition criticism allow us to move forward beyond the Methodenstreit in covenant studies.

Islam, Purity, and Modernity

From the 1930s to the 1950s, the Mzab region in the north of the Algerian Sahara, then under French rule, was shaken by controversies over the consumption and lawfulness of European goods. Historians typically analyze these debates as a form of cultural resistance to colonization or as a sign of the allegedly difficult adaptation of “Islam” to “modernity.” They single out two types of reaction: that of self-proclaimed “reformist” scholars and that of “conservatives,” caricatured as shoring up a barren tradition. Based on the case of the Mzab and on a wide range of Islamic legal documents, this article opens up a new perspective on the relations between Islam, modernity, and colonialism, demonstrating that other logics were also at work. For the Islamic scholars involved, the most important issue at stake was the purity of their community and its preservation in a context of cultural and political uncertainty. Using the tools of Islamic law, both advocates and detractors of these “innovations” shaped a particular vision of their community and its boundaries. By bringing together colonial and Islamic sources, and drawing on both colonial and Islamic studies, this article challenges a reading of the modern history of Islam based on notions such as modernity and reform, which were essentially instrumental in these debates. It also moves away from a historiography that is blind to the internal complexity of these societies, drawing attention to the multiple rationales at work in colonized North Africa.

Studying early Islam in the third millennium: a bibliometric analysis

Early Islam, spanning its nascent centuries from the early 7th century, encompasses a pivotal epoch covering the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, the establishment of Islamic principles, the codification of the Qur’ān, and the evolution of Islamic law and theological thought. This article outlines the findings of a pioneering bibliometric analysis of 764 high-value articles on early Islam from the Web of Science (WoS) database and unveils critical trends. This study, which notably highlights increased academic activities, particularly interdisciplinary expansion into archaeology and related fields, demonstrates a contemporary upsurge in scholarly engagement within humanities and social sciences. Global contributions from 60 countries, led by the USA, showcase an international landscape, and English emerges as the predominant language. (Der) Islam-Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Kultur des Islamischen Orients and Journal of Archaeological Science Reports stand out as the most prolific journals across all fields, followed by Journal of Archaeological Science. This highlights the growing significance of archaeology in the research on early Islam. The top authors with the most publications N. Schibille, I. Taxel, and G. Bar-oz and most cited authors I. C. Freestone, J. Henderson, and Y. Avni shape the field. Financial support from organizations like the European Research Council (ERC), the Spanish Government and the Israel Science Foundation signals strategic investments in Islamic studies. Lastly, a keyword analysis emphasizes prevalent themes, such as Islam, early Islam, early Islamic period, and Qur’ān, providing a concise snapshot of the field’s contemporary focus. These insights underscore the rising international importance of Islamic research. Recognizing the limitations of the present study, this bibliometric analysis offers a foundational framework for future research by inspiring further scholarly exploration of emerging trends and thematic gaps in the field.

The Role of Communication Strategies in Implementing Serious Creativity Strategies by High School Islamic Studies Teachers

This study aims to assess how effectively high school jurisprudent teachers employ serious creativity strategies and identify the obstacles they face. Furthermore, this study focused on the role of communication strategies in implementing serious creativity strategies. Using a descriptive (survey) approach, 71 female teachers were assessed with observation cards and obstacle questionnaires. Results showed a weak overall mean score of 2.29 for the use of creativity strategies. The mean score for obstacles was 3.38, indicating a moderate level. The most significant obstacles were the educational environment (3.68), teachers themselves (3.33), students (3.30), and the curriculum (3.20). No statistically significant differences were found based on teachers' experience or academic qualifications, highlighting systemic issues rather than individual shortcomings. The study provides insights and empirical evidence on current practices and challenges in employing serious creativity strategies within jurisprudent education. It suggests improvements in teacher training, teaching practices, and curriculum design. Specifically, comprehensive training programs on serious creativity strategies should be introduced to ensure teachers are well-prepared and confident. Additionally, further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and benefits of these strategies in diverse educational settings. Collaboration among educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers is crucial to effectively addressing these challenges and enhance educational outcomes. These efforts will lead to better-prepared and more innovative teachers.

