DIAMONDS: THE HARDEST OF MINERALS

What do a glittering diamond and a lead pencil have in common?
Diamonds are very hard and the graphite of the pencil's tip is very
soft. These two different substances contain a wonderful proof of
creation called carbon.
A rough, unpolished diamond is the hardest of all minerals.(1) For
this reason, a crystal diamond is used to cut and to drill all kinds
of material and is also used as an abrasive to smooth surfaces. (2)
Hardness is the resistance of a mineral to scratches from outside
forces; it is easy to recognize minerals by this trait. By scratching
one mineral with another, their relative hardness can be determined.
Scientists use a point system to designate the hardness of all
minerals. They rate diamonds with the highest ratio of ten over ten.
So, what makes diamonds so hard?
It is very interesting that the soft, breakable graphite in a pencil
tip is made up of the same atoms as a diamond. Graphite is composed of
the same carbon atoms as a diamond. But, while one is very soft, the
other is extremely hard.One is as black as a lump of charcoal; the
other may be sparkling bright. One is commonly found in nature; the
other is rare. For all these reasons, diamonds are much more valuable
than graphite. How is it then, that carbon atoms can be so different
from one another?
Carbon: The Foundation of Life
(The Value of Diamonds is Determined by its Atoms)
Before we consider the differences, we must speak about the carbon
atoms that make up a diamond. The carbon atom is very important for
living creatures. Nevil Sidgwick, the English chemist, states the
following in his book, Chemical Elements and Their Compounds:
Carbon is unique among the elements in the number and variety of the
compounds which it can form. Over a quarter of a million have already
been isolated and described, but this gives a very imperfect idea of
its powers, since it is the basis of allforms of living matter. (3)
The class of compounds formed exclusively from carbon and hydrogen are
called hydrocarbons. This is a huge family of compounds that include
natural gas, liquid petroleum, kerosene, and lubricating oils. The
hydrocarbons ethylene and propylene form the basis of the
petrochemical industry. Hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and
turpentine are familiar to anyone who has worked with paints. The
naphthalene that protects our clothes from moths is another
hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons combined with chlorine or fluorine form
anesthetics, whichare the chemicals used in fire extinguishers and the
Freon used in refrigeration.
As one can see, carbon is very important; it is what makes the diamond
a rare mineral. A diamond has no rival for being the finest example of
a crystalline structure in the world. The carbon atoms that give the
diamond crystal its hardness have an ideal geometric design. Graphite
is also formed from carbon but its atoms are not ordered as in a
diamond. Scientists describe thisdifference by the world allotropy.
The Concept of Allotropy
The difference, in the arrangement of space, in the atoms that make up
the structure of an element is called allotropy. The atoms that
produce the structure are called allotrope atoms. We can explain this
with the following example:
Imagine that we have bought three loads of 10,000 bricks eachand that
all these brinks are identical to one another. We have sent these
brinks to three different bricklayers who will each build a wall to
their own design independently of the others.
-Would the walls be identical?
-Would they all have the same sturdiness?
-Would the artistic arrangement of the bricks be similar?
If the answer to these questionsis yes, the wall will not be allotropic.
If the answer to these questionsis no, we can call the walls allotropic.
Oxygen and ozone are allotropesof oxygen atoms.
Diamonds, graphite, and amorph carbon are allotropes ofcarbon atoms.
White phosphorus and red phosphorus are allotropes of phosphorus atoms.
Rhombic sulfur and monocline sulfur are allotropes of sulfur.
Characteristics of Allotrope Atoms:
- The atom and its atomic number are the same.
- Their molecular geometry is different.
- They have different inclinationsto enter chemical reactions, but the
compounds formed by such a reaction are the same.
- The molecular sturdiness is different.
Some physical characteristics of diamonds and graphite have been
explained as follows:
All the qualities that give diamonds their value are relatedto
conditions that emerge during their formation. For the natural
formation of a diamond, excessive heat and pressure are needed.
Diamonds are formed deep in the earth's crust. Bits of melted diamond
may erupt to the surface and freeze but this happens very rarely. This
is the reason why there are very few diamond deposits in the world and
why the number of rich deposits is very small.
The natural structure and formation of diamonds has shown scientists
the way to produce artificial diamonds. Diamonds have been produced in
experiments in which graphite has been subjected to 100 thousand
atmospheres of pressure in 3000-degree heat. However, synthetic
diamonds are not as valuable as natural ones but because of their
hardness, they are used as industrial abrasive.
Where Diamonds are Used:
Three Kinds of Diamonds:
1.) Original Diamonds:These are the original, valuable diamonds. They
are measured in karats. One karat equals 0.205 grams. They are used as
jewelry.
2.) Bort:A semi-transparent and striated diamond. It is harder than an
original diamond and it is used to carve high quality diamonds. In the
drilling industry, these diamonds are used for drill bits.
3.) Carbonado:This is a black, uncarved diamond. It is harder than an
original diamond and it is used in the manufacturing of drilling
equipment.
As Sidgwick has pointed out, thecarbon atom, which has only six
protons, six neutrons and six electrons is a genuine/true miracle. The
fact that a difference in the arrangements between the atoms produces
such differences that yield such incredible possibilities for human
beings is enough to understand that these formations come from the
graceof Allah. Like every proof of creation in nature, Allah has
created carbon and diamonds with all their qualities.
What is in the heavens and in the Earth belongs to Allah. Allah
encompasses all things. (Qur'an,4:126)
DiamondsGraphite
Structural AtomCarbon
Carbon
MELTING POINT
High
Straight
Low
Straight
Molecular ArrangementSquare
Hexigon
Hardness
Hard
Soft
Permeability to Light
permeableimpermeable
1 L. Vlasanov & D. Trifonov, 107 stories About Chemistry, Mir Publishers, 1977.
2 http://www.maden.org.tr /www/7.BYKP/ekutup96 /o480/kiymetli_taslar
/kiymetli_ve_yari.htm
3 Nevil V.Sidgwick, The Chemical Elements and Their Compounds, vol.1,
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1950, s.490

The Octopus

The octopus is an eight-armed hunter. It uses a most interesting
method of concealing itself from other animals: camouflage. The cells
which make up its skin automatically adapt to its surroundings and
replicate, just like a mirror, their color and texture.
The octopus' eyes are very sharp.It can identify changes in its
surroundings most effectively, and thus changes the color and pattern
of its skin in accordance with its surroundings. Its skin is covered
in special pigment-containing cells known as "chromatophores." These
cells in the skin expand or shrink when stimulated by the nervous
system, creating color patterns that can be changed instantly.
Different cells carry different color pigments and these allow
countless color combinations and patterns to form.
The creature most frequently hunted by the octopus is the crab. The
octopus expertly defends itself from the crab's powerful pincers, and
its teeth are strong enough to break the crab's shell.
With its superior features, this hunter, which consists of moving
muscles, is a perfect creature which conceals itself in the finest
possible way.
It is impossible for the octopus to have felt the need to conceal
itself from other creatures and then to have installed special color
cells in its skin. This splendid camouflage system possessed by the
octopus is, without doubt, an example of the flawless creation of the
All-Knowing God.

