BITARA International Journal of Civilizational Studies and Human Sciences (e-ISSN: 2600-9080)

Konsep Fatwa Istihalah Menurut Empat Mazhab dan Aplikasinya Terhadap Produk Moden [Concept of Fatwa Istihalah according to The Four Mazhab and Its Application to Modern Products]

2025-07-07T12:40:00+00:00

Perkembangan dunia moden kini membawa kepada penghasilan produk-produk moden yang baharu yang sering berkait dengan hukum halal dan haram terhadap umat Islam. Permasalahan ini muncul apabila konsep istihalah ini tidak diketahui umum oleh masyarakat Islam berserta konsep fatwa itu dilakukan. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk memberikan kefahaman terhadap konsep istihalah tersebut bagi menyelesaikan permasalahan yang timbul dengan menjelaskan perbezaan konsep fatwa istihalah antara empat mazhab utama iaitu Hanafi, Syafi’i, Maliki dan Hanbali serta contoh aplikasi terhadap produk moden. Metodologi kajian yang digunakan adalah berbentuk kualitatif iaitu dengan cara analisis sumber dokumen-dokumen seperti buku agama, jurnal, artikel dan sumber lain yang relevan berkait dengan tajuk penelitian. Kajian menyimpulkan bahawa walaupun istihalah menawarkan penyelesaian syariah untuk produk moden, pelaksanaannya memerlukan kerjasama antara ahli fiqh, saintis, dan badan pengawal selia untuk memastikan pematuhan syariah yang ketat. Penyelidikan ini mencadangkan penyeragaman standard istihalah berdasarkan bukti saintifik dan fatwa muktabar bagi mengukuhkan industri halal global.

The development of the modern world now leads to the production of new modern products that are often related to halal and haram laws by Muslims. This problem arises when the concept of istihalah is not generally known by the Muslim community along with the concept of fatwa being issued. This article aims to provide an understanding of the concept of istihalah to solve the problems that arise by explaining the differences in the concept of istihalah fatwa between the four main schools of thought, namely Hanafi, Syafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali, as well as examples of applications to modern products. The research methodology used is qualitative, namely by analyzing the source of documents such as religious books, journals, articles and other relevant sources related to the research topic. The study concludes that although istihalah offers a sharia solution for modern products, its implementation requires cooperation between jurisprudents, scientists and regulatory bodies to ensure strict compliance with sharia. This research suggests standardizing istihalah standards based on scientific evidence and authoritative fatwas to strengthen the global halal industry.

The Cultural Significance and Contemporary Adaptations of Chinese New Year Deity Processions (You Shen) among Malaysian Chinese Communities

2025-07-14T09:47:01+00:00

The ritual of deity processions, known as You Shen (??) during the Chinese New Year, is a vital tradition within the Malaysian Chinese community. These festive parades, rooted in Chinese folk beliefs and clan-based worship, have evolved into complex communal events involving music, dance, religious rites, and social interaction. This study aims to explore the cultural meanings and contemporary transformations of Chinese New Year deity processions in Malaysia. Combining literature review, field observations, and qualitative interviews with temple managers, community elders, and youth participants, the research reveals that You Shen serves multiple functions: strengthening communal bonds, reinforcing ethnic identity, and transmitting cultural values across generations. However, challenges such as urbanization, the decline in youth participation, and increasing regulation of public events threaten its continuity. The findings provide insight into how traditional intangible cultural practices adapt within a multicultural society and highlight strategies to sustain and innovate cultural heritage in the modern era.

Negara Madani: Kajian Semula daripada Aspek Rekabentuk dan Kandungan Menurut Perspektif Islam [Madani Nation: A Review from The Perspective of Design and Content According to The Islamic Perspective]

2025-06-24T08:39:52+00:00

Prinsip-prinsip Islam seperti keadilan, kesederhanaan, kasih sayang, dan tanggungjawab sosial adalah asas kepada konsep Negara Madani. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis reka bentuk dan kandungan konsep Negara Madani dari perspektif Islam serta menilai pelaksanaannya dalam konteks Malaysia. Isu utama yang dikenal pasti adalah cabaran dalam mengintegrasikan nilai Islam ke dalam dasar sedia ada, serta jurang pelaksanaan antara dasar dan realiti masyarakat. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui analisis kandungan dokumen, termasuk sumber primer dan sekunder seperti al-Qur’an, hadis, serta kajian terdahulu. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa elemen-elemen penting seperti prinsip keadilan (al-‘adl), musyawarah (al-shura), kebebasan (al-hurriyah), serta nilai-nilai etika seperti amanah, rahmah, dan wasatiyyah adalah teras pembentukan Negara Madani. Kajian juga mendapati bahawa program Malaysia Madani yang diperkenalkan kerajaan memerlukan pendekatan yang lebih menyeluruh dan inklusif untuk menjamin keberkesanannya. Oleh itu, kajian mencadangkan agar dasar-dasar berkaitan masyarakat madani dirangka secara lebih sistematik dengan melibatkan input pelbagai lapisan masyarakat. Kajian ini diharap dapat memberi sumbangan kepada pembangunan dasar awam yang lebih lestari serta meningkatkan kesedaran dan pelaksanaan konsep Negara Madani dalam kalangan rakyat.

