Intellectual Discourse

Note from The Editor

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar — 2025-06-28

Jerome Drevon (2024). From Jihad to Politics: How Syrian Jihadis Embraced Politics. Oxford University Press. pp. 261. ISBN 9780197765159.

Mohamed Fouz Mohamed Zacky — 2025-06-28

Zouhir Gabsi (2024). Muslim Perspectives on Islamophobia: From Misconceptions to Reason. Palgrave Macmillan.

Arief Arman — 2025-06-28

The Existentialist Conception of Man: A Comparative Analysis between Muhammad Iqbal and Jean-Paul Sartre

Zubaida Nusrat — 2025-06-28

This article examines the existentialist conception of man, as presented in the philosophical and literary works of Muhammad Iqbal and Jean-Paul Sartre, drawing attention to both their similarities and differences. The analysis reveals how both thinkers address human existence, abstraction, freedom, alienation, identity formation and authenticity, reflecting their respective theistic and atheistic ideologies. Iqbal’s concept of man, based on his idea of “Khudi” (selfhood), emphasises self-realisation, creativity, and the development of individuality in line with divine principles, focusing a dynamic vision of human potential and spiritual evolution. Sartre's view of man, however, centered on the idea that "existence precedes essence," defines man as devoid of any inherent essence or divine guidance, encouraging to create meaning and identity through the freedom of actions and choices. Despite originating from distinct metaphysical traditions, the two perspectives share a common concern with the existential challenges of self-discovery and the pursuit of meaning in a complex and contradictory world.

Equal Before Allah, Unequal Before the Prophet? Ongoing Discourse on Matn Criticism and Its Influence on Muslim Feminist Thought

Nuzulul Qadar Abdullah — 2025-06-28

The question of whether Muslim scholars evaluated mutūn has garnered considerable interest that evolved into vigorous debates within Islamic studies. Muslim academics countered pioneering orientalists’ narrative by asserting that matn criticism has always been integral to text verification. Others maintained that it was mainly the domain of the uṣūliyyūn. Based on the varying stances, this article presents four viewpoints with regards to muḥaddithūn’s engagement in matn criticism. In the realm of Muslim feminist thought, such debates are often considered peripheral. They underscore a substantial lacuna in matn criticism, thus advocating for innovative approaches such as the tawhidic paradigm and the Qur’ānic-weltanschauung analysis. To provide a more nuanced analysis, the first part of this article proposes a new schema that distinguishes between isnād-based and text-based matn criticism. Utilising a qualitative research methodology, this paper contends that not all principles of naqd were employed by the muḥaddithūn, as some have been applied by other scholars, particularly the uṣūliyyūn. The second part explores the impact of classical methodologies on contemporary Muslim feminist thought. Findings of this paper prove that the principles introduced by Muslim Feminists are relatively subjective, rather than being conclusively objective, therefore rendering it insufficient to unequivocally reject established narrations. Instead, it suffices only to be used as tools for new readings. This article represents the inaugural scholarly effort to delineate contrasting perspectives on matn criticism, which offers a unique contribution, especially for non-Arabic readers.

Critical Thinking as a Mechanism for Situation Handling and Problem Solving: Examples from Ḥadīth Literature

Bachar Bakour — 2025-06-28

In an era marked by complex social challenges, the need for effective critical thinking methodologies has become increasingly vital. While contemporary approaches to critical thinking and problem-solving are well documented, the rich repository of Islamic intellectual tradition, particularly the prophetic teachings, remains largely unexplored in this context. This study addresses this gap by examining the critical thinking patterns embedded in ḥadīth literature, specifically investigating how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions approached complex social situations and problems. Through systematic analysis of selected narratives from the two authoritative ḥadīth collections of al-Bukhārī and Muslim, the study employs both inductive and analytical approaches to identify and categorise critical thinking skills. From examining twenty carefully selected ḥadīths, eight distinct critical thinking skills were identified and subsequently organised into a novel three-stage model for situation handling and problem-solving. The findings reveal a framework that bridges classical Islamic wisdom with contemporary cognitive theories, demonstrating how traditional approaches to critical thinking can inform modern problem-solving methodologies. The study concludes that while 'wisdom' and 'critical thinking' share fundamental tools and strategies, the Islamic conception of wisdom offers a more comprehensive approach that integrates ethical considerations with analytical thinking. This research contributes to both theoretical understanding of critical thinking and practical application of classical Islamic problem-solving methods in contemporary contexts.

