Islamic Article ~ TO VEIL OR NOT TO VEIL, THAT IS THE QUESTION

The Oprah Show did an introduction of Islam on October 5, 2001, which
was called Islam 101. Oprah, whose program is broadcast to most of the
world, wanted to introduce Islam to the American public. "Since our
world was horribly shaken three weeks ago," she told her viewers, "all
eyes have focused on a part of the world and a set of beliefs thatmany
of us know very little about. We're told that terrorism violates the
teachings of Islam, but what is Islam? Who are Muslims? What are their
practices?"
This was promising. Moreover, Oprah was friendly and open to what
Muslims, who constituted the majority of the audience during that
show, had to say. Even the expert she had asked to the show,
anthropologist Akbar Ahmed, was Muslim. But did we discuss the meaning
of being Muslim, or the problem of violence, or even the rage caused
by American foreign policy in the region? No, the Muslim audience had
more pressing things to discuss. The show proved to be a mirror of our
intellectual bankruptcy, a mirror of our true obsessions and
fixations, becauseafter a quick discussion of what Islam was about,
the show veered off to discuss women in Islam, particularly the dress
code. The "after show" segment, which the program puts daily on its
website after the live recording inthe studio, was entirely about
"Hijab." This was both insightful and disheartening. It seemed that
the gender question in Islam had become the central issue and what
Muslim women wear the core of the debate on Islam, both internally and
externally. It was disgraceful to see how our contemporary discourse
as"modern Muslims" has become sofocused on the scarf at the expense of
the real paradigms that define Islam, its history and its universal
values.
It is truly sad to see a certain culturally and historically specific
edict with controversial roots andimplications--becoming the
raisond'être for contemporary Muslims while the larger parameters of
Islam and its challenges are rendered into obscure shadows in the
background.
In a pervious show, a woman from Oprah's audience, asked if Muslim
women could take off their scarves, at least until things calmed down.
Oprah had to apologize in this show for that question after a big
amount of mail from Muslims was sent to her(When did Muslims start
writing so much mail? If it is about the Hijab, I guess, we will
write). But, Oprah did not have to apologize for something the very
religious establishment in the Middle East had raised in the last few
weeks. This was a legitimate question, although it was received with
hostility, even when it came from Imams in the form of affirmative
fatwas in the larger community, published in Al Majalah magazine a
couple of weeks ago-- allowing women to remove their scarves in the
wake of recent events.
I understand Muslim women's sensitivity regarding the recent fatwas or
the question on Oprah'sshow. They feel this is who they are and they
are not about to quitwhen the going gets tough. They perhaps even feel
somewhat betrayed by such fatwas, since wearing the Hijab has not
always been easy anyway in a society which has equated it with
genderoppression and fanaticism. But for Muslim women living in North
America, keeping the Hijab in the current crises has also represented
a spirit of defiance against racism and ignorance. This shows the
contextual nature of Hijab, which could be a symbol of oppression or
courage and independence, depending on the circumstances. In fact, an
American women organization called for American women to cover their
hair on October 8th asa sign of solidarity and protest against racial
harassment.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that the scholars acted out of concern and
open mindedness. But I also find it interesting how, for the first
time since the Hijab has become central to our identity in the last
few decades, the scholars suddenly realized the relativity and
conditional nature of the verses dealing with covering, andthe
principles of recognition and safety implied in them. --In the case of
early Islam, free women were asked to cover to be distinguished from
slave women while slave women were not allowed to. I do not think the
well-meaning Muslim women in Oprah's audience knew anything about this
or even wanted it airedin front of Oprah.
I have always hesitated to discussthe issue of Hijab in public, or its
controversial historical roots I had come across in my reading
ofclassical Islamic texts for fear of falling into the same hole of
centralizing this marginal edict of Islam. I also did not want to
associate myself with an issue that I consider marginal, yet so
sensitive to the entire Ummah. In fact, I adopted a culturally
specificcode of dress for myself. I cover in Muslim circles and the
Middle East and do not in the West. If I do otherwise, I will put too
much time into having to explain why I am not wearing it or why I am
wearing it, depending on where I am.
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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ There is only one criterion for evaluating man that Allaah explains

