Today's Yahoo news-Supreme Court to rule today on wearing a niqab can be worn while testifying - OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada rules this morning on whether a Muslim woman can wear a religious veil known as a niqab while testifying against two men she claims sexually assaulted her when she was a child. Due to a publication ban, the Toronto woman can only be identified as N.S. The woman accuses two relatives of sexually assaulting her over a four-year period that ended when she reached the age of 10. The two accused claim the Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows them toconfront their accuser and observe her facial expressions as she testifies. But the woman's lawyers say facial expressions can be misleading, and add that Islamic sexual assault victims will be leery about going to police if they’re barred from wearing a niqab while testifying in court. In a preliminary hearing in 2008, N.S. said she cannot show her face to any men who are not close relatives. When the judge ord

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Sarah: Abraham's First Wife - Biography

Sarah was the only woman of Ibrahim's people to believe in Allah. She
afterwards became his wife. She stood by her husband all the time when
calling his people to Allah. When Ibrahim realized that no other than
his wife and his nephew, Lut, was going to believe in his call, he
decided to immigrate to a city caller Ur and another called Haran and
then departedfor Palestine with them. After Palestine, Ibrahim (peace
be upon him) arrived in Egypt.
Abu Hurairah narrated that Ibrahim did not tell alie except on three
occasions: twice for the sake of Allah (Exalted andAlmighty) when he
said:"I am sick," when his people were holding a festival in honor of
their gods, Ibrahim excused himself by saying he was sick, (Ch 37:89
Quran) andwhen he said: "(I have not done this but) the bigidol has
done it." The third was while Ibrahim and Sarah were on a journey.
They passed through the territory of atyrant. Someone said to the
tyrant: "This man Ibrahim is accompanied by a very charming lady."So,
he sent for Ibrahim and asked him about Sarah saying "Who is this
lady?" Ibrahim said: "She is my sister." Ibrahim went to Sarah and
said"O Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth
except you and me. This man asked me about you and I have told him
that you are my sister. Do not contradict my statement." The tyrant
then called Sarah, and when she went to him, he tried to take a hold
of her with his hand, with evil intentions, but his hand got stiff and
he was confounded. He asked Sarah: "Pray to Allah for me and I shall
not harm you." So Sarah asked Allah to cure him and he was cured. He
tried to take hold of her for the second time, but his handgot as
stiff as or stiffer than before and he was more comfounded. He again
requested Sarah:"Pray to Allah for me, andI will not harm you." Sarah
asked Allah to again, and he became all right. He then called one of
his guards who had brought her and said:"You have not brought me a
human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar
as a maid servant to Sarah. Ibrahim, gesturing with his hand, asked:
"What has happened?" Sarah replied: "Allah has spoiled the evil plot
of the infidel or immoral person and gave me Hajar for service."
Sarah had not born any children. Ibrahim had aged and his hair was
gray after many years spent in calling people toAllah. Sarah thought
she and Ibrahim were lonely because she could not have a child.
Therefore, she offered her husband her servant Hajar in marriage.
Hajar gave birth to her first son Ishmael (Isma'il) when Ibrahim was
an old man.
Time passed. One day Ibrahim was sitting outside his tent, three
angels descended to the earth. They came in human shapes and saluted
Ibrahim. Ibrahim arose and welcomed them. He took them inside his tent
thinking they were strangers and guests. He invited his guests to eat
and placed before them a sumptuousmeal of roasted calf. Theywere
angels and did not eat. The angels gave Sarah glad tidings of the
birth of a son, Isaac (Ishaq). She could hardly believe the news. As
a"barren old woman" the news seemed to her too good to be true. Allah
Almighty says:
There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said,
"Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a
roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal),
he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them.They said:
"Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut." And his wife
was standing (there), and she laughed (either, because the Messengers
did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the
people of Lut). But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him,
ofJacob. She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an
old woman, and my husbandhere is an old man? That would indeed be a
wonderful thing!" They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's decree? The
grace of Allah and His blessings on you, O ye people of the house! for
He is indeed worthy of allpraise, full of all glory!" (Hud 11: 69-73)
And thus were Sarah and Ibrahim blessed with the miraculous birth of a
son in their old age.
Adapted from: Stories of the Prophets by Al-Imam Ibn Kathir

Story - , Moons Peak [FINISHED]- The Wolf Boy (chapter13)

A/N: I'm in the middle of editing this chapter, since I'm not quite
happywith it yet, but you can still read it ;D
***
I DON'T KNOW WHAT mademe follow the animal into the forest, or think
that it was a good idea todo so.
