Al-Kashaf

Stipulation of Faith in the View of Recrudescence of Asceticism: A Comparative Study of Sahl Al-Tustari and Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Sobia Shehzadi, Dr. Sanaullah Hussain — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In today’s modern era where the world of materialism and self-centeredness is plagued everywhere the lack of understanding of religion has thrown Muslims into the terrible trap of Satan. Therefore, it is proposed that Tasawwuf is the great exponent of the aesthetic side of Islam. Through this, the glory of Islam has been fully revealed. Its radiant and bright part is that all material of the spuriousness is derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah or is compatible with them. The bright side of the anecdotes derived by Sophia is that they enlighten the heart and soul, lighten the mind and vision, and renew faith and belief. What can be more proof of ‏Mysticism in the Holy Qur'an than the fact that the purpose of Shariat has been declared to be piety and the purpose of human birth has been stated to be the worship and praise of Allah Almighty. Human activities and relationships can be divided into three broad areas: (1) Man's relationship with himself. (Self-purification) (2) Man's relationship with his Creator. (Ehsan). In this article, we highlighted some aspects of faith with the help of two Sufi commentaries namely, "The meaning of the holy Quran" by Abdullah Yusuf Ali and "Tafsir al Tustari" by Sahl b. ʿAbd Allah al-Tustari . They both defined comprehensively the intellectual thought of spiritualism with respect of belief and faith of a Muslim.

The Promotion of Mindfulness-based Interventions as a Panacea for Mental Health Issues: Social, Political and Ethical Implications

Anggita Dini Wulandari, Saima Ali — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are being increasingly used as a form of complementary and alternative medicine to improve mental wellbeing. Being relatively safe and cost-effective, they have gained popularity in various settings including healthcare, workplace and schools where they are used to treat anxiety, stress, depression, psychosis, insomnia, addiction, hypertension and pain. Additionally, they are fast becoming a favoured regimen in the treatment of substance abuse, binge eating, problem gambling and anti-social behaviours. However, mental health is complex and dependent on many factors. Consequently, the promotion of MBIs as the panacea for mental wellbeing is contentious for three main reasons: firstly, it pins down the individual as solely responsible for their mental woes; secondly, it underplays the organisational and social determinants of mental health issues and the collective measures needed to address them; and thirdly, far from being value-free, it promotes a particular worldview and way of life in the public sphere.

Experiential Learning: A Dynamic Aspect of Iqbal’s Philosophy of Development of Khudi

Amina Murad Murad, Dr. Sarwat Nauman, Dr. Muhammad Abid Ali — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This qualitative paper investigates Iqbal’s dynamic concept of experiential learning presented in his philosophy of khudi through phenomenological study. The historical and philosophical foundations of experiential learning and the relevance of Iqbal’s ideas to contemporary education are explored through in-depth phenomenological interviews of twenty young adolescents about their perception of experiential learning and how it helps to develop their khudi (individuality). Content analysis of Iqbal’s anthology of sixteen poems, ‘Asrar-i-Khudi’ and some selected works from Iqbal’s prose and poetry was also undertaken to draw Iqbal’s ideas of experiential learning and its role in the development of khudi. Selected secondary sources, including research papers, articles, books, and other scholarly analyses of Iqbal’s works were also used. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three themes; the role of environment, the role of action, and the role of trial and error in experiential learning which endorse Iqbal’s ideas of experiential learning and the factors that facilitate it. Iqbal has emphasized active experiential learning for the development of khudi as only a dynamic personality in interaction with the environment and material world will reach his full potential. Results also reveal that like Iqbal, adolescents also perceive experiential learning as providing opportunities to construct their concepts, unleash their creative powers in a free environment and take responsibility for their actions. According to Iqbal, all new developments in science, arts and culture are also the result of an active self. Recommendations are given for the implications of Iqbal's concept of experiential learning for teaching and learning practices in diverse educational settings through well-formed policies and their implementation in classroom settings through thoughtfully designed curricula that allow individual learners to actively participate in their learning and self-growth.

Keywords: experiential learning, khudi, self-realization, Iqbal’s educational philosophy, active learning

Historical Roots of Westophobia & Its Impacts on Muslim Literature (An Analysis in the Context of Indian-Subcontinent)

