2026-03-30
Irwan Hanish
This article advocates for the integration of Immunology, which is conceived here as ʿIlm al-Manāʿah , into Islamic Studies. We examine how the fragmentation of knowledge introduced by secularisation has relegated natural sciences, including Immunology, to positivist paradigms, neglecting metaphysical dimensions. In contrast, the Islamic intellectual tradition is embedded in a Tawḥīdic epistemology, which affirms the unity of scientific and theological domains. By tracing the historical interplay between Islamic medicine and theology, ʿIlm al-Manāʿah can enrich the intellectual and psychological dimensions already addressed in contemporary Islamic Studies. We propose that Immunology, with its focus on the body’s defence mechanisms, is critical for exploring the often-overlooked biological aspect of the self. We outline a methodological and conceptual framework for integrating Immunology into Islamic Studies. By situating Immunology within a transdisciplinary educational model, ʿIlm al-Manāʿah offers a pathway to reintegrate scientific inquiry into the civilisational aspirations of Islamic intellectual tradition. Ultimately, this integration may train a new generation of Muslim scholars equipped to address contemporary challenges with both scientific rigour and theological depth. In doing so, it reaffirms an enduring Islamic educational legacy that views all knowledge as a means to better comprehend creation and the Creator.
2026-03-30
Islam Hasani, Sadik Mehmeti
It is a well-known historical fact that the Ottoman Empire was present in the Balkans for more than five centuries. This connection left a deep mark on the soul and life of the people of this region and in particular, on the people of the Republic of Kosovo. Such traces are found in written documents, architecture, art, culture, folklore, and tradition. Part of this cultural heritage, which has been preserved up to the present time, consists of the Islamic-Oriental manuscripts, which are kept in certain scientific and cultural institutions of Kosovo. A rich collection of this kind, which is of great value, is preserved in the Archives of the Republic of Kosovo in Pristina. Among the manuscripts that are part of this collection is a very precious Tafsīr (a commentary on the Qur'an) by Imam al-Bayḍāwī, which was copied by Haji Mehmet Begzade-Prishtina in 1697. Manuscripts of this type show the level of commitment of the early generations to Islamic teachings, and at the same time, they serve as evidence of the early civilization in our lands, as well as of the style and meticulousness of writing for something considered precious. The aim of the research, as can be seen from the time period in which the manuscript was written, is to shed light on the values it carries. The manuscript is considered highly important and represents first-hand research material for Islamic theologians, historians, orientalists, experts in Arabic paleography, Arabic calligraphy, and as well as for literary and cultural scholars in general. Therefore, it paves the way for other researchers to study it from different perspectives. The research method used for the realization of this paper will be mainly library research, which includes an in-depth analysis of the manuscript itself and the literature published by well-known authors related to the field of archiving and manuscripts, and particularly to the manuscript and its author.
2026-03-30
Mohamad Zulfazdlee Abul Hassan Ashari, Ezad Azraai Jamsari, Nurul Iman Mohamad Anuar Kamal, Napisah Karimah Ismail, Wan Kamal Mujani, Nathaniel Mensah
The effectiveness of the Mughal Empire’s governance in India was supported by the role played by each department or diwan . One of the important diwan was the Diwan al-Sadarat , which played a significant role in matters pertaining to religion and development. Although the Diwan al-Sadarat had experienced a period of decline especially during the reign of Akbar, the situation has been changed after Aurangzeb assumed leadership of Mughal Empire in 1658 as well as he had initiated efforts to consolidate this institution during his reign. Hence, this study aimed to examine the Diwan al-Sadarat ’s role and position in the Mughal Empire’s governance during Aurangzeb’s reign (1658–1707). This qualitative study adopted the historical study approach and content analysis method for collecting and analysing data from primary and secondary sources. Findings indicate that before Aurangzeb’s reign, Diwan al-Sadarat ’s role was not considered significant due to several factors, including the Mughal rulers’ policies that did not support the Diwan al-Sadarat ’s function, and the limited involvement of religious scholars ( ulama ) in the Mughal government. In addition, this study also found that the Diwan al-Sadarat ’s role and position improved significantly after Aurangzeb took steps to empower the institution. The Diwan al-Sadarat played a key role in advancing education and religious affairs through various initiatives during his reign, such as overseeing the development of India’s education sector, providing grants for educational institutions, appointing religious officials and managing the distribution of madad al-ma‘ash (endowments or stipends for religious scholars). This article offers a novel perspective by examining how Aurangzeb sought to sustain his authority through the institutional empowerment of the Diwan within his governance structure.
2026-03-30
Valmire Batatina Krasniqi, Ilmije Kuqi
This study examines the social role of women in the family and society from a Qur’anic perspective, considering the challenges they face in reconciling professional pursuits with traditional maternal responsibilities, as well as the influence of modern feminist movements on the Islamic concept of the family. The research emphasizes that humans are created as God’s vicegerents on Earth, and this role establishes equality and responsibility for both men and women within the family and society, grounded in the normative principles derived from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The study combines a textual analysis of Qur’anic teachings with an empirical survey conducted among Muslim women in Kosovo to assess perceptions of feminism and its impact on family roles. Findings indicate a cautious and conditional attitude toward modern feminist principles, highlighting tensions between traditional family expectations and evolving gender dynamics influenced by education, employment, and social engagement of women. The results underscore the need for structured scholarly dialogue, educational initiatives, and contextually grounded approaches to integrate selected feminist principles without compromising the ethical and normative foundations of Islamic teachings.
