Breaking News - - Syrian security shaken as suicide bomber strikes

The Syrian security establishment suffered a heavy blow on
Wednesdayafter a suicide bomber killed Defence Minister Dawoud Rajiha,
his deputy,and seriously injured several other top security officials
including the Interior Minister and the intelligence chief.
The lethal strike was carried out by the bomber who, apparently, was
part of a security team posted to guard President Bashar Al Assad's
inner circle.
The sketchy information available so far seems to suggest that the
bomber struck during a high-profile security meeting in the national
security bureau in Rawda district of Damascus.
The attack also delivered apersonal blow to Mr. Assad, whose
brother-in-law and Deputy DefenceMinister Assef Shawkat was among the
dead. Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar is recuperating in
hospital, as is intelligence chief Hisham Bekhtyar, who sustained
serious injuries.
Syrian authorities have appointed Fahad Jassim al-Freij, chief of the
staff ofthe armed forces, new Defence Minister.
The claims of responsibilityhave come thick and fast soon after the
attack. Liwa Al-Islam, a Syrian rebel Islamist group posted a
statement on Facebook claiming responsibility for the strike.
The Opposition Free SyrianArmy also said it carried out the attack,
according to its spokesman Qassim Saadedine.
'Hired hands'
On their part, the Syrian authorities pinned the blame for the
"terrorist bomb attack" on "hired hands," and vowed to wipe out
"criminal gangs," state television reported.
Wednesday's mega strike caps four days of hit-and-run violence in
Damascus, which started after the Opposition launched a new offensive
code-namedOperation Damascus Volcano, focusing on high visibility
targets.
Annan's peace plan
As Damascus immersed into a deep security crisis, the United Nations
Security Council is getting ready to debate a resolution on extension
of a U.N. monitoring mission in Syria, whose deployment has been tied
to the fulfilment of a six-point peace plan authored by Kofi Annan,
U.N.-Arab League envoy onSyria. Russia and China are opposed to a
British draft which embeds the possibility of sanctions, if not more,
on the Assad regime in case it does not comply with Mr. Annan's plan.

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Muslims say that theQur'an is a Miracle. What is so miraculous about a book?

Previous prophets performed miracles to prove that their message was
not their own but God's message. In the caseof the Qur'an, the message
itself is the miracle.
The prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, did not know how to read or
write. Yet the Qur'an which was being revealedto him was (and still
is) the highest pinnacle of literary beauty and excellence in the
Arabic Language. It was beyond the ability of the prophet to produce
this book. And God declares that it is beyond the ability of all
ofhumankind and spirit-kind to produce a book like the Qur'an.
The Qur'an was revealed piece by piece over a period of twenty-three
years. During this time, God challenged humankind four times to
produce a book like the Qur'an, and they couldn't do it. When the
prophet and his followers were being persecuted in Mecca, God showed
the persecutors a simple way by which they can wipe out the message of
the Qur'an. God stated that this book cannot be produced by men or
spiritcreatures. Obviously, if they pooled together their abilities
and composed a book like the Qur'an they would have proved the Qur'an
to be false in its claim. But they couldn't. And here is whatthe
Qur'an claims:
Say: If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to
produce the like of this Qur'an they could not produce the like
thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support
(Qur'an 17:88).
Although people ardently wished to block the message of the Qur'an and
they tried every thingthey could to stifle it, yet they did not try
this obvious strategy. Why? Because it cannot be done. So God reduced
the challenge for them: never mind the whole book; produce just ten
chapters if you can. This challenge is mentioned in Surah 11:13 in the
Qur'an. Againthey couldn't do it. And they were the literary giants of
their day. They held fairs to promote their own literary masterpieces.
They hung their prized compositions on the door of the house of
pilgrimage for all to see. But they could not match the stunning
versesof the Qur'an.
God reduced the challenge further still (see Qur'an 10:38). If they
cannot produce ten chapters then how about one chapter? Just one! And
they couldn't do it, sothey eventually pulled down their proud
exhibitsfrom where they were hung. The Qur'an had proved its point:
this is noman-made book.
Yet they tried everything to banish the Qur'an from the face of the
earth. Theyeven made an attempt onthe life of the prophet. He fled to
Madinah, another city. And there the Qur'an kept coming to him piece
by piece. The challenge was repeated yet again. This time God reduced
theemphasis as if to say, okay you couldn't produce a chapter like it;
now produce a chapter even remotely like
it. This challenge is mentioned in the Qur'an in chapter 2, verse 23.
They failed again. And theworld has failed since. Thechallenge is
still there in the Qur'an, and everyone who disbelieves the Qur'an can
still pool together their abilities and resources to try and produce
one like it. But they cannot. Isn't this an awesome miracle?

