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This thesis addresses practical Islamic applications to climate change by looking at a case study of an Islamic environmental NGO in Indonesia, LPBI-NU. A variety of qualitative research methods were used as part of the overarching approach adopted by the thesis. The case study of LPBI-NU was set in the context of issues such as the role of religion in addressing environmental degradation and the compatibility between religion and civil society. Though religion and civil society has long been deemed to be incompatible, this thesis argues that the urgency of today's environmental crises has made it a matter of critical importance to infuse civil society with a religious discourse. To take the argument beyond theory, an inquiry into LPBINU's operations sought to uncover useful lessons on how an Islamic organisation can participate in civil society to address climate change. The organisation, with its vision of bringing about rahmatan lil 'alamin (blessings to all mankind) via the application of tawassu' (moderation), tawazun (balance) and tasamu' (tolerance), showcases a promising strategy of engaging the Muslim masses by using the familiar vocabulary of the Qur'an on the one hand, and collaboration with the state to address practical policy issues on the other.

This study analyses affirmative action policies and programmes from the early 1970s to the end of the 1990s in Malaysia through the New Economic Policy (NEP) in light of Maqasid al-Shari'ah, namely daruriyat (essential), hajiyat (exigencies) and tahsiniyat (enhancement) and also from the perspective of Maqasid based ijtihad. The objectives of NEP are to increase the income level and employment across all sectors in society and to reduce and eliminate identification of race in certain industries in the economy. These policies are examined especially in the occupational sector and educational system where ethnic quota was practised and subsidies were granted to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned by the Malays and the Bumiputra. Five criteria of the daruriyat, namely, the protection of faith (al-Din), the protection of self (an-nafs), the protection of intellect (al-Aql), the protection of posterity (an-nasl) and the protection of wealth (al-Mal) are considered on whether affirmative action programmes fulfilled the criteria. Aspects from hajiyat and tahsiniyat were also looked into. Since affirmative action is a new phenomenon and there is no direct ruling from Al Qur'an and the Sunnah, then Maqasid based ijtihad are used. Imam al-Shatibi categorizes the Maqasid based ijtihad into four: there must be inseparability of texts and rulings from their intents, it needs to combine universal principles with evidence applicable to a particular case, the goals must be to achieve benefit and prevent harm and lastly the consideration of the outcomes. This study uses qualitative content analysis. It was found that affirmative action policies in Malaysia during the period of 1970s until the 1990s did not contradict Maqasid al-Shari'ah principle although there are no clear practices of it during the early Islamic period. There are advantages and disadvantages of practising these policies. Based on the results gained, it clearly shows that the advantages outweighed disadvantages. The affirmative action policies have been introduced to promote peace and equal distribution of wealth in this multi ethnic society in Malaysia. The thesis also calls for Islamic scholars to look at modern economic challenges in this era of nation state and to explore Maqasid based ijtihad further for the benefit of the ummah and the civilizational of Islam.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal is a well-known scholar whose main contribution is in the field of Hadith (Prophetic tradition). Besides, he is an absolute mujtahid in the field of Fiqh (Jurisprudence), an imam in Aqidah (articles of faith) and Tasawwuf (Sufism). His personality and Kitab al-Zuhd (Book of Asceticism) represent his contributions in the field of Sufism. This research attempts to examine his sufi personality and explain the Sufi doctrines rendered by him in this text. These sufi doctrines as identified by the researcher are: (1) The Doctrine of Repentance (al-Tawbah), (2) The Doctrine of Patience (al-Sabr), (3) The Doctrine of Gratitude (al-Shukr), (4) The Doctrine of Hope (al-Raja'), (5) The Doctrine of Fear (al-Khawf), (6) The Doctrine of Poverty (alFaqr), (7) The Doctrine of Asceticism (al-Zuhd), (8) The Doctrine of Divine Unity (al-Tawhid), (9) The Doctrine of Trust (al-Tawakkul), (10) The Doctrine of Love (alMahabbah), (11) The Doctrine of Piety (al-Taqwa), and (12) The Doctrine of Recollection (al-Dhikr). Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal has thus made a great work constituting a collection of materials on the principle of zuhd from the Prophets going down up to the generation of the Tabi'un (Successors). Explanations about Zuhd and Tasawwuf also form a part of the thesis. Other themes discussed in the thesis comprise the lifetime of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, and his Sufi teachers and companions.

