Modern History of India

Modern History of India generally refers to the period of Colonial
rule and domination on India. The advent of the British on theIndian
soil at around 17th century can roughly be delineated as the beginning
of the Modern Age in Indian history. For two centuries, the British
exercised complete subordination over the Indian landmass till the
blazing inferno of the freedom fighters forced their departure. The
two hundred years of their rule not only had an impact in the sphere
of politics and economy, but also was instrumental in bringing about
considerable changes in the realm of education, society and culture.
Advent of British Era
The British, however, were not the first of the foreign powers to set
their foot on the Indian soil. In the closing years of the 15th
century, the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama had reached Calicut in
South India. Since then, theFrench, the Dutch and subsequently the
British colonisers made their forayinto India, the land of immense
wealth and riches. By the 18th Century,the British Empire in India had
already established their supremacy. The enormous Indian Territory was
characterised by a comprehensive lack of unity amongst the independent
rulers, an aspect of which the British took complete advantage. It was
further escalated by the fall of the Mughals in 1739 and the constant
strife between the various ruling dynasties and the power monger
nobles in the various Indian provinces who wanted to establish their
supremacy independently. Some of themost powerful ruling clans in
India during this period were the Marathas, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan
of Mysore , the Nawabs of Bengal and the Sikhs under the leadership of
Ranjit Singh. The British encouraged rampant commercial exploitation
to exercise their dominance and soon the British East India Company `s
policy of annexation resulted in securing the influence of the British
Empire as the supreme authority. The Governor-Generals and Viceroys
during this time unleashed unscrupulous means to implement their
authority. The imposition of the Dewani (1765), the practice of
Private trade by the East India Company, introduction of the Permanent
Settlement (1793) by Lord Cornwallis were some of the reforms that the
British introduced during their tenure, addingto the woes of the
colonised.
Influence of British
While the British left no stone unturned to ascertain their influence
over the Indian population,they were also prominently involved in
bringing about certain changes in the field of education, culture, as
well as society. This was primarily a form of their cultural
imperialistic designs. Macaulay, an eminent member of the
Governor-General`s Council,in his Minute (1835), despised the
scriptures andwealth of knowledge that India treasured and called for
the introduction of English education which heconsidered to be
superior and necessary to educate the barbaric Indians. However, noted
educationists like Raja RamMohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
were instrumental in imbibing the intellectual trends of Western
Education with those of the ancient Indian scriptures and literary
works. It was towards the end of the 18th and the beginning of the
19th century, that some of the premier educational institutions like
the Hindu College or the Presidency College were established in
Bengal. This era is often referred to as the Bengal Renaissance . The
spread of education though was masked by the spread of Christian
religious doctrineswith the Christian missionaries being deputedthe
task of extending education.
The cause of women`s education was propagated by Vidyasagar, who set
up around thirty schools for women in Bengal. Social reformers like
Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a key role in the abolition of the Sati
(1829) or the custom of women surrendering their lives in the funeral
pyres of their husbands. In 1856, the Widow Remarriage Act was
sanctioned by the British Government under the patronage of Ishwar
Chandra Vidyasagar.
The British were also instrumental in the establishment of the
IndianRailways which began functioning in 1853. This too was a means
of extending their imperialistic designs as the British believed that
the railways would not only make communication swifter, but at the
same time they would escalate the swift movement of troops which had
become extremely necessary to subjugate the uprisings and rebellions
that recurrently spurted againsttheir domination.

Ancient History of India

Ancient history of India is hugely magnificent, affluent and diverse.
The rich tradition of verbal account makes India the subcontinent
whose history is deep buried in the antiquities of 5000 years. Though,
nothing wasrecorded about the ancientperiod, yet historians traced
about the existence of several ancient civilisations through the
innumerable sources of history. In the year 1922 archaeological
exploration brought forth the survival of an ancient city of
Mohenjodaro and Harappan. In addition to that various other evidences
such as, the remains of Homo erectus and fossils of various ages prove
that India was inhabited between 200,000 to 500,000 years ago.
Stone Age
The saga of the Ancient History of India begins with Stone Age. Stone
Age is a broad prehistoric time period and in this period human beings
used stone for tool making. Though, atthat period of time there was no
geographical demarcation, yet the archaeological records depicts that
75,000 years ago, there was human presence in the Indian subcontinent.
The remains of the Homo erectus in Hathnora in the valleys of Narmada
in Central India indicate that India was inhabited since the Middle
Pleistocene era, The Mesolithic period also saw the permanent
settlementsin the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka in modern Madhya Pradesh
, India. Neolithic culture also emerged in South Asia, the Mehrgarh
findings in present day Balochistan, Pakistan and in the Gulf of
Khambat in India are foundand the late Neolithic cultures augmented in
the Indus Valley region between 6000 and 2000 BCE and in southern
India between 2800 and 1200 BCE.
Bronze Age
Bronze Age in India startedwith the Indus Valley Civilization . This
civilizationis known by the name of the two of its great cities -
Harappan and Mohenjodaro and points out the Indus Valley Civilization
as one of the oldest known civilizations of ancient India beside the
three earliest urban civilizations along with Mesopotamia and Ancient
Egypt. According to the Ancient History of India, Bronze Age is the
timeline when the human being started using bronze for the purpose of
tool making. This age began in India around 3300 BCE. Theremains of
the great civilisation are found in modern day India, in the cities of
Gujarat , Haryana and Rajasthan as well as in Pakistan, Sindh and
Punjab . This ancient Indian civilisation developed techniques of
metallurgy and introduced copper , bronze, lead and tin to the
country.
Aryans in India
History in India is a crossroads of cultures from China to Europe. The
first group to invade India was the Aryans , who came out of the north
in about 1500 BC. The Aryans brought with them strong cultural
traditions that, miraculously, still remain inforce today. It was the
Aryans who migrated from the Northwest into the Indian subcontinent
and settled in the Saptasindhu region whilst adapting the existing
Indian culture. It was the 2nd century BC and in the ancient history
of India the period is known as the Vedic civilisation. Aryans lived
in tribes and they spoke Sanskrit language , which was a part of
Indo-European group of languages. Aryans started to intermingle with
the locals.
Ancient Dynasties of India
History of ancient India during this time witnessed therise of major
kingdoms known as the Mahajanapadas. There are sixteen Mahajanapadas
spread across different parts of thecontinent. The births of Mahavira
and Gautama Buddha in the 6th century BC heralded a new religious
movement in India. Mahavira propagated Jainism whose message was
asceticism, austerity and non-violence; GautamaBuddha, preached that `
Nirvana ` was to be attained through the conquest of self. The
political map of ancient India was made up of myriad kingdoms with
fluctuating boundaries. Thethird century BC in the timeline of ancient
India heralded the reign of the Maurya Empire . Chandragupta, Bindusar
and Ashoka were the famous kings of the Maurya dynasty. It was Ashoka
who converted intoBuddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism
spread to other parts of Asia. During the Mauryas, Hinduism took the
shape that fundamentally informsthe religion down to the present day.
The 4th and the 5th centuries A.D., Gupta Empire flourished almost
inevitably. The ancient history of India witnessed the Gupta periodas
the Golden Age in Indiantimeline with an overall development of Hindu
culture and political administration.
With the downfall of GuptaEmpire in the 6th century North India almost
inevitably reverted back to small republics and small monarchical
states. It was the time of chaos.

