Category: Islamic Studies & Thought
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The Veranda of Mecca: Faith, Peace, and the Remaking of Aceh after the Tsunami
A forthcoming book by Kamaruzzaman Bustamam Ahmad exploring how faith, memory, and peacebuilding remade Aceh after the 2004 tsunami and the 2005 Helsinki Peace Agreement. Coming soon on Amazon worldwide.
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The Imaginal World of Iran: Henry Corbin and the Esoteric Heart of Shi’ism
This article explores the forgotten metaphysical dimension of Islam through the philosophy of Henry Corbin and the spiritual tradition of Shi’ite Iran. Moving beyond political and legal interpretations, it uncovers a world structured by light, sacred time, and the hidden presence of the Imam. Central to this vision is the imaginal world—an ontological realm where…
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Fricative Knowledge Paradigm: Beyond Interdisciplinarity Toward Spiritual Epistemology
Modern interdisciplinarity promises integration, yet silently reproduces fragmentation by remaining trapped within an immanent epistemic frame. This essay proposes the Paradigm of the Fricativization of Knowledge as a radical alternative—an epistemological process in which knowledge is deliberately narrowed, strained, and spiritually conditioned to regain density, meaning, and orientation toward al-Ḥaqq. Fricativization rejects smooth synthesis and…
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Ali Asghar Engineer: Islam, Ethics, and the Courage to Disturb Power
Ali Asghar Engineer was not a celebrity intellectual, yet his ideas reshaped discussions on Progressive Islam, ethics, gender justice, and religious authority across the Global South and beyond. This article explores his moral framework—ethics before tradition, justice before authority, and conscience before conformity—revealing how his work challenged patriarchy, communal violence, and the misuse of religion…
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Islamophobia in Indonesia’s Cyberspace: Politics, Buzzers, and Virtual Fear
Through virtual ethnography, Prof. Kamaruzzaman Bustamam Ahmad unpacks how Islamophobia has evolved in Indonesia’s cyberspace—from the New Order’s political manipulation to the algorithmic fear of today’s social media.
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Muslim Girls’ Safety, Education, and Leadership in Pakistan
Muslim girls in Pakistan live within a landscape shaped by fear, social pressure, and systemic inequalities. Harassment, early marriage, and honor-related violence restrict their freedom and limit their opportunities. Yet, resilience shines through in stories of education, leadership, and community advocacy. Schools, NGOs, and informal protection mechanisms provide partial support, but enforcement gaps and cultural…
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The Role of Women in Tablighi Jamaat: Dawah, Challenges, and Spiritual Contributions
Women have played a pivotal role in Tablighi Jamaat, reviving faith and empowering communities through dawah and education. Inspired by the Prophet’s wives and companions, their efforts extend from household influence to structured preaching activities worldwide. This article examines their contributions, organizational structures, challenges, and recommendations for improvement, highlighting how women strengthen Islamic propagation and…
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Gnosis in Islam: Philosophy, Theology, and Sufism in the Search for Ma‘rifah
This essay explores the concept of gnosis (ma‘rifah) in Islam, understood as the highest form of knowledge that unites intellect, spirituality, and revelation. From Dhū’n-Nūn al-Miṣrī’s early articulation of mystical knowledge to al-Ghazzālī’s integration of law and Sufism, and from Ibn ‘Arabī’s metaphysics to William Chittick’s insights, the tradition of ma‘rifah shows that true knowledge…