tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68605144848963816452024-03-19T19:37:14.889+08:00 Bits & Pieces Thoughts on Personal Finance, Research and BruneiUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-35288306309876277322013-12-03T22:11:00.000+08:002013-12-03T22:12:04.404+08:00Weekly ScribblesAssalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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If you read my last post, you probably noticed a sense of frustration:
how long does it take to write a pilot project proposal. Today I've
decided to share my whiteboard scribbles (which I often do, to help me think), to firstly share some of the thoughts that
I've had in the past few months or so, and equally so, to push myself to
get things done faster.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKum3oCGMYNClEX6iCXYq9hLv1q-7z4g8_bb7xtvKb3SW2Tb0RNSgbzSl7rvi_T4P6909R_IwY_NVOSnLsqMQfxFvHjJPA-i45I6d27J4MFPl1nJkEH_zxtQiDw6JxZnd14_HJ03JOeZZ/s1600/IMG_2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKum3oCGMYNClEX6iCXYq9hLv1q-7z4g8_bb7xtvKb3SW2Tb0RNSgbzSl7rvi_T4P6909R_IwY_NVOSnLsqMQfxFvHjJPA-i45I6d27J4MFPl1nJkEH_zxtQiDw6JxZnd14_HJ03JOeZZ/s400/IMG_2386.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>1. Dignity</b><br />
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How can anyone deal with a problem like poverty, without considering the dignity of the poor? Poverty is not only about a lack of finance, but also affects ones dignity, whether it is the stigma of being poor or a sense of feeling of being excluded due to the lack of wealth. Any financial or welfare-related program should put dignity in the forefront of their consideration; how do we ensure that all the processes preserve or restore the dignity of those in poverty?</div>
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<b>2. Institutionalize the solution (i.e. welfare program) </b><br />
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Individual solutions are great, but it could go further if it were institutionalized, in the sense that it becomes a culture or a norm of some sort, so that somehow when we pass away, somehow that solution which was institutionalized stays longer, to benefit those in need, even if the individual who provided that solution or program isn't there any longer. At least someone benefits from it.</div>
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<b>3. Be creative & thoughtful</b><br />
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Perhaps sometimes we can become so used to poverty, we react in some rigid way. Instead, we should whoever we are, whether you're a teacher, a business man or whatever profession you may be, think of creative ways on how in your field you could help those in poverty, even if it is seemingly a minor token. Times change, solutions may too.</div>
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Take care.<br />
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Peace,<br />
Umar<br />
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<br />Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-6422247932828035812013-11-28T07:06:00.000+08:002013-11-28T07:06:42.335+08:00Back in Brunei<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVUVj3KkGvx7z6D4RYJSV8mYMV3DCBEuMFqDdaNWSgNIn2nZzkVxw7NWtYDBuk2EKdQ-0uGULSI1eStsgOx06tVdRRCiG_spR6vmYKsQQPVxoN0xhabjxdd6Y2dOcH1kQXNBQPG9poi_t/s1600/IMG_2308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVUVj3KkGvx7z6D4RYJSV8mYMV3DCBEuMFqDdaNWSgNIn2nZzkVxw7NWtYDBuk2EKdQ-0uGULSI1eStsgOx06tVdRRCiG_spR6vmYKsQQPVxoN0xhabjxdd6Y2dOcH1kQXNBQPG9poi_t/s640/IMG_2308.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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I've been back in Brunei for a few months now. It's great to be back,
if at all to be near family and friends, as well as the peace and
tranquility of Brunei. In short, it's home. If you've followed me for some time, I'd also like to share I am edging towards the end of my PhD journey, with the finale being the congregation this coming winter. Alhamdulillah. </div>
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I've had people congratulating and calling me 'Dr' and all that stuff, but I'm not sure what accomplishments I've done. Yes, in the university, there's a certain 85,000+ word document embedded in the e-theses network, but what does it mean? So what? I do acknowledge it's a contribution of sorts, and I've learnt some research bits, as a research apprentice. The logical conclusion is naturally to use those bits to contribute to research in my field.</div>
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So here's where I'm at, at the moment; amidst the conversations about doing post-docs, undertaking administrative roles and doing collaborative research, I'm tentatively interested in pursuing a pilot project based on my thesis, which generally translates to 'Can financial planning work for the poor?'.</div>
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I'm working on writing a proposal for the pilot project, to share with interested stakeholders including research collaborators and funders perhaps, but I feel that it would take time as it's a solo effort at the moment and I'm still trying to ascertain the optimal way to get the proposal in its best shape and form. And in trying to expedite the process, I'm also locating or attempting to locate and reach out to clusters dealing with poverty and finance in Brunei, hoping to learn more along the process. What frustrates me is that this proposal bit is slow-going but better to get it done right than face key issues in the pilot implementation stage, I feel.</div>
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I'm also toying over the idea of setting up an online presence of sorts, a proper website, for all things poverty and finance related aspects, especially related to Brunei. I think it would expedite locating all the researchers, students and other interested individuals, current and future ones, in a centralized online platform. But I'm not sure yet if it adds value, or that I have time.</div>
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Anyway, these are my thoughts since I've been back. Take care all.</div>
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Peace,</div>
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Umar</div>
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Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-42243702903743723702013-06-08T03:43:00.000+08:002013-06-08T03:44:17.697+08:00The Musings of a Post-Submission-Pre-Viva PhD Student<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you) all,<br />
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It's been some time since my last post. Such is life that a number of things have changed, yet some remain the same. I'm still a PhD student, it seems (and for some time now, it seems like an eternity).</div>
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Since my last post, I've submitted my thesis for examination, and to date, I am still waiting for the examination. I currently dislike the 'V' word. Nowadays, I nearly dread every time I get asked 'When is your <b>v</b>iva?'. It's next to my dislike to the 'W' word, as in 'When is your <b>w</b>edding?'. I feel an 'X' word is forthcoming (Good luck with coming up with a word beginning with 'X', you people-with-all-sorts-of-questions).</div>
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I've been partly productive and partly less so ever since I submitted my thesis. I have been less productive, as I feel somewhat lost without the schedule that I had pedantically worked with for the last 3-4 years. During the more productive periods, I've given myself a pat for writing up 1-2 papers, and attending a seminar or two. More recently, I've been preparing for my viva, asking myself what my research is all about, how original it is etc., which led me to think about my PhD topic in general and why I've lost some drive or motivation on my PhD.</div>
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How does one determine the success of a research? More specifically, how does one determine the success of a research on poverty? Just before my thesis submission, the only person who truly understood my research was my supervisor. However, in the past year or so, I've presented the gist of my research or part of it in a conference and seminar. When I look back at those conference/seminar, I realize the reception of the audience on my topic/presentation were similar: There were near silence, with very little posed in the Q&A session. I don't know if it's because I'm usually the last or second last speaker for the day (which is interesting in itself hmm) or there is something 'wrong' with my topic.</div>
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And that essentially, or at least partially, explains why I am somewhat less than enthusiastic about my research at the moment. So how does one determine the success of a research on poverty? I'm not looking for the audience to stand up, clapping like mad and cheering my name (though in a parallel universe, that would be quite a sight). I'm also not wanting to win a Nobel Prize (though the million dollar prize would come in handy). Perhaps the real success of any research is:</div>
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<li>Whether somewhere along the line, someone will use my research/thesis to build upon something more substantial.</li>
<li>Whether in practice, my proposed approach could work along the lines of a pilot project or attached to a project of some kind.</li>
</ol>
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In all honesty, I don't know.<br />
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I do realize this post is heavily pensive, if not partly depressing. For that, I apologize but I cannot help to wonder if the 3-4 years accounts to nothing, especially when it comes to my viva. And that in itself is a different topic altogether.</div>
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Please wish or pray that I get through my viva. I do not ask for much really; just for the fact that I get through and that somewhere along the lines, someone even if it is just one person finds my research valuable, or at least one person in need or in poverty benefits from it, in any shape or form.</div>
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Thank you.<br />
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Peace,<br />
UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-4947089732237805072013-03-13T06:55:00.000+08:002013-03-13T06:55:27.155+08:00My Fears<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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I fear a number of things and in no particular order, I'd like to share some with you...</div>
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...I'm in the midst of reading my chapters again for the umpteenth time. After working on them for three years and a few months more, there's a point where I get tired of reading them. It's not because their arguments appear valid or they're supposedly well-written; I fear the longer I read them, the less likely someone else will. If Allah wills me to die tomorrow, I wonder what will happen to these papers, these points and sentences...So I thought of some of my other fears:</div>
