Islam and the Future of Global Values

Abstract

This paper examines how Islamic intellectual and ethical traditions can contribute to shaping the future of global values in an era marked by moral uncertainty, epistemic fragmentation, and competing visions of justice. Contemporary global discourse—often structured around frameworks such as human rights, liberal governance, and sustainability—has achieved broad normative influence, yet continues to face criticism for its limited cultural inclusivity and uneven global application. In response, this study revisits key Islamic concepts, including ʿadl (justice), ʿilm (knowledge), and maṣlaḥah (public good), to explore their relevance within current global debates.
Adopting a qualitative and analytically grounded approach, the paper draws on classical and contemporary Islamic intellectual traditions to examine how these concepts have historically informed legal, ethical, and institutional practices. It further situates these principles within ongoing discussions on global ethics, governance, and knowledge production, highlighting both convergences and tensions between Islamic perspectives and dominant global paradigms.
The analysis demonstrates that ʿadl offers a substantive and ethically grounded conception of justice that extends beyond procedural equality, emphasizing moral accountability and social balance. Similarly, maṣlaḥah functions as a flexible yet principled framework for addressing evolving societal needs, particularly in the context of public policy and global development. In addition, Islamic approaches to knowledge integrate reason, ethical responsibility, and purpose, presenting an alternative to purely instrumental models of knowledge that often characterize contemporary systems.
By situating Islamic thought within broader global conversations, this paper argues that Islamic ethical traditions are not merely reactive to modernity but actively contribute to shaping its moral foundations. It ultimately proposes a dialogical framework through which Islamic values can engage constructively with global ethical systems, fostering more inclusive, pluralistic, and context-sensitive approaches to shared global challenges.