Quran Research Articles

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.

Shortcomings in The Translation of Qur’anic Verses

The Holy Qur’an has been the most important scripture for Muslims from the beginning of the Islamic message. Islam is followed by roughly 2 million followers from different backgrounds and ethnicities. A book of this importance needs crucially to be translated in a way that carries over the whole meaning from the original text to the target text. The Holy Qur’an is a scripture that requires native speakers to find meanings for what is said in it. The different books of Tafsir are there for natives to understand what the Qur’an entails and what messages it carries, even though the Qur’an is in Arabic. The paper looks at the different translations of the Holy Qur’an and what shortcomings they have. A translator, in the best case scenario, has one of the two languages as their mother tongue. Thus the need for a review of the different translations of the verses presented in the popular translations.

Interpreting Arabic Transformer Models: A Study on XAI Interpretability for Quranic Semantic Search Models

Transformers have shown their effectiveness in various machine learning tasks. However, their “black box” nature often obscures their decision-making processes, particularly in Arabic, posing a barrier to their broader adoption and trust. This study delves into the interpretability of three Arabic transformer models that have been fine-tuned for semantic search tasks. Through a focused case study, we employ these models for retrieving information from the Holy Qur'an, leveraging Explainable AI (XAI) techniques—namely, LIME and SHAP—to shed light on the decision-making processes of these models. The paper underscores the unique challenges posed by the Qur’anic text and demonstrates how XAI can significantly boost the transparency and interpretability of semantic search systems for such complex text. Our findings reveal that applying XAI techniques to Arabic transformer models for Qur'anic content not only demystifies the models internal mechanics but also makes the insights derived from them more accessible to a broader audience. This contribution is twofold: It enriches the field of XAI within the context of Arabic semantic search and illustrates the utility of these techniques in deepening our understanding of intricate religious documents. By providing this nuanced approach to the interpretability of Arabic transformer models in the domain of semantic search, our study underscores the potential of XAI to bridge the gap between advanced machine learning technologies and the nuanced needs of users seeking to explore complex texts like the Holy Qur'an. Our code is available at https://gist.github.com/a-mustafa/51fcacf30ecdf0c13ac91ad16fecfa89

Investigating the Theological Foundations of Religious Democracy from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balagha

Undoubtedly, Nahj al-Balagha is one of the most important Islamic texts after the Noble Qur’an, serving as a comprehensive guide for human life in all aspects and providing direction in various fields. One of the areas that Nahj al-Balagha strongly emphasizes is governance and politics. The prominent view of Nahj al-Balagha on governance is religious democracy. This study, through an analytical and descriptive method, seeks to explore the question: What is the meaning of religious democracy from the perspective of Nahj al-Balagha and what are its theological foundations? In Nahj al-Balagha, divine governance is intertwined with democratic governance; if people desire to establish democracy, it must occur under the umbrella of divine governance. This notion is demonstrable within the theological foundations of monotheism, resurrection, prophethood, and Imamate. As a result, the theological foundation of religious democracy in Nahj al-Balagha can be summarized in this statement by the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him): “All of you are shepherds, and all of you are responsible for your flock.” Thus, religious democracy means the realization of divine vicegerency and the rule of the oppressed on earth, as also emphasized in the Noble Qur’an.

Good Governance in Western and Islāmic Traditions: A Comparative Study

The issue of effective governance stands as an enduring and global concern, and international organizations play a vital role in assisting nations in reforming their bureaucracies and public services while championing the cause of sound governance. The application and evolution of principles underpinning good governance hold paramount significance for both countries and organizations, serving as the bedrock for proficient leadership and administration. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that enhancing the efficacy of good governance requires more than just the mere establishment of structures and regulations. This study seeks to juxtapose Western concepts of good governance with those of Islāmic governance, aiming to identify commonalities and distinctions. By doing so, it aspires to furnish practitioners and policymakers with insights into cross-cultural learning and the formulation of inclusive governance frameworks, with a particular emphasis on those advocated by UNESCAP. The research methodology employed in this article relied on a library-based approach, incorporating references from the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, significant literary works, and web sources. Data were meticulously gathered and analysed through a narrative qualitative method. In conclusion, the tradition of Islāmic governance is characterized by principles such as Sharīʽah, Itqān (precision), tawazun (balance), ta’awun (collaboration), ‘adl (justice), bayān (transparency), Shūrā (consultation), and mas’uliyah (accountability), as well as at-Tabāyun (explanation). This scholarly investigation aims to explore the parallels and disparities in the classification and comprehension of attributes associated with good governance between Western perspectives and Islāmic governance principles. The primary focus of this study centers on the examination of governance perceptions and models within Western and Islāmic contexts.

