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Although Tahfiz students’ Islamic knowledge is generally accorded privilege, Tahfiz students’ English language proficiency is considered weak and insubstantial. The advent of technology and the 21st century reveal the centrality of English proficiency as it is still the most spoken language in the world. As such, to become global Da’ie, Tahfiz students might better possess English language proficiency commensurate with the global demands. Based on Dornyei’s (2005) L2MSS, a new L2 motivational model for Tahfiz students has been proposed. In this paper, the authors describe one specific factor in the new model, namely the Islamic Drive which contains five items extracted via the Exploratory Factor Analysis. The element of Islamic Drive used singly is useful because it substantiates a unique aspect of motivation for Tahfiz students. In essence, the Islamic Drive suggests that Tahfiz students’ motivation is closely associated with their spiritual vision; to use English mainly as a means of da’wah is to communicate with other global Muslims.

Drug abuse is considered a serious social problem, especially among youth. Those who successfully survive such behaviors, especially in high-risk locations, must have underlying factors worth learning. This research focuses on youth who can avoid using and abusing drugs in high-risk areas. The main objectives are to identify protective factors (PF) that successfully protect youth in high-risk locations and to examine the presence of risk factors (RF) in that particular community. Data were collected through ten focus group discussions (FGD) with youth participants who lived within identified hot spot high-risk areas of drug abuse. Each group contains five participants, which makes up a total of fifty youth participants. The FGDs were audio-recorded, followed by the transcribing process and the thematic data analysis. The finding shows that themes for protective and risk factors are divided into internal and external factors. Internal protective factors are represented mostly by religious knowledge and practice, followed by self-assertiveness. External protective factors are denoted by positive family influences, positive peer influence, and knowledge of drug abuse. On the other hand, internal risk factors epitomize the feeling of curiosity, lack of religious knowledge and practice to release pressure and stress, lack of effective coping skills, and seeking fun. External risk factors embody negative peer influence, lack of parenting skills, negative family influence, and negative neighborhood environment and occupation.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects mental health in communities all over the world. Thus, this paper aims to see the potential of gardening as a therapy for mental health during this COVID-19 pandemic. Through the content analysis method, library research was conducted to examine this intervention. Findings show that gardening can be an alternative approach to prevention and healing in regards to mental health issues. Nature-based intervention such as gardening helps bring the feeling of peace and closeness to Allah which also allows for mental health issues to be curbed and health be restored, which ensures the overall well-being of those affected by COVID-19.

The study reported here explains the development of a Malaysian Family Functioning Scale (MFFS) that can be used by researchers and practitioners in the field of marriage and family therapy. Result...

Rohingya refugees are a group of people who does not only have well-founded fear that they cannot return home, but are afraid of challenges awaiting them in the host country. Due to their traumatic past experiences, the Rohingya refugees rely much on their own community specifically the community leaders for assistance. However, the lack of community leaders as well as deficient hierarchical engagement with the leaders have created more difficulties for the refugees to seek for help. Social navigation for survival becomes an issue not only because they have language barriers but also internal conflicts on the imagined terrains (the hopes) and the unexpected circumstances (the difficulties) they encounter in the host country. This study aims to develop a literacy training module for Rohingya youth refugees to become social navigators. These refugees are expected to provide horizontal (peer-like) engagement to their community. To meet the aim of the study, 15 Rohingya youth refugees were recruited using a snowball sampling technique. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments were used: guided questionnaires, interviews and baseline tests. The themes from the data suggest that despite the challenges in language, the participants exhibited strong sense of brotherhood with other fellow refugees. Religion has developed a powerful bond that ignites their willingness to extend assistance to their community. However, the participants unfolded their uncertainties on the ways and resources available, to be of help. It is also apparent that, a conceptual framework suitable for this literacy training module for social navigation emerged from the overall data. The framework will serve as a guide to develop a Literacy Module to groom social navigators to help their people, the Rohingya refugees.

