THE FORTY AHSAN AL-HADITH PROJECT

 

For the last few years, I have been researching, reflecting upon, and collecting a set of Qur'anic verses that have profoundly shaped my life. Today, I am finally ready to begin sharing them.

The working title is:

Forty Ahsan al-Hadith
Forty Qur'anic Verses That Shaped My Life

Over the coming months, I will be sharing forty Qur'anic verses that have inspired, guided, challenged, comforted, and shaped me throughout my life.

This is a project that has been quietly taking shape in my mind and research over the last few years.

The Qur'an has accompanied me through poverty and prosperity, success and failure, certainty and doubt, youth and old age. Like many Muslims, I have turned to its guidance in moments of joy, confusion, gratitude, and hardship.

Every verse of the Qur'an is important. Every verse contains guidance, wisdom, and signs for those who reflect.

This project is therefore not about discussing the basic teachings of Islam as we commonly know them today. Rather, it is about sharing forty Qur'anic verses that have had a profound impact on my own life and understanding.

These are the verses that have shaped me as a son, sibling, friend, corporate professional, entrepreneur, Malaysian, and Muslim. They have influenced how I think, how I lead, how I relate to others, and how I understand and practise my faith and my place in the world.

I hope to share these reflections not only with Muslims, but also with non-Muslims, agnostics, and atheists. You do not have to agree with my conclusions to join the conversation. Curiosity, reflection, and respectful dialogue are enough.

Some readers may notice the title uses the phrase Ahsan al-Hadith (أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ). The title comes from the Qur'an itself.

Allah says:

"Allah has sent down the best Hadith (أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ): a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray, for him there is no guide."

(Qur'an 39:23, Saheeh International)

In this project, I will use the spelling Hadith when referring to the Qur'anic term hadith, meaning discourse, narrative, speech, or message. When referring to the collected sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, I will use the spelling Hadeeth. This is simply a writing convention to help readers distinguish between the two usages.

This project is not intended to be a formal work of tafsir. However, wherever relevant, I will draw upon classical and contemporary tafsir, Qur'anic scholarship, and the Arabic language itself. I plan to explore root words within each verse, drawing from Qur'anic dictionaries and linguistic sources to better understand the meanings, nuances, and insights embedded in the text.

I will also examine how the Hadeeth literature has understood, explained, or related to the verses under discussion. Where relevant, I will explore what the major Hadeeth collections and broader Islamic scholarly discussions have said about a particular verse and its application.

These reflections will therefore be personal, but they will also be informed by the rich intellectual tradition that Muslims have inherited over the centuries.

In many ways, this project is also an invitation to spend more time with the Qur'an itself. Not merely to recite it, but to reflect upon it, engage with it, learn from it, and allow it to shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

Why Forty?

I chose the number forty because I am inspired by the Arba'in tradition in Muslim history. Beginning as early as the second and third centuries of Islam, Muslim scholars started compiling collections of forty Hadeeth on various themes for the benefit of the community.

Among the earlier examples were collections associated with scholars such as Imam Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (8th century CE / 2nd century AH). The tradition continued to grow through the works of scholars such as Imam al-Ajurri (10th century CE / 4th century AH) and Imam al-Bayhaqi (11th century CE / 5th century AH), among many others.

The most famous of all is undoubtedly the Forty Hadeeth of Imam al-Nawawi (13th century CE / 7th century AH), a work that continues to be studied throughout the Muslim world today.

Those collections gathered forty sayings of the Prophet ﷺ. This project seeks to draw inspiration from that tradition by gathering forty verses from the Qur'an itself, which Allah describes as Ahsan al-Hadith (The Best Hadith).

There were collections of forty Hadeeth before Imam al-Nawawi, and many more after him. For nearly a thousand years, Muslim scholars have used the Arba'in format to gather and share teachings they believed would benefit the community. I see this project as a humble attempt to draw inspiration from that rich tradition, but this time based on the Qur'an, which Allah Himself describes as Ahsan al-Hadith.