'Stones and trees calling out 'kill the Jews',' as revealed in the hadiths, is meantin a figurative sense.A believer will not act according to a voice coming from stones and trees andwill not kill an innocent person. A Muslim acts solely according to

Abu Huraira (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (saas) assaying:
"The Last Hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against
the Jews. The Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and
a stone or a tree would say: 'Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there
is a Jew behind me; come and kill him;' but the tree Gharqad would not
say, for it is the tree of the Jews."
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Fitan wa Ashrat as-Sa'ah, Book 41, 6985)
"So that Jews will hide behind trees and the tree will say "Muslim!
The servant of Allah! Come, look there is a Jewbehind me, he hid here,
behind me, come and punish him". Only the tree Gharqad will not say,
for it is the tree of the Jews."
(Kitab al-Fitan, hadith. 2239)
One statement by Mr. Adnan Oktar concerning hadiths in which our
Prophet (saas) refers to "stones and trees in the End Times telling
Muslims the location of Jews hidingbehind them and saying 'Come and
kill them'," reads:
"We look at events in thelight of the Qur'an and the hadiths. But one
cannot issue a pronouncement on the basis of one single verse in the
Qur'an. One must look at the verses as a whole. The same appliesto the
hadiths. The otherhadiths complement one another. Therefore, if
someone comes and tells us, 'There is a Jew here, come and kill him,'
we will not kill him. Whyshould we? That person would have to commit a
crime. And if he commitsa crime he will have to be tried. And the
judge will pronounce sentenceat the end of the trial. There is a whole
system and legal procedure involved. It does not mean that anyone who
sees him can kill him and try him himself. We can see what this
hadithmeans by looking at others. Otherwise, it is a sin to kill an
innocent Jew, a person, a child, standing there, and heed a voice from
a stone telling us to kill them. That is unacceptable. We must grasp
what our Prophet (saas) really means. It would appear the hadithmeans
this: Jews who are atheists or enemies of religion cannot hide. Those
who hide among wood or stones will be located using all kinds
ofelectrical devices and equipment, and the evil and activities of
these people will thus be prevented, and that will be a punishment for
them. That is what the hadith may be implying.

Syria in civil war, saysUN official Herve Ladsous

Syria is now in a state of civil war and the government has lost
control of "large chunks" of cities, the UN's head of peacekeeping has
told reporters.
It is the first time a UN official has formally voiced that view.
His comments came as UN monitors in Syria were fired on as they tried
to reach the besieged town ofHaffa.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Russia of
supplyingattack helicopters to the Syrian government.
She said the move would"escalate the conflict quite dramatically".
Russia maintains its arms shipments to Syria are unrelated to the
conflict there.BBC state departement correspondent
Hillary Clinton said the Russian move - sending helicopters to Syria -
wouldescalate the conflict in Syriadramatically. She said the US had
confronted Russia about its arms shipment toSyria but Moscow insisted
that the arms were not being used internally against people.
That, the secretary of state said, was patently untrue. State
department spokesperson Victoria Nuland declined to give details about
the source of Mrs Clinton's information, but she said the comments
were referring to new helicopters that were en route to Syria, and not
Syria's existing fleet.
The Pentagon has said it's not aware of specific reports of
helicopters beingdelivered but acknowledged that the Syrian government
was using helicopter gunships to attack people and that Russia was
re-supplying the Syrian army.
Mr Ladsous, UN under-secretary for peacekeeping operations, said the
attack on the UN team near Haffa was deliberate.
Asked whether he believedSyria was now in a civil war, Mr Ladsous told
a small group of reporters:"Yes, I think we can say that.
"Clearly what is happening is that the government of Syria lost some
large chunks of territory, several cities to the opposition, and wants
to retake control."
The UN and the US have warned of an alarming escalation in violence in
Haffa, amid reports of a build-up of government forces around the
town.
UN monitors first tried to reach Haffa on Monday but were denied access.
On Tuesday, government forces gave them permission to pass throughthe
last checkpoint before the town, but the monitorsjudged the situation
to be"unsafe" and turned back, aUN spokeswoman said.
As they were leaving, an angry crowd threw stones and metal bars at
the UN team before unknown assailants opened fire, the spokeswoman
said.
None of the observers was hurt.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, at the UN in New York, says UN officials have
been speaking this week not only about an intensification of
government military operations, including firing from helicopters, but
also about a dramatic increase in more sophisticated urban attacks by
the opposition.
Hillary Clinton: "We have confronted the Russians about stopping their
continued arms shipments to Syria"
Clashes
Earlier this month, activists said Syrian government forces killed 108
people in the region of Houla, in Homs province, and 78 people in the
village of Qubair, in Hama province.
Syria blames the violence on foreign-backed armed terrorist gangs.
The UN monitors are in Syria to observe the implementation of a peace
plan brokered by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. However, a ceasefire
whichwas supposed to come intoeffect on 12 April never took hold.
Mr Annan has called for another international conference on Syria, but
nodate or list of participants has yet been announced.
Activists said Syrian forces fired mortars at protesters in the
eastern city of Deir al-Zour, killing at least 10 people.
They also reported clashes in central Homs province.
These claims cannot be verified independently as Syria severely
restricts journalists' freedom of movement.

HEALTH - ~

the 'Indian Medical Association'recommends drinking 2 glasses of warm
water on empty stomach early in themorning to help cure:
-Headache's
-Body Pain
-Diabetes
-Constipation
-Eye diseases
-Womb cancer
-Ears, Nose, Throat disorders
So friends, follow this, enjoy life, and have a greatday! —