Based specifically on al-Taqrib wal Irshad, this present study discusses al-Baqillani’s thoughts on Divine Speech which rejects the concept of the createdness of the Qur’ān. This issue which involves the relationship between kalam and usull al-fiqh, includes other related topics such as the speech of God and human beings, characteristics of speech, the origins of languages, and foreign words in the Qur’an. These aspects have been clarified by al-Baqillani’s in this work in his attempt to develop the legitimacy of the uncreatedness of the Qur’an in accordance with the theological position of the Al- Ash‘arīte school. He was one of those who initiated the intellectual initiative to deepen the level of intellectual discourse on some of the principle foundations in theological thought of the Ash‘ari school. In his intellectual undertaking in tackling this issue, he proves that he is not merely a simple compiler and polemist as claimed by the orientalist, Richard Joseph McCarthy. In fact it is clear that he deepened the level of discourse of the school on this issue and advanced further arguments in its favour, thus, providing effective answers to arguments against it in the relevant issues. I believe that this thesis will give prominence to the delineation of al-Baqillani’s original ideas on this issue of Divine Speech and its uncreated nature in mainstream Islamic theology.

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The Bangsamoro (Moro Nation) of Mindanao, Philippines, has seen turmoil since the 1520s. In its history, the Philippines was colonized by 3 different countries, adversely affecting both its non-Muslim and Muslim natives, including the Sulu Sultanate. After the colonizers had left, the Muslim Filipinos continued to face threats, experiencing attacks, warfare, and annexation of their lands at the hands of their fellow countrymen. Lack of total support from the Philippine government and its own internal leadership problems have led the Moro nation to where it is now, with political feuds, poverty, instability, and skirmishes between the government and the Muslim separatists still existing in many of its areas in Mindanao today. A few leadership issues within the Moro communities (i.e., corruption, inaccessibility, responsibility (or lack thereof), and nepotism) were identified in this case study, which seeks to investigate whether the Nasihat al-Muluk (Counsel for Kings), an ancient text written by the great scholar, Muhammad Al-Ghazali (1058-1111), can help solve leadership woes of the Moro nation. Through the use of the documentary analysis method, it has been discovered that Al-Ghazali's work pertaining to leadership conduct or administrative ethics can indeed be useful in resolving present leadership challenges of the Moro people. As Muslims themselves, the Moro leaders of today should seek more knowledge on good governance, both in practice and in theory, especially from Islamic sources, past and present, which are value-based. Therefore, it was recommended in the study that more Muslim leaders should strive to learn from the stories and wise sayings of this historical text by Al-Ghazali, a text whose foundation is from the Qur'an, Hadith, and Persian literary works. Other recommendations for the Moro leaders and for future research were also given at the end of the study.

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This dissertation centers on arrogance in the light of ‘Uthman Ibn Foduye's Shifa’al-Nufus. It aims at finding out the remedies for the disease of pride/arrogance that has been rampant among the people in contemporary Nigerian Muslim society. This research is based on analytical and critical approach to Shifa' al-Nufus of 'Uthman Ibn Foduye specifically on pride/arrogance. The analysis is not on words and terms, but rather on meaning and ideas with analysis and explanations given by the Mufassirun and other scholars. 'Uthman Ibn Foduye emerged in the late eighteenth century (18th century) with the mission to revive the Sunnah, and to eradicate innovations in Hausaland caused by the deviant teachings. This is the reason why he wrote on spiritual diseases in his book the Healing of the Soul. 'Uthman Ibn Foduye was influenced by al-Ghazali and particularly his ihya 'Ulum al-Din (Revival of the religious sciences). He wrote this treaty in order to make it easier for the people to know the destructive evils of the heart, so as to do what Allah loves and accepts, since pride is one of the attributes of Allah alone. Whoever shares the attributes of Allah will be thrown into Hell Fire. This dissertation is an invitation to the Muslim community to return to the teachings of 'Uthman Ibn Foduye whose Jama'a remained safe until the appearance of the British who destroyed the Khilafa and burnt many of his books for fear that they will inspire his people to rise against the oppressors