Most importantly, these are my forty Ahsan al-Hadith (أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ), forty Qur'anic verses that have profoundly impacted my life. You may have a different forty. In fact, I hope you do.

One of my hopes is that this project will encourage other Muslims to identify and share their own forty Ahsan al-Hadith from their own list of Qur'anic verses that shaped their lives.

Imagine a lawyer writing about the forty Qur'anic verses that shaped his understanding of justice.

Imagine a teacher sharing the forty verses that influenced her approach to education.

Imagine doctors, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, civil servants, artists, AI specialists, social workers, and parents reflecting on the verses that guided them in their respective fields and life journeys.

Each person's forty may be different. Yet together, they would demonstrate the timeless ability of the Qur'an to speak to human beings across different professions, cultures, experiences, and generations.

One of the goals of this project is therefore to encourage all of us to reflect on which verses have most influenced our own lives. Which verses have shaped our character, our decisions, our relationships, our understanding of God, and our understanding of ourselves?

The Qur'an repeatedly invites us to think, reflect, observe, learn, and engage with the world around us. That invitation is open to everyone.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you, one verse at a time, and perhaps inspiring you to discover your own Forty Ahsan al-Hadith.

As always, I welcome your thoughts, feedback, questions, disagreements, and suggestions. If a particular verse has profoundly shaped your life, I would be delighted to hear about it.

Peace,

Anas Zubedy

The first Ahsan al-Hadith will be shared soon.

Question: If you had to choose just one Qur'anic verse that has most influenced your life, what would it be and why?

UEC – ENVISIONING A MORE UNITED MALAYSIA

  

Part 3 of “The UEC: Another Vote-Baiting Issue?”

In Part 1 of this series, "The UEC: Another Vote-Baiting Issue?", I argued that the UEC issue has often been used as a political football rather than approached as a genuine policy challenge.

In Part 2, "Malaysian Voters: Are We Thinkers or Suckers?", we applied the first step of the ZUBEDY DEAR Method: Define Reality. We examined the actual policy changes, looked at the numbers involved, and discovered that the issue is far more nuanced and limited than the emotionally charged narratives often presented by politicians and their supporters.

Before we move to the next step of the DEAR Method, namely Envision, two important points should be noted.

First, while the number of UEC students directly affected by the recent policy change may ultimately involve only a couple of hundred students annually, the issue remains important. These are fellow Malaysians and citizens. More importantly, affordability matters. For lower-income UEC graduates, alternative pathways often come with significantly higher costs, while students from wealthier families generally have more educational options regardless of government policy.

Second, we cannot meaningfully discuss a more united Malaysia by looking only at UEC students. Any serious conversation about educational pathways, opportunity, and national unity must also include students from tahfiz institutions, pondok and madrasah schools, as well as other non-mainstream education streams. A united Malaysia must work for all Malaysians.

Having defined reality, we can now move to the next step of the DEAR Method: Envision.

E – ENVISION

In envisioning a better future, one of the most important things we must do is inspire ourselves and fellow Malaysians with a bright vision that provides hope. Hope is critical because without hope, Malaysians become cynical. We stop looking for solutions and start looking for someone to blame. We begin to see every issue as another reason to fear, distrust, or oppose one another.

Hope allows us to see possibilities. It allows us to believe that Malaysians can become more united, whether they come from the national education stream, UEC schools, or religious schools such as tahfiz, pondok, and madrasah institutions. Hope moves us beyond arguments and towards solutions.

Once we have hope, we can identify specific mission areas that deserve our attention. We can focus on education, re-learning, training, communication, and building greater understanding between communities. Instead of arguing endlessly about problems, we begin making new plans.

However, envisioning must not remain merely as documentation or wishful thinking. A meaningful vision requires human touch. It must connect with the hopes, concerns, and aspirations of ordinary Malaysians. It must be practical enough to eventually translate into action.