There is only one criterion for evaluating man that Allaah explains in
this verse,
"Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is (that believer)who
has piety." (Al-Hujuraat 49:13)
So the strongest in faith and best in deeds is the most honourable.
When the strange seed was nearly sowed among the pure Muslim society
during the Battle of Banee Al-Mustaliq, the Messenger of Allaah
quickly nipped it in the bud with his famous saying,
"Are you raising the slogans of the time of ignorance while I am still
in your midst?"
He was never pleased to see signsof racialism or tribalism among his
companions even in utterances. Abu Dharr once insulted a man and
called him, "You son of a black woman!" The Messenger of Allaah
angrily told him,
"Are you insulting him on accountof the origin of his mother? You are
indeed a man on whom there is a trait of the time of ignorance."
He also said in another occasion,
"He is not of us, the one who callsto nationalism, fights for
nationalism and dies for nationalism." (Abu Daawood)
It is therefore disappointing to find some Arabs these days calling to
nationalism and being proud of that in total disregard for the saying
of the Messenger of Allaah,
"Keep away from that (racialism), for it is stinking." (Muslim)
In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet said,
"The first usury to be cancelled is our own usury: that of 'Abbaas son
of Abdul Muttalib. All of it is cancelled." (Muslim)
Allaah prohibits usury because of its grievous harm. It destroys the
conscience, ruins human life with covetousness, greed and selfishness.
It kills collective spirit, causes enmity and sows hatred among
people. Allaah declares war on its practitioners in this lifethrough
economic crises and psychological disturbances, and in the Hereafter
with a painful torment. He says,
"Those who eat usury will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection)
except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan leading him to
insanity." (Al-Baqarah 1:275)
The usury-based economic system is responsible for many financial
crises and woes that confront individuals, societies and nations.
In the Farewell pilgrimage, the Messenger of Allaah said,
"Fear Allaah as regards women, for you married them on a covenant from Allaah."
This saying highlights the protection and the respect that Islaam has
for woman's rights either in her capacity as a mother,wife or
daughter. It takes care of her rights from the beginning till the end
of her life. It makes her body forbidden to the glances of strangers
and gives her the right to inherit and acquire knowledge.It also makes
no distinction between her and man in reward and religious
obligations. Allaah says,
"Whoever works righteousness –whether male or female- while he (or
she) is a true believer, verily to him We will give a good life and We
shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what
they do." (An-Nahl 16:97)
In Islaam, we do not talk of rights of woman through empty theories
and useless conferences. But we invite every body to read the history
of the past women believers like Khadeejah, Sumayyah, Asmaa',
'Aaishah, Hafsah and Al-Hansaa'. We are opening for the humanity the
shining pages from the history ofthe Muslim women so that they can see
the living example of their feats. We invite the mankindto understand
how Islaam elevates woman, purifies her feelings, refines her
character andtakes her to the high aims and aspirations. The human
history has recorded for them glowing and everlasting achievements
that testify to their nobility and excellence.
As for those who appointed themselves as reformers and claim that they
are leading women to the right path, they accuse others who admonish
women to maintain their modestyand chastity with stupidity and
backwardness. But when you look deeply into what they proclaim, you
will find that their thoughts and behaviours are abnormal, that they
have naturally perverted and have become captives to their lusts.
These people have been surrounded by insinuations, so their aim is to
deprive the Muslim nation of its values, deprive the free women their
glory and the chaste her chastity.