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I fear I do things not because of Allah, but of others; I fear I will lose the points I gained, or did I ever really gained them?</div>
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I fear I will look back when I'm 60 (if I get there), regretting the lack of trying in my younger years.</div>
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I fear I made mistakes I can never correct. For some, I hope coincidentally they somehow read this post, and would forgive me then.</div>
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I fear I may or had dissappointed my parents once-upon-a-time; I pray they'd never be accounted for.</div>
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I fear my aging laptop monitor goes blank, and I forgot to save. What would become of my sentences? They had once existed, read by one but never many...if Allah wills.</div>
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Peace,<br />
UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-66955216639452519782013-03-08T07:29:00.000+08:002013-03-08T07:30:47.606+08:00The Dark Side of Research<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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In February, I was disgusted to know instances of unethical research behavior by those involved in the area of Islamic economics/finance and poverty. I do acknowledge that ethical issues such as plagiarism for instance, are committed not only by students in general, but researchers too, as highlighted in the highly publicized cases of the German <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12608083" target="_blank">Defence</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21395102" target="_blank">Education</a> ministers. But I feel, it is much more frustrating if it is carried out by 'researchers' who are involved in poverty and ethical finance.</div>
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In the field of poverty, it should be painstakingly clear that researchers being stakeholders involved in issues of such a delicate matter, should be especially mindful of their research implications. The poor are already in a dire situation themselves and to play around with research does not bring benefit to anyone, especially the poor, even if the results appear to skew or benefit the poor. The end does not justify the means.</div>
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When I heard about it, I struggle to know what could and should be done. Personally, I feel such behaviors should lead to their doctorate degrees being withdrawn, to avoid them undertaking further unethical research behavior.</div>
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Here and now, I guess the best I can do is wish/hope/pray that apprentice researchers like me, as well as experienced researchers do not get their priorities distorted, for whatever reason, unable to spot the ethical line that is blurred by one's own intention and resulting action. Although, right and wrong might be clear for me or us now, I am aware that for some of us, myself included, there is always a chance that we become tempted in the future to cross that line. Let's hope that we stay true in our intentions and help remind one another, as I had recently been reminded, that in the Day of Judgement, Allah will judge us for all that we do, whether it is seen or unseen by others.</div>
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Peace,</div>
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Umar</div>
Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-55405080273790513492013-03-01T07:50:00.000+08:002013-03-01T07:51:08.766+08:00How I survived data analysis (so far)...<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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Recently, I was talking to a fellow Bruneian about ways to analyze fieldwork data and the write-up that follows. It made me think about the challenges I had last year, when I first analyzed my data. Below are three basic tips/suggestions for anyone doing research for the first time.</div>
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<b>1. Keep track of everything!</b></div>
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Go anal! Be pedantic!</div>
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I now keep a research doodlebook (the technical term is probably 'research journal/diary'), a statistics logbook and I maintain strict version controls of every word document and SPSS file I create. </div>
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<li>The <i><b>research journal</b></i> is one of the more common things research students are told to keep. It's where we write notes, jot down ideas (that we fear may escape our thoughts at any second), and where we doodle some rather ugly or scary-looking diagram that might help our research. </li>
<li>The <i><b>statistic logbook</b></i>, on the other hand, is less common. When I run statistical tests, I'm easily lost in what I had done, what the variables are, whether I tested all assumptions etc. So the logbook keeps me sane, happy and acknowledge that life is good...(until some statistically insignificant findings comes up!).</li>
<li>I used to work in a company where <i><b>version control</b></i> is important, i.e. the first document is named, for instance 'Umar's Recipe for Disaster v 0.1' and further changes are '.... v 0.2' until the first complete draft is '... v1.0' and so on. Doing this makes life simpler when you need to backtrack to a previous version, to re-instate that scary-looking diagram back to your latest draft.<b></b></li>
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<b>2. Foot pedal </b></div>
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Aside from statistics, I also did some interviews which I had to transcribe. I used a foot pedal (which I now treasure and will bring with me, should I get secluded on an island, for no other reason than to call it 'Wilson'). </div>
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A foot pedal lets you pause, fast forward and play the conversation using your foot, whilst your hands are free to type away, cringing at the sound of your own voice or that lame joke you told the interviewee. I use the infinity USB foot pedal, which is available at <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/INFINITY-USB-FOOT-PEDAL-IN-USB-2/dp/B002MY6I7G" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. A must have for interview-related research!</div>
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<b>3. Credo reference</b><br />
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If your university subscribes to <a href="http://www.credoreference.com/home.do" target="_blank">Credo Reference</a>, you should definitely try it out and see if it works for you. It's the Wikipedia of the academic world. I use it to get a first grasp of an unfamiliar concept. It's essentially an online reference that provide entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries etc. </div>
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I hope the above helps, in one way or another. </div>
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Till next time.</div>
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Peace,</div>
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Umar</div>
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<br />Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-55609191032480820632013-02-22T15:22:00.000+08:002013-02-22T15:25:24.328+08:00Conflicting Intentions<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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I like this Hadith or Saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Actions are but [judged] by intention and every man shall have but that
which he intended. Thus he whose migration was for Allah and His
Messenger, his migration was for Allah and his Messenger, and he whose
migration was to achieve some world benefit or to take some woman in
marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated.</blockquote>
</div>
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I know I've mentioned this in a post some time ago, but I can't help mention it every now and then, especially when my intentions or goals seem to conflict over one another. The context of intention here is not that one intention is good and the other is wrong. Rather, it is that one intention is for Allah while the other is a worldly intention. What if these two are in conflict, and the latter, the worldly intention, feels more dominant than the intention for Allah and His Messenger.</div>
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<i>[Note: At this point, readers of this blog who find themselves reading a near-philosophical rant is more than welcome to log off, esp. as I can't/won't give a good example...I'll pretend not to feel insulted. For those still around, you'll probably regret not logging off :) ]</i></div>
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For me, alhamdulillah, I believe such conflict of intentions are rare but it troubles me when they do occur. In a world of social media (blogs, twitters, instagram, facebooks etc.), I feel there is a cause for concern, and need for heightened awareness that my (or our) intentions could be in such conflict. In others, it's possibly a sure sign that I'm thinking too much and need to stop writing blog entries, when insomnia hits.</div>
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In any case, this post/entry is an attempt to clear my head (or cure my insomnia, whichever comes first)...so bear with me...The most instinctive approach is perhaps to be aware of the conflicting intention, and act decisively. In many cases, insya Allah, such a basic approach works for me, whilst in those few minor exceptions, perhaps a prayer or two wouldn't be a bad thing. To pray that our hearts be hardened, not by violence and the negativity that life brings, but by the steely attempt to ensure that our intentions stay true to serve Allah.</div>
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After all, at times, Muslims do say "...To Allah we belong and to Him is our return." (2: 156). And so, our heart and intentions are to Allah, while other intentions may not necessarily be contradictory, they are secondary in nature.</div>
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Allah knows best. Just my thoughts (for now).</div>
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Peace,</div>
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Umar </div>
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Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-39791422751345866212013-02-20T07:56:00.000+08:002013-02-20T08:06:19.018+08:00Moving forward: Waqf/Awqaf in Brunei<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
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"Slippers!?"<br />
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It is an odd way to start this post, I admit. But it always comes up when I think of <i>wakaf</i>/<i>waqf/awqaf (</i>Note: <i>awqaf</i> is the plural of <i>waqf</i>). </div>
