Islamic Tradition Research Articles

The Representation of Islam in Alice Walker’s Everyday Use

The present study explores the image of Islam as portrayed in Alice Walker’s Everyday Use. The study seeks to examine the nature of the interplay between Islam and the local community of the story in terms of the way fundamental Islam is received and accommodated within the context of conflicting worldviews. Walker’s Everyday Use unfolds, seamlessly, a portrait that captures the way Fundamental Islam is introduced and received, the Muslim community and its ethos, and the Muslim Individuals as torn between their commitment to Islamic tradition and the spell of trendy Black social movements to which they belong. Walker’s Everyday Use also sheds light on some threads of connection between Islam and Black Americans at the time. For all the clumsiness in his manner, ‘Hakim a barber’, the Black Muslim, remains committed to core Islamic values like offering traditional Islamic greetings of peace, abstaining from eating pork, and adopting the Islamic attitude of showing courtesy to women. Furthermore, the Muslim community in Walker’s Everyday Use is conjectured through the Christian narrator’s eyes as the epitome of African-American values of pride and empowerment.

Teaching Islam in the RE classroom: a view from the edge

ABSTRACT This article explores the integration of hip-hop with Islamic themes in the religious education (RE) classroom, with a focus on transcending the constraints of traditional narratives and creating a dynamic and wide-ranging understanding of Islamic traditions of interpretations. Drawing inspiration from Richard Bulliet’s book Islam: A View from the Edge and the creative potential of hip-hop, the article argues that educators can open new avenues for teaching and learning about Islamic traditions. By incorporating hip-hop based education (HHBE), educators can engage students through contemporary mediums and provide a relatable and engaging stage for the exploration of Islam. The article also highlights the importance of African American Islam and its intersection with hip-hop in understanding the worldview of many Muslims (and non-Muslims) worldwide. The article suggests strategies such as exploring Islam through hip-hop music videos, examining the legacy of Malcolm X in hip-hop, and considering the local context and languages of students to enrich the exploration of Islam.

Dinamika Perkembangan ISHARI dan Implementasi Nilainya dalam Pembelajaran

Local history including the art of hadrah ISHARI is increasingly forgotten by the community, especially students in the era of globalization. The art of hadrah ISHARI has its roots in the Islamic tradition of commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. ISHARI faces the threat of existence due to shifting community preferences towards modern art. This situation reflects a lack of appreciation for values that are increasingly displaced by globalization and instant trends. This research uses a qualitative method that focuses on the implementation of ISHARI'S development dynamics and values in history learning, according to the independent curriculum. The data in this study were obtained through observation, interviews, and documentation. The main resource person is the chairman of the Jombang branch of ISHARI. This research highlights the urgency of understanding and preserving local values such as ISHARI in the context of education. With an interesting learning approach for the younger generation, it is expected to increase appreciation for local history and arts. The implementation of ISHARI values in the independent curriculum is expected to form positive characters in students and increase their understanding of local cultural heritage. The results of this study contribute to increasing public awareness, especially among students, of the importance of preserving local history and arts. The implementation of ISHARI values in the independent curriculum is a strategic step to maintain and pass on values to the younger generation.

Culturally competent respect for the autonomy of Muslim patients: fostering patient agency by respecting justice.

Although Western biomedical ethics emphasizes respect for autonomy, the medical decision-making of Muslim patients interacting with Western healthcare systems is more likely to be motivated by relational ethical and religious commitments that reflect the ideals of equity, reciprocity, and justice. Based on an in-depth cross-cultural comparison of Islamic and Western systems of biomedical ethics and an assessment of conceptual alignments and differences, we argue that, when working with Muslim patients, an ethics of respect extends to facilitating decision-making grounded in the patient's justice-related customs, beliefs, and obligations. We offer an overview of the philosophical contestations of autonomy-enhancing practices from the Islamic tradition of biomedical ethics, and examples that demonstrate a recommended shift of emphasis from an autonomy-centered to a justice-focused approach to culturally competent agency-promotion.

