Islamic Studies Commons^™

“The Light Of Certain Belief” – Orthodoxy Versus Innovation According To Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī’S Al-Risāla Al-Qudsiyyah, Thomas Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the question of Islamic orthodoxy in the thought of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī, with particular attention to his Risāla al-Qudsiyya and its place within his wider intellectual and reformative project. It begins by exploring concepts of orthodoxy and heterodoxy across the Christian and Islamic traditions, arguing that orthodoxy emerges through processes of interpretation, doctrinal conflict, boundary formation, and communal consensus. Islamic orthodoxy is understood as the historically consolidated mainstream of belief rooted in the Qurʾān, the Sunnah, the authority of the early community, and the scholarly tradition.

The central argument of the thesis is that al-Ghazālī conceives of …

International Mediation In The Sudan Conflict: A Critical Appraisal And Alternative Tracks, The Initiative Research And Analysis Committee The Sudanese Initiative To Stop The War And Build Peace

The Journal of Social Encounters

Extensive international intervention is one of the most prominent features of the ongoing war in Sudan since early 2023. As a result of the conflict that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Sudan is witnessing what is widely recognized as one of the most severe humanitarian crises in modern history; It has been characterized by massive displacement, large-scale refugee flows, and famine, along with widespread human rights violations and crimes against humanity—both direct and indirect consequences of military operations that have raged across thirteen of Sudan’s states, where the Rapid Support Forces are actively …

Review Essay: African Americans, Sudan, And The Politics Of Solidarity, Walter Hill

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Rights Of Religious Minorities In Sudan: A Case Study Of Armenians, Jon Armajani

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay examines the constitutions of the Republic of Sudan and minority rights, with a focus on Armenians in that country.  It provides (1) the demographics of Sudan; (2) an overview of the Armenians of Sudan; (3) a history of Sudan’s constitutions; (4) an analysis of their provisions and related laws on minority rights, citizenship, naturalization, and inheritance; (5) an overview of Sudan’s civil war, which began on April 15, 2023, and (6) a concluding section which analyzes risks to Armenians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Sudan.

The Honored Children Of Adam: A Muslim Reading Of Magnifica Humanitas In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Iqbal Akhtar

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence And The Rediscovery Of The Human: An Islamic Reflection On Magnifica Humanitas, Mazhar Ali Bari, Biliana Popova

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Riyadh Charter On Artificial Intelligence For The Islamic World, - Islamic World Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organization (Icesco), - Saudi Data And Artificial Intelligence Authority (Sdaia)

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World was launched by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in September 2024, in collaboration with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, during the third Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit) in Riyadh.

The Charter has been widely recognized and endorsed by Islamic scholars and policymakers. During the 26th Session of the Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, it was highlighted as a moral and strategic compass for AI technologies, addressing the limitations of existing international …

Un-African Union Cooperation In Darfur: Multilevel Governance In Action And The Future Of International-Regional Peace Operations, Philip Mutio

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper will explore the changing dynamics between global and regional governance frameworks using the example of the UN partnership with regional and sub-regional organizations in the management of intricate peace and security issues. The analysis is anchored on the case of African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), an example of layered governance, to examine the effect of coordination problems, operational difficulties, and joint mission performance in the areas of peace talks, post-conflict reconstruction, and civilian protection. Along with persistent issues including scarce resources, political instability, and disjointed command structures, the report acknowledges significant advancements such as increased …

Ethics Under Siege: The Conflict In Tigray Through The Lens Of Just War Theory, Daniela Widya Purba

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

This research article explains the ethical principles of the conflict in Tigray based on the Just War Theory. By using the descriptive qualitative methodology, this research article draws data from secondary sources which includes; academic journals, news reports, as well as international legal instruments to analyze the moral trajectory of the conflict. This research begins with jus ad bellum, to assess Ethiopia’s government justification in declaring conflict within Tigray. While the government fulfilled the criteria of just cause and legitimate authority, the question stands on the ambiguous political intentions and the failure to enact peaceful alternatives before resulting in waging …

