Think Big Dream High, E58- Self Interest, Public Interest And Allah SWT’s ruling

Conflict Of Interest

1.Interest by way of interpretation can mean the benefit gained by one party such as that obtained by an individual, a group, organization or for the public. Allah SWT is not looking for any benefit or kindness from His living creations. All of our good deeds, the benefits and interest will revert to us eventually.

2.All parties have the right, to care and to defend their interests. Nobody can question this. All of us work hard and put in our best effort to obtain the benefits and goodness for ourselves and our group. We work, run businesses etc to earn a decent living. All of our noble efforts will InsyaAllah be accepted by Allah SWT.

3.Issues of concern is when there is a clash of interests. For instance between self interest and public interest. Obviously the public interest must be given priority over and above self interest.  A clash of interest happens say an individual, a public servant with authority uses his position to wrongfully benefit or gain an advantage  for himself. This wrongdoing has affected the public’s interest to the extent that the public has to pay more to obtain a  certain service. The prices have to be adjusted higher to cover for the ‘under-table’ money paid to the public servant or his nominee.

4.The border between self interest and Allah SWT’s ruling is clear. Do what is asked of you based on the teachings of Islam and avoid all wrongful doings. The border between self interest and public interest is also clear. Give priority to public interest over and above self interest. The border between public interest and Allah SWT’s ruling is also clear. Those things implemented for  public interest must not be against Allah SWT’s rulings.

Reality in Life

1.The conflict of interests happens when the person approving the project or the person that can influence the decision to approve the project collude with the contractor that has been identified earlier to be offered the particular project. There is an element of graft in this case.

2.The people that can influence the decision to approve the project could be the children, son-in-law, husband or wife, relatives, close friends, cronies, nominees, proteges or any  parties related to those approving the project. There have been  cases where the nominees were found to posses various bank accounts either locally or overseas on behalf  of wife, children, son-in-law, or cronies  of the person making the decision.

 Tips

1. Avoid from the very beginning being involved in any business transactions that could possibly result in  conflict of interests. For example, do not accept any invitation for appointments out of the office with parties that have business dealings with our organization. Even if the meeting is important, its best to have a third party present.

2. Make it compulsory for declaration of assets on an annual basis for all senior or key positions in the government department or organizations. For example, Managing Director, Government Department Secretary General, Purchasing Manager etc or maybe even for all employees.

3. Those who felt they are in a situation of conflict of interests should refrained themselves from making decisions that can benefitted the parties that have connection or family relationship with them. For example, we are involved in making the decision to choose the supplier for our organization. One of the bidders happen to be our in-law or cousin.

4. Request for a third party evaluation or expert advise i.e. organization or individuals with the necessary expertise to propose the companies that are capable of implementing and developing a particular project. The final decision must therefore take into account the assessment by the third party and not for reasons of having conflict of interests.

5. Have a code of ethics that list down  clearly the things that can and cannot be done by every employee in the organization. The listing should cover various aspects of management, religion, social interaction, welfare, finance, business dealings or activities including the aspects of benefit and punishment.

6. Refrain from accepting appointment as a Board Member, Advisor  receiving lucrative benefits such as company car or allowances etc. from any companies that we have been involved in awarding a mega project or investment. For example as head of the organization, we are the key person responsible in approving the purchase of a building  owned by company A at an exorbitant sum of  RM500 million. Now that we have retired or resigned from our job with the government, Company A offered us the position of Executive Director in their organization. Declined politely the offer, no matter how tempting the offer sounds.

7. Make available an early warning system, monitoring system, immediate counseling and benchmark on the social standing, lifestyle and behavior of every employee in an organization. This system must be informed in writing as soon as the employee reported for duty. For example it is public knowledge that an employee has bought a new car, way beyond his means. The Head of department can make an enquiry as to how he can afford to purchase the car.

8.  A  person wanting to always do the right thing in life need to deepen their religious knowledge to control their willful desires in wanting to accumulate wealth, women and money. Whenever the opportunity arose for a breach of power to occur, then that person need to istighfar, zikir and doa so that  Allah SWT will protect them from being involved in any wrongful doings.

9. Those in power and with authority need to have expert advise from the Islamic scholars before making any kind of policies, programmes or public statements that might be construed as containing elements against the teachings of Islam.

