Indonesian Journal for Islamic Studies

Globalization and the Muslim State: Navigating Political, Economic, and Cultural Transformations in an Interconnected World

Muhammad Adil Iqbal — 2026-03-31

Background: Globally, political power, economic systems, and cultural identities are all being shaped by the transformative forces of globalization. Striking a balance between global integration and the preservation of sovereignty, Islamic values, and cultural heritage is a daunting task for countries with Muslim-majority populations.
Objectives: The objective of this research is to critically analyze the ways in which globalization affects the political, economic, and cultural aspects of Muslim states and to pinpoint tactical avenues for participation that is both flexible and grounded in values.
Methods: Using a thorough analysis of current academic literature, policy documents, and institutional reports, the study takes a qualitative, conceptual approach. Globalization Theory, World-Systems Theory, and Political Islam are integrated into a multifaceted analytical framework that directs the analysis.
Results: The results show that Muslim governments actively participate in global networks and are not merely passive consumers of globalization. In terms of politics, they negotiate sovereignty within global governance frameworks; in terms of the economy, they are structurally dependent but exhibit innovation through the halal and Islamic finance sectors; and in terms of culture, they manage conflicts between Islamic identity and global influences by using hybrid and adaptive tactics. The primary contribution of the paper is an integrated analytical model that connects ideological and policy responses in the Muslim world with structural limitations.
Conclusion: Adaptive governance, economic diversity, and culturally sensitive policymaking are necessary for effective engagement with globalization. By utilizing their normative frameworks, Muslim governments can improve their standing internationally while preserving their strategic independence.

Japanese - Islamic World Religious - Cultural Interactions: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective

Muhammad Adil Iqbal — 2026-03-31

Background: Although the interaction between Japan and the Islamic world has been extensively studied in historical and geopolitical contexts, there are still few consequences for comparative religious studies. In example, despite their similar focus on spiritual development, the relationship between Sufism and Zen Buddhism has not been thoroughly examined.
Objectives: Through the themes of self-discipline, awareness, and transcendence, this research compares Sufi and Zen traditions and looks at Japanese Islamic connections within a civilizational framework.
Methods: This study uses a qualitative comparative methodology based on religion studies, combining phenomenology, comparative hermeneutics, and civilizational analysis. Classical Sufi and Zen texts are examples of primary sources, which are bolstered by secondary historical and theoretical literature. A triadic framework that emphasizes self-discipline, awareness cultivation, and transcendental experience is used to organize the analysis.
Results: The results show that Sufism and Zen share fundamental parallels in their approaches to disciplined practice and experiential transformation, despite little direct historical interaction. But their metaphysical underpinnings are very different; Zen is based on a non-theistic understanding of reality, whereas Sufism is based on a theistic framework.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that meaningful comparison between Sufism and Zen is possible at the level of practice and experience rather than doctrine. It contributes to comparative religious studies by offering a balanced framework that highlights both convergence and divergence, providing a relevant model for interreligious dialogue in a globalized context.

Arabic Oratory and its Role in Development of Islamic Civilization in Seventh Century

Habib Mohamed Tahir Bijli — 2025-03-31

Background: Arabic oratory played a significant role in Arab civilization. With the advent of Islam, it changed significantly from tribal rhetoric to a tool for social control and moral guidance. But little is known about its use in early Islam as a civilizational communication mechanism.
Objectives: This study looks at how, during the Prophetic and Rashidun eras, Arabic oratory supported societal cohesiveness, ethical development, and the legitimacy of government.
Methods: Descriptive-analytical and hermeneutic techniques were used in a qualitative textual approach. Selected sermons (khutbah), sirah stories, and ancient rhetorical writings that were purposefully picked for their significance to ethics, governance, and communal identity made up the data. Thematic coding, interpretive analysis, and contextual reading were used to study the data.
Results: The results demonstrate that Arabic oratory served as a fundamental channel for political legitimacy, communal integration, and moral internalization. Sermons facilitated the shift from tribal division to a morally cohesive ummah by transforming concepts of justice, accountability, and communal duty into common social standards.
Conclusion: This study comes to the conclusion that early Islamic Arabic oratory was a civilizational infrastructure of communication rather than just a rhetorical tradition. Repositioning oratory as a strategic channel connecting revelation, ethics, and government in the development of Islamic culture is its scientific contribution.

Religious Tolerance in Ilorin Emirate: An Islamic Perspective

Daud Olalekan Abdulsalam — 2026-03-31

Background: In multiple societies, such as Nigeria, where various religious communities coexist, religious tolerance is an essential value. An exceptional example of long-lasting interfaith cooperation impacted by Islamic teachings and sociocultural fusion is the Ilorin Emirate.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the idea of religious tolerance from an Islamic viewpoint, as well as how it has historically and socially been used in the Ilorin Emirate and what that means for societal cohesion and peace.
Method: This study uses a qualitative methodology with thematic, historical, and textual analysis. Both original sources, such as the Qur'an and Hadith, and secondary sources, such as academic literature and historical documents pertaining to the Ilorin Emirate, are used to gather data.
Results: Justice (ʿadl), compassion (raḥmah), piety (taqwā), and wisdom (ḥikmah) are the four fundamental characteristics that shape religious tolerance in the Ilorin Emirate. Patterns of institutional integration, interfaith social interaction, and educational influence all reflect these ideas. The report also highlights important issues that jeopardize the longevity of tolerance, such as radical ideologies, political exploitation of religion, and socioeconomic disparity.
Conclusion: By connecting Islamic theological ideas with their real-world implementation in a regional setting, this study adds to the body of literature and shows how religion can be a basis for long-term interfaith harmony. The results emphasize how crucial it is to improve religious leadership, education, and interfaith communication in order to preserve social harmony in plural society.

Human Security, Philanthropy, and Sustainable Development in Northern Nigeria the Role of Islam

Muhammad Sani Mukhtar — 2026-03-31

Background: Poverty, food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and unemployment are just a few of the many human security issues Northern Nigeria faces. Although Islamic philanthropy has traditionally contributed to social welfare, little is known about its systematic role in sustainable development and human security.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate how Islamic charitable practices, such as zakat, waqf, and sadaqah, enhance aspects of human security and promote sustainable development outcomes in Northern Nigeria. Additionally, it looks for ways whereby state-led programs are enhanced by faith-based philanthropy.
Method: The study integrates document analysis, thematic synthesis, and literature evaluation using a qualitative analytical methodology. While the function of Islamic philanthropy is investigated through its religious, social, and institutional contexts, human security is evaluated across economic, food, health, and social dimensions.
Results: Results show that Islamic giving greatly reduces poverty, increases community stability, and promotes food and health security. While waqf and sadaqah offer long-term funding for emergency relief, healthcare, and education, zakat is the most effective tool. When taken as a whole, these tools serve as community-based social safety nets that support official development programs.
Conclusion: By combining Islamic generosity with the human security framework, this study adds to the body of literature by providing conceptual and useful insights for practice and policy. These results can be used by governments and charitable organizations to improve human security and resource allocation. To further validate these insights, future study may include comparative studies and empirical data.