Islamic Thought Review Journal Title : Islamic Thought Review (ITR) ISSN : 3025-695X (Online) DOI Prefix : Prefix 10.30983/itr by Editor in Chief : Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zulfan Tufik, M.Hum Managing Editor : Muallim Lubis, M.Pem.I Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi Frequency : 2 issues per-year (June and December) Citation Analysis : Scopus | SINTA | Google Scholar Islamic Thought Review (ITR) is an international, peer-reviewed academic journal that provides a platform for the study, analysis, and development of Islamic thought in contemporary contexts. Published by the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Da’wah, Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia, the journal is issued twice a year, in June and December, and follows a double-blind peer-review process to ensure scholarly excellence, integrity, and originality in every published article. ITR seeks to advance intellectual discourse on the theological, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions of Islam, encouraging both classical reflections and modern interpretations. It serves as an open forum for scholars, researchers, and students to explore the intersections of Islamic theology, philosophy, mysticism, and comparative religion, promoting dialogue between traditional Islamic scholarship and contemporary academic inquiry. The journal welcomes original research articles, theoretical analyses, and critical reviews that address fundamental and emerging issues in the discipline of Islamic thought. It particularly emphasizes contributions that present novel perspectives, methodological innovations, or new interpretations of classical and modern Islamic intellectual traditions. The focus and scope of Islamic Thought Review include, but are not limited to, Islamic Theology (‘Ilm al-Kalām), Islamic Philosophy (Falsafah Islāmiyyah), Sufism and Islamic Spirituality (Taṣawwuf), Comparative Religion and Interfaith Dialogue, Qur’anic and Prophetic Thought, Contemporary Islamic Discourse and Reform, and Epistemology and Methodology in Islamic Studies. Through these areas, ITR aims to contribute to the global academic conversation on Islam as an evolving intellectual tradition, highlighting the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Islamic reasoning in addressing universal human and ethical questions. As an open-access journal, Islamic Thought Review ensures that all published works are freely available to the global scholarly community, supporting the dissemination and visibility of Islamic studies worldwide. The journal adheres to the ethical standards established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and aspires toward inclusion in major international indexing databases to expand its reach and impact.
Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi
Salafism in Indonesia: Ideology, Identity, and Politics
This article investigates the ideological, identity-based, and geopolitical dynamics of the Salafist movement in Indonesia. Employing qualitative methods through an extensive literature review, the study utilizes Social Identity Theory as its primary analytical framework to examine how Salafi groups construct a distinct collective identity by asserting symbolic and doctrinal boundaries. To complement this framework, the concept of post-Islamism is interpretively applied to capture emerging tendencies within Indonesian Salafism that reveal greater flexibility, pragmatism, and selective engagement with democratic institutions. Findings indicate that while Salafi actors remain committed to doctrinal puritanism, they are simultaneously negotiating their presence in the broader Indonesian Islamic landscape through targeted digital da‘wah strategies and community integration efforts. Internal fragmentation and external socio-political pressures contribute to the development of more contextualized and fluid expressions of Salafism. Rather than a monolithic or static movement, Salafism in Indonesia constitutes a complex, evolving identity shaped by interactions among theology, digital media, state-religion relations, and global ideological currents.
Copyright (c) 2025 Islamic Thought Review https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
A Quranic View on The Belief-Oriented Standard of Human Ethics
This study explores the Qur’anic foundations of moral standards by examining the relationship between belief (ʿaqīdah) and morality as reflected in selected Qur’anic verses. Employing a thematic interpretation (tafsīr maudhū‘ī) through a descriptive-analytical method and inductive reasoning (istiqrā’), this research investigates how ethical conduct is shaped within the Qur'anic worldview. The key finding highlights that, according to the Qur’an, morality is inherently practical and action-oriented. It emphasizes the necessity of righteous deeds as a pathway to human nobility and true happiness. Moral obligations, in this context, are not abstract theories open to speculation, but imperatives that demand immediate implementation. The Qur’an positions revelation—not reason or custom—as the ultimate source of moral authority. Furthermore, the Qur’anic standard of ethical belief is deeply rooted in core theological principles such as tawḥīd (divine oneness), trust in God, sincere intention, and love, which collectively guide the moral conscience of a believer.