Shifting Geopolitics: The Gaza War and the Contours of a Nascent Middle East Security Community

Nath Aldalala'a — 2025-06-28

The Gaza War, though geographically contained, served as a powerful accelerant within a pre-existing trend for an ongoing regional transformation in Middle Eastern security dynamics. This article argues that the conflict did not merely reflect, but actively propelled a shift toward state-centric security cooperation and the systematic sidelining of non-state actors. In doing so, it catalysed the development of a nascent Middle East Security Community (MESC), drawing on Karl Deutsch’s concept of security communities. Motivated by converging regime security imperatives, key regional actors including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf monarchies have intensified institutional collaboration through mechanisms such as the Abraham Accords and normalisation initiatives. The war underscored a growing consensus around pragmatic conflict management, wherein ideological divisions are increasingly subordinated to shared interests in regional stability and counter-militancy. While structural and political obstacles to deeper integration remain, the conflict marked a pivotal moment in the consolidation of interest-driven and intergovernmental security architectures, signalling a regional realignment grounded in mutual preservation rather than ideological affinity.

Power of Knowledge vs. Self-Knowledge Production: The Protagonist's Journey towards Embracing Islam in Umm Zakiyyah's If I Should Speak

Nadira Brioua — 2025-06-28

Islamophobia has been a frequently used concept by non-Muslims who claim to be afraid of Muslims. Islam is misperceived and misunderstood as an oppressive religion; however, Islam's message and teachings have affected a significant number of non-Muslims all around the world. Consequently, many such people have converted to Islam, particularly women. This study addresses the story of Umm Zakiyyah's If I Should Speak (2000). The story is about a Christian black American, Tamika Douglass, who was influenced by the media and her parents in prejudging and perceiving Islam. However, she started to change her perceptions of Islam after she had comprehensively studied the religion and consequently embraced Islam. This study aims to first analyse some essential terms such as power and (self)- knowledge, and then explore the influence of the media on Tamika's attitudes towards Islam. It also investigates how Tamika has become a Muslim after being influenced by Islamic teachings. This research adopts a qualitative research method. It applies a descriptive-theoretical analysis to shape a new understanding and interpretation of the literary text. The study finds that the power of media affects non-Muslims' attitudes negatively, resulting in prejudice and misunderstanding of the faith. The study recommends that self-Islamic knowledge is a key for non-Muslims to understand Islam. Knowledge of the Qur'an in particular is of great benefit for a convert to be guided on the right path. Such a Qur'anic influence could be seen in Umm Zakiyyah's novel.

A Muslim Female Bildungsroman: Quest for Identity and Sisterhood in Islam in Leila Aboulela’s Minaret (2005)

Raihan Rosman — 2025-06-28

After 9/11 and 7/7 incidents, the question of faith and identity continuously generates huge interest among Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK. This paper aims to scrutinise the quest for identity and its relation to Islamic faith in a Muslim female bildungsroman, Leila Aboulela’s Minaret (2005). It will explore the self-identification of the main character, Najwa and in particular will consider the geographical settings, Sudan and London, the shifting between twentieth and twenty-first centuries using Rita Felski’s models of self-discovery and self-knowledge. It will also examine the transition of Najwa’s identity from that of a secular Muslim in Sudan, to a woman with dual identities, before she becomes a practicing Muslim in London. The concepts of individualism and collectivism in Islam through the portrayal of sisterhood at Regent’s Park Mosque, London will also be explored in the protagonist’s search for an identity and rediscovery of faith.

