Religious Sources Research Articles

MƏKTƏBƏQƏDƏR YAŞLI UŞAQLARIN EKOLOJİ TƏRBİYƏSİ

The article discusses the essence of the formation of environmental education of preschool children and its analysis. It is emphasized that the ideas about ecological education were initially widely reflected in various folklore examples, religious sources and epics. The analysis of various components of environmental education is given ample space in the article. In the training process, it is also presented how to instill this work by the tutor-teacher.

The Role of Perceived Attachment to God in Times of Distress on Psychological Well-Being: A Mix-Method Study

God can be perceived as an attachment figure (AF) who functions as a safe haven and secure base during distressful times. Nevertheless, stress levels might influence individuals’ attachment styles with God, which can in turn differentially affect their psychological well-being (PWB). study aimed to examine the mediating role of attachment to God in the relationship between stress and PWB among religious young adults. A mixed-methods design was utilized, whereby 118 participants completed a survey, and 4 participants were interviewed to obtain more in-depth insights about religious attachments. The quantitative results indicated that stress negatively predicted PWB and positively predicted insecure attachment to God, secure attachment to God positively predicted PWB, and insecure attachment to God negatively predicted PWB; however, stress did not predict secure attachment to God. Additionally, the relationship between stress and PWB was mediated by insecure attachment to God. For the qualitative aspect, , namely, a relationship with God provides security, religious attachments are hindrances in religious practices and sources of distress, religious insecurities create distress, and differences in ‘God’ conceptualizations. and the practical implication of considering religious attachments in therapy were also discussed.

Evaluation of the Claim that Islam Frightens People with Eternal Pain

There are various prejudices in society regarding the Islamic concepts of faith. These prejudices are easily eliminated when faced with true knowledge and basic religious sources. Allegations often represent uninformed judgment. The main goal of this article is to clarify a frequently asked question about Islamic beliefs regarding the afterlife. According to some, this question has recently caused young people to break away from faith. To what extent can we embrace a religion that predicts eternal torment? In this article, we draw attention to these prejudices and encourage readers to investigate the intellectual depth of Islam based on knowledge. Humans have great potential. However, a person can achieve happiness in both the world and the hereafter by revealing the potential given to him from birth through his/her choices and behaviors. A person can reveal his existing talent in the best and most accurate way by reflecting on the meanings of the names of his Lord, who created him, in his life and living in accordance with them. Prejudices regarding Islamic religion’s understanding of the afterlife have come to the fore on social media and books. In this article, we discuss the claim about Islam that "it scares us with eternal torment.” Does Islam really scare people with punishments? Are people attached to Islam out of fear, as claimed? Does the Holy Quran suppress questioning? Or does this encourage it? It is possible to find many pros and consensuses in the history of commentary and theology regarding whether punishment is eternal. While evaluating these views, we must be responsible for ensuring and filtering whether they conform to the spirit and basic goals of the Holy Quran and Hadiths. The fact that the names of forgiving, merciful, and merciful are among the beautiful Names of Allah (Al-Asma Al-Husna), but the names of the one who punishes, the one who is angry, and the one who torments are excluded, should be accepted as evidence that the punishment will not be eternal. Mercy is an ancient attribute that cannot be separated from the essence of Allah.

Care-seeking for difficulties conceiving in sub-Saharan Africa: findings from population-based surveys in eight geographies.

