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Earthquake usually causes death, injury, disability and destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and people with disabilities are usually affected more than healthy people. As undesirable experiences may also have positive outcomes, this study aims to investigate the experiences of PWD and identify the positive effects of earthquakes on them in Iran, as an earthquake-prone country.

In this qualitative study, 20 participants were selected purposively among those having physical disability, aged 23-55 years and with experience of an earthquake. Their opinions were collected using semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed using thematic approach and MAXQDA software was used to organize the data.

The positive effects of earthquake were categorized into five main themes: promotion of preparedness, knowledge enhancement, improvement of structures, socio-economic improvement (economic situation enhancement and social cohesion promotion) and outstanding role of national and international non-governmental organizations.

Although disasters are generally unpleasant, in the long term, they can result in positive effects and may be considered as opportunities to improve the situation and eliminate certain limitations. It is also important to learn from experiences of people with disabilities and apply the lessons learned, for enhancing preparedness and providing better services in the response phase of disaster management. Additionally, paying attention to the positive attitudes of such people, with special conditions and limitations, indicates their enhanced resilience to cope with disasters and emergencies, including COVID-19, which should be taken into consideration by policymakers and planners in future programs.

There is a growing debate as to how Islamic financial institutions can increase the expansion of profit and loss sharing (PLS) finance instead of widely practiced markup finance. This paper aims to seek to argue that protecting lenders right is to be ensured if we expect to see the rise of PLS finance of Islamic banks.

The paper draws upon the theorical contribution of Toshihiko Izutsu, who shows the derivation of the modern term Islam from its pre-Islamic root of hilm. Izutsu argues that a halim (Muslim or mu’min) possesses power and becomes altruist for fellow Muslim. This research takes this view to illustrate that Islamic lenders should be bestowed with economic and financial power for the expansion of PLS finance.

The authors show that Islamic financial system does not furnish required institutions conducive for expansion of PLS finance. The authors further argue that the practice of PLS should be based on an effective power retained by the lender to discipline the borrower, which is currently lacking in a typical PLS contract.

The retention of the power by the lender does not necessarily breach maqasid al-shari’ah, so far as the power is managed upon the concept of hilm. This philosophical speculation, in the authors’ view, would contribute to bridge a gap between Islamic pragmatists and perfectionists’ view toward expansion of PLS finance.

Although Izutsu’s explanation provides an important tool to argue that the altruistic behaver of halim can encourage the supply of participatory finance, this provision has not been adequately argued in the literature.

The purpose of this paper is to: investigate coating of polylactic acid by TiO₂ using low-temperature plasma technique, which is a clean and environmentally benign process; study the characteristics of the obtained samples; and survey the antibacterial effect of nano-TiO₂. This method, as an eco-friendly technology used on the biodegradable polymer, would be benefited by industries which want to set feet on the greener path and reduce the social costs resulting from the harmful effects of pollutants.

TiO₂ was coated on a textile by DC magnetron sputtering. In this study titanium as a pure Ti anode is coated on the sample surface in the plasma reactor by entering argon gas (Ar). Then titanium oxide appears through entering oxygen (O₂) into the reactor.

Scanning electron microscopy analysis is applied to show the morphology of the coated surface. The quantitative value of TiO₂ was evaluated as weight percentage using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and washing stability of the samples is measured using the XRF machine. The highest degree of antibacterial effects and washing stability are all observed in 10 min.

In this process, contrary to common methods, pure Ti is used for coating. Finishing of textiles via this method has been useful to be used as disposable hospital clothing due to its biodegradable and antibacterial properties. So it will be helpful in reducing negative environmental impacts.

This paper aims to compare and contrast the concept of conventional futures contract from the Islamic law of contract perspectives. The underlying theory and practice of Islamic finance is based on the principles of Islamic law of contract. Although the necessity of derivative instruments such as the case with futures contract is essential for developments in Islamic finance, the permissibility of using these instruments still remains a debatable issue.

The paper discusses arguments for and against using derivative instruments as in futures, for example, in light with the Qur’an and Sunnah (the Prophet’s traditions), as well as the views of classical scholars, jurists and contemporary researchers. Arguments for and against are analysed systematically to derive a logical conclusion.

