khadiJah Mohd khaMbali, azaRudin aWang, SuRaYa Sintang, nuR faRhana abdul RahMan, Wan adli Wan RaMli & khaiRul nizaM Mat kaRiM ABSTRAK Saudara Baru, Saudara Muslim dan Mualaf merupakan istilah yang sering dirujuk sebagai individu yang mulai berjinak-jinak dengan agama Islam. Realitinya, individu yang digelar sedemikian dalam konteks Malaysia merupakan antara individu yang telah lama memeluk Islam. Perkara seumpama ini mampu mempengaruhi interaksi dan integrasi dalam kalangan komuniti Saudara Baru, komuniti Muslim asal dan ahli keluarga asal bukan Muslim. Selanjutnya, ia menimbulkan isu etnik akibat ketidakfahaman berhubung isu-isu yang berlegar dalam kehidupan Saudara Baru. Sehubungan itu, istilah Muhajir dilihat lebih sesuai dengan maksud Saudara Baru dalam konteks Malaysia yang lebih menonjol sebagai penjana interaksi dan toleransi beragama dalam kalangan warga Malaysia yang beraneka etnik. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan melihat pengalaman toleransi beragama dalam kehidupan komuniti Muhajir-Muslim-non-Muslim. Data diperolehi menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dengan tumpuan kepada kaedah temu bual ke atas dua puluh orang Muhajir di Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Hasil dapatan memperlihatkan bahawa situasi yang ditonjolkan dalam hubungan Muslim-bukan Muslim-komuniti Muhajir di negeri Terengganu telah menyerlahkan budaya toleransi dalam kepelbagaian hidup bersama. Hubungan ini diperlihatkan melalui jalinan perkenalan, pertemuan dan tinggal bersama yang membentuk hubungan persahabatan, persaudaraan dan persemendaan merentas batasan agama. Ini menunjukkan Muhajir memainkan peranan dalam melestarikan pemupukan toleransi khususnya dalam hubungan Muslim dan bukan Muslim di Malaysia.

Purpose This study aims to demonstrate al-Biruni’s originality in the study of religion and the exploration of religious truth, while his firm stance on his religion effectively advocated his need to understand others more accurately. Design/methodology/approach This study is a review of al-Biruni’s literature that uses content analysis method in establishing al-Biruni’s approach in understanding other religions through three main methodologies. From these approaches, this paper advocates al-Biruni’s firm stance toward his own faith despite using a scientific study on Hindu, which is in contrary to other phenomenological scholars who find that religious truth is relative in nature. Findings Al-Biruni’s methods have proven that researchers are not necessarily required to dispose off their religious identity and commitment to faith, while simultaneously achieving objectivity and accuracy. Al-Biruni’s approach to understanding others may be seen as a remarkable early model of interfaith, intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue seeking, eventually, to promote a harmonious co-existence within a highly polarized cultural and religious context. This inquiry demonstrates al-Biruni’s scholarly depth in his attempt to harmonize his methodology with the study of religious phenomena in compliance with Islam. Originality/value This study signifies al-Biruni’s intellectual background with his mastery of first-hand information as a solid basis and grounds for the effective understanding of others in a descriptive, systematic and comparative manner. This paper also signifies al-Biruni’s methods of understanding others without having to dispose off one’s religious identity and commitment to faith which could be exemplified by other religious scholars.

Purpose-The main value in a culture of tolerance is wasatiyyah. The fragility of relationships and misunderstanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities occurs when attention to values of tolerance which need more attention on moderation was not practiced especially in the life of a new Muslim convert community. Thus, the practice of moderation is one mechanism proposed by the government to ensure a harmonious continuation of life in a religious community can be achieved. For that, a qualitative study design was used to describe the current status of a phenomenon that occurs among new Muslim converts. The purposive sampling method is used to determine the applications of wasatiyyah in new Muslims' life tolerance at Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia) and Kuala Terengganu (West Malaysia). Although the study was conducted at two different locations, there is a relationship between religious phenomena that occur in the new Muslims community in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to see the practical concept of moderation in the life of new Muslims and their relation with Muslims and non-Muslims. The results showed that the value of moderation was applied in the aspect of tolerance. The application of Wasatiyyah in practice of tolerance had helped non-Muslims family members to change their attitudes and perception towards Islam. This study suggests the values of wasatiyyah in the life of religious tolerance, need to be nourished especially in multiethnic society when sharing a living places, education and employment for better social development as well as a well-being pluralistic society. Design/methodology/approach-The study was conducted through descriptive data qualitative methods. Purposive sampling was used which refers to a group that has the characteristics of samples required by researchers (Mohd Najib Abdul Ghafar 2003). This study applies the method of in-depth interview with the selected new Muslims around Kota Kinabalu (representing East Malaysia) and around Kuala Terengganu (representing Peninsular Malaysia/West Malaysia). Thus, data accumulation involves new Muslims (new Converts) from various ethnics (Sabahan and Sarawakian) which comprise Kadazandusun, Murut, Rungus, Sino and Iban. Secondly, those are from the Peninsular Malaysia which includes Chinese and Indian. Whereas in Kuala Terengganu, data accumulation involves new Muslims from various ethnics (Chinese, Indian, Sarawakian and others). The result of the interview is shown through descriptive narratives which display the practice of tolerance in the form of supportive interaction from the non-Muslim families towards the new Muslims in Islamic lifestyle. Findings-The concept of wasatiyyah has nurturing tolerance among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim as well as fostering harmony among the diverse ethnics in Malaysia. Based on the discussion, it was observed that the concept of wasatiyyah had a great influence on the relationship among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim, as it had a strong link with the value of akhlaq that have been embedd...

This article aims to delineate al-Baqillani’s responses to the Anthropomorphists regarding their views on the attributes of God. As an Ash‘arite, al-Baqillani disproved some theological doctrines formulated by this group in dealing with a number of theological topics; the speech of God, the Quran and its characteristics, and other attributes of God. He obviously shows his capacity and attempts to maintain the mainstream of Ash‘arites’ theological framework. Through this study, the author concludes that his theological position takes the combination between rationalistic method and application of the revelation. This research applied a textual analysis approach, using descriptive and analytical methods to investigate and analyze primary sources related to the issues. It also adopts the historical method to scrutinize several events on the subject.

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