Solar-powered planelands in Morocco

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA experimental aircraft flies after taking off
from Barajas airport in Madrid, Spain, in the early hours ofTuesday,
June 5, 2012. Thezero fuel airplane arrived in Madrid on May 25,
2012from Payerne, Switzerland,and now goes on to Rabat,Morocco on its
first transcontinental trip. The mission is described as thefinal
dress rehearsal for a round-the-world flight with a new and improved
aircraft in 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)
Pilot Bertrand Piccard is helped fit inside the experimental
solar-powered airplane HB-SIA at Barajas airport in Madrid, Spain,
Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The zero fuelairplane arrived in Madrid on May
25, 2012 from Payerne, Switzerland, and now goes on to Rabat, Morocco
on its first transcontinental trip. The mission is described as
thefinal dress rehearsal for a round-the-world flight with a new and
improved aircraft in 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)
Crew members of an experimental solar-powered airplane check the jumbo
jet-size Solar Impulse plane before taking off at Barajas airport in
Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Thezero fuel airplane arrived in
Madrid on May 25, 2012from Payerne, Switzerland,and now goes on to
Rabat,Morocco on its first transcontinental trip. The mission is
described as thefinal dress rehearsal for a round-the-world flight
with a new and improved aircraft in 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)
The Solar Impulse HB-SIA experimental aircraft is pulled out a hanger
at Barajas airport in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The
solar-powered airplane arrived in Madrid on May 25, 2012 from Payerne,
Switzerland, and now goes on to Rabat, Morocco on its first
transcontinental trip. The mission is described as thefinal dress
rehearsal for a round-the-world flight with a new and improved
aircraft in 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)
Crew members of Solar Impulse project check the HB-SIA experimental
aircraft before taking off at Barajas airport in Madrid, Spain,
Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The solar-powered airplane arrived in Madrid on
May 25, 2012from Payerne, Switzerland,and now goes on to Rabat,Morocco
on its first transcontinental trip. The mission is described as
thefinal dress rehearsal for a round-the-world flight with a new and
improved aircraft in 2014. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)
An experimental solar-powered plane landed in Morocco's capital late
Tuesday after a 20-hour trip from Madrid in the first transcontinental
journey by a craft of its type.
With the wing span of a Boeing 777, the plane appeared out of the
pitch darkness over the runway,suddenly turning on its lights and
gliding to a landing in Rabat, its four propellers already still.
"It was perhaps the most beautiful flight of my life, Ihave dreamed
since I was a child of flying without using fuel," said pilot Bertrand
Piccard, who has already circumnavigated the world by balloon.
The single-seat aircraft is fitted with 12,000 solar cells across its
immense wings and but only weighs just as much as theaverage family
car, according to organizers.
The plane is the first of its kind to fly both during thenight and day
as the solar panels charge the batteries for night flying.
Piccard descended from the plane, apparently unfatigued by the long
flight in the cramped cockpit. He said the Solar Impulse project had
chosen Morocco because of its ambitious plans to increase its reliance
on solar power.
"We came here out of admiration for Morocco's pioneering solar energy
program," he said, flashinga brilliant smile and hugging members of
his team on the tarmac. "All ofthe technology on this plane can be
used in daily life."
Morocco is set to begin construction on a huge solar energy farm in
the south as part of an ambitious project to lessen its dependence on
fossil fuels and produce 2,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2020.
It also plans to eventually export the energy to Europe.
Solar Impulse arrived in Madrid from Switzerland in late May on the
first leg of the journey, but the delicate craft was delayed for
several days by bad weather before it could continue its journey to
Morocco. The two-leg Europe to Africa trip covered 2,500 kilometers
(1,554 miles).
The light craft can only fly in perfect weather. The plane has managed
to climb to 28,000 feet (8,535 meters) and reached top speeds of over
75 mph (120 kph), though its usual cruising speed is just over half
that.
The mission is being described as a final dress rehearsal for a
round-the-world flight with a new and improved plane in 2014 involving
five stops.
The project began in 2003and is estimated to cost about $100 million
over 10 years.

Aha! Those overweight animals...2012-06-12 02:29:12 GMT 2012-06-12 10:29:12(Beijing Time) Xinhua English Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)

2012-06-12 02:29:12 GMT 2012-06-12 10:29:12(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
~
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photo shows the overweight animal.(Photo Source: chinanews.com)
Photos show the overweight animals.

Tips for - Good Morning

U may thnk that I 4got u. U may thnk that I don`t care, N U may thnk
that I`m not thnking of u. Well,U`re wrong. U`re still in my drms
@
No cute sayings to say, no cute graphics to send. Just a simple good
day, hope that will be okay.
@
Every morning has a new beginning, a new blessing,a new hope.
It`s a perfect day coz it`s God`s gift. Have a blessed, hopeful
perfect day to begin with.Good Morning
@
i`ve send an angel over to u, to watch over u while u`re sleeping. so
u wake up tomorrow staying as cute as u r Good Morning

The most beautiful things in the world don't come inpackages

Is his hair nicely styled? Is he the perfect height? Are his dimples
so cute when he smiles?
Is her makeup just right? Does her body have the perfect curves? Do
her feet arch perfectly in those killer high heels?
This is packaging, it's irrelevant.
American, Pakistani, Arab, African, black, white, this is a veneer.
These qualities are insignificant by any true, spiritual standard.
When you're feeling ill and are curled up in bed, it's not an Arab or
American who holds your hand and tells you that it will be okay, who
takes your temperature and cools your forehead with a towel, who makes
you chicken soup with lemon… it's a human being, a husband or wife who
lovesyou.
We must get beyond superficial and meaninglessclassifications like
race and nationality. In one of the most powerful condemnations of
tribalismthat I have ever read, the Prophet Muhammad (sws) said, in a
hadith narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud,
"There are people who boast of their dead ancestors; but they are more
contemptible in thesight of Allah than the black beetle that rolls
dung with its nose. Behold, Allah has removed from you the arrogance
of the time of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) with its boasting of ancestral
glories. Man is but a God-fearing believer or a miserable sinner. All
people are the children of Adam, and Adam was made from dust."
And about the impulse to nationalism and racism in general, he said,
"Leave it, it is rotten." (Agreed upon).
Alright, how about this: That guy wanting to court you, is his Armani
suit cut just right? Are his shoes sleek and stylish?
That woman who caught your eye, does her dress drape elegantly on her figure?
You know what? That Armani suit can't stand on its own. It needs a
hangar to stay upright. That elegant dress can't raise your children
right.
We must learn to look beyond appearances. I'm not saying that
appearanceis irrelevant, but how muchof our attraction is based on
true human beauty, andhow much is based on distorted standards and
poisonous imagery pumped into our brains by TV, movies, and
advertising? In other words, to what degree have we been brainwashed?
The world of advertising teaches us to focus on the wrong things.
Consultants are paid millions to design the perfect package for a box
of cereal or an energy drink, just the right shape and bright color to
catch your eye and entice you to open your wallet. Meanwhile, the
product – likely as not – is actually bad for you, consisting of
sugar, salt, chemicals and dyes. These advertisers are teaching us to
make choices based on packaging and image.
What they are teaching us is entirely ruinous and wrong.
Human beings are not consumer products. We're not disposable. When you
marry someone you're in itfor the long haul. You're with them when
they wake up in the morning with crust in their eyes andhair pressed
to one side of the their head; when they get laid off from work
because the company is "downsizing", and you don't know how the bills
will get paid next month; when they're depressed, tired, sick; when
they makemistakes, when they say and do the wrong things, when they
lose their temper, when they're afraid or insecure…
This is as serious as it gets. This is life, and a shiny but empty
package won't get you through it, won't help on you the path, won't
hold you up when you're weak, or make you laugh when you're down. The
package can't do that. Remember that when you buy something, the
package ends up in the trash. If you choose someone for the package
only, you may be bitterly disappointed when the storm comes and no one
is there to shelter you, or to hold.
These are lessons learned through heartache and disappointment.
Look deeper. Find a gentle and honest heart, a strong backbone, a
striving spirit. Look to what the person does, how they live, how they
treat people, how they relate to the Almighty.Look to that shimmering
soul inside, and discern whether it's a selfish and bitter soul, or
loving and true. Look beyond the packaging to the core, and trust your
God-given instincts, and you'll find yourself a rare happiness,
aprecious partnership, or a true friend.
The most beautiful, powerful things in the world don't come in
disposable packages. Mountains, trees, ocean, sky, stars… their true
attributes are bared to the world. They don't need packages because
they are stunning and profound in their essence.
As someone said, beautiful things are not always good, but good things
are always beautiful.
By basing your life choices on matters of substance, you'll avoid
social and financial traps that ruin so many.

HADEES - ~

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu ánhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said•►"The Mufarridun have gone
ahead.'' He was asked,"Who are the Mufarridun?'' He (sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam) replied:
•►"Those men and women who frequently do Dhikr & Tasbeeh (celebrate
the praise & remembrance of Allah).''
[Recorded in Muslim]

Do You See it In Yourself?

