Al-Shajarah Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC)
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THE MEANING OF SELECTED MIRACLES OF THE QUR’AN THROUGH THE EYES OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING
No full textCurrently, all scientific and technological developments and discoveries continue to confirm the miraculous verses of the Holy Qur’an. Indeed, the Qur’an, since time immemorial will continue until the Day of Judgment. Allah (S.W.T) has infinite knowledge that encompasses everything in the heavens and earth and what is in between them; in the worldly life and the Hereafter.3 As in all fields of technology, the latest developments in the field of computer engineering, the Holy Qur’an has shed light on different interpretations of some verses. This study presents explanations of some interpretation of the miracles contained in the Holy Qur’an through the eyes of computer engineering
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND STUDENTS’ ASPIRATION OUTCOMES: WHAT WORKS IN MALAYSIAN VOCATIONAL COLLEGES?
No full textThe main objective of the study is to examine and confirm therelationship among Malaysian vocational college leaders’ strategicleadership practices, in-service training effectiveness and students’aspiration outcomes. Survey approach was used for data collectionusing an adapted five-point Likert scale instrument. A total of 500vocational college educational leaders from sixty five (65) vocationalcolleges (comprised 208 males and 209 females) participated in thestudy. Descriptive statistics, and SEM statistical tool were used indata analysis. The study revealed that Malaysian vocational collegeleaders’ strategic leadership practices has significant direct andindirect (through a mediator) causal effect on students’ aspirationsoutcomes. The findings suggest that each vocational college leadersshould have a unique training plan based on his/her needs. Specialemphasis should be focused on inculcating the knowledge and skillsof strategic leadership practices among the Malaysian vocationalcollege leaders
THE CONCEPT OF MURABBI IN MUSLIM EDUCATION WITH REFERENCE TO SELECTED TEACHING METHODS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
No full textThe concept of education in Islam is markedly different from thatseen from a secular Western viewpoint. For Muslims, teaching isconsidered as the noblest of professions, while the ProphetMuhammad () is known to be the greatest educator of all time. Thefocus of this paper is to explore the meaning of the concept ofmurabbī (Muslim educator) and then to consider some selectedpedagogical practices of the Prophet Muhammad () which wereused to guide and educate the early Muslim community. It is hopedthat the pragmatic and spiritual nature of the Holy Prophet'spedagogical practices will serve as a role model and an inspirationand for both Muslim and non-Muslim teachers and educators intoday's world and the the world of the future, inshallah
THE QUR'ANIC CONCEPT OF QIWAMAH: A REVIEW ON THE COMMENTARIES ON THE VERSE 4;34
No full textThis study elaborates the Qur´Énic verse on ‘men are caretakers of women’ (4:34) which legitimizes the system of qiwÉmah (responsibility of man to protect and manage the affairs of woman). This is significant given the fact that the verse has been controversial since long, especially in the feminist discourse. The controversies are considerably intense often to the extent of remarking the verse and its commentaries misogynist. Employing a qualitative analysis method, the researcher has surveyed certain commentaries of both medieval and modern times, comparing them with modern Muslim scholarly interpretations of the verse. As a result, the study reveals that a blanket assertion meant to characterize the commentaries on the verse of qiwÉmah as a tool of male oppression is untenable. It also finds that qiwÉmah, according to the commentaries, is a theoretical foundation meant to preserve two key realms of the Qur´Énic paradigm. Firstly, to maintain a peaceful system of family with fully complementary gender roles and secondly, the protection of woman
THE CRITICS ON THE HISTORY OF ARABIC GRAMMAR
No full textThis study aims to critically examine Ignaz Golziher’s allegations on the beginnings of Arabic linguistics. According to him, the Arabic short vowel symbols did not originate in the Arab world but were adopted from the Levant. The same he assumed in regard to the three different parts of speech, namely name (ism), verb (fi'il), and particle (harf), which allegedly presupposed the knowledge of Aristotle’s De Interpretations falsely attributed to 'Ali (Karramallahuwajhah). Goldziher explained this connection with the scholastic disputes occurring between the different theological schools in the first century AH, with special reference to the dogmatic differences between the Murji´ah and the Qadariyyah sects. Theological debates on various doctrines were held at the same time by Eastern Christians based on the teachings of John of Damascus. In the eyes of Goldziher, these debates – based on the assumption that since they occurred in the same century – they had to be related, and furthermore, St. John of Damascus must have borrowed his ideas from Aristotle. Since no Arabic sources speak of this connection, he raises his own suspicions, namely that Muslim sources refused to admit the borrowing of ideas from the Christians. This study serves the purpose of investigating his allegations in regard to the origin of Arabic grammar and syntax and of deciding the extent of his scholarly bias. The researcher adopts a theoretical and analytical approach based on linguistic studies. In order to arrive at a balanced judgment with regard to this conflict, the linguistic corpus, as well as the historical background of transmission is being analyzed
THE RELEVANCE OF WAQF TO THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MAQASID AL-SHARI'AH (HIGHER OBJECTIVES OF SHARI'AH)
No full textPhilanthropic institutions (awqāf) were very functional vis-à-vis socio-religious aspects and the public welfare system in the early days of Islam. Gradually, however, the development of waqf (pl. awqāf) degenerated and is now limited to Muslim-majority countries and specifically consists of the religious kind. Nonetheless, can Muslims and non-Muslims benefit from waqf in a majority non-Muslim country like Australia? The primary objective of this paper is to study the relevance of waqf to the Australian secularised society from the perspective of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. Therefore, I will examine how maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah is achieved in the introduction of waqf in Australian society, and how waqf can be rejuvenated to serve the purpose of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, which aims to preserve life, intellect, religion, progeny and property. The methodology used in this paper is analytical and critical. The primary sources of Islamic knowledge, such as Qurʾan and sunnah, will be studied carefully. Secondary sources will also be studied and analysed critically to explore the findings. The worth of this paper lies in drawing the attention of stakeholders like policy makers, lawyers, leaders and the general public to the contemporary relevance and need for awqāf in achieving social justice for the ongoing benefit of the general public. This paper is a humble effort in evaluating the possibility of the application of waqf in Australia and to justify how far this product achieves maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. A comprehensive and careful examination of the methodology of maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah entails an understanding that Sharīʿah aims to protect and preserve public interest (maṣlaḥa) in all aspects of life.  