10.As a professional who always think big and dream high, we must all the time avoid totally being involved in transactions or activities that have elements of conflict of interests and against Allah SWT’s rulings.

  

Think Big Dream High, E57-Becoming a person who accepted faith and being faithfully accepted

The Self KPI (Key Performance Index)

1.Acceptance of faith in general means being in a state of serenity, fulfillment  and happiness. Being faithfully accepted by Allah SWT means Allah is satisfied and happy with our daily activities. Allah SWT is satisfied with our performance.

2.Allah SWT is satisfied with our KPI. When Allah SWT is happy and satisfied with our key performance index, then we will receive the rewards from Allah SWT. Spiritual, emotional and physical form of rewards that gave us joy and happiness. This joyous feeling reaches the highest peak i.e. mutmainnah  level.

3.When we accepted faith destined by Allah SWT then we become Allah SWT’s faithful servant. We remained loyal, obedient and submissive to Allah SWT. We refrained from doing anything against Allah SWT’s wishes. We are always grateful to all that Allah SWT destined on us.

Reality in Life

1.We are always sighing, feeling disappointed, feeling down and stressful, always feeling inadequate and unsatisfied. We always forget  that Allah SWT is the one determining and arranging our lives. Our duty as a servant is to work hard, be diligent, not lazy, not easily disappointed and giving up hope. It is Allah SWT’s right to love and care for His servants.

2.If Allah SWT love and accepted us, surely all of our efforts, initiatives, wants, requests and doas will be recognized  and fulfilled by Him. It is impossible for Allah SWT to deny it as Allah SWT promised many times that He likes those who are always seeking help from Him. Allah SWT promised that He will grant all of our doas.

3.The issue is with us and not with Allah SWT. The issue with us is that we do not train ourselves to always received Allah SWT’s Blessings and Grace. The issue with us is that we do not sincerely prepare ourselves to be faithfully accepted, always receiving the love and care of Allah SWT.

Tips

1.To receive complete acceptance from Allah SWT, as professionals who think big dream high, we should always educate ourselves. We should sincerely prepare ourselves to possess the characters and behaviors accepted by Allah SWT. The following are our daily KPIs  which served as our reference, which served as benchmarks before any decisions or actions are being taken.

2. Be moderate, humble, thrifty, polite, caring, loving, trustworthy, professional and  ever ready to resolve any problems or obstacles with an open heart and mind. Justifications and judgements made on the basis   of actual truth, facts and not manipulations for self benefit.

3. Always carry out all of our actions or activities in line with syariah law and avoid the ones that are being discouraged by syariah. We must be fully aware that all of them are considered as our ibadah and carried out only for the sake of Allah SWT.

4. Always avoid activities in defiance of  other  human beings, environment, animals and the vegetation. They are also the creations of Allah SWT and have the same right as us to co-exist peacefully. At the same time we must pay attention and show our appreciation towards the environment, the universe and all existing things as a symbol of His Existence, Strengths and Al-mighty Allah.

5.Always put in the effort to sincerely provide guidance, love and care to those lesser than us in terms of physical and financial well being  including our own family members. This can be in the form  of knowledge, power, skills, wealth, spirit and emotion, as long as it is not in conflict with our position and interests.

6. Always remember that we will be judged in the hereafter based on our worldly intentions and actions. This done in order to determine our fate whether good or bad, either we go to heaven or hell. Surely it is always everybody’s ambition to go to heaven after we die. Unfortunately, not every body is doing the right preparation towards achieving this ultimate goal.

Think Big Dream High, E56 - Strengthening the Family Entity Enroute To National Unity

The Weakening Of Family Institution.

1.The smallest and oldest organization in the world is the family institution. It began with just two members husband and wife i.e Adam and Eve. This entity forms the basis of communities, country, civilization and the world. When the family institution is in harmony, the bigger institutions will follow suit.

2.The family institution in the twenty-first century has become fragile. It has weakened and not strong anymore. The influence from media electronic, internet , daily activities, modern lifestyle  and the result of globalization with the borderless world concept has strained the relationship between family members. This is the early warning signal that other institutions too will face the fate if remedial action is not taken instantaneously. This immediate action need to start with the family institution itself.   

