PARADOX OF OUR TIME 2.

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't share this with anyone....Who cares?

George Carlin

IMPORTANCE OF TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

IMPORTANCE OF TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

BY

DR. MUHAMMAD SANI AHMADU. BSc, MBBS, FMCR.

DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL, MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

DELIVERED DURING THE MARHABA WEEK OF MSSN ON SUNDAY SAFAR 3^RD, 1434 AH (16^TH DECEMBER, 2012).

Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek refuge with Him, and seek His Forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our souls, and the mistakes in our actions. Whoever Allah Guides, there is none who can misguide him, and whoever Allah misguides, there is none who can guide him. And I testify that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and Messenger.

“O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah as He deserves, and do not die except as Muslims.” (Surah Al-Imraan, verse 102).

“O people! Have taqwa of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and sprouted from it many men and women. And have taqwa of Allah, from Whom you demand your mutual rights, and do not cut off the relations of the womb. Verily, Allah is Ever-Watching over you.” (Surah An-Nisaa’, verse 1).

“O you who believe! Have taqwa of Allah, and say that which is truthful. He will rectify your actions for you and forgive you your sins, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed achieved a great success.” (Surah Al-Ahzaab, verses 70-71).

Indeed, the most truthful of speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (SAW). The worst of affairs are those that are newly introduced, and every newly introduced affair is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu.

My brothers and sisters, I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to deliver this short presentation to you by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Maiduguri Chapter. When the officials of this association met me for a presentation on this great occasion of “Marhaba Week” which is aimed at welcoming newly admitted students to the University, I had no idea on which topic to present because, for me, there are so many challenging topical issues that the Muslim Ummah have at stake, especially as regards our youths who, in most cases, are the pillars of the society.

I am a medical doctor and if I were to choose a topic on Medicine, I may not have delivered to the majority of the newly admitted University students what they needed as “guzuri” for their sojourn at the University. Perhaps only those in the College of Medical Sciences may benefit fully from the topic, if I had chosen a Medical topic.

I then decided to talk on the IMPORTANCE OF TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT despite the fact that I may be a novice on issues that relate to time utilization. My major reason for choosing this topic is because of the fact that many of our students at the University “misuse” the little time they have to finish their programmes at the expected time. Some students repeat a class/level and, most unfortunately, others get withdrawn from the University because they have not used their time wisely. I pray this presentation would serve as a reminder to everyone here present and beyond so that we all wake up from our slumber as regards the use of time in our daily lives.

I may be talking to a group of Muslim students for now, but I have the firm believe that this topic will reach a vast majority of audience who are not Muslims. At the end of it all, people will then realize that Islam as a way of life has placed great emphasis on time utilization in the daily lives of Muslims.

Whoever examines Islam closely, would find many astonishing facts in the areas of organization of time… In fact, all the pillars of Islam, with perhaps the exception of the Kalimatush-Shahada, are time-bound worships. The five daily prayers have their times stipulated, so is Zakat, Hajj and Fasting (in the month of Ramadan).

In addition to the time-bound worships, the importance of time in the life of a Muslim was beautifully emphasized in the Surah carrying the last of oaths and adjurations in the Holy Qur’an...i.e. surah Al-‘Asr. Allah, The Almighty and Exalted, says to those who take heed:

“By Al-`Asr (Time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and recommend one another to the truth, and recommend one another to patience and constancy.” (Surah Al-‘Asr, verses 1-3).

In his Tafsīr, Ibn Kathīr mentions, “(By al-Asr) That is, the ages during which the deeds – both good and bad – of the sons of Adam (AS) take place. Allah swears by (time), that man is in Khusr, which means in loss and destruction. (Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds). So Allah makes an exception, among the species of man being in loss, for those who believe in their hearts and work righteous deeds with their limbs. (And recommend one another to the truth,) This is to perform acts of obedience and avoid the forbidden things. (And recommend one another to patience) meaning, with the plots, the evils, and the harms of those who harm people due to their commanding them to do good and forbidding them from evil.”

Hasan al-Basrī said, "I have lived with a people (the salaaf) who were more careful with their time than you people are with your money”.

From the moment a believer wakes up in the morning, he knows that there is (as Allah calls them in the Qur'an), a "sign" in every experience he has in the course of a day. The word "sign" is given to those events in existence that are clear proofs of the existence, unity and the attributes of Allah—and it is also the name for a verse of the Qur'an. Another idea similar in meaning is "the facts that lead to faith." This may be defined as those facts that bring a person to faith, and at the same time cause faith to grow, develop and become strong. But only those who sincerely turn to Allah can recognise these "signs" and facts that lead to faith. The 190th verse of Surah Al-Imraan is an example of this:

“Behold! In the creation of the Heavens and Earth, and the alternation of Night and Day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding” (Surah Al-Imraan, verse 190).

There are many traditions of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that put emphasis on time utilization among which are the following:

The Prophet (SAW) said, “On the Day of Judgement the feet of a servant will not move away till he is questioned about four matters:

1.    On what he SPENT his life…

2.    On what he made his youth PASS away…

3.    Whence he acquired his wealth, on what he spent it… and,

4.    What he did regarding what he knew”… Tirmidhi.

He (SAW) also said, “Seize the opportunity of five things before five others:

1.    Your life before your death…

2.    Your youth before your old-age/senility…

3.    Your riches before your poverty…

4.    Your health before your illness… and,

5.    Your free time before you become busy”… Tirmidhi.

Islam encourages Muslims to care for time, to utilize it wisely and not to waste it. Besides, Allah (SWA) will hold them responsible for their time.

Every day passes by us, every hour of our lives goes by without return, even the seconds do not return....those simple minutes that went by without us realizing, we will eventually know their value and worth.

We live in an age where our time is wasted thoughtlessly. When time is, in fact, the currency with which we buy safety and bliss in the Hereafter.