This research carries out a study on al-Maserʒs view on secularism. In fact, al-Masere has challenged the traditional proposition that 'secularism' is 'the separation of religion from state', and has deemed it 'simplistic or reductionist'; because, according to him, it overlooks the epistemological as well as the social underpinnings of the term. As such, he suggests a proposition, in lieu of the traditional one, that is all-encompassing able to represent all dimensions that are latent in 'secularism' and that have been overlooked consciously and unconsciously by western social scientists. As an antithesis to the traditional proposition, al-Masere maintains that secularism is a 'worldview'. Hence, the study examines the grounds on which al-Maserʒs claim rests and the methodology he followed in concluding such a finding. To understand how the term was traditionally perceived, the study presents a brief historical account of secularism and its development in the West and how it found its way to the Muslim world, with special reference to the Arab world. In addition, the study provides a conceptual framework with regard to the mainstream definitions of secularism. As far as al-Maserʒs perceptive on the subject matter is concerned, the study examines his life and thought to know how his thought developed and how this was to affect his view that secularism is a worldview and not only a political process. The study uses a qualitative and library based approach where data is exclusively sought from books and journals. Finally, the study concluded that there are many social phenomena in our Muslim societies that can be described as secularist, nonetheless, we are completely not only unaware of their presence but also involved deeply in it. Therefore, the study suggests that al-Maserʒs view needs to be taught in schools and universities in order to educate our children and the generation to come-the leaders of tomorrow, and make them aware of the epistemological underpinnings that secularism entails so that we can avoid, combat, and uproot them from our Muslim societies.

This research aims to identify the existence of the practice of Langgam Kato Nan Ampek (LKNA) amongst the contemporary Minangkabau artists and culture activists through their cultural dialectic process in Padang city, the Province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. The study is based on the lack of scientific resources found on LKNA practices as the principle of decency in the Minangkabau daily conversation, also as a guide to communicating the ancient community in their social interactions, which is now almost forgotten by the majority Minangkabaus. In the course of this research, data analysis involving 11 research subjects conducted through a Focus Group Discussion, and the other 11 subjects done through questionnaires, altogether were involving 22 artists and cultural figures. Three objectives are highlighted, namely; a) to assess Minangkabau artists and cultural activists’ current understanding of LKNA principles, b) to determine whether LKNA principles are still in practice within the contemporary Minangkabau artists and culture activists in their daily communication process, and c) to analyze the causes of erosion and fading of LKNA practices in the today’s life of Minangkabau artist and culture activists. Based on the research findings, there has been a misunderstanding amongst the subjects toward the use of LKNA reflecting the decline in the appreciation and understanding of these cultural figures in the actual practices of LKNA. Modernization in today’s time causing the practice of LKNA is getting eroded and faded in the life of these activists. Therefore, this research is considered very important as an effort to preserve the cultural heritage that contains high value of moral education, which also in-line with the Islamic teachings and that will be beneficial for future Minangkabau generations. The study will enrich the corpus of knowledge; the findings can be used as a reference material for those who wish to do further study on this topic. This LKNA study will also be useful for the policy-makers as a reference to create a syllabus to provide courses at various levels of schools such as for the purpose of student’s moral development.

