Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE) Conference (7–9 July 2025): Miracles in Islam

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the first annual online conference of the Islamic Colloquia of Edinburgh (ICE), hosted by the University of Edinburgh (https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/news-and-events/upcoming-events/islamic-colloquia-of-edinburgh-ice-conference). ICE is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and research on Islamic theology, philosophy, and the relationship between Islam and science. As an annual platform for scholars and students worldwide, ICE aims to explore key questions and topics that contribute to the advancement of Islamic thought. This year’s theme, Miracles in Islam, engages one of the most central and contested areas in Islamic intellectual history. Miracles have played a pivotal role in shaping perspectives on divine intervention, prophecy, and the relationship between faith and reason, both historically and in contemporary times.

Aim of the Special Issue and scope

This Special Issue aims to gather leading research on miracles in Islam, situating them within the wider scope of Islamic theology, philosophy, Qurʾānic studies, and the dialogue between Islam and science. The subject aligns closely with the journal’s remit to explore religions in their intellectual, historical, and cultural contexts.

Suggested themes and article types for submissions

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Miracles in Islamic History: Classical theological and philosophical discussions of miracles, the role of prophecy, and the perspectives of various Islamic thinkers and schools.
• Miracles in the Modern World: Contemporary reflections on miracles in light of developments in modern philosophy and science.
• ʾIʿjāz al-Qurʾān (Inimitability of the Qurʾān): The doctrine of inimitability, its historical development, theological dimensions, and reception within and outside Islamic discourse.
• Scientific Miracles in the Qurʾān: Critical engagement with the modern discourse on scientific miracles, its origins, theological implications, and controversies.

Expected Impact

We hope that this Special Issue will stimulate new research and deepen critical engagement with the concept of miracles in Islam. By bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines, this collection aims to advance contemporary understanding of how miracles have been conceptualised across history and how they continue to inform debates at the intersection of theology, philosophy, science, and Qurʾānic studies. We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarising their intended contribution. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor to ensure proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.