The spread and principles of the Ismatullah movement in modern Kazakhstan

At present, one of the most pressing problems in religious studies is the emergence of religious cults, the spread of their teachings and the attraction of people to their ranks. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ismatullah movement has been actively spreading its religious teachings in order to gather its followers. In the article, the concepts of dhikr and spirit discussed in the main works of the Ismatullah religious movement are explained by means of a hermeneutic and comparative analysis with the concepts of dhikr and spirit contained in the Holy Qur'an and the work of K.A. Yassawi. Using the theological, comparative-historical method, the author describes the principles, areas of dissemination and activities of the Ismatullah school of thought.

The Training Needs among Recitation and Intonation Teachers at the Holy Qur’an Preservation Society amid the 21st Century Skills: Teachers’ Perspective

The Training Needs among Recitation and Intonation Teachers at the Holy Qur’an Preservation Society amid the 21st Century Skills: Teachers’ Perspective

Analysis of Islamic University Counselor Interpersonal Communication Skills

Indonesia data – National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) 2022, provides information about mental health conditions in Indonesia. The survey results stated that as many as 15.5 million (34.9 percent) teenagers experienced health problems. However, there are still very few teenagers who seek formal help by consulting a professional. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive type with data collection obtained through in-depth interviews with 6 pairs of peer-client counselors. The data analysis technique uses interactive analysis with data validity testing using source triangulation. Through the Student and Alumni Development Institute (LPKA), UMY is committed to improving student welfare and health. Based on internal research, the team found facts about the many mental health disorders experienced by UMY students. The campus responded to this phenomenon by establishing a “peer counselor” program to assist students who have potential and have experienced mental health problems. This requires the counselor’s communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, as well as the ability to overcome obstacles. However, some student clients still complain that counselors are less able to establish intimacy in the counseling process. In UMY peer counselors, counselors are proven to carry out effective communication skills so that clients feel satisfied in the healing process for students. Several communication styles chosen by peer counselors include attentive, relaxed, friendly, precise, and argumentative styles. The counselor’s verbal communication skills have been combined with non-verbal communication. The counselor’s communication style is related to interpersonal communication skills, including paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, interpreting, and summarizing. Counselors’ verbal skills appear to be more effective when they combine them with non-verbal skills which include facing the client squarely, adopting an open posture, remembering that it is possible at times to learn toward the other, maintaining good eye contact, and trying to be relatively relaxed or natural in these behaviors. The application of communication skills by UMY peer counselors has been proven to internalize Islamic values written in the Al Qur’an, which include: QS Ali Imran ayat 159: gentle, careful in verbal intonation, emotional management, and dialogic. QS An-Nisa ayat 46: listening, paying attention. QS An-Nisa ayat 46: humble, cool, and calming expressions.

Strategic Management of Character Building in Integrated Islamic Elementary Schools East Kalimantan

The purpose of this research is to describe management functions in character development at the Integrated Islamic Elementary School (SDIT Yabis). This research used a qualitative approach with a case study method. The case being investigated is the SDIT Yabis character-building program. Data collection tools used were in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document. Miles and Huberman’s interactive model data analysis, which includes data collection, reduction, display, and verification In data reduction, an open coding process is used. The data validity test is based on technique and source triangulation. The results of this study found that strategic formulations in the planning process produce superior and competitive products. The three wheels of strategy, namely, learning the Qur’an with the Ummi method, habituation, and example, have equipped students with cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities. The fact that using appropriate learning methods has resulted in students being able to read and recite the Qur’an even in children as young as 7-8 years old.. SDIT Yabis’s distinct personality is formed by his love of reading. An exemplary character model is shown by the behavior of the teachers, who are disciplined in carrying out the “One Day, One Juz Tadarus” Al Qur’an program.