Copyright (c) 2025 Islamic Thought Review
Farid Esack's Hermeneutics and the Contextualization of Religious Texts: A Response to Social Inequality
This study explores Farid Esack’s hermeneutical approach to the contextualization of religious texts and its relevance in addressing social inequality. The research aims to analyze how Esack’s interpretive framework integrates liberation theology with Qur’anic exegesis to construct a socially engaged understanding of Islam. By adopting a qualitative library research design combined with conceptual analysis, this study examines Esack’s core principles, including his emphasis on historical consciousness, ethical responsibility, and the progressive nature of revelation. The analysis identifies three main components of Esack’s hermeneutics: the prioritization of marginalized voices in interpretation, the call for theological discourse to transcend metaphysical speculation and engage with concrete socio-political realities, and the insistence on praxis as an inseparable dimension of faith. The findings indicate that Esack advocates a liberationist reading of scripture, positioning theology as a normative framework for ethical action and structural transformation within pluralistic societies. These insights underscore the potential of Esack’s hermeneutics as a critical response to contemporary issues of justice and inequality. This study contributes to the broader discourse on Islamic hermeneutics, social ethics, and liberation theology by offering a conceptual model that bridges scriptural interpretation with commitments to social justice and human dignity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fathin Fauhatun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Judicial Sequestration in Al-Ghazali's Ethical Framework: An Islamic Perspective on Judicial Reform in Indonesia
Judicial independence is a foundational principle in ensuring the rule of law and public trust in the judiciary. In Indonesia, this principle faces serious challenges due to recurrent judicial corruption, as revealed by multiple bribery sting operations involving judges. This article examines the concept of judicial sequestration—the isolation of judges from external influences during adjudication—as a potential safeguard for judicial impartiality. Drawing upon Al-Ghazali’s ethical framework, the study argues that effective judicial reform must integrate moral virtues such as piety, independence, and resistance to political and personal pressures. The analysis employs a normative-legal and comparative approach, juxtaposing Al-Ghazali’s judicial ethics with sequestration practices in common law systems. The findings suggest that embedding Islamic ethical values within institutional reform frameworks can enhance judicial integrity and accountability. In particular, a culturally contextualized model of judicial sequestration may serve as a viable mechanism for strengthening judicial independence in Indonesia. This study contributes to ongoing discourse on legal reform by offering a synthesis of classical Islamic thought and modern judicial ethics.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khoiriyah Khoiriyah, Fauzan Muzakki https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Theology of Harmony in the Indonesian Context: Azyumardi Azra's Perspective
This study examines Azyumardi Azra’s perspective on the theology of harmony in the Indonesian context, particularly in addressing the dynamics of religious plurality and conflict. In the last two decades, Indonesia has witnessed serious cases of religious conflict, such as the Ambon conflict (1999–2002) and various sectarian tensions within Islam itself. For Azra, the theology of harmony reaches its culmination in the acceptance and practice of Pancasila as the state ideology, which provides a unifying foundation for different religions in Indonesia. This research employs a library study and character study approach to explore Azra’s ideas, focusing on his concept of Islamic inclusivism. The findings indicate that Azra situates harmony on two levels: doctrinal, which emphasizes the universality of Islamic teachings, and historical, which acknowledges the lived experiences of Indonesian Muslims in a plural society. Furthermore, he highlights the importance of local wisdom, such as the Minangkabau philosophy “dima bumi dipijak, di situ langik dijunjuang” (where the earth is stepped on, there the sky is upheld), which promotes contextual inclusivism without sacrificing core faith and practices. Thus, Azra’s theology of harmony offers a constructive framework for interreligious coexistence and national integration in Indonesia.
God, Nature, and Humanity in the Landscape of Lubuk Hitam Waterfall: A Seyyed Hossein Nasr Eco-Philosophy Perspective
This study investigates the relationship between God, nature, and humanity through the landscape of Lubuk Hitam Waterfall in Padang, West Sumatra, using Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s eco-philosophy. Historically, the waterfall was regarded as a sacred manifestation of God in nature, fostering a deep spiritual awareness of ecological balance within the local community. Over time, however, its meaning shifted from a sacred entity to a commercial object, reflecting an anthropocentric orientation and leading to environmental degradation. This research employs a qualitative-descriptive method with a philosophical-phenomenological approach to analyze this transformation. The findings reveal that the ecological crisis surrounding the waterfall mirrors a broader spiritual crisis among the community, particularly those managing the site. Restoring the disrupted relationship between God, nature, and humanity requires spiritual education that emphasizes nature as a manifestation of the Divine. Such an approach not only fosters ecological awareness but also encourages the protection and preservation of natural sites from exploitation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Galang Risky Maulana, Eliza Eka Putri, Putri Rahmadani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Al-Farabi's Political Ethics and Democratic Practices in Indonesia: A Study of Regional Election
This study explores the relevance of Al-Farabi’s political ethics in the practice of democracy in Indonesia, with a specific focus on regional elections as a manifestation of people’s sovereignty. Indonesia, as a democratic republic, grants its citizens the right to directly elect their leaders, reflecting the principles of political participation. However, in practice, regional elections are often marred by various problems such as money politics, negative campaigning, vote manipulation, and the rise of identity politics, which contradict the ideals of political ethics. Using a qualitative library research method with a philosophical approach, this study examines Al-Farabi’s ideas on political ethics and their application to contemporary democratic practices. The findings reveal that, first, Al-Farabi emphasizes that the foundation of political ethics lies in the ultimate goal of human life, namely happiness; second, political ethics serve as a means to achieve collective happiness as well as a moral compass for leadership; and third, the application of political ethics in Indonesia’s regional elections remains incomplete due to persistent ethical violations. This research underscores the importance of revisiting classical political thought as a normative framework for strengthening democracy and promoting ethical leadership in Indonesia.
Sufi Moral Teachings in Habiburrahman El-Shirazy's Ayat-Ayat Cinta: Relevance of Classical Ethics in the Age of Globalization
This article examines the Sufi moral teachings embedded in Habiburrahman El Shirazy’s novel Ayat-Ayat Cinta and their relevance to the challenges of ethical and spiritual life in the contemporary age of globalization. As global culture increasingly promotes materialism, individualism, and moral relativism, classical Sufi ethics—rooted in the cultivation of akhlaq al-karimah (noble character)—offer an alternative framework for restoring balance and spiritual depth in human life. This study employs a qualitative library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing upon primary data from the novel and secondary sources from classical Sufi scholars, especially Imam al-Ghazali. The findings reveal that El Shirazy integrates central Sufi virtues such as faqr (detachment from worldly attachments), sabr (patience in adversity), and tawakkul (trust in divine providence) into the narrative, particularly through the main character’s responses to personal and moral dilemmas. These values, while rooted in classical Islamic ethics, are presented in a way that resonates with modern readers, demonstrating the continued relevance of Sufi moral teachings in addressing ethical crises in the global era. Thus, Ayat-Ayat Cinta not only serves as popular Islamic fiction but also as a medium of da‘wah that recontextualizes timeless spiritual values for contemporary society.