Intellectual Discourse

‘Time’ in the Time of Empire: The Idea of Linear Time during the Era of Late Colonial-Capitalism from William Marsden to Munshi Abdullah

2024-05-26T19:03:35+08:00

Though many historical accounts of Western Imperialism and Colonialism have been written by now, most of these works have tended to focus upon the conquest of territorial space. This paper looks at another, under-studied, dimension of colonial expansionism in Southeast Asia, and will consider how ‘time’ was also a concern among Western colonialists of the 18^th to 20^th centuries. It will look at how a distinctly Western understanding of time – as something singular, linear, uni-directional and teleological – was brought to the region by Western colonialists and Orientalists, and how the imposition of this linear understanding of time effectively marginalised and erased local understandings of time, history and chronology among native Southeast Asians themselves.

A Theory of “Islamic Modernities:” Religion and Modernisation in Muslim History

2024-05-04T11:02:56+08:00

This article takes its point of departure from the observation that references to Islamic religious traditions became the dominant signifier in defining the authenticity of Muslim modernities. How should we understand this observation of a relative hegemony of ideas of specifically Islamic modernities in the Muslim world? The article wants to answer this question in developing a theoretical argument concerning the role of religion in modernity in four steps. The first section presents a critical discussion of Eisenstadt’s concept of multiple modernities. Then, I develop a conceptual dichotomy between modernity as a social macro structure and modernity as a multiplicity of cultural projects. In the third step, the article briefly discusses notions of secularisation and their remaining relevance for theories of multiple modernity. Finally, I suggest understanding the observable dominance of specifically Islamic constructions of modernity in the Muslim world through the lenses of the concept of cultural hegemony. The article concludes with four short suggestions to answer the question as to how my argumentation relates to some core tenets of classical modernisation theory.

Shaykh Yūsuf of Makassar (d. 1111 AH/1699 CE): A Bio-bibliographical and Doctrinal Survey

2024-02-09T10:30:42+08:00

Compared to the pre-modern Arab and Persianate worlds, relatively little is known about the intellectual life of the Malay-Islamic world between the 13th and 19th centuries, and even less is known about its individual figures and their contribution to different fields of learning. This article seeks to redress this scholarly neglect by introducing Shaykh Yūsuf (d. 1111 AH/ 1699 CE), a scholar and Sufi warrior of Makassar, who led the armed opposition against the Dutch colonial forces, for which he was captured and exiled to Ceylon and later to South Africa, where he breathed his last. In this article, we examine his intellectual career and legacy, focusing on the key concepts in his teachings such as the need to observe the Divine Law (Sharī‘ah) as well as to attain the Truth (Ḥaqīqah) in order to draw near to God and become one of His “friends” (awliyā’), which can be achieved through constant liturgical remembrance of God (dhikr Allāh) as a means to attain the Truth. This study uses the historical-critical approach to investigate Shaykh Yusuf’s ideas on Sufism, which may explain his political activism and resistance against colonial rule. Drawing upon the extant manuscripts of his treatises that are now preserved in the National Library of Indonesia in Jakarta, this study concludes that Shaykh Yūsuf's life embodied the values central to Sufism, i.e., relentless trust in God, unfading sincerity, and unabated sense of sacred duty.

Bibliometric Analysis on Islamic Spiritual Care with Special Reference to Prophetic Medicine or al-Ṭibb al-Nabawī

2024-05-29T18:29:30+08:00

This study focuses on a bibliometric analysis that explores trends on Prophetic medicine (al-ṭibb al-nabawī) within Islamic spiritual care. Due to the scarcity of literature, it utilised “Islamic Spiritual Care” as a search term on Dimensions.ai, rather than “Prophetic Medicine” or “Ḥadīth.” Initially, 325 titles were identified, with 56 of them meeting the criteria for analysis. The data was then analysed using the Biblioshiny interface of the Bibliometrix R package. The results reveal a steady rise in Islamic spiritual care studies over the past decade, despite notable fluctuations. The exploration of Prophetic medicine within the framework of spiritual care lacks sufficient emphasis, as indicated by the analysis of the 56 pertinent sources, particularly from the most frequent words and co-occurrence network map of authors’ keywords. This research, to the knowledge of the authors, is a pioneering bibliometric analysis in the field.

