tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999993494935501142024-03-13T08:15:01.338+05:00Hiba - The BlogA Muslim lifestyle magazineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-12028495979274539892013-01-16T16:38:00.004+05:002013-01-16T16:38:46.492+05:00We have moved....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Alhumdulillah, Hiba Magazine's blog has moved to:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hibamagazine.com/category/blog/">http://hibamagazine.com/category/blog/</a><br />
<br />
We will retain this blog and its archives for our readers' benefit, Insha'Allah! </div>
Hafsa Ahsanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499187015528325735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-30937050441103250092013-01-09T01:16:00.000+05:002013-01-09T01:17:37.988+05:00Ice in the sun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Simple yet powerful reminder about the worldly life and Akhira.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPbCkLgylK4/UOx-MQX6_BI/AAAAAAAADB8/cDnbEI_fX0w/s1600/IGP7790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPbCkLgylK4/UOx-MQX6_BI/AAAAAAAADB8/cDnbEI_fX0w/s320/IGP7790.jpg" width="320" /></a>“A man came to the Prophet (sa)
and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Guide me to such an action that when I do
it, Allah will love me and the people will also love me.’ He (sa) said, ‘Be detached from this world and then
Allah will love you, and do not be attached to what people have and
then people will love you.’” (Ibn Majah; Kitab az-Zuhd)<br />
<br />
This Hadeeth
shows that Allah (swt) loves those, who live simply in this
life. It has been said that if having love for Allah (swt) is the best state to be
in, then living simply is the best condition to be in.<br />
<br />
Living simply
means that you should restrain your desire for worldly things in the hope of
receiving something better instead. In order to achieve this more easily, you
should first realize that the things, which people yearn for in this world, are,
in fact, worthless when compared with what we hope for in the next
world.<br />
<br />
If we know that what Allah (swt) has will remain and that the life to
come is better and more lasting, then we realize that the life of
this world is really like a piece of ice left out in the sun – it
soon melts and vanishes. The Akhira, however, never vanishes. The
desire one has to exchange this life for the one to come is strengthened
by the certainty that there is no comparison between this life and
the next.<br />
<br />
Allah (swt) says: “Yes, you prefer the life of
this world, but the next world is better and more lasting.” (Al-A’la, 16-17)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-28379407093041893982013-01-08T00:30:00.000+05:002013-01-08T00:30:00.432+05:00Things NOT to do in Masjid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Funny but true reminders about proper behaviour in Masjid. Enjoy!<br />
<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-31328195822791286902013-01-07T09:33:00.000+05:002013-01-07T09:35:07.045+05:00Age of Cross-Dressing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="blockborder"></span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Kehkashan Khalid </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">cautions us against being indifferent to the trend of cross-dressing </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pIahNA8Wqk/UOpP18MEI2I/AAAAAAAADAg/0GktT2tBv9c/s1600/gender-symbols-male-female-300x204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pIahNA8Wqk/UOpP18MEI2I/AAAAAAAADAg/0GktT2tBv9c/s1600/gender-symbols-male-female-300x204.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The term
‘cross-dressing' has been described as transvestism in ‘The Oxford
Dictionary.' The term transvestism is further described as dressing in
the clothing of the opposite sex as a form of psychological abnormality.
Probably because this is the first step towards an individual's
confusion regarding his own gender and identity. This further leads to
complex issues of his / her role and responsibilities in the society.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">No wonder more than
fourteen hundred years ago the Prophet (sa) stated that men, who dress
up as women, or women, who dress up as men, will be cursed (Bukhari). At
that time, it was probably hard for his people to understand, how this
could be possible. Now we see it happening all around us - women cut
their hair so short that it is practically plastered to their scalps and
go out to work in factories, dressed in jeans and shorts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Alternately, men
appear more and more feminine, with shaven beards, their hair growing
way past their shoulders, their faces made up, and their bodies adorned
with gold. Men salons mushrooming everywhere are a key indicating factor
of how conscious today's man has really become of his appearance. Gone
are the days of rough and tough and rugged to the skin macho image. Now
men want to boost a neat and suave look no matter how feminine it may
appear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So walking into
clothing store, we see women's embroidered Kurtis in the men's section,
because some men want to wear them. Moreover, a cable channel in our
very own country airs a man dressed in a pink and gold Sari, hosting a
local television show, as if perfectly normal. This novel idea is
supposed to be a big hit and considered to be a trend setter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The West aids us in
the assimilation of such new-found ideas. In the movie "Lilo and Stitch"
an alien, who is shown as being the more sensible and concerned one, is
gay. Time and again he dons colorful wigs and frivolous makeup, and is
shown as being the good-guy. Furthermore, the concept of cross-dressing
is now being introduced in books that children read at school, so that
they grow up without prejudice towards such people.
Children are meant to understand that these people will be allowed to do
as they wish because in these ‘modern' times we believe in ‘liberty.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Western culture
has infiltrated our minds, upset our religious values, and opened new
channels for supposedly ‘broadening' our minds so much that we respond
to their call like sheep following the shepherd's cry, unable to decide
for ourselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The parable of those
who reject faith is as if one were to shout like a goat herd to things,
that listen nothing, but calls and cries; deaf, dumb and blind, they
are void of wisdom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">For those, who
reject faith, the highest wisdom and most salutary regulations are lost.
They are like ‘dumb driven cattle' that merely hear calls but cannot
distinguish intelligently between shades of meaning or subtle
differences of values.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A law in the West
states that two men may marry each other and for their convenience will
be pronounced ‘partners,' rather than the customary ‘husband and wife.'
Are we blindly going to incorporate this change into our lives, too?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Of course, it is sad that the West does not know,<i> </i>how
truly rewarding it is to follow a way of life, which is as well laid
out and clear as Islam. But isn't it an even greater pity that those,
who know the truth about Islam's beauty, do not chose to adhere to it either?</span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-50053004913956768832013-01-05T13:35:00.001+05:002013-01-05T13:36:11.655+05:00A wedding to remember<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="blockborder"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Saira Naeem </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">shares a memorable wedding experience with her Tajweed teacher being the bride.</span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<i> </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbeBgROKWoc/UOflf-lkAdI/AAAAAAAAC_0/LHqZ-atJAwU/s1600/c564168e2756dfb694dc9723f3fabc18_w2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbeBgROKWoc/UOflf-lkAdI/AAAAAAAAC_0/LHqZ-atJAwU/s320/c564168e2756dfb694dc9723f3fabc18_w2a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Saeeda
Qamar, our Tajweed teacher, came and sat at the head of our class just
like she did every day. But today she was not wearing her uniform
headscarf; instead, she had a black one. I was surprised, because none
of our staff members were ever seen without uniform. My classmate
whispered into my ear: “She’s getting married today.” I said: “How do
you know?” She pointed to her henna colored hands. Still I was not
convinced enough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Our
Tajweed class started, and she kept on correcting us in the same manner
as she had always done. When, at the end of the class, Saeeda Baji said
an unusually long Dua and started weeping, I realized that maybe it
really was her wedding day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Our Tafseer teacher came in and said: “Do you know that your Tajweed teacher is getting married today and is moving to Karachi?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I
was amazed! I had heard about people committed to Allah (swt), who made
the Quran the first priority in their lives, but I had never actually
seen a person, who was going to have the so-called ‘biggest day of her
life,’ and yet wanted to give her duties to Allah (swt).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">She
could have easily skipped the class, but this was her conviction - to
stay committed till the end. Saeeda Baji said she loved all her students
and asked us to hold onto the Quran, which is Allah’s blessing upon us.
And her actions spoke louder that her words.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Her
wedding was not going to take place in a big hotel or a park with mixed
gathering, dances and songs. It was to happen in Shah Faisal mosque. I
was wondering, what would the wedding be like? Will she get dressed up?
Will she wear makeup? How will the guests eat in the Masjid?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We
prayed Asr with the congregation in the upper ladies corner of Faisal
mosque. The bride also prayed along with everyone else - not at all
bothered about her dress getting messed up. Saeeda Baji was a very
pretty bride. Her makeup was just enough. She did not do any
back-combing - her hair was tied back nicely, with a Dopatta tucked on
her head and around her bosom. She was not wearing a low neckline,
quarter sleeves or extremely flashy jewelry. She did not pluck her
eyebrows; YET, she was looking so peaceful and graceful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
was the Noor of the Quran that made her look this way. Many brides
spend thousands of rupees on the wedding day just to look perfect. They
diet for six months to loose that extra weight, so that their figure
looks nice in the tight-fitted shirt. They undergo facials, hair does
and all kinds of treatments to get that perfect look. They complete
their beauty sleep, take rest at home for a month or so to look FRESH on
the wedding day. But this lady did not take even a day off from her
commitment to Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) gave her that freshness and
beauty without having to do any of the above things.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">For
a person, who has not experienced the miracle of the Quran, all of this
might seem like a fairy tale; but trust me - seeing is believing. Allah
(swt) showed me that it is possible to follow His path at any point of
time - there will always be Sabiqoon Al Awaloon, who will do their good
deeds at the level of Ihsan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">I
asked Saeeda Baji’s mother, how they had managed the food arrangements.