2026-03-30
Muhammad Ahmad Ibrahim Aljahsh, Sonia Lotfy Abdulrahman Desouky Alhelbawy
This article examines how sacralisation arises within human thought and practice, focusing on the Islamic tradition. It explores how core Islamic beliefs and principles (such as tawḥīd and intentionality in worship) imbue places, times, actions, and social norms with sacred significance. Drawing on Islamic scripture, prophetic traditions, and historical accounts, the study analyses the manifestations of the sacred in Muslim communities through space, time, ritual practice, and moral action. In Islam, external practices are inextricably linked to internal intentions ( niyyah ) and ethical values, forming a holistic system whereby spiritual ideals are expressed through daily conduct. While this sacralisation of life offers communal identity and moral guidance, the article critically examines how misinterpretations of “sacred” mandates have fuelled extremism. The article concludes that an Islamic perspective on sacralisation provides rich insights into the human quest for meaning, illustrating the dynamic interplay between faith, practice, and sacred experience within increasingly pluralistic societies.
2026-03-30
Apipudin, Yon Machmudi
Islamic renewal was a movement in the Muslim world in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. This movement and teaching began with the assumption that the Muslim world experienced a "collapse" along with the increasingly vigorous expansion of European colonialism into Muslim countries. At the end of the 18th century, Napoleon Bonaparte expanded into Egypt, which shocked the Muslim community in that country. In this context emerged the idea of Islamic renewal, which sometimes mixed or had aspects similar to Wahhabism, which was considered capable of solving problems in the Muslim world. The Malay Archipelago is a region that cannot be separated from the wave of Islamic renewal in the early 20th century. Islamic students in this region were influenced by many Islamic reforms while studying in Hejaz and Cairo. After they returned to the Malay Archipelago, they became influential clerics who spread the idea of Islamic renewal and opposed the teachings of indigenous groups and traditionalist scholars. These Islamic reformers came to be known as 'Young People'. The rise of the Young People is standard in the Malay Islands, especially Sumatra (Dutch Indies) and the Malay Peninsula (British Malaya). This article observes the emergence of the Youth and Islamic reform in the Malay Archipelago in the early 20th century. This article examines how the Youth and Islamic reformers interacted with colonial authorities, indigenous peoples, and traditionalist clerics. The method used in this study is qualitative, in which the author conducts an in-depth analysis of primary sources and elaborates on the historical context that occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. In this article, the author argues that the rise of Islamic renewal and the Youth cannot be separated from the emerging socio-economic structure in the Malay Archipelago.
2026-03-30
Bedrettin Basuguy
This article examines the architectural structure of al-Salihiyya Madrasa , built during the Ayyubid period in Egypt, and its place in the history of Islamic scholarship. Constructed in Cairo between 639-641/1242-1243 by al-Malik al-Salih, the last great sultan of the Ayyubid State, the madrasa holds the distinction of being the first institution in Egypt where all four schools of Islamic madhahib were taught simultaneously. The madrasa represents one of the unique examples of its period with its architectural structure, four-iwan plan, and separate sections allocated for each school of law. This research analyses the establishment process, architectural features, and institutional structure of the madrasa in light of the works of Ayyubid and Mamluk period historians, particularly Ibn Wasil and al-Maqrizi. The most significant feature of al-Salihiyya Madrasa is its institutional structure that enabled equal educational opportunities for all four Sunni schools of law. This structure later paved the way for the Mamluk state's practice of appointing separate chief judges ( qadi al-qudat ) from each school of law. Besides its educational function, the madrasa also served as a center for mazalim courts (courts of grievances) during the Mamluk period. Al-Salihiyya Madrasa , where prominent scholars of the period such as Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam and Afdal al-Din al-Khunaji served as professors ( mudarris ), continued its educational activities until the Ottoman period. This article takes a holistic approach in examining al-Salihiyya Madrasa's place in Islamic educational history, its architectural features, and institutional structure, thus revealing its unique position among educational institutions in the medieval Islamic world. The multi- madhhab educational structure and institutional organization of al-Salihiyya Madrasa can serve as a significant model for contemporary Islamic educational institutions. Particularly, the madrasa's approach of accommodating different schools of Islamic madhahib and providing equal opportunities for each school can be inspiring for interdisciplinary studies and pluralistic academic environments in modern educational institutions.
