In its effort to provide solid religious foundation for Muslim students, the Ministry of Education Malaysia has launched a national religious literacy initiative known as the j-QAF Programme in 2004. This programme has since been implemented in public primary schools throughout the country and incorporated as a part of the curriculum of studies. The programme includes a wide range of basic religious skills including recitation of the Quran, the learning of the Jawi script and Arabic language as well as the basics of worship. After several years of its implementation, much concern is raised on the effectiveness of this programme in achieving its objectives. Thus, this preliminary paper aims to shed some light on this matter. Specifically, it focuses on analyzing the aspect of Quranic recitation skill, which constitutes one of the core subjects of the programme. A Quran reading test was administered to selected respondents in one of the schools, and the results were analyzed through descriptive statistical methods. The findings indicate the level of proficiency of the students in mastering the skill of Quranic recitation and its possible implication and reflection on the overall effectiveness of the programme.

Al-Suyuti is aone of a scholar in the 15th century who is familiar in the Islamic world. His character and ability as an Islamic scholar has been proved through the various written works especially in the al-Quran and al-Hadith studies. In the scopes of al-hadith, al- Suyuti has produced various aspects such as cUlum al-Hadith, cIlm Sharhal-Hadith, cIlmJarhwaal-Tacdil, cIlmTakhrij al-Hadith and so on. In the Sharhal-Hadith, several works have been produced by him such as Al-Tashwih, Al-Dibaj, Mirqah al-Sucud,Qut al-Mughtadhi, Zahr al-Rubba, and Misbah al-Zujajah. Therefore, this paper is prepared to review the writing of hadith performed by al-Suyutiin the six main sources of the hadiths known as Sunan al-Sittah. Using the qualitative method, this paper will analyze the author's method in the Sharh al-Hadith contained in his works. The findings show that al-Suyuti has his own method in describing the hadiths to help the reader to understand the hadiths contained in the Sunan al-Sittah. Even these works are still used as references in the study of hadith today. This is also proven the creativity of al-Suyutiin the arts of hadith was still relevant until nowadays. � 2020 by Advance Scientific Research.

The objectives of this preliminary work on the Islamic creativity concept are to reassess the role of bid'ah in creating creative and innovative Muslim through its conceptual and understanding framework; discover the relationship between bid'ah and the advancement of Islamic civilization; and discuss its necessity positively as highlighted in the approach of avoiding extremism or "duna ifrat wa la tafrit" in building a just and balanced Muslim society (ummatan wasatan). By employing the qualitative method through content analysis in evaluating the necessary and relevant reports, articles and texts, it is hoped that this paper will offer a distinctive perspective of bid'ah, its positive role and contribution in contemporary Muslim society.

The compilations of authentic hadith by al-Bukhari (d. 870) and Muslim (d. 875) known collectively as al-Sahihayn serve for the Sunnis as the second highest source of religion after the Quran. The stringent methods in hadith selection and appraisal in these books have contributed to their credibility and reliability as a primary religious source, and many succeeding works attempted to emulate them, though with varying results. Some popular hadith literatures have also utilized al-Sahihayn as their main source of hadith quotation to enhance their status of acceptance, notwithstanding some compromises and modifications. This is particularly the case with a 19th century hadith compilation known as Khazinah al-AsrarJalilah al-Adhkar by Muhammad Haqqi al-Nazilli (d. 1884). Thus, this paper aims to delve into this topic in further details. It attempts to analyze the role and influence of al-Sahihayn on Khazinah al-Asrar, the extent of compliance of its author with the former and the overall implication of its extensive methodology on succeeding hadith works, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Muhammad Haqqi al-Nazilli (d. 1884) was amongst the most important Muslim scholars in the nineteenth century. Despite his Turkish origin, he spent most of his life and career as a resident scholar in Mecca specializing in the fields of hadith and Sufism. Apart from teaching, he had also published a number of important religious works written in Arabic. His opus entitled Khazinah al-Asrar Jalilah al-Adhkar is of high importance and significance especially amongst his students from the Malay World. It is a work based on the Prophetic hadith concerning the benefits and virtues of the verses of the Quran as well as certain religious practices. However, not much is known or studied about him or his work. Therefore, this paper aims to shed some light on this matter. Apart from discussing his life and works from the historical perspective, main emphasis is given on analyzing his scheme of hadith appraisal from Khazinah al-Asrar and its influence on the Malays. The findings highlight his reconciliatory approach towards the hadith between the methods of the hadith scholars and that of the Sufis and its role in shaping the religious practices amongst the Muslims, particularly those from the Malay World.

This study aims to reassess the creativity of Muhammad specifically in political and statesmen points of view, and to highlight his creativity in diplomacy, conflict resolution and international affairs. The study employed qualitative content analysis through evaluating relevant reports, articles and texts. Despite the flourishing literatures on his life and biography, aspects relating to his qualities, skills and virtues in light of contemporary condition are still lacking and understudied. Obviously, this article focuses only on a few aspects of his life; particularly his creativity in diplomacy, conflict resolution and international affairs. This preliminary paper will provide a distinctive perspective on the concept of creativity and innovation and its necessity in contemporary Islamic political approach, which should be considered as an important characteristic for both modern Islamic and western worlds. Future works may focus on modeling the political creativity and innovation framework for future leaders. � IDOSI Publications, 2013.

Creativity is the natural ability to generate new ideas and/or possibilities in solving problems. It is an important skill that should be practiced by students in higher education and can be nurtured by the use of various learning methods and techniques. This preliminary study conducted aims to measure the level of creativity practices among 30 volunteers of first-years student in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. The test instrument administered based on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking to the selected respondents to measure the level of creativity, creativity practices and creativity from the Islamic perspective. Data then analysed using descriptive through mean analysis and inferential statistical methods. The results showed that although there is no significant difference in the level and creativity practices among gender, but in terms of Islamic creativity elements, significant difference is observed. This indicates that the respondents are more creative upon exposure to materials on creativity during the period of the study. Thus, relevant efforts must be concentrated to produce more creative students who also have a proper understanding of creativity from the Islamic perspective. � 2015, Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved.

The adaptation of Braille in writing the Quran is one of the most important contributions of the Muslims to ensure that the visually challenged amongst them are able to learn and read the words of God. To date, Muslim countries, including Malaysia, have produced their own versions of the Quran in Braille, yet these Qurans are not based on the Uthmanic method of Quranic orthography. Consequently, this has led to variations, mistakes and inconsistencies in the spelling and marking of the Quranic verses. In this paper, the aim is to propose an Uthmanic model of Quranic orthography in Braille. It focuses on the chapter of Maryam as its sample and applies the qualitative methods of textual and comparative analysis on the revelational criteria of Quranic orthography and the limitations of the Braille writing system. This results in a more standardized and adaptable model of Quranic orthography in Braille with minimal changes in the use of vocalization and other diacritical marks of the Quran. Currently, this model is proposed to serve as a basis for the development of a national standard of Quranic orthography in Braille by the relevant authorities in cooperation with the visually challenged organizations in Malaysia.