Mapping Islamic Ethical Sources: A Critical Review

This chapter comprehensively explores the foundational sources underpinning Islamic ethics within the rich tapestry of Islamic tradition. Its central role lies in laying the intellectual groundwork for the ensuing scholarly dialogues encapsulated within this edited volume. In light of the enduring debates and scholarly deliberations surrounding the contours of this burgeoning academic discipline and its foundational sources, this chapter embarks on a meticulous exploration of several crucial dimensions. The chapter commences by delving into the fundamental rationale behind dissecting the “sources of Islamic ethics,” elucidating the significance of this inquiry within contemporary academic discourse. Subsequently, it engages in a discerning examination of Islamic ethics as a distinct and evolved discipline within the modern intellectual landscape. It scrutinises the profound influence of the overarching concept of ethics on the definition of the academic identity of this discipline and the nuanced perspectives it engenders concerning the sources from which it derives. Furthermore, this chapter critically deconstructs contemporary approaches aimed at documenting, analysing, and categorising Islamic ethical sources, shedding light on the evolving methodologies employed in this endeavour.