Islamic principles such as justice, moderation, compassion, and social responsibility form the foundation of the Madani Nation concept. This study aims to analyze the design and content of the Madani Nation framework from an Islamic perspective and to assess its implementation within the Malaysian context. The key issues identified include challenges in integrating Islamic values into existing policies, as well as the implementation gap between policy formulation and societal realities. This study employs a qualitative approach through content analysis of documents, including primary and secondary sources such as the Qur’an, Hadith, and previous scholarly works. The findings reveal that essential elements such as the principles of justice (al-‘adl), consultation (al-shura), freedom (al-hurriyah), and ethical values such as trust (amanah), compassion (rahmah), and moderation (wasatiyyah) are central to the formation of a Madani Nation. The study also finds that the Malaysia Madani program introduced by the government requires a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to ensure its effectiveness. Therefore, the study suggests that policies related to civil society should be designed more systematically, incorporating input from various segments of society. This study is expected to contribute to the development of more sustainable public policies and enhance awareness and implementation of the Madani Nation concept among the Malaysian populace.

A Study on the Creation and Performance Ecology of Chinese Drama in Malaysia from 2000 to 2020: Current Situation, Dilemma and Prospects

2025-07-31T08:58:27+00:00

This study focuses on the creative ecology and performance forms of Chinese drama in Malaysia during the 20 years from 2000 to 2020. By systematically examining the development trajectory of Chinese drama in Malaysia during this period, this study deeply analyzes its cultural positioning and artistic characteristics in the context of globalization. The study shows that Chinese drama in Malaysia during this period, driven by both inheritance and innovation, presents unique localization characteristics. On the one hand, it maintains a deep connection with Chinese opera art, and on the other hand, it develops an integrated form of expression in the collision of multiple cultures. This paper uses field surveys, literature analysis, comparative studies and other methods to focus on the current dilemmas faced by Chinese drama in Malaysia in terms of creative themes, performance forms, and talent training, and puts forward constructive thoughts on its future development prospects. The study found that Chinese drama in Malaysia is undergoing a transition period between tradition and modernity. Its development faces challenges such as inheritance gaps and audience loss, but also ushers in opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges and innovative development.

Impact of Public Opinion Noise on Xi'an City Image in the New Media Era: Taking Xi'an Release as an Example

2025-07-31T09:02:48+00:00

The rapid development of the Internet and communication technology has accelerated the pace of change in media technology, especially the rise of the Internet and new media, and the use of media has become increasingly popular, penetrating more deeply into all aspects of social life. Social development and media application are inextricably linked, and the media have changed the way and content of people's social activities to a certain extent. The researcher hopes to deeply understand the influence of public opinion noise on Xi'an's city image in the new media era and takes the official microblog account "Xi'an Release" as a case study to analyse the information release strategy and its role in the construction of the city's image in the new media environment. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study analyses the information dissemination behaviours of "Xi'an Releases" in different public events and the online public opinion reactions they triggered and further explores how this public opinion noises affect the public perception of Xi'an's city image. Specifically, the study applies content analysis, sentiment analysis, case study, and regression modeling to examine both the media outputs and the public response patterns. The study finds that the public opinion noise on the new media platform not only spreads quickly but also amplify the impact of negative information. Public opinion noise increases Xi'an's exposure to a certain extent but also brings about diversified interpretations of the city's image and potentially creates short-term and even long-term negative effects on the city's image. However, through effective public opinion guidance and information management, government official media can mitigate these negative effects to a certain extent. The researcher provides a new perspective for understanding the complexity of urban image management in the new media era and offers strategic suggestions for how governments and city managers can effectively use new media tools for urban image building.

Tujuan pelantikan Mushir di Terengganu semasa pemerintahan Sultan Zainal Abidin III [The purpose of the appointment of Mushir in Terengganu during the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III (1757–1774)]