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Story ~ Roaming in Rome

Take a real Roman holiday by catching the must-see sights of the ancient city.
It's been featured in many romantic comedies (think the evergreen
"Roman Holiday" or the more recent "When in Rome"), its cuisine is
well-known (count the number of Italian restaurants in any
metropolitan city), and it's the 'in' place for fashion and style
(heard of Armani, Prada or Fendi?).
But what really sets apart this magnificent metro apart is the
historical and cultural significance. Sure, New York and Mumbai are
important metros too, but are their streets lined with quaint little
pizzerias and cobblestones? Can one see beautiful sculptures along
major crossroads and piazzas? No, it is only in Rome where these are
daily sights. Since there's so muchto see, here are a few do-not-miss
sights:
The Colosseum
About 1900 years ago, Emperor Nero, the much hated monarch, built an
artificial lake of about 300,000 square feet. After his death, the
pool was covered up and in its place was built the largeamphitheatre
we now call the Colosseum. At its peak (during thetime of gladiators),
it could seat about 75,000 spectators (about 1.5 times the capacity of
Chennai's cricket stadium). But what really strikes the viewer is the
aging grace of the structure. Even after having been half-broken down
by the invaders, it serves as a symbol of the grandeur once associated
with the Roman Empire.
Food and Fashion
Rome contains the headquarters of fashion brands like Valentino and
Bulgari and has the distinction of being the hometown of pasta!
For food, stick to the small pizzerias by the street sides. Theymay
seem a bit cramped as everything seems to be in Rome, where lack of
space is a huge issue, but the mouth watering food makes up for it.
Pizza, traditionally associated with Italy,first originated in Naples.
When the citizens of Naples showed their invention to the
city-dwellers of Rome, they were laughed upon… Guess the joke is on
them, now! Don't miss out on Roman specialities: Pomodori conriso
(Baked tomatoes filled with rice and potatoes) and Gnocchi alla Romana
(potato dumplings doused in butter and melted cheese).
Fashion-wise, things might be expensive, but don't be afraid to
splurge a little. The Via de Condotti is home to top designer stores
such as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucciand other
global brands. Once upon a time, store-owners used to charge up to €10
for customers to just walk through the doors! Thankfully, now we can
window shop and dream about these luxurious products without having to
pay a penny.
St. Peter's Basilica
It's true that the most famous structure in the Vatican City is the
Sistine Chapel, but the St. Peter's Basilica is not something you can
miss! The interiors are just as impressive as its exteriors. St.
Peter's is vast and spacious, leaving a lot of room for visitors to
wander and explore different parts of the church. Inside, one can see
statues by artists such as Michelangelo of popes and figures who
played a crucial role in the construction and maintenance of the
basilica.
Fountain of four rivers
Rome boasts of a collection of public fountains unmatched by any other
city. They were once used as a way of distributing drinking water to
the poor. Rome's greatest fountain, the "Fountain of Four Rivers" is
found in Piazza Navon and depicts Gods of the four great rivers in the
four continents then known to geographers: the Nile in Africa, the
Ganga in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in
America. Each sculpture is enhanced by decorations of flora and fauna
of the respective regions. To top it all, a giant Egyptian-style
obelisk towers over the whole piece. People were originally worried
that the obelisk would cause the whole structure to tip over, but it
has held strong.
Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, actor
Last August, I visited Rome for the first time. It was one of my best
trips. It is the food that reallymade my trip great. I ate everywhere
possible, from street food joints to luxury hotels and I wasn't
disappointed anywhere. The gelatos were particularly special.
Also, a discussion about Rome would be incomplete without a mention
about its splendid architecture. Vatican City is beautiful. What I
feel is that we may take photographs to relive moments but witnessing
the breathtaking landscapes there in real is a different experience
altogether
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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ The Hidden Blessings of Illness and Hardship

