Abstract. The article considers a unique document — the diary of Musa Bigeev dedicated to the Hajj that he performed in 1927. The material reveals us little-known facts about the life of the Tatar theologian. The article summarizes the part of Musa Bigeev’s personal archive consisting of his diaries and presents a detailed description of the diary entries about Bigeev’s Hajj journey. Also, the article briefly discusses the history of hajjname as a Tatar literary genre, considers the events, preceding Bigeev’s Hajj, our knowledge about this journey and particular features and contents of Hajj travel diaries. It published the first part “Notes”, ending at No 4. Fully document in Russian and Tatar languages to be published in the Publishing House “Medina”. Translation and comments made by Aidar G. Khairutdinov. Scientifi c translation editor Shamil R. Kashaf. 

Abstract. The article deals with Ibn al-‘Arabi’s views on the problem of religious pluralism and salvation. Ibn al-‘Arabi is the greatest Sufi thinker, author of monistic philosophical system (wahdat al-wujud). He views the problem of religious pluralism in the perspective of philosophical monism and original methodology of Sufi hermeneutics. Ibn al-‘Arabi states that Islam is perfect religion, but it is not the only religion that leads to salvation. He develops original soteriological teaching, according to which even sinners in Hell will be overhung by Divine Mercy. In the article author shows that Ibn al-‘Arabi’s views had great impact on subsequent Islamic thinkers, and idea of universal salvation spread over philosophical systems of the greatest Sufi , Hanbali, reformist and neomodernist thinkers. 

Abstract. This article considers the formation and development of the Hanafi -Maturidy religious doctrine in the Volga region. The author examines the history of Hanafi -Maturidy doctrine’s establishment in the region starting from the Bulgar period, its condition and problems at the time of the Golden Horde, Kazan Khanate and after the conquest of the latter. The author explores the development of the Hanafi doctrine in late 19th – early 20th century, as well as its status during the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. The article assesses the current status and development trends of the Hanafi -Maturidy school in the region. 

Abstract. This paper deals with the materials of a medieval treatise Muqaddima dar aswala wa ajwaba dar radd-i rafada li bad-i muhaqqiqin. Supposedly, the author of this work was a famous Muslim scholar and theologian ‘Ali b. Sultan Muhammad al-Harawi al-Hanafi al-Qari. This essay, written in the form of questions and answers, describes, according to its author’s position, the proper relation of faithful Muslim (Sunni of Shafi i) to the followers of blameworthy innovations (mubaddi) and ‘apostates’ (rafada, Shia); noteworthily, the author does not distinguish between the representatives of these two groups. This work is a striking example of ideological campaigns led in Iran and Central Asia over Shia-Sunni contradictions. 

Abstract. This article describes the cases in the literary history of Russia’s Muslims, where the Persian language, often mixed with other tongues, comes in the forefront. The present article thus includes three geographically distinct cases. The fi rst one is about a scholar’s journey from the Volga region to Bukhara and Eastern Turkestan: here we see that by 17th century the Persian language had already become crucial for Quranic exegesis, Sufi writings (particularly, for the Naqshbandiyya tradition) and legal matters. The second case highlights the role of the Persian language for the communities of Siberian Bukharans settled around the city of Tobolsk in early 18th century: Sufi texts were dominated by this language and were full of references to Central Asian literature. The third case considers a Daghestani Sufi Shaykh in exile, who used some Persian in his letters to another Shaykh in Tatarstan. Thus, the last part of the article demonstrates that migrant literati from predominantly Arabic-dominated region, Dagestan, had to adapt themselves to the three-language mosaics of Islamic literature in Russia, heavily infl uenced by the Central Asian literary canon.

Abstract. The article discusses the features of the historical development and current situation of Muslims outside the Arab-Muslim world, in particular, it analyzes various aspects of life of Muslims in certain historical areas of India. The author pays special attention to the study of the Muslim community of one of India’s largest metropolitan areas — Hyderabad, which was the capital of the largest South Asian Muslim princely states of the same name, whose ruler was regarded as the head of the Sunnis in the region. This study is an attempt to fill the gaps in the national historiography, as there are no fundamental works concerning the problems of Hyderabadi Muslims.

Abstract. This work analyzes the genesis and functioning of such a socio-religious institution as the Caliphate in Sunni Islam. Being the successor of the last Prophet, the caliph initially was holding much of religious and secular power in his hands. In its historical course, the Caliphate lost its secular power, although it was retaining the highest authority in religious and legal matters throughout its history. Between 1517 and 1924, the Ottoman Sultan was considered the Caliph. The Republican government exiled the Caliph from the country and abolished the Caliphate in Turkey, thus beheading the Sunni community. This is what makes possible the existence of heretical extremist groups headed by self-appointed ‘caliphs’. The authors believe that the position of the Caliph should be either formally abolished or replaced by a legally elected candidate through a collective decision of the Sunni community. 