She said that they ordered lunch boxes plus dinner for people at home. I
just thought of the expenses they had saved: hotel and food charges,
different kinds of Rasms, such as Joota Chupana, Doodh Pilana extra and a
whole lot more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">After
returning home, I kept on thinking about this perfect wedding. This
union would include Allah’s blessing and duas of all the people she had
been with, whether students or colleagues. May Allah (swt) give all our
teachers the greatest rewards in this world and the hereafter, and may
He give me the Tofeeq to follow their footsteps, Ameen.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-82810653933678796842013-01-03T00:00:00.000+05:002013-01-03T10:01:21.521+05:00Cheesy baked vegetables in white sauce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J430R5x2Lw/UORUL7TZ-rI/AAAAAAAAAIE/CYdZhsSuOrY/s1600/timthumbCAVZMFTV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6J430R5x2Lw/UORUL7TZ-rI/AAAAAAAAAIE/CYdZhsSuOrY/s1600/timthumbCAVZMFTV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
Boiled potatoes 4<br />
Grated carrots 2<br />
Capsicums ( chopped) 2<br />
Mushrooms 1 tin<br />
Mozzarella cheese 1 packet<br />
Cheddar cheese 1 packet<br />
Peas ½ cup<br />
Black pepper (crushed) 1 tsp<br />
Red chili flakes 1 tsp<br />
Carom seeds 1 tsp<br />
Salt to taste<br />
<i>For white sauce</i>:<br />
Fresh milk 1 liter<br />
Butter 2 tbsp<br />
Flour 3-4 tbsp<br />
<br />
<b>Method:</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Roast 1 tsp red chili flakes and 1 tsp carom seeds.</li>
<li>Peel the 4 boiled potatoes and mash it then ad in grated carrots, ½ cup peas and 2 chopped capsicums. Add in some salt and black pepper. </li>
<li>Add 3 tbsp butter in the pan and add in 3-4 tbsp flour. Roast it and keep it aside. </li>
<li>After 5 minutes add in 1 liter milk. Keep on stirring it gradually. When the sauce thickens add vegetables along with 1 tin mushroom in it. Heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. </li>
<li>Take a deep dish and add in sauce with vegetables in it. Also add in red chili flakes and carom seeds. Then add mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Sprinkle some more roasted carom seeds and red chili flakes. Bake it. Serve it with chili sauce.</li>
</ol>
<i>(Recipe by Chef Zubaida Tariq)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140555432804578530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-86339265715110773382013-01-01T11:40:00.000+05:002013-01-01T11:43:14.320+05:00Stray Bullets of 2013-01-01<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">By
<b>Rana Rais Khan</b>, the Editor of Hiba Magazine</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF-uVQxWfqc/UOKFaYACiII/AAAAAAAAC9c/RrDVLtbgJY0/s1600/Bullet_brushed.jpg6c9dd3a4-d711-4ce6-a9cc-26c5b2a0c69d.jpgLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF-uVQxWfqc/UOKFaYACiII/AAAAAAAAC9c/RrDVLtbgJY0/s320/Bullet_brushed.jpg6c9dd3a4-d711-4ce6-a9cc-26c5b2a0c69d.jpgLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB">I
woke up startled by the deafening sound of gun shots in my almost pitch dark
bedroom. After a few seconds, I heard my husband explain: “It's midnight, we’re
ushering in the new year.” My 3-year-old now wide awake stuffed her index
fingers in her ears and buried her face as deep as she could in the soft
blanket. It was beyond her comprehension that why in the earth our perfectly
friendly neighbours were firing away in the sky in the middle of the night. Her
shock and silence feared me. Upon much insistence, she just uttered: “I don’t
like them, they are bad people. Call the police and put them in jail.” And she
dug further down into her barrack of blankets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">My
mother called our neighbours up trying to drill some sense into them to stop
firing mindlessly stray bullets but someone hung up on her thinking her to be a
party pooper maybe. What followed were fifteen minutes of non-stop gun sounds
echoing in the neighbourhood. Now I knew what it must have been like for people
of Gaza, when rockets were fired at them from Israel.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
morning news reported 36 injured in random firing incidents and 1 person dead. The
city of Karachi speaks guns only. Whether it is to lodge protests, celebrate
weddings or cricket match victories or settle old scores against rivals, etc.
This city has seen more killings in the past five years than any battle ground.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">If Islam is a peaceful way of life and
Muslims are a moderate nation, why do we go out of bounds celebrating happiness
or registering our sorrow? Disrupting peace of the society by irresponsible
behaviour is a SIN. I repeat it is a SIN. After years of persecution and
injustices, our Prophet (sa) had all the reason to celebrate the conquest of
Makkah. Did we have men spraying bullets everywhere or women dancing and
singing next to men, or people drunk painting the town red? Then who were those
people, who were shown on news channels doing just that? Muslims? Has to be a
mistake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">If Jannah is what all Muslims are striving
for, please, be informed it will be a place of peace. No guns allowed. Kindly
recheck your thoughts and actions. The Prophet’s (sa) etiquette to celebrate
any joy or triumph was to praise Allah (swt) and fall in prostration, not rock
the earth with a boastful display. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">O My Lord! Forgive us and guide us to the
truth so that we can display wisdom and courage where and when it is needed.
Ameen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">P.S. Can you, please, also de-weoponize
Karachi? Suma Ameen.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-30119208194765566342012-12-31T12:02:00.001+05:002012-12-31T12:02:51.104+05:00Mothers of believers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Sadaf
Farooqi </i></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>lists suggestions, which will help the expectant mothers<b> </b>to connect their baby to Allah (swt) already in pre-birth period.</i></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avjcUrKYiFE/UOE4bqKVPaI/AAAAAAAAC8w/i7g_YG5ARIc/s1600/8851267_Baby_362101c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avjcUrKYiFE/UOE4bqKVPaI/AAAAAAAAC8w/i7g_YG5ARIc/s320/8851267_Baby_362101c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">For most
it is a much-awaited, exciting development; for others, an unexpected, pleasant
surprise; for some, a disconcerting event that takes time to accept. Whatever
the case, being in the family way is a significant turn of events. It is the
onset of one of the greatest responsibilities Allah (swt) can entrust us with –
that of bearing and raising a person according to His (swt) pleasure.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Most
Muslim mothers are not fortunate enough to realize what a pivotal task they have
on their hands. Modern research has revealed that everything a mother-to-be
feels, thinks about and believes in affects her baby, who starts hearing and
recognizing her voice from the fourth month of pregnancy. Pregnant women are
thus advised to stay positive, calm and happy during the gestation period for
the healthy development of the baby.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">So what
can you, as an expectant mother, do in order to bear a pious Muslim baby with a
sound heart: a baby connected to Allah (swt) from pre-birth? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Quran
recitation.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">
If your own Tajweed is commendable, recite the entire Quran aloud
throughout your pregnancy (especially after the fourth month). If that’s not
possible, play the recitation of a Qari on a cassette-player near
your belly, listening to it attentively yourself. This will bless both you and
your baby, acquainting the latter with Allah’s (swt) words as soon
as it begins to hear it and tranquilizing you in your expectant
state.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Positive thinking.
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">tan’s ultimate aim is to make us
ungrateful for Allah’s (swt) blessings. During pregnancy, a woman has many fears
and apprehensions. Coupled with physical sickness, she is prone to depression
and negative thinking. That’s why our Prophet (sa) said: “A woman who dies
during pregnancy is a martyr.” (Abu Dawood) Count your blessings,
reminding yourself that you have been blessed by Allah (swt).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Dhikr</span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">of Allah
(swt).</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">
Engage in Dhikr as much as possible. Capitalize on your nine-month
state of uninterrupted purity by offering supererogatory prayers besides
obligatory prayers. If Ramadan falls during pregnancy, try fasting before giving
up without an effort. Fasting is worship; it can be good for both you and your
baby. Furthermore, join a Quran class to be engaged in Allah’s (swt) remembrance
regularly. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The best nutrition.
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Breastfeeding is difficult to
master, but when learned it is the best Sadaqah you can give your
baby. While nursing, try to be with ablution, read the Quran or a beneficial
book, do Dhikr, or listen to Quranic recitation. Just relax and
don’t fret about the pending household chores or the weight that you have not
shed off. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Shun useless
activities.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">
Whether during pregnancy or the initial nursing months, avoid pastimes such as
gossiping, frequenting markets, watching dramas and films, reading fiction or
listening to music. This time, when your baby is physically bound to you, will
never return. Use it to build his/her foundation of piety.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Practice
Sunnahs.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> When your toddler starts to speak
her first words and eat a varied diet, inculcate Sunnahs into daily
actions: always feed her with the right hand and only when she’s sitting; say
‘Bismillah’, ‘Alhumdulillah’, and all Duas aloud (such as on
leaving the house or using the washroom). Put her clothes or shoes on right side
first. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Tranquil environment.
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">While your
infant lies playing, put up Allah’s (swt) names in the room or on a mobile
overhead. Play Quranic recitation nearby; do this right up to the toddler stage.
A home sans television is the ideal home for a Muslim baby; realistically
speaking, however, when the television is on, keep your baby in some other room
of the house, where she can play undisturbed. Avoid taking your baby to noisy
gatherings.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Intellectual training.
</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Babies
deserve better stimuli for intellectual development than cartoons and musical
nursery rhymes. Talk to them about Allah (swt), visit the park or seaside and
give them mind-stimulating games that use numbers, alphabets and illustrations.
