Abstract

Divorce is a phenomenon that is almost universal across all human societies, both primitive and advanced alike. It spreads through all forms of life—nomadic, rural, and urban—although its prevalence varies from one society to another depending on prevailing economic, political, and religious circumstances. The individuals most affected by divorce are women and children; divorce is primarily a woman’s problem—rather than a man’s—due to the material, psychological, and social consequences it entails. For a woman who is not employed, divorce means the loss of a vital source of income, namely the husband, who is often the sole provider for the family. In the event of divorce, a woman is compelled to seek another source of income, whether through employment, receiving a basic pension from social security, or by remarrying. In Libya, there has been considerable attention paid to the phenomenon of divorce by the relevant authorities, including the convening of family-related conferences during 1975–1980, as well as efforts by the Ministry of Social Affairs. Furthermore, laws, legislations, and decrees have been issued with the aim of protecting the family, and women in particular, such as Law No. 10 of 1984 on Marriage, Divorce, and Their Effects, and Law No. 16 of 1985 on the Basic Pension, which explicitly granted divorced women a basic pension among other categories. The present study is one of the attempts that focuses on divorced women who receive a basic pension, aiming to determine whether it has been a contributing factor to the recent rise in divorce rates. The findings we reached may provide insights of value to reformers in society, enabling them to address this phenomenon on the basis of scientific research.

Abstract

This study examines the trends in production and consumption of honey worldwide and in Libya during the period 1985–2004. The research aims to identify the economic importance of honey as an agricultural product, assess the patterns of supply and demand, and highlight the factors influencing production levels and consumer behavior. Using available statistical data from international and national sources, the study compares global developments in honey production with those observed in Libya, analyzing changes in output, imports, exports, and per capita consumption. The results indicate a general increase in global honey production accompanied by rising consumption, driven by both nutritional and medicinal demand. In Libya, however, production growth was relatively modest and often insufficient to meet local needs, leading to reliance on imports. The study concludes by emphasizing the role of supportive agricultural policies, improved beekeeping practices, and investment in biotechnology to enhance local production and reduce dependence on foreign markets. These findings may contribute to shaping strategies for sustainable development in the apiculture sector in Libya and the wider region.

Abstract

This study explores the science of disagreement (Ilm al-Khilaf) and its rulings within Islamic jurisprudence, emphasizing the importance of understanding scholarly differences among jurists. Disagreement is natural and inevitable among learned scholars, past and present, and has continued throughout Islamic history. The research highlights that differences primarily concern practical legal rulings based on conjecture, which are subject to interpretation, rather than matters of fundamental religious principles. The study underscores that Islamic legislation derives from four main sources: the Qur’an, the Sunnah, consensus (Ijma’), and analogical reasoning (Qiyas). Scholars approach issues from various perspectives, leading to differences in wording, interpretation, and reasoning, which are considered a natural and divinely intended phenomenon. Disagreement, when pursued to seek truth, is a noble and essential science that integrates rules, principles, and ethics with broader Islamic knowledge and linguistic understanding. Reviving the jurisprudence of disagreement is vital for renewing Islamic jurisprudence and enhancing its role in contemporary social life. Such revival must be grounded in the objectives of Shariah, which prioritize public interest, justice, and mercy, while adhering to textual interpretations. Islamic jurisprudence includes fixed rulings derived from clear texts and flexible rulings based on conjectural texts, which allow for multiple interpretations. Differences among scholars, therefore, reflect sincere efforts to establish truth and justice, not personal desire or worldly gain. The research aims to elucidate the principles of disagreement, guide the handling of differing opinions, deepen enlightened understanding, and present the diverse methodologies of scholars. It also seeks to expand intellectual horizons by demonstrating the legitimacy of scholarly disagreement in Shariah, supported by Quranic texts, Prophetic traditions, and the views of jurists, showing that such differences occur naturally across all stages of Islamic legislation.

This paper aims to discuss and analyze the relationship between scientific institutions and ethical values in the contemporary era. The term "scientific institutions" here refers broadly to educational, pedagogical, and cultural bodies such as universities, research laboratories, pedagogical institutes, and intellectual platforms that shape individuals, influence their values and judgments, and consequently guide their behaviors and choices in daily life toward themselves and others. The concept of "ethical values" in this paper refers to the moral standards and principles that humans uphold, through which they perceive themselves and others in a dynamic, interactive cultural-ethical process. These interactions lead individuals to adopt ethical positions that manifest in personal or collective actions, which may contribute either to the advancement of human civilization or to its decline, as evidenced by today’s world rife with calls for religious, cultural, and civilizational conflict. Such divisive narratives foster separation, hostility, and the building of war fortresses rather than schools and hospitals, thereby undermining shared human values. The paper emphasizes the critical role of scientific institutions in countering these trends by nurturing ethical values that foster positive coexistence, dialogue, and the construction of common human culture—vital for the preservation of humanity and for sustainable shared living in the universe.

The book under review in this issue is authored by the distinguished Libyan writer Mohammed Al-Turki Al-Tajouri, a well-known figure in the Libyan literary scene. The book is relatively small in size, consisting of 160 pages, and contains twenty-seven short stories. The author chose for the collection the title Escape to Hope, which stands as one of his short story collections. It was published in 2008 by the General People's Committee for Culture and Information (formerly).