The Islamic Culture "As-Saqafat-ul Islamia" الثقافة الإسلامية - Research Journal - Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, University of Karachi

MAIN CAUSES OF THE DIVERSITY OF ISLAMIC SCHOOLS OF JURISPRUDENCE

Prof. Dr. Abdul Hai Al-Madani, Dr. Imran ul Haq Kalyanvi — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research examines a range of fundamental causes that led to differences among jurists in Islamic legal rulings. It presents applied examples from the lives of the Companions, the Successors, and leading mujtahid imams, while explaining the dimensions of each cause in detail. One of the primary reasons is the variation in scholars’ access to hadiths; some were unaware of certain narrations altogether, others received them through weak chains, or interpreted them differently. The second reason relates to the authentication of hadiths and the evaluation of narrators, where some scholars declared narrators reliable while others considered them weak. A further cause is the differing conditions for accepting solitary reports (khabar al-wāḥid), as some scholars required additional criteria such as the juristic expertise, integrity, or reputation of the narrator before accepting such reports. Additional important factors include forgetfulness of certain texts, lack of awareness of linguistic indications, ambiguity, and lexical homonymy, all of which significantly influence juristic inference. Moreover, some scholars may not have recognized whether certain individuals fall under general textual rulings, or they differed in understanding whether a term indicates a specific legal ruling. The emergence of legal schools (madhāhib) and the codification of their principles further expanded juristic differences, particularly due to methodological variations within the same school, where some prioritized direct evidence while others followed the established or dominant opinion. Other contributing factors include differences in the application of analogical reasoning (qiyās), blocking of means (sadd al-dharā’iʿ), and consideration of legal objectives (maqāṣid). Disagreements also arose in matters of abrogation (naskh), such as additions to texts or differences in temporal generality and specificity. The study also highlights the impact of scholarly contemporaneity and interaction, which further widened the scope of disagreement, as well as issues of textual conflict and the methods of reconciliation, abrogation, or preference among evidences. Linguistic ambiguity and lack of precision in understanding textual meanings are also major causes, alongside differences in foundational legal principles such as analogy, juristic preference (istiḥsān), the practice of a Companion’s opinion, and presumption of continuity (istiṣḥāb). These principles directly affect interpretive methodologies and lead to variation in legal conclusions.

THE BUSINESS ETIQUETTES OF ISLAM IN REFLECTION ON THE SEERAT UN NABI ﷺ

Osama Fakhruddin Shaikh, Hina al Kindia — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This Islam presents many possible ways to make a living, but Business and Commerce has a unique and high position in Islam. This is for the most part due to the fact that it is the profession that Prophet Muhammad (saws) personally chose for himself. Therefore, trade and business are singled out by Islam as one of the most important occupations to teach etiquettes of earning. The actions and life history of the Holy Prophet ﷺ contains a treasure trove of teachings, commandments, sayings and practical examples. The purpose of this research is to delve into the lessons and ethics of the Prophet Muhammad (saws) as a successful and ethical entrepreneur. It especially emphasizes His business etiquettes, for example, his honesty, fulfilling promises, avoiding deception, handling dispute without arguments, and other moral aspects of His blessed life. The study also explores the Prophet's ﷺ letters to Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain, looking at how Islamic values are used in business during his journeys. These Prophetic teachings are then discussed with reference to the Urdu language and literature to grasp the artistic and linguistic representation of these teachings. To conclude, it is essential to have these classic manners in the business world to foster ethical trading, social justice, and economic growth today.

Islamic Arabic Phrases in Indian Cinema: A Linguistic Borrowing and Cultural Integration Perspective from Muslim Discourse

Hira Fiaz, Faisal Naveed, Dr. Najmul Sahar Ilyas — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines mainstream Bollywood cinema as a multilingual environment in which languages and cultures interact through everyday dialogue. Among the linguistic influences visible on screen are Arabic-origin expressions such as salaam, inshallah, and mashallah, which appear in Hindi and Hindi-English cinematic speech. Although there is growing literature on the representation of Muslims in Indian media, there remains a limited linguistic examination of how such expressions function as borrowed forms in film discourse. This study analyses the use of Arabic-origin everyday expressions in selected Indian films and one online series, applying Language Borrowing Theory as the main analytical framework. A qualitative textual method was used, focusing on purposively selected scenes from My Name is Khan (2010), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Raazi (2018), and The Family Man (2019–2023) in which greetings, emotional support, politeness and identity-indexed dialogue were present. The findings suggest that Arabic-origin expressions are used primarily as pragmatic tools of respect, warmth, reassurance, and emphasis rather than solely as religious markers. Pronunciation is especially often local, being a reflection of natural adaptation during borrowing. The study draws attention to cinema as a public site of language contact as expressions that are commonly used in everyday life travel across cultures to acquire new communicative meanings.

