This July 2025 issue of the International Journal of ‘Umranic Studies (IJUS) brings together a rich collection of scholarship that bridges classical Islamic thought with contemporary challenges in education, law, linguistics, social development, and civilizational renewal. Collectively, the contributions in this volume highlight the enduring relevance of Islamic intellectual heritage as a framework for addressing moral, social, and institutional concerns in the 21st century.

The first article, “The Relevance of Holistic and Humanistic Education in Islam” by M. Miftah Arief and M. Kholis Amrullah, explores how Islamic education can balance cognitive, moral, emotional, and spiritual growth through the integration of holistic and humanistic approaches. By situating the Qur’ānic vision of human beings as khalīfah (vicegerents) at the centre of the educational process, the authors propose a comprehensive model that responds to the shortcomings of modern education systems that often prioritise academic achievement at the expense of character formation.

The second article, by Mufutau Oloyede Abdul-Rahmon and Mikail Kolawole Abdulsalam, examines the Kishi Fatwa House as a case study in parajudicial administration of Islamic inheritance law in Nigeria. Through historical analysis and detailed review of five representative cases, the study highlights the institution’s doctrinal fidelity to Qur’ānic prescriptions, its transparent processes, and its contribution to community trust and dispute resolution. This work offers valuable insights into the role of community-based legal bodies in promoting access to justice and preserving Sharīʿah integrity in pluralistic societies.

Suhaiella Suhaili and Muhamad Zahiri Awang Mat contribute to the discourse on moral education with their concept paper, “Implementasi Metod Tazkiyah al-Nafs dalam Pendidikan Akhlak Menurut Saʿid Hawwa.” Drawing from Saʿid Hawwa’s Al-Mustakhlas fī Tazkiyat al-Nafs, the authors highlight the importance of soul-purification (tazkiyah) in forming ethically grounded students. Their work underscores the continuing relevance of mujahadah al-nafs (self-striving) and riyāḍah al-nafs (spiritual training) as practical methodologies for cultivating praiseworthy character traits in contemporary educational settings.

Continuing the theme of integrating Islamic principles with modern agendas, the fourth article, “Sustainable Development in the Light of the Qur’an” by Mohamed Fathy Mohamed Abdelgelil and colleagues, presents an analytical study aligning key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with Qur’ānic guidance. The study demonstrates that Islamic scripture offers a comprehensive framework for addressing poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender equality through mechanisms such as zakāt, charity, moderation, and equal dignity for men and women—thus positioning the Qur’ān as an early proponent of holistic, ethical development.

From the field of linguistics, the fifth article, “Points of Articulation of the Consonant Sounds in Arabic and Malay: A Contrastive Study” by Zulkipli Md Isa and co-authors, investigates the articulatory similarities and differences between Arabic and Malay consonant sounds. By focusing on points of articulation, this study provides practical insights for language learners and teachers, helping to overcome pronunciation challenges and fostering greater cross-linguistic understanding between the two linguistic communities.

Finally, this issue concludes with a book review by Anis Malik Thoha of Mazen Hashem’s Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah: A Civilizational Perspective. The review critically engages with Hashem’s call to reimagine maqāṣid (objectives of Sharīʿah) as a civilizational project that goes beyond legal codification to encompass ethics, social institutions, and human flourishing. The review positions Hashem’s work as an important contribution to contemporary Islamic thought, particularly in its insistence on moving from textualism to transformational, systemic engagement.

Taken together, the articles in this issue reflect IJUS’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship that honours Islamic intellectual tradition while engaging with the realities of a rapidly changing world. Readers will find in these pages a stimulating conversation that bridges theory and practice, offering both scholarly depth and actionable insights for educators, policymakers, jurists, linguists, and researchers seeking to contribute to the flourishing of Muslim societies.