Every day, and at least five times a day after our daily prayers, we recite the du’a which Allah Ar-Razzaq (The Provider) teaches us,
“O Allah, our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good and save us from the torment of the Fire.” – Al-Baqarah, 2:201
According to a Hadith narrated by Anas RA this du’a was the most frequent supplication of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Muslims are very clear that “what is good in the Hereafter” means getting into Heaven and avoiding Hell.
But what about “give us in this world that which is good”? What exactly do we want from Allah? We need to be clear what precisely do we want. Otherwise, how do we know when Allah Al-Wahab (The Bestower) grants our wish?
When we perform our daily obligatory prayers and recite the seven verses of the opening chapter of the Quran, surah al-Fatihah, we ask Allah, our Eternal Lord seventeen times daily.
“You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path. The Path of those You blessed – not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.” – Al-Fatihah, 1: 5-7
Though the Revelations were not in the order that they appear in the Quran, if we consider the first chapter of the Quran, surah al-Fatihah, as our supplication to Allah The Most Glorified and The Most High to the straight path, then the rest of the Quran is Allah As-Sami’ (The All-Hearer)’s answer to our prayer – the code of life that will lead us to the straight path.
Thus, the very next chapter of surah al-Baqarah, 2:2 begins with,
“This is the Book. There is no doubt about it – a guide for the believers.” – Al-Baqarah 2:2
The guidance we seek from Allah is the straight path. But that straight path which Allah provides in the Quran is not just about worshipping Him. It is a complete guide – for everything we do in our lifetime in this world. It tells us the purpose of our creation, our final destination in the Hereafter and how, on our way to that final destination, we should conduct ourselves in this world, in all aspects. It covers our spiritual relationship with our Creator, Allah Al-Khaliq, our interactions with our family, friends, and the society at large, both Muslims and non-Muslims. It provides guidance on marriage and divorce, and how our inheritance is to be divided upon our death. It guides us how we should conduct ourselves in business and political matters, even how battles should be fought and how prisoners-of-war should be treated. The Holy Quran even provides guidance on our marital sex life. A complete guide it is. And it is not about the Hereafter alone.
So, the straight path leading to the Hereafter has many authorized rest and recreation stops along the way which Allah The Most Merciful created, and urging us in various verses to legally seek the enjoyments of His blessings, but within the boundaries that He sets.
And if we are lost, we are urged to find our way back,
“Always turn to Him in repentance.” – Ar-Rum, 30:31
No matter how lost we are, Allah Al-Ghaffar (The Great Forgiver) always provides a way back to the straight path,
“Say : All my servants who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, Allah forgives all sins. He is truly The-Forgiving and The-Merciful. Turn to your Lord and submit to Him, before the torment comes upon you, for then you will not be helped.” – Az-Zumar, 39:53-54
This book is the author’s effort to share his thoughts and his conclusions after much spiritual research coupled with his work life experiences. It will surely be worthwhile reading for those undergoing similar paths and choices in their search for a life balance.
Raja Tun Alias
An eminent public civil servant of the Post-Merdeka era
Inspiring! Stimulating! Thought-provoking! A heartwarming personal journey of a sincere seeker provides insights in his pursuit of enlightenment based on the Islamic sacred texts. Through the practice of tadabbur (reflection), he meticulously captures the essence and wisdom of the verses in the Quran and the Sunna of Prophet Muhammad pbuh, in particular on issues of integrity, morality and work ethics.
Lucid in explanation, the author skilfully articulates the need to have a deeper knowledge and greater understanding of Islam as it always was and as it should be, in the quest of a Balanced Life and to regain the Golden Age of Islam.
Echoing others before him to create a strong Muslim ummah, the author challenges Muslim leaders to implement a bold & powerful transformative jihad, not as a goal but as a means to recapture the greatness of Islam. This book is exactly what we need today hence will undoubtedly edify readers. Indeed, a must-read book.
Raja Dato’ Seri Eleena Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah
Legal practitioner and corporate figure
My enforced rest allowed me to finish reading your book. And frankly it was enjoyable and quite difficult to put down. The message is obvious … to me simply put, how to overhaul our akhlak and dignity without going to extremes. Your methodical and logical approach based on the Qur’an with a little humour and little stories thrown in, and the page layout make it a refreshing and easy read.
I own the Amazing Quran myself and have followed Ustaz Fazrul Ismail’s tadabbur on MyQuranTime and I readily applaud his bluntness and courage in highlighting our social ills particularly his style in targetting those in power and authority. I pray that more local writers or influencers could take up the challenge and reinforce one another in pushing the critical mass into desired action.
Congrats again for this noble and laudable achievement Mad!
