Learn.

"Bacalah dengan (menyebut) nama Tuhan-mu yang Menciptakan,

Dia telah Menciptakan manusia dari segumpal darah.

Bacalah, dan Tuhan-mulah Yang Maha Mulia.

Yang Mengajar (manusia) dengan pena.

Dia Mengajarkan manusia apa yang tidak diketahuinya.

Sekali-kali tidak! Sungguh, manusia itu benar-benar melampaui batas,

apabila melihat dirinya serba cukup.

Sungguh, hanya kepada Tuhan-mulah tempat kembali(mu)..."

Al-'Alaq (ayat 1-7)

Each time I think of my short stint as the "Senior Partner" during LLB, I am tickled by the memories of how poyo I used to be and how disillusioned I was about what the working life would be like and how I thought that everything back then was the ideal way of how things should be...

Fast forward 6 years later though... here I am, still working the same job as it has been for almost 6 years (with better position and better pay, Alhamdulillah), grateful as ever for all the experiences that that very short stint prepared me for. I'm also grateful as ever that I took advantage of that whole year to learn all that I could learn, which among others include - how to think on my feet.

As the "Senior Partner" back then, I was expected to know everything and I mean EVERYTHING. I remember during one of the "viva" sessions for Solicitor's Accounts, Mdm. Aziah asked us all a question (I can hardly recall what it was now) and all of my firm mates looked in my direction expectantly, knowing that I would somehow or rather answer that question on the firm's behalf. I remember feeling a blush creep up my neck at that moment, and feeling sick to the stomach because I was so scared that I would let them down. Eventually though, I (of course, flips hair (masa tu)) figured out the answer and I swear I heard them heave a sigh of relief when Mdm. Aziah said we got it right.

At this juncture, you're all probably asking, "Dude, WHAT IS YOUR POINT?!" so I'm going to cut to the chase.

My point is that during my working life so far, I have also been thrown into situations where I was required to think on my feet. While some people fret and make a big fuss out of it, I try not let it show too much (although hati berdebar-debar) and most importantly I try not to kelentong my way out of it.

I admit that at some point in my career, I too have used the kelentong method to wriggle my way out of a tight spot, but I have come to realise that it not only makes me look stupid (and like a big fat liar), it also encourages me to be stupid. And that's the last thing I want because Allah gave me perfectly good brains.


I have come to accept the fact although sometimes other people will inadvertently ask you things that they thought you knew, it's okay to tell them that you don't. Having said that though, there really is no harm in finding out the answers to their queries. After all, if someone gave you something so perfect, you've got to show your appreciation right? In this case, if you don't put your brain to good use, don't you think that you're being ungrateful to Allah for granting it to you?

I think we should never, at any point in our lives think that we know it all.


Because clearly, we don't. 


And knowing that fact, I do think that we should pay heed to the ayat I have cited above.


Read. And don't refuse to learn.


After all, it's a lifelong process that needs to go on and on and on.


Plus, no one likes a big fat liar, that's for sure.