One of Allah's names is Al-Wadood, The Most Loving, and this is
appropriate because a Creator must have love in order to create works
of beauty and power. Allah created you out of love. He created you
with intent. Hecreated you to succeed, notto fail, and He gave you all
the tools that you need to thrive. Open your eyes and see what a
miracle you are,what a thing of beauty, what a gift to the world. I
see that in every person I know. If I met you, I'm sureI would see the
miracle and beauty in you too. Do you see it in yourself?

The Good New Days

People often wish for a return to the good old days. First of all,
when we look at them objectively, they weren't really so good. Sure, I
have funny and pleasant memories from my youth, but I also remember
the confusion and loneliness.
I personally would not trade my life at this moment for my life at any
time in the past. Among other things, I now have a beautiful daughter
who I love more than life itself; my writing, which has evolved to
allow me to express my deepest convictions; and many small blessings
that add upto a pot of gold.
Secondly, the old days are called "old" for a reason. That's the past.
We can't goback.
What we can do is focus onthe journey forward.
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord,and for a Garden
whose width is that (of the whole)of the heavens and of the earth,
prepared for the righteous; – Those who spend (freely), whether in
prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon people;-
for Allah loves those who do good; – And those who, having done
something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly
bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for theirsins,- and who
can forgive sins except Allah…." – Quran, Surat Aal Imran, 3:133-135
This is how we make a better future for ourselves and our families,
Insha'Allah. Letting go of anger, forgiving, asking forgiveness,
giving to the poor and needy, and racingto Allah. The Almighty has
given us the formula. This is how, instead of yearning for the good
old days, we create good new days! Our future can be as good as the
past ever was; it can bebetter, brighter and happier.
Let's build the good new days.

Fasting is a Key

Why should there be a gateway to Jannah only forthose who fast? What
is so special about fasting for only month every year, as opposed to
praying every day, or making the great effort of Hajj, or giving one's
hard-earned money in charity, or any other important Islamic deed?
Actually we know from various saheeh hadeeth (authentic narrations of
theProphet) that there are many gates to Jannah. Some will reward
people who perform specific actions, and according to the Prophet
(sws), certain individuals willed be called to all the gates, and may
enter from whichever they choose. SubhanAllah. This isa fascinating
subject in its own right. However, Bab Ar-Rayyaan has been mentioned
quite prominently in the narrations. It is clearly an important and
privileged gate.
Why is that?
Fasting is designed to put us into a state of hyper-awareness of
Allah. Hasan al-Basri said,
"By Allah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken
something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or
stepped forth or steppedback, except that I have thought before I have
doneany action, 'Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleasedwith
this action?'"
This is how we should be when fasting. The fast is a highly personal
act of worship between the servant and the Creator. It'san invisible
act. When you pray or perform tawaaf, you can be seen by others, so
there is always the risk of one's intention being tainted by the
desire to be seen or admired. However, when we are fasting, no one can
look at us and know that we are fasting. Even in Ramadan, a person
could eat or drink secretly. It is an honor system. That is why Allah
said in a hadith qudsi, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it."
(al-Bukhari)
Another truth is that fasting is difficult. It is more arduous than
salat, or giving sadaqah. When done properly, fasting can be very
hard, especially in summer or in hot climates. For me personally,
fasting at the height of summer is the most punishing physical
experience I go through, particularly on thedays when I have martial
arts classes scheduled.
The greatest mistake would be to think that fasting is only about
hunger, thirst and abstinence. It seems to me that fasting is a
physical experience that opens the doorway to a spiritual state of
being. The hardship of fasting is a key that unlocks a tremendous
reservoir of strength, and that plunges one into a state of humility,
and an extreme awareness of one's actions before Allah.
That's ultimately what fasting is about. It is about being conscious
of Allah, sacrificing for Him, being humbled before Him, growing
closer to Him, and pleasing Him.
Fasting is a key that opens a door. And the door is called Ar-Rayyaan.
May Allah make us among those who enter through Ar-Rayyaan.

Ramadan Poem – In Allah’s Loving Hands

May Allah swt be with you every step that you take,
May HE guide you with each decision you make,
May HE help you when life gets rough,
May HE lift you when you've had enough,
May HE protect you when you fall,
May HE hear you when youcall,
May all your duas be accepted,
May you always be in Allah swt's loving hands. Ramadan Mubarak

Bridging knowledge gap through online learning

Among all the technological marvels and their roles in our lives, the
most revolutionary contribution of technology has to be the
democratisation of knowledge all around the world.
Online courses on a wide range of topics are provided openly and for
free by premier institutionsof the world. As these courses reach
larger audiences, they will mitigate the huge gap in knowledge created
due to lack of fundamental resources and varying methods of teaching.
Thesecourses would not only benefit students but will also prove to be
touchstone for teachers.
Among the open educationcourses available on the Web, the most popular
oneis OpenCourseWare (OCW) run by Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), which provides all itseducation materials from
undergraduate level to graduate level for free. As of now, more than
2,080 courses are available online. Many of them include lecture
notes, interactive Web demonstrations, textbooks written by MIT
professors and streaming video lectures. Details of the available
lectures can be found at http://ocw.mit.edu . Along with MIT's own
site, video lectures are also available on YouTube and iTunes and can
be streamed online or can also be downloaded for viewing offline.
MITx, a recent online learning initiative by MIT, offers a portfolio
of its courses through online interactive learning platform. It has
been designed keeping in mind all aspects of difficulties that might
be faced by students on the online platform. It would not onlyoffer
online laboratories, student-to-student communication, but wouldalso
provide a chance to earn certification of completion award by
MITx,based on the mastery of the subject.
Other options
Among the courses offered by other universities, videocourses of
Harvard, Yale University, University of California – Berkeley, and
Stanford University are worth checking out, but unlike MIT OCW, these
are restricted in number.
In 1999, the idea of havingan enhanced learning programme involving
the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of
Management was conceived by IIT Madras, which was subsequently funded
by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Today, it is known as
the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL).
As of now, 260 courses are available online, but this number is set to
reach 1,000 in the next phase of the programme. With more than 4,900
hours of classroom course, illustration of concepts via animations,
links for reference books, discussionforums and case studies, it has
enough potential to disseminate quality education among Indian
students. In the era of ubiquitous mobile phones, 3GP format of video
courses are especially made for mobile phone users.
Virtual Labs is a new initiative to provide remote access to labs in
various disciplines of science and engineering ( www.vlab.co.in )
taken up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. At a time when
a majority of institutions are facing a crunch in testing equipment
and resources, this would provide a platform where resources can be
shared.
The integration of NPTEL with Virtual Labs will provide a complete
package for education by bridging the gap between theory and practice.
The hurdle
A major hindrance in taking the online education programme to the
remotest of places is lack of infrastructure. Two things that are
prerequisitefor the programme's success are affordable computer
devices and availability of adequate Internet speed.
The low-cost Aakash tablets seem to be a strongstep towards online
education revolution. However, its availability and reliability are
the issues the government must sort out as soon as possible. Making
courses available on DVDs and harddisks for affordable prices can
mitigate the problem of online streaming of videos on low-speed
Internet.