Freedom as Connection to God: An Analysis of Two Novels by Muslim Women’s Writers in the Western Diaspora

Amrah Abdul Majid — 2025-06-28

This article is built on the postulation that critical reading of fiction by Muslim women writers has often favoured frameworks that locate the texts as a form of ‘writing back’ against stereotypes of Muslim women. I suggest that while such perspectives are useful, they have also led to the under exploration of the influence that Islam has on fiction writing, particularly on the portrayal of women and their everyday lives. As an attempt to address this shortcoming, in this article, I present an analysis of two novels, Minaret (2006) by Leila Aboulela and Saints and Misfits (2017) by S.K. Ali, which are focused on the demonstration of faith by the female characters, particularly relating it to how they connect to God. This is done by utilising Allison Weir’s (2013) conceptualisation of freedom as connection and belonging to God where the submission to rituals and norms is seen as a method to create a connection to God. I argue that, in the novels, the centrality of God in the lives of the protagonists is prominent. Thus, when they experience moments of spiritual depravity, they are pushed towards an improvement of personal religious commitment. This commitment has a central aim of connecting to God, and when it is realised, the female protagonists are released from the captivity of worldly desires and expectations.

‘The Politics of Fear’: How Does It Affect Youth Political Participation in Malaysia?

Norhafiza Mohd Hed — 2025-06-28

This article explores the impact of political repression on youth political participation in Malaysia, particularly on how the regime's efforts to 'depoliticise' and criminalise dissent have shaped youth engagement. Using a mixed-methods approach through data obtained from in-depth interviews and analysis of data from the Asian Barometer, the findings reveal that ‘the politics of fear’ has a negative effect on youth involvement in conventional activism. At the same time, unconventional participation shows no significant differences. Qualitative insights highlight a pervasive 'culture of fear,' deterring most young Malaysians from political involvement, with only a small, courageous group willing to challenge the status quo, given the high risks associated with political activism in the country.

Perceived Determinants of Child Poverty in Malaysia: A Preliminary Analysis

Norhaslinda Jamaiudin — 2025-06-28

Child poverty is a significant topic in public policy discussions. Children who are poor face numerous disadvantages. The deprivations they face are multifaceted and often closely linked to low-income households. Children are dependent on their parents, and when parents are unable to meet their children’s basic needs, it can severely hinder the children’s development and overall well-being. Although low income is commonly viewed as the primary cause of child poverty, it may not be the sole factor. Child poverty can be attributed to several factors beyond parental income. Various economic and family demographic variables are associated with the overall well-being of children. This preliminary study aims to investigate the determinants of child poverty in Malaysia from the perspective of the general public. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory (1979), public perceptions are measured quantitatively based on four key factors that exist within a multi-layered environment: state policy commitment, health, family structures, and the labour market. The findings indicate that adverse parental characteristics increase the likelihood of child poverty. Factors such as the parental education level (47.5%), household size (61.5%), and family structure – specifically single parent households (64.5%) – are all significant contributors to child poverty. This study enhances the understanding of child poverty and offers new insights for policymakers, urging them to adopt a child-centred approach within the existing poverty framework to better support disadvantaged children.

Türkiye’s Climate Change Policy: An Evaluation of Its Transition to Low Carbon Policies

Burcin Demirbilek — 2025-06-28

Since the Industrial Revolution, many countries have achieved notable progress in their industries, transportation, economic growth, and technical advancements. Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and water vapor (H₂O) in the atmosphere, as well as changes in regional and global climates, were associated with increased production and the consequent need for more energy and intensive use of fossil fuels. Because of intense production and consumption practices that assumed natural resources were limitless, major environmental issues resulted from industrialisation. Türkiye is experiencing the negative consequences of climate change and aim to reach zero emission target. In this context, this article utilises documentary analysis and examine the related reports including ‘Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’ (IPCC) reports, European Union (EU) progress reports and Turkish national reports as well as Türkiye’s legislative and institutional structures on low carbon policies.

The Role of Ulama in Shaping Attitude, Subjective Norms, Digitalisation and Trust Towards Cash Waqf Behaviour

Gustina — 2025-06-28

Cash waqf, a popular form of endowment in contemporary times, holds immense potential for economic empowerment and social development, particularly in developing Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia. Despite its promise, a significant gap persists between the potential and the actual acceptance of cash waqf. This study investigates the key determinants influencing the behaviour of waqif (donors) and prospective waqif towards cash waqf. Utilising questionnaires for data collection, the findings reveal that factors such as attitude, subjective norms, trust, the influence of religious leaders (ulama), and digitalisation play a crucial role in shaping the behaviour of waqif and prospective waqif. The study's implications highlight the need for government, nazir (waqf managers), and other stakeholders to actively involve ulama in community education efforts. Enhancing public understanding could help integrate cash waqf more deeply into the lives of Muslims, fostering a broader culture of charitable giving.