Most importantly, envisioning a better future generates new energy. It allows us to build on whatever strengths we already possess, however small they may seem. We work from our niche.

And Malaysia has many strengths. We have decades of experience living in a diverse society. We know how to compromise. We know how to negotiate differences. We know how to work together despite our many races, religions, cultures, and languages. We have not always done it perfectly, but we have done it often enough to know that it can be done.

The purpose of envisioning is therefore not to dwell on what divides us, but to build on what unites us.

The challenge for Malaysia has never been whether we should have diversity in education. Educational diversity has existed for decades and is likely to continue. The real challenge has always been how to balance educational diversity with a common national framework that helps unite Malaysians.

In my view, the answer is unity without uniformity.

Today, it is neither realistic nor practical to expect every Malaysian child to study under one roof or attend the same type of school. Malaysia has evolved significantly since Merdeka. Multiple educational pathways are now deeply embedded in our society and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

The question therefore is no longer whether multiple educational pathways should exist.

The real question is whether we can achieve the best of both worlds.

Can we preserve educational diversity while strengthening national unity?

Can we allow different educational pathways to flourish while ensuring that every Malaysian acquires certain common foundations by the time he or she reaches adulthood?

In my view, the answer must be yes.

Every Malaysian should have a reasonable command of Bahasa Malaysia. We do not expect every Malaysian to be fasih in Bahasa Malaysia. However, every Malaysian must be able to menguasai Bahasa Malaysia sufficiently to communicate, work, interact, and participate fully in national life.

Likewise, every Malaysian should have a deep understanding of Malaysian history and feel personally connected to it. History is not merely about examinations, dates, or memorising events. It is about understanding how our nation was formed, the sacrifices that were made, the compromises that were reached, and the challenges that continue to shape us today.

More importantly, every Malaysian should be able to see Malaysian history as part of his or her own personal story. While we may celebrate our various ancestral, cultural, religious, or civilisational histories, our common national history must remain Malaysian history. We should not project another country's historical narrative onto Malaysia. Instead, we should understand Malaysia on its own terms, through its own experiences, struggles, achievements, and aspirations.

But perhaps even more important than language and history is social interaction.

The earlier Malaysians interact with one another, the better.

One of the challenges of UEC schools, religious schools, and certain private schools is that students often spend most of their formative years within relatively homogeneous environments. As a result, many have fewer opportunities to mix with Malaysians from different races, religions, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

For a country like Malaysia, this is not ideal.

Unity is not built through slogans. Unity is built through relationships. It is built when Malaysians study together, play together, eat together, travel together, work together, and solve problems together.

It is difficult to fear someone you know well. It is difficult to dislike someone whose home you have visited, whose food you have tasted, whose stories you have heard, and whose friendship you value.

If our vision is a more united Malaysia, then one of our priorities must be to create opportunities for Malaysians from different educational streams to interact meaningfully with one another as early as possible. We should not wait until they enter the workforce before they begin discovering fellow Malaysians from different backgrounds.

If such interaction cannot happen fully at the school level, then it should happen at the university level. The earlier the better. If not at university, then through structured national programmes, community activities, volunteerism, sports, leadership initiatives, and other platforms that bring young Malaysians together.

The objective is simple: create opportunities for Malaysians to know one another before stereotypes and misunderstandings become deeply entrenched. Whether they come from a UEC school, a madrasah, a tahfiz institution, a private school, or a national school, no Malaysian should grow up without meaningful interaction with the rich diversity that makes Malaysia unique.

Every Malaysian should leave school with a reasonable command of Bahasa Malaysia, a deep understanding of Malaysian history, meaningful interaction with fellow Malaysians from different backgrounds, and a strong sense of belonging to this nation.

The pathway may differ, but the destination should remain the same.

That, in my view, is the vision worth pursuing.

