THE MISSION

The Institute of Islamic Knowledge, hereinafter called ‘the Institute’ shall provide a foundation for an "Islamic University," disseminate the message of Islam to as wide an audience as possible and help Muslims and non-Muslims to understand Islam. It is also intended to help the hundreds of inmates who embraced Islam, the thousands of adults who are unable to attend regular Islamic study meetings, and the thousands of children who are unable to attend regular Islamic Schools.

REASONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF IIK

There are two major factors attributed to the establishment of this institution:

1.Ignorance of the Muslim Community from eternal teachings of Islam. They have strong belief in the book of Allah and Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet ), but due to socio-economic and technological changes in the society there has been present weariness regarding religion which is harming the community. Among the Muslims this is not a revolt against religion, but it is due to lack of information and progressive decline in the religious education. With the blessings of Allah, we are striving to minimize this deficiency and make our best efforts to disseminate Islamic teachings to everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

2.It has been felt that the image of Islam as portrayed and projected in the West is tainted with prejudices. Furthermore, the available writings, mainly by the orientalists and other authors, strongly reflect a colonial outlook. Establishment of this Institute is a humble attempt to project Islam free from all historical and political bias. We are confident, that those who will enroll with this institute and go through the series of lessons, they will have a much better understanding of the ideals and aspirations of Islam. Islam aims at creating and supporting a society whose material and spiritual aspects are balanced. This is a society of God-fearing men and women based on social justice and service to humanity.

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

A summary of the importance of Knowledge as outlined in the Qur’an and the Hadith is as follows:

The Qur’an:

Islam emphasized the importance of knowledge to all mankind. The word knowledge ('ILM) is mentioned in the Qur'an more than 700 times in 87 different forms. The very first revelation to Prophet Muhammad at the Cave of Hira has outlined the importance of reading and teaching in which Allah says: “Read! In the name of your Rabb Who created - created man from a leechlike mass. Read! Your Rabb is the Most Gracious, Who taught by the Pen, taught man what he knew not.” Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1-6)

Allah honors all those who are knowledgeable and says that they cannot be compared with the ignorant ones. Allah says: “Is the one whose heart Allah has opened to Islam and is walking in the light from his Rabb like the one who has learned no lesson and is still a non-Muslim. So woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah! They are clearly in error. Allah has revealed the most beautiful message (Al-Qur’an), a Book consistent in its verses yet repeating its teachings in different ways.” Surah Az-Zumar (35:28)

The Hadith:
The Prophet Muhammad has emphasized Knowledge tremendously and said: “Seeking knowledge is a must for every Muslim, male or female, from cradle to grave and in any part of the world.” In as much as seeking knowledge is a must on every Muslim, dissemination of knowledge is also incumbent on Muslims to the members of the society. Hiding or keeping the true knowledge away from those who seek it, is considered a sin. In another Hadith the Prophet said: “The knowledgeable people are the inheritors of the Prophets.” He further said that knowledge is to be disseminated to all, and the best knowledge is that of the Qur'an, saying: “The best amongst you are the ones who learn the Qur'an and teach it to others.” The best investment for every human being is through: Perpetual charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), Useful Knowledge that people shall benefit of, and a loving child who shall make prayers for his/her parents. In this regards the Prophet has said: "Deeds of the children of Adam are over when they die except from three things: perpetual charity, a useful knowledge, or a good child who makes supplications for him.”

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Aims and Objectives of the Institute are:

1. To promote Islamic knowledge based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad,, as a final testimony and source of all guidance for mankind.
2. To create a better understanding of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims through education and communication.
3. To research and develop Islamic literature, helpful to the Muslims in living their daily lives in accordance with Islamic Shari’ah i.e. Qur’an and Sunnah.
4. To publish books and other literature about Islam and its teachings based on Objective #1 stated above.
5. To prepare the Islamic Correspondence courses and help hundreds of Muslims who are unable to attend Islamic study sessions offered by various religious organizations and thousands of children who are unable to attend regular or weekend Islamic Schools.
6. To disseminate Islamic knowledge and the Message of Islam to as wide an audience as possible through TV, Radio, Video, Audio and other means of mass communications.
7. To cooperate with other societies, foundations and organizations whose aims and objectives are similar to that of the Institute.