The Hidden Blessings of Illness and Hardship
~
I'm glad and grateful that I am ill right now, and that times are
hard. Does that sound crazy?
~
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) said, "For any adversity a Muslim suffers, Allah erases
some of his sins, even though it may be no more than athorn pricking
him." (Related by Al-Bukhari).
Another version of this Hadith is also related by Al-Bukhari on the
authority of two of the Prophet's (pbuh) companions, namely, Abu Saeed
Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah who quote him as saying: "Whatever befalls
a Muslim of exhaustion, illness, worry, grief, nuisance or trouble,
even thoughit may be no more than a prick of a thorn, earns him
forgivenessby Allah of some of his sins."
My father recently suffered a fall and broke his leg badly, and is now
in a rehab center. In my personal life, two moves and one divorce in
the last five years havemade it hard to retain friendships,and I find
myself feeling isolated. I've been through some painful personal
experiences. And these are hard times economically as well. So there's
a lot of stress in the household.
I do my best to love my daughter more than ever, to play with her, hug
and kiss her, and always remind her of Allah's barakah. I try to make
her world full of happiness, learning, and talks about Allah. I try to
never let her see me sweat, as they say. But once she's sound asleep
in bed, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders like a
sack of stones.
So if by patiently enduring this illness and these hard times in
general, I will earn Allah's forgiveness for my sins, and maybe will
be blessed in ways that I do not see, then I am grateful.
One more hadith: Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated that Allah's Messenger
salallahu alayhi wasallam said, "On the Day of Resurrection, when
people who have suffered affliction are giventheir reward, those who
are healthy will wish their skins hadbeen cut to pieces with scissors
when they were in the world." (Al-Tirmidhi, 1570)
In other words, when people see how much reward is given to those who
suffered in life, they will wish that they had suffered terribly, in
the worst possible ways, so that it might become a cause of
forgiveness for them in the Hereafter.
SubhanAllah, whatever pain we suffer in this life is not in vain. It
is not wasted. We may cry and wince and groan over small pains,but
Allah sees our suffering and will compensate us more than we can
imagine, as long as we are patient and keep faith in Him. Allah the
Most High has a plan for us, and He is the best of planners. We must
have faith in Him and Hisplan for us.
Seeing the Good
Also, let us not be blind to the good things that have happened. I
think this is very important. All too often we get caught up in
ourlosses and dismiss some of Allah'squiet gifts and blessings that
have budded and opened up when we were hardly looking.
For example, I have always thought of myself as a writer at heart and
have been happiest when I was pursuing that calling. When I was single
I was obsessive about it. Even after a long day at work I would sit
down in front of the computer in my little San Francisco loft, and
write. After I got married and the responsibilities of family life
fell on my shoulders I neglected my writing. Lately, however, I find
myself writing daily and expressing ideas that have been growing in my
heart for decades. The words flow as if they have been bottled under
pressure, waiting for release. What a blessing!
In my teens I studied martial arts for some years. Life carried me in
different directions and I stoppedpracticing but I still thought of
myself as a martial artist, and keptmeaning to get back into it.
Finallyin my late thirties I realized that my dream was passing me by.
I got back into it and made a do-or-die commitment. Since then, with
the moves from the Bay Area to Panama City to El Valle to Fresno, it's
been a struggle to find teachers and training partners, but I have
persisted, in some cases creating my own training group out of
scratch. For the last year and a half, partly as a way ofdealing with
loneliness and stress,I plunged myself into an intensivestudy of the
arts.
Now I suddenly find myself entering this phase when my understanding
of the arts is expanding like a tidal wave. I seem to have moved
beyond rotememorization of techniques and Iam able to spontaneously
create combinations and visualize new possibilities.

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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ Lead the Way

Do you want to see something different in the world? Show it. Do you
want to see things moving in a better direction? Then get stepping and
walk it, and I guarantee that others will follow, because they have
seen the problems as well, and they arewaiting for someone to lead the
way.
Do you want to be a better Muslim, father, mother, son, daughter,
sibling, or friend? Then be it. Now is the moment. The past is
prologue leading to this moment.
Are you waiting for someone elseto show love and kindness first? Are
you waiting for someone elseto be vulnerable or brave, to put himself
out there, to take the first step, to show the way? There is no
someone else. You are the someone else. You… are… someone.
Le'ts open ourselves to faith, love and kindness. Let's change the way
we move in the world, the way we behave with Allah, the way we treat
people, the way we interact with every person. Let us become
testaments to the power of these transformative behaviors, not through
our words but through our actions. Let's express a new sincerity from
our hearts and walk through the world like believers. Let's become
people of Allah, people of Jannah (Paradise), people of imaan (faith),
love and mercy

