Core Islamic Sciences
Qur'anic studies, Tafsir, Hadith, Islamic law, Kalam, Sufism and classical Islamic sciences.
Theology, Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies
SAER JOURNAL / FIELD OF RESEARCH
Theology, Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies
Theology, Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies constitute one of the principal fields within the scope of SAER Journal. The journal considers original scholarly research in theology, Islamic sciences, core Islamic studies, religious studies and the historical, philosophical, social and educational dimensions of religion.
Scholarship for rigorous inquiry into religion, thought and society.
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Principal Fields Covered
Theology, Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies encompass research on religion, Islamic thought, core Islamic sciences and the individual and social dimensions of religion. The list below is indicative rather than restrictive.
Religious Studies
History of religions, sociology of religion, psychology of religion and comparative religious studies.
Philosophy of Religion and Thought
Philosophy of religion, Islamic thought, ethics and philosophical-theological debates.
Religious Education and Society
Religious education, religious communities, modernization, social change and religion.
Theology
Islamic sciences
Core Islamic studies
Qur'anic studies and Tafsir
Hadith
Islamic law and Fiqh
Kalam
Sufism
History of religions
Philosophy of religion
Sociology of religion
Psychology of religion
Religious education
Islamic history
History of Islamic thought
Arabic language and rhetoric
Comparative religious studies
Other related theology and religious studies fields
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Research Topics
SAER Journal is not limited to a particular tradition, historical period or methodological orientation within theology and religious studies.
- Qur'anic and Tafsir studies
- Hadith and Sunnah studies
- Islamic law and legal methodology
- Kalam and theological questions
- Sufism and mystical traditions
- History of Islamic thought
- History of religions and comparative religion
- Philosophy of religion and ethics
- Sociology of religion and social change
- Psychology of religion
- Religious education and learning
- Modernization, secularization and religion
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Research Approaches
Different approaches ranging from classical textual scholarship to contemporary empirical research may be considered when appropriate to the field.
- Textual and source-based studies
- Historical research
- Comparative religious studies
- Philosophical and conceptual analysis
- Hermeneutic and interpretive approaches
- Qualitative research
- Quantitative research
- Mixed-methods research
- Sociological and psychological research
- Archival and manuscript studies
- Systematic reviews
- Theoretical and interdisciplinary studies
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Interdisciplinary Research
Research connecting religious studies with history, philosophy, sociology, psychology, education, law, cultural studies and digital humanities is within the journal's scope.
Religion and society, religion and mental health, religious education, ethics, modernization, migration and religion, digital religion and intercultural religious studies are examples of relevant intersections.
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Scientific and Ethical Expectations
Studies should clearly define the research or interpretive question, justify the sources and methods used and engage critically with relevant scholarship.
Empirical research involving human participants in sociology of religion, psychology of religion or religious education should comply with applicable ethics approval, informed consent and data-protection requirements.
Academic neutrality, accurate source use and respectful scholarly language are expected when addressing sacred texts, classical sources, denominations, religious communities and belief traditions.
Scope assessment
Falling within Theology, Islamic Sciences and Religious Studies does not in itself guarantee external peer review or publication. Submissions are assessed editorially for originality, scholarly quality, methodological or theoretical adequacy, ethical compliance and academic contribution.
