15 distinct regions identified in Antarctica

Scientists have identified 15 distinct regions of Antarctica and its
near-shore islands, based on the geography, geology, climate, flora
and fauna of the ice-free areas, including the biologically distinct
Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions.
Australian Antarctic Division terrestrial biologist Aleks Terauds, who
led the study, said thisis the first time a continent-wide
assessmentof the biogeography of Antarctica has been made using all of
the available biodiversity data.
"The new research amalgamated 38,000 terrestrial records, including
the diverse biology such as microbes, invertebrates and plants.
Itrevealed a complex ecosystem which can be divided into 15 very
distinct and potentially delicate biogeographic regions which are
characterised by different climates, landscapes and species," Terauds
said.
"Previously terrestrial Antarctica has been dividedinto two main areas
based on aspects like geography geology or specific types
ofbiodiversity," Terauds said, Diversity and Distribution Journal
reports.
Introduced species are identified as one of the biggest threats to the
Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in a warming climate,
according to an Australian Antarctic statement.
"With about 40,000 peoplevisiting Antarctica over a summer, as
tourists, scientists or station support personnel, there's the
potential that more species will be accidentally transferred to and
within Antarctica."
"While quarantine procedures are already in place for
inter-continental travel, such as cleaning clothing and equipment
before arriving in Antarctica, there are less biosecurity measures for
intra-continental movement," he said.
"The Antarctic ConservationBiogeographic Regions represent an
important basis for biosecurity measures to manage the risk of
species, including species native to Antarctica, being transferred
from one biogeographic zone to another."
Terauds presented the newresearch at the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research lecture at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative
Meeting in Hobart, Australia.

Eid greatings

No shadows to depress u, Only joys to surround u, God himself to bless
u, these r my wishes for u, today, tomorrow, and every day. Eid
Mubarak.
=
The moon has been sighted, samosas are ready. EID is here, so just go
steady. Lots of dua's is all I request & I wish you all the BEST. 'Eid
Mubarak'
=
Do you know the Meaning of EID? I think it means 'ENJOY in DUNIYA!!'
So, In your life all moments bring EID for you.... Wish You...EID
MUBARAK.
=
Aaj se Amiri Garibi ka fasle na rahe,Har Insaan ek dujeko apna bhai
kahe, Aaj sabkuch bhool kar aa gale lag ja, Mubarak ho tuje ye EID ka
tyohaar.

The Supplication andAl-Qadar

There is one group that perceives this question to be valid and so
they have abandoned the supplication and are of theview that there is
no benefit in doing it. These people, along with their excessive
ignorance and misguidance are in clear contradiction, for if we were
to follow their opinion, it would require us to reject all the
different means for attaining something (desired).
So it can be said to one of them:
If satisfying your appetite and quenching your thirst were already
decreed for you, then there is no doubt that they are going to come to
pass, whether you eat and drink or you don't. And if they were
notdecreed for you, they will not come to pass, whetheryou eat and
drink or you don't.
And likewise, if a child were decreed for you, then you will
definitely receive it, whether you have sexual intercourse with your
wife or you don't. And if that was not decreed for you, then it will
not come to pass. Thus there is no need for marrying, having sexual
relations and so on and so forth.
Who says such a statement? Is it one possessing common sense or a
beast? Rather, even the animal has a natural inclination (fitrah)
towardsseeking the means of attaining something (desired), which (for
example) will give it sustenance and livelihood.So the animals have
more common sense and possess more understanding than these types of
people who are like cattle – nay, far worse!
Some of them try to be clever and say:
Preoccupying oneself withsupplication falls into the realm of worship
solely – Allaah will reward the onesupplicating, without that having
an effect on what he is asking for in any way. According to this type
of person, there is no difference between supplicating and
refrainingfrom supplicating by heartand tongue, with regard to that
having an effect onattaining what is being asked for. And according to
them, the relation of the supplication to it (what is being asked for)
islike its relation with silence. There is no difference between them.
Another group, more slick than this one says:
Rather, the supplication is a sign, which Allaah displays as a symbol
that amatter has been carried out. So when Allaah grantshis servant
the ability to supplicate, it is a sign and a symbol that the matter
he was requesting has been carried out. This is just as if one were to
see afrigid black cloud during the winter season. It is a sign and an
implicationthat it will rain.
They say: Similarly is enacting good deeds with respect to reward, and
committing disbelief and sins with respect to punishment – they are
pure signs for the occurrence of (either) reward or punishment – not
means (by which the result will be attained).
Likewise, according to them, with the matters of breaking, kindling
and destroying – none of thesethings serves as a means for the
occurrence (result) of a wreck, fire and death, respectively. Nor is
there any connection between those things and what results from them,
other than the fact that they are normally paired together – not that
one is caused due to the means of the other!
They have contradicted perceptual observation and common sense with
this opinion, as well as revelation and fitrah (natural inclination),
not tomention all of the other intellectual groups. Rather,those with
intellects laughat them!
The correct view: There is a third category, apart from those
mentioned by the questioner. And it is that the decreed result is
preordained along with itsproper means, which lead to its occurrence.
One of these means is the supplication. It is not preordained just
like that, without any means (leading to its occurrence), rather it is
preordained along with its proper means (which will ensure its
occurrence). So when a person comes across the means, the decreed
matterwill come to pass. And if he does not come across those means,
the decreed matter is denied.
So satisfying one's appetite and quenching one's thirst are
preordained with (the means of) eating and drinking. Children are
preordained with (the means of) sexual intercourse. Harvesting crops
is preordained with (the means of) planting and, the withdrawal of
thesoul from an animal is decreed with slaughter. Likewise, entrance
into Paradise is preordained with (good) deeds, while entrance into
the Hellfire is preordained with (bad) deeds.
This category is the true one. And it is the one that the questioner
has been deprived of and not granted.

Can Dua Change Qadar?

Question:
Dear scholars, As-Salamu`alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. I know
that belief in the Qadar (Divine predestination) is a prerequisite for
sound faith. However, I'dlike to know if there is any conflict between
theQadar and Du`a'? How can the Du`a' influence one's Qadar, which is
already predetermined by Allah, Most High. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
Answer:
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be
upon His Messenger.
Dear brother in Islam, we really thank you for showing keenness on
learning the teachings of Islam, and we appreciate the great
confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts meet your expectations.
In Islam Du`a' is the essence of worship as stated in an authentic
Hadith. Qadar (Divine predestination) is a pillar of faith in Allah,
as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned when asked
byAngel Jibril (Gabriel), peacebe upon him, about Iman (faith),
saying: "It is to believe in Allah, His angels,His Books, His
Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in Divine predestination,
both the good and the evil thereof."(Reported by Muslim)
The eminent Muslim scholar, Dr. `Atiyyah `A. Lashin, Professor of
Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University, states:
"Qadar, or Divine predestination is of two kinds:
1. Unconditional predestination
2. Conditional predestination.
Du`a' has nothing to do with the first kind, while itmay change the
second one. This ruling is based on the Hadith that reads:"Nothing
could change theQadar except Du`a'."
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, Hadith no. 277; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Vol. 3,
Hadith no. 139; and classified as Hasan (good) Hadith by Al-Abaani in
Sahih Al-Jami`, Hadith no. 7687)"
Shedding more light on this issue, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi , former
president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and member of
the Fiqh Council of North America, answers:
"Du`a' has great power; it can change many things. We should always
pray to Almighty Allah and should never give up hope in the acceptance
of Du`a'. Du`a' is the most important act of worship. It does not mean
that we or any other human or jinn have power, but it means that
Allah, the Almighty, has power and He can do whatever He wills. Du`a'
is the recognition and acknowledgement of our dependence upon Allah,
Most High, and our deep faith that He can change anything. There are
many verses in the Qur'an and many Hadiths that emphasize the
importanceand necessity of Du`a'. TheProphet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said, "Du`a' benefits in the things that have happened as
well as the things that have not happened yet. The calamity comes
down, but the Du`a' confronts itand they may continuously wrestle
until the Day of Resurrection." (Reported by Al-Hakim.)
In another Hadith, it is reported that the Prophet,peace and blessings
be upon him, said, "Nothing can change the Qadar except the Du`a'…"
This Hadith is reported by several authorities on Hadith, such as Imam
Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, Al-Hakim, and Ibn Majah… etc. Most of the scholars
ofHadith consider it an acceptable Hadith.
There is no contradiction between our faith in the power of Du`a' to
Allah and in our belief in the Qada' and Qadar of Allah. Scholars have
explained that there are two types of Qada' (Allah's Decrees):
a. those that are known asQada' Mubram (absolute decrees);
b. and those that are known as Qada' Mu`allaq (conditional decrees).
The absolute decrees do not change, but the conditional one may change
if and when the conditions are fulfilled. Such decrees are based on
the fulfillment of causes, as well as Du`a'. However, it is important
to keep in mind that every thing is inthe pre-existent knowledge of
Almighty Allah. The knowledge of Allah, Most High, does not change,
but the conditional decrees may change. Allah Almighty says in the
Qur'an: "Allah effaceth what He will, and establisheth (what He will),
and with Him is the source of ordinance." (Ar-Ra`d: 39)/