Attending University is a huge step in the life of every student. You will face new experiences, make new friends, and open yourself up to a whole world of knowledge. It can be a very exciting time in your life, but also a bit intimidating and scary if you don’t plan your time well. As a Muslim, it is important to find a way to navigate and explore these new horizons, while maintaining your Islamic lifestyle and identity as far as the utilization of time is concerned.

If you reflect back, you will realize that before getting admission into the University, you spent valuable time in primary and secondary schools. Many of you must have used their time well before reaching this level of your academic career. So your life as a University student also requires that you utilize time properly in order to reap the benefits of your stay here.

The student of knowledge should utilize his youth and free time in his life to gain as much as he can, and he should not be deceived by the temptation to put things off for another day. Every hour that passes of his life is crucial and will not be replaced. He should cut off what he can of the distracting relationships and obstacles that are in the way of the knowledge he seeks, and should instead exert his energy and power in gaining as much as he can, since these obstacles are like roadblocks in his way.

Let me paint a scenario of your entry, stay, and exit in the University… You applied to gain admission into the University through JAMB or other means; you get admitted into a stipulated period course – 4, 5, or 6 years. Some of you get admitted into certificate/diploma courses. Others came back for postgraduate studies. Once admitted you begin to face series of lectures, tutorials, field works, pre-clinical and clinical postings, seminars, etc. All these are aimed at imparting certain kinds of knowledge on you. Then you are tested or examined on the knowledge that was taught at the end of the semester or session. Then you pass the prescribed tests/exams. Then you get promoted to the next level until finally you graduate with bachelors, masters, or a doctorate degree.

All these University activities are time-bound and it requires you as a University student to make good use of the stipulated times allotted to each of these activities. The result of a “negative” use of time in the University (and of course anywhere) is usually a failure which I believe none of you here present would want to be associated with.

At the beginning of every semester, lecture schedules/time-tables are usually issued for every course in the University which every student of that course is expected to familiarize him/herself with. And at the end of the course/semester/session, an exams time-table is fixed for students to prepare for exams. All these are time-bound activities.

Unfortunately, some students, even before they got admission into the University, have erroneously imprinted on their minds that the University is a place for only “socializing”. Others have taken the University to be a place where other western values and not "good character and learning” are acquired.

For the student who really wants to excel in his/her course programmes, the utilization of time is a “paramount course” and a part-and-parcel of his/her scholarship in the University. A student that neglects his/her studies and whiles away his/her time would surely get the results of his/her actions at the end of the semester/sessional exams.

Time is a priceless wealth in our life. One who doesn’t care about time can never achieve his or her goals in his/her life. Everyone should know the value of time to get success in his or her life. Time plays a vital role in a student’s life. One should be on time everywhere. Students should be on time in classroom for lectures, in exam hall etc. We all know that once time runs, it can never return. It is as important as breath in our life. We should utilize our time in good work.

Time and tide wait for no man…This indeed is a well-known proverb. But how many times in our life have we desired that time was something we could capture in our hands and never let go. We have to realize that there is no rewind option in life's clock. The people of old said, “Time is like a sword, if you don't cut it, it cuts you”. And always remember that you can never buy yesterday even if you spend the rest of your life.

We should realize the importance of taking the right decision at the right time. In that way, we will never regret any decision that we make in life. Procrastination will not help you to achieve the best things in life. So wake up before it is too late. Become excellent time utilizers. Be more organized in life and most importantly, be time-bound.

All things are born in time, grow in time and then decay and die in time. Time moves at its own pace. It cannot be commanded. It does not wait for you because you want it to.

People say time is money. But it is more precious than money. Money lost can be recovered, but not the time lost. A moment lost is lost for ever. Time is ever changing. Change is the law of nature. Nothing is independent of change or time. Man’s life is very short but the work is much and difficult. There is so much to do. Therefore, we should not waste even a single minute. Every breath, every second should be used properly and meaningfully. Our school work, homework, assignments, other tasks, hours of rest and sleep, time of recreation and exercise, etc., should be well planned and organized.

We should never postpone doing good and important things. We should never be idle when we ought to be working hard. Leisure is enjoyable only after fruitful hard work. It is our duty to not to leave any work till tomorrow that can be done today and now.

We should not waste time. Actually, nobody can waste time. In reality, it is we who are being wasted by time. Economy in time is very important. Great men and women use their moments most profitably and economically. It is through this method that they have invented great things, discovered wonderful things and left their footprints on the sands of time.

If a Muslim puts time in its proper place, for seeking the pleasure of Allah and rendering service to humanity through doing the right thing at the right time while in the University, then he/she will be fortunate in the world and be successful in the Hereafter. However, if he/she wastes his/her time, he wastes life and his/her efforts are a failure.

The University student, especially the Muslim student, should as early as possible, realize that time is the most important that he/she needs to be careful of because it is a God given gift in which all acts of worship are performed. He/she she must, therefore, learn at an early stage in the University to be able to organize and utilize time. He/she must make realistic plans for worldly and religious duties, without any of them overlapping the other.

One of the methods of utilizing time is for you to get up early and sleep early (Muslims are known for waking up early for Fajr prayers); for early hours always yield great blessings. Starting and ending your day with prayers/du’as bring Allah’s blessings and grace on the things you do. Doing tasks at their right and due times bring about peace of mind and comfort.

Hasan al-Basri was once quoted to have said, “Life is no more than three days long: Yesterday, which is gone forever with its events; Tomorrow, which you may not get there; and TODAY, which is all you have as yours, so seize it and work within it”.

He was also quoted to have said, “O son of Adam (AS)! You are but a bundle of days. As each day passes away, a portion of you vanishes away!”