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Jesus said that he is the way and that noone can come to God except through him. What do Muslims say about that?

Muslims believe that Jesus, on whom be peace, was indeed the way. This
means that he showed the way by which people should approach God. He
expected that people should follow him and imitate him. His early
followers were called followers of the way because, obviously, they
followed Jesus, and Jesus was the way (see Acts 9:2;18:25; 19:9;
19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22). They were also called Christians, which
means 'imitators ofChrist' (see Acts 11 :26). This shows that the
early followers of Jesus copied and imitated him.
Jesus had said that his true followers will hold on to his teachings,
then they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (see
John 8:31-32). God did reveal His truth in these last times. And true
followers of Jesus will readily acceptthat truth, for they will find
it in agreement with the unadulterated teachings of Jesus. In these
last times God has sent a messenger and declared that anyone whoclaims
to love Him must follow His messenger, on whom be peace. God directs
His messenger as follows:
Say! If you love Allah thenfollow me. Allah will love you and forgive
your sins. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (Qur'an 3:31).
Now this messenger, Muhammad, on whom be peace, has brought God's
final message for all of humankind. If we love God we must follow him.
He brought the truth which Jesus said his true followers will
recognize. The truth sets people free from unreasonable doctrines and
dogmas.
Confusion arises in the minds of some who imagine that Jesus is the
only way for peoples of all times and all places. Clearly, the Old
Testamentprophets directed people to Yahweh, the only God. They showed
therefore the way to Yahweh. In fact, people were calling on the name
of Yahweh since the time of Adam (see Genesis 4:1).
Jesus was the way for his time; now Muhammad is the way. We believe in
both of them, and we worship the one God whom they both worshipped.
These men showed us the way to worship God. Jesus, for example, fell
on his knees and worshipped God (see Luke 22:4 1). He also fell on his
face and worshipped God (see Matthew 26:39). Muhammad too adopted
similar postures of humility in worshipping God. Likewise is the
practice of the true imitators of Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon
both of them.
Finally, we should recall that Jesus is the way, not the destination.
He spoke of one who is greater than himself (see John 14:28). And he
said that, that one alone is the only true God (see John 17:3).
God has sent numerous prophets and messengers.Each in his time was the
way to God. No one can approach God in a way contrary to the way of
God's messenger. This is why God said that He will call to account
anyone who does not listen to Hisprophet who will speak inHis name
(see Deuteronomy 18:19).

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Muhammad is dead. But Jesus is alive. Doesn't that mean that Jesus Is superior to Muhammad?

