Islamic World Research Articles

Theocratically bounded communal self-governance: a pre-modern solution for the modern world?

Shadi Hamid proposes “democratic minimalism” as a system and means of governing and rotating power with no prejudice to substantive ideological outcomes. Democratic minimalism is meant to decouple the question of actualizing an ideal society, even a liberal one that provides maximum freedom for the maximum groups of people, from the mechanism of transferring power between groups with opposing beliefs. I sympathize with Hamid’s arguments. Hamid, I believe, correctly identifies the tension between liberal democracy and Islam in the Muslim world in that Muslims if given the choice may not support liberal policies. He also, I think, rightly concludes that the way to live with this dilemma consists of preserving plurality and the possibility of change through persuasion and thoughtful contestation, and not autocratic leadership. However, I argue, he does not sufficiently problematize the nation-state in his analysis. Drawing on the Islamic tradition, I argue we can make progress in this regard by deconstructing the nation-state to make room for communal self-governance and moral heterodoxies.

Popular Proverbs, Sayings and Myths that Contradict the Islamic Faith, an Analytical Study

This study aimed to elucidate some proverbs, sayings, and popular actual superstitions that contradict Islamic creed and are prevalent in many Arab and Islamic countries. The study demonstrated how each proverb, saying, and actual superstition contradicts Islamic creed, providing evidence from the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the statements of scholars. The study concluded that the reason for their spread in Muslim countries is due to the prevalence of ignorance and the lack of interest in seeking Islamic knowledge from its correct sources, in addition to the inheritance of sayings, stories, and superstitious tales from ancestors and the fanaticism towards them, accepting them as unquestionable truths not open to discussion or proper scientific criticism. The researcher recommends the necessity of confronting and combating these proverbs, sayings, and popular actual superstitions that contradict Islamic creed using available means.

Lembaga Pendidikan Sains dan Teknologi pada Masa Islam Klasik

Islamic civilization had record as a gold in the trajectory of the world history due to the development of science and technology. The enthusiasm and motivation for knowledge from the Qur’an and Hadits as a source of inspiration for Moslems made the spirit driving the rise of Islamic civilization at that time, marked by the development of science and technology. In its development, of course the emergence of science and technology in the Islamic world cannot be separated from the science and technology institutions that make the biggest contribution. This paper tries to describe several educational institutions such as hospital libraries and observatories as institutions that contribute to the development of science and technology at that time. The existence of a library is not only a place to read its name as well as to study research and also to discuss science and technology as well as the existence of a hospital not only as a place for birds but also to be a place for medical science practice and no less important is the existence of an observatory for conducting research.

Membingkai Sejarah Pendidikan Islam di Era Dinasti Abbasiyah

This research explores the golden period of the Abbasid Dynasty in Islamic history, focusing on the rapid development of education and science during that period. In an unstable political context and sharp ideological differences between various groups, the Abbasid Dynasty was able to create an environment that supported the progress of science, both in the fields of naqli and aqli sciences. The research methodology used was a Literary Study/Library Study approach, by collecting data from various library sources and previous research. The data was analyzed to understand the political, social and religious conditions during the Abbasid Dynasty, as well as their impact on educational and scientific development. The research results show that the Abbasid Dynasty experienced an educational heyday marked by the establishment of madrasas, large libraries and the promotion of science. A variety of teaching methods are used, including oral, rote, and written methods. The educational curriculum covers various subjects, from religious sciences to secular sciences. In the context of social and cultural diversity, recognition of the mawali group provides a new color for the development of science, with the exchange of ideas and traditions from various cultures. The Abbasid dynasty also had a significant impact on the Islamic and global world through the process of translating scientific works and collaboration between scholars from various backgrounds. This research confirms that the Abbasid period was not only the peak of scientific glory in Islamic history, but also provided the foundation for educational progress. and human civilization more broadly.

