Journal of Islamic Civilization and Culture Review
Journal of Islamic Civilization and Culture Review (JICCR) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes transdisciplinary research on Islam as a civilization, cultural system, and lived socio-political reality. The journal integrates perspectives from history, cultural and religious studies, Islamic thought, political governance, and security and peace studies to advance critical and globally relevant scholarship on Muslim societies. Published biannually, JICCR emphasizes analytically rigorous, interdisciplinary, and comparative studies that connect classical Islamic intellectual heritage with contemporary challenges. The journal aims to foster international scholarly dialogue and contribute to broader debates within the humanities and social sciences through high-quality and accessible academic publishing.
From Gambus to Solo Guitar: Acculturation and Islamic Cultural Identity in Coastal Lampung
Despite extensive studies on Islamization, gambus traditions, and musical modernization in Indonesia, limited attention has been given to the integrated historical and ethnomusicological process through which gambus transformed into the Lampung Pesisir solo guitar within the socio-cultural context of the Lampung Saibatin community. This study addresses this gap by examining the transformation of gambus into Lampung Pesisir solo guitar through the interconnected processes of Islamization, cultural adaptation, and modernization. Using a descriptive qualitative approach grounded in ethnomusicological inquiry, data were collected through literature review, participatory observation, in-depth interviews with seven informants, and documentation conducted between 2018 and 2025 in coastal Lampung. The findings reveal that gambus was introduced through Islamic missionary networks and subsequently localized into gambus lunik before undergoing further transformation into gitar tunggal as a creative response to modernization and weakening intergenerational transmission. Rather than representing cultural decline, the emergence of Lampung solo guitar demonstrates a process of adaptive continuity in which Islamic values, communal ethics, and local identity were sustained through changing musical forms. The novelty of this study lies in integrating historical and ethnomusicological perspectives within a layered transformation model (gambus–gambus lunik–solo guitar), while theoretically contributing to discussions of musical creolization and cultural acculturation by showing that modernization may function not only as disruption but also as a mechanism of cultural revitalization and continuity.
Copyright (c) 2026 Novri Rahman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Reaffirming Human Rights in the Qur’ān and Sunnah
This article aims to elaborate on the views of Islamic law on human rights through the deductive methodologies. The overall idea of this article is to take the Islamic worldview as a background and cite relevant contents such as the Qur’ānic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him ) and his Companions (may Allāh’s pleasure on them), as well as to study the topic through understanding contents generated during the development of Islamic jurisprudence (7th-10 century AD.), in order to truly reflect human rights under the justice of Islam, that is, applying the metaphysics and physics of Islamic teachings as the basic theory to construct a harmonious human rights system, where the rights and obligations of multiple religions, races, and cultures can certainly coexist in any society of any state. However, for the theory and practice of human rights, this article not only reflects on the decline of Islamic civilization and the subsequent consequences of the Muslim world being controlled and dominated by various colonial forces, but also conducts self-criticism.Through calfuly and deeply study, it can be concluded that human rights under the Islamic legal system are not only a detailed and wide-ranging framework, but also a network of interconnected and complementary rights and obligations, becase under the Islamic legal system, the emphasis on human rights is seen as an essential component of a complete cosmic system.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wang Yongbao (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Unveiling the Silence: The Crucial Role of Muslim Intellectuals in Promoting Peace within Islam
In an era of escalating anti-Islamic sentiments, the absence of vocal engagement from Muslim intellectuals unintentionally facilitates recruitment efforts of extremists targeting Muslim youth. Extremist groups exploit a narrative positioning themselves as the sole defenders of Islam, distorting its essence and fuelling further radicalisation. Despite the potential for religions to foster peace, the silence of Muslim intellectuals creates a void exploited by extremist groups, hindering peace efforts within Islam. This study explores the reasons behind this silence and emphasises the critical role of Muslim intellectuals in promoting peace within their religion. Through an extrapolation analysis of existing data and literature, this study identifies challenges and perceptions of tolerance in Islam, the role of religion and religious figures in peace-making, and strategies for countering misconceptions about the rejection of violence by Islam. The findings reveal a lack of confidence among Muslim intellectuals, intensified by pervasive Islamophobia and dilemmas in advocating for peace amidst political polarisation. Therefore, urgent action is needed to empower Muslim intellectuals in supporting the message of peace and countering extremist narratives within Islam, thereby contributing to global peace efforts.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Salih Mustafa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Epistemological Integration in the Islamic Golden Age: Reassessing Muslim Contributions to Global Science