Muslims believe that Jesusand Muhammad were both prophets and
messengers of Allah. Peace be upon both of them. Muslims will not
belittle any of God's prophets or reject their message. The Qur'an
tells us to declare our faith in all of the prophets including
Abraham, Moses,and Jesus, and that we should make no distinction among
them (see Qur'an 2:136; 3:84; 2:285). This means that since each of
them preached the true message of God, it would be wrong to say we
believe in some but not inothers.
The prophets themselves were humble servants of God. They did not try
to prove themselves superior to others. It would be wrong for their
followers to argue over who is superior. Once a Muslim and a Jew were
arguing. The Muslim said that Muhammad is superior over all the
people. The Jew said that Moses is superior over all the people. When
this was related to the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, he said:
Do not give me superiority over Moses (This is recorded in Sahih
al-Bukhari, vol.4, p.410, Arabic- English edition).
He also said "None shouldsay that I am better than Jonah, son of
Matta" (ibid, p.413).
He also instructed,"Do notgive superiority to any prophet among
Allah's prophets" (ibid, p.414).
Once the prophet was asked, "Who is the most honorable among the
people?" He replied, "The most God-fearing". When he was asked to name
a specific individual, he replied:
The most honorable person is Joseph (i.e. the son of Jacob) (ibid, p.390).
This humility was shared by other prophets too. The prophet Jesus, on
whom be peace, is reported to have said:
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen
anyone greater thanJohn the Baptist (Matthew11:11).
But John the Baptist was also humble. He did not claim that greatness
for himself. He spoke of a greater one who was to come after him. He
is quoted as saying:
After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose
sandals Iam not worthy to stoop down and untie (Mark 1:7).
When God sent the angel Gabriel to take the prophet Muhammad to the
Aqsa Mosque one night, the prophet, on whom be peace, led the prayers
there, and the other prophets followed his lead. He also related the
truth that on the Day of Judgement he will lead the banner of Praise
under which will be all the other prophets. But the prophet Muhammad
did not boast about this. He instructed Muslims that they should not
praise him as the people praised Jesus, son of Mary.He said:
Call me a slave of Allah and His Messenger (Bukhari, vol.4, p.435).
What is important is not to try and prove one prophet superior over
another, but to believe in both of them. The prophet Muhammad, on whom
be peace, said:
If a man believes in Jesus and then believes in me, he will get a
double reward (ibid. p.435).

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Muslims believe thatJesus did not die on the cross. Does that mean he died of natural causes? Will he come again? Whyis he the only prophet to return?

Muslims believe that God'smessenger Jesus, son of Mary, on whom be
peace, did not die yet. God tells us in His own words that Jesus was
raised up by God and that he was neither killed nor crucified(see
Qur'an 4:157-158). Furthermore, God tells us that in order to foil the
plans of the unbelievers, God recalled Jesus and raised him up (see
Qur'an 3:55). Muslims understandfrom these Qur'anic passages that
Jesus did not die.
Muslims believe that Jesuswill be coming again. A common explanation
of verse 159 of Surah 4 in the Qur'an is that when Jesus returns, the
people of the book will each believe in Jesus as he really is. Another
verse in the Qur'an calls Jesus, on whom be peace, a sign of the day
of Judgement (seeQur'an 43:61). This was further explained by the
prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, when he said that Jesus's return
will be a sign that the dayof Judgement is near.
God alone knows the full wisdom behind what He does. We can only try
to understand some of the reasons. With God's help we can point to
several reasons why Jesus will be coming again. One reason is that
when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary about the birth of Jesus, he
prophesied that Jesus will speak to mankind while he is a baby and
again when he is mature (see Qur'an 3:46). The Arabic word Kahlan here
translated 'maturity' actually refers to a maturity at 40 years old.
When Jesus comes back he will live to this age and the prophecy willbe
fulfilled. Jesus also foretold his death (see Qur'an 19:33). This too
will be fulfilled when he returns, and Jesus will be buried in Medina
near his brother in faith, the last prophet, on whom be peace.
Another reason for Jesus's second coming is that he will be honored
with the opportunity to personally correct the belief of his people.
Too many have disbelieved and rejected him. Many others have believed
incorrectly abouthim. When he returns, everyone will believe in him
correctly. Yet anotherreason for his coming is that some of his
teachingshave been forgotten (see Qur'an 5:14), and replacedby
misguided teachings (see Qur'an 5:77, 9:30). Jesus will have the honor
of breaking the symbols of such false teachings and dramatically
confirming his true teachings which were alsotaught by his brother in
faith, the last prophet, on whom be peace.
A further reason is that in the last days an evil man called the
Antichrist will arise. He will spread muchcorruption on the earth.
Jesus will return to slay this man and restore peace on earth.
As to why Jesus alone andno other prophet will come back is for God
alone to say. The above are only a few indications.
Finally, we must admit that Jesus, on whom be peace, was very unique.
His entry into the world was unique, his departurewas unique, and his
return will be spectacular. The Qur'an rightly calls him "illustrious
in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto
Allah)" (Qur'an 3:45).