BELIEF IN CREATION IS SPREADING ACROSS THE ENTIRE WORLD! DARWINISM HAS COLLAPSED

Reports of the collapse of Darwinism are coming in from all over the world!
'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound
to vanish.' (Surat Al-Isra , 81)
Public opinion polls in 34 leadingcountries show an avalanche of
belief in creation across the world and that the theory of evolution
has begun to disappear. One of these countries in which the number of
believers in evolution is the smallest is "Turkey".
Ever since it was first put forward, people have been indoctrinated
with the theory of evolution by means of a wide range of propaganda
techniques, as a result of which it has been widely accepted by
sections of society lacking the means to research it. However, the
theory of evolution has now lost all its foundations in the face of
present-day scientific developments.
Anyone who follows scientific publications can clearly see that the
theory of evolution is facing a major predicament. All the research
carried out has totally discredited claims that living things came
into existence by chance. Indeed, many evolutionists now openly admit
that it is impossible for Darwinism to explain the origin of life.
Evolutionists used the primitive level of technology in the past
todeceive people – literally by casting a spell over them – for
decades. However, there has been a comprehensive intellectual struggle
against Darwinism all over the world in the last 20 years,
particularly in Turkey. The Turkish public has been made aware of
evolutionistdeceptions by means of this struggle and of the Creation
surrounding us. This intellectual struggle has also had an impact all
over the world. Indeed, whenone brings together recent developments we
can see that a number of very significant changes have taken place in
the world.
In particular, a number of successive reports in the Turkishand
foreign press have made this change crystal clear. The results of a
number of public opinion polls have revealed that there is a very
powerful general trend towards Creationism and that this has caused
great consternation among evolutionists. The statistics obtained show
that many people no longer believe in evolution. In addition, the way
that many well-known scientistshave turned to God by admittingthat
living things were created isa striking development showing that the
theory of evolution has reached the end of the road and that the
number of its adherentsis decreasing day by day. The common factor
among the factors leading to this change noted by experts is the
quality, variety and spread of the studiesrevealing the invalidity of
the theory of evolution. Some striking reports recently published
regarding the strengthening of belief in creation, which has for some
time now occupied an important place in the world press, and the way
that people are turning in the direction of religious moral values are
collected below:
A number of significant developments in recent years have accelerated
the great collapse of materialism, which has in turn led to the end of
the theory of evolution. Some of these developments are:
• Scientists conducting experiments aimed at exceedingthe speed of
light made a finding that overturned all scientific assumptions. They
witnessed that in an experimental environment in which the speed of
light was exceeded many times the result of the experiment actually
occurred before its cause. This meant the demolition of the claim of
"causality," proposed in the 19th century on the basis of materialist
foundations. The subject was summarized in the words "it has been
proved that an effect without a cause is possible, and that the end of
an event can occur before its beginning" in one newspaper headline.
Indeed, the effect of a phenomenon occurring prior to the one seen as
its cause is scientific proof that all events are created separately
and completely overturn materialist dogma.
• The Human Genome Project conducted in order to unravel the genetic
structure of man hasbeen brought to a conclusion and the details of
"genetic data"revealing that Allah has brought living things into
being with a Sublime Creation have been made clear for all to see.
Anyonetoday who examines the results of this project and learns that a
single human cell contains sufficient information to fill thousands of
encyclopaedia pages will understand just what a great creation this
truly is.
REPORTS OF THE COLLAPSE OF DARWINISM
Opponents Of Evolution In Europe Are Growing In Numbers
A special report in the major scientific journal Nature noted that
Turkey was the country with the strongest creationist movement.
Nature, 23 November, 2006.
In its 23rd November, 2006, edition the world-renowned scientific
magazine Nature carried a special report titled "Anti-evolutionists
raise their profile in Europe". The report discussed the places
occupied byevolution and creation in school curricula in such European
countries as Italy, Germany, Poland, France and Great Britain.It also
referred to the work of the Science Research Foundationin Turkey:
"The movement is by far the strongest in Turkey, however, which is in
negotiations to join the European Union. The main Muslim creationist
organization [is] the Turkish Bilim ve Arastirma Vakfi… Prominent US
creationists are also frequently invited by the group to give talks.
Additionally, the report discussed the debate stemming from the
teaching of the fact of creation in certain schools in Germany and the
removal of the theory of evolution from the middle school curriculum
at the wish of Italian Minister of Education Letizia Moratti. It also
cited examples of research carried out by groups in Russia espousing
the fact of creation and stated that there was a rapid rise in the
number of people supporting creation in Great Britain in particular:
Steve Jones, a geneticist at University College London who has
lectured widely about evolution, is one of those concerned by the
growing influence of creationist groups. 'I have talked about
evolution in front of more than 100,000 British schoolchildren in the
past20 years – during most of that time I was never asked questions
about creationism,' hesays. 'But in the past couple of years, wherever
I go I am asked about it.'"
At the end of the report, Jones said that he believed that the theory
of evolution would never be weakened in European countries as it had
been in the USA, and that evolution would always remain powerful, but
that he had concerns when it came to Turkey.
In reference of the state of Darwinism in Turkey the Darwinist
geneticist Steve Jones describes how evolution has collapsed: "I am
not very hopefulfor Turkey…"
Creation Museums and the Rise of Global Creationism
Harvard University, one of the world's leading scientific centres, has
also determined that "creationism is growing increasingly stronger in
the world and that it is the work of the Science Research
Foundation(SRF) that represents the global centre of this." In the
latest edition of the book The Creationists, from Scientific
Creationism to Intelligent Design, a special section has been set
aside for the SRF's worksetting out the fact of creation. A report
headed Creation Museums and the Rise of Global Creationism on a web
site belonging to the university summarised the section in question as
follows:
An unusual phenomenon that seems to be popping up a lot lately--the
creation museum. America's first one is set to openthis spring in
Petersburg, Kentucky. The $26.4 million facility boasts animatronic
dinosaurs and a state-of-the-art SFX theater, all designed to convince
visitors that God created the world exactly as it's described in the
Holy Book.
And it's not just in the US. Like everything these days, creationism
is going global, as evidenced by a campaign to open small creation
museums across Turkey (a typical one, located in an Istanbul kebab
shop, greets visitors with a portrait of Charles Darwin framed in
dripping blood). Matt Mossman reports in this month's issue of SEED
Magazine :
In its latest campaign, BAV [Bilim Arastirma Vakfi, or "Scientific
Research Foundation"has opened more than 80 "museums" in restaurants,
malls, and city halls across Turkey, each stocked with fossils,
posters, and eager volunteers. Oktar's disciples use tactics cribbed
from US organizations like California's Institute for Creation
Research, instructing passersby that evolution cannot explain
biology's complexity and is against the word of God.
BAV runs quite a sophisticated operation, as evidenced by its website,
which, according to Mossman, offers downloadable Power Point
presentations and questions with which students can challenge their
evolution-loving science teachers (we'll have to take Mossman's word
for it--the website in Turkish). And the affinity with US creationists
isn't mere coincidence--a BAV spokesman travelled to the US last year
to testify in the Kansas Board of Education's intelligent design
hearings. Beyond the US and Turkey, creationist movements in Britain
and Australia (where they seem to be particularly strong) suggest a
growing global trend.
"The Atlas of Creation"
The Creation Atlas affords readers the opportunity to obtain a close
familiarity with fossils that say "We did not evolve, but were
created."
The British news agency Reuters,one of the largest in the world,
carried an analysis by Tom Heneghan on 22 November, 2006. (Reuters
reports reach some 1 billion people every day.)The report, headed
Creation vs. Darwin Takes Muslim Twist in Turkey, discussed the works
by the author Harun Yahya on the subject of evolution and the extent
to which belief in evolution had contracted in Turkey in recent years.
This analysis provoked a very wide reaction in various newspapers,
including the Washington Post, the most important daily in the USA,
and on some of the world's most frequently visited news portals such
as MSNBC, YahooNews and AolNews. Some of the comments in the report
read:
"A lavishly illustrated Atlas of Creation is mysteriously turning up
at schools and libraries in Turkey, proclaiming that Charles Darwin's
theory of evolution is the real root of terrorism.
Arriving unsolicited by post, the large-format tome offers 768 glossy
pages of photographs and easy-to-read text to prove that God created
the world with all its species.
At first sight, it looks like it could be the work of United States
creationists, the Christian fundamentalists who believe theworld was
created in six days as told in the Bible.
But the author's name, Harun Yahya, reveals the surprise inside. This
is Islamic creationism, a richly funded movement based in
predominantly Muslim Turkey which has an influence U.S. creationists
could only dream of.
Creationism is so widely accepted here that Turkey placed last in a
recent survey of public acceptance of evolution in34 countries—just
behind the United States."
The latest of Harun Yahya's works revealing the "Fact of Creation,"
The Atlas of Creation" consists of a total of seven volumes and 5600
pages. In terms of its content and appearance this work, which reveals
all aspects of the invalidity of the theory of evolution is said to
have no equal anywhere in the world.
The Extent of the Effect of Religion
Like the Bible, the Koran says God made the world in six days and
fashioned the first man, Adam, from dust. Other details vary but the
idea is roughly the same.
But unlike in the West, evolutiontheory has not undermined the
traditional creation story for many Muslims.
Science is hardly an issue in Turkey, therefore evolution could hardly
have been an issue, said Celal Sengor, a geology professor at Istanbul
Technical University.
Darwinism did become an issue during the left-versus-right political
turmoil before a 1980 military coup because Communist bookshops touted
Darwin's works as a complement to Karl Marx.
It looked like Marx and Darwin were together, two long-bearded guys
spreading ideas that make people lose their faith, said Istanbul
journalist Mustafa Akyol.
After the coup, the conservative government thought a dose of religion
could bolster the fight against the extreme left.
In 1985, a paragraph on creationism as an alternative to evolution was
added to high school science textbooks and a U.S. book Scientific
Creationism was translated into Turkish.
In the early 1990s, leading U.S. creationists came to speak at several
anti-evolution conferences in Turkey.
Darwin and Terror
Since then, a home-grown strainof anti-Darwinist books has developed
with a clearly politicalmessage.
Atlas of Creation offers over 500 pages of splendid images comparing
fossils with present-day animals to argue that Allah created all life
as it is and evolution never took place.
Then comes a book-length essayarguing that Darwinism, by stressing the
"survival of the fittest", has inspired racism, Nazism, communism and
terrorism.
The root of the terrorism that plagues our planet is not any of the
divine religions, but atheism,and the expression of atheism inour
times [is] Darwinism and materialism, it says.
One Istanbul school unexpectedly received three copies recently. It's
very well done, with magnificent photos—a very stylish tool of
creationist propaganda, said theheadmaster, who asked not to be named.
The driving force behind these books is a reclusive Islamic teacher
named Adnan Oktar whoover the past decade has published a flood of
books under the pseudonym Harun Yahya.
Harun Yahya has managed to create a media-based and popular form of
creationism, said Taner Edis, a Turkish-born physicist at Truman State
University in Missouri.
Harun Yahya, which is probably apool of writers, has turned out over
200 books in Turkish and translated many of them into 51 other
languages.
Oktar, 50, appears on the group's Web site sporting a clipped beard
and dapper suits. His works can be found in Islamic bookshops around
the world and downloaded for free over the Internet.
It revealed that Harun Yahya hadmore than 200 books out in Turkish,
most of which had beentranslated into 51 other languages.
Harun Yahya, which is probably apool of writers, has turned out over
200 books in Turkish and translated many of them into 51 other
languages.
Oktar, 50, appears on the group's Web site sporting a clipped beard
and dapper suits. His works can be found in Islamic bookshops around
the world and downloaded for free over the Internet.
Adnan Oktar's Activities on the Subject of Darwinism in Seed Magazine
In its September edition the well-known magazine Seed devoted wide
space to Adnan Oktar's ongoing world-wide activities. The article
described the Science Research Foundation, of which Adnan Oktar is the
honorary president, which engages in scientific activities against the
invalidity ofthe theory of evolution as "the most effective and
powerful organization" in the world. The article also included the
following statements:
He's the 50-year-old founder of Bilim Araştirma Vakfi ("Scientific
Research Foundation"), a creationist organization mounting one of the
most potent offensives against evolution outside of the United States.
They are instructing passers-by that evolution cannot explain
biology's complexity and is against the word of God.
But unlike its western counterparts, Oktar's group claims Darwin is
responsible for communism, fascism, and terrorism. Terrorists,
according to Oktar, are "social Darwinists hiding under the cloak of
religion," while communists, still active in Turkey, are in "bloody
alliance" with Darwinism. "Evolution is a communist and fascist
belief," offers Tarkan Yavas, BAV's president. "The Muslim community
understands that now."
Turkey is among the most Western of Muslim nations. It teaches
evolution in its schools, but, even so, appears to be losing the
science education battle. In 1985 the minister of education mandated
that creationism be included in science textbooks. By the late 1990s,
the BAV was attacking scientists who opposed a creationist curriculum
via slander and death threats. The cumulative damage to science has
been significant.

