IJUS | International Journal of Umranic Studies

Doctrines and Activities of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamā‘Ah (ASWAJ): A Critical Analysis of New Religious Movement in Iseyin, Nigeria

Adeoye Tawaliu Oriowo — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Purpose of the Study: This study critically examines the doctrines and activities of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamā‘ah (ASWAJ), commonly known as Jamā‘ah Kilometer 5 in Iseyin, Nigeria, within the context of New Religious Movements (NRMs). The study aims to assess ASWAJ’s conformity to Islamic principles and its impact on the Muslim community.

Methodology: A historical approach and descriptive survey were employed. Data collection methods included observation, unstructured interviews, and documentary evidence.

Main Findings: The study finds that while ASWAJ exhibits some similarities with mainstream Islam, it also incorporates elements of syncretism and heresy. Members are often unaware of the manipulative practices used by their leaders. The doctrines and activities of ASWAJ contradict fundamental Islamic principles and negatively affect Muslim development.

Application of this Study: The study is conducted within the field of Religious Studies, focusing on Islamic movements in Nigeria, particularly in Iseyin, Oyo State.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study provides a critical analysis of ASWAJ as a New Religious Movement, highlighting its doctrinal deviations and socio-religious implications. It contributes to existing scholarship on Islamic movements by exposing how certain groups manipulate religious teachings to establish control over followers.

Significance: This study is beneficial to scholars of Religious Studies, Islamic scholars, policymakers, and Muslim communities by providing insights into the impact of NRMs on Islamic faith and practices, as well as informing strategies to address their influence.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the 'Sistem Sumber Manusia' Online Application for Government Employees in Brunei Darussalam

Nurhazirah Naqibah binti Mohamad Noeh, Liza Mariah binti Haji Azahari — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Purpose of the Study: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the 'Sistem Sumber Manusia' (SSM) online application in Brunei Darussalam’s government sector, focusing on employee satisfaction, system usability, and its impact on Human Resource (HR) processes. The study aims to identify the benefits, challenges, and potential improvements necessary to optimize the system for government employees.

Methodology: A structured quantitative approach was employed, utilizing literature reviews and surveys distributed among government employees in the Ministry of Education. The study used stratified random sampling to ensure representative participation across different job roles. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to assess employee satisfaction, usability issues, and system effectiveness.

Main Findings: The findings reveal that while the SSM application has improved HR operations by streamlining payroll and administrative tasks, employees face difficulties related to system complexity, data security concerns, and accessibility challenges. The majority of respondents expressed moderate satisfaction with the system, with usability issues being the most frequently cited drawback. Key concerns include difficulties in navigating the system, password expiration issues, and privacy risks.

Application of this Study: This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and HR professionals in optimizing digital HR systems within government institutions. The recommendations, including enhanced user training, security improvements, and system refinements, can aid in improving the adoption and effectiveness of e-Government initiatives in Brunei Darussalam.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This research is among the first to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of the SSM system within Brunei’s government sector. Unlike previous studies that focus on generic HR information systems, this study highlights context-specific challenges and proposes solutions aligned with the technological capabilities and workforce composition of Brunei.

Significance: The study contributes to the ongoing digital transformation of HR management in government institutions by providing empirical evidence on system effectiveness and user concerns. The recommendations can guide system developers, policymakers, and HR professionals in improving digital HR systems, ensuring greater employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Enhancing Arabic Language Learning in Early Childhood Through Playing, Storytelling and Singing (PSS) Strategies

Himatul Istiqomah — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Purpose of the Study: This study aims to explore the application of the PSS (Playing, Storytelling, and Singing) strategy in Arabic language learning for early childhood education. It seeks to emphasize how such engaging methods can enhance children’s motivation and language acquisition during their developmental golden age.

Methodology: This research adopts a qualitative library research approach by critically reviewing books, journal articles, and previous studies related to the PSS strategy. Data collection was conducted through documentation, and analysis was carried out using content analysis techniques to identify relevant patterns and themes.

Main Findings: The findings indicate that the PSS strategy is effective in enhancing Arabic language skills in early childhood, both receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing). Specific examples such as "Chain Whispering" and "Snakes and Ladders" for playing, "Expressing the Picture" and "Say What I Drew" for storytelling, and thematic Arabic songs for singing, have shown positive impacts on vocabulary mastery, speaking fluency, and overall engagement in language learning.

Application of this Study: The study provides valuable pedagogical insights for Arabic language educators, curriculum developers, and early childhood education practitioners in designing interactive and developmentally appropriate Arabic language learning strategies.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study offers a comprehensive framework for implementing the PSS strategy specifically in Arabic language learning, combining theory and practice with practical teaching steps, media examples, and classroom activities tailored to young learners.