2025-08-26T00:06:08+00:00

Penempatan ejen British di Terengganu selepas Perjanjian Bangkok 1909 merupakan permulaan cengkaman kekuasaan British ke atas negeri tersebut. Keberadaan mereka dalam pentadbiran Terengganu membolehkan British mempunyai wakil mereka memerhati dan memantau perjalanan pemerintahan negeri tersebut. Sehingga 1916, ejen-ejen Britsh sentiasa mendesak Sultan Zainal Abidin III dan para pembesar Terengganu melakukan pembaharuan dalam pemerintahan Terengganu. Sultan semakin menyedari ancaman British dan mencari jalan untuk mengelakkan mereka daripada menerima penjajahan British seperti yang berlaku di negeri-negeri Melayu yang lain. Justeru, baginda cuba mencari jalan supaya Kerajaan Terengganu tidak perlu tunduk kepada kehendak British dengan ‘meminjam’ seorang pegawai British yang berkhidmat dengan Kerajaan Terengganu. Pegawai British itu dikenali sebagai Mushir dalam pemerintahan negeri Terengganu. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti tujuan Sultan Zainal Abidin III memohon pelantikan Mushir dan kedudukan serta peranan Mushir dalam pemerintahan Terengganu. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kualitatif yang menggunakan pendekatan kajian sejarah, manakala kaedah pengumpulan data pula menggunakan pendekatan analisis kandungan. Hasil kajian mendapati Sultan Zainal Abidin III berhasrat untuk meminjam seorang pegawai British supaya berkhidmat dengan Kerajaan Terengganu seperti yang pernah dilakukan oleh Kerajan Johor bagi mengelakkan tekanan British yang semakin mengancam kemerdekaan Terengganu. Baginda berjaya meminjam seorang pegawai British, iaitu C.N. Maxwell yang kemudiannya dikenali sebagai Mushir dan berjaya mengelakkan campur tangan British dalam pemerintahan Terengganu sekurang-kurangnya sehingga kewafatan baginda pada tahun 1918. Disebabkan halangan yang terdapat dalam Undang-undang Tubuh bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu, pelantikan Maxwell sebagai President of the State Council tidak dapat dilakukan, sebaliknya pegawai British tersebut dilantik sebagai Mushir kepada Kerajaan Terengganu. Beliau berperanan sebagai penasihat kepada Sultan Zainal Abidin III untuk mengadakan pembaharuan dalam pemerintahan Terengganu. Namun, dengan kedudukannya sebagai Mushir atau penasihat, Sultan Zainal Abididn III tidak terikat untuk mematuhi ‘nasihatnya’ dalam pentadbiran Terengganu. Justeru, apabila pihak British mendapati ‘peminjaman’ Maxwell tidak memberikan hasil yang diharapkan oleh mereka, lantas perkhidmatan pegawai British tersebut telah ditamatkan.

The placement of British agents in Terengganu following the Bangkok Treaty of 1909 marked the beginning of British domination over the state. Their presence within Terengganu’s administration enabled the British to install representatives who could observe and monitor the affairs of state governance. Up until 1916, British agents persistently pressured Sultan Zainal Abidin III and the ruling elites of Terengganu to implement administrative reforms. The Sultan increasingly recognised the threat posed by British encroachment and sought ways to prevent Terengganu from succumbing to colonial rule, as had occurred in other Malay states. In response, Sultan Zainal Abidin III devised a strategy to preserve the sovereignty of Terengganu by ‘borrowing’ a British officer to serve under the Terengganu government. This officer was designated as a Mushir (advisor) within the state’s administrative framework. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the rationale behind the Sultan’s request for the appointment of a Mushir, as well as the position and role of the Mushir within the governance of Terengganu. This qualitative study adopts a historical approach, employing content analysis as the primary method of data collection. The findings reveal that Sultan Zainal Abidin III intended to replicate a precedent set by the Johor government, namely, the appointment of a British officer to serve locally, as a means of alleviating British pressure and protecting Terengganu’s independence. He succeeded in securing the services of C.N. Maxwell, a British officer who was subsequently known as the Mushir, effectively preventing direct British interference in the administration of Terengganu, at least until the Sultan’s death in 1918. Due to constitutional constraints stipulated in the Undang-undang Tubuh bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu (Terengganu State Constitution), Maxwell could not be appointed as ‘President of the State Council’. Instead, he was officially appointed as Mushir to the Terengganu government. In this capacity, he served as an advisor to Sultan Zainal Abidin III in matters of administrative reform. However, the advisory nature of his role meant that the Sultan was not bound to accept his recommendations. As such, when the British authorities realised that Maxwell’s secondment had failed to produce the intended outcomes, his service was subsequently terminated.