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What does Islam sayabout Domestic violence?

Islam condemns domesticviolence. Once a number of women came to the
prophet, on whom be peace, to complain that their husbands had beaten
them. The prophetannounced that men whobeat their wives are not good
men. The prophet also said: Do not beat the female servants of Allah.
Allah knows that life is not always a bowl of cherries. And so He
stipulates that a man must be kind to his wife even if he happens to
dislike her (Qur'an 4:19). Allah offers a good reasonas to why men
should notdislike their wives. Allah says that He has placed much good
in women (Qur'an 4:19). In this regard the prophet Muhammad, on whom
be peace, said that no believing man should hold a grudge against a
believing woman. So what is a husband to do ifhe dislikes some things
about his wife? This is bound to occur, since no human being is
perfect. The prophet instructed that men should look for the agreeable
traits in their wives rather than focus on their faults. (See Saheeh
Muslim, chapter on advice relating to women).
The prophet also advised men that if they wish to benefit from
marriage they should accept their wives as they are rather than try to
straighten them out and thus end upin divorce. In the following verse
of the Qur'an, Allah warns men that if they retain their wives in
marriage it should not be to take advantage of them. The verse reads:
Retain them in kindness or release them in kindness. But do not retain
them to their hurt so that you transgress (the limits). If anyone does
that he wrongs his own soul. Do not take God's instructions as a
jest(Qur'an 2:231).
Once the prophet, on whom be peace, was asked what are the obligations
of husbands toward their wives. He replied:
Feed her when you eat, and provide her clothing when you provide
yourself. Neither hit her on the face nor use impolite language when
addressing her (See Mishkat, chapter on the maintenance of women).
The prophet equated perfect belief with good treatment to one's wife
when he said:
The most perfect believer is one who is the best in courtesy and
amiable manners, and the best among you people is one who is most kind
and courteous to his wives (see Tirmidhi, chapter on the obligations
of a man to his wife).
Finally, the prophet, the best example of conduct said:
The best among you is the one who treats his family best.
Some of the last words of the prophet delivered during the farewell
pilgrimage enjoins that men should hold themselves accountable before
Allah concerning the question of how they treat their wives. Therefore
his advice to all men, is as follows:
You must treat them withall kindness.

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Why do Muslim women cover their heads? Isn't this a sign of subjection ofwomen?

Muslim women cover their heads because God so directed in His final
book, the Glorious Qur'an. The head cover is specifically mentioned in
24:31. This instruction from God is only one aspect of a wider context
of purity of thought and action for men and women.
Islam has very strict rules against adultery and fornication, and
introduces many cautious measures to ensure the prevention and
avoidanceof such sins. One measure is the prescription that men and
women should avoid intermingling as far as possible (see Qur'an
33:53). This is why men and women pray in separate areas or
separaterows in the mosque. Another measure is that men and women
should cover the specified areas of their bodies the sight of which
arouse sexual desire in others (see Qur'an 7:26; 33:59). Yet another
measure is that men and women should lower or turn their gaze away
from looking at a person of the opposite sex (see Qur'an 24:31).
The idea that the head covering is a sign of subjection of women is
found not in the Qur'an but in another religious book with which the
Qur'an does not always agree. That other book teaches that women
should have a sign of authority over their headsbecause man was not
created from woman, but woman from man. The same book says that a man
should not cover his head because he is the image and glory of God;
and a woman should cover her head because she is the glory of man. The
Qur'an does not identify with any of these ideas. The Qur'anic
prescription of head coverdoes not in any way imply the subjection of
women.
People often confuse the Islamic prescriptions with ideas they are
already familiar with. Therefore when they see Muslim women covering
their heads they hastily conclude that it is for the same reasons
mentioned in some other religious book. But to gain a better
understanding of Islamic prescriptions, they have to be viewed within
the framework of Islamic thought.
Another mistake made by many is as follows. When they hear that the
Qur'an includes the story of Adam and Eve they conclude that the
Qur'an also upholds the idea thatEve was responsible for the fall of
man, and that the subjection of women is a necessary result of God's
curse on them. On the contrary, the Qur'an is free of such ideas. In
the Qur'an, Adam and Eve were both approached by the Devil. The Devil
did not approach Adam through Eve. Adam is therefore specifically
blamed in the Qur'an 20:121. In other verses they are both blamed;
butin no verse is Eve alone singled out to be blamed for the fall of
man. Although men are charged with the responsibility of leadership in
Islam too, this is in view of the practical dynamics of human
interaction as prescribed by God. It is not because of a curse on
women.
It would be a mistake to take the prescriptions of Islam and associate
them with ideas held outside ofIslam. Within Islam, women are capable
of as much good as men, and they stand before God equally honored.