Afshan Naz, Dr. Syeda Sadia — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bleak geopolitical maneuvering, and primordial accounts of cultural clashes have ever been generating a tense ambiance among different civilizations specially between Islam and the West, though this edgy atmosphere accentuated with the succession of Crusade and debauched Orientalists discourse but the most violent conflict prevailing in the world is based on “Xenophobia”, and “Racism”, which not only stimulated Islamophobia but also created the surge of anti-Western sentiments and detestation for the West named “Westophobia” in Muslim majority countries. West has been dominating in farm of colonialism for several hundred years in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and this western hegemony became the font of aversion as West has ever tried to pin down Islam and its spirits, creating crucial predicament for the Muslims. Regarding Indian Subcontinent, the imperialists policies weighed down the subjugated by imprecating their social, ideological and intellectual values as a result literature that plays influencing role in the societies, its drift turned into convulsed phases as Tefseer, hadith fiq, and literature addressing socio-political issues were emerged into different themes and trends. Since then, the ostensible trading of the west turned into military hostility and superiority complex and dominated over whole structure of the subcontinent, Muslims literati came through the propensity of thoughts due to this ideological and political subjugation, thus they responded Western restraints and modern thought by adopting different approaches and contents. On one hand ,resistance literature was started to emerge by those scholars who perceived West as adversative for the real spirit of Islam, they started to counter Western encroachment for preserving culture and Islamic legacy while on the other hand, under the deeper tendencies of rationalism, intellectuals remained unleash in concurring imbued modern western ethos and cynical conjectures of the secularists at that extent even the denial of Hadith and Miracles, Tehreef-e-A’yāt, and promulgation of schism were materialized. Further the skeptical secularism, crude atheism, promotion of obscenity and naturalism under the helm of imperialism and even conspiracy theory against Islam, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of the Muslim globally stepped up the surge of Westophobia. Thus, in this paper by utilizing qualitative approach, historical and analytical research method has been espoused to explore and provide an overview of the chronological incursion behind Westophobia and its impacts on Muslim literati’s approaches and reaction in different phases of colonial literature.

Character-Building Pillars in Society: Role of Mosque in Muslim Society

Dr. Sajjad Ahmad, Javiria Kokab, Hammad Ali — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The mosque stands as a foundational pillar within Muslim society, offering far more than a mere place of worship. Serving as a multifaceted institution, it plays a vital role in educating and mentoring individuals across various aspects of life. Beyond its primary function of facilitating religious rituals, the mosque serves as a communal hub, providing essential services to travelers, offering educational opportunities, assuming media roles, and delivering various community services. This paper delves into the pivotal role of the mosque as a character-building unit within Muslim society. Employing a qualitative research methodology, it explores this role by drawing upon Islamic history and exemplifying its significance through relevant role models. Through a comprehensive exploration of the mosque's multifaceted contributions, this study sheds light on its profound impact on the moral and ethical development of individuals within the Muslim community.

نعمتوں کے ذریعے اللہ کی کبریائی کے دلائل، سورہ ملک کا تخصیصی مطالعہ

Saira Khalid, Dr. Nasurullah Qureshi — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Surah Al-Mulk, the 67^th chapter of the Quran clarifies attributes of Almighty Allah. He is the ultimate Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The aim of this research is to abstract the verses related to the Majesty of Allah. The sovereignty of Allah is absolute, that is, His dominion over everything. In the beginning of Surah Al-Mulk, Allah has described His glory in various aspects, including the sky, the earth, the day, the sun, the moon and man. All these things are clear signs of Allah’s glory. Surah Al-Mulk teaches that knowing about of Allah's power transforms our lifestyle. It encourages humility, gratitude, and a sense of accountability. The surah's emphasis on the temporary nature of this world prompts a detachment from materialism and a focus on the eternal. Understanding that life is a test motivates us to live with purpose, choosing deeds that align with His guidance. This research is focused on comprehensive exploration of the Majesty of Allah Almighty. It delves into the Creator's dominion, the signs in the universe as reflections of His greatness. This study deals with the current development of the science and issues related to them. As contemporary scientific developments, influence believers to explore and appreciate the majesty of Allah Almighty. The findings of this research reveal thoughtful impacts on believers. It adopts spiritual depth, humility, and ethical living. Such understanding brings psychological comfort and resilience.

مغرب اور اسلاموفوبیا: اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں تنقیدی مطالعہ

Dr. Muzaffar Ali, Kiran Sultan — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The term "Islamophobia" is a portmanteau of "Islam" and "phobia," signifying an unjustifiable fear and negative perception of Islam. Though a contemporary concept, its roots extend deep into history. This paper investigates diverse schools of thought on Islamophobia, examining the historical and religious underpinnings that have fueled its proliferation in the Western world. It explores the key historical events and contemporary factors that have contributed to the surge of Islamophobia. Subsequently, Misconceptions about Islam play a pivotal role in propagating this prejudice. The Western world's apprehension about the growth of the Muslim population and Muslim unity is often linked to unwarranted associations between Islam and terrorism. These misconceptions fuel Islamophobia, fostering an environment of hostility and adversity for Muslims living in minority communities. Hence, the research methodology in this study relies on a comprehensive review of existing literature and the analysis of previous theses on the subject. This approach serves as both a data collection tool and informs data analysis. Therefore, building on previous research and literature, this paper not only raises awareness about the issue but also presents viable solutions. It advocates for the importance of Muslims in the East and West to be cognizant of their human rights and encourages respectful and compassionate engagement with both Muslim and non-Muslim communities. In this digital age, the paper underscores the potential of digital media as a means to portray the positive aspects of Islam to the Western world, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious coexistence.