Pemerihalan naratif riwayat hidup Mustafa III (1775-1774) [An analytical narrative of the life history of Mustafa III (1757–1774)]

2025-08-26T00:13:46+00:00

Kajian ini membincangkan naratif sejarah kehidupan dan pemerintahan Mustafa III (1757-1774), pemerintah ke-26 Kerajaan Uthmaniyyah, yang menonjol dalam era peralihan antara kestabilan dan ancaman geopolitik dari kuasa asing serta pemberontakan dalaman. Kajian ini bertitik tolak daripada permasalahan kelemahan struktur pentadbiran dan cabaran luar seperti Perang Uthmaniyyah-Rusia (1768-1774) serta pemberontakan Ali Bey di Mesir yang mencerminkan ketegangan dalam sistem kekuasaan wilayah Arab Uthmaniyyah. Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis aspek kehidupan peribadi Mustafa III, dasar pentadbiran, projek pembangunan dan pembaharuan ekonomi, serta cabaran pemerintahannya yang menyumbang kepada perubahan landskap politik Uthmaniyyah pada abad ke-18M. Penulisan ini menggunakan metode dokumentasi sebagai kaedah pengumpulan data dengan menumpukan kepada sumber-sumber sekunder yang diambil daripada karya ilmiah sejarah Uthmaniyyah yang meyakinkan. Bagi analisis data pula, pendekatan deskriptif digunakan melalui kaedah kritikan dalaman dan kritikan luaran. Dapatan kajian ini menghujahkan bahawa Mustafa III ialah tokoh pemerintah yang berwawasan, memperkenalkan pembaharuan pentadbiran dan ekonomi Uthmaniyyah serta memberi sumbangan besar dari aspek pembangunan seni bina Uthmaniyyah abad ke-18M. Namun, isu kelemahan sistem birokrasi ketenteraan dan tekanan luar telah menyekat pelaksanaan reformasi tadbir urus berkesan yang menyeluruh. Penulisan ini turut menekankan peranan Koca Rag?p Pasha sebagai pendukung utama dalam pentadbiran yang berpengaruah pada awal pemerintahan Uthmaniyyah era Mustafa III. Kajian ini mencadangkan supaya penyelidikan lanjutan dilakukan terhadap kesinambungan gagasan pembaharuan Mustafa III dalam era pemerintahan Selim III, serta perbandingan antara pendekatan Mustafa III dengan sultan-sultan terdahulu dan selepasnya dalam menangani pelbagai cabaran tadbir urus institusi Uthmaniyyah menjelang abad ke-19M.

This study examines the historical narrative of the life and reign of Mustafa III (1757-1774), the 26^th ruler of the Ottomans, who stood out during a transitional era marked by the tension between internal stability and growing geopolitical threats from foreign powers as well as domestic uprisings. The study is grounded in the critical issue of structural weaknesses in the administrative system and external challenges, such as the Ottoman-Russian War (1768-1774) and the rebellion of Ali Bey in Egypt, both of which underscore the strains within the Ottoman Arab provincial order. The primary objective of this research is to analyse Mustafa III’s personal life, administrative policies, developmental projects, economic reforms, and the challenges of his reign, all of which contributed to the transformation of the Ottoman political landscape in the 18th century. This paper employs the documentary method for data collection, drawing upon reliable secondary sources from established works in Ottoman historiography. For data analysis, a descriptive approach is applied, incorporating both internal and external source criticism. The findings of this study argue that Mustafa III was a visionary ruler who introduced significant administrative and economic reforms and contributed substantially to the architectural development of the 18th-century Ottoman Kingdom. However, the inefficiencies of the military-bureaucratic system and mounting external pressures hindered the effective and comprehensive implementation of governance reforms. This study also highlights the pivotal role of Koca Rag?p Pasha as a key figure in the early administration of Mustafa III’s reign. The study recommends further research into the continuity of Mustafa III’s reformist vision during the reign of Selim III, including a comparative analysis of Mustafa III’s governance strategies with those of preceding and succeeding sultans in addressing the institutional challenges faced by the Ottoman state on the eve of the 19th century.

The Manuscript of Hukum Kanun Pahang: Insights on Trade Laws and Economic Regulations in 17th-Century Malaya

2025-08-26T02:21:06+00:00

The Hukum Kanun Pahang is a 17th-century legal manuscript from the Malay world that combines Islamic legal principles with Malay customary law. As a written legal text, it offers more than just jurisprudential content—it reflects the political authority of the sultanate and the effort to preserve legal knowledge through textual transmission. While often described by the colonials broadly as a digest of laws, its specific provisions suggest a more intricate role in regulating daily life, particularly in the economic sphere. This study focuses on the sections of the manuscript that detail commercial practices, taxation mechanisms, and regulations surrounding port activities. By examining these aspects, the research highlights how structured economic thought was embedded within the legal language of the time. Employing textual analysis alongside comparative historical sources, the study draws attention to how references to commodity categories, metrological units, and differentiated customs duties mirror a functioning economic logic tailored to the realities of regional trade. The findings suggest that while Pahang may not have functioned as a major entrepôt, it likely served as a supportive collecting centre within Melaka’s broader trade network. More significantly, this research argues that Malay legal manuscripts like the Hukum Kanun Pahang hold valuable and underexplored data on economic governance. Rather than dismissing them as outdated or merely ceremonial, these texts should be mined for their rich details—offering historians a clearer view of early Malay approaches to trade regulation, taxation, and commercial administration.