By Professor Dr Hanudin Amin
Labuan Faculty of International Finance, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
EVERONE acknowledges that being a lecturer is easy but in reality, it is otherwise.
It requires balancing roles—educator, mentor, researcher, and ad.ministrator— each demanding significant time and effort.
Lecturers are tasked with not only delivering knowledge effectively but also inspiring and shaping the minds of their students.
Beyond the classroom, they must stay at the forefront of their fields, producing impactful research and publications while navigating the pressures of meeting institutional expectations.
In the contemporaneous academic landscape, research publication is a cornerstone of intellectual progress and professional growth.
For lecturers, especially in higher education, publishing scholarly articles not only advances their careers but also contributes to the broader dissemination of knowledge.
However, limited motivation, inadequate support, and a lack of ethical commitment often hinder cultivating a robust publication culture. Others are also teething disturbances.
In this write-up, there are two issues are highlighted as follows:
What are the issues with using the maqasid approach in improving lecturers’ publication culture?
What are practical strategies for making the maqasid approach useful and valid?
By definition, maqasid al-Shariah generally refers to the goals behind Shariah’s rulings and guidelines. The goals are aimed at promoting the well-being of communities and individuals by protecting essential aspects of human life namely intelligence, faith, wealth, life and lineage.
In addressing the first concern, there are five issues explained along with proposed solutions from my perspectives.
SAFEGUARDING OF INTELLIGENCE (HIFZ AL-‘AQL) : CULTIVATING KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN ETHOS
The maqasid principle of shielding intelligence emphasises the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.
Lecturers should view publishing not merely as a professional obligation but as a means to contribute meaningfully to the intellectual and moral development of society.
As for solutions, universities can establish programs that align the publication process with the goal of intellectual growth, such as research ethics workshops, collaborative writing initiatives, and mentorship schemes.
Encouraging the integration of Islamic values into research topics can also resonate deeply with Muslim scholars, fostering greater engagement and motivation.
PROTECTION OF FAITH (HIFZ AL-DIN): UPHOLDING ETHICAL INTEGRITY IN RESEARCH : —
Academic publishing often faces ethical dilemmas, such as plagiarism, falsification, or data manipulation.
The principle of protecting faith calls for integrity and sincerity in all scholarly endeavours.
As for solutions, universities should implement policies that reward ethical research practices and offer training on Islamic research ethics.
By instilling a sense of accountability before God, lecturers are encouraged to pursue their work with honesty and dedication.
PROTECTION OF WEALTH (HIFZ AL-MAL): INVESTING IN RESEARCH RESOURCES : —
Many lecturers struggle with limited access to funding, journals, and research tools, which impedes their ability to publish. Protecting wealth in this context involves the equitable allocation of resources to support scholarly activities.
As for solutions, universities can allocate dedicated budgets from crowdfunding for research grants, journal subscriptions, and conference participation.
Collaborative funding models can also be introduced, where multiple researchers share resources to achieve common academic goals.
PROTECTION OF LIFE (HIFZ AL-NAFS): PREVENTING BURNOUT AND STRESS : — The pressure to publish can lead to excessive stress, affecting lecturers’ mental and physical health.
The maqasid principle of protecting life underscores the importance of maintaining balance and well-being.
As for solutions, universities should adopt supportive measures such as flexible deadlines, mental health resources, and workload management systems.
Promoting the idea of research as a form of worship can inspire lecturers to approach their work with tranquillity and purpose.
PROTECTION OF LINEAGE (HIFZ AL-NASL): BUILDING A LEGACY OF SCHOLARSHIP : —
Publishing is not only about individual achievement but also about leaving a legacy for future generations.
The principle of protecting lineage reminds lecturers of their role in fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and mentorship.
As for solutions, senior academics should actively mentor younger lecturers, fostering a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Institutions can also celebrate collective achievements, highlighting how individual contributions strengthen the academic community.
In addressing the above issues, at least five strategies can be forwarded in stimulating and therefore activating effective lecturers’ publication culture at universities. The details are provided as follows:
ESTABLISHING RESEARCH CLUSTERS BASED ON THE MAQASID CODE OF SOUL (MACOS) : —
Universities can form interdisciplinary research clusters that focus on maqasid-oriented themes, such as ethics in artificial intelligence, sustainable development, or Islamic finance governance.
These clusters not only promote teamwork but also align research output with societal needs.
INCENTIVISING HIGH-QUALITY PUBLICATIONS : —
Lecturers often need tangible motivation to publish.
Institutions can introduce rewards such as monetary bonuses like one month’s salary for difficult and dedicated journals, effective promotion opportunities, or recognition awards for publishing in high-impact journals, especially those that contribute to maqasid objectives.
INTEGRATING MAQASID INTO RESEARCH MODULE DEVELOPMENT : —
Embedding maqasid principles into the research module development helps lecturers internalise these values, making them an integral part of their research mindset.
Courses on Islamic research ethics and maqasid-based methodologies can be introduced at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR PUBLICATION SUPPORT : — Modern tools such as plagiarism detection software, citation managers, and collaborative platforms can streamline the publication process.
Universities should provide training and effective human resources to help lecturers utilise these tools effectively.
The environment is supportive.
BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS : —
Collaborating with other institutions, both locally and internationally, can open doors to co-authorship opportunities, access to better resources, and exposure to diverse perspectives.
Partnerships with Islamic research bodies can further strengthen the maqasid orientation in academic work.
In fact, by improving the publication culture, one not only earns tangible rewards such as academic recognition, career advancement, and financial incentives but also intangible rewards in the hereafter.
Cultivating a robust publication culture fosters the dissemination of knowledge that can benefit individuals, communities, and even future generations, aligning with the concept of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity).
IN SUM, improving the publication culture among lecturers requires a multidimensional approach, addressing both practical and ethical challenges.
The maqasid al-Shariah provides a powerful framework that integrates intellectual, moral, and societal goals into academic pursuits.
By aligning their research efforts with these principles, lecturers not only enhance their professional achievements but also fulfil their spiritual and societal responsibilities, ultimately advancing the broader mission of education and knowledge.
Acknowledgement:
This write-up is funded by Islamic Economics Research and Innovation Fund (IERIF) 2024, INCEIF University, ISRA Research Management Centre (ISRARMC/IERIF/AWARD/2024/BATCH 1/63), Malaysia.
Dr Imran Mehboob Shaikh, Assoc Prof Dr Dzuljastri Abdul Razak, Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad and Putera Aliif Al’ain Jasni are the members of the Research Grant.
Editor: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of talantang.com
