A NAS A WEEK - 12 RAMADHAN 1433H

So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy [al-A'raaf, 7:204].

ISDEV GRADUATE DISCOURSE - PHD THESIS & PROPOSAL PRESENTATION

17 May - Three ISDEV PhD candidates, Marlina Ekawati presented her PhD thesis while Kasyful Mahali and Irfan presented their PhD proposals  in front of more than 50 attendees consisting of ISDEV Director and Deputy Director, lecturers as well as students at the Conference Hall, C06, School of Social Sciences.

First candidate, Marlina Ekawati presented on "Pengurusan Zakat di Kota Malang, Indonesia: Analisis daripada Perspektif Muzakki dan Institusi Zakat". She is currently a student under the supervision of Dr. Zahri Hamat while Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad acted as her co-supervisor.

Dr.Hasanah Abd Khafidz evaluated Marlina's PhD thesis and gave her views and comments on how it could further be improved.

Marlina Ekawti presenting her PhD Thesis

Dr. Hasanah taking a break after commenting on Marlina's PhD Thesis

The second candidate was Kasyful Mahali with his PhD proposal on "Perancangan Pembangunan Kota Medan: Satu Kajian dari Perspektif Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam". Dr. Zahri Hamat evaluated his PhD proposal. Kasyful is currently a student under the supervision of Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and his co-supervisor, Dr.Fadzila Azni Ahmad.

A confident Kasyful presenting his PhD proposal

 Dr Zakaria giving his suggestions in the presence of ISDEV members

Dr. Zaini Abu Bakar took his turn to evaluate and gave comments for the last candidate, Irfan. He presented his proposal thesis on the title "Perakaunan Zakat Perniagaan : Kajian Kes di Baitulmal Acheh, Indonesia". He is a student under the supervision of Dr.Zahri Hamat while Dr.Fadzila Azni is his co- supervisor.

Irfan seriously putting his point across while presenting his PhD proposal

A tense and serious moment - Dr Zaini with his comments on Irfan's PhD proposal

Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh as the chairman for the day finally announced that Marlina's PhD Thesis and Kasyful and Irfan PhD proposals were accepted. Marlina had been given the mandate to submit her PhD thesis while the Kasyful and Irfan both received the endorsement to proceed further to the next level.

THE WEEKLY TUESDAY'S TEACHINGS

Dr Muhammad Tahir giving his Tazkirah

13 March - "Bersyukur"- means to express our gratitude to Allah SWT for all the blessings - covering all aspects and circumstances in life - conferred upon us. As a servant of Allah SWT of this earth, we should be grateful with what we have. This topic was discussed during the Tazkirah session by Dr. Muhammad Tahir. The main focus of this discussion was on how to express our grateful attitude via our daily routine.

According to him, being grateful can be divided into two categories which are physical and spiritual. Physical gratitude is tangible and can be seen by the eyes while spiritual gratitude is intangible. It is done through the heart, mind, and desires.

After the Tazkirah session, Ustaz Shukri Hanapi pursued the discussion on beautifying the deeds of the heart by way of the cleansing of  physical bodily parts. The focus for this week was on the eyes.

A NAS A WEEK - 3 RAMADHAN 1433H

Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu'z Zinad from al-A'raj from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Fasting is a protection for you, so when you are fasting, do not behave obscenely or foolishly, and if any one argues with you or abuses you, say, 'I am fasting. I am fasting.'" [Hadith from the Translation of Malik's Muwatta, Book 18: Fasting, Section: The Fast in General, Hadith Number 18.22.57].

WAPI-5 : REFLECTING NATURE IN MEDAN

 7-13 April - 50 passionate ISDEV delegations led by ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh flew to Medan, Indonesia to attend a seven-day academic expedition with the theme "Taddabur & Tafakkur Alam". The trip was packed with programme that feasted not only the five sensory organs but also provided an increase in the intellectual and spiritual being of ISDEV members.

The delegations went to Danau Toba, Parapat to experience the beauty of nature and to witness the launch of Danau Toba Declaration - The Ulul Albab.

On 11th April, the delegates presented their respective papers in the 5th Islamic-based Development Workshop  (WAPI-5) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU). ISDEV Director delivered the opening speech on WAPI-5 and also at The International Seminar on Decolonization of Education. From the speech, he introduced the concept of 'Oceanic Intellectuals' that hopefully will be created by ISDEV.

The delegation experienced an unexpected incident when they were jolted by an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.5 on the evening of their 4th day in Medan. A solat hajat was performed after the Maghrib prayer. Alhamdulillah, no mishap had occured to any of the ISDEV delegates.

Two alumni assosiations, one for Medan and one for Acheh were launched under the name of IPA (Ikatan Pelajar & Alumni ISDEV) to ensure and enable networking and cooperation of ISDEV students and alumni members.

The seven-day academic expedition was a success. It allowed the delegates to experience a whole new perspective on being a musafir (traveler) and also enable members to strengthen their ukhuwwah (brotherhood) with one another and sense the bond with nature as part of Allah's creations.

A NAS A WEEK - 26 SHA'BAN 1433H

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous [al-Baqarah, 2: 183].

A NAS A WEEK - 12 SHA'ABAN 1433H

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle salallahu 'alaihi wassalam mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadhan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)." [Hadith from the translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 31: Fasting,Volume 3, Hadith Number 130].