2026-03-30
Daya Negri Wijaya, Deny Yudo Wahyudi, Fernando Antonio Jr Santiago, Prisca Kiki Wulandari, Andhika Yudha Pratama, Firza Azzam Fadilla
This paper presents a definitive account of the early modern Sultanate of Tidore and the process of cultural crossroads in Tidore from the 15th to 17th centuries. The researchers used the historical method to collect several primary sources and reconstruct the cultural history of Tidore. Tidore is one of the four pillars of civilisation in the Maluku Islands, locally known as Moloku Kie Raha. Tidore, along with the other islands in the North Moluccas, became the main producer of cloves, which were in high demand from foreign traders. During the early modern period, Islam exerted a growing influence, leading to a transformation of Tidorese political administration from a local system to an Islamic bureaucracy. From a geopolitical perspective, Tidore was determined to expand its territory and control trade routes in the Moluccas. It competed with Ternate for dominance. This rivalry directly resulted in the creation of a global political and trade network when the Iberians allied with both sultanates during the 16th century. Their arrival, accompanied by the Arabs, Chinese, Malays, and Javanese, transformed Tidore into a spatial space for cultural crossovers. Their encounter created the Arabic, Portuguese, and Dutch loanwords in the Malay-Tidorese language; the hybrid cuisine of hula-keta (baked sago); and the material culture of the Tidorese palace of Kadato Kie and the Iberian forts of Tahula and Torre.
2026-03-30
Mahmoud Batal Ahmed, Reda Abdelgalil
This article delves into the history of Islamic-Western cultural interaction and the challenges undermining such interaction in the contemporary context. The research reveals that history stands as a witness for a positive empirical legacy of interactions between the Islamic and Western cultures through translation, mutual scholarships and linguistic exchange, providing a unique model of cultural engagement. However, bias and the absence of a fair perspective remain major obstacles to Islamic-Western cultural interaction, hindering an objective understanding of reality. Similarly, the influence of the “ethnic civilisation” theory and the disregard for diverse spatio-temporal contexts present another challenge to a meaningful cultural exchange. The article emphasizes the significance of considering successful historical positive models of Islamic-Western cultural interaction that have embraced diverse cultural environments, fostering a meaningful strategy for addressing the contemporary challenges of cultural exchange.
2026-03-30
Harun Al Rasyid, Hasan Asari, Muaz Tanjung, Zaini Dahlan, Muhammad Rifqi Irsyad
The cultural integration of Indian Muslims in Indonesia has been developing for an extended period and is proven by the cultural openness to accepting Malay identity. However, there is a significant scarcity of academic discussions specifically exploring this concept. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the combination process and different expressions of openness in Indian Muslim culture into Malay culture in North Sumatra. A total of three perspectives were examined, which included 1) the driving factors behind the formation of cultural integration in North Sumatra, 2) the type of cultural openness used by Indian Muslims, and 3) the pattern of combination in Malay culture. The method used was qualitative descriptive, and data were collected through in-depth interviews with Indian Muslim informants. Consequently, the results showed that Indian culture was highly friendly to understanding the local culture, advancing the integration process. Based on the extent of integration, it could be categorized into two types namely, semi-integration and total integration of Malay culture. Finally, the discovery served as a valuable agenda for preserving the different cultural heritage of the nation, promoting a sample for a balanced multicultural society.
2026-03-30
Dziauddin Sharif, Nor Adina Abdul Kadir, Hamidah Jalani, Mohd Zaid Mustafar, H. M. Rizal Akbar
This study employs a historical analysis approach to examine the economic prosperity of the Malacca Sultanate during Sultan Mahmud Shah’s reign. Utilizing both primary and secondary sources, this research explores how the Sultanate’s strategic location, economic policies, and diplomatic relations contributed to its rise as a dominant trading hub in Southeast Asia. The analysis highlights the importance of contextual understanding, chronological progression, and multiple perspectives to provide a nuanced interpretation of the Sultanate’s impact on regional trade and politics. The findings demonstrate that the Malacca Sultanate, through strategic governance and cultural integration under Sultan Mahmud Shah, not only established itself as a critical economic and political power but also left a legacy that influenced the region even after the Portuguese conquest.
2026-03-30
Mohd Nazril Saad, Muhammad Safwan Harun, Muhammad Ikhlas Rosele, Nurul Husna Mohammad Bokhari
This article examines the core civilizational elements of Islamic services; conceptually defined as Khidmah al-Islām and their critical role in the development of Malaysian society. In this context, Islamic services are positioned not merely as a transactional industry, but as a communal obligation ( farḍ kifāyah ) executed by public agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). While these entities have successfully institutionalised religious obligations, there is a growing concern that an overemphasis on corporate governance may overshadow the fundamental spiritual ethos of khidmah al-Islām . Adopting a qualitative historical analysis, this study traces the evolutionary trajectory of these services. Findings reveal that the civilizational impact of Khidmah al-Islām follows a distinct path: commencing with the strengthening of faith (ʿ aqīdah ) as a social driving force in the early Islamic era, advancing through sharīʿah and knowledge integration during the medieval period, and culminating in the application of high ethical values in modern administration. This article concludes that to sustain holistic civilizational development in Malaysia, all service providers must reintegrate these foundational historical elements. This reintegration ensures khidmah al-Islām functions as a balanced mechanism, upholding professional efficiency while fulfilling the spiritual mandate of serving the ummah .