Political Thought In Islam: An Analysis of The Development And Evolution of Islamic Political Philosophy

The explores the development and evolution of Islamic politics, tracing its historical trajectory from the early stages of Islam to its contemporary manifestations. By analyzing key political events, influential thinkers, and ideological movements, this study sheds light on the multifaceted nature of Islamic politics and its transformations over time. Through a comprehensive examination of primary and secondary sources, the research highlights the diverse political ideologies, organisations, and discourses within the Islamic tradition. Furthermore, it investigates the early Islamic period, the caliphate era, the influence of classical Islamic scholars, and contemporary debates on political philosophy in Islam. By examining various perspectives, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rich and diverse political thought within the Islamic tradition.

The opportunities and limits of Islamist ideological developments on the rights of non-Muslims and women

Most academic scholars of the Muslim Brotherhood and like-minded Islamist organisations seem to agree that these groups have come to accept the nation state and the rules of the democratic game over the past few decades. At the same time, several scholars have shown in their work that reforms and developments among Islamists with regard to the state and democracy have not been accompanied by similar trends on religious minority rights and especially women’s rights. The long-held Islamist ideal of an Islamic state in which Islam provides the identity of the state remains difficult to square with full and equal citizenship for non-Muslims. Similarly, Islamists have been willing to make concessions with regard to women’s rights by reinterpreting Islamic tradition, but this has not moved as far as their revisionism with regard to the state and democracy. What is holding them back? The objective of this special issue is to begin to answer this question through various case studies, all of which focus on gaining greater insight into (the development of) views on the rights of religious minorities and women among non-violent Islamists since the Islamic revival in the Middle East and North Africa in the 1960s.

Islamization of Science and Campus at Ibn Khaldun University Bogor: Concepts and Implementation

Modern Western civilization has produced damage to science and many secular scientists. This challenge has elicited various responses from Muslim scholars in various parts of the world. The response was carried out with a movement of Islamization of science in various institutions of higher education. One of the institutions that responded to this challenge was Ibn Khaldun University Bogor (IKUB). On this campus, a movement called Islamization of Science and Campus (ISC) emerged. The purpose of this study is to find the idea and implementation of ISC that has been carried out by IKUB. The results of this study found that the idea of ISC conducted at IKUB was conceptualized based on three considerations, namely Islamic teachings, campus institutional aspects, and community conditions. The implementation of ISC that was initiated is, the motivation of sincere intentions because of Allah for each campus community, developing Islamic scientific traditions, instilling Islamic values in the tri dharma (teaching, research, and community service), the application of campus Islamic culture, and the example of Islamic akhlak from leaders at various levels.

Blind Man, Mirror, and Fire: Aquinas, Avicenna, and Averroes on Thinking

In Islamic tradition, the Falsafa school is well known for its naturalistic account of religion. When Falsafa’s theory of religion made its way to the Latin West, it was embraced and developed into the so-called “double truth theory” in Latin Averroism. However, this theory quickly lost its influence in the Latin tradition, primarily due to the critique by Thomas Aquinas. One of the key aspects of Aquinas’s critique is his criticism of the emanation theory of concepts and the doctrine of the unity of the intellect, which in turn undermines the foundation of Falsafa’s theory of religion, particularly their theory of natural prophecy. This paper aims to revisit the debate between Aquinas and Falsafa regarding the theory of intellect as the basis for natural prophecy, with a focus on highlighting Falsafa’s perspective. In particular, I examine how Aquinas’s arguments overlook the key insights that underpin Falsafa’s doctrine of the intellect.

Antimessianism and the temporal ontology of Ibn ‘Arabī

ABSTRACT This study investigates the prophetic tradition in Islam, which states that the fabric of time will become erratic with the coming of the Antichrist. The temporal ontology of one of the most influential philosophical thinkers in the Islamic tradition, Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn ‘Arabī (d. 638/1240), is employed to decode the tradition and expatiate on the nature of time and how it will manifest in the apocalyptic future. Ibn ‘Arabī explains that there are three modalities of temporal reality: ‘the day of rest’ (yawm al-sabt), ‘the omitted days’ (ayyām al-salkh), and the ‘rotary days’ (ayyām al-takwīr). While the first is entirely beyond human perception, the others are not. These three types of days delineate the nature of the future during the apocalyptic days of the Antichrist when the first day of his emergence will be the length of a year, the second a month, and the third a week.