Preserve your time. Your time in acquiring knowledge is vital, so be a confederate of action and not a confederate of idleness and boastfulness, and a devotee to productivity and not to idle-play idle-talk. Preserve your time through serious exertion, adherence to study, being in the company of scholars and occupying yourself with knowledge by reading or being read to, researching, contemplating and memorizing especially during the prime of your youth and in the early years of your life.

So I admonish you, as a part of my Marhaba advice, to always remember that you are in the University for a purpose that is “time-bound” and time is life as far as your existence is concerned. If you squander time, you have indeed squandered your life.

These are few of what I usually advice students at the College of Medical Science on their academics whenever I am opportune to be with anyone/group of them:

1.    Have a “To-Do” list on the things you plan to do for the day,

2.    Make sure you learn at least 3 new things daily,

3.    You have a lecture schedule:

- Read the topic before the lecture and note any grey area,

- During the lectures, listen attentively to the lectures/lecturer and ask questions on those grey areas you found when you read before the lectures,

- Revise the topic, at least 3 - 7 times after the lectures/before you go to sleep that day,

4.    Endeavour to read at least 50 pages per day. This may sound impossible, but try it before you complain,

5.    In the course of your academic pursuit, you have to be PATIENT, PERSEVERING, and above all PRAYERFUL (I call this the 3Ps),

6.    You have to be COMPOSED, CONFIDENT, and learn to use your COMMONSENSE (and I call this the 3Cs),

7.    At the end of your stay in the University you will all be certified with a degree, but what is most important is your ability to put in practice the “theoretical knowledge” you have acquired over the years,

8.    You have to “respect” time because it’s the stuff life is made up.

Although, there is so much to discuss on the IMPORTANCE OF TIME IN THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT, “time” may not permit me to go on. However, I refer you to the following valuable books that have extensively discussed the topic of “TIME UTILIZATION”. I have referred and benefitted a lot from them:

1.    Time in the Life of A Muslim (Al-waqtu fiy Hayatil Muslim). By Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradaawee. Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd. London, UK.

2.    Time Utilization (Islaamic Perspective). By Abou Maimoonah Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bello. Olucouger Prints, Lagos, 2002.

3.    Time Management in A Muslim’s Life. By Mustafa Muhammad Tahhan. Tranlated by Abdul-Hameed Solate. Revised and edited by Isma’il Badmus. Islamic Heritage Foundation, Lagos, 2003.

4.    The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge. By Shaykh Bakr Ibn Abdallah Aboo Zayd.

Finally, I pray to Allah (SWA) to guide and give us the ability to utilize our time in order to gain His Pleasure. May whatever you learnt in the course of your stay as students in the University be of immense benefit to humanity and the Ummah of Muhammad (SAW). May Allah (SWA) also make your steps firm, and grant every one of us piety and success in this temporal World and the Everlasting Hereafter.

And may the blessings and salutations of Allah (SWA) be upon our Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family and all his companions.

I pray Allah (SWA) accepts this as an act of ibadaat from all of us.

Ameen. 

Dr. Muhammad Sani Ahmadu. BSc, MBBS, FMCR.

03/02/1434AH (16/12/2012)

Maiduguri, Nigeria.

WE ALL HAVE RELATIVES AND A COMMON ANCESTRY.

Though short and poorly articulated it may seem I have to convey this piece of mine to my fellow humans wherever they may be on Earth (or in Space…)

The principles of “do unto others as you want/expect others do unto you” is unique in the sense that if only every human can stick to it, the much needed peace and progress in the world will be achieved with ease.

The minimum number of relatives one may have is a mother and a father. Even with that, the person with that minimum will have his/her two parents having relatives; many in some instances and in some cases extended family unit(s).

Look around you and see how people deal negatively with one another in most cases because they are not “apparently” related with one another; forgetting our common ancestry of Adam and Eve. People go to war because those they wage war against aren’t their relations. People terrorize and kill others because none of their relations is the victim. Rape, rob and run because it isn’t their own that is the victim. Imagine someone doing that to you, your parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, or “etc”. Just imagine it!!! Perhaps, it may sound reasonable to think before venturing into harming others who are not apparently our relatives.

Most if not all people have the urge to do what is “evil” but conscience for self-respect and/or God, deters them from any attempt to further their intent. The most heinous crimes on Earth are committed when people forget that their relatives could be victims too. Forgetting also that someday all “accounts” will be settled.

If only we could sit back and reflect on how beautiful this temporal life would be when we all remember that somewhere somehow we are all related. When you wish to harm someone because of an opportunity you have over him/her, remember that it will somehow come back to you, here or Hereafter. Simply because you are a teacher/University lecturer, for instance, doesn’t give you the mandate to exchange grades for sex or for other “illicit” remunerations. Your daughter/son/cousin/niece/nephew may be a victim too someday. Simply because you are at the “top” doesn’t mean you should trample on those at the “bottom”. Simply because you are “whatever” shouldn’t intoxicate you to do as you wish to “whomsoever” and “whenever”. Life has limits and someday THIS TOO WILL PASS.

Remember what The Noble Prophet, Muhammad (SAW), said to a man who came to him seeking for permission to go and commit fornication. That man was later made to realize the gravity of his intention when The Noble Prophet (SAW) asked him that would he want that (fornication) to be committed with his mother or sister. We all should learn to ask ourselves the question of “what if it were my relatives” whenever we wish to harm anyone. Every human killed, robbed, terrorized, impoverished, adulterated, made illiterate or sick is someone else’s’ relative; and we wouldn’t want that happening to our “own” relatives.

Our thieving elites/leaders devour our commonwealth with impunity because their kith and kin are on the shores of “ill-gotten opulence”. They care not for the downtrodden amongst them, inflicting pain because it isn’t their relatives that are harmed.

