Nuzul Qur'an

Glorious & blessed days ahead, every moment, every day, always.

breaking news

Zaid, minister in the prime minister's department today resigned due to his public remarks that ISA was only appropriate for terrorists...

Mahyuddin on the other hand stated that he was only voicing out what the people wish to convey to the leadership.

EMA716

Dear all, I will be taking over Dr Posiah's slots for this weekend. We will be reviewing the last 2 set of slides plus as many current issues as possible. Ive already informed Azhar about this. See you there! Selamat berbuka puasa.

transition

The issue - transition of leadership - remained to be the prerogative of the PM. Mahyuddin is not losing anything..

the tower

The Tower

Why do we have to think twice - or more - whenever it comes to giving the best ever for it?

Budget 2009

Salaam, guys.

Ya, ya. Im inspecting the text. Havent found any new issues as yet. Will update later.

Test

Salaam.

Happy Ramadhan al-Mubaraq!

a question of quality

"Quality can also be looked at in a rather different way, " was my answer to Khuzairi, the Utusan Malaysia's journalist yesterday noon.

"At all times, it must be regarded as the act of putting a thing or saying a thing at its rightful place."

I know it is a broad concept, what more to say in terms of debating an issue such as the recent ones (UiTM & 10%) as suggested by the MB Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. He knows his limitations and UiTM knows its limitations as well. Apparently everyone knows his or her limitations as well.

I need to sleep with the issue until days coming.

How small is small?

Spent almost hours sipping coffee at the IBC's cafe days ago. We were engaged in a rather undesired conversation pertaining to the Anwar's case, and the way he was taken away by the authority.

"Well, it is such a small issue", I said to Jumali.

"How small is your small?" Jumali smiled.

"Depending on who's asking..", was my reply.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, if you are asking on behalf of the government, you may want to look at it in a rather 'criminal-case' manner, which is no big deal, too small a case."

"However, if you look at it in a more personal and political perspective, then it is an extremely big case!"

Wak Din came, and we stopped at once. We talked about Tasik Puteri instead.

retrospective

It took me almost an hour to get passed the road block (police) to Sepang last thursday. I managed to get to the hotel on time however and went straight to the seminar room - already packed with participants from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment. Met Zul there. Had a long discussion (argument?) with some heads of departments, and ended up with a consensus: top political leaders must do something with the current situation of Malaysian politics. Or is it?

debate

Last nite's debate - between Anwar Ibrahim and Shabery Cheek - was a 'so-s0' ones and it wasn't at all amusing the way it was expected to be. Shabery was just like what he was during his student days in MU (early 1980s); and last nite's platform was used in a rather 'college-debate' way of selling and arguing. Anwar, however, did better, in fact far more better (wiser and matured, because he did not go for character slaying) like what Shabery was doing last nite. Anwar stayed focused while Shabery strayed and seemed to be a bit emotional and shaky. The debate was good indeed, considering it was the first debate aired live by electronic media ever (there was once a forum organised by one tv station years ago featuring Allahyarham Dato' Fadhil Noor, and one government's representative, I think it was Tun Dr Mahathir (?) ). Good start. Congratulations Shabery, Anwar!

Intellectual tradition

I thought this would enlighten Rinie a bit on the issue she was raising recently, about the classification of knowledge - and subsequently the ranking of courses/universities. She was a bit upset with the perception shown by some university officials/& ministers (?) regarding current higher education state of reasoning: that some course are irrelevent and mismatched; thus the courses need to be reviewed.

Personally, I think this has got to do with the officials/ministers prior learning experiences. No doubt, they are knowledgeable, they got all the info needed - that they can utilise in meetings, seminars and even during parliamentary debates - apart from the newspapers and what not. Its just that they dont really understand the importance of history and philosophy. They may be good at something, and they are experts in their very own disciplines - the reason why they are called intelligentsia (distinguish this from 'intellectuals) - but the intelellectual traditition, the history, philosophy and classification of knowledge has long been ignored deliberately.

I thought Prof Osman Bakar's view on this is self-explained:

"The lowest of the philosophical sciences is natural sciences (al-'ilm al-tabi'i) because its subject-matter is comprised of terrestrial bodies, which posses the lowest rank in the hierarchy of beings."

In view of that, S.H. Nasr (in, Science & civilisation in Islam) puts it exceedingly well by saying,

"The link between intellect and reason is never broken, except in the individual ventures of a handful thinkers, among whom there are few that could properly be called scientists. The intellect remains the principle of reason; and the exercise of reason, if it is healthy and normal, should naturally lead to the intellect."

Till then, bye.

falling & raising

Dhani, this is my personal view.

