al-Irsyad: Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues

Islamic Scholarship in the Modern Era: Contributions, Critiques and Innovations

2025-12-18T13:08:06+08:00

Pendidikan Teodisi Islam sebagai Wacana Dakwah: Analisis Pendekatan al-Būṭī dalam al-Insān wa ‘Adālah Allāh fī al-Arḍ

2025-11-19T16:08:10+08:00

The issue of divine justice in the face of human suffering and evil is often used as an argument to question the existence of God or to challenge His attributes of justice and mercy. In this context, theodicy serves as a da‘wah discourse, addressing such doubts rationally and through divine revelation. This study employed content analysis to analyze syeikh Sa‘īd Ramaḍān al-Būṭī’s arguments on theodicy in al-Insān wa ‘Adālah Allāh fī al-Arḍ as a method of guiding those who experience theological doubts. The findings indicated that al-Būṭī emphasizes two main principles in understanding theodicy: God as the Creator and Owner of all things, with human beings as His servants, and the understanding that trials occur in both hardship and ease. Additionally, al-Būṭī also highlighted that worldly life is only a small part of Allah’s greater and comprehensive plan.

Contribution: The findings of this study contribute to the education of society regarding the proper understanding of theodicy according to al-Būṭī. The study provides both an intellectual and spiritual framework to address the doubts of atheists and agnostics regarding the concepts of divinity and destiny. The findings also serves as a da‘wah approach towards these groups.

Persepsi Pelancong Muslim terhadap Aplikasi Realiti Luasan (AR) Berbahasa Arab Berasaskan Prinsip Etika Imam al-Ghazālī (1058-1111 M.) di Selangor, Malaysia

2025-10-27T08:57:16+08:00

This quantitative study examined the integration of Imam al-Ghazālī’s spiritual principles of travel (ādāb al-safar) into digital Islamic tourism through an Arabic-based Augmented Reality (AR) application designed for Muslim tourists in Selangor. This study assessed Muslim travellers’ perceptions of AR technology that incorporates Arabic linguistic features and spiritual values grounded in imam al-Ghazālī’s concept of tazkiyah al-nafs (spiritual purification). A structured survey was administered to 400 respondents, comprising local and international Muslim tourists visiting key Islamic heritage sites in Selangor, Malaysia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests. The findings indicated strong acceptance of AR technology in enhancing spiritual reflection, engagement with the Arabic language, and appreciation of Islamic cultural heritage during tourism activities. Furthermore, a significant correlation was identified between AR immersion and the perceived depth of inner spiritual experience. This study concluded that intergrating imam al-Ghazālī’s ethical framework into AR-based Islamic tourism has the potential to foster a more holistic and spiritually conscious form of digital travel.

Sayyid Quṭb’s Exegesis of Hospitality in Prophetic Narratives

2025-11-19T15:37:44+08:00

This study examined Sayyid Quṭb’s interpretive approach to the Quranic narratives of hospitality in his seminal tafsīr, Fī Ẓilāl al-Qurʾān (In the Shade of the Quran). Focusing on the stories of Prophet Abraham and his honored guests, and Prophet Lot and his people, the study analyzed how Quṭb situates these episodes within his broader project of tafsīr ijtimāʿī wa ḥarakī (social and movement-oriented exegesis). This study highlighted Quṭb’s hermeneutical methods, including his emphasis on thematic unity within the sūrah, his literary sensitivity to Quranic imagery, and his insistence on linking Quranic guidance to the lived realities of Muslim societies. Through his reading of these narratives, Quṭb derives a set of ethical principles governing hospitality: the obligation to welcome guests warmly, the duty to provide food promptly and generously, the importance of ensuring guests’ comfort and safety, and the moral imperative to uphold their dignity. In Quṭb’s view, these Quranic stories do not only recount historical events but also serve as paradigms for cultivating justice, mercy, and communal solidarity in contemporary Muslim life. By foregrounding hospitality as a Quranic ethical principle, this study argued that Quṭb’s tafsīr underscores the role of Islam in addressing social challenges and fostering human dignity.