Ümit Sayin, a neurologist at Istanbul University and outspoken critic
of Turkish creationism, estimates that the number of
university-educated Turks who understand evolution has dropped to 20
percent from 40 percent over the past 15 years.
BAV, founded in 1990, grew from the Turkish fringe into a global
media empire. Oktar claims to have 4.5 million followers worldwide,
who read his hundreds of books and essays and have seen the dozensof
television documentaries thatBAV produces and provides free of charge
to Turkish TV stations. BAV's Web sites offer downloadable PowerPoint
presentations and questions to challenge science teachers.
The foundation organizes anti-evolution conferences and petitions and
runs a telemarketing scheme to sell books by Harun Yahya (Oktar's pen
name), which are available globally in 29 languages.
In August, Science published an analysis of global public attitudes
toward evolution showing that, out of 34 sample countries, the US and
Turkey hadthe lowest acceptance of Darwin's theories.
Famous Scientists Have Turned to God
Francis Collins was president of the US National Human Genome Research
Institute, which conducted the famous Human Genome project, the
results of which were announced in 2001. He recently published a book
titled The language of God.
The book describes the factors that led Collins to believe in God ,who
is the president of the American national Genome Research Institute
which conducted the Genome project. In his book, Collins says that the
scientific findings drew him closer to God and that the Genome project
has revealed God's creation to him.
The Turkish Public Do Not Believe in Evolution
The effect of the work revealing the invalidity of the theory of
evolution is also reflected in the results of various public opinion
polls. According to one poll, the results of which were recently
published by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation
(TESEV), the level of those saying "the theory of evolution is true"
stands at 10.7%, compared to 87.4% for those saying "God created
man."According to this poll, 11 out of 100 people in Turkey believe in
the theory of evolution, in other words that living things are the
result of chance, that they came onto being "spontaneously" over
millions of years. In the late1970s, on the other hand, 75% ofTurkish
citizens believed that thetheory of evolution was true. Today, that
figure has dropped to 11%. There is no doubt that one of the major
factors in this change is, through Allah, the works and activities of
Adnan Oktar. Under the pen-name Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written
more than 50 books andpublished many documentary films about the
invalidity of the theory of evolution and the fact of creation, and
has opened dozens on web sites upon the subject. In addition, articles
under his real or pen-names have appeared in more than 300 magazines
and newspapers, andhis documentaries are regularly broadcast on 273
local and regional TV channels. The Science Research Foundation and
Foundation of Preserving National Values, of which Adnan Oktar is
honorary president, have held more than 2000 conferences in the
majority of Turkish provinces, districts and townships.
Another finding announced in the TESEV report is that 93.2% of Turks
describe themselves as "religious."
The latest scientific findings have dealt a severe blow to materialism
and Darwinism. All the frauds and lies of evolutionists, who have
deceivedpeople over the last 10 years by the use of all kinds of
methods of deception, have now been unmasked.
Ministerial Announcement: "Evolution Is a Lie"
Polish Deputy Education Minister Miroslaw Orzechowski has said that
Darwin's theory is a "lie" and should not be taught in schools. In a
statement recently issued at the Ministry of Education, the Polish
Education and Deputy Education Ministers said "The theory of evolution
is alie!" and "In the same way that wrong should not be taught instead
of right, lies such as the theory of evolution should not be taught."

'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Falsehood is always bound
to vanish.' (Surat Al-Isra , 81)
In the light of the latest developments we have witnessed throughout
the course of this article we may saythat materialist philosophy that
inspires atheism is now in its death throes and, by the will of Allah,
mankind has in the 21st century begun returning to the true purpose of
its creation by being freed from such deceptions.
No matter what efforts materialists and atheists may make to prevent
the spread of religious moral values, no matter how much they attempt
to hinder the light of Allah, Darwinism, the basis of their world
view, has now collapsed. They no longer have any basis for their
efforts to prevent the spread of religious moral values.This fact is
being recognized by more and more people every day, and people across
the planet are turning back to faith and religious virtues.
The way that many famous scientists admit that living things are
created is a striking development showing that the theory of evolution
has come to the end of the road and that the number of its adherents
is falling every day.
The latest scientific findings have dealt a severe blow to materialism
and Darwinism. All the frauds and lies of evolutionists, who have
deceivedpeople over the last 10 years by the use of all kinds of
methods of deception, have now been unmasked.
However, this must not lead believers in God to any relaxation as the
struggle against Darwinism is not yet finished, and it must not
finish; Darwinist propaganda is still going on unceasingly. Believers
need to forge a powerful alliance against this propaganda, which is
constantlymaintained through newspaper and magazine articles,
documentary films and television programmes, and which is particularly
aimed at the young. Everyone must be told, by the use of developing
technologies and by monitoring scientific advances, how this perverted
ideology is worthless and of the kind of dangers it poses. As the
numbers of those who see that the theory of evolution has
scientifically collapsed and that Darwinist propaganda consists of
hollow indoctrination increases, the nightmare of Darwinism will, by
Allah's will, be eradicated. The intellectual struggle against
Darwinism and atheism waged by believers who mobilize all themeans at
their disposal in order to attain Allah's approval will end in the
finest manner for all mankind. Work carried out in honesty and
togetherness will be a means whereby truth is victorious and
superstition is vanquished, as our Lord promises in the Holy Qur'an.
Thispromise by the Almighty Allah is a source of enormous enthusiasm
and excitement for all believers:
Rather We hurl the truth againstfalsehood and it cuts right through it
and it vanishes clean away! Woe without end for you for what you
portray! (Surat Al-Anbiya, 18)
With the intellectual eradication of Darwinism, which leads to lack of
faith and atheism, religious moral values will quickly spread, and
peace and security will rule the world. By the will of Allah, people
will very soon turn in floods to the true faith and, as promised by
our Lord, the radiance of Allah will rule the entire world.

