A NAS A WEEK - 16 DZULQAEDAH 1428

[28] "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.

[ar-Ra'd, 13:28]

A NAS A WEEK - 9 DZULQAEDAH 1428

Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: Allah's Apostle said, "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it."

[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 73: 'Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab)', Hadith No. 40]

PHD DEFENSE BY NOR AZZAH KAMRI

ISDEV Research Associate Nor Azzah Kamri will sit for her viva voce on 26 November 2007 (Monday) at 9.00am. She will be defending her PhD thesis entitled Implementation of Islamic Code of Ethics in Islamic Development Organization: A Case Study of Lembaga Tabung Haji Malaysia.

Before her real defense, Nor Azzah will be familiarized by ISDEV with a stituation of a viva voce through a mock viva to be held on 23 November 2007 (Friday) at 3.00pm at Meeting Room C05 (ISDEV), School of Social Sciences. The mock viva will be chaired by Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh while Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar and Dr Nizam Sahad will act as examiners. All are welcome

A NAS A WEEK - 2 DZULQAEDAH 1428H

[99] No authority has he (Satan the Rejected One) over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.

[an-Nahl,16:99]

INVITATION TO ISDEV RESEARCH DISCOURSE SERIES ON ISLAMIC CAPITAL MARKET AND ISLAMIC RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

During November and December this year, ISDEV will host four series of Research Discourses. Two would be on the Islamic Capital Market and the other two on the Islamic Research Methodology.

Both titles relate to the two research projects that are currently carried out by ISDEV. All are cordially invited and the details are as follows.

12 November 2007

"Equity in Islamic Capital Market: Concept and Operational Mechanism" by Professor Dr Abdul Ghaffar Ismail (Coordinator of EKONIS, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), 10.00am - 12.30 pm, Training Room of Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

22 November 2007

"Sukuk in Islamic Capital Market: Concept and Operational Mechanism" by Professor Dato' Sano Koutoub Mustapha (Deputy Rector, International Islamic University Malaysia), 10.00 am - 12.30 pm, Training Room of Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

12 December 2007

"Islamic Critiques of Conventional Research Methodology" by Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Ali (International Islamic University Malaysia), 9.00 am - 10.30 am, Ibn Khaldun Room, Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

13 December 2007

"Application of the Methods of Usul-Fiqh in Research" by Professor Dato' Paduka Mahmood Zuhdi (Islamic Academy, Universiti Malaya), 13 December 2007 at 8.30 am - 10.00 am, Ibn Khaldun Room, Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

4 ABILITIES TO EXTRACT INFO DURING FIELDWORK

When carrying out a fieldwork, one has to be equipped with at least four abilities in order to extract maximum information and data needed.

The first is the ability to understand respondents' stance so that discussion could be done along, and not contrary to, that stance. The second is the ability to understand terms and talk of the day of the respondents so that the same language could be used to be part of the respondents and smoothen the discussion. The third is the ability to make ourselves important to the respondents so that they would not ignore us. And lastly, the fourth is the ability to justify the importance of the research for the respondents so that prejudices and uncertainties among the respondents could be avoided.

These are what had been developed and used by Muhammad Tahir (above) during his fieldwork in Bandung, Indonesia recently. He deliberated these during the recent Monthly Graduate Supervision held on 2 November 2007, to be shared by other fellow graduates and lecturers.

Muhammad Tahir is doing his doctorate on Tazkiyah An-Nafs in Islamic Development - The Case of Kopentren of Darut Tauhid in Bandung, Indonesia under the supervision of Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Khairul Anwar Othman. He is currently writing the analysis of the findings from his fieldwork.

ISDEV INTRODUCES ANOTHER ACTIVITY, THE ISDEV RESEARCH DISCOURSE

In view of an increasing number of research projects undertaken by ISDEV and of the need to provide a maximum benefit to as many interested intellectuals as possible, the Centre now introduces a new activity called ISDEV Research Discourse.

In this Discourse, intellectuals and researchers from other institutions outside Universiti Sains Malaysia will be invited to speak on a topic related to any particular research that is being carried out by ISDEV.

This Discourse is a little bit different from ISDEV In-House Seminar, of which the speakers are from outside Universiti Sains Malaysia, presenting their ideas on a given topic that is thought to be helpful in concretizing ISDEV researches. In ISDEV In-House Seminar, the speakers are the members of ISDEV research teams themselves, presenting their research findings to be shared and commented by other colleagues.