Fasting in Ramadan and Its Effect on Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, and Blood Glucose: A Theoretical Pre-Post Statistical Analysis

Attique Hussain Khan, Sheikh Adnan Ahmed Usmani — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ramadan fasting is an obligatory practice of religion in the Islamic faith performed every year by millions of Muslims around the world. Its practice does not only have serious spiritual connotations but also triggers serious physiological and metabolic effects. Considering these complex facets, this paper presents a theoretical quantitative construct which aims at examining the impacts of Ramadan fasting on some of the most important health outcomes like Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. The analysis method is a pre- post statistical design, which allows pre- and post-assessment to be compared. Instead of basing on new empirical evidence, the manuscript is written in the form of a sequence of properly structured hypotheses, specifying the definition of certain variables, and recommending appropriate statistical procedures. The proposed recommendations are based on available biomedical evidence and existing biostatistical rules, which guarantees the methodological rigor. By illustrating how the practices of Islam could be subject to systematic quantitative research, the paper provides a strong scaffolding on which other future empirical studies could be built.

Marriage and Rituals Ease of Marriage is the Most Important Aspect of Social Reform

Dr. Muhammad Rashid Khan Awan, Hafiza Rabia Jamil — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The spirit of this complete article is that in the current situation, it is necessary to take every possible preventive measure to stop all widespread misguidance, immorality and obscenity, illicit relations with non-mahrams, adultery, cruelty, and abuse in the society. The best solution for this has been presented in the form of marriage in the light of Qur'an and Sunnah. In this article, the society has been given religious, corrective, intellectual and persuasive thinking, so that people may come to the path of guidance instead of engaging in sins and committing unlawful activity/ atrocities and should understand the purpose of Islam and keep in mind the survival of humanity. This article emphasizes the need to ease in all matters related to marriage, encourage early marriage and to remove all obstacles that come in the way of marriage. In addition, the virtues and benefits of marriage and its importance have also been highlighted. May the best results of this writing come to us in the form of social reforms and let us all together form a better society.

From Al-Khwarizmi's Algorithms to Qubits: The Islamic Roots of Modern Quantum Computing

Sheikh Adnan Ahmed Usmani — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract:
From the algorithmic genius of the 9th-century polymath Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi to the probabilistic approach of qubits in modern quantum systems, this article delves into the deep and largely ignored Islamic intellectual legacy that paved the way for today's quantum computing revolution. Inspired by the fusion of Greek, Indian and Persian knowledge in the Islamic Golden Age, such as in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, we examine how early developments in algebraic, arithmetical and logical thinking, particularly al-Khwarizmi's Al-Jabr, led to the binary logic and computational systems that are essential for digital and quantum technologies. In addition, the paper explores how ideas of divine unity (tawhid) in Islam and occasionalism (as presented by Al-Ghazali) overlap with quantum concepts including entanglement and indeterminacy, and examines the potential for a convergence of the two.This study uses a historical-comparative approach, combining primary source material from Muslim scholars with secondary analysis of the quantum developments up to 2025, including those of contemporary Muslim scientists, such as those from Qatar's Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Key findings include that the Hindu-Arabic numbering system and proto-algorithms paved the way from classical to quantum computing, and ethical concerns in Sharia guide governance of quantum technologies. A literature review is presented on the seminal works on Islamic mathematics and the newly emerging quantum physics-Islamic ontology dialogues. This article aims to reclaim this heritage and calls for inclusive innovation in the Muslim world, countering Eurocentric narratives of technological progress. It ends with suggestions for a fair quantum adoption and calls for interdisciplinary cooperation to use quantum computing to solve world problems such as modelling climate cha nge and secure finance. This synthesis is a powerful contribution to history and a source of inspiration for ethically guided, faith-based developments in today's age of breathtaking computational power.