In adult refugees’ context, functional literacy is the biggest barrier for the refugees to socially navigate in the host community. Functional literacy is ‘the level of skill in listening, speaking, reading and writing that any individual needs in order to cope with adult life.’ Without functional literacy abilities in the language/s of the host country and uncertainties in the journey to resettlement, the refugees tend to become very vulnerable and traumatized. Thus, social navigation for survival becomes an issue not only because they have language barriers but also internal conflicts on the terrains of the imagined (the hopes) and the unexpected (the difficulties) they encounter in the host country. Employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, this study explored the current English language literacy ability of the Rohingya youth refugees and related challenges. Findings revealed that despite the keen interests the participants have in acquiring English language proficiency, the different alphabetical systems pose problems for them. Despite the challenges in language, the participants exhibited strong sense of brotherhood with other fellow refugees and willingness to extend assistance. Religion developed the powerful bond. Based on the empirical data gathered, a Functional Literacy Course was developed to address language issues embedded with Leadership as well as Islamic Psycho-spiritual elements.

This special issue is a selection of seven articles that are research-based. The articles were extracted from the Master of Counseling (Substance Abuse), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia students’ research reports. The students were assisted by their respective supervisors to produce the articles as a form of academic training to disseminate their research findings through journal publication.

Drug addiction is a phenomenon that constantly threatens the nation. The threat to youth is particularly worrying as these youths are expected to pursue future development of our country. At the same time, for young Muslims, they are increasingly abandoning the practice of Islam that can clearly guide one's actions in everyday life. This study aims to look at the relationship between religiosity and risky behaviour of taking drugs among youth. The findings of this correlational study are presented in descriptive and inferential. 127 students were selected in this study. The Religiosity and Personality Index (MRPI) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20) had been used as the instruments of the study. Cronbach’s Alpha for the whole of the MRPI Islamic Worldview Scale, MRPI Religious Personality Scale and DAST-20 are 0.697 (19 items), 0.931 (27 items) and 0.690 (20 items) respectively. The data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS20). The findings show that the Islamic Worldview of MRPI is at a moderate level (51.2%), Religious Personality of MRPI is at a high level (63.8%), while DAST-20 is at the level of case exploration (51.2%). Finally, implications of the study and suggestions for further research and contributions were also discussed.

Aims: The current study explores the benefits of a family intervention program on families and their adolescent children who were convicted as juveniles. Adolescents and their families shared their experiences in joining the program, especially the improvement they made while in the program. Demographics: Research participants included eight adolescents, six mothers, and two fathers. Settings: The program took place in Malaysia's adolescents’ rehabilitation center. Methodology: Data were collected through an in-depth interview with participants. Analysis: Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Findings revealed five main themes: (1) awareness and insight; (2) Understanding risk and protective factors of delinquency; (3) the opportunity to learn roles in the family; (4) Learning to improve communication skills; and (5) Learning to forgive. Implications: The study provides insight into the importance of family involvement in delinquent adolescents’ rehabilitation and the need to consider the family system approach in counseling delinquent adolescents.

As a woman takes on the role of mothering, her identity grows and develops. A mother’s role has long been influenced by dynamic changes owing to social, political, and economic factors. However, becoming a mother is often described as a satisfying and empowering experience. Love in the mother-child relationship is worth examined given the challenges of parenting in contemporary Malaysia nowadays due to technological advances and globalisation. This paper examines how Malay Muslim mothers learn about the act of giving and receiving love through observations and examples they experienced in the cycle of life. Terminologies related to love, the concept of love between mother-child, and the value and strength of mother-child love in Malay Muslim culture are explained. A qualitative approach was used for this study. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants who are mothers and daughters. The responses from participants on love in the mother-child relationship which include the present bond with their child as well as the messages communicated about love from their mothers, and the influences of their culture were also included. This paper supports previous studies that show links between love and affection in childhood and positive well-being and happiness in the future. Meaningful positive relationships between mother and child also serves as the foundation to a stronger connection with Allah (hablum min Allah) and other human beings (hablum min annas).

