Novi Muallim

ILMIYYAH WILL ALWAYS STAND BY THE IMAMS, AND THE IMAMS WILL ALWAYS STAND BY THEIR PEOPLE: THAT IS OUR OATH, OUR STRENGTH, AND OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

2025-10-31T09:17:10+00:00

Since its founding, the Ilmiyyah Association of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina has maintained the mission of
supporting imams and their families, particularly those serving in more challenging circumstances. The newly elected president of
the Association, Nijaz ef. Duzan, an imam in Kotor-Varoš, emphasizes that imams – regardless of where they serve – carry the
same trust and deserve equal attention, respect, and support. He particularly highlights the importance of preserving the dignity
of the imam’s vocation and affirming their mission within the modern social context. As key priorities in his leadership, President Duzan outlines the improvement of the normative framework and the strengthening of Ilmiyyah’s educational capacities,
the preservation of the professional and social status of imams, and stronger promotion of their work through various projects.
He places special emphasis on strengthening ties with imams in the diaspora, recognizing the unique challenges they face, and
ensuring their inclusion in the work of the Association.

Means of Remembrance (ḏikr) in the Qur’an

2025-09-20T10:05:13+00:00

UDK
28-23-184.3-534.3

Remembrance of God (ḏikr) in the Qur’an represents one of the key concepts in Islam’s foundational scripture. Alongside terms derived from the root ʿayn–lām–mīm - conveying meanings such as “to know,” “to realize,” or “to learn”- the Qur’an frequently employs the word ḏikr, derived from the root ḏāl–kāf–rā, with meanings including “to remember,” “to take heed,” or “to draw a lesson.” Sūrah Ṣād (38:1) opens with a Divine oath: “By the Qur’an full of Remembrance!” (Wa l-Qur’āni ḏī ḏ-ḏikr!). The Qur’an applies terms derived from the root ḏ-k-r to a broad array of realms and dimensions: the Divine realm, the natural world in its spontaneity and splendor, the human being in moments of existential crisis, and the sacred monotheistic tradition... Yet the term ḏikr consistently points to a profound reminder: that human beings must remember God, recall the mystery of why the world exists, the mystery of creation and Divine signs; that they must remain mindful and alert to the demands of moral life and to be mindful of existence and mortality. In essence, ḏikr serves to awaken us to the ultimate mystery of God and the World, life and death.

Strategic Investment in Waqf Institutions with Social and Educational Functions

2025-09-20T10:17:48+00:00

UDK
28-463:37.014.521

This paper highlights the importance of investing in waqf institutions that serve vital social and educational roles. Special emphasis is placed on the need to establish modern educational awqāf, inspired by historical examples of esteemed and impactful waqf-based institutions. The paper argues that, just as awqāf once represented the backbone of quality education and societal advancement, they can today offer a system capable of producing educated, competent, and socially responsible professionals. The author stresses the urgent need to establish waqf institutes to train experts in different professions - engineers, architects, doctors, artists, social scientists, and other professionals essential to societal development. These institutions should not only provide high-quality education but also offer a thoughtful, context-aware understanding of modern societal needs. The paper proposes the concept of a new or adapted type of waqf, tailored to the specific educational and social needs of local contexts, with particular attention given to providing free education to all strata of society and ensuring academic autonomy for educators who will be free from any external influences.

Pedagogical Foundations of Learning by Example: Teachers (muallims) and Parents as Role Models

2025-09-20T10:20:20+00:00

UDK
28:37.013
28:37.064.1

Learning by example is one of the fundamental principles of Islamic pedagogy, wherein teachers (mualims) and parents serve as key role models in shaping the moral and spiritual development of children. This paper explores the pedagogical foundations of learning through example, emphasizing the importance of consistency between words and actions in the transmission of Islamic values. Both the Qur’an and Hadith underscore the necessity of aligning speech with practice, highlighting that genuine instruction is achieved through the lived embodiment of religious principles in daily life. Islamic pedagogy places strong emphasis on emotional connection to faith, which is fostered through shared acts of worship, humanitarian engagement, and active community participation. The study outlines specific guidelines and practical activities that enable parents and muallims to serve as positive examples, thereby strengthening the bond between children and Islamic values. It concludes that consistency between belief and behavior is essential for the successful internalization of Islamic principles, and that cooperative efforts between parents and teachers are foundational in forming a stable religious identity in children.