Defining the Calling to Islam in Europe

This paper provides a point of view on Islamic daʿwa (inviting to Islam) as interpreted in the European context by the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR), the centre established in 1997 to deliver religious and legal guidance to Muslims in Europe. By using the approach of global Islam studies (Green 2020), the paper’s goal is to look at the modern development of daʿwa as a multipurpose tool that shapes the role of Muslims in Europe, as well as the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims and the way the Islamic message is conveyed. As the paper’s conclusion illustrates, daʿwa is a complex concept, especially in countries where Islam is a minority religion. If it is taken as a matter of proselytizing, then the ECFR does not prioritize conversion of non-Muslims over other goals. Instead, the act of spreading Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe is the way to keep the community together, to read the Islamic tradition in a novel way, to change the perception of European Muslims, to fight Islamophobia, and to find a place as a minority religious community. The study is based on the analysis of European Council for Fatwa and Research publications between 1997 and 2020. The first section of the paper provides the theoretical framework used to frame the topic in scholarship. Therefore, it presents a short introduction to the concept of daʿwa as shaped by classical sources to the present day. The article then provides an analysis of the ECFR’s interpretation of the concept by drawing from the texts and context. Before the conclusion, the last part discusses how the Council’s interpretation of daʿwa is shaping contemporary Islam in Europe. Key words: Islamic daʿwa, Calling to Islam in Europe, Global Islam in Europe, Islamic law, Muslim minorities

TAWHID AND ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY

This paper aims to delve into the realm of Islamic logic by conducting a comprehensive analysis of epistemology and reasoning regarding the concept of tawhid within the context of Islamic thought. Drawing from a wide range of primary and secondary sources, this study explores the distinctive features and foundations of Islamic logic, highlighting tawhid and its significance in understanding knowledge acquisition and rational inquiry in the Islamic tradition. It explores the contributions of prominent Muslim scholars, such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Rushd, who made significant advancements in the field of logic. And it was found that tawhid serves as a foundational principle in Islamic logic, shaping the understanding of knowledge acquisition and rational inquiry within the Islamic tradition. The contributions of these scholars exemplify the compatibility between reason and revelation, providing a comprehensive framework for logical reasoning grounded in the principles of tawhid. Their ideas continue to inspire and shape contemporary discussions on Islamic logic, reflecting the enduring legacy of their intellectual contributions.

Engaging in a Secularized Public Sphere – a Possible Qur’anic Perspective?

Abstract For Habermas, social cohesion in liberal democratic societies is created and ensured by public discourse, which creates and regulates democratic virtues through non-hierarchical communication in which all citizens participate equally. According to the understanding of post-secularism, this public discourse must be secular. This requires religious citizens to translate religious arguments into secular ones in public discourse. However, it remains an open question to what extent religious citizens in plural societies can or want to participate in such a communication process based on their religious self-understanding. In this article, an attempt will be made to investigate this question, at least within the Islamic faith tradition. A Qur’anic narrative will be examined for possible indications of how the Qur’an conceives communication with those of different worldviews. The analyzed narrative reveals perspectives of understanding from which remarkable contributions to social cohesion can be derived.

Traditionens gränser

This article explores the themes of tradition and renewal in Islamic theology through a reading of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī's Fayṣal al-tafriqa bayna l-islām wa-l-zandaqa ("The Decisive Criterion for Distinguishing Islam from Heresy"), a classic work about the boundaries of theological tolerance in Islam. The article begins by discussing descriptive and normative usages of the term "Islamic" and then moves on to reflect on al-Ghazālī's distinction between revelation and interpretation, his "rule of interpretation" (qānūn al-taʾwīl) and his emphasis on the importance of ethical and spiritual virtues for all intellectual activity, including theology, in relation to questions concerning tradition and renewal. It draws on Alasdair MacIntyre's notion of tradition as "an historically extended, socially embodied argument" and argues that attempts at theological renewal must, of course, be rooted in the foundational texts of the overarching Islamic tradition, mainly the Qur'an and the hadith corpus, but also in the historically extended and socially embodied arguments of its subtraditions, such as the Ashʿarī and Māturīdī schools of theology. The purpose of the article is to contribute to the ongoing discussion about theological renewal in the Islamic tradition and to the ongoing discussion about normative studies of Islamic theology at European universities by putting al-Ghazālī in dialogue with MacIntyre.