This study examines the epistemological model of knowledge integration developed by Muslim scholars during the Islamic Golden Age and its contribution to global scientific development. Previous studies on Islamic science have largely focused on descriptive-historical narratives and have not sufficiently explored the integration of revelation, rationality, and empirical inquiry within Islamic scientific traditions. In addition, many historiographical accounts continue to portray Muslim scholars primarily as transmitters of Greek knowledge within a Eurocentric framework. This study employs a qualitative library research approach using intellectual history as its analytical framework. Data were collected from classical Muslim scientific works, historical manuscripts, and contemporary historiographical studies and analyzed through thematic content analysis and critical historiographical interpretation. The findings reveal that scientific development in the Islamic world involved not only the preservation of earlier intellectual traditions but also epistemological reconstruction and methodological innovation. Muslim scholars developed a holistic scientific paradigm integrating revelation, rational reasoning, and empirical observation, contributing significantly to advancements in mathematics, medicine, astronomy, optics, and philosophy. Furthermore, the transmission of Islamic scientific traditions to Europe occurred through complex processes involving translation movements, educational institutions, intercultural exchanges, and intellectual mobility across civilizations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Syarif Bahaudin Mudore, Moh Restu Hoeruman, Muhammad Shaleh Assingkily, Andi Nurindah Sari, Rahman Subha, Mustapa Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Iran-India Scientific Interactions in the Field of Medicine during the Abbasid Caliphate: The Role of Gundishapur in Transmitting Indian Medical Heritage to the Islamic World
India is recognized as one of the earliest centers for the formation and flourishing of medical knowledge in the ancient world. This study, employing a library-based approach with a descriptive-analytical methodology, investigates the scientific interactions between Iran and India, with a specific emphasis on the role of Gundishapur in transmitting Indian medical heritage to the Islamic world. The findings indicate that Indian medical knowledge, particularly from the Sasanid era, entered the scientific sphere of Iran via Gundishapur. Here, it either integrated with or influenced existing medical schools. Indian physicians possessed significant expertise and experience in areas such as psychological medicine, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. This knowledge, through connections with Gundishapur, subsequently influenced medicine during the Islamic period. Furthermore, with the expansion of Islam and the conquest of India, certain Indian medical ideas and teachings found their way into the courts of the Abbasid Caliphs, and a number of Indian physicians served as medical advisors to the Caliphs. In light of the Translation Movement and the Abbasids’ attention to medical sciences, several Sanskrit and Pahlavi texts were translated into Arabic. Consequently, Gundishapur served as a crucial intermediary, facilitating the transmission and development of a segment of Indian medical knowledge within Islamic civilization.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad Hashemimehr, Farah Ahad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Women, Faith, and Educational Leadership in Colonial Asia: The Case of Rahmah El Yunusiyah
This article examines the educational leadership of Rahmah El Yunusiyah in colonial Indonesia, with particular attention to her contribution to Muslim women’s education in Southeast Asia. Using a historical qualitative method based on published historical studies, documentary sources, and interpretive analysis, the study explores how Rahmah El Yunusiyah developed Diniyah Puteri as an alternative educational institution for girls under colonial rule. The findings show that her leadership was expressed through three main strategies: building an institution outside colonial educational priorities, legitimizing women’s education through Islamic values, and combining religious instruction with modern pedagogical practices. These strategies enabled Rahmah not only to challenge colonial and patriarchal restrictions at the local level, but also to offer a model of Muslim women’s education that gained wider recognition in the Malay-Indonesian world. Her contribution to Southeast Asia lies in demonstrating that Islamic schooling for girls could become a legitimate space for women’s intellectual formation, social participation, and leadership development. The study argues that Rahmah El Yunusiyah represents a non-Western model of educational leadership rooted in faith, social reform, and women’s empowerment. This case contributes to broader discussions on women’s leadership, Islamic education, and the history of education in colonial Asia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Oki Dermawan, Zohaib Hassan Sain, Saim Kayadibi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Prophet Muhammad’s Strategies Against Islamophobia: Historical Lessons for Modern Societies
