Names and Attributes of Allaah- , Allaah is All-Aware of everything? .

What is the meaning of the aayah "And Allaah is All-Aware of
everything" (al-Baqarah 2:231 – interpretation of the meaning)?
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah knows and is aware of all things. Nothing on earth or in heaven
is hidden from Him, be it words or deeds, movements or cessation of
movement, acts of obedience or actsof disobedience.
"Know you not that Allaah knows all that is in the heaven and on the
earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz). Verily,
that is easy for Allaah" [al-Hajj 22:70 – interpretation of the
meaning]
Allaah has encompassed all things with His knowledge, and has written
it in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Neither you (O Muhammad) do any deed nor recite any portion of the
Qur'aan, nor you (O mankind) do any deed (good or evil), but We are
Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from
your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant)on the
earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater
than that but is (written) in a Clear Record"[Yoonus 10:61]
Allaah Alone knows the unseen. He knows what is in the heavens and
what is on earth, as Allaah says of Himself (interpretation of the
meaning):
"…I know the Ghayb (Unseen) in the heavens and the earth, and I know
what you reveal and what you have beenconcealing" [al-Baqarah 2:33]
Allaah knows all things. The keys of the unseen are known to no one
butHim, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden), none
knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in
the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in
the darkness of the earth nor anything freshor dry, but is written in
aClear Record" [al-An'aam 6:59]
Allaah alone is the One Who knows when the Hour will begin, when rain
will fall, what is in the wombs, what each person will do, and when
and where each person will die. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Verily, Allaah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledgeof the Hour, He
sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person
knows what he will earntomorrow, and no person knows in what land he
will die. Verily, Allaah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things)"
[Luqmaan 31:34]
Allaah is with us and nothing we do is concealed from Him…
"And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And
Allaah is the All-Seer of what you do" [al-Hadeed 57:4 –
interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah is always watching us. He knows what we do, whether it is good
or bad. Then He will tell us of that and will reward or punish us
accordingly on the Day of Resurrection, as He says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"Have you not seen that Allaah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and
whatsoeveris on the earth? There is no Najwa (secret counsel) of three
but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge, while He Himself is over
the Throne, over the seventhheaven), — nor of five but He is their
sixth (with His Knowledge), —nor of less than that or more but He is
with them (with His Knowledge) wheresoever they may be. And afterwards
on the Day of Resurrection He will inform them of what they did.
Verily, Allaah is the All-Knower of everything" [al-Mujaadilah 58:7]
Allaah Alone knows the unseen and the seen, what is secret and what
is open, as He says of Himself (interpretation of the meaning):
"All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, theMost Great, the Most High"
[al-Ra'd 13:9]
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And if you (O Muhammad) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily,
He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden" [Ta-Ha 20:7]

Names and Attributes of Allaah- , What is the difference between the ‘Arsh of theLord and His ?.

What is the difference between Arsh and Kursi of Allah ?
Praise be to Allaah.
The Kursiy is the footstool of the Most Merciful, according to the
most correct of the scholarly opinions on the matter. The 'Arsh
(Throne) is the greatest of all things that Allaah has created, over
which our Lord rose in a manner that befits His Majesty. It has
pillars andis carried by bearers who are angels of immense size.
The evidence for the above is given below, along with the comments of
some of the scholars.
It was narrated that Ibn Mas'ood said: Between the first heaven and
the one above it is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between each
of the heavens is (adistance of) five hundred years. Between the
seventh heaven and the Kursiy is (a distance of) five hundred years.
Between the Kursiy and the water is (a distance of) five hundred
years, and the Throne is above the water. Allaah is above the Throne,
and nothing whatsoever of your deeds is hidden from Him. (narrated by
Ibn Khuzaymah in al-Tawheed, p. 105; by al-Bayhaqi in al-Asmaa'
wa'l-Sifaat, p. 401).
This report was classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in Ijtimaa'
al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyah, p. 100; by al-Dhahabi in al-'Uluw, p. 64).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeensaid:
This hadeeth stops at Ibn Mas'ood (it is mawqoof), but this is one
of the matters concerning which there is no room for personal opinion,
so it comes under the heading of marfoo' [ahaadeeth whose isnaad goes
back to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)],
because Ibn Mas'ood is not known to have taken anything from the
Israa'eeliyyaat [reports derived from Jewish sources].
(al-Qawl al-Mufeed Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 3/379)
Imaam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhaab said, inthe list of points noted
from this hadeeth:
.....(9) The great size of the Kursiy in relation to the heavens.