Tuan Ramlah
I love the intro already…
I like it. I sincerely think its a good simple book for awareness. Islamic values n concepts ie islam as a way of life. That all rules & guidance for our kehidupan harian are stated in Quran. Its a gd book to open eyes for yg belum faham concept islam sebenar
It is easy. When i started learning in 2016, thats how the foreign syeiks created awareness – Quran is just not about religion & monotheism of Allah. Its more. Elm Edge has put it simply n nice to read for awareness
Because there is no specific book that creates awareness on work ethics here. From syariah perspective
Sabrina jadi lah 😀 but it is a nice book to read. I am giving the ones i ordered for presents to some young top management friends innthe market..
1. For someone like me, whose agama knowledge is not so deep, to present and argue facts about Islam, your book is indeed an eye opener and educative (for me at least) to the fact that Islam is truly a simple religion. It is made complicated by religious gurus/ulamaks and followed by blind followers who swallow everything that comes from an ustaz’s mouth as the gospel truth.
2. Your writings reminds me of a book, I read several years ago, “Price of Honor” by a British journalist Jan Goodwin. I borrowed the book from TunM’s personally library.
3. A line in her book said, “Islam is very much a misunderstood religion” by the Muslims themselves.
4. Her stint as a journalist in Pakistan promted her to write the book. She met Maria a young girl of 10. Two years later she met Maria again. She was sold by her father to marry an old Sheikh who already had married 16 times. Maria had a child. Jan said to herself, “there’s something wrong with this religion, how could a child be forced to get married, n gave birth to a child, when she was still a child?”.
5. Jan who was a Catholic continued her research on Islam to study the plight of Muslim women in 7 Islamic countries mostly in Africa.
6. She wrote, “for Muslims, especially women, to understand your own religion pls read the Quran. Do not allow just any ulamak to interpret it for you, because they will interpret according to their whims and fancies to suit them especially on women matters”.
7. One example she highlighted, in some African states women’s circumcision went to the extreme by mutilating women’s intimate area. That was the most crueliest of all things that could happen to a woman. The Quran did not say mutilate.
8. Thus your book somewhat reminds me of her writings, that every Muslim should try read and understand the Quran.
I read Elm Edge’s book, made notes and reflected on what the book is all about.
It is an absolutely brilliant and comprehensive guide book especially for young graduates who just enter the workplace, starting life and family. The author with his wittiness and a tad of naughtiness showed to us what it is to play multiple roles and still being guided by Allah’s manual and exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW.
I see his book in the hands of many people around the world especially in the academic institutions not only teaching us about work ethics but also about the meaning of this life, where we are heading and how to get there.
Tahniah Elm Edge dan terima kasih for doing all the homework for me as a trainer and coach. My warmest salam to you. I hope to meet you for an interview one day. Inshaallah
Fatimah Abu Bakar of Celebrating Thinkers
Thanks for the book.
Very good reading. It resonates well with me esp as we try to navigate our worldly pursuits without forgetting the Hereafter.
Wish the author had written it sooner 😊 !
Elm Edg’s humility humbled me…. learning the messages of Quran late in life and trying to make sense of this world that we live in. What an achievement !
It’s so sad that we Muslims, lost our Golden age of Muslim innovation, knowledge….. somewhere along the way, we stopped thinking about what Allah swt wants us to contribute in this world.
We feel as if we are pulled in 2 different directions – worldly ambitions & preparing ourselves for the hereafter.
I always believe that we should strive our best in the world without forgetting our responsibilities to the One who created us. And in the book the author made his arguments very clear.
Where can I buy copies of the book ? I intend to give to friends as a gift hoping that they will benefit too.
Thanks again !
Dato’ Roslina Zainal, BoD TNB
‘powernyaaa buku ni. 😂 Amazing! ‘#MenahanDiri haha
baru baca intro dah hook
Adly Mukhtar
I like the fact that, unlike most agama books which are always about preparing for the next world, this book is not only about that, but also about how to live a good Muslim life in this world … a balanced daily life. As the writer is a layman his writing is easily understood and appreciated by readers of all creeds.
Tan Sri Rafiah Salim
former Vice Chancellor University Malaya and former Assistant Secretary General to the United Nations.
“Just finished reading your book. The 7MH guidance is well researched and written in simple language.”
Adly Mukhtar
The inability to understand the concept of ethical behaviour as embedded in, defined and alluded to in the Quran has rendered us Muslims incapable of translating the essence of ethical behaviour to our work life as well as our personal life. It is fortunate therefore that Elm Edge has made a commendable effort to highlight the guiding principles of ethical behaviour in the Quran that have a direct bearing on our work, family, community and national obligations. Practising exemplary work ethics at the workplace as well as practising and displaying exemplary behaviour towards family and community, guided by the Quran–are what Elm Edge means by a balanced lifestyle.
