Setiap orang pastinya mengingati pengalaman terawal mereka dengan Al-Quran.  Bagi Prof. Mohammad Hashim, pengalaman terawalnya dengan Al-Quran adalah bersama Allahyarham bapanya, yang merupakan seorang cendiakawan agama dan seseorang yang amat berpengetahuan tentang Al-Quran.  “Allahyarham bapa saya akan bangun pada awal pagi pada waktu subuh, selalunya langit masih lagi gelap.  Allahyarham juga akan mengajar saya dan abang saya pada usia 6 atau 7 tahun dari awal pagi sehinggalah waktu sarapan pagi dan waktu sekolah.  Beginilah rutin kami.  Bukan sahaja allahyarham bapa mengajar kami untuk membaca Al-Quran, tetapi, beliau akan mengajar kami maknanya.  Sedikit sebanyak, ini membolehkan kami untuk memahami Al-Quran secara mendalam,” katanya...............................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Islamic history has witnessed varying patterns of Muslim-non-Muslim relations, and contemporary Muslim societies are also seeing occasional lapses into negative patterns and advice. The launderette issue, which arose when one or two outlets attempted to offer their services to Muslims only, has, to all intents and purposes, been settled by the Malay Rulers, who rightly sought to put a stop to divisive activities that prejudiced social harmony in the country. Here, we place the issue in the larger context of human dignity as follows........................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Questions have been asked on how Islam relates to science and technology. We respond to this from the perspective of maqasid, which refers to the higher purpose of syariah, and the benefits it seeks to realise for the people. Many have argued that the whole of syariah is meant to promote human benefits, which are, however, beyond enumeration and too many to count........................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

The Quran repeatedly invites its readers to think about the signs of God in the universe and within themselves, and to understand His illustrious presence. Thinking is a movement driven by intellect (al-Naql), and this can only occur when an initial image of the subject is attainable in the mind. Thinking cannot proceed over something of which no image exists in the mind.......................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Notwithstanding its wide-ranging diversity in the currents of ideas, schools of thought and madhhabs, the ummah has maintained an impressive profile of unity and inclusivism. This is a function largely of the ethical universalism of the Quran, and its call to enjoin what is good and praised (maʿruf) and forbid what is morally evil and disliked (munkar). This is evidently not a culture-specific injunction, just as it is also addressed to all peoples, regardless of their religious affiliations...................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Maqasid have taken centre stage in the contemporary studies of syariah, just as it has also become an engaging theme of the government. March saw the introduction of Malaysia’s Syariah Index at a Jakim (Islamic Development Department)-sponsored convention in Putrajaya, with the participation of more than 130 experts and researchers from local universities..................Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)