Provide age-appropriate building blocks, Lego, markers, crayons, paper and
computers. Seek the company of righteous people, frequenting circles of
religious study and intellectual discussion, taking your baby with you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If
we work hard on our babies today, we can expect our Ummah to be
righteous tomorrow.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-20765283899902342432012-12-29T01:48:00.000+05:002012-12-31T01:49:45.030+05:00Life with the Ahmad Family: O Witr Where Art Thou?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In this episode, Abu Jamal learns that when you give
instructions to Jamal, you'd better repeat yourself to make sure you were
understood!<br />
<br />
(Please, click to enlarge)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2seTYusoitw/UOCoWl_HYpI/AAAAAAAAC8E/81_NpwRKNMo/s1600/Witr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Life with the Ahmad family comic for Muslim children: O Witr Where Art Thou?" border="0" height="270" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2seTYusoitw/UOCoWl_HYpI/AAAAAAAAC8E/81_NpwRKNMo/s640/Witr.jpg" title="Life with the Ahmad family comic for Muslim children: O Witr Where Art Thou?" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't forget to leave some feedback
in the comments below!<br />
To see other comics of The Ahmad Family, please, <a href="http://www.hibamagazineblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Life%20with%20the%20Ahmad%20Family">click here</a>. <br />
(Absar Kazmi may be contacted at: <a href="http://us.mc1608.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=absar.kazmi@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1338460855_1">absar.kazmi@gmail.com</span></a>)</div>
Hafsa Ahsanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499187015528325735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-29732111459549471362012-12-28T00:04:00.000+05:002012-12-28T00:04:07.261+05:00Dare to think!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>Suleman Ahmer, </i></b><i>the founder and CEO of "Timelenders", shares a personal story and the reflections this occasion led him to.</i><b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBm3fMG0DWY/UNybirYS1yI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/e5LARmn8PLk/s1600/out-of-box-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBm3fMG0DWY/UNybirYS1yI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/e5LARmn8PLk/s320/out-of-box-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was surprised by the knock. It was late at night and I was
the only guest.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I opened the door. It was the manager along with the cook.</div>
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“Sir, we wanted to ask you something that has been troubling
us for the past few days?” </div>
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<br /></div>
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“Sure,” I replied while asking them in.</div>
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The guest house belonged to Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Labs
(KRL), where I had come to conduct a workshop.</div>
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KRL is Pakistan’s
nuclear research powerhouse with some of the finest scientists that you can
find under the sun. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After being seated, the cook spoke, “Sir, our scientists
have brains so big that it would take us a few lifetimes to have our brains grow
to that size!” </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was amazed at the clarity of the expression knowing that here
was an unschooled young man with his whole world limited to his village and now
Rawalpindi, a town next to Islamabad,
the capital of Pakistan.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“You are right” I said knowing that I had in my workshop seasoned
PhDs in subjects such as nuclear physics, power electronics, vibrations and vacuum
systems. And these scientists know how to make things happen; just ask <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. ElBaradei, the former Director General
of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Atomic_Energy_Agency" title="International Atomic Energy Agency"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">International Atomic Energy Agency</span></a>
(IAEA).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Sir,” the cook continued, “everyday these scientists spend
the whole day in your class. We don’t understand what <i>is it</i> that you<i> </i>are
teaching <i>them</i>?”</div>
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I was stumped. What a wonderful observation! </div>
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<br /></div>
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And what a wonderful predicament! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do I explain to these simple folks that I teach
organizational restructuring based on strategic visions and then introduce the
framework for converting these visions into short term actionable and
quantifiable plans? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was pushed into deep thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I cannot teach anybody anything,” Socrates once said, “I
can only make them think.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Socrates believed that people can’t be taught; rather people
can be facilitated to discover what they already know. I disagree with him. It
is only partly true. Through prophetic revelations we learn many things that we
didn’t know before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Socrates was known to exaggerate. I believe that he was purposely
exaggerating to provoke people because provocation forces people to think; for
this, I respect the guy for his noble agenda to force people to examine their
beliefs, their assumptions and their paradigms. No wonder he made so many
enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have come to believe that sincere people who disbelieve us
and challenge us are one of our greatest assets. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Professors know it. Teachers know it. Trainers, like I, know
it. We all know that one of the best rewards of teaching is to come across a sincere,
naïve and aggressive man or woman who doesn’t buy into what we hold to be correct
or believe we know well. And if that person happens to be your spouse, then all
the better!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On that cold winter night in Rawalpindi, I realized that I had come across
such people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the few moments of silence that followed, by the grace of
Allah (swt), a thought came to me which has indebted me to those simple men
forever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know,” I carefully picked my words, “these scientists
have knowledge much greater than mine. They are experts in their fields. I can’t
teach anything that is related to their area of expertise.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can see that they felt relieved. How can someone much
younger and an outsider teach <i>their</i> scientists? It just didn’t make
sense to them. And now I had vindicated them. They were right after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked them in the eye and said, “You know what <i>I </i>teach?”
I held their attention, “I teach people that if what you do today – however big
or small – doesn’t impact the world a hundred years later then that doing is plain
useless. It is just a waste of time.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazingly their eyes glistened with understanding and smiles
erupted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are right. This is absolutely true.” They were in
complete agreement. I had told them something that they knew all along. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We now understand what you teach. That is something good
that you are teaching. Keep it up.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saying this and with satisfaction written all over their
faces, they left me to rest. Not realizing that they had left me exactly the
opposite: restless!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I though about it for many days. I pondered and reflected
and agonized. In my urge to make things simple – I questioned myself – had I lied
to them or misled them?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it dawned upon me that just like them, I had also known
this all along my life; I had never clearly articulated it to others and most
importantly, to myself. All I needed was an innocent question from those
innocent men who had no fear of being called naïve, with no reservations and no
artificial persona of ‘look we know’!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And they taught me something that I had not been able to learn
through books or by my travels across the globe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look deep inside your heart and you will realize that you
know it too: if what we do today doesn’t impact this world a hundred years down
the road then it is simply a waste of time!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Yousuf Al Qardawi writes that there are people who die
before their death while being counted amongst the living; while others live
much after their death because they leave behind good deeds, beneficial knowledge,
pious children and able students who keep increasing their life. In the words
of William Wallace, the character in the movie <i>Braveheart</i>: “Every man dies, but not every man really lives!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please reflect on things that you know. Seek people who will
challenge you. Hear them out patiently. Cherish them. You may have some valuable
knowledge that is waiting to be discovered by none other than yourself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep in mind the words of Socrates, “An unexamined life is
not worth living.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And my advice to you today: please dare to think!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-53789131811265039752012-12-27T00:00:00.000+05:002012-12-27T00:00:01.656+05:00Fried Fish<br />
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aG5aq1suG0/UNs9AJzmfCI/AAAAAAAAAHs/XjRC6AV2v6I/s1600/timthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aG5aq1suG0/UNs9AJzmfCI/AAAAAAAAAHs/XjRC6AV2v6I/s1600/timthumb.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Fish fillet 1</span></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ginger garlic paste 1 tbsp</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Black pepper ½ tsp</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Crushed red pepper ½ tsp</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Egg half</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Flour 2 – 3 tbsp</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Desiccated coconut 2 – 3 tbsp</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Mayonnaise ½ cup</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Chili garlic sauce ¼ cup</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Salt to taste</span></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<b>Method:</b></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="method_box" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 10px; width: 435px;">
<ol style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; position: relative;">Cut fish into cubes, marinate with 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, salt to taste, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp crushed red pepper, half egg and 2 – 3 tbsp flour. Mix well.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; position: relative;">Now coat with 2 – 2 tbsp desiccated coconut and deep fry on low flame till golden brown.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; position: relative;">For making sauce mix together ¼ cup chili garlic sauce, salt to taste, ½ cup mayonnaise and a little black pepper. Add a little water to make in desired consistency.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; position: relative;">Serve with fried fish.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<i>(Recipe by Chef Zakir)</i></div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1aG5aq1suG0%2FUNs9AJzmfCI%2FAAAAAAAAAHs%2FXjRC6AV2v6I%2Fs1600%2Ftimthumb.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aG5aq1suG0/UNs9AJzmfCI/AAAAAAAAAHs/XjRC6AV2v6I/s1600/timthumb.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140555432804578530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-50571780714068901582012-12-26T00:15:00.001+05:002012-12-26T00:15:34.151+05:00Be my guest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="blockborder"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Tooba Asim </i></span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>explores the etiquette of being a guest.</i></span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu2J44sHTkU/UNn7NB_8rhI/AAAAAAAAC6s/zrVMQodYXS0/s1600/Be-My-Guest-Post-200x201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu2J44sHTkU/UNn7NB_8rhI/AAAAAAAAC6s/zrVMQodYXS0/s1600/Be-My-Guest-Post-200x201.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“Oh
no! Not again,” I sighed, as I glanced at the clock and went ahead to
check the main door. Sure enough, it was my next door neighbour. It was
three in the afternoon, and no one else was brave enough to venture out
of their homes in this sweltering heat. She was always an exception.