A USES AND GRATIFICATIONS PERSPECTIVE ON MEDIA USE BY REFUGEES FROM MYANMAR AND PAKISTAN IN MALAYSIA
No full textA refugee is defined by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Article 1(A) (2) as a person who encounters the fear of being persecuted for their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, resides away from his or her own country and is not willing to be protected by the country. The United Nations Refugee Agency Malaysia (UNHCR) registered 149,100 refugees and asylum-seekers as of the end of August 2017. Most of these were from Myanmar, comprising Rohingya (n=61,000) and Chin (n=9,900) people, followed by Pakistanis (n=4,200). Given their circumstances and the apparent dearth of literature in the area, there is an urgent need to explore the utilisation of media and non-media activities by refugees from Myanmar and Pakistan in terms of use and gratifications of such activities, as undertaken in this research, based on Uses and Gratifications (U&G) theory, which comprises five elements: the audience is active, the link between need gratification and media choice lies with audience members, there are media and other needs competing (non-media needs), many goals of mass media use can be generated from data supplied by audience members, and audience orientations should be examined on their own terms (without considering culture). The study develops U&G theory, contributes to current studies, and provides an insight on refugee needs gratified by media and non-media activities, particularly in terms of communities in Malaysia. The study embraced a multiple case-study research design by investigating the two refugee communities in depth, through interviews
FROM IMMIGRANTS TO SPORTS FIGURES: THE CASE STUDY OF THE IOC REFUGEE TEAM IN RIO OLYMPICS 2016
No full textThis paper examines the experiences of refugee athletes in pursuing their ultimate dream to compete in the Olympics, and explores the challenges and prospects they faced. Relevant data were obtained from secondary sources, such as sports articles and biographies on websites, about refugee athletes competing in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Eleven sports personalities among the refugees from South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia were studied. They represented the Refugee Team in judo, athletics and swimming. A summative content analysis was conducted to see variations in their sporting motives. The analysis suggests that despite of harsh living conditions in their home countries, refugees’ passion to compete in sport was very much alive when they arrived at the host countries. The paper also reveals that host countries like Germany, Brazil, and Luxembourg provided several opportunities for the refugees to venture into sport, but available opportunities are selective due to their status as refugees. Also, their participation in sport is confined to Olympic events only. Today, participation in sport is seen as an avenue for refugees to salvage their pride and dignity apart from seeking better opportunities in life. Indeed, sport is a powerful tool to unite people from different backgrounds and nationalities
THE PERCEPTIONS, PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF THE INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONGST THE ACADEMICS OF INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA (IIUM)
No full textInternational Islamic University of Malaysia’s (IIUM) vision and mission is its commitment to the integration of values in the modern fields of knowledge. Today, Islamization and integration have emerged as niche areas of the IIUM. There are various phases and orientations of the implementation of Islamization of knowledge (IOK) at the IIUM. The study is important as it helps IIUM to identify and monitor the areas of specialization that need to be improved with regards to the Islamic values integration. Thus, the aim of the paper is to investigate the perceptions and practices of IIUM academics in their efforts to do IOK. The study is exploratory in nature and involves focus group discussion (FGD) with six kulliyyahs namely Kulliyyah of Engineering, ICT, Laws (AIKOL), Economics (ENM), IRKHS, and Science. Each FGD lasted between one to two hours, and involved about five to six lecturers from each Kulliyyah. Three broad themes were generated from the data, which are perceptions, practices and challenges of IOK. The general findings of the study reveal that IIUM academics perceive and practice IOK differently according to their background and various specializations. IIUM academics generally perceive IOK as an important endeavor though challenging, yet differ in their views of its success. Meanwhile, the practices of IOK involve content, teaching and learning, materials, research and publication, assessment, and students. IIUM academics face many challenges in implementing IOK such as lack of resources, lack of academic involvement in IOK activities, and lack of Islamic knowledge to integrate technical, scientific and conventional knowledge. The study suggests that with proper and continuous support from the University, IOK could be implemented more effectively
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS TESTS TO EVALUATE THE PROPERTY OF QURAN BINDINGS
No full textQuran bindings from before the 20th century are some of the artefacts or the cultural materials made from organic materials that are easily damaged during research due to mishandling. Therefore, nondestructive tests are the best approach to uncover, record and learn about artefacts without damaging the physical attributes of manuscripts. These tests could be a great step in identifying and recording Quran bindings in particular and Islamic manuscripts in general, especially in rural areas or an area with limited facilities. There are basic tests, such as observations under a microscope, burn tests and physical observations and comparisons. Basic forms and materials such as type of leather, type of papers, types of threads and woven technique could also be easily identify and recorded for heritage documentation. These tests helps us to evaluate the techniques and materials used in the making process of the pasteboards, wrapping and stampings the Quran binding, which were universal, but the principle aligned with Islamic traditions in safeguarding the purity and the sacredness of the Quran starting from the materials used in bindings which cover and protect the Quran both physically and spiritually