Chairman of institute

Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

EDUCATION

B.A. Honors – Economics, Islamiat and Arabic Language - 1963
LL.B. - Islamic Law (Shari'ah) -1965
M.A. - Economics - 1966.
M.B.A. - Accounting, Auditing and Business Law - 1975
Ph.D. - Business Administration - 1983

PROFESSIONAL WORK

Worked as a Professor for 3 years, as an Attorney for 5 years, Audit Management for 18 years in a major U.S. Corporation and now he has dedicated his life for conveying the Message of Allah. He is serving as a Chairman, Board of Trustees and Dean of the Institute of Islamic Knowledge, an Institution dedicated in the development of authentic Islamic Knowledge and its distribution.

ISLAMIC WORK - Fee-Sabee-Lillah

During his residence in Pakistan he started an organization called Anjaman-e-Islâh-e-Muâshra (Social Welfare Society - 1959) to reform Aqeedah and fight against the un-Islamic local customs. This organization worked in all the surrounding villages and was successful in achieving most of its objectives. He also started Tarjama-tul-Qur'an (Translation of the Holy Qur'an- 1963) sessions at various Masâjid.

During his residence in New York he started Dars-e-Qur'an (Qur'anic Study Sessions - 1970) at Bronx and Manhattan. Al-Hamdulillah, most of his Dars-e-Qur'an participants are the founding members of different Islamic Centers. He is among the pioneers of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).

After moving to Houston in 1975 he was elected three times (6 years) as a Treasurer of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH). As treasurer, he organized Accounting and Check-o-Matic systems. He was then elected twice as the Director of Religious Affairs and one time as the Director of Education (6 years). In these positions he organized the Zonal system of ISGH for children's Islamic Education and Qur'anic Tajweed. Then he was elected as the President of ISGH (2 years). In that position he lead the community in buying the Zonal facilities at the North, Southwest, Southeast, Northwest and Bear Creek areas and putting these facilities in Owqâf (Trust) with North American Islamic Trust (NAIT). He also accomplished the amendments to the ISGH Constitution and Bylaws for the future unlimited growth of the Muslim Community in Greater Houston area. He also served as Chairman of the Planning and Administration and Vice President of the ISGH for 8 years and currently he is serving in its Khateebs and Publications Committees. He is a founding member of the Islamic Education Institute of Texas (IEIT) and the Institute of Islamic Knowledge (IIK).

At the National Level he has worked as Vice Chairman of the Islamic Coordinating Committee (ICC) and has been a member of the Board of Advisers and currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of North American Islamic Trust (NAIT).

PUBLICATIONS - All dedicated Fee-Sabee-Lillah:

Al-Qur'an - The Guidance for Mankind - Translation of its Meanings in contemporary American English (Two editions – with Arabic Text for Muslims and English only for non-Muslims)

Al-Zakah, An Islamic Financial Responsibility - the Social Security System in Islam (a complete manual of the Shari'ah requirements and Accounting methods of calculations with eleven schedules).

Al-Wasiyyah, "The Islamic Will" - A mandatory Commandment for the residents of North America (a complete manual of U.S. Laws and Shari'ah Laws with generic "Last Will and Testament" forms)

Al-Qur’an Software – A unique software with subject index carrying over 11,000 references from the Qur’an. Ability to export Arabic Qur’anic verses and their translation directly to the word processors for preparing Khutba, lectures, development of books and other Islamic literature.

Al-Zakah Software - to help in understanding and implementing the 3rd Pillar of Islam. This software includes: Zakat in the Qur’an, Ahadeeth, a complete Manual and Calculators to calculate Zaka-tul-maal for individuals as well businesses.

What is Islam? Who are the Muslims?(English as well as Spanish) - a unique D’awah tool answering the questions raised by media and to build a bridge between Muslims and non-Muslims communities.