Poverty is on the increase in Africa in general and specifically in Nigeria despite the numerous poverty alleviation programs of successive governments. Lamentably, most poverty alleviation initiatives have failed to produce meaningful outcomes despite billions of Naira committed to them. Nigerians and Nigeria still ranked among the poorest, with the poverty rate rising since the 1980s. Base on the theory of planned behavior, this study examines the influences of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, Religiosity, and available information on the intention to establish Waqf in Oyo state, southwestern Nigeria. Survey data from 218 Islamic scholars revealed that all the variables, as mentioned earlier, except available data, have a significant positive influence on the intention to establish Waqf according to the respondents.  Based on the results, the study made relevant policy recommendations regarding how authority can explore Waqf's institution as a formidable alternative to government-driven poverty alleviation programs in the interest of the Nigerian Muslims and the Nigerian Muslims, the larger population cutting across different religions.

The objective of this study is to examine the trends related to the Shariah compliance practice among Islamic banks in Nigeria. It is also conducted to establish the loopholes in the existing Islamic banking system and to suggest measures to remove Shariah non-compliance in Islamic banks in Nigeria. The study is based on primary data. The data was gathered through a questionnaire survey with the employees, researchers, and Islamic banking experts. The study is based on descriptive findings by analysis of mean, standard deviation, and variance to examine the trends of Shariah compliance practice in Islamic banks in Nigeria. The study found that Islamic banks in Nigeria are doing well in terms of Shariah compliance practice relating to their products and services. Besides, the advisory committee of experts are quite knowledgeable in determining fatwa and rulings in all Islamic banking matters in Nigeria. This is because Shariah compliance is considered as the backbone of Islamic banking as it gives legitimacy to their products and services. The study has implications for all the banks, customers, Shariah Advisory Committee, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in Nigeria to further checkmate the various factors that could prevent Shariah non-compliance. The study, therefore, recommends extensive efforts via Shariah knowledge and seriousness of the bank employees as well as regulatory authorities to enforce Shariah compliance thereby guiding customers to choose Islamic banking products in a better and improved way.

Since the deadly infection pandemic episode toward the end of 2019, more than 200 countries have been impacted. One of the most significant impacts of the pandemic that is undeniable is the increase in the intensity of poverty around the world. It is a health sector crisis, and the virus is also causing an economic meltdown. Various nations fall into recession, and more people live beneath the poverty level. The pandemic is causing both health and economic crises. This study examines the potential of Islamic finance in supporting economic recovery in the post-Covid-19 pandemic. The method reviews previous studies, including journal articles, research papers, policy documents, and reports in related fields to support this study. Based on past studies, the study document that Islamic finance via Mudarabah, Sukuk, Musharakah, Qard al-Hasan, Sadaqat, waqf, and Islamic Microfinance has essential to support economic recovery in a post-Covid-19 pandemic in society. In particular, the study found that Islamic finance is positively associated with a reduction in the impact of the pandemic on the people and the whole world economy. The study has added to the body of knowledge by looking at the role of Islamic finance in terms of the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and society. The study has implications for the financial institutions, policymakers, and government in terms of adopting Islamic finance products and principles to address the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis on the economy, thereby improving the social well-being of the people and improving the global economy.

The objective of this conceptual paper is to describe the resilience of Islamic banks during the 2008 and 2009 global financial meltdown. The growth of complex financial instruments which was aimed at spreading risk actually increased instability due to market fluctuations and speculative activities resulted to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Inadequate liquidity is the immediate cause of financial meltdown. The paper reviews the causes of liquidity risk in Islamic banks which is based on Shariah (Islamic Law) that prohibits charging of interest in business transactions. The study highlights the challenges of Islamic banks on liquidity in spite of its resilience during the crisis. Major causes of liquidity risk in Islamic banks were also discussed. The paper concludes with managerial and policy implications and the need to address the problem of managing liquidity risk in Islamic banks against possible future financial crisis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4033805

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