Liberal Islam and its threats to Muslims’ societies

Abdul Rahim, Adibah (2026) Liberal Islam and its threats to Muslims’ societies. Malaysian Journal for Islamic Studies, 10 (1). pp. 28-42. E-ISSN 2550-2042

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Abstract

Liberal Islam is considered as a significant threat facing the Muslims today. Its advocacy for freedom and unlimited rational interpretation of Islam might not only undermine the truth of Islam but also cause doubts among Muslims in society. Therefore, this study is important to create awareness about the danger of liberalists’ thought and various challenges posed by them. It explores the perceived threats of liberal Islam to Muslim beliefs and practices, focusing on four selected challenges, namely, religious pluralism and the freedom of religious belief, the acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, misconception of gender equality, and the misinterpretation of aurah. This study employs a qualitative method with library research in which the data was obtained through various sources of books, manuscripts, articles, and other relevant documents. The study found that liberal Islam is motivated by Western ideologies, and it is an agenda of the West to diverge Muslims from their religious beliefs and to free themselves from the religious guidance. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen an Islamic educational system for the Muslims to maintain their self-esteem and help them from easily influenced by the liberal thought. Besides, the government should empower shari’ah court jurisdiction to prevent any act of challenging the shari’ah law. Lastly, the media should play a role to confront the liberal thought that creates misunderstanding in the society

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Freedom of religious belief, Gender equality, Islam liberal, religious pluralism, Sisters in Islam (SIS)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion
Depositing User:	Dr Adibah Abdul Rahim
Date Deposited:	22 May 2026 16:23
Last Modified:	22 May 2026 16:23
Queue Number:	2026-05-Q3558
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129138

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