People look the other way when they come across the poor in the society, especially children whose parents are unable, just because their own is not the one involved. As long as we continue to feel and believe that “if it doesn’t concern me, it doesn’t exist” then there will never be the peace and progress that we yearn for.

Aren’t we no longer the progenies of Adam and Eve?

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS ARE TEMPORAL.

Life can be so interesting if you commit all your affairs to The Almighty God, The Ultimate Disposer of all affairs. I have realize, severally, not because my faith taught me to be patient, persevering and above all prayerful in every situation, but because patience, perseverance, and prayers are in themselves soul soothing actions.

One often encounters hardships and problems along the path to success because he/she is being prepared by The Almighty to face a "challenging" success in the near or far future. I refer us to The Holy Qur'an 94: 1-8 for the evidence that after every hardship there is always a solace that envelopes the one that has been in hardship.

The Gregorian year 2011 (Hijira 1431/32) was a trying year for me in most aspects of my existence as a man. I need not mention those trials and tribulations because I have decided to take the "hakuna matata" approach and moreso 2011 belongs to the past; although the past can be so hurting and most often it heals by fibrosis to remind you of its foregone presence in your temporal life.

Alhamdulillah, the Gregorian year 2012 (Hijira 1433) has been a "soothing solace" for me. And every time I sit back to reflect on the successes and achievements God Almighty rained on my life in recent times, I truly realize that life is interesting, and much more interesting when it is accompanied by patience and perseverance that the helping Hands of The Almighty are always there to lift the one who prays.

This may sound like a "sermon" but I just want to pass a message to all those out there who wallow in depression because of underlying temporal trials and tribulations - man made or otherwise. The passing times may be apparently trying but believe you me, it's going to end, and most often as quick as you less thought of it. And I assure you that it's going to come with success at the end, especially when you remain patient and prayerful.

This is a piece of my mind written at MM2 Lagos while I awaited my "unscheduled" flight to Maiduguri. I hope it convince you to change your mindset about temporal trials and tribulations.

A REMINDER...ESPECIALLY TO LEADERS.

Every time I tune on to watch or listen to the news, either on cable, radio or internet, what I see and hear is more of war (within or without), "terrorist" attacks, economic melt-down, ethnic cleansing, you name it. Little does one see or hear of good news from the world around. The most hurting aspect is that most of  these things are caused by man in the quest for "profitting" from others suffering.

Ones immediate environment is shrouded in corruption and bad governance which in turn have led to insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and disease. Every day comes with its ramifications of stress-anxiety effects. You feel as if all these trials and tribulations wouldn't cease.

Majority of the leadership we see around don't help the situation. Worst and disheartening to know that most of these troubles and problems are deeply rooted and connected to bad leadership.

Overwhelming as all these may be...

But just close your eyes, remind yourself that The Almighty God is watching. Your efforts, your deeds, your patience will never go wasted. Remind yourself that it’s all being written down for a later reference. Open your eyes and keep going. Look past the struggles, look past the pain. Remind yourself of how good it would feel to have it all one day come back to you to elevate you in your status. Don’t let go. Don’t give up.

Assist others with the little you have. Feel the pains and sufferings that others have. Pray for them as that may be the source of their relief from pains and suffering.

Don't just walk away. Speak to them a nice and comforting word. Perhaps, someday it will echoe in eternity that you did use God's given gift of speech to help your fellow humans when you had nothing to offer but your comforting words.

Leadership is a trust from GOD and you will be questioned on how you honour or dishonour this trust.

ALWAYS HAVE THE FEAR AND LOVE THAT THE ALMIGHTY GOD EXPECTS FROM YOU.

N.B. I thank Sheikh MB Lawan Adamawa for the Facebook post (italized part of the above) that prompted me to write this piece on my blog.

FEEL FOR OTHERS...

If you want to succeed and be happy in life

Be an instrument to someone else's happiness or success

It will surely reflect in you

Unhappiness, depression, and anxiety

Most often are as a result of your feeling sad because someone else has succeeded

Feel for others as you want others to feel for you.

This, though short, can make lots of positive changes in your life if you decide to put it into practice.

CHILDREN (YOUTHS) AS FUTURE LEADERS.

I still remember my beloved headmaster during many of the morning assemblies saying to us (most atimes in Hausa) that "MY CHILDREN, YOU ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS, SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE WELL EQUIPPED FOR THE FUTURE CHALLENGES. WE WILL, AS YOUR TEACHERS AND PARENTS,  TRY OUR BEST TO SHAPE THAT FUTURE FOR YOU".

Those encouraging words have always had an effect on me and, I believe, in most of my primary school contemporaries. The time when those words were spoken the standard of living in Nigeria was better than what we have today.

We are now in "that future" the headmaster talked about and, perhaps, we are somewhat leaders in one way or the other. I will continue to praise The Almighty Allah (SWT) for all His blessings on me and all those who had it relatively easy to be what they are at present. May HE (SWT) also continue to bless and guide all the past and present "shapers" of the future of humanity in a positive way. Ameen.

One thing we that had it apparently "easier" should always remember is that the future of TODAY'S children (and YOUTHS) is apparently at risk especially when we sit back and ask ourselves the following questions that I read in a book titled "GROOMING A MUSLIM CHILD" published by Al-Amin Foundation, Kaduna, Nigeria in 2006.

1. How can a child (youth) obtain QUALITATIVE EDUCATION when the society does not see education as an industry that is worth investing in?

2. How can the child (youth) learn when he/she has virtually no TEACHERS to teach him/her, and where he/she has a teacher, the necessary teaching materials and operations are not adequate and sufficiently provided for, and where such things are provided for, the the teacher is not (properly) paid and cared for?

3. How can we have good results when the society does not (as a matter of necessity) reward good work and excellence?

4. How can the child (youth) get the correct exposure when all that he/she finds on our street is fighting, destruction of lives and property, looting (of public treasury), daylight (and night) robbery for reasons he/she is not aware of?

