ISLAM & FINANCE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

PERSONAL FAREWELL NOTE ....

2011-05-05T23:44:00.003+08:00

It’s true, you know… I mean, the quote above. When the “push factors” outweigh the “pull factors”, it is a normal human reaction to leave and find better alternatives.

Today is an emotional day for me – I just left a bunch of wonderful, colourful, loud, boisterous team members. Well, simply put – today is my last day at work and boy, do I hate goodbyes. To make matters worse, I came down with fever and flu since last night.

I was never and still am very bad with goodbyes. In fact, I purposely do not want to make it harder for the team (and to yours truly as well), so what I did was just saying a simple “BYE” to all of these wonderful people I left behind.

Some may misconstrue the gesture as being too simple or maybe heartless, but in actual fact, I feel that during my tenure there I’ve connected emotionally with these wonderful people who have taught me so many things directly or indirectly.

I feel blessed to have to get to know each and every one of these people, share laughter and tears (not mine), and the support and guidance given are honestly, beyond compare. We go through the ups and downs of life together – just like a real family does. That experience is priceless.

It’s been a pleasure and an honour working with each and every one of you (well, you know who you are). If ever our paths were to cross again some day, I would be more willing to continue where we left off.

I dedicate this wonderful poem written by Mild G. Calingo, to my dearest team members :

My friends to you I bid goodbye

To the friendship that brought me sky

The year has been swell

As if coming from a wishing well

But as all things do

I have to bid adieu

How it pains me to

But there's nothing I can do

Thank you for the memories

The laughter and the tears

They'll linger in my heart

As if we never part

If by chance we meet again

May it be full of blessings in the rain

Yet for now all that I can say

Is to God for you I'll pray

Lastly, don’t be a stranger & keep in touch (each of you have my mobile number and my personal email address).

MANAGEMENT IN ISLAM

2011-05-04T22:33:00.005+08:00

One of the main factors of attrition in any organization worldwide is “MANAGEMENT”.

Management today is defined as “Getting things done through others.” Following this concept, a Manager is now understood as the person who works through others. A good manager, therefore, is a person who not only knows what is to be done but exactly how to get it done. The Holy Quran confirms:

“…We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others...” [43:32]

This ayat from Surah Al-Zakahraf reveals in a nutshell as to why Allah swt raised some people over others in ranks that being, that they can get work done from them. This ayat (43:32) encompasses the entire philosophy and wisdom of modern management. It emphasizes, in essence, the creation of appropriate hierarchies and the division of responsibilities subject to individual capabilities. It basically implies the creation of organizational charts from the top management to the lower management. It stresses the division of work and responsibilities according to individual capabilities.

If we ponder over the definition of Management, we will get to know that points discussed in that had already been given by the Holy Quran 1400 years ago. Now let’s look at the definition,

“Management is coordinating work activities so that they are completed effectively and efficiently with and through other people.”

If we look at the word “Efficiently” it means that proper usage of resources and less wastage of them. This is one of very important aspect of management. Wastage—either in terms of: material, human capital, energy, machine utilization, or processing time, creates inefficiencies resulting in the increase of costs and consequent decrease in profits. The Holy Quran has spoken against wastage and lavish expenditure in following words:

“And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer. But waste not (your wealth, time, health, Talents, opportunities etc) in the manner of a spendthrift.” [17:26]

“For the wasteful are the brothers of Satan; and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord.” [17:27]

These are the ayat of Surah Bani-Israel and in this ayat Islam has given Muslims the golden rule of not wasting any thing. Following these principles an organization can be able to produce best quality products at the least possible cost. A Muslim must also strive to eliminate any wastage around him, at home, workplace, or in society even when faced with resistance. A very common example would be to control the use of water, food, and electricity according to the needs. Wastage of resources such as material in the workplace, man-hours, machine-hours,

While different sects of Islam had differing views of what constituted a good Muslim leader, all could agree that Prophet Muhammad saw could be used as an example of all the qualities they desired. He was a pious man, leading by example, and showing both justice and courage in his faith. Yet he was not inflexible: he showed prudence when dealing with the Jews of Madinah and other Muslim leaders followed his lead. He promoted loyalty and showed bravery, and those qualities together with physical fitness and sharp senses were expected in all good leaders.

Islam as an all-embracing ideology adequately touches every aspect of human endeavour; ranging from spiritual, moral, socio-economic to political aspect of life. The world would have been in perfect peace if sincerely, the whole world adopts Islam as a system due to its comprehensiveness.

Governance in the act of harnessing both the human and material resources in a particular area for the socio-economic uplift of the human population in that area. Allah swt recognises this essence when after having created the heaven and the earth, He made Man His vicegerent (Khalifa) on the surface of the earth. Man as Allah’s vicegerent is expected to direct the affairs on the earth such that the purpose of creation might be accomplished. It is a great privilege for Man to be saddled with His great responsibility and an opportunity that should not be abused.

That is why Allah swt says: “It is He (Allah) who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes; but unto Him is the resurrection.”

Another spectacular quality of a leader in Islam is justice, equity and fair play combined. A leader is expected to be just and fair in his dealings. The concept of justice relating to the people is very much emphasised in many verses in the Holy Quran.

Allah swt says: “O ye who believe! Stand firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not hatred of others to you make you to swerve to wrong and depart from justice; Be just, that is next to piety, Then fear Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”

The antecedents of a person is what would attest to whether he/she possesses this special quality or not.

Another quality of a leader is truthfulness. A leader is expected to be truthful in words and in action. This reflects in his fulfilling his covenants with his creator and redeeming his promises and obligations to the people.

So for those Muslims out there, are we truly capable of being a leader in the truest form? Think about it …..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...

2011-04-14T00:23:00.004+08:00

13^th April – well, it’s my birthday yesterday

I was quite thrilled to get non-stop birthday wishes not only from my family members and dear friends, but it extends to ex-colleagues and long lost friends (from my school days)

I was googling just now on the subject of birthday and noted that most major religions are opposed to birthday celebrations :

In Judaism, the perspective on birthday celebrations is disputed by various rabbis. In the Hebrew Bible, the one single mention of a celebration being held in commemoration of someone's day of birth is for the Egyptian Pharaoh.

The early Christians did not celebrate Christ's birth because they considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom. Few branches of Christianity today hold an official stance on birthdays. Jehovah's Witness refrains from celebrating birthdays on the basis that they are portrayed in a negative light in the Bible and have historical connections with magic, superstitions, and Paganism.

There is no consensus on the issue of birthdays in Islam. A number of Muslims celebrate birthdays, including that of Prophet Muhammad swt, while some of their co-religionists (particularly adherents to the Wahhabi ideology) will consider such a practice to be a bida'ah), an innovation based on the following sunnah :

Prophet Muhammad saw said,

“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have it rejected.”

[Sahîh al-Bukharî and Sahîh Muslim]

It is well-known that the Prophet Muhammad saw did not celebrate his birthday at all during his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such to his Companions.

Well, on my birthday - I extended my thanks to Allah swt for granting me a beautiful life in this world and the realization of His presence and power at all times and in all places and to keep in mind all the favours He has granted to us whether these favours are seen or unseen (e.g., good health).

Prophet Muhammad saw said: “Should not I be a grateful servant.”

[Sahîh al-Bukharî and Sahîh Muslim]