HADEES - ~

Narrated Anas bin Malik (R.A):
The Prophet (PBUH) said, If supper is served and the Iqamath for
(Isha) prayer isproclaimed, start with you supper first."
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 65, Number 373/

The main causes of liver damage

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives,food coloring, and
artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking
oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like
olive oil. Do not consume fried foodswhen you are tired, except if the
body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to theburden of liver.
Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.We
should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to
adopt a good daily lifestyle and eatinghabits. Maintaining good eating
habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb
and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

When You Forgive, You Live

Forgiveness is not for the weak.Being able to forgive those whohave
wronged you is a mark of spiritual strength and confidence. When you
forgive, you grow, your heart begins to heal, your back straightens
up, your eyes clear so that you can see the road ahead. Anger is a
spiritual sickness; but when youforgive you live.
I know this isn't easy. In an earlier article I mentioned my time in
Fort Worth. There was one particular person there who treated me quite
badly. It's very difficult for me to hold an image of that person in
my mind and say, "I forgive you." It's almost frightening in some
strange way. But in doing it, I feel something in my chest let go, and
I find tears in my eyes, and a smile on my face. SubhanAllah.
It doesn't matter if the other person deserves forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. If someone has hurt you,
don't worry about receiving an apology or explanation, or making them
understand you. You'll rarely getan explanation that makes sense. In
fact, if you want to move on, the best way to do that is to forgive.
Resentment is a chain that binds you to the other person, but
forgiveness breaks the chain, so that you can release that person
along your anger.
Not to mention, as the poet Oscar Wilde said, "Always forgive your
enemies – nothing annoys them so much."
In ancient Chinese thought, the state of forgiveness is like a wide,
deep valley. That's because it opens your mind andallows your thoughts
to flow freely, while anger constricts your mind and makes you blind.
"Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the
ignorant." (Qur'an, 7: 199)
In other words be constantly forgiving but don't give up
yourprinciples ("command what is right"). If you've forgiven the
ignorant and they persist in their hurtful ways, then move on and
leave them behind. Separate yourself from those who are negative, and
seek the company of people who are supportive and kind. Hold no
rancor. When you lay your head on the pillow, sleep in peace, and
you'll wake with tranquility.
I admit that I'm working on this.It's easy to say, "I forgive you."
The hard part is getting to a place where my heart is clear, where I
have no resentment or fear. At times I hold conflicting emotions: I
might love someone, but mistrust them. I think I should take a lesson
from my daughter Salma. I makemistakes with her, but her love flows
like a mountain stream. No one forgives with more grace than a child,
and no one forgives more fully than God.

Surely in Allah’s remembrance do the hearts find peace

True peace comes with remembering Allah and growing closer to Him
When we remember God, we also realize that we are constantly in His
presence, and thus we are liberated from the self-destructive habits
that consume us.
So often in life we are wronged by others, and the temptation
torespond in a demeaning and un-Islamic manner is very strong.
Fortunately, we can avoid wrong responses in the case of mistreatment
by relying on Allah and knowing that He is the All-Knowing. When we
take part in wrong responses, we fallvictim to disobediences that lead
the soul away from righteousness, and into the pits of retaliation and
cruelty.
"Surely in Allah's remembrance do the hearts find peace." (13:28)
Those who seek God and remember Him will find contentment and joy in
their lives with the knowledge that they are under the protection
ofAllah. When we utter praise to the Almighty and thank Him for his
countless bounties, our hearts are filled with inner peace and
reflection. How happy and blessed are those who seek refuge in their
Lord, the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful Allah.

Eating fruits and vegetables: Washing and cutting

Tips for handling fruits and vegetables
1. First of all, before handling any food wash your hands for twenty
seconds with soap and water.
2. Before cutting or eating, wash all food thoroughly under running
water. There is no need to use any soap,detergent or chlorine
forwashing as they leave residues of their own and are avoidable.
Sturdy foods like cucumbers and melons can be scrubbed with a
scrubbing brush.
3. Wash the chopping board and knife thoroughly after using it for
meat, poultry and seafood if the same board will be used for cutting
fruits and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
4. Even if you intend to discard the outer covering, for example in
case of a cucumber, it is advisable to wash first as dirt and bacteria
present on it may get transferred to the knife and consequently to the
inside.
5. After growing sprouts store in the fridge in a covered container.
Before eating steam or lightly cook the sprouts. This has two
advantages: they are easier to digest and the heat kills any bacteria
lurking in them.
6. To prevent apples, pears and bananas from turning brown after
cutting, coat them with an acidic juice from pineapple, lemon or
orange. Alternatively mix these fruits with acidic ones in case of a
fruit salad, as they'll keep them from changing colour.
7. Cut fruits as close to serving time as possible. After cutting,
cover with cling wrap and put it in the refrigerator. It is important
to cover themwith cling wrap to prevent them from taking on the odour
of other food in the fridge.
8. Remove the outer leavesof cabbage and lettuce before chopping them.
9. Cut out any overripe parts of the fruit or vegetable before washing
and handling.
10. Use a salad spinner to remove excess water from your greens, pop
them in the spinner after washing each leaf thoroughly under tap
water. Any excess water can be dabbed atwith a clean towel or kitchen
roll. This is important while preparing a salad with greens. If water
is present the dressing slides off the greens and collects in the
bottom of the bowl.
11. A melon baller is a handy implement. Use it to core apples and
pears, remove the seeds from papayas and kiwi and remove the seeds and
pulp from capsicum.
12. Many bagged foods arepre-washed. If the labelon the packet
mentionsthat it is pre-washed, there is no need to wash it again at
home.
13. Some fruits like apples have a waxy coat on them for a longer
shelf life and to enhance their appearance. This coat can be removed
by scraping with a knife or dipping the fruit in a solution of
potassium permanganate or warm salt water.
14. Berries and grapes are often sprayed with a lot of pesticides.
Soak them in warm salt water for 5 minutes and then hold them under
running water. Allow the excess water to drain in a colander.

