Journal of the Contemporary Study of Islam

Discourse and Inclusion of Maqasid al-Sharī‘ah in Islamic Economics and Finance

Showkat Hussain — 2025-01-20

Islamic economics and finance have much to owe to the efforts and writings of Prof. Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi (1931–2022) an economist par excellence who not only has been capable of rediscovering Islamic economic themes in context of the modern financial scenario, but also tried to present Islamic finance in accord with the Maqāsid approach. Prof. Siddiqi’s ripe scholarship, illustration, and deep insights in Islamic economics paved the way for extensive researches in the subject. His viewpoint and contribution to the subject is evolving globally including Urdu and English works, monographs, policy papers, and working/occasional hand-outs. Prof. Siddiqi asserted that banking and Islamic insurance (takāful), as components of Islamic finance, go beyond merely offering products and services that appear to comply with Shari‘ah. Instead, they must be designed and structured in a way that actively promotes the public good. This requires recognizing the importance of establishing public good over self-interests and profit maximization. It also requires looking at the harmful consequences of transactions along with the intention and actions contradicting the spirit of Islamic economics. It is this approach which can fulfil the Objectives of the Shari‘ah (Maqāsid al‑Sharī‘ah). Without all these ingredients, Islamic financial dealings will be seen as a paper exercise and the purpose seemingly no different from those of conventional financial institutions. Achieving the higher intents and objectives of the Shari‘ah requires righteous behavior and standards of moral conduct in all dealings, and for generosity in the flow of wealth as well as financial mechanism. It is implicit that individuals working in the Islamic finance industry, and more importantly those who manage Islamic financial institutions as well as those responsible for approving financial products and transactions for Shari‘ah compliance, should aspire to establish the Maqasid al‑Shari‘ah, with utmost sincerity and honesty. The Maqasid al‑Shari‘ah can only be properly realized in Islamic finance when individuals representing stakeholders, in particular the promoters, management, staff, and the Shari‘ah scholars are collectively conscious and sincerely committed to their moral obligations towards the society.

Ensuring Fairness and Transparency in Transactions

Nemah Alsayed — 2025-01-20

This paper delves into the core principles of Islamic contracts and property law, shedding light on their pivotal role in upholding justice and transparency in business transactions. The central inquiry addresses whether the Islamic property law of contract fully aligns with constitutional values, fostering fairness in contractual relations. The research holds significance as it advances our understanding of Islamic contracts and property law, offering valuable insights for decision-makers, legal professionals, and those engaged in property transactions under Islamic law. By assessing the standards that ensure justice and transparency, this study aims to contribute to more ethical practices and equitable outcomes in property dealings, thereby supporting a just and transparent economic system. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the paper scrutinizes Islamic legal sources and scholarly opinions to unravel the main principles and regulations governing property transfers. Utilizing QDA Miner Lite software for analysis, the qualitative content analysis provides a systematic exploration of textual sources, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underpin fairness and transparency in transactions. Ultimately, the paper seeks to enrich existing knowledge on Islamic property law and contracts while proposing recommendations for reinforcing fairness and transparency in property transactions within the Islamic legal framework.

Will Climate Change Increase the Risk of Deadly Violence in the Muslim World?

Leila Zakhirova — 2025-01-20

Climate change will do more damage to the Muslim world than almost any other place on earth as it threatens to increase the risk of environmentally-induced conflicts in an area of the world that is already afflicted with abject poverty, rapid population growth, food security, shallow water tables, terrorism and state failure. While some wealthier oil-rich Muslim states might be able to afford protection against rising temperatures, resource poor countries will suffer greatly. Given these realities, we can assume at the very least that in a zone stretching from Morocco to Indonesia the probability of conflict will be greater in areas that are a) more impacted by climate change and b) less prepared to cope with the changes. The question is how global warming is likely to influence the risk of deadly violence in a region that is already afflicted with a greater share of the world’s conflicts? While there are a number of drivers of conflict in the Muslim world that can be expected to persist into the future, climate change will only aggravate those drivers and may make things unmanageable in some places.

A Quranic Perspective on Post-Flood Linguistic Evolution

Ahmed Twabi — 2025-01-20

This paper delves into the Qur’anic narrative of linguistic origins and development, with a particular focus on the period following Noah’s Flood and the subsequent linguistic encounters of Dhu’l‑Qarnayn. The study uniquely examines how languages may have evolved in the early post-flood period, offering a perspective that challenges traditional views. The paper critically examines the linguistic landscape during Dhu’l‑Qarnayn’s era, questioning the plausibility of significant linguistic diversity emerging within the relatively short timeframe following the Flood. Through a detailed analysis, the study proposes that linguistic variation among major groups was likely minimal during this period, with a predominantly unified language prevailing across regions. However, it also acknowledges the potential for earlier linguistic divergence in more geographically and socially isolated communities. The paper also explores the implications of Dhu’l‑Qarnayn’s encounters with various peoples, considering the possibility that his era represents a crucial transitional period in linguistic history. This transitional period, during which a unified language may have coexisted with emerging regional dialects, is of significant importance as it laid the groundwork for the linguistic diversity observed in later historical periods. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both theological and historical perspectives when exploring the origins and evolution of language and advocates for further interdisciplinary research. This collaboration is crucial to deepen our understanding of the complex relationship between language, culture, and religion.

Roots of Diversity

Sajid Shapoo — 2025-01-20

This study re-examines the historical and ideological roots of modern Salafism by exploring its proto-Salafi antecedents, which emerged as localized Islamic reformist movements during the 18th and 19th centuries. Through a comparative historical analysis of key movements in South Asia, West Africa, and Arabia, the paper challenges the dominant narrative of Salafism as a unified, global, and inherently violent ideology. Instead, it highlights the diversity of proto-Salafi movements and their responses to distinct socio-political, colonial, and theological contexts. Emphasizing shared doctrinal principles such as the rejection of bid‘ah (innovation) and the prioritization of tawhid (monotheism), the study demonstrates how these movements contributed to shaping modern Salafism while contesting its portrayal as a monolithic phenomenon. This nuanced exploration provides a framework for understanding Salafism’s foundational diversity, its regional adaptations, and its evolution into a multifaceted contemporary movement.

Islam, Science Fiction and Extraterrestrial Life: The Culture of Astrobiology in the Muslim World by Jörg Matthias Determann

Amina Inloes — 2025-01-20