Reading Holy Quran Associated With Better Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Background: As the global population ages, understanding factors that contribute to better cognitive function in older adults becomes crucial. This systematic review delves into the potential relationship between reading the Holy Quran and cognitive function in older adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Tripdatabase, Cochrane) to identify relevant studies that were published between 2004 to December 2023. Inclusion criteria were centered on studies exploring the correlation between reading the Quran and cognitive function in older adults. Results: Five studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review. Notably, four of these studies reported a significant correlation between the intensity or duration of Quranic reading and improved cognitive function in older adults. Discussion: The findings imply a potential positive association between engaging with the Holy Quran and cognitive function among the elderly. This relationship holds promise for potential applications in cognitive health interventions for older adults especially for Muslim patients. Conclusion: This review provides evidence supporting the relationship between reading the Holy Quran and normal cognitive function in older adults. The consistent findings underscore the importance of further research to elucidate underlying mechanisms and consider potential implications for cognitive health interventions.

Transformative Impact: Evaluating the Implementation of Zakah Applications on the Lives of Zakah Recipients – A Cross-Sectional Study Guided by the Holy Quran and Hadith Nabwi (S.A.W.W)

Background: Zakah, as a vital pillar of the Islamic economic system, holds great significance in Islamic principles. This research serves as an extension of a prior survey, delving into the awareness and understanding of Zakah in Pakistan’s urban areas through a cross-sectional study. Objective: This study aims to scrutinize the status of Zakah recipients in society and assess the aftermath of their Zakah payments, seeking to comprehend the overall impact on their lives. Methodology: A sample of 125 male respondents was selected from four provinces of Pakistan, encompassing diverse backgrounds such as religious scholars, Muftis, students of Islamic education, individuals with formal education, and uneducated individuals. The respondents, aged between 20 and 60, were categorized into three age groups for statistical analysis, and Data Tab along with Graph Prism edition 9.5.1. were employed for result interpretation. Results: The research findings suggest that Zakah payees express high levels of satisfaction with their lives, despite facing challenges associated with the economic and political instability prevailing in the country. Conclusion: The analysis reveals a consistent level of satisfaction among Zakah payees, transcending demographic variables like location, education, and age group, with a remarkable 100% satisfaction rate in each category. This underscores the positive impact of Zakah payments on the overall well-being of recipients in Pakistan.

Pragmatic Analysis of the Translation and Discourse of Surat-Al-Fatiha: A Gracian Approach

The Study in hands is inspired to study the language of the Holy Quran and its translation to understand the meanings that have been incorporated in the translation of the original text. The researcher took the translation of Jhon Arthur Arberry as a sample for the analysis. It also tries to identify the pragmatic meaning that is lost in the translation. The research adopts a qualitative approach in the analysis of data and discusses different elements under the given methodology. The Study utilizes “pragmatic discourse analysis” and takes Grice’s cooperative principles as a tool for the analysis of source text and target text. The application of the principles has made it easy to draw the connection between the verses of the chapter and their translations. It is observed that the source text is following the principles in totality and no violation or flouting has been observed. Nonetheless, the translation renders the loss of meaning and falls short to convey the meaning as efficiently as the source text of the Holy book. The research also validates that the study of context is necessary for the understanding of implicature.

