THE COVENANT OF FAITH AND LAW IN SURAH AL-MA’IDAH: A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURE AND THEMATIC COHERENCE OF THE SURAH

أ.د. نبيل فولي محمد — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:44:45 +0000

This paper will seek to discover the structural unity of Surah Al-Ma'idah by examining the fundamental linkage between its themes of faith (aqidah) and law (shari'ah) within a high order: the Divine Covenant, which is found throughout the entire paper.The paper aims to find the common thread of the topics of Surah Al-Ma'idah as well as the relationship between the sections of the study, based on the inductive approach, their analysis, and subsequent synthesis and examination of the relationship between the functions and the complementary functions of its phrases, lines and themes. It is considered that the name of the surah and its opening verses are the main elements of the surah, whose context is to be considered, and its unique language lexicon and verbal and semantic repetitions throughout the manifestations. The study indicates that the study of Surah Al-Ma'idah sets up the notion of the covenant, as a divine contract that incorporates the faith and practice. This idea is discussed in the surah in two dimensions, a historical one concerning the position of the People of the Book with regard to their covenants with God, and a modern one addressed by referring to the commitments of the Muslim community. Theologically, the surah revolves around the position of the Christians with regard to monotheism, trinity doctrine and worshiping Christ. On the legislative part, it gives the rulings on food as a viable model of adhering to the divine law. The paper concludes that the surah provides an integrated vision whereby faith is the core and the law its subdivision, where both are connected to the divine covenant, which is the all-embracing structure of the whole religion both faith and law. It is also seen that the surah follows a prudent approach in integrating the two: as a lesson and admonition of the historical transgressions, and as developing the methods of the Islamic approach, grounded on monotheism and pragmatic adherence to the verdict of the law.

THE FRAGMENTATION OF FEMALE SELFHOOD IN JOKHA ALHARTI’S NOVEL “MANAMAAT”

محمد سلطان أحمد — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:42:58 +0000

This paper explores the manifestation of society and the condition of women in Jokha Alharthi’s novel Manamat within the context of modern Omani society. The study analyses how the novel captures social, cultural, and psychological transformations, especially in the lives of women caught between inherited traditions and personal aspirations. Through detailed textual analysis, the paper highlights themes such as female suffering, anxiety, forced marriage, depression, and the struggle for freedom of expression. By tracing the interplay between dreams and reality, and love and loss, the study reveals how Alharthi’s narrative gives voice to Omani women’s silent struggles and hopes, offering a deep reflection on the tension between individual identity and collective norms. Ultimately, the research shows that Manamat is not only a literary work but also a social document that mirrors the evolving reality of Omani women.

ALDEBAL

THE COVENANT OF FAITH AND LAW IN SURAH AL-MA’IDAH: A STUDY ON THE STRUCTURE AND THEMATIC COHERENCE OF THE SURAH

THE FRAGMENTATION OF FEMALE SELFHOOD IN JOKHA ALHARTI’S NOVEL “MANAMAAT”