FROM MAULANA'S DESK

Soviet Union the eastern part of its country including part of Berlin. Japan had to surrender the Okinawa Islands, to the United States. Both countries made plans for their future economic development by first setting aside what they had lost. The result was miraculous: Germany, led by its first post-war Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, emerged as Europe’s industrial leader. Similarly, Japan under the wise leadership of Emperor Hirohito, rose to be the economic superpower of Asia. This is the miracle of planning based on the remaining part of a whole, unlike planning which entails the pursuit of an erstwhile whole. The best principle in life is not to be concerned with what has been lost, but by planning wisely to avail of what is still extant. Sooner or later, one will emerge as a super achiever. This holds true for both nations and individuals. Another good example is Singapore. Previously part of Malaysia, Singapore was expelled from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965 and became an independent state. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore likewise adopted the policy of planning based on remnants. Singapore though a small fraction of the size of Malaysia is today far more developed than Malaysia. All individuals and nations have ambitions which they seek to fulfil. Wise planning for the fulfilment of a goal requires adjustment between personal ambition and available resources. Good planning is realistically weighing one’s personal ambitions vis-à-vis available resources. We cannot change the course taken by the external world, nor can we master nature. Our only option is to make a realistic adjustment between our ambitions and the resources available in the real world. o Maulana Wahiduddin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org The best principle in life is not to be concerned with what has been lost, but by planning wisely to avail of what is still extant. Secret of Knowledge To acquire higher knowledge, you need a mindset that admits that you do not know, not a mindset that insists that you do know.