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Isn't it true that Islam was spread by the sword?

No. This is not true. However, this is a common misconception inthe
minds of many people. The Qur'an declares:
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth
distinct from error (Qur'an2:256).
This Qur'anic verse shows that God has made truth and falsehood
distinct from each other and people are therefore free to choose one
or the other. No one can be forced to believe in a religion since
belief is something very personal. One who follows the Qur'an will not
try to forceanother person to believe.
Even the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, could not force another
person to become a Muslim. God revealed to him the following words:
And if your Lord willed, allwho are in the earth would have believed
together. Would you thencompel people until they become believers? It
is not for any soul to believeexcept by the permission of Allah
(Qur'an 10:99-100).
This instruction from God makes it clear that anyone is mistaken who
thinks that he or she can compel others to believe. If God wanted, He
could make everyone believers, but rather has given themfree choice.
Even so, no one can believe upon being forced. It is the grace of God
on a person that will result in belief. Isthere a teaching more
beautiful than this? How could any true follower ofthe Qur'an turn
around and force his faith on others? On the contrary, the Qur'an
instructs its followers on how to call people to true faith as
follows:
Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and
reason with them in the better way (Qur'an 16:125).
Where does the Qur'an tell anyone to call people at the point of a
sword? Itdoes not. God instructed his messenger, on whom be peace, as
follows:
Say: This is my Way: I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and
whosoever follows me (Qur'an 12:108).
Here again, the call is to be made with sure knowledge, with clear
evidence. Putting these instructions together, a Muslim understands
that he or she must present Islam with clear evidence (i.e. sure
knowledge) and use wisdom and fair exhortation to reason with people
to accept the evidence for faith. Where is there any mention of sword
in all of this?
The Junior Encyclopedia ofCanada says:
Islam is the fastest-growing religion worldwide (The Junior
Encyclopedia of Canada, Hurtig Publishers, Canada, 1990, Vol.2.
p.396).
What explains this phenomenon? Who is forcing anyone today to become
Muslims? Muslimsare not even engaged in active preaching in any
noticeable degree. People are voluntarily coming into Islam because
they find that Islam makes sense.
Huston Smith discusses in his book entitled The World's Religions, on
page256, how the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, granted freedom
ofreligion to the Jews and Christians under Muslim rule. The prophet
had a document drawn up in which he stipulated that Jews and
Christians shall be "protected from all insults and vexations; they
shall have an equal right with our own people to our assistance and
good offices," and furthermore, that they shall "practice their
religion as freely as the Muslims" (Quoted in The World's Religions by
Huston Smith, Harper Collins, 1991, p.256). Smith points out that
Muslims regard that document as "the first charter of freedom of
conscience in human history and the authoritative model for those of
every subsequentMuslim state" (p.256).
So, was Islam spread by the sword? The following short answer comes
from Ira Zepp Jr., a non-Muslim, in his book entitled A Muslim Primer:
It is unfortunate that Islam has been stereotyped as the 'religion of
the sword' or that Islam was 'spread by the sword.' The historical
reality is that the expansion of Islam was usually by persuasion
andnot by military power. In any case, Islam cannot be forced on
anyone; if profession of the shahadah [i.e. the declaration of Islam]
is forced on someone, it is not true Islam (A Muslim Primer by Ira
Zepp, Jr., 1992, Wakefield Editions, US, p.134).