(10) The great size of the Throne in relation tothe Kursiy.
(11) That the Throne issomething other than the Kursiy and the water.
(Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, p. 667, 668).
The Throne of the Most Merciful is the greatest and most vast thing
in His creation.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"So Exalted be Allaah, the True King: Laa ilaahailla Huwa (none has
the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!
[al-Mu'minoon 23:116]
"and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne" [al-Tawbah 9:129]
"Owner of the Throne, the Glorious" [al-Burooj 85:15]
Al-Qurtubi said:
The Throne is mentioned on its own because it is the greatestthing
that Allaah has created; everything else is also included in this.
(Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 8/302, 303).
Ibn Katheer said:
"and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne" [al-Tawbah 9:129 –
interpretation of the meaning] means, He is the Sovereign and Creator
of all things, because He is the Lord ofthe Mighty Throne whichis the
roof of creation. All created things, the heavens and the earth and
all that is in them and in between them are beneath the Throne of
Allaah and are subjectto His power. His knowledge encompassesall
things and His power controls all things, and He is Watcher over all
things.
(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/405)
And he said (may Allaahhave mercy on him):
"Owner of the Throne" [al-Burooj 85:15 – interpretation of the
meaning] means, the Master of the Mighty Throne which is above all
created things. "The Glorious" – there are two readings of this word
(al-Majeed). If it is nominative (al-Majeedu)it is an adjective
referring to the Lord, may He be glorified, and if it is genitive
(al-Majeedi), it is an adjective referring to the Throne. Both
meanings are correct.
(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/474).
Majeed means vast and mighty in power.
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The people will fall
unconscious on the Day of Resurrection; I will be the first to regain
consciousness, and Moosa will be there, holding on to one of the
pillars of the Throne. I do not know whether hewoke up before me or if
he was exempted because he had fallen unconscious at the Mount of
Sinai." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3217)
The Throne has bearers who carry it.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allaah) and those around it
glorify the praises of their Lord, andbelieve in Him, and ask
forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah) (saying):
'Our Lord! You comprehend all things inmercy and knowledge, so forgive
those who repent and follow Your way, and save them from the torment
of the blazing Fire!'"
[Ghaafir 40:7]
They are of immense size:
It was narrated from Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allaah that the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"I have been granted permission to speak about one of the angels of
Allaah, one of the bearers of the Throne. The space between his
earlobes and his shoulders is the distance of seven hundred years'
travelling."
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4727)
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said concerning this hadeeth:its isnaad meets
the conditions of being saheeh.
(Fath al-Baari, 8/665)
The Throne is above theKursiy, and is above all of creation. Ibn
al-Qayyim said:
If Allaah is separate from His creation, then either He is
encompassing them or He is not. If He is encompassing them, then He
must be above them, because that which encompasses must necessarily be
above that which is encompassed. Hence because the heavens encompass
the earth, they must be above it, and because the Kursiy encompasses
the heavens, it must be above them, and because the Throne encompasses
the Kursiy, it must be above it. Whatever encompasses all of that must
necessarily be above it. This does not imply that there is physical
contact with anything that He encompasses; neither is there any
similarity or resemblance between Him and that which He encompasses.
(al-Sawaa'iq al-Mursalah,4/1308)
The Throne is neither Sovereignty (al-Mulk) nor the Kursiy
Ibn Abi'l-'Izz al-Hanafi said:
What would those who distort the word of Allaah and say that the
Throne is an expression referring to al-Mulk or sovereignty say about
the following aayat? –
"…and eight angels will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord
above them" [al-Haaqqah 69:17 – interpretation of the meaning]
"…and His Throne was on the water…" [Hood 11:7 – interpretation of
the meaning]
Will they say that eight angels will, that Day, bear the Sovereignty
of Allaah, and that His Sovereignty was on the water? Will Moosa be
holding on to one of the pillars of Allaah's sovereignty? Can any same
person who knowswhat he is saying utter such things?
Concerning the Kursiy, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"His Kursiy extends over the heavens and the earth" [al-Baqarah 2:255]
It was said that this is the Throne, but the correct view is that it
is something else. This wastransmitted from Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be
pleased with them both)and others. Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated in Sifat
al-'Arsh, and al-Haakim narrated in his Mustadrak that [the following
report] meets the conditions of the two Shaykhs [al-Bukhaari and
Muslim]although they did not narrate it: (it was reported from) from
Sa'eed ibn Jubayr that Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them
both) said, concerning the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"His Kursiy extends over the heavens and the earth" [al-Baqarah 2:255]:
The Kursiy is the footstool, and no one can comprehend how vast the
Throne is exceptAllaah.