Fathwa - Temporary cessation of blood within menses is not purity

Question
Assalmualicum, I got my menses at least 8 days prior to my regular
schedule. 2-3 days beforethe period, I saw some red stuff with the
toilet paper while wiping off after using the bathroombut nothing on
my clothes. I thought this must not be the period since my period is
pretty regular. I also continued praying and also had relationship
with my husband, and that same night, period came gushing out. That
makes me think, that I was in period since 2-3 days, notrealizing. But
I also have heard that period has to be seen outside in order to be
considered as period. Are we sinful for that. What should I do,since I
feel very uncomfortable about what happened. Please advise. Jazak
Allah khair kaseerah.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
MuhammadisHis slave and Messenger.
First of all, we say that the premature bleeding before its usual time
could be menses and it could be Istihaadhah (bleeding outside the
monthly periods) depending on the duration between it and the end of
the previous menstrual cycle. If you had bleeding after thirteen days
of purity from the last menstrual cycle, then it is considered as
menses even if you had this discharge at a time other than its usual
time, and ifthe duration is less than thirteen days, then it could be
Istihaadhah andit could be menses that is part of the first
menstrualcycle.
What we have mentioned here that the minimum period of purity between
two menstrual periods is thirteen days is the view of the Hanbali
School of jurisprudence, but the view of the majority of the scholars
is that the minimum period of purity between two menstrual periods is
fifteen days. For more benefit on the maximum period of menses and
theminimum period of purity, please refer to Fataawa 91444and 98693.
As regards whether or not you are sinful, if you did not know the
ruling, then you are not sinful, Allaah willing, even if it
isconfirmed that what you saw was menses since you had no intention of
doing anything wrong. Allaah says (what means):{And there is no blame
upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your
hearts intended. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.}[Quran
33:5] Allaah also says (what means) {"Our Lord,do not impose blame
upon us if we have forgotten or erred.}[Quran 2:286] It is confirmed
in the Hadeethreported byImaam Muslimthat the Prophetsaid: "Allaah
said (in response to this): "I have indeed done so." Another Hadeeth
reads: "Allaah has forgiven my nation things they do by mistake, by
forgetfulness and things that they do by coercion." [Ibn Maajah, Ibn
Hibbaan and others]
In regard to what you heard that "the period has to be seen outside in
order to be considered asperiod.", then this is true in general, as it
is not ruled that a woman is in menses unless she sees the blood. But
the menstrual blood gathers in the womb and then the womb pushes it
out gradually, and there are intervals between one gush and another,
but it [the blood] still exists in the womb in a way that if a woman
inserted (intoher vagina) a piece of cotton and the like, it willcome
out stained with blood or with reddish or yellowish traces. This
interruption in bleeding is called by the jurists the Fatrah
(cessation of blood) but it does not mean purity; rather, it is menses
because purity is when the woman is totally pure and clean.
An-Nawawisaid about the difference between the Fatrah and purity: "The
menstrual blood gathers in the womb and then the womb drips it out
little by little, so the Fatrah is the time between the end of a flow
and the appearance of another flow from the womb to its outside and
what exceeds this interruption is the purity...... I say the correct
opinion that is adopted (by our Shaafi'i School) regarding the
difference (between the two cases) is that the Fatrah is the time
when the flow of blood stops but its trace remains in a way that if a
woman inserts a piece of cotton into her vagina, the traceof the blood
would stain it, whether it is red bloodor yellowish or brownish,this
is definitely menstruation whether (its period) is long or short. The
purity is when she inserts a cotton (into her vagina) and it comes out
white; this is the criterion given by Ash-Shaafi'i." [End quote]
Therefore, you should know that if a woman sees the blood, then her
menses has started, and if its flow stops during the time period of
menses, it is not considered purity as longas the blood exists in the
womb even if it does not come out.
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - Temporary cessation of blood within menses is not purity

Question
Assalmualicum, I got my menses at least 8 days prior to my regular
schedule. 2-3 days beforethe period, I saw some red stuff with the
toilet paper while wiping off after using the bathroombut nothing on
my clothes. I thought this must not be the period since my period is
pretty regular. I also continued praying and also had relationship
with my husband, and that same night, period came gushing out. That
makes me think, that I was in period since 2-3 days, notrealizing. But
I also have heard that period has to be seen outside in order to be
considered as period. Are we sinful for that. What should I do,since I
feel very uncomfortable about what happened. Please advise. Jazak
Allah khair kaseerah.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that
MuhammadisHis slave and Messenger.
First of all, we say that the premature bleeding before its usual time
could be menses and it could be Istihaadhah (bleeding outside the
monthly periods) depending on the duration between it and the end of
the previous menstrual cycle. If you had bleeding after thirteen days
of purity from the last menstrual cycle, then it is considered as
menses even if you had this discharge at a time other than its usual
time, and ifthe duration is less than thirteen days, then it could be
Istihaadhah andit could be menses that is part of the first
menstrualcycle.
What we have mentioned here that the minimum period of purity between
two menstrual periods is thirteen days is the view of the Hanbali
School of jurisprudence, but the view of the majority of the scholars
is that the minimum period of purity between two menstrual periods is
fifteen days. For more benefit on the maximum period of menses and
theminimum period of purity, please refer to Fataawa 91444and 98693.
As regards whether or not you are sinful, if you did not know the
ruling, then you are not sinful, Allaah willing, even if it
isconfirmed that what you saw was menses since you had no intention of
doing anything wrong. Allaah says (what means):{And there is no blame
upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your
hearts intended. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.}[Quran
33:5] Allaah also says (what means) {"Our Lord,do not impose blame
upon us if we have forgotten or erred.}[Quran 2:286] It is confirmed
in the Hadeethreported byImaam Muslimthat the Prophetsaid: "Allaah
said (in response to this): "I have indeed done so." Another Hadeeth
reads: "Allaah has forgiven my nation things they do by mistake, by
forgetfulness and things that they do by coercion." [Ibn Maajah, Ibn
Hibbaan and others]
In regard to what you heard that "the period has to be seen outside in
order to be considered asperiod.", then this is true in general, as it
is not ruled that a woman is in menses unless she sees the blood. But
the menstrual blood gathers in the womb and then the womb pushes it
out gradually, and there are intervals between one gush and another,
but it [the blood] still exists in the womb in a way that if a woman
inserted (intoher vagina) a piece of cotton and the like, it willcome
out stained with blood or with reddish or yellowish traces. This
interruption in bleeding is called by the jurists the Fatrah
(cessation of blood) but it does not mean purity; rather, it is menses
because purity is when the woman is totally pure and clean.
An-Nawawisaid about the difference between the Fatrah and purity: "The
menstrual blood gathers in the womb and then the womb drips it out
little by little, so the Fatrah is the time between the end of a flow
and the appearance of another flow from the womb to its outside and
what exceeds this interruption is the purity...... I say the correct
opinion that is adopted (by our Shaafi'i School) regarding the
difference (between the two cases) is that the Fatrah is the time
when the flow of blood stops but its trace remains in a way that if a
woman inserts a piece of cotton into her vagina, the traceof the blood
would stain it, whether it is red bloodor yellowish or brownish,this
is definitely menstruation whether (its period) is long or short. The
purity is when she inserts a cotton (into her vagina) and it comes out
white; this is the criterion given by Ash-Shaafi'i." [End quote]
Therefore, you should know that if a woman sees the blood, then her
menses has started, and if its flow stops during the time period of
menses, it is not considered purity as longas the blood exists in the
womb even if it does not come out.
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - She is not certain whether her menses started during Tawaaf or Sa'i