What is the nature of women's care-seeking for difficulties conceiving in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including the correlates of seeking biomedical infertility care at a health facility? Care-seeking for difficulties getting pregnant was low, much of which involved traditional or religious sources of care, with evidence of sociodemographic disparities in receipt of biomedical care. Nearly all research on infertility care-seeking patterns in SSA is limited to clinic-based studies among the minority of people in these settings who obtain facility-based services. In the absence of population-based data on infertility care-seeking, we are unable to determine the demand for services and disparities in the use of more effective biomedical sources of care. We used cross-sectional, population-based data from the Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) female survey in eight geographies in SSA, including nationally representative data from Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, and Uganda and regionally representative data from two provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (Kinshasa and Kongo Central) and two states in Nigeria (Kano and Lagos). We employed a multi-stage cluster random sampling design with probability proportional to size selection of clusters within each geography to produce representative samples of women aged 15-49. Samples ranged from 1144 in Kano, Nigeria, to 9489 in Kenya. PMA collected these data between November 2021 and December 2022. We restricted the sample to women who had ever had sex, with analytic samples ranging from 854 in Kano to 8,059 in Kenya, then conducted descriptive and bivariable analyses to examine characteristics of those who sought care for difficulties getting pregnant. Among those who reported seeking care, we conducted bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine factors associated with receipt of biomedical services from a health facility. All analyses were conducted separately by geography. Our study found low levels of care-seeking for difficulties getting pregnant among sexually active women in eight geographies in SSA, ranging from 3.7% (Kenya) to 15.3% (Côte d'Ivoire). Of this, 51.8% (Burkina Faso) to 86.7% (Kinshasa) involved receipt of biomedical services in health facilities. While many factors were consistently associated with infertility care-seeking from any source across geographies, factors associated with receipt of biomedical care specifically were less pronounced. This may be a result of the highly limited sources of infertility services in SSA; thus, even privileged groups may struggle to obtain effective treatment for difficulties getting pregnant. However, we did observe disparities in biomedical care-seeking in our bivariable results in several geographies, with the wealthiest women, those with more education, and those residing in urban areas generally more likely to have sought biomedical care for difficulties getting pregnant. Our data lacked details on the nature of the services received and outcomes, and we do not have information on reasons why women chose the sources they did. Small samples of women who sought care limited our power to detect significant differences in care-seeking by women's characteristics in several geographies. Infertility and access to appropriate treatment are issues of reproductive health and human rights. While our results do not indicate to what extent use of non-biomedical sources of care is driven by preferences, cost, or lack of accessible services, it is clear from our results and existing literature that more needs to be done to ensure access to affordable, quality, cost-effective infertility services in SSA. This study was supported by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (INV009639) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K01HD107172). The funders were not involved in the study design, analyses, manuscript writing, or the decision to publish. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. N/A.

THE STYLE OF THE KING AND THE POET (AMIRI CREATIVITY EXAMPLE)

This article discusses the unique art of Amir's poetry, the depth of its ideological, philosophical, religious and mystical sources, and the diversity of the poet's creative world.

Penolakan Hadis Ahad: Dari Mu'tazilah dan Jahmiyah hingga Tokoh Modern

This study examines the crucial role of Hadith Ahad in Islamic teachings, both in matters of faith (aqidah) and other aspects. If Hadith Ahad cannot be used as a proof (hujjah), many Islamic teachings understood and believed by the majority of Muslims would be displaced. This consequence highlights the importance of understanding and accepting the authority of Hadith Ahad in maintaining the continuity and integrity of Islamic teachings. Rejection of Hadith Ahad would have a broad impact on the understanding and beliefs of the Muslim community. The Mu’tazilah and Jahmiyah are groups that understand religious sources by prioritizing reason, which naturally leads to differences with other groups. This study covers the definition of Hadith Ahad and its authority, the Mu’tazilah and Jahmiyah sects' rejection of Hadith Ahad, and discusses the modern scholars' rejection of Hadith Ahad, especially in the establishment of faith (aqidah).

Ghanaian values in motion: A content analysis of slogans on commercial vehicles in Accra

ABSTRACT Slogans on commercial vehicles are a common sight in Ghana. These material artefacts can provide insight into beliefs and values about the sociocultural, spiritual, and political experiences of life in the contemporary Ghanaian context. In this study, we collected and analysed a total of 438 commercial vehicles’ slogans from 5 main transportation terminals in the Accra metropolitan area. Our thematic analysis of these slogans shows a major emphasis on religious and spiritual values to the extent that most of the recorded slogans serve as positive affirmations of religious values and sources of spiritual encouragement. The dominance of religious references in such slogans highlights the importance of religiosity as a cultural value in everyday life in Ghana.

