ALL PRAISE is DUE TO ALLMIGHTY ALLAH, THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS..

Islam encourages critical thinking instead of just permitting it. At scores of places in the Holy QurÂ’an, the Almighty has exhorted man to think about the signs that are spread around him and that testify to the greatness of Allah. The Holy QurÂ’an reads:
None will grasp the message but men of intellect? (2:269)
Most certainly the worst of animals in AllahÂ’s sight are the deaf, the dumb who do not use their brains. (8:22)
Behold in the creation of the heavens and the alteration of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of intellect. (3:190)
We are not supposed to close our eyes and live this life being obsessed with worldly pleasures as animals who only know how to strive for their bodily desires. We are rather supposed to ponder, deliberate and choose a proper course of action for whatever undertaking we venture. Thus, critical thinking is not confined to thinking about the stars and the moon. It is rather moving ahead in every field of science and arts. The discoveries that we succeed to make in these fields will evidently guide us how to appreciate the Original Creator of everything, who always partake in our lives like a concerned and active Mentor.

http://www.festivalofthinkers.com

PRAISE THE LORD, ALLAH, ALLLLLLLLLMIGHTY, T---O---D---A----Y I HAD ONE OF THE BEST MORNINGS I'VE EVER SPENT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE..REALLY IT WAS GREAT..I HOPE U GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT..RIGHT IN U.A.E.....I GUESS I NEVER SAW SUCH GREAT THINKERS...AND SURPRISINGLY, ONE OF THE VERY RESPECTED AND TALENTED THINKERS APPROVED OF OUR GREATEST THINKER MOHAMMED PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM.(Dr. Edward de Bono SAID: .The great prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him) had more to say about ‘thinking'than any other religious leader – for example, in the Hadith the prophet says: “One hour of thinking about the works of the Creator is worth more than seventy years of praying�. In the Koran there are over one hundred verses with explicit reference to thinking. ")..ANYWAYS, U CAN GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS AMAZING EVENT THROUGH http://www.festivalofthinkers.com
PEACE BE UNTO ALL OF UR SOULS...AMEN.

Sunshine, Dust and the Messenger---Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Morning light through the bedroom window
Slow motion dust specks swirling in the sun
I close my eyes
And I'm floating along
Sun did you warm the face of the Prophet the way you warmed mine
And make this room glow?
Dust were you brushed from the beard of the Prophet
Returning from Jihad so long ago?

Sunshine, Dust and the Messenger---Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Rain pouring down upon my garden
Rhythm for the wind that sings his song
I close my eyes
And I'm drumming along
Rhythm of rain were you once a river
That purified the Prophet before his prayers?
Were you the breath from the lips of the Prophet
Carrying wisdom to thirsty ears?

Sunshine, Dust and the Messenger---Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Sharp clear crescent lighting the blue night
Slipping in silence through the star scattered sky
I close my eyes
And I know that I belong
Were you the same moon that lit the way of the Prophet
Slipping through the desert on his hijra?
Stars did you map the way to Madina
For the blessed messenger of Allah?

The Box of Crayons

If you were to go to a shop
And bought a box of crayons
And when you get back home
To colour your picture
You find one of the crayons missing,
What would you do?

Would you:
Start colouring without making a hassle
And try to make the best of what you have?
Or:
Go back to the shop and ask for an exchange
Because of the missing crayon?

I would start colouring without making a fuss.
But thatÂ’s not the point.
The point is that whether you start colouring
Or go for an exchange,
Either way youÂ’re aware that
ThereÂ’s a crayon missing.
You know that thereÂ’s an
Empty space in the box.
This is life.
The box is our Earth and
We are the crayons.
We come in different colours
And textures,
Without any one of us
The Earth would feel empty.
Our nature is delicate,
We get broken easily
So we need to be handled carefully.
No one of us can replace another,
We all have our own place
And we all bring a unique touch
To this Earth.
We put the colour and liven up
This Earth.
Each of us contributes in
A different way.
We share the same box.
If the box gets broken
From one side,
ItÂ’ll affect us all.

We are the crayons,
This Earth is our box.
The box of crayons.

- Tahir Rashid

www.meccaone.org

FAQ's
1. Ask your science teacher why sunsets are beautiful.
2. If your eyes have a purpose for their existense then how about you?
3. How did the heart start to beat without the central nervous system telling it?
4. Who designed the stick bug to look like a stick?
5. Who taught the new born baby to cry and suckle?
6. Who told the ozone layer about the ultra-violet rays?
7. Why is the sky blue and not brown, and why is the ground brown and not blue?
8. If we came from monkey's, then why are there still monkey's?
9. How come for every cause there is an effect?
10. Does God exist?

