Browsing by Author "Suzana Suhailawaty Md. Sidek"

This work examines generosity in the Mathnawi of Maulana Rumi. The thesis identifies fifteen stories not related directly to generosity in the Mathnawi. These were categorized into three groups: acts which are devoid of any generosity, sincere generosity, insincere generosity. These are mainly stories involving companions, saints and sometimes fables. The stories pertaining to the Prophet were used differently by Rumi. In some instances, he changed the gender of the person from that in the hadith and embellishes the stories with his own story. There are instances in which he takes two separate hadiths and make them one. In all cases, Rumi changes the scenario to make his own. The extensive change to the original does not allow us to call them hadith anymore. This dissertation shows that Rumi has spared no opportunity to show that generosity is extremely important in all its form and without being generous, one cannot reach the highest station in life. This is because the thesis shows that in Islam it does not only involve giving, but giving the best we have.

This study discusses the importance of futures studies as a new field of inquiry in Western thought as well as Islamic thought, particularly in Bertrand de Jouvenel’s, Samuel P. Huntington’s, Ziauddin Sardar’s and Sohail Inayatullah’s thoughts. The books of four scholars were studied, namely, The Art of Conjecture, Clash of Civilizations: Remaking of World Order, Islamic Futures: the Shape Ideas to Come and Questioning the Future: Methods and Tools for Organizational and Societal Transformation respectively. It analyses the political thinking from the Western and Islamic view point. The result shows that the Muslim nations are to be concerned the intentions of the West. Based on the anticipated, this study suggests that the reconstruction of the future Islamic civilization requires rejuvenation of the Ummah’s way of thinking and today’s action. It needs a new methodology which are futuristic thinking in general and future studies in particular.

Misbehaviour among pupils is a growing concern in Maldivian lower secondary schools. Despite the increasing worries of teachers, parents, and educational leaders, limited research has explored how teachers' leadership traits and communication styles influence student behaviour. This study addresses this gap by examining the correlation between these factors in preventing misbehaviour. Due to a scarcity of literature in the Maldivian context, this research provides crucial insights into student misbehaviour and its prevention. The study focuses on teachers' leadership traits (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness) and communication styles (assertiveness and responsiveness). It also explores whether these traits vary by demographic factors such as gender, educational qualification, and teaching experience and whether these factors moderate their effect on student misbehaviour. The study utilized a quantitative cross-sectional survey methodology, with 339 government schoolteachers participating in the research. A proportional stratified random sampling method was used, involving 149 male and 190 female teachers. The data was collected via an online questionnaire and was analysed using Pearson’s r correlation coefficient, Independent Samples t-tests, ANOVA, and Multiple Linear Regression with moderation analysis. This study reveals a significant correlation between teachers' leadership traits and communication style with misbehaviour prevention, highlighting communication style as the most influential predictor of effective classroom management. Teachers with 5-10 years of experience are more conscientious, while those with 0-5 years exhibit more neurotic behaviour. Notably, teachers’ gender, qualifications, and experience do not moderate the relationship between teachers' leadership traits, communication styles and misbehaviour prevention. This study contributes to educational planning and management strategies to reduce student misbehaviour in Maldivian schools. Future research should employ mixed-method approaches, conduct longitudinal studies, include private schools, integrate student perspectives, and expand to all educational levels. These findings provide valuable guidance for educators and policymakers in improving classroom management and discipline strategies. Keywords Student Misbehaviour, Teacher Leadership Traits, Communication Styles, Preventing Student Misbehaviour, Secondary School.