Question
Respected Sheikh Assalam oalaikum Few days back i asked you a question
regarding menses during umrah,u directed me to another question which
i was unable to understand my actual question is that mywife did not
know when her menses started eitherduring tawaaf or saayi. she noticed
it only when she reached one of my relatives house in Holy Makkah.
What shall we do now as she is not sure when her menses started during
umrah. JazkaAllahKhair
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His Slave and Messenger.
Your wife is not obligated to do anything and her'Umrahis valid,
Allaah willing, as long as she is not certain that
sheofferedTawaafwhile she was menstruating. That isbecause if
something is possible to occur in one of two times, then it should be
attributed to the nearest of them. (The general rule is attributing an
incident tothe most recent time, i.e. to the time closest to the
present. That is because the existence of the incident in the closer
time is agreed upon, while the later time is doubtful).
Based on that, since it is possible that such blood may have occurred
in Tawaaf or after it, then it should be assumed to have occurred at
the latest of the two times and thus her Tawaaf is valid.
Allaah Knows best.

Fathwa - He had intercourse with his wife thinking that it isthe day of ‘Eed and then found out that it is still Ramadan

Question
In Qatar, we are used to breaking our fast after Ramadan with Saudi
Arabia. However, there was one year in which Saudi Arabia declared'Eed
and I thought that Qatar would also declare it and it is simply a
matter of time. I slept without making the intention to fast, woke up
at dawn and had intercourse with my wife.Then, I discovered that the
people of Qatar considered it a day of Ramadan and they fasted. Should
I offer expiation?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad,
is His slave and messenger.
You should have made sure whether this day was 'Eed or not. Since what
happened has happened, you should make up for this day and you are not
obliged to offer any expiation because you did not intend to violate
the sanctity of the month. Expiation is obligatory upon whoever does
so intentionally.
Whoever does this by mistake is not required to offer any expiation as
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Our Lord, do not impose blame
upon us if we have forgotten or erred.} [Quran 2:286]
Allaah The Exalted also Says (what means): {And there is no blame upon
you for that in which youhave erred but [only for] what your hearts
intended.} [Quran 33:5]
Allaah Knows best.

Islamic Article - Gems from the treasury of the Quran

The Messenger of Allaah, Muhammadsaid:"The best amongst you are those
who learnthe Quran and teach it."[Al-Bukhaari]
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the Book of Allaah, which He chose tobe the Final of the
Heavenly Books. He, the Merciful and Most High, revealed it to Prophet
Muhammadas the source for the Last Religion and a guidance for
mankind. Its revelation was a turning point for humanity; it was the
power that changed the world, shifted the flow of history, saved and
reformed humanity, so much so that the entire existence appeared as if
it had been recreated anew.
The Quran is the strongest evidence in support of Prophet Muhammadand
his greatest sign. It is the proof of his prophethoodand
trustworthiness. Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says in the Quran (what
means):"They (unbelievers) want to extinguish Allaah's light with
their mouths. But Allaah willperfect His light, even though
theunbelievers may detest it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with
guidance and the Religion of Truth, so that he may exalt it over all
religions, much as the pagans may dislike it."[Quran 61:8-9]
The Quran is the guidance that mankind needs to achieve freedom,
happiness and success, in this life and the next.
The Quran is a complete and comprehensive Book. It deals with the
issues man needs, not only for salvation in the Hereafter, but also to
achieve peace, justice and prosperity in this world. These issues are
discussed in the Quran in three main categories: Theology, Fables and
Wisdom, Islamic Law (or Sharee'ah). Thus, it provides the basic
principles, vision and knowledge necessary for planning and leading a
good life. All this is packaged in a very comprehensive approachto
living that combines the pursuit of worldly affairs as well as those
of the Hereafter. Allaah Almighty Says in the Quran (what means):"And
seek by the wealth provided for you by Allaah the eternal abode (the
Hereafter) but do not forget and (and forsake) your share of this
world. Be kind and good (to others) just as Allaah was kind and good
to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allaah does not
like corrupters."[Quran 28:77]
The Quran has an inimitable style and format that has never been seen
or experienced in any other book or methodology. The richness of its
text and the discourse it offers are unprecedentedand unmatched in
their eloquence, proficiency, fluency, conformance and harmony. Not
only is the Quran a linguistic masterpiece and magnum opus par
excellence, it is indeed a miracle in the fullest sense of the word.
Those reciting it never become weary of it and those who ponder upon
its meanings do not doubt it; rather, they always discover fresh
insights and knowledge. It guidesthose seeking guidance and increases
those who believe in it in faith. Its first parts resemble its latter
parts and it can only be likened to itself in its unparalleled beauty.
The Quran is free from contradictions and those who understand the
Arabic language and contemplate upon its chapters and verses will find
harmony between its various parts. Allaah, the Most High, Says
(whatmeans): "Why do not they contemplate the Quran? And if it were
from other than Allaah, they would have found in it numerous
discrepancies."[Quran 4:82] Indeed, every time the disbelievers tried
to raiseissues of contradictions in the Quran, Muslim scholars proved
beyond doubt that no part of the Quran belies or contradicts another.
The reason is that what may appear as a 'contradiction' in the Quran
is actually what the Quran calls Muhkam (clear) and Mutashaabih
(unclear) verse. This is actually a part of the Quran's textual
strength and miraculous composition.
The Quran restores soul calmness
The Islamic Medical Sciences Organization declared the striking
results of a study conducted by Dr. Ahmad Al-Qaadhi over a group
ofvolunteers fromUSAwho were subject to a recitation of the Holy
Quran. A trace of a tranquilizing effect was recorded at a whole rate
of 97%. Although many of these volunteers do not know Arabic, yet
involuntary physiologicalchanges that led notably to alleviate the
acuity of tension they had before were observed in their nervous
systems.
Furthermore, an experiment of EEG duringQuran rehearsal revealed that
while listening to Quran, the encephalic waves moved from the fast
pattern of vigilance (12-13) wave/ second to the slow pattern (8-18)
wave/ second; indicating the state of deep calmness. Non-Arabic
speaking persons felt reassured, quiet, and complacent during the
process of listening to Quranic verses, in spite oftheir inability to
understand the meanings. This is one of the miracles of the Holy
Quran.
The Prophetrevealed that miracle when saying;
"No people assembled in one of the houses of Allaah (mosques), and
recite and study the Book of Allaah (among themselves), except that
tranquility would prevail over them, mercy would encompass them, the
angels would surround them, and Allaahwould make a mention of them in
the presence of those near Him(angels)."[Muslim]