This was transmitted as amarfoo' report (attributed to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)), but the correct view is
that it is mawqoof, stopping at Ibn 'Abbaas…
Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger
of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "The Kursiy
in relation tothe Throne is like an ironring thrown out into empty
land."
And, as one of the Salaf said, before the Throne it is like a step.
(Sharh al-'Aqeedah al-Tahhaawiyyah, p. 312,313).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeensaid:
There are those who say that the Kursiy is the Throne because of the
hadeeth, "Allaah will set up His Kursiy on the Day of Resurrection."
They think that the Kursiy is the Throne.
Similarly, some people claim that the Kursiy is Allaah's knowledge,
and say that the aayah (interpretation of the meaning)
"His Kursiy extends over the heavens and the earth" [al-Baqarah 2:255]
refers to His Knowledge.
The correct view is that the Kursiy is a footstool, and the Throne
is that which the Most Merciful rose above (istiwaa'). And knowledge
is the attribute of the knowledgeable one by means of which he
understands that which he knows.
(al-Qawl al-Mufeed Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 3/393, 394).
And Allaah knows best.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Causes and Effects of Diseases of the Heart

Indeed, all sins poison the heart and lead to its illness and
destruction. They sicken it and define its will as other than what
Allaah The Almighty wants [of Hisservant], in effect being as harmful
to the heart as actual poisons are to the body. Imaam Ibn Al-Mubaarak
said, "I haveseen that sins cause the death of the heart and addiction
to them breeds humiliation. On the other hand, quitting sins gives
life to the heart and it is better for one to disobey his own self
[than to disobey Allaah The Almighty]."
The extent of harm that sins cause to the heart and body in this life
and in the Hereafter, are known to Allaah The Almighty alone. However,
every evil and every single disease in this life and the Hereafter,
can be attributed to sins and acts of disobedience. Ibn Al-Qayyim
said:
"Then why [else] were our parents (Aadam and Eve, may Allaah exalt
their mention) expelled from Paradise – the abode of joy, pleasure,
bliss and happiness – to the dwelling of suffering, sorrows and
disasters? Why was Satan cast out from the kingdom of Heaven? Why was
he cursed and deformed externally and internally, until he had the
most heinous appearance, with his insides even uglier and more
abominable than his exterior? Why was he under a curse instead of
mercy, and given ugliness in place of beauty, and Hell instead of
Paradise? He became worthless in the sight of Allaah The Almighty,
deprived of His compassion and inflicted withHis anger. Allaah The
Almighty deluded and detested him so much that He led him to
destruction, until he became a leader for every immoral and criminal
person; and Satan accepted this position although he had [earlier]
worshipped [Allaah]. We seek refuge with You, O Allaah from breaching
Your command or doing what You prohibited!"
He continued:
"Why did all the people on earth drown [at the time of Noah ]and the
water submerge the peaks of mountains? Why were the people of 'Aad
afflicted with an intense wind that left their lifeless bodies on
earth like they were hollow trunks of palm trees? Why was the tribe of
Thamood afflicted with a loud shriek that literally tore their hearts
on the inside and all of them died [as a result]? Why were the
villages of the people ofLoote lifted so high up to thesky that the
angels heard the barking of their dogs, and then were turned upside
down, leading to their deaths; and why were they cast with stones of
layered, hard clay? In this way, they were punished twice, which was
something that did not happen to any other nation. Theircounterparts
today may also havethe same punishment, and this isnever far from the
wrongdoers. As for the people of Shu'ayb why were they afflicted with
clouds of torment that appeared as canopies, but when they approached
over their heads, they rained flames of blazing fire over them? Why
were Pharaoh and his soldiers drowned in the sea and transported by
soul to Hell? Why was Qaaroon, along with his house, property and
family, swallowed by the earth? Why were the generations after Nooh
(Noah) destroyed by different kinds of punishment? What about the
Children of Israel;why were they tried by militarily superior people,
who ransacked their homes, killing men and taking children and women
captive, in the process? Why did those enemies later again come to
them and destroy everything they could to the point of annihilation?
Why were they afflicted with different types of torturous punishments:
death, imprisonment, destruction of their houses, subjugation to the
tyranny of kings and transformation into apes and pigs? The last of
these hardships is mentioned in the verse where Allaah The Almighty
Says (what means): {He Would surely [continue to] send upon them until
the Day of Resurrection those who would afflict them with the worst
torment.} [Quran 7:167]"
Some of the effects of acts of disobedience and sins:
• They are ammunition that a sinner provides his enemy with,
supporting his rival with an army against his very own self.
