MAQOLAT: Journal of Islamic Studies

A Critical Exploration to Godfrey Higgins's Apology from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

2024-03-27T14:03:51+00:00

In the book, “An Apology for the Life and Character of the Celebrated Prophet of Arabia, Called Mohamed, or The Illustrious,” Godfrey Higgins (1772-1833) presents “Persian empire and the oriental part of the Roman empire at the beginning of the seventh century,” “the emergence of Islam,” “the Prophet Muhammad’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam [SAW]) character, and mission,” “there is no god but Allah,” and “Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah.” He also compared Christianity (Bible) and Islam (Qur'an) in detailed. Higgins noted that the object of the book is to abate the spirit of intolerance that existed between Christians and Muslims. The review emphasizes the book's contribution to fostering a rational understanding of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islam for researchers interested in Islamic history and those who are curious about the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islam.

The Influence of Virtual Communities on Discriminatory Attitudes in the Use of Islamic Religious Attributes in Indonesia

2023-12-30T23:44:13+00:00

Various cases of legal issues attacking religious symbols have become increasingly common in Indonesia recently. These cases range from the smallest forms in the form of hate speech comments on social media, prohibitions on religious attributes, to the most serious, namely discrimination and human rights violations based on justifications for one group's disagreement with another group's understanding of religion. Discrimination in this paper sees that clothing or religious attributes are used as a form of desire to obtain more perfect worship. The aim of conducting research is related to virtual communities as mediators of this problem. The research method used is literature study and analysis sourced from the media. This article discusses how this discrimination phenomenon emerged, transformed, and threatened the harmony of diversity in Indonesia. It is also concluded that the root of the problem of this phenomenon includes three parts, namely; (1) Acts of terrorism that occurred in Indonesia, (2) the rise of the Islamic movement, and (3) the presence of public and government figures who muddied the situation.

Quranic Analysis: A Critical Examination of Gender in Islamic and Western Paradigms

2024-01-05T15:26:07+00:00

The modern era epitomizes a period of profound transformation across diverse spheres including science, technology, politics, and warfare, characterized by discovery, innovation, and globalization. European powers and their colonies spearheaded a comprehensive colonization endeavor encompassing politics, economics, and culture, shaping what we recognize today as the modern world. This era heralded the ascendance of capitalism, liberalism, materialism, and globalization, predominantly led by Western hegemony, notably post-Cold War American capital, extending its influence globally. Modernity, with its core tenets of moral autonomy, human rights, civil equality, consumerism, market freedom, and secularism, presents a formidable challenge to traditional religious frameworks, particularly within the Abrahamic Faiths. The secularization of society, relegating religion to the private sphere, prompts shifts within religious communities, including Islam, regarding values, ethics, and gender roles. Muslims navigate a complex landscape, torn between adherence to Islamic principles and the pervasive secular worldview propagated by the modern West. Despite maintaining Islamic beliefs and practices, individuals are inevitably influenced by the dominant secular paradigm, shaped by Western education systems and cultural norms. This convergence engenders a tension wherein Islamic principles are often interpreted through a liberal and secular lens, leading to internal conflicts, doubts, and confusion. This article endeavors to establish a framework for understanding gender within Islam, rooted in the foundational texts of the Quran and Sunnah. While acknowledging the potential contributions of sociology, anthropology, and gender studies to the discourse, the focus remains on traditional Islamic scholarship, drawing insights from Islamic jurisprudence and theology to elucidate gender roles and relations. By grounding the discussion in Islamic principles, the aim is to reconcile contemporary understandings of gender with the enduring teachings of Islam, offering clarity amidst the complexities of modernity. The research methodology for this article is primarily rooted in Islamic Hermeneutics or Islamic Textual Analysis that involves a systematic examination and understanding of scripture to derive meaning and guidance. The complexity of the topic also demands a nuanced exploration of the intersections between religion, culture, and modernity, with a specific focus on the evolving understanding of gender within the Muslim community. The research explored two questions: How does scripture define, discuss, and describe gender, and what implications does the Islamic paradigm of gender hold for contemporary societal attitudes and practices? As a result, the text highlights how society, media, literature, and culture heavily influence how we perceive ideas and process information, including our understanding and application of Islam. This can lead to conflict within ourselves, especially when we interpret Islamic texts and guidance through the prism of modern liberal thought or other ideologies. As Muslims, we need to remain grounded in our teachings and understanding that are rooted in the words of God and the example of His Prophet ﷺ. Our morals, values, ethics, and principles should not be shaped by the changing standards of society around us.