Today was different, as my mother was visiting us as well. “Why the
sigh? She’s your guest, and guests are a blessing from Allah (swt),” was
my mom’s immediate response to my behaviour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Guests
indeed are among Allah's (swt) blessings, but we can see from the
Prophet’s (sa) example that there is a certain etiquette of visitation,
which one must follow in order to fulfill the Sunnah. In our society,
there are plenty of people like my neighbour, who make their hosts wary
of guests instead of welcoming them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
Prophet (sa) said: “A man visited a brother in another town. Allah
(swt) sent an angel to lie in wait for him along his way. When he came
upon the angel, he asked him: ‘Where are you going?’ He answered: ‘I am
going to visit a brother of mine in this town?’ The angel asked further:
‘Is there any favour that you want to get from him?’ The man said: ‘No,
it is only that I love him for Allah’s (swt) sake.’ The angel then
said: ‘I am a messenger of Allah to you (to tell you) that Allah (swt)
loves you, as you love your brother for His sake.” (Muslim)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
aforementioned Hadeeth makes it clear that visiting somebody for
Allah’s (swt) sake alone and not for some personal reason is what Allah
(swt) wants from us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Keeping
in mind the importance that Allah (swt) and His Prophet (sa) have
placed on visiting, we should certainly take some time out of our busy
schedules for our family, neighbours and friends. This, however, should
be done keeping in mind some important reminders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Choose a suitable time…</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">…and
day. Don’t pay a late night visit to someone, who is known to go to bed
early or has school-going children. Don’t visit at mealtimes, unless
you have been invited by your hosts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Call before you go</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
is better to give your hosts time to tidy up their place and be
prepared. Also, it will save you time and unnecessary hassle, if your
hosts are not at home or have other plans.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Do not grumble</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If your hosts could not be contacted earlier and you had to return home, do not complain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Take a gift</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">This
does not have to be very extravagant or formal. You can take a
home-cooked dish, a small box of biscuits or anything thoughtful that is
likely to cheer up your hosts or their children.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Don’t stay too long</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Respect
the fact that your hosts might also have other commitments. If you’re
visiting someone who’s staying at your host’s place, be extra careful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Avoid indulging in gossip </span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Don’t pry about people’s lives. Everyone is entitled to privacy. Ask about their well-being, without being nosy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Visit the sick</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Visit the sick to help their attendants with some chores. This relieve them for a while and earn you Allah’s (swt) pleasure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Appreciate</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
is good manners to appreciate the effort your hosts put in for you, no
matter how big or small. Anas Ibn Malik (rta) narrated: “The Prophet
(sa) visited some of the Anaar in their house and ate some food there.
When he wanted to leave, he ordered that a place be prepared for him
where he could pray. He then prayed there and supplicated for his
hosts.” (Bukhari)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Good
etiquettes go a long way in maintaining healthy relationships. A smile
here and a kind word there are sure shot recipes for winning hearts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The invocation of a guest for his host, as taught by Prophet Muhammad (sa):</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">"O Allah, bless them in what You have provided for them, and forgive them and have mercy on them." (Muslim)</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-45956842135031897472012-12-25T13:13:00.000+05:002012-12-25T13:13:13.264+05:00A peek into HibaKidz arts workshop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since yesterday, a group of young artists-to-be are enjoying (and working hard!) HibaKidz workshop <a href="http://www.hibamagazineblog.blogspot.com/p/workshops.html">Earthern Art and Pottery Workshop</a>. <br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-6452964177509197152012-12-25T12:11:00.003+05:002012-12-25T12:11:35.011+05:00Allah (swt) cares...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Follow the link to see a beautiful way Allah (swt) cares for His creation: <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4856681105546&set=vb.190783570937433&type=2&theater">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4856681105546&set=vb.190783570937433&type=2&theater</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-52628066994416549442012-12-24T00:27:00.001+05:002012-12-24T00:27:25.710+05:00Fasad – The Corrupter of Hearts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i><b>Mufti Kamaluddin </b>discusses Fasad and offers tips for purifying the heart.</i></span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Although
there are differences of opinion on several matters, strangely, every
single human being on earth agrees upon one thing - today the whole
world is affected by Fasad: unhappiness, discord, unease and corruption.
However, different people offer different solutions to this Fasad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
educated people say that the reason for Fasad is the lack of education.
However, if education was the solution, then countries with a literacy
rate of over ninety percent should not have any problems. But, if we go
to any of those places, they tell us that they also have problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">An
economist will say that the reason for Fasad is poverty. People do not
have enough wealth to fulfill their bare necessities, and, hence, this
poverty is the cause of unhappiness in the world. If wealth were the
solution, then people living in wealthy countries should be living lives
of ease and contentment. However, if we go to them, they will also say
that they are unhappy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
Deen of Islam reveals the reason behind this unhappiness and discord.
The Prophet (sa) said that in every son of Adam there is an organ, that
if it is sound, the whole body will be sound, and if it is corrupt, the
whole body will be corrupt and spoilt. That organ is Qalb -<em> </em>the
spiritual heart of a human being. (Bukhari) This Hadeeth clearly tells
us that if the heart is spoilt, the human being will be spoilt, and if
the heart is pure, the human being will also be sound and pure.
Therefore, all the worries and problems in the world are due to
problematic people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Fasad
in the world exists because there are individuals, who have Fasad in
them. Only that human being, whose heart is impure, will have corruption
in him. So the reason why there are so many problems and difficulties
in this world is simply because there are so many human beings, who have
lost their lesson of humanity and who have corrupted, impure hearts. If
the heart becomes pure, the human being will be pure; the family will
be pure; the community will be pure; the society will be pure -
consequently, the world will be pure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Precisely
for this reason Allah (swt) sent prophets and messengers, so that they
purify the hearts of human beings and teach them, how to live pure
lives. Through the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (sa) <em>,</em><span>we see that he</span>
first worked on the hearts of people, then he formed a community in
Madinah and only afterwards they were able to change the society of the
whole Arabian Peninsula. This is precisely, what Allah (swt) wants -
that we submit our hearts to Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
Prophet (sa) said that Allah (swt) does not look at our bodies or at
our faces, but He looks at our hearts. (Muslim) Allah (swt) looks, which
of His servants has embedded His love and remembrance in his heart.
Hence, we should beautify our hearts so that they look pleasing, when
Allah (swt) gazes upon them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Thus,
there are two types of hearts: the purified and sound heart
(Qalb-un-Saleem) and the corrupt and polluted heart (Qalb-un-Saqeem).
Qalb-un-Saleem is that heart, which inclines a person towards good and
everything that is pleasing to Allah (swt). A person with a pure heart
is wonderful to live with, wonderful to look at and is able to see not
only with his eyes but also with his heart. Qalb-un-Saqeem, however, is
that heart, which invites a person to actions and thoughts that are
corrupt and prohibited. The person with such heart does not view good as
good and evil as evil. His heart keeps him occupied with unlawful
thoughts and lustful desires. Such a heart will not allow a person to
listen to counsel or to accept advice for changing its ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">How
can we purify our hearts? If we enter into a room full of dust, we
immediately realize that some window must have been left open, through
which pollution has entered. In the same way, the dirt comes into our
hearts, because we have left some window open, which is bringing that
corruption inside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">There are four windows to the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
first window is a person’s eyes. If we we do with our eyes things that
are good, such as look at our parents with love, look at the Quran with
love, then these actions cast Noor<em> </em>into our heart. However, if
we look at unlawful things, for instance a woman, who is impermissible
to look at, then that will bring darkness into our heart. So the eye is
like a window into the heart. Allah’s (swt) has made it very easy for us
to protect our gaze – He has given us a shutter called our eyelid. It
is extremely easy to close our eyelids and save our eyes from seeing bad
things. All we have to do is intend, and our eyes will close
immediately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
second window to a person’s heart is a person’s ears. Everything that
we hear will affect our heart. If we hear something that is good -
recitation of the Quran, good advice, good teachings - then that will
have a positive effect on the heart. However, if we listen to lies, bad
talks or music, then that will naturally have a negative effect on our
hearts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
third window is a person’s tongue. If we speak good things - recite the
Quran, speaks the truth, talk about Allah (swt) and Deen -<em> </em>the Noor<em> </em>of
these words will come into our heart. However, if we say things that
are bad, for instance unlawful speech or backbiting, then darkness will
come into our hearts. So we should always try to use our tongue in good
speech and for mentioning the majesty and blessings of Allah (swt).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Lastly,
the fourth window into the heart is our mind. Whatever thoughts we
think will affect our heart. If we spend our free time thinking about
good things and actions that are pleasing to Allah (swt), then such
thoughts will cast a light into our hearts. If we spend our time
thinking about bad things and engage in unlawful fantasies, then such
thoughts will definitely have a very negative effect on our heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We
have to guard all these four windows and prevent anything corrupt from
entering and affecting our heart. If the heart becomes pure, everything
in the world will change. For this reason, we must start purifying our
hearts from its spiritual illnesses, so that Allah’s (swt) love can come
into our hearts. We should make Dua to Allah (swt) to grant us such a
heart, which is the abode of His love. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-72585784927610326532012-12-23T16:05:00.001+05:002012-12-23T16:05:33.436+05:00Muslims in Cyberspace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Zainub Razvi, Sumaira Dada </span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">and</span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> Hafsa Ahsan </span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">explore the diverse aspects of cyberspace</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i> and guide regarding the Islamic rules applying to it.</i> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Cyberspace,
like this world at large, is a delicate testing ground for the
practising Muslim. On the one hand, there are enormous benefits that can
be gained from the wealth of knowledge at one’s disposal via the
information superhighway, but on the other hand, one is exposed to a
murky world of temptations and addictions, which has few parallels in
the real world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">When
Muslims go on the Internet, they either tend to ignore certain aspects
of the Deen, or they feel that Islamic teachings do not apply to
cyberspace at all. This mindset then leads them to do things which they
would never do in real life – after all, it is all virtual isn’t it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Following are some of the common uses of the Internet, along with how the Islamic teachings apply to each of them. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Chatting</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Chatting
today is not just text-based – there is voice chat, video conferencing,
etc. which takes chatting to a whole new level. Fahad Iqbal has coined a
new term for chatting with non-Mahrams - cyber-Khalwa. “When two people
chat, they’re in Khalwa” (i.e., there’s no third person between them
that knows what is going on). “As Muslims we’re required to not be in
