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“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 …

Sufism At The Service Of Ḥadīth Commentary: Re-Framing Al-Kalābādhī'S Baḥr Al-FawāʾId In Fourth-Tenth Century Transoxiana, Fadhil Yunus Alsagoff

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines Abū Bakr al-Kalābādhī’s (d. 380/990) understudied ḥadīth commentary, the Baḥr al-fawāʾid al-mashhūr bi-maʿānī al-akhbār. The first Anglophone study of the text as a whole, this thesis situates itself within the emergent literature on ḥadīth commentaries and challenges the prevailing scholarly tendency to reduce Sufi-authored commentarial texts to the ishārī method of interpretation and to treat them solely as repositories of Sufi themes. This thesis argues that, contrary to current perceptions of the text as primarily a work of Sufism, the Baḥr al-fawaʾid is first and foremost a work of ḥadīth commentary, its main intent being to …

Palestinian Theatre Studies: The Emergence Of A Field, Noor Shihadeh

Regards

This article analyses the emergence of Palestinian theatre studies, a field of research bound to the modern history of Palestine and to the settler colonial violence that marks it. This violence strikes people, their cultural production and the very possibility of preserving it, shaping in turn how scholarship circulates and where it can be conducted. Studies on Palestinian theatre have nonetheless appeared since the 1960s. The article examines them through a multilingual literature review (Arabic, English, French, Italian, Hebrew) and identifies three main lines of research: a historical-documentary approach, a socio-political and anthropological approach, and a body of studies devoted …

Localising Norms Of Moderate Islam: Lessons From Nahdlatul Ulama In Hong Kong And The United Kingdom, Rumadi Ahmad, Idris Masudi, Muh Afit Khomsani

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

This article examines how Nahdlatul Ulama localises moderate Islamic values abroad through its special branches (Pengurus Cabang Istimewa, PCI) in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Drawing on Acharya’s theory of norm localisation, it asks how PCI NU in each setting frames the Aswaja values of tasamuh (tolerance), tawassuth (moderation), and tawazun (balance), and how these values condition and account for the differences. The study uses a qualitative comparative design based on in-depth interviews with PCI NU leaders and a literature study. In Hong Kong, where members are mostly Indonesian migrant workers in a semi-authoritarian setting, the organisation operates …

Contrastive Analysis Of Interrogative Words Between The Arabic And Indonesian Languages And Its Contribution To Teaching Arabic Grammar For Non-Native Speakers, Muh Sabilar Rosyad, Aulia Habibah, Muhammad Afthon Ulin Nuha

Al-Arabi: Journal of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

Every language has a style of speech that differs from one language to another, as well as question words in Arabic and Indonesian which have similarities and differences. The differences between the two can hinder the learning process and make students feel difficult because they transfer the forms and meanings of their language and culture into the language and culture they learn. This process is called linguistic overlap, and to address this problem requires a contrastive analysis. This study aims to find out the question words in Arabic and Indonesian and to describe the differences and similarities between the two. …

Innovation In Arabic Language Learning Through Clil: The Perspective Of Teachers At Darul Ukhuwah 2 For Girl Malang, Wardiyatul Husna, Faisal Mahmoud Adam Ibrahim, Zakiyah Arifa

Al-Arabi: Journal of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

تلعب المعاهد الإسلامية دورًا محوريًا في تشكيل العلماء ونشر المعرفة الدينية، وخاصة من خلال تعلم اللغة العربية، وهو أمر ضروري لفهم النصوص الدينية. ومع ذلك، فإن التحديات مثل الوقت المحدود، والأساليب التقليدية، وكفاءات المعلمين أعاقت تعليم اللغة العربية بشكل فعال. وقد برز دمج اللغة العربية مع التعلم القائم على المحتوى، والمعروف باسم التعلم المتكامل للمحتوى واللغة (CLIL)، كنهج واعد. تهدف هذه الطريقة، التي تجمع بين تعلم اللغة والمحتوى غير اللغوي، إلى تعزيز كل من المهارات اللغوية وفهم المحتوى. وفي حين اكتسب CLIL قوة دفع في تدريس اللغة الإنجليزية، فإن تطبيقه في التعليم العربي لا يزال محدودًا. تشير الأبحاث إلى أن …

Optimizing The Arabic Language Program In Organizational Management At Ma'had Al Jami'ah Pare-Pare, Miftahul Khaerah, Fairuzah A, Zakiyah Arifa, Qushayyi Akbar Editia