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Once upon a time, as a young boy gearing up for ablution or going to the toilet in a mosque in Brunei, I would not fail to see the word '<i>wakaf</i>' scribed on slippers donated to the mosque. That's my first encounter with this term '<i>wakaf</i>'. </div>
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Even decades later, when I initiated a conversation on <i>awqaf</i> with my research assistants, for my fieldwork, that word came up again. Why do some of us associate <i>awqaf</i> with slippers? </div>
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It's sad, not because of the item, the slipper itself, but because the beauty of <i>awqaf</i> is not currently being fully realized, and not just in Brunei. Of course, as I grew older, I notice some religious books such as Yassin, and mosques are also linked with <i>awqaf</i>, but for me, it ends there. Only when I undertook this research, I found the endless items that was linked with <i>awqaf</i> in Islamic states of the past, dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and if I'm not mistaken, before that too. From funding research on mathematics to paying for wedding ceremonies, part of the beauty of <i>awqaf</i> is that it's so flexible, that much depends on the stipulations of the donor, and as long as it does not go against <i>Shari'ah</i>.</div>
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For a quick read on what I'm babbling about, click <a href="http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e2484" target="_blank">here</a>. For a longer read on <i>awqaf</i>, (if you have access to Oxford Islamic Studies), logon & read their write-up on <i>awqaf</i>. There's also Habib Ahmed's book, '<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irtipms.org%2FOpenSave.asp%3Fpub%3D201.pdf&ei=AgMkUcCrA-eE4ATahYGQDQ&usg=AFQjCNF8P1dLvjIAMNCh9qZkf_45fsBL5A&bvm=bv.42661473,d.bGE" target="_blank">Role of <i>Zakat</i> and <i>Awqaf</i> in Poverty Alleviation</a>'.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Donations in the fo<span style="font-family: inherit;">rm of <i>sadaqah</i> is fine, but to truly make our deeds last beyond our lifetime, would be the other beauty of <i>awqaf</i>. A Hadith or saying of Prophet Muhamma</span>d (pbuh), as reported by Muslim, states:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">The Messenger of God (pbuh) said: Whence a child of Adam dies, his/her
deed comes to an end except for three things:<b> an ongoing sadaqah</b>, knowledge
that benefits (others), and a righteous child who prays for him/her.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My opinion is that in Brunei, we need to move forward with the notion of <i>awqaf</i> to philantropic and socio-economic forms of <i>awqaf</i>. I'm not against religious <i>awqaf</i> but a balance of some sorts, in view of the needs of society, is better. For instance, creating <i>awqaf</i> properties/assets (e.g. shopping malls, shop houses etc.) with the intention of having the benefits (i.e. rentals) channeled to those in poverty and low-income would be one such step; it would also reduce the burden of the government.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having said the direction that <i>awqaf</i> may need to take, it would still not be enough. History* has taught us that <i>awqaf</i> had once prospered in certain places, to the extent that roads, sewage systems, libraries and many others were paid using <i>awqaf</i> funds but over time, for one reason or another, the institution of <i>awqaf</i> has sadly diminished to what it is today.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One reason, as cited in the above-mentioned book, is corruption by those entrusted with <i>awqaf</i>. Therefore, governance structures must be in place within contemporary <i>awqaf</i> institutions to avoid a repeat of history.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyhoo, that's my two (or is it five) cents on <i>awqaf</i>. Have a good week ahead, all & Happy National Day this weekend, Brunei.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Missing home (food & family mostly :).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Peace,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Umar</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">*For <span style="font-size: small;">more on <i>awqaf</i>, seek</span>:
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">1. <span style="font-size: small;"></span>Cizakca, Murat (1998). "Awqaf in History and its
Implications for Modern Islamic Economies". <i>Islamic Economic Studies, </i>6(1), 43-70</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">2. Boudjellal, Mohammed (2008). "The Need for a New
Approach to the Role in Socioeconomic Development of Waqf in the 21st
Century". <i>Review of Islamic
Economics, </i>12(2), 125-136</span></span></div>
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<br />
<br />Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-80651665425667739342013-02-13T00:55:00.000+08:002013-02-13T00:55:49.356+08:00The Constant<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been thinking about this particular word lately, 'constant'. In general, it refers to a state that does not change or vary. It remains as is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm approaching a new stage of my life, with my current stage nearly coming to its end. For the past few years within this stage, things have changed both personally and professionally. Good things, bad things, family members pass away while new ones are born. Things change but one thing remains constant: Allah.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't pretend to say my level of religiosity is high, but as a Muslim, I aspire to be a good one. There's a piece of paper that I keep to remind myself to be one. It reads:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Ask yourself:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> What am I doing here?</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">What are my goals and wishes?</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Where am I heading for?</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Who are the persons, and what
are the things that I love most? Will they remain there forever?</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Will they leave me, or I will
be the one leaving?</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Am I prepared for such
departure after which there will never be a point of return?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">Is my Lord pleased with me?</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US">Will He admit me to His
beautiful Paradise — where I will dwell in happiness, security, and tranquility
for all eternity — or Hell will be my deserved abode?</span></li>
</ul>
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<span lang="EN-US"> </span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> [Disclaimer: I probably had these questions from a website that is not accessible or exists anymore]</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whenever I read this, I'm reminded that as a Muslim, life in this world is short and of a passing nature. The bigger picture or time horizon is the hereafter, and the one constant that stays the same is Allah or God. In good times, I hope to count my blessings and in bad times, I hope to be forgiven or assisted. Human beings may change, w/ their behaviors and mindsets, and yet Allah does not. It remains to be the constant.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And therefore, when I'm over the moon of a good news, or deeply saddened by a tragedy, I hope that I remember of this particular constant in my life, to keep me grounded, affixed to a faith that I was born into, but gradually begin to believe in more and more. When things change, I believe everyone needs a core or foundation of some sort, and I believe the best of such constant is that of Allah.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My thoughts. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Peace,<br />
Umar<br />
<br />
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</div>
Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-43527148036205948342013-01-04T01:55:00.000+08:002013-01-04T03:48:55.887+08:00Do the more we have, the less we become?<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
December is a tricky month in ways more than one. One of the tricky bits of December, especially if one is overseas, where Christmas shopping and Boxing day exists, is the dreaded (or welcomed?) four letter word...Sale.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of course, commercialism of festive events is not only restricted to Christmas, for Muslims in some other countries may also feel that Eid has become somewhat commercialized. However, the sales in December has left me with a nagging question of how the rich feel when they spend. Let's dramatize this question a bit more, how do Kings, Sultans or the super-rich feel when they spend? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do they feel the value of owning that thing or acquiring that service? I'm not generally against Kings/Sultans & what not, nor am I against some form of spending. I, myself, umm have been spending in December & perhaps a bit guiltily at that. It's ironic for me because I'm not rich or anything, though I am fortunate to have a sponsorship to assist my studies, and that study involves poverty. So it's ironic in the sense that I buy things which the poor may not have. With that, there is some guilt of some sort especially if I buy something that is relatively of some luxury.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, after purchasing those things that I had in December and pondering on the items that I have, I wonder how the rich feels when buying. Do they feel truly rich? As things stand, I feel the more (things) I have, the less (of the person) I am. Ok, this may be entering a philosophical discussion/rant of some sorts, for which I apologize, but I am truly somewhat curious. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm reminded of religious teachings from my youth, where if I recall Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) secluding himself in a cave to meditate. In a cave, where presumably not much of wealthy items exist, and yet, I pray in a room where I feel relatively valuable things exist. Do the more we have, something lessens in us? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know, though I feel it may be...except if we spent wisely & in the best of intentions. Anyway, I leave this post with Qur'anic verses related to the worldly things we have. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Qur'an reads:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="English" id="fon0" style="color: green; font-size: small;"><span id="mspan0"><span class="English" id="fon14" style="color: black;"><span id="mspan14">Beautified
for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring;
and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their
mark), and cattle and land. That is comfort of the life of the world.
Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode. <span style="font-size: small;">(3:1<span style="font-size: small;">4)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="English" id="fon0" style="color: green; font-size: small;"><span id="mspan0"><span class="English" id="fon20" style="color: black;"><span id="mspan20">Know
well that the worldly life is but a play and an amusement, and a show
of beauty, and exchange of boastful claims between you, and a
competition of increase in riches and children.
(All this is) like a rain, the growth of which attracts the farmers,
then it withers, and you see it turning yellow, then it becomes straw.
And in the Hereafter there is a severe punishment (for the
disbelievers), and forgiveness from Allah and (Allah’s) pleasure (for
the believers and the righteous). The worldly life is nothing but a
material of delusion.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>(57:20)</blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Do correct me if I am wrong, and have a great month/year ahead.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-55888600787089204512012-09-01T08:33:00.001+08:002012-09-01T08:34:09.992+08:00A Story<br />
Assalamualaikum,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eid Mubarak. I know it's been 1-2 weeks past the first day of Eid but in Brunei, Eid is known to last the whole month. So Eid Mubarak.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know that's bad timing for a greeting but things have been busy these days (or at least, that's what I usually say). To a certain extent, I've been trying to work more on my writings for the current chapter, as I'm nearly getting to the end of my research program. These write-ups that I'm doing in my research, is like a story, though granted it might actually be boring (I'm just in denial that it isn't boring), with the usual academic terms and what not.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, after Ramadan, I've been thinking a bit. Things have happened, some are good, others could have been better. But I'm thankful and all that. The bit that I'm thinking about is stories. Stories interest me, whether it's a good book, movie, speech or whatever it may be. The best stories, I believe, are the stories that we make or write for ourselves. In a philosophical/ corny way, the life that we lead are stories in itself, and somewhere along the way, whether we admit it or not, we want some part of our lives to touch someone else, or for it to be useful or beneficial in some way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My life, like my writings in my blog or chapters of my research, nearly follow the same pattern. I try to write to no one in particular, but I hope in some way, someone reads my story and finds it useful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my favourite lines I am tempted to use, during any given speech that tries to inspire, goes something along the lines of this corny sentence: "If there's one thing that I want you to get out of this...", ...this story...my blog...my chapters, is that you try to teach someone else something beneficial.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A good friend once shared that as a teacher, sharing knowledge is like lighting a candle, and as you light up many candles, you light up the dark. Who knows, maybe that candle lights up another candle and so on and forth, and it becomes increasingly less dark.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyhow, I end this post with a Hadith or Saying of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Reported by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'I and Ibn Majah: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Messenger of God (pbuh) said: Whence a child of Adam dies, his/her deed comes to an end except for three things: an ongoing sadaqah, <b>knowledge that benefits (others)</b>, and a righteous child who prays for him/her. </div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Have a good weekend, everyone, and eat well during Eid.<br />
<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Umar<br />
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Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-33983681481302751442012-07-20T07:01:00.000+08:002012-07-20T07:01:05.232+08:00Ramadan KareemAssalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
<br />
Have a blessed Ramadan to all Muslims. Don't forget to pay<i> zakat fitr</i> and if one pays <i>zakat</i> on wealth during this period, don't forget <i>zakat</i> on savings a/c, fixed deposits, mutual funds etc.<br />
<br />
Take care & eat well.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Umar<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-style: italic;">"It
is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but
it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the
Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance,
out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the
wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity</span>;
to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient,
in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of
panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing."</span></blockquote>
- The Qur'an (Chapter 2, verse 177)Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-13490536115599432992012-07-17T06:46:00.000+08:002012-07-17T06:47:12.067+08:00Why?Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
<br />
As Muslims, a Hadith teaches us...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Whoever of you sees an evil action,
let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then
with his tongue and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart,
and that is the weakest of faith."</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So that's why I am highlighting this issue of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/opinion/ethnic-cleansing-of-myanmars-rohingyas.html?_r=1" target="_blank">Rohingyas in Myanmar</a>. Although I heard about the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/4442624/More-Burmese-boat-people-saved-after-Thailand-left-them-to-die.html" target="_blank">refugees boats being turned away in Thailand</a> a few years back, I didn't pay much attention to the Rohingyas. In the friday prayer here (in the UK) last week, the Imam did mention on the current under-reported issue briefly, to pray for their well-being. Only today, when I saw a link in a friend's facebook, that I only realized the extent of the issue.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I decided to read more, using news articles online but found, as of late, and in my opinion, that BBC and CNN under-reporting this issue compared to other relatively less-known news or media groups. For some reason, this appears to be less news-worthy, disappointingly.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know why though but some speculations are related to economic/ financial gains. Anyway, I won't speculate here, but one can read up news articles online and get your own objective opinion. Here, my intention is that if someone reads up on this, and if someone can somehow make things better, please help with your hands, if not spread the news like the Imam did, and if unable to, then pray for them. It doesn't matter if they are Muslims or non-Muslims. What truly matters is that no human being should be subjected to such sense of abandonment.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Please pray/ hope and act, where you can.</div>
<br />
Peace,<br />
UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-58801865836252876042012-07-13T05:59:00.001+08:002012-07-13T05:59:49.893+08:00Quick ShareAssalamualaikum (Peace Be Upon You),<br />
<br />
Things are getting more hectic these days & I'm stuck on a key chapter. Not sure on how to proceed, I started reading some random (helpful) websites, & also listening to some TED videos, notably on poverty.<br />
<br />
I came across <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_on_poverty.html" target="_blank">Hans Rosling's video</a> on poverty, and thought I'd share or note it here.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Ramadan is around the corner. For Muslims, don't forget to pay your <i>zakat fitr </i>& your <i>zakat</i> on wealth too!<br />
<br />
For all, have a great week ahead!<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
Umar<br />
<br />