Khalwa with non-Mahrams, and if we have to be, for some reason, then
there are strict guidelines that ought to be followed.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Online,
the hesitation of chatting with the opposite sex is overcome to a large
extent. What is the Islamic guidance in this regard? Dr. Muzammil
Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America,
states that Internet chatting is very similar to writing letters or
talking to someone on the phone. Hence, Muslims have to observe the same
rules whilst chatting. Intimate conversations are not allowed. In fact,
it is forbidden for a non-Mahram Muslim male and female to indulge in
long conversations with each other, unless it is necessary for education
or for business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Chatting
is also very addictive. Time simply whiles away, especially when
discussing any unsuitable topic or wasting too much time in casual
chit-chat. Time for a Muslim, like everything else, is a blessing from
Allah (swt) that he/she will be questioned about on the Day of
Judgement, so it ought to be used wisely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sheikh
M. S. Al Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer, says that in chat
rooms a Muslim must be on guard, as he is dealing with a large number
of unknown people. He should boycott the sites of Biddats and not engage
in any discussions on these websites. He also says that the
enthusiastic youth must not engage in matters of which they have little
knowledge. In this regard, Allah’s (swt) words need to be remembered:
“And on the Day of Resurrection, you will see those who lied against
Allah (i.e., attributed to Him sons, partners), their faces will be
black.” (Az-Zumar, 39:60) </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Blogging</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A
blog is an online diary. In chat rooms, you have a considerable degree
of control over who can interact with you and how. It is much more
complicated if you maintain a blog, which may be regularly read and
commented on by virtually anyone in the world, which includes
non-Mahrams. Hence, writing very personal entries on those blogs must be
avoided, and if possible, blogs must be made private, accessible only
to the blogger’s chosen audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Muslim
bloggers also ought to make sure that they do not post unverified
Islamic information, and they should especially think twice before
making any remarks about anyone’s personal attributes or character
traits in their posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Those
who leave comments on the blog must be wary of committing grave sins,
such as slander, backbiting and fighting. Muslims should be careful,
because every word they utter will be recorded, even if typed in
cyberspace. As a general rule, we ought to tell ourselves that if we
wouldn’t say something to someone in real life, we ought not to on the
Internet as well.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Social and Professional Networking</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Social
networking websites work by asking you to register and set up a profile
page, then allowing you to add people you know, join groups, play
games, take quizzes, put up photos, share links and do a host of other
activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Because
these websites ask you to put sensitive information online, it is very
important to know how to use their privacy settings. Failure to use the
right settings can seriously compromise your online privacy, disclosing
your private information to complete strangers and third party companies
without your knowledge. Avoid altogether putting up any private data
that is prone to exploitation, such as your work history, your phone
numbers or residential address. Once again, determine early on where to
draw the line, because social networking is very prone to addiction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Also,
while there’s certainly no harm in keeping up with friends, it’s
important to define not only who are our ‘friends,’ but also just how
much time we ought to devote to ‘keeping up’ with them, and what
actually constitutes the exercise of this ‘keeping up.’ Indulging too
much into the private lives of others, even if they have put it up for
everyone to see, violates Islamic teachings, which require us to refrain
from spying and being over-curious. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Online Islamic Guidance</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">While
there is no denying that the Internet is an extremely easy way to
access Islamic literature, it is not the best place to go for ‘Fatwah
hunting’. There are a lot of bogus ‘Islamic’ websites out there, which
do not have authentic scholars and rely on casual Internet users to
compile information they have heard, read or gathered from other online
sources. We must be especially careful not to mistake genuine Islamic
websites run by Dawah organisations with casual Internet message boards
set up by ordinary Muslims, where one may find numerous contentious
Fatwahs and Wazaif, which are often completely without proper
references. Even when using websites claimed to be run by scholars or
genuine organisations, we should do a background check on the particular
school of thought the scholars and/or organisation ascribe to and make
sure that they come from a reliable background.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Youth Trap</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Today,
children as young as 4-5 years old can be seen using the Internet on
their own. Quite a few children have their own email accounts, an
instant messenger ID and social networking account by the time they are
in school. Peer pressure can drive children to all sorts of dangerous
activities online, from the relatively innocuous Internet overuse to
such more serious tendencies as viewing pornographic and other sexually
explicit content.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“Sending
your children on the Internet alone is like sending your kid on the
highway alone,” warns Tasneem Ahmed, a mom of four. Her husband Anwer
Ahmed, a university professor, nicely sums up the needs of online
supervision. “Parents should do their best to be aware of what sites
their kids are visiting and whom they are communicating with. It is very
important for them to have open and frank communication with their
children, without threat of retribution.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Completely
prohibiting the Internet can backfire, as children can then be more
tempted to taste the forbidden fruit. Sheikh Abdul-Majeed Subh states
that one must teach children the sense of differentiating right from
wrong, instead of enforcing exclusive prohibition. He quotes a Hadeeth
regarding the principle of Ihsan (Perfection) in worship: “To worship
Allah (swt) as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of
devotion, then you must consider that He (swt) is looking at you.”
(Bukhari) Parents also need to educate their children about the fact
that Allah (swt) is looking at them, while they are surfing the net.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Chat
rooms should be strictly off-limits, and parents ought to supervise or
monitor other chatting routines, even if they are sure their kids do not
have any non-Mahrams on their contact lists. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Finding a spouse online</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
use of match-making websites has increased. Are these services
permissible? Dr. Salah Al-Sawy, the Secretary General for the Assembly
of Muslim Jurists in America (AMJA), says that if correspondence takes
place with a faithful and honest mediator running the service and
Shariah regulations are observed, then he hopes that it will be
permissible (after all, Allah (swt) knows best).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Direct
correspondence, however, requires a lot of precautions. Nevertheless,
if it is necessary, interaction should be normal, and a trustworthy
third party should be present. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi states that while
looking for a spouse online, elders or responsible friends should be
involved in investigating or negotiating on one’s behalf. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Final Word</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Ultimately,
whatever the medium, be it blogs, social networking websites, instant
messengers, email, Muslim merchandise websites or Islamic information
portals, whether their harms outweigh their benefits depends on how we
use them. So like in all our other daily activities, the reward or sin
for our actions online too will be judged based on our intentions for
engaging in those activities.<span> </span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Every click is recorded!</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">While
one is sitting on the Internet, it is very easy to get lost in the
numerous activities. There are simply too many websites to visit, too
many emails to read and too many friends to keep up with on social
networking websites. At times like these, it is imperative for Muslims
to remember that every click of the mouse is being recorded and will
have to be accounted for on the Day of Judgement. Hence, wastage of time
in useless activities must be avoided, and each click must serve some
constructive purpose. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Constructive Clicks</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What can one do to serve their Deen in cyberspace? Here are some quick suggestions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Make
your status messages on social networking websites meaningful – you can
write a short Ayah or Hadeeth, or simply something informative. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Provide links to Islamic websites, which have authentic information. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Pledge
to send a daily or weekly email to all your contacts – again, with some
meaningful information pertaining to how Deen can be practiced in daily
life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Stay away from all controversial arguments on non-issues – they waste your time as well as that of others.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>5)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If you maintain your own blog, use it to propagate the true face of Islam. Write meaningful posts. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>6)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Educate yourself – visit authentic Islamic websites and learn more about Islam. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>7)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Join websites as a link manager, and add quality Islamic website to search engine directories. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Useless Clicks</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What activities do NOT serve the Deen in cyberspace, though they seem to do so? Here are a few:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Useless arguments on controversial issues, which do not have any purpose. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Hacking anti-Islamic websites – it is always best to promote Islamic websites than to hack the opposing ones. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Chatting with the opposite sex on the pretext of preaching Deen to them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span>4)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Being careless while posting Islamic information – even the slightest slip can cause a widespread Fitnah.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What is Cyberspace?</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
Internet has aptly defined “cyberspace” as “a computer network
consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks” and “a world of
information through the Internet.” In layman terms, when you are on the
Internet, connected to the world through your computer, laptop, cell
phone or any other gadget, you are in cyberspace.</span>
<span class="article_seperator"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-887628535457341652012-12-22T01:23:00.000+05:002012-12-22T01:25:27.814+05:00Slow down!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abdur Rahman Umar</b> invites us to ponder over the obstacles in our life.</span></i></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi0R0F2snzA/UNTErY6s-OI/AAAAAAAAC2U/eVUN5mLaycI/s1600/514_230x230_NoPeel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi0R0F2snzA/UNTErY6s-OI/AAAAAAAAC2U/eVUN5mLaycI/s320/514_230x230_NoPeel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Can
you believe this!” lamented Yusuf, as he looked sadly at his leg covered from
foot to knee in a thick white plaster cast, leaving his plaster stained toes
exposed. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“This
is so frustrating!” he continued, addressing his exposed toes who had now
become his captive audience, “Just when everything was going perfectly. Now
this! Like I needed it in my life?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Ridwaan
stood idly by, adding little to the lament being addressed to the toes. He
fidgeted wearily with his cell phone, paying little attention to the monologue,
until Yusuf turned to him and asked: “Did you hear what I said? I really didn’t
need this in my life. Not at any time, and definitely, definitely not now. I
mean...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What’s
so special about now?” enquired Ridwaan, not bothering to look up from his cell
phone.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Yusuf
ignored his question, shifted painfully in his chair and struggled to get his
leg into a comfortable position. He stared at some of the graffiti on his
plaster cast - “Mojo was here!” “Oops. My brain just hit a bad sector.” “On the
other hand, you have different fingers.” - and some other writings that became
a bit smudgy with the first attempt at taking a shower.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
mean how does someone rupture an Achilles tendon playing tennis? It must be a
one in a million thing, and I am the one! So now I sit – six weeks with this
thing on my leg. Six weeks! And at a time, when the business is going so well.
