From Shadows to Solutions: Leveraging Dark Data to Optimize Waqf Management in Malaysia
Authors
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Segamat Johor (Malaysia)
Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Segamat, Johor (Malaysia)
Article Information
DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100601425
Subject Category: Dark Data Analytics
Volume/Issue: 10/6 | Page No: 20769-20779
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-07-06
Accepted: 2026-07-11
Published: 2026-07-22
Abstract
Waqf, as a core instrument of Islamic social finance, holds significant potential to support sustainable socio-economic development in Malaysia (Ihsan & Ibrahim, 2011; Hossain, 2020). Despite this potential, many waqf assets remain underutilized due to governance challenges, managerial limitations, and critically, the presence of dark data, which refers to data collected but not systematically analyzed for decision-making (Ahmad Fuzi et al., 2022). Through a mixed-methods empirical approach encompassing case studies, surveys, and stakeholder interviews, this study identifies the extent and operational consequences of dark data within waqf institutions (Nurul Aien et al., 2025). To address these constraints, the study develops a practical data governance framework detailing actionable strategies for data collection, storage, analysis, sharing, and utilization (Noordin et al., 2017). Furthermore, it highlights the necessity of digital transformation, specifically advocating for integrated waqf information systems and analytics-based decision-making tools (Setiawan & Nurjaman, 2022). Ultimately, the study emphasizes that collaborative synergy between Islamic institutions, technology experts, policymakers, and researchers is essential to optimize waqf asset management and enhance the socio-economic status of the ummah (Zainal et al., 2025).
Keywords
Waqf, Dark Data, Social Entrepreneurship, Islamic Social Finance, Malaysia
Downloads
References
1. Abas, M. A., & Raji, F. (2018). Issues and challenges of waqf land development in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Finance, 7(1), 34–45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Ahmad Fuzi, S. F., Habidin, N. F., Desa, A. F. N. C., Hibadullah, S. N., & Zamri, F. I. M. (2022). Dark data management: A systematic literature review. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 21(3), 2250021. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Ali, K. M., Kassim, S., & Johari, N. (2019). Financing productive waqf through Islamic microfinance institutions. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 10(3), 358–373. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Ascarya. (2021). Integrating Islamic social finance for inclusive development. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 7(1), 1–30. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (2003). Qualitative research for education (4th ed.). Allyn and Bacon. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Denzin, N. K. (2012). Triangulation 2.0. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), 80–88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Farid, M. (2016). Productive waqf for economic empowerment. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Studies, 2(2), 75–92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Haniff, N. R., Haneef, M. A., & Amin, R. M. (2023). Governance and accountability issues in Malaysian waqf institutions. Humanomics, 39(2), 245–263. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Hasan, R., Hassan, M. K., & Rashid, M. (2020). Waqf governance and transparency. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 11(3), 521–540. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Hossain, M. Z. (2020). Waqf-based Islamic social finance: A conceptual framework. Journal of Islamic Finance, 9(2), 1–14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Ihsan, H., & Ibrahim, S. H. M. (2011). Waqf accounting and management in Indonesian waqf institutions. Humanomics, 27(4), 252–269. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Iman, N., & Mohammad, M. O. (2017). Waqf as a framework for social entrepreneurship. Humanomics, 33(4), 419–440. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Jalil, A. (2020). Legal and administrative challenges in waqf land development in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Islamic Law, 18(1), 89–105. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Junarti, Alhabshi, S. M., Amirsyah, & Mardika, I. H. (2024). Integrating social business for sustainable impact: A systematic literature review. Journal of Islamic Finance, 13(2), 149–159. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Mahadi, R., Aziz, M. R. A., & Yusof, R. M. (2018). Institutional framework of waqf governance in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance, 14(3), 25–44. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Mohd Hadli Shah, M. Y., Muwazir, M. R., Noordin, K., & Ishak, S. N. (2024). Enhancing waqf governance for sustainable development: A critical review. International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 9(35), 89–96. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Mohsin, M. I. A. (2013). Financing through cash-waqf: A revitalization. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 6(4), 304–321. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Molderez, I., & Fets, M. (2023). Social entrepreneurship and institutional legitimacy. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 14(1), 1–21. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Nicholls, A. (2010). The legitimacy of social entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 34(4), 611–633. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Noordin, N. H., Haron, S. N., & Kassim, S. (2017). Developing performance measures for waqf institutions. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 8(1), 68–85. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Nurul Aien, A. A., Noraina Mazuin, S., Puteri Fadzline, M. T., & Mohd Zairul. (2025). The current research trends on waqf in social development: A thematic review. Insight Journal, 12(1), 30–50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Ridwan, M. (2021). Productive waqf and social enterprise: Evidence from Southeast Asia. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 37(4), 563–580. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. Roshayani, A., Ahmad, K., & Osman, A. Z. (2018). Maqasid al-shariah-based performance measurement for waqf institutions. Journal of Islamic Finance, 7(2), 15–29. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Scott, W. R. (2014). Institutions and organizations (4th ed.). SAGE. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Setiawan, B., & Nurjaman, A. (2022). Blockchain adoption in waqf management. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 13(3), 456–472. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Sulaiman, M., & Zakari, M. A. (2019). Financial sustainability of waqf institutions: Evidence from Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 10(2), 236–251. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Sulaiman, S., Hasan, A., Noor, A. M., & Ismail, M. I. (2019). Data management in waqf institutions: Issues and challenges. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(11), 1421–1432. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Triyatno, G., & Julaihah, U. (2025). The intersection of waqf and entrepreneurship: A bibliometric analysis. Iqtishadia, 17(2), 269–306. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Yaqin, A. (2007). Legal research and writing. LexisNexis. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Zainal, N., Daud, D., Muda, R., Kasim, E. S., & Iqbal, M. M. (2025). From charity to strategic asset governance: Ethical wealth preservation in waqa [Google Scholar] [Crossref]