This study aims to construct a conceptual framework that explains how zakat contributes to shared prosperity and supports the development of a sustainable society. It seeks to model measurable links between zakat distribution and key social-sector indicators, such as poverty, education, employment, health, and household welfare, using the available national indicators. The study builds a conceptual framework that integrates zakat and shared prosperity within sustainability theory. The zakat is effective in reducing vulnerabilities and promoting shared prosperity within four objective indicators, which are reduced poverty, better education, improved health, and economic inclusion. This study is primarily conceptual, and therefore, it needs further simulated empirical modelling on the availability and quality of real-world datasets. Many national statistics data variables are not directly relevant as data sources for zakat impact, which can lead to more integrated data available for shared prosperity. The results can assist zakat institutions in improving targeting accuracy, designing evidence-based intervention programs, and aligning zakat distribution with national poverty-reduction strategies. Policymakers may use the framework to integrate zakat into broader social protection systems and data integration. By demonstrating how zakat contributes to shared prosperity, the study reinforces zakat’s role in reducing inequality, strengthening social cohesion, and enhancing the welfare of vulnerable groups. It also promotes a sustainable society where economic justice and moral responsibility converge. This study offers a unique combination of conceptual theory and empirical modelling for zakat effectiveness, supported by a measurable framework tied to national indicators. It is among the first to propose a scalable zakat–shared-prosperity model, enabling future studies to replicate, refine, and apply the approach in policy and institutional settings.
Category: Articles
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The Qur’an and Spiritual Healing: Tadabbur as a Modality of Spiritual Medicine in a Psychoneuroimmunological Framework
Reading the Quran not only strengthens faith but also positively impacts spiritual and behavioural well-being. Within Islamic tradition, the Quran is understood as a comprehensive source of guidance that nurtures the heart, intellect, and moral character of individuals. In contemporary health discourse, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of spirituality in fostering psychological resilience and holistic well-being. This study aims to review the benefits of Quranic recitation on spiritual health from both Islamic and medical literature perspectives, particularly within the framework of behavioral medicine and psychoneuroimmunology. Using a qualitative literature review approach, this study synthesizes findings from Islamic classical texts, contemporary Quranic exegesis, medical literature, and empirical studies examining the psychological and physiological effects of spiritual practices. The findings indicate that tadabbur (deep contemplation of the Quran) plays a significant role in reducing stress, enhancing mental focus, and strengthening coping mechanisms against life stressors. Through reflective engagement with Quranic meanings, individuals are able to cognitively reframe adversity, regulate emotional responses, and cultivate inner tranquility. From a neurophysiological perspective, Quranic recitation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with calmness and relaxation, while contributing to reduced cortisol levels and improved neuroendocrine balance. These effects support emotional stability and psychophysiological harmony. In Islamic thought, reading the Quran functions as dzikr (remembrance of God) and syifa’ (healing of the soul), as reflected in QS. ar-Ra’d [13]:28, which emphasizes the calming effect of divine remembrance on the human heart. Therefore, reading the Quran demonstrates significant therapeutic value for spiritual health through the integration of medical science and Islamic spirituality.
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A Complementary Zakat–Waqf Integrated Model for Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programs
This paper develops a conceptual framework for integrating zakat and waqf as complementary instruments aimed at sustainable economic empowerment. The two main pillars of Islamic social finance, zakat and waqf, have historically and theologically pursued complementing social goals of the public interest (maslahah), social protection, and poverty alleviation. In many Muslim-majority nations, waqf (an endowment intended to produce enduring public benefit) and zakat (a redistributive, mandatory alms giving) have mainly functioned in separate institutional and legal frameworks while having a similar goal of improving human welfare and acts of worship. This paper aims to discuss the strategic integration of zakat and waqf, particularly in contemporary forms like cash waqf, zakat-funded waqf seed capital, and joint zakat-waqf impact programs, to significantly increase the resource base for programs aimed at sustainable economic empowerment, boost the effectiveness of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and enhance governance and accountability in Islamic social finance. The paper presents an operational framework for integration, addresses governance safeguards and shariah considerations, and provides policy recommendations to practitioners, regulators, and donors using a systematic literature synthesis, comparative models, and illustrative case studies (Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria) and contemporary conceptual models. The study concludes that, despite operational, legal, and institutional obstacles, digitally enabled governance, standardized impact indicators, and hybrid public-private partnerships offer practical means to scale zakat-waqf integration for inclusive and sustainable development.