(N.B. words in parenthesis were mine for emphasis).

I add the following questions to the above ones:

5. How can the child (youth) be a future leader when the society he/she lives doesn't care to provide the necessary preventive and curative health measures to shape his/her future?

6. How can the child (youth) be a better and responsible part of humanity in the future when what he/she sees around are bunch of irresponsible "elders"?

7. How can the child (youth) see his/her future as bright when the "grown-ups" constantly take every advantage and opportunity to darken his/her future?

These and many of similar questions need our individual and collective answers because by the time these children (youths) reach their future we will all be aged or death...a time when we will need them to reciprocate to us what we did to them while they were children (youths)...good or bad things we've done to them.

These are questions we may shy away from today, but we will somehow regret shying away from in the future...us or the progenies we leave behind.

You may be in your well secured mansions enjoying yourselves with your family while the multitudes of the children (and youths) whose parents you "presently" lead are suffering because of your many neglects as a leader. But recall all those past leaders who have embezzled the future of their country.

Leaders we may be at present... all of us. The ONE above us sees all we do and someday we will be answerable to all our commissions and omissions.

We are all in this together and together we should correct the ills where and whenever we can.

Remain blessed.

SUNSET OVER RAMADAN, 1433 AH.

Every day has its sunset, and some day our lives would have one too. Today marks the 30th day of the Holy month of Ramadan, 1433 years after the Hijirah of our Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah. The month of Ramadan is about to have its final sunset for this year.

Alot has been learnt from the days of Ramadan... the month of fasting, recitation of the Holy Qur'an, helping the needy, visitations, and all other rewarding acts of worship. May Allah (SWT) accept all our good deeds and forgive all our sins and excessess. Ameen.

My Eid Fitr message to Muslims all over the world is that we should always endevour to keep the spirit of Ramadan and the lessons we've learnt from it. We should practice Islaam as practiced and taught by the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his sahabas. We should practice and preach the true teachings of Islaam to the best of our ability so that on the Day of Judgement, Allah (SWT) will be pleased with us. Let the non-Muslims see the excellent teachings of Islaam in us. They shouldn't merely recognize us as Muslims just by our names, but they should see the true teachings of Islaam in our character as well. Let us strive towards the path of good.

The end of the Holy month of Ramadan doesn't only herald the beginning of the month of Shawwal, in which we celebrate eid Fitr and fast extra six days, it also means that 30 days have been deducted from the days Allah (SWT) willed for us to live on Earth. So let us have the fear of The Almighty in whatever that we do for we don't have the guarantee that we will live to see next year's Ramadan.

May Allah (SWT)'s blessings be upon His bondmen who glorify and fear Him. Ameen.

Eid Mubarrak.

GET MOTIVATED. GET A MENTOR

This is ABOUT my new Facebook page... GET MOTIVATED. GET A MENTOR.

All roads and paths in life must have been trodden by someone somewhere in history... someone who is dead or still alive.

So, if you have to follow a similar road or path, get to know about all those who have passed through that road or path. By doing that you will save alot of time and ultimately reach your destination in a shorter time relative to many of the people that had taken that road or path.

You will get to learn about their adventures on those roads and paths before you embark on your own journey. Their mistakes, regrets, and achievements and experiences will guide you to achieve, perhaps, more than they did.

In essence try and get a mentor in life who will positively steer you to a good and fortunate destination.

I humbly initiated this Facebook page in order to motivate people, through my writings and those of other people, through my photos and those of other people, and through other means. So that at the end of the day I too would, atleast, have some people out there that will one day echoe that I contributed to having them motivated to also mentor... as I have been by so many good people of the Planet Earth.

Please feel free to visit my new Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/GetMotivatedGetAMentor

Or simply search for "GET MOTIVATED. GET A MENTOR" on Facebook.

Thank you.

Dr. Ahmadu Muhammad Sani. BSc, MBBS, FMCR.
Ramadan 23rd, 1433AH (11/08/2012)
@Maiduguri, Nigeria.

THE BEST WOMAN A MAN CAN HAVE (AND VICE VERSA).

The history of the world is but that of a man and a woman. Each of these human species looks up to the other for unique qualities that would make him/her like/love the other. Whatever quality we may try to look for in each other, it's one or all of the following:

1. Piety (this comes with knowledge, especially of God Almighty).
2. Beauty (both in character & learning).
3. Wealth.
4. Good lineage.

Whatever one may have in mind outside these qualities, it's usually a hybrid of these qualitites.

Now how are these qualities related MATHEMATICALLY? A Muslim mathematician was once asked about  the best woman.
He said: if a woman is pious and religious so she is = 1.
If she is beautiful, add a 0 to 1 = 10.
If she is wealthy, add another 0 = 100.
And if she is from a good and known family, add another 0 = 1000.
But if “1” is gone then nothing remains, but a bunch of zeros.

I believe that this should apply to men also.

This is a well thought articulation. So, if there's any woman out there with these qualities (especially quality no.1), let me then assure her that a similar man awaits her, God's Willing.

Wish you all the best in your quest for the BEST woman/man.

ORIENTATION FOR OUR MUSLIM MBBS/BDS NEW CLINICAL STUDENTS

ORIENTATION FOR OUR MUSLIM MBBS/BDS
NEW CLINICAL STUDENTS

BY

DR. AHMADU MUHAMMAD SANI. B.Sc., M.B.B.S., F.M.C.R.