Exploring Students' Sense of School Belonging Among Adolescents Across Muslim Countries

Abstract: The need for school belonging is crucial for adolescents and affects academic performance (Goodenow, 1993). School belonging refers to the extent to which students feel accepted, valued, and included in their school environment. It encompasses a sense of connectedness to peers, teachers, and the broader school community, contributing to students' emotional and social well-being (Allen et al., 2021). Using selected data from the International Institute of Islamic Thought (2019–2020) and Item Response Theory (IRT), we derived a measure for school sense of belonging across Muslim countries/regions. Three main discriminative items were identified: pride in school, respect from teachers, and community integration. Additionally, the scores of school belonging revealed that students in Tatarstan showed higher levels of belonging, while those in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Sudan, and Tanzania reported lower levels. We conducted a regression analysis to gain insight into the relationship between school belonging and the country's GDP. The results showed a significant association between school belonging and GDP per capita, indicating that students in wealthier countries tend to have a stronger sense of belonging. These findings have practical implications for educators, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the field of education and social well-being. They underscore the need for schools to focus on pride, teacher respect, and being part of a school community to foster belonging to make a positive impact on students' well-being and academic performance.

Frequency and outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis attributed to oral contraceptive pills

Background: Oral contraceptive (OCP) use is a significant risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). There is limited research on its association with CVT development in Islamic countries. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the risk of different OCPs in developing CVT and their prognosis. Methods: This is an observational retrospective single-center cohort study that included CVT patients between March 2018 and March 2021. All CVT participants were registered in the organized registry system (CVT registry code: 9001013381) at the Neurology Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Science. Univariate analysis and multivariable binary logistic regression modeling were applied to determine the associated factors leading to poor outcome. Results: A total of 204 patients (139 women, 65 men) were enrolled in the study. Seventy-four females (53.25% of total female patients) used OCPs, with second-generation OCPs being the most commonly used type (70%). OCP consumption was associated with a lower mortality rate (P=0.004, aOR=11.732) and a better 3-month follow-up outcome (p=0.001, aOR=9.882) than their female counterparts who did not use OCPs. The duration and generation of OCPs did not affect the follow-up outcome (P=0.148, P=0.428, respectively) or mortality (P=0.555, P=0.569, respectively). In multivariable analysis, the use of OCPs was a predictor of a favorable 3-month follow-up outcome in females (aOR =4.423, 95% CI: 0.423-46.248). Conclusion: These results suggest that OCPs may have a positive impact on the prognosis of CVT in women. However, further research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms and validate these findings.

THE STORY “ZINDAN” BY GAYAZ ISKHAKI IN THE LITERARY CONTEXT OF THE EPOCH

The classic of Tatar literature Gayaz Iskhaki was born in Kutlushkino (Yaushirma) village of Chistopolsky district in the family of a famous mullah who engaged in education and charity. First, he received knowledge, love for books and reading from parents and maternal grandmother and later in the day school of the village. He continued his studies in a famous in the Muslim world of Russia and the countries of the East madrasah of Zakir Kamalov, which not only produced future imams, hazrats, but also teachers for other madrasahs. This period of his life spent in Chistopolsky district laid the foundation for the worldview of the future writer and thinker and played an important role in shaping the personality of G. Ishaki. It was there, in the Chistopolsky prison, that the autobiographical novel "Zindan" was written, which testifies to his passion for revolutionary ideas and reflects the real facts from the life of the Chistopolsky prison. The autobiographical work "Zindan" is based on real events and provided with various historical and cultural facts and details from the literary life of the epoch. The text reflects the perception of current events by the writer who was the witness and an active participant in them. The novel "Zindan" was published in a separate edition in Kazan in 1907. Due to the humanity of the censor N.F. Katanov, the book was not confiscated and criminal prosecution against the author was not initiated. The interest of the Central Committee of Foreign Censorship of St. Petersburg manifested in 1908 in relation to the work of G. Iskhaki led to a thorough examination of the content of "Zindan" by another member of the Kazan Provisional Committee for Press Affairs N.I. Ashmarin in order to search for places with signs of "crimes". His review led to the decision of the Committee to seize Iskhaki's pamphlet "Zindan" because of the illegal content, bringing the author to criminal responsibility under the article 129 of the Criminal Code. The author of the article summarized the material on the period from the biography of G. Iskhaki spent in Chistopolsky district and revealed the great work of the scientific community of Tatarstan to return its literary heritage to the history of Tatar literature of the twentieth century. The interpretation of the story "Zindan" by various literary critics in the historical, cultural and literary context of the epoch showed that the story "Zindan" in the form of a prison chronicle introduced new ideological and thematic tones into Tatar literature and gave impetus to the rapid development of the autobiographical genre in Tatar literature being of high value as a historical source.

