Hamdard Islamicus Vol. XLVI. No. 4                                                      7 
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EDITORIAL 

We are delighted to present the fourth issue of Hamdard Islamicus for 

Volume 46 (2023). In this issue, the scholars investigate diverse scholarly 

inquiries, revealing the richness of intellectual exploration across various 

areas related to Islamic studies. Each article embarks on a distinct 

journey, shedding light on unique perspectives and bridging gaps 

between different areas related to Islamic studies, cultures, and 

governance. This issue comprises five academic articles thoughtfully 

organized as follows: 

The first article “The Clash of Thoughts: How Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī 

and Bertrand Russell Define Happiness” critically examines the clash 

between classical and modern ideologies on happiness. Through the 

lenses of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī and Bertrand Russell, it provides an 

interesting exploration of cultural and temporal disparities. The pursuit of 

happiness is dissected, revealing differences and the shared human 

essence underlying these diverse philosophical traditions. 

The second article “The Culture of Deliberation in Muslim Society 

and the Challenge of Mutual Respect among Cultures: Social and 

Political Perspectives” explores the evolution of societal deliberation in 

Muslim cultures, examining historical practices and their adaptation to 

contemporary contexts. This nuanced understanding considers the 

interplay between democratic and undemocratic deliberation models, 

inviting readers to reflect on the foundations of societal decision-making 

across different times. 

The third article “The Implementation of Governance Principles in 

Islamic Microfinance: A Comparative Analysis Between Türkiye 

and Indonesia” explores the comparative analysis of governance 

principles in Islamic microfinance institutions in Türkiye and Indonesia. 

Offering valuable insights into applying ethical principles for societal 

well-being, the study discusses practices and hints at the potential for 

technological advancements to enhance transparency and impact in less 

established institutions. 

Moving into the economic realm, the fourth article “Does Tourism and 

Foreign Direct Investment Matter for the Profitability of Islamic 

Banks: Empirical Evidence from Türkiye” examines the profitability 

of Islamic banks in Türkiye regarding tourism and foreign direct 



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investment. Findings advocate for strategic approaches to optimize 

external funding sources, emphasizing the delicate balance between 

attracting foreign investment and managing the impact of tourism. 

The final article “Religion and the State: The Functional Purposes and 

the Issue of Legitimacy” explores political theory, investigating the 

symbiotic relationship between religion and the state. Drawing on 

historical analysis and content examination, the paper asserts that the 

state, from the Islamic perspective, is a dynamic entity shaped by 

religious metaphysics and necessitates subordination to the Ummah. 

To summarise, all articles share a common goal: exploring different 

aspects of being human from an Islamic perspective. This volume shows 

the depth of different fields of Islamic studies working together, 

encouraging readers to explore cultural, historical, and subject boundaries 

for a complete view of these interesting topics. 

Finally, we thank the authors for choosing Hamdard Islamicus as a 

platform for their scholarly work, enhancing the academic landscape of 

Islamic studies. We trust that their significant contributions have had a 

meaningful impact. We appreciate readers’ feedback, which helps us 

improve our publication. Looking ahead, we anticipate more high-quality 

scholarly work delving into crucial topics within the realm of Islamic 

studies. 

         

DR. SHABEER KHAN 

Editor