Reality in Life     

1.The father is concentrating on reading the novel or newspaper, mother has her eyes glued on the magazine in front of her, kak long the eldest child is busy with her I-pad, the younger child, a boy is chatting on  his mobile whilst the youngest boy is playing his favorite game on his personal PS.

2.An hour and a half went by without anybody in the group uttering a word. This is a normal scene now be it in the family restaurant or at home during breakfast time. This is the trend during weekends in any modern families homes. Everybody in the five member family have their own activities and no room to exchange small talks or enter into discussions.

3.After breakfast, the father will be busy with his novel or his management books or at the golf course for most weekends i.e. if he is not travelling overseas or outstation.  Mother continued gluing herself to her favourite magazine or the Korean TV drama, stopping just for a while to supervise the maid preparing food for lunch.  The eldest girl confined herself to her room, busy with the I-pad. The middle child also alone in the library with the computer on. The youngest boy eventhough with the mother in the living room has not lifted his eyes from the PS, Everybody is doing their own thing.

4.A good thing that came out from all of this is that the modern day families have no time bad mouthing or gossiping others. When they die, no way they will be eating their friend’s smelly flesh. They just have no time bad mouthing or gossiping others. That is good and inline with the sunnah and Islamic syariat.

5.During week days, they are busy with their career, activities and education. Sometimes they do not bump into each other all week. As early as  6 am. the middle and youngest child are on their way to school and back home at 4 pm after co-curriculum. The house maid is the one getting them ready since 5 am in the morning. Father and mother woke up for subuh prayers at about 6.30 am. The syuruk time is until 7.08 am. They still have ample time for subuh prayers.

6.After subuh prayers, they have a short rest. The driver is the one sending the children to school. The father goes to the office at about 8.30am. The eldest girl is already back at her college’s hostel. After breakfast, mother continued watching her favourite TV drama. When father is back from the office, the children are already asleeep. Mother since 9 pm continued with watching English movies on the HBO channel or Cinemax. Father on most days continued doing office work until late at night. This has been the trend for the whole week’s routine in most modern day families.

 7.After the children graduated and have their own career, they are more comfortable staying on their own or with their close friends at the condo. The married ones will rent or buy their  own condos away from their parents homes.

8.Overall, the relationship between one family member and another family member is very limited physically. In this modern day, new technologies and lifestyle distanced the family members from one another. Distancing themselves from religion. Distancing themselves from Allah SWT. They are more focused on their activities, education, career, business and their own hobbies. They are closer to their friends either physically or virtually, their office colleagues, their fan clubs compared with their family members.        

Tips

1.There is nothing wrong with the lifestyle portrayed above. However, these are the signs and signals that the family institution, communities, country and the world are heading towards non unity and separation. As a professional who think big dream high, we can play a role in ensuring that our small family unit start  building  the seeds of unity, feeling of love, care and respect for each other.

2.If this can be done, we will be able to contribute towards producing human beings who are respectful of each other.Human beings who love and care for each other, exchanging warm greetings and smiles with one another. We are not selfish human beings, egoistic and materialistic  who love only ourselves and our personal properties.We should realise  that there is a stake that belongs to the poor and needy from among our properties. We should educate ourselves and the family members to become human beings who all the time are grateful and appreciative of the pleasures granted freely by Allah SWT.

3.Maybe our contribution is small but it is important in the creation of a community living in harmony, unity and full of kindness. Full of blessings, and barakah from Allah SWT. Why is this important? This is because in any organization, country or institution, the direction and decisions for that institution are made by the professionals within that institution itself. Made by the Chief Executive of that entity.

4. The Chief Executive being smart, intellectual and kind, will make the whole entity concerned be in harmony with the environment and its stakeholders. He will offer the best service to them  well suited to their requirements.He will at all time put the objective of achieving a well-blessed organisation or society as his priority.He will always prevail  the calture of fairness and transparent in his dealings and actions. This role is similar to  the role of a father in a family entity.A father that can unite and respected by all of his family members.  

  

Think Big Dream High,E55-The Sanctity Of  The Management System

Responsibility, Accountability, Transparency and Corporate  Governance. 

1.Responsibility is defined as the obligation to carry out a particular task wherein if that task is not carried out in a proper manner, we will be held responsible or be blamed.