“And I Believe in Signs”: Soviet Secularity and Islamic Tradition in Kyrgyzstan

AbstractIn Central Asia, the Soviet state had destroyed most Islamic institutions by the late 1930s, which gradually alienated millions of Soviet Muslims from the basics of Islamic theology and key Islamic practices of virtue cultivation, including the five daily prayers (namaz), Islamic ethics of dressing (like covering certain parts of the body), and certain lifestyle prescriptions (such as the avoidance of alcohol, gambling, and premarital sex). As a result, mainstream Islam in Central Asia came to revolve around the main Islamic life-cycle rites (i.e., male circumcision, the marriage ceremony, and funeral prayer) and occasional practices of uttering blessings, reciting short Qur’anic verses for the souls of the deceased, and visiting shrines, among others. Although more than thirty years have passed since the fall of the USSR, this non-observant form of Islam remains widespread in the region. Inquiring into the conceptual and affective aspects of Soviet forced secularization in Central Asia, I make two interrelated interventions into secularism studies and the anthropology of Islam. First, I theorize Soviet secularism through attending to the modern state’s aspiration to transcend and transform the particularities of lived traditions, which reveals significant overlaps between communist and liberal modes of statecraft and subject formation. Second, reflecting on a non-observant form of Islam in contemporary Kyrgyzstan, I ask: what remains of a tradition of virtue ethics when its modes of abstract reasoning and virtue cultivation have all but vanished?

Analisis Semiotika Roland Barthes pada Bukhur dalam Tradisi Islam

This article discusses bukhur is a small piece of aromatic wood or a mixture of traditional natural ingredients, with the main ingredient being wood (oudh) soaked in fragrant oil and blended with other natural materials. The purpose of this research is to understand bukhur in the Islamic tradition by identifying its denotation, connotation, and mythology found within the symbol of bukhur. This research method employs a qualitative descriptive research approach. The data analysis in this study utilizes Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis, which employs the signifier and signified system to explore denotation, connotation, and myths associated with bukhur. And this research result explains that by using semiotic analysis, it can be understood how signs and symbols in the incense burner play an important role in shaping religious identity.

The Development of Science in the Digital Era and Its Influence on Islamic Culture

The development of science in the digital era has had a significant impact on Islamic culture. In this era, the dissemination and access of information has become faster and wider, enabling Muslims throughout the world to interact and share knowledge. Digital technology has facilitated the spread of Islamic teachings through various platforms, such as social media, mobile applications and websites. However, this development also brings challenges. For example, false or misleading information about Islam can easily spread, and this can affect Muslims' religious understanding and practices. Apart from that, the digital era can also influence Islamic cultural values and traditions, because Muslims are increasingly exposed to various other cultures and lifestyles via the internet. However, the digital era also opens up new opportunities for the development of Islamic science and culture. For example, digital technology can be used to preserve and promote Islamic art and culture, such as calligraphy and music. Apart from that, digital platforms can also be used for Islamic education, such as online Al-Qur'an learning. Overall, the development of science in the digital era has a complex and diverse influence on Islamic culture. Therefore, it is important for Muslims to understand and navigate these changes wisely.

Utilization of Digital Technology in Islamic Boarding Schools: A Case Study in Samarinda

Pondok Pesantren (traditional Islamic boarding school) is one of Indonesia's most crucial pillars supporting educational needs. As the foremost institution upholding Islamic traditions in the archipelago, pesantren is expected to remain relevant amidst the advancements of the era without forsaking its deeply rooted values and traditions. Thus, this article aims to highlight the issue of technology utilization by pondok pesantren by describing the general landscape of digital media usage in several pesantren located in the Samarinda Seberang region, as well as analyzing the perceptions of pesantren administrators regarding the utilization of digital media as a means of information dissemination and as a tool to improve the overall management of pondok pesantren institution. To undertake this research, a phenomenological approach is employed to analyze data collected through observations, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation in six pondok pesantren in the Samarinda Seberang area. The findings reveal that the pondok pesantren in Samarinda Seberang are already familiar with the application of digital technology. However, this utilization remains limited to media based on images and videos. The incorporation of text-based technology is still restricted due to the lack of resources available to the pesantren.

