Hamdard Islamicus Vol. XLVII. No. 2 7 .. EDITORIAL We are pleased to present the second issue of the Hamdard Islamicus volume No. XLVII for 2024, featuring a collection of insightful and thought-provoking articles. In this issue, each article offers distinctive discernments and analyses within Islamic studies, enriching our readers’ comprehension of these vital subjects. The current issue comprises five articles, each exploring different aspects of Islamic studies, outlined below: Sīrah writing about the last Prophet (Øal Allah-u-‘alaihe wa sallam) has seen a shift in Western scholarship since 9/11, moving from negative portrayals to more positive and balanced ones. The first article of this issue “Modern Western Trends in Sīrah Writing: An Assessment of John V. Tolan and Craig Considine’s Approach” examines both authors’ contributions, highlighting their efforts in presenting the Prophet (Øal Allah-u-‘alaihe wa sallam) as a symbol of peace and progress. The second article “The Interplay of Ijtihād and Maqāṣid al- Sharī‘ah in Pre-Modern Legal Thought: Examining the Contributions of Al-Ghazali and Al-Shatibi” explores the dynamic relationship between Ijtihād (independent reasoning) and Maqāṣid al- Sharī‘ah (objectives of Islamic law) in pre-modern legal thought. By examining the contributions of these prominent scholars, the study provides an in-depth analysis of how these concepts were applied to ensure that Islamic law remained relevant and adaptable to changing modern circumstances. The third article “Qur’Énic Emotional Intelligence and its Relationship with Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Students at Al-Madinah International University Malaysia” delves into the intriguing connection between Qur’ānic Emotional Intelligence (QEI) and academic performance among undergraduates of Al-Madinah International University, Malaysia. Exploring how QEI influences students’ achievements sheds light on the potential impact of religious and emotional factors on educational outcomes and highlights the importance of implementing QEI in educational settings. 8 Editorial .. The next article investigates the unique expression of female Sufism in the Javanese text Serat Murtasiyah, focusing on how religious values are represented within the domestic realm. The study “Exploring Javanese Female Sufism in Serat Murtasiyah: A Study of Women’s Representation of Religious Values in the Domestic Realm within Modern Western Contexts” examines the intersection of traditional Javanese culture and Islamic spirituality, providing insights into the roles and experiences of women in this spiritual tradition, and how these perceptions can be understood within modern Western contexts. The fifth and last article “The Muslim Diaspora’s Nationalism and Identity in Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire” examines contemporary issues of nationalism and identity within the Muslim diaspora, tying together cultural and religious identity themes in a modern context. This paper analyzes the struggles of Muslim immigrants in the West through Kamila Shamsie's novel "Home Fire." It urges a balanced approach in discussing identity conflicts and citizenship rights, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and acceptance of diverse perspectives for better social cohesion. We extend our profound gratitude to the authors for their scholarly contributions and welcome feedback from our esteemed readers as we look forward to exploring critical topics in Islamic studies. DR. SHABEER KHAN Editor