Islamic Education as a Means of Social Reform

2025-09-20T10:22:48+00:00

UDK
28-42
28-47

This paper explores the role of Islamic education in addressing contemporary social challenges such as moral relativism, identity crises, and societal polarization. The author begins with the premise that genuine social transformation begins with the inner transformation of the individual. Thus, Islamic education is not merely the transmission of religious knowledge, but a means of shaping moral consciousness and fostering collective responsibility. The study centers on three foundational principles of Islamic anthropology: fitra as the innate human disposition toward good, freedom of choice as a precondition for moral autonomy, and responsibility as the ultimate aim of education. Through an analysis of the roles played by the family, mosque, and educational institutions, the paper considers how Islamic education can strengthen social cohesion and prevent behavioral deviance. Drawing on both classical and contemporary scholars, the paper calls for a reinterpretation of Islamic values within pluralistic societies. In conclusion, it highlights the potential of Islamic education to serve as a stabilizing and transformative force in the construction of a more just and inclusive society.

The Islamic View of the Human Being as the Foundation of Education

2025-09-20T10:24:52+00:00

UDK
28-42
28-47

This paper analyses the foundational principles of Islamic anthropology and their significance for educational processes. At the center is the human being, who, according to Islam, is created with inherent dignity, intellect, spirituality, and free will. This vision places the human being at the heart of education, which is not limited to knowledge transmission but includes moral development and spiritual maturity. The starting point is the concept of fitra - the innate inclination toward good - which shapes the aims and methods of education. Other key concepts such as khalifah (successor), rūḥ (soul), amānah (honesty), and the dual nature of the human being are also examined. Special focus is given to the Islamic epistemological framework - revelation, reason, and the heart - as sources of knowledge. The theoretical analysis relies on the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the works of both classical and contemporary scholars. The conclusion emphasizes the relevance of applying Islamic anthropology to education, particularly in the contemporary context.

El-Munāfikūn: The Surah about the Hypocrites

2025-09-20T10:27:11+00:00

UDK
28-232-254

In this paper, the author provides an interpretation (tafsir) of Surah Al-Munāfiqūn (The Hypocrites), the 63rd chapter of the Qur’an, which consists of eleven verses (ayah). The Surah is named after the word al-munāfiqūn, which appears at the beginning of the chapter. The very name of the Surah suggests its central theme: a description of the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) and a warning about them and/or their actions.

ISLAM, COLONIALITY, AND THE PEDAGOGY OF COGNITIVE LIBERATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2025-10-31T09:12:59+00:00

Eurocentric intellectual dominance within the academic study of Islam marginalizes Islamic epistemologies, perpetuating an
intellectual hierarchy that undermines Islamic traditions and their attendant educational systems. Such imbalance, both in
the West and in Muslim communities, discourages critical heuristic engagement with the rich intellectual heritage of Islam.
This is a missed opportunity, as Islamic intellectual traditions, particularly in metaphysics and theology, can be employed to
offer vital perspectives for teaching in higher education. Rather than critiquing Islam from a Euro-American perspective, the
methodological expertise of Orientalism can be employed to explore the potential of Islamic traditions to provide alternative
perspectives regarding contemporary exigencies. Engaging with these traditions provides the foundation for a holistic vision for
higher education, teaching and criticality in ways that integrate epistemology, ontology, and ethics. This approach can provide
important perspectives for remedying dehumanizing trends in modern higher education, reorienting intellectual efforts toward ethical, holistic engagement.