Al-Arabi: Journal of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

The absence of organization in an educational institution, whether formal or non-formal, can result in deficiencies in planning capacity. Therefore, organization is an important thing that needs to be implemented before implementing a program. This research aims to determine the management of organizing the Arabic language program at Ma'had Al-jami'ah Pare-pare. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative method by collecting data through interviews with one of the tutors and the head of the program, as well as documentation in the form of administrative data such as organizational structure charts, books, and transcripts of interview results. The data analysis …

Profit Distribution Mechanisms For Investment Accounts In Malaysian Islamic Banks: An Analytical Study In Light Of Shariah And Accounting Standards, Fares Djafri, Ashraf Md Hashim, Zeynelabidin Hayat

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study examines the profit distribution mechanisms for investment accounts in Malaysian Islamic banks. It analyzes the Shariah and accounting foundations that govern the relationship between the bank and investment account holders. The study identifies a set of fairness parameters rooted in Islamic legal principles and Islamic accounting standards, most notably: the requirement to predefine profit-sharing ratios, adherence to the Shariah rules of loss-bearing in mudarabah, full transparency and disclosure, proportional profit allocation based on investment amount and duration, and the governance rules relating to the use of the Profit Equalization Reserve (PER) and Investment Risk Reserve (IRR) to ensure …

Diversifying The Investment Assets Of Waqf Institutions, Sakhr Abdullah Alasmari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

The study aimed at researching the technical and economic factors that contribute to the formation of a good diversification of investments of waqf institutions, and finding a unified model for specific ratios for the distribution of waqf investment asset classes, or identifying factors that prevent this. The descriptive approach and the comparative analytical approach have been used to track and analyze the main concepts of the study topic and show the relationship between them, with the inclusion of a comparison of waqf investment funds in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on annual reports published in the Saudi Capital Market …

The Impact Of Digital Transformation On The Performance Of Islamic Banks In The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, Roukia Bouhider, Assma Guerfi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This research aims to examine the relationship between digital transformation and the performance of 25 Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries over the 2015-2023 period using the Panel-ARDL model and relying on the descriptive approach. The main independent variable is the Digital Transformation Index, in addition to the cost-toincome ratio, the total asset, the deposit-to-asset ratio, the real GDP, and the inflation rate. Return on equity (ROE) is the main performance measure. The study concludes that digital transformation in Islamic banks in the GCC countries is in its early stages, but it is increasing following the Corona pandemic …

Financing Under The Income Share Agreement (Isa) Model: Towards A Shariah-Compliant Formula For Financing University Education, Asma Bint Mohammed Al-Amari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study examines financing under the Income Share Agreement (ISA) model as a contemporary financing instrument and seeks to introduce it as a new model at the local level. It aims to enable beneficiaries to access education in return for consideration linked to their future income. The study seeks to develop a Shariah-compliant structure by identifying its jurisprudential characterization and Shariah parameters and analyzing its contractual elements. The study concludes that the subject matter of the contract is the educational benefit rather than the transfer of ownership of money, which distinguishes it from a loan and other forms of financing …

Enabling Smart Waqf Investment Sukuk Through Blockchain Technology For Resource Sustainability And Return Development, Siham Rahmani, Mohamed Djafar Henni

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study aims to examine smart waqf investment sukuk as one of the contemporary applications of Islamic financial engineering, based on the integration of waqf objectives, Sharia-compliant investment structures, and modern digital technologies. It seeks to highlight the potential of employing blockchain technology in developing their institutional and operational digital infrastructure. The study also aims to propose a smart waqf investment sukuk model based on the Murabaha to the Purchase orderer structure, identifying its components, the roles of its stakeholders, and the mechanisms for managing the rights and operations associated with it. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to establish …

Islamic Finance And Money Creation: SharīʿAh Issues And A Reform Proposal, Abdullah Al-Sulami, Ayman Saleh

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics

This study highlights a fundamental problem confronting Islamic banking, namely the dominance of debt-based contracts, such as Murābaḥah and Tawarruq, at the expense of genuine partnership-based contracts, particularly Mushārakah and Muḍārabah. This dominance has, in turn, given rise to persistent criticism concerning the Shariah legitimacy of Islamic banking products. The study proceeds from the premise that this departure from the objectives (maqāṣid) of Islamic economics is not merely a technical or managerial choice, but rather an inevitable consequence of Islamic banks operating within a fractional reserve banking system and their inherent involvement in the mechanism of …

A Poetic History: Islamic And Japanese Parallels In Film, Joshua Polanski

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a book review of David Sander, A Poetic History: Islamic and Japanese Parallels in Film (Bloomsbury, 2026).

