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THE HYPOTHESIS OF WUḌŪʾ (ISLAMIC RITUAL ABLUTION) PRACTICE AS A POSSIBLE REGULATOR BETWEEN SKIN SURFACE, SKIN MICROBIOTA, AND THE OUTER WORLD Akshija, Ilir
International Journal of Islamic and Complementary Medicine Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Islamic and Complementary Medicine
Publisher : International Islamic Medicine Forum

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55116/IJICM.V6I2.106

Abstract

Wuḍūʾ (Islamic ritual ablution) is a religious based practice performed daily by Muslims. The expanding knowledge of human skin microbiota composed of commensal and pathogenic microorganisms requires a novel approach toward their management. The importance of wuḍūʾ as a cleaning practice and skin microbiota regulator needs to be studied and applied in case results are found beneficial. A novel approach based on estimating wuḍūʾ effects at first requires a framework of dimensions pointing at possible hypotheses. A literature review will serve as a first step to identify dimensions of skin microbiota possibly affected by wuḍūʾ practice. Calculations of body areas, washing frequency and quality of used water are the following steps of the evaluation. Wuḍūʾ functions like an algorithm and a protocol. It covers 14.5% of body surface and is practiced one to five times daily. Hands are washed six times and in total are washed and rubbed twelve times from contact with other washed parts. Palm (volar) area is washed and rubbed more than opisthenar area (dorsal) part of hand. The forearm is washed thrice to the elbow and is considered a ‘grey area’ of doubtful infective potential, just one cm beyond the washed hand which can probably reinfect the already washed hand. The sequence of actions respects gravitation as a possible contaminating factor. A summary of findings shows possible dimensions wuḍūʾ can be included as a variable in a study. Wuḍūʾ practice can be of help to actual sanitization techniques. An immediate recommendation derived from the practice in times of pandemics like COVID-19 is the possible WHO (World Health Organization) recommendation of hand washing extension to elbows, as surgeons do.   ABSTRAK  Wuḍūʾ (wudhu) adalah praktik keagamaan yang dilakukan setiap hari oleh umat Islam. Pengetahuan yang berkembang tentang mikrobiota kulit manusia yang terdiri dari mikroorganisme komensal dan patogen membutuhkan pendekatan baru terhadap pengelolaannya. Pentingnya wuḍūʾ sebagai praktik pembersihan dan pengatur mikrobiota kulit perlu dipelajari dan diterapkan jika hasilnya terbukti bermanfaat. Pendekatan baru yang didasarkan pada estimasi efek wuḍūʾ pada awalnya membutuhkan kerangka kerja dimensi yang mengarah pada hipotesis yang mungkin. Sebuah tinjauan literatur akan berfungsi sebagai langkah pertama untuk mengidentifikasi dimensi mikrobiota kulit yang mungkin dipengaruhi oleh praktik wuḍūʾ. Perhitungan area tubuh, frekuensi pencucian dan kualitas air yang digunakan adalah langkah selanjutnya dari evaluasi. Wuḍūʾ berfungsi seperti sebuah algoritma dan protokol. Ini mencakup 14,5% dari permukaan tubuh dan dipraktikkan satu hingga lima kali sehari. Tangan dicuci enam kali dan secara total dicuci dan digosok dua belas kali dari kontak dengan bagian yang dicuci. Area telapak tangan (volar) dicuci dan digosok lebih banyak daripada area opisthenar (punggung) tangan. Lengan bawah dicuci tiga kali hingga siku dan dianggap sebagai 'area abu-abu' dengan potensi infektif yang meragukan, hanya satu cm di luar tangan yang dicuci yang mungkin dapat menginfeksi ulang tangan yang sudah dicuci. Urutan tindakan ini memperhatikan gravitasi sebagai faktor kontaminasi yang mungkin terjadi. Ringkasan temuan menunjukkan kemungkinan dimensi wuḍūʾ dapat dimasukkan sebagai variabel dalam penelitian. Praktik Wuḍūʾ dapat membantu teknik sanitasi yang sebenarnya. Rekomendasi langsung yang berasal dari praktik ini di masa pandemi seperti COVID-19 adalah kemungkinan rekomendasi WHO (Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia) untuk memperluas jangkauan cuci tangan hingga ke siku, seperti yang dilakukan para ahli bedah.  
UNEVEN AGE-GROUPS CLASSIFICATION: AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF A MATURITY INDEX Akshija, Ilir
Al-Masail: Journal of Islamic Studies Vol. 2 No. 1 (2024): September: Al-Masail: Journal of Islamic Studies
Publisher : CV. Fahr Publishing

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61677/al-masail.v2i1.311

Abstract

This paper aims to translate evidence on age-group classifications gathered form Qur’an and other authoritative Islamic sources to human life maturity benchmarks. A maturity index is built creating age-groups based in sacred Islamic texts. The typical and most important of the class limit extraction is the example of the age of forty years from the ayah of Surah Al-Ahqaf [46:15]. Age groups start from birth (age 0 years; reference maturity age -15 years) producing respectively upper class limits; infancy (2 years; -13), 0-15 years (15 years; 0), to 40 years (40 years; 25), on duty (63 years; 48), elderly (85 years; 10) and senility (100; -13). The indexation is as follows; (0-15 years – 1 point), (to 40 years – 3 points), (on duty – 5 points), (elderly – 4 points), (senility – 1 point). The predesigned age-group categorization and indexing protocol is applied to the Albanian population creating a reorganization of the CENSUS 2011 data producing indexed maps showing the distribution of age segregated population by district. Maps show real differences in age distributed maturity index as a possible competition force between districts in present and future terms. Prospects of world population similar to the developed index are made in reference to the World Bank standard of population classification, ages 15-64 years. The use of the maturity index makes chronological age and functional status, maturity, a standardized tool, which controls over biases created by each of them separately.
SELF-REPORTED ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS UNDER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: AN ALBANIAN EXPERIENCE Akshija, Ilir
JTH: Journal of Technology and Health Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025): April: JTH: Journal of Technology and Health
Publisher : CV. Fahr Publishing

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61677/jth.v2i4.479

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic, a mostly similar public health issue from country to country represents social, economic and political specific conditions. We attempt through a questionnaire published in the social media Facebook during pandemic lockdown to give a scenery of anxiety and depression symptoms in an Albanian population segment. The questionnaire was constructed following the guidelines of an Islamic sacred text (hadith) known as “five before five”. The sample is considered a virtual snowball sample because some promoters served as seeds making possible to reach parts of the population otherwise impossible to reach making it a sequential experiment ended based on risk of questionnaire misuse. The number or responders (N=1,376) were female 66.6%, age (M=34.9; SD=10.2) and males, age, (M=38.2; SD=10.8). Increase in self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms was common, 851 (61.8%) of responders. Linear logistic regression model shows the relationship of each dimension (health, wealth and free time) to other dimensions’ questions making a presumption to use the present model while retrieving data from other sources for future evaluation of anxiety and depression in a population. For a cut-off value for all dimensions change from baseline of 0.425, Sensitivity (S) was 0.749 and specificity (Sp) was 0.429, raising the problem of missing false negatives with increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. While television and social media are helpful during a pandemic, the risk of misuse for political and other gains is present too. The citizen in need of recommendations is expected to collaborate but attentive not to abuse his/her trust.