**My-Wakaf: A** **Waqf** **Property Management Application** \*\*Double blind review, please do not include authors information in this version \*\* Received Date: \*date Accepted Date: \*date Published Date: \*date **HIGHLIGHTS** - Current waqf property or assets management is limited to manual method of documentation. - Therefore, an Android application was developed using support from Firebase real-time database to store all necessary details of waqf management. - Users or waqif can submit application for their assets to be approved as waqf property and will be verified by staffs or nazir as representative from state religious council. - User acceptance testing results shows overall positive feedback on the use of My-Wakaf app to help state religious councils to move away from traditional method of managing waqf property. ABSTRACT *In almost every Islamic country, the number of waqf properties is increasing at an exponential rate. As a result, managing such abundant amount of waqf properties can be very tedious and challenging. In Malaysia, waqf properties is managed by respective State Religious Council and are still using traditional method of recording all waqf asset. Therefore, a mobile application called My-Wakaf* *is developed to help ease the workload needed to manage waqf properties. The methodology used for the project is the custom methodology which refers to the original System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) that have 5 phases which are Planning, Design, Development, testing and Documentation phase. My-Wakaf app is developed using Android Studio and it is integrated with Firebase Cloud database to help store waqf information securely to be accessed anywhere. Based on user acceptance test performed on several respondents, majority of them were very satisfied with the overall functions offered by the My-Wakaf application. In conclusion, it is hoped that the My-Wakaf could contribute to the Muslim community* *to increase awareness on waqf knowledge as well as to stimulate economic growth.* *Keywords: waqf management, waqf of property, mobile application, mobile technology* # INTRODUCTION # Waqf as part of endowment is one of key component in providing economic growth for Muslim community (Mat Rani & Abdul Aziz, 2010). There are three types of waqf, which are property, corporate and cash. This research focuses more on property waqf or non-perishable property such as plots of land, real estate (Hassan & Shahid, 2010). Despite the fact that the number of waqf properties is growing at an exponential rate in practically all Islamic nations, calls for more efficient management and better value for waqf holdings are becoming increasingly urgent (Hassan & Shahid, 2010). In truth, waqf management in Malaysia was plagued by inefficiencies in the manner waqf properties were managed, with the bulk of waqf properties being underutilised (Mohd Noor et al., 2014). # According to Abas & Raji (2018), among few factors contributing to inefficient management and maintenance of waqf properties is the lack of data or information updates from time to time. Furthermore, it has been found that one of the challenges faced by several state religious councils is the poor documentation management of waqf assets. This is simply due to the fact that the essential data must still be stored manually using a traditional system (Hasan et al., 2015). Therefore, the record of waqf land needs to be updated with complete and orderly information, as well as to provide a systematic online database to be easily reached by the waqf management and waqif as well. This is to enable them to review the records, update information, and check the status of endowment for each land, broadcasting of the proclamation and the recommendation of the audit. # Nowadays, most of the organization used mobile application to become the alternative to website or web portal. Therefore, managing waqf properties using mobile application, people can easily access and participate in waqf to perform worship to Allah. In addition, the mobile application can help respective State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) to better manage waqf properties. # Literature Review/Related Work # METHODOLOGY Figure 1 below shows the overview of methodology used in this research. There are a total of five phases including planning, design, development, testing and documentation phase. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image1.png) **Figure 1:** Methodology Before starting the project, the researcher made a planning phase. The area of the project has been discovered which is about the waqf of property management. After planning phase, next is the design phase which is the phase that show on how the system flow and architecture for the project. After designing the Use Case, Flowchart and the UI concept, the researcher begin the development of the project using the software called Android Studio. The testing phase is a mandatory phase to make sure the system of the application runs smoothly without errors and reach the user’s satisfaction. Testing which was carried out with the real user of the system which are the target users. The motive of the usability testing is to get the feedback from the real user so the researcher can improve and debug the system if needed. Finally, all important outcomes and discussions are carefully documented in form of a report during the Documentation phase of the methodology. **System Architecture** Figure 2 shows the system architecture for My-Wakaf application. There are two types of users: waqif (user) and nazir (admin). Users can install the Android application on their smartphone and register their details before submitting