Shah Abdul Latif’s Poetry: A Reading in Eco-Islamic Mystic Poetics

Javed Ali — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates Shah Abdul Latif’s poetry, dubbed as Shah-Jo-Risalo through the lens of ecocriticism. Shah-Jo-Risalo is a magnum opus in literature and a revered poetic compendium by a venerated Sindhi Islamic-Mystic poet Shah Abdul Latif. The Risalo envisions Latif’s exquisite mystical thoughts veiled in evocative Islamic-Poetic language. His poetry mirrors his quest for the ultimate destiny and togetherness of the soul with the Supreme. It is laden with Mystic-Philosophical thought; it reflects his observant eye on the natural world with a lofty flight of imagination and interfuses intricate relationships between human and non-human elements manifesting his environmental consciousness at par. Landscapes, waterscapes, flora and fauna are imbued with inherent value and metaphorical spiritual underpinnings. The undertaken study places Shah-Jo-Risalo within the ambit of eco-poetics and bespeaks how and in what ways his verses are pregnant with Islamic-Mystic thoughts rooted in the ecological reality of the time. In addition, this study delves into Bhittai’s poetic narrative Shah-Jo-Risalo to penetrate how and in what ways his verses project human and non-human entities and the relationship between human-human and human-universe. In this connection, this study embraces a qualitative approach and analyses selected verses that describe the geography and landscape of Sindh, highlighting the intrinsic values of the floras, fauna, mountains and waters symbolic of Islamic-Spiritual truths and interconnectedness between living and non-living, both entering into dialogues with each other. Close examination of the various surs in Bhittai’s poetry reveals constructive and destructive powers are in-built the natural world when examined in the light of an Eco critical lens. The study further unfolds that Bhittai captures the natural beauty in his verses effectively and powerfully expresses the inherent meaning in nature, reflecting his eco-consciousness and promoting ecological awareness for a harmonious co-existence with the natural world. Moreover, Bhittai weaves spiritual strains of divine love and matchless poetic imagination, transforming these humble characters from ancient folktales as a medium of expression to convey Islamic-Mystical insights.

Strategies to Promote Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) in ESL Classrooms: Islamic Ethical Values in Pakistani University Teachers’ Perspective

Tariq Aziz — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper is designed to investigate teachers' attitudes towards the teaching of ICC in the ESL class in Pakistan Universities. It also focuses on the teacher’s perspectives as to how they perceive the integration of ICC in teaching English as a second language. In a dynamic era of technology, countries and cultures have come together like never before making cultural awareness and sensitivity a growing need in as multilingual and multicultural society as Pakistan in general and the fast shrinking world in particular. The research methodology used is qualitative in nature with purposive sampling to choose the participants carefully for the interviews which were transcribed and analyzed thematically. The results indicated that the Students' ICC development is very important in a Pakistani society which is multilingual and multicultural so as to instill the much-needed tolerance. But, it exposes the lack of teachers' professional development and appropriate assessment on this matter. The teachers also will have to deal with the inferiority complex as a non-native ESL teacher and introduce the English cultural values and identities into the students. Rigid attitude, limited resources and time constraints are some of the challenges that the teachers face while developing ICC. Considerable work has been done to encourage ICC, such as lecture explanation, selection and creation of multicultural materials, in-class activities and relevant reading/hearing activities.

Epistemological Analysis of Ribā al-Faḍl and Ribā al-Nasī'ah in Classical Tafsīr and Ḥadīth Literature: A Comparative Fiqhī Framework for Regulating Algorithmic Finance and Cryptocurrency Transactions in Contemporary Islamic Economics

Dr. Bibi Alia, Dr. Zuha Qaisar — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this paper, the two key accepted classical definitions concerning the prohibition of interest—Ribā al-Faḍl and Ribā al-Nasī'ah—are analyzed epistemologically and reconciled within the classical tafsīr and ḥadīth literature and then examined using the new competitive problems presented by algorithmic finance and cryptocurrency transactions in Islamic economics. Applying the exegetical approaches of al-Ṭabarī, al-Qurṭubī, al-Rāzī and al-Ibn al-Kāthir, as well as the historical collection of the Six Books (al-Kutub al-Sittah) and the jurisprudential context of the prohibition of ribā in the four Sunnī madhāhib, the paper traces the rival epistemological bases for the development of the prohibition of ribā amongst classical scholars. It then investigates the impact of these foundations, especially the 'illah (ratio legis) of ribā, which were subject of debates that transcended the lines between schools, between monetary function (thaman) and divisibility into units (kayliyyah) and measurability (wazn), between food staple (qūt) and other asset categories, and between Bitcoin and altcoins in exchange, on the novel asset types emerging from decentralised finance (DeFi) and smart-contract lending protocols, yield farming, stablecoin mechanics and Bitcoin/altcoins exchange. The paper suggests that the epistemological variety of classical tradition itself offers hermeneutical tools to respond differently to the above mentioned technologies, and proposes a three-level regulatory framework that is grounded in the classical ‘illalah’ analysis, the ‘Maqāsid al-Sharī’ah’, and ‘maṣlaḥah ‘āmmah’.