2.For example a baker receiving an order to bake a cake weighing 1 kg, in several shapes and designs  fully coated with icing. He is therefore responsible to complete and deliver the order. Instead, if the bakery produced a bahulu (a simple cake without butter) coated it with icing, he would be blamed for not fulfilling the order.

3.Accountability is the extent with which a person is  willing to  be responsible and prepared in clarifying issues on matters that  they have been involved in making the decision or action.

4.As soon as the cake has been checked and discovered that it was a bahulu then the baker must produce explanation as to the wrong order. The baker needs to present as his defence that a cake has been delivered and not a bahulu. The Purchasing Manager confirmed that he received an order for 1 kg cake in several shapes and designs from this particular bakery.The Finance department upon receiving confirmation from the Purchasing department made the payment to the baker for delivery of the cake. When all documentations have been completed and fulfilled, the cheque was released without suspicion of any wrongdoings.

5.Transparency is the action that allows another party to observe, understand and be notified of the truth in a clear and simpler manner.

6.In this example obviously there was no transparency. The supplier had cheated the organization by delivering the wrong order. This deception cannot be detected with the naked eye as the cake was fully coated with icing. The delivery was not made in a transparent manner.

7.Corporate Governance  refers to the internal management system of an organization. It encompasses a set of processes, work culture, policies, procedures and the legalities influencing the operations, monitoring and management of the organization for the sake of its stakeholders or parties having interest in the organization.

8.If the organization that made the cake order does not have a good monitoring system, the cake deception case will not be detected. There is not much difference between the actual cake and the bahulu in terms of features and shape.

9.In its routine activities, the audit and surveillance department would have taken a sample of the cake and sent it to the laboratory for detail checking to comply with the specifications. With modern laboratory facilities, the deception was finally detected. The ingredient used was actually without butter as per the specifications. The supplier tried to cheat in order to receive more profit. However, with a good and transparent internal control system, the deception was uncovered. The Purchasing Manager was caught and brought to justice by the MACC (Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission) for collaborating with the cake supplier.      

   

Reality in Life

1.Our organization, a franchisor of a cake house requires 10,000 cakes monthly. The monthly order is worth RM2 million. “If you can give me a 20% commission,I will give the supply contract to you”. “You help me and I know how to help you”. ”You scratch  my back, I scratch yours”. All these phrases, showed that the four concepts described earlier cannot be implemented in a proper manner. It is no longer transparent. In the above example, highly likely the cake supplier and the Purchasing Manager had colluded to carry out the deception. This is just a small example on the supply of a cake. A more sophisticated and cunning approach has been practiced by the Corporate pirates and corrupt politicians. However, their activities remained undetected.

2.Misuse of power, non transparent business transactions, irresponsible activities and abusing a good, right and transparent working system are  a result of a corrupted management working culture. It is even worse than dirt.  Abuse of power due to personal interests and it is usually about money. Obviously money obtained the non halal way and  from an illegal source.

3.There have been leakages found in the non transparent management system. Sad to say that from public knowledge, these cases either small, big or excessively bigger do exist rampantly in our country. Those involved comprised of the small fish, big fish and the bigger fish.

     

Tips

1.As a professional who think big and dream high, all these four concepts must be understood and comprehended. A good comprehension of the concepts and its meaning will make us a professional who practices a good and transparent working culture and management system.

2.Transparent with ourselves, the community and with Allah SWT. Our profession is our ibadah. Throughout our lives we have been focusing on our profession. This implied that we have been praying throughout our lives. Non sincere in carrying out work activities and way of working also meant insincerity in praying to Allah SWT. Insincerity and defects found in our ibadah to Allah SWT make it difficult for Allah SWT to fulfill our doas of achieving happiness in this world and hereafter.

3.A professional who think big and dream high would not want to take the risk of losing his happiness and experience failure and disappointment in this world and hereafter. More so in the hereafter, where we remained eternally.      

  

Think Big Dream High,E54-The  Government For All

The Sanctity of Unity

1.The country survived another election and all went well. Though there were dissenting voices here and there on the results, nothing can replace the choices made by the people themselves. They have ample time to decide who they want as their leader that can represent and put forth their views and grievances.