Keywords: Cash waqf, Digitalization, religious leaders, SEM-PLS, West Sumatera

Abstrak: Waqf tunai, satu bentuk endowmen yang popular pada zaman moden ini, mempunyai potensi besar untuk pemberdayaan ekonomi dan pembangunan sosial, terutamanya di negara-negara majoriti Muslim yang sedang membangun seperti Indonesia. Walaupun terdapat janji, jurang yang signifikan masih wujud antara potensi dan penerimaan sebenar waqf tunai. Kajian ini menyelidik faktor-faktor utama yang mempengaruhi tingkah laku waqif (dermawan) dan waqif yang berpotensi terhadap waqf tunai. Menggunakan soal selidik untuk pengumpulan data, penemuan menunjukkan bahawa faktor-faktor seperti sikap, norma subjektif, kepercayaan, pengaruh pemimpin agama (ulama), dan pendigitalan memainkan peranan penting dalam membentuk tingkah laku waqif dan waqif yang berpotensi. Implikasi kajian ini menekankan keperluan bagi kerajaan, nadzir (pengurus waqf), dan pihak berkepentingan lain untuk secara aktif melibatkan ulama dalam usaha pendidikan masyarakat. Meningkatkan pemahaman awam boleh membantu mengintegrasikan waqf tunai dengan lebih mendalam dalam kehidupan umat Islam, memupuk budaya dermawan yang lebih luas.

Kunci Kata: Waqf tunai, Digitalisasi, pemimpin agama, SEM-PLS, Sumatera Barat

The Role of Local Wisdom in Shaping Internationalisation Strategies of Islamic Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia

Moh. Sugeng Sholehuddin — 2025-06-28

Local wisdom plays a pivotal role in the internationalisation strategies of Islamic Higher Education Institutions (IHEIs) in Indonesia, offering a unique approach to integrating global standards while preserving cultural and religious identity. This article explores how Indonesian IHEIs leverage local values, traditions, and practices to design and implement effective internationalisation frameworks. Using a qualitative research approach, this study analyses case studies, interviews, and document analysis from selected IHEIs. The findings reveal that local wisdom fosters inclusivity, adaptability, and distinctive identity, contributing to Indonesia’s sustainable internationalisation of Islamic higher education. It concludes that the strategic incorporation of local wisdom strengthens the institutional identities of IHEIs and contributes to a more diverse and inclusive global academic community.

Perceptions of Three U.S. Presidents (Obama, Trump, and Biden) – A Malaysian Perspective

Syed Arabi Idid — 2025-06-28

This article presents findings from an extensive longitudinal study which examined how Malaysians perceived the performance of three U.S. presidents as global leaders. The investigation initiated six nationwide surveys aimed at assessing Malaysians' opinions regarding the performance of U.S. presidents during their respective terms. The initial surveys, executed in August 2010 and October 2013, collected responses from 1,367 and 1,439 participants, respectively, focusing on Barack Obama. Throughout Donald Trump's presidency, follow-up surveys were administered in April 2017 and March 2018, with 1,326 and 2,061 respondents, respectively. The current study extends this analysis to President Joe Biden, thereby continuing the longitudinal investigation into Malaysian perspectives on U.S. leadership. The issue was how Malaysians perceived these three presidents' ability to solve the global economic problem, the Palestinian-Israeli Issue, and the U.S.-China dispute.

International Students’ Direct and Parasocial Contact, and Attitude Towards Malaysian Host Nationals: The Mediating Roles of Cultural Identification and Islamic Identity

Tengku Siti Aisha Tengku Azzman — 2025-06-28

International students may find it challenging to adjust to a new environment. Based on the principles of intergroup contact, this study explored factors that influenced attitude towards Malaysian host nationals. Communication quality (CQ), parasocial interaction (PSI), cultural identification (CID), and Islamic identity (IID) are predicted to influence attitude towards Malaysian host nationals (ATT). It is also hypothesised that CID and IID will function as mediators. Eight hypotheses were proposed to test these relationships. A questionnaire was distributed online in 2024 among international students in Malaysia (N = 253). The Hayes PROCESS macro was used to test the parallel mediation analyses (model 4). CID and CQI had a significant positive direct effect on ATT. CID also mediated the relationship between PSI and ATT, and between CQ and ATT. However, IID is not a significant mediator. The repercussion of these findings on intergroup contact and acculturation of international students were also deliberated.