Tourist Place - Marina Beach - madras, INDIA

Marina Beach is among the longest beaches in the world and it
comprises of sun, sand and surf. Countedamong one of the longest
beaches in Asia, it is stretched across a 12-km long area. This beach
was given a makeover by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in
the early 1880's, and is Chennai's major tourist attraction today.
Adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has one of the loveliest
beaches in India. A walk along the Marina, whether in the morning or
evening, re-energizes one. The old buildings dotting the otherside of
Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, bring back memories of
good old British Raj. The Senate House of the University of Madras and
the old buildings now housing government offices, such as Ezhilagam
and the Director General of Police office. They wear a mysterious look
in the morning when the Sun rises.
Walk along the beach bordered with a green lawn will entice you to go
on a leisurely stroll. At the intersections of this promenade stand
beautifulstatues of Tamil scholars, patriots, and noted personalities.
The Statue ofLabour is a beautiful sculpture depicting the efforts of
a team of laborers who are at strenuous, manual work.
¤ Activities At Marina Beach
Located on the eastern sideof Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal is
the mesmerizing Marina beach.Watching the sun set and rise from the
beach is a fascinating experience.
Bathing and swimming canbe dangerous here, as the undercurrent is very
strong. But still people come for swimming here. The beach also offers
a lot of water sports opportunities, like, para-sailing, gliding,
windsurfing, cruising, etc.
In the evenings, the beach turns into a fair ground with various kinds
of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. One can even shop
around the beach, buying shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit
juices. The Marina, is also the venue for important state functions,
accommodate a good number of visitors. There are also facilities of
pony rides at the beach site, which attract the children'sinterest the
most.
¤ Aquarium
Aquarium is located close to the Marina beach, which has some of the
most exotic collection of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes.
The aquarium offers a chance to have a closer look at the aquatic
life. TheIce House, which was used to store ice brought from Great
Lakes in North America, is south to the Aquarium.
Situated on the beach, good number of visitors everyday.
¤ Attractions Around Marina Beach
Beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Madras,
Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice
House are located on the beach drive. At the other end of the beach is
the new lighthouse. In between, sentinels on the promenade, are
several statues of Tamil scholars and two splendid bits of sculpture-
the Victory of Labour/

NEWS - ~ Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan

China > HK/Taiwan
Torrential rain hits central, southern Taiwan
~
2012-06-12 01:29:33 GMT 2012-06-12 09:29:33(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
~
People on an electric bicycle move on a flooded road in Neipu Town,
Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
Photo taken on June 11, 2012 shows the site of a landslide caused by
torrential rain in Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's
Taiwan. (Xinhua)
A villager walks on a flooded road in Wutai Town, Pingtung County,
southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012. (Xinhua)
People go to a temporary shelter to escape the torrential rain in
Wutai Town, Pingtung County, southeast China's Taiwan, June 11, 2012.
(Xinhua)
The central and southern parts of Taiwan were hit by torrential rains
in recent days. In the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung and Pingtung,
over 2,000 villagers have been evacuated.

My Child's Mistakes

In this article, we will complete the guidelines of behavioral change
to be followed so that we can make a real change in the behavior of
our children, andconvince them to help us make that change.
5- Listen to him attentively.
In order for the adolescent to tell you about what is in his/her mind,
you have to listen to him/her well to the end. By so doing, you would
be able to make an accurate assessment ofthe situation, on the basis
of which you would suitably direct him/her to the right course of
action. You should note that Allaah The Almighty has created two ears
and one mouth for you so you can listen twice as much as you talk.
The skill of listening should be learnt, and there are ways to express
to the adolescent that he is being listened to well, including:
1- To look attentively but not staring in the face of the adolescent.
2- To show understanding of what he is saying, by nodding the head and
employing simple facial expressions showing the emotions, positively
or negatively.
3- To reduce any factors that may interrupt the talk, such as to look
at or engage oneself with something else other than the adolescent, or
getting up to do something and then returning to him, or any similar
action.
Here, the correct understanding of the meaning of the words thechild
or adolescent should be accurately verified, by raising the following
questions which imply attention on the one hand, and confirm the
correct understanding on the other hand:
1- Give me an example to illustrate what you want to say.
2- How do you feel about this situation? What would you like to do?
3- What is the significance of this word/movement/behavior?
4- How important is this incident?
5- Do you have anything else to say?
6- Give him freedom of choice
If you want to get a good outcome from the dialogue, let your child
actually share it with you.
Why do you not give him an opportunity to share his opinion even in
the manner in which he will be punished for his mistake and
negligence?
Areas of choice:
A - The way of solving the problem
B - The amount, kind and duration of punishment
C - The amount and kind of reward, and how it is obtained
D - How to implement your command.
Beware of humiliating the adolescent, or dashing his hopesand
ambitions on the rock of reality. Give the adolescent an opportunity
to dream and try to realize his dream. Help him move forward, and do
not frustrate him. Beware of accusing him of stupidity and lack of
understanding.
To the parents who are"specialized" in ruining hopes and ambitions I
say: Lift your hands from your children. If you do not support them in
their hopes, at least, do not help the devil in ruining them and
destroying their ambitions and dreams.
7- Reward for achievement and punishment for negligence
What is intended here is to teach the adolescent that there is no
action without a corresponding reaction: if he does well, he will be
rewarded; and if he does badly, he will be punished.
Rewarding is to give the adolescent what he likes and wishes for in a
way that is equal to the work he has done. Similarly, the forms of
punishment should be determined, such as to forbid him from something
he likes, punish him with a verbal reproach or corporal punishment
within the due limits of the Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation), look at
him (with a disapproving look), deprive him of some rights especially
those promised to be given to him as areward for achievement.
8- The door is open so come to us (at any time you like)
Since the gate of repentance will remain open until the sun rises from
its place of setting, then, why should we close the gate of atonement
in the face ofour children? Why do we reject their repeated attempts
at reform, but instead hasten to have them lose all hope?
9- Supplication
You should keep in mind that your invocation (of evil) upon your child
is responded to by Allaah The Almighty, as stated inthe Prophetic
Hadeeth (narration). What, then, would the case be if it is a
supplication of good for him? Thus, do not let this opportunity escape
you, but stick to it and persevere instead.
You should have a good assumption of your Lord that He will respond to
you (as confirmed by Him in His Saying what means): {And your Lord
Says: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."} [Quran 40:60]
10- A compassionate paternal touch along with a motivating word
To touch the hair of the head and the face, to kiss, to embracethe
child, and say to him such words as "I want to understand you", "I am
proud of you", "I am here whenever you need me", "Ilove you": and
other such words motivate children to strive their utmost, even though
they cost you nothing.

