الألقاب والمقامات في الخطاب الديني المعاصر بين التسليع والانحراف: دراسة تأصيلية نقدية في ضوء نصوص الوحي ومقاصد الشريعة [Titles in Contemporary Religious Discourse: Between Commodification and Deviation in Light of Revelation and Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa]

Abstract

Amid rapid cultural and social transformations, the unchecked use of religious titles and ranks in contemporary discourse has led to the phenomenon of “commodification of titles,” undermining the purity of creed and diminishing the status of scholars and preachers. This study, titled “Titles and Ranks in Contemporary Religious Discourse: Between Commodification and Deviation – A Critical Foundational Study in Light of the Revelatory Texts and the Objectives of Shariah”, offers a jurisprudential framework for regulating the use of such titles. It examines the impact of exaggeration and transgression on the cohesion of the Muslim community and the integrity of devotional understanding, while also highlighting the challenges posed by the digital age in preserving the authenticity of religious discourse. The research stresses the necessity of adhering to clear Shariah-based guidelines, identifies verbal deviations such as excessive praise or titles with polytheistic connotations, and warns of their threat to Islamic unity and scholars’ reputations. It further proposes digital strategies and public awareness campaigns to safeguard doctrine and promote moderation. Ultimately, the study calls for sustained efforts to establish balance, uphold Shariah objectives, protect scholars’ dignity, and preserve religious discourse as a guiding light for future generations in the digital age.