Artificial Intelligence in Sinar Harian: Embracing Readiness or Addressing Anxiety?

Hafezdzullah Mohd Hassan — 2025-06-28

The infiltration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom has ignited several questions among media practitioners. Some of them believe this technology can improve journalistic work, regain trust among audiences, and sustain business prospect. Others doubt the use of this technology as some scholars have warned that AI can pose a threat to journalism because the technology has a potential to replace reporters in the newsroom. Due to this, some are ready to adapt and adopt the technology for journalistic work, but others are reluctant to embrace the technology in the newsroom because they worried AI will take their roles and leads to job loss. Hence, a study was conducted to measure the impact of AI in the newsroom. Using qualitative methods, this study involved ten reporters from Sinar Harian. Data gathered from in-depth interview were analysed thematically. As a result, three themes emerged: ‘Aware,’ ‘Enhance’ and ‘Trust’. The first theme, ‘Aware,’ illustrates that reporters are not only familiar with AI but also well-equipped with relevant knowledge. The second theme, ‘Enhance,’ indicates that the integration of AI in the newsroom helps reporters produce higher-quality news. The final theme, ‘Trust,’ represents the willingness of reporters to embrace AI in the newsroom to enhance their work. By applying technological determinism to theorise this study, it is concluded that AI is inevitable for journalism as it will play a crucial role in shaping the future of journalism in accordance with technological advancements.

Healthcare Workers’ Challenges in Managing Disease Outbreaks: A Systematic Review from an Islamic Perspective

Zeti Azreen Ahmad — 2025-06-28

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are prone to be at risk to health and safety hazards, particularly during disease outbreaks. This study examined the challenges confronted by HCWs in providing care and service during disease outbreaks. A systematic literature review (SLR) was adopted as the main approach of this study. A total of 61 articles were retrieved from two databases, Scopus and Web of Science, and analysed. Knowledge deficit and communication issues were identified as among the major challenges confronted by HCWs during disease outbreaks. These challenges were later analysed from an Islamic perspective by examining the responses provided in the Qur’ān and Ḥadīths. This study puts forward relevant Islamic guidelines on dealing with challenges during a disease outbreak that have been scarce in the literature. The study received approval from the IIUM Research Ethics Committee (IREC). It is also part of a research project on preventing and controlling disease outbreaks, as well as dealing with emergencies, funded by the Islamic Advisory group (AIG).

Faith-Based Approaches to Vaccine Misconception: A Systematic Literature Review of Religious Messaging

Wan Norshira Wan Mohd Ghazali — 2025-06-28

Since more and more individuals rely only on the internet for information, falsehoods on health-related matters are spreading more quickly. When it comes to a religious stance around vaccinations, false information may be more difficult to change since it affects an individual’s faith. To combat religious vaccine misconception, this research explored Scopus, Google Scholar, MyCite, EBSCOhost, and Fatwā Mujamma’ databases using a systematic literature review (SLR) procedure. 5076 studies on vaccination and religion were identified between 2016 and 2021. After a thorough screening process, only 25 studies reflecting religious discussion on vaccination were extracted for analysis. Designed to synthesise religious sources, this SLR identified Qur’ānic passages and Hadith supporting vaccine uptake. The results were also synthesised according to fatwā across types of vaccination. This paper followed PRISMA in reporting the SLR study. In short, this study is significant as it provides evidence supporting the need for vaccination to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of the Muslim community. It should be noted that religious messages must be incorporated into health communication intervention strategies for educators, religious leaders, and advocates to inform the public about the importance of vaccinations. This review further offers the Malaysian Health Ministry a reference to be included as part of its strategies from Islamic perspectives in combating vaccine refusal and anti-vaccination movement among the Muslim community, as they compose the majority of the population.