I am currently working on my doctoral dissertation investigating new architectures, languages and algorithms to support the development and management of decision guidance systems.
Selected Publications [List All]
Mixed-Integer Constrained Grey-Box Optimization based on Dynamic Surrogate Models and Approximated Interval Analysis
Collaborators: A. Brodsky
10th International Conference on Operations Research and Enterprise Systems (2021)
Abstract
In this paper an algorithmic framework, called GreyOpt, is proposed for the heuristic global optimization of simulations over general constrained mixed-integer sets, where simulations are expressed as a grey-box, i.e. computations using a mix of (1) closed-form analytical expressions, and (2) evaluations of numerical black- box functions that may be non-differentiable and computationally expensive. GreyOpt leverages the partially analytical structure of such problems to dynamically construct differentiable surrogate problems for multiple regions of the search space. These surrogate problems are then used in conjunction with a derivative-based method to locally improve sample points in each region. GreyOpt extends Moore interval arithmetic for approximating the intervals of grey-box objective and constraint functions by fitting quadric surfaces that attempt to roughly underestimate and overestimate embedded black-box functions. This serves as the foundation of a recursive partitioning technique that GreyOpt uses to refine the best points found in each region. An experimental study of GreyOpt’s performance is conducted on a set of grey-box optimization problems derived from MINLPLib, where the ratio of black-box function evaluations to analytical expressions is small. The results of the study show that GreyOpt significantly outperforms three derivative-free optimization algorithms on these problems.
Factory optima: a web-based system for composition and analysis of manufacturing service networks based on a reusable model repository
Collaborators: A. Brodsky, M. Krishnamoorthy, W.Z. Bernstein, and D.A. Menasce
International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (2019)
Abstract
This paper reports on the development of Factory Optima, a web-based system that allows manufacturing process engineers to compose, optimise and perform trade-off analysis of manufacturing and contract service networks based on a reusable repository of performance models. Performance models formally describe process feasibility constraints and metrics of interest, such as cost, throughput and CO2 emissions, as a function of fixed and control parameters, such as equipment and contract properties and settings. The repository contains performance models representing (1) unit manufacturing processes, (2) base contract services and (3) a composite steady-state service network. The proposed framework allows process engineers to hierarchically compose model instances of service networks, which can represent production cells, lines, factory facilities and supply chains, and perform deterministic optimisation based on mathematical programming and Pareto-optimal trade-off analysis. Factory Optima is demonstrated using a case study of a service network for a heat sink product which involves contract vendors and manufacturing activities, including cutting, shearing, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining with milling and drilling operations, quality inspection, finishing, and assembly.
Unity Decision Guidance Management System: Analytics Engine and Reusable Model Repository
Collaborators: A. Brodsky and J. Luo
19th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems (2017)
Abstract
Enterprises across all industries increasingly depend on decision guidance systems to facilitate decision-making across all lines of business. Despite significant technological advances, current paradigms for developing decision guidance systems lead to a tight-integration of the analytic models, algorithms and underlying tools that comprise these systems, which inhibits both reusability and interoperability. To address these limitations, this paper focuses on the development of the Unity analytics engine, which enables the construction of decision guidance systems from a repository of reusable analytic models that are expressed in JSONiq. Unity extends JSONiq with support for algebraic modeling using a symbolic computation-based technique and compiles reusable analytic models into lower-level, tool-specific representations for analysis. In this paper, we also propose a conceptual architecture for a Decision Guidance Management System, based on Unity, to support the rapid development of decision guidance systems. Finally, we conduct a preliminary experimental study on the overhead introduced by automatically translating reusable analytic models into tool-specific representations for analysis. Initial results indicate that the execution times of optimization models that are automatically generated by Unity from reusable analytic models are within a small constant factor of that of corresponding, manually-crafted optimization models.
Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
Graduate Lecturer
Technical Consultant (Information Technology)
Independent Consultant (Information Technology)
Software Developer / Solutions Architect
Technical Consultant (Information Technology)
Chief Technology Manager
Software Engineer (GIS)
Software Developer
Education
George Mason University
- Coursework
- Qualifying Exams
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dissertation Proposal
- Dissertation Defense
George Mason University
George Mason University
Online Resources for Learning About Islam
Provided below is a list of online resources that I have found to be useful for learning about Islam.