Application of Principle of Necessity (Ḍarūra) in Sharī‘ah Legal Thoughts of Sejfulah Proho, Ali Riza Prohić, and Džemaludin Čaušević

2025-09-20T10:29:25+00:00

UDK
348.97:929 Proho S.
348.97:929 Prohić A. R.
348.97:929 Čaušević M. Dž.

This study examines the contributions of prominent Bosnian scholars - Sejfulah Proho, Alija Riza Prohić, and Mehmed Džemaludin Čaušević - in understanding and applying the principle of necessity (ḍarūra) in Sharī‘ah legal matters at the turn of the 20th century. Operating in the complex socio-political context of Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav rule, these scholars sought to reconcile classical legal sources with emerging social changes. Proho emphasized safeguarding property and faith through practical solutions; Prohić highlighted the limits of Sharī‘ah law flexibility, distinguishing between permanent and variable norms; and Raʾīs Čaušević stressed the necessity of education, enlightenment, and reform for survival of the Muslim community. The analysis shows that despite differing perspectives, their views shaped a distinctive local approach to Islamic jurisprudence – based on the preservation of faith and life, yet open to contextual adaptation.

Ad – An Ancient People Destroyed by Arrogance and Materialism

2025-09-20T10:32:14+00:00

UDK
28-31:929 Hud
28-256

The Qur’anic narrative about the Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) and his people of Ad, is found in numerous surahs (chapers) of the Qur’an. Following the biographical details about Hud (p.b.u.h.) and a description of the people of Ad, the author draws attention to the arrogance and materialism that were prominent among Hud’s people. Because of these traits, they refused to believe in the One God and to accept Hud (p.b.u.h.) as God's messenger, which ultimately led to their destruction by Allah. In the conclusion, the author highlights the lessons that can be learned from the Qur’anic story of Hud (p.b.u.h.).

The Sharī‘ah Legal Status of a Muslim Woman Traveling Without a Mahram, with Special Reference to Ḥajj

2025-09-20T10:35:36+00:00

UDK
28-74
28-57-443.5-055.2

Authentic narrations from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) confirm the ruling that a Muslim woman should be accompanied on a journey by her maḥram - a male relative with whom marriage is permanently forbidden - or by her husband. This paper aims, through the application of comparative and analytical methods, to present and critically examine the positions of classical Islamic jurists from the four recognized Sunni schools of law (madhhabs) regarding a Muslim woman traveling without a maḥram, with particular focus on travel for the purpose of performing Ḥajj. The study clearly identifies areas where there is scholarly consensus, as well as issues that have been subject to divergent interpretations and legal reasoning. Special attention is given to modern circumstances in which this question arises, considering that contemporary modes of transportation have significantly improved the safety, speed, and comfort of travel compared to the historical context in which classical rulings were developed. Accordingly, the paper presents an overview of the opinions of contemporary Islamic scholars on this matter and analyzes their arguments in light of current conditions. Based on this analysis, the paper offers conclusions and formulates recommendations intended to serve as guidelines for interpretation and practical application when it comes to this issue in the context of contemporary Muslim life.

Final Verses of Sūrah al-Baqarah

2025-09-20T10:38:32+00:00

UDK
28-232
28-534.3

The final verses of Sūrah al-Baqarah carry a powerful theological message about God’s omnipotence, oneness, and justice. The initial parts of the verses (ayah) emphasize that Allah has dominion over all that is in the heavens and the earth, and that He forgives whom He wills. In the following supplications, believers plead with Allah not to punish them for unintentional errors or forgetfulness and not to burden them beyond their capacity. The prayer also seeks forgiveness for past sins and protection from trials beyond human endurance. These verses highlight the importance of repentance, personal responsibility, and adherence to divine law—both in relation to oneself and others. Far from being only a prayer for the deceased, these verses serve as guidance for the living, calling them to moral integrity, repentance, and faith in God’s mercy.