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As milk covers the water

Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) was mercilessly persecuted by
his master. Umayya bin Khalaf who was the worstenemy of Islam, would
make him lie down on theburning sand at mid-day and would place a
heavy stone on his chest so that he could not move even alimb. He
would then say to him: Renounce Islam orswelter and die in this state.
Even under these afflictions Bilal would exclaim: Ahad (the One Allah)
Ahad (the One Allah). At last Abu Bakr freed Bilal from Umayya.
Dear Muslims, when Bilal was asked how he endured all these
torturesand pain, he remarked that his belief in Allah covered all the
pains. It's like a glass of milk. If you put water into the glass of
milk, the water takes the colour of the milk. Thesame way, when Bilal
wastortured, his faith overcame the pain.

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What does Jihad mean?

The word Jihad representsa concept which is much misunderstood in the
West. The concept is explained nicely by the Christian scholar Ira 6.
Zepp, Jr. in his book entitled A Muslim Primer on pages 133-135. We
adapt from his answer thefollowing:
The essential meaning of Jihad is the spiritual, psychological, and
physical effort we exert tobe close to God and thus achieve a just and
harmonious society. Jihad literally means "striving" or "struggle" and
is shorthand for Jihad fi Sabeel Allah (struggle for God's cause). In
a sense, every Muslim is a Mujahid,one who strives for God and
justice.
Al-Ghazali captured the essence of Jihad when he said: "The real Jihad
is the warfare against (one's own) passions. Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Rabi
calls Jihad "the execution of effort against evil in the self and
every manifestation of evil in society." In a way, Jihad is the
Muslim's purest sacrifice: a struggle to livea perfect life and
completely submit to God.
Another form of Jihad is the striving to translate the Word of God
into action. If one has experienced God and received guidance from the
Qur'an, one struggles to apply that guidance in daily life. So the
larger, more prevalent meaning of Jihad is the spiritual struggle of
the soul. In this case, Jihad is always present for the believer
whether there is an external enemy or not. We should never reduce
Jihad to violence.
A third level of Jihad is popularly known as "holy war." The classic
passage is found in the Qur'an:
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you, but transgress
not the limits. Truly Allah likesnot the transgressors (Qur'an 2:190).
It is crucial to note here that what is condoned is defensive warfare;
Islam cannot justify aggressive war. Muhammad and the Tradition are
also against killing non-combatants, torturing of prisoners, the
destruction of crops, animals and homes. Adapted from Ira 6. Zepp,
Jr., A Muslim Primer (1992,Wakefield Editions, US) pp.133-135.
Robert Ellwood of the University of Southern California has the
following to say about the Muslim concept of Jihad:
Out of the community ideal of Islam comes the concept of jihad, or
holy war, which is designed to defend Islam and allow itssocial
practice, though notto force individual conversions, which is
forbidden. Since Islam in principle is a community as well as a
religion, presumably only an absolute pacifist would beable to reject
the theory of jihad out of hand, since other communities also fight to
defend or expand their ways of life. (Many Peoples, Many Faiths by
Robert S. Ellwood, 4th edition, Simon & Schuster,US, 1982, p.346).