Syria conflict: Fears of new massacre in Haffa

The US has expressed fears that the Syrian government "may be
organising another massacre" in the town of Haffa in Latakia province,
where UN military observers have been denied access.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was vital that the observers
should be allowed into the town.
He and peace envoy Kofi Annan expressed grave concern about violence there.
A BBC correspondent travelling with UN observers witnessed sustained
and heavy shelling in the old city of Homs.
The UN observers are in Syria to monitor the implementation of a
putative ceasefire, brokered by Mr Annan, which has all but collapsed.
'Civilians trapped'
Annan's six-point plan
1. Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and
concerns ofthe Syrian people
2. End to violence by all sides; army troops to stop using heavy
weapons and withdraw to barracks
3. Parties to allow humanitarian aid
4. Authorities to free political detainees
5. Authorities to ensure freedom of movement for journalists
6. Authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations
"The UN made a particular appeal to be able to get into Haffa because
it had heard concerning reports about regime plans," US state
department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing in
Washington.
"At the same time, if you follow Syrian media, they were claiming that
the opposition would cause a massacre."
Earlier this month, activists said Syrian government forces killed 108
people in the region of Houla, in Homs province, and 78 people in the
village of Qubair, in Hama province.
But Ms Nuland downplayedthe idea of foreign intervention in Syria,
saying the emphasis wouldremain on using political and economic
measures to pressure the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian government blames the violence on foreign-backed armed
terrorist gangs.
In a statement, Mr Annan, joint envoy for the UN and Arab League, said
there were "indications that a large number of civilians are trapped"
in Homs and Haffa.
Later Mr Ban spoke of the"great danger" to civilians under fire.
"The secretary general underlines the importance of unimpeded access
by UNSMIS to Haffa, amid reports of a build-up of government forces
around the town," he said in a statement.
Syrian government helicopter gunships strafedrebel positions in Haffa,
UN observers and human rights activists said.
The BBC's Paul Danahar: "I was watching a mortar land pretty much every minute"
Heavy fighting was also reported in Rastan and Talbisa, north of Homs
city,"with artillery and mortar shelling, as well as firing from
helicopters, machine guns and smaller arms", said a statement from the
UN Supervision Mission in Syria (Unsmis).
A car bomb exploded in thecity of Deir al-Zour, killing 10 people, the
London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, quoting sources
on the ground.
Fighting was also reported in Idlib province.
It is impossible to confirm these reports independently, as Syria
heavily restricts journalists'freedom of movement.
Russia, which supports the Syrian government, called for Iran to take
a role in ending the 15-month old conflict.
Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rejected the idea of
involving Iran, which she accused of "helping to stage-manage the
repression" in Syria.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will travel to Tehran on
Wednesday to discuss the initiative, the foreign ministry said.

What to say during Laylat al-Qadr?

"OMessenger of ALLAH! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was,
then what should I say in it?" The Prophet (PBUH) said.- "Say.-

(Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.)
"O ALLAH You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so
pardon me."

[reported by at-Tirmithi]

I also wish to remind everyone that all difficulties pass, all
troublespass. Hard times don't last, but strong people do! Worry if
you must, but do not fear. Allah is with you. He is The Forgiving, The
Merciful, The Loving, and the Giver of Peace. Call upon Him,
especially during this blessed time. You have no idea how much your
worship at this special time is valued. Morethan any of us can count.
SubhanAllah.

Tips

Fact of life: One woman brings you into this world crying N the other
ensuresyou continue to do so for the rest of your life!
@
If u r married please ignore this msg, for everyone else: Happy Independence Day
@
Marriage is not just a having a wife, but also worries inherited forever.
@
There`s a way of transferring funds that is even faster than
electronicbanking. It`s called marriage
@
Man: Is there any way for long life? Doctor: Get married. Man: Will it
help? Doctor: No, but the thought of long life will never come.
@
Your wedding day is just the start Of a lifetime full of love N fun.
It just beginsas u take ur vows, When the 2 of u r joined as one

HADEES - ~

Immersed in Sweat According to Deeds
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "The people
will sweat on the Day of Resurrection until their sweat penetrates
seventy cubits into the earth, then it will come up to their ears."
[Bukhari]
People's sweat will flow until it drenches the earth, then it will
start to rise until it reaches a height that will vary according to
their actions. For some, their sweat will reach their ankles, for
others it will reach their knees, or their waists, and for some it
will reach their mouths, like reins.
O Allah! Grant us shade under Your Throne that day, when there will be
no other shade.

Letter from a Reader

Salaam brother,
I have been browsing your website for several weeks now, just reading
through various articles. I just felt the need to thank you and let
you know how truly inspiring you are.
The past few months have been a tremendously difficult for me, and
reading your post about heartbreak really uplifted me in a significant
way. Your insight is truly amazing, and reading your work soothes my
pain amazingly well. Your words are further adorned with the truth
about Allah, the Beloved Messenger andthe reality of love and life. It
is truly a gift that you have been blessed with, and may Allah reward
you for sharing it with us.
I pray Allah blesses you with His eternal Love, Mercy and Kindness –
and that He keeps us all on the loving and noble path of the Beloved
Messenger, ourLeader Mustafa, upon him be peace.
Hope you and your daughter Salma are well, and that you are having a
great Ramadan.
Keep me in your prayers. Stay blessed, always!
Wasalaam

Love Can Change the World

Bridges are more beautiful than bombs are
Bridges are more beautiful than bombs.
Listening is louder than a lecture
Listening is louder than a shout
But Love – Love can changethe world.
Oh do we still believe that
Love – Love can change theworld.
An open hand is stronger than a fist is
An open hand is stronger than a fist
Wonder is more valuable than Wall Street
Wonder is more valuable than gold.
Repeat chorus
May we never stop this dreaming
Of a better world
May we never stop believing
In the impossible.

Letting Go of Material Illusions

As infants, our first seeming victory is being able to grasp – a
finger, a toy, or anything bright. Only later do we realize that the
dunya (the material world) is constantly grasping at us, trying to get
us to buy, eat,feel, possess, own. Forces of greed are trying to get
us to pour our souls down the drain of disposable consumerism, and
poison our planet in the process.
Believers realize at that point that the real struggleis to give up
our love for material things, and let go. To take what we need,
andenjoy the simple pleasures,and not let ourselves be corrupted by
waste.
Doesn't Allah say that the wasters are the brothers ofthe devils?
"And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the
traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are
brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord
ungrateful." (Quran, Al-Israa' 17: 26-27)
Modern society, and Western society in particular, is based on waste.
Everything is disposable, everything is plastic, everything is
buriedin landfills where it seeps into the drinking water, or dumped
into the ocean where it poisons the marine ecosystem. Knowing this,
how are we to regard modern society in view of Allah's statment that
the wasters are the brothers of the devils? And what is our role in
this massive assault on planet earth?
Things are not always as they seem. Consumerism is a spiritual desert,
and the happiness that we think will come from buying this,or owning
that, is a mirage.Buying the latest flat screen TV or data phone will
not make us happy. Owning a McMansion in thesuburbs will not bring us
inner peace. Having a pile of money in the bank will not bring us
closer to Allah,or save our souls, or extendour lives one moment
beyond what has been written, regardless of our insurance plans. In
fact, all those things are balls and chains that bind ours soul and
create stress and worry.
The Messenger of Allah (sws), is reported to have said, "That which is
little yet sufficient is better than that which is much and diverts
man from his goal as a result."
What is the goal? It is the worship of Allah, working
fee-sabeel-illah, and the ultimate goal of Jannah. In the Bible, Jesus
(peace be upon him) asks, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
gain the whole world,and lose his own soul?" If you own the most
beautiful furniture, the most expensive clothing, and the coolest
cars, yet you fail in your mission of achieving Jannah, then what have
you achieved? You have ruined yourself.
Let go of these material illusions. We're not infants anymore, trying
to grab any pretty thing and put it in our mouths. We can think
critically. The "reality"that is flashed in our eyes athousand times a
day by commercials, billboards, movies and TV is a lie. See things as
they are. All that matters is Allah. Above all is Allah. Success lies
in our relationship with Allah. Peace and happiness come from being in
harmony with Allah's teachings, which in turn brings us in harmony
with all creation.
Buy less, own less, don't use disposable products, don't throw away
things that can be repaired, re-sold or donated. Hand things down,
pass them on.The best fun is free: playing sports or word games with
your children, walking in the park, swimming at the beach or the
public pool, enjoying tea with friends. Don't worry about owning the
latest gadget. Forget aboutbrand names. The only brands we need are
Muslim, Mu'min, Ummah, Deen. Keep your eyes open,think for yourself,
and don't be fooled by bright illusions.