The Dangers of Narrow-Mindedness
Ahmad as-Sowayyan
Editor-in-chief, Al-Bayan Magazine
AlJumuah, RabiÂ’ul Awwal 1421
Narrow-mindedness is defined as lacking tolerance or not having the mental faculty to see beyond the superficial and recognize the underlying truth. Currently, this tendency appears to be widespread in all segments of Muslim communities.
The primary reason for this deplorable condition is ignorance, the inability to recognize this deficiency and to take corrective action. This situation is further aggravated if the ignorant person considers himself to be the epitome of wisdom, and if, he is in a leadership or a highly visible position, he can cause unnecessary harm to a family, a community or a an entire nation.
Absence of insight can also result in narrow-mindedness by having a negative effect on oneÂ’s thought processes. Insight is a rare virtue, and quite different from ignorance. A person who lacks insight may possess some knowledge, but derives no benefit from it due to a lack of analytical skills while someone with insight assesses his or her knowledge of a situation and then selects and uses its relevant parts. Through insight, they are able4 to see what others may not. Ibnul Qayyim, the famous Islamic scholar and author, said: "One person may read a text and learn one or two lessons from it, while another may learn one or two hundred."
A rigidly traditional individualÂ’s perceptivity, like that of a captive frog in a deep well, is able to function only within narrow parameters. He does not realize that there are boundless vistas of knowledge beyond the scope of the well, therefore, his mental and intellectual evolution remains stunted. He is unable to take advantage of the knowledge available beyond his limited horizon.
Blind imitation creates another obstacle to oneÂ’s intellectual growth. The two world wars of the past century are the perfect examples of this disability that can allow ruthless political or religious leaders to manipulate the minds of people who are unable to form their own objective view.
Some individuals habitually look at things from one angle and accept them as actual facts without thinking that there may be a different side to the issue, or that reality may actually be quite different from appearance. In the following verse, Allah points out that the appearance of the hypocrites may not be a true indication of their reality: "And when you see them, you like their appearance, but when they speak and you listen to them, they seem worthless" Â… and then He goes on to give this warning: "They are the enemy, so be warned of them. The curse of Allah be upon them, how they are perverted." [63:4]
Furthermore, some people are impressed by quantity at the expense of quality. Referring to the battle of Hunain, Allah says: "On the day of Hunain, your numbers impressed you but did not benefit you." But, "If there be amongst you twenty who show fortitude, they will defeat two hundred." This does not, of course, mean that appearances are to be completely disregarded or that quantity is totally irrelevant. These fundamentals should not be valued in isolation, but should be understood through insight and common sense.
A failure to prioritize or differentiate wrong from right often leads people to lose sight of the broader picture. Often people will focus on the immediate and disregard the potential disastrous effects of an action further down the road. Along with ignorance, narrow-mindedness and, of course, a lack of insight, these gaps usually prove detrimental to that individualÂ’s future.

Tolerance

Freedom of belief is guaranteed in Islam. It should be very clear that Islam tolerates not only other faiths but even its enemies. This is stated clearly in the Qur'an: "God forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for God loves those who are just." [60:8] It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts to implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves and to govern their own affairs. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths. When the great leader and second Caliph, Umar, entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam guaranteed freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. In fact, so careful was Umar in setting an example for his people that he not only went to a church to pray, he prayed outside in the courtyard, lest his followers after his death be tempted to convert the church into a mosque. Islam teaches that the closest to Allah and the most beloved of Allah are those who are the best in piety. Thus all people, male and female, and regardless of race, color, nationality or ethnicity, are considered and treated as equal before Allah and before the law. This concept of tolerance did not reach the West even in theory until the 18th century, and in practice not until the 20th century.

http://www.weneedtounite.com/

Wake Up!
by a dear sister

Bismillah Al Rahman, Al Raheem:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” you hear the athaan go on.
But you still decide to procrastinate, even when your family yells, “Come on!”

You think, “I still have time, before I really have to pray, ‘Asr is still hours away.”
Your head is saying “Go” but the Shaytaan is saying “No” so you go on anyway.

You go to your bed and decide to lie down, for just a few minutes you say.
But when your head hits the pillow, your body is overcome by a feeling, different than any other way.

You suddenly feel hot and nervous, and your throat is parched and dry.
You