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Health Nutrition

Time And health are two precious assets that we don't recognize and
appreciate until they have been depleted.
~
The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while naturecures
the disease.
~
Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and Spring.
~
I had my moments when I got very frightened that I would not recover.
~
He who enjoys good health is rich, though he knows it not.
For every minute you are angry,you lose sixty seconds of happiness!
~
People who eat breakfast are less likely to overeat later in the day
~
The average adult?s weight is made up of about two per cent calcium

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Hadees ~

The most superior way of asking for forgiveness:
One Humble Request, Please sharethis message so every one you know can benefit!
Narrated Shaddad bin Aus:
The Prophet said "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from
Allah is: 'Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa
ana abduka, wa ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min
Sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u Laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa Abu Laka
bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta." The
Prophet added. "If somebodyrecites it during the day with firmfaith in
it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will befrom the
people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm
faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people
of Paradise."
Bukhari :: Book 8 :: Volume 75 :: Hadith 318/
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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ Hadees ~ Is it permissable to lie to kaafirs?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Lying is a reprehensible and blameworthy characteristic and is not
appropriate whether in earnest or in jest. There is no concession
allowing it except in cases of necessity in order to achieve some
definite shar'i interest that cannot be attained by telling the truth,
or to ward off serious harm that cannot be warded off by telling the
truth. Ifit is possible to avoid lying and to tell the truth in order
to obtaininterests or ward off harm, then there is no concession that
allows lying.
Ahmad (17) narrated that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him)
said: O people, beware of lying, for lying is contrary to faith.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. See ad-Da'eefah, 5/414
It is narrated in a saheeh report from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqaas (may Allah
be pleased with him) that he said: The Muslim could develop all sorts
of characteristics except treachery and lying.
And it is narrated in a saheeh report from Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be
pleased with him) that he said: Lying is never appropriate in earnest
or in jest. Then he recited the words of Allah (interpretation of the
meaning): "Fear Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and
deeds)." [at-Tawbah 9:119].
Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah, 8/403
Muslim (2605) narrated from Umm Kalthoom bint 'Uqbah that she heard
the Messenger of Allah(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
"He is not a liar who reconciles between people, saying good things
and conveying good things."
Ibn Shihaab – one of the narrators of the hadeeth – said: Idid not
hear of any concession being granted concerning anything that people
call lies except in three cases: War, reconciling among people, and
what a man says to his wife or a woman says to her husband.
Imam Ahmad (26731) narrated that Umm Kalthoom bint 'Uqbah said: I
never heard the Messenger of Allah grant a concession allowing any
kind of lying except in three cases: a man who says something
intending thereby to bring aboutreconciliation; a man who says
something at the time of war; and a man talking to his wife or a woman
talking to her husband.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah, 545
The concession is granted only in these three cases and similar cases.
In all other cases the lawgiver has not allowed any concession, so
lying remains forbidden.
Indeed what the Muslim should do, especially Muslims who live in
kaafir societies, is to be keen to be honest and to avoid lying to the
kaafirs, even more keen than he is to avoid lying to the believers,
because his keenness to be honest and to connect that to the teachings
of his religion, isa kind of practical da'wah to the non-Muslims. If
they see the noble characteristics that are promoted by Islam, that
may lead to some of them entering the religion of Allah.
But if the Muslim has the image of being a liar or treacherous or
other blameworthy characteristics in front of non-Muslims, that will
put him off the religion and make him resent its followers.