Islamic Article :-

Surah Al Baqarah (2) verse 185:
"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide
to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between
right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home)
during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill,
or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days
later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put
to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and
to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be
grateful. " [ 2:185 ]
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 2 :
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of
the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils
are chained."
Listen to this Dua'a:
Transliteration: (how it sounds)
Wa-i th q a la ibr a heemurabbi ijAAal h atha baladan a minan wa o
rzuqahlahu mina a l ththamar ati man a mana minhumbi A ll a hi wa a
lyawmi al- a khiri q a lawaman kafara faomattiAAuhu qaleelan thumma a
dt arruhu il a AAa tha bi a l nn a ri wabi/saalmaseer
Meaning:
And remember Abraham said:"My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and
feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the
Last Day." He said:"(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will
I grant them their pleasure, but will soondrive them to the torment of
Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" [ 2:126 ]
Name of Allaah
AL-KHAFIZ
(The Abaser)

What Everyone Should Know About Shariah

The newest buzzword these days is 'Shariah.' As several states
scramble to pass legislation to outlaw Shariah, a hyped fear and
persistent confusion surrounds this loaded term. Most people who speak
passionately against Shariah do not, in reality, understand it and
often reduce it to merely a penal code. This introduction describes
the universal principles of Shariah and itsholistic approach. It
furtherhighlights misconceptions about Shariah in order to address the
concerns currently surrounding this topic.
Shariah is an integral part of Islam. It is often defined as 'Islamic
law,' causing one to assume that it consists mostly of criminal
rulings and penalties. However, Shariah encompasses much more than the
conventional understanding of law. While Shariah provides the legal
framework for the foundation and functioningof a society, it also
details moral, ethical, social and political codes of conduct for
Muslims at an individual and collective level.
Islam is a faith that every prophet sent by God preached to his
people, culminating in the message brought by the final prophet,
Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), in the 7th century in Arabia.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) called people towards the belief in one God
and encouragedthem to be just and compassionate to one another. In
Islam's holy book, the Quran (also spelled 'Koran'), God explains that
he sent Muhammad (pbuh) as a source of mercy for humanity: "And We
have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds."
(21: 107)
His mandate for mercy is symbolic of the overall message of Islam. The
Quran states, "O mankind! There hath come to you a direction from your
Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those
who believe, a guidance and a Mercy." (10:57)
In the same spirit, the essence of Shariah is also characterized by
mercy andcompassion. The very purpose of Shariah is to facilitate the
individual andthe community to establisha relationship with God and
one another. Its rules and regulations are designed to benefit and
protect all members of the society. God declares in theQuran, "O you
who believe!Stand out firmly for justice,as witnesses to Allah, even
as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin…"(4:135)
According to Ibn al-Qayyim(d. 1350), one of the great scholars, "The
Shariah in itsentirety is justice, mercy and benefit. So any issue
that leads from justice to injustice, or mercy to its opposite, or
benefit to harm, then it is not from the Shariah, even if someone
thought that it is."
Mercy and compassion are the essence of Shariah, which is designed to
protect all members of society and to improve the condition of
humanity. It isreported that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "Show
mercy to those on earth, so that He who is in the Heavens (God) will
show mercy to you."
Shariah is an Arabic word that literally means a 'vast road leading to
an uninterrupted source of water.' Figuratively, it refers to a clear,
straight path, as mentioned in the following Quranic verse: "Then We
put you, [O Muhammad], on a straight way concerning the matter[of
religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those
who do not know." (45:18) Hence, Shariah is the practical guidance
Muslims live by. It is rooted in the divine teachings of Islam and
relates to all aspects oflife. Its collective aim is to facilitate
justice and benefit for humanity in thislife and the hereafter.
Shariah is derived from thescholarly study of Islamic texts. These
texts include the final revelation from God (Quran) and the recorded
teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Sunnah) which are timeless and of
divine origin. However, scholars derive specific rulings from the
revealed texts by usinghuman effort and interpretation, taking into
account the surrounding context. As such, Shariah relies on scholarly
consensus, legal analogy, and interpretive reasoning in deciding
rulings. Hence, there are areas of Shariah where the scholars
unanimously agree due to clearly defined evidence and areas where
disagreements exist. This flexibility enables Shariah to maintain its
applicabilityand relevance in the light of changing social,
cultural,and historical circumstances, while remaining faithful to the
guiding principles of Shariah and its core objectives.
Objectives of Shariah
To fulfill its intrinsic goal ofachieving benefit and justice, Shariah
sets forth certain timeless principles, which deal with the necessary,
supplementary, and voluntary realms of human lived experience.

Success in My Own Room

When I woke up this morning I asked myself:
"What are some of the secrets of success in life?"
I found the answer right there in my very room:
The fan said : Be cool.
The roof said : Aim high.
The window said : See the world.
The clock said : Every minute is precious.
The mirror said : Reflect before you act.
The door said : Push hard for your goals.
And finally, the carpet said :Kneel down and pray.

STORY - ~ It is not just all work at DU

With just days to go beforethe last date for submission of admission
forms, these girls brave theheat filling up their forms at Delhi
University on Wednesday. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Many colleges offer a number of extra-curricular activities
Can you count the number of times you have heard the words "Delhi
University" and "90 per cent" together? Most people in the age bracket
of 17 years and 19 years applying for admissions cannot.
These people also feel the school they just left behindwith its
super-competitive basketball games, even more competitive choir
competitions and umpteenother activities that once defined their whole
existence, is lost forever. They are wrong.
"We have the debating society, the English literary society, the fine
arts society, the hiking club, thephotography society, the wildlife
society and a history society among many others. All these societies
have a staff advisor and the remaining members are students," said St.
Stephen's College teacher Karen Gabrielle.
She added that their winter fest, their annual Shakespeare stage
production and the annual music competition was something the students
looked forward to every year.
"Throughout the year there is always something going on, there are no
restrictions for any studenton the number of activitiesbut there is so
much going on in each society that a student can manage a maximum of
four," she said.
St. Stephen's College has itsown admission procedure that is set apart
from the university. Its application form asks whether you have any
interest in a particular activity but thereis no separate ECA quota.
However, this can work to your advantage.
"Every student is welcome to any activity, provided there is some sort
of demonstrative skill and instinct in the student," said Ms.
Gabrielle.
Ramjas College is, however,most proud of its debating team.
"Our debating society has been winning constantly atalmost every
inter-college debate for the past five years. It is the most popular
activity among ourstudents," said Cultural Coordinator and Botany
teacher Madhumitha Banerjee, who added that they had an extra
curricular activities (ECA) quota that required concrete proof of past
achievements to be eligibleto apply in addition to passing the college
trials.
However, she said that there are plenty of opportunities for students
with no background in the any of the college's popular activities like
music, dramatics and debate among others.
" Some of our best students in the past who have won several
competitions for us, have been those who have never taken part in
anything in school," she said, adding that the college will be taking
auditions for several activities within a few weeks into the new term
and that the interested student must remain alert for dates and such.
Another college that does not have an ECA quota is the Shri Ram
College of Commerce which, they say,works to the advantage of the
student as everybody is at an equal footing and eligible to compete.
"The dramatic festival, 'Histrionica,' with its series of stage and
street plays is a big hit every year. The 'Shri Ram Debating Festival'
is another traditional event with Parliamentary, spot and conventional
debates. This goes back several years and usually happens around
February," said Cultural Co-ordinator and English professor S. K.
Choudhury.
"However, since we are a commerce college we havespecific events like
the annual college festival, 'cross-routes' which has a week-long
business conclave where industry leaders speak and there are business
quizzes and games." The college's commerce and economics societies are
the most coveted as are the foreign programmes that allow students to
travel to countries like Japan, Australia and the Netherlands to
compete.
Miranda House, with a hostof activities like debate, dramatics and
fine arts has an ECA quota and the last date of applying being June 30
by 1 p.m.
"The trials will be held on July 4 and 5, with admissions scheduled
for July 6 and 7," said PrincipalPrathiba Jolly.
ECA and sports forms are being sold in almost every college of the
university, save a few that do not have quotas.
Sale of forms dips
With only five more days to go, the sale of application forms at Delhi
University dipped to 5,000 on Wednesday. The last date for applying is
June 18.
"This is not counting onlinesales of 4,000 forms," said Dean of
Students' Welfare Prof. J.M. Khurana, adding that over all online
sales sofar had touched 22,000.
Interestingly, ever since the sale of application forms opened on June
4, more than one lakh copies have been sold for the 54,000 seats that
are available in the university.

