The Management of Waqf Universities in Selangor, Malaysia

In Malaysia, waqf management including those in universities, is under the authority of the State Islamic Religious Council as a sole trustee waqf. This is to protect the waqf assets from any interventions by the heirs. Even so, one Malaysian university is said to manage the waqf scheme without the supervision of the Islamic Council which contradict with the provision of the State of Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) as the sole trustee of waqf. Thus, this study explores the management of waqf by several universities in Selangor and relation to SIRC as the sole trustee of waqf. A qualitative research approach was employed to collect data from focus group discussions and interviews with selected participants from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Selangor IRC), selected universities and waqf experts in Malaysia. The findings show that University Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia waqf funds are managed under the Selangor IRC monitoring while University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia endowment or waqf fund is managed privately by the university. The impact of this is that several waqf management issues arose. Hence, the authors recommend the Model theory of al-wilayah to be applied in the management of waqf in the universities. Through this model, SIRC and the university can play a more significant role in the management of waqf, thereby promoting the development of waqf in Malaysia.

Review of Some Existing Shariah-Compliant Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has emerged as the most promising digital asset, which serves as a medium of exchange with distributed control and highly secured financial system. This lead to an increase in stakeholders’ interest in digital currency investment. The cryptocurrencies majorly involve two phases including Initial Coin Offering (ICO) and blockchain creation. These phases have been challenged with criticisms in terms of the Islamic shariah injunctions. These criticisms are based on two fundamental issues including whether cryptocurrency is backed by asset and has a regulatory authority or not. These issues are related to uncertainty, volatility and high speculation of the cryptocurrencies. Although, several cryptocurrencies claimed to have considered the shariah requirements in their proposed cryptocurrency ecosystems. However, a strict analysis of some of the existing cryptocurrencies reveals otherwise. Therefore, this paper presents a review of some shariah-compliant cryptocurrencies focusing on their volatility and speculation. The operations of cryptocurrencies need to follow the Islamic shariah requirements. The proposed review provides an insight regarding the acclaimed shariah-compliant cryptocurrencies to assess whether they comply with the shariah requirements or not.

A Comparative Analysis of Blockchain Consensus Algorithms from Shariah Perspective

Blockchain provides a distributed digital ledger platform for not only cryptocurrencies but also many other distributed applications. Blockchain platforms work flow and performance are controlled by the used consensus algorithms. Although many studies evaluated cryptocurrency from the Shariah perspective, they focused only on the cryptocurrency concept and did not consider the underlying blockchain technology. However, designing a Shariah compliant application on top of a non Shariah compliant platform does not fulfil the requirements of Shariah. Therefore, it is necessary to use a Shariah compliant blockchain platform in order to produce Shariah compliant blockchain applications. To support the production of Shariah compliant blockchain applications, this study provides a comparative analysis of the most used consensus algorithms in blockchain platforms. In particular, the considered consensus algorithms are evaluated from a Shariah perspective. In conclusion, based on the conducted evaluation some of the widely used blockchain platforms (e.g. Bitcoin and Ethereum) are found to be not compliant with the Shariah rules due to using a consensus algorithm that is not Shariah compliant.

Taqlid of The Syafi’i Mazhab in Malaysia: An Overview in the Context of Maslahah for the Unity of Ummah

This article focuses on the issue of taklid and public adherence to a particular mazhab of fiqh, especially the Syafi’i mazhab in Malaysia. In examining the issue, this study uses the method of content analysis by studying the views of usuliyyin (ulama usul fiqah) on the practice of taqlid. Most usuliyyin state that syariah only requires the public to refer to ahl al-zikr (scholars) to get an explanation of the fatwa without being tied to any particular mazhab. The reality in Malaysia shows that most of the jurisprudence laws of the Syafi’i’s mazhab have become a common practice in ritual matters, adapted into the curriculum of basic Islamic education in primary and secondary schools including codified in the Islamic administrative acts and enactments of the states. Therefore, this study shows that the Syafi’i mazhab should be the main guide for the consistent practice of Islamic law among the public. For scholars level, this mazhab may serve as a scientific basis for exploring the fatwa of the various mazhab in order to prepare the current fatwa for Muslims’ interest. Thus, this study found that the public's adherence to the Shafi'i mazhab in Malaysia is preferred to be more effective approach in promoting unity of Muslim society rather than following the fatwa of various mazhab that are difficult to control. For the sake of freedom of following mazhab, this study does not prohibit Muslim scholars from practicing fatwa other than the Syafi'i mazhab as long as they adhere to the ethics of disagreement in harmony.

Maqasid Shariah in the Guidelines for Iddah of Women upon Husband’s Death

Iddah is a period of mourning for a woman whose husband has passed on during which time she has to adhere to certain rules set by the Islamic law. Adherence to this rule is a form of devotion for the preservation of lineage and descent while at the same time expressing sadness. In addition, this order has also been applied to protect the welfare and rights of women after the death of the husband. Adherence to certain laws and regulations by women whose husband has passed away, has long been outlined by Islamic scholars. However, the reality of today's life requires many women to leave home for work or other family-related matters. This scenario creates a polarization in society where a woman whose husband dies needs to mourn and at the same time meet the needs of the family. The general public is still unclear. The implementations and practices are seen as inconsistent and not uniformed due to their misunderstandings and possibly even confusion of their practices during this mourning state of iddah. This study aims to identify the rules to be followed for women whose husband has passed on, with regard to dressing, travelling, and practising with their co-workers in accordance with shariah or maqasid shariah objectives. This study uses qualitative method based on two approaches, namely doctrinal mazhab method based on contemporary sects and fiqh approaches. The findings of this study indicate that there is a need for more detailed guidelines and waqi'e within the scope of the syariah jurisprudence for community reference in adhering to the rules and laws of the state. This takes into account the current contexts in order to avoid misunderstandings or confusion among the public.

