Life Background And Islamic Philanthropic Practice Of Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi And Lois Lamya’ Al-Faruqi

Latar Belakang Kehidupan Dan Amalan Filantropi Islam Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi Dan Lois Lamya’ Al-Faruqi

Abstract

This paper is a highlight and analysis of the life of Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, better known as al-Faruqi, and his wife Lois Lamya' al-Faruqi, who were rich not only intellectually but also spiritually. Their humility and willingness to help others, especially their students, were ingrained in both of them. The experiences of Malaysian students who studied under both of them will be etched in their memories until the end of their lives. This study attempts to uncover some examples of Islamic philanthropic practices carried out by al-Faruqi towards his students. This paper is a concept paper based on library research, analyzing historical documents related to al-Faruqi and his wife, specifically regarding Islamic philanthropic practices. The study found that al-Faruqi and his wife possessed profound spiritual wealth, which made them humble and willing to help anyone, especially their students. They referred to themselves as "Baba and Mama" to their students. Therefore, the author does not hesitate to recognize both of them as Islamic philanthropic figures of the millennium.

Abstrak
Kertas ini merupakan suatu sorotan dan analisis terhadap kehidupan Ismail Raji al-Faruqi yang lebih dikenali sebagai al-Faruqi dan isterinya Lois Lamya’ al-Faruqi yang bukan sahaja kaya dengan ilmu tetapi juga kaya jiwa. Sifat merendah diri dan suka menolong orang lain terutamanya pelajar mereka sudah sebati dengan diri mereka berdua. Pengalaman yang dilalui pelajar Malaysia yang berguru dengan mereka berdua tidak akan dilupakan sehingga akhir hayat. Kajian ini cuba menyingkap beberapa contoh amalan filantropi Islam yang dipraktikkan al-Faruqi terhadap pelajar beliau. Kertas ini merupakan kertas konsep berdasarkan kajian kepustakaan dengan menganalisis dokumen-dokumen sejarah berkaitan al-Faruqi dan isterinya khususnya berkaitan dengan amalan filantropi Islam. Kajian mendapati bahawa al-Faruqi dan isterinya memiliki kekayaan jiwa yang mendalam dan disebabkan itu menjadikan mereka tidak sombong dan suka membantu sesiapa sahaja terutama para pelajar mereka. Mereka menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai “Baba dan Mama”  kepada pelajar mereka. Justeru, penulis tidak segan silu menobatkan mereka berdua sebagai tokoh filantropi Islam abad millennium.