We readily associate Ramadhan with fasting. Undeniably, fasting is multi-dimensional in giving us deep immeasurable spiritual, physical and societal benefits. However, the benefits of Ramadhan are indeed greater still.
Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) mentions in a Hadith that if we only knew of the blessings of Ramadhan we would want it to last throughout the year. Indeed, each of the acts of worship and Islamic landmark events associated with Ramadhan should be studied and reflected upon to truly appreciate the significance of Ramadhan. One such act of worship (ibadah) which is a highlight in Ramadhan is Zakat Fitrah. Zakat in all its permutations has been extensively studied by many great past and present Islamic scholars. Zakat, however, is increasingly affected by developments in Islamic Finance and the emphasis on online transactions.
Considering today’s economic uncertainty with the ongoing pandemic, Globalization, the Knowledge-Based Economy and Industrial Revolution 4.0, this Webinar invites us to analyse and reflect upon zakat by revisiting the relationship between Zakat and Economics.
Webinar Highlights
- The importance of Zakat?
- Zakat and Ramadan
- The role played by Zakat in the economy?
Speaker
Ustaz Abdul Halim
Abdul Halim has a very multidisciplinary background that encapsulates the Hard Sciences, the Commerce as well as the Arts. His deep understanding of Islamic Philosophy, worldview and contemporary issues including Knowledge Management is based on years of training in the area of Comparative Philosophy and Epistemology. He majored in English Language and Philosophy, holds an Honours (2nd Upper) Degree in Philosophy, National University of Singapore and went on to obtain a Masters in Comparative Philosophy comparing Chinese and Islamic Theories of Knowledge and Existence/Ontology.
His honours thesis entitled, Averroes: On Reason and Revelation is the first thesis on a Muslim philosopher done at NUS where he went on to obtain an M.A in Comparative Philosophy. His Master’s thesis is a comparative analysis of Islamic and Chinese Theories of Knowledge, Ethics, Ontologies and Mysticism focusing on Ibn Arabi and Chuang Tzu. Entitled, Sufism and Taoism: The Absolute and Its Attainment, it is the first dissertation done at NUS which compares Islam and Chinese Thought.
He also holds an LCCI (Accounting), a Diploma in Computer Science and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. Abdul Halim has written numerous articles and papers on a wide range of subjects from Confucianism, Education, Linguistics, Globalisation to Knowledge Management (KM) as well as Islamic Economics.
He is currently completing a PhD researching on Islamic Governance at University Brunei Darusalam.