DEPT OF RADIOLOGY, U.M.T.H. MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA

AN ORIENTATION LECTURE FOR NEW MBBS/BDS CLINICAL STUDENTS ORGANIZED BY ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM HEALTH STUDENTS (AMHS), UNIV. OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL

ON

SUN., 25/08/1433 AH; 15/07/2012 CE

OUTLINE OF THE ORIENTATION

1. What we aim is what we get
2. Clinical Site… Is it really the G₀ phase?
3. Our academic milestones
4. The Clinical site for MBBS/BDS Students
5. Time Utilization in the College
6. The Muslim MBBS/BDS Student
7. General Advice
8. Finally

1. WHAT WE AIM IS WHAT WE GET
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and miss it; but we aim too low and reach it.” – Anonymous.

“Luck, most of the time, favours only the prepared minds.” – Anonymous.

THE MISTAKES OF STUDENTS

• Reading just to pass a test or an exam
• To be able to earn handsome (pretty) salary
• Forgetting that acquisition of a “new” knowledge requires your prior knowledge of the“old” subject/course you wish to study. There4, you mustn’t forget your preclinical knowledge.

2. CLINICAL SITE… IS IT REALLY THE G₀ PHASE?

• The FALLACY of Clinical site being G₀ phase
• THE CLINICAL SITE – THE REAL PICTURE.
• THE CLINICAL “SITE” (HOSPITAL) IS A “DIRECT EXTENSION OF THE PRE-CLINICAL “SITE”
• YOUR STAY OVER HERE WILL SOON PROVE THAT YOU HAVE TO PRAY AND WORK HARDER TO SUCCEED.
• 3C’s (Composure; Common sense; Confidence)
• 3P’s (Patience; Perseverance; PRAYERS)

3. OUR ACADEMIC MILESTONES

• Nursery
• Primary
• Secondary
• University (Undergrad)
– Preclinical
– Clinical
• Postgraduate
– HO
– Registrar
– Senior Registrar
– Consultant
• Then?

PRE-REQUISITE OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION

1. Student
2. Teacher
3. Finance (Pocket Money, School Fees, etc)
4. Curiosity on the part of the student
5. Retentive memory on the part of the student
6. Time (6 yrs. with 3Ps, 3Cs, etc)

4. THE CLINICAL SITE FOR MBBS/BDS STUDENTS

• Clinics
• Wards
• Laboratories
• Other places

UMTH CLINICS & WARDS

• Out-patients are seen in the clinics:
– GOPD
– MOPD
– SOPD
– POPD
– ANC/Gyn OPD
– Other specialist clinics
• In-patients are seen on the wards in:
– Medical – MMW I & II, FMW I & II
– Surgical – MSW, FSW I & II, MOW, PSW, MFW
– Paediatric – PMW, EPU, SCBU
– O & G – Labour, Obstetric, Gynae wards
– VIP & Amenity
– ICU

UMTH LABS AND OTHER PLACES

• A & E
• Radiology
• Haematology
• Histopathology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Chemical pathology
• Physiotherapy
• Pharmacy
• Cardiology/Endoscopy (ECG/Echocardiography)
• Theatre complex
• Nuclear Medicine/Radiotherapy centres

THE KNOWLEDGE PORTALS (“MBBS + BDS till MCS do us part”)

• Classroom Lectures
• Wardrounds (wards/clinics)
• Laboratory sessions (practicals)
• Community medicine
• Etc

MBBS

1. MICROBIOLOGY
2. PHARMACOLOGY
3. PATHOLOGY
4. OBS & GYN
5. PAEDIATRICS
6. MEDICINE
7. COMMUNITY MEDICINE
8. SURGERY

“CLINICAL” MEDICINE

• MEDICINE
• SURGERY
• PAEDIATRICS
• OBSTETRICS& GYNAECOLOGY
-Wardrounds
-Clinics
-Bedsides/Tutorials
-Clinico-(Pathological/Radiological) Meetings

LABORATORY MEDICINE

•MICROBIOLOGY
- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Mycology (Fungology)
•PHARMACOLOGY ( Has multiple subsets)
•PATHOLOGY
- Histopathology
- Haematology
- Chemical Pathology

COMMUNITY MEDICINE

•Public Health
•Field Works/STD Clinics
•Community Service/Posting
•Rural Posting
•Seminars
•Etc

THE LONG RUN TO MBBS/BDS

•Junior/Introductory Postings in Medicine & Surgery.
•Junior/Intermediate Postings in Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G).
Specialty Postings in:
–Radiology
–Psychiatry
–Ophthalmology
–ENT (Otolaryngology)
–Orthopaedics
–Anaesthesia
–Dermatology
•Community Medicine Block Postings in:
- Epidemiology Unit
- Yerwa/Gwange ANC
- Abattoir
- Monday Market
- Water Treatment Plant
- Nigerian Bottling Company
- etc
•Intermediate Postings in Medicine & Surgery.
•EXAMINATIONS IN MICROBIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
•Senior Postings in Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
•EXAMINATIONS IN PAEDIATRICS, O & G, AND PATHOLOGY
•Community Medicine Rural Posting (Final Year Project Writing)
•Senior Postings in Medicine & Surgery
•FINAL EXAMINATIONS IN MEDICINE, COMMUNITY MEDICINE, & SURGERY

BDS

•BDS IV (400 LEVEL)
–Science of Dental Materials
–Prosthetics Dentistry
–Operative Techniques in Dentistry
•Promotional Exams in the above 3 courses
–With the MBBS students
•Microbiology
•Pharmacology
•Pathology
• BDS V (500 LEVEL)
–Medicine
–Surgery
–Paediatrics
–Pathology
•Exams in Microbiology & Pharmacology
–Specialty Postings in:
•Radiology
•ENT
•Ophthalmology
•Anaesthesia
•Exams in Paediatrics, Pathology & then Medicine & Surgery
• BDS VI (600 LEVEL)– “INDEPENDENT”
–Periodontology
–Community/Preventive Dentistry
–Orthodontics
–Paediatrics Dentistry (Paedodontics)
–Restorative/Conservative Dentistry
–Prosthodontics
–Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
–Oral Pathology
–Oral Medicine
–Oral Radiology
–Ethics in Dentistry
»Final BDS exams

WARNING!!! THERE IS NO MAGIC FORMULA FOR SUCCESS IN THE CMS, APART FROM STUDYING VERY HARD AND PRAYING.

