The Maqasid Al Shariah and the Sustainability Paradigm: Literature Review and Proposed Mutual Framework for Asnaf Development

Purpose - The study examines through analysing the literature, that the zakat recipients (asnaf) can be better entertained by a sustained mechanism than one-off measures. The main aim towards asnaf upliftment should be based on a self-reliance goal-oriented-action strategy plan to alleviate them from any further deprivation. The aim of Maqasid in addressing these issues is to ensure that an asking basket gets smaller day by day through an effective regime. Design/Methodology/Approach - The paper analyses and synthesises the relevant literature on Maqasid and sustainable paradigm, then proposes a conceptual convergence to understand the paradigmatic similarities between the two in appreciating the welfare of zakat recipients. Findings - The paper attempts to examine the latitude of sustainability and Maqasid necessities in relation to asnaf welfare. The sustainability development’s main concern that the future generation benefits from the present development, which is quite similar to Hifzul Nasl or protection of progeny in Maqasid fulfilment. It can be stated that the three jurisdictions of sustainable development (SD) paradigm i.e., namely, the social, economic and environmental concerns are in actual fact, more in conformity with the Maqasid requirements. But many authors stated that indeed Maqasid is more wholesome and more encompassing than the traditional SD paradigm. Islam categorically highlights that human being as a caretaker of environment, need to ensure a better, and harmonious society, that should be erected with constructive and productive economic activities and not resorting to any damages to the nature. These concerns clearly conforms with Maqasid when it conditions that the protection of life or health, or intellect or progeny or wealth needs to be with true understanding about the self as well as the kindness of the creator, which truly encompasses faith, and that to achieve any higher dimension, may require that these basic necessities are fulfilled and ascertained at the foremost. Originality/value - This study scrutinises a comprehensive understanding about sustainability and Maqaisd needs in addressing the asnaf development and welfare. The study further elucidates that even the nature is in constant salutation towards thanking the Lord for all the bounties

Effective Zakat Distribution: Highlighting Few Issues and Gaps in Kedah, Malaysia

The aim of this paper is to identify what are the impediments in implementing an effective Zakah distribution in Kedah, Malaysia. Auspiciously, post-colonial Malaysia is experiencing robustness in terms of Zakah collections, as the statistics are currently signifying, but at the same breath the degree of effectiveness in Zakah distribution has not been providentially catching that optimistic evolution. And even if, the Zakah is duly distributed, the point to note is that the effectivity of that distribution has indubitably remained in question. So this gap is an issue that has been observed by the givers, and if the collection is to increase further, the issue of effectivity in Zakah distribution needs to show a healthier trend to convince these worried payers. The implications of resolving the issues discussed below may assist to enhance this sector, if timely addressed and taken applicable measures for remediation. DOI: 10.15408/aiq.v9i2.400

The Anti-Inflammatory Role of Vitamin E in Prevention of Osteoporosis

There is growing evidence that inflammation may be one of the causal factors of osteoporosis. Several cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, and M-CSF were implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. These cytokines are important determinants of osteoclast differentiation and its bone resorptive activity. Anticytokine therapy using cytokine antagonists such as IL-receptor antagonist and TNF-binding protein was able to suppress the activity of the respective cytokines and prevent bone loss. Several animal studies have shown that vitamin E in the forms of palm-derived tocotrienol and α-tocopherol may prevent osteoporosis in rat models by suppressing IL-1 and IL-6. Free radicals are known to activate transcription factor NFκB which leads to the production of bone resorbing cytokines. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, may be able to neutralise free radicals before they could activate NFκB, therefore suppressing cytokine production and osteoporosis. Vitamin E has also been shown to inhibit COX-2, the enzyme involved in inflammatory reactions. Of the two types of vitamin E studied, tocotrienol seemed to be better than tocopherol in terms of its ability to suppress bone-resorbing cytokines

Characterization Of Phosphoric Acid Biochar Derived From Rubber Wood Sawdust For Enhancement Of Urea Fertilizer Impregnation