BLESSED OLIVE TREE

`Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said:
"Eat olive oil and apply it (as lotion) for it comes from a blessed tree".
Moreover, the olive tree and its oil are mentioned inthe Glorious
Qur'an seven times. Allah, the Almighty swears by the figs and the
olives,
"By the fig, and the olive"
Surat At-Tin (The Fig): 1.
Allah, Glorified be He also referred to the olive tree insurat
Al-Mu'minun (the Believers):
"And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that
grows(produces) oil , and (it is a) relish for the eaters."
Surat Al-Mu'minun (The Believers): 20
The oil mentioned in the verse is olive oil. This same tree is praised
by Allah in a third verse:
"… lit from a blessed tree , an olive , neither of the east (i.e.
neither gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of the west (i.e. nor
it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun
all day long), whose oil wouldalmost glow forth (of itself), though no
fire touched it."
Surat An-Nur (The Light): 35
Explanation of the Hadith
The Olive Tree is an evergreen tree, which has ahigh tolerance of
dryness. It is a perennial plant that might live even for more than
1000 years. The cultivated olive (Olea europaea) is grown throughout
the eastern Mediterranean region and in other parts of the world that
have Mediterranean-t ype climates especially in Asia and Africa. The
olive tree has been known since the times of the most ancient
civilizations as one of the most important oil producing plants.
It has been proven lately that the amount of fatty acids in olive oil
is very lowand that it only contains unsaturated fats. That is why it
is considered very healthy, as it is free of the substances that lead
to arteriosclerosi s and even tothe occlusion of the arteries. Through
an accurate survey it has beenfound that eating olive oil regularly
helps protect the body from many diseases including the occlusion of
the coronary arteries, the increase in the ratio of harmful fats in
the blood, the increase in blood pressure, diabetes, some carcinogenic
diseases (e.g. cancer of the stomach, the colon, the breast, the
uterus and the skin), in addition to protection fromulcers of the
digestive system.
One of the main body fats is "Cholesterol", a white crystalline fat
which is present in high amounts in the brain, the spinal cord and the
liver. It is normally synthesized in the liver, theintestine and the
skin, and is important as a mediator in many vital processes. The most
important one of these processes is the synthesis of vitamin E and
many other hormones. Nevertheless, eating excessive amounts of fatty
animal meat, may lead to increasing the level of cholesterol in the
body. Part of this cholesterol will pass to the blood forming a fat
globule that may leadto the obstruction or occlusion of the blood
vessels, and may consequently lead to arteriosclerosi s.
It is well known that the oxidation of cholesterol is one of the
factors that helpaccelerate the hardening ofthe arteries and their
consequent narrowing. It has lately been discovered that olive oil
plays an important role in preventing this oxidation process from
occurring, as it contains vitamin E and other Polyphenolic Compounds,
which inhibit the auto-oxidation of the oil. It also prohibits the
oxidation of harmful cholesterol known as LDL (Low-density
lipoprotein), and purifies the body from the dangers of the Lipid
Peroxides as well as the dangers of other harmful substances.
Therefore, eating olive oil regularly helps lower the total ration of
cholesterol in the blood generally, and reduces the ratio of the
harmful types of cholesterol in particular. The low cancer rate, which
is detected in the Mediterranean region, is attributed to the fact
that the inhabitants of this region regularly have largeamounts of
olives and oliveoil (especially the raw one produced from the first
squeezing process and free from any chemical treatment).
Olive oil is a yellow liquid, rich in Oleic Acids, used in cooking and
as a salad dressing. It is also used in producing many
medicines,medical ointments, hair oilsand soaps. Moreover, because of
its ability, it produces a clear flame when ignited. Olive oil was
used in lighting lamps, especially in large mosquessuch as Aqsa
Mosque, we pray Allah, the Almighty, tohelp us set it free from the
debauchery of the Jews.
In addition to the above-mentioned healthy advantages of the olive
tree and its oil, olives constitute a relish for eaters, a nourishing
food, and an appetizer, and they could be stored through preservation
in salt, which increases their economic value.

Sufism or taṣawwuf

practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a ṣūfī (صُوفِيّ).
Classical Sufi scholars have defined Sufism as "a science whose
objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all
else but God". [ 4 ] Alternatively, in the words of the Darqawi Sufi
teacher
Ahmad ibn Ajiba , "a science through which one can know how to travel
into the presence of the Divine , purify one's inner self from filth,
and beautify it with a variety of praiseworthy traits". [ 5 ]
Classical Sufis were characterised by their attachment to dhikr (a
practice of repeating the names of God) and asceticism . Sufism gained
adherents among a number of Muslims as a reaction against the
worldliness of the early Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE [ 6 ] ). Sufis
have spanned several continents and cultures over a millennium, at
first expressed through Arabic, then through Persian, Turkish and a
dozen other languages. [ 7 ] "Orders" ( ṭuruq ), which are either
Sunnī or Shī'ī or mixed [ 8 ] in doctrine, trace many of theiroriginal
precepts from the Islamic Prophet Muhammad through his cousin 'Alī ,
with thenotable exception of the Naqshbandi who trace their origins
through the first Caliph , Abu Bakr . [ 9 ] Other exclusive schools of
Sufism describe themselves as distinctly Sufi. [ 10 ] Modern Sufis
often perform dhikr
after the conclusion of prayers. [ 11 ]
Some mainstream scholars of Islam define sufism as simply the name for
the inner or esoteric dimension of Islam. [ 1 ] René Guénon in
Insights into Islamic Esoterism and Taoism (Sophia Perennis 2003)
contended that Sufism was the esoteric aspect of Islam supported and
complemented by exoteric practices and Islamic law. However,
accordingto Idries Shah , the Sufi philosophy is universal in nature,
its roots predating the rise of Islam and the other modern-day
religions, save for perhaps
Buddhism and Jainism ; likewise,some Muslims consider Sufism outside
the sphere of Islam. [ 1 ] [ 12 ]

Ruling on eating fromthe husband's ill-gotten gains

Question
I have two sisters; the husband of one of them works as a driver at a
bank while the other works in the maintenance department at a hotel
that serves wine. My two sistersrefrain from eating from the money of
their husbands. Is the work of their husbands, and their gains,
unlawful? Do they (my sisters) have the right to do so? If yes, is it
permissible for me to give them some of my money from Zakaah
(obligatory charity) to eat from?
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 Slaveand Messenger.
First of all, we would like to thank your sisters for their keenness
to free their liability and eat from lawfully earned sustenance. The
earnings ofthese two husbands are ill-gotten gains. The one who works
as a driver at a bank is worse than the other one as Riba (usury)
isworse than intoxicants andthe driver carries the Riba-based
contracts and other things and takes his salary from the bank in
return for doing this. As for the other man who works at the
maintenance department of a hotel that serves intoxicants, his gain is
suspected and he will bear a sin as his work is part of preparing this
place.
To conclude, these two jobs are counted among the ill-gotten gains.
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
· {O you who have believed,eat from the good things which We have
provided for you} [Quran 2:172]
· {and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them
the evil} [Quran 7:157]
They are also cooperating in sin and aggression. Allaah The Almighty
Says (what means): {but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.}
[Quran 5:2]
We should all fear Allaah asmuch as we can. Allaah TheAlmighty Says
(what means): {And whoever fears Allaah - He will make for him a way
out} [Quran 65:2]
In fact, the one who sincerely seeks lawfully earned sustenance will
be guided by Allaah The Almighty to find it.
If they do not accept the advice and continue with their work, and
your sistersneed money to buy food and the like, you might paythem
what is sufficient for them from the Zakaah that is due on your
property.
Allaah Knows best/

