Searching for excellence in Islamic Studies, within the unique perspective of South East Asia, provides a rather unique insight into a number of methods and techniques particularly relative to Malaysia. The special issue provides a distinctive opportunity for the exploration of an Islamic Studies discipline looking beyond curricula by investigating the significant subject of specific inherent characteristics of teaching and learning methods and techniques to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, alongside the creative use of technology. Thus, it displays two articles pertaining to religious education, two relative to the significance of innovation by means of interdisciplinary research for technology within Islamic Studies and one on spirituality, art and the creative ethos in Islamic civilization.