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Health

8 Skin Friendly Foods You Need toTake
• Avocado - [Iron rich, Eases digestion, Keeps skin radiant]
• Green Tea - [Warm herbal teas keep Vata caused dryness away]
• Tomatoes - [Lycopene and antioxidants provide UV protection and Antiaging]
• Salmon - [Omega 3 fatty acids]
• Eggs - [Hydrates, UV protection, Firms sKin]
• Pomegranate - [Heals, Repairs, Increases collagen production thus
delay aging.]
• Walnuts - [Antioxidants, Heal skin blemishes]
• Legume Beans - [Zinc- Protective against wrinkling]

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Health~ Paralysed patients use thoughts to control robotic arm ~ Two patients in the United States who are paralysed from the neck down have been able tocontrol a robotic arm using their thoughts.

Two patients in the United States who are paralysed from the neck down
have been able tocontrol a robotic arm using their thoughts.
~
It allowed one to drink unaided for the first time in nearly 15 years.
The technique, described in the journal Nature, links a sensor
implanted in the brain to a computer, which translates electrical
signals into commands.
In years to come, scientists want to reconnect the brain to paralysed
limbs to enable them tofunction again.
The project was a partnership by Brown University and the Department
of Veteran Affairs, Rhode Island, and the Departmentof Neurology at
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston.
In 2006 in a previous Nature paper , the team showed that the same
neural interface system could be used by a paralysed patient to
control a cursor on a computer screen.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I was able to drink coffee without
help. I was ecstatic. I had feelings of hope and a great sense of
independence"
Cathy Hutchinson
Study patient
The key is a tiny sensor implantedon to the surface of the motor cortex.
'True happiness'
Thinking about moving an arm orhand activates neurons in this part of
the brain and the electricalactivity is sent via a cable to a
computer, which translates them into commands.
Both patients in this latest research project were paralysed many
years ago by strokes and have no viable movement below the neck.
Video footage shows 58-year-old Cathy Hutchinson using the
neuralinterface to control a robotic arm and bring a flask of coffee
to her mouth. It was the first time in nearly 15 years that she had
taken a drink unaided.
She communicates by picking out letters on a board using eye movement
and wrote: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I was able to drink coffee
without help. I was ecstatic. I had feelings of hope and a great sense
of independence."
That was echoed by Prof John Donoghue, a neurologist at Brown University.
He said: "There was a moment of true joy, true happiness. It was
beyond the fact that it was an accomplishment. I think it was an
important advance in the field of brain-computer interfaces that we
had helped someone do something they had wished to dofor many years."
Practical use
This research shows that the part of the brain that deals with
movement continues to function more than a decade after paralysis.
The sensor is implanted in the patient's brain and linked to a computer
Furthermore, the chip continues to function long-term - Cathy
Hutchinson had the sensor fitted six years earlier.
The technology is years away from practical use and the trial
participants used the system under controlled conditions in their
homes with a technician on hand.
Nonetheless, another of the report authors, Prof Leigh Hochberg, said
the team had four goals:
To develop effective communications systems for people with locked-in
syndrome, giving them control over a cursoron a computer screen
To create improved neural control of robotic-assistive devices for
patients with paralysis
To use the system to allow amputees to control a prosthetic limb by
the neural interface
To enable paralysed patients to reconnect their brain to their limbs
using this system so that they could use their own hand to pick up a
coffee cup.
Prof Hochberg freely admitted that the third and fourth goals were
distant ambitions but they were the "real dream" for people with such
disabilities. The researchers say it is impossible toput a timescale
on when this might be achieved.
Story Landis, director of the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, which part-funded the work, said: "This
technology was made possible bydecades of investment and research into
how the brain controls movement.
"It's been thrilling to see the technology evolve from studies of
basic neurophysiology and move into clinical trials, where it is
showing significant promise for people with brain injuries
anddisorders."

