## Notes from 01 June 2025 [[2025-05-31|← Previous note]] ┃ [[2025-06-02|Next note →]] Today I came across a [fascinating newsletter](https://kasurian.com/p/islamic-secular) introducing the concept of the _Islamic Secular_, based on [Sherman A. Jackson’s recent book](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126224674-the-islamic-secular), and it's been on my mind since then. Jackson argues that within the Islamic tradition, there has always been room for actions not directly derived from sharia, yet still pursued under God’s gaze and with religious intent. He calls this space the "Islamic Secular." This includes architecture, science, governance, and economic development... fields requiring human reasoning and expertise that can still be spiritually meaningful. Jackson’s main contribution is redefining “secular” as a zone of faithful engagement with the world, distinct from (but not in opposition to) Islamic law, rather than as a rejection of religion. One of the book's core arguments is that reducing Islam to Sharia alone (a mindset Jackson refers to as "Sharia maximalism") has led to the narrowing of Muslim public and intellectual life. By naming and legitimizing the Islamic Secular, Jackson invites Muslims to reclaim the broader civilizational vision that once caused Islamic societies to flourish. He believes this is essential for rebuilding institutional complexity and moral authority in today's world. What struck me most is how this concept gives religious meaning to everyday professional and creative work without requiring it to be framed in legal terms. It's not about replacing sharia but restoring the full range of Islamic life.