This concludes Part 3 of this article series.

In Part 4, we will move to the next stages of the DEAR Method: Action and Reflection. Having defined reality and envisioned a better future, the next question becomes: What practical actions can we take to move Malaysia in that direction, and how do we continuously assess whether those actions are producing the outcomes we seek?

Peace,

Anas Zubedy

 

MALAYSIA : RULERS AND CONSTITUTIONALISM by Arof Ishak

 

An argument is going round that Malaysia is a constitutional democracy, that the monarch cannot issue decrees ‘which legislate all aspects of our lives’, and that the monarch’s domain is strictly the Malay customs, Islam and a few ‘constitutional roles’. This is an argument raising the supremacy of political theory, alone - that the Constitution is supreme.

But, a Constitution is founded on a particular history and associated with a founding society. The Malayan Constitution rolled out in 1957 (which later founded the Malaysian Constitution) was a gift of the Malay Rulers to their people, whereby the Rulers consented to reign as constitutional monarchs, giving up their hitherto position as ‘absolute’ rulers. In other words, the Constitution was ‘created’ by the Malay Rulers; the Constitution did not create the Malay Rulers. Thus, while we proclaim ‘supremacy of the Constitution’, we should not disengage from the whole society and its history.     

The founding (Malay) society reveres the Rulers as payung, whose presence completes the Malay society as a sovereign entity, apart from being protective, inspiring unity, and providing guidance. Thus, the domain of the Rulers is beyond the Constitution, not being above it. Thus, teguran of the Rulers are not infringement of the Constitution. The Constitution is part of the founding society, not apart from it. The Malaysian Constitution is shaped by the society, and its history. The Malaysian Constitution is sui generis. Our Constitution is not libertarian individualism, as that is not the form of our society, which is collectivist; nor is it a Westminster one either, where parliament created the constitution and the monarchy. 

There is reverence for the Malaysian Constitution, just as there is also for the founding society. One cannot have reverence for the Malaysian Constitution by rejecting the nature and essence of the founding Malay society. 

The Rukun Negara, often cited alongside the Constitution, is that expression of the founding society too, in a simpler form. The fifth and concluding principle of the Rukun Negara (kesopanan dan kesusilaan) is in fact the ruling principle, as it guides to the understanding and practice of the four preceding principles. Thus, the third principle of keluhuran perlembagaan wherein the position and powers of the monarchy is appreciated, requires an appreciation that is sopan and bersusila, not sheer written legalism. Harshly questioning the position, rights and privileges of the Rulers, and in public, is the worst possible un-sopan (a biadab) scenario, an assault on the founding Malay culture itself.

Constitutionalism without decorum is hardly noble. 

Arof Ishak

29 May 2026

NOTE - Arof is a friend who does not have Socmed accounts. So, I am sharing his thoughts on the subject. 

Have a Meaningful Gawai

 

HAVE A MEANINGFUL KAAMATAN

 

MANY LAMPS, ONE LIGHT*: BUDDHISM

 

MANY LAMPS, ONE LIGHT*: BUDDHISM

Introduction

Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions. At its heart, Buddhism teaches compassion, mindfulness, wisdom, and the importance of reducing suffering for ourselves and others.

In Malaysia, Buddhism is practised by many communities, especially among Chinese, Thai, Sinhalese, Burmese, and some indigenous groups. Buddhist temples, monks, meditation halls, and acts of quiet kindness have long been part of the Malaysian landscape.

Many Malaysians may recognise Buddhism through Wesak celebrations, monks in saffron robes, or the peaceful atmosphere of temples. But beyond these outward expressions lies a deep tradition that encourages self-discipline, compassion, inner peace, and harmony with others.

An important text in Buddhism is the Dhammapada, a collection of sayings and teachings attributed to the Buddha. Simple yet profound, the Dhammapada speaks about wisdom, anger, peace, discipline, compassion, and the human mind. Many Buddhists regard it as one of the clearest introductions to Buddhist thought and ethical living.

