On Tuesday 4 October 2022, Jamia Al-Karam held a reception in honour of Professor Dr. Shah Muhyuddin Hashmi from the Allama Iqbal Open University of Islamabad, who delivered the Distinguished Lecture titled ‘Islamic Code of Ethics for Academia’.
Professor Dr. Shah Muhyuddin Hashmi is a talented research scholar and an experienced educationist. He is Dean of the Faculty of Arabic & Islamic Studies at the Allama Iqbal Open University based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is also Chairman of the Department of Islamic Thought and a Board Member of the Seerat-un-Nabi Chair. During his academic career, he has led the development of numerous courses and degree programmes and coordinated the establishment of various specialist departments within the broader field of Islamic Studies. Routinely Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi is invited to deliver the Friday Sermon at the mosque situated in the Presidential House which is aired live on national TV and attended by the President of Pakistan.
Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi was welcomed at Jamia Al-Karam by the Founder and Principal, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada. During his trip, he was accompanied by Dr. Zahid Majeed, Director of the International Collaboration & Exchange Office of the university. Following initial introductions and welcome, the guests toured the Jamia Al-Karam campus and then met the teachers and students of the institution, which was followed by the Distinguished Lecture.
Senior teacher, Maulana Zein Hud al-Azhari, introduced the session and welcomed the guests. Dr. Zahid Majeed provided an introduction to the Allama Iqbal Open University. Vice-Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, then formally welcomed the guests and introduced the Distinguished Lecture to be delivered by Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi.
In his lecture, Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi shed light on the theory of knowledge and epistemology, comparing the religious and the secular. He spoke about the holistic approach and understanding enshrined within Islamic knowledge, with special emphasis on code of ethics for academia, scholars and scholarship. Highlighting the broader objectives of life and in view of the Qur’an and Sunnah, he explained methodologies of research, analysis and etiquettes of difference. During the Q & A session, Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi further delved into the thought of the poet-philosopher of Islam, Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and its application in the modern age. For further reading, all students were provided with the essay titled ‘Islamic Code of Ethics for Academia’, co-authored by Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi.
The evening concluded with a private sitting with Dr. Muhyuddin Hashmi and Shaykh Pirzada which was attended by the teachers and staff of Jamia Al-Karam. Further discussions on the topic of his lecture ensued. The day was indeed filled with knowledge and wisdom and provided much food for thought for students of sacred knowledge.