Y.B Dato' Profesor Dato' Dr. Hj. Othman bin Ishak was born on 14 April 1936 in Kubang Pasu, Jitra and now he is 68 years old. His early education began at Sekolah Melayu Hosba until he passed his standard 5 in 1951. He continued his studies at Maktab Mahmud until standard 8 in 1960. Later he graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Islamic Law from Al-Azhar University in 1965/66. He obtained his Masters in Comparative Law from Birmingham University, England in 1971 and his Doctorate in Comparative Law from University of Malaya in 1980. In 1981 he obtained his certificate in Islamic Banking and Economy from Al-Azhar University.

Career :

• Lecturer in Islamic Studies, University of Malaya (1971)
• Head of Islamic Studies Academy, University of Malaya (1981-1989)
• Islamic education adviser, Ministry of Religions Affairs, Brunei (1989)
• Director of Kedah Islamic Institute (INSANIAH) (November 1995-November 1999)
• Kedah State Executive Councillor
  
  

Involvement in Social and Professional Associations :

• Committee Member of National Fatwa Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia
• Panel Member for Syariah Court of Appeal Judge
• Federal Territory Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Bank Negara Malaysia
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Securities Commission of Malaysia
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Takaful Malaysia
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Asean Retakaful International (L) Ltd, Labuan Malaysia.
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for PT Syarikat Takaful Indonesia and Syarikat Kumpulan
• Syariah Supervisory Committee Member for Amanah Saham Kedah Berhad
• Board Member Maahad Mahmud, Alor Star, Kedah
• Chairman Development Committee Maahad Mahmud, Alor Star, Kedah
  

He also written several papers related for Islamic Law, among them are "The Presevation of Rejection of Jahili Custom" (1973), "The Attitudes of The Early Madhabib to Urf" (1973), "Undang-Undang Nikah dan Cerai Islam di Malaysia perlu diketatkan" (1972), "Hubungan Antara undang-Undang Islam Dengan Undang-Undang Adat" (1979), and "Fatwa Dalam Perundangan Islam" (1981).

In 1985, he was bestowed the title Professor of Law from the University of Malaya. In 2000, he was conferred the Honorary Professor from Al-Azhar University in recognition of his services in promoting education. This award is solely given to outstanding individuals and in this case is in recognition of his efforts in setting up the Islamic Studies Academy in University of Malaya, Brunei Institute of Islamic Studies and the Kedah State Islamic Institute (INSANIAH).

In recognition of his contributions, he was bestowed the award Dato' Setia DiRaja Kedah (D.S.D.K) by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah which carries the title Dato'.