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Waqf as a Multidimensional Poverty-Alleviation Mechanism in Africa
Waqf, a perpetual charity endowment with strong roots in Islamic socioeconomic theory, has resurfaced as a practical and multifaceted approach to tackling the enduring and intricate reality of poverty throughout Africa. Waqf institutions have a long history on the continent, but their developmental potential is still largely untapped because of shoddy legislative frameworks, disjointed administration systems, and low public awareness. This study investigates waqf’s potential to serve as a comprehensive strategy for reducing poverty that can produce long-term, sustainable social benefits. The study employed a qualitative research design backed by doctrinal analysis, historical review, and thematic assessment of modern waqf practices. The findings demonstrate how reviving waqf institutions in Africa through contemporary financial models like cash waqf, corporate waqf, and digital waqf platforms can increase funding for necessary services while empowering underprivileged populations through micro-enterprise financing, skill development, and entrepreneurship support. Furthermore, the study contends that waqf’s focus on distributive justice and social solidarity is consistent with modern development frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those pertaining to poverty alleviation, decent labour, high-quality education, and decreased inequality. It concludes that waqf offers a morally good and community-driven framework that can restore dignity, resilience, and inclusive progress throughout African countries, in addition to an economically sound method of reducing poverty.
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Kepemimpinan Digital Kepala Sekolah dalam Memperkuat Ekosistem Pembelajaran di Era Kurikulum Merdeka di Sekolah Dasar
Kepemimpinan digital kepala sekolah memegang peran penting dalam memperkuat ekosistem pembelajaran di era Kurikulum Merdeka, khususnya di sekolah dasar yang sedang beradaptasi dengan pemanfaatan teknologi pendidikan. Kurikulum Merdeka menekankan fleksibilitas, pembelajaran berbasis proyek, serta penggunaan perangkat digital untuk mendukung proses belajar yang lebih mandiri dan bermakna. Dalam konteks ini, kepala sekolah berperan sebagai pemimpin digital yang tidak hanya mengelola sekolah, tetapi juga mengarahkan visi teknologi, mendorong kompetensi guru, serta membangun budaya sekolah yang inovatif dan responsif terhadap perkembangan digital. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kuantitatif melalui survei terhadap 120 guru sekolah dasar di tiga kabupaten/kota. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tiga temuan penting. Pertama, 78% guru menyatakan peningkatan kompetensi dalam penggunaan aplikasi pembelajaran setelah adanya kebijakan kepemimpinan digital kepala sekolah. Kedua, 72% sekolah melaporkan meningkatnya kolaborasi antara guru dan orang tua melalui platform digital sekolah, yang berdampak pada peningkatan keterlibatan siswa dalam pembelajaran. Ketiga, 81% kepala sekolah memanfaatkan data digital (dashboard belajar, asesmen online, dan laporan harian) untuk pengambilan keputusan yang lebih cepat terkait kebutuhan belajar siswa. Temuan ini menguatkan bahwa kepemimpinan digital berkontribusi secara signifikan dalam mendukung keberhasilan implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka, serta menciptakan ekosistem belajar yang inklusif, adaptif, dan relevan dengan tuntutan pembelajaran abad ke-21.
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Integrating Physiology and Health Management in Practice Based On Islamic Medicine
Physiology forms the scientific foundation of modern medicine, linking cellular mechanisms with systemic functions that sustain human life. In the context of contemporary healthcare, understanding physiological principles is not only essential for clinical decision-making but also for effective health management. This study explores the integration of physiological reasoning into health system governance, clinical protocols, and practice management. Through a systematic literature review, this paper examines how physiological understanding informs policies in resource allocation, technology adoption, and service delivery. The findings reveal that physiological literacy among healthcare leaders improves clinical efficiency, enhances patient safety, and supports rational health planning. Therefore, strengthening physiological education and its application in health management is crucial to building sustainable, effective, and patient-centered health systems.
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The Role of AI in Transforming Teacher Education in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges
This study looks at how artificial intelligence (AI) might change teacher education in Nigeria by boosting administrative effectiveness, improving assessment and classroom practices, strengthening professional development, and personalizing teacher learning. It maps opportunities (adaptive learning tools, automated feedback, content generation, data-driven decision-making) and challenges (digital infrastructure gaps, teacher readiness, ethical risks, policy and regulatory lacunae) based on policy documents, international guidance, and recent empirical studies. In order to generate practical suggestions for legislators, teacher educators, and development partners, the study employs a qualitative synthesis of secondary literature and policy analysis. Important suggestions include incorporating AI literacy into teacher preparation, testing professional development initiatives powered by AI, bolstering digital infrastructure and data governance, and implementing moral standards in line with national and UNESCO policies. The study concludes that AI can be a catalytic force in teacher education in Nigeria but only if investments align with capacity building, inclusivity, and robust governance.
