Who Defines Islam? Critical Perspectives on Islamic Studies

This paper endeavors to answer the question of who defines Islam as an academic discipline. Firstly, it discusses epistemic authority producers and transmitters knowledge about Islam. It is argued here that, despite modernization, religious scholars learning centers in Muslim world still define, a certain extent, main curriculum texts interpretations tradition within discipline Islamic studies. Furthermore, Western studies must navigate between demands politics identity, which put pressure on Secondly, this article maps major models approaches at work today. In particular, section highlights diversity research norms practices Europe. Finally, multiple critiques produced by decolonial, historicist, theological views field are shown be complementary rather than exclusivist.