With the advent of recent technology especially the Internet, there is a challenge in maintaining academic integrity among students. One of the most common issue is plagiarism. Previous studies have considered plagiarism from the perspective of teachers as well as students at school up until the university level. This study examined Muslim counselor educators’ perceptions of students’ plagiarism. Using a qualitative case study, a purposive sample of five counselor educators from a single university were interviewed. Data collected were analyzed using thematic approach. Findings show participants’ attitude and behavior towards students’ plagiarism, and strategies pursued to educate students to avoid plagiarism. Limitations of the study, implications, and recommendations are discussed. Keywords: academic integrity, plagiarism, student, counselor educator, qualitative case study. Abstrak Dengan perkembangan teknologi terkini khususnya Internet, terdapat cabaran memastikan integriti akademik yang tinggi wujud dalam kalangan pelajar. Salah satu isu yang sering berlaku adalah plagiarisme. Kajian lepas telah melihat tentang isu plagiarisme ini daripada perspektif guru dan pelajar di peringkat sekolah sehingga pengajian tinggi. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian ini mengkaji persepsi pendidik kaunselor Islam tentang plagiarisme pelajar. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif kajian kes, sampel bermatlamat dalam kalangan lima pendidik kaunselor daripada sebuah universiti awam ditemubual. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis tematik. Dapatan melaporkan sikap dan tingkahlaku peserta terhadap isu plagiarisme pelajar serta strategi yang digunapakai untuk membantu pelajar mengelakkan plagiarisme. Batasan kajian serta implikasi dan cadangan kajian dibincangkan. Kata kunci: integriti akademik, plagiarisme, pelajar, pendidik kaunselor, kajian kes kualitatif.

Previous studies show strong relation between religion and marital satisfaction. However, there are still lack of study that looks into this area from the Malaysian context, especially among the Muslims. This paper will explore connections between religion and transformational processes in marriage. Transformational processes refer to processes that occur in marriage relationships that do not require outside or professional intervention, especially when an issue or conflict arises in marriage. The methodology of the study utilizes a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling comprising of five Malay Muslim couples whose age of marriage is more than ten years were interviewed. Findings show that specific Islamic religious beliefs and practices are related to the maintenance of relationship for a married couple. The findings highlight the importance for a marital counselling approach which integrates naqli and ‘aqli knowledge that supports the clients’ needs. ABSTRAK Kajian lepas menunjukkan perkaitan yang kuat antara aspek-aspek keagamaan dengan kesejahteraan dalam hubungan pasangan berkahwin. Walau bagaimanapun, masih kurang kajian yang meneroka tentang perkara ini dalam konteks Malaysia, khususnya dalam kalangan orang Islam. Kertas ini akan meneroka tentang kefahaman agama dengan proses transformasi dalam perkahwinan. Kefahaman agama dalam kajian ini mencakupi kepercayaan dan amalan keagamaan. Manakala, proses transformasi dalam perkahwinan pula merujuk kepada proses-proses yang berlaku dalam hubungan perkahwinan yang tidak memerlukan intervensi secara professional daripada luar, khususnya apabila berlakunya isu atau konflik dalam perkahwinan. Metodologi kajian adalah menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Sampel bermatlamat melibatkan lima pasangan Melayu beragama Islam yang usia perkahwinan mereka melebihi sepuluh tahun. Temubual berstruktur telah dijalankan dan dapatan menunjukkan kefahaman beragama iaitu kepercayaan dan amalan Islam adalah berkait dengan pengekalan hubungan sesuatu pasangan dalam perkahwinan. Dapatan ini menunjukkan kepentingan untuk menggunakan intervensi kaunseling perkahwinan yang mengintegrasikan ilmu naqli dan ‘aqli yang dapat membantu menyokong keperluan klien.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as a lifetime developmental disorder usually identified by social interaction impairment, communication deficits, and repetitive behavior. The cases of children detected with ASD are rising globally, including Malaysia. Parents, as the prime caregiver to these children, face numerous challenges due to what is entailed in taking care of their children. This paper describes a case study where we examined the views and experience of three mothers, each of whom has an ASD child. Data were gathered through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, after which they were transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The mothers narrated that the challenges they encountered include the difficulty they had in initially accepting their child’s diagnosis; labelling and discrimination; phase-based temporal challenges; endless physical, emotional, and mental sacrifices; finding the strength and patience to deal with the situation; academic vs. non-academic struggles, as well as their own coping mechanisms. This paper concludes with the need to provide support for parents-especially mothers-to enable them to overcome their challenges and focus on the development of their autistic children.