Keywords: Bibliometric, Islamic spiritual care, ḥadīth, Dimensions.ai, Bibliometrix R package

Sibling Sexual Abuse: Seeking Sharīʿah-based Solutions

2024-03-28T12:34:52+08:00

Sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is the most common form of intra-familial abuse. Long-term consequences of this abuse can turn into a lifelong battle. This article outlines the psycho-social-legal challenges of survivors of sibling sexual abuse and the dilemma facing survivors of SSA on seeking justice for their situation. The paper offers the Islamic legal perspectives and related options for management in addressing SSA, against the background of Islamic teachings on the prevention of sexualised crimes, possible punishment of the perpetrator/abuser, and ways of healing for the survivors of SSA and their family.

Developing Shari'ah-Compliant Asset Pricing Model in the framework of Maqasid al-Shari'ah and Islamic Wealth Management

2023-09-02T00:12:13+08:00

This article offers a conceptual framework for developing the Shari'ah-Compliant Asset Pricing Model using the Maqasid al-Shari'ah and Islamic Wealth Management. This article also provides a new perspective on finding Islamic financial benchmarks as an alternative to conventional financial benchmarks in the Islamic finance industry. This research was conducted using a qualitative research method with deep reference to published journal articles and books in the fields of Maqasid al-Shari'ah, Islamic Wealth Management, and asset pricing model. As a measure of the expected minimum rate of return in an asset pricing model, this article proposes the fulfillment of basic necessities (dharuriyyat) and zakat rate as a proxy for investors' required rate of return. This study acknowledges both systematic and non-systematic risk effects on asset pricing.

Daʿwah through Documentary Films Produced by Malayan Film Unit (MFU) and Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM), 1957-1970

2024-03-10T15:03:01+08:00

This research aims to find out the role of documentary films produced by the Malayan Film Unit (MFU) and Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM) as a daʿwah medium in Malaysia and abroad from 1957 to 1970. The Department of Information Service and the Federation of Malaya Government collaborated with the Islamic Department of Malaya and the Islamic Department of Brunei to use MFU and FNM documentary films to develop an Islamic Malay community, which adhered to the actual teachings of Islam, during that time. Findings indicated that these documentary films by MFU and FNM were the early medium of daʿwah in the Federation of Malaya after the independent. It also indicates that the Federal Government, together with the relevant agencies, is responsible for Islamic religious affairs in the country during the specified period.

The Role of the Principal-Agent-Client Model in Understanding Corruption in the Public Procurement Sector in Malaysia

2024-03-06T16:10:24+08:00

Corrupt practices in public procurement in Malaysia are explained in this paper using a principal-agent model. The government leaders, who are typically politicians, ministers, or their relatives, are referred to as the" principal" while the officials who carry out their duties are referred to as "agents". The actors in the model who constitute the third party — the other actor in the cycle of corruption — include clients, customers, and the public at large. The principal-agent-client framework was applied to 18 selected corruption cases in Malaysia to describe and analyse the actors involved in the transgressions and illegal acts in these cases. The cases were investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) from 2014 to 2019, charged and found guilty by the courts in Malaysia. The findings show that all the actors in the role of agent were public officials, while the actors in the role of client were from the private sector, and the actors in the role of principal were high-ranking government officials, their relatives, and politicians.

Exploring the Interdependence Model in Malaysia-Indonesia Relations: Insights from Sabah, Malaysia

2023-11-17T11:05:00+08:00

The historical similarities between Malaysia and Indonesia, apparent in geographical proximity and social-cultural dimensions, significantly influence perspectives and discourse on their bilateral relations. Despite frequent assertions of shared kinship and racial ties, relations between Malaysia and Indonesia are consistently characterised by rivalry, marked by numerous disagreements and challenges. This paper posits that conflict is a minor element in the broader discourse of relations, emphasising the importance of cooperation due to the complex interdependence between these two countries. Using Sabah as a case study, this paper highlights the significance of interdependence between Malaysia and Indonesia, delving into pivotal issues that shape the dynamics of their bilateral relationship. It focuses on several issues such as the population and kinship ties, the reliance of the Sabah economic sector on the Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), consumer goods and everyday necessities, interdependence in the security sector, and finally haze and environmental pollutions to outline the dynamics of interdependence between Sabah (Malaysia) and Indonesia. All facets describing these relations are emphasised since they demonstrate that these two countries are interdependent and share common interests in nearly all sectors. This paper contends that despite facing various contentious issues and problems, the interdependence that occurs contributes to a harmonious relationship and is able to avoid conflict between the two countries.