Abstract. The most crisis regions, which are a source of conflict, concerns the Middle East, where for many years continuing Arab-Israeli conflict, the core of which is the Pales tinian problem. It is directly connected to an external intrusion into the area of the Islamic world. The article attempts to evaluate the influence of the Islamic factor in the development of the Palestinian national movement, analyzed the activities of the main Palestinian organizations. 

Abstract. On November 17–18, 2016 an International Scientifi c and Practical Conference ‘Russia and Islamic world: in search for answers to the globalization of extremist movements’ was held in Kazan. Public fi gures and politicians from Russia and foreign countries, students of Islamic studies, sociologists, political scientists, historians, religious scholars and other experts on Islamic studies, as well as students and post-graduate students from Kazan universities participated in the conference. They discussed the main trends of the activity of extremist movements infl uenced by globalization. Also participants of the conference analyzed Russian and international experience in counteracting extremism and put forward proposals that could optimize these activities. 

Abstract. Referring to the works of Russian and foreign scholars, this article explores moral and ethical values of Islamic sources, postulates of understanding of life that defi ne the central categories of Islamic economics, which contributed to the emergence of the modern Islamic economic doctrine and models that have influenced the formation and evolution of the hawala system and predetermined the vector of its development. 

Abstract. The article deals with the conditions for harmonization of ethnic and religious interactions. The article considers the case of the relations between the two major religious groups (Christianity and Islam) and gives examples of harmonization of forms, means, and methods of communication between representatives of diff erent nations, ethnic and religious groups, including Orthodoxy. Contemporary religious dialogue is seen as a conscious set of mind and a kind of imperative that requires conceptual and institutional framework. The article examines factors that could mobilize Russian society to counter ethno-political radicalism and extremism, to prevent the emergence of nationalist sentiment among diff erent ethnic communities. Interdependence of cultures, civilizations and peoples requires their integration, aspiration to build a certain system of relations based on the principles of democracy, pluralism and tolerance. Integration at the same time is understood in a more liberal manner; it is interpreted as a dynamic two-way process, which requires ‘mutual adaptation of immigrants and residents of all states’; in fact, integration requires not only immigrants’ activity, but also society’s activity. Integration is a process of mutual transformation. 

Abstract. The article focuses on the system of Islamic education in Russia in the past and present. It compares the old-school and new-school systems of training of Muslim clergy and analyzes the contradictions between them. In the Soviet period, due to the collapse of Islamic education, students were mostly taught in an underhand way and that was prosecuted by the authorities. In the post-Soviet period, Islamic education was rehabilitated due to the understating of the need to develop Islamic education in Russia, to work out new techniques, methodologies, and to identify the priorities of the Islamic theological education. The articles talks about an increasing relevance of pedagogic innovations developing due to modern information technologies. 

Abstract. Theology as a new discipline approved by the Higher Attestation Commission has a number of problems due to the lack of discipline in scientific field. One of its problems is the acquaintance with the regional component, which requires knowledge of ‘local’ material. It could prevent dissemination of radical religious ideas untypical for Russia from other countries. Forgotten names of religious philosophers, whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish, should be brought back to theology.

Abstract. The article gives a general review of the characteristics of the teaching of Islamic law (Sharia, Fiqh) in the Russian Empire and modern Russia. It should be noted that in the imperial period, this process was focused on practical needs of the application of certain rules and institutions of Islamic law. Currently, we do not always see this connection. The author suggests to identify the priorities of the teaching of Islamic law in Russia’s religious and secular educational institutions in order to meet practical needs in terms of global situation and considering the challenges before the Russian Muslim community. 

Abstract. The article describes the current socio-cultural trends in the development of modern society. It also analyzes threats to social development and its possible risks. The authors examine the results of the activities of the M. Akmullah Bashkir State Pedagogical University regarding the development of Islamic education and prevention of extremism. The data of sociological research is presented. 

Abstract. The design of educational materials for Islamic schools is of particular relevance in the modern world. The number of disciplined that are chosen for the design of tutorials in Tatarstan depends on the following factors: the need to give theological answers to controversial questions of Islamic dogma and Fiqh, aspiration of the Muslim community towards re-discovery of classical Islamic texts while taking into account today’s realities and socio-economic state of aff airs. The development of the basic segment of Islamic education (mosque schools) is particularly important for the formation of the body of educational materials. The article also discusses the results of the reviewing and examination of educational materials developed for Islamic educational institutions in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2014–2015 and analyzes their methodological, scientifi c and legal features.