Nuqtah Journal of Theological Studies

Reviving the Waqf Institution: A Catalyst for Economic and Social Transformation

Fawad Ali — 2026-03-17

Waqf (Islamic endowment) is one of the most enduring socio-economic institutions in Islamic
civilization, rooted in Islamic law and designed to promote collective welfare. Historically, Waqf has
functioned as an effective mechanism for social justice, wealth redistribution, and sustainable community
development. By dedicating private assets for perpetual public benefit, Waqf institutions have supported
a wide range of religious, educational, and social services, thereby alleviating poverty and strengthening
social solidarity within Muslim societies.
This paper examines the conceptual foundations, legal framework, and historical evolution of Waqf,
highlighting its alignment with the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law). It further explores
the economic and social role of Waqf in promoting equitable wealth circulation and sustainable
development. The study also analyzes contemporary challenges facing Waqf institutions, including
regulatory constraints, governance issues, and underutilized assets. Finally, it proposes strategic
reforms—such as legal modernization, professional management, and integration with Islamic finance—
to revitalize Waqf as a dynamic instrument for socio-economic development in the modern era.

Revisiting the Objectives of Sharīʿah: A Modern Typology of Maqāṣid

Humaira Jahangir — 2026-03-15

The doctrine of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah-higher objectives of Islamic law has been traditionally well-defined
and interpreted in light of classical categorisations made by jurists such as al-Shatibi and al-Ghazali.
Yet, today’s problems in economic and political policies along with technology call for a revisiting and
updating of these systems. This article re-imagines the goals of sharīʿah by suggesting a contemporary
typology that translates older classifications into modern language to include issues of environmental
care, human rights, public health and global justice. The study underlines the potential of new categories
of maqāṣid to guide legal reasoning and policymaking in the 21st century, evaluates their practical
importance, and draws on both classical uṣūl literature and contemporary scholarly discourse. This
typology offers a methodical framework for using sharīʿah principles in tackling current ethical, social,
and legal issues by integrating tradition and modernity.

Missionary Institutions in Pakistan: Historical Evolution, Educational Contributions, Religious Roles, and Socio-Cultural Impact

Dr Asma Aziz — 2026-03-01

Missionary institutions have played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s educational, social, and moral landscape. Originating during the British colonial era, these institutions introduced structured curricula, English-medium instruction, vocational training, and holistic education approaches that served diverse communities. Their contributions extend beyond formal education to include social welfare initiatives such as healthcare, literacy programs, women’s empowerment, and community development. Missionary schools and colleges also promoted ethical and moral values while respecting local cultural contexts, reflecting an intersection of education and religious influence. This article provides an academically grounded analysis of the historical evolution of missionary institutions in the subcontinent and Pakistan, profiles major institutions, and evaluates their educational, social, and religious impact. The study further explores the merits and demerits of these institutions and proposes strategic recommendations to enhance their positive contributions in contemporary Pakistan. Drawing on historical records, institutional data, and scholarly sources, this research highlights the enduring legacy of missionary institutions and their potential to foster human and social development.

اصول فقہ کی تشکیل جدید :معاصر افکار کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Shafiq Ahmad — 2026-03-01

This study examines the reconstruction of Usual al-Fqih (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) in the contemporary context. As a foundational discipline of Islamic law, Usual al-Fqih provides the methodologies for deriving legal rulings and enables jurists to interpret textual sources through concepts such as general and specific, absolute and qualified, abrogation, and the objectives of Sharia (maqasid al-shariah).

In the modern era, rapidly changing social, economic, and intellectual conditions have highlighted the need to revisit and reformulate this discipline. This research analyzes contemporary Muslim thought and explores the possibilities of reinterpreting usual al-Fqih while preserving the enduring spirit of Sharia.

The study critically engages with current intellectual trends and juristic discourse, concluding that its reconstruction can develop into a coherent and practical framework, provided a balanced integration of tradition and modernity is maintained.