This research studies the original Arabic version of Al-Khwārizmī’s Al- Mukhtasar fî HisÉb Al-Jabr wa'l-MuqÉbala and explanations of his work on Arithmetic KitÉb Al-Jem wa'l TafrÊq bi HisÉb Al-Hind which is available only in Latin under the title of Algoritmi de numero Indorum. This work has used secondary sources in the form of books, articles, and internet documentations. The methodology employed in this study is a qualitative analysis of the collected data. The primary focus of the research has been on Al-Khwārizmī’s overall contribution to mathematical sciences which eventually helped in the development of all branches of mathematics in the West. Although traditionally it has been known that algebra is an Arabic word and the use of the Arabic numerals originated through these studies, historians of mathematics have discovered that Muslim knowledge of mathematical schemes during the Medieval Times contributed to a great extent to the Renaissance in Europe. Al-Khwārizmī’s algebra is already included in contemporary educational curricula in universities and secondary schools, therefore, Al-Khwārizmī’s contribution to mathematics made him number one amongst the most celebrated mathematicians in the history of mankind. This study relates the pre-Islamic origins of mathematics and its development as an integral part during the Islamic civilization culminating with the creation of the academy of science called Bait Al-Hikmah. This study concludes by highlighting the essential principles Muslim should adapt to bridge the gap that separated between the Muslims' civilizational legacy and the present scientific and technological advancement of the West.

This study is intended to analyse al-Muwāfaqāt, the book of Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm b. Mūsa, well known as al-Shātibī (d.790A.H). The book by itself is a work on Islamic legal methodology. What makes the work distinctive is its discussion of the legal methodology on the basis of the comprehension of the universal principles of Sharīah. Thus this study is carried out by critically examining this literary contribution on Islamic legal methodology in view of the comprehensive understanding of the universal principles of Sharī ah together with translation of thirtee muqaddimāt (premises)of the book which are considered the prerequisites, as the author has emphasized, in contemplating the composition. Besides, a comparison with other prolific legal theorists, those before and after him, is not to be neglected that by such incorporation the study is to be more comprehensible and significant. The findings of this analytical study are that the nature of al-Shātibī’s Islamic legal thought based on the comprehensive perception of the intentions of Sharīah is not that of initiating the new spheres to interpreting the sources of Sharīah but a sort of the inherent contemplation on Sharīah. And also the concept of flexibility applied by al Shātibī in his exertion to face the challenge of the social change is the theory established on the apprehension of correlation between the general and particular meaning of Islamic legal proofs, not by the separation understanding.

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This study has extracted from Jalal ad-Din Rumi`s Mathnawi, an exposition of Islamic angelology - a cosmological discipline of essential importance in Islam. By honing in on couplets directly or indirectly referencing angels, and taking into account the antitheses of the non-angelic nature, a lattice of Islamic angelology was extracted from the Mathnawi. What was achieved was a distillation of Rumi`s understanding of the relationship between Allah and His creation, the man-angel connection, and the cosmological status of both angel and man. The study found that Rumi was of the mindset that if one is to perceive the truth, then the angelic light is the lens through which one must view the cosmos, for the angelic intellect is primed to aid the lover (man) in seeking his Beloved (Allah). The angels are lovers of the Adamic soul, fosterers of the human spirit - they are the well-wishers and devotees of man. The destinies of man and angel are inextricably intertwined, hence man cannot deny the angelic presence if he is to realise his potential as Allah`s khal?fa (vicegerent). A correct understanding of the Creator and His Creation is only possible if one listens with the heart to the angelic inspirations, and follows in the footsteps of the prophets.

Many studies have been conducted on ethics and moralities regarding animals. However, little research has been done on animal care with particular reference to unwanted pets from the Islamic perspective. This study uses a library-based research approach, where data was exclusively sought from books and journals, which are mainly based on the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, Sunnah, and views of Muslim scholars. Numerous scholars around the world have implemented several approaches concerning animal welfare. Some controversial issues on unwanted animals are also discussed from the viewpoints of modern scholars. The Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah provide guidelines on how to treat animals. Thirty five different kinds of animals are mentioned in the Holy Al Qur'an. Several Islamic manuscripts also mention that animals have their own rights and humans are responsible for their welfare. In this thesis, numerous issues concerning unwanted pets such as animal abuse, animal overpopulation, and animal assistant therapy have been discussed from the Islamic viewpoint. It is hoped that the information obtained from this study would be noted and incorporated in making treatment choices and dealing with issues of unwanted pets. This study answers various misunderstanding regarding animal care, with particular focus on the issues of unwanted pets.

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