- Holy Qur'an (quran.com)
The Qur'an is the Word of Allah, as is indicated in the Qur'an itself:
وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ
MUHSIN KHAN
And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Quran), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.
- Ahadeeth (sunnah.com)
The "sunnah" of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) refers to his actual words, actions, approvals or attributes, while the "ahadeeth" refer to the sunnah that has been narrated from him. Both the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are primary sources of law, as is indicated in the Qur'an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
MUHSIN KHAN
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (SAW), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.
Click here to read more.
- Islam Question and Answer (islamqa.info)
This site contains a large collection of fatawa (legal opinions) covering a broad range of topics and is supervised by Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid.
- Darussalam Publishers (darussalampublishers.com)
and Al-Hidaayah Publishing (al-hidaayah.co.uk)
These sites contain a large collection of classical and contemporary books for purchase. Many books are also available for free online.
- YouTube
There are many lectures available on YouTube by contemporary Islamic scholars, including Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen, which cover many important topics of Islam, like Tawheed.
Why learn about Islam?
According to the Qur'an, Islam is exclusively the true "deen" (i.e. value system, but often translated as religion) with Allah:
إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ ۗ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
MUHSIN KHAN
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.
وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
MUHSIN KHAN
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.
- Who is Allah? According to the Qur'an, Allah is the Lord of all that exists and is the sole
creator and maintainer of everything:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
MUHSIN KHAN
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ
MUHSIN KHAN
Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things.
- What is "as-shahada"? The word "as-shahada" literally means "the testimony" and refers to
the following two-part testimony of faith that every Muslim bears witness to as absolute truth (as
opposed to relative truth) that is also self-evident (as opposed to being derived via deductive reasoning):
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله
This can be translated into English as (roughly):
- There is no god except Allah
- Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
To declare as-shahada implies that one declares faith in Allah and his Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and accordingly the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and that one rejects Taghut (see Who/What is Taghut), as is indicated in the Qur'an:
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
MUHSIN KHAN
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
As-shahada has profound implications on what one ought to believe (aqeedah) and how one ought to behave (fiqh) in order to attain salvation after one's death, as mentioned many times in the Qur'an, including:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ النَّعِيمِ
MUHSIN KHAN
Verily, those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them are Gardens of delight (Paradise).
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُوا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا وَشَهِدُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا كَافِرِينَ
MUHSIN KHAN
Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)? For such their appointed portion (good things of this worldly life and their period of stay therein) will reach them from the Book (of Decrees) until, when Our Messengers (the angel of death and his assistants) come to them to take their souls, they (the angels) will say: "Where are those whom you used to invoke and worship besides Allah," they will reply, "They have vanished and deserted us." And they will bear witness against themselves, that they were disbelievers.
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ ۚ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا ۚ وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ ۚ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
MUHSIN KHAN
And say: "The truth is from your Lord." Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them (disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible the drink, and an evil Murtafaqa (dwelling, resting place, etc.)!
As-shahada effectively blocks any form of syncretism or interfaith dialogue that aim to integrate, assimilate and/or promote the acceptance of beliefs and values that contradict the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
MUHSIN KHAN
Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.
مَا يُجَادِلُ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِي الْبِلَادِ
MUHSIN KHAN
None disputes in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah but those who disbelieve. So let not their ability of going about here and there through the land (for their purposes) deceive you [O Muhammad SAW, their ultimate end will be the Fire of Hell]!
﷽
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ - 109:1
MUHSIN KHAN
Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to these Mushrikun and Kafirun): "O Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar, etc.)!
لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ - 109:2
MUHSIN KHAN
"I worship not that which you worship,
وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ - 109:3
MUHSIN KHAN
"Nor will you worship that which I worship.
وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ - 109:4
MUHSIN KHAN
"And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.
وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ - 109:5
MUHSIN KHAN
"Nor will you worship that which I worship.
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ - 109:6
MUHSIN KHAN
"To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islamic Monotheism)."
- What is "Tawheed"? Tawheed (i.e. absolute monotheism) is the essence of Islam and entails
the voluntary, complete and exclusive submission to the command of Allah as revealed to his Messenger
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Tawheed is the same message of all the messengers
of Allah, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all. On the other hand, "shirk"
(i.e. polytheism) is the opposite of tawheed, is "kufr" (i.e. disbelief in Allah), and is the only
fault that Allah will not forgive thus requiring repentance
before one dies to achieve salvation (and Allah is the Most Compassionate and the Most Merciful):
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَىٰ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
MUHSIN KHAN
Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.
وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
MUHSIN KHAN
And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya'qub (Jacob), (saying), "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims - Islamic Monotheism)."
Major "shirk" (as opposed to minor "shirk") include heretic beliefs and actions committed voluntarily and knowingly that nullify one's faith in Allah regardless of whether one continues to maintain the Islamic rituals (e.g. praying, fasting, zakat, hajj, etc...) and it has many forms , including legislation by other than Allah, fighting in the cause of Taghut (see Who/What is Taghut), enforcement of laws other than the "Shariah" (i.e. law decreed by Allah), ruling or governing based on laws other than the "Shariah", and litigation in courts of law other the "Shariah", as is indicated in the Qur'an:
مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
MUHSIN KHAN
"You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
MUHSIN KHAN
Those who believe, fight in the Cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan); Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaitan (Satan).
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
MUHSIN KHAN
Have you seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghut (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitan (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
MUHSIN KHAN
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.
On this topic, Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab has summarized along with evidence from the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ten nullifiers of Islam.
- Who/What is Taghut?
The word "taghut" refers to more than just false gods and idols that are worshipped instead of or along side Allah. As is indicated in Ayah 60 of Surah An-Nisa above, the term also encompasses ideologies, value systems, and authorities that are followed or obeyed in matters and manners not sanctioned by Allah. In his book Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles of Islam, which explains an earlier work by Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab of the title The Three Fundamentals of Islam, Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen records that Ibn al-Qayyim said that Taghut are (p. 151):
كل ما تجاوز به العبد حده من معبود، أو متبوع، أو مطاع
ABOO TALHAH DAAWOOD IBN RONALD BURBANK
Anyone, regarding whom the servant goes beyond the due bounds, whether it is someone worshipped, obeyed or followed. [A'alaam ul Muwaqi'een]
Al-Uthaymeen then comments on what Ibn al-Qayyim said (p. 151):
أما الصالحون فليسوا طواغيت وإن عبدوا - أو اتبعوا - أو أطيعوا فالأصنام التي تعبد من دون الله طواغيت، وعلماء السوء الذين يدعون إلى الضلال والكفر، أو يدعون إلى البدع، أو إلى تحليل ما حرم الله، أو تحريم ما أحل الله طواغيت، والذين يزينون لولاة الأمر الخروج عن شريعة الإسلام بنظم يستوردونها مخالفة لنظام الدين الإسلامي ظواغيت، لأن هؤلاء تجاوزوا حدهم، فإن حد العالم أن يكون متبعاً لما جاء به النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) لأن العلماء حقيقة ورثة الأنبياء، يرثونهم في أمتهم علماً، وعملاً، وأخلاقاً، ودعوة وتعليماً، فإذا تجاوزوا هذا الحد وصاروا يزينون للحكام الخروج عن شريعة الإِسلام بمثل هذه النظم فهم طواغيت؛ لأنهم تجاوزوا ما كان يجب عليهم أن يكونوا عليه من متابعة الشريعة
ABOO TALHAH DAAWOOD IBN RONALD BURBANK
What he means by "someone worshipped, obeyed or followed" is other than the righteous and pious people. As for the righteous folk, then they are not taaghoots even if the evil doers coming after their deaths began to direct worship to them, or if they are followed or obeyed by the people. But the idols which are worshipped besides Allaah are taaghoots; and the evil scholars - that is: those who call to misguidance and unbelief, or call to innovation, or to making lawful that which Allaah has forbidden, or forbidding that which Allaah has made lawful, and those who present it as being acceptable - to those in authority - that they should abandon the Sharee'ah of Islaam in favour of systems introduced from outside that are contrary to the system of the Religion of Islaam; then they are Taaghoots since they have gone beyond their bounds. This is because the scholars limit is that he should be one who follows that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came with, because the scholars are truly the inheritors of the prophets. They inherit from them, with regard to their Ummah, in knowledge, action, manners, in their call, and in teaching. So if they go beyond this limit and began to present it as acceptable to the rulers that they can move away from the Sharee 'ah of Islaam in favour of the like of these systems, then they are taaghoots. They have gone beyond what it was binding upon them to restrict themselves to, that they should follow the Sharee'ah.