Just when we got the Department of Education tender for printing. There’s so
much to do .... preparation, layout, design. Yo! It was going crazy at work.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Ridwaan
stopped fidgeting with his cell phone long enough to exclaim, “So what’s the
hassle. You get a nice break and fully paid on top of it!” </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“You
don’t understand, do you!” said Yusuf, glaring at him. An uncomfortable frown
crossed his forehead, “You don’t know what it means. I really didn’t even have
enough time to eat, let alone take a six week break. We were working 12 hours a
day to get that tender out. So what happens now?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“I
know exactly what it means,” replied Ridwaan, “it means you were moving too
fast, so Allah (swt) put down a speed breaker.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“What!”
he exclaimed, “what you mean... speed breaker?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“You
see, sometimes when we rush through life and forget the important things, then
Allah (swt) puts down a speed bump, so we can slow down and reflect. Maybe a
little sickness or a small problem. Just to ponder on what we’re doing and what
we should be doing. And that’s it! You were chasing like a madman, so you got
hit with a speed bump.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">He
paused, allowing his words to sink in, then continued, “You know, most of us
get so caught up in life that we forget about Allah (swt), our Salaah becomes
just a ritual and the family... well, they even forget who we are. I bet your
kids call you Uncle by now?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Hey,
it’s not that bad,” said Yusuf, struggling to find a comfortable position for
his plastered leg, “But I hear what you saying. Things were getting a bit out
of hand. I missed my daughter’s pre-school Jalsa, my son’s graduation and
dropped a couple of Salaahs on the way... and Allah (swt) knows what else I
gave up for this tender...” Yusuf fell silent pondering on his situation, a
thin smile broke on his lips and his face lit up with this new found
understanding, “So this wasn’t all bad then. Actually...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“It
was for you own good,” Ridwaan completed the sentence for him, “too often we
forget the real things in life: our Allah (swt), our Deen, our families and
those so-called little things we tend to forget.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">“Yup,”
chorused Yusuf, “I remember a clever guy telling me once - pay attention to the
little things in life, for one day you may find out they were actually the big
things. Really, we can’t believe Allah’s (swt) mercy and kindness upon us. It
is, as they say, more than that of a mother. He cares for us and even what I
thought was a horrible misfortune was actually an act of kindness from Him.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Allah,
The Most Wise, says:<b><i> </i></b>"…and it may be that you dislike a
thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you.
Allah knows but you do not know." (Al-Baqarah 2:216)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">A
calamity that makes you turn to Allah (swt) is better for you than a blessing,
which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah (swt). Let us slow down and
ponder of the journey of life and make more calculated decisions that will not
only benefit us in the transitory life of this world but more so in the eternal
life of the Hereafter.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-29713118034663994832012-12-21T17:29:00.000+05:002012-12-21T17:29:05.438+05:00Dhulan, Jora, Jewellery and... Niqab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<![endif]--><i><b>Shireen Husain </b>takes us to a wedding hall for a heart-warming experience. </i><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJlBZb933mk/UNRV1LSU9PI/AAAAAAAAC1s/CY4GZXUA0ww/s1600/Mehndi+Designs+for+Hands+for+Brides+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJlBZb933mk/UNRV1LSU9PI/AAAAAAAAC1s/CY4GZXUA0ww/s1600/Mehndi+Designs+for+Hands+for+Brides+2.jpg" /></a></div>
The occasion was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
Valima.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The function was held in a grand banquet hall of a local five-stars hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “stage” for the Dhulah and Dhulan was
decorated with seasonal flowers and the lighting was especially arranged to
enhance the photography session soon to take place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hall itself was beautifully<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>decorated with huge chandeliers and
gracefully draped curtains in soothing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soft scent of fresh flowers floated in the air, due to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>abundance of fresh floral arrangements on
each table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shining crockery and cutlery
laid on crisp, clean tablecloths awaiting the guests.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the guests began to arrive, the soft background music was overpowered by conversations, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>people greeting each other, the ladies
commenting on each other’s clothes and the children running around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, the bride and the groom arrived<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">, becoming</span> the focus of attention for quite
some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, the ladies wanted
a closer look at the Dhulan, her Jora and jewellery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My stomach was growling with hunger, as I had
skipped lunch, due to a hectic schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, when dinner was served, I found myself deeply engrossed in a
conversation with a friend, whom I had not seen for ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I finally did move towards the food,
there was the usual “get some before it finishes” rush, which made me wait for my
turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was waiting, I happened to
see a slender woman, clad in a black Abaya with full Niqab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the small space between the tables and the
wall, she was standing and eating with her face to the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was facing the wall, because she had
removed her Niqab, so that she could eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Suddenly, all the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>guests faded into oblivion, and all I could see
was the lady in the abaya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even my hunger seemed to subside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Although </span>I could not see her face, but I was not able to take
my eyes off her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among the 800 guests,
she was the only woman in an Abaya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
a slight moistening of my eyes, I felt I could almost see Allah’s (swt) Noor
surrounding her, blotting out all other light in the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because for His sake, she had chosen to be a
stranger among the people<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- she had
chosen to go against the tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had
chosen not to conform or yield to the pressure of society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
To me, she represented someone, who truly had
the courage to stand up for her convictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had
made a choice<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and that choice was to please her Creator,
even though it meant being different from everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not seem to bother her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the least that people might hold her in
contempt for being different, call her 'backward' and Jahil or shun her because of her 'extremist'
stance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew whom and why she wanted to
please, and this firmness of faith allowed her to be
completely at peace with herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fact that she was obeying her Creator instilled her with a level of faith and
dignity that only the believers and close slaves of Allah (swt) recognize and delight
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To her, her Hijab was much more than
a covering, a piece of cloth<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to her, it represented her total obedience to the Creator. Subhan'Allah! Subhan'Allah!</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-50037815699575653182012-12-20T00:00:00.000+05:002012-12-20T03:08:24.798+05:00Crispy Wonton Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD0HhaO0Xmg/UNHwOJZZ3sI/AAAAAAAAAHc/-etPFEbEbkw/s1600/timthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GD0HhaO0Xmg/UNHwOJZZ3sI/AAAAAAAAAHc/-etPFEbEbkw/s1600/timthumb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">6 cups stock</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">4 mushrooms</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1 cup cabbage </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1 piece ginger</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">2 spring onions</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/2 tsp black pepper</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">2 tbsp dark soya sauce</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/2 tsp sesame oil</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><b>Ingredients for Wonton:</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">4 Samosa strips</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">100 gm chicken mince</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/4 tsp onion (chopped)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/4 tsp black pepper</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1/4 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">oil for frying</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><b>Method:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Put 6 cups stock in pan and let it cook till it starts boiling. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Now add 1 cup cabbage, 1 piece of ginger, 4 mushrooms, 2 spring onions, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp soya sauce and 1/2 tsp sesame oil, mix well and turn the flame off.</span></li>
</ol>
<b style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Method for wontons:</b><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Mix together 100 gm chicken mince, 1 tbsp chopped onion, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> Cut samosa strips* in squares, fill with prepared filling mixture. Cover, seal with oil and fry in hot oil till its colour turns to golden brown.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">(</span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Recipe by Rida Aftab)</i></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">*You can use wonton wrappers as well. Click on the following link for wonton wrapper recipe:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">http://kitchensimplicity.com/wonton-wrappers/</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17140555432804578530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-84496518476146664972012-12-19T00:44:00.001+05:002012-12-19T00:44:58.522+05:00The Perfect Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Hafsa Ahsan </i></span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>presents a few real life recipes for a successful marriage.</i></span><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvDikQKO688/UNDHgTiwNGI/AAAAAAAAC1E/q5hL2iz2LhM/s1600/Successful-marriage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvDikQKO688/UNDHgTiwNGI/AAAAAAAAC1E/q5hL2iz2LhM/s320/Successful-marriage.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A
marriage is usually said to be a blend of many different ingredients.
These ingredients, on the face of it, seem quite common from one
marriage to another. Every couple will name these ingredients to be
love, understanding, loyalty and friendship; however, the way in which
these are put together to form the perfect blend varies for every
couple. And that is what actually makes every marriage unique.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">"Hiba"
spoke to a few newly-married wives to get their views on what they feel
are the two most essential ingredients of a successful marriage.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“There
are many actually - respect, forgiveness and understanding,” said Sarah
Anwar, who’s been married for a year and a half. “Keeping faith in your
spouse and in his/her decisions is very important, since it gives you
the feeling of being secure and also makes your spouse feel more
confident. Then comes respect. Once you’ve lost it, it’s gone forever.
You might not believe in giving personal space to your spouse, but
respecting the other person for being him/herself is very important.
