Munira al-Maqushi

Munira al-Maqushi (Munira bint Abd al-Aziz al-Maqushi) is a contemporary Saudi Islamic researcher and scholar of creed, best known for her theological treatise Ihya al-Athar: Dirasa Aqdiyya (Reviving Relics: A Theological Study) Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi….

Academic Work and Research

Al-Maqushi earned her master's degree from Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi…. Her scholarly focus centered on examining modern and historical attitudes toward monuments, archaeological heritage, and religious relics from the perspective of Sunni Islamic theology Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi…+1.

In her study Ihya al-Athar: Dirasa Aqdiyya, al-Maqushi analyzed the theological rulings surrounding the revival, preservation, and visitation of relics Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi…+1. She differentiated between transmitted textual relics (such as prophetic traditions, whose revival through study and adherence is obligatory) and tangible physical sites (such as pre-Islamic antiquities, historical landmarks, and graves) Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi…+1. She categorized relics into five overarching classifications: prophetic, religious, pagan and pre-Islamic, and relics associated with graves and shrines Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi….

Her research addressed the theological implications of modern archaeological excavations and heritage restoration, arguing from the principle of blocking the means to polytheism (sadd al-dhara'i) against the glorification or physical restoration of sites that could foster religious veneration or innovation Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi…+1. She also critiqued contemporary arguments and historical positions held by various non-Sunni groups and Western orientalists regarding archaeological sites and claimed physical relics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Ihya al-Athar Dirasa Aqdi….