A NAS A WEEK - 21 SHA'BAN 1434

Narrated Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas radhiAllahu 'anhu: Allah's Messenger salallahu 'alaihi wassalam said, "He who eats seven 'Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them [Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 63: The Book of Foods (Meals), Chapter 16, Hadith Number 1905].

TUESDAYS TEACHINGS

28 June –  There was a good turn out of ISDEV members during this session of Tuesdays Teachings on 25 June 2013. The Tazkirah for this session was given by Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad on "Sikap Solaful Salihin Menyambut Ramadhan"  (The Attitudes of the Pious in Welcoming Ramadhan).

Ustaz Syakir's teachings from the book Hidayah Salikin

In her Tazkirah, Dr. Fadzila Azni began by describing that there are three types of people in welcoming Ramadhan. The first two types are those belonging to the happy group while the third group belongs to the sad group. However in the two happy groups, the one group is filled with delight of the coming of Ramadhan because they are still alive to reap the bountiful promises in terms of the intangibles through the multiplication of rewards, blessings, solat tarawikh and the advent of the night of Qadr given by Allah SWT only and solely in the month of Ramadhan. The second happy group however is happy for tangible things like the existence of Bazaar Ramadhan, sale of Kuih Raya, Baju Raya, Buffet Ramadhan and other promotions that is specific in the month of Ramadhan.

For the third group who welcomes the blessed month of Ramadhan with sadness, this group viewed Ramadhan as threatening to their easy going lifestyle as they are not allowed to eat and drink in public easily, smoking and other activities.

Dr. Fadzila Azni reminded ISDEV members to follow the first type of the happy group and that since Ramadhan is only a few days away to ensure that the preparation and planning for the Agenda of Ramadhan is consciously and pro-actively done.

Ustaz Shahir (right) as Chairperson looks on while Ustaz Syakir
answers one of the questions posed

The teachings session then continued on the “Adab (Islamic Manners) While Taking the Wudhu' (Ablution)” by Ustaz Syakir who made detailed explanations from the book Hidayah Salikin by Syeikh Abdul Samad al-Palimbani on the finer points that a Muslim need to take note of when taking the ablution. An ala mock viva session ensued when Dr Mohd. Shukri Hanapi asked Ustaz Syakir three questions based on his teachings that day.

Ustaz Shahir Akram served as the Chairperson for the day.

A NAS A WEEK - 15 SHA'BAN 1434

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew [al-Baqarah, 2:184].

TUESDAYS TEACHINGS

Almost non-existent exam-fever mood - Full house yet again at C05

20 June – The exam-fever mood among MISDEV’12 students are here again but Alhamdulillah, C05 is still packed with ISDEV members during this session of Tuesdays Teachings on 18 June 2013. With the title of ‘Nikmat Kesenangan adalah Ujian daripada Allah SWT’ (Delightful Grace is a Test from Allah SWT), the Tazkirah was delivered by Ustaz Dr. Mohd. Shukri Hanapi with a brief discussion ensuing thereafter.

Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi giving his Tazkirah for the day

In his Tazkirah, Dr. Shukri emphasised and reminded all those present not to be too complacent and joyful when bestowed with delightful grace but that one should be grateful and pray that with the gift of such grace one will not stray far from Allah SWT. This is because delightful grace is also a test from Allah SWT. In fact it is more frightening than the test of hardships. The test of hardships usually brings one closer to Allah SWT as one would incessantly supplicate and ask for Allah SWT help. However the test of delightful grace may cause one to forget and be contented thereby causing one to defy Allah SWT. The story of Qarun and his treasures was such an example as given by Dr. Shukri.

A bashful Ustaz Syakir (center) in delivering the topic of the day

The teachings session then continued on the “Adab (Islamic Manners) in the Lavatory” by Ustaz Syakir who focused on the way that ought to be followed by Muslims in responding to one nature’s call. A lively question and answer session followed thereafter immediately.

ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh, ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr. Zakaria Bahari, ISDEV lecturer, Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad and the School of Social Sciences lecturers, Dr. Asmat as well as Dr. Sharifah were among those who attended this week’s Tuesdays Teachings.

A NAS A WEEK - 7 SHA'BAN 1434

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (sallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Bukhari, The Book of Fasting (Book 6), Chapter 1, Hadith Number: 2361].

