A NAS A WEEK - 15 RAJAB 1431H

"... and never give up hope of Allah's soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith." [Yusuf, 12:87].

ISDEV ACTING DIRECTOR IS BACK

ISDEV Acting Director Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad who was away from 1st May, 2010 as a Visiting Researcher at the Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI) of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is finally back on 16th May 2010.

Upon her return she had briefed ISDEV members of the positive aspects that awed her, during her two weeks’ stay, pertaining to the work ethics and daily lives of the people in the sacred land. She recounted that in IRTI the staff’s time management was most notable as they were very much immersed in their work from 8:00am to 4:00pm - resting only for the daily prayers of Zuhr and Asr and of course lunch. There was no such thing as a morning break or tea break.

As to the obligatory prayers’ time of Zuhr and Asr the whole building becomes a musolla. Once the adhan is heard the staff irregardless of where they were would spread the prayer’s rug and perform the solat almost immediately. Usually the solat is performed congregationally. This sight in fact is not confined to within the building of IDB but also to that throughout the sacred land. Walkways and the car parking area, or any other open area for that matter becomes the make-shift place for congregational prayer.

Another trait that should be emulated by the ISDEV fraternity is the tradition of giving salam to everyone and anyone. They really practised the sunnah of Rasulullah salallahu ‘alaihi wassalam as she recalled having to greet the salaam of almost everyone she met whilst conducting her research there.

Dr Fadzila Azni hoped that these positive traits she had shared with ISDEV members can be emulated and be part and parcel of ISDEV’s working culture.

A NAS A WEEK - 8 RAJAB 1431H

Narrated Ibn Mas'ud: A man asked the Prophet "What deeds are the best?" The Prophet said: (1) To perform the (daily compulsory) prayers at their (early) stated fixed times, (2) To be good and dutiful to one's own parents. (3) and to participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari,Volume 9, Book 93: Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed), Hadith No. 625].

PANDANGAN TERHADAP JUDI - MOHD SHUKRI HANAPI

Akhbar : Sinar Harian
Tarikh : 04 Jun 2010
Tajuk : Pandangan Terhadap Judi - Mohd Shukri Hanapi

Felo Rancangan Latihan Kakitangan Akademik ISDEV, Mohd Shukri Hanapi baru-baru ini telah ditemubual oleh Sinar Harian untuk mendapat pandangan beliau tentang isu perjudian. Di bawah adalah keratan akhbar temubual tersebut.

A NAS A WEEK - 1 RAJAB 1431H

Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall [al-Saff, 61:4].

A NAS A WEEK - 14 JAMAD AL-THANI 1431H

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said: If anyone continually asks pardon, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 8: Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr, Hadith No. 1513].

GISTS OF ISDEV DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE AT MISDEV08 GRADUATION NIGHT

During the MISDEV08 Graduation Night, a brief message from ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, who is currently a Visiting Scholar at Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was aired via a video recording.

The gists of his message are as follows:

I am confident that everyone is happy tonight because of at least 4 reasons:-

1. MISDEV08 because you have passed and received your Master.
2. Parents because of your children’s success.
3. Lecturers because of your success in teaching till the end.
4. MISDEV09 because of your ability to contribute to celebrate MISDEV08.

Although I am physically distant from you, I too share this happy moment, even though I feel that I am at the losing end because I am unable to be with you. 5 reasons I feel as if I am at the losing end:-

1. Because this is the first MISDEV group – which is historical.
2. Because I am unable to celebrate MISDEV08 success together.
3. Because I am unable to witness how MISDEV09 celebrate MISDEV08 as a token of friendship.
4. Because I am unable to see the first product of 30 years of striving.
5. Because I am unable to meet the parents to congratulate and seek forgiveness, if what is hoped for we are unable to fully deliver, for example not only the Master degree but also the improvement in Iman and Akhlak – becoming better of becoming even worse.

We, the lecturers had tried our best, but because we too are not perfect, thus our teachings are also not perfect. We sincerely apologise.

If I am able to follow my heart, definitely I do not want to be away from ISDEV. But for the sake of Islam and ISDEV, I have to travel to at least do the following 4 things:-

1. Muhasabah (Retrospect) and see ISDEV from outside to arrange the next strategy.
2. Search for new friends and to build a broader network.
3. Explore new experience to strengthen ISDEV.
4. To be closer to Allah in this sacred land that is full of history.

Thank you for giving me the chance.