their asset or property information for waqf. After their information has been updated in the database, the administrator or nazir will be able to access all submission via a Web-based system and verify according to their respective standard operating procedures. All information is safely secured in Firebase cloud storage. ![Diagram Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image2.png) **Figure 2:** System Architecture of My-Wakaf Application **Use Case diagram** Based on Figure 3, users can register, login, view info about waqf, submit Mawquf application form, check status of application and make appointment if there are issues related to their application. For the staff as an administrator, they can validate the asset or property, schedule an appointment, and manage registered users. ![Diagram, schematic Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image3.png) **Figure 3:** Use Case Diagram for My-Wakaf application **DEVELOPMENT** **Firebase Cloud Database Setup** To initialize the Firestore, a method must be called to enable the use of Firestore function within the application. The initialization needs to be made in every available page in the application. Figure 4 shows how the methods are called in every page of the application. Cloud Firestore stores data that is contained in collections of files. The first time adding an information to the file, the Cloud Firestore generates collections and files implicitly. Figure 5 described the method needs to be called to create and call the collections of documents in Firestore. ![Text Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image4.png) **Figure 4**: Firestore Declaration ![Text Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image5.png) **Figure 5: Firestore Reference** Cloud Firestore offers powerful query features to determine which documents from a collection or collection category to retrieve. As defined in get Data and Get Realtime Updates, these queries can also be used with either get() or addSnaptshopListener(). For this application, an adapter is used to code the queries since fragment view and list view is used for the purpose of viewing the data. **Firebase Cloud Database** **Implementation** **for Web-based System** The implementation for the web application is a bit different due to use of JavaScript. To make the service functional, the Firebase implementation needs to be called in every page of the web development at the very bottom of the page. The developer also includes the configuration of the Firebase below the script of the implementation. The configuration is important to identify which Firebase is currently connected. Figure 6 shows the implementation and configuration for the Firebase Cloud Database. ![Text Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image6.png) **Figure 6**: Firebase Implementation in Web **User Interface Design** After the app has been installed, users are welcomed with screen shown in Figure 7 which displays two available options which are sign in and register button for first time users. If the user chooses to login into the app, they will be redirected to the login interface shown in Figure 8. First time users are required to create a new account by filling the Waqif Registration Form in the Figure 9. After successfully registered a new account, users will be redirected back to the login page. Figure 10 shows an example of Waqf Asset Registration form. Users can upload proof of their ownership of the current asset or properties before submitting the application. Figure 11 shows an example of proof of ownership uploaded by a user which is currently in processing status on the left tab. If the asset or property has been approved, the status of the application should be displayed on the right tab. | ![C:\\Users\\User\\Downloads\\WhatsApp Image 2019-11-21 at 10.05.15 PM.jpeg](60e7bad121240_media/media/image7.jpeg) | ![C:\\Users\\User\\Downloads\\WhatsApp Image 2019-11-21 at 10.05.15 PM (1).jpeg](60e7bad121240_media/media/image8.jpeg) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Figure 7: Main Menu Interface** | **Figure 8: Waqif Login Interface** | | ![C:\\Users\\User\\Downloads\\WhatsApp Image 2019-11-21 at 10.05.15 PM (2).jpeg](60e7bad121240_media/media/image9.jpeg) | ![C:\\Users\\User\\Downloads\\WhatsApp Image 2019-11-21 at 10.05.15 PM (4).jpeg](60e7bad121240_media/media/image10.jpeg) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Figure 9:** Waqif Registration Interface | **Figure 10:** Item Registration Interface | | ![C:\\Users\\User\\Downloads\\WhatsApp Image 2019-11-21 at 10.05.15 PM (5).jpeg](60e7bad121240_media/media/image11.jpeg) | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Figure 11: Sedang Diproses Fragment** | **Web Application Interface** As for the staff or administrator, a web application is developed to monitor and process the waqf application. The credentials in the staff login form can only accepted if the user level is staff. Based on Figure 12, the staff needs to fill in details such as email and password to login into the system. ![Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image12.png) **Figure 12**: Staff/Administrator Login Page After successfully login, staff users will be redirected to a welcome page as shown in Figure 13 where two options which are logout or to view reports on all waqf application (mawquf) in the database. Figure 14 shows all the registered waqf asset or mawquf which the staff can perform actions such as to validate or approve the applications or delete the application the registered item based on the regulations of waqf. If the application is validated, the date is also recorded as part of the validation process. Waqif can