<br />Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-16140224903723051682012-04-25T07:25:00.000+08:002012-04-25T07:31:43.532+08:00Random April<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't blogged for some time. I have been either busy, lazy or not up to it for some reason. However, today, I'm somewhat compelled to blog a bit because of this:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpQvNP0X9qp6UpiLO7_aXd-PFYH3NYUOhN8DH8yGu1LParVeV6Vg1i4sHqYYEhUbWi89o-AKmhGFJxKDv5CAcPiqWowHWyabo1UnorBCGUQBSBw5-cZfX4_F_bFuNJb_bqnrqr5HjZlBS/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpQvNP0X9qp6UpiLO7_aXd-PFYH3NYUOhN8DH8yGu1LParVeV6Vg1i4sHqYYEhUbWi89o-AKmhGFJxKDv5CAcPiqWowHWyabo1UnorBCGUQBSBw5-cZfX4_F_bFuNJb_bqnrqr5HjZlBS/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVARpWQd1R0xhFkHkwlTHKcQBoyGQJYNnrpnRGb9-6L6M26V1Lyo9M0LzqbmweIEjoqiY756MFZLNMWmmcgi126TzgEsix6ikClh3gZxjeIKU-n4GaLUk5SEHR9C2rhFzY__Kp8pVPp7du/s1600/flin104_Rendang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVARpWQd1R0xhFkHkwlTHKcQBoyGQJYNnrpnRGb9-6L6M26V1Lyo9M0LzqbmweIEjoqiY756MFZLNMWmmcgi126TzgEsix6ikClh3gZxjeIKU-n4GaLUk5SEHR9C2rhFzY__Kp8pVPp7du/s320/flin104_Rendang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is '<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/28/rendang-daging-beef-rendang-recipe" target="_blank">daging rendang</a>' by the way. I should actually say the first picture is the post-mortem/left-over taken from my kitchen, while the second picture which is more visually-appealing is from a random website. The latter looks too good to be true, if I cooked it (I just wanted to show what rendang truly looks like...and drool over it for a bit).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyhow, I've decided to cook for my housemates today and nearly every time I cook something proper, I'm reminded of my mother. My mother is a great cook and I am perhaps spoilt of that, whenever I'm home. Ever since I started cooking more, i.e when I'm overseas, I feel that she must have so much patience and love to cook for us at home. Being in a family with more males than females, growing up, we (my brothers and I) were less likely to be in the kitchen helping out. To cook for us and to cook great food requires such a dedication and patience, in my opinion. I can't help think of my mother and how much she, and my father, has shaped me to be the person I am.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, I also remember two mothers whom I interviewed last year. One is a relatively younger single-mother bringing up her young children alone. The other is also a single, mother, be it retired, trying to make sure her bills are paid for, even though her children are all grown up. I don't know what happened to them. I pray that their patience and perseverance to do the best they can, be rewarded in one form or another.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I never forget, and I hope I never do forget, this particular saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as compiled by Bukhari and Muslim.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Narrated Abu Huraira:
<br />
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is
more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The
Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet
said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet
said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?"
The Prophet said, "Your father. "
</blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All in all, I hope and pray that I do my mother (and father) justice by doing what I do. I also pray that the mothers I met be assisted and get their wishes. And I also pray that we never forget.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Peace,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Umar</div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-26593619944628894602012-02-16T06:18:00.002+08:002012-02-16T06:23:26.279+08:00Random Research - January & February<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace Be Upon You),<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I meant to post these earlier but was somewhat busy. I tend to have a knack for finding (and perhaps searching) for random and slightly weird researches. These are two that I came across in January and February.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>January - Durian Fever</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In January, my facebook news feed was inundated with durian pics from friends back home in Brunei. For those who have no idea what I'm writing about, durian is a fruit which I believe is found mainly in Asia. Some hate it, some love it, for it has a strong smell associated with it. <a href="http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/content/id/6620/scope/news/region/usa" target="_blank">This research</a> got my attention, for it is ironic that something with a strong smell could potentially be a mouth disinfectant.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFO1BpS5zATp1SxYLC0cRuni6weXyTW7l7Vqkc9kF5Lgzl-c2ZVnCUnG90rsxl8L8tWEEdzzaf4tnX5x_5iDFhnXTPXs_jeScXz-mxIjndKn5CQPSsRM8q4Y6wQYcfP3favN_aq1JI64q/s1600/Durian" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFO1BpS5zATp1SxYLC0cRuni6weXyTW7l7Vqkc9kF5Lgzl-c2ZVnCUnG90rsxl8L8tWEEdzzaf4tnX5x_5iDFhnXTPXs_jeScXz-mxIjndKn5CQPSsRM8q4Y6wQYcfP3favN_aq1JI64q/s1600/Durian" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>February - Don't Hurt the Clowns </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After my fieldwork, all hands are now on deck, going through statistics books. However, while reading one book, I randomly stumbled through a research on clowns and coulrophobia (fear of clowns), and somehow ended up reading <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/oct/24/improbable-research-clown-insurance" target="_blank">this article</a>. Though the article isn't exactly a research per se, it does point out that...um clowns are people too (?).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Peace,<br />
Umar</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-82385112658560998522012-02-13T16:27:00.000+08:002012-02-13T16:27:46.216+08:00Social/welfare institutions: Need for a re-think?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="http://www.borneobulletin.com.bn/weekend/news/feb11h1.htm">recent article in Borneo Bulletin</a> on the indebted plight of single mothers reminds me of some of the interviews I had recently with <i>zakat</i> recipients. It reinforces my view that social institutions that involves giving out financial support to others, needs to re-think the way they look at personal finance in a world where governments are pushing individuals to be more financially dependent and literate, such as the pension issue that faces numerous countries and individuals.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the very least, when creating financial solutions for the poor, there is a need to be more thorough and further consideration on the costs of individuals facing hardship. Between those who have and have-not, $1 is valued differently.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Without criticizing these institutions, the emphasis should be to creatively come up with better, innovative ways on how, from a personal financial view, that these social institutions can evolve forward. The relative success of microfinance from the early days of Grameen bank in Bangladesh is interesting, though the issue of interest or riba prevails. Can we come up with better way to help improve the situation of the poor, without interest? Can we create a comprehensive and inclusive financial solution that is fair for all concerned?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
My thoughts.<br />
<br />
Take care,<br />
Umar<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-51551747417595678002012-01-14T16:07:00.000+08:002012-01-14T16:09:15.552+08:00Past, Present & Future - Me, Myself & My Research<br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you),<br />
<br />
I was watching the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3oIiH7BLmg&noredirect=1">RSA Animate of Professor Philip Zimbardo's talk on 'The Secret Powers of Time'</a> and several things got me thinking.<br />
<br />
<b>1. The Past</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Am I a 'Past-oriented' person? Growing up, I used to be 'past positive' but then at some point, I probably became more of a 'past negative'. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mistakes and regrets are norms of life. Though they dent our past, they do not define us. We define ourselves by what we do next, i.e. how we correct our mistakes or avoid doing the things that leads to those feelings of regret. <---This paragraph is the easy part, the writing. </div>
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The harder bit is the correcting or avoiding. My life, alhamdulillah, is relatively blessed. Those who I interviewed in my research, those living in poverty, face a challenge I can only write about. Whether they were born into poverty or fell into the poverty trap, it is a paramount challenge for them, to overcome. If some made mistakes when they were younger or naive, how do they correct their wrongs now. What can they do? Who will help them? Alhamdulillah, I live in a country where <i>zakat</i> plays a critical role in poverty alleviation and I hope it continues.</div>
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<b>2. The Present</b></div>
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I'm trying to be more future-oriented than before. At present, that's my new year resolution. But before I talk about the future, let me dwell on the present. </div>
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Three bits are on my mind these days. Not surprisingly, my research is one of them. Being realistic, I'm cautious on whether it will be a truly applied research, or bring about changes that I initially intended. Currently, I just hope it adds to the discussion on <i>zakat</i>, <i>awqaf</i> and personal finance. It is after all, the synergistic discussion of a single topic that advances the way we see our world differently, do things better or re-invent old concepts.</div>
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Another bit on my mind is my late beloved grandmother. She passed away around this time last year, and she's a true inspiration. She usually prays for us, grandchildren, to do well in our studies and life. I miss her & I pray she is granted Jannah. Amin. Al-fatihah. </div>