But I did. And I'd regretted it soon after once I noticed the open
calluses and bruises that were forming on my feet.
I hadn't realized my feet were killing me either, until now, which
serves me right for kicking my heels off earlier, and leaving my feet
vulnerable and bare.
In fact, I'd been so caughtup in finding Satchel, that I didn't think
to stop and take my luggage with me. I grimaced.
Great, now I look like I belong here.
Not only that, but this may be the only outfit I may have to wear for
therest of my life.
I patted my clothing down, hating the fact that they looked just as
bad as my feet as I noticed the brown splotches that now stained my
used-to-be-white button down jacket, and the rips on the knees from my
favorite jeans weren't there for fashion finesse either, since I'd
fallen over and tripped every sooften.
I look disgusting My thoughts scolded me. I sighed and moved
forward--limping slightly, casting away branches to avoid scratching my
face. God! Even my hands were growing callues.
Despite being the early morning, the tall pine trees allowed little to
no light at all.
So I could only make out the track, and the trees ahead of me. I
wrinkled my nose, following the strange musky scent that lingered in
my sinuses, and frowned.
Satchel's here? I scolded myself at the mere thought. Surely I didn't
know Satchel just by his scent.
Did I? No impossible.
I found my feet and I don't know what made me think he was near butthe
scent that I was smelling had something to do with him. I moved
gingerly toward the scent, and jumped when I heard a groan.
It was coming from the left of me.
I heard it again, but this time it sounded like a human cry. I frowned
and rushed forward, ignoring the pain in my feet.
"Hello? Is anybody there?!" I shouted. The groans were louder now as I
ran though the brush.
"Hello!" I shouted again, and I skidded to a halt when a figure
materialized from the clearing. I gasped.
It was a human boy lying on all fours, writhing uncontrollably on the ground.
The awful groans comingfrom his mouth sounded inhuman, and the fur
disappearing from his back made me blink continuously from the sight
of him. It looked like something was crawling under his skin.
Despite the fear emanating from me, I reluctantly stepped forward in
order to console him. I was vaguely aware of him being completely
naked, but that didn't seem to register, since I knew thisboy was
hurt.
It was impossible to see his face, because it was lowered in the dirt,
and his hair hung like a veil to hide his identity.
But that wasn't what made me fear this boy. No. It was the mutant way
his hands were formed, as if paws were molded to his arms. I blinked.
"Are you...are you okay?" I asked lamely. Of course he wasn't okay, but
I needed to know. He writhed again, and groaned loudly as the mutant
paws disappeared, changing back to human hands and feet. I wanted to
squeal at what was happening.
He didn't say anything as I pulled his hair away from his face, and
gasped. Covering my mouth.
"S-Satchel...?" I collapsed to the ground beside him, eyes bugging out.
"Oh. My. God. What happened to you?"
I held his hair away as hehurled. He was completely covered in dirt,
and a sheen of sweat glistened all over his body. I was horrified at
the sight of him.
As soon as he stopped vomiting. I took off my jacket to cover what
modesty he had left, and maneuvered him into therecovery position so
he was curled up facing me. I let his head lean in my lap for support.
"Who did this to you?" I whispered, running my hands over his face to
keep his hair out of his eyes. They were closed, so I kept cradling
him. Murmuring sweet nothings, to keep him from shaking.
"Will...y?"
"Shhhh. It's okay." I said, cradling him. Seeing a predatory animal
attack me was nothing compared to seeing Satchel like this.
In his vulnerable state I was terrified for him. His eyes finally
opened and pegged them on me. Light green eyes regarding me with what
looked like desolation. The sad state of them made me tear from his
gaze, as if they were saying 'don't look, go away' but his arms that
curled around my legs were holding me tight, begging me to stay.
"It's okay, you're safe with me." I murmured softly. He looked at me
with that oh so sad gaze.
"Didn't...want you...to seeme...like...this." He managed to choke between
heavy breaths. Ishook my head.
"Don't worry about what I think. As long as you're okay." I wasn't
sure whatI was thinking to be honest.
I found myself leaning down to kiss his forehead, not even realizing
I'd done it until after it.
His shakes calmed and hebegan to relax. We sat there in silence for
what felt like hours, just drinking in each others warmth. His mouth
twitched as he stared at me.