Awareness on Prohibited Elements in Muamalat: Common Practice in Life

Muamalat in Islam literally means transaction and technically means any mutual dealing that exist between two parties in order to solve their everyday needs, normally in trade and commerce. In Islamic economy, it is based on fiqh al-muamalat, which regulates the trading and commercial activities. There are three prohibited elements in transaction namely riba (interest), gharar (uncertainty), and maysir (gambling). However, certain Muslim community are still practising the trading that consist of these elements. An existence of many Islamic banks in Malaysia since 1983, however, seems unable to eliminate these elements in the Muslim’s daily life. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the awareness of the public regarding the practice of these three prohibited elements in their daily life. This study used quantitative method and employed descriptive studies. 150 questionnaires were distributed to the public using simple random sampling. Results found that there are lack of awareness of respondents regarding common activities in our daily life that contains prohibited elements. It is recommended to give more knowledge regarding prohibited elements to the Muslims through social media.

Quranic Concept of Halalan Tayyiban and its Application in Food and Beverages of Hospitality Sector in Malaysia

Halal hospitality services have been increasing year by year due to the demand from Muslims for halal food and beverages. With this development, there is a need to ensure that the halal food providers are well-equipped enough with halal knowledge in order to ensure Muslim consumers obtain halal food in the best manner. This is because malpractice could happen if the practitioners are having lack of knowledge on halal related matter. In relation to this, this article aims to discuss the Quranic concept of halalan tayyiban and its application in food and beverage in the hospitality sector in Malaysia. Firstly, the study aims to examine the Quranic principles of halalan tayyiban. Secondly, it takes into account to what extent that these Quranic principles are applied in the hospitality sector of Malaysia, hence, these principles are examined and analysed accordingly. The methods of data collection involved library research and in-depth interview with hospitality skills trainer. The technique of analysis used was content analysis. Data related to the study were analysed and descriptive data using percentages was used. The findings of the study indicated that some hotels are concerned with the Quranic concept of halalan tayyiban and it is applied in serving their food and beverage in order to attract more customers who are particular into taking halalan tayyiban food and beverage for healthy and righteous living.

Implementation of Islamic Studies in 4.0 Industrial Revolution Time at Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS) UiTM Melaka

The 4.0 Industrial Revolution is a challenge that needs to be faced by Malaysian society nowadays. The more advanced and rapid development of technology in the revolution has led to the transformation of education. The same goes to the context of Islamic Studies at Institute of Higher Learning especially at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) where the majority of the students are Malay and Muslim. Hence, the study aims to identify the historical development and implementation of Islamic Studies in UiTM specifically at the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS). Besides, this study also to identify the forms of Islamic Studies programmes implemented by UiTM Melaka Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS) in this 4.0 Industrial Revolution. The qualitative research uses the content analysis method for data collection obtained through the process of documentation and interviews. This study concludes that there has been a transformation in teaching approach of Islamic Studies under the ACIS of Melaka with regard to the development of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution. The findings found that the implementation of several activities such as EREV 2018, I-Prova, ISnT and iCviST. The findings of this study were seen as important in order to encourage the implementation of Islamic Studies in the era of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution especially in the context of higher education.

The Governance Waqf in Malaysia: A Study on The Relationship towards Siyāsah Shar’iyyah

The governance of waqf is an important aspect and it as an image of the Council of Islamic Religious State (MAIN). Policy of legislation determines that MAIN is the body that responsible for managing, administering and developing all waqf lands. Some scholars have opined that the administration of waqf should be practiced based on Siyāsah Shar’iyyah. But now, the approach has not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to examine and explore the relationship between governance of waqf and Siyāsah Shar’iyyah. This study was conducted through qualitative research. Document exploration is used for analyzing turath book that involved the discussion on Siyāsah Shar’iyyah. It is analyzed by inductive, deductive and comparative methods. The finding of the study found that the Siyāsah Shar’iyyah relationship is important to the governance of waqf. Values of Siyāsah Shar’iyyah is significant when implementing at the governance, finance and legalization of waqf. The values of the Siyāsah Shar’iyyah also are in three main categories i.e first Dustūriyyah, second Dawliyyah and third Māliyyah.

Gagasan Madrasah al-Zahra’: Pemikiran Said Nursi dalam Pendidikan

Islamic education has been strongly emphasized in Muslim communities. The quality of education and adherence to the Islamic worldview will shape Muslim personalities towards the true meaning of excellence in this world and the hereafter. In the broader context of the establishment of the university as a more systematic field of knowledge has long been practiced in Muslim countries, in particular with the existence of Al-Azhar University, which is the oldest university in the world. However, whether the establishment of a university in a Muslim country now fulfill the needs of the Muslims themselves, while still meeting the characteristics of Islamic civilization. This paper aims to analyze the idea of education of an Islamic thinker at the end of the Ottoman Turkish government, namely Sheikh Badiuzzaman Said Nursi who is considered a figure who tried to integrate the religious and scientific knowledge in a single framework based on Madrasah al Zahra's model. This study is adopted a library research and its analysis is based on a content analysis framework. The study found that the idea of establishing Madrasah al Zahra Islamic University by Sheikh Badiuzzaman Said Nursi was in line with religious demands, to cater the needs of Muslims and restoring the strength of Muslims in leading the occupation of Western powers at that time.