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This paper aims to examine the effects of taqwa (God-consciousness) and syukr (gratitude to God) on emotional intelligence (EI) in a Muslim population in Malaysia.

Structural equation modelling tool AMOS was used to test the study’s hypotheses. In total, data were sourced from 302 Muslim employees working in Malaysia's public and private sectors.

Taqwa and syukr positively influence EI, and people with taqwa and syukr demonstrate greater levels of self-emotional appraisal compared with other emotional appraisals. This study also shows that people with taqwa and syukr give increased priority to understanding and distinguishing positive and negative emotions because of their understanding of Islamic teachings. They also exhibit concern with knowing their emotions well before advising or responding to the emotions of others. This may increase their sense of empathy, thereby improving their emotional competency and EI.

The findings indicate that taqwa and syukr predispose Muslims to EI. This study applied the Qur’anic model of self-development, which connects the origin of emotion with the soul, thereby further enriching the literature on the subject. It also highlights the importance of taqwa and syukr to Muslim employees for achieving EI that is useful in creating a harmonious atmosphere in the workplace and prosperous relationships in society.

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate the Islamic Governance Examination tool (IGET) in applicability to the healthcare setting.

A cross-sectional study using IGET, developed by a panel of expert and extensive literature, which measures Islamic governance (IG) domains – Tauhid, Juristic, Values and Culture. Health and allied health professionals from the largest hospital in Brunei were recruited to establish validity and reliability of the instrument. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to explore the relationship of the IG domains.

Content validity and construct validity were established with good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α ranged 0.835–0.953). SEM supports the conceptual model and demonstrated potential to improve quality of health services. By articulating internal and organisational processes put in place for compatibility of Muslim patients and accommodating incumbent form of healthcare governance.

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study developing, validating and exploring IG components in healthcare setting. Usage of IGET should be cross-validated in different disciplines and settings before application. Nonetheless, IG as a whole need to be developed further to create healthcare environment compatible for Muslim patients and complement current health services to improve health service quality for everyone.

University students are known to face many challenges in achieving high financial literacy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of financial literacy among Malaysian Muslim undergraduates as explained through sociocultural variables. Furthermore, this paper explores a few additional Islamic measurements as part of assessing the level of financial literacy among the students.

The questionnaires were drafted based on a multi-dimensional financial literacy model and distributed conveniently to 330 respondents. Post-interviews were also conducted with selected students to further comprehend the sociocultural context.

The findings suggest that exposing students to financial education and practices influence their financial literacy scores. Students who attended muamalat-related courses demonstrated better financial literacy scores. Meanwhile, post-interview results indicate that the students’ social environment and interactions also play important roles in enhancing their financial literacy. Hence, it is believed that it is essential to embed Islamic-based measurements to equip students with financial literacy in tandem with their pedagogic development. The results thus extend previous studies by confirming the importance of Islamic-based finance- and business-related knowledge for all tertiary students. Furthermore, the curricula should be made compatible to their studying environment and attuned to their values and cultures.

The findings suggest the introduction of personal financial and muamalat-based knowledge and practices relative to their Islamic programme orientation. This should take place during the students’ academic years and across all academic programmes’ orientation. The study also highlights the importance of developing special measurements of Islamic financial literacy for Muslims congruent to their distinct Islamic identity.

The study indicates the importance of high financial literacy among tertiary students for them to have a financially stable future.

The research is original in its use of several measurements of financial literacy that embedded Islamic teachings concomitant to the Muslim respondents.