Hamdard Islamicus Vol. XLVIII. No. 3 7 EDITORIAL This issue No. 3 of Hamdard Islamicus volume 48, brings together a diverse collection of articles that engage with central themes in Islamic studies, spanning law, philosophy, ethics, medicine, and history. The first article, “The Evolution of Urdu Sīrah Literature in Deccan Before 1857: An Overview,” addresses a relatively underexplored topic, offering fresh insights into lesser-known works and authors. This focus enhances the broader understanding of Urdu as a medium for religious expression in a specific regional context. The second article, “The Concept of Educator Character: A Theo-Legalistic Study Based on the Holy Qur'Én, Hadith, and Indonesian National Education Law,” investigates the normative foundations of character formation through an integration of scriptural and legal sources. “Political Loyalty and the Ethical Turn in Islamic Law: The Case of the European Council for Fatwā and Research” is the third article. It highlights that the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence poses a crucial challenge for Muslim minorities. Questions of allegiance to nation-states in non-Muslim contexts are relevant not only within Europe but across the wider global community of Muslim minorities. Engaging with this issue offers important benefits for Muslims living as minorities worldwide. The fourth article, “Muslim and Buddhist Gratitude Practices: A Systematic Review of Psychological Benefits for Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Interventions,” shifts to comparative religious ethics. This systematic review offers a comprehensive understanding of the psychological advantages associated with Buddhist and Muslim gratitude practices. The fifth and last article is “Clarifying the Conflicting Ahadith on Cauterization as a Medical Treatment”. This article provides relevant implications for Islamic medical ethics, especially for scholars and practitioners of Tibb-e-Nabawi. It is a valuable contribution to the field of Islamic bioethics and hadith reconciliation. In addition to these research articles, this issue includes a review of Prof Dr Abdur Raheem Kidwai’s Images of the Prophet 8 Editorial . Muhammad in English Literature (Peter Lang, 2018), a work that critically assesses representations of the Prophet (Øal Allah-u-‘alaihe wa sallam) and their significance for interreligious dialogue. Collectively, these contributions showcase the breadth of contemporary scholarship, offering critical insights into the dynamic interplay of tradition, interpretation, and practice across multiple domains. Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to the contributors and scholars whose rigorous work is featured in this issue. Their dedication enriches our understanding and advances the critical discourse within the field. To our readers i.e., academicians, practitioners, and students, we thank them for their continued engagement and intellectual curiosity, which together foster a vibrant and thoughtful academic community. DR. SHABEER KHAN Editor