Significance: The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in early childhood Arabic language education by highlighting innovative, enjoyable, and child-centered strategies that align with both linguistic and developmental needs, ultimately fostering deeper interest and long-term language competence among learners.

Applying the Ultra Vires Doctrine to Directors’ Misconduct in Wage Payments Under Indonesian Corporate Law

Wanda Rahma, Wahyu Rasyid, Nur Ainun Syafillah Safah — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Methodology: This study employs a normative legal research methodology incorporating the statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. The statutory approach analyzes relevant Indonesian laws, particularly the Limited Liability Company Law (UUPT) and the Manpower Law. The conceptual approach explores the doctrine of ultra vires and fiduciary duty, while the case approach examines two court decisions to evaluate judicial reasoning and the implications for directors’ liability in wage payment violations.

Main Findings: The study finds that directors' failure to fulfill wage obligations can be categorized as ultra vires actions when such acts exceed their authority as stipulated in the company's Articles of Association and result in losses to the company due to negligence or lack of good faith. The research identifies three indicators to classify such actions as ultra vires: occurrence of losses, negligence or misconduct by directors, and absence of good faith and responsibility in decision-making.

Application of this Study: The findings of this study can inform corporate governance practices by emphasizing the need for directors to operate within their lawful authority and uphold fiduciary duties, particularly in managing employee-related responsibilities. Legal practitioners and corporate policymakers can use these insights to improve regulatory frameworks and accountability mechanisms in company law and labor protection.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This study provides a novel legal interpretation by linking the ultra vires doctrine—traditionally used in corporate scope limitations—with directors’ unlawful acts in wage management. It highlights an underexplored area in Indonesian corporate law and offers an analytical framework for assessing directors’ personal liability in employment-related disputes.

Significance: The research contributes to the development of corporate and labor law discourse in Indonesia by proposing a legal basis for holding directors personally accountable for wage-related violations through the application of the ultra vires doctrine. It emphasizes the importance of enhancing legal clarity and sanctions to protect workers’ rights and prevent the misuse of corporate authority.

An Analysis of the Financial Performance of Jaiz and Taj Banks Through Shari‘ah-Compliant Products

Nazifi Dahiru Abdullahi, Abubakar Sadiq Isyaku — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Methodology: This study adopts an ex post facto quantitative research design to evaluate the impact of three Shari’ah-compliant products—Murabahah, Ijarah, and Sukuk—on the financial performance of Jaiz and Taj Banks in Nigeria. Secondary data from the banks’ annual reports covering 2019 to 2023 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression.

Main Findings: The findings reveal that Murabahah and Sukuk have a significant and positive effect on the banks’ financial performance as measured by Return on Equity (ROE), whereas Ijarah has no statistically significant impact. These results suggest that Murabahah and Sukuk are more effective in driving profitability in the context of Nigerian Islamic banks.

Application of this Study: The study offers practical insights for Islamic banks in Nigeria and other emerging markets, highlighting which Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments can better enhance profitability. It informs strategic investment decisions and supports financial institutions in optimizing the deployment of Islamic products.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: Unlike previous research primarily conducted in Asian contexts, this study fills a significant research gap by providing empirical evidence from the Nigerian Islamic banking sector. It uniquely evaluates both banking and non-banking Shari’ah-compliant products using recent and localized data.

Significance: This study contributes to the limited body of empirical research on Islamic banking in sub-Saharan Africa. It supports policy development, investor confidence, and product innovation in non-interest banking systems, thereby promoting financial inclusion and ethical finance in the region.

Ethnographic Study of Islamic Therapy and Sorcerous Herbal Practices in Ilorin Emirate, Nigeria

Adeyemi Adeola Waliyullahi, Alabi Abdulhakeem Omotosho — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Methodology: This study employs a combination of ethnographic and descriptive qualitative methods. Field interviews were conducted with herbal medicine vendors, spiritual practitioners, and Muslim clerics in Ilorin Emirate. The study also incorporates firsthand observations and historical tracing to examine the roots and evolution of sorcerous herbal practices.

Main Findings: The findings reveal a widespread misuse of Islamic elements in the practice of sorcerous herbal medicine among some Ilorin clerics. These practices often include invoking demonic forces, desecrating Qur'anic verses, and using unlawful materials in rituals. While initially rooted in Islamic ethnomedical traditions, contemporary practices have diverged into syncretic forms that contradict Islamic teachings.

Application of this Study: The study recommends the use of Islamic therapy (ruqyah shar‘iyyah) as a valid alternative for spiritual healing. It urges religious authorities and policymakers to take active steps in regulating spiritual healing practices, banning the sale of sorcerous materials, and establishing proper ḥisbah (Islamic enforcement) agencies.

