Iḥyāʾ alʿ ulūm - Journal of Department of Quran o Sunnah

A Conceptual Framework for a Semantic Hadith Retrieval System Using Modern NLP Techniques

Sheikh Adnan Ahmed Usmani — 2025-06-30

In the contemporary digital era, Islamic scholarship is undergoing a technological transformation, particularly in the realm of textual access and interpretation. One of the most critical corpora in Islamic studies is the Hadith literature, comprising the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Traditional keyword-based search systems have proven inadequate for retrieving Hadith content effectively due to linguistic complexity, semantic variation, and contextual depth. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for a Semantic Hadith Retrieval System using modern Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. By integrating ontology-based thematic categorization, deep language models, and semantic similarity algorithms, the proposed framework aims to overcome the limitations of surface-level keyword matching. The paper begins by exploring the unique challenges posed by Hadith texts, followed by a comprehensive literature review of prior digital Hadith retrieval efforts and semantic search models. It then presents the theoretical foundations of semantic processing, outlines the ontological modeling required for religious themes, and delves into the technical components of NLP suitable for Arabic and Islamic contexts. Furthermore, a practical architectural framework is proposed, detailing the technology stack, implementation flow, and sample annotation practices. Ethical concerns, challenges of authenticity, and evaluation metrics are also discussed. This research does not involve the development of a functioning system but lays down a blueprint for future implementation. The framework is designed to guide both developers and Islamic scholars toward building more intelligent, spiritually aware, and user-friendly Hadith retrieval platforms. The integration of semantic web technologies with Islamic knowledge promises to not only modernize access to religious texts but also preserve their interpretive richness and contextual integrity.

Innovative Sukuk Structures Based on Beneficial Ownership and Usufruct: Sharīʿah Perspectives, Case Studies, and Strategic Potential for Developing Economies

Dr. Kaleem Ullah — 2025-06-30

Sukuk, as Sharīʿah-compliant financial instruments, have emerged as crucial mechanisms for mobilizing resources, promoting infrastructure development, and offering ethical alternatives to conventional debt-based bonds. Distinct from interest-bearing securities, sukuk represent ownership in tangible assets, usufructs, or services. Yet, in many jurisdictions, practical and regulatory constraints prevent the full legal transfer of assets to investors, giving rise to questions about the legitimacy and application of beneficial ownership (tamalluk ḥukmī) and ḥaqq al-intifāʿ (usufruct) as foundational principles for sukuk issuance. This study investigates whether beneficial ownership and usufruct satisfy the Sharīʿah requirements for asset-backing in sukuk, assessing their legal and fiqhī (jurisprudential) validity within the evolving Islamic financial framework. Employing a qualitative, case-based methodology, the paper analyzes three innovative sukuk models from Pakistan—Jinnah Airport Ijārah Sukuk, Meezan Bank Airtime Sukuk, and K-Electric Mushārakah Sukuk—each representing a distinct application of ownership and usufruct principles. Through comparative analysis and fiqh-based reasoning, the research demonstrates that these models align with Sharīʿah objectives (maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah) by ensuring risk-sharing, lawful asset linkage, and economic productivity while addressing regulatory and infrastructural challenges faced by developing economies. The findings underline that beneficial ownership and usufruct-based sukuk offer strategic pathways for resource mobilization in public and corporate sectors, particularly where tangible asset transfer is impractical. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for expanding the use of these structures to promote inclusive, sustainable, and Sharīʿah-compliant economic development.

Addressing Environmental Challenges and Food Scarcity: Insights from the Quran

Shaista Syed Wahid — 2025-06-30

The global food crisis has intensified in recent years due to climate change, deforestation, environmental degradation, and unsustainable consumption, all of which have reduced agricultural productivity and increased food insecurity. Islam—being a comprehensive way of life—offers ethical, environmental, and socio-economic guidance rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, promoting environmental stewardship, responsible resource use, and social welfare. Allah’s signs, including the seamless succession of day and night and the harmonious cycle of the seasons, reveal a perfectly balanced natural order. Yet human interference has disrupted this balance, driving the planet toward ecological instability. Scientific assessments show that the Earth’s average temperature has already risen by about 1.4°F, with further increases expected. The resulting impacts—melting glaciers, rising sea levels, heatwaves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires—are directly affecting agriculture. Extreme weather, irregular rainfall, water shortages, and flooded lands severely hinder crop cultivation and transport. According to Oxfam, the number of people facing severe hunger has more than doubled due to climate-related challenges. This article examines the food crisis from an Islamic perspective, highlighting prophetic teachings on environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and social responsibility. It highlights how Islamic principles offer practical and ethical solutions, underscoring the importance of both individual and collective efforts in combating global food shortages.

Research Review of Critical Hadith Services in Pakistan

Asma Younus — 2025-06-30

In order to curb the growing sectarianism in Pakistan and the growing dissension and intolerance in our young generation, it is necessary to acquaint them with every aspect of the Prophet's life and for this purpose familiarity with Hadith and its importance and Knowing the need is extremely important and its importance increases even more at this time When we study the arguments of orientalists and who denies the hadith or challenge the authenticity of hadith. Muhaddiths in their respective eras have done tremendous work in countering these evil ideologies and for the evolution of the science of hadith. In the present article, the services of Muhaddithin with reference to the critique on hadith in Pakistan is being reviewed these Muhaddithin have faced the challenges in the field of hadith in their respective eras. The purpose of this article is to acquaint the new generation and the students who are interested in the science of hadith with the services of the muhaddithin in Pakistan who have overcome the challenges of the science of hadith in every age due to their God-given ability.

Grammatical Sources in Najah Al-Qari, Sahih Al-Bukhari

Hafiz Muhammad Abubakar Tehmas, Dr. Abdul Raof — 2025-06-30

Imam Yusuf Afandi was the most famous scholar of the 12th century of the Ottoman Empire. His book (Najah Al-Qari, Sahih Al-Bukhari) is an excellent and complete book, and it is a great summary of the earlier commentaries. In this research, we have presented the biography of the author and an introduction to (Najah Al-Qari, Sahih Al-Bukhari). Imam Yusuf Afandi has used many sources of Arabic grammar in (Najah Al-Qari, Sahih Al-Bukhari). In this article, we have collected all those sources and mentioned them according to the death dates of their authors. Our purpose is to show the importance of Najah Al-Qari in Arabic grammar and to highlight Imam Yusuf Afandi’s skill and position in Arabic grammar, just like in other sciences.