• They embolden others to defy the sinner, in ways they would never
have previously dared.
• They gradually seal one's heart; if sins accumulate, their doer
becomes heedless. Some of the righteous predecessors said that the
verse where Allaah The Almighty Said (what means): {Nay! But on their
hearts is the Raan which they used to earn.} [Quran 83:14], refers to
the sins that pile up until the heart is blinded. That is because the
heartrusts from sins, an increase of which steps up corrosion until it
constitutes Raan (rust). This, then, in turn, develops until it
becomes a seal and bolt which enlarges, until it completely wraps
around the heart.
• The enormity of sins is removedfrom the heart to the extent that it
then considers them as mere habits.
• Sins breed sins and help sustainthe [habit of committing] evil.
• Ill actions render darkness in one's heart, which is as tangible as
the shadows of the night. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn
'Abbaas that he said, "A good deed brings about light in [its doer's]
face and heart, blessing in provisions and love in the hearts of
people. Conversely, a sin brings about darkness in the face and the
heart, lack in sustenance and hatred in the hearts of people."
• Sins weaken the heart and body. As for the former, it is evident in
its continuous pattern which ends only when its life does. The body,
too, becomes weakened because a believer's power lies in his heart,
and the stronger that is, the stronger his body is.
• They render man's affairs difficult; whenever he wants to do
something, he finds it tough or unattainable. One of the righteous
predecessors said, "When I disobey Allaah The Almighty, I find that
reflected in the behavior of my wife and [even my] domesticated
animal."
• Sins create alienation between its doer and others, especially
thegood among them. Abu Ad-Dardaa' advised, "Beware of being cursed by
the hearts of the believers while you do not know! You secretly commit
sins and that is why Allaah The Almighty casts hatred of you in their
hearts."
• Sins dismiss a man's honor and dignity in the sight of Allaah The
Almighty and His creatures, as He Says (what means): {And whomsoever
Allaah abases, thereis none who can make him honorable} [Quran 22:18].
• Evil deeds not only extinguish the fire of zeal in one's heart, but
also removes bashfulness from it,which is the source of life to the
heart.
• Sins diminish the heart's zeal toplease Allaah The Almighty and win
in the Hereafter.
• A person continues to commit vices until he or she belittles them
and considers them as trivial. Ibn Mas'ood said: "The believing man
sees his sin as if it were a mountain that he fears will fall down on
him; whereas the immoral person thinks of his sin as a fly that sat on
his nose and he easily waved it off." [At-Tirmithi] Also, Anas once
remarked: "Indeed, you commit actions that you consider as trivial,
but we used to consider them at the time of the Prophet to be major
sins." [Al-Bukhaari]
Bilaal ibn Sa'd advised, "Do not look at the smallness of a sin but
look at the magnificence of the One Whom you disobeyed."
As for the foremost five evil acts that afflict the heart and are most
widespread, they are an excess of: talking, prying gaze, socializing,
eating and sleeping.

Safety tips for Muslim women

As Muslims and their institutions become targets of harassment in the
wake of the September 11 terrorist attack, Muslim women, especially
those who dress Islamically, have become major targets.
Reports of Muslim women being yelled at, threatened, having
theirHijabs pulled off and having guns pointed at them have surfaced.
Itis necessary that the whole community rallies to defend Muslim
women. But sisters also have to take personal precautions when they go
outside. Like it or not, they will be targets.
Here are some safety tips for sisters:
1. Always be aware of your surroundings
This applies whether you are traveling alone or in groups. Don't just
focus inwardly on your thoughts if you are alone, or yourfriends if
you are together. Keep one eye out for your environment, looking out
for suspicious characters, possible danger, etc.
Also, don't assume that because your area has been "safe" thus far,
that it will continue to be so.
2. Travel in groups
"There is safety in numbers" is not just a cliche. It's true. Make a
point of traveling together with other sisters, whether it's on public
transportation, on campus, in cars, etc.
3. Change the route you normally travel by
If you've taken the same bus, train or highway to get to work or
school, change your route. Even if it takes you a little longer, your
safety is more important. Bychanging your route, you can avert
possible attacks or harassment from those who know your schedule,
method androute of travel well. Please note though that you should
avoid short cuts that take you through unfamiliar or unsafe areas.
4. Look confident
Walk with a straight posture and your arms swinging by your sides.
Avoid slouching or walking like a victim. This makes you an easy
target for attackers.
5. When riding by public transportation choose the right seat
If you are riding by bus or train, do not sit on the window seat as
you may be "blocked in" by a potential assailant. Always select the
seat next to the aisle so that you can quickly leave if necessary.