Presidential Visits As Foreign Policy Instruments: U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy In Trump’S Second Term, Atar Thaung Htet

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

Through an analysis of President Donald Trump's October 2025 travel to Asia, this study investigates the consequences of U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy under his second-term diplomacy. The paper examines three significant diplomatic encounters—the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, bilateral meetings in Japan, and the APEC Summit in South Korea—using a qualitative case study methodology based on role theory and foreign policy analysis. The results show that alliance-centered security cooperation, strategic balancing toward China, and selective economic engagement were U.S. Indo-Pacific goals. Through extremely transactional and bilateralized relations, presidential diplomacy allowed the United States to fulfill a number of foreign policy responsibilities, such …

The Consistency Of Standard Murabaha Contracts Issued By Islamic Banks In Palestine With Islamic Banking Standards, Mahmoud Fayyad, Ibrahim Khaled Yahya, Abdel Raouf Al-Sinnawi, Ahmed Al-Hiari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study examines whether Murabaha contracts used by Islamic banks in Palestine comply with AAOIFI standards and mandatory national regulatory requirements, in light of the 2019 Palestinian Monetary Authority directive and the continuing issue of incomplete alignment. Despite this directive, a comprehensive review of these contracts remains lacking. This research identifies inconsistencies and proposes amendments to enhance Sharīʿah compliance. The study analyzed standard Murabaha contracts issued by Islamic banks in Palestine to assess their conformity with Islamic banking standards and national law. A brainstorming session with 16 experts was held using the Delphi methodology to discuss the findings, collect feedback, …

Institutionalized Collective ZakāH System In India And Technological Integration: A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis Of ZakāH Payers' Perception, Syed Imtiyaz Hassan

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This qualitative descriptive study based on naturalistic inquiry was conducted to investigate awareness, present habits, experiences, opinion about establishing institutionalized collective Zakāh system, and degree of acceptance of technology among Zakāh payers in India. The study found that approximately 60% of Zakāh payers of India are having just basic information. The other notable outcome worth mention is the trust issue. Less than 50% of Zakāh payers are able to trust and have full confidence that their Zakāh is utilized properly. This study also collected the data related to perception of Zakāh payers about the …

Measuring Inflation And Exchange Rate Misalignment In Algeria Using Gold-Based Nisab Calibration (2010–2024), Fatih Chellai

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study proposes a gold-based calibration framework to measure real inflation and exchange rate misalignment in Algeria over the period 2010–2024, addressing the limitations of conventional monetary indicators in a resource-dependent economy characterized by structural distortions and a dual exchange rate system. Anchored in the Islamic Nisab threshold (85 grams of gold), the analysis constructs gold-based inflation indices and Gold-Parity Exchange Rates, which are systematically compared with official Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and nominal exchange rates published by the Bank of Algeria in order to assess the extent of dinar misalignment against the US dollar and the euro. The …

Productive Zakāh, Service Quality, And The Welfare Of Zakāh Beneficiary Via Economic Empowerment In Indonesia, Hariya Toni, Muhammad Hisyam Syafii

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study investigates how productive zakāh management and service quality influence the welfare of zakāh beneficiary (mustahik), with economic empowerment positioned as a mediating construct within the zakāh ecosystem of Sungai Penuh City. Using a quantitative explanatory design and SEM‑PLS analysis, the research surveyed mustahik who received productive zakāh through a structured sampling procedure. The findings demonstrate that both effective management of productive zakāh and high‑quality institutional services significantly enhance mustahik’s welfare. Among the examined variables, economic empowerment emerges as the most influential factor, acting as a partial mediator that strengthens the relationship between institutional practices and …

Aṣ-Ṣadaqah Al-MunaẓẒAmah (Institutionalised Ṣadaqah) And Social Welfare Programmes In Al-Hayat Relief Foundation, Nigeria, Oyekolade Sodiq Oyesanya, Asif Olatubosun Azeez