The roadmap to the Islamic state: an ethnographic analysis of sympathisers’ online training

ABSTRACT This article presents an ethnographic analysis of the online training practices IS sympathisers adopt to recruit, indoctrinate, train, and vet new affiliates. The study highlights the carefully crafted virtual ecosystem established by IS unofficial media operatives, which seeks to identify and select converts with specialised digital skills and unwavering commitment to the group’s vision of Islam. Prioritising quality over quantity, the selection process subjects new recruits to rigorous pre-and post-selection trials to ensure their authenticity, devotion, and obedience. Oaths of allegiance are central to membership within this virtual ecosystem, engendering a master-apprentice dynamic that may secure new recruits’ adherence to assigned duties within the network. The instructional scaffolding within this ecosystem comprises two main constituents: theological indoctrination and digital training. The former places emphasis on IS’s allegedly authentic religious sources in teaching Islamic jurisprudence, while the latter includes training on online security and media campaigns. As sympathisers progress through the ranks within the virtual ecosystem, they are empowered by their newly achieved “veteran” status to take on leadership roles within the digital sphere or engage in combat operations. The meticulously engineered architecture of social hierarchies within the network is designed to foster loyalty and obedience, perpetuate a hierarchical fraternity, thereby enhancing the organisation’s resilience and longevity.

Investigating the Relationship between Religion and Morality: Insight from Hume

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between religion and morality. David Hume, an influential figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, provides insightful contributions to this discourse through his philosophical works. This article explores Hume's nuanced views on the relationship between religion and morality, drawing from his key texts such as "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" and "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals." Hume challenges the traditional notion that religion is a necessary foundation for morality. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he argues that moral principles do not derive from religious doctrine or divine commandments but instead from human sentiment and reason. Hume contends that moral judgments are based on a natural sense of empathy and utility rather than religious authority. Furthermore, Hume critiques the idea that religion is essential for maintaining moral order within society. He suggests that religious beliefs and institutions may, in fact, be detrimental to morality by promoting superstition, intolerance, and dogmatism. Hume advocates for a secular approach to morality, where ethical principles are grounded in rational reflection and social cooperation rather than religious doctrine. While Hume challenges the traditional link between the two, he acknowledges the historical influence of religion on moral development and societal norms. Hume recognizes the social utility of religion in fostering moral virtues and promoting social cohesion, albeit without attributing morality exclusively to religious sources.

The Beliefs of Nonbelievers: Exclusive Empiricism and Mortal Finitude Among Atheists and Agnostics

Abstract This essay argues that “atheist” and “agnostic” are not merely negative labels that indicate a person lacks belief in God or is not religious. Relying on a new survey of very secular Americans and the General Social Survey, we demonstrate a statistically significant and substantively meaningful relationship, in both predictive directions, between identifying as atheist or agnostic and holding certain beliefs about how best to know the world and what happens when we die. We can reliably predict that most people in the United States who trust science, reason, and evidence and do not trust religious sources will identify as atheist or agnostic—and vice-versa. We find the same bi-directional relationship with belief in mortal finitude, i.e., that death is the final end. Our findings suggest that exclusive empiricism and mortal finitude are positive tenets of belief systems that those who identify as atheist or agnostic are likely to hold.

Religion And the Making of National Law; Literature Review

Religion has an important role in lawmaking, especially Islam in a country like Indonesia. Data used in this research consists of secondary data, which comprises published literature that fits the context of the research discussed. The researchers found that the role of religion in lawmaking was not independent of the historical, social, and cultural influences of the society concerned. Religious sources, such as Sharia and Islamic fiqh, are also used in the interpretation and development of national law. Religion also plays a role in shaping the values and moral norms underlying the legal system.

