BEYOND THE TEXT: THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL SHIFT FROM NORMATIVE TO INTERDISCIPLINARY ISLAMIC STUDIES

Abstract

Traditional Islamic studies have long been dominated by a normative-textual paradigm that treats religious texts as rigid, isolated doctrines. In the contemporary era, this approach frequently struggles to address complex, multifaceted socio-political, technological, and gender realities. Consequently, there is a pressing need for an epistemological renewal within the discipline. This study examines the critical paradigm shift within contemporary Islamic studies, mapping the transition from a purely normative-textual framework to a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach, often conceptualized as "Employing a qualitative-conceptual methodology with a critical literature review and bibliometric synthesis of recent academic publications, this paper analyzes how social sciences, humanities, and digital frameworks are integrated into Islamic hermeneutics. The study reveals that the interdisciplinary turn does not dilute the sacred nature of Islamic text; rather, it revitalizes it. By utilizing analytical tools from sociology, anthropology, and post-colonial studies, contemporary Islamic scholarship has successfully opened new avenues of research such as digital Islamic education, Islamic feminist hermeneutics, and adaptive Islamic fiscal policies—that are highly responsive to modern disruptions. Implications: This epistemological shift repositions Islamic studies from an isolated academic discipline into an active contributor to global social discourses. The study concludes that fostering an interdisciplinary mindset among Islamic scholars is essential for sustaining the relevance of Islam as rahmatan lil 'alamin in a rapidly evolving post-truth world.