Averting the Existential Threat of the Planet: Islamic Environmental Ethics to Address the Contemporary Environmental Crisis

2023-08-01T12:32:41+08:00

This research paper explores Islamic Environmental Ethics (IEE), emphasising collective human responsibilities to manage environmental resources and protect the universe from functional degradation. It provides an overview of Islam and modern environmental discourse, aiming to offer a holistic perspective on IEE that encompasses Islamic faith, Islamic religious law, and Islamic ethics. The study is significant as it provides a moral framework and responsibility for humans to avert the existential threat to our planet. Focusing on a comprehensive methodological approach, it addresses the adoption of IEE in the Muslim world and beyond. Utilising an integrative literature review methodology, the paper synthesises diverse theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and sociocultural and political developments. This approach creates a cohesive body of knowledge that is theoretically robust, incorporating intersectional analyses of social, economic, and cultural factors within Muslim communities. The article concludes with three suggestions: capacity building, good governance, and collaboration.

Causes of Climate Change: A Neglected Dimension

2024-03-12T16:24:59+08:00

Climate change is one of the most disturbing challenges faced by humankind due to the profound threat it poses to human life and livelihood, affecting almost every aspect of life negatively. A comprehensive grasp of the causes of climate change is imperative for effective mitigation strategies. However, the most prevalent causes of climate change are advanced within the Western scientific perspective. This article aims to provide a cross-cultural comparison between the Islāmic and Western scientific perspectives on the causes of climate change. Based on the review of scientific literature and other relevant documents, the article argues that both the Islāmic and the secular perspectives on the impacts of climate change are in accord. However, the causes of climate change extend beyond the material scientific explanation. The mischief and sins of human beings on earth are fundamental causes that should not be ignored. The article concludes that mitigation efforts will remain one-sided unless these two dimensions of human activities are perceived as the causes of climate change.

Do We Really Have to Talk about That? Avoiding COVID-19 Topics with Close Contacts

2024-05-15T13:10:40+08:00

As COVID-19 spread globally in 2020, it culminated in distress, anxiety, and uncertainty in dealing with a global health pandemic. Paramount during this period was the dissemination of accurate and updated information about COVID-19, as a means to reduce negative emotions. Close contacts also play a vital role; in disseminating information, they must ensure that they disclose their health status, to avoid infections from spreading. However, individuals may be reluctant to seek information from close contacts, due to many reasons. Accordingly, this study seeks to examine information avoidance on COVID-19 with close contacts among young adults from the perspective of the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM). Specifically, we explored factors influencing COVID-19 information avoidance, including anxiety discrepancy, outcome expectancy and close contact’s target efficacy among young adults. Through a cross-sectional survey distributed online in November 2020, we targeted undergraduate students in Klang Valley, Malaysia (N = 483). Overall, the study found support for TMIM. Only two hypotheses were not supported; anxiety did not influence outcome expectancy or target efficacy. Target efficacy also mediated the relationship between outcome expectancy and information avoidance. The repercussions of these findings on TMIM, as well as other factors that may influence health information management will be deliberated.

Revisiting the Relevance of Religion in the Post-Covid-19 Pandemic: A Critical Analysis through the Lense of Religious Scholarship – Freud, James, and Dewey

2024-01-30T14:58:56+08:00

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic provides not only challenges the current states of economy, health, and society, but also the relevance of religion. Some scholars observe that Covid-19 pandemic triggers the rise of religious beliefs and attitudes that tend to deny scientific explanation of the pandemic and its rational coping. This unscientific religiosity is deemed irrelevant in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, others maintain that religious values and experiences are useful to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. In these two instances, religion’s relevance in the modern world is revisited, whether religion should be ignored or considered to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the lens of religious scriptural and scholastic tradition of Sigmund Freud, William James, and John Dewey, this paper weighs in the relevance of religion and shows which aspects of religion are irrelevant and which elements of religion are relevant to cope with the pandemic and its ramifications.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Islamic Education Teacher Trainees’ Self-Efficacy during Teaching Practicum