Science & Tech: - - China's manned spacecraft in final preparations for mid-June launch

JIUQUAN, Gansu, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-9 manned
spacecraft is in final preparations for its launch in mid-June, paving
the way for China's first manned space docking mission, as well as the
country's first space mission featuring a femaleastronaut.
The mission will feature the country's first attempt at manual space
docking with the orbiting Tiangong-1 lab module, aswell as tasks to be
completed aboard the Tiangong-1 by astronauts from the Shenzhou-9,
space experts said at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest
China's Gobi desert.
China will launch the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft sometime in mid-June, a
spokesperson said last Saturday.
"The launch of the Shenzhou-9 is a highly influential event that marks
an important milestone for the development of China's space
technology," Cui Jijun, director of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch
Center, said on Wednesday.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the creationof China's manned
space program, which was officially initiated on Sept. 21, 1992. The
launch of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraftmarks the program's 10th launch and
the country's fourth manned spaceflight.
China aims to build a space station around 2020based on the space
rendezvous and docking technology that is currently being tested.
Several components will be sent into space separately before being
assembled into a space station through a variety of docking
procedures.
"In the Russian and USA space programs, the most serious docking
problems have been caused by automatic docking systems, more so than
by manual docking," said Pat Norris, chairman of the Royal
Aeronautical Society Space Group.
"China has taken the prudent course of verifying new space technology
in robotic flights before applying it to human space missions,"he
said, referring to last November's unmanned Shenzhou-8 mission to test
docking technology, as well as four unmanned missions that took place
before the launch of the Shenzhou-5, which took astronaut Yang Liwei
into space in 2003 and orbited Earth 14 times.
"China is only the third nation to launch humans into space, which is
a very impressive achievement," said Norris, who is also a member of
the Executive Committee of the UK Parliamentary Space Committee.
FULL PREPARATIONS
The Command Hall of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is in "ready
to launch" status, according to launch center commander Wang Jun, who
will be responsible for turning the ignition key during the actual
launch.
A full-system drill was held on Tuesday, with all systems relevant to
the mission found to be in full operating condition, Cui said.
He added that a sound emergency plan is in placeand comprehensive
escapedrills have been conductedto ensure the safety of thethree
astronauts aboard.
The target module Tiangong-1 was brought down to docking orbit in
early June and is ready for docking attempts by the Shenzhou-9 and
Shenzhou-10 spacecraft, according to a spokesperson from China'smanned
space program.
The three astronauts havebeen "strictly quarantined" so as to
guarantee their physical and psychological condition, according to Lu
Jinrong, chief engineer at the Jiuquan center.
"We cannot see them or get in touch with them. Allwe can do is provide
support for their life and work," Lu said.
Although the construction of another launch center in southern China's
island province of Hainan is well under way, the Jiuquan center will
continue to be used to send manned spacecraft into space, while heavy
components to be used to build the space station will be launched at
the Hainan center, Lu said, adding that the Jiuquan center will
"constantly adapt to new missions."
HIGH TEMPS POSE THREAT
"This launch marks the first time for a Chinese spacecraft to be
launched during the hot summer weather," Cui said.
The previous nine launches -- from the launch of the Shenzhou-1 to the
Tiangong-1 -- took place in spring, autumn or winter, he said.
For the Shenzhou-9 mission, high temperatures will pose a threat to
the craft, as the ship's propellant can vaporize in excessively high
temperatures. Efforts have been made to cool the propellant to around
15 degrees Celsius, "the best temperature before launch," Cui said.
"Summer is a good choice for the launch time," he said, as
thunderstorms seldom occur near Jiuquanduring the summer. Springand
winter bring sandstorms and extremelylow temperatures to the area,
respectively.

Suicide car bomb hits bus station near Damascus, 14 injured/ - 2012-06-14 10:41:55 GMT 2012-06-14 18:41:55(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

DAMASCUS, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A suicide car bomb tore through a bus station early Thursday in asuburban area of the Syrian capital Damascus, leaving 14 people injured and a nearby security complex damaged, witnesses and the state-run SANA news agency said.
A suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden van tried to storm the Saida Zainab bus garage near Damascus at about 5:50 a.m. local time (0250 GMT),prompting guards at the bus station to open fire to stop him, witnesses told Xinhua.
The bomber managed to reach the bottom of the garage and detonate the bomb, witnesses said.
A security complex overlooking the garage was damaged, along with a nearby hospital and a Shiite shrine.
The blast left a deep craterat the scene, as well as twisted debris and a dozen of burned cars. Windows of some nearby buildings and shops were also shattered.
A local resident told Xinhua that he, along withhis family, was awaken by a "loud sound" that rattledhis house's windows and doors. "My kids are still crying in fear," he said.
A team of UN observers headed to the scene and examined the blast site.
Meanwhile, another car bomb ripped through a military checkpoint in the northwestern province of Idlib, injuring six army men, including an officer.
Thursday's bombings are the latest in a series of explosions that have rocked the unrest-torn country during the 16-month-old unrest.
The Syrian government blames "foreign-backed terrorists" of being behindthe daily violence.
/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The Tall Grass

I could listen all day
to the eucalyptus leaves
rustling in the wind, passing it on.
You said once
that the world was stale and worn,
like a room where everything's been used.
Sometimes I wonder
if you were speaking of yourself.
I don't see the world that way,
or you either. At this moment
the clouds in the Eastern sky
are limned with red light
like the edge of a forest fire.
The cows across the road are grazing
in the acres that burned last year.
Now tall green grass growsthere.
I know they are slow beasts, barely aware,
but they love their calves,
and they worship in their way.
They are beautiful in their striped coats.
All is beautiful, especially you.
If your world is a stale room
then let me break the door
and carry you into the Junesunshine.
Maybe you're right that everything's been touched,
but the world renews itself.
The rains wash to the sea,
and all is clean. I know that-
like the acres where the cows graze -
you've been burned.
You said you have ten thousand questions
and nowhere to turn. You said
you are a painful mystery to yourself.
That's okay. None of us have answers,
none of us know our own depths
any more than we know the stars..
You are innocent as a child to me.
You are new, never stained,
the tall grass growing green
on the acres of your soul.

