Islamic Education

The discipline of Islamic economics as an established body of study in Western academia is a recent innovative development, a tangible outcome, resulting from the desire of the revivalist Islamization of knowledge move- ments to gain parity and redress against the onslaught of materialistic economic policies as instituted by their former colonial masters....

The aim of this paper is to discuss the practice of Islamically informed liberatory pedagogi- cal practice within a MIHEUK, through a ‘self-reflective’ dialogue. As the former course leader for Education Studies at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, the paper examines the derived reflections and experience of the author teaching the BA degree program in Islamic studies with Edu- cation and the MA Post-Graduate Degree program in Islamic Education (2019–2022). In contributing to the discussion, the paper adopts a critically reflective interpretivist–hermeneutical methodology, whereby Fazlur Rahman’s double hermeneutical model is utilised to contextualise core educational principles from the Islamic weltanschauung (1982). The paper cites an example exercise study utilised to analyse the adoption of Islamically informed liberatory pedagogical practices. The findings from this exercise reveal that the students’ general ability to critically reflect upon the Islamic educational tradition reflect the influence of the teacher. However, the increased ability of the students to act independently and think critically to challenge the limits to their own potential or understanding of the sources dictating their religiosities and subjectivities is from a place of authenticity, thereby demonstrating the transformative nature of self-realisation as conscientization (critical consciousness) and its realisation of latent potentialities.

The research undertaken sought to address a critical vacuity within contemporary Muslim scholarship on 'educational leadership. The empirical investigation explored the relationship between the formation of 'Religiosity' and the styles of 'Educational Leadership' as experienced by graduates of Muslim Institutes of Higher Education in the UK (MIHEUK). The study was conducted via a single case design with embedded units of analysis. The instruments utilized for data collection were the Muslim Subjectivity Interview Schedule (MSIS), Semi- Structured Interviews (SSI), and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The data was analyzed to deduce the participants' mode of subjectivity by adopting an established criterion developed by Sahin. The study concluded that the educational leadership' styles of Muslim educators working within traditional and hybrid MIHEUK influenced modes of 'religiosity' and 'subjectivity' of Muslim students.

This article explores the concept of leadership from the perspective of the Islamic worldview. It begins by emphasizing the fundamental belief in Allah's Oneness and Supreme nature and the purpose of human beings as servants to serve Allah. The relationship between God and humans is based on followership, with every individual considered a unique creation with an exclusive bond to Allah (sbt) as the only true leader. The article highlights the idea of equality in Islamic thought, where individuals are seen as equals but undergo trials to test their characters and facilitate personal growth. It further discusses how individuals striving for virtuous Knowledge can attain positions of respect and recognition, emphasizing that leadership is determined by the extent to which individuals realize their latent potentialities. The article also explores the dialectical approach, which harmonizes seemingly contradictory notions and prevents the fragmentation of self, thought, values, and norms. It emphasizes the Importance of learning from divergent opinions and acknowledges the constant need for assessing and reformulating theory and practice. The concept of education is deeply rooted in the Islamic worldview, encompassing the holistic developmental progression of individuals based on their Knowledge and understanding of creation. The article concludes by asserting that leadership in the Islamic worldview involves actively witnessing faith in action and integrating secular and divine Knowledge. It highlights the dialogical-dialectical process through which educational leaders guide their followers towards continual self-development. Overall, this article provides insights into the understanding of leadership derived from the Islamic worldview.

This paper provides a comparative anlaysis on futuristic thought in classical Islamic thought by examining the work of several prominent contemporary and classical scholars. Through this reading it is uncovered that the Islamic tradition should be perceived as an active living philosophical wisdom- based tradition that is continually evolving to provide responses to the destiny of humanity and what it means to be human in the twenty-first century.

Background: This study aims to explore the experiences, beliefs, feelings, and challenges faced by Pakistani migrant doctors working in the United Kingdom in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative study aims to explore the lived experiences, beliefs, feelings, and challenges faced by Pakistani migrant physicians working in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An exploratory phenomenological approach was used to collate data on experiences expressed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to target participants, which were doctors of Pakistani origin involved in the direct care and management of COVID-19 patients in different NHS hospitals of the United Kingdom. Semi-structured, in-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with study participants in May 2020. Data analysis was done parallel with data collection by using an inductive qualitative approach. Results: We recruited ten frontline physicians. Four theme categories emerged from the data analysis: 1) Working across borders and cultures, 2) Role of beliefs for coping with stress and fear, 3) Passion and profession, and 4) Scaffolding the Pakistani health system. Overall, the results show that the participants received limited professional support, in terms of counseling and psychological rehabilitation. Instead, they had to use self-management strategies to cope with the situation. Conclusion: The intensive work exhausted participants physically and emotionally. They were holding a lot of grief and hurt inside, but still, healthcare professionals showed the spirit of professional dedication to overcome difficulties. Although currently coping with their emotional problems, comprehensive professional support should be made available to cater to the wellbeing of frontline physicians.

In this outstanding pioneering study on ideas and practices relating to magic within the Islamic tradition, Ariela Marcus-Sells traverses along a field of study
       
        38 The Muslim World Book Review, 43:3, 2023
  with narrow ledges of understanding and tolerance with tremendous aplomb. She addresses a contested subject matter whereby the etic appears to deny the emic from both the secular European and orthodox Muslim traditions. Her reflective research conducted through an anthropological lens is therefore a bravura for its sound methodological analysis and commentary, as it opens doors and windows into a realm of great mystery, a historical period of much uncertainty and the formation of conflicted memories through tremendous upheaval across the Muslim world.

within the Islamic tradition, Ariela Marcus-Sells traverses along a field of study
       
        38 The Muslim World Book Review, 43:3, 2023
  with narrow ledges of understanding and tolerance with tremendous aplomb. She addresses a contested subject matter whereby the etic appears to deny the emic from both the secular European and orthodox Muslim traditions. Her reflective research conducted through an anthropological lens is therefore a bravura for its sound methodological analysis and commentary, as it opens doors and windows into a realm of great mystery, a historical period of much uncertainty and the formation of conflicted memories through tremendous upheaval across the Muslim world.