Examining the Implications of Islamic Teacher Education and Professional Learning: Towards Professional Identity Renewal in Islamic Schools

Teachers in Islamic schools are often required to navigate complex identities. They balance personal and/or school-based religious obligations with contemporary secular-based commitments to meet organisational demands for institutional compliance. Behaviourally, the motivations and attitudes of teachers play a vital role in shaping a learning environment that fosters a sense of community and caters to the needs of students. However, recent studies on Islamic education suggest a real struggle in managing such complexities. Consequently, scholars have called for specialized programs to counter such issues, focusing on the need for schools to renew their commitment to promoting educational values, principles and practices that are rooted in the Islamic tradition. Several higher education institutions have responded to this call by establishing programs in Islamic studies and Islamic education. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge of the organisational and behavioural significance of such programs on the professional identity of teachers. Using semi-structured interviews, this article presents findings from four teachers who had completed a postgraduate qualification in Islamic education at an Australian university. The six-phase thematic data analysis, informed by Muslim identity and an Islamic worldview, revealed that secular teacher education provided participants with ‘a license to teach’ but lacked in ‘nurturing a purpose for teaching’. The findings also revealed a distinct connection between Islamic teacher education, professional learning and professional identity, whereby Islamic-based pedagogies ‘enlightened and empowered’ teachers toward becoming ‘faith-centred’ in their professional practice. While the study was limited to four teachers, it contributes knowledge to the Islamic education, organizational and behavioural fields of inquiry in two ways, by underlining that (i) the professional identities of Muslim teachers are shaped by a knowledge-seeking mindset, and (ii) Islamic teacher education and professional learning create pathways towards the renewal of teachers’ professional identities in Islamic schools.

Exploring the foundations of Islamic moral economy: a return to substantive morality

Purpose This paper aims to explore the general flaws in the theorization of Islamic economics, particularly its failure to incorporate substantive morality into its framework. Since a considerable number of Islamic economic studies remain within the bounds of instrumental morality, this paper seeks to propose an alternative understanding of Islamic economics by emphasizing the essential role of Islamic moral economy (IME) through substantive morality. Design/methodology/approach The study critically examines the theorization of Islamic economics through a discursive methodology. The adopted method and strategy allow for the discursive evaluation of conceptual developments within the field of modern Islamic economics. It proposes an authentic definition of IME by outlining its paradigmatic framework of political economy, value system, axiomatic approach and operational principles. Findings Islamic economics has been theorized in a reactive and reflexive manner, aiming to provide an alternative to the neoclassical hegemonic discourse. However, it has largely neglected its inherent moral dimension, focusing instead on instrumental morality and failed to embed substantive morality into its system. By introducing an alternative reading of Islamic economics, this study presents IME as a distinct economic model that centers substantive morality in its theorization. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing literature by offering a novel perspective on Islamic economics that challenges the prevalent instrumental approach and emphasizes the importance of substantive morality. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding IME as a distinct economic model, thereby enriching the discourse on Islamic economics with an authentic and morally grounded paradigm.

University Students ‘Attitudes toward the Use of Moroccan Arabic and/or Standard Arabic as a Language of Instruction in the Moroccan Educational System Mohammed Rezzaki

The language of instruction is a very debatable issue in Morocco. It is rooted in the Moroccan history since colonization period .It has been controversial during the arabization process which has promoted Standard Arabic (SA) as a language of instruction .In recent years, many voices have risen either to question this process in or to support it. Many attitudes have been raised owing to the historical and current factors that surround this issue. The majority of these attitudes are based on theoretical framework, which has become inadequate way of scientific study, especially in a topic like the langue of instruction. This paper tries to cast light on these attitudes and attempts to construct the grounds from empirical fieldwork trough the use of observation and a questionnaire. The informants are 80 university students of English studies and Islamic studies. The main findings lie in the gap between theoretical and empirical research, the necessity of SA use as a language of instruction in many fields, such as: Islamic studies, the possibility of using reduced Arabic in other domains.

Analisis Hubungan antara Penguasaan Ushul Fiqh dan Tingkat Pemahaman Materi Fiqh di Semester VII Ma’had Aly Imam Bukhari

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the mastery of Ushul Fiqh and the level of understanding of Fiqh among seventh-semester students at Ma’had Aly Imam Bukhari. Ushul Fiqh is a crucial discipline in Islamic law studies, as it serves as a foundation for understanding and applying Islamic legal rulings. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine whether mastery of Ushul Fiqh significantly contributes to a deeper understanding of Fiqh. This research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with several seventh-semester students studying both Fiqh and Ushul Fiqh. Thematic analysis was used to explore the relationship between mastery of Ushul Fiqh and the understanding of Fiqh. The results show a significant relationship between the mastery of Ushul Fiqh and the understanding of Fiqh. Students with a strong grasp of Ushul Fiqh were able to understand Fiqh terms more easily and had better analytical skills in evaluating various scholarly opinions. In conclusion, the mastery of Ushul Fiqh positively contributes to a better understanding of Fiqh. Thus, improving the teaching of Ushul Fiqh is expected to enhance students' comprehension of Fiqh and improve the quality of Islamic education in academic institutions.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Peningkatan Kualitas Pendidikan Serta Optimalisasi Potensi UMKM Lokal melalui Produk dan Pemasaran di Desa Besar II Terjun

Independent Community Service (KKN) in Desa Besar II Terjun by students of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Muhammadiyah North Sumatra aims to improve the quality of education and optimize MSMEs. Through an in-depth survey, the author identified four main problems: the use of chemicals in agriculture, inappropriate educational curriculum, and less than optimal innovation and marketing of MSME products. The implementation method involves face-to-face (on the spot training) with coordination of village officials, as well as the use of chemical raw materials and promotional media to support marketing. The results of the activity show that the author understands the importance of effective communication in building relationships with the community and gaining valuable experience outside the classroom. MSME actors feel helped by the support of students, while the community feels a more lively village atmosphere. This activity is expected to provide significant benefits for the community of Desa Besar II Terjun and be the first step in sustainable empowerment.