After all, we all have our own shortcomings. By understanding I don’t
mean taking everything your relationship has to offer, but it’s better
to try to see the other person’s perspective at times.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Hania
Tahir, who’s also been married for a year and a half, interestingly
felt that honeymoon was an essential ingredient of any marriage. “It’s
the magic ingredient that strengthens your bond and allows you to become
comfortable with each other in a way that early married life with a
million dinners a week can never allow. Strolling around in a foreign
country, staying out late and talking, talking, talking for hours and
hours brings you closer better than anything else. I credit it for
laying the foundation for my marriage,” she said.<span> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“The
second ingredient is to pick your battles. I cannot stress how
important this is. There may be a thousand million things that bother
you, but many of these are tiny and not worth fighting over. Before I
got married, I’d have scoffed at the concept of apologizing even if you
don’t mean it, but I’ve since learnt that that’s far better than both of
you glaring daggers at each other,” she added. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“Willingness
to cooperate with each other and trusting one’s spouse are the
essential ingredients of a successful marriage,” said Faria Saleem, a
wife, with a year of family life behind. “There are many issues which
have to be handled diplomatically, if you want to avoid unnecessary
conflicts. You have to know when to speak and when to remain silent.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“Trust
and compromise are very essential in a marriage,” said Javeria Idrees,
who’s been married for a couple of years and has a baby daughter. “Trust
will keep your life going and compromise within the boundaries of right
and wrong will create more room for both of you.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">With
new couples being aware of their issues and the ways to make a marriage
work, why then does conflict arise? And what is the best way of dealing
with that conflict?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“Talking
the problems out,” said Sarah Anwar promptly. “You don’t have to be
disrespectful while doing so, but if you keep the lava simmering inside,
it’s going to take all the good things away, when it bursts. Compromise
and tolerance are major factors of conflict resolution. Always believe
in your spouse – whatever he is doing is for your own happiness. Plus,
every individual is unique; we have conflicts even with our siblings,
who are brought up by the same parents under the same condition in the
same house. So how can we expect a person, who has lived his/her life in
different conditions and is brought up differently, to be exactly like
us?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Hania
Tahir was all for diplomacy. “Don’t raise your voice!” she advised.
“Say all the horrible things you want, but disguise your tone. It makes a
world of a difference. Pretend you’re being nice. At the end, profess
(exaggerated, if need be) declarations of love. If you’ve exhausted your
persuasion supplies, and the spouse irritatingly continues to disagree
with you, swallow your pride and give up your own stance. At the end of
the day, your choice is between sticking to your guns and maintaining a
smooth relationship. I pick the latter, and if it means giving up a few
things along the way, none of them are more important than a snarl-free
marriage. Oh, and the best way to drive your spouse up the wall is to
bring up something from a previous fight or something annoying you
noticed two months ago. If anything comes up, resolve it as soon as
possible. If more than two days pass and you’ve not mentioned it, give
it up and move on. It’s not fair to your poor unsuspecting partner.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Talking
to these young wives and mothers gives the impression that they are
indeed aware of the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of a marriage. It is also very
encouraging to note that, based on their personal experiences, they are
more inclined towards diplomatic handling of issues, rather than an
emotional, spontaneous response. With so many marriages on the rocks
these days, one can only hope that these young women will set an example
for those around them. After all, as one mother put it: “It is not easy
to give up your personal space in this age of individualism, but,
eventually, you have to trust the other person in doing as minor things
for you as ironing.”</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-29813670522170233842012-12-18T11:23:00.000+05:002012-12-18T11:23:07.070+05:00Scientific Miracles in the Quran<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Hafsa
Ahsan </span></strong></i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i>offers a selection of scientific evidences found in the Quran,
which prove that science and religion can go hand-in-hand</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlrSfbnra1c/UNALmy5kviI/AAAAAAAAADo/FY8o5_A5-qo/s1600/islam-science-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tlrSfbnra1c/UNALmy5kviI/AAAAAAAAADo/FY8o5_A5-qo/s320/islam-science-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">There
has always been an ongoing debate between science and religion. The
characteristic of science to prove objectively with hard core evidence
seems to clash with the basis of religion, i.e., faith. However, the
Quran is filled with the minutest scientific details which increase the
faith of those aware of the latest research. Following are some of the
scientific miracles in the Quran.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The orbits in motion</span></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span></span>“And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.” (Al-Anbiya 21:33)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">At
the time, when there were no advanced technologies of telescopes, the
Quran revealed the existence of orbits. Today, we know orbits as fixed
paths, along which all the planets and satellites travel. Even the Sun
travels in an orbit called the Solar Apex. Another verse in the Quran
can be translated as: “By the heaven full of paths.” (Adh-Dhariyat
51:7)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Mountains as pegs</span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them…” (Al-Anbiya 21:31) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Another
verse (Al-Naba 78:7) mentions ‘the mountains as pegs’. Combined with
the above verse, this gives us a good idea regarding the function of
mountains as pegs. The peg of a tent is used to fix it firmly on the
ground. A major portion of the peg is under the ground, while a small
part protrudes out. Similarly, mountains also extend under the ground
ten to fifteen times their height. These underground parts of mountains
are called mountain roots and play a critical role in stabilizing the
Earth. If not for them, the plates floating on molten magma in the outer
layer of Earth would have been moving rapidly, as the Earth revolves on
its orbit. Hence, no life would have been possible on Earth, as no soil
could be cultivated, seeds germinated or houses constructed. Mountains,
hence, hold the Earth firmly, so that it remains steady. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The two seas, which do not mix</span></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span>“He
has let loose the two seas (the salt and fresh water) meeting together.
Between them is a barrier, which none of them can transgress.”
(Ar-Rahman, 55:19-20)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Modern
science has proven that two seas can meet without mixing. An example is
that of the Mediterranean Sea with its warm and saline water and the
Atlantic Ocean with its fresh and cool water. Where the Mediterranean
Sea enters the Atlantic Ocean, it moves into the latter at a depth of a
thousand metres. Even with large waves, strong currents, and tides in
both, there is an unseen barrier between the two, which they do not
cross. Science has attributed this to a phenomenon known as surface
tension, whereby waters of different densities repel each other and do
not mingle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Embryology</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“He creates you in the wombs of your mothers: creation after creation in three veils of darkness.” (Az-Zumar 39:6)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
is now known that the above verse refers to the three stages of
creation in the development of the embryo in the mother’s womb. The
first is the pre-embryonic stage, where the fertilized egg divides into
two, and then into four cells and so on. The cells continue to divide,
till they form a hollow ball of cells, which is called an embryo. This
pre-embryonic stage lasts for two and a half weeks. The embryonic stage,
which follows, lasts for five and a half weeks. In this stage, the
basic organs and tissues of the embryo begin to develop. The final is
the fetal stage, when all the organs have been developed; the embryo is
then called a fetus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
phrase ‘threefold darkness’ is an indication of the three layers around
the embryo/fetus: the abdominal wall of the mother, the wall of the
uterus and the amnio-chorionic membrane. The latter membrane contains
the amniotic fluid, which, among other things, protects the embryo from
mechanical injury and allows it to move freely during growth. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Mother’s milk</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></strong></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“And
We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His
mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and
his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents.
Unto Me is the final destination.” (Luqman 31:14)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Today,
it has been proven that mother’s milk contains a balanced proportion of
nutrients and is free from harmful bacteria. Plus, it contains those
elements, which help to prevent diseases in a newborn. It is more easily
digestible and the baby is less likely to develop milk allergies.
Breastfeeding also helps in the emotional development of a baby by
inculcating a sense of closeness to the mother. Also, it is custom-made
for the baby. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Everything in pairs</span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">“And of everything We have created pairs, that you may remember (the Grace of Allah).” (Ad-Dhariyat 51:49)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Every
single thing has been created along with its pair. Flowers have their
male and female forms in the stamen and ovules, respectively. Plants
have a male and female gender, and even the atoms, which conduct
electricity, have their pairs – electrons with a negative charge and
protons with a positive charge.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
above are only some of the many millions of miracles that we can find
in the Quran. Scientific phenomena in the Quran, a book of signs and
guidance, have gone a long way in causing many enlightened intellectuals
to enter the folds of Islam. The presence of such accurate scientific
facts in a book revealed at a time when science was not advanced is
proof that the Quran is the word of Allah (swt).</span></div>
</div>
Hiba Blog Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956456830634441300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-11876353010091750972012-12-17T15:48:00.002+05:002012-12-17T15:48:31.070+05:00The Black Seed (Habbah Sawdaa)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Sabheen Khan </span></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">enumerates the benefits of Kalonji - the black seed.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRf6EGP9uWU/UM74a5Id_lI/AAAAAAAAADY/sfxjP2u_5g8/s1600/Image+Kalonji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRf6EGP9uWU/UM74a5Id_lI/AAAAAAAAADY/sfxjP2u_5g8/s320/Image+Kalonji.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Commonly
sighted, stored in jars, sitting in our pantry as any other herb or
spice to be added to our recipes. I am referring to the black seed,
black cumin or Indian cumin, which is more commonly known as Kalonji in
Urdu - an important remedy waiting to be taken advantage of from the
medicine of the Prophet (sa).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Abu
Hurairah (rta) related that the Prophet (saw) said: “Use the black
seed, because it contains a cure for every type of ailment, except
death.” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What
impact does this Hadeeth have on our belief with regards to the true
benefits of the black seed? It is a fact that many people do not benefit
from prophetic medicine. We must remember that although the Quran is a
cure for the diseases of the heart, the effects of the Quran will not be
felt, unless it is accepted with unwavering faith. Likewise, the
benefits of the prophetic medicine are only for the good and pure bodies
and souls.<span> </span>Therefore, if no improvement is experienced
after its use, it is not because the prophetic medicine does not work;
rather, the negativity within the body and soul are not suitable for the
prophetic medicine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The following are some of the benefits of the black seed from the medicine of the Prophet (sa):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
clears up and relieves cold symptoms, when ground in a cloth and later
inhaled through the nose on a regular basis until the ailment is cured.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
will help against cold symptoms accompanied by intensive sneezing, when
fried and finely ground, soaked in oil and then administered as drops
in the nose.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Toothache resulting from sensitivity to cold is relieved by rinsing ones mouth with black seeds that are soaked in vinegar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Such
skin ailments as leprosy, black pigmentation and dandruff are relieved