The general conceptualisation of leadership as perceived by researchers and practitioners is that leadership is understood as a social influence process through which one individual exerts influence, intentionally, over others to structure the behaviours and relationships within a group or organisation. Some scholars described it as a dynamic process in a group whereby one individual influences the others to help achieve group tasks. In general, however, people believe that if matters involving leadership are closely observed, there are always three elements or variables emerge on the surface, i.e. (1) the leader qualities of character or personality; (2) the situation; and (3) the group or followers’ needs and values.

With that in mind, it is fairly interesting to see how Anwar Ibrahim deals with the political situations in Malaysia within the scope of current political culture.

In a way, Anwar shows that the greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time leaders fall.

And looking at a rather different angle, the current situation has also provided a very good lesson in knowing who are our true friends are, as Thomas Carlyle once said:

"Show me the man you honor, and I will know what kind of man you are, for it shows me what your ideal of manhood is, and what kind of a man you long to be."

So Sorry!

Im so sorry, I will be back by end of the week and will get it updated right away.

Discourse

Dato' Salehuddin & Dr Nooraini,

you were right - absolutely right, and correct - in saying that the current leadership crisis is indeed has got to do with leadership style and personality. I could not agree more.

Heroism

Self-trust is the essence of heroism. It is the state of the soul. It speaks the truth, and it is just, generous, hospitable, temperate, scornful of petty calculations, and scornful of being scorned. It persists; it is of an undaunted boldness, and of afortitude not to be wearied out. Its jest is the littleness of common life.

Unsung Heroes

Mia & Masitah,

I dont have much to say about the cabinet lineup. Its the prerogative of the PM after all. No doubt the lineup seems to be a bit 'shaky' and 'crunchy'. The PM knows what he is doing; and God knows what he is doing. The fact remains that too many politicians/non-partisan go unrecognised.

To be or not to be

I received this from one Shannie. Thank you.

What I am none cares or knows

My friends forsake me like a memory lost,

I am the self-consumer of my woes -

They rise and vanish in oblivious host,

Like shadows in love's frenzied, stifled throes -

And yet I am, and live - like vapors tossed
Into the nothingness of scorn and noise,

Into the living sea of waking dreams,

Where there is neither sense of life or joys,

But the vast shipwreck of my life's esteems;

Even the dearest, that I love the best

Are strange. stranger than the rest.
I long for scenes, where man hath never trod,A place where woman never smiled or wept.

Evaluating service quality

Dani,

Broadly, at least ten criteria are used by customers in evaluating service quality as identified by many. So, a good MP must at least satisfies 6 or 7 of the criteria:

1.Reliability;
2.Responsiveness
3.Conmpetence
4.Courtesy
5.Credibility
6.Security
7.Access
8.Communication
9.Understanding the voters; and
10.Tangibles.

Have a memorable general election then!

Colloquium

All together, 18 papers were presented during the 6th FSPPP Postgraduate & Staff Colloquium held on 14th & 15th February. Thank you for participating actively. Here are some of the shots taken.

Dr. Raoufu -

Mr Norizan Sharrif of Inmind - on local authorities

Supt Zulkifli Alias of PDRM - on regional terrorism,

Electoral Systems

Obama (Im sure this is not that 'Obama', right?),

Broadly, there are four main types of electoral systems ); single-member constituency & single vote (example - countries such as Britain and Canada); single member and second ballot (France); single member with preferential vote (Australia); and proportional representation (Italy, Denmark) (either the list system or single transferable vote).

Have fun voting!

letters to World Leaders

I have just finished reading Marshall Cavendish's recent publication (book) - Dr. Mahathir's selected letters to world leaders (2008). One of his letters - to President Bush, page 53 - sums it all up when it comes to the definition of leader and leadership.

Of all places...

I was in Taiping last week. As I was driving along the Bukit Drummond's road (Kelian Pauh), I noticed that the bushes were all cut and cleared while hills were flattened to make way for another housing project.

Of all places, why there?

Humility

Wee, I couldn't agree more. We got to learn to understand with humility instead of superiority. Hate, afterall, is a confession of fear and lack of confidence. Therefore, why dont we avoid those who spread propaganda of hate, regardless of what position they hold or even what religion they profess.

Have a nice day!

I may be small, but I am big at heart

It was extremely difficult to show to Zuhair that we have two options when it comes to thinking: its whether 'You want to think'; or 'You have to think', as De Bono has suggested some time ago. Zuhair was not amused at all when he was asked to talk less and listen more. The reason being? It is not right to be right at all time!

Faith

Faith is, simply, belief.