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"...To Allah we belong and to Him is our return." (2: 156)</div>
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<b>3. The Future</b><br />
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Our return.</div>
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In my understanding, in Islam, the bigger picture is that this life on earth is transitory. We are no more than a traveller living in a transient world, doing good where we can & avoiding evil as ever.</div>
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The same context applies in Islamic financial planning. Although in conventional financial planning, the future can be related to planning for children's education and retirement, it is somewhat different in Islamic financial planning. As Muslims, the future is the eternal hereafter, and in the realm of Islamic financial planning that should include understanding the role of <i>zakat</i> and <i>awqaf</i> to enhance that <span style="font-size: small;">future. For instance, related to ongoing charity/<i>awqaf</i>, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whence a child of Adam dies, his/her deed comes
to an end except for three things: an ongoing sadaqah, knowledge that benefits
(others), and a righteous child who prays for him/her."</span></span></div>
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In terms of deeds, what better deed that one that does not end. In terms of my research, the question would be how can social finance benefit more from personal finance, <i>zakat</i> and <i>awqaf</i> combined. In the contemporary financial world we live in, with the savings and pensions issues, how can we create an interwoven <i>zakat</i>, <i>awqaf</i> and personal financial system that benefits all of us, both the rich and the poor, both in this world and the next?</div>
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If you have a thought on this, drop me a line or email.<br />
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Take care,<br />
A. UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-46627272582318544402011-10-24T21:08:00.001+08:002011-10-25T10:41:49.035+08:00I'm tired...<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three sentences usually sum up our days or certain events. There's the classic romantic words of 'I love you'. There's also the equally important, though non-romantic words of 'I am hungry' & there's the frequently-said words of 'I am tired'.</div><br />
I am tired...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Today marks a 30-day countdown to the end of my research fieldwork, with about 60% of interviews done. The exhaustive nature of the fieldwork is expected & that's why I tried to pace myself by taking breaks every now & then. However, recently, I'm starting to feel the 2nd leg of the fieldwork to be somewhat too tiring. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, there's the burden of the expectations in some interviews. Since my fieldwork involves the poor or those receiving financial welfare, there are times when I worry that my research will not achieve anything, let alone try to help, in any shape or form, those in poverty. I recall one particular respondent half-pleading to me, to help him on certain welfare issues. In hindsight, I don't know how I managed to respond to him or in that situation. This in itself is not an isolated incident. In another, a respondent stresses or hopes that his responses/pleas/complaints do not stop in his living room. In a sense, he was hoping that something be done to address it. In one sense, I could just take these pleas/responses in my stride. In others, I at times feel the burden of getting my research done right & as fast as I can, whenever this happens. I am tired.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly, there's the issue of failure. There are times I get concerned that the 2-3 years of sweat & effort amounts to nothing, a failed research, nothing more than an attempt at something seemingly noble. Once upon a time, in a different job, I used to return from work, feeling tired but content on a job well done. A sense of feeling, that I had done what I can for that day. These days, I yearn for those days. Nowadays, I am wary of having spent 2-3 years spending time on this bit & coming back empty-handed. Was it (or Will it be) a job well done?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These are some of the things that hover above me like a grey cloud. In some ways, it's a bit selfish. This is a minute issue, a drop in the ocean, compared to the poverty issues faced by some individuals or families...compared to the bereaved families of those who lost their loved ones...and compared to those who yearn for justice against the oppressor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not complaining. I am simply saying, I am tired.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Take care all. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Peace be upon you.</div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-81675119041263366962011-08-30T15:45:00.002+08:002011-08-30T18:52:54.822+08:00Ramadan or No Ramadan: Don't forget Zakat on Wealth<div style="text-align: justify;">Salam (Peace be upon you),</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please don't forget to pay your zakat on wealth (e.g. savings, mutual funds, fixed deposits etc), even after Ramadan, to those in need. Below is a short summary of some forms of wealth, alongside some links.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Savings a/c: Identify the <b>lowest balance</b> in the lunar year. If more than 1 savings a/c is held, don't forget to combine the differing sums before comparing w/ the nisab (See <a href="http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/zkt.aspx?id=13722&LangType=1033">link</a>) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
2. Fixed deposits: Since fixed deposits are likely to be left invested for 1 year or more, the amount held for 1 lunar year is zakatable at 2.5%.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Mutual funds: Although I haven't come across fatwas on mutual funds, its near-similarity to stocks can be argued that the approach to zakat on shares = zakat on mutual funds. In 1988, the OIC Fiqh Academy notes that company shares purchased for trading purposes are treated similarly to trading on business inventory. In other words, 2.5% of the market value of shares is used to compute the <i>zakatable</i> amount [Those interested in the zakatability issue of the monthly mutual fund payments could read up Yusuf Al Qardawi's <a href="http://monzer.kahf.com/books/english/fiqhalzakah_vol1.pdf">writeup</a> (See p. 72 of this volume).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Money lent: Different scholars have different views (See p. 58 of Al-Qardawi's volume 1 for a short, succinct discussion).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. Money saved up in a family takaful plan: These types of takaful generally places some portions of premiums as savings. Try asking them of your policies 'surrender value', i.e. how much you currently have in that policy. If it's yours & potentially withdraw-able, isn't it eligible for zakat too? (See <a href="http://www.muis.gov.sg/cms/services/zkt.aspx?id=13892&LangType=1033">link</a>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't forget that the 2.5% zakat rate is applicable on financial assets for a lunar year (i.e. using Islamic/ Hijrah calendar). Monzer Kahf notes that if zakat is paid following a solar year (e.g. Gregorian calendar), the rate should be adjusted to 2.5776%, since the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, by around 11 days or so (See p. 13 of <a href="http://monzer.kahf.com/books/english/Calculation_of_Zakah_-_revised_July_2007.pdf">this booklet</a>).</div><br />
My thoughts only.<br />
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Eid Mubarak.Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-27463320941294129692011-08-22T23:00:00.000+08:002011-08-22T23:05:45.948+08:00Long Walk To Discovery<div style="text-align: justify;">Salam (Peace Be Upon You),</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm in the midst of reading Nelson Mandela's book 'Long Walk To Freedom'. Hence, the shamelessly, lame title of this particular post. It's been a while since my last post. Things have changed, as is life. It's probably time this blog has too, as I write more about research.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since pursuing a PhD and going through an academic researcher route, or at least training to be one, I can't help think about my research. It consumes my days, both working and weekends. I'm not saying I work hard, for thinking about things is different from doing it. Especially when it comes to the fieldwork, I worry about the getting the interviews done, hoping my research assistants do not quit and other details, which other researchers may consider as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a personal level, since my research relates to poverty, I have been thinking more about the lives of those who are poor. I know we are different, yet similar. Their houses may look shabby and derelict, but our intentions are the same. Do we not all wish to live in a nice house and live happily? Our current situations may differ due to birth (i.e. being born poor or non-poor) or due to one's own circumstances (e.g. too much debt, bad luck etc.), but our future situations are the same. For we will die one day, in the same earth or layer of soil. No one grave essentially different from the next.