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INDEPENDENCE DAY~ greating tips

I've got a rocket In my pocket; I cannot stop 2 play.Away it goes!
I've burned my toes.It's Independence Day
~
31 STATES 1618 LANGUAGES 6400 CASTES 6 RELIGION 6 ETHNICGROUPS 29
MAJOR FESTIVALS 1 COUNTRY! PROUD ~
TO BE AN INDIAN! JAI HIND!
Sare jahan se achha HINDUSTAN hamara. I proud to be an INDIAN.HAPPY
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
~
Happy B'DAY. Oh no,NATIONAL Day. Oh Happy ANNIVERSARY. Happy VICTORY
DAY. Oh my god Happy NEW Year. Hey
~
Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY
Our life is full of Colors I hope this 15th August will add more
colors to your life Happy Independence Day
~
Wishing u A Wonderful Super-Duper Xtra Special Happy . . Independence Day
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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ Let Me Be True

When it all comes down,
let me be true.
When seas thicken to brown,
and the world grows dim,
and love scatters
like ash on the wind,
and every man lies
to protect his skin:
let me be true to You Allah,
let me be true.
To the Messenger,
let me be near:
when in a dream I sat by him
against the beam of a wrecked ship,
he in a green turban, and a battle clashing…
we drank water, and breathed,
then he turned to me, and said,
"It's not what you speak that matters
but what you do."
To my heaven-blessed hero
let me be true.
To my love, let me be sincere.
I stand beneath a lamp
in a sphere of light
on a desert road. I don't peer
into the night. I listen,
beard dewed with rain,
for the footsteps of her soul.
Let me lead her to Jannah
and fulfill the shepherd's goal.
Let me soothe her sight,
carry her through storm,
and stand like a lion
as armies swarm on.
To my little daughter,
O Allah I implore you,
let me be forever true.
When she laughs and exclaims,
"You're so strong, Baba!"…
When I speak God's name
and she listens solemnly,
when she leaps and believes
that I'll save her…
To her nature and her dreams,
let me be true.
To myself – the greatest dare -
let me be real as earth.
Through the cinder heaps
and broken cities of the world
let me sweep, through black smoke,
eyes streaming, striding
like a bear. Let me hold on
to Book and pen, knife and drum,
true love as gun and guide.
Let me bow down on the roadside,
true to the Lord of the Dawn.
Let me rise, head up,
bloody and torn
but voicing truth
to the livid eyes of death,
and spreading peace
where only hate was found.
Dress me in taqwa.
Feed me dust and bone
and find me where sea meets stone
at the Western edge
when, finally, every secret is dredged,
and the world is used and done.
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ISLAMIC ARTICLE ~ Focusing on Allah’s Love