Peran dan Hubungan Pesantren di Indonesia dengan Madrasah Nizhamiyah: Pendidikan Islam yang Berintegrasi

This research discusses the relationship and evolution of Islamic education through a comparison between Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia and Madrasah Nizhamiyah. Even though they are separated by hundreds of years and different cultural realities, both have a significant impact in shaping the character and knowledge of Muslims. The aim of this research is to explore the continuity of Islamic values and the adaptation of Islamic education carried out by Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, inspired by the Madrasah Nizhamiyah educational model. The research method used involves comparative analysis between Islamic education approaches in Islamic boarding schools and Madrasah Nizhamiyah. Literature study approach to explore the essence of the values and educational methods applied by these two institutions. The results of the research show that, despite significant contextual differences, Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia still maintain the continuity of Islamic values which are in line with the holistic approach of the Nizhamiyah Abbasid Madrasah. Islamic boarding schools have adopted and adapted educational principles from Madrasah Nizhamiyah, creating harmonization between Islamic traditions and local realities. This research also reveals how Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia have intelligence in combining a universal Islamic education approach with local wisdom. The contextual adaptation carried out by Islamic boarding schools creates an understanding of Islam that is relevant to the dynamics of Indonesian society, without losing the essence of basic Islamic values. This research provides in-depth insight into how Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia build relationships and utilize the intellectual heritage of Madrasah Nizhamiyah. It is hoped that the conclusions of this research can make a significant contribution to the development of Islamic education in Indonesia, as well as stimulate ideas to support dialogue between Islamic educational institutions throughout the world.

Subject and Scripture: Exploring Existential Moments in the Ordinary Reading of Scripture

Scripture reading is not only a means of extracting meaning from sacred texts, but also a way to attain certain spiritual experiences. In the Islamic tradition, reading the scriptural text, such as the holy Quran, can lead readers to certain spiritual experiences that may fundamentally alter their awareness and understanding of reality. These experiences are accessible not only to readers with certain modalities but also to ordinary readers. This study analyses how ordinary readers can experience these existential moments. Data was collected through a literature review and documentation of the experiences of ordinary readers who have had spiritual-existential moments while reading scripture (the holy Quran). Data was analysed using Heidegger’s phenomenological hermeneutics. The results of the study indicate that readers of scripture, such as the holy Quran, have the same potential to experience existential moments that can alter their awareness and perspective on the meaning of life. These existential moments are moments of revelation of the meaning and divine guidance within oneself, allowing the reader to gain spiritual experience. The nature of scripture and the role of God as the author who is continuously present throughout the reading process allows even ordinary readers to experience existential moments that can alter their awareness and their way of being in the world.

Islam as method

This essay presents ?Islam as Method? as a multi-dimensional approach that serves as an academic framework, a process of engagement, and an activist strategy. It argues that Islam, in the ?Islam as Method? thesis, is an ontological category rooted in a commitment to divine unity and ethical principles such as justice (?adl), dignity (karama) and excellence (ihsan). These commitments enable Muslim activists to assert intellectual and cultural autonomy beyond Euro-American academic, political, and ideological constraints. Drawing on examples from Islamicate contexts, this multi-dimensional approach recognizes the diversity within Islamic traditions while identifying common ethical threads that guide collective action. By emphasizing shared principles and the dynamic reinterpretation of Islamic ethics, ?Islam as Method? challenges the dominance of secular and (neo)liberal perspectives and fosters the development of autonomous, cross-cultural dialogue. Informed by the works of contemporary scholars like the late Shabbir Akhtar, Taha Abdurrahmane and Khaled Aboul El Fadl, this method suggests that an intense epistemological shift is underway, allowing committed Muslims to reclaim their agency and produce coherent, ethical knowledge aligned with their values and historical experiences.