The Islamic Book: Printed and Electronic .. juxtaposition or Conflict

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the printed Islamic book and the electronic book, asking whether digital transformation represents a replacement of print or a field of integration with it. It discusses the motives behind the spread of electronic publishing in Islamic book production, including rapid access, wider dissemination, lower distribution costs, and the Internet’s ability to overcome geographical barriers and connect readers with diverse sources. The study also addresses the role of Islamic websites, digital libraries, and software in circulating religious and intellectual texts and serving researchers and readers inside and outside the Muslim world. At the same time, it identifies several challenges, such as weak documentation, difficulty in controlling content quality, intellectual property issues, piracy, and the risk of distorting texts or removing them from context. The study concludes that the relationship between print and electronic publishing should not be understood as a zero-sum conflict, but as a potential integration that requires scholarly control, technical awareness, respect for publishing rights, and the development of Islamic publishing institutions capable of benefiting from digital possibilities while preserving the value and status of the printed book.