The study finds that majority scholars consider futures contracts as non-compliant with the Islamic law due to the fact that selling something that does not exist, deferment in the both counter values, gharar or ambiguity and excessive risk taking, pure speculation and sale of one debt for another.

The study focuses narrowly on conventional futures contract. Analysing other financial derivative contracts could be a future research endeavour.

The study has so far found the verdict of impermissibility of conventional futures contract in its current form as has been argued by majority scholars in the premise that they do not comply with the Islamic law. Policymakers and industry practitioners need to take this opinion of majority scholars while developing new Islamic financial derivatives.

To the best of the author's knowledge, the present research is the first attempt so far that explained the validity of conventional futures by analysing arguments of classical and contemporary jurists, scholars and researchers.

Razi's theory has an axiological and epistemological relevance that ethical values are established on knowledge model which is developed by interactive preferences between polity and the value system. The point of departure for the understanding of the differences of Razi's human needs theory vis‐a‐vis the contemporary ideas are the metaphysical principle that underlies the notion of the theory. By means of this principle we come to understand the place of human being in the universe, his function and purpose in life and his final destination, therefore his needs and motivations. Thus an economic system based on Razi's human needs theory is an ethico‐economy which tilts neither toward socialism nor laissez‐faire capitalism. The notion of need can be interpreted as a reaction against allegedly value‐free or value‐neutral approaches in the social sciences. In this sense, the work of Razi can be most usefully seen as part of those ethical ideas which he invoked in the 12th century. Razi's writing on ethics that very closely related to philosophy is much less well known. Yet it is essential in an attempt to evaluate his contribution to the development of Islamic thought. The scope of his writings is remarkable, ranging from his early analyses of theological and legal controversies in the eastern part of the Muslim world, through a book on Qur'anic Exegesis and ethics; from medical sciences to his sustained polemic on credology and philosophy. In short, his writings embrace diversity of areas, from theology to philosophy, from natural to applied sciences including chemistry, astronomy and medicine. In his writings, he succeeded in proving his claim that excellence and perfection of man are not realized by means of bodily sensual pleasure. Rather, it is realized instead, by means of knowledge, power and excellent manners. This paper gives an account of the relevancies of knowledge‐based world view in the light of Razi's view of human needs. In dealing with this topic, two questions are explored: (1) what is his view of human needs? and, (2) what is the relevance of his view to ethics and economics?

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of religious sect on the Lebanese consumer’s perception of controversial product advertisements.

The study used a quantitative survey that was administered to a purposive representative sample of respondents from the two main Muslim sects in the country, namely, Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

The results indicated significant differences in perceptions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims with regards to the offensiveness of the advertising of controversial products. Briefly, Sunni Muslims found the advertising of social and political as well as health and care products more offensive, whereas Shiite Muslims found the advertising of gender and sex-related products more offensive, and no significant difference in offensiveness perception between the two sects was found with regards to the advertising of addictive products.

Two main limitations faced the researchers: the fact that the respondents were not shown examples of offensive product advertisements; and that religiosity was not measured for the respondents, which could also be a factor in offensiveness perception.

The study indicates that a consumer’s religious sect can play a determining role in how he/she perceives product advertisement, thus encouraging marketers to consider the differences between these sects while advertising to ensure no potential consumers are alienated.

Although research has looked into the impact of religiosity and religion on the perception of offensive product advertisements, minimal research exists on the impact of religious sects on the perception of offensive product advertisement. The results of this study provide some insights into the consumer behavior differences between the two sects.

One of the recent applications of fabrics is to use them for sound insulation. Accordingly, due to their low production cost and low relative density, fabrics have drawn attention in some of the industries such as the automotive and aircraft industries. The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of the fiber cross-section, porosity, thickness of samples and fuzzing of the knitted fabric on the sound absorption coefficient.

In the present study, fabrics with three different stitch densities were knitted by yarns consist of three different forms of fiber cross-section shapes (circular, elliptical and plus-shaped). In this work, the sound absorption coefficient of knitted fabrics was investigated with regard to the different fiber cross-sections and structural parameters using an impedance tube.