Cloud: Between Paris And Tehran: Kiarostami/Corbin/Lacan, Heba Arafa Abdelfattah

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a book review of Joan Copjec, Cloud: Between Paris and Tehran: Kiarostami/Corbin/Lacan (MIT Press, 2025).

Regulating Religious Coexistence : The Intricacies Of Interfaith Cooperation In Coastal Kenya, Erik Meinema

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

Regulating Religious Coexistence offers a compelling ethnographic analysis of how Muslims, Christians, and practitioners of indigenous African religions negotiate coexistence in Kenya’s coastal region. The book conceptualizes religious diversity as a dynamic field shaped by multiple partly intersecting and partly conflicting models of interaction. These include the political secularism promoted by the Kenyan state and civil society organizations focused on interfaith harmony, forms of competition between religious groups, and pluralistic practices in which individuals draw on multiple traditions to meet spiritual needs.

Through a close examination of civil society initiatives funded by Western donors to foster peacebuilding and to counter …

Hajj Pilgrimage And Spatial Behaviour In Sacred Space, Zuhriddin Juraev, Young-Jin Ahn, Ji-Yeong Gu

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study examines the behavioural and spatial dynamics of the Hajj pilgrimage through the conceptual lens of behavioural geography, focusing on how sacred space, ritual choreography, and communal experiences shape religious engagement. Centred on the Kaaba and surrounding pilgrimage sites, this study explores how ritual practices such as Tawaf, Sa’i, and standing at Arafat construct immersive and affective experiences for pilgrims. Drawing on an interpretive analysis of visual and textual sources, the study argues that sacred space operates not only as a physical setting but also as a symbolic framework that mediates spiritual transformation and social cohesion. It also highlights …

The Egyptian Discovery Of The Rising Sun: Re-Evaluating The Pan-Asianist Rhetoric Of Mustafa Kamil And Trans-Imperialism, Hung Pan (Eric) Li

Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal

Mustafa Kamil (1874–1908) is widely celebrated in modern historiography as a founding father of modern Egypt for his contributions to Egyptian nationalism. It is conventionally understood that he achieved mastery in "speaking back to the Occident" by leveraging both domestic and international support, reconciling his nationalist agenda of self-determination with Pan-Asianist rhetoric and international solidarity against Western imperialism. One of the most frequently cited pieces of evidence for this position can be found in his 1904 work on Japan, The Rising Sun, in which he praised Japan's modernization and its resistance to the West, and encouraged Egyptians to follow …

Preserving Identity Under Totalitarianism: The Adaptation And Resilience Of Muslim Communities In The Soviet Union, Meltem Akıncı

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the methods employed by Muslim peoples in the former Soviet Union to preserve their traditional, spiritual, and religious identity under the systemic anti-religious policies, ideological pressures, and repressive measures of the Soviet totalitarian regime. Despite the Soviet authorities' efforts to rapidly secularize society and reshape public consciousness through scientific atheism, the enduring commitment of Muslim communities to their traditional values is clearly demonstrated. The study examines the closure of mosques, the restriction of religious rituals, and the severe obstacles encountered in performing daily worship. Furthermore, it thoroughly explores the role of Sufi brotherhoods …

Consciousness Under Dual Pressure: Colonial Diglossia, Orthodox Missionary Activity, And Islamic Cultural Resilience In Late Imperial Kazakhstan, Aigerim Aliaskar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the relationship between religious identity, language, and educational experience in the context of the Russian Empire’s educational and Orthodox missionary policies in the Kazakh Steppe during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The primary objective of the study is to analyze the spiritual-cognitive resilience of traditional Islamic educational institutions in response to the policy of Orthodoxization and Russification implemented by the tsarist administration through the system of Nikolai Ilminsky. The author examines the phenomenon of colonial diglossia which emerged during this period, wherein Russian-Christian texts were increasingly elevated as the administrative "High-variant," while the Kazakh-Turkic identity, …

How Do Governments Combat Jihad Online?, Noah Cook

Honors College Theses

Since the September 11th, 2001 attacks, jihadist groups like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and al-Shabaab have used the internet as a tool for recruitment, radicalization, and propaganda dissemination. Since then, governments, non-governmental organizations, and private companies have developed strategies to combat jihadism on the internet. This paper examines how these actors have worked to mitigate the digital jihadist footprint and its effects by analyzing three main approaches to countering violent Islamist extremism on the internet: counter narrative initiatives, awareness-raising programs, and content removals. This paper finds that each of these methods has its own strengths and weaknesses. Counter narrative campaigns show the …

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 …