ISDEV DELEGATES PRESENTED AT SAFI 2013

Keynote Speaker Prof Zakaria Stapa  (left) with the Chairman of SAFI 2013,
Dr Muhammad Razak Idris (right)

13 June – On 21to 22 May 2013, three ISDEV members were at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to present their research papers at the Simposium Antarabangsa Falsafah Islam (SAFI) 2013. They consisted of ISDEV lecturer, Ustaz Dr. Mohd. Shukri Hanapi and two MISDEV’12 students, Mohd Syahmir Alias and Nurul Nadiah Md. Salleh.

Ustaz Dr. Mohd. Shukri Hanapi presenting his paper

Mohd Syahmir (with the laptop) presenting his paper

Ustaz Dr. Mohd. Shukri Hanapi presented his paper on “Falsafah Pembangunan Lazim: Kritikan dari Perspektif Tasawur Islam” (The Conventional Development Philosophy: A Critique from the Islamic Worldview Perspective) while Mohd Syahmir Alias presented his paper on “Falsafah Pemikiran Saintifik Ibn al-Haytham” (The Philosophical Scientific Thoughts of Ibn Haytham). Nurul Nadiah Md. Salleh’s presentation of her paper was regarding the “Falsafah Kaedah Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Lazim: Analisis Dari Perspektif Tasawur Islam” (Philosophical Methods of Conventional Teaching and Learning: Analysis from the Islamic Worldview Perspective).

Nurul Nadia (right) listening attentively to a presentation

About 40 presenters presented their papers at the symposium. SAFI 2013 was jointly organized by the Jabatan Usuluddin dan Falsafah, Fakulti Pengajian Islam, UKM and Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YaPEIM) as well as Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Malaysia (DBP). 

ANAS A WEEK - 30 RAJAB 1434

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good [al-'Ankabut, 29:69].

The First Ban Nua Language Camp

Straight from the heart - Mohd. Rizal (seated-centre) with his students

June 7 - On 23 April 2013, six ISDEV delegates who were sent to the Ban Nua Language Camp finally arrived in Penang. The camp which took place for 15 days in the Ban Nua Village at Hatyai, Thailand had accomplished and met its objective. The ISDEV delegates who participated in the camp were Murni (leader), Nur Ilani, Nuruleifaa, Nurhidayah, Abdullah Fahimy, and Mohd Rizal. They had successfully played their roles as the Malay Language and English Language teachers.

Nuruleifaa (left) about to begin her class

The language camp which was the first-of-its kind camp was organized by the Ban Nua Community had received an overwhelming response. A total of 216 students aged between 9 to 13 years old participated in the camp. Those students hailed from the states of Southern Thailand which included Songkhla, Yala, Satun, Narathiwat, and Pattani. The objective of the camp was to cultivate the Islamic culture in human’s life beginning from the young through the language medium. The camp was fulfilled with meaningful activities as early as 4.00am and lasted until 9.00pm every day.

Lesson in session - Nur Ilani and Nurhidayah conducting their class

Abdullah Fahimy (left - back row standing) with his class
after the students' assessment test

The preparation for both the Malay and English languages teaching had begun much earlier with Dr Idris Mansor, who acted as the language coordinator for the camp. From 9.00am until 3.00pm every day, the Malay and English classes were conducted in the Ban Nua School, located immediately beside the Ban Nua Mosque. The language classes were separated according to the gender, of which 134 were female while the remaining students were male. There were seven classes divided among seven teachers.

Now as students - ISDEV delegates learning the Thai Language

In addition to teaching the languages, ISDEV delegates also grabbed the opportunity to learn the Thai language to facilitate their communications with the Ban Nua Community. The Thai class had been conducted by two teachers from Ban Nua School who were also fluent with the Malay and English Languages.

All eyes on Murni as she imparts knowledge from her heart

Besides honing their teaching skills and contributing to the language literacy, the 15 days experience of living in the fishermen’s village in Thailand to teach in the language camp, have allowed these ISDEV delegates to gain much more than could be hoped for through reflections and the lessons learnt especially  in strengthening their spiritual aspects.

A NAS A WEEK - 24 RAJAB 1434H

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) as saying: Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the gravest lie in talk and do not be inquisitive about one another and do not spy upon one another and do not feel envy with the other, and nurse no malice, and nurse no aversion and hostility against one another. And be fellow-brothers and servants of Allah [Hadith from the Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book: 32, Kitab Al-Birr Was-Salat-I-Wa'l-Adab (The Book Of Virtue, Good Manners And Joining Of The Ties Of Relationship), Chapter 7: Forbiddance Of Suspicion, Fault-Finding, And Bidding Against The Other (For Raising The Price), Number 6214]. 

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