The Role of Water in Life from the Perspective of the Holy Quran

چکیده آب نعمت‌الله متعال، مایه حیات زنده جان¬ها، عامل انکشاف و پیشرفت¬های بشری در بخش¬های صنعت، صحت، زراعت و تأمین‌کننده شرایط عبادت است. آب، در قرآن کریم به تعبیرات مختلف به‌ دفعات زیاد ذکر شده است. افزون برآن انسان‌ها نبات و بقیۀ زنده جان¬ها حقوقی در آب‌دارند که برای زنده ماندن، رشد و نمو، اعطای ثمر و حاصل باید آب برایشان تأمین باشد. انسان به‌عنوان گل سرسبد مخلوقات و بهترین آنان‌که همه موجودات جهان، خلیفة الله متعال در زمین، یکی از وظایفش محافظت از آب است. تحقیق حاضر که با روش توصیفی - تحلیلی استنباطی با روش جمع‌آوری اطلاعات کتابخانه‌ای انجام‌شده، به دنبال دریافت نقش و اهمیت آب در زندگی انسان از منظر قرآن کریم است. مهم‌ترین نتایج این تحقیق، اثبات اینکه استفاده از آب حق مسلم و بلامنازع هر انسان، به‌اندازه‌ای که بسندۀ نیازهای زندگی‌اش باشد و برای همیشه و به طریقه مصؤن و امن به آن دسترسی داشته باشد. چون ملکیت آب انحصاری نیست، همه انسان-ها به‌طور مساوی در آن حق‌دارند. آب، به‌عنوان نعمت و رحمت‌الله متعال برای انسان¬ها، استفاده‌های گوناگون در زندگی بشری دارد، یکی از موارد استفاده آن تداوی امراض است. شفابخش بودن برخی از آب¬ها به نصوص و تجربه ثابت‌شده است. با گواهی قرآن کریم، تاریخ و باستان‌شناسی آب، عامل عمده در ایجاد تمدن بشری است، تمدن بشری از کنار آب¬ها ورود خانه‌ها، نشأت کرده است. در بیست سال آینده، آب یکی از محورهای مهم سرمایه‌گذاری و ارزشمندتر از نفت خواهد بود. کلمات کلیدی:آب، حق نباتات، تداوی، ملکیت آب، نظافت، اسراف، قرآن کریم. Water, deemed a divine blessing, serves as the fundamental source of sustenance for all living organisms and acts as a catalyst for human progress across various domains such as industry, health, agriculture, and worship. Repeatedly referenced in the Quran across diverse contexts, water holds paramount importance. Moreover, every being, including humans, possesses inherent water rights essential for survival, growth, and productivity. As the apex of creation and Allah's stewards on Earth, humans bear the responsibility of safeguarding this vital resource. This study, employing a descriptive-analytical and deductive methodology rooted in library research, seeks to delve into the role and significance of water in human existence from the vantage point of the Holy Quran. The principal findings affirm water usage as an undeniable and inalienable right of every individual, extending to the satisfaction of essential life needs and the provision of permanent and secure access. Given that water is not privately owned, equitable entitlements are granted to all human beings. Functioning as both a divine blessing and a merciful provision, water serves multifarious roles in human life, including its healing properties against ailments, as explicitly delineated and empirically evidenced. Supported by Quranic, historical, and archaeological evidence, it is established that water has historically played a pivotal role in the advancement of human civilization. Human progress and development have historically thrived in close proximity to water bodies. Looking ahead, water is poised to become a central area of investment in the next two decades, potentially surpassing the value of oil. Keywords: Water, Rights of Plants, Healing, Ownership of Water, Cleanliness, Wastefulness, The Holy Quran.

The objections of Atheists and Orientalists to the Holy Quran and their answers…

The objections of Atheists and Orientalists to the Holy Quran and their answers…

Psychotropic substances (Damages and treatment): A study in light of the Holy Quran

Psychotropic substances (Damages and treatment): A study in light of the Holy Quran

Intelligent classification model for holy Quran recitation Maqams

Intelligent classification model for holy Quran recitation Maqams

Adopting Quranic Classical Literary Translation: Selected Parts of Jane Eyre as a Model

The present paper argues that structures of the Holy Quran may be relied on as a source of eloquence, contributing to a more idiomatic and elevated translation of the English classics. Accordingly, the paper identified a number of significant Quranic structures that can be leveraged as a translation strategy. Then, the proposed translation strategy was applied to selected parts of Charlotte Bronte’s 19th-century novel Jane Eyre. To evaluate the efficiency of the strategy, the translated excerpts were presented against Muneer Baalbaki’s published translation of the novel to be assessed by a panel of experts comprising nine linguists and translators who provided their input and evaluation on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. Based on the statistical analysis of responses, the suggested translation was found to be fairly successful, scoring an average of 4.28 out of 5.00. The study revealed that Quranic structures can be selectively applied to texts following specific strategies and taking various aspects into consideration. Moreover, it recommends conducting further studies on Quranic vocabulary and rhetorical expressions that can also be utilised in the translation of classical literature.

