Think Big Dream High,E52 - Be An Honourable Professional

Honourability

1.Everyone of us is honourable. Those with undesirable desires and behaviour gradually become less honourable. Our background, education, social circles and experience have a major influence on our character, attitude, practices and way of life. These factors play an important role in maintaining our honourability.

2.Someone who think big dream high should maintain the honourable characteristics in themselves. With a good education, experience and good social standing, we should work towards preserving our honourable status.  

Reality in Life     

1.When performing the Hajj or Umrah,  a person’s true character is usually revealed. This statement is made through self observation when performing the religious obligation. Everyone when performing the Hajj or Umrah has good and honourable intentions. No other thoughts in mind than sincerely praying to Allah SWT to obtain His Blessings and Grace. In fact almost everybody cried in front of the Kaabah in Mecca or at the Prophet SAW’s cemetery in Masjid Nabawi, Medina.

2.Everyone shed tears when the Imam sobbed whilst reciting the Surah during prayers or doa or reciting the lengthy doa qunut during witir prayers. The Imam felt sad and this feeling was shared with thousands of makmum. Eventhough some of the makmum have little knowledge on the meaning of the Surah recited, they were overcomed by emotions and unconsciously cried. Shedding of tears as indication of regret, repentance, sincerity and honourability. Shedding of tears purely because of Allah SWT.      

3.In the same mosques, after a display of sadness, we showed the dishonourability side of our heart when looking for space to pray and also during tawaf. We pushed others aside, we stepped on people’s head, we want to move fast to the saf in front, we want to kiss the hajaratul aswad, we want to be closer to Allah SWT but in so doing we acted in a selfish manner. We do not bother about others who came much earlier than us but we still want to be at the front saf reflecting our dishonourable character.  We are fully aware that  we have a choice. We can come to the mosque earlier to secure the saf we wanted. Instead, we chose to come at a later time when the mosque is full. We acted in a manner not reflective  of our good mannerism, behaviour and character. That is how fast we change from an honourable person to a dishonourable person.

4.This scenario is just one example. It can happen to us in a different scenario and situation in our daily lives. A professional  who practices the principle of think big dream high should pay attention to these small things.  We often have a change of heart due to the mischievousness trait that crops up occasionally in our being. We cannot allow this to happen.           

Tips

1.As a professional who think big and dream high, we are the boss. We have the autonomy to control anything including our undesirable desires. We cannot allow our hearts and mind to be the boss. We need to undergo the honourability test to find out our status. In our daily lives, each one of us went through this honourability test. Every single person has their ups and downs. These two mood swings are the actual honourability test.

2.During crisis, emergencies and problematic situations, do we possessed  the fortitude, the undivided loyalty to our religion, organization or family? Do we possessed  a high level of patience and tawakkal to Allah SWT? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then we passed the first honourability test. We actually have the characteristics of an honourable person.   

3.The second test is during good times and when achieving success. During the good times, have we bothered to forgive anybody that brought misery to us? Any possibilities that we misused the power by taking revenge on those who contributed towards the misery? By any chance did we donate our income or profits to the deserving including our enemies? Did we felt brave enough to use our position for the benefit of the public regardless of who they are? Did we all the time felt grateful to Allah SWT after achieving success? If  the answer to  all these questions is yes then rest assured that we are an honourable person.

4.These two tests must be taken by all professionals who hold true to the slogan of think big dream high and have a strong heart and who yearned for Allah SWT’s Blessings and Grace.