The Interpretation of Patterns and Symmetry in the Qur'an: Does Mathematics Serve as Proof of Divinity or Merely an Aesthetic Interpretation?

This study aims to explore the meaning of patterns and symmetry in the Qur’an and the role of mathematics in the context of divinity and aesthetics. Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological study design, this research involves scholars of Qur’anic interpretation, religious educators, and mathematicians who understand the relationship between mathematics and religion. A total of nine participants were selected through purposive sampling based on specific criteria: (1) academic or professional background in Qur’anic exegesis, religious education, or mathematics, (2) engagement in interdisciplinary discourse between science and religion, and (3) willingness to participate in in-depth interviews. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and textual analysis of the Qur’an using an interpretative approach. The findings indicate that patterns and symmetry in the Qur’an serve as aesthetic elements and representations of the order in God’s creation. Most participants perceive this order as evidence of God’s power in creating the universe with mathematical laws humans can comprehend. However, some perspectives view patterns and symmetry primarily as aesthetic interpretations that enrich the spiritual experience of Muslims. Overall, this study opens opportunities for integrating the understanding of patterns and symmetry in the Qur’an with mathematics education, allowing science and religion to be comprehended as a harmonious unity

The Relationship Between Social Engagement and Social Awareness Among Students in an Islamic Education Program

The globalization era with digital communication technology has led to a decline in social awareness within society. As agents of change, university students play an important role in building social concern through involvement in various activities. This research aims to examine the extent of influence that social activities have on the social awareness of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) students at UIN Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda, who have demonstrated active participation in community service programs organized by HMPS PAI and the "Teman Panti" program by the EPIC community. This research employed a quantitative approach with correlational research design, while sampling was conducted using purposive sampling technique based on predetermined criteria. Data analysis included tests of normality, linearity, simple regression, correlation, coefficient of determination, and t-test to measure the influence and significance of relationships between variables. The research results demonstrate that social activities have a positive and significant effect on the social awareness of PAI students, with a significance value of 0.003 < 0.05 and t-count (3.156) > t-table (1.675). The correlation between the two variables falls in the medium category (Pearson Correlation 0.408), with social activities contributing 16.6% to students' social concern. These findings affirm the importance of social activities as an effective strategy in fostering social concern among university students

Examining the Influence of Peer Relationships on Academic Achievement at Al-Ikhlash Female Islamic Boarding School

A peer group is an environment where people of the same age and status interact intensively and regularly. This environment can influence their academic achievement in both positive and negative ways. This also applies to 2nd-grade Tarbiyatul Mu’allimat al-Islamiyah (TMI) who often disturb their peers or talk too much during study hours, resulting in decreased concentration and unsatisfactory learning outcomes, with grades still below the passing standard. This article aims to determine how peers influence the learning outcomes of second-grade Tarbiyatul Mu’allimat al-Islamiyah (TMI) students at Al-Ikhlash Female Modern Islamic Boarding School. The research method used is quantitative, with a sample of 24 students from a total population of fewer than 30 students. Saturation sampling was used for sample selection, which is more appropriate in cases where the population is relatively small, specifically less than thirty. Data was collected through interviews using questionnaires. The research results show that peer influence is 53.7%, the coefficient of determination indicates an R Square value of 0.537, which indicates an influence of 53.7% between the peer variable (X) and the learning outcome variable (Y)

The Selection and Contextual Use of Hadith in Khutbah: A Comparative Study between Indonesia and Malaysia

Khutbah is a lecture or speech delivered by a Khatib before Friday prayers, which is one form of Islamic preaching. The Khutbah material delivered by the Khatib typically responds to or addresses issues that are currently being discussed. This paper aims to examine the hadith in the Khutbah material delivered by Indonesian and Malaysian Khatib in responding to issues that are presently discussed. This research employs a qualitative comparative study model. The results of the study show that the hadith quoted by Khatib in Khutbah material in Indonesia and Malaysia vary, due to differences in issues. However, in general, the themes raised are similar, primarily concerning politics, socio-humanity, the environment, violence in the name of religion, and tolerance. This study also found differences in the freedom of preachers in the two countries. Servants in Indonesia have the freedom to create their own Khutbah scripts, while Malaysian Khatib must follow the official government script

Character Education Based on Tidung Local Wisdom: A Study on the Tidung Ethnicity of North Kalimantan

This study highlights various national issues, especially the increasing concern for moral degradation within society, affecting both ordinary citizens and the educated alike. This degradation manifests in prevalent acts such as student brawls, drug abuse, promiscuity, immoral acts, and even other unlawful behaviors like widespread corruption. Addressing these issues requires an approach rooted in local wisdom, one notable example being the local wisdom values of the Tidung tribe in North Kalimantan, which can serve as a foundation for developing character education in Indonesia. This research aims to explore the Tidung tribe's local wisdom values that can subsequently be implemented in developing character education based on Tidung local wisdom. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing primary data obtained through observation, interviews, and documentation involving customary figures, education stakeholders, teachers, and Tidung tribal community members. Data analysis involves data reduction, display, verification, and triangulation. The findings of this study indicate: ngejaga tengkayu (protecting the marine ecosystems), tenguyun (like to cooperate), suang bagas begambus kamad bagas inteladus (simplicity and independence), tulid dalom ukum (honesty), beadob de ulun tuo (manners to parents), bais penyawo (kind), impong de lunas insuway (having a high sense of solidarity), tetulu (life advice), and bepakot (deliberation). These local wisdom values of the Tidung tribe can form the basis for strengthening character education in Indonesia, especially in North Kalimantan

