Tag: islam
-
Vernacular Voices, Universal Wisdom: Liu Zhi and the Making of a Sino-Islamic Tradition
The Islamic intellectual tradition has never lived by doctrine alone; it has lived by its capacity to speak truly in the languages of the people who carry it. I believe its remedy is twofold: internal repair, a disciplined return to our theological and ethical sources; and lateral expansion, the cultivation of dialogues beyond the West,…
-
Decolonizing the Muslim Mind: Returning to al-Attas’ Vision
This essay argues that the challenges faced by the contemporary Muslim ummah cannot be resolved by political slogans, technical reforms, or cultural revivals alone. Instead, it calls for a deep decolonization of the Muslim intellect—an epistemological transformation that revives adab and re-establishes knowledge in its proper hierarchy.
-
Language Preservation as Cultural and Spiritual Resistance
Encouraging parents to speak their native languages with their children promotes cultural identity and connection, supports familial bonds. Speaking native languages enhances children’s cognitive development and moral understanding.
-
Beyond Colonialism and the Deobandi Imperative
Shaykh Amin’s address highlights the psychological impact of colonization on Muslims, linking current struggles to historical traumas. He emphasizes self-empowerment through adherence to Islamic values, urging a shift from despair to hope. By studying the Quran and the Prophet’s life, Muslims can overcome “post-colonial PTSD” and regain unity and purpose.
-
How to Make It Halāl: Getting to the Meat of a Muslim Romance
This short explores the nuances of halal romance in Islam, highlighting the importance of marriage as an act of worship and the need for careful adherence to Islamic principles in contemporary narratives and fictional portrayals.
-
A Critical Appraisal of Islamic Feminism on Patriarchy and Division of Labor
Fatima Mernissi (1940 – 2015) is widely regarded as a pioneer of Islamic feminism, particularly for her critiques of patriarchy in Muslim societies. Through works such as Beyond the Veil (2003), Women’s Rebellion and Islamic Memory (1996), and Women and Islam (1991), Mernissi challenges male-dominated interpretations of Islamic texts, arguing that women’s subjugation is deeply
-
An Analogy and Apology for Mysticism
Let us imagine that a thoroughly modern man is transported many centuries back in time.
-
Negotiating Allegiances: Muslim Universities in the Making of Postcolonial India
Laurence Gautier’s “Between Nation and Community” examines Muslim universities in post-colonial India, especially Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, as crucial spaces for identity negotiation and nation-building, addressing communal anxieties while fostering secularism and pluralism amidst political complexities.
-
Fasting as an Entry into a Transcendent Cosmic Realm
The author explores the crisis of meaning within modernity, emphasizing the loss of metaphysical grounding and identity amid neoliberal consumerism. It presents fasting as a transformative practice, aligning the self with divine attributes and serving as a resistance against hyper-individualism. Fasting purifies the soul, bridging human experience with transcendence and spiritual elevation.
-
Beyond Function: Art in the Muslim Community
If you’ve ever visited an art museum with a gallery devoted to Islamic art, you probably saw many commonplace objects behind glass. Things like vases, plates, incense holders, and ink pots can be found in these galleries, adorned with intricate patterns and calligraphy. For the modern-day viewer, a question may arise when examining these highly…