A Study of Gain and Loss in the Translation of the Qurʾānic Arabic Words of Glad Tidings Known as Al-Bush'rā (البُشْرَى ( Into English: An Islamic Professional Ethical Perspective

The substantial lexical and cultural challenges facing the translators of the Holy Qur’ān in rendering the Qurʾānic Arabic words for glad tidings known as al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى) into English result in the gain or loss of meaning in translation - an issue that cannot be avoided. This study, conducted from an Islamic professional ethical perspective, examined that gain and loss through three well-known translations of the Holy Qur’ān which were sourced from The Qur’ānic Arabic Corpus, namely Abdelhaleem (2004), Al-Hilali and Khan (1996) and Pickthall (1930). A qualitative descriptive design was adopted together with Hervey and Higgins’s (1992) concept of loss of meaning in translation which is a critical aspect of any translation. The study found that, in terms of the loss and gain in the translation of the Qurʾānic Arabic al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى) into English, the aforementioned translators utilized different translation strategies such as reduction and omission. The study concludes that any loss has a significantly negative impact on the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the Holy Qur’ān in general and the words found in the Qurʾānic Arabic al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى) in particular.

مفهوم الرُشْد وآثاره على الدّاعي في ضوء القرآن الكريم

Righteousness has a special importance for the Islamic nation and its people in general and for the preacher in particular, as it indicates both maturity and righteousness in religion, guidance and faith, goodness and benefit, and the way out of distress and destruction. There is no doubt that the one who calls people to God Almighty needs to be guided in his preaching and his relationship with those he is addressing, along with the moral and academic preparation that guarantees his success. This research aimed to explain the concept of maturity and righteousness in light of the Holy Qur’an and explain its importance for the preacher, and the valuable effects that arise from it that the preacher needs in his field in order to preach with a comprehensive approach and comprehensive method. One of the most important meanings of maturity and righteousness is to achieve a goal with something that actually leads to the intended goal, as well as divine providence that helps a person when he directs himself to his goals. It also has the meaning of knowledge of what is beneficial and acting upon it. Among the most important effects of this concept are the effects on the preacher, which include enlightening the preacher’s heart with the light of knowledge to bear the burden of preaching, and helping to arm himself with the weapon of knowledge and Quranic culture. This concept also supports him with the ability to convey arguments and proof and succeed in achieving the goal through conscious planning and follow-up and adherence to the sound method with sincerity and steadfastness. In the field of preaching and uprightness in its path, it will also help to develop the preacher’s sense of responsibility to fulfill the divine trust. Given the importance of maturity and righteousness and its effects, it is the responsibility of the relevant institutions in general and the preachers in particular to adhere to it and work to explain its effects, and not limit their attention in the field of calling to God to teaching and learning only, without paying attention to nurturing and purification and explaining the path of maturity and righteousness to reach the noble goal.

Assessment of the Translation of Metaphor and Simile in Selected Quranic Verses into English

Translating the Quran enables a broader global audience, including those unfamiliar with Arabic, to connect with its teachings, fostering engagement among individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds. It employs an elegant approach to elucidate this intellectual concept by employing figurative language to present ideas for better comprehension. The primary objective of this study is to assess the most effective approach for translating figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, found in the Holy Qur'an. Selected translation samples are used to analyze the different techniques applied in translating these elements within the Quranic text. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify processing methods followed by translators when dealing with Quranic similes and metaphors, analyzing them to gauge the level of equivalence between translation techniques and the intended meanings. The analysis is based on three specific translations: Abdallah Yusuf Ali's English translation "The Holy Quran", Al-Hilali and Khan's translation of “The Nobel Quran, English Translation of the meanings and commentary”, and Arthur John Arberry's translation "The Holy Koran". Through a careful examination of selected samples, this study highlights that the chosen translators employ diverse techniques and procedures to convey the authentic meaning of these figurative expressions. However, due to the inherent challenges and obstacles faced when translating similes and metaphors, there are instances where the translators fall short of reproducing the same imagery and impact as the original expression. In essence, they found in the source text.