Kadir Kassim, a doyen of the legal profession
Thanks for the book.
Very good reading. It resonates well with me esp as we try to navigate our worldly pursuits without forgetting the Hereafter.
Wish the author had written it sooner 😊 !
Elm Edg’s humility humbled me…. learning the messages of Quran late in life and trying to make sense of this world that we live in. What an achievement !
It’s so sad that we Muslims, lost our Golden age of Muslim innovation, knowledge….. somewhere along the way, we stopped thinking about what Allah swt wants us to contribute in this world.
We feel as if we are pulled in 2 different directions – worldly ambitions & preparing ourselves for the hereafter.
I always believe that we should strive our best in the world without forgetting our responsibilities to the One who created us. And in the book the author made his arguments very clear.
Where can I buy copies of the book ? I intend to give to friends as a gift hoping that they will benefit too.
Thanks again!
Dato’ Roslina Zainal
The book is such a refreshing change from the many others of its genre. It has the light touch of a world ex-corporate leader seasoned in conveying a serious message with a tinge of humour.
Writing with humility and sincerity in a simple, precise style, he takes the reader on his journey towards understanding the meaning of The Glorious Quran, AllahSWT’s Magnificent set of Messages for us to live and die by.
Through his meticulous research and consultations with experts, he extracts appropriate and easy to understand Quranic Verses that clearly illustrate AllahSWT’s Intent of The Quran being our guide throughout our life and beyond; on how to lead a productive and meaningful life on earth while being in constant remembrance that every thought and deed from us ‘adalah semuanya kerana AllahSWT’; and that we shall all return to Him.
The most encouraging difference of this book is that it gently and successfully draws attention to the Messages in the Quran that we should live, appreciate and enjoy with responsibility this world He has created to perfection for us but in moderation and within the set boundaries ; and living as such goes towards our preparation for the Afterlife.
This is the life balance that we should all aspire to.
It is my humble opinion that this book deserves much wider readership, especially among the future leaders of our beloved country who are still in secondary schools and universities.
Dato’ Azizah Aiyub Ghazali
Alhamdullilah, I’ve just finished reading your book. A wonderful book. Congratulations and many many thanks. It brings together the teachings in the Quran and Hadiths and learned writings on key aspects of all our lives. Makes it easy to digest and understand. A very useful reference. It is a powerful dakwah and reminder. I also enjoyed your personal sharing, anecdotes and your forward looking views and suggestions. May Allah reward you amply till Jannah. 🙏
Faisal Ismail , Director, CGC
The book is such a refreshing change from the many others of its genre. It has the light touch of a world ex-corporate leader seasoned in conveying a serious message with a tinge of humour.
Writing with humility and sincerity in a simple, precise style, he takes the reader on his journey towards understanding the meaning of The Glorious Quran, AllahSWT’s Magnificent set of Messages for us to live and die by.
Through his meticulous research and consultations with experts, he extracts appropriate and easy to understand Quranic Verses that clearly illustrate AllahSWT’s Intent of The Quran being our guide throughout our life and beyond; on how to lead a productive and meaningful life on earth while being in constant remembrance that every thought and deed from us ‘adalah semuanya kerana AllahSWT’; and that we shall all return to Him.
The most encouraging difference of this book is that it gently and successfully draws attention to the Messages in the Quran that we should live, appreciate and enjoy with responsibility this world He has created to perfection for us but in moderation and within the set boundaries ; and living as such goes towards our preparation for the Afterlife.
This is the life balance that we should all aspire to.
It is my humble opinion that this book deserves much wider readership, especially among the future leaders of our beloved country who are still in secondary schools and universities.
Dato’ Azizah Aiyub Ghazali
Elm Edge is the pen name of Mohammed Hussein. He spent 31 years of his working career with the largest financial services group in Malaysia in various top management positions. Following his retirement, he was chairman of several listed companies engaged in a diversity of businesses – infrastructure, construction, engineering, township development and real estate investment trusts. He was also an independent non-executive director in several companies in Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan, and a member of the Asia-Pacific advisory board of a global credit card corporation. He also served as chairman of a central bank- sponsored corporate debt restructuring committee formed after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Presently, he is chairman of a development financial institution for SMEs, a listed plantation group and an Islamic insurance group.
Elm Edge also developed the Danajamin100 Youth Leadership Program – Building Leaders of Tomorrow, and the CGC100 Entrepreneurship Development Program.
Elm Edge graduated with Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is a Fellow of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers and an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.
A keen golfer, he described his game as “between a few flashes of brilliance, it’s mostly mediocre but always enjoyable!”.