Determination of Prayer Times Through Islamic Astronomy Applications: Repositioning Traditional Authority in the Digital Era

The determination of prayer times is an important aspect of Islamic religious practices, typically approached through two methods: the traditional one based on the observation of the sun's position and the modern method using mathematical technology. This study aims to examine the shift in societal perspectives regarding prayer time determination based on Islamic Astronomy and the role of modern mathematical technology in influencing traditional authority. The research uses a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The study subjects consist of two groups: those who maintain traditional methods and those who adopt modern mathematical technology, with 40 purposively selected participants. The findings reveal that older generations tend to preserve traditional methods due to emotional and spiritual ties to religious heritage, while younger generations are more accepting of technology as a practical solution. Although technology facilitates the determination of prayer times, some people feel that its use diminishes the spiritual depth of the prayer experience. This study concludes that technology can serve as a supportive tool that enriches religious understanding without replacing the traditional values that exist

Prevention of Child Marriage by the KUA of Kraksaan District through Partnership: A Perspective of Lawrence Meir Friedman's Legal System Theory

This study aims to discuss the prevention of child marriage by the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) of Kraksaan District through partnerships in the review of Lawrence Meir Friedman's legal system theory. This is due to the high number of child marriage applications recorded at the KUA of Kraksaan District from 2022 to 2023. Then, the effectiveness of preventing child marriage will be measured through Lawrence Meir Friedman's legal system theory. Qualitative methods are used in this research. Qualitative methods are research methods based on philosophy and are useful for studying scientific conditions (experiments). In this partnership strategy, the KUA works with several partners, including Village Officials, Village Heads, Non-Civil Servant Employees/Counselors, Community Health Centers (PUSKESMAS), Kraksaan District Government, NU, Muhammadiyah and al-Irsyad. As a result, 50 applications were prevented, and five were postponed out of 55 applications in 2022. In 2023, 13 applications were successfully rejected, and nine were accepted out of 22 applications in 2023. In the review of Lawrence Meir Friedman's legal system theory, the substance of the law is Law No.16 of 2019. This law is not effective because Article 7 still provides an opportunity for people to marry children. Meanwhile, the legal structure comprises the structural officials of the KUA. The KUA, assisted by its partners, is said to be effective in preventing child marriage, as seen from the data on the success rate of preventing child marriage mentioned above. The legal culture is the people of Kraksaan Subdistrict who still strongly hold the tradition of arranged marriage, maintain the good name of the family, parents want to escape their responsibilities, and the belief that many families will provide a lot of sustenance

The Influence of Hebrew in the Qur'an: A Scientific Response on Abraham Geiger's Views

This research focuses on examining Abraham Geiger's views regarding the Koran. This is important because it affects the purity of the Koran. The author uses descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach and verification methods. The results of the research are that according to Geiger, the Al-Qur'an available to Muslims is not an authentic, transcendent and original book, because many of its teachings are constructed and imitated from Judaism. These teachings include linguistic vocabulary in the Koran, religious concepts including views of life, rules and morals, and stories in the Koran. However, Geiger's views are not free from criticism. Several Muslim scholars have commented on and criticized his views. The aim is to show that the Koran is an authentic and original holy book and book of revelation, even though some of its teachings are contained in Jewish teachings because Islam does not exist in a vacuum without inhabitants, but is present in the midst of society with different cultures

Applying the Potter Box Moral Model in Social Media Use: A Study of Sungai Kunjang Flat Residents through an Islamic Ethical Lens

The background of this study explains that the Potter box moral model examines the ethical considerations taken into account by social media users, particularly residents of Sungai Kunjang Flat, when applying the Potter box moral model in everyday social media use. This study uses a qualitative method. This means that, in general, it can be used for research on people's lives, history, behaviour, concepts, phenomena, social problems, and others. The theory used in this study is the theory of communication, including communication ethics and the nature of the media, which is supported by the Potter Box theory, utilising four quadrants: facts or situation descriptions, identification of values, ethical principles, and loyalty or responsibility. The purpose of this study was to describe the moral potter's box model in the context of social media use among residents of Sungai Kunjang Flat. The results of this study indicate that the potter box is a moral consideration that benefits social media users, specifically the residents of Sungai Kunjang Flat. The Potter box uses a step that consists of four steps: situation description, identification of values, ethical principles, and loyalty/responsibility. The first step is to describe the situation. Flat residents use their social media to stay informed about current issues or events, such as crime, health, and other concerns. The second step, following up on the problems identified in the first step, involves re-checking the truth value to determine whether the news and issues are accurate. The next step explains how the residents of the flat apply ethical principles in their use of social media. The final step involves determining someone's loyalty

Scholarly Views on ‘Dialogue of Life’ as a Facilitator for Christian-Muslim Intermarriages in Ghana

The term ‘dialogue of life’ is usually used to display the phenomenon of living together of people of different religious persuasions, carrying out daily life interactions among themselves. Although coexistence of Ghanaians of multi-religious society had begun long before pre-independence when they frequently met and shared activities together, we fail to recognize that this kind of social interaction is part of the interreligious dialogue operating at the grass roots level. This is especially so when it comes to Christian-Muslim intermarriages. In Ghana, it is always a thorny issue among religious leaders when it comes to approving marriages between Muslims and Christians. Both religious groups are opposed to giving their approval and blessings to Christian-Muslim marriages. The crux of their opposition centre son differences in belief. Scholars appear to have failed to realize that this increasing occurrence of intermarriages within and across boundaries is an impact of globalization frequently overlooked