Islamic Understanding in the Digital Age among University Student Associations

The development of technology in the 4.0 era changes the order of human thought and performance to be faster, more efficient, and more effective in different sectors of life, one of which is in finding information. Today's students are very closely related to the development of technology, especially social media. Social media has become close and important to search for one's self-identity and information. As a matter of fact, social media can be both positive and negative, including in building students' religious understanding. Thus, researchers were interested in mapping out religious sources and information. This is important to understand the flow of the development trend of radicalism and extremism among students, especially in West Sumatra and Riau. This study used a mix-method approach by using a survey method related to religious sources and information starting from where the sources are taken, what media are frequently used, how often and routinely these activities are, and how they prevent faulty understanding. The data collection techniques used in this study were document analysis, observations, questionnaires, interviews, and documentation. This study is expected to result in a journal indexed in Scopus (international), Intellectual Property Right, Recommendation, and Research Report. This study will positively implicate the evaluation of university students' understanding of practicing religious moderation.

A qualitative study about explanatory models of alcohol use disorder among patients and relatives in a Ugandan mental hospital

BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major clinical problem in Uganda. Explanatory models (EMs) of illness are important as they have consequences for treatment. Clinicians´ knowledge about patients´ EMs can improve understanding of the latter´s perspectives and adapting treatments. There is a lack of African studies about EMs of AUD. The aim of this study was to explore EMs for AUD among hospitalized patients and their relatives at the alcohol and drug unit (ADU) at Butabika hospital in Uganda.MethodsAn adapted version of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) was used for interviews with ten patients and five relatives to investigate how both hospitalized patients with AUD and their relatives understand the disease. Data were analysed for themes with a qualitative content analysis and support of the software program, OpenCode 4.03.ResultsFive major themes were identified from the patient interviews: “Context promotes AUD”; “Alcohol is part of culture”; “Spiritual causes of AUD in the community”; “Help through Western medicine and religious sources is preferred” and “Social problems and stigmatization”. Six major themes identified from the interviews with relatives were: “Numerous causes of drinking alcohol”; “Devastating consequences of drinking alcohol”; “Exploiting persons with AUD”; “Others’ suffering”; “Relatives struggling for help” and “Suggested solutions”.ConclusionsPatients’ EMs of AUD included social and spiritual explanations. Alcohol is seen as an important part of the Ugandan culture among both patients and their relatives. The results indicate it is important in clinical contexts to investigate the EMs of the patients and relatives to individually tailor treatment interventions.

Sadrazam Lutfi Paşa’ya Ait Türkçe Bir İlmihâl: Tuhfetü’t-Tâlibîn’deki Dinî Kaynaklar

Bu çalışmada Osmanlı tarihinde devletin çeşitli kademelerinde çalışmış olup sadrazamlığa kadar yükselen İşkodralı Lutfi Paşa’nın (ö. 970/1563) yazmış olduğu Tuhfetü’t-Tâlibîn adlı ilmihâl kitabında referans olarak kullandığı dinî kaynaklar detaylı olarak incelenmiştir. Eserini H. 951 (1544) yılında yazan Lutfi Paşa çoğunlukla Hanefî fıkhına dair eserleri referans olarak almıştır. Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi Fatih Bölümü 1507 numarada bilinen tek nüsha olarak kayıtlı Tuhfetü’t-Tâlibîn, 239 varaktan oluşan hacimli bir ilmihâl kitabıdır. Lutfi Paşa, kitabının adının “taliplere hediye” olmasının sebebini eserin mukaddimesinde “çevresindekilerin kendisinden Türkçe bir eser yazması konusunda istekte bulunmaları üzerine kaleme almaya başladığı” şeklinde açıklar. Söz konusu mukaddime bölümünü tevhid, iman, gusl, abdest, namaz, oruç, zekat, hac vb. İslamiyetin temel konuları hakkında detaylı bilginin verildiği 25 bab takip eder. Lutfi Paşa bu bablarda İslam dininin ibadet esaslarını açıklarken tevhid, kelam, dua ve hükümlere dair 65 ayete ve ahlâk, ilmin ve ibadetin faziletleri ile bunlara karşılık verilecek sevaplar, ibadetler esnasında söylenecek dualar gibi içeriklere sahip 67 hadise atıfta bulunmuştur. Söz konusu ayet ve hadislerin yanı sıra fıkıh, usul, tefsir, vb. türlerde birçok kitap ve risalelerin yer aldığı 100’e yakın referans kaynak kullanmıştır. Bunlar arasında Câmi’u’s-Sagîr, Câmi’u’l-Usûl, Câmi’ü’l-Kebîr, Hulviyyât, Fetâvâ-yı Kâdîhân, el-Hidâye, Kimyâ-yı Sa’âdet vb. önemli eserlerin yanı sıra İslam dünyasında az bilinen kaynaklar da bulunmaktadır.