"You stayed." He said, after a while, and I was still holding him.
"Yeah. I guess, I didn't know I would miss home so much. Besides, I
couldn't quite detach myself from a certain someone." We shared a
'knowing' look and I smiled. His hand reached out to touch my hair.
He'd pulled a pine needleout of it.
"I thought New York was your home?" I smiled andshrugged. Liking that
he was Satchel again.
"Was. For a little while, but we all know this is my home...since I own it."
He sat up, and smiled when he saw my jacket, covering below his waist.
"You're sounding like theWilly I remember." He gotup to do something,
and I frowned when he held a pair of folded slacks in his hands. I
blushed, turning away so I could give him what little privacy he
could. Moments later he cleared his throat.
"It's okay, I'm decent." Hesaid, as I turned to meet his eyes again.
He wore those suspenders I'd grown accustomed to seeing him in, but
left hischest bare.
"You really think I'm the Willy you remember?" He nodded, and settled
backdown beside me. I was aware of his proximity again. I smiled.
"I want to be the Willy you remember. You makeme want to be her." He
leaned forward, brushingthe blonde strands out ofmy face, then smiled.
"You are her. You just choose to hide her, that'sall." His hands
cupped mycheeks, and I watched hiseyes roamed my face again, stopping
on my lips.
And I had the sudden urge to want to kiss him. Like I had wanted to in
the tree hut. His piercing gaze sent butterflies to my stomach,
begging to be free.
And as if answering my unspoken question, he leaned forward and
brushed his lips on mine to kiss me.
The soft touch barely registered, until I felt his tongue run over my
bottom lip. He tasted of pine, and salt and something sensational,
that urged me closer so I could have more.
I don't know how it happened, but one minute we were kissing, and the
next thing I knew, I was pinned down on the ground, while his body
loomed over me.
He was staring down at me, with those light green eyes, and my
heartalmost stopped when he licked me on the cheek. My eyebrows rose
at that,and he chuckled.
"I hope its not rude to lick a girl on the second date?" I froze. The
familiar words I'd once spoken with the wolf from earlier.
The paws, the fur, and the scent? My mind finallyregistered, and put
two and two together.
He crooked a smile, and I blinked it away with astonishment.
No it can't be. Satchel was not...that animal is not...
He frowned.
"What's wrong?" I blacked out and fainted from the mere thought
ofSatchel possibly being a wolf.
***
Feel free to tell me how bad this chapter was ;/

The delicate balance on earth

The earth is a living planet where many complex systems run perfectly
without stopping at all. When compared to other planets, it is evident
thatin all its aspects the earth is specially designed for human
life.Built on delicate balances, life prevails in every spot of this
planet,from the atmosphere to the depths of the earth.
Exploring only a few of the millions of these delicate balances would
be sufficient to show that the world we live inis specially designed
for us.
One of the most important balances in our planet is revealed in the
atmosphere that surrounds us. The atmosphere of the earth holds the
most appropriate gasses in the most appropriate ratio needed for the
survival not only of human beings, but also of all the living beings
on the earth.
The 77% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% carbon dioxide as well as other
gasses readily available in the atmosphere represent the ideal figures
necessary for thesurvival of living beings. Oxygen, a gas that is
vital for living beings, helps food to be burned and converted into
energy in our bodies.
If the oxygen quantity inthe atmosphere were greater than 21%, the
cells in our body would soon start to suffer greatdamages. The
vegetation and hydrocarbon molecules needed for life would also be
destroyed. If this quantity were less, then this would cause
difficulties in our respiration, and the food we eat would not be
converted into energy. Therefore, the 21% oxygen in the atmosphere is
the most ideal quantity determined for life.
No less than oxygen, other gasses like nitrogen and carbon dioxide are
also arranged in the ideal quantity for the needs ofliving beings and
the continuity of life. The amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere has
the ideal ratio to balance the harmful and burningeffects of oxygen.
This ratio represents the most appropriate value required for
photosynthesis, which is essential for life's energysupply on the
earth. Moreover, the amount ofcarbon dioxide has the most appropriate
value that is needed to maintain the stability of the surface
temperature of the earth and to prevent heat loss especially at night
time. This gas, comprising 1% of the atmosphere, covers the earth like
a quilt and prevents the loss of heat to space. If this amount were
greater, the temperatureof the earth would increase excessively,
causing climatic instability and posing a serious threat against
living beings.