Islamic Article - Islam and stability of the family - I

Out of all the previous divine religions, none has given due
importance to the family as Islamdid. In doing so, Islam has
legislated procedures and means which maintain security and preserve
stability within the family. It has also prescribed some measures
which prevent the family from collapse and destruction. We --
particularly in the present time where immorality abounds and
temptations are overwhelming -- have to return to the endless spring
of the Quran, theSunnah(Prophetic tradition) as well as the sayings of
the righteous predecessors which are guiding beacons for us along our
road to maintain family stability.
Islam has initiated several measures to maintain the stability of the
family as well the whole Muslim community. In thisarticle, I will
discuss only two measures that Allaah The Almighty has legislated to
avoid the disintegration of the family structure and to maintain the
unity of the Muslim community and steadfastness in the face of the
huge challenges that the entire MuslimUmmah(nation) is facing. Such
challenges are directed to the Muslim family in particular which has
become a clear target for the schemes of Westernization and corruption
led by the enemies of Islam from among the Jews and others.
1- Restricting the gates to divorceto maintain marital life and
safeguard the community:
To avoid making divorce the first decision in case of dissention
anddispute, Islam stated stages for reconciliation between the
spouses, including:
1-The policy of reconciliation between the disputing
spouses.Reconciliation is recommended even before dissention worsens
and its evil consequences emerge. The arbitrators are chosen from the
spouses' families because they are more capable of reconciling them
and of knowing the details. The arbitrators should truly seek
reconciliation and maintenance of the marital life, and as such Allaah
will help them to achieve this. Allaah The Exalted Says (what
means):{And if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator
from his people and an arbitrator from her people. If they both desire
reconciliation, Allaah will cause it between them. Indeed, Allaah is
ever Knowing and Acquainted [with all things].}[Quran 4: 35]
2-Islam directed the spouses to exert their best efforts in
reconciliation when dissention and dispute occur among them. Allaah
The Exalted Says (what means):{And if a woman fears from her husband
contempt or evasion, there is no sin upon them if they make terms of
settlement between them - and settlement is best. And present
in[human] souls is stinginess.}[Quran 4: 128] Commenting on the last
verse, At-Tabarisaid,"There is a consensus that this is applicable
when the wife is unattractive or very old and feels that her husband
no longer desires her, treats her with contempt or inclines to other
women. In such a case, she can waive some of her rights in
ordertoappeasehim and maintain her marital life."
3-Islam warns against following whims and desires as well as
surrendering to emotions, which overwhelm and change. A husband may
feel aversion towards his wife, but if he is patient, this feeling
will soon change. Therefore, it is not acceptable that a husband
divorces his wife because of these temporary feelings of aversion.
Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):{And live with them in kindness.
For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislikea thing and Allaah makes
therein much good.}[Quran 4: 18]
In aHadeeth(narration), the Prophet,, said:"No believing man should
hate his believing wife. If he dislikesone of hercharacteristics, he
would surely like another."[Muslim]
This means that a husband could hate one of his wife's characteristics
while he is heedless of her other good ones. Consequently, he has to
think deliberately before divorce as he may prefer keeping her and his
feeling of dislike could change.
It was narrated thata man consulted 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaababout
divorcing his wife and 'Umarsaid to him,[Fi Thilaal Al-Quran: Sayyid
Qutb]"Do not doso.""I do not love her,"the man argued. 'Umarsaid,"Are
families built only on love? Whereis, then, mutual care and the
maintenance of rights and duties?"
The statement of 'Umarindicates how Islam is keen to maintain the
solemn marital contract as Allaah The Almighty describes it in the
Quran Saying (what means):{And they have taken from you a solemn
covenant}.[Quran 4: 21] Even if love is missing in marital life, there
is still scope for cooperation, solidarity and the fear of blame for
divorce which distresses the wife, the children and the husband
himself in manycases.

Islamic Article - Islam and stability of the family - II

1-When divorce is unavoidable, the best form is to divorce the wife
only once during a period of purity during which no incident of
intercourse takes place. This is the meaning of the verse in which
Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):{O Prophet, when you [Muslims]
divorce women, divorce them for [the commencement of] their waiting
period.}[Quran 65: 1]
The period of menstruation mostly brings on feelings of lethargy,
alienation and irritability. On the other hand, theperiod of purity
features intermixing between the spouses, mutual understanding and
interaction. Consequently, when a husband divorces his wifewhile she
is menstruating or during a period of purity in whichan incident of
intercourse takes place, this is, as expressed by some of the
righteous predecessors including Ibn Taymiyyaha divorce based
uponBid'ah(innovation) which contradicts the wiseSharee'ah(Islamic
legislation). Actually, thisform of divorce contradicts the ordinances
of Allaah The Almighty because it is an innovated matter in religion
and does not cancel the original state(i.e. the marriage contract)
whichis established by the Quran, theSunnah(Prophetic tradition) as
well as the scholars' consensus.
The Prophet,rejected this form of divorce and nullified it. [Ibn
Al-Qayyim] The majority of scholars, however, are of the view that
this form of divorce is effective. Consequently, when a husband
decides to divorce his wife after he had divorced her while she was
menstruating or during a period of purity in whichan incident of
intercourse took place and then took her in wedlock again, he has to
divorce her according to theSharee'ah-approved manner.
2- Permissibility of polygyny if one can be fair:
There are great advantages in polygyny including, for example:
1-The wife may suffer from an incurable disease and does not expect a
full recovery, and therefore she is neither able to manage her home
nor fulfill her husband's rights. Meanwhile, she is poor and has
neither wealth tolive from in case of divorce nor is she a breadwinner
capable of taking care of herself. Does chivalry entail divorcing her
in this case? The answer is of courseno. Rather, chivalry entails that
he keeps her as his wife. Nevertheless, is it just that he retains her
as his wife while he badly needs someone to take care of him, manage
his affairs, maintain his chastity and provide him with offspring?
This would mean sentencing him to misery and wretchedness. Moreover,
thiswould be a wretched fate for them both. Rather, justice
entailsallowing him to marry another wife. Consequently, chivalry and
justice entail allowing polygyny insuch cases.
2-The wife could be infertile, and although she may spare no effortin
seeking a cure and her husband may be keen to utilize the available
means for her to conceive, their efforts may be in vain. What is the
judgment of justice and human nature in this case? Should the husband
suppress his desire to have a child to please him in his lifetime and
inherit him after death or marry another woman after keeping patient
with his wife's infertility for a period of time andlosing hope in
having children from her? Like the previous wife, such a woman could
be poor andhave no breadwinner. In such a case, faithfulness, kind
association and chivalry entail that he keeps her, maintains her and
takes care of her.
3-In most nations, particularly in certain circumstances, women
noticeably outnumber men. Consequently, when each man marries only one
wife, other women and young girls will remain spinsters. This means
that they will harbor rancor against married men and women. This also
means exposing their chastity to danger.In such a case, the wives
themselves will be afflicted with evil, for the unmarried women will
share their husbands with them secretly. This evil also afflicts men
for unmarried women are relatives to men and what hurts their
reputation hurtstheir relatives as well.
Discussing the advantages of polygyny, ShaykhAsh-Shinqeetisaid,
"It is one of the normal ways of Allaah in the universe that men are
less than women in number and more vulnerable to death in all fields
of life. Consequently, if the man is forbidden from marrying more than
one woman,there will be a huge number of unmarried women who will
resort to adultery. Neglecting theguidance of the Quran and the Sunnah
in this issue is one of the greatest reasons behind lacking morals and
degradation to the degrees of animals in losing chastity, honor,
nobility and morals. Glory be to The Ever Wise and The Ever Acquainted
with everything."[Adhwaa' Al-Bayaan]
4-Unlike women who rarely have children after the age of forty-five,
man is naturally able to havechildren even after the age of sixty.
Consequently, when a man marries at an older age or loves having a lot
of children, preventing him from marrying another wife is a form of
confinement. Also, unlike the woman who is prevented by pregnancy from
having children all the time, the husband is able to do so at anytime.
To sum up:
Islam legislated many regulationswhich safeguard the Muslim family and
prevent it from disintegration. The family is the essential pillar of
the entire Muslim community and its inviolable fort. This indicates
the justice and perfection of the IslamicSharee'ahas well as its
keenness to do what is beneficial to humans in both worlds.

General Article - Small daily aspirin dose 'cuts cancer risk'

A small daily dose of aspirin - 75mg - substantially reduces death
rates from a range of common cancers, a study suggests.
Research at Oxford University andother centers found that it cut
overall cancer deaths by at least afifth.
The study, published in the Lancet, covered some 25,000 patients,
mostly from the UK.
Experts say the findings show aspirin's benefits often outweighed its
associated risk of causing bleeding.
Aspirin is already known to cut the risk of heart attack and stroke
among those at increased risk. But the protective effects against
cardiovascular disease are thought to be small for healthy adults, and
aspirin increases the risks of stomach and gut bleeds.
However, this latest research shows that when weighing up the risks
and benefits of taking aspirin, experts should also consider its
protective effect against cancer.
Those patients who were given aspirin had a 25% lower risk of death
from cancer during the trial period and a 10% reduction in death from
any cause compared to patients who were not given the drug.
Lasting protection
The treatment with aspirin lastedfor between four and eight years,but
long term-follow-up of around 12,500 patients showed the protective
effect continued for 20 years in both men and women.
Lead researcher Professor Peter Rothwell said the findings might well
underestimate the reductionin deaths that would result from
longer-term treatment with aspirin.
The risk of cancer death was reduced by 20% over 20 years.
Forindividual cancers the reduction was about 40% for bowel cancer,
30% for lung cancer, 10% for prostate cancer and 60% for oesophageal
cancer.
The reductions in pancreas, stomach and brain cancers were difficult
to quantify because of smaller numbers of deaths.
There was also not enough data to show an effect on breast or ovarian
cancer and the authors suggest this is because there were not enough
women in the trials. Large-scale studies investigating the effects on
thesecancers are under way.
Professor Rothwell said he was not urging healthy middle-aged adults
to immediately start taking aspirin, but said the evidence on cancer
"tips things towards it being well worth it". The benefit in cancer
reduction were found from a low daily doseof 75mg.
Professor Rothwell said the annual risk of major internal bleeding was
about 1 in 1,000 and aspirin roughly doubled that risk. But he said
the danger of major bleeding was "very low" in middle age but
increased dramatically after 75.
Sensible time to consider startingdaily aspirin use would be between
45-50, continuing for around 25 years, he said.
Cancer Research UK described theresults as "promising". But Ed Yong,
head of health information and evidence, said: "We encourage anyone
interested in taking aspirin on a regular basis to talk to their GP
first."
Professor Peter Elwood, an epidemiologist from Cardiff University, who
carried out some of the first studies into the effects of aspirin on
health, said individuals should make up their own minds:
"Aspirin should be thought of in the same context as lifestyle changes
such as diet and exercisewhich can help to preserve health."
Professor Elwood said taking aspirin at night and with calcium seemed
to enhance its effects. Hesuggested taking it with a glass of milk as
this could also reduce stomach irritation.

