A NAS A WEEK - 12 SYA'BAN 1428H

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The rider should first greet the pedestrian, and the pedestrian the one who is seated and a small group should greet a larger group (with as-Salam-u-'Alaikum).

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[Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 26: 'The Book on Salutations and Greetings (Kitab As-Salam)', Hadith No: 5374]

A NAS A WEEK - 5 SYA'BAN 1428H

[42] Verily Allah doth know of (every thing) whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted (in power), Wise.

[43] And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.

[44] Allah created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.

[45] Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.

[al-'Ankabuut, 29:42-45]

A NAS A WEEK - 29 RAJAB 1428

Hammam b. Munabbih reported so many ahadith from Abu Huraira and one out of them is this that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said that Allah thus stated: When My servant draws close to me by the span of a palm, I draw close to him by the space of a cubit, and when he draws close to Me by the space of a cubit, I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and when he draws close to Me by the space (covered by) two hands, I go in hurry towards him.

[Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 35: 'The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr)', Hadith No: 6473]

NEW RESEARCH ASSOCIATE: IZWANI SAHARDIN

Izwani Sahardin (right), a doctorate candidate of ISDEV Fellow Dr Fatan Hamamah Yahaya of the School of Distance Education, has been appointed as ISDEV Research Associate beginning 11 July 2007.

Hailed from Acheh Darussalam, Izwani has actively participated in almost all ISDEV activities since 2005. She is currently working with Dr Fatan Hamamah on Food and Culture in Acheh, Indonesia.

Welcome to ISDEV family, Ibu Izwani.

A NAS A WEEK - 23 RAJAB 1428H

[29] It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments. And of all things He hath perfect knowledge.

[30] Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."

[al-Baqarah,2: 29-30]

ECONOMIC JIHAD HELD SUCCESSFULLY

As scheduled, the ISDEV Lecture Series IV was successfully held on 1 August 2007. The lecture on Economic Jihad by Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali Hashim, the CEO of JCorp, was heard by a packed audience, amounting to about 600 persons altogether.

The lecture was coorganized by ISDEV and the Islamic Religious Council of the State of Penang (MAINPP). Amongst the VIPs attended at the lecture were MAINPP Head YB Sahabuddin Yahaya and Deputy President of Islamic Trade Hall of Malaysia Dato' Seri Mohd Yusoff Latiff.

Tan Sri Dato' Muhammad Ali began his lecture by defining the concept of and explaining the relationship between economic and business jihad, followed by a discussion on four main issues. The first was on the pertinent role of business jihad in the struggle of the ummah; the second on the business jihad as a means to face the challenge of `westoxication'; the third on the corporate waqf as a main strategy of business jihad; and finally on the fulfillment of the criteria of jihad and measurement of business success.

Some of the scenery of the ISDEV Lecture are as follows.

NEW GRADUATE STUDENT: EKARAT SITISAN

Ekarat Sitisan (right), from Bangkok, Thailand, has registered as a graduate student on 4 June 2007. He is pursuing his Master of Art degree by researching on The Potentials of the Establishment of Zakat Fund in the Muslim Community of Bangkok, Thailand. He is working with ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and ISDEV Management Committee Member Dr Zahri Hamat.