These proportions remain constant thanks to a perfect system. The
vegetation covering the earth converts carbon dioxide to oxygen,
producing 190 billion tons of oxygen every day. The proportion of
other gasses is always kept constant on the earth by the help of
interconnected complex systems. Life is thus sustained.
In addition to the establishment of the ideal gas mixture required for
life on the earth, the mechanisms needed to preserve and maintain this
order are created alongside with it. Any break in the balance, though
instantaneous, or any change in the ratios even for a very short time
period, would mean the total destruction of life. Yet, this does not
happen. The formation of these gasses in the atmosphere just in the
amount people need, and the constant preservation of these ratios
indicate a plannedcreation.
At the same time, the earth has the ideal size in terms of magnitude
topossess an atmosphere. If the mass of the earth were a little less,
then itsgravitational force would be insufficient and the atmosphere
would be dispersed in space. If its mass were a little greater, then
the gravitational force would be too much and the earth would absorb
all gasses in the atmosphere. There is an incredibly high number of
conditions required for the formation of an atmosphere such as the one
our world currently has and all of these conditions should exist
altogether to be able to talk of life.
The creation of these delicate proportions andbalances in the sky is
mentioned in the 7th verse of Surat ar-Rahman:
He erected heaven and established the balance. (Qur'an, 55:7)
The majority of people spend their lives withoutbeing aware of the
delicate balances and subtle adjustments in the gas composition of the
atmosphere, the distance of the world to the sun or the movements of
planets. They are ignorant of the great significance of these balances
and adjustments to their own lives. However, even a minor deviation in
any one of these arrangements would create very severe problems
regarding the existence and survival ofhumankind.
There are many other balances established on earth for the continuity of life:
For instance, if the surface gravity were stronger than its current
value, the atmosphere would retain too much ammonia and methane
gasses, which would mean the end of life. If itwere weaker, the
planet's atmosphere would lose too much water, and life on earth would
be impossible.
The thickness of the earth's crust constitutes another one of the
delicate balances in the earth. If the earth's crust were thicker, too
much oxygen would be transferred from the atmosphere to the crust and
this would have severe effects on human life.
If the opposite were true, that is, if the earth's crust were thinner,
volcanic and tectonic activity would be too great to permit life on
earth.
Another crucial balance for human life is the ozone level in the
atmosphere. If it were greater than its current value, the surface
temperatures would be too low. If it were less, surface temperatures
would be too high, and there would be too much ultraviolet radiation
at the surface.
In fact, the absence of even a single of these balances would set the
end to life on earth. However, Allah has created the universe with
infinite wisdom and power and designed the earth specially for human
life. Despite this fact, the majority of people lead their lives in
total ignorance of these events. In the Qur'an, Allah reminds people
of His blessings in the 13th verse of Surat al-Fatir:
(Allah) makes night merge into day and day merge into night, and Hehas
made the sun and moon subservient, each one running until a specified
time. That is Allah, your Lord. The Kingdom is His. Those you call on
besides Him have no power over even the smallest speck. (Qur'an,
35:13)
It is sufficient look at millions of dead planets in space in order to
understand that the delicate balances required for life on earth is
not a result of random coincidences. The conditions essential for life
are too complicated to have been formed 'on their own' and at random,
and these conditions arespecially created for life alone.
These balances we have briefly described so far are only a few of the
millions of intricate, interrelated balances and orders established so
that people can live inpeace and safety on the earth.
Examining only a part of the balances and harmony on the earth is
enough to comprehend the superior being of Allah and grasp the
existence of a planned creation in every detail of the universe. It is
no doubt impossible for a person or any other living being to build
such an enormous balance and order. Nor are the components of this
order such as atoms,elements, molecules, andgasses capable of
establishing an order based on such intricate and extremely delicate
calculations and measurements, and suchfine tunings. This is because
activities like planning, ordering, arranging, calculating, and
proportioning can only be realized by beings that possess wisdom,
knowledge andpower. The
Exalted Being Who orders, plans and balances the entire universe to be
fit for life of human beings on a planet like earth and Who sustains
it with dramatically delicate measures and balances is Allah, Who has
Infinite Wisdom, Knowledge andPower.
In the Qur'an, it is stated that those people who are able to realize
these facts are only 'people with intelligence':
In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of
night and day, there are Signs for people with intelligence: those who
remember Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and
reflect on the creation ofthe heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You
have not created this fornothing. Glory be to You!So safeguard us from
thepunishment of the Fire." (Qur'an, 3:190-191)