Author Guidelines

The Journal of Islamic Studies provides the following Author Guidelines to ensure the quality and consistency of submitted manuscripts. Authors should follow these guidelines closely when submitting their work to the journal.

1. General Submission Information

  • Submission Process: Manuscripts should be submitted via the journal’s online submission system. Authors are required to create an account to submit and track the status of their manuscript.

  • Language: Manuscripts must be written in English. If English is not the author’s first language, it is highly recommended to have the manuscript professionally proofread or edited before submission.

  • Originality: Submissions must be original, unpublished work that is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Any manuscript found to be plagiarized will be rejected.

2. Manuscript Preparation

  • Manuscript Format:

    • Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format.

    • The manuscript must be double-spaced and in Times New Roman, 12-point font size, with 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.

    • The length of the manuscript should be between 3,000 and 7,000 words (including references, tables, and figures).

    • The text should be aligned to the left, without justification.

    • Page numbers should be placed at the top right of each page.

  • Sections of the Manuscript:

    • Title Page: The title should be concise and informative. Include the following information:

      • Title of the article

      • Author(s) name(s), affiliation(s), and contact details (email addresses).

      • Corresponding author (if different from the first author).

    • Abstract: Provide a concise summary (150-250 words) of the article. The abstract should clearly state the research objective, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. It should be written in a single paragraph without references.

    • Keywords: List 3 to 6 keywords that are relevant to the content of the article. These keywords will assist in indexing and improve searchability.

    • Main Body: The manuscript should be divided into clear sections. The typical structure includes:

      • Introduction: Introduce the research problem, objectives, and the significance of the study. Provide a review of the relevant literature and state the research questions or hypotheses.

      • Methodology: Describe the research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. Specify whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or a combination of both.

      • Results: Present the findings of the study clearly and logically. Use tables and figures as necessary to illustrate key results.

      • Discussion: Interpret the findings in the context of the literature reviewed. Discuss the implications, limitations, and potential for future research.

      • Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and their relevance to the field of Islamic Studies.

    • References: Include a comprehensive list of references at the end of the manuscript, formatted according to Harvard style (see below). Ensure that all references cited in the text are included in the reference list and vice versa.

3. Figures and Tables

  • Placement: Figures and tables should be embedded within the manuscript file at the appropriate points in the text. Each figure or table must be accompanied by a caption.

  • Quality: Figures should be of high resolution (at least 300 DPI). Graphs, charts, and images must be legible and easy to interpret. For tables, use simple formatting, avoiding excessive borders or shading.

  • Numbering: Tables and figures should be numbered sequentially (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1, etc.), and each should be referred to in the text.

4. Citation and Referencing

  • In-text citations: Use Harvard-style citations for in-text references. Example: (Smith, 2020). For multiple authors, use (Smith and Jones, 2020) or (Smith et al., 2020) for three or more authors.

  • Reference List: The reference list should appear at the end of the manuscript, formatted according to Harvard referencing style. Ensure consistency throughout.

    • Books:

      • Smith, J. (2020). Understanding Islamic Law. 2nd ed. London: Routledge.

    • Journal Articles:

      • Khan, M.A. (2019). "Islamic Philosophy and Modernity: A Critical Perspective." Journal of Islamic Studies, 45(3), pp. 231-245.

    • Websites:

      • Al-Azhar University (2021). "Islamic Studies Online Resources." Available at: https://www.alazhar.edu [Accessed 8 May 2025].

  • Consistency: Ensure all in-text citations match the reference list and that each reference is formatted correctly.

5. Ethical Guidelines

  • Ethical Compliance: Authors must ensure that their research adheres to ethical standards, including the protection of human participants, animal welfare (if applicable), and informed consent. Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest related to the research.

  • Plagiarism: All submitted manuscripts will be checked for plagiarism using reputable plagiarism detection tools (e.g., Turnitin or iThenticate). The journal follows a zero-tolerance policy on plagiarism.

  • Data Availability: Authors must ensure that the data underlying the results presented in the manuscript are available, and if requested, authors should be able to provide the data or a statement of its availability.

6. Peer Review Process

  • Double-Blind Peer Review: The Journal of Islamic Studies follows a double-blind peer review process. Both the author(s) and reviewers are anonymous to each other.

  • Reviewer Feedback: Authors will receive feedback from peer reviewers, which may include suggestions for revision or rejection. Authors are expected to address reviewers' comments and resubmit the revised manuscript within the specified timeframe.

7. Copyright and Licensing

  • Copyright Transfer: Upon acceptance of the manuscript, authors are required to transfer the copyright to the journal. Authors retain the right to use their published work for personal, educational, and scholarly purposes.

  • Open Access: The journal follows an open access model, meaning that all published articles will be freely available online for readers worldwide. Articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, allowing others to share, reuse, and adapt the work with proper attribution.

8. Submission Checklist

Before submitting, ensure that the following elements are included:

  • Title page with author details and corresponding author’s contact information

  • Abstract (150-250 words)

  • Keywords (3-6 words)

  • Main body of the manuscript (Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)

  • Reference list formatted in Harvard style

  • Figures and tables, if applicable, embedded in the manuscript

  • Ethical declaration (if applicable)

  • Acknowledgment of any conflicts of interest or funding sources

9. Contact Information

For any questions regarding manuscript submission, please contact the editorial office at:

  • Email: [insert journal email address]

  • Website: [insert journal website link]

By following these author guidelines, authors ensure that their manuscript meets the journal’s submission standards and increases the chances of a successful publication. We look forward to receiving your contributions to the Journal of Islamic Studies!