Intellectual encounters between Muslim and non-Muslim at the early formative period of Islam stimulate each follower to launch a defensive mode for each religious authority. Apologetic acts of each follower to defend their doctrinal party at this period were regarded as an honour in the eye of believers. Christians were not excluded from this phenomenon. Some of their followers have blast off a critical assessment on Islam, especially on the Quran. This article explores and analyses early criticism on the Quran that were embedded in the works of John of Damascus and Leo III correspondences to Umar Abdul Aziz. Researchers employed textual analysis on the selected works in order to extract the patterns and themes of criticism casted by the authors in their works. The study in its findings argue that that criticism produced by John of Damascus and Leo III became the foundational premise and contribute to the development or framework which was became more systematic for modern studies to convey their critical thought on the Quran. Their works have been referred to by scholars repeatedly and employed as though they are the sole or main reference in the modern studies of Islamic law and regulation.

This article was initiated to develop a new instrument in the understanding of Quran among a diverse group of people. Due to time and modernity, the study of Quran and its interpretation methods are evolved tremendously. There are many different approaches developed to assist Muslims and non-Muslims alike to understand the teachings of Quran. However, there are still those who are unable to grasp the teachings due to the unsuitability of the approaches. Thus, this study aimed to identify the factors that may contribute to the understanding of the Quran. This study involved 5000 respondents nationwide, which use a survey methods benefits from a self-develop and self-administered set of questionnaires It reveals that comprehension, religious practice, belief, language literacy and learning style significantly contribute as factors for Quranic understanding It is imperative in order to deliver an enhanced understanding of a diverse group of people in this modem age, especially among the multi-cultural society in Malaysia in particular and the general mass. (C) 2018 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org .UK

In recent years, the search for natural, safe and effective therapies for the management of obesity has become important. The present study investigated the potential of brown seaweeds Sargassum oligocystum and Padina australis from Malaysian waters as natural alternatives for the management of obesity. Both seaweeds were macerated using acetone at room temperature for ten hours. The S. oligocystum extracts (SE) and P. australis extracts (PE) were then applied to 3T3-L1 cells during the differentiation stage and during the mature stage of the adipocyte life cycle to assess the effects of extracts on adipogenesis and adipolysis. Application of SE at 12.5 and 50 mu g/ml to the cells decreased adipogenesis by 71.7%, and 84.8%, respectively, while cells treated with 12.5 and 50 mu g/ml PE showed 85.7%, and 89.0% adipogenesis respectively, compared to control. Application of SE and PE to mature lipid cells stimulated adipolysis and the release of glycerol into the culture media. Application of SE at 12.5 and 50 mu g mu g/ml in the cell media induced glycerol release by up to 88.6 and 93.0%, respectively, while PE increased glycerol release up to 92.9 and 95.6% respectively, compared to isoproterenol. This study demonstrates the potential of whole brown seaweed extracts from S. oligocystum and P. australis collected from Malaysian waters as natural anti-obesity agents. Incorporation of the brown seaweed into the diet as a functional food will be useful for prevention and treatment of obesity. (C) All Rights Reserved

This article discusses the level of ethnic tolerance in the multiethnic society of Malaysia, with specific reference to the parliamentary seat of Bukit Bendera, Pulau Pinang. It also aims at identifying factors that influence ethnic tolerance in the area involved. In a survey of ethnic and political tolerance of 174 respondents, this study raises the question of majority-minority tolerance in a multiethnic society. This study is crucial due to the demographic uniqueness of the particularly mentioned area in terms of the majority-minority composition of its ethnicity. The findings reveal that the people of Bukit Bendera can be categorised as medium-good practitioners of ethnic tolerance, as attitude and perceptions are more important to them than the issue of political parties and ethnicity. It is significant where moderation has progressively become Malaysia's national plan in managing a plural society. The article ends with relevant discussions and suggestions. (C) 2017 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy.org.UK

Microencapsulation is a promising approach in drug delivery to protect the drug from degradation and allow controlled release of the drug in the body. Fucoxanthin-loaded microsphere (F-LM) was fabricated by two step w/o/w double emulsion solvent evaporation method with poly (L-lactic-co glycolic acid) (PLGA) as carrier. The effect of four types of surfactants (PVA, Tween-20, Span-20 and SDS), homogenization speed, and concentration of PLGA polymer and surfactant (PVA), respectively, on particle size and morphology of F-LM were investigated. Among the surfactants tested, PVA showed the best results with smallest particle size (9.18 pm) and a smooth spherical surface. Increasing the homogenization speed resulted in a smaller mean F-LM particle size [d(0.50)] from 17.12 to 9.18 pm. Best particle size results and good morphology were attained at homogenization speed of 20 500 rpm. Meanwhile, increased PLGA concentration from 1.5 to 11.0 (% w/v) resulted in increased F-LM particle size. The mean particle size [d(0.5)] of F-LM increased from 3.93 to 11.88 pm. At 6.0 (% w/v) PLGA, F-LM showed the best structure and external morphology. Finally, increasing PVA concentration from 0.5 to 3.5 (% w/v) resulted in decreased particle size from 9.18 to 4.86 pm. Fucoxanthin characterization before and after microencapsulation was carried out to assess the success of the microencapsulation procedure. Thermo gravimetry analysis (TGA), glass transition (Tg) temperature of F-LM and fucoxanthin measured using DSC, ATR-FTIR and XRD indicated that fucoxanthin was successfully encapsulated into the PLGA matrix, while maintaining the structural and chemical integrity of fucoxanthin.