Going to Allah when we need Him

Do we think we can go to Allah only when we "need"Him?
I'm not saying that it's wrong. I'm saying that it's impossible.
We need Allah every hour, every day. Every heartbeat,every breath,
every bite of food, every ray of sunshine.We need Him when we arepoor
and sick, and when we're rich and robust. We need Him when we're
starving in the gutter, or cruising on top of the world. We depend on
Allahmore than a newborn babydepends on its mother, even when we don't
see it.
Our failure to see this reality does not change thefact that it is
true. We can achieve nothing without Allah. I write this article only
by His will. You get out of bed, pour your cereal, hug your children,
go to work, run that 5K race, and breathe, all by means of the gifts
He has given.
When we're doing well, and everything is butter, that's the time to
turn to Allah even more, with gratitude and praise. If we do that,
then when we're having hard times He'll be there for us, He'll rescue
us and lift us up, even if we don't ask.
This not my idea. I did not make this up. The Messenger of Allah (sws)
said, "Remember Allah during times of ease and He will remember you
during times of difficulty." (Tirmidhi)
Remembrance of Allah is not only a matter of prayer. It is also
kindness to others. If I have an excess of energy, I need to use that
to help someone who is ill, weak, depressed,or lost. If I have been
blessed with wealth, intelligence, knowledge, or talent, then I need
to use that to bring someone relief.
I need Allah , I know that. I feel it.
We need Allah with every rotation of the earth. So yes, go to Allah
when you need Him – at every moment in time.

1] Dua Against Debt

Being in debt is a killer. It consumes us with stress, and eats away
at our happiness and sense of security. It destroys marriages, and if
the debt is between family or friends then it can ruin those
relationships. In some countries, inability topay your debt can even
you put in prison.
I feel obligated to mention that part of the reason so many people are
carrying so much debt is our addiction to the material lifestyle. We
are bombarded with messagesand advertisements telling us we need to
buy this andown that. It gets to the point where we measure our status
in life (and that of others) by what we own, or worse, by how much we
spend. If we spend a huge sum of money on a lavish wedding, then we
are "honored" in society. If not,we feel shamed. Since our incomes do
not match our desires, we go into debt.
This thinking and lifestyle is completely contrary to what Islam
teaches us, and to the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and
the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased withthem all). Even when they became
rulers of the world,they continued to live simple and humble
lifestyles, because they understood what really matters in life.
So the first step for us is to readjust our priorities, and to realize
that what matters is our relationship with Allah. Beyond that, the
important things in life are our family relationships– loving our
spouses and children and spending timewith them, worshiping with them,
supporting them. Then our friendships,and doing some good in the
world, creating something meaningful, andbeing an agent of compassion
in the lives of those around you.
Dua Against Debt
If you have done whatever you can to avoid debt, and still you find
yourself burdened with debts, try this dua from Fortress of the
Muslim. Repeat it manytimes every day:
Dua for relief from debt, inArabic
Allaahummak-finee bihalaalika 'an haraamika wa 'aghninee bifadhlika
'amman siwaaka.
"O Allah, suffice me with what You have allowed instead of what You
have forbidden , and make me independent of all others besides You."
(Reference: At-Tirmithi 5/560. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/180.)
This dua against debt is really brilliant, because the dua contains
within itself the solution to the problem. "Suffice me with what you
have allowed." Inother words, let the halal be enough for me. Don't
letme get myself into debt because of haram mortgage loans or
excessive material desire, or out-of-control consumerspending. Let me
be satisfied with a simple, halal life, so that I don't getinto debt.
If you repeat this often enough it becomes a part of your thinking and
awareness, and you modifyyour own behavior, which leads to: "make me
independent of all others besides You." You become your own man or
woman, not owing money to anyone, independent, relying only on Allah.
I'm not saying the dua is just an affirmation, I'm saying it works on
both levels, as an affirmation and as a prayer to Allah to help you
achieve that affirmation. It's a subtle and amazing dua.
Three Excellent Dua's Against Debt:
(note that #2 is the sameas the one above)
1) "Oh Allah, I take refugein You…"
Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (ra):
One day the Messenger of Allah (saw) entered the mosque. He saw there
a man from the Ansar (a resident of Madinah) called Abu Umamah and
said to him: "What is the matter that I am seeing you sittingin the
mosque when there is no time of prayer?" Abu Umamah said: "I am
entangled in sorrow and debts." The Prophet Muhammad (ra ) replied:
"Shall I not teach you words by which, when you say them, Allah will
remove your sorrow, and settle your debts?" Abu Umamah said: "Yes,
Messenger of Allah." The Prophet Muhammad (ra ) said: "Say in the
morning and evening: Allahumma inni 'auzu bika min alhamma wal 'huzn,
wal 'ajzi wal kasali wal bukhli wal jubn, wa dhala'iddini wa
'galabatir rajaal." (See here for the arabic text).
'O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and
laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from
being overpowered by men.'
Abu Umamah said: "When Idid that Allah removed my distress and settled
my debt." [Abu Dawood]

Stories of New Muslims

This page is built on the shoulders of those people who have
volunteered their personal stories of how they entered Islam. Ifyou,
the reader, are open to the possibility that Allah, the Creator, has
given you clear evidence to accept Him and His message of Islam, then
read these stories. From different backgrounds, anddifferent
experiences, you just might find someone here who had the same
questions and doubts that you may have. Many of these people have
endured against tremendous obstacles, including parental opposition,
despair with other religions, being blind, and being lied to about the
true nature of Islam.

How to become a Muslim

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has fullconviction and
strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah for
all human-beings,then, one should pronounce the " Shahada ",the
testimony of faith, without further delay . The Holy Qur'an is
explicit on this regard as Allah states:
"The Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam." (Qur'an 3:19 )
In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah states:
"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to Allah),
Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in
the ranks of those who have lost." (Qur'an 3:85 )
If a person does not pronounce the Shahada and enter Islaam, we cannot
say that he is a Muslim, even if he admiredIslaam and recognized that
it the best religion, a great religion, and so on. Abu Taalib, the
uncle of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died
a kaafir (non-Muslim), and Allaah forbade His Prophet to pray for
forgiveness for him, even though he used to defend the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said in his poems: "I do know
that the religion of Muhammad is better than all other religions of
mankind; were it not for fear of blame or slander, you would find me
accepting it completely."

Do Fish Oil Supplements Protect Your Heart?

Many people take fish oil supplements because someevidence suggests
that the omega-3 fatty acids they contain help protect against
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sudden death caused by heart rhythm
abnormalities. But there is conflicting evidence from several research
studies and, in theend, these supplements areprobably not helpful.
Results of a New Study
The fatty acids thought to help protect against CVD are called
eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In
reviewing this ongoing issue, the latest results are from a
meta-analysis published recently in Archives of Internal Medicine.
This report examined 14 research trials that enrolled20,485 patients.
These patients, all with known aCVD, took either a placeboor fish oil
supplements. Theaverage dose was 1.7 gram/day of EPA and DHA. The
results showed that supplementation did not reduce the risk of CVD
events, sudden cardiac death, heart attacks, strokeand transient
ischemic events, or deaths from all causes. The authors concluded that
fish oil supplements were not beneficial in secondary prevention
(preventative measures used in people with a prior history of CVD.)
Results of Previous Studies Differ
One reason for the popularity of fish oil supplementation was the 1999
report of a large Italian study which followed people who took fish
oil supplements for a period of 3.5 years, startingwithin 3 months
after a heart attack. Those taking the supplements significanty
lowered their risk for overall death as well as a combination of CVD
outcomes, compared to study participants who did not take fish oil
after a heart attack. While that sounded promising, two other research
trials looking at secondary prevention, published in 2010, found
different results, as did the meta-analysis described above. These
trials found that fish oil supplements offered no protection against
CVD events. What could be the reason?
There are a couple of possible explanations for the different results
of the latest studies:
1) accurate determination of the benefits of preventive measures
requires a longer follow-upthan employed in any of these studies; and,
2) any possible benefits of fish oil supplements were not apparent in
participants in the later studies because their CVD risk was reduced
by taking the new medications to control cholesterol levels and blood
pressure.
In addition, an earlier meta-analysis also had found no CVD benefits
of fish oil supplements in people with no prior history of CVD (i.e.,
primary prevention).
Should you continue to take fish oil supplements?
I think not, but there does remain the possibility that fish oils
provide some protection against CVD. Thecontroversy may be resolved by
results of the ongoing vitamin D and omega-3 trial that will enroll
20,000 men older than 50 and women older than 55.
Omega-3s are Essential in Your Diet
Despite the disappointing research results around fishoil, omega-3
fatty acids arean essential dietary component since humans can't make
these fats.
If you decide to continue to take fish oil supplements, you'll want to
understand that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA comprise only
about 20 percent of most supplements. Meanwhile, whether you have CVD
or not, you should eat at leasttwo servings of marine fishweekly
because they not only contain omega-3 fattyacids but may also replace
your intake of less healthy red meat.
One final point about fish oil—there is even less evidence to support
other beneficial claims for these supplements, for example to improve
memory and joint pains of rheumatoid arthritis. However, strong
evidence does show that large doses of fish oil supplements
effectively lower blood triglycerides (but do not raise HDL
cholesterol or lower LDL cholesterol levels).