Her husband forces her to live in the same house with his brother

Question
My question is my husbandis forcing me to stay with his married
brother ,I had told him about the hadiths mentioning that "brother in
law is death" living together may cause many problems,but he doesnt
seems to listen,he says thatI just have to maintain my Hijab thats
all.Wht can I do?since his wife is also a nonmehram to him that will
be a probs.As a muslimwomen I dont get my rights from my husband,he
doesnt agrees to the rights of women in Islam.Please advise.
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 slaveand Messenger.
It is your right as a wife to get a separate accommodation where
youwould be safe from any harm and where you would not be embarrassed.
Besides, it is not permissible for you to obeyyour husband in dwelling
with your brother-in-law inthe same house whose amenities are not
separate,where his brother could see you (without Hijaab) orbe in
seclusion with you, orwhere there is any other matter that might lead
to temptation.
Even if we presume that you can take the necessary measures to avoid
these prohibitions and always wear Hijaab, then this may cause much
hardship to you. So, your husband has no right to oblige you to live
in such a situation. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 84608 .
Based on this, it is permissible for the wife to ask for divorce as a
way of repelling harm off herself ifher husband does not provide her
with an accommodation that is Islamically acceptable.
There is no doubt that yourhusband is also obliged to abide by the
Islamic conditions in dealing with the wife of his brother as she is a
non-Mahram to him. Therefore, we warn against being lenient in such
kind of dealings within one family as this is one of the major reasons
ofcorruption. The Hadeeth that is mentioned in the question which
reads 'the male in-law is death itself' is the best evidence in this
regard. The text of the Hadeeth is as follows: Uqbah Ibn 'Aamer
narrated that the Prophet said: " Beware of entering upon women"; a
man from the Ansaar asked: 'O Messenger of Allaah, what do you say
about the male in-law (the woman's husband's male relative like his
brother, uncle, cousin, etc.)?' He replied: "He is death itself (i.e.
his seclusion with her is as serious and dangerousas death) . "
[Bukhaari and Muslim] For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 154373 .
As regards what you mentioned about your husband that he does not
agree with the women's rights in Islam, then this needs more
clarification [aswe do not know exactly what you mean] For general
information in this regard, please refer to Fataawa 81205 and 88304 .
Allaah Knows best./

A ‘New Look’ for the Spirit

'New look' is a widespread term today. It is mainly concerned with the
outward appearance and how to change it.
However, it seldom refers to deeds and actions whichenable both the
woman and the man to create a new look for their lives by viewing life
from a new perspective. Renewing the appearance is desirable and
important; however, it should be done in a positive way. We need a new
look for the spirit first to cast splendor and light on the outward
appearance.
Actors' Innovation
Marwah Muhammad Ahmad, a translator, says, "Change is a basic feature
in man's life, for permanence is only for Allaah The Exalted. Hence,
man always tries to make changes in his life, including his
appearance. Change of appearance has usually been known as 'fashion',
which differs fromone year to another. Today,however, a new name and
style of change, which is called the 'New Look', has emerged. It was
originally invented by actors and artists. It seems to express their
desire to combat boredom and renew their youth, as they say. To them,
this New Look means a change in the color of hair and hairstyle, the
color of complexion as well as the style of dressing." She further
said, "Nowadays, the youth are afflicted with blind imitation and seek
to have a new character through the New Look that is restricted to
external change. I do not know howthe external change can have a
significant effect on life. It is the internal change that lasts and
is more beneficial. Hence, the concept of a New Look should be viewed
differently in a way that makes the change related, for example, to
one's lifestyle and way of treating others."
Saamiyah Sayyid, a working woman, says, "TheNew Look has spread widely
among artists recently. There is an artist who is over sixty years old
but looks as if he were onlytwenty. This is, of course, only in his
appearance as the organs of the body experience no renovation, for
Allaah The Exalted wants man to experience that stage, and this is the
norm of life. Man should enjoy every stage of his lifewithin the
limits of what Allaah The Almighty destined for him of childhood,
youth and old age."
The Need for Renewal
Sawsan Bahaa', a BA in Instantaneous Translation, says that the
definition of 'New Look' is to have a new appearance. In this context,
renewing one's appearance is desirable and preferred from time to
time.
As mankind is keen on possessing new things, he is also happy to renew
and change his feelings from sadness to happiness and to experience
different feelings when shifting fromone stage of life to another. It
is like his feelingwhenever he undergoes a new experience, meets new
people or visits new places. Thus, renewal is considered a permanent
and necessary need for every person to drive him/her forward.
However,some people may exaggerate in seeking a new look or a new
appearance. The desire for renewal may prompt one to seek an
eye-catching appearance even if this appearance contradicts the
general taste or customs ofthe society or even the teachings of one's
religion.
This reveals the importanceof caution and wisdom when choosing new
things to avoid the diminution of one's credit of esteem and
admiration in people's eyes, which might be caused by an unrestrained
pursuit of new things. Caution and wisdom also help one maintain the
features which distinguish his character. Therefore, there must be
balance between one's desire and what he has to achieve of the noble
objectives which please him when he fulfills them.
Heba Salaah, a university lecturer, confirms that the New Look is a
widespread phenomenon that focuses on one's outward appearance, and
that is why scholars of religion must be consulted first whether this
is lawful or not before changing one's shape and appearance.
'Ula 'Abdul-Ghani 'Ali, a government employee, says, "There is
something that has a close meaning tothe New Look; which is changing
one's features by having cosmetic surgery which gives the person a new
appearance and features like changing the size of the nose or the
mouth. The other, more distant, meaning of the New Look refers to the
person's direction towards new thought that springs from the person
himself as he wants to change his character with respect to his views
and principles in life. Sometimes, one's views change when he leaves
his place of residence and meets new people with whom he did not deal
before. One may experience some crises which polish his character and
make it stronger and firmer.
"However, many people donot prefer to make outward changes in their
appearance. They prefer to keep the appearance with which Allaah The
Almighty created them. Also, it is difficult to change the character
of some people regardless of the external effects to which they are
exposed."

HADEES :- ~

Salam alaikum, I have read this story on a website andwould like to
know, if this story is known and authentic? 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, radi
Allahu anhu, said that a man cameto his house to complain about his
wife. On reachingthe door of his house, he hears 'Umar's wife shouting
at him and reviling him. Seeing this, hewas about to go back, thinking
that 'Umar himselfwas in the same position and, therefore, could
hardlysuggest any solution for hisproblem. 'Umar, radi Allahuanhu, saw
the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of
his visit. He saidthat he had come with a complaint against his wife,
but turned back on seeing the Caliph in the same position. 'Umar, radi
Allhu anhu, told him that he tolerated the excesses of his wife for
she had certain rights against him. He said,"Is it not true that she
prepares food for me, washes clothes for me and suckles my children,
thus saving me the expense of employing a cook, a washerwoman and a
nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do any of these
things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am kept away
from indecent acts on account ofher. I therefore tolerate all her
excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should
also adopt the same attitude." (Quoted in Role of Muslim Women in
Society: Afzular Rahman, page 149)