“SOME” INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE COLLEGE

Prayers, Patience& Perseverance (3Ps)
Confidence, Composure& Common-sense (3Cs)
Punctuality (>80% Attendance) & Hard work at:
- Classroom/Lectures
- Ward/Clinics/Bedsides/Tutorials
- Laboratory/Field work
- Self-directed learning (Main source of acquiring Knowledge especially in the University)
- Group discussions/Past Question papers
- etc

TOO MANY COURSES...DON’T BE SCARED

•The courses may be too many with “jaw-breaking” pronunciations esp. the ones for the BDS.
•Just don’t be scared.
•Others have been there before you and have made it.
•The pioneer set 1983 (29yrs)

YOU ARE ALREADY A DOCTOR…UNLESS IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE.

5. TIME “UTILIZATION” IN THE COLLEGE
•The Importance of TIME. ALLAH (SWA) swore by TIME in S. 103 (Al-Asr).
•TIME is LIFE.
•It is a medium that determines our fate as either dwellers of PARADISE or HELL-FIRE.
•The Six years of Medical/Dental Schools is part of TIME.
•TIME and SPACE are among the Best Gifts of ALLAH (SWA) that can be used either well or poorly.
•The mis-use of TIME is a MISFORTUNE.

TIME UTILIZATION

•Time is more than money; it is life.
•You can never buy yesterday even if you spend the rest of your life. But you can regain money lost.
•Plan your Time daily (To-Do List)

SCHEDULING TIME

•To-Do List (Usually a night before)
•Wake-Up Early (Muslims are well known for this)
•Religious/Spiritual Activities are your TOP Priorities
•Don’t be a LATE-COMER to any of Life’s Events
•Live A TRIANGLE LIFE
- Hostel (Masjid, Exercise, Feeding)
- Classroom
- Hospital (Ward, Clinics, Lab)

A TEMPLATE FOR READING PATTERN

•Form the Habit of READING before and after a teaching session with your Teachers/Lecturers.
•Form your OWN NOTES.
•Ward/Clinic JOTTERS are essential “arsenals” esp prior to your clinical exams.
•Listen attentively to what is been taught at places of learning.
•Read the BASIC STUFFS esp “tropical” cases when you are reading from a “temperate” textbook.
•Ask questions if you don’t know…

REST WHEN NECESSARY

•Siesta
•Sleep as early as“necessary”.
•Sleep only when you have exhausted >90% of your To-Do List and have made that for the following day.

6. THE MUSLIM MBBS/BDS STUDENT

•Lives his/her daily life according to the teachings and tenets of ISLAM (The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of The Holy Prophet).
- Lives a purposeful life
- Knows WHY he/she is in the University
- Remembers that he/she is a KHALIFAH of ALLAH (SWA) on Earth.
- Has ISLAM and Muslims in mind
- Remembers death constantly
- Helps humanity in general
- He/she is not arrogant
- Respects everybody

AMHS

•Participate in all its activities.
•Be a true Muslim student in:
–Character
–Learning
•Pray in the Masjid.
•Pay your dues generously and constantly
•Encourage good & forbid evil (e.g. if a female asks you the way to the males’ hostel).

MORALITY

•Dressing
–The Hijab vs Body Tights
•(The sweet story)
–The Turban vs Jerseys
•Room Entertainers
•(use them beneficially)
•Negative Relationships with:
–Students
–Teachers

MORE IMPORTANTLY 1433 YEARS AGO...
•The Foundation of Islamic State - Hijrah
•There was an ultimate role model who transformed humanity for good.
•The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent by ALLAH (SWT) as the last messenger to mankind.
•He (SAW) has prescribed to Muslims and indeed humanity noble ways on how to achieve excellence here and Hereafter.

OUR ROLE MODEL(s)
•PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW)
OTHERS
•Piuos Predecessors (The Sahabas & Tabi’un)
•Contemporary Pious Muslims
•Your Senior Colleagues (MBBS V - ?)

YESTERDAY...TODAY...TOMORROW...

•Al-Razi or Rhazes of Rayy, Persian, d. ca. 925
–Kitab ul-Hawi (Lat. Continens); vast clinical experience on Smallpox and Measles
•Ibn Sina or Avicenna of Tashkent, d. 1037
–Al-Qanun (Canon), a popular medical text taught in Europe up to the seventeenth century, also put into a poem
•Ibn al-Nafis, born near Damascus, fl. In Cairo, d. 1288. Commentary on Ibn Sina’s Anatomy; description of lesser circulation
•As-Suyuti, Ibn Al-Qayyum Al-Jawziya, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Ibn Maymun (Maimonides)
•Etc (NIGERIA)

PURITY OF INTENTION (From Hadeeth 1 of An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth)

On the authority of Ameerul -Mumineen (the Commander of the Faithful), Abu Hafs Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, “Actions are judged by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended. Thus he whose migration (Hijrah from Makkah to Madina) was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated.”

AND REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE A MUSLIM WHEREVER YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF.…A MUSLIM MEDICAL/DENTAL STUDENT ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A MUSLIM MEDICAL/DENTAL DOCTOR.

READ! IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD WHO CREATED…(Q.96.v.1)

SOME PRAYERS

There are many authentic prayers from The Holy Qur’an as well as from The Holy Prophet (SAW) regarding freedom from difficulties of Life. Choose the one(s) that is/are easy for you.