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At times, it feels tiring to do this research. Obviously, as in some other forms of research, the rejection rate can be high. Although I've worked in customer service before and developed a bit of a thick skin, it can bring you down sometimes. But such is life, the wheel that turns around. I have faith in such things. For if ever there was something to bring one down, it should be for doing a good cause. Few probably so, than trying to help reduce poverty, even if it is from a research or academic point of view. There's this Hadith or saying of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which goes along the lines of: </div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">"When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved (of by Allah), let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the weakest (kind of) faith."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">In this context, isn't poverty an evil or a thing disapproved? Even if attempting to mitigate poverty is difficult to achieve, it should be worth it. Nothing good ever came easy. And along the way, who knows. We may confront our own biases, refine our thoughts or maybe inspire someone to do at least one good thing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">More importantly than inspiring or trying to change others, is the need to realise that our actions should be more of a discovery of ourselves, the changes of our line of thought, our perception of others & the short, worldly life that we live in. Hence, the corny title of a 'long walk to discovery'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Take care all. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Sincerely,<br />
UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-49695648457825520622011-04-15T04:18:00.001+08:002011-04-15T04:20:13.681+08:00Planning your retirement (Brunei-specific...ish)<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Assalamualaikum (Peace Be Upon You),</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My major disclaimer is that though I have a certificate in financial planning, I'm not a certified financial planner per se. The bits below should be taken at face value, till you meet a certified financial planner (who's actually certified by an established financial planning body like the <a href="http://www.cfp.net/">CFP</a> and the like). Unfortunately, in Brunei, financial planning is currently unregulated, making trusting planners somewhat more difficult. But just to add some cred(ibility:) to what I'm saying, I'll nerdily add 1 or 2 references along the way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My actual intention is just to highlight some "simple" steps to plan your retirement (It actually may not be simple, they'll be numbers, calculations [Thanks goodness for websites] & maybe the odd, irrelevant diagram). Let's start w/ a scenario: Say, I'm currently 25 (Du bi du) & I want to retire at 55. I have a fictitious TAP (an Employee Provident Fund) of $20,000 & an investment deposit of $10,000.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 1: Estimate your retirement expenses</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Some planners & finance websites might provide a rule of thumb like <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/savingsfitness.pdf">"An easy rule of thumb is that you’ll need to replace 70 to 90 percent of your pre-retirement income</a>" (p.7). </li>
<li>Although rules of thumb are handy, it might not be for everyone or be too rigid (e.g. post-retirement may see higher or lower actual expenses due to health costs, vacations etc). </li>
<li>The better thing, according to Mittra, Potts & LaBrecque (2005), is to work out an expected expenses figure. Look at your monthly expenses, break it down to fixed vs. flexible expenses, create key categories & estimate a figure for each category. </li>
<li>In this scenario, let's say mine works out to $3,000 per month or $36,000 per year. This is how much I need each year after retirement.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 2: Calculate the lump sum needed at age 55</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>As I'll need $36,000 per year until I pass away, I need to know how much I ideally would like to save by 55. In a sadistic world, I'll need a financial calculator, face some mental anguish but thanks to the internet, let's use this <a href="http://www.arachnoid.com/lutusp/finance.html">webpage</a>. Imagine we're at year 2041, when I'm umm 55. Put in the following figures: </li>
<li>Present value: Leave it zero (Cos we want to find this figure - This is the lump sum we need to have saved up by 2041.)</li>
<li>Future value: I'm putting $10,000 here, assuming I want to leave it as inheritance money.</li>
<li>Number of payments: 20 (Assuming I withdraw a fixed amount per year & my life expectancy is 75.)</li>
<li>Payment amount: $36,000 (I want $36,000 per year after retirement.)</li>
<li>Profit rate: I'll put in 0.98% (Inflation-adjusted profit rate)</li>
<li>Payment at: Begin ('Cos I want to receive the 36k at the beginning of each year.)</li>
<li>Press the PV icon, which is the present value, which in this scenario is the lump sum I ideally would like at age 55 = $665,557.26.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 3: Estimate your retirement income</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Question is: With my current TAP + savings, is it enough to climb up to cover that lump sum?</li>
<li>To simplify, I'll combine the 2 investments in this calculation. Assuming I want to save B$500 per month on top of the 30k, from age 25 to 55 (that's 30 years) & the estimated profit rate of the investment is 6%. Using the same website, enter the numbers (In this scenario, we're back in 2011, aged 25):</li>
<li>Present value: -30,000 (Put a negative sign 'cos money is going out.)</li>
<li>Future value: Leave it zero (We want to find this figure)</li>
<li>Number of payments: 30 (Assuming I invest a fixed amount per year, not per month.)</li>
<li>Payment amount: -6,000 (500 x 12, Put a negative sign 'cos money is going out.)</li>
<li>Profit rate: 6% (Inflation-adjusted profit rate).</li>
<li>Payment at: End ('Cos I want to invest at the end of the year.)</li>
<li>Press the FV icon, which is the future value, which in this scenario is your actual lump sum (should your investment assumptions fall into place). You would get $646,653.85. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 4: Reconcile the difference</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> With an estimated retirement nest/income at $646,653.85, & the required nest/expense at $665,557.26, that means there's a deficit of $18,903.41. In reality, there's a lot of options to deal with this. E.g. retire later, try to earn more, lower your retirement expenses, reposition your investments, take more risks, save/invest more etc.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 5: Review & update your plan periodically.</b></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Things happen. E.g. Investment rates may go up or down, or I may decide to retire later. It's always advisable to review your plan to make sure you're on track. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step 6: Meet an actual, certified financial planner</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this scenario, I used some of my own assumptions e.g. I only deposit at year end, instead of month end. I assumed my investments will go up per year at 6% etc & ignored the newly introduced SCP in Brunei. So here comes the corny line:<br />
<blockquote>If there's one thing I would like you to take away from this boring post...(assuming you've survived)....is to meet a decent certified financial planner & gauge your actual retirement needs. It might be depressing knowing all the money you need to save or changes you have to make, but it's better to bite the bullet now, rather than face the ultimate bullet later on in retirement.</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">[Fuh, it seems like a long post. I can continue my life now.]</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">[ps Lemme know if anyone spots any errors.] </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">[ps2 I lied. I couldn't find a decent, irrelevant diagram...but I could find this <a href="http://money.msn.com/retirement/retirement-calculator.aspx">link</a>, which would have saved 20 minutes of your life, rather than reading this post :) ]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Offline Reference: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mittra, Sid, Potts, Tom, & LaBrecque, Leon (2005). Practicing Financial Planning for Professionals. Michigan: RH Publishing</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Peace, </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Umar </span></div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-11509255509941259442011-04-02T04:39:00.010+08:002011-04-02T05:11:46.374+08:00Money: To Leave or Not To Leave<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;"><br />Assalamualaikum (Peace Be Upon You),<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: georgia;font-family:webdings;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Over the past year, it's twice that I've heard a fellow Muslim say, (paraphrasing here), that it is better to leave one's children without any money & based that opinion on the past such as a Companion of the Prophet (pbuh)'s practice or opinion.