Smart: Journal of Islamic Religion and Sharia Studies (SSharia) is a premier, peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the rigorous, interdisciplinary examination of Islamic theology, religious jurisprudence, and Sharia law. The journal serves as a vital intellectual forum for advancing scholarly discourse on the epistemological foundations, historical trajectories, and contemporary applications of Islamic thought and legal frameworks.

SSharia bridges textual analysis with empirical socio-legal studies, fostering a nuanced understanding of how Islamic traditions interact with modernity. We welcome original research articles, theoretical analyses, and critical reviews from diverse disciplines, including Islamic studies, comparative religion, law, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy.

I. Thematic Scope

The journal invites submissions that engage deeply with, but are not limited to, the following core thematic areas:

• Classical and Contemporary Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh): Critical analyses of legal methodologies, the evolution of Islamic legal schools (madhahib), and the application of classical jurisprudence to contemporary moral, medical, and technological dilemmas.

• Sharia Law and Modern Legal Systems: The intersection, integration, and tension between Islamic law and secular, civil, or common law systems. This includes constitutionalism, human rights, gender equity, and penal codes within Islamic frameworks.

• Islamic Theology and Philosophy (Aqidah and Kalam): Explorations of theological doctrines, Islamic ethics, mysticism (Sufism), and the philosophical underpinnings of Islamic religious practice.

• Quranic and Hadith Exegesis: Contemporary and historical methodologies in the interpretation of foundational Islamic texts, including contextualist and thematic approaches.

• Islamic Economics, Finance, and Muamalah: The ethical frameworks and legal stipulations governing Islamic banking, philanthropic institutions (Zakat and Waqf), and the global halal industry.

• Sociology and Anthropology of Islam: Empirical studies on the lived experiences of Muslims, the institutionalization of religious authority, and the socio-cultural dynamics of Islamic rituals and practices.

II. Geographical and Contextual Focus

To capture the dynamic and diverse nature of the global Muslim community (Ummah), SSharia specifically encourages scholarship that contextualizes Islamic religion and Sharia within specific regional frameworks, emphasizing both the Indonesian landscape and the broader global arena.

A. The Indonesian Context (Nusantara Islam)

As the country with the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia offers a unique paradigm of Islamic practice and legal implementation. The journal focuses on:

• Integration of Sharia, Civil, and Customary Law (Adat): The harmonization and conflicts between state law, local traditions, and Islamic jurisprudence in Indonesia.

• Islamic Family Law in Indonesia: Developments in the compilation of Islamic law (Kompilasi Hukum Islam) and the practices of the Indonesian Religious Courts (Pengadilan Agama).

• Role of Islamic Organizations: The socio-political and theological influence of major mass organizations (e.g., Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah) and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in shaping public policy and religious fatwas.

• Democratization and Local Sharia Bylaws (Perda Syariah): The political and legal implications of implementing Sharia-inspired regional regulations within a democratic, pluralistic republic.

B. The Global and Transnational Context

SSharia actively seeks research that addresses the application and transformation of Islamic thought across varied international socio-political landscapes:

• Comparative Sharia Implementation: Evaluating the legal and constitutional frameworks of Muslim-majority nations across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

• Muslim Minorities and Diaspora Communities: The legal and socio-cultural challenges faced by Muslims living in Western and secular nations, including issues of integration, Islamophobia, and the navigation of family law in non-Muslim jurisdictions.

• Transnational Islamic Movements: The globalization of Islamic ideologies, cross-border religious networks, and the impact of digital media on global religious authority.

• International Law and Islamic Ethics: The convergence and divergence of Sharia with international human rights standards, international humanitarian law, and global diplomatic relations.

III. Target Audience and Publication

Published triannually (February, June, and October), SSharia is committed to maintaining the highest scholarly criteria through a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. The journal is designed for a diverse, global audience of academics, legal practitioners, theologians, policymakers, and graduate students seeking authoritative, evidence-based insights into the complexities of Islamic scholarship and its relevance to contemporary international discourse.