It has been a prevalent understanding in the intellectual tradition of Islam that man in his very constitution reflects what is there in the outer world. In other words, man is the microcosmic representation of the macrocosm, the universe at large. Some scholars of that tradition went even further to assert that what is outside…
Imposing Islamic law on non-Muslims? Answer: A big ‘NO’. It should not have been an issue utterly misconceived in the first place. All the hue and cry surrounding it, I believe, was due to the misrepresentations made by Muslims as well as non-Muslims which created confusion in both communities, and which lead to a considerable…
Looking at the newspaper headlines in recent weeks, open discussions with regards to the future of political parties in this country, amid the result of the recently concluded general election appear almost daily. Various comments and views are reported, on how the nation should react with the latest political developments. Of the many remarks and…
One cannot find words strong enough to condemn the September 11, 2001 tragedy. It is not human if one does not share the pain and suffering that the affected families are going through and will endure for a long, long time to come. Those who choose to define this violent act as jihad “holy war”…
April 4 began with what by now is an annual affair, the ten-day long Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) at the Putra Trade World Centre (PWTC). Although it is one of the very few events worth attending by book lovers, it remains essentially an event for players with stakes in the book industry. The…
Moral Check against Dishonesty by Dr Mohd Sani Badron Senior Fellow / Director, Centre for Economics and Social Studies, IKIM When invited recently to deliberate on the future direction of curriculum development, I began my deliberations by admitting the complexity of the theme. To quote T. S. Eliot, “education is a subject which cannot be…
The fact that Islam is easy and simple does not mean that it is a simplistic or an immature religion at all. Firstly, its theological principles are receptive of reason, sensible and comprehensible even to the minds of common people. Secondly, in the legal sphere, Islam comprises two closely interrelated qualities: strict adherence (azimah) and…
Learning From History Ir. Ahmad Jais Alias Fellow, Centre for Consultancy and Training Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) ( [email protected] ) It is worth mentioning the advice of the Regent of Perak, His Majesty Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, in his speech during celebrations commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad last month. He clearly stated…
Not many will dare dispute that knowledge occupies a special position in Islam and the intellectual and scientific tradition it gives rise to. In fact, apart from certain sections or chapters of books in that tradition which have dealt with the various issues pertaining to knowledge, there have also been books which were solely dedicated…
There is no doubt that the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be blessings and peace, is so dear to the Muslims, dearer even than their own selves. To many among them who may be deemed to have attained a higher selfhood, he is in fact their identity. They always hold him in veneration, expressing joy for…