This paper examines the physiochemical properties of phosphoric acid treated biochar for improvement of urea fertilizer impregnation process. The biochar was heated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) of 1.5 M (TB1) and 1 M (TB2) concentrations at 80 and 90°C temperature respectively. The treated biochar then were impregnated with 2 wt. % of dissolved urea fertilizer while continuously stirred until the mixture recrystallize to form solid urea impregnated biochar fertilizer (TB1-U and TB2-U). TB1 revealed highest composition of C (66.36%), H (6.53%) and N (1.65%) compared to TB2 composition of C (61.84%), H (4.60%) and N (1.06%). FT-IR results indicated the presence of C-O stretch functional group at 1200 cm−1 to 900cm−1 wavelength and the presence of aromatic ring (C=O) stretching vibration at 1590cm−1-1550cm-1 wavelength revealed chemical reaction occurred due to phosphoric acid treatment. The microporosity results display more micropores formation on the sample surfaces, thus provide higher surface area possible for urea molecule to be impregnated. SEM-EDX exposed qualitatively and quantitatively the presence of 43% N on TB1-U surfaces compared with slightly lower at 42wt% of N on TB2-U surface evidenced the effectiveness of phosphoric acid treatment on enhancement of the biochar specific surface area to be impregnated with urea for nutrient retained

Fatty acid, triacylglycerol compositions, and crystalline structure of bambangan (mangifera pajang) seed fat extracted using different solvent

Nowadays, research on the bambangan fruit waste (seed) has become an interest because of its potential application as a cocoa butter alternative. This work aimed to determine the changes in the quality of the extracted bambangan seed fat (BSF) obtained from hexane, petroleum ether, and ethanol. The total fat content (TFC), physicochemical properties, fatty acid profiles, triacylglycerol composition, and crystalline structure of the extracted BSF were all affected by the extraction solvents. The results showed that BSF has a high content of 1,3-distreoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (SOS) of 30.22 – 44.29 %. The solvent type significantly (p<0.05) impacts the stearic and oleic acids of the extracts, resulting in the apparent changes in the high melting symmetrical triacylglycerols such as the SOS. Petroleum ether extracted BSF has high stearic acid of 33.40 %, followed by the hexane and ethanol extracted BSF of 29.29 % and 27.84 % respectively. Moreover, the spherulitic microstructure with needle-like crystals of the extracts also ranging from 30 to 70 μm diameters. Hexane extracted BSF illustrated a less dense spherulitic crystalline micro-structure with a less granular centre than those extracted using the other solvents. The results suggested that the quality of the extracted BSF obtained from non-polar solvent of hexane and petroleum ether is better than the polar solvent (ethanol)

Silicon carbide schottky diodes forward and reverse current properties upon fast electron radiation

This paper investigates on the reaction of 10 and 15MGy, 3MeV electron irradiation upon off-the-shelves (commercial) Silicon Carbide Schottky diodes from Infineon Technologies (model: IDH08SG60C) and STMicroelectronics (model: STPSC806). Such irradiation reduces the forward-bias current. The reduction is mainly due to the significant increase of the series resistance (i.e. Infineon: 1.45Ω at before irradiation → 121×103 Ω at 15MGy); STMicroelectronics: 1.44Ω at before irradiation → 2.1×109 Ω at 15MGy). This increase in series resistance gives 4.6 and 8.2 orders of magnitude reduction for the forward-bias current density of Infineon and STMicroelectronics respectively. It is also observed that the ideality factor and the saturation current of the diodes increases with increasing dose (i.e. ideality factor- Infineon: 1.01 at before irradiation → 1.05 at 15MGy; STMicroelectronics: 1.02 at before irradiation → 1.3 at 15MGy | saturation current- Infineon: 1.6×10-17A at before irradiation → 2.5×10-17A at 15MGy; STMicroelectronics: 2.4×10-15A at before irradiation → 8×10-15A at 15MGy). Reverse-bias leakage current density in model by Infineon increases by one order of magnitude after 15MGy irradiation, however, in model by STMicroelectronics decreases by one order of magnitude. Overall, for these particular samples studied, Infineon devices have shown to be better in quality and more radiation resistance toward electron irradiation in forward-bias operation while STMicroelectronics exhibit better characteristics in reverse-bias operation

Islamic Prayer, Spirituality and Productivity: An Exploratory Conceptual Analysis