مفقود الخبر :معاصر علماء و فقہی اداروں کی آراء کا تنقیدی مطالعہ

Muhammad Muaz Sarwar — 2026-03-01

The institution of marriage in Islamic law is not just a legal contract but a social and moral relationship based on companionship and mutual support, and sustained by the rights and obligations of the spouses. Such companionship assures emotional stability, social harmony, and economic support. However, complex legal issues arise when a husband becomes Mafqūd al-khabar (a missing person whose status and whereabouts remain unknown for an extended period). In a scenario where a husband is declared Mafqūd al-khabar, serious social, financial, and psychological problems may befall the wife as the marital bond remains in limbo and the wife is neither able to remarry nor enjoy her marital rights to the fullest. This study takes a look at Mafqūd al-khabar in the Islamic jurisprudence by first examining its linguistic and technical meanings before evaluating classical juristic debates on the legal status of the missing husband and the rights of his wife. It also considers the juristic opinion among jurists of differing schools of Islamic law with regard to the dissolution of marriage in such cases. The study also looks at the position of contemporary scholars and the modern fiqh institutions and their attempts to deal with this issue in relation to the present social realities. The study concludes by critically assessing these viewpoints and identifying practical juristic approaches that may help resolve cases involving missing spouses while remaining consistent with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.

متن کی تعبیر نو کا تصور: اسلامی ہرمینیاتی رجحانات کا مقاصد الشریعہ کی روشنی میں تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Prof Dr Muhammad Tahir Mustafa — 2026-02-10

The concept of textual reinterpretation, or hermeneutical reconstruction, in Islamic hermeneutics addresses the reevaluation of sacred texts such as the Quran and Sunnah in response to modern historical, social, and cultural shifts. Emerging from 20th-century Islamic revival movements, it grapples with challenges like globalization and contemporary issues including democracy, women's rights, and bioethics. This paper examines three hermeneutical trends—text-centric (rooted in classical traditions), reader-centric (influenced by postmodernism, e.g., Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd), and moderate (e.g., Fazlur Rahman's Double Movement Theory)—through the framework of Maqasid al-Shariah. It critiques reader-centric relativism for undermining core objectives like preserving faith and intellect, while advocating a balanced, objectives-centered approach that upholds textual authority, respects consensus, and enables adaptive ijtihad to harmonize eternal guidance with modern demands in Muslim societies.

ہندو مت اور اسلام میں اعتقادی تصورات کا تقابلی مطالعہ

Ghulamullah — 2026-03-16

This comparative study examines the fundamental doctrinal structures of Hinduism and Islam, two major
world religions with distinct theological frameworks. While Islam is founded on the principle of radical
monotheism (Tawḥīd), emphasizing Allah's absolute unity, transcendence, and incomparability,
Hinduism presents a pluralistic theological landscape ranging from polytheistic worship to monistic
philosophy (Advaita Vedānta). The research analyzes five key areas: the concept of God (Allah vs.
Brahman/Īśvara), the nature of humanity (insān vs. ātman), cosmology (creation narratives and temporal
frameworks), eschatology (judgment, afterlife, and salvation/mokṣa), and ethical systems (Sharīʿah
based morality vs. Dharma and Karma). The study draws upon the Qurʾān, ḥadīth literature, Hindu
scriptures including the Vedas, Upaniṣads, and Bhagavad Gītā, as well as classical and contemporary
scholarly works. The research reveals that despite surface-level similarities in certain moral and spiritual
principles, the two traditions exhibit fundamental differences in their understanding of divine nature,
human destiny, and the path to ultimate liberation. This study contributes to interfaith understanding by
identifying both convergences and irreconcilable distinctions between Islamic and Hindu doctrinal
frameworks.

معاصر معاشی مسائل میں دفعِ حرج کے اصول کلیہ کا اطلاق: تحقیقی و تنقیدی جائزہ

Hafiz Muhammad Sana Ullah Taunsvi — 2026-03-01

This research paper critically examines the application of the principle of Daf‘ al-Ḥaraj (removal of hardship) and Qillat al-Taklīf (minimization of legal burden) in contemporary economic issues within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence. The study argues that the unprecedented complexity of the modern global economy characterized by inflation, digital currencies, international trade regulations, and evolving financial systems has created new forms of economic hardship for Muslims. In response, Islamic law, through its dynamic and flexible principles, provides viable solutions that ensure both compliance with Sharī‘ah and economic sustainability.

