By and large educated Muslims do not dispute the importance and significance of thinking in their life and religion. Since human creativity, whether exemplified as invention or innovation, has to do in large part with thinking, it is also commonplace that they regard it highly. Problems and disputes begin to arise, however, when they come…
As calls for reform of our educational system become louder and more frequent by days, the recently released Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025: Preliminary Report, itself a serious undertaking, is laudable. Recognising that “thinking skills” is among the six key attributes needed by every Malaysian student to be globally competitive, the Education Ministry spells out therein,…
The blessed month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, has been back for more than a week already. And Muslims worldwide are observing one of the five pillars of Islam, the obligatory fasting throughout the days of this month. The Arabic terms for fasting—sawm or siyam—basically means self-restraint (kaff or imsak),…
As noted by a number of observant intellectuals and analysts, such negative words as “terrorism,” “extremism,” “radicalism,” and “fanaticism” have often been abused against groups or people having or expounding different-especially fundamentally opposing-worldviews and positions. As such, one must always be careful and vigilant not to misappropriate what should otherwise be words or terms that…
With fairly wide, continual coverage in various mainstream media, most Malaysians by now have been familiar with the clarion call to be moderate and to practise moderation. It is also commonplace, if not entirely common sense, for moderation to be regarded as something in the middle, as equitable balance, as the opposite of extremes, as…
In the Holy Qur’an there are several occasions where one can find some accounts of Adam’s encounter with man’s nemesis, Iblis. Carefully attending to those accounts with intelligence, sincerity and honesty can surely help Muslims derive useful lessons, insights and reminders not only about human strength and potentials but also human weaknesses and vulnerability. Of such…
According to ibn Khallikan (d. 681 A.H. / 1282 C.E.) in his famous biographical work, Wafayat al-A‛yan wa Anba’ Abna’ al-Zaman, in this month, 900 years ago, departed one of Islam’s most eminent and influential scholars, Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali. True to what al-Ghazzali had once reminded, “a man’s second life in this world consists in…
To those who are in the least indifferent about language and anything serious about it, the satiric question “Apa ada pada nama?” (What is there in a name?) seems to be the best expression to betray their feelings concerning what they most probably perceive as a useless attempt to make a fuss of language, the…
By and large, the Malaysian government has been concerned with inculcating strong and resilient scientific spirit and culture in the Malaysian society. At times, where it pertains to the Malay community, the largest segment of the society, such concern has been translated into programs that seek to highlight the significant contributions of Muslims in the…
Knowledge and knowledge-centered activities have always occupied a lofty and noble position in Islam. As a matter of fact, seeking knowledge in order that one becomes really learned and enlightened in religion, and is therefore qualified to educate the society, is always considered a serious endeavour in the religion of Islam, so serious that those…