Until the end of the year, four ISDEV Research Discourses on topics particularly related to ISDEV researches on Islamic Capital Market and Islamic Research Methodology have been scheduled. They are as follows:

1. 12 November 2007: "Equity in Islamic Capital Market: Concept and Operational Mechanism" by Professor Dr Abdul Ghaffar Ismail (Coordinator of EKONIS, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), 10.00am - 12.30 pm, Training Room of Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

2. 22 November 2007: "Sukuk in Islamic Capital Market: Concept and Operational Mechanism" by Professor Dato' Sano Koutoub Mustapha (Deputy Rector, International Islamic University Malaysia), 10.00 am - 12.30 pm, Training Room of Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

3. 12 December 2007: "Islamic Critiques of Conventional Research Methodology" by Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Ali (International Islamic University Malaysia), 9.00 am - 10.30 am, Ibn Khaldun Room, Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

4. 13 December 2007: "Application of the Methods of Usul-Fiqh in Research" by Professor Dato' Paduka Mahmood Zuhdi (Islamic Academy, Universiti Malaya), 13 December 2007 at 8.30 am - 10.00 am, Ibn Khaldun Room, Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.

All are cordially invited.

Announcements and reminders of the Research Discourses will be posted from time to time.

A NAS A WEEK - 24 SYAWAL 1428H

Masruq is reported to have asked 'A'isha about the action (most pleasing to) the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). She said: He (the Holy Prophet) loved (that action) which one keeps on doing regularly. I said (to 'A'isha): When did he pray (at night)? She replied: When he heard the cock crow, he got up and observed prayer.

[Hadith from: Sahih Muslim, Book No. 4: 'The Book of Prayers (Kitab Al-Salat)', Hadith No. 1614]

LECTURES AT ISDEV MONTHLY GRADUATE SUPERVISION IN DVDs

Graduate students and interested parties who are interested in lectures pertaining to graduate research and thesis writing could now get them in DVD from ISDEV. These DVDs, based on lectures delivered at ISDEV Monthly Graduate Supervision (all in Malay), have been produced by ISDEV Media Unit and sold at a very low cost of RM5 each (excluding of postage).

To date, the titles that are available are as follows:

1. Fieldwork by Dr. Azlinda Azman
2. Constructing Research Proposal by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Fatah Che Hamat
3. Research Objectives, Questions & Hypotheses by Dr Zulkarnain A. Hatta
4. Past Research by Dr. Lilis Surienty Abd Talib
5. Literature Review by Dr. Nor Malina Malik

Those interested to have the DVDs as references or personal collection could now make an order from Sukainah at suekainah@yahoo.com or +6-04-653 4601 (office phone) or +6-04-653 2124 (fax).

Availability of new titles will be announced from time to time via ISDEV NEWS at http://isdevnews07.blogspot.com/ and ISDEV Site at http://isdev.usm.my/

A NAS A WEEK - 17 SYAWAL 1428H

[32] Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by Allah's leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace.

[Faatir,35:32]

ISDEV NEAREST EVENTS

Announcing ISDEV Nearest Events

Event: Graduate Monthly Supervision
Topic: Research Scope, Limitation and Significance
Speaker: Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar
Date: 2 November 2007 (Friday)
Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: ISDEV, School of Social Sciences


Event: In-House Seminar
Topic: An Islamic Analysis of Research Problems
Speaker: Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi
Date: 16 November 2007 (Friday)
Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: ISDEV, School of Social Sciences





Event: In-House Seminar
Topic: Observation Techniques - An Islamic Perspective
Speaker: Dr Fatan Hamamah Yahaya
Date: 23 November 2007 (Friday)
Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: ISDEV, School of Social Sciences

All are cordially invited

A NAS A WEEK - 10 SYAWAL 1428H

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."

[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 2: Belief, Hadith No: 12]

DR ZAHRI HAMAT NOW A LECTURER AT THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

Former ISDEV Research Associate Dr Zahri Hamat has been appointed as a contract lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia for two years beginning 1 September 2007. He is attached to Development Planning and Management Programme at the School, teaching Economics for Development. Simultaneously, he continues to help School of Distance Learning to teach courses in Management Studies.

Dr Zahri also co-supervises Ekarat Sitisan, a Master student working on Potentials for the Establishment of Zakat Fund in Bangkok, Thailand. A couple more PhD candidates from Malaysia and Indonesia who will be working on Zakat are also expected to be co-supervised by Dr Zahri soon.