Why are female doctors paid less than male counterparts?

Male doctors earn more than their female counterparts, even if
theyhave similar hours, titles and specialties, according to new
American research.
*. Should a woman's period affect her pay?One CEO makes the case
*. Why we still need booster shots of feminism
*. How do we control physician costs?
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System and Duke
University conducted an analysis that found male doctors earn
about$12,000 more a year thanfemale physicians. The findings were
published Wednesday in the Journalof the American Medical Association.
"The gender pay disparitywe found in this highly talented and select
groupof physicians was sobering," Reshma Jagsi, associate professor of
radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Medical School and
lead author of the study said in a press release .
The researchers surveyed about 800 doctors who had received
competitive grants early in their careers from the U.S. National
Institutes of Health. Doing, allowing researchers to examine a pool of
similarly motivated and talented physicians.
The results showed that, on average, male doctors earned about
$200,400 a year, while female physicians earned about$167,600. Some of
the differences are explained by differences in medical specialty,
with men goinginto fields that traditionally pay more. For instance,
studies show men are more likely to choose cardiology, which typically
pays high amounts, while women are more likely to opt for the
less-lucrative pediatrics. When those differences were factored in,
the overall pay gap between men and women was about$12,000, the
researchers said.
Over a 30-year career, that difference would addup to about $360,000.
Why the difference?
The Associated Press spoke to two women in the medical field who
believe a big factor is the fact men are simply better at
self-promotion and pushing for more money.
"Male faculty members are willing to negotiate more aggressively. It
maybe social and cultural. It seems to be fairly deep-rooted," JoAnn
Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital,
told the Associated Press.
Of course, the issue isn't just limited to the medical profession. Pay
inequality has been the subject of debate for years, and could become
an issue in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. One of the biggest
reasons researchers point to in the gender pay-inequality gap is the
fact many women interrupt their careers to have children.
Is there any solution to the persistent problem of pay inequality
between men and women?

HADEES :- ~

Waraqah ibn Nawfal, the cousin of Khadijah (ra) was a Christian and a
man of faith. His words to the Prophet (s) when he first received
revelation show us the loyalty we should have to the Message and the
Messenger:
"I wish that I were still young. I hope I will still be alive when
your people drive you out!" The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi
wa sallam) said, "Will they drive me out?" He said,"Yes, no man has
brought anything similar to what you have brought without being
treated with hostility. If I am still alive on that day, I will give
you my strong support."
[Sahih Muslim]

Al Qur'an Ayath Explanation: - -

"And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your
people from the darknesses into the light and remind them of the days
of Allah." Indeed in that are signs for every patient and grateful
one." [Ibrahim: 5]
- Reminding people of the days of Allah `azza wa jall, and connecting
them to Him is one of the greatest things a person or a da'ee can do
for a person. Waffaqanallahu wa iyyakum (may Allah grant us success,
ameen).

Advise -

Be aware of every hour and how it passes and onlyspend it in the best
possible way; do not neglect yourself, but keep accustomed to the
noblest and best of actions, and send to your grave that which will
please you when you arrive to it.

Keep Your Head Up and Smile

Keep your head up, smile, and look to the future. You have much yet to
do in thislife. Ask Allah for guidance, then do what your heart tells
you, speak the words that you've always held back, and be yourself.
Don't let the past freeze you in place, and don't punish yourself for
things you cannot change. Everything you've experienced: the happy
times, loneliness, laughter and tears, all have meaning, and have all
gone into making you whoyou are. If you have any wisdom or insight, it
is probably a result of hardship you've experienced in the past.
"The most beautiful peoplewe have known are those who have known
defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found
their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a
sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with
compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do
not just happen." — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Everything that you do today has meaning. The caress you give a child,
the help you give a stranger, the quiet charity, all matterand make a
difference, even when you don't see it.It's all worth it. Your love
maters, your work matters,your life matters.
Keep your head up, and forge forward fee-sabeel-illah. Accept yourself
and be at peace. Look ahead and smile. Stand up straight, and don't
bow your head except in prayer.Keep praying, learning, thinking,
following your dreams, and loving the people in your life. You are my
brothers, my sisters, myheroes.

Walking This Path Together

I'm just a guy who has lived an unorthodox life. I have been alone and
chained. I have seen frightening violence. I havealso wandered the
mountain trails in Central America, camped in the snows of the
Sierras, and laid on my back in the Sahara, watching a meteor shower
decorate the sky. I have witnessed the birth ofmy child, and received
great gifts. I have been so blessed by Allah, so cared for, as He
rescues me and heals my heart, again and again. I have been loved
monumentally, and have learned to love in return.
Maybe I've learned a little something, and maybe I possess the talent
to put it into words. Am I someone special? Yes, but so are you! Some
of you amaze me. Young or old, married or single parents raising
children with no help, sacrificing for your families,finding your way
in the world, working, creating, struggling, studying, teaching. I
have much to learn from you. I have a long ways to go in this life
Insha'Allah, and many strange paths to walk, and so do you. I am happy
that we are walking this path together, in this moment.

