IBTIKAR USIM | JUN 2019

3 4 B i l . 7 J U N 2 0 1 9 play their part as intellectuals who contribute toward the growth of bodies of knowledge. This can only be achieved through robust research, publications and scholarly outputs. Academic books and articles published with reputable publishers ensures readership among peers which in turn, enhances their intellectual reputation instead of acquiring merely a ‘rockstar’ academic image. Above all, they must cease working in silos as being lone academics are things of the past. Lose the ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘all activities must enter the academic counter’ (KPI and CPD points) mindset. However, this does not mean working any less hard, being less competitive or not striving for excellence. Finally We can draw wisdom from Al Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ayyuhal Walad, a compilation of advice to his students. Among the twenty-five presented, he touched on the philosophies that ‘time is life’ and how ‘knowledge is futile unless it is practiced’ as well as of the meaning of sincerit y (ikhlas) from an Islamic lens and tawakkal. Knowledge is principally fromAllah, forAllah and ultimately toAllah. The heart of academia is the Islamic Nur and of a passion to serve because of Him. At the end of the day, what we do is for the pleasure of Allah swt to receive His blessings. Then we will fly and fulfill our destiny as scholars, Insya Allah.