Puritanism, Spiritual Kinship, and the Lord's Supper in Elizabethan and early Stuart England

AbstractThe rhetoric of spiritual kinship was a pungent part of a “discourse of separation” which materialized among the English puritans in post-Reformation England. Using print literature aimed at properly preparing the godly to come “worthily” to the Lord's Supper, most of which was penned by puritan divines, this article examines family language in use among the godly in the context of the communion meal in the Elizabethan and early Stuart national church. This rhetoric signaled a real identity – an identity tied intimately to the nexus of right doctrine and a certain type of English Protestant practice. The present essay traces out the theological framework that buttressed this identity and suggests the ways in which family language fostered both inclusive and exclusive responses among the godly as they sought to “rightly” celebrate the sacrament. It argues that the use of the language of spiritual kinship helped the godly come to terms with their uncomfortable position in a national church they considered insufficiently reformed, and with the difficulties that ensued from “holy” living, as naturally unholy beings, in a fallen world. This study contributes to our understanding of the informal mechanisms by which early modern English Protestants could navigate the choppy waters of social and religious life in Elizabethan and early Stuart England. More generally, this consideration of a distinctive puritan usage of familiar scriptural language to make sense of England's religious landscape in this period underscores the interpretive importance of remaining acutely aware of discursive context in early modern religious sources.

The effects of the gap between actual and expected income on individuals’ happiness

ABSTRACT According to the Pigouvian approach, utility (or satisfaction) is positively affected by income level. A higher income allows for more tangible goods and intangible services, thereby ‘elevating’ individuals’ happiness. This article departs from the traditional Pigouvian approach and implements concepts found in ancient religious and historical sources. Accordingly, individuals’ well-being or utility are affected not only by income but also by the gap between fulfilment and desire that is derived from individuals’ income. By decreasing desires and educating individuals to be satisfied with fewer resources, they gain more satisfaction.

Sex Reassignment Surgery, Marriage, and Reproductive Rights of Intersex and Transgender People in Sunni Islam.

The traditional gender binary constitutes an integral aspect of Islamic social ethics, which has a pivotal role in shaping religious obligations, legal proceedings, and interpersonal judgments within Muslim communities. Within the familial sphere, this gender binary underscores fundamental responsibilities encompassing parenthood, filial duties, and inheritance rights. Recent years have witnessed a growing challenge to the traditional concept of the gender binary within Islamic societies. This shift is driven by increasing social libertarianism that emphasizes gender fluidity and individual choice. Hence, this article aims to critically scrutinize evolving discussions and controversies about the rights of intersex and transgender individuals, particularly issues relating to sex reassignment or gender-affirming surgery, marriage, and reproduction, from the perspective of the Sunni tradition of Islam. To support the various interpretations and insights presented here, a comprehensive and rigorous analysis is carried out on various religious texts and scholarly sources to elucidate the theological and jurisprudential positions on gender issues. It is thus concluded that Shariah offers greater flexibility in the treatment of intersex individuals compared to those with gender dysphoria because the intersex condition is viewed as a physical impairment that is not the choice of the afflicted individual. By contrast, in the case of individuals with gender dysphoria, they are willfully attempting to change their recognized biological sex, that God had naturally given to them at birth. Therefore, it is recommended that such transgender individuals deserve respectful psychological and social rehabilitation with help and guidance from religious authorities, their families, and communities.

