ISDEV FOUNDER TARBIYYAH: THE IMPORTANCE OF RASA BERTUHAN

The poster circulated through social media announcing the schedule for ISDEV Founder Tarbiyyah session 

The Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) believes in providing an all round and all encompassing intellectual and academic development for all ISDEV postgraduate students. Among the regular and scheduled activities, all aim at enhancing the lives of all ISDEV members - intellectually, physically and spiritually - there is the monthly ISDEV Tarbiyyah series that has been meticulously arranged for the benefit of all. The ISDEV Tarbiyyah series consist of the ISDEV Director Tarbiyyah and the ISDEV Founder Tarbiyyah. In facing to terms with the new normal brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, these activities continue to take place online through ISDEV USM facebook medium at https://www.facebook.com/official.isdev/ .

The opening slide to ISDEV Founder Tarbiyyah.

The recent ISDEV Founder Tarbiyyah took up the challenge by providing the session online. With the title on "Contoh Rasa Bertuhan" (Examples to Feeling Godliness), Professor Dr Muhammad Syukri Salleh, addressed and provided a fatherly reminder to ISDEV fraternity on why this Rasa Bertuhan is important in ISDEV.

The introduction to the topic - Rasa Bertuhan.

In this session Prof Syukri started by asking a simple yet pertinent question as to who in ISDEV can be regarded as the icon for Rasa Bertuhan? Prof then proceeded to give examples of three personalities whom he believed personified Rasa Bertuhan well. They had at least these three common features:-

1. Allah SWT is very close to them;
2. Whatever is experienced in their lives, be it blessings and tribulations, all are related back to     Allah SWT; and
3.  Allah SWT is the place for all their complaints, solitude, and solace, a place to beseech and implore, the place for all things.

The first seven of the eleven characteristics.

Prof Syukri then went to detail these three common features by sharing 11 characteristics as to how these three personalities went about their daily lives exhibiting the embedded Rasa Bertuhan within them. He also advised ISDEV members that the way to Rasa Bertuhan is to carry out all the obligatory acts of worships as well as to strive to increase the listed suggested nawafil deeds. The ways to feel Godliness within is, among other things, by way of solat jemaah, observing the nawafil fast on Mondays and Thursdays, keeping the beard, being cautious of food intake, heart-to-heart teaching and learning methods, among others.

Continuation of the eleven characteristics of the three personalities highlighted by Prof Syukri.

There are at least five effects that can be felt when one strives and is successful in embedding Rasa Bertuhan within the fabric of one's being. Not in terms of priority, firstly ideas can come on its own. Secondly, the ease of moving those ideas to reality. Thirdly, the ease of rizq (in term of finances and space or time). Fourthly, the ability to face problems and challenges with a cool disposition and finally, elevation from one level to the next level within a short period of time. It is Allah SWT who chooses who will get the rizq to feel such a blessing.

Rasa Bertuhan = one of the traits of Taqwa.

In a nutshell, Prof Syukri closed his Tarbiyyah session that day by stating that the equivalence of Rasa Bertuhan is one of the traits of taqwa (consciousness of Allah SWT). 

A NAṢ A WEEK - 2 SYAWAL 1441H

Those who believe, do good deeds, keep up the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms will have their reward with their Lord: no fear for them, nor will they grieve [The English translation of Surah al-Baqarah (2), ayah 277 by Professor Muhammad Abdel Haleem].

Compare Translations:

Source (Credit To):

https://quran.com/2

A NAṢ A WEEK - 25 RAMADHAN 1441H

Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said regarding the Night of Decree, “It is a calm night, neither hot nor cold, and the sun arises on it red and feeble.” [Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah 2049. Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani].

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةٌ طَلْقَةٌ لا حَارَّةٌ وَلا بَارِدَةٌ تُصْبِحُ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمَهَا حَمْرَاءَ ضَعِيفَةً

2049 صحيح ابن خزيمة كتاب الصيام جماع أبواب ذكر الليالي التي كان]

[5475 المحدث الألباني خلاصة حكم المحدث صحيح في صحيح الجامع

 

 Source (Credit To):

https://abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2014/07/25/laylat-al-qadr-peaceful-calm/

A NAṢ A WEEK - 18 RAMADHAN 1441H

Truly We sent it down on a blessed night –– We have always sent warnings –– [The English translation of Surah ad-Dukhan (44), ayah 3 by Professor Muhammad Abdel Haleem].

 

Compare Translations

 Source (Credit To):

https://quran.com/44

SMOOTH SAILING - THE FIRST ONLINE VIVA VOCE FOR ISDEV

An online poster circulated within ISDEV fratenity to remind all of Brother Ibrahim's viva voce later that day.

The Movement Control Order (MCO) that is in place has not hampered or dampened the scholarly pursuit of the lecturers and students at the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) student, Brother Ibrahim Musa Gani, had the opportunity to be the first in ISDEV to face his viva voce online.  The appointed day for his much anticipated viva voce was scheduled on Wednesday 22 April 2020 at 2:30 pm.   

The online viva  voce session in progress. In the top - right corner is ISDEV Director, Dr Shahir Akram while next to him is
the Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Professor Hairul Nizam.

At the appointed hour, Brother Ibrahim who was all set to respond and answer the bombardment of questions or comments from the panel of examiners, was ready in all aspects - physically, spiritually and intellectually. Brother Ibrahim, from Nigeria, pursued his PhD thesis research on the relationship between the development of Islamic financial sector to that of economic growth in Malaysia. 

Another view of the online viva voce taking place. In the Top- centre is Assoc. Prof. Asmaddy from USIM.

His panel of examiners consisted of the Chairman, Professor Dr. Hairul Nizam Ismail from the School of Educational Studies, USM while the external examiner was Associate Professor Dr Asmaddy Haris from the Faculty of Economy & Muamalat, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). In the meantime the two internal exmainers were Dr. Nailul Murad Mohd Nor from the School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), USM and Dr Murni Yusoff from ISDEV, USM. His two supervisors, Dr Azreen Hamiza Abd Aziz and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zakaria Bahari were also present in the online viva voce session. Dr Shahir Akram Hassan, ISDEV Director was also present throughout.

The online mock viva taking place.

As usual, going online does not hamper ISDEV's tradition of conducting a mock viva a day before the scheduled viva date. In embracing the new normal, its the virtual platform used for the mock viva session which is a closed one with only Brother Ibrahim's two supervisors allowed to participate as well as other RISDEV students. 

The announcement made regarding the mock viva. Dr Azreen Hamiza, Ibrahim's main supervisor, chaired the meet.

Another ISDEV tradition of performing nawafil solat hajat prior to a RISDEV student's viva, was also observed. The only difference, in this new normal, instead of performing it together as a congregation (jemaah), a gentle reminder (as stated in the poster above) was sent to all ISDEV fraternity encouraging each and everyone to perform the nawafil prayer that morning in the comfort of one's place - wherever that maybe.

ISDEV members sending positive messages to Brother Ibrahim in the morning of his viva. 

Alhamdulillah and Congratulations Brother Ibrahim Musa Gani you have definitely made it!

A NAṢ A WEEK - 11 RAMADHAN 1441H

Aisha reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say during it?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say: O Allah, you are pardoning and generous. You love to forgive, so forgive me.” [Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3513. Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Nawawi]

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ عَلِمْتُ أَيُّ لَيْلَةٍ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَقُولُ فِيهَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

[3513 سنن الترمذي كتاب الدعوات باب منه]

Source (Credit To):

https://abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2015/07/12/laylat-al-qadr-dua-ramadan/