The paper explores key contemporary challenges such as inflation and currency devaluation, modern contractual complexities, digital banking services, insurance systems, stock markets, and taxation policies. It demonstrates how classical juristic tools such as maṣlaḥah (public interest), ‘urf (custom), ḥājah (need), and ḍarūrah (necessity) are employed to mitigate hardship and facilitate ease in economic dealings. The concept of Islamic alternatives, such as Takaful (Islamic insurance), is analyzed as a practical manifestation of cooperative risk-sharing aimed at reducing financial vulnerability.

Furthermore, the study highlights the juristic acceptance of digital assets and e-commerce mechanisms through adaptive interpretations, including the recognition of constructive presence (ḥukmī majlis) and the application of options like khiyār al-ru’yah (option of inspection) to safeguard transactions. It also critically evaluates modern taxation systems, double taxation, and economic sanctions in light of Sharī‘ah objectives, emphasizing the balance between state necessity and individual financial capacity.

A critical dimension of this research underscores the need to maintain equilibrium between taysīr (facilitation) and tasāhul (undue leniency), warning against the misuse of hardship-removal principles to justify impermissible practices. The study concludes that Daf‘ al-Ḥaraj serves as a foundational and enduring mechanism that enables Islamic economic law to remain relevant, humane, and adaptable in the face of rapid socio-economic transformations, while preserving the higher objectives (maqāṣid) of Sharī‘ah.

صفاتِ نبی ﷺ اور سیرت نگاری کا کلامی اسلوب: سید جعفر مرتضیٰ عاملی کی کتاب "الصحیح من سیرت النبی الاعظم" کا انتقادی جائزہ

Muhammad Tahir Arshad — 2026-03-15

This article examines the attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) within the framework of Sīrah literature, with particular focus on the theological (kalāmī) methodology employed in its interpretation and presentation. It offers a critical study of the works of Sayyid Ja‘far Murtadā al-‘Āmilī, especially his renowned contribution al-Ṣaḥīḥ min Sīrat al-Nabī al-A‘ẓam, in which he seeks to reconstruct the Prophetic biography through a rigorous analytical and doctrinal lens.

The study explores how theological presuppositions influence the selection, authentication, and interpretation of Sīrah narrations, particularly in relation to the attributes and infallibility (‘iṣmah) of the Prophet (ﷺ). It highlights the ways in which al-‘Āmilī critiques earlier historical reports, reassesses their reliability, and presents an alternative reading shaped by specific theological commitments. The paper further evaluates the strengths and limitations of this approach, considering its impact on the broader discipline of Sīrah studies.

By employing a comparative and analytical method, the article aims to shed light on the intersection between theology and historiography in Islamic scholarship. It argues that while a kalāmī approach can contribute to a more coherent and doctrinally consistent understanding of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life and attributes, it may also raise questions regarding methodological objectivity and historical inclusivity.

The study ultimately seeks to contribute to contemporary discussions on Sīrah methodology by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates both critical historical analysis and sound theological principles.

مجدد الف ثانیؒ کی اصلاحی فکر کےتحفظ و فروغ میں ڈیرہ غازی خان کے صوفیاء نقشبند کا کردار

Manzoor Hussain — 2026-01-30

This article examines the contribution of Naqshbandi Sufis in Dera Ghazi Khan. It explores how they preserved the reformist ideology of Mujaddid Alf Sani. The study highlights the efforts of prominent Sufi figures in this region. These spiritual leaders focused on self-purification and moral training. They taught that true Sufism must align with the Shariah.

The author discusses their method of reform. These Sufis advised people to avoid sins and follow the Sunnah. They worked hard to eliminate un-Islamic customs and superstitions from the society. The paper also outlines their emphasis on social duties. They highlighted the importance of education and the rights of relatives. The study concludes that their struggle brought a positive change. Their teachings continue to influence the spiritual and social life of the people in Dera Ghazi Khan.