Academic seminar in conjuction with the Haul of al-Imām al-‘Abd Allāh ‘Alawī al-Ḥaddād”

Synopsis:

We are facing many challenges. Externally, the challenge of secularism and materialism has enveloped the community to the extent that only physical and external solutions are considered viable in solving individual, societal and environmental predicaments. Internally, the predominance of discourses pertaining to the legal aspects of religion removes the vital element of religion, relegating it to mere compliance to a manual of instructions. Removed from this practice is the intellectual and spiritual pleasure of knowledge. The result of this reduction is the loss of true wisdom and happiness, bringing in its stead an empty and dry legalism. In due recognition of this condition, this seminar brings forth discussions of the abandoned aspects mentioned above, namely the intellectual and spiritual aspects of Islam, within the context of spirituality (taṣawwuf) and other related disciplines.

The seminar attempts to revive these aspects so as to complement and inspire the present discourse on the legal aspects of religion. It will also demonstrate and highlight the practical role of the intellectual and spiritual aspects of Islam, in a similar vein as the legal and juridical aspects of religion.

Presenters:

1. Dr. Hisham A. Hellyer, “The Notion of ‘Neo-Sufism’ and the Renewal of al-Imām al-Ḥaddād”
2. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zainiy Uthman, “Happiness in Modern Intellecual Discourse”
3. Prof. Dr. Tatiana Denisova, “Malay Historiography on Sufis and Their Role in the Malay Muslim Society in 16th-19th Century”
4. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Suhaimi Wan Abdullah, “The Practical Aspects of Taṣawwuf”

Time and Venue:

Saturday, 21st of July 2018 8.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.
At Auditorium Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Kuala Lumpur

Organizers:

HAK and CASIS-UTM