HEALTH - ~ 15 Things Your Walk Reveals About Your Health

Walk into an exam room and a trained eye can tell alot about you in
seconds: Your stride, gait, pace, and posture while walking can reveal
surprising information about your overall health and well-being.
"Many physicians are keenly aware, when they see someone walking down
the street, what their diagnosis might be, whether their underlying
health is good or bad, and if not good, a number of tip-offs to what
might be wrong," says Charles Blitzer, an orthopedic surgeon in
Somersworth, New Hampshire, and a spokesperson for the American
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Find out what the following 15 walking styles may signal about your health.
The 10 Best Cities for Walking
Walking clue #1: A snail'space
May reveal: Shorter life expectancy
Walking speed is a reliable marker for longevity, according to a
University ofPittsburgh analysis of nine large studies, reported in a
January 2011 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
The 36,000 subjects were all over age 65. In fact, predicting survival
based on walking speed proved to be as accurate as using age, sex,
chronic conditions, smoking, body mass index, hospitalizations, and
other common markers. It's especially accurate for those over age 75.
The average speed was 3 feet per second (about twomiles an hour).
Those who walked slower than 2 feet per second (1.36 miles per hour)
had an increased riskof dying. Those who walked faster than 3.3 feet
per second (2.25 miles per hour) or faster survived longer than would
be predicted simply by age or gender.
A 2006 report in JAMA found that among adults ages 70 to 79, those who
couldn't walk a quarter mile were less likely to be alive six years
later. They were also more likely to suffer illness and disability
before death. An earlier study of men ages 71 to 93found that those
who could walk two miles a dayhad half the risk of heart attack of
those who could walk only a quarter mile orless.
Simply walking faster or farther doesn't make you healthier -- in
fact, pushingit could make you vulnerable to injury. Rather, each body
seems tofind a natural walking speed based on its overall condition.
If it's slow, it's usually because of underlying health issues that
are cutting longevity.
How to Turn Your Walk into a Run
Walking clue #2: Not too much arm swing
May reveal: Lower back trouble
"It's really amazing the way that we're made," says physical therapist
Steve Bailey, owner of Prompt Physical Therapy inKnoxville, Tennessee.
As the left leg comes forward, the spine goes into a right rotation
and the right arm moves back. This coordination of the muscles on both
sides is what gives support to the lower back, he says.
If someone is walking without much swing to thearm, it's a red flag
that the spine isn't being supportedas well as it could be, because of
some kind of limitation in the back's mobility. Back pain or a
vulnerability to damage can follow. "Arm swing is agreat indicator of
how the back is functioning," Bailey says.
10 Things Your Skin Says About Your Health
Walking clue #3: One foot slaps the ground
May reveal: Ruptured disk in back, possible stroke
Sometimes experts don't have to see you walk -- they can hear you
coming down the hall. A condition called "foot slap" or "drop foot" is
when your foot literally slaps the ground as you walk. "It's caused
bymuscle weakness of the anterior tibial muscle or the peroneal
muscles," sayspodiatrist Jane E. Andersen,who has a practice in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, and is a past president of the American
Association for Women Podiatrists.
A healthy stride starts witha heel strike, then the foot slowly lowers
to the ground, then it lifts from the toe and slings back to your
heel. But with drop foot, muscle control is lost and the foot can't
return slowly to the ground. Instead, it "slaps" the ground.
"This could be a sign of a stroke or other neuromuscular event, or
ofcompression of a nerve," Andersen says. A ruptured disk in the back
is a common cause, since it cancompress a nerve that travels down the
leg. A rare cause of drop foot is simply crossing your legs, Andersen
says, if the common peroneal nerve is disrupted from the pressure.

why do you want to get married?

when you ask some sisters: "why do you want to get married" ???
They would give you manyanswers like:
*my mom says that I should get married !!
*All my friends are getting married and I don't want to be the only
one who is single"!!
*because everyone around me is married except me!!
Dear sisters, marriage (nikah) is a sacred contract between bride and
groom, it is so sacred that Muslims with it complete their half deens.
Try not to take marriage as a tradition followed by people, try to
seek Allah's blessings and obedience by Nikah. Try to please your
Creator by getting married.
Marriage is a indeed a formof Ibadah (worship),
Allah (SWT ) says in glorious Quran that"Among His proofs is that He
created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have
tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your
hearts love and care towards your spouses.In this, there are
sufficient proofs for people who think." (Surah Rum, Verse:21)
By marriage, husband and wife try to protect their chastity, to love
each other,have mercy on each other, help each other to get closer to
Allah, try to have children to grow the Muslim Ummah and raise them to
become true servants of Allah
So dear sisters, purify your intention and get married to please Allah
(SWT) so that you gain His Blessings,in shaa Allah.

A Witness to Your Life

When seeking a marriage partner, remember, a husband or wife is not
just some pretty face that you get to admire or possess, or show off
to your friends.This person is not a checkbook, a status symbol, a
servant, or a household maid. This is notsomeone that you'll see fora
few minutes each day after work, and take to dinner parties.
You could marry someone only for looks or status then find yourself
miserable, harped on, arguing every day, lonely within your marriage,
or abused. All you rich and attractive people don't take offense – you
might be perfectly lovely and sweet – I'm just saying thatappearance,
wealth and lineage are no guarantee of happiness, and if you focus on
those factors to the exclusion of the soul, then you will likely find
yourself mismatched, brokenhearted and forlorn.
A spouse is someone you abide with for the rest of your life, even
when you are wrinkled and bent. Someone to hold you when you're sad,
to support you when you're tired, to cool your foreheadwhen you're
sick, to share in your joys, tell jokes and play frisbee with;
someoneto pray with in the still morning hours, and struggle with to
achieve Paradise.
This is someone to be a witness to your life, to know you intimately
and recognize your worth as a human being (not that we need someone
else to affirm our value – but it's always nice to be recognized and
seen). Someone to love you unceasingly, like a great river, even when
you disagree. Someone to see your faults, and keep on loving you.
Make sure your priorities are in order. Look past the surface. Connect
with the person's soul. Find someone who will make you smile, and with
whom you will be happy to share this strange journey we calllife.

Poem: Nothing, Only Love

He comes to you with barbs in his skin
and blood on his cheek.
He comes with eyes of loam and gold.
He comes to you again andagain,
as a youth and a man.
He has never forgotten you.
He comes with burns on hisback
but standing straight,
hiding his scars and his shame,
wearing a half-thawed grin.
He has never stopped thanking you.
He comes with no answers,
with nothing, only love,
a heart like a sun,
and a soul like an African rain.
Will you open your arms tohim
and hold him so tightly
that when you let go
he falls down laughing
happy to be alive,
happy to be a father and a man,
happy for you
and for the first time, yearsago
that he heard your voice
like the whisper
of a summer wind?

Dua’ for one who is sick

7. - "Allah Who is in heaven"
It was narrated that Abul-Darda (may Allaah bepleasedwith him) said: I
heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings ofAllaah be upon
him) say: "Whoever among you suffers some sickness, orhis brother
suffers some sickness, let him say: 'Our Lord Allah Who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name, Your will is done in heaven and on earth; as
Your mercy is inheaven, bestow it upon the earth. Forgive us our sins.
You are the Lord of the good. Send down Your mercy and healing upon
this pain' ; and he will be healed."
- Narrated by Abu Dawood(3892); classed as saheeh by al-Haakim in
al-Mustadrak (4/243) and as hasan by IbnTaymiyah in Majmoo al-Fataawa
(3/139).7
It was narrated from Ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that
theProphet (pbuh) said: "The one who visits a sick person who is not
dying,and says seven times in his presence, 'I ask Allah the Almighty,
the Lord ofthe Mighty Throne, to heal you' , Allah will heal him from
that sickness."
- Narrated byAbu Dawood (3106); classed as saheeh by al-Nawawi in
al-Adhkaar (p.180) and by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
While reciting these ruqyahs over someone, forexample your sick child,
you should wipe your hand over his face, chest and stomach, as the
Prophet (pbuh) used to do,and you should sit near your child's head so
that you will be breathing overhim as you recite the page. There is
nothing wrong with blowing lightly onto his face with alittle saliva
while doing that.
Ibn al-Qayyim said: "The ruqyah comes from the heart and mouth of the
one who is reciting ruqyah, so if it is accompanied with some of his
saliva and breath, that will have a stronger effect." - Zaad al-Ma aad
(4/164).
Over and above all that there must be sincerity towards Allah in the
du'aa, and sincere turning to Him and humility before Him, and one
should seek out the times when prayers are answered, for when a person
raises his hand to Allah in du'aa, Allah is reluctant that the person
should remain empty-handed. Do not be hasty in seeking a response, for
Allah may delay the answer for a reason that is known to Him, so you
should be patient and have certain faith. Remember that the Prophet
(pbuh) said: "Call upon Allah when you arecertain of receiving a
response, and rememberthat Allah does not answer a du'aa that comes
from a heedless heart."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3479);classed as hasan byal-Shawkaani in
Tuhfat al-Shaakireen (68) and byal-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah
(594)./

