Sejahtera Academic Framework (SAF)

34 33 Relying on Revelation and reason The primary essence of IIUM is the integration of revelation and reason. In the epistemology of Islam, knowledge is not received only by reason, but also by the virtue of revelation. Revelation and reason are not two separate phenomena, but rather integrated. Readiness to excel and prevail (We shall excel we shall prevail) The line gives the promise of an ultimate success. It also implies the struggle against ungodly forces such as kufr , hypocrisy, nafs , materialism, egoism et cetera. It is a call to excel and prevail over these obstacles. On the other hand, excel also means comprehensive excellence, which is one of the mission of IIUM. Merging faith and knowledge Some of those who have knowledge today believe humankind should depart from God. They believe things can be solved with sole reason and science. Islam however, views reason and science not as an infallible epistemology. Therefore, it has decreed that knowledge which is sought by the learners, must be grounded on faith. It is fundamental because the revelation also comes from God, and therefore its validity is safeguarded. Carrying the roles of Khalīfah (We are the khalīfah ) All the tasks and objectives are incumbent upon us because we are the khalīfah . All human beings regardless of their beliefs and religions are appointed as khalīfah . One of the important task for us to do is the ‘imārat al-kawn , to administer, manage, develop, and flourish. Fulfilling the Amānah (We will fulfil the amānah ) The world is an amānah that Allah has given us to be fulfilled. We are obliged to fulfil the role of bringing peace and harmony to the world. Making this world a better place (Together, let’s make the world a better place) The line serves as a rallying cry for all humankind to make the world a better place. It includes everybody, not only the Muslims but the non-Muslim as well, to work together and making the world a more inhabitable place. The world has to be worked out to make it a better place because today, human beings are suffering, devoid from spirituality and overpowered by materialism. Upholding the culture of learning (Forever expand the culture of Iqra’ ) The concept of Iqra’ is so foundational in Islam. It can be seen from the fact that the first revelation being revealed to the Messenger SAW is to read, based on surah al-‘Alaq . But the first revelation does not stop at read or recite; it follows to read and recite on the name of God. Allah is the one who knows, human beings are the one without knowledge. The pen as the instrument of pursuing knowledge is also sanctify by God. That implies that the pursuit of knowledge is sacred. Knowledge is also an amānah . The learners who fulfil the amānah of knowledge becomes scholars. In Islam, scholars occupied a great position. After the prophets, it is the scholars in the hierarchy. Scholars should be the inheritors of the prophets. But unfortunately, today scholars are divided from prophethood. To some of them, God is superfluous, and they therefore departed from the path of God. This is exactly the phenomenon revealed in the Qur’ān when Allah says: he views himself as self-sufficient ( an ra’āhu astaghnā ). So, to expand the culture of Iqra’ is vital to become, not only the culture of Muslims, but also the culture of humanity. Realising the meaning of Raḥmatan lil- ʿ Ā lamīn (IIUM is to realise the meaning of Raḥmatan lil- ʿ Ā lamīn ) IIUM is one of the educational instruments to realise the mercy to all mankind. Here, one of the manifestations of raḥmah is the integration of revelation and reason. Besides that, the concept of Iqra’ , submission, sharī‘ah, aqīdah and akhlāq are all mercy from God to humankind as well. Mercy should not be reduced to tolerance per se. Its source is from the Messenger SAW himself, who is the embodiment of Raḥmatan lil- ʿ Ā lamīn ; his sayings, deeds and actions all are mercy as well.