Author Guidelines

The Mujtahid: Journal of Islamic Legal Decision Sciences welcomes original, high-quality manuscripts that contribute to redefining Islamic legal studies through empirical, behavioral, and computational decision sciences. The journal prioritizes rigorous empirical research (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods) and comprehensive Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) that integrate Islamic legal principles (Usul Fiqh and Maqasid al-Shariah) with modern empirical legal studies and behavioral law.
 
1. General Formatting Requirements
  • File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx).
  • Maximum File Size: 2 MB (Authors are advised to compress files if necessary).
  • Font: 12-point Times New Roman.
  • Text Formatting: Single-spaced, fully justified (including references).
  • Page Layout: 1-inch margins on all sides, A4 paper size.
  • Length: Maximum of 25 pages, inclusive of title, abstract, keywords, main text, references, tables, figures, and footnotes.
  • Language: Manuscripts must be submitted in formal US English.
  • Figures and Tables: Must be embedded within the text at appropriate locations. Ensure high resolution (minimum 300 dpi).
  • Citations: Authors must use Mendeley, Zotero, or a compatible reference management tool (APA 7th edition).
2. Article Structure Manuscripts must adhere to the following structure:
  1. Title Page (Uploaded as a separate file for double-anonymous peer review): Full title, author(s)’ full name(s), academic title(s), institutional affiliation(s), country, and email address(es). Indicate the corresponding author with an asterisk (*).
  2. Abstract: 150-250 words, including purpose, methodology, key findings, originality/value, limitations, and practical implications. Explicitly state the alignment with specific UN SDGs. Provide 4-7 keywords.
  3. Introduction: Background, research problem/questions, and crucially, the gap in existing Islamic legal/behavioral literature.
  4. Research Methodology: Clear description of research design, data collection, sampling, instruments, ethical considerations, and data analysis methods.
  5. Results and Discussion: Logical presentation of findings. Interpret results in relation to research questions and existing literature, discussing how empirical findings validate or challenge Islamic legal decision-making frameworks.
  6. Conclusion and Recommendations: Summary of key findings and well-justified recommendations for legal practitioners, policymakers, or future research.
  7. Acknowledgments (if applicable): Recognize individuals, institutions, or funding agencies. Disclose conflicts of interest.
  8. References: APA 7th edition. Must include reputable international empirical legal/behavioral journals AND authoritative Islamic legal literature.
3. Policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use AI tools cannot be listed as authors. Human authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript. Any use of AI for language editing or formatting must be explicitly disclosed in the Acknowledgments section. The use of AI to generate fabricated data or core analytical content is strictly prohibited.
 
4. Journal Policies (Copyright, Fees, and Integrity)
  • Copyright & Licensing: Authors retain the copyright of their work. Upon acceptance, articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
  • Publication Fees: Mujtahid is a diamond open-access journal. We do not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs), submission fees, or other publication fees.
  • Plagiarism Screening: To maintain academic integrity, all accepted manuscripts are routinely screened for plagiarism and similarity using Turnitin prior to publication.