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The Role of Waqf in Agricultural Development and Modernization in North-Eastern Nigeria
Most people in North-Eastern Nigeria still rely on agriculture as their main source of income, but the industry faces several obstacles, including low productivity, antiquated farming methods, restricted access to financing, and the effects of climate change and insecurity. The function of waqf, or Islamic endowment, as a long-term tool for advancing regional agricultural modernization and development is examined in this paper. The paper examines how waqf can be strategically repurposed and used to promote irrigation projects, mechanized farming, land acquisition, and smallholder farmers’ empowerment. It is grounded on Islamic economic principles and is backed by empirical case analysis. Qualitative interviews with waqf administrators, agricultural specialists, religious leaders, and farmers from a few states in the Northeast, such as Borno, Gombe, and Yobe, were used. Additionally, quantitative information from waqf foundations and agricultural institutions was examined. The results show that although waqf is currently underutilized in agriculture, there is a great deal of opportunity to mobilize cash waqf donations and idle waqf lands for farmer training, infrastructure development, and agricultural financing. Furthermore, incorporating waqf into current frameworks for rural development may improve rural livelihoods, employment, and food security. The study comes to the conclusion that mainstreaming waqf into the agricultural sector requires strong institutional reforms, legal frameworks, and public awareness. In order to maximize impact, it suggests modernizing waqf land administration, forming alliances between waqf boards and agricultural cooperatives, and creating waqf-based Agricultural Development Funds. This study adds to the body of knowledge on Islamic social finance and rural development by introducing waqf as a practical and moral means of transforming agriculture in areas impacted by conflict and experiencing economic hardship.
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Pens with a Purpose: Muslim Scholars and Writing Identity
Writing has always been a sacred and civilizational involvement in Islamic history, inspired by the command of Iqra’ (read) as the first revelation. Muslim scholars viewed writing not merely as a practical skill but as a mission by purpose activity that shaped identity, preserved divine knowledge, and built civilizations. This article explores the central role of writing in the development of Islamic intellectual tradition, emphasizing the intentionality behind Muslim scholarly texts. Writings were composed not only to teach knowledge, but also to counter falsehoods, initiate dialogue, document history, and inspire ethical living. From the particular compilation of hadith to philosophical debates, encyclopedias, and spiritual poetry, these works anchored Islamic thought and identity across centuries and geographies. The article categorizes the purposes behind Muslim writings and connects them to broader civilizational outcomes, such as the flourishing of knowledge in the Islamic Golden Age and the shaping of cultural memory through manuscript traditions. Using a narrative review methodology, this article draws upon classical and modern texts, tracing writing traditions from early Islamic scholars. It also uses textual analysis to identify the embedded purposes and strategies within selected writings. The article argues that the legacy of Muslim scholars’ “pens with a purpose” serves as a model for contemporary knowledge production in the Islamic worldview, especially in a digital age overwhelmed by information, yet hungry for wisdom, authenticity, and ethical guidance. Today’s Muslim writers and thinkers bear a renewed responsibility to write with clarity, truth, and purpose, so they can contribute not only to intellectual discourse but to ethical transformation and community resilience in an increasingly fragmented world.
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The Legacy of Waqf: Foundation and Its Continuities
Waqf (Islamic endowment) is one of the most profound socio-economic legacies of Islamic civilization. Rooted in the principle of voluntary asset dedication for public benefit, waqf has served as a cornerstone for institutional development in Muslim societies for over a millennium. The legacy is to describe how the foundational principles of waqf have been transmitted and adapted across different socio-legal contexts, producing parallel institutions that, while locally distinct, share their functional values. This paper explores waqf as a legacy, a foundational social institution embedded in Islamic thought and practice that continues to influence contemporary legal, economic, and governance structures. The study traces waqf’s historical evolution, its interrelationship with the Islamic concept of qard al-hasan (benevolent loan), and its intersection with land management, social justice, and state-building across different cultural and geographical contexts. Drawing from historical, legal, and institutional analysis, the article demonstrates how waqf inspired the emergence of similar mechanisms in global and Western societies, such as trusts and endowments. Furthermore, the article discusses the challenges facing waqf today, including asset fragmentation, governance issues, and underutilization. It also explores waqf’s potential as a strategic instrument for inclusive development, especially in education, healthcare, and social welfare. The research concludes that the waqf institution, when revitalized with modern governance tools and aligned with sustainability principles, offers a resilient and ethical model for long-term socio-economic empowerment and wealth redistribution.