Be constant in your Supplications to The Almighty ALLAH (SWT) for success here and Hereafter.
HE (SWT) said in Q2.186
“Wa ‘izaa sa-a’laka ‘ibadadii ‘annii fa-’inii Qariib: ujiibu da’-watad-daa-’i ‘zaa ‘da-’aan: fal-yastajiibuu lii wal yu’-minuu bii la-’allahum yar-shiduun.”

“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way”. Q2:186.

Supererogatory Fasting esp. on Mondays & Thursdays.

Give Alms freely to the needy.

Increase your good deeds henceforth.
Purify your intention for being in the Medical School.

Q20:25-28
“…Rabbishrah lii sadrii. Wa yassir liii‘amrii; Wahlul ‘uqdatam-mil-lisaanii, Yafqahuu qawlii.”

“…O my Lord! Expand my breast. Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment in my speech, So that they may understand what I say.”

Q20:114

“…Rabbi zidnii ‘ilmaa”

“…O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge.”

Remember that after every hardship, there is multitudes of ease. Q94:1-8 (Sura Inshiraah)

From The Holy Prophet (SAW):
“Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahlan wa Anta taj ‘alul hazna idha shi’ta sahlan.”

“O ALLAH there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You make (even) despondency easy.” (Ibn Hibban) See also An-Nawawi, Kitabul-Adhkar p.106

“Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa alaihi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul- ‘arshil- ‘azeem.”

“ALLAH Is sufficient for me. There is no God but HE. I have placed my trust in HIM, HE Is the Lord of the Majestic Throne.”(Abu Dawud: 4/324; Ahmad: 5/42)

“Allahumma inni as’aluka ‘ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan taiyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan.”

“O ALLAH, I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision, and deeds that will be accepted.”

Recite blessings upon The Holy Prophet and his household on daily basis.

You should ask ALLAH (SWT) using HIS Holy and Beautiful Names for Success in this Life and the Hereafter.

SO, DISTINGUISH YOURSELF…
Good, Better, Best (Good-Gooder-Goodest)
I’ll never rest
Until my good is better
And my better best

•Commit everything to ALLAH (SWA).
•Assure yourself that you chose to be a doctor in order to assist the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)& that by ALLAH’S grace you will make it.
•Convince yourself that others have made it before; therefore, you can also make it. May be even better.
•Stick up a notice in your wardrobe or wallet that “I’M GOING TO BE A DOCTOR VERY SOON.”
•Focus your mind& energy to your goal of attaining ALLAH (SWA) Pleasure.
•If you are in difficulty regarding your studies in the Medical School; ask for help early.

7. GENERAL ADVICE

•Lectures
•Clinical Postings
•Self – Directed Learning
•Group Discussion
•Relationship with College/Hospital Community
•Producing An MBBS/BDS Student Too
•Post MBBS/BDS

GENERAL ADVICE ON LECTURES

•Have the lecture schedule from the College/Dept & stick to it. Paste it on your notice board.
•Read the topic b4 coming for the lecture
•Be punctual for all lectures.
•Let not the attendance dictate your being present for a lecture.
•Listen more and copy less.
•Read/Revise the day’s lecture b4 sleeping.
•3P’s/3C’s.

GENERAL ADVICE ON CLINICAL POSTINGS

•Have the postings schedule from the College & stick to it. Paste it on your notice board.
•Have 2-3 things you would want to learn/day during any posting.
•Be punctual.
•Let not the “Signology”dictate your being present on the ward/clinic.
•Try as much as possible to present a patient and assist/perform a procedure on the ward/clinic.
•Respect/Learn from all those you will meet on the ward.
•3P’s/3C’s.

GENERAL ADVICE ON SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
•Don’t just read b’cos you want to pass tests/exams.
•Read atleast 50 pages/day.
•Read“For-your-level” books and don’t be a “spanophiliac” or a “high-faluter”.
•Make sure to read/revise all that you’ve been taught for the day…and don’t just crash your readings.
•MNEMONICS are indispensable in your studies esp. if you know how they were formed.
•3P’s/3C’s.

GENERAL ADVICE ON GROUP DISCUSSION

•Be sure to belong to one.
•It shouldn’t be a CROWD.
•Members should be drawn from different posting groups so as to share do’s/don’ts of the teachers.
•Have a fixed time& venue for discussions.
•Discuss past Q&A (<10yrs), common clinical cases.
•Read the topics/Q&A/cases to be discussed
•3P’s/3C’s.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COLLEGE/HOSPITAL COMMUNITY

•Patients (Hospital Kings/Queens/Princes/Princesses)
•Consultants
•Resident doctors/MOs
•House Officers
•Nurses
•Other students
•Health Records Officers
•Porters
•Other staff (security, etc)

PRODUCE A STUDENT TOO THRU MARRIAGE

•Avoid negative relationships “ilmi ba sai da shaidanci ba”.
•Group of Young Men who are able to support a family
•The monthly …OMSA stipend may be enough for the contented ones.
•Rampant nudity esp. amongst females may not guarantee moral safety.
•Classmate vs. Classmate.
•Choose the last of beauty, lineage, wealth, piety.

POST MBBS/BDS
•Have your mind set for specialization... Subspecialization right from pre-graduation
(I made up mine 14 yrs ago when I was in final yr Human Anatomy). –Radiology – Neuro-Radiology
•We need more specialists than medical officers... Though both are indispensable.
•Be a true representation of Islam... & let the non-Muslims see Islam in your character & not just by your name.

8. FINALLY
•Take action and do your best
•Rely upon ALLAH (SWT) for the results
•Thank ALLAH (SWT) for the outcome of your actions and for everything that you have in life

And always remember…
•Death
•Barzaq/Grave
•Day of Judgement (Q. 2. v.281)

Questions/Clarifications/Contributions may be forwarded to:

drahmadums@hotmail.com
www.drahmadums.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/drahmadums#!/
www.twitter.com/drahmadums