This study examines the strategies employed by Prophet Muhammad to respond to hostility, misrepresentation, and social exclusion, and explores their relevance for addressing Islamophobia in contemporary societies. The research investigates how attitudes comparable to Islamophobia were managed during the Meccan and Medinan periods and identifies historically grounded lessons applicable to modern pluralistic contexts. Using a qualitative historical approach, the study analyzes primary Islamic sources including the Qur’an, Hadith literature, and classical Sirah works, supported by contemporary academic scholarship. The findings reveal that the Prophet’s responses to fear-driven hostility were structured around ethical patience, nonviolent engagement, dialogue, and community-centered responsibility. In the Meccan period, moral restraint and ethical conduct functioned as strategies for maintaining legitimacy under conditions of persecution. In the Medinan period, principles of pluralism, inclusive governance, and shared civic responsibility were institutionalized to manage diversity and social cohesion. The study argues that these strategies form a coherent framework for addressing prejudice and exclusion. By interpreting Prophetic experience through an analytical lens, this article contributes to contemporary Islamophobia scholarship and offers ethically grounded insights for promoting coexistence and social harmony in modern multicultural societies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Nadir, Khaliq Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Plural Subject Theory and the Common Good: A Human Rights Critique in Dialogue with Islamic Political Thought
This paper critically examines Margaret Gilbert's plural subject theory through the objective of human rights and the concept of the common good. Gilbert's plural subject theory offers a thrilling account of collective agency grounded in joint commitment, explaining how individuals form unified agents capable of coordinated action and shared responsibility. However, despite its analytical strength, the theory remains normatively limited in addressing the moral status of non-members and the principle of universal human equality. This study adopts a conceptual and normative philosophical methodology to develop a human rights-based critique of plural subject theory. It argues that while joint commitments smooth social cohesion and collective identity. They may also create exclusionary and oppressive outcomes when not in line with universal ethical principles. To address these limitations, the paper incorporates insights from Islamic political philosophy, particularly the concepts of maslahah (public welfare), adl (justice), shura (consultation), and ummah (community), to construct a more comprehensive and ethically grounded conception of the common good. By joining the plural subject theory with human rights and cross-civilizational ethical contexts, the study proposes a revised normative model of collective agency in which human rights are understood as collectively recognised moral obligations. This model provides a more comprehensive account of collective action united with universal human dignity and offers a stronger foundation for evaluating political, social, and institutional arrangements.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sidra Tariq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Faisal’s Nomination for Kingship: British Imperial Interests and Political Realignment in Iraq (1918–1921)
Following the First World War, Britain played a decisive role in shaping the political order of Iraq and the wider Middle East. Understanding how Faisal was nominated as King of Iraq requires examining the political, military, economic, and diplomatic considerations that guided British imperial strategy during this period. Although historians have studied Britain’s post-war policy in Iraq, many interpretations of the establishment of the Iraqi monarchy rely on incomplete narratives influenced by ideological, ethnic, or political perspectives. This study conducts a historical analysis of British decision-making regarding the Iraqi monarchy by drawing extensively on official British archives and government documents. Through the examination of these sources, the research investigates the context of the 1920 Arab rebellion, the formation of the Iraqi provisional government, and the discussions among British officials concerning possible royal candidates during the Cairo Conference of 1921. The analysis shows that Faisal’s nomination emerged from a combination of imperial strategic interests, regional political considerations, and British assessments of local leadership and stability in Iraq. The study concludes that the selection of Faisal as King of Iraq was not a singular political decision but the outcome of a broader process of imperial strategy and political realignment aimed at stabilizing British influence in post-war Iraq.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ranjdar Muhammed Azeez (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Theory of Relative Universality in Islam