It grieves me to see how people these days, especially among the
younger generation, are almost wholly preoccupied with negativity:
through baseless arguments, gossip, and useless talk. Their time and
energies are constantly being wasted on fruitless distractions that
squander their potential, foster enmity, and make them unmindful of
Allah's remembrance. These habits are like an addiction. They are hard
toshake off, and they are as effective as any intoxicant in making
people speak and act contrary to good sense.
I believe that the greatest way to repel such tendencies is to focus
on Allah. This is not only a cure for negative thoughts and bigoted
notions, but it provides relief for all the negativities, problems and
worries of life. The remembrance of Allah calms and fortifies the
soul. It cultivates fortitude and perseverance, moderates impatience,
and repels depression and despair.
Remembering Allah is also very easy. It is accessible to everyone.
There are no prerequisites to fulfill or procedures to follow. There
are no permissions to be sought. The doors to Allah's remembrance are
open at all times, whether we have recently been engaged in worship or
haverecently committed a sin. We havethe opportunity to remember Allah
upon waking, whenever something good happens, when misfortune strikes,
when we make a mistake, and whenever else we are given cause to be
reminded of our Lord.
It has been my experience that remembering Allah is the first step in
treating all maladies, both physical and spiritual. It is a
prescription for every person afflicted with bodily illness or
spiritual doubt. It is equally suitable for the young and old, rich
and poor, the powerful and the weak, since everyone is equally
dependent on Allah.
Anyone who takes time to consider the names of Allah will come to a
surprising realization: not one of these names focuses on Allah's
punishment, anger or wrath. Instead, we find names that express His
mercy, love, and kindness, others that communicate His knowledge and
wisdom, those that speak about His greatness and majesty, as wellas
those that speak about His creative powers and providence.
We find names like: the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Forgiving, the
Source of Peace, the Bestower, the Provider, the Most Kind, and the
Loving. There are no names like: "the Punisher","the Avenger", or "the
Wrathful". The Qur'an speaks about Allah being "severe in punishment",
but this is actually a description of Allah's punishment and not of
Allah Himself. It is Allah's punishment that is severe.
A number of scholars have pointed out this distinction, among them Ibn
Taymiyah who writes:
None of Allah's names denote anything terrible or bad. The
consequences of Allah's actions, however, can at times be described as
bad. For instance, Allah says:
"Announce, (O Muhammad) to My slaves that verily I am the Forgiving,
the Merciful, and that My punishment is a painful one."[Sūrah al-Hijr:
49-50]
and:
"Indeed Your Lord is swift in punishing, and indeed He is
Most-Forgiving, Merciful." [Sūrah al-A`rāf: 167]
and:
"Know that Allah is severe in punishing and (know as well) that Allah
is Most-Forgiving, Merciful." [Sūrah al-Mā'idah: 98]
Ibn al-Qayyim observes:
Blessings and salvation are attained through Allah's mercy,
forgiveness, benevolence, and generosity. Therefore, we find these
meanings attributed to Allah. As for Allah's punishment and its
consequences, these are among Allah's creations, and as such, Allah is
not called "the Punisher" or "the Wrathful". This is an important
difference. The former set of meanings is attributed to Allah directly
while the latter are only used to describe His actions. This
distinction can even be found in asingle passage of the Qur'an, for
instance:
"Announce, (O Muhammad) to My slaves that verily I am the Forgiving,
the Merciful, and that My punishment is a painful one."[Sūrah al-Hijr:
49-50]
Dr. Umar al-Ashqar writes:
"Names are not ascribed to Allah from the derivative attributes of His
actions, such as His being severe or swift in punishing, or swift in
reckoning…"
These phrases are always descriptive of certain circumstances and we
never see them directly attributed to Allah as names. Moreover, such
descriptions only apply to the specific contexts in which they appear.
Therefore, Allah is not described as being eternally in a state of
anger or wrath, or of eternally dispensing punishment. By contrast,
the meanings that Allah's names convey are eternally and constantly
applicable to Him.
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Hadees ~

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "I have
fears about you from the waywardness of your bellies and sex and
carnal desires." [Ahmed]
What Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihiwa sallam) most feared for his Ummah
was not poverty, war, or famine but our caving in to everybodily
desire. This results in everycorruption, most importantly the losing
of our Deen.
The buffets of five star hotels have ruined us. Our wayward bellies
are so enticed by this display we try to mimic it in our homes, we go
all out to earn just to satisfy more and more expensive cravings. We
have forgotten that Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) put us on earth to guide
and lead humankind to Jannah. We attempt instead to make our Jannahs
here. Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has prepared the most lavish displays
of food and drink for us in Jannah, but we are in no hurry to reach
it. Instead we are wasting our time in the third classofferings of
this world. Billboards,advertisements, movies, T.V., all incite to
incessant fulfillment of our carnal desires. But even though we spend
a major portionof our time catering to our lusts they will never be
satisfactorily fulfilled in this life.
Indeed, Shaitaan attacks us through our bellies and private parts.
Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) says in the Quran: "The Shaitaan threatens
you with poverty and enjoins on you lewdness, whereas Allah promises
you His forgiveness and bounty; and Allah is infinite in His care, and
knows all things." [Surah al-Baqarah: 268/

~
Prophet Muhammed (Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said: "A good deed done
to an animal is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act
of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to human
beings," and that: "Kindness to animals was promised by rewards in
Life & Hereafter."
(Mishkat al-Masabih; Book 6; Chapter 7, 8:178)

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