DIRECTOR'S TARBIYYAH: "MAXIMIZE BROTHERHOOD, MINIMIZE HOSTILITY"

ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh delivered his "Tarbiyyah Pengarah" (Director's Tarbiyyah) on "Maksimakan Persahabatan, Minimakan Permusuhan" (Maximize Brotherhood, Minimize Hostility) on a blessed Friday morning, 7 August 2015 at University Conference Hall, University Sains Malaysia (USM).

Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh - ready to deliver his tarbiyyah in front of ISDEV members at University Conference Hall, University Sains Malaysia (USM).

He reminded all ISDEV members that ISDEV itself is a struggle, to prove that Islam is the best at all front and Islam is the way of life. Hence in this struggle it is important to maximize friendship, not enmity. Based on ISDEV past-experiences, despite there are individuals or entities that opted to be enemy with ISDEV, however ISDEV peaceful reaction in the end always yield benefits.

Friends are known as ikhwan in this struggle. They can be those who sympathize with ISDEV’s endeavours in placing Islam at the highest reaching; those who share happiness and sadness; those who act as a connector or enabler in any efforts that ISDEV has embarked upon. These genuine friends or ikhwan are those who are not egoistical, cause troubles or even giving unnecessary praises to ISDEV accomplishments. Administrative directors, officers, staff or even janitors at ISDEV and at USM are also ISDEV friends and ikhwan. Same goes to any individuals or entities that ISDEV has met and encountered along the academic and social journey in researches, conferences or even publications. These include friends in the neighbouring countries; Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Thailand where the ukhuwah has blossomed for so many years, Alhamdulillah. 

Devoted Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh delivering his tarbiyyah. 

He also added, indeed, having friends in this journey is a blessing from Allah SWT. Regardless of enemies are troublesome, it is important to identify them. According to Imam Ghazali , there are five forms of enemies. Two of them are within us which is nafs and the devil. We should always do self-reflection (muhasabah) in order to self-mirror ourselves, look for the attributes that can be improved for the betterment of this struggle of Islam. Besides that, the enemies themselves can be a mirror to us.

However, we can only take a few ‘mirrors enemy’, for abundant of them will only interfere with the course of our struggle. Other type of enemy is the infidels who fight Islam. Infidels who are not against Islam is not our enemy and in fact we can have tahaluf siyasi with them. Next is the hypocrite (munafiq). This is very treacherous to ISDEV struggles.

Delivering his interesting tarbiyyah by giving example of brotherhood among ISDEV members.

As a conclusion, he said that friends are very important attributes or mechanisms in ISDEV struggle. Genuine and meaningful friendships require akhlak mahmudah (tolerance, not opportunist, always tawadho’); intellectual and other good abilities; smart networking as well as financially solid foundation. In order to achieve financial stability, all ISDEV members must strive hard to contribute to the purpose by realizing waqf ISDEV that is in the progress towards success. InsyaAllah.