The fifth issue of the Ijtihad Journal for Islamic and Arabic Studies reaffirms its academic mission to promote rigorous research on Islam and Muslims in contemporary contexts, particularly within the European context. The issue combines engagement with authentic Islamic sources and openness to modern approaches in the humanities and social sciences. It includes peer-reviewed studies addressing significant topics such as Maliki jurisprudence and the challenges facing Muslims in the West, representations of women in contemporary Islamic thought, controversial fatwas, institutional work among Muslim minorities, and Sufi epistemology in relation to reason and rationality. The issue also features three scholarly book reviews focusing on Islam-West relations, human development, migration, and cultural identity, as well as an Arabic translation of an anthropological study on refugees and humanitarian support networks. Through this diverse content, the journal continues to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and advance scholarly understanding of Islam in today’s world.