<br /><br />Although I'm not an expert in historical practices of Islam, I do understand some law of inheritance (or what's commonly known as </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Faraid</span><span style="font-size:130%;">). I understand that, in the </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Qur'an</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, there are some verses that highlights the law of inheritance, such as in Chapter 4, verse 11.<br /><br /></span><blockquote><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Book Antiqua"; panose-1:2 4 6 2 5 3 5 3 3 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -- </style><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-US">Allah (thus) directs you as regards your Children's (Inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases ('s) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise. (4: 11)<br /><br /></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">Based on verses such as these, the logical conclusion is that, it can't be right that Muslims should not leave their children any money. If Allah did not want Muslims to leave their children any money, this verse and others such as these would not be revealed. Its mere revelation indicates, in my opinion, that it's ok to leave money for your offspring.<br /><br />A Hadith or saying of the Prophet (pbuh), which contributes to the law of inheritance also contributes to this logical conclusion. Reported by Bukhari, the Hadith states:</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-size:130%;" lang="EN-US" ><br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-size:130%;" lang="EN-US" ><br />Narrated Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas:<br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-size:130%;" lang="EN-US" >I was stricken by an ailment that led me to the verge of death. The Prophet came to pay me a visit. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have much property and no heir except my single daughter. Shall I give two-thirds of my property in charity?" He said, "No." I said, "Half of it?" He said, "No." I said, "One-third of it?" He said, "You may do so though one-third is also too much, for it is better for you to leave your off-spring wealthy than to leave them poor, asking others for help…" </span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">As I write this, I hope the comment made by the person I mentioned earlier is not shared by the majority in the Muslim world because there is, unfortunately, a substantial level of poverty in Muslim countries, for one reason or another.<br /><br />If I am wrong on this subject, please correct me. Just sharing what I know.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Umar<br /></span></div>Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-83124395259433190582011-03-11T03:44:00.005+08:002011-04-02T05:16:47.460+08:00Is the OIC powerless?<div style="text-align: justify;">Salam (Peace Be Upon You),<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reading about events in Libya is near similar to some events in some other Islamic countries such as Palestine, Somalia etc, as one particular trend crops up in mind: Why is the OIC powerless to help fellow Muslims?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps this is a cause for the downfall of Muslims in the current era, where nationality triumphs over religious belief. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us that a Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, as noted in numerous Hadith:<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><p> Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: <br /><br />Allah's Apostle said, "A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection. (Bukhari)</p><p>In another Hadith, Narrated Anas:</p><p>Allah's Apostle said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others." (Bukhari)</p></div></blockquote>And yet the OIC, which in its <a href="http://www.oic-oci.org/is11/english/Charter-en.pdf">charter</a>, states it is "to preserve and promote the lofty Islamic values of peace, compassion, tolerance, equality, justice and human dignity;...", appears hesitant to really make a difference where it can, or where it should, that is through its actions. Undoubtedly & perhaps unfortunately, like other associations or groups, it also includes in its charter that it is "to respect the right of self-determination and non-interference in the domestic affairs and to respect sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State;..."<br /><br />To what end?<br /><br />As Muslims, a Hadith teaches us..."Whoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith."<br /><br /></div>...And yet the OIC appears powerless to help Muslims on the ground. Why? To what end? My concern is that if in the next world, we are asked, what have we done in so & so situation? Did we do what we can? By action, by hand & by heart...<br /><br /><br />Wassalam,<br />UmarUmar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860514484896381645.post-35628459820147857282010-07-09T22:30:00.005+08:002011-04-02T05:17:32.183+08:00Islamic Finance: It's tiring but it should be worth it.Salam (Peace be upon you),<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">After a long break from the blog, it's ironic that it takes a long week to interest me, to write something useful or at least of some decent worth.<br /><br />After attending a 5-day workshop-like session on Islamic finance, one is mentally drained not simply because of the activity itself, but the mental questions that one asks oneself of Islamic finance: "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Who is Islamic finance for</span>?"<br /></div><br />This question has two prongs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, for non-Muslims who are familiar with Islam, they know that Islamic finance or banking is not for Muslims only. The ideal view in Islamic finance is for a fair, socio-economic or financial system that works for everyone, irrespective of whether one is rich or poor, young or old, Middle-eastern, Asian or Western, or whether one is a Muslim or not.<br /><br />Yet, such is the view towards Muslims notably in communities that know little about Islam, that anything labeled with 'Islam' is viewed suspiciously. At the same time, religion in itself is a tricky thing. If someone asks me to consider 'Christianity banking' or 'Jewish banking', I'd perhaps too be cautious, without knowing what it is all about. Therefore, I'd feel that Islamic banks should drop the name 'Islamic' in their names. What is a name. A name is only as a good as what it represents. If Islamic banks are truly ethical in that it avoids interest (riba), advocates reduction in poverty & a fair financial/banking system, then it should not worry about not having the word 'Islamic' in its name. What's in a name?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second prong is the direction that Islamic finance is heading. To some extent, I disagree with some aspects or those who advocate within Islamic banking, such as those whom aggressively advocate for derivative products or banking products that appears to create financial wealth instead of real economic productivity. In my opinion, the implication of trying to push for those financial products (rather than those leading to real economic productivity) , whilst mimicking conventional financial products along the way, is more likely to enrich the rich, rather than alleviate poverty amongst the poor via microfinance capital, ventures, takaful etc. In addition, Islamic banks that continue to aggressively advertise so-called Islamic credit cards or other debt products is more likely to create a consumer and credit culture, rather than a savings and investment culture. Who then is Islamic finance for? The rich? Or does it really include the poor?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite my critical opinion above, one can appreciate that Islamic finance is only 35 years old or so, compared to centuries of interest-laden financial banking. Yet the challenge is to avoid going down a path which absolutely mimics conventional finance. Planting the seeds of conventional finance, within the realm of Islamic finance is dangerous. In years or decades to come, the financial products or structures may become deep-rooted, making it more difficult to change from a Shariah-compliant system, to a Shariah-based system.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite the challenges, I do feel these challenges are worth the mental strain and physical effort. Nothing worth having ever came easy. An ethical financial system that provides financial structures & opportunity for the rich and the poor, irrespective of religious background, ethnicity and race is worth the effort.<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" id="fon4" class="English" ><span id="mspan4">"</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" id="fon5" class="English" ><span id="mspan5">So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" id="fon6" class="English" ><span id="mspan6">Verily with every difficulty there is relief.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >"<br />- The Qur'an (94: 5-6)<br /></span><br /><br />My thoughts.Umar A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07767326136593979875noreply@blogger.com