2.The ruling coalition party(BN) won by slightly more than a simple majority. This is democracy to the fore. Gone were the days where the ruling coalition party holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament. No doubt a two-thirds majority facilitates quick decisions, quick passing of laws and  setting aside differences in views just so that decisions can be implemented quickly.

3.As the democratic culture grows, leaders have to learn to accommodate delays in the passing of the budget or for that matter delays in passing of any legislation or law. There is nothing wrong or the need to feel ashamed by winning with a simple majority. 

Reality in life

1.Human beings being what they are usually differ in thoughts and opinions and this can be seen no further than your own home. Your wife and child might disagree with your choice of places for holiday or even for that matter the choice of food to order at a restaurant. If two people agree on everything that means only one is doing the thinking.

2.The country has a long history of tolerancy culture among the people. During Friday prayers, owners of cars double park their vehicles but there is enough maturity to wait  for the guy to come out. During Chinese New Year, there are firecrackers at midnight till dawn but the people tolerate all this. Even during Thaipusam where the Hindus moved in processions  congregating at Batu Caves and inconveniencing the traffic flow and again the people tolerate all this.

3.The country has come a long way from a developing nation status with agriculture as the main economic activity to one of becoming an industrialized country and a developed nation status. This means that within the society there is a sufficient number of mature people who know what’s going on, understand laws and what the nation needs.

4.There is a great deal of give and take in the country. For instance, we have the largest pig farms in this country, which is a Muslim country and despite the fact that all Muslims have a sense of revulsion towards the pig.   We have proven that even if we don’t learn together, we can live together. We try to find common grounds  because of the love for the country.

5.Every community has some stake in the country and all of them wants to live in harmony, being able to move freely and working on creating wealth for themselves and for their future generations. All of this was a result of the coalition created by the former leaders of the three major communities in the country. They created conditions of peace.

6.Though the leaders from different political parties acknowledged there are a lot of things they disagree with the ruling coalition party but  they are prepared to be friends in sports, on humanity issues and on some fundamental issues.

Tips

1. Those in power and sincere in their work, already have the courage to transform and revamp the country’s administration style. This is the best time to introduce more changes as the country has just undergone the general elections. Changes for the better, changes to make the people work together building a strong economy and changes that will make the leaders highly acknowledged and respected among the domestic and international communities.

2. As mentioned earlier we already have a bold and courageous leadership. Leadership that is brave enough to introduce the concept of transformation and more surprises. One that is inevitable to put in place, would be an accommodative and inclusive power sharing government. A government that is being represented by all political parties in its cabinet line up, Exco or other government appointments. The Prime Minister should invite all the opposition party(PR) leaders to hold positions in government entities. The number of   portfolios or positions must be based on the mutually agreed ratio and principles.

3. It must be viewed as fair and acceptable to all, especially the rakyat, as the supreme stakeholder. It has to be based on a win win formula. If it is the formula whereby BN has to give up the position of deputy premiership to the leader of PR, so be it. Anyway, it is clear to all that more then half of the voters voted for them in the recent general election. It is deem justified to offer the PR head as the Deputy Prime Minister. This will ultimately reconcile all segments of society.

4. We can have differences in opinions and ideas, but they can be debated  internally by having frank discussions amongst leaders. Leaders must not   let out their frustrations or have outburst openly in the mainstream media or internet media.It will only create more misunderstands and uncertainties.

5.The federal or state cabinets are the right and best platforms to resolve problems and make the right decisions for the benefit of all parties. Each cabinet member either at the federal or state level can provide the healthy check and balance within the government.It is not as a government vs an opposition.Any elements of wrong decisions by any member or party must be resolved internally in a friendly environment.Any wrong doing will be dealt with fairly by the rules  of  law.

6.The country’s policies and strategies can be improved on a continuous basis with the inputs and feedbacks coming from members of the different parties. No one knows best than these leaders as to what the people wants. In this way the government is seen to acknowledge the signs and signals from the election results. In this way too,the elements of openness,accountability, responsibility, transparency and proper corporate governance can actually be put into practice and the results are clear for all to see.

7.The government should start to focus on work and not wasting time on politicking or pin pointing the blame. The time for that is long gone. The government must prioritise its activities towards winning the people’s trust and confidence, towards giving the best service to stakeholders.True to the popular chanting of “People First” or “Rakyat Didahulukan”.