“Neither of the East nor of the West”

What does it mean to do Islamic Studies within Religious Studies? Taking the cue from Thomas A. Tweed's intervention, this article discusses new theoretical and methodological approaches in Religious Studies and their relevance to researching Islam. Such approaches cross geographical, disciplinary, and intellectual boundaries while equally being emplaced in particular socio-cultural contexts that inform their perspectives. In order to overcome statist, normative, and essentialist understandings of Islam, the article explores three key themes: ambiguity, multi-locality, and aesthetics. When we approach the intellectual history of Islam, not only its diversity and plurality become obvious but also its culture of ambiguity, which is at ease with contradictions and inconsistencies. Recent reflections on diaspora religions decentre Islamic Studies from the Middle East and allow for exploring the multiple transnational connections between Muslim minority and majority contexts. Such approaches illustrate the multi-locality of Islam. Finally, the article explores what it means to approach Islam as an aesthetic formation in which rituals as embodied experiences and material sensory culture are central in forging and articulating Muslim individual and collective identities.

Dialektika Pernikahan Anak Perspektif Fiqh dan Undang Undang No. 1 Tahun 1974

The institution of marriage is God's grace in order to maintain the dignity, dignity and dignity of human beings in order to ensure the continuity of human regeneration as a caliph on earth, and in Islamic studies, that a marriage that is the shari'a of God, then in its implementation must be in accordance with the provisions of Islamic teachings, namely it must be in accordance with the terms of marriage, and in the context of social life of the community, the state is present to ensure public order and order social, therefore a law was drafted that discussed marriage, and in the context of Indonesia, there is Law No. 1 of 1974. The existence of marriage rules in the review of shari'i, following the drafting of the Marriage Law, naturally there are differences in some rules that often cause controversy in the midst of social life, for example in the case of early marriage, therefore in this research, we will explore what exactly is the terminology of marriage and early marriage. This research also questions the law of early marriage from the perspective of Islamic fiqh, and also questions the results of the dialectic of al-Islam fiqh and law. No. 1 of 1974 as rules that are present in the midst of the Indonesian Muslim community.This study is a literature research using content analysis techniques to get answers from several references relevant to the title of this study, either references classified from primary sources or from secondary sources

Facilitating Students’ Pronunciations on Plosive Consonant Sounds Through Sephonics Software

This research was about facilitating students’ pronunciations on plosive consonant sounds through Sephonics software. It was done at 3rd semester students of ELT Department of Walisongo State Institute for Islamic Studies in the academic year of 2011/2012. The background of this research was the difficulty in learning pronunciation. This research was aimed to responding the following questions; (1) How was the implementation of using sephonics software for teaching pronunciation (plosive consonant sounds) at third semester students of ELT Department, State Islamic Institute of Walisongo, Semarang? (2) Was there any improvement of students’ pronunciation of plosive consonant sounds after being taught using sephonics software? The participant of this research was the 3rd semester students of ELT Department of Education Faculty, Walisongo State Institute for Islamic Studies, Semarang that consisted of 28 students. It was a classroom action research that had two cycles. They were pre-cycle, cycle 1, and cycle 2. The use of sephonics software was used in cycle 1 and cycle 2. The methods of data collection were test and observation in all cycles. The test form was reading aloud that asked students to pronounce some words that contained plosive consonant sounds. Then, the result of test scores was analyzed by using mean to determine whether there was an improvement in each cycle. This study showed that: (1) the first thing that the teacher needed to do to use this software as a teaching aid was that he or she must conduct the class in a language laboratory. If it was not possible, the teacher could conduct the class in a regular classroom by providing several computers or laptops. Then, the students must be grouped based on the number of the computers. The second thing was that this was CALL learning based; the teacher might explain how to use the software in order that the students could practice by themselves outside of class schedule. (2) After collecting data, the result was found that the average (mean) of pre cycle test was 69. Then, it had very significant improvement in cycle 1 and cycle 2. It became 98.7 from cycle 1 test and 99.6 from cycle 2 test. It meant that the research was successful to improve the students’ pronunciation abilities. In conclusion, Sephonics software was successful to facilitate students’ pronunciations on plosive consonant sounds.