Evolution And Its Misinterpretation By The Scientific Community

2024-01-11T01:41:50+00:00

Allah has created the heavens and the earth in stages as he declares in the Holy Quran. It is Allah Who creates, develops and sustains life, and ensures harmony and diversity in all things, living and non-living. The verses from the Quran make it obvious that the conditions required for God’s ultimate creation to exist and survive are only possible if the universe contains matter, energy, water, and other entities as they are. The total measure of these entities cannot be altered, which means the total energy and matter in the universe is constant. These values are actually the result of the fine-tuned universe, where any deviation from it will lead to its instability and hence its extinction. This balance is maintained by the eternal and extremely intelligent being through His commands, and these commands, by observers, are conceived as laws of nature or scientific laws. This universe is solely meant for the trial of the ultimate creation, hence puzzling, brain-teasing, and other sorts of entangled phenomena in the observable universe are inevitable. This kind of nature is intentionally imparted to the universe by God to test mankind (God’s ultimate creation). The definition of biological evolution in modern science is actually an illusion and hence a trial for humans, since God calls this universe by the word "Garoor," meaning illusion or unreal. In conclusion, the misinterpretation of evolution by the scientific community can be attributed to the lack of understanding of the true nature of human existence and the purpose of life on Earth. By examining religious scriptures, we can see that humans are sent on Earth for minor and major trials by God, with minor trials such as evolutionary theory and other incomplete sciences being part of this category. It is evident that God initially formed the shape of a human from stagnant dark mud and then preserved it in a dry state. He did not breathe life into the mould until all the necessary conditions for human existence on Earth were ensured. After God infused life or spirit into the mould of Adam (AW), He taught Adam (AW) the names of things. Thus, it can be inferred that life on Earth was created by God in stages, and these stages are designed in a way that life and the species on Earth may appear to disbelievers as a result of natural selection or random evolution. However, as Muslims, it is important to remember that everything we observe in the universe is intended to test us by God, so it is best to avoid engaging in vague discussions on this matter. Know well that the life of this world is but an amusement and diversion, and adornment and boasting to one another, and competition in increase of wealth and children. This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. But the Hereafter is indeed the real life, if only they knew.(The Quran 29:64)

Analysis of the QS. Ar-Rum Verse 41 on the Tsunami Disaster Issue for UNP Students

2024-01-11T01:39:51+00:00

Padang State University is located in the earthquake and tsunami danger zone. On the other hand, the attitude and curiosity of Padang State University students regarding disaster mitigation are still lacking. Apart from that, the level of implementation of knowledge about disaster mitigation by the government and related agencies is also lacking. This research aims to describe the attitudes of Padang State University students towards mitigating the earthquake and tsunami disaster in the city of Padang. This research is quantitative descriptive research which is used to study an event or phenomenon as it is. The type of data in this research is primary data obtained directly from the research object by submitting a questionnaire to students and secondary data from various books and articles related to the research. The data collection techniques used in this research are surveys and documentation. The data analysis technique was carried out using descriptive statistical analysis using a percentage formula which was then translated into narrative form. This research concludes that students' attitudes towards earthquake and tsunami disaster mitigation are good with a percentage of 72.4%.

Church, Cinema, and their Representational Role of Prophet Jesus, With Mary Magdalene: In the Context of Qur’ān, Bible and Historical Facts

2024-03-09T01:48:05+00:00

Respecting the Prophets is necessary in every religion and desecrating them is punishable. In 1895 Skladanowsky Bros, started the era of filmography, and after two months Lumiere bros as well, but they didn’t get the well audience. The dramatic irony continued, and they started the filming of Jesus and showing his miracles on screens and theaters, then they got their goals and aims. Time to time western cinema showed his personality as married, as gay and as nudist Prophet, which is not only against Islamic sharīʿah and faith but its Christian religion either. In Islamic point of view, it’s offensive pictorial scenario of the past whole history. In this essay will show out those superstitions and figures out.