8.Remind ourselves as someone who think big dream high and have a strong heart that we need to be the agent of change. Change done sincerely putting the interest of our stakeholders before self. Always make reference to the Al-Quran and Hadith for guidance.  Make Allah SWT present in our hearts every moment and time in our daily lives. InsyaAllah we will be guided in our decisions.

Think Big Dream High,E53- Be an Educator

Sharing Knowledge

1.A professional who think big dream high should also be an educator. He should be prepared to share his experience and knowledge with the others.

2.Educating and sharing knowledge with those around us, the stakeholders or those involved in our activities. We cannot be stingy with the knowledge we possessed. Being stingy will not enrich our own knowledge, will not increased our own wisdom as the owner of the knowledge.

3.Whatever educational method and approach used, it must be done in a proper manner, befitting the situation, who is involved  and when it should be carried out.

4.Educating involved spreading and sharing of knowledge, experience, expertise, support and the required strategy to implement work and responsibility with all those involved with our activities. This is also our personal social responsibility to the public. This is also a discipline that should be practiced.

Reality in Life    

1.Since ancient times, the elderly folks have been known to possess a variety of knowledge and expertise. All these expertise and knowledge were buried with their bodies when they passed away. It is a pity though that much of this knowledge and expertise  is related to the latest technology at that time. Technology affecting the design of the invention to facilitate and expedite a particular work and activity. Since there has been no dissemination, improvements and renewal of the invention, all of them were lost. It is indeed a big loss to our community.

2.If some kind of discipline in the proliferation of knowledge and expertise had been carried out either through handing down or documenting the various knowledge and expertise  acquired, my countrymen would not be left far behind from other advanced societies, especially in terms of technology possessed.

3.The westerners often claimed they were the founders of any new technology. This is simply because they have the foresight to document all information and knowledge which can be further enhanced by the future generations. The westerners were the ones that initiated the commercializing and advertising of  all new findings and technologies. As oppose to our research system and culture, most findings were maintained as confidential documents and kept in in securely locked cabinets.        

Tips

1.In this modern days and times, it is easier for us to hand down and share knowledge and experience with the others. Writings in the form of articles, books, blogs, electronic and print medias enable us to educate, relay ideas, knowledge, experience, expertise etc to the stakeholders or the public. This discipline will not only enhanced our knowledge  and expertise but it will also be beneficial to the future generations. Any findings, ideas or innovations that can be commercialized should be advertised to attract genuine investors to produce and market them.

  

2.The Islamic religion taught us to dakwah or to convey all forms of  knowledge and expertise that is useful and beneficial to the public.   In Islam, all kinds of knowledge has relationship with the religion and they all originated from Allah SWT. The source of knowledge can be from Al-Quran, Al-Hadith, Ulama, Professors, Scholars our own ideas or ilham directly from Allah SWT. Islam the religion encourages thinking and researching, especially into new things or fields, so long as they are not conflicting with Shariah. All findings and new discoveries are useful and beneficial to mankind and should be shared. Sharing will expand knowledge and will generate new ideas, creativity, inventions and as a means of acquiring  even more knowledge. 

3.The knowledge disseminated and continuosly being practiced by the recipients or the acquirer, will after our death continue to assist in adding to our happiness in the life hereafter. It is not our wealth  or our assets that will assist us in the life hereafter as these things will be of no use by then.  It is the knowledge that we passed down to our future generations especially our family and the people surrounding us that will benefit us after in the life hereafter.

4.Many of us might not be aware that an Islamic scholar Ibn Firnas actually constructed a flying machine in the 800’s a.d. As mentioned in the earlier paragraphs, information on these discoveries were not documented and hence not handed to the next Muslim generations.  As a result, in the pages of history, the Wright Brothers were the ones claimed as having invented the flying machine. With the invention, millions of  Muslims daily or yearly can perform Umrah, Haj and other good things, faster, easier and more comfortable  by planes.  Unfortunately, the credit goes to the Non Muslim.

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.