Semites, Antisemites, and Bernard Lewis: The Life and Afterlife of a Seminal Book

Abstract: In 1986, Bernard Lewis published a highly influential book, Semites and Anti-Semites: An Inquiry into Conflict and Prejudice . For Lewis, who was then the pre-eminent British-American historian of the Islamic world, the book represented a departure from his prior research agenda. Although Lewis was Jewish, his scholarly work had touched little on Jews. In this book (and its companion, The Jews of Islam ), Lewis portrayed the legacy of Islam as one of broad toleration of Jews, tinged with contempt but void of hatred. He traced the outbreak of virulent antisemitism among Arabs not to the tradition of Islam, but to the influence of European and especially Nazi antisemitism. This interpretation may have been inspired and reinforced by Lewis's own personal exposure to Arab antisemitism during the Second World War and in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Factors Affecting Purchase Intention Towards Shariah Compliant Hotels

Malaysia has been successful in its efforts to entice Muslim tourists worldwide to visit the country and get something unique from their experience. Therefore, the possibility has arisen for local hotels to offer a selection of amenities and activities that are in accordance with the values represented by Islam. As the population of Muslim travellers has increased dramatically, Shariah-compliant hotels have become a pressing issue. Shariah compliance is a crucial factor that influences Muslim travelers' hotel selection during their travels. This study aims to discuss the main factors influencing purchase intentions towards Shariah-compliant hotels. The study reviewed halal awareness, service quality, and religiosity. A conceptual framework is being constructed based on past literature that illustrates the effect of the purchase intention on shariah-compliant hotels. Data is collected by reviewing several previous journals, articles, and research studies through argumentative methods. The findings indicate that two variables, halal awareness and religiosity, significantly influence the purchase intention towards shariah-compliant hotels. This study's significance is to address the stated variables that could potentially impact hotel owners. Additionally, this study is also in line with the current tourism plan of Malaysia, which emphasises shariah compliance as one of the techniques to entice travellers from Muslim nations to visit Malaysia.

Mapping the Islamic Discourse on Knowledge: The Relevance of the New Islamic Discourse

Abstract: In the aftermath of independence, the ex-colonized Muslim countries were caught up in a comprehensive process of Westernization of Muslim life and thought. In this context, fundamental questions have been raised: What is the vision of knowledge? What is the position of the existing traditional Islamic and modern Western knowledge? This study aims to map existing trends in the interpretation of knowledge and measure the relevance of what Elmessiri calls the “New Islamic Discourse”. Descriptive, analytical, and comparative methods are used in the entire study. The first major finding is that there are seven Islamic discourses according to how they respond to critical questions. The second major finding is that the relevance of the “New Islamic Discourse” is based on five main features namely, (1) Modern science is not neutral, (2) Secularization of life and knowledge is part of the Modern crisis, (3) Islamic view of knowledge is neither modernist nor traditionalist, (4) Islamic view of knowledge is neither positivist nor relativist, and (5) Islam is a worldview that has implications for life and knowledge (on epistemology and methodology).