Dought & clear - The Divine names as remedy.

Is it permissible to use the Beautiful Names of Allaah as a remedy,
suchas saying "Ya Baseer (O All-Seeing)" over the patient's eye and so
on?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Using the names of Allaah as a remedy is a practice that is widespread
among people. Flyers are widelydistributed on which thenames are
written and beside them the diseaseswhich may supposedly be treated by
that name.
The one who claims to have discovered this kind of remedy is Dr
Ibraaheem Kareem, the inventor of the science of "biogeometry". He
claimed that the beautiful names of Allaah have the power toheal a
huge number of diseases, based on his research in which he measured
energy levels in the human body. He claimed to have discovered that
each of the names of Allaah produces an energy that prompts the immune
system to work efficiently in a particularpart of the human body. He
claimed that by applying the "law of resonance" he could, simply by
mentioning one of the names of Allaah, bring about improvements in the
vital energy in the human body. After researching for three years, he
presented his discovery to people in a schedule in which he described
diseases and stated which name of Allaah could be beneficial in
treating it.
For example: al-Samee' (the All Hearing) can restore the balance of
energy; al-Razzaaq (the Provider) can treat the stomach; al-Jabbaar
(the Compeller) can treat the spine; al-Ra'oof (the Most Kind) can
treat the colon; al-Naafi' (the Bringer of benefits) can treat the
bones; al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) can treat the kidneys; al-Badee' (the
Originator) can treat the hair; Jalla Jalaalahu (Glorified be His
Majesty)can treat dandruff; al-Noor (the Light), al-Baseer (the
All-Seeing)and al-Wahhaab (the Bestower) can treat the eyes. …
The way in which the remedy is administered is to repeat the name or a
number of names over the affected part of the body, for ten minutes.
He claims to have discovered that healing energy is multiplied when
reciting the versesof healing after reciting tasbeeh of the beautiful
names of Allaah. These verses are (interpretation of the meaning):
"and heal the hearts of abelieving people"
[al-Tawbah 9:14]
"and a healing for that which is in your hearts"
[Yoonus 10:57]
"wherein is healing for men"
[al-Nahl 16:69]
"And We send down of the Qur'aan that which isa healing and a mercy"
[al-Isra' 17:82]
"And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me"
[al-Shu'ara' 26:80]
"Say: It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing"
[Fussilat 41:44]
Our response to these claims is:
1 – Remedies may be administered either by scientific means or by
religious means (as described in the Qur'aan and Sunnah). With regard
to scientific, physical means, treatment should be based on experience
and expertise. With regard to religious means, reference is to bemade
to the texts of sharee'ah in order to find out what remedies are to be
used and how they are to be administered. Mentioning Allaah by His
beautiful names (dhikr) is something that is prescribed in sharee'ah,
but this researcher does not quote any shar'i source of evidence for
using specific names of Allaah in this manner to treat disease, so it
cannot be a legitimate shar'i means of treating disease. Religious
matters cannot be subjected to experimentation or disrespected in this
manner.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
Note that medical treatment is a means of healing but the One
Whocauses it to be effective is Allaah, may He be exalted. There is no
cause except that which Allaah makes a cause. The things that Allaah
makes causes are of two types:
(i) Means that are prescribed in sharee'ah, such as the
Holy Qur'aan and du'aa' (supplication), as the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning Soorat al-Faatihah:
"How did you know that it is a ruqyah (prayer or incantation for
healing)?" And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
recited ruqyah for the sick by making du'aa' for them, and Allaah
healed those whom He wanted to heal by virtue of his du'aa'.
(ii) Physical means, such as medicines that are known
from sharee'ah, like honey, or from experimentation and experience,
like many kinds of medicine. The effect of this kind of means must be
direct, not by way of imagination and wishfulthinking. If its effect
is known in a direct and measurable manner, then it may rightfully be
used as a remedy by means of which a cure may be effected, by Allaah's
leave. But if it is simply the matter of wishful thinking on the part
of the patient, which brings him some kind of psychological relief,
then it is not permissible to rely on it or affirm that it is a
remedy, lest a person come to depend on wishful thinking. Hence it is
forbidden to wear rings, strings etc to heal disease or ward it off,
because that is not a means that is prescribed in sharee'ah or known
from experience. So longas it is not proven to be a means that is
prescribed in sharee'ah or known from experience, it is not
permissible to regard it as a means of healing. Regarding it as a
means is a kind of trying to compete with Allaah in His dominion and
associating others with Him, in the sense that one is trying to play a
role that belongs only to Allaah, namely deciding the means and the
ends. Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhaab explained this matter in
Kitaab al-Tawheed by saying: "CHAPTER: It is shirk to wear rings and
strings etc to ward off evil or relieve it."
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 1, question no. 49.
2 – This involves mentioning names of Allaah and claiming that He has
called Himself by these names, when that is not the case, such as
Jalla Jalaaluhu (Glorified be His Majesty), al-Rasheed (the Guide),
al-Badee' (the Originator), al-Naafi' (the Bringer of Benefit), etc.
This is indicative of the ignorance of the onewho made this claim, and
that this so-called energy does not exist, because it is derived –
according to his own claims – from names thatare not names of Allaah
as proven in the saheeh evidence.
3 – He describes a specific method of treatment and stipulates a name
for each disease.
Even when a name mentioned is proven in saheeh evidence to be one of
the names of Allaah, this still comes under the heading of speaking
about Allaah without knowledge. Allaah has forbidden us to speak of
Him without knowledge, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden
are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual
intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all
kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with
Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about
Allaah of which you haveno knowledge"
[al-A'raaf 7:33]
Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahmaanal-Sa'di (may Allaah havemercy on him) said in
hiscommentary on this verse:
"and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge" means,
withregard to His names, attributes, actions and laws.
Tafseer al-Sa'di, p. 250.
4 – The scholars of the Standing Committee refuted the claims of
thisman when they were asked about this matter. They said:
After studying the matter, the Standing Committee for Academic
Research and Issuing Fatwas replied as follows:
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allaah, so call on Him
by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter
impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they
used to do"
[al-A'raaf 7:180]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Allaah has ninety-nine names; whoever learns them will enter
Paradise." Among them is the greatest name of Allaah which, if He is
called upon by it, He will respond, and if He is asked by it, He will
give.
No one knows how many names Allaah has except Allaah Himself, and all
of them are beautiful. We must believe in them and in the perfection,
majesty and might of Allaah to which they point. It is haraam to
disbelieve in them by rejecting all of them or any of them, or to deny
the perfection ofAllaah or any of the attributes of Allaah indicated
by these names.
An example of denying the names of Allaah is the claim made by this
"Kareem Sayyid" and his student and son in a flyer which they
distributed among people, that the beautiful names of Allaah have the
power toheal a huge number of diseases, based on his research in which
he measured energy levels in the human body. He claimed to have
discovered that each of the names of Allaah produces an energy that
prompts the immune system to work efficiently in a particularpart of
the human body. He claimed that by applying the "law of resonance" he
could, simply by mentioning one of the names of Allaah, bring about
improvements in the vital energy in the human body. He said: it is
well known that the Pharaohs were the first ones to study and measure
the life force in the human body by means of [?] the Pharaonic
pendulum. Then he mentioned a number of the names of Allaah in a
schedule and claimed that each of these names could benefit the body
in someway or treat specific physical diseases. He explained that by
drawing a diagram of the human body and writing one of the names of
Allaah on each part thereof.
This action is false because it is a kind of disbelief concerning the
names of Allaah and it subjects them to degrading treatment. What is
prescribed in Islam with regard to the names of Allaah is to call upon
Him by them, as Hesays (interpretation of the meaning):
"… so call on Him by them …"
[al-A'raaf 7:180]
Similarly we must affirm the attributes of Allaah implied by these
names, because each of these names describes an attribute of Allaah
and it is not permissible to use them for any other purpose than to
call Him by them, unless there is shar'i evidence to that effect.
Whoever claims that they may be used in suchand such a manner, or may
be used to treat such and such a disease with no evidence to
thateffect from sharee'ah, is speaking about Allaah without knowledge,
andAllaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden
are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual
intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all
kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with
Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about
Allaah of which you haveno knowledge"
[al-A'raaf 7:33]
This flyer must be destroyed, and the people mentioned here and others
have to repent to Allaah from this action and not do any such thing
again that has to do with 'aqeedah and rulings of sharee'ah.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.
And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear - How should we welcome the month of Ramadaan?.

