Waqf development in minority Muslim country: Singapore’s experience / Mas Nooraini Mohiddin

Waqf is one of the important mechanisme in Islamic economic structure in developing countries besides zakat. The institutional role of Waqf is to reduce government burden in developing and fulfil social needs especially for Muslim society. In the majority of Muslim countries nowadays, where they have strict Shariah laws, charities such as zakat are managed by government bodies. While in non-Muslim countries such practise are managed by voluntary agencies. The methodology for this study is secondary data approach by using data analysis from the related journals, articles, and papers. This paper will discuss the role of Waqf institution in minority Muslim states in order to meet socio-economic development particularly for Muslim society. In addition, to explore to what extent Waqf institution could achieve the objective which is to minimise the poverty and improve quality life based on experince that have been through by minority Muslim in Singapore. Moreover, to identify the obstacles or challenges that the minorty Muslim face in order to improve Waqf instituition among majority non-Muslim. This paper will end up with the suggestion that may contribute for Waqf development in such countries

[Cash Waqf Status in Brunei Darussalam: Its Contirubtion towards The Development of The Ummah] Status Wakaf Tunai di Brunei Darussalam: Sumbangannya ke Arah Pembangunan Ummah

Waqf is known and popular in the form of assets or real estate. The majority of the Muslim community thinks that waqf can only be done for religious purposes, while the actual function and role of waqf covers all areas including agriculture, business, education, medicine and socio-economy. Although cash waqf is a form or instrument of waqf that has been introduced for a long time, it is a new waqf model that has spread in most Islamic countries. In Brunei Darussalam, all matters regarding waqf are handled and administered by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) based on the laws enshrined in the laws of Brunei Darussalam, namely the Islamic Religious Council and Kadi Courts Act Chapter 77 in section 98 and 100. Observation and interview methodologies were used for the writing of this paper. Thus, this paper will look at how the status of cash waqf is practiced by the Muslim community in Brunei Darussalam. It is also to assess the extent to which waqf in this form can fulfill the vision of progress and development of Brunei Darussalam that can contribute towards the development of the ummah. This paper concludes by submitting some suggestions to improve the implementation of cash waqf in order to function better and increase motivation among the community to continue the contribution towards welfare in line with the role of cash waqf which is to help and ease the burden of the government in providing various facilities for the welfare of Muslims in particular. Wakaf lebih dikenali dan popular dalam bentuk aset atau hartanah. Majoriti masyarakat Islam beranggapan wakaf hanya boleh dilakukan bagi tujuan keagamaan, sedangkan fungsi dan peranan sebenar wakaf  meliputi semua bidang termasuk pertanian, perniagaan, pengajian, perubatan, sosio-ekonomi dan sebagainya. Meski pun wakaf Tunai merupakan satu bentuk atau instrumen wakaf yang telah lama diperkenalkan namun ianya merupakan model wakaf yang baru tersebar di kebanyakan negara Islam. Di Negara Brunei Darussalam, semua urusan mengenai wakaf dikendalikan dan ditadbir oleh Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei (MUIB) berdasarkan undang-undang yang termaktub dalam undang-undang Negara Brunei Darussalam iaitu Akta Majlis Ugama Islam dan Mahkamah-Mahkamah Kadi Penggal 77 dalam bab 98 dan 100. Metodologi pengamatan dan temu bual digunakan bagi penulisan kertas kerja ini. Justeru, kertas kerja ini akan melihat bagaimana status Wakaf Tunai ini diamalkan masyarakat Islam di Brunei Darussalam. Seterusnya, menilai sejauh mana wakaf dalam bentuk ini dapat memenuhi wawasan kemajuan dan pembangunan Negara Brunei Darussalam yang dapat menyumbang ke arah pembangunan ummah.  Kertas kerja ini diakhiri dengan mengemukakan beberapa cadangan bagi menambahbaikkan pelaksanaan Wakaf Tunai agar dapat berfungsi lebih baik sekaligus meningkatkan motivasi di kalangan masyarakat untuk terus menyumbang ke arah kebajikan sejajar dengan peranan wakaf iaitu berusaha untuk membantu dan meringankan bebanan kerajaan dalam menyediakan pelbagai kemudahan bagi kesejahteraan ummah Islam khususnya

