Withdrawal of Manuscript

The Journal of Islamic Studies has a clear and transparent policy regarding the withdrawal of manuscripts to ensure the integrity and transparency of the submission process. Authors should carefully review the following guidelines before requesting the withdrawal of a manuscript:

1. Conditions for Withdrawal

  • Before Peer Review: Authors may request the withdrawal of their manuscript at any time before it is sent for peer review without any penalty. The manuscript will be promptly removed from the editorial system.

  • After Peer Review: If the manuscript has already been sent out for peer review, authors can still request withdrawal, but the journal expects the authors to provide a valid and compelling reason for the request. The editorial team reserves the right to assess the reason before agreeing to the withdrawal.

  • After Acceptance but Before Publication: If a manuscript has been accepted for publication but has not yet been published, authors may request withdrawal. However, the request should be made as early as possible, and reasons for the withdrawal must be clearly provided. If the manuscript is already in the process of final preparation, a formal explanation is required.

  • Post-Publication Withdrawal: Once a manuscript has been published, it cannot be withdrawn. If there are significant ethical concerns or errors (such as plagiarism or data falsification) that arise post-publication, authors must request a retraction instead of a withdrawal.

2. Procedure for Withdrawal

  • Formal Request: Authors must submit a formal request to the journal editor explaining the reasons for the withdrawal. This request should be made via email or through the journal's online submission system.

  • Acknowledgment of Withdrawal: The editorial team will acknowledge the withdrawal request and confirm the removal of the manuscript from the review or publication process.

  • Reasons for Withdrawal: Authors are encouraged to provide a clear and legitimate reason for withdrawal. In cases where the withdrawal is due to conflicts, errors, or other issues, authors should be transparent in their explanation to maintain the credibility of the process.

3. Consequences of Withdrawal

  • Respecting the Integrity of the Process: The withdrawal of a manuscript should not be done lightly, as it disrupts the editorial workflow and peer review process. Authors must consider the timing and reasoning behind the withdrawal request.

  • Impact on Future Submissions: Authors who withdraw manuscripts after they have been sent for peer review or accepted for publication without valid reasons may face delays or restrictions on future submissions to the journal.

4. Ethical Considerations

  • Avoiding Dual Submission: Authors should not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously. If a manuscript has been submitted elsewhere, it must be withdrawn from that journal before submitting it to the Journal of Islamic Studies.

  • Preventing Manuscript Resubmission after Withdrawal: Once a manuscript has been withdrawn from the Journal of Islamic Studies, authors should not resubmit the same manuscript unless significant revisions or updates have been made. Resubmission of the same manuscript without substantial changes may be considered unethical and could result in rejection.

5. Handling of Withdrawal Request after Final Decision

  • Post-Acceptance Withdrawal: In cases where an author requests withdrawal after the manuscript has been accepted but before publication, the editor will consider the reason for withdrawal and the stage of the publication process. If the article is already in its final editing phase, authors may be requested to reimburse any costs associated with the editorial work already completed.

6. Ethical Implications of Withdrawal

  • Authors are expected to act ethically when requesting a manuscript withdrawal. Requests made to circumvent ethical concerns, avoid peer review feedback, or withdraw due to peer reviewer comments are not acceptable and may lead to a review of the author’s conduct in future submissions.

  • In cases where withdrawal is requested due to ethical issues (e.g., data fabrication, plagiarism), the editor may initiate an investigation into the issue and may report the author to relevant academic or professional bodies.

The Journal of Islamic Studies strives to maintain a fair and transparent editorial process. The withdrawal policy helps ensure that both authors and editors uphold the highest standards of academic integrity, while also ensuring that the submission and review process is conducted in an efficient and professional manner.