Due to the challenges of globalization, more and more married couples in Malaysia are involved in long-distance relationships. Despite this trend, few studies have documented the experience and impact of long-distance marital relationships on husband or the role of religion in helping Muslim husbands cope with the stresses of separation. Therefore, this study explores the religious beliefs and practices of five Muslim husbands in long-distance marriages. The three main themes that emerged from qualitative analysis are (a) religious belief and commitment to marriage, (b) religious belief as a coping strategy, and (c) religious practices as a coping strategy. This study's findings indicate that specific beliefs and practices are related to how husbands approach their marriages. Findings clearly show that religion continues to be significant in many Muslim marriages, especially in this era of employment mobility. This study also supports previous studies that show positive correlations between salient aspects of faith and family life. This finding highlights the importance of Islamic-based counseling interventions incorporating scientific and revealed knowledge that could support Muslim clients.

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of learning and consequent development of twelve students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate counselling program at a higher institution of learning in Malaysia. The students’ ages ranged from 20 to 24 years. Participants outlined their learning experiences after taking a three-credit semester-long course on Islamic-based counseling, which was an attempt at integrating religion and spirituality into counselor training. An experiential learning theory served as the framework of reference, and a qualitative research design was adopted. Results revealed four major themes: (1) increased understanding of counseling, (2) better understanding in regard to the self and relationship with God, (3) applicability to daily practice, and (4) enhancing professional competence as a counselor. Finally, implications for research, counselor education and training, and clinical practice are discussed.

Previous literature has reported the relationship between shame and substance dependence. Some studies suggested that experiencing shame is a risk factor for relapse. Negative feelings of shame are temporarily relieved using substances therefore reinforcing use and maintaining addictive behavior. Consequently, learning how to cope with shame without the use of substances may improve recovery. In contrast, other evidences found that addressing shame may be helpful for developing reasons for stopping use and as a protective factor that helps prevent relapse. This paper describes some Islamic psycho-spiritual approaches and practices for transformation and alleviation of shame for Malay Muslims recovering from substance dependence. These include healing through the process of self-audit (muhasabah), repentance and forgiveness (tawbah), constructing new narrative of the self, and developing a stronger relationship with Allah (hablum min Allah) and other humans (hablum min annas) as the foundation for healthy recovery. It also covers the main areas of definition and prevalence of substance dependence in the Malaysian context as well as literature on shame from the perspectives of the Malaysian Muslim culture.

Objective: To explore the experiences of families who undergone a family intervention program at a drug treatment and rehabilitation agency located in the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Specifically, families were asked to comment on their experience in attending the program and how much of their improvement was due to the program and other factors.Methods: Data were collected through use of a semi-structured interview with eight family members who underwent the family intervention program at the agency which consists of family psycho-education, family support group and family retreat. Observations were also conducted.Results: Five themes emerged from the analysis: therapeutic alliance between counselor and participants; helpful things participants received from the program; helpful things participants did themselves during the time they were involved in treatment; helpful things participants learned in the program that they are continuing to use; and unhelpful elements in the program.Conclusion:...