Currently, Dr Zahri also chairs the Organizing Committee of ISDEV Graduate Workshop III. The Workshop is an ISDEV annual occasion and specially organized for graduates working on Islam related research in universities worldwide. It will be held on 12-13 December 2007. In this Workshop, ISDEV Best Master Thesis Award and ISDEV Best PhD Thesis Award for 2007 will be given away to the winners.

In a very near future, Dr Zahri Hamat will be ISDEV Management Committee Member and will undertake a research with Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh on Zakat Accounting in Southeast Asia. The research investigates zakat accounting practices in Muslim majority countries of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, and Muslim minority countries of Thailand and Singapore. It will be funded by Research University Grant. Another research (consultancy project) on The Impact Study of Zakat Distribution in Penang would also be done by Dr Zahri with Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Hasanah Abd. Khafidz. It is expected to be funded by Pusat Urus Zakat of the Religious Council of the State of Penang.

NOR AZZAH KAMRI SUBMITTED PHD THESIS ON ISLAMIC CODE OF ETHICS OF TABUNG HAJI

ISDEV Research Associate Nor Azzah Kamri has submitted her PhD thesis. The title is Implementation of Islamic Code of Ethics in Islamic Development Organization: A Case Study of Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji Malaysia. She has been working with ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and ISDEV Management Committee Member Dr Zakaria Bahari. Viva voce for the thesis is expected to be held sometime in November 2007. When the exact date is confirmed, a mock viva will be held at ISDEV to familiarize and train her to face the real viva voce. After passing her PhD, Nor Azzah Kamri will return to and teach at Akademi Islam, University of Malaya.

A NAS A WEEK - 3 SYAWAL 1428H

[149] Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal it or cover evil with pardon, verily Allah doth blot out (sins) and hath power (in the judgment of values).

[an-Nisaa', 4:149]

A NAS A WEEK - 26 RAMADHAN 1428H

Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan"

[Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 32: 'Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh)', Hadith No: 237]

`MORALISTIC & ETHICAL OBJECTIVITY' IN ISLAMIC RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

It was realized at the ISDEV In-House Seminar on 28 September that in Islamic Research Methodology, objectivity must be limited to `moralisitic objectivity' or `ethical objectivity' rather than `plain or absolute objectivity' as advocated and used by conventional research methodology. Moralisitic or ethical objectivity here means an objectivity that protects respondents' dignity and self-respect, based on Shari`ah.

That was one of the main discourses articulated during the presentation on "An Analysis of Research Ethics in Conventional Research Methodology" by Dr Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar at the Seminar. Other discourses also include scrutinization on other research ethics proposed by the American Psychological Association (APA), such as limitation of capability and skills, protection of respondents' rights and dignity, avoidance of danger on respondents, protection and avoidance of abusement of respondents' secrecy, honest and unmanipulated presentation of research findings, and acknowledgement to those involved in realizing the research.

The Seminar concluded with an awareness that in Islamic Research Methodology, the factor that motivates a researcher's compliance of research ethical principles is iman, the practical application of the ethics is embedded in the principles of shari`ah, and the ultimate aim is to seek the truth and mardhatillah, the pleasure of God.

A NAS A WEEK - 19 RAMADHAN 1428H

[3] The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

[al-Qadr, 97: 3]

ISDEV ANNUAL IFTAR WELL-ATTENDED

On Tuesday 25 September 2007, Teratai Room at Chancellory was packed with more than 40 ISDEV members and friends attending ISDEV Annual Iftar. Guests of honour were Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Development) Associate Professor Dr Omar Osman and Dean of the School of Social Sciences Associate Professor Dr Ismail Baba.

The occasion was an annual occasion organized in every Ramadhan of the year. It began with iftar (breaking of fast), followed by maghrib prayer, dinner, isyak prayer and finally by tarawih prayer led by ISDEV Fellow Associate Professor Haji Sibly Maros and assisted by ISDEV Research Associate Zubir Idris.

ISDEV is grateful to the organising committee led by Dr Zakaria Bahari and thankful to generous donors who made this occasion possible.

A NAS A WEEK - 12 RAMADHAN 1428H

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported: We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) during Ramadan. Some of us observed the fast and some of us broke it. Neither the observer of the fast had any grudge against one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast had any grudge against one who had fasted. They knew that he who had strength enough (to bear its rigour) fasted and that was good, and they also found that he who felt weakness (and could not bear the burden) broke it, and that was also good.

[Hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book No. 6: 'The Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm)', Hadith No. 2480]