by applying black seed crushed in vinegar on the affected area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Stones in the kidney and prostate are dissolved upon taking ground black seed with honey and drunk with some warm water.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">When it is heated with vinegar and placed on the stomach, it will eliminate helminthes (worms).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It also acts as a diuretic increasing the flow during menstruation and the production of milk during lactation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Black seed oil helps against the toxins of snake and spider bites.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Black seed oil also helps against facial paralysis and tetanus by eliminating their causes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
must be stated that the black seed or black seed oil should only be
taken in small quantities as larger amounts can irritate the mucosal
linings of the digestive tract.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sample research conducted by modern science reveals recent benefits of the black seed:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Its potential for the treatment of bronchial asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Its capacity to lower excess blood pressure and improve heart function.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Its
anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli,
Pseudomonas aerugenosa, Candida albicans, in addition to a host of other
disease causing organisms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">One
of the most promising findings is the observation by doctors that the
black seed alone or in combination with garlic is a potent anti-cancer
agent.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Although
the above mentioned scientific research may help many of us to
re-confirm our belief, it is interesting to note that the companions of
the Prophet (sa) never had access to any of this research, and yet they
were the ones, who most adamantly adhered to his medicinal Sunnah. When
the Prophet (sa) spoke, their attitude was simply “we hear and we
obey.”<span> </span>In the same way our attitude should not be that we
accept the Prophet’s (sa) advice because science confirms it; rather,
we accept his advice, because he is the Messenger of the All-Knowing and
the All-Wise. If this will be our attitude then the next time science
confirms another Sunnah of the Rasool (sa), there should be no
amazement or surprises. It should be no more surprising than science
confirming that the sky is blue or that birds fly.</span><span class="article_seperator"><br /></span></div>
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Hiba Blog Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956456830634441300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-5897946598501923602012-12-16T00:51:00.000+05:002012-12-16T00:52:05.794+05:00Dealing with Jealousy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sumaira
Dada</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><i> discusses jealousy at the workplace in the light of Islam.</i> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zka-7ioLrOM/UMzUhGI0MAI/AAAAAAAAADE/nP1c-mbaYow/s1600/jealousy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zka-7ioLrOM/UMzUhGI0MAI/AAAAAAAAADE/nP1c-mbaYow/s400/jealousy.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Sarah
took a two-year break from her job to attend university. When she came
back, she discovered that her juniors had now reached higher posts and
she would have to join as a subordinate. She couldn’t help feeling a
strong sense of resentment towards her ‘juniors’. The resentment
continued to build up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Having
just switched to a new company as Head of Operations, Amir looked
forward to higher pay, a newer car and the chances of working with a
dynamic team. The newly-appointed Head of Sales was fifteen years his
senior. Amir had an introductory meeting with him that morning and got
an uncanny feeling that he wasn’t going to be of much help as the Head
of Operations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">No
one is safe from jealousy. Either you are a victim of jealousy or a
victim of someone else’s. You’ve also probably been in a sticky
situation as a team-leader, when your subordinates are nurturing
feelings of jealousy towards each other. Problems are being created but
you find yourself at a loss as to how to deal with the issue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Can the above stories be dismissed as myths or does jealousy really exist in the workplace? Let’s see what research has to say.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What does research say about jealousy?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A
survey on the role jealousy plays in organizations was conducted by
Frederick C. Miner Jr., Ph. D., and the results were published in the
April 1990 issue of the “Personnel Journal”. It was found that more than
75% of the respondents reported observing a jealous situation in their
work environment. What was really surprising was the fact that more than
50% indicated that they were directly involved in such a situation, and
over 25% of the group admitted that they were jealous of someone else
during the past month. In more than 33% of the situations, jealous
people tried to undermine the co-workers they were jealous of by
spreading rumors, acting destructively and so on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">In
another survey on jealousy, the results were reported by “Notre Dame
Magazine” in the summer issue of 1996. The survey conducted by Professor
of Management Robert P. Vecchio cited that 77% of employees surveyed
had witnessed jealousy around the office within the past month, and more
than 50% admitted to being directly involved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The
above results point to the fact that jealousy is common in the
workplace. Let’s see what guidance Islam gives about this very
destructive emotion.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">What does Islam say about jealousy?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The Prophet (sa) said: “Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood.” (Abu Dawood)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">In
another Hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah (sa) said: “There has come to
you the disease of the nations before you, jealousy and hatred. This is
the ‘shaver’ (destroyer); I do not say that it shaves hair, but that it
shaves (destroys) faith.” (Tirmidhi)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Abu
Hurairah (rta) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sa) said: “Two things
cannot be gathered in the heart of a believer, Iman (faith) and envy.”
(An-Nasai)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
is very clear from the above Ahadeeth that jealousy should not be
nurtured, and one should make an effort to cleanse one’s heart of this
destructive emotion. Not doing so would put our faith in danger.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">How to deal with jealousy?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Here are some tips on dealing with this emotion, and with people, who might turn green at the mention of your name.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If you are jealous of someone…</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">1. Say Salam and shake hands with him</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Jealousy
breeds hatred and the word of Salam spreads love as we know from the
following Hadeeth: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not
enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you
love one another. Shall I not tell you of that which will strengthen
love between you? Spread (the greeting of) Salam amongst yourselves.”
(Tirmidhi)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">2. Say a prayer of blessing for him</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Upon feeling the pangs of jealousy, immediately say a prayer of blessing for that person and ask forgiveness from Allah (swt).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">3. Ask for contentment from Allah (swt)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">One
of the causes of jealousy is discontentment with the blessings given to
you by Allah (swt). You can read the following Masnoon prayer to seek
contentment: “O Allah! Make me content upon what (blessings) You have
granted me and bless me in it; and be the Best Protector (and Guardian)
for me (in my absence) of whatever is hidden from me.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">(Hakim)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If someone is jealous of you…</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Seek protection from Allah (swt)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Say
a prayer seeking refuge with Allah (swt). Recitation of Surah Falaq
(Chapter 113) and prayers of protection would save you from the harms of
the person who is jealous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">You
could recite the following prayer: “O Allah! Indeed we place You before
them (our enemies) and we take refuge in You from their evil.” (Abu
Dawood)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If you are a manager dealing with jealousies among your subordinates, then you should:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">1. Throw open the doors of communication</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Understanding
the reasons for an employee’s negative sentiment and trying to arrive
at a solution to the problem would possibly result in curtailment of
jealousy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">2. Boost employee’s morale </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">By
focusing on each employee’s positive aspects and abilities you could
shift the attention away from destructive tendencies towards
constructive efforts.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">If you are a co-worker, then you could:</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Convey to your colleague that jealousy is destructive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Tell
your colleague that jealousy will take him down the drain both in this
world and in the Hereafter; plus, the company will likely suffer.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Last Word…</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Allah
(swt) has said: “It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood
in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so
that some may employ others in their work But the Mercy (Paradise) of
your Lord is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass.”
(Az-Zukhruf 43:32) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It
is clear from the above verse that the reason for some people getting
more of this world than others is due to Allah’s (swt) wisdom and
planning. Therefore, instead of rushing to get more of the possessions
of this world, our sights should remain on the Hereafter. The fires of
jealousy will then subside, Insha’Allah! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">An Advice</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="LTR">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Al-Hasan
al-Basri said: “Umar Ibn Khattab wrote this letter to Abu Musa
Al-Ashari: ‘Be content with your provision in this world, for the Most
Merciful has honored some of His servants over others in terms of
provision as a test of both. The one, who has been given plenty, is
being tested to see if he will give thanks to Allah and fulfill the
duties which are his by virtue of his wealth.’” (Ibn Hatim)</span></div>
</div>
Hiba Blog Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956456830634441300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-64469617672576482652012-12-15T18:34:00.002+05:002012-12-15T18:34:46.481+05:00Life with the Ahmad Family: Don't Forget<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In this episode, Abdullah learns that if he doesn't remember something, it's
best to come clean. Especially when Umm Jamal is involved!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Please, click to enlarge.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHVeVfQNKKo/UMx8EUlQ_LI/AAAAAAAAAC0/HwvxLJZS3i4/s1600/Dont+Forget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Life with the Ahmad Family comic for Muslim Children: Don't Forget" border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHVeVfQNKKo/UMx8EUlQ_LI/AAAAAAAAAC0/HwvxLJZS3i4/s640/Dont+Forget.jpg" title="Life with the Ahmad Family comic for Muslim Children: Don't Forget" width="640" /></a></div>
Don't forget to leave some feedback
in the comments below!<br />
To see other comics of The Ahmad Family, please, <a href="http://www.hibamagazineblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Life%20with%20the%20Ahmad%20Family">click here</a>. <br />
(Absar Kazmi may be contacted at: <a href="http://us.mc1608.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=absar.kazmi@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1338460855_1">absar.kazmi@gmail.com</span></a>)</div>
Hiba Blog Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956456830634441300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3299999349493550114.post-17426378332710988642012-12-14T00:30:00.000+05:002012-12-14T00:30:02.935+05:00Hiba's survey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear blog readers, <br />
Assalam ualaikum!<br />
<br />
Hiba Magazine is conducting a survey to find out about the issues our readers face on daily basis. This will, Insha'Allah, help us decide the themes for the future issues of Hiba Magazine and also ensure that the content of the magazine is most relevant to you - our readers.<br />
<br />
Here is the survey link. Do take a few minutes for filling it out:<br />
<a href="http://kwiksurveys.com/s.asp?sid=ti0kxbf5zxezgrb63803" target="_blank">http://kwiksurveys.com/s.asp?sid=ti0kxbf5zxezgrb63803</a><br />
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Jazak Allah Khair for your time!</div>
Hiba Blog Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956456830634441300noreply@blogger.com0