Prayer plays a noteworthy role in Muslims daily lives. Quran and Sunnah testify that regular prayers can boost one’s health, can remove the level of stress, and may make one more productive and vigour. Such findings also noticed by medical and psychological experts, and likewise many contemporary research have shown wide-ranging outcomes in terms of improved wellbeing when prayer is done with sincere devotion. Nevertheless what is lacking is that the policy makers in the Islamic world need to initiate whether there exist any linkages between prayer and productivity, which needs to be appreciated more by them, as well as by Islamic economists and social scientists, Islamic business professionals and Islamic jurists, and then through a concerted effort and dynamic fact finding mission and verification to ascertain the Qur’anic beliefs in our daily lives. This studies using descriptive analysis to explain the linkage between the Islamic prayer and productivityDOI: 10.15408/aiq.v8i2.316

Understanding Asnaf’s Sustainability through Effective Distributive Performance: A Conceptual Assessment

Zakat is receiving due position in Islamic welfare management studies for the last few years as the global situation in terms of unpredictability is on the rise.Interestingly and positively, both collection and distribution of zakat is increasing year after year yet still something is missing. The effectiveness of distribution of Zakat in terms of timely delivery or quality options of asnaf sustainability is still a big question. The issue of effective delivery requires a performance measurement, which may invite the zakat organisations to look into the possibility of incorporating a scorecard approach in evaluating the achievements thus far.This study attempts to look into asnaf sustainability as a measuring tool and an evaluation criterion for understanding the zakat’s institutional performance while keeping the demographic profile as a balancing option in assessing the relationship. The study is in elementary stage for which data analysis and further recommendation is still forthcoming.It will thus highlight the issues related to autonomous zakat body versus non-autonomous zakat bodies’ priority and problem resolving tactics in addressing the asnaf’s sustainability.The study put forward a conceptual assessment comprising of potential evaluating criterion variables for assessing asnaf sustainability and their relationship with performance of zakat distribution system. The outcomes of the study will enable theorists and policy makers in Islamic societies as well as in Islamic countries to devise effective approaches towards a promising zakat distribution system and thereby achieve the objectives of welfare

Assessing the significance of rate and time pulse spraying in top spray granulation of urea fertilizer using Taguchi Method

Studies in urea granulation process using Top Spray Fluidized Bed Granulator (TSFBG) is still limited and requires in-depth research about the effectiveness and influence of droplets to the formation of urea granule (UG). Rate and time interval of spraying technique (Pulse) significantly influence the physical properties of urea granules. Cassava starch dissolves in water was selected as the binder released at various time interval to observe impact of spray droplet on UG size formation. Using Taguchi Method, the study had identified three leading factors contributed to the formation of droplet size namely volume of binder (VOB), time pulse of spraying (TPS) and spraying rate (SR). These factors were then evaluated in terms of the influence on response as signal-to-noise analysis (S/N ratios) from Taguchi to validate UG size in range 2 mm to 4 mm from screening process with respect to the actual experimental data. These results were useful for future experiment reference to determine pressure drop and surface contact during interaction between droplet and urea powder partic

Environmental Performance of the Stormpav Permeable Pavement Using the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM)

Urban stormwater runoff is contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including total suspended solids (TSS) and total phosphorus (TP), as a result of non-source pollution from transportation, residences, and businesses, as well as sediment from human activities and construction sites. These pollutants are expected to degrade the water quality in local rivers and streams, impairing the quality of marine life and contaminating drinking water supplies. This study evaluates the environmental performance of a permeable pavement system in an urban catchment using the stormwater management model (SWMM). Two pavement systems with different hydraulic designs were compared to reduce runoff, increment of groundwater storage and the environmental parameters assessments on total suspended solids (TSS) and Total Phosphorus (TP). The first system comprises a StormPav, which is the UNIMAS innovated green pavement with subsurface hollow cylindrical micro-detention pond storage of about 70% void content. The second system consists of porous concrete (PC) pavement assembled in a layered of coarse and fine particles to ensure water can infiltrate through, with about 40% void content. The environmental impact assessment was applied at Padungan Commercial Centre in the Kuching City of Malaysia. The case study simulated&nbsp; low impact development (LID) sub-catchment in SWMM to obtain the runoff, infiltration and environmental quality performance. In the assessment, it was found that, for both pavement systems, higher storms at shorter duration resulted in higher reduction efficiency. The StormPav is more effective in reducing runoff while presenting a lower value for environmental assessments in removing TSS and TP compared to PC