Are there any special things that are prescribed for the Muslim to
welcome Ramadaan?
Praise be to Allaah.
The month of Ramadaan is the best month of the year, because Allaah
has chosen it to make fasting this month obligatory and the fourth
pillar of Islam andHe has prescribed for theMuslims to spend its
nights in prayer, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: "Islam is built on five (pillars): testimony that
there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allaah, establishing prayer, paying zakaah, fasting Ramadaan and
performing pilgrimage to the House (Ka'bah)." Agreed upon. And he
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever spend the
nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward,
his previous sinswill be forgiven." Agreedupon. I do not know of any
specific way of welcoming Ramadaan, but the Muslim should welcome it
with joy and happiness and thanking Allaah for enabling him to reach
Ramadaan, for He has caused him to be among the living who compete in
doing righteous deeds. Reaching Ramadaan is a great blessing from
Allaah. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
used to give his companions the glad tidings of the arrival of
Ramadaan and explain its virtues, and the great reward that Allaah has
prepared for those who fast and who spend the night in prayer. It is
prescribed for the Muslim to welcome this blessed month with sincere
repentance and preparations to fast and pray qiyaam, with a sound
intention and sincere resolve. End quote.
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)
Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah (15/9).

Dought & clear - Can the testimony of a woman be accepted with regard to sighting the new moon of Ramadaan?.

Can the testimony of a woman be accepted with regard to sighting the
new moon of Ramadaan?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The fuqaha' differed with regard to acceptingthe testimony of a woman
with regard to sighting the new moon of Ramadaan. There are two
opinions:
1 – Her testimony may beaccepted. This is the view of the Hanafis – if
itis cloudy– and the Hanbalis, and it is one of the two views held by
the Shaafa'is.
2 –That it cannot be accepted. This is the view of the Maalikis,
andthe more correct view according to the Shaafa'is.
Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni (3/48):
If the one who brings the news is a woman, then according to the
madhhab her word is to be accepted. This is the view of Abu Haneefah
and is one of the two views held by the companions of al-Shaafa'i,
because it is news that has to do witha religious matter, so it is
akin to narration of reports, or telling peoplewhat the direction of
the qiblah is, or that the time for prayer has begun. And it may be
that it is not acceptable, because it is testimony about the sighting
of thenew moon, and the word of a woman cannot be accepted concerning
that, like the new moon of Shawwaal.End quote.
See: Tabyeen al-Haqaa'iq(1/319), al-Taaj wa'l-Ikleel (3/278),
al-Majmoo' (6/286) and Kashshaaf al-Qinaa' (2/304).
The Hanafis differentiatebetween cloudy and clear weather. If it is
cloudy, the testimony of two men, or a man and two women, is
acceptable, but if it is clear then it is essential to have many
people to testify to that . See: al-Bahr al-Raa'iq (2/290).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Some
scholars say that the testimony of a female cannot be accepted, either
in Ramadaan or atother times, because the one who saw the new moon at
the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) wasa man, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "If two witnesses (shaahidayn) bear witness,
then start the fast and end the fast," and a woman is a shaahidah not
a shaahid.
The evidence of our madhhab is that this is a report concerning a
religious matter which isaddressed equally to males and females, as
males and females are equal with regard to narrating reports, and
reports are religious matters. Hence they did not stipulate that
sighting the new moon of Ramadaan should be proven by a judge, and
they did not stipulate any particular wording for the testimony,
ratherthey said: If he hears a trustworthy person telling the people
in his presence that he has seen the new moon, then he must fast on
the basis of this news. End quote from al-Sharh al-Mumti' (6/326).
As for the new moon of Shawwaal, it can only beproven by the testimony
of two men.
And Allaah knows best.

Time in Islam: Time is very precious utilize reading Noble Quran

Since last night my youngson has been unwell. When I got back from
work this evening I decided to take him to hospital despite my
exhaustion. There were many waiting; perhaps we will be delayed by
more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room.
There were many faces, young and old, but all silent.
Some brothers made use of the many booklets available in the waiting
room. Some of those waiting had their eyes closed, while others
werelooking around. Most were bored. Once in a while the long silence
was broken by a nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on
theone whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly; then silence returns.
A young man grabbed myattention. He was reading a pocket-sized Noble
Qur'an continuously; not raising his head even once. At first I did
not think much about him. However, after one hour of waitingmy casual
glances turned into a deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he
utilizes his time. One hour of life wasted! Instead of making benefit
of that hour, it was just a boring wait. Then the call for prayer was
made. We went to prayer in the hospital's Masjid (Mosque). I tried to
pray close to the man who was reading the Noble Qur'an earlier in the
waiting room.
After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I
was of him and how he tries to benefit from his time.
He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These
are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or
regretting their waste.He said that he started carrying the
pocket-sizedNoble Qur'an around when a friend encouraged him to make
full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste
he gets to read much more of the Noble Qur'an than he gets to read
either at home or in the mosque. Moreover, besides the reward of
reading the Noble Qur'an, this habit saves him from boredom and
stress.
He added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours. Then
he asked, when willyou find one and a half hours to read the Noble
Qur'an? I reflected; how much time do we waste? How many moments of
our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by?
Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Noble Qur'an? I
came to respect my companion, and I discovered that I am to stand for
account and that time is not in my hand; so what am I waiting for? My
thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number; I went
to the doctor.
But I want to achieve something now. After I left the hospital I
quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Noble Qur'an. I
decided to be mindful of how I spend the time.

Quran Stories for Children: Who will take the Noble Qur'an?

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
everything in their collection, from Picasso (Spanish artist who lived
in France) to Raphael (Italian painter). They would often sit together
and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very
courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The
father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Eid ul-Fitr, there was a knock at the
door. A young man stood at thedoor with a large package in his hands.
He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your
son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying
me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died
instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not
really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to
havethis."
The father opened the package. It was a portraitof his son, painted by
theyoung man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the
personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the
eyesthat his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man
and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never
repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came
to his home he took themto see the portrait of his son before he
showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of
his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing
the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for
their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded
his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.
Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence. Then avoice in the back of the room shouted, "We
want to see the famous paintings! Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting.
Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting. We came
tosee the Van Goghs (Dutch painter), the Rembrandts (Dutch artist).
Get on withthe real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the
son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the
longtime gardener of theman and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the
painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
We have $10, who will bid $20? Give it to him for$10. "Let's see the
masters...." $10 is the bid,won't someone bid $20?
The crowd was becomingangry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid downhis gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the great paintings?"
I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a
secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that
stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire
estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets
everything!
Allah (SWT) gave His Noble Qur'an hundreds ofyears ago to guide us.
Much like the auctioneer,His message today is: "The Noble Qur'an, the
Noble Qur'an, who'll take the Noble Qur'an? Because whoever takes the
Noble Qur'an gets everything."