If you are taking public transportation alone after peak hours, sit as
close to the driver aspossible and/or choose the section of the
bus/train that is most crowded. Try to get a seat near the exit as
well.
6. If you are driving alone
Don't think that if you are in a car, you're safe. Windows should be
up and doors locked even when driving to avoid unwanted passengers at
intersections. When you are walking to your car, always have your keys
ready, so that you can quickly get into your car.
But don't just get in right away. Always check your car before
entering, especially the back, for any intruders.
7. Never leave your car door unlocked
Even if it means for one minute to drop something off in the mailbox
that's a few feet away. Attackers have been known to lie in wait for
such an opportunity.
8. Be careful in parking lots
Always be alert in parking lots, especially when it's dark. Ask
someone to escort you to your car. Between cars and inside cars,it's
easy for someone to hide and wait until an unalert person comes along.
9. If you are traveling by taxi
Always check the identification ofthe driver (usually located near the
visor) and ensure that it matches the driver. Once inside, don't sit
behind the driver as it may be easy for the driver to lock the rear
passenger door. Always choose the adjacent seat .
In addition, avoid flagging taxis. Always order taxis so the driver
can be traced if something happens.
10. Don't use the walkman
If you're used to listening to yourwalkman while outside, drop
thishabit, especially in isolated areas.With your walkman on, you
cannot hear the approach of a possible attacker.
11. Note "safe houses" along yourroute
Mentally note houses at intervals on each route you take that can be
used as "safe houses" if you are attacked, such as shops or houses
that you know to be occupied by a friend or acquaintance.
12. When you make a call from a phone booth
After dialing the number you wish to call always turn around so that
you have your back to thephone and may see who or what is coming your
way. You will thenbe able to tell the person to whom you are speaking
that you may be in trouble and you may be able to use the weight of
the phone as a weapon. The door of a telephone box could be used
towedge in the limbs of the attacker.
13. Do not open the door of your home without checking
DO NOT open the door to your home without first checking from a
window, peephole or by asking and verifying who it is. Instruct
children to do the same.
14. Report any suspicious activity around your home
If you see people loitering on the streets near your house, call the
police on a non emergency number and report it.
15. Invest in a cell phone
This is an invaluable safety device.Keep it with you at all times and
keep emergency numbers on it. Also, keep it next to your bed before
you go to bed at night. Cell phones were first popularized by women as
a security device, business people came later.
16. Parking tips
Avoid parking in areas that are not well lit. Where possible, park
close to a school or work entrance or in a parking garage that has an
attendant.
If you see a suspicious person approaching or hanging around near your
parked car, turn around and go back to an area where there are other
people. Tryto get an escort to your car through the campus or job
security or local police.
17. Tell others about your whereabouts
Parents, spouses and friends should know where you are going and when
you will be back,so that your absence will be noticed. Arrange a call
in system with a friend if you live alone, whereby you call when you
arrivehome.
18. Trust your instincts
If you are walking somewhere and feel strange or scared, don't ignore
this feeling. Take extra precautions by walking a little faster to get
to a more populatedor well-lit area or change the route you've been
driving on.
19. If you think you are being followed, change your route and activity.
You can cross the street, change directions, or enter a populated
building or store. Do whatever is necessary to avoid being alone with
the person who is followingyou. Inform a police officer or security
official about the
follower.
20. Attract attention if you are in a dangerous situation.
Get others' to pay attention to what's happening to you if you are
under attack or being harassed. You can alert others by honking a car
horn or loudly describing what is happening.
21. NEVER admit that you are alone
If someone calls your home and asks if you are alone, NEVER admit it.
Ask who the caller is. If they refuse to identify themselves, calmly
hangup. Keep the radio on in the house so that callers will get the
impression that others are in the home too. Instruct children to do
the same when they pick up the phone.
22. Obscene phone calls
If you receive an obscene call or acrank call, do not talk to the
caller. Hang up if the caller doesn't say anything, or as soon as s/he
shouts obscenities. Hang up the phone calmly and do not slam it down.
Note down the date and time of the calls. If they are persistent,
inform local police.
23. If you are a student
Avoid studying in isolated classrooms in parts of the collegecampus
that are not regularly patrolled by the school's security officers.
24. In large buildings take the elevator, not the stairwell
Stairwells are usually quiet and dark. Most people take the elevator.
But if someone creepy gets on, don't hesitate to get off at the same
time. Or, if someone is already on the elevator who you feel strange
about, do not get on and wait for the next elevator.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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