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Research background: Since the CO VID-19 pandemic, disruptions in food production have highlighted the renewed importance of ensuring food security. This context motivates the investigation of food insecurity during and after the epidemic. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of food insecurity research, utilizing bibliometric and thematic analysis techniques. The aim is to identify prevalent approaches or models employed in studying food insecurity and to track the evolving trends in research on food insecurity during and after pandemics. Research methodology: We conducted a systematic search of relevant articles published in scholarly journals between 2020 and 2023, utilizing the Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 146 publications were included in the study. Bibliometric analysis was performed using the R-based Bibliometrix library to analyze the characteristics of the literature. Results: Our analysis reveals the diverse range of models and methodologies employed to study food insecurity. Descriptive research and the Logit model emerge as consistently utilized approaches, with the United States and Asia leading in model and methodology adoption. Furthermore, the bibliometric analysis indicates a rapid growth in scholarly interest in food insecurity, demonstrating a global inclination towards understanding this complex issue. Novelty: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the current landscape of food insecurity research during and after pandemics. It highlights the prevalent approaches and trends in this field, shedding light on areas of focus and potential avenues for future research and collaboration among scientists worldwide.

Despite the importance and contribution of entrepreneurship to the national economy, challenges still remain with regard to its sustainability and growth, since small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) need financial help to handle the challenging issues of survival and expansion. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of credit delivery, credit availability, and interest rate fluctuations on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. The data used for the analysis was gathered from a survey of SMEs in Kwara State, Nigeria. The data was analyzed using the Partial Least Square of Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of the analysis provided support for the idea that the main challenge facing SMEs in Nigeria is a financial issue that has a negative impact on their ability to expand. Similar to this, for SMEs to operate successfully, strong financial backing is required. In fact, the entire microfinance bank concepts used in this study demonstrated that they contribute significantly to the success of SMEs in the local area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that microfinance institutions develop a mechanism for delivering loans that is accommodating to SMEs. The Central Bank of Nigeria should put into effect policies that boost cash flow and direct it to SMEs in industries with a higher tendency to spur economic growth. In order to support them and improve their company operations, microfinance institutions should also charge minimal or no interest on loans for small and medium-sized businesses.

This study delves into the intricate interplay between finance and income inequality within the context of 16 West African nations. It specifically scrutinizes the impact of the size of financial development on income inequality, drawing inspiration from Greenwood and Jovanovic’s (1990) theory. The analysis spans a substantial period, from 2010 to 2020, and relies on panel secondary data. A comprehensive examination of the data employs various estimation techniques, including Pooled Ordinary Least Square, Random Effect Model, Fixed Effect Model, and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), to elucidate the relationship under investigation. The panel data analysis results strongly favor the Fixed Effect model. Furthermore, both the Fixed Effect model and the GMM reveal substantial support for an inverted U-shaped relationship, demonstrating remarkable robustness with slight variations in significance. Notably, the study highlights the significance of lagged Gini values, GDP per capita growth, trade openness, inflation, government consumption, and infrastructure in influencing income inequality.

This paper discusses how waqf properties, zakāt and qarḍ which are Islamic social finance (ISF) instruments, can be used to assist different categories of low-income individuals and groups to achieve financial empowerment and widen their financial well-being. In addition, this paper explains how takāful products and services can prevent financial anxiety and strengthen the financial resilience of low-income individuals and groups against unpredictable shocks. Qualitative approach is used to review opinions of both classical and contemporary jurists from four major Sunni madhāhib namely, the Ḥanafiyyah school, the Mālikiyyah school, the Shāfiʽīyah school and Ḥanbaliyyah school on the useability and application of waqf, zakāt, qarḍ and takāful as social financing tools. In addition, the paper discusses ijtihād held by a number of Muslim jurists who are known for deep thought and their ability to scrutinise and compare opinions and views from different Shari’ah sources. As the result, the divergent views expressed by these jurists are to some extent reconciled to help the policymakers and other interested parties to have a clear understanding of the actual meaning of the concept of sufficiency of sustenance/need (ḥājah) and conditions that deem to appropriately align with the concept. This is expected to provide the basis for the policymakers to formulate policies and strategies for the intended beneficiaries who are the low-income individuals and groups who constitute the vulnerable groups in a society.  This research is supported by Ministry of Education (MOE) through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS /1 /2021 /SS01 /UIAM /03 /3).

Kertas kerja ini membincangkan bagaimana wakaf, zakat and qard sebagai instrumen kewangan sosial Islam (ISF) digunakan bagi membantu pelbagai golongan berpendapatan rendah samada secara individu mahupun berkumpulan untuk mencapai pemerkasaan kewangan dan meluaskan rangkuman kewangan mereka. Tambahan pula, kertas kerja ini menerangkan bagaimana produk dan servis takaful mengelakkan mereka dari dibelenggu oleh kebimbangan kewangan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan kewangan mereka terhadap sesuatu yang tidak dapat diramalkan. Pendekatan kualitatif digunakan dalam kertas kerja ini untuk mengkaji pendapat cendekiawan klasik mahupun kontemporari daripada keempat-empat mazhab, iaitu, mazhab Hanafiyyah, mazhab Malikiyyah, mazhab Shāfi'īyah dan mazhab Hanbaliyyah tentang kebolehgunaan dan aplikasi wakaf, zakat, qard dan takaful sebagai alat pembiayaan sosial. Selain itu, kertas kerja ini membincangkan tentang ijtihad yang diguna pakai oleh sebilangan ulama yang terkenal dengan pemikiran yang kritis dan keupayaan mereka untuk meneliti, dan membandingkan pendapat dan pandangan daripada sumber syariah yang berbeza. Hasilnya, pandangan berbeza yang diutarakan oleh para fuqaha' ini sedikit sebanyak diselaraskan untuk membantu penggubal dasar dan pihak yang berkepentingan untuk memahami dengan jelas maksud sebenar keperluan (hajat) dan syarat-syarat yang dianggap sesuai dengan konsep ini. Kertas kerja ini menyediakan asas kepada penggubal dasar untuk menggubal dasar dan strategi tertentu bagi individu dan kumpulan berpendapatan rendah iaitu mereka yang mudah terdedah dalam sesebuah masyarakat. Penyelidikan ini disokong oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) melalui Skim Geran Penyelidikan Fundamental (FRGS/1/2021/SS01/UIAM/03/3)