My aim is to promote a rational debate on a discourse that is all too often clouded by taboo and dominated by illogical arguments. It is for others to judge if my writings are worthy teaching material.

It was reputedly the ideas of Socrates that sowed the seeds of the Greek philosophical tradition. The Muslim scholars of antiquity recognised the value of this knowledge and it was through their efforts that this wisdom was preserved. Today, thousands of years later, these same ideas continue to be debated.

Yet what credentials did the humble Socrates have to his name?

Credentials are not a prerequisite to asking pertinent questions.

I stand by all of my writings published by malaysiakini thus far. While the questions are my own, my reasoning is always grounded in either fact, the opinions of learned Islamic scholars or the Quran. Those who disagree are welcome to prove otherwise.

There is no greater endorsement that one is asking the right questions when those with opposing views are forced to attack one's character instead of one's ideas.

In this regard I must thank Ustazah for his ' attack '. He has only strengthened my case and my resolve to continue to ask questions and explore ideas to which he obviously has no answers.

I hope that my writing will go some way towards emboldening others, particularly those devoid of credentials, to seek answers to their questions, for knowledge is power.