Pendekatan Nūr Al-Dīn ‘Itr (1937-2020) dalam Isu Kemasyarakatan Kontemporari melalui Hadis Nabawi

2025-11-24T17:05:36+08:00

The Prophetic hadith remains relevant across all eras, as it comprises the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) inspired by Allah the Almighty. Both the meaning and wording of the hadith transcend time and age. This study aimed to examine the interpretations of the modern muḥaddith Nūr al-Dīn ‘Itr regarding Prophetic traditions in addressing contemporary issues. Employing a qualitative descriptive library research method, this study analysed a hadith that presents the parable of al-ghayth (rain) as a symbol of divine guidance and knowledge. Through a literary-hermeneutical approach, Nūr al-Dīn ‘Itr explicates this hadith by integrating rhetorical analysis (balāghah), symbolism, and social critique. The findings highlighted the rhetorical beauty of the hadith in linking the symbolism of rain to historical realities and the moral decline of societies before and after Islam. The three types of soil in the hadith represent varying human receptivity to guidance. This study concluded that the modern world mirrors earlier periods of darkness due to materialistic dominance. This finding underscored the continued relevance of Prophetic guidance in restoring authentic human values.

Contribution: This article highlights the enduring relevance of the Prophetic traditions across all eras. In particular, Dr. Nūr al-Dīn ‘Itr’s contemporary interpretation of the term al-ghayth (rain) proves to be highly pertinent to present-day circumstances. The recurrence of events and temporal shifts underscore the necessity of understanding the Prophet’s ḥadīth in accordance with the context of each age.

Panduan Menangani Cabaran Etika Penggunaan Kecerdasan Buatan Berpandukan Maqāṣid al-Qur’ān menurut Yūsuf Al-Qaraḍāwī (1926-2022)

2025-11-02T20:04:40+08:00

Today, the digital era is rapidly developing and artificial intelligence (AI) has brought transformative changes across diverse industrial sectors. Its application also generates complex ethical challenges, particularly related to algorithmic fairness, data privacy, and accountability in decision-making. The absence of Islamic ethical guidance in AI deployment has further resulted in practices that are misaligned with Sharia principles. In this regard, the maqāṣid al-Qurʾān plays its role in emphasising the preservation of human dignity, justice and well-being in all aspects of life, in addition to providing a promising foundation for guiding the ethical use of AI. This article explored the framework proposed by Yūsuf al- Qaraḍāwī in his work Kayf Nataʿāmal Maʿa al-Qurʾān al-ʿAẓīm (How to Engage with the Noble Quran), which articulates a systematic understanding of maqāṣid al-Qurʾān that can be applied to contemporary issues. By employing a qualitative methodology through content analysis, the study analysed al-Qaraḍāwī’s conception of maqāṣid al-Qurʾān and inquiry into its relevance in addressing the ethical dilemmas of AI. The findings indicated that the principles outlined in his framework can serve as a clear guide for ensuring that AI development and its application are consistent with Sharia objectives. Moreover, the study highlighted the necessity for collaboration between Islamic scholars and technology experts in formulating comprehensive guidelines that direct AI towards promoting social welfare, protecting fundamental human rights, and preventing harm. Such an approach ensures that technological advancement becomes a source of benefit for humanity while safeguarding ethical and spiritual values.

Pendekatan Terjemahan Mahmud Yunus dalam Tafsir Qur’an Karim: Analisis Wacana Kināyah

2025-11-13T14:04:30+08:00

Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Karim Rasm Uthmani, widely known as Tafsir Mahmud Yunus (TMY), is one of the most prominent Malay translations of Quranic meanings in the Malay world. This translation has received broad acceptance among the Malay community, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, due to its use of clear and straightforward language that makes it accessible to readers from diverse backgrounds. This study aimed to analyse the translation approach of Mahmud Yunus by examining selected Quranic verses that contain kināyah or metonymic discourse as the research samples. Metonymy corresponds to kiasan (figurative expression) in Malay and represents one of the key aspects of ʿilm al-bayān (the study of figures of speech). In other words, metonymy is a type of figurative language that conveys meaning indirectly, without referring to the literal sense of the expression. Therefore, Quranic metonymic discourse needs to be translated into other languages using an appropriate translation approach to ensure that the intended message is accurately conveyed to target readers while maintaining semantic equivalence between the source text and the translated text. Based on the analysis of six (6) selected verses, this study emphasised that Mahmud Yunus was inconsistent in his use of translation approaches, which resulted in ambiguity in some instances concerning the overall meaning of the discourse.