Think Big Dream High, E51- A Healthy Diet

Obese Society

1.The effectiveness of physical exercises can only be obtained by maintaining a proper diet. Eating nasi lemak, root bulbs, kueh and drinking teh tarik or isotonic soft drink is a common phenomena seen after exercising such as after a round of golf game. Such practices have no positive impact on the physical exercise carried out. All those calories burnt during the exercise is replenished back by those intake of carbohydrate or sugar based foods.

2.Dieting is not only about slimming down but more for our physical health. Usually, a fat or obese person will not enjoy optimal health. It is a known fact that the main reason for all kinds of illnesses is our food intake. Food taken excessively without adequate protein will result in obesity. Obesity can be the source of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart diseases, knee pain sickness etc.

3.All these illnesses will affect our career, lessen our capabilities, slow down our activities, make us lazier than the others. It is also contributing towards our inability to achieve multifold success and excellence.      

4.Please cross reference this article with E36,E37 and E38. These articles provide the basic background on the same subject but with a different and wider approach.

Reality in Life

1. It was reported in the media that more than half of the Malaysian population is suffering from obesity or excessive body weight. This does not indicate that we are a well endowed society and always consuming plenty of good food. We are actually consuming food that the rich is avoiding. The rich and wealthy consumed more quality and more expensive food. They consumed more proteins such as meat, cheese, milk, all kinds of seafood, salmon, eggs, oxygenated water, salad with olive oil etc.

2.The poor and less fortunate consumed less quality and much cheaper food. They consumed more carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread, kueh, root bulbs such as tapioca,yam,sweet potatoes, potatoes, spaghetti, fried mee, porridge, teh tarik, black coffee, banana fritters or curry puffs fried using recycled oil. Such being the case, at least 60% of Malaysians consumed food usually eaten by the not so rich and not so wealthy society.

3.Majority of the not so rich and not so wealthy society are my countrymen. This in a way indicated that majority of my countrymen are suffering from obesity. Directly this implied that my countrymen are the ones that need to change their diet. Diet that comprise of a significant amount of carbohydrate  should be changed to a more balanced diet.

  

Tips

1.My book, “Diet Hang Tuah” discussed at length the best diet for a young entrepreneur and executive that strive to achieve success in life. It is in line with the motto, think big dream high. In the book, a balanced diet of carbohydrate, fibre, protein and fats has been proposed. Examples of the best source of carbohydrate i.e. brown rice, chappati, nasi dagang, basmathi rice, oats bran, sweet potatoes, wholemeal or wholegrain bread. 

2.Examples of the best source of fibre i.e. all kinds of ulams kampung, celery, all kinds of green vegetables such as Broccoli, Sabah vege, Bok Choi, Spinach, Peas, Green Beans, Bean Sprouts, Lettuce, Green and Red Peppers, Green Cabbage, Fennel, Asparagus, Kangkong, Pucuk Manis, Pucuk Paku, Mustard, Tomatoes, Cucumber or Carrot, all kinds of fruits such as Papaya, Guava, Green Apples, Oranges and all kinds of nuts and beans such as Peanut, Pistachio, Walnut, Cashew nut, Red Bean, Black Bean or White Bean. Examples of the best source of fats i.e. Olive Oil, Macadamia Oil, fish oil and ghee. Examples of the best source of protein are soy drink ,fish such as salmon, chicken, lean meat, lean lamb, all kind of legume, beans or nuts.

3.Please take note that Sweet Potatoes and Carrots have a high  sugar content. Therefore, do not take them with other carbohydrates during meals. Eat Sweet Potatoes or Carrots or other carbohydrates separately as part of the 25% carbohydrate portion in breakfast, lunch or dinner.

4.When preparing  breakfast, lunch or dinner, the ideal balanced diet comprised of 25% carbohydrate, 25% fibre, 25% protein and 25% fats. For breakfast we should choose oats bran, milk or soya drink without sugar, 2 poached eggs fried with olive oil and 6 to 8 celery sticks of two inches in length each plus its leaves. For lunch we should choose Basmathi rice, fish such as Salmon or Tenggiri or Kembong or chicken or lamb or meat, any vegetable Ulams such as Kacang Botol or Long Beans or Daun Pegaga  and Soya drink. For dinner we should choose boiled or roasted Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Tomatoes and beans such as Pol dipped in Olive Oil and Soya drink. Alternatively, consume a simple dinner of 2 pieces of wholegrain Tuna sandwich, salad with olive oil dressing plus two glasses of Soya drink.