This article seeks to explain which position Islam has adopted amongst homogenous universal and non-homogenous relativist approaches and how it has managed to strike a balance between universalism and particularism. The author develops the hypothesis of “relative universality”, i.e. universality in the principles and relativity in the procedures and approaches, to explain that Islam has managed to establish a kind of dialectic between centripetal and centrifugal forces in the age of glocalization and to bring about harmony between universalism and particularism with a focus on alternative modernity. This article, based on the theoretical eclectic method, lays emphasis on the interaction between the context, structure, agent and processes at three levels of ontology, epistemology and methodology for the purpose of dialectic synthesis of contradictory concepts. The author concludes that the relative universality theory relies on overlapping values, extended rationality and organic linkage between content and form at the contextual level, on two-level legitimacy, pluralistic unity and multi-layered governance at the structural level, on interaction between sub-national, national and international actors at the agent level, and on general-particular intertwinement, tradition-modernity linkage and continuity despite change at the level of processes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Reza Deshiri (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Human Trafficking and Slavery in the Muslim World: Islamic Law and Human Rights Advocacy as Key Factors in Eradicating this Millenary Practice
This study examines the historical evolution and contemporary manifestations of slavery and human trafficking in the Muslim world by integrating historical analysis, Islamic legal interpretation, and modern human rights perspectives. The research addresses the central problem of the persistence of exploitative practices such as forced labor, child exploitation, and coercive religious or educational systems despite the ethical and legal principles within Islam that emphasize human dignity and freedom. Using a qualitative documentary method, the study analyzes pre-Islamic practices, early Islamic reforms, classical legal traditions, and current forms of exploitation in Muslim-majority societies. Findings reveal that slavery in pre-Islamic Arabia was deeply embedded within regional social structures, but Islam introduced significant moral and legal reforms that promoted humane treatment and encouraged emancipation. However, variations in cultural and political contexts across regions allowed certain practices to persist. In the modern era, new forms of human trafficking continue to challenge both legal frameworks and societal norms. The study concludes that Islamic teachings, when understood through their historical and ethical trajectory, provide a strong foundation for eliminating all forms of human exploitation. It also highlights the importance of contemporary legal interpretations that reject slavery entirely and call for greater alignment between Islamic principles and modern human rights standards.
Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph Abraham Levi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Political Fragmentation of the Mongol Empire: Islam, Diplomacy, and Power Rivalries in the Middle East1260-1266 AD
This article discusses how the rivalry between Berke and Hulagu Khan in 1260-1266 reflects the complex dynamics of power, religion and diplomacy in the Mongol Empire. Berke Khan, the Muslim leader of the Golden Horde, challenged Hulagu Khan's superiority over the Ilkhan supported by Mongu Khan in Karakuram. The rivalry between the two not only became a battle between Mongol factions, but also marked a major geopolitical shift with Islam as one of the unifying elements within Islamic Mongol rule. Through clever diplomacy, Berke Khan forged a strategic alliance with the Egyptian Mamluks to restain Hulagu's military expeditions into Egypt, especially in the context of the threat to Islamic civilization after the destruction of Baghdad. This study explores how religious identity, diplomatic strategy and political power interacted to shape the historical landscape. It analyzes the long-term impact of the conflict on the stability of the Central Asian region, the Middle East, and the political transformation of the Mongol Empire. Using a historical and geopolitical approach, the study argues that Berke's rivalry with Hulagu Khan became an important episode in history to protect Islamic civilization from attempts at total destruction by the Mongols.