Sumbangan Penulis Tafsir Mini Surah al-Fātiḥah dalam Pendidikan Islam Awal Kanak-Kanak

2025-09-29T23:10:11+08:00

This study examined the interpretive and formative approach of Tafsir Mini Surah al-Fatihah, published by Telaga Biru, as a model of children’s tafsīr in early Islamic education. Employing a qualitative interpretive design through document analysis and triangulated interviews, five core features were identified: (i) use of the Quran and hadith as primary references, (ii) enrichment of understanding through Qaṣaṣ al-Anbiyāʾ (prophetic narratives), (iii) use of the qiṣṣah (storytelling) genre, (iv) focus on moral and spiritual values, and (v) exclusion of superstition and myth. These features collectively demonstrate the integration of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah theology with a child-centred formative approach in conveying Quranic meanings. The findings also highlighted challenges in simplification and parental dependency, emphasising the need for reflective parental guides to support accurate theological comprehension.

Contribution: This study highlights the significant contribution of Tafsir Mini Surah al-Fatihah in advancing children-oriented Quranic interpretation within the Malaysian context. While a similar initiative was undertaken in Indonesia by Afif Muhammad (2002), this work represents a crucial methodological development that contextualises children’s tafsīr within Malaysia’s socio-cultural and educational landscape. This study contributes to the growing field of Quranic studies that integrates classical tafsīr with contemporary approaches to faith formation and early Islamic education, enriching discourse on Quranic transmission in Southeast Asia.

Skeptisisme Orientalis terhadap Hadis: Analisis Kritis Pemikiran Goldziher dan Schacht

2025-11-03T10:52:42+08:00

This study critically analysed the thoughts of two prominent Orientalist, Ignaz Goldziher and Joseph Schacht, who introduced a sceptical approach to the authenticity and authority of the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Goldziher questioned the originality of isnād, viewing hadith as a reflection of the sociopolitical developments within the Muslim community. Meanwhile, Schacht rejected the reliability of early isnād, arguing that most hadiths were fabricated to support the later authority of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). This study employed document analysis and methodological comparison to evaluate the epistemological foundations, methodologies, and the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. This study further explored the critical responses of modern Muslim scholars, including M. M. Azami, who uphold the authenticity of hadith through rigorous academic and historical methods. The findings indicated that while the Orientalist approach has introduced new perspectives in Western hadith studies, it often disregards the established internal disciplines of hadith sciences within the Islam. This study emphasized the need for a balanced, contextual, and interdisciplinary approach for evaluating hadith sources.

Contribution: This study is highly relevant to the focus and scope of the journal, which centers on the study of religion, epistemology, and research methodology, as it integrates historical analysis, source criticism methodology, and contemporary perspectives in hadith studies. This study also contributes significantly to scholarly debates on hadith and encourages researchers to re-examine hadith studies through a holistic and critical approach.

Keterjaminan Makanan dan Kenaikan Harga Barang: Meneroka Pentafsiran Wahbah al-Zuḥaylī (1932-2015) dalam al-Tafsīr al-Munīr

2025-10-06T17:56:03+08:00

Food security and rising commodity prices have recently emerged as prominent global issues, with notable implications on Malaysia. These issues not only threaten economic stability but also widen social disparities and compromise public welfare. This study examined Wahbah al-Zuḥaylī’s interpretation of the Islamic perspectives on food security and price regulation in al-Tafsīr al-Munīr. Employing a qualitative methodology, a content analysis was conducted on Quranic verses related to economic issues as interpreted by al-Zuḥaylī, focusing on his principles of social justice, the prohibition of hoarding (al-iḥtikār), and state responsibility in securing citizens’ basic needs. The findings indicated that Islamic principles emphasize equitable resource management, the prevention of market exploitation, and the protection of fundamental human rights, including access to reasonably priced food. Al-Zuḥaylī’s insights provide a robust foundation for addressing contemporary issues of food security and price inflation, particularly in the Malaysian context. This comprehensive approach offers a valuable framework for the development of fair and sustainable economic policies. The implications of this study underscore the need to integrate Islamic principles with technological innovation and public policy for safeguarding food security and stable market prices. Furthermore, this study contributes to the academic discourse on Quranic exegesis and Islamic economics, while providing practical recommendations for policymakers addressing this critical issue.