Here, in a restaurant at one of the North-South Hiway's R&Rs, Im sitting - and posting this entry - observing anything that I can see and visualize, as I make my way to my hometown. I have so many things in my mind; tiny, small and major things. Tried to get hold of Di the whole day and night yesterday, but to no avail. I told Di we must not have a poor opinion of ourself although we should recognize that we are not perfect. The imperfections, no matter how little or big they are, though, are sight. They are trivial and we need only give them passing notice. Thus, instead of dwelling on the minor things we feel are imperfections, count up the major things in our favor. By doing that, we dont underestimate the things we have taken for granted in the passing years of our life.

I strongly believe that faith is a gift that we have always owned. Im not sure about Di.

I got to make a move. And it rains heavily at the moment. The coffee tastes so good! Why? Because I belief in anything, that is faith in anything.

Have a nice day. Salam aidiladha.

Certainty

This is for Heidi:

"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts. But if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties".

I rest my case.

Emotional & Intellectual Growth

Mas, your view is highly commendable. Emotions & intellectual growth are both broad concepts. Whichever ways we venture, there must be a certain risk that we have to anticipate. How do we take it? Broadly, I think it is depending on your ability to stay open to feelings, both those that are pleasant and those that are unpleasant.

Have a nice day.

Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention

Interested in contributing/participating actively as a volunteer in the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention next week? The convention – held/hosted by the Yayasan Budi Penyayang/KEKWA – will be held from November 28th – December 2nd at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Accomodation/meals are provided, plus a small amount of day allowance (this is not at all about money; it is the experience/ambience that count, an opportunity that we do not get everyday).

Write to me by 5pm TODAY! I have 5 more seats available.

See you there.

Congrats, Nabilah!

Nabilah, congratulations! Well done.

Miracle

Timi asked me about ‘miracle’ (he was refering to the current state of Malaysian socio-political & economic issues, the recent demonstration by Bersih, in particular).

To that, I think the remarks made by the former PM, Tun Dr. Mahathir, is perhaps appropriate and timely.

He says, “There is no (Asian) miracle. It is just the realization of an idea, an idea of how to manage an economic system. It is making the right choices, the right mixture of political and economic methods.”

Is there truly such a thing as “miracle”?

Substance

Gan, I agree. We must all pay attention to substance as well as form, to principles as well as details. We shouldn't be 'syok sendiri' (lol).

Leave them unanswered

Dear all (esp. Tuju Sukma; Nakahiro; Rani-Rani; Mumtazmahal; Rhandi; Al-Ghazali Jr), apparently, I am at no place to answer all the questions that you have posted to me. Too many questions were asked unexpectedly while my thoughts were divided. As Al-Ghazali iterates, "to all questioners, let them ask God to forgive wherever my pen has transgressed and my foot has slipped, because delving into the flood of the divine mysteries is dangerous, and seeking to penetrate the divine lights from behind is arduous, not easy."

Or as Coolidge (Islamica) puts it, "I can only hope that this preliminary attempt is timely and acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If Imams al-Nawawi and al-Bukhari thought it appropriate to begin with the hadith of sincerity, then who am I to begin from a different angle? This is a struggle we all must face in the core of our souls, and it cannot be avoided. It is immensely hard, but it must be done. Whether one is a graduate student, a professor, a murid (disciple), a talib al-'ilm (student of knowledge), a shaykh, a transnational Muslim intellectual, or whatever, we must face this challenge. If we ignore it and assume we are fine, then we are lost. Of that I am certain, and God knows best."

Modesty & Humility

This one goes to Midi (& the few others).

I hope I can really understand the actual situation.

I admit that some of them appear to have their heads in cloud nine with the word “tuan”, “boss” or whatever, written and stamped all over them. Many do not respect the wisdom, age and seniority but only the artificial barriers between them and the others. They do not hesitate to show off their superiority and ‘greatness’. Too often, they are quick to anger but are too slow to appreciate. Then, after a while, once settled down, do they realise their limitations; and they come down, back to earth again.

Be wise, where have all these wise sayings gone?

1
Kaduk naik junjung
The wild kaduk plant is so thrilled at being treated like a cherished plant that it does not know how to conduct itself with humility and grace.

2
Ikut resmi padi, bukan resmi lalang
Emulate the padi (rice) plant which bows low when richly laden with ripe and golden grain; and not the lalang (wild grass) that stands erect and arrogant (sombong & riak) and has nothing to show off except its trueself.

3
Lembut bukan untuk dipulas, rendah bukan untuk dipijak
Neither is gentleness meant for bullying nor humility for being stepped on.

Note:

Do not worry, we will all come back down to earth, yet once again.