2024-03-19T16:27:03+08:00

This sequential exploratory mixed-methods study explores the self-efficacy (SE) of Islamic Education (ISED) teacher trainees in three domains (i.e., curriculum design and implementation, teaching and classroom assessment) as they experienced a four-month teaching practicum at various schools in Malaysia. The survey sample comprised 56 ISED undergraduates, aged 21 to 30, who were in their final year of teacher training at the Kulliyyah of Education, IIUM. They completed a two-part Likert-type questionnaire with 23 items measuring their confidence levels in specific aspects of the three SE domains. The interview participants were four ISED trainees randomly selected from the survey sample. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the interview data were scrutinised for recurring themes on trainees’ SE beliefs and teaching practicum challenges. Consistent with many previous studies, the results indicated high levels of self-efficacy among the ISED teacher trainees, particularly in technology usage (89.3%) and collaborating with colleagues and administrators (85.7%). Five broad areas of self-efficacy improvement were identified, namely higher-order teaching, differentiating instruction, classroom management, learning assessment and lesson evaluation. The study recommends the use of lesson study and increasing the contact hours for microteaching to further develop teacher trainees’ instructional competencies, thereby increasing their levels of self-efficacy in teaching ISED as a school subject.

The Influence of Civil Society Organisations on Political Decision-Making in Iraqi Kurdistan

2023-11-16T02:09:34+08:00

The significance of civil society in any given society cannot be overstated, as it safeguards individuals' rights in various spheres of life, including the political realm. Iraqi Kurdistan's civil society encompasses various groups that influence the legislative, executive, judiciary, and political parties. The influence and consequences of civil societies vary depending on the geographical and organisational context. However, while civil society in Iraqi Kurdistan saw significant growth after 2003 and has a strong influence on political decisions, its involvement in political decision-making needs to be more to reach the required threshold. The present research employs historical and descriptive methodologies to showcase the influence of civil society organisations (CSOs) on political determinations in Iraqi Kurdistan (IK). This article examines the efficacy of CSOs in influencing political decision-making. It also identifies the obstacles that impede civil society's participation in this process by evaluating their effects on political parties and the government.

The Collapse of Economic Voting Behaviour in Turkish Politics

2024-03-01T10:31:54+08:00

For voters, phenomena such as increasing feelings of nationalism, the transformation of the perception of foreign powers into a political tool by the government, and the pursuit of polarisation politics by making the opposition enemies, push the importance of the economic crisis towards the back of the list of concerns for the voters. The general elections that took place between 1980 and 2018 are examined and the economic voting behaviour is explored in this study, especially in terms of periodical developments in Turkish politics. It is obvious that the economic voting model was an important determinant on the Turkish voters in the elections until 2008. However, ideological factors, strong leadership analysis or other indicators have started to replace the economic voting model in Turkey with serious political changes after 2008. In this context, this study is aimed to make an important contribution by filling the gap in the literature on economic voting in Turkish politics.

Challenges of ‘Awrah Coverage for Muslim Women Athletes in Malaysia: A Qualitative Review

2023-08-01T11:49:22+08:00

Sharī‘ah law provides a specific ruling that requires every Muslim to cover his/her ‘awrah. The prohibition of disclosing ‘awrah is derived from the Qur’an and practices of Prophet Muhammad and his companions. Nevertheless, covering ‘awrah is difficult for women, especially when it comes to involvement in sports activities or competitions. Based on a qualitative research method that uses observation and document analysis, this study explores the challenges related to ‘awrah faced by Muslim female athletes in Malaysia. There are several issues regarding the ‘awrah of Muslim female athletes, which include the non-Sharī‘ah compliant attire that Muslim female athletes are made to wear for certain competitions. Other issues are the mingling in coaching sessions between different genders, and the suitability for Muslim women to participate in competitions as well as the lack of enforcement of Sharī‘ah-compliant dress code.

Keywords: Sharī‘ah, athlete, Muslim, sports, ‘awrah.

Note from the Editor

2024-06-27T10:10:02+08:00