Theology, sociology, and methodology: preliminary reflections on their relations and implications in Islamic discourse

Bin Jamil, Khairil Husaini (2026) Theology, sociology, and methodology: preliminary reflections on their relations and implications in Islamic discourse. In: The 4th International Conference on Islamic Business Bangkok (ICIBB 2026): Global Halal, Social Science and Technology, 16 - 17 July 2026, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand.

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (7MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This paper offers preliminary reflections on the relations of theology, sociology, and methodology in Islamic discourse. It begins from the observation that these terms are often treated as separate academic domains, whereas they may also be read as modern discursive expressions of deeper concerns: God, the human being, and the situated order of knowledge. Theology concerns revelation, divine truth, reason, and ultimate meaning. Sociology concerns the human being as a social actor whose religious understanding, practice, and institutions are shaped within historical and communal realities. Methodology concerns the procedures, assumptions, and criteria through which knowledge is organised and justified. The paper traces these concerns through several intellectual stations: Greek reflections on ordered inquiry, Islamic disciplines of knowledge, medieval scholastic theology, early modern scientific method, and modern sociology with the pluralisation of methodology. It argues that Islamic discourse cannot ignore society, history, method, and academic discipline, yet it also cannot allow God, revelation, metaphysics, and spirituality to be displaced from its epistemic centre.

Item Type:	Proceeding Paper (Invited Papers)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Research methodology; tawhidic epistemology; revelation and science; Islamisation of Human Knowledge; philosophy of method.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) BPL Islamic education Q Science > Q Science (General) > Q128 Islam and Science
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Qur’an and Sunnah
Depositing User:	Dr. Khairil Husaini Bin Jamil
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2026 16:47
Last Update:	23 Oct 2026 16:47
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5796
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132203
Indexed In:	UNSPECIFIED

Actions (login required)

View Item