...A true friend he is

This time Hari Raya's holiday meant a lot. Apart from celebrating with families, friends - true friends - add value to this memorable time. Nan & his family were there, back to the kampung since we last met 20 odd years ago. Then we had this old friends - man keling, rawa, shah, bond, arbok, bosham, mail benggali, mi kurus, mi gemok, and a few others, oopss! sorry, don't remember all at the moment - all were there recalling their precious moments which were shared by all. I guess nan was the central of attraction because he has two beautiful daughters and perhaps many are considering to put nan in their 'future-besan's list!

Then on the second raya, I had this group of students celebrating raya with their very own style. But Im not going to reveal how they were celebrating, no, not now. Later, maybe.

Few days later were really something. The best raya indeed, I suppose. Full stop.

How should I sum it all up?

There is scarcely anything more beautiful in the world than the opportunity to be surrounded with genuine friends whose devotion is not measured by one's wealth, nor affected by the lack of it. A true friend is a gem in any setting.

"I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity", so says Midi, one late afternoon.

To conclude, "fair-weather friends" are cheap acquaintances...

Out of Office

I will be on leave starting from this afternoon, October 8th 2007 till end of next week. [Do not come to my office...]

Happy fasting & Eid Mubaraq.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Sorry seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiven is unknown

seems to be the hardest word
when the forgiver hides

seems to be the hardest word
when both of them fear of each other

seems to be the hardest word
when
not even a thing
deserves a sorry

sorry seems to be the hardest word
when there is no one certains
who is actually
right
right absolutely .


(October 4th, 2007
sacc mall - damansara - shah alam)

A frustrating day, it was

This morning was not like the usual ones. I thought the same few students will somehow change, but they do not. What a shame. Just do whatever you wish to. Im not amused.

Boredom

Boredom has crept in...

ad infinitum

The fourth level of human spirit is reflective. It never ceases increasing in this manner ad infinitum.

Need a laugh sometimes

I got this from a friend recently. Have fun reading.

I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste.
David Bissonette

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.
Hemant Joshi

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.
Dumas

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.
Anonymous

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.
Henny Youngman

I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.
Sam Kinison

There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage. James Holt McGavran

I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn't.
Patrick Murray

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it;2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
Nash

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...
Dom
My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
Rodney Dangerfield

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.
Milton Berle

Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy.
Anonymous

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."
Anonymous

First Guy (proudly): "My wife's an angel!"Second Guy: "You're lucky, mine's still alive."

It has been long since

I was at the E9 block, Putrajaya, with Prof Hazman. Had a fairly short discussion with Prof Hasan Said (Ketua Pengarah IPT, KPT). Soon after, a group of academics from the University of Malaya came in. The team was headed by Prof Raduan Ariff, the Dean (Arts Faculty). It has been a very long time since I last met him days after the 1986's convocation.

Wish u best of health, Prof Raduan!

Intellectual

For your reading pleasure... it is published in the latest issue of Islamica

The Sincere Muslim Intellectual

By R. DAVID COOLIDGE"

Actions are only judged by the intentions which accompany them." This phrase is repeated in mosques and classrooms across the world, and is found in books too numerable to document. At first thought, we might assume that its meaning is obvious and that it is essential to how people think of Islam. However, concepts understood intellectually do not always translate into states of being, which in turn give life to those very concepts. Such is the case in many of the intellectual discussions on Islam that pervade our lives.

Perhaps if you grew up in a country or house devoid of intellectualism, you might protest out of fear that I am decrying intellectualism. This would be a fair response. But for those of us, many in North America and Europe, who are stimulated by discussion after discussion and book after book, the situation is often radically different. Rachid al-Ghannouchi reportedly said that Tunisians in Tunis need human rights, while Tunisians in France need mosques. Different points of emphasis for different folks.

What I have felt in the core of my being is the fact that I can never know with absolute certainty when I am speaking or writing or teaching or reading for the sake of Allah alone. I can distinguish tasks, such as when I am reading Qur'an for my own benefit or when I am writing an academic paper for the acceptance of my teacher, but I can never truly know what Allah thinks of how I spend my time and energy. I seek the assistance and advice of those who I feel are pious and intelligent and learned, attempting to shade my moral responsibility under the nasihah (advice) of others, but I know that there is no shade except the shade of Allah. I make istikharah (supplication for guidance) in search of Allah's decision, but I can never be totally sure of the outcome.