Novelty/Originality of this Study: This paper offers a rare ethnographic insight into the intersection of traditional sorcery and Islamic healing within a Muslim-majority context. It critically distinguishes between legitimate Islamic therapy and culturally inherited sorcerous practices disguised as spiritual healing.

Significance: The study contributes to the Islamic reform discourse by providing a theological and practical framework to address and combat the growing misuse of sorcery in Muslim communities. It highlights the dangers of syncretism, especially when practiced by clerics who wield influence over the public.

Book Review

Anis Malik Thoha — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Al-Manāhij al-JāmiꜤiyyah li-Tadrīs ꜤUlūm al-SharīꜤah: MarjiꜤiyyat al-Taqwīm wa Madākhil al-Tajdīd by Younes Mohcine is an ambitious exploration of the philosophical and practical challenges in teaching SharīꜤah sciences at the university level. Published in 2024, the book serves both as a critical assessment and a roadmap for reforming Islamic education, blending traditional epistemological frameworks with contemporary pedagogical innovations. Drawing heavily on the Moroccan academic experience, Mohcine seeks to align Islamic curricula with modern academic standards while preserving their theological authenticity.

النفس الإنسانية "مفهومها ووجودها وجوهريتها" بين ابن سينا وفخر الدين الرازي

محمد عبد العاطي عباس — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

الملخص

يهدف هذا البحث إلى: دراسة قضية فلسفية جدلية، شغلت الفلاسفة والمتكلمين، هي: "النفس الإنسانية" . وتركز الدراسة على بيان موقف كل من ابن سينا – كأنموذج للفلاسفة- والإمام فخر الدين الرازي – كأنموذج للمتكلمين "متأخري الأشاعرة". وتقتصر الدراسة على مناقشة ثلاث نقاط رئيسة، هي: مفهوم النفس الإنسانية – ووجودها – وجوهريتها.

والمنهج المتبع: استخدم الباحث ثلاثة مناهج رئيسة: المنهج المقارن: حيث استعان به الباحث في المقارنة بين طرح ابن سينا "الفيلسوف"، وطرح الرازي "المتكلم"، ومن ثَمَّ، يظهر لنا مدى أثر ابن سينا على الرازي في قضية النفس الإنسانية؛ والمنهج التحليلي: وقد تم استخدامه في تحليل أقوال ابن سينا، وتوجهه الفلسفي العقلي، دون النظر إلى معطيات الدين، وكذلك في تحليل أقوال الرازي، وتوجُّهُه الديني، باعتباره متكلماً هدفه إثبات العقائد الدينية بالأدلّة العقلية؛ والمنهج النقدي: وقد استخدمه الباحث في نقد التفسير الفلسفي بعيداً عن معطيات الشرع لقضية النفس الإنسانية. كما استخدمه في نقده للإمام الرازي في تأثره بابن سينا تأثراً كبيراً.

وخلص البحث إلى عدّة نتائج، أهمّها: إن المسائل الكلامية لدى متأخري الأشاعرة قد اختلطت بالأفكار الفلسفية، بصورة جليّة، وحدث تقارب شديد بين المتكلمين والفلاسفة في الرؤى. رغم الأثر الواضح لابن سينا على الرازي في هذه القضية، إلا أن الرازي قد احتفظ بخطه الكلامي وتوجهه العقدي.

الكلمات المفتاحية: النفس الإنسانية، ابن سينا، فخر الدين الرازي

ABSTRACT

This research explores a long-standing and controversial philosophical issue that has occupied both philosophers and theologians: the nature of the human soul. The study focuses on the perspectives of two prominent figures—Ibn Sina, representing the philosophical tradition, and Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, representing the late Ash'arite theological school. The research is confined to three central questions: the concept of the human soul, its existence, and its essence.

Three main methodological approaches were employed:

Comparative Approach – used to contrast the views of Ibn Sina and al-Razi, highlighting the extent to which al-Razi was influenced by Ibn Sina on this issue.
Analytical Approach – applied to examine Ibn Sina’s philosophical arguments regarding the soul, independent of religious texts, and to analyze al-Razi’s theological arguments, which aim to prove religious beliefs through rational evidence.
Critical Approach – used to critique the philosophical interpretation of the soul that is detached from religious sources, as well as to evaluate al-Razi’s reliance on Ibn Sina’s views despite his theological commitments.

The study concludes with several key findings, the most significant being that theological discourse among the later Ash'arites was deeply influenced by philosophical thought. There is a marked convergence between theologians and philosophers in their conceptual frameworks. Despite Ibn Sina’s evident influence, al-Razi ultimately upheld his theological perspective and doctrinal orientation.