Brief History

Buddhism began more than 2,500 years ago in ancient India.

·        The Buddha: It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, meaning “The Awakened One.” Born as a prince, he left behind wealth and comfort after witnessing suffering in the world.

·        The Search: He spent years seeking answers about suffering, aging, sickness, and death.

·        Enlightenment: After deep meditation under the Bodhi tree, he attained enlightenment and discovered a path toward wisdom, compassion, and liberation from suffering.

·        The Teaching: For the rest of his life, the Buddha travelled and taught people from all backgrounds, regardless of caste, wealth, or status.

·        The Spread: Buddhism later spread throughout Asia, including Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and eventually Southeast Asia, including the Malay world.

Core Beliefs

Buddhism is built upon several important teachings:

·        Life contains suffering and difficulties.

·        Suffering is often caused by attachment, greed, and ignorance.

·        There is a path toward peace and liberation.

·        Compassion and kindness toward all living beings are essential.

·        Mindfulness and self-awareness help us live wisely.

·        Good actions bring positive consequences.

·        Inner peace begins with mastering oneself.

Buddhists also follow teachings such as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which guide moral living, mental discipline, and wisdom.

Practices & Rituals

Buddhists practise their faith in many peaceful and disciplined ways:

·        Meditation: Meditation is central in Buddhism and helps develop mindfulness, calmness, and wisdom.

·        Prayer & Chanting: Buddhists chant scriptures and verses as acts of reflection and devotion.

·        Temple Visits: Buddhists visit temples to pray, reflect, offer respect, and perform acts of merit.

·        Offerings: Flowers, candles, and incense are often offered as reminders about life, gratitude, and impermanence.

·        Compassion: Many Buddhists practise generosity, kindness, and charity toward others.

·        Monastic Life: Monks and nuns dedicate themselves to spiritual discipline, study, and service.

Festivals & Celebrations

The most important Buddhist celebration is Wesak.

Wesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. It is a sacred day of reflection, prayer, compassion, and good deeds. Buddhists visit temples, meditate, offer food, light candles, and participate in charitable activities.

In Malaysia, Wesak celebrations often include processions, acts of charity, blood donation drives, and community service.

Other Buddhist traditions may also celebrate special observances connected to different schools of Buddhism and local cultures.

Values We Can Learn

There is much Malaysians can learn from Buddhist traditions:

·        Remain calm during difficulties.

·        Practise compassion toward all people.

·        Learn to control anger and hatred.

·        Value simplicity and moderation.

·        Be mindful of our words and actions.

·        Seek peace instead of conflict.

·        Respect all forms of life.

·        Develop inner discipline and patience.

Cultural Expressions

Buddhist culture is rich and diverse:

·        Temples: Buddhist temples are often peaceful places filled with symbolic art and architecture.

·        Meditation: Quiet reflection and meditation are central expressions of Buddhist spirituality.

·        Art & Statues: Images of the Buddha symbolise peace, wisdom, and compassion.

·        Festive Lanterns: During Wesak, lanterns and lights symbolise wisdom overcoming ignorance.

·        Vegetarian Traditions: Many Buddhists practise vegetarianism as an expression of compassion toward living beings.

Across Asia, Buddhist traditions developed different cultural styles, but they share common values of mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom.

Misunderstandings & Clarifications

Understanding these points helps us appreciate Buddhism better:

·        Buddhism is not merely about rituals or statues; it is deeply focused on personal transformation and ethical living.

·        The Buddha is respected as an enlightened teacher, not worshipped as a creator God in many Buddhist traditions.

·        Meditation is not escaping life; it is about understanding the mind more clearly.

·        Buddhism encourages compassion, moderation, and responsibility in daily living.

Dos and Don’ts When Visiting a Temple

Visiting a Buddhist Temple:

·        Dress modestly and respectfully.

