Intellectual Discourse (Journal)
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Islamic Financing in Mitigating Access to Financing Problems of SMEs in Malaysia: A Survey Analysis
Full text linkThe SMEs worldwide face the biggest problem in accessing financial assistance. By surveying selected SMEs in Malaysia, this study found similar cases as they are also facing the same problem because of a lack of collateral. Investigating the feasibility of Islamic financing schemes in providing financial aids to SMEs, this study found that several Islamic financial schemes are preferred by SMEs depending on the risk profile of SMEs. These Islamic financial schemes can build a firm liaison with SMEs in realizing the Maqasid al Shari’ah and simultaneously offer paths to better distribute wealth and prosperity among SMEs and the funders as well. This study contributes significantly to the literature as it provides insights to the nature of the SMEs and the bridge built between the SMEs and the Islamic financing schemes as to realize the Islamic social financing aim as a whole
Beyond capitalism: A critique of Max Weber’s general understanding of the Islamic discourse
Full text linkThis article evaluates Max Weber’s overall analysis of Islam. Despite his efforts to be objective, Weber’s analysis was entrenched within a similar Orientalist discursive framework present among other Western scholars who studied non-Western traditions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After a review of the existing literature on Weber’s understanding of Islam and its relation to capitalism, this article critically explores other aspects of Weber’s conclusions about Islam that are equally problematic. Weber glosses over many centuries of variegated Islamic cultural history to provide a universalist account of the Islamic civilisation that reduces it to a general meta-discourse. He regularly ignores many of the more localised, regional Islamic cultural traditions altogether. As a result, Weber fails to meaningfully account for the many nuances and idiosyncrasies constitutive of the broader Islamic tradition. This article argues that Weber’s account of Islam shows a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding on his part
An appraisal of Shaykh Kishk’s khuṭbah presentation
Full text linkShaykh Kishk’s pulpit sermons dominated the political scene in Egypt and beyond. For 20 years (1961–1981) when he held sway at the ‘Ayn al-Ḥayāt Mosque in Cairo as the Imam, Kishk’s fearless sermons were a reference point to his admirers and the less privileged. He was actively involved in the campaigns for socio-political justice in Egypt. This blind Egyptian scholar was imprisoned twice because of his powerful Friday sermons that often led to public outrage against the despotic governments throughout the Middle East. Though the Egyptian Government appointed him as an employee Imam, he refused to be silenced by the government-prepared sermons until he was sacked in 1981. The significance of his khuṭbah (sermon) lies in their relevance to the socio-political situations in most Gulf countries. This paper navigates the content and style of Kishk’s khuṭbah presentation
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: An Islamic critique
Full text linkAbraham Maslow’s model of the hierarchy of needs is pervasive in many academic specialisations. After a short description of the model, this article summarises the existing criticisms. While criticism on the empirical validity of the model and its ethno-centricity are frequently mentioned in the literature, the authors of this article give special focus on the missing consideration of the spiritual aspect of human existence in Maslow’s model. The study explores reasons for the commodification of the model (i.e. the divorcing of the model from its substance and using it simply as a commodity) and the non-consideration of Maslow’s later changes. Special focus is laid on the usage of this model in marketing, given its position as a field which embodies the capitalist perspective so completely through, particularly, advertising but also through the conceptualisation of people. The article describes the model’s diverse reception in Muslim academic circles. It offers an Islamic critique of both its foundations and its usage. The study concludes that attempts at harmonising the model with the higher objectives (maqāṣid) of the Sharī‘ah do not do justice to either model
Response to Islamophobia in the Arabic Islamic discourse: A critical discourse Analysis
Full text linkIn the aftermath of September 11, Muslim scholars made numerous attempts to explain Islamophobia from the Islamic perspective; they presented arguments that are not addressed in the Western narrative. Two texts in Arabic by the prominent Muslim preacher, Mohammad Hassan and by the Muslim orator Fadhel Sliman are analysed from a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) viewpoint. This analysis aims to demonstrate how language is inextricably linked with ideology. This paper demonstrates that textual strategies in the Arabic Islamic discourse and their ideological implications show distinct characteristics some of which add to the present literature on discourse. The aim of the chosen texts is to educate and create solidarity between the speakers and the audience in fighting Islamophobia. The reliance of the speakers on tactics such as quoting from the Holy Qur’ān and ḥadīth to defend Islam, and choice of words and sentence structures may instigate discussions about the persuasive power of the Arabic Islamic narrative
Criteria of Sharī‘ah supervisory committee: A comparative study between guidelines of Bangladesh Bank and Bank Negara Malaysia
Full text linkIslamic banking and finance differs from conventional banking and finance in that it follows the rules of Sharī‘ah. In order to ensure that Islamic banking and finance follows the Sharī‘ah rulings, it is essential for it to have a Sharī‘ah supervisory board. An important duty of this board is to determine that the products, services, policies, guidelines and all other activities performed by the Islamic bank, are in compliance with the Sharī‘ah rulings. To perform their duty properly, the members of this board should possess certain criteria. Bangladesh Bank has spelled out some guidelines for these criteria briefly. Likewise, Bank Negara Malaysia has provided some guidelines. The main objectives of this research paper are to highlight the guidelines of these two banks on these criteria, compare them and evaluate them in light of Sharī‘ah guidelines on these criteria spelled out by contemporary Muslim jurists
Ibn Ḥazm’s theory of prophecy of women: Literalism, logic, and perfection
Full text linkStopping short of declaring a specific number, the Qur’ān states that God has sent many prophets/messengers to various nations. Among the names listed in the Qur’ān, none is clearly identified as a woman. Nevertheless, on numerous occasions the Qur’ān states that certain female figures have received inspiration from God. Ibn Ḥazm (d. 456/1064) argues that, by virtue of their reception of authentic inspiration, these female figures were prophets. They were the mothers of the prophets Isḥāq, Mūsā, and ‘Īsā, as well as the wife of Fir‘awn. The study identifies philological, God’s inspiration, logical, and perfection concept as four approaches Ibn Ḥazm used for his arguments. Upon critical analysis, we conclude that, although logically presented in accordance to his ẓāhirī (literalist) dispensation, Ibn Ḥazm’s theory of the prophecy of women lacks sufficient Qur’ānic support. Beginning with Ibn Ḥazm’s brief background and his ẓāhirī tendency, the study critically engages Ibn Ḥazm’s own theory, and comprehensively analyses the four approaches employed for his conclusions
Framing Islam-related issues during GE13: An analysis of Malaysian mainstream newspapers
Full text linkAbstract: The two major political coalitions in Malaysia are Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which are dominated by the Malay-Muslim majority. During the 13th national election, to gain public votes, the government used mainstream newspapers to frame Islam-related issues. This research focuses on the characterisation and information reported about Islam and Muslims during the 13th General Election. Using content analysis, we examine the coverage of such issues by the mainstream newspapers: Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, and The Star. This analysis aims to provide a holistic review of the scope of the coverage during the period with a focus on how the Malaysian government framed Islam-related issues through the print media in order to gain the Malay votes. A total of 178 news articles were analysed, from which we found that 15 dominant issues were reported in the newspapers during that period. Among the most frequently reported Islam-related issues were hudud (prescribed punishments), Islamic state, and kalimah Allah (the word “Allah”), which were predominantly covered by the Malay newspapers. In addition, the data indicated that most of the news were inclined towards supporting the ruling coalition, i.e., Barisan Nasional