The Religious Life of Bosniaks in the Gacko County up to the Mid-20th Century

2025-09-20T10:40:38+00:00

UDK
28:061.234(=163.43)(497.6 Gacko)”19”

This paper explores the religious life of Bosniaks in the Gacko County, focusing on the challenges and hardships they faced during the First World awar and Second World War. One of the most significant issues was the forced expulsion of Bosniak Muslims from their homes, accompanied by the looting and burning of mosques, mektebs (religious schools), and waqf (endowment) properties. Religious life was pushed to the brink of extinction, as nearly all waqfs were destroyed, devastated, or confiscated, leaving the local Bosniak Muslim population - approximately seven thousand people - impoverished. The study presents an overview of the mosques, imams, religious instructors, the local qad (judges), and waqf caretakers (mutevelis), as well as efforts to revive the major waqf of Mehmed-aga Zvizdić, which aimed to restore, at least in part, the religious life of the Bosniak community.

The Last Shaykh al-Islam, Mustafa Sabri Efendi (1869–1954): His Role and Influence During the Transition from the Caliphate to the Secular Model

2025-09-20T10:43:09+00:00

UDK
28:929 Sabri M.
28: 322.24(560)"19"

This paper examines the life and work of Shaykh al-Islam Mustafa Sabri Efendi (1869–1954) during the final period of the Ottoman Empire, his activities in post-Ottoman Turkey, and his intellectual contributions following exile from his homeland. Mustafa Sabri Efendi was a prominent Islamic scholar of the Ahl al-Sunnah tradition (to believe and live in the way that the Qur'an and the Sunnah teach us), the author of numerous works in both Arabic and Ottoman Turkish. In addition to being a scholar and a poet of broad education, he was also an astute political figure. His writings are of particular significance as they address a wide range of topics, with special relevance to this study being his efforts to defend and reconstruct religious life during the dissolution of the Ottoman Caliphate and the emergence of the secular Turkish Republic. His works reflect a deep understanding of both the ontological and epistemological foundations of Islamic theology as well as modern philosophy. Historical sources further testify to his role as a politically engaged Shaykh al-Islam and one of the leading intellectuals of his era.

Bibliografija djela o Muhammmedu, a. s., njegovoj porodici, drugovima i važnosti Sunneta objavljenih na južnoslavenskom govornom području

2025-09-20T10:46:40+00:00

UDK
726.1:514

Geometry in Islamic art - particularly in sacred architecture - represents a visual expression of divine unity and cosmic order. This paper explores geometry as a spiritual and epistemological language within Islamic architecture. Grounded in the concept of tawḥīd as the core idea of unity in Islam, the analysis focuses on how geometric principles such as symmetry, rhythm, and infinite repetition shape spaces that invite tranquility and contemplation and how aesthetic form of geometric elements becomes a symbolic expression of spirituality.

Bibliography of Works on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), His Family, Companions, and the Importance of the Sunnah Published in the South Slavic Language Area

2025-09-20T10:49:59+00:00

UDK
012 Muhammad
28-31:929 Muhammad

This paper presents a compiled bibliographic list of works on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family (Ahl al-Bayt), companions (ṣaḥābah), and the Sunnah, published in Bosnian and related South Slavic languages. The bibliography includes works authored by local writers as well as translations and is organized chronologically, covering the period from 1896 to 2024.

A List of Names of Ilmiyyah in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1947

2025-09-20T10:53:24+00:00

UDK
28:061.234(497.6)”1947”

Based on archival materials from the Commission for Religious Affairs under the Presidency of the Government of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the archives of the Gazi Husrev-bey Library, the author presents lists of Islamic religious titles and the Islamic scholars (ulema) who held these titles at the beginning of 1947. The list also include the names of those who died in 1946, as well as members of the ilmiyyah who were arrested or convicted.