·        Remove your shoes before entering certain prayer areas.

·        Speak softly and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

·        Do not point your feet toward monks, nuns, or Buddha statues.

·        Avoid touching sacred objects without permission.

Meeting Monks or Nuns:

·        Show respect and politeness.

·        A gentle bow or greeting is appreciated.

·        Avoid overly loud or disruptive behaviour.

During Ceremonies:

·        Observe quietly and respectfully.

·        Photography may not always be appropriate in certain prayer areas.

Buddhism in Malaysia

Buddhism has been present in the Malay world for more than a thousand years through trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

·        Today: Buddhism remains one of Malaysia’s major religious traditions and is practised by various communities across the country.

·        Contribution: Malaysian Buddhists have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, charity work, business, culture, and community service.

Many Buddhist organisations actively support welfare homes, disaster relief, educational programmes, and humanitarian causes.

Interesting Facts

·        The Buddha lived to around 80 years old, which was considered a very long life during his time when many people died much younger. Some people today note that his disciplined lifestyle included moderation in eating, regular walking, meditation, and avoiding heavy meals late in the day. In many Buddhist monastic traditions, monks do not eat after midday, reflecting a practice of restraint and mindfulness.

 

·        Interestingly, the Buddha’s original questions about suffering, aging, sickness, and death remain some of humanity’s deepest concerns even today. Modern societies continue searching for answers through medicine, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and science. Aging, mental suffering, sickness, loneliness, and death remain central concerns of modern civilization, showing how deeply relevant the Buddha’s questions still are.

 

·        Although the Buddha was born in ancient India, Buddhism eventually spread far beyond one ethnic group or civilization. Today, Buddhists can be found across Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Japan, Tibet, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and many other parts of the world. Over time, the Buddha became a universal figure respected across cultures and nationalities.

·         

·        Historically, some Buddhist kingdoms also placed strong emphasis on protecting nature and animals. In Sri Lanka, for example, Buddhist rulers centuries ago introduced laws and practices that discouraged unnecessary killing of animals and encouraged respect for living creatures. Scholars believe this contributed to the island preserving remarkable biodiversity despite being densely populated for centuries.

 

·        The Buddha encouraged questioning and reflection, not blind acceptance.

Voices from the Tradition (Dhammapada)

·        “Hate is never appeased by hate in this world. By non-hate alone is hate appeased. This is an eternal law.”
(Dhammapada 5)

·        “Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.”
(Dhammapada 100)

·        “Though one may conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest victor who conquers himself.”
(Dhammapada 103)

·        “Victory breeds hatred. The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, giving up victory and defeat.”
(Dhammapada 201)

·        “Let us live happily, not hating those who hate us. Among those who hate, let us live free from hatred.”
(Dhammapada 197)

·        “The mind is difficult to control and restless; it runs wherever it desires. It is good to tame the mind, for a well-trained mind brings happiness.”
(Dhammapada 35)

10 Beautiful Things We Can Say About Them

1.    They teach compassion and kindness.

2.    They value peace and self-control.

3.    They encourage mindfulness and reflection.

4.    They remind us to reduce anger and hatred.

5.    They practise generosity quietly.

6.    They value simplicity and moderation.

7.    They contribute greatly to charity and welfare.

8.    They encourage respect for all living beings.

9.    They promote calmness in difficult times.

10. They remind us that inner peace matters.

Moving Forward Together

We hope that this brief look at Buddhism helps Malaysians better know, understand, and appreciate one another. When we learn about each other’s traditions and values, we strengthen mutual respect and deepen our shared humanity. And when we deepen understanding, we move closer together as one people and one nation.

Peace, anas

*Note - Beginning this Vaisakhi, we launch Many Lamps, One Light - a project dedicated to sharing the beauty of our different religious traditions. By learning about one another, we hope Malaysians will grow in understanding, appreciation, and unity as one people. This Wesak sharing is the second in the series.