Intellectual Discourse (Journal)
Not a member yet
597 research outputs found
Sort by
Academic dishonesty and misconduct: Curbing plagiarism in the Muslim world
Get PDFPlagiarism is the theft of someone’s ideas or language, and is a form of cheating which is morally and ethically unacceptable. This study analyses the nature of plagiarism from an Islamic perspective and its prevalence in institutions of higher learning in the Muslim world, especially among faculty members. It also examines the ways in which universities attempt to minimise or marginalise plagiarism. This study is warranted by the fact that there is relatively very little research on the issue of plagiarism at universities in the Muslim world and that existing research seldom addresses the issue of academics engaged in such unethical practices. Based upon existing surveys, interviews, and documentary sources, the study found that in earlier periods, standards were not inevitably lower than those that exist today and that the scope for condemning plagiarists has always existed. It also found that despite Islam’s loathing, the incidence of plagiarism has grown significantly among Muslim students and faculty members in the Muslim world. The response to plagiarism varies from country to country. Some Muslim countries tolerate plagiarism, while others are taking steps to curb it. Institutions in Malaysia approach the problem of plagiarism as a matter of morality and crime that emphasise the need to develop writing and researching skills. They resort to honour codes, emphasise law and enforcement, and teach ways to write and cite. However, the success of these methods needs to be further probed
Prophetic niche in the virtuous city: The concept of ḥikmah in early Islamic thought. By Hikmet Yaman
Get PDFTheological approaches to Qur’anic exegesis: A practical comparative-contrastive analysis. By Hussein Abdul-Raof
Get PDF
Computer Literacy among University Academic Staff: The Case of IIUM
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to investigate the nature and extent of computing skills of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) faculty members. A questionnaire was used to elicit information regarding computer literacy from a sample of 114 faculty members. The study shows that the level of computer literacy among IIUM faculty members is quite low: most of them have been using computers for word processing only. Other computer applications are being used by a limited number of academic staff. Irrespective of the existing level of computer literacy, almost all academic staff showed interest in attending computer courses
AI-Ghazālī’s Ṣūfīsm: A Critical Appraisal
No full textThis paper aims at investigating al-Ghazālī’s ideas on ṣūfīsm, including his epistemological, ethical, philosophical and spiritual views. It analyses and evaluates al-Ghazāli's views on kashf, ecstatic utterances, the criteria for judging ecstatic utterances, virtues and vices, free will, fate and divine decree seclusion, intention, states and stations such as asceticism, love and contentment. The paper also discusses the question of which methodology is appropriate for investigating mystical phenomena, and whether it is possible for a non-ṣūfī to have access to the sūfī world. Furthermore, the paper attempts to show that much can be gained from Sunni taṣawwuf, which al-Ghazālī may be considered to represent, since he emphasizes the importance of spiritual deeds, and that worship must be accompanied by internal states such as good intentions and sincerity. Al- Ghazālī also emphasizes the importance of morality, contributes greatly to moral psychology i. e., mechanism of the soul, and shows remarkable insight into the diagnosis and treatment of the illnesses of the soul
Women’s Participation in Scientific and Technical Field in Malaysia
Get PDFThe scientific and technical fields are generally dominated by men. Women tend to shy away from using technical devices and from trying to understand the principles behind their operation. One of the major reasons for their seemingly lack of interest is the lack of encouragement from their family and society. This paper discusses the steps taken by a country, namely, Malaysia, to encourage its female population to venture into this area. Policies were created by the government for this purpose. Great emphasis is given on education, which is one of the important factors influencing one's choice of vocation. In its process of restructuring the society, the government has effectively increased the involvement of women particularly the Muslims in the professional and technical fields as the vast opportunities are provided for them to pursue their studies in this area. There is a marked increase in the number of female student intake in technical and vocational institutions. There is also an increase in the number of females in related fields such as accountancy, engineering, architecture and medicine. The ratio of male to female involvement has however not changed much when the figures are analysed
Scientific and Technological Underdevelopment and Militarization in the Muslim World
Get PDFThe Muslim world is characterized, in part, by the persistent neglect of research and training in basic as well as applied sciences. There is neither appreciation nor the felt need for indigenous science and technology. This state of affairs is largely due to the nature of weak state formation, perceived elite illegitimacy and consequent militarization of the state. Militarization has deprived the Muslim world of its resources which could have been deployed in more productive services. As such, there is a marked increase in the signs of decay in the Muslim world exemplified by crumbling infrastructures, broken down communications, abandoned projects, and consequent increasing perception of the illegitimacy of those in power. Until the Muslim world succeeds in breaking the vicious cycle of illegitimacy leading to militarization, bringing about further illegitimacy, science and technology cannot prosper