Copyright (c) 2025 Anggi Supriyadi, Idris Ahmad Rifai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
The Twelve Days of Dissolution:Ibn Khaldun's Theory of State Cycles and the Swift Collapse of the Syrian Regime
This study examines the rapid collapse of the Syrian regime through the theoretical lens of Ibn Khaldun's concept of 'asabiyyah (group solidarity) and state cycles. It investigates how a seemingly stable authoritarian structure experienced sudden systemic failure within a twelve-day period. By synthesizing classical Islamic political theory with contemporary frameworks of state failure, this research provides novel insights into the mechanisms of state decay and rapid regime collapse. Through careful analysis of primary sources and theoretical frameworks from both classical Islamic and modern political theory, the study reveals that the regime's swift collapse followed patterns predicted by Ibn Khaldun's theory, particularly regarding the relationship between institutional sophistication and political vulnerability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Habib Badawi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Islamic Principles of Community Security: An Analytical Assessment of the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps KSCSWC in Nigeria
The escalation of organized banditry in northwestern Nigeria has exposed the limitations of conventional, federal-led security strategies, necessitating alternative, localized governance models. This study undertakes a critical evaluation of the operational roles of the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps (KSCSWC) through an Islamic ethical and jurisprudential lens, addressing a significant gap in scholarly discourse by integrating faith-based principles into the analysis of grassroots security initiatives. The primary objective is to ascertain the compatibility of the Corps’ operational modalities with core Islamic tenets of public safety and communal welfare. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, the study combines analytical inquiry into classical Islamic jurisprudence with empirical fieldwork consisting of forty semi-structured interviews and direct observation in Katsina State. The data collected was subjected to thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the KSCSWC’s operational successes in intelligence gathering, neutralizing criminal elements, and deterring crime are deeply aligned with Islamic principles of communal security (ḥirāsah and ribāṭ). These interventions have led to tangible improvements in public safety, facilitating a revitalization of local economies, agriculture, and education. The paper concludes that anchoring local security frameworks within regional religious ethics substantially augments community cooperation and operational legitimacy. It recommends expanding the Corps' mandate to include offensive operations, optimizing rural deployment, and institutionalizing ethical training.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ammaru Ummaru (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
The Indispensability of Peaceful Coexistence to The Attainment of SDGs In Northern Nigeria: Excerpt From The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Islam views peace and harmony as basic tools for the achievement of any developmental goals be it mundane or spiritual and, conversely, sees chaos as an enemy to progress. Hence, it condemned crises in stronger terms and encouraged peaceful coexistence. As such, peaceful co-existence was one of the top priorities of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him (PBUH) before he becomes a Prophet, during the early period of his call in Makkah and throughout his life in Madinah. As such, one of the major factors that led to the achievement of sustainable development in the fields of economy, education, governance, environment and social welfare in the nascent state of Madinah was the peaceful co-existence among diverse religious followers and tribes under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The Muslim-dominated region of Northern Nigeria has been and is still experiencing a series of ethno-religious conflicts and bitterest relations between Christians and Muslims. This resulted in mass destruction of lives and properties, hatred, mistrust, lack of cooperation and recurrence conflicts between the two faithful with adverse repercussions of insecurity, underdevelopment and stagnation in the fields of economy, education, and social life. This paper is an attempt to showcase the indispensability of peaceful co-existence to the actualization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Northern Nigeria, taking the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad PBUH as a model. The researcher used analytical method by using secondary data in conducting the research. The findings of the paper revealed the necessity of peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians, and among the diverse ethnic groups for the attainment of SDGs in the region. It, therefore, recommends the application of Prophet Muhammad’s PBUH proactive measures of promoting peaceful coexistence for the restoration of peace and harmony in the region.