Yet around me, I see people rushing to be heard, rushing to speak, and rushing to lead. Am I better for taking it slow? Are they better for having the drive to act? I can never know. I do know that Allah will debase the scholar who speaks for his own vainglory, and will honor the one who writes and teaches and learns for His sake alone. Also, I know that the complexity of our lives demands sophisticated intellectual discourse. The mind constructs or deconstructs, and the heart becomes darkened or enlightened. Allah is the One in control.Perhaps you might object to the insinuation that I might be able to know the intentions of others.

This too would be fair. I speak from my experience, and all I can say in my defense is that if I have felt it, and struggled with it, then it must be a reality for others. But even more than that, this struggle has been documented in the works of some of the greatest Muslims who have ever lived. If they felt it too, then at least I know that I am in good company.The pragmatist says, "I need a job," or "You have to get ahead," or "You have to have your voice heard," or "Things are pressing and there is no time for reflection," but that always rings hollow to me. Perhaps I am wrong or spoiled or out of touch. Perhaps not. At the end of the day, which is death, perhaps our works will be accepted. Perhaps not. I fear standing before the Lord of the Worlds and being told, "You wrote this article to be praised by the people," and I hope to be told, "Peace for you now, no more need to worry. You did fine."Even in writing this article, I may be betraying that which the article intends to promote.

But the fear of punishment cannot override the urge to act when one can reasonably justify the action as righteous, and when one has also sincerely attempted to be sincere. For almost a decade, I have contemplated publishing something: Islamic theories on religion, critiques of secular historiography, personal conversion narratives, theoretical perspectives on the nature of subjectivity in intellectual traditions that strive for objectivity, and so on. But something has always held me back.

I can only hope that this preliminary attempt is timely and acceptable in the eyes of Allah. If Imams al-Nawawi and al-Bukhari thought it appropriate to begin with the hadith of sincerity, then who am I to begin from a different angle?This is a struggle we all must face in the core of our souls, and it cannot be avoided. It is immensely hard, but it must be done. Whether one is a graduate student, a professor, a murid (disciple), a talib al-'ilm (student of knowledge), a shaykh, a transnational Muslim intellectual, or whatever, we must face this challenge. If we ignore it and assume we are fine, then we are lost. Of that I am certain, and God knows best.

Mind Your Language

Dean,

Prior to our conversation last night, I think it is understandable that there are some type of backbiting which are permissible. If I may quote one of the stories when Urwa Az-Zubair reported that Aishah (r.a) informed him of the following: A man asked permission to see the Prophet (saw) and he said: "Give him authorisation to enter. What an evil brother or a son of his people!" When he entered upon him, he talked to him in a moderate manner.

I (Urwa) said: Messenger of Allah! You have said what you want to have said about him, then you talked to him moderately.

He replied: "Aishah! The worst people in the sight of Allah is he whom people leaves and deserts for fear of his obscene language or speech."

Leaders

Having read The Edge (1st week of September issue), I can safely conclude that leadership is all about what people choose to do or not to do!

When September comes...

I'm a bit uncomfortable with two issues, today:

1
The Sg Buloh Leprosy site - again, UiTM is mentioned in a rather negative manner.

2
Something is certainly not right with the Bush's administration pertaining to Iran's firm standing on it's nuclear enrichment project right.

>>> Need some time to reflect on these two issues.

Class of BC3C

I hope I didn't act too harsh (or perhaps too firm) on some of your class members last week. As I said, I wasn't hurt at all, and it was not at all a punishment for not carrying out what they were supposed to do (delivering the task satisfactorily). If it was, however, perceived as a punishment, then consider it as a part and parcel of teaching & learning processes. I really hope the incident will somehow enlightens us on the importance of 'researching' and 'checking'. Never assume anything before we carry out some cross-referencing.

Smile again, please.

Mahathir, LKY & the states

Came acrossed this while flipping the pages of The Commanding Heights - The battle between government and the marketplace that is remaking the modern world.

On Singapore,
"If Singapore was to find a future, there were only two obvious resources - the people and the leadership", says Daniel, and he sums it all up by quoting what LKY once said, that, "To build a country, you need passion. And if you just do your sums - pluses, minuses, credit, debit - you are washout!"

Have we got a bit (if not the same) of the passion, as yet?

On Malaysia,
"Mahathir did not particularly like the word miracle. It seemed to dismiss hard work and sacrifice and to gloss over enormous differences of market size and structure, culture and - what was important to Mahathir - nationalism."

Age

Nani, age doesn't depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some are born old and some, never grow old!

Prohibition of taking back one's gift

Lean,

Why it is prohibited to take back one's gift? Apart from shameful? Haha! Abu Huraira (r.a) once reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: Someone who takes back his gift is like a dog which eats until it is satisfied and then vomits what it has eaten and then swallows the vomit again.

Sounds terrible and disgusting, right? It is.

Cheers.