WAQF DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Waqf or endowment as an institution begins with a pious intention to do good deeds for the benefit of one and others. In other words, waqf is a dedication made by one person for the benefit of others, with the intention that the dedicator be entitled to a continuous reward from Allah the Creator throughout the period of the endowment. Once the waqf is declared by the person it will effect a transfer of the property which is the subject matter of the dedication to Allah Almighty. However the benefit derived from the use of property will be given in accordance with the founder’s intention. Historically, waqf played a key role in the development of Muslim societies. Waqf served the Muslim community (ummah) in almost all fields, such as religion, education, medicine and other socio-economic activities. However, nowadays waqf has become dormant and less popular in Muslim countries. Waqf no longer serves the needs of the ummah due to problems, such as mismanagement, waqf laws and awareness of it in Muslim society. The status of waqf has deteriorated to such an extent that in some countries waqf assets have been neglected and abandoned. As a result of colonialism, Malaysia and Singapore adopted western laws, which precede Islamic laws including those dealing with waqf. Despite this, Johor and Singapore still provide the best models of the successful development of waqf. Therefore, it is interesting to compare the different environments and situations of the two states in order to identify the challenges faced by waqf institutions in both states. Based on a comprehensive literature review of issues affecting waqf in the two states, the following major themes were identified; legal issues, perceptions, management and operation. The importance of the legal system is basically to support and protect waqf in areas such as registration or amending the deeds. Any change in contemporary law does not necessarily mean it is against Shariah principles, as long as the state regulation upholds Shariah principles, in order to protect the waqf while catering for the current situation. Generally, both quantitative and qualitative data support the theory that many people still believe that waqf is only for religious purposes. The data obtained from both states also show that national differences play an important role in the variation of knowledge and awareness of waqf. In managing waqf, there are problems or challenges that have to be faced. The problems that can be detected are from three kinds, namely; development, management and public awareness. However, lack of awareness amongst the public becomes problematic when there is a need to increase and improve waqf assets. Based on the empirical analysis presented in this thesis, the last chapter’s purpose is to highlight policy recommendations with respect to improving waqf development and increasing public awareness. This small contribution not only fulfils the research requirement but hopefully also helps to make my beloved small country Brunei Darussalam more aware of and concerned with this important institution

[The Potential of Waqf In Facing The Covid19 Pandemic] Potensi Wakaf dalam Menghadapi Pandemik Covid19

Islamic philanthropy is able to solve economic problems in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, among them is waqf. The credibility of waqf in efforts to reduce poverty and improve the country's economy can no longer be disputed and has been proven through history. The existence of Corona Virus or known as Covid-19 at the end of 2019 has attracted world attention. Although the virus is related to health, but its impact has affected various sectors including the economy and even worse contributed towards the escalation of the global economic crisis. Although assistance is provided by certain parties, to what extent these funds are able to survive for the survival of society, especially for those who have just been categorized as poor as a result of this pandemic. Thus, this study will reveal the extent to which waqf is able to minimize the economic problems that are being faced. The research methodology adopted is qualitatively descriptive by using content analysis as the method of analysis. It is not only the Government that is responsible in dealing with the issue of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is also a shared responsibility that must be borne by all levels of society and agencies. With the uniqueness of waqf, it is able to resolve the economic crisis and at the same time help ease the burden of the government, especially in times of pandemics that affect certain groups. The existence of Covid-19 without realizing it is the source of waqf and the latest encouragement to contribute more towards the well-being of all when recognizing the greatness of waqf and in professional governance. Filantropi Islam mampu menyelesaikan masalah ekonomi dalam menghadapi pandemik Covid-19 di antaranya ialah wakaf. Kredibiliti wakaf dalam usaha mengurangkan kemiskinan dan meningkatkan ekonomi negara tidak dapat dipertikaikan lagi dan telah terbukti melalui sejarah. Kewujudan Virus Corona atau di kenali dengan Covid-19 di penghujung tahun 2019 telah menarik perhatian dunia. Meskipun virus ini berkaitan dengan kesihatan, namun impaknya telah memberi kesan terhadap pelbagai sektor termasuklah bidang ekonomi dan lebih buruk lagi menyumbang ke arah peningkatan krisis ekonomi global. Meskipun bantuan diberikan oleh pihak tertentu namun sejauh mana dana ini mampu bertahan untuk kelangsungan kehidupan masyarakat lebih-lebih lagi bagi golongan yang baru dikategorikan sebagai miskin akibat pandemik ini. Justeru, kajian ini akan menyingkap sejauh mana wakaf mampu meminimumkan masalah ekonomi yang sedang dihadapi. Metodologi penyelidikan yang diguna pakai adalah secara kualitatif deskriptif dengan menggunakan analisis kandungan sebagai kaedah penganalisisan. Bukan hanya pihak Kerajaan sahaja yang bertanggungjawab dalam menghadapi isu kemelut pandemik Covid-19, bahkan ia merupakan tanggungjawab bersama yang harus di pikul oleh semua lapisan masyarakat dan agensi berkenaan. Dengan keunikan wakaf mampu menyelesaikan kemelut ekonomi sekali gus membantu meringankan bebanan kerajaan lebih-lebih lagi di saat pandemik yang menjejaskan golongan tertentu. Kewujudan Covid-19 tanpa di sedari menjadi pencetus sumber wakaf dan galakkan terkini untuk lebih menyumbang ke arah kesejahteraan semua bilamana mengenali kehebatan wakaf dan di tadbir urus secara profesional