It is beyond doubt that human capital has been identified as the most valuable asset for a country. It has to be developed through integrated educational system so that the potential in each individual could be nurtured and enhanced to accommodate the nation's need for work force in all sectors. Exploring the historical Muslim accounts, scholars expound that the Quran plays a crucial role for human capital development of early Muslim community. Thus, this study seeks to explore the nature and model of human capital as designed by the Quran in order to transform and shape the early Muslims community to attain the status of khayr ummah. The main objective of this study is to identify the basic model of Quranic human capital development that serve as guidance in the formative period of Islamic civilization. Some significant examples of its implementation during their glorious era will be adduced. This study is indeed a descriptive in nature. It will also employed a critical textual analysis on relevant parts of Quranic verses, Muslim exegesis, classical Islamic texts and relevant modern Islamic figures. The concept of thematic studies (mawdu'i interpretation method) is utilised as main approach to identify significant pillars of Quranic human capital development. The study in its findings affirms that the Quran has its own holistic and unique model in developing human capital which not only able to bring changes but also pour blessings to humankind. The study has also shown that the model proposed by the Quran has been applied by several generations during the Muslim's victorious reign and the model remains relevant to be continuously implemented by future generations.

This paper aims to analyze the application of Balaghah al-Badi (embellishments) in the following aspects. First, the aspect of motivation or encouragement in conducting good dealings in surah ad-Dhuha. Second, the secret of selecting certain words and their interpretations in terms of the meaning and stylistic semantics in the same surah. The knowledge of balaghah al-Quran illuminates the art and beautifulness of the Quran from rhetorical perspective. Surah ad-Dhuha describes the rhetoric from the embellishment perspective such as al-Tibaq (anti-thesis), al-Muqabalah (multithesis), al-Jinas and al-Saj'(rhymed prose). This qualitative study used Quran as the primary source of reference, while the secondary sources are the tafseer of Quran from the language aspects (al-Tafsir al-Lughawi) and books which are related to I'jaz al-Quran and Arabic balaghah. The findings indicate that the application of al-Badi in surah ad-Dhuha is not merely a hieroglyphic of the Quran, but without the element of al-Badi, it will lead to the distortion of meanings. The arrangement of the verses in this surah employs decorative elegance and it is one of the most effective ways in the educational process of human psyche. This study is one of the upward research areas in the applied Arabic rhetoric and hopefully it will provide a significant contribution to the interpretation and analysis of various themes in the Quran.

This article is an effort to bring forth guidelines and code of purification of soul (manhaj islah al-nafs) as presented in the Quran from the perspective of Al-Ghazali, one of the most prominent mujaddid (reformer) in the history of Islamic thought. The main objective of the study is to explore the concept of purification of heart in the Quran, extract its method according to al-Ghazali's views and provide guidance in form of tasawwur (conceptualization) as required from each Muslim individual in their interaction with the Quran. The study is qualitative in nature in which the researchers employed textual analysis on the theories and methods adduced by al-Ghazali in his Kitab Adab al-Tilawah, one of the chapter in his magnum opus, Ihya' Ulum al-Din. The work has been selected for the scope of study due to its status as one of the important work, produced by distinguished scholar who offered concrete and comprehensive discourse in this field. His ideas and thoughts on manhaj tadabbur have been considered as a major reference by many great scholars of tafsir including al-Qurtubi, al-Nawawi, al-Suyuti, and Muhammad Abduh. The study in its finding proposed specific guidelines on purification of heart through the concept of tadabbur. It also confirmed that manhaj islah al-nafs has been practiced and promoted by many Muslim scholars as a guideline to eradicate undesirable impurities in line with moral code (akhlaq) in order to produce a better Muslim world.

Gastrodin elata blume (Tianma in Chinese, Chunma in Korean) is a perennial parasitic herbaceous plant native to Korea, Japan and China (Chae et al., 2008). The plant has recently received very good attention, especially in Korea, due to its excellent health-promoting properties. This plant is reported to have excellent antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. This paper briefly reviews some characteristics and functional properties of Chunma. (C) All Rights Reserved