5.In between meals in case hunger pangs develop, take any kinds of nuts or beans, Celery sticks, Cucumber, Long Beans as Ulam and fruits such as Guava, Oranges, Papaya, Grapes, Green Apples etc. Avoid totally food such as kueh, all kinds of cakes, biscuits, porridge, Roti Canai, banana fritters, Mee Mamak or Mee Maggi.  

6.Why Sweet Potatoes or Carrots?. The high beta-carotene content in Sweet Potatoes and Carrots will refresh and balanced the skin Ph and maintain our youthful good looks. Sweet potatoes and its leaves contain vitamins and minerals such as A,B,C,K, calsium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, niacin, phosphorus and fiber. Carrot contains vitamins and minerals such as A,B,C,K, calsium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, niacin, phosphorus and fiber, about similar in vitamin content as sweet potatoes.

7.Why Salmon?. A kind of pigment found in Salmons i.e. astaxanthin  can destroy the free radicals formed and created in our body. Free radicals will destroy the cell membranes and DNA of the skin making it wrinkled  and aged before its time. The DHA and EPA from the salmon’s omega 3 are important for our brain function and health. Salmon contains high protein, omega 3 fatty acid and vitamin D.

8.Why Tomatoes?. The red lycophene in Tomatoes is an antioxidant that can control and protect the skin from the sun’s rays. It will also help golfers, who are widely exposed to the sun’s  rays and help minimize the risk of having skin cancer. Tomatoes contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A,B,C,E,K, magnesium, manganese, potassium, niacin, phosphorus and fiber.

9.Why Oranges?. The high content of vitamin C in Oranges can assist our body in the production of collagens. Collagen is a component that maintains the youthfulness of our skin. Oranges also contain bioflavonoids that protects our skin cells from being destroyed by the UV rays. Oranges contain  vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B,C,E, magnesium, manganese, potassium, niacin, phosphorus, zinc and fiber.

10.Why Spinach?. All kinds of leafy green vegetables such as Spinach contain lutein that protects the skin from being destroyed, bruised and wrinkled.Spinach contains vitamins and minerals such as A,B,C,E,K,calsium,iron,magnesium,manganese,potassium,niacin,sodium, phosphorus and fiber.

11.Why Celery? Celeries have low calories content  and  high in fiber. It contains vitamins and minerals such as A,B6,C,K, magnesium, calcium, potassium and others. The celery leaves contain flavonoid, an antioxidant effective for cancer protection and immune boosting functions.

12.Why Cucumber?. Cucumber has low calories content, high in water and fiber content. It contains vitamins and minerals such as A,B1,B6,C,D, magnesium, folate, calcium and potassium. It is effective in combating diabetes, joint pains, gout and arthritis. It will be more effective in fighting joint pains, gout and arthritis  when taken together with Carrot as a source of Ulam or salad.

13.Why Olive Oil? Olive oil is a source of monounsaturated fat. The Olive oil molecules when heated up to the boiling point or refrigerated below zero, will not change its molecules to polyunsaturated fat that causes blockages in our arteries and heart. It remained as monounsaturated fat, a healthy fat and required by our body.

14.Why Soy? Soy has high protein and fiber content. Soy products such as soy milk, tempe or lecithin have  high vitamins and minerals content. The vitamins content i.e. ,vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, chloline, isoflavones, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and iron and  antioxidant. Soy products rich in protein can be a replacement for red meat and  can lower cholesterol and saturated fat in the body.

15.Soy helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce sugar level in the blood, improve the body immune system and decrease the LDL cholesterol(bad cholesterol).Soy can also improve the overall cardiovascular health, supporting liver health, reduce risk of certain types of cancer (breast and prostate cancer) and help prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone mineral density(BMD).

16.However those who already have breast cancer are not advisable to take soy products. This is  because the isoflavones, a vitamin found in the soy product will make tamoxifen (breast cancer medicine) less effective.

17.All of the above examples on carbohydrate, fibre, protein and fats shown together with their benefits are the best kind of food for consumption. These types of food will enable us to maintain our youthfulness, vitality and slow down the ageing process.