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Value Yourself

It would be nice if we all had loving and supportive parents. Some do,
Alhamdulillah. But some have parents who are critical, demeaning and
harsh. If you have an abusive parent who tells you that you are
worthless, stupid and good for nothing, you can't spend your life
waiting and hoping for that parent to love you and be proud of you.
It's not going to happen, my friend. Most likely your parent was
raised harshly himself/herself and doesn'tknow how to act any other
way. Accept that reality and learn to value yourself, no matter what
anyone says.
You will have to be strong and independent in spirit. You will have to
find validation of your worth within yourself. You do have worth,
after all. You are as unique and beautiful as the sun and the moon,
the sea and the stars. You are special and gifted and you will need
torealize that on your own, even in the face of external abuse.
Seek your support from Allah.
"And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them
on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and
preferred them over much of what We have created…" – Quran, 17:70.
Allah has honored you. Dignity is your birthright. It's okay if you're
not perfect. No one is. You can still love yourself, with all your
special gifts and funny habits, and whatever is lacking, well, you can
work on it. That's what all of us do.
"I Know Who I Am"
It can be very hard to resist the negative labels that parents put on
us. Their words have a way of worming into our brains even when we
know better. We must be patientwith them and love them, without buying
into their negativity.
Write some positive affirmations about yourself. Affirmations are true
statements that express your best qualities,and also express what kind
of person you strive to be. They represent the ideal you.
I personally have a list of 29 affirmations, and here'snumber 12 on my list:
"12. I am a good son to my parents. I am patient and loving with them.
When speaking to them I maintain a positive, independent and calm
spirit, knowing who I am and confident in my choices."
Read your affirmations every day. Even if you don't quite believe your
own affirmations at times, even if you feel inwardly skeptical, keep
reading them. When you speak to your parents, breathe deeply and
slowly. Don't let anything they say make you anxious or excited. Tell
yourself silently, "I know who I am."
Allah loves you and has a plan for you. Believe this and move forward,
and when you have children, shut down the cycle of negativity and do
better than your parents did. It's okay to be better than your
parents. Any good parent wants their children to surpass them.
Show your own children patience, gentleness and endless love.
May Allah bless you and fillyour heart with self-knowledge,
self-dignity, and hope for the future.

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Bellies and Souls

Most of us are concerned with our bellies and the souls of others;
when we should be concerned with our own souls, and the bellies of
others. The first thing the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said when he
arrived in Madinah was, "Spread peace, and feed the people."
Instead of judging others, care for them. Feed them, help them, and
spread peace. That is your representation as a Muslim, your da'wah,
and your salvation of the world. In the process, you save your own
soul.

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The Intensity of its Fire

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated: "When Allah's Messenger
(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, 'Your ordinary fire is one of the 70
potions of the Hellfire,' someone commented, 'O Messenger of Allah,
wouldit (ordinary fire) not be sufficient (to burn the wrongdoers)?'
At that, Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, 'The Hellfire has 69 more
portions than ordinary (worldly) fire, and all of them are as hot as
this (worldly fire).'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
"Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a
Blazing Fire. Dwelling therein forever, and they will find no
protector or helper."
[al-Ahzab, 33: 64-65]
"But he who is given his record behind his back will soon cry for
destruction, and he will enter a blazing Fire."
[al Inshiqaq, 84: 10-12]
"No, they deny the Hour (of the judgment to come), but We have
prepared a blazing fire forsuch as deny the Hour. When it sees them
from a far off place, they will hear its fury and its ragingsigh. And
when they are cast, bound, in chains, intoconstricted place therein,
they will plead therein fordestruction. Do not plead today for a
single destruction; plead for destruction oft-repeated."
[al-Furqan, 25: 11-14]
"The companions of the left hand - what are the companions of the left
hand? (They will be) in the midst of a fierce blast (of fire) and in
boiling water."
[al Waqi'ah, 56: 41-42]
"But, he whose scales are light his home will be a pit. And what will
make you understand what thatis? (It is ) a fire, blazing fiercely."
[al Qari'ah, 101: 8-11]
"Soon will I cast him into Saqar (the Hellfire). And what will explain
to you what Saqar is? It permits nothing to endure, and it leaves
nothing alone, darkening and changing the color of man."
[al Muddaththir, 74: 26-29]
"Their abode will be Hell. Every time it abates. We will increase for
them the blaze (the fierceness) of the fire."
[al Isra, 17: 97]
"Those are the ones, who have exchanged the Hereafter for the gains of
this worldly life. The punishment will not be lightened for them, and
they will not be aided."
[al Baqarah, 2: 86]
"So taste, (the result of your deeds), for We will not increase you
except inpunishment."
[an Naba, 78: 30]
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu
alayhi wasalam) said: "The most favored man among the dwellers of the
Earth will be brought from among the people of the Fire on the Day of
Resurrection. He will be dyed in the Firebut once, and then it will be
said to him, 'O son of Adam, have you ever seengood at all? Has any
pleasure ever come to you?' He will say, 'No, by Allah, O Lord.' Then
the most miserable people in the world will be brought from the people
of Paradise and will be dyed with the dye of Paradise. It will be said
to him, 'O son of Adam, have you ever seen any misery, andhas any
hardship ever come to you? ' He will say,'No, by Allah, O my Lord. No
misery ever came to me, nor did I see any hardship.'"
[Muslim]