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

Conventional fiscal mechanisms in Nigeria have struggled to address persistent multidimensional poverty and financial exclusion, necessitating the development of alternative institutional models. Aṣ-Ṣadaqah al-Munaẓẓamah (institutionalised Ṣadaqah) presents a promising model for resource mobilisation and sustainable community support, yet empirical assessments of its effectiveness remain limited. This study assessed the capacity of aṣ-Ṣadaqah al-Munaẓẓamah to promote socio-economic development, using Al-Hayat Relief Foundation as a case study. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted, comprising 664 valid quantitative responses using a census-based sampling and 10 purposively selected staff interviews. Data were gathered through a validated questionnaire, which demonstrated high internal consistency …

The Moderating Effects Of Adc On Quality Service: Analysis Of The Performance Of Islamic And Conventional Banks In Tanzania, Mustafa Omar Mohammed, Mohamed Cherif El Amri, Yussuf Charles Yussuf

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

The study has examined how alternative delivery channels (ADCs) moderate service quality and increase customer satisfaction with the services of Islamic banks in comparison to conventional banks in Tanzania. It has adopted a quantitative survey method using a five-point Likert question to collect data from 680 customers of Islamic and conventional banks. The data were analysed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) supported by the Amos software package for data analysis. The main findings reveal that nearly all the six service quality dimensions selected for the study have positive statistical significance on the relationships between customer satistaction and the services …

Entrepreneurship From An Islamic Perspective, Abdelkader Chachi, Kemal Hattab

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

The aim of this research paper is to investigate the concept of entrepreneurship from different angles, with a special focus on the Islamic perspective, aiming at uncovering its original meaning, elucidating its related Islamic foundational principles, discussing its impacts and socio-economic relevance and proposing a new Islamic model of entrepreneurship that establishes fairness and justice, alleviates poverty, supports innovations, integrates Islamic Social Finance (ISF) with Islamic Business Finance (IBF), among other objectives. This is a conceptual and a theoretical study, that follows an inductive-deductive methodological approach. It synthesizes definitions and frameworks from classical and contemporary literature, integrates some guidance from …

Islamic Banking And Financial Inclusion In Ghana: Evidence From A Demand-Side Perception Study, Saad Abubakari Mohammed

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

Financial exclusion remains a persistent challenge in many developing economies, including Ghana, where substantial segments of the population still lack access to formal financial services. This study examines the potential role of Islamic banking in enhancing financial inclusion in Ghana. It is motivated by the premise that Islamic finance, grounded in principles of equity, transparency, and risk sharing, can provide an ethical, interest-free alternative for individuals currently excluded from conventional banking. Using a descriptive survey of 200 respondents drawn from key Muslim communities, the study assesses public awareness and perceptions of Islamic banking, explores how its underlying principles may align …

Scruples Before Religion: Muslim Waraʿ Of The Formative Period, Omar Laaroussi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the conceptual history of waraʿ and its role as a normative paradigm existing in the formative centuries of the Islamic world. To do so, I consider the Hellenic concepts that ground Near Eastern understandings of virtue and piety before the rise of Islam. This, I then use to contextualise a focused discussion on the textual history of waraʿ before moving on to discuss its properties in a ascetic social-world through the analysis of those very texts. I attempt to place those properties in conversation with modern philosophers’ work on disciplinary regimes and their impacts upon the self. …

Philosophia From Dialectic To Dying Before Death: Traces Of Plato’S Spirit In The Encounters Between The Falāsifa, Mutakallimūn, And Sūfiyya, Fadhil Yunus Alsagoff

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis offers a fresh approach to the question “What is philosophy?” by reconsidering Plato’s vision of philosophiaand seeking its traces in the encounters between the Falāsifa, the Mutakallimūn, and the Sūfiyya of the classical Muslim world. I argue that Plato’s true legacy lies in a vision of philosophia as dialectical inquiry that ultimately leads – due to the inextricable limitations of propositional language – to aporia and what he called “practicing for dying and death.” I then argue that this vision of philosophia finds resonance in the classical Muslim world in the embodied encounters between …