Contemporary issues on marriages: an analysis

Marriage in Islam is a contract of duties and responsibilities between two partners who have given their full and free consent to marry each other. Marriage is regarded as the norm for all, a safeguard on chastity and essential to the growth and stability of the family. The objective of this study is to analyze the contemporary issues pertaining to marriage and its underlying effects in Muslim societies. Issues such as financial disability, different understanding of parenting and Islam, stress, domestic violence, sexual dysfunction, intercultural marriage and so forth are discussed as well the possible solutions. Understanding of those issues will bring peace and tranquility to the life of Muslim couples

The use of zakat revenue in Islamic financing: jurisprudential debate and practical feasibility

Recent juristic debate rages around the possibility of using zakah revenue in Islamic law of public finance to better realize its intended poverty eradication goal. At the theoretical level, both the proponents and opponents employ extensive juristic argumentations to support their points of contention. The thrust of the proponents argument is that zakah without productive implementation would not serve its designated goal of poverty alleviation while the opponents countered this case by saying that zakah collection is primarily designed to be immediately disbursed to the consumption needs of the recipients and not vice versa. In practice, however, it seems that the arguments by the proponents is favored as some counties like Kuwait and Malaysia, aside from providing handouts, also finance health care and education for the poor and needy. Accordingly, in our considered opinion, these issues need to be revisited with the primary aim of identifying a balanced legal stand and a feasible institutional framework which takes into full account both the consumption needs and future self-sufficiency of the deserving recipients. To this end, this paper begins by briefly outlining some theoretical aspects of zakah. Then, it proceeds to critically examine the juristic debate surrounding the permissibility of zakah utilization for financing Islamic socio-economic infrastructure. And lastly, it reviews the proposed framework for such utilization with the idea of advancing some jurisprudentially consistent proposals for further academic explorations

القوامة الزوجية عند مسلمي بانكوك: مفهومها ومشاكلها وحلولها في ضوء الفقه الإسلامي = Marital guardianship (Qiwāmah) among the Muslims of Bangkok: concept‚ problems and solutions in light of Islamic law

This research aims to study the topic of marital guardianship (qiwāmah) as practiced by Muslims of Bangkok, Thailand, who wrongly understand that the qiwāmah means to have absolute control over their women. This research focuses on providing solutions for this problem for the Muslims in Bangkok. The researchers have adopted the inductive and analytical methods, as well as a field study consisting of questionnaires, interviews, visits to common Muslims, judges, imams of mosques and members of the Islamic Committee in Bangkok. The research is divided into two sections: first, the study of qiwāmah, its concepts and implications in the Islamic law; and second, the problems faced by Muslims of Bangkok due to their wrong understanding of the concepts and how to solve them from the perspective of the Islamic law and a field study. The research concludes that Muslims of Bangkok are a minority ruled by Buddhist authorities of Thailand. As a result, they are largely ignorant about the rules of family in Islam and the sound understanding of qiwāmah

Women involvement in development from Maqasid Syariah perspectives: a case study of Malaysian women

This research is an attempt to discuss the issue of development and gender within the perspective of the predominant western as well as Islamic perspective. Moving from the Islamic perspective on development generally and women participation specifically, this work aims at providing some suggestions in the light of Islamic principles for the concept of human development in Islam, and identifying the guiding ideology behind's women involvement in development. In this relation, principles of Maqasid al Shari'ah will be thoroughly discussed with an objective of setting comprehensive principles and guidelines concerning the involvement of women in development. A case study on the experience of contemporary Muslim women in the fields of development in Malaysia will also be addressed. This study will contribute to the advancement of women and progress in all fields and acknowledge women's contribution at all levels

Optimisation of philanthropic waqf: the need for Maqasid-based legislative strategies

Waqaf institution was most central in financing socio-religious and public welfare systems during the early days of Islam. More importantly, the contribution of philanthropic endowment(waqf khayri) substantially financed and sustained the social welfare institutions in Muslim societies. Gradually, however, the creation of this type of waqf dwindled and degenerated. Today, by and large, the waqf consists of religious kind particularly in Malaysia. To remedy this situation, we believe that we do not only need to rethink of the regulatory cum institutional structures of waqf but also have to seriously earmark jurisprudential strategies for the revival of waq khayri in this direction