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The Fuel of Hell-Fire

People:
"Those who has disbelieved - their wealth and their children will
never benefit them anything with Allah. And those are the ones who are
the fuel of Hellfire."
[ali'-Imran, 3: 10]
Jinn:
"And there are among us Muslims (in submission to Allah) and others
who deviate from justice. And whoever accepts Islam has sought out the
right path. As for those who deviate, they will be firewood for the
Hellfire."
[al-Jinn, 72: 14-15]
Stones:
"But if you cannot - and ofa surety you cannot - thenfear the fire
whose fuel is men and stones, which is prepared for those who reject
faith."
[al Baqarah, 2: 24]
"O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire
whosefuel is men and stones, over which are appointed angels, stern
and severe, who do not disobey Allah in what He orders them and who do
precisely what they are commanded."
[al-Tahreem, 66: 6]
False Gods
"Verily, you (unbelievers) and what you worship besides Allah are fuel
for Hellfire, You will surely come to it. If those had (truly) been
gods, they would not have come to it. But all will abide therein
eternally."
[al-Anbiya, 21: 98-99]
"And the Fierce Fire will be brought out before those straying in
evil, and it will be said to them, 'Where are those you worshipped
besides Allah? Can they help you or help themselves?' Thenthey will be
thrown into it(the Hellfire) on their faces- they and those straying
in evil and the soldiers of Iblees, all together."
[ash Shu'ara, 26: 91-95]

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good Morning

Every bad situation will have something positive.Even a stopped Clock
is correct twice a day.Think of this n lead urlife.Good Morning
We're not 2 close in distance. We're not 2 nearin miles. But text can
still touch our hearts n thoughts can bring us smiles. Good morning
U need a little inspiration to get going,a little smile to brighten up
and AMS from someone who cares to color ur day.. GOOD MORNING
ur soul came back from dreamland reunited with a sleeping senseless
piece of ur self slowly open ur eyes realist it's a brand new day. GM
The world does not need more mountains 2 climb,More seas to cross,or
more stars 2 shine, What the world needs is only more of U Gud Morning
somewhere out there beneath the pale moon light someone think in of u
some where out there where dreams come true. good Morning
welcome to new morningwith a smile on ur face,love in ur heart,good
thoughts in ur mind u willhave a wonderfull day,gud morning

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Life is like baking a cake

A little boy is telling his Grandma how"everything" is going wrong.
School, family problems, health problems, problems with friends, etc.
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would
like a snack, which, of course, he does.
"Here, have some cookingoil." *"Yuck" says the boy.
"How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by
themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make
a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go
through such bad and difficult times.
But Allah knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they
always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they
will all make something wonderful!"

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So fond of meeting his Lord

Someone asked Junaid Baghdadi (may Allah havemercy on him), "How was
it that Abu Sa'eed Khazzaz(he was a very pious man)was in such a joy
at the point of death?" Junaid replied, "He was so fond of meeting his
Lord that one could expect his soul to fly to heavens even before the
time of death to meet his Lord." Source:"Fadhail-e-sadaqaaPart II",
translated by Prof. Abdul Karim.
My dear friends, today we are so involved with the worldly affairs
that meeting Allah is the last thing we consider.

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786 - SOLUTION to Every Problem:-> - Ar Rehman (The Beneficent) One who recites this name 100 times will get sharp memory./

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