As indicated by the obtained results, the cross-section, porosity, thickness and mass per unit area of the fabrics were the determinant factors for the sound absorption coefficient. In addition to, the sound absorption coefficient and porosity were shown to have an inverse relationship.

A section of the present paper has been allocated to the investigation of the effect of the fiber cross-section and fuzzing of fabric on the sound absorption of plain knitted fabrics.

Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to investigate the motivational antecedents of faculty members’ continuance intention of using online teaching platforms. For this purpose, we introduced a model incorporating basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) and different motivational mechanisms.

Using a survey study of 312 faculty members, we examined the model by structural equation modeling (SEM).

The SEM results revealed a positive correlation between BPNS and continuance intention. Additionally, we illustrate the importance of different types of extrinsic motivation. By presenting an alternative model, we demonstrate that the initial-use-identified regulation (one type of extrinsic motivation) has an association with continuance intention (CI). However, this association loses significance if BPNS is present within the model. Moreover, we determined that there is no significant relationship between initial-use external regulation (another type of extrinsic motivation) and faculty members' CI for online teaching. Lastly, the results revealed that pre-use amotivation and intrinsic motivation impact CI through initial-use BPNS.

The results suggest that decision-makers at educational institutions should consider that extrinsic motivation has different types with different impacts and that BPNS has a vital role in faculty members’ intention to continue using online teaching platforms.

This study is novel because it reveals some details of extrinsic motivation effects by offering a model that combines BPNS and different types of motivation in two stages. It is important and rare that we concentrate on the almost neglected issue of faculty members’ motivational perspectives in online teaching, while the literature mainly focuses on students’ perspectives.

The purpose of this study is to investigate shari’ah scholars’ views and experiences pertaining the shari’ah issues, challenges and prospects in Islamic derivatives. Specifically, this paper critically examines the criticisms toward conventional derivative instruments and the controversies surrounding underlying contracts and current Islamic derivative products.

This study uses qualitative methods to form a deeper understanding of shari’ah scholars’ perception and experience on Islamic derivatives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five shari’ah scholars who are currently working in Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia and Singapore. This study used phenomenological techniques for its data analysis.

This study has found that shari’ah scholars are aware of the shari’ah issues surrounding Islamic derivatives and have provided comprehensive insight on the solution to these issues. It was found that it is important to take into account the derivatives instruments in Islamic financial industry because of the need for hedging and risk mitigation within Islamic financial institutions. Nonetheless, the study has also found that the use of wa’ad contracts to structure Islamic profit rate swaps and foreign currency exchanges are problematic because of it having features of bay’ al-kali’ bil-kali (the sale of one debt for another).

This study is one of few studies that highlight the shari’ah issues of Islamic derivatives in Islamic banking and finance industry. This paper is of value in discussing risk management and Islamic derivatives in Islamic financial institutions and how there are many issues under the investigation process, particularly issues related to controversial underlying contracts and products.

This paper aims to formulate a conceptual framework that will facilitate the actualization of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah in product design and consumption within Islamic financial institutions (IFIs).

This paper relies on the classical and contemporary literature on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah and Islamic finance and adopts a qualitative content analysis method and an inductive approach to outline the constituent elements that formulate the framework.

This study determines six vital constituents of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, namely, parameters of maqāṣid, particular objectives, appropriate means, micro provisions, level of need and legal maxims to develop a conceptual framework of actualizing maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah in Islamic finance. The framework covers the following three stages: identification of maqāṣid, operationalization of maqāṣid in product design and consumption based on maqāṣid.

This paper proposes a conceptual framework without investigating the practice of any particular industry or products. Further research would focus on formulating a practical framework based on a focus group discussion with industry experts, elaborating the parameters of maqāṣid, scrutinizing the maqāṣid available in the literature by the parameters of maqāṣid and assessing the IFIs’ products and services using the proposed framework.

This paper provides insights into the importance of maqāṣid elements and the effects of overlooking them on IFIs and customers’ product consumption. Furthermore, a major implication of the proposed framework is to learn how to use the maqāṣid approach as the baseline for designing new financial products.

The novelty of this paper lies in its pioneering attempt of harmonizing all essential maqāṣid elements and using them as constituents to formulate a comprehensive framework that actualizes maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah in the Islamic finance industry.