دالة الزكاة في الاقتصاد الإسلامي: دراسة تحليلية

The paper focuses on the significant role of Zakat in the Islamic economic system and how it can be effective in solving various economic issues, particularly poverty eradication. The priority of Islamic Sharia is to ensure everyone has a dignified life by using Zakat funds to their fullest potential. The key aspects discussed are defining Zakat, its conditions, and its economic impact, as well as addressing economic problems like recession, inflation, and unemployment. The objective of the study is to transform these economic challenges into positive aspects that contribute to economic development and foster a robust Islamic society with a minimal presence of poverty and unemployment. Zakat's significance lies in its contribution to achieving economic equilibrium, just wealth distribution, and enhancing the overall welfare of society. The effective collection and distribution of Zakat funds for investment projects stimulates consumption, boosts production, generates employment, and balances societal aspects, particularly in the economic realm. The study's problem statement focuses on comprehending the importance of Zakat in Islamic economics and its role in fostering a highly efficient economy. The aim is to clarify the nature of Zakat, its obligatory status in Islam, its effect on demand and consumption, and its contribution to solving economic issues and ensuring equitable economic development. The study's value lies in pointing out the importance of Zakat in the creation of a prosperous and successful economy. By redistributing wealth in a fair way, eliminating poverty and unemployment, and providing everyone with a dignified life, we can foster growth and progress within a solid foundation. The study's methodology is based on a descriptive-analytical approach that relies on religious sources (Quran and Hadith) in addition to the previous studies to emphasize Zakat's importance and its role in achieving effective economic development within an Islamic framework.

«Так нас природа сотворила…»: преступление без наказания? (Ф.М. Достоевский и И.А. Бунин)

The article substantiates the need to conceptualize the “dark” nature of man, as presented in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment and Ivan Bunin’s short story “Loopy Ears.” Asserting the truth in God, the writers also reveal the “dark” in man. Dostoevsky employs Raskolnikov’s words about the right of the “extraordinary” “according to the law of nature” to murder, while Bunin, through a detailed description of the “born criminal,” outlines another — not biblical — image of the “crown of Creation.” The subject of the first article is Raskolnikov’s words about the right to commit a crime. They are considered in the light of philosophical and religious sources: it is shown how stable prerequisites for the emergence of “schismatic” views were formed in European science; the plot motives of the “sixth day” of creation, the “second” creation from “nothing,” the “return” of Cain are comprehended in conjunction with this. Dostoevsky, remaining “with Christ” in the explanation of man, does not simplify his understanding of the anthropological problem: there are not only “people” who fill history with atrocities, but also Cain who always returns in the “wickedness” of the “wicked tribe” and returns, perhaps, to “ourselves.” Dostoevsky leads the reader to the “sixth” day of Creation (“apophaticism backwards”), illuminating his path both with the love of Christ and with his experience and knowledge of humanity. For Dostoevsky, the anthropological question remains open: not because of faith (“I would rather stay with Christ”), but because of historical facts and the modern understanding of man, where he appeared as “split,” as described in Raskolnikov’s article. The actualization of the ontological and anthropological problems of the novel reveals the opportunity to evaluate Crime and Punishment in the words of the Apostle Paul: “ written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”

Bynum, Gender, and the Western Christian Middle Ages

Abstract As a contribution to the Common Knowledge symposium “Caroline Walker Bynum across the Disciplines,” this article argues that Bynum's work on gender has overturned bedrock interpretations of the religious significance of the widespread ascetic practices of the Western Christian Middle Ages. Bynum's claim has been that medieval asceticism is best understood not as an upshot of dualism — of the soul and body understood as in opposition — but as “an effort to plumb and realize all the possibilities of the flesh.” Drawing on underused religious sources, analyzing in their larger social and cultural context the images that medieval women and men used, and employing a comparative analysis of female and male spiritualities, she has demonstrated that each had its own different emphases. In this effort, she has pioneered what is sometimes called a “history of masculinities.” Focusing on women's own experience and ferreting out basic assumptions of their religious thought and practice, she has argued for women's profound contributions to their contemporary theological culture by drawing on the dominant culture's hierarchical gender binaries in order to undermine them and accentuate their shared (bodily) humanity with Christ. Bynum has shown successfully that medieval women had confidence in their own ability to love and imitate Christ and thus to participate in the salvation of the world.