DEVELOPING SHARIAH COMPLIANT CORPORATION: AN APPRAISAL ON THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS UNDER THE MALAYSIA LAW AND SHARIAH

Shareholders are members of a company through share capital ownership. They proclaim themselves as “owners” although they have no direct involvement in business management which is wholly vested in the board of directors. In Malaysia, shareholders merely receive bundles of right in the company as prescribed under the Companies Act 2016. Due to the separate legal existence of a company, they are not liable for the company’s debts and liabilities. Contrarily, under Shariah, musharakah is a partnership agreement between individual partners for participation in capital and profits. It essentially regards them as the joint owners of musharakah, treating their existence inseparable from this business entity. The partners collectively share mutual rights and duties in the musharakah business according to their contractual agreement which makes them jointly liable for any liabilities incurred by the musharakah. This article discusses the rights and liabilities of members of a company under Malaysia Law and Shariah. It highlights the substantial distinctions between the shareholders’ rights and liabilities under the Companies Act 2016 and those of partners under musharakah. This article argues that an inculcation of Shariah principles of musharakah into the current legal structure of corporation is needed so that the Shariah-compliant status is always maintained.   Keywords: Company, Malaysia, members’ rights and liabilities, Musharakah, rights and liabilities in Musharakah, separate legal entity. Cite as: Haji Mohiddin, M. N., Abdul Ghadas, Z. A., & Ramli, N. (2021). Developing shariah compliant corporation: An appraisal on the rights and liabilities of members under the Malaysia law and shariah.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(1), 59-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss1pp59-7

Peguam syarie di Malaysia: analisis perkembangan pelaksanaannya di mahkamah syariah

Peguam syarie mewakili pihak-pihak bertikai dalam menyelesaikan masalah mereka di mahkamah. Konsep perwakilan ini telah wujud sejak zaman Rasulullah sehingga kini. Kajian ini berhasrat untuk mencapai tiga objektif. Pertama, ianya menganalisis tadbir urus perwakilan peguam syarie pada zaman Rasulullah, sahabat serta pelaksanaannya di mahkamah syariah di Malaysia pada masa kini. Kedua, ianya mengenal pasti permasalahan semasa berkaitan tadbir urus tersebut di mahkamah syariah. Ketiga, ianya mencadangkan penyelesaian ke atas permasalahan yang dikenal pasti. Kajian ini mengguna pakai kerangka perundangan tulin yang dianalisis secara kualitatif. Data telah dikumpul melalui kaedah kajian perpustakaan serta kaedah temu bual separa struktur. Data perpustakaan kemudiannya dianalisis melalui kaedah-kaedah analisis kandungan dan analisis kritis. Data dari temubual pula dirakam, dilakukan transkripsi serta kemudiannya dimasukkan ke dalam penulisan sebagai hujah sokongan. Kajian mendapati tadbir urus perwakilan peguam syarie berkembang dari dari semasa ke semasa. Kajian turut mendapati ketidakseragaman dalam tadbir urus peguam syarie di mahkamah syariah pada masa kini. Kajian akhirnya mencadangkan agar diwujudkan tadbir urus peguam syarie yang seragam, teratur serta terperinci