FUZULIY SHE’RIYATIDAGI BA’ZI OBRAZLARNING ASKETSIZM NUQTAYI NAZARIDAN FALSAFIY TAHLILI

In this philosophical analysis attempt, the nature of the relationship (the act of thinking) between the poems of the wise poet Fuzulî and his mental world will be tried to be explained by the method of philosophical analysis. Our main purpose in doing this is to explain how the aesthetic bond (taking into account internal and external elements) is established between Fuzulî's poetry, an aesthetic object, and the aesthetic subject (Fuzulî) who created it. If it is possible to achieve this, it will be shown that the knowledge of the aesthetic subject (as aesthetic knowledge) will to some extent be free of subjectivity and have an informational value equivalent to rational knowledge. Fuzulî lived between approximately 1480-1556 and is a well-known figure as a man of letters and poet in the Turkish and Islamic world with his poems. He is one of the groundbreaking artists of Classical Islamic and Turkish Literature, with his knowledge of Arabic and Persian, which he knows well enough to write poetry, as well as his native language, Turkish. According to Fuzûlî, the art of poetry creates a privileged position that offers people the opportunity to rise above the total existence. Although Fuzûlî clearly demonstrates his superiority in the art of poetry in his ghazals, he deserves his fame as a poet with his masnavi named Leyla vü Mecnûn.

Kajian Dinamika Universitas Al-Azhar dan Reformasi Pendidikan di Mesir serta Pengaruhnya terhadap Dunia Islam

Al-Azhar University is evidence of the oldest Islamic education in the world, which was founded during the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt and functions as a center for Islamic studies and a center for the spread of Isma'ili Shiite teachings. As time went by and changes in Islamic governments, the al-Azhar mosque turned into a madrasa to spread Sunni Islam and has now become a university that has produced many ulama figures who have given birth to new views and ideas for reform, thus influencing the development of education and the Islamic world throughout the world. This research aims to determine the dynamics of universities and educational reform in Egypt which have an impact on Muslims globally, including Indonesia. This research uses library research with references from books, articles and historical analysis of Al-Azhar. The results of this research are knowledge of al-Azhar from the Fatimid dynasty to the present, this motivates Muslims to continue studying and making the mosque prosperous and advancing Islamic education.

The men’s world cup in Qatar 2022 through the lens of the western media: soft power, sports diplomacy and sportswashing

The chapter examines Western journalistic discourses from the perspective of culture, political values, and international relations during the coverage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. We explore Soft Power, Sports Diplomacy, and Sportswashing concepts and analyze the discourses through a historical context about the Islamic and Arabic World, Qatari academics' perspectives, human rights issues, and international media placement. Considerations include the use of sports to position Qatar as an active player in development programs and to present positive facts to improve geopolitics in the region.

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.

The Role of Persian Ilkhani Khan in spreading Shia Idealism during the Mongolian time

The role of the Ilkhan kings in spreading altashyie. Although the Mongolians weren’t abide by the rules of religion therefore they didn’t have any sort of conflict over it but as they mixed with the world of Islam and converting to Islam they become part of the conflicts between sunnis and shias.The leaders become a sort of strength for either side that were accepted or refused by the Ilkhan kings.Thus in several phases altashyie grew and become the formal religion of the kingdom.They had dispute and and conflict with the sunnies.this is at a stage the Ilkhans did not understand and have not had the proper information about the Islam religion.Therefore,sometimes they completely regreted which of the two sides of the religion to choose and support.

Forms of Modernization of Islamic Education in Türkiye in the 19th Century AD

Discussion of the modernization of Islamic education in Türkiye is nothing new. This remarkable writing about Turkish history in every perspective, makes the specificity of this article about the history of education born in Turkey. The learning method for educational modernization carried out in Turkey shows that it has been going on for a long time because of modernization for other Muslim countries that have been paying attention to education for a long time. Based on this article, it is discussed, in order to trace the background to the emergence of educational modernization in Turkey. This is to find forms of modernization as was done during that time in the field of education. So the birth of educational modernization is the impact of this situation that occurs in the social, political and economic system in Turkey. The factors of European expansion, rigid bureaucratic systems, the progress of European countries were the culmination of social change in Turkish society, giving rise to the Modernization of Education. As a result, policies and orientations emerged that brought progress to Turkey in the timing and future of exchanges. Educational modernization is a school model established by the government and society to use the curriculum implemented in schools. The treatment is carried out by adding modern science, let religious sciences be in their position, and disappear and then reappear and ultimately integrate religious knowledge with modern science is a progressive action in advancing education. Education in the form of Turkish modernization began in the 18th century, continued in the 18th century, 19th century to 20th century; Establishment of schools, empowerment communities, curriculum development, and rationalization of liberation in Turkey.