1Dua’ for one who is sick

What dua' can one say for a person who is sick? For example, a parent
for a sick child? Or for any family member or friend who is ill? Or
even a dua' for a sick person to say for himself?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has taught us
things in such cases in which there is healing and a lessening of
sickness, as well as reward. That is part of Allah s mercy towards
this blessed ummah and the Prophet's care for it. He is the one whom
Allah described as (interpretation of the meaning):
Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad saws) from
amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any
injuryor difficulty. He is anxious over you; for thebelievers (he is)
full of pity, kind, and merciful. [al-Tawbah 9:128]
Among the things that he taught us are the following:
1 - Reciting al-Faatihah
It was narrated from Abu Sa eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with
him)that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah beupon him)
described Soorat al-Faatihah as a ruqyah, and he approved of the
Sahaabi who recitedit as a ruqyah for the one who had been stung by a
scorpion.
- Al-Bukhaari (2156) and Muslim (2201).
Ibn al-Qayyim said about reciting Soorat al-Faatihah:
"There was a time when I fell sick in Makkah, and I could not find a
doctor or any medicine, so I treated myself by reciting it. I would
take some Zamzamwater and recite it over it several times, then drink
it. I recovered fully by these means, then I beganto do that whenever
I felt alot of pain, and I benefited greatly from it."
- Zaad al-Ma aad (4/164).
2. "Lord of the Magnificent Throne"
The following dua' is givenin "Fortress of the Muslim",to be recited
for one who is ill:
Dua for sickness and ill health
Transliteration: 'As'alullaahal-'Adheema Rabbal-'Arshil-'Adheemi 'an
yashfiyaka.
Meaning: I ask Almighty Allah , Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to
make you well. (Recite seven times in Arabic)
Reference: At-Tirmithi, AbuDawud. See also Al-Albani, Sahih
At-Tirmithi 2/210 and Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 5/180.
3 - "You are the Healer"
It was narrated from Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that
when any of us fell sick, the Messenger of Allah (peaceand blessings
of Allah be upon him) would wipe him with his right hand then say: "
Adhhib il-ba's, Rabbi l-naas washfi anta al-Shaafi laa shifaa ailla
shifaa uka shifaa an laa yughaadir saqaman. (Remove the harm, O Lord
of humankind and heal him, for You are the Healer and there is no
healing except Your healing, with a healing which does not leave any
disease behind)."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5675) and Muslim (2191).
4 - Al Mu'awidhatayn (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Naas)
It was narrated that Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
"If one of his family fell sick, the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) would blow over him and recite
al-Mu'awwidhaat. When he fell sick with his final illness, I started
to blow over him and wipe him with his own hand, because it was more
blessed than my hand."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5735) and Muslim (2192).
5 - Bismillah and dua'
It was narrated from Uthmaan ibn Abi l- Aas al-Thaqafi that he
complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) about some pain that he had felt in his body since he became
Muslim. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) said to him: "Put your hand on the part of your body that hurts
and say: 'Bismillaah' (in the nameof Allah) three times, then say
seven times: 'I seek refuge in Allah and His Power from the evil of
what I find and I fear.'"
- Narrated by Muslim (2202).
6 - "In the Name of Allah I perform ruqyah"
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with
him)that Jibreel came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said:"O Muhammad, are
you sick?" He said: "Yes." He said: "In the name of AllahI perform
ruqyah foryou, from everything that is harming you, from the evilof
every soul or envious eye may Allah heal you, in the name of Allah I
perform ruqyah for you."
- Narrated by Muslim (2186).

The Supplication andAl-Qadar

Here there occurs a very popular question and it is:
If the thing that is being supplicated for is already decreed for the
servant, then there is no doubt that it is going to come to pass for
him, regardless of whether he supplicates forit or not. And if it has
not been decreed for him, then it will not come to pass, regardless of
whether he asks Allaah forit or not.
There is one group that perceives this question to be valid and so
they have abandoned the supplication and are of theview that there is
no benefit in doing it. These people, along with their excessive
ignorance and misguidance are in clear contradiction, for if we were
to follow their opinion, it would require us to reject all the
different means for attaining something (desired).
So it can be said to one of them:
If satisfying your appetite and quenching your thirst were already
decreed for you, then there is no doubt that they are going to come to
pass, whether you eat and drink or you don't. And if they were
notdecreed for you, they will not come to pass, whetheryou eat and
drink or you don't.
And likewise, if a child were decreed for you, then you will
definitely receive it, whether you have sexual intercourse with your
wife or you don't. And if that was not decreed for you, then it will
not come to pass. Thus there is no need for marrying, having sexual
relations and so on and so forth.
Who says such a statement? Is it one possessing common sense or a
beast? Rather, even the animal has a natural inclination (fitrah)
towardsseeking the means of attaining something (desired), which (for
example) will give it sustenance and livelihood.So the animals have
more common sense and possess more understanding than these types of
people who are like cattle – nay, far worse!
Some of them try to be clever and say:
Preoccupying oneself withsupplication falls into the realm of worship
solely – Allaah will reward the onesupplicating, without that having
an effect on what he is asking for in any way. According to this type
of person, there is no difference between supplicating and
refrainingfrom supplicating by heartand tongue, with regard to that
having an effect onattaining what is being asked for. And according to
them, the relation of the supplication to it (what is being asked for)
islike its relation with silence. There is no difference between them.
Another group, more slick than this one says:
Rather, the supplication is a sign, which Allaah displays as a symbol
that amatter has been carried out. So when Allaah grantshis servant
the ability to supplicate, it is a sign and a symbol that the matter
he was requesting has been carried out. This is just as if one were to
see afrigid black cloud during the winter season. It is a sign and an
implicationthat it will rain.
They say: Similarly is enacting good deeds with respect to reward, and
committing disbelief and sins with respect to punishment – they are
pure signs for the occurrence of (either) reward or punishment – not
means (by which the result will be attained).
Likewise, according to them, with the matters of breaking, kindling
and destroying – none of thesethings serves as a means for the
occurrence (result) of a wreck, fire and death, respectively. Nor is
there any connection between those things and what results from them,
other than the fact that they are normally paired together – not that
one is caused due to the means of the other!
They have contradicted perceptual observation and common sense with
this opinion, as well as revelation and fitrah (natural inclination),
not tomention all of the other intellectual groups. Rather,those with
intellects laughat them!
The correct view: There is a third category, apart from those
mentioned by the questioner. And it is that the decreed result is
preordained along with itsproper means, which lead to its occurrence.
One of these means is the supplication. It is not preordained just
like that, without any means (leading to its occurrence), rather it is
preordained along with its proper means (which will ensure its
occurrence). So when a person comes across the means, the decreed
matterwill come to pass. And if he does not come across those means,
the decreed matter is denied.
So satisfying one's appetite and quenching one's thirst are
preordained with (the means of) eating and drinking. Children are
preordained with (the means of) sexual intercourse. Harvesting crops
is preordained with (the means of) planting and, the withdrawal of
thesoul from an animal is decreed with slaughter. Likewise, entrance
into Paradise is preordained with (good) deeds,

Authentic Supplications of the Prophet

When Going on a Journey (190)
It is reported of the Prophet that he said: Whoever wants to go on a
journey, then let him say to those whom he leaves behind:
'Astawdi`ukumul-lãha 'allathee lã tadhee`u wadã'i`uhu (203)
Footnotes
(203) I entrust you unto Allah, Whose trusts are not lost.
Reporters
Al-Albãni said it was of comely ascription and that it was reported by
Ibn Mãjah, and An-Nisã'ee in his [`Aml al-yaum wal-lailah]. He said
that also Ibn As-Sunni, and Ahmad reported it, and that Al-Hãfith said
it was comely. Al-Albãni included this hadeeth in The Authentic of
Good Sayings as #133.