simply log in again into their mobile application to see their application status. > ![Graphical user interface, application, website Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image13.png) **Figure 13**: Staff Welcome Page ![Graphical user interface, table Description automatically generated](60e7bad121240_media/media/image14.png) **Figure 14**: List of Waqf Assets/Property (Mawquf) application **FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS** User acceptance testing is the last phase of the system testing process. During this testing, the respondents test the system to make sure it can handle required tasks in real-world scenarios, according to the specifications. In addition of that, user acceptance testing also is to determine whether the system can be accepted or not. **Descriptive Analysis** Based on the mean results shown in Table 1 below, it can be concluded that the application is accepted by respondents to used. Based on the means calculation of summary of user acceptance, showing all the respondent says that the application was satisfied the user expectation. **Table 1**: Mean Calculation of User Acceptance Test | Criteria | Question | Min | Max | Mean | | --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | ---- | | Reaction to the application | I'm able to complete all the tasks in this application. | 4 | 5 | 4.85 | | Reaction to the application | This application is easy to use. | 4 | 5 | 4.70 | | Reaction to the application | This application is really useful | 4 | 5 | 4.60 | | Interface Design | The user interface design is interesting. | 3 | 4 | 4.10 | | Interface Design | The color used is attractive | 3 | 4 | 4.15 | | Interface Design | The text is clear and readable. | 3 | 5 | 4.6 | | Navigation | It is easy to move from one activity to another activity. | 4 | 5 | 4.8 | | Navigation | The button provided is easy to interact. | 4 | 5 | 4.8 | | Navigation | The instruction given is clear. | 3 | 5 | 4.6 | | Content | The content provided is clear and well arrange. | 5 | 4 | 4.45 | | Content | The information provided is easy to understand. | 4 | 5 | 4.65 | | Content | The application has all the functions according to user expectation. | 4 | 5 | 4.9 | **Frequency Analysis** Table 2 and Figure 15 below shows the percentage of each criterion from all respondents. Reaction to the application is mostly positive due to good first impression on the app and promising since the application can achieve its main objective by helping users to apply for waqf application. Navigation criteria also shown good percentage, since respondents can navigate within the application with less learning curve needed. Content is also on point however some respondents suggested more improvement to the application, especially on the user interface design. Overall, majority of respondents are satisfied with their whole experience testing this mobile application. **Table 2**: Frequency Analysis of User Acceptance Test | Criteria / Scale | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | | ----------------------- | ----------------- | -------- | ------- | ----- | -------------- | | Reaction to application | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28.3 | 71.6 | | Interface design | 0 | 0 | 13.3 | 45 | 41.6 | | Navigation | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | 23.3 | 75 | | Content | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33.3 | 66.6 | \[CHART\] **Figure 15:** Summary of frequency analysis **CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS** As a conclusion, proposed My-Wakaf application can assist users to apply for waqf easily rather than using conventional manual method. For recommendation or future work, a better user interface is needed to improve the user experience while using this application as suggested by few respondents. Database should also be expanded to cater more information about waqf assets and properties. In addition, the lack of notification feature is one of the limitations of this app. Such function will be added in the future to further help users to be updated instantly regarding their application status instead of frequently logging in into the app from time to time. **REFERENCES** Abas, F. N., & Raji, F. (2018). Factors Contributing to Inefficient Management and Maintenance of Waqf Properties: A Literature Review. *UMRAN - International Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies*, *5*(3), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2018.5n3.233Hasan, Z. A., Othman, A., Ibrahim, K., Md Shah, M. A. M., & Noor, A. H. M. (2015). Management of Waqf Assets in Malaysia. *International Journal of Nusantara Islam*, *3*(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.15575/ijni.v3i1.412Hassan, A., & Shahid, M. A. (2010). Management and Development of the Awqaf Assets. *Seventh International Conference – The Tawhidi Epistemology: Zakat and Waqf Economy*, 309–328. https://doi.org/10.1109/incos.2010.100Mat Rani, M. A., & Abdul Aziz, A. (2010). Waqf management and administration in Malaysia: its implementation from the perspective of Islamic law. *Malaysian Accounting Review, Special Issue*, *9*(2), 1–7. http://arionline.uitm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/MAR/article/view/237Mohd Noor, A. H., Mohd Ali, N. A., Abdullah, A., & Mohd Tahir, H. H. (2014). The Waqf Governance Framework in Malaysia. *International Conference On Development Of Social Enterprise And Social Business For Eradication Of Extreme Poverty And Street Begging*, IIUCIC7-2014/ IC7-160. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nor\_Mohd\_Ali2/publication/283318966\_The\_Waqf\_Governance\_Framework\_in\_Malaysia/links/5632f6fc08ae242468da078d.pdf