Muslims, Christians, peaceful coexistence, SDGs, Northern Nigeria, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Copyright (c) 2025 Ammaru Ummaru, Mohd Farid Mohd Sharif (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Theoretical Analysis of the Iran and Israel Conflict: Identity, Power, and Ideology
Israel's pre-emptive security measures, such as the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and its support for proxy groups like Hezbollah, have all contributed to the escalation of tensions over time. Both international security and regional stability have been significantly impacted by this conflict. This study aims to analyse how domestic political factors and systemic pressures influence foreign policy, especially in high-stakes disputes like Iran-Israel. It employs neoclassical realism and social constructivism theories to examine this complex issue, including the role of identity, power and ideology in it with qualitative exploratory research type by obtaining the data through literature, documents as well as focus group discussions. This study argues that the Iran-Israel rivalry is based on the interaction of ideational and material factors. Social constructivism sheds light on how ideological narratives fuel hostilities, while neoclassical realism reveals the systemic and domestic drivers of each state’s actions. Together, these viewpoints provide a comprehensive understanding of the conflict.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Usama Siddiqi, Brilliant Windy Khairunnisa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Assimilation of Javanese Art and Tradition in Sunan Kalijaga's Da'wah on the Formation of Javanese Culture
This study analyzes the assimilation of Javanese art and tradition in the da'wah of Sunan Kalijaga and its contribution to the formation of Javanese Islamic culture. The research addresses the problem of understanding how Islamic teachings were accepted in a predominantly Hindu–Buddhist Javanese society without cultural resistance. Using a qualitative descriptive method supported by textual and historical analysis, this study examines how Sunan Kalijaga employed wayang kulit, gamelan, symbolic aesthetics, and macapat poetry as media of cultural adaptation. The findings show that Sunan Kalijaga did not reject existing traditions, but reinterpreted and Islamized them by embedding moral teachings, monotheistic concepts, and ethical values within familiar cultural forms. This approach strengthened social acceptance, minimized cultural disruption, and enabled Islam to integrate harmoniously with Javanese identity. The assimilation of arts and traditions not only facilitated da'wah but also shaped a distinctive Javanese Islamic culture characterized by refinement, symbolism, and spiritual depth. The study concludes that Sunan Kalijaga’s method represents an effective cultural strategy for religious propagation, demonstrating that Islam can coexist with local traditions without losing its essential principles. Further research is recommended to explore comparative models of cultural da'wah in other regions
Copyright (c) 2025 Belkis Nurbaiti, Ahmad Rubayu (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Charisma and Spiritual Practices of Abah Guru Sekumpul (1942–2005): A Historical Study from South Kalimantan
KH Muhammad Zaini Abdul Ghani Al-Banjari, known as Abah Guru Sekumpul (1942–2005), was a highly revered Islamic scholar and spiritual figure in South Kalimantan. As the eighth descendant of Maulana Syekh Muhammad Arsyad Al-Banjari, he was known for his piety, humility, generosity, and dedication to religious teachings. This study aims to explore the spiritual legacy and character of Abah Guru Sekumpul, focusing on his personal virtues, spiritual practices, and reported karomah (miracles). A qualitative library research method was employed, involving the collection and analysis of primary and secondary sources. Findings highlight his emphasis on sincerity in seeking knowledge, the spiritual benefits of devotional practices, and his unique connection with spiritual figures, both in life and after death. One remarkable incident occurred when, despite severe illness, he appeared healthy to lead a religious gathering—demonstrating what is believed to be a manifestation of karomah. The study concludes that Abah Guru Sekumpul's influence endures through his teachings and the reverence of his followers, exemplifying the traits of a waliyullah (saint).
Copyright (c) 2025 M Kautsar Thariq Syah, Putri Lailatus Sa'adah, Mohammad Dindin Hamam Sidik (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
A Philosophical Perspective on The Islamic View of Business in South Africa
This study explores the philosophical foundations of the Islamic view of business among Muslim entrepreneurs operating in rural South African communities. The research addresses the problem of understanding why Muslim business owners prioritize trust, hope, and humanitarian service above mere profit-making, despite operating in socio-economically disadvantaged environments. Using a qualitative approach supported by semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants five Muslim shop owners and five community members the study applies thematic analysis guided by critical social theory. The analysis reveals that Islamic financial philosophy shapes a business culture rooted in care, kindness, fairness, and community upliftment. Muslim entrepreneurs perceive business not only as an economic activity but also as a religious duty grounded in serving humanity, maintaining ethical conduct, and seeking divine pleasure. Findings show that these philosophical commitments strengthen social trust, promote communal harmony, and help alleviate local poverty. The study concludes that Islamic financial philosophy offers a transformative alternative to profit-driven business models and has the potential to support sustainable community development. Limitations include restricted sample size and reliance on interview data, suggesting that future research should incorporate broader case studies and comparative analyses across regions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammed Ntshangase (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0