DIRECTOR'S TARBIYYAH: "BATTLE IN BLISSFULNESS"

Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh stressing a point on the need for struggles and sacrifice
to attain a continuous state of blissfulness

"Berjuang dalam Kebahagiaan" (Battle in Blissfulness) was the catch title of "Tarbiyyah Pengarah" (Director’s Tarbiyyah) on 2 October, 2015. This was the topic of the monthly "Tarbiyyah Pengarah" addressed to ISDEV fraternity by ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh which  was held at the Conference Room of C23, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). 

In his address, Prof. Syukri said that ISDEV is not only a purely academic centre but it also acts to make people realize about the magnificence and wonders of Islam specifically in academia and generally in all aspects of life. But such beauties of Islam could only be illustrated through good manners exhibited by each and every ISDEV member in particular and Muslims in general. Such exhibition of excellent manners is also known by the term "Kecemerlangan Berakhlak” (Excellence of Manners).

One of the slides presented by Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh

However the ability to produce such wondrous outstanding characters in an individual definitely require going through struggles which are presented within ourselves (overcoming the mazmumah - bad and despicable - characteristics within ourselves), man's most conspicuous unseen enemy - the devil - who has promised at all times to mislead the Muslims, or from outside ourselves such as the munafik (hypocrites) and kafir harbi (hostile disbelievers). 

All these struggles certainly come with sacrifice. There are times when we feel sad, depressed, loss of confidence and despair, but all these negative feelings can be eliminated if we always put Allah SWT at the top place in our lives. Constantly believing that Allah SWT will always be with us at all times, assist, protect and reward us with every struggle and sacrifice that we make for the sake of Islam are keys to overcoming every struggle that meets us on our path in life. 

Prof. Syukri also added by stating that everyone needs to build good relationships and a blissful ambiance with friends as well as developing the feelings of love, sincere care and concern and helping one another so that the challenges that one is faced is mixed with happiness. In other words, facing one's battles in blissfulness by establishing good relationships among fraternity. Being in battle does not necessarily refers to physical fights but can also be implied to include a quiet-state battle. 

Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi (holding microphone)
 sharing his struggles as a presenter in an international conference at Adelaide, Australia 

Oozing out of ISDEV also can be part of struggling in happiness. Verily in fortifying and increasing one’s knowledge and propagating the call to Islam, a Muslim is very much encouraged to travel (musafir). ISDEV members need to be instilled with the characteristics of a Messenger who goes about on this world and are able to share knowledge, disseminate knowledge and teach as well as lead. Not only seen as a journey alone, but those who had traveled out of ISDEV are considered as striving for Islam. The same goes to the activities and programmes organised by ISDEV. Each participation needs to be viewed as a struggle for the sake of Islam.

ISDEV fraternity patiently listening to the Director's Tarbiyyah of the day

At the end, Prof. Syukri concluded that every struggle necessarily requires sacrifice. And each sacrifice if done with sincerity merely for the sake of Allah SWT, in shaa Allah every struggle will gain the wonderful rewards such as happiness from Allah SWT. This happiness will be the result if all ISDEV fraternity and Muslims have the understanding, harmony of thoughts and actions, cooperation and selflessness in order to realize the beauty of Islam.