Return versus hype – Are Islamic metaverse companies more profitable than general ones – A Chinese stock analysis

The metaverse, a virtual universe in which individuals and companies can interact, has become of paramount importance in China in recent years. While the metaverses are still in their infancy, there has been a growing interest and influx of capital into these universes. Shariah-compliant corporations have been gradually attracting significant funds from Islamic countries, given the growing strong engagement and trade. Similarly, metaverse corporations have been gaining significant sizes in the Chinese market and have become cornerstones of the investment landscape. For Islamic investors, questions arise whether these new metaverse corporations provide better returns given the massive hype and media attention they have attracted, and whether a portfolio investment into these corporations deliver the benefits promised. The article provides a comparative analysis between Chinese Islamic metaverse and Shariah-compliant enterprises, where all enterprises have either A or H-shares. The performance analysis over a timespan of 10 years demonstrates that the most optimal portfolios have similar expected returns while general Shariah-compliant enterprises provide significantly lower risks as compared to the metaverse ones. This implies that Shariah-compliant enterprises provide significantly more value for the risk they are attributed and are more sustainable.

What You Heard Is What You Wrote: Dynamic Readings of ʿilm and adab Narratives in the Islamicate World

Abstract This article explores how the concepts of ʿilm and adab (knowledge and exemplary behavior) merged in formative Arabic literature and reached Al-Andalus. Originating in a proto-Sunni cultural milieu, different works were recycled across the Islamic world, giving rise to new literary adaptations and patterns of meaning. With the use of computational analysis, the data has revealed juxtaposed reuse practices. This contribution has found that early Andalusi works initially mirrored Eastern sources, gradually transitioning into a more specialized form of knowledge and performance, based on the legitimization of the authority of scholars during the challenging Taifa period.

The politics of Gulf foreign aid: from survival and solidarity to political and military influence

This article critically examines the shifting dynamics of foreign aid politics within the Gulf states. Historically rooted in cultural factors and solidarity with Arab and Muslim nations, foreign aid from prominent donors such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has undergone a profound transformation. Their aid has evolved from solidarity aid into an effective instrument of foreign policy, used strategically to project power and expand regional influence. This shift has not only redefined the role of Gulf countries in international and regional politics but has also catalysed the transformation of states in the broader Middle East. This article, therefore, seeks to answer the following two questions: (1) How do we explain the evolution of the politicisation of Gulf foreign aid? and (2) To what extent has the provision of Gulf foreign aid been a crucial determinant of changing regional dynamics in the Middle East, particularly since the Arab uprisings in 2011? It argues that Gulf donors have become crucial power brokers, shaping the politics and trajectories of key states such as Egypt post 2011. Their substantial financial assistance has proven instrumental in steering political and socio-economic transformations, highlighting the pivotal role of Gulf aid in shaping regional affairs.

Becoming Modern and Secular: A Review Essay on Recent Work on Islam and South Asia

Abstract The Muslims of South Asia are more than five hundred million people, distributed between Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, and there are more Muslims in South Asia than in any other region in the world. After Indonesia, which is the largest Muslim country in the world, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the second, third, and fourth largest Muslim countries, respectively. Although the prevalent approach in the study of Islam is to consider its so-called Arab character as central, the Muslims in pre-Partition India constituted the largest body of Muslims in the world, and the vast political and intellectual influence exerted by South Asian Muslims on the wider Muslim world is often neglected. Many of the most important political, intellectual, and spiritual developments within Islam have had their origins, or have flourished, in South Asia, and Muslims from the region have played important roles in the global history of Islam, including during the colonial period, in resistance to colonial rule, and in intellectual responses to and dialogue with Western thought. Pakistan was specifically created to provide a homeland for South Asia’s Muslim population and its trials and tribulations over the past seventy-five years have been carefully watched by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Muslims constitute India’s largest minority, with an often uneasy—to say the least—relationship to the majority. In the context of the three books under discussion, I explore issues, such as secularism, modernity, and religion, and their impacts on the conception of the nation-state that was promoted during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as an expression of political modernity.