The formation of INFAD was the brainchild of Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Mohd Yusof Hj Mohd Noor, the Chairman of USIM. The idea was made public during a press conference on the 6th of August 2002. A special committee was agreed to be set up by the university to prepare a proposal on the formation of this institution during a meeting held on the 9th August 2002, chaired by USIM Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr Abdul Shukor Husin. USIM Vice Chancellor appointed this special committee on the 27th of August 2002. The proposal for the establishment was accepted in the eleventh Senate Meeting on 18 October 2002 and approved in the sixth Meeting of the University’s Board of Directors on 28 November 2002.

The formation of INFAD is in line with USIM’s plans to form several excellence centers. This goes hand in hand with USIM’s objective, to explore the various Islamic principles and disciplines consistent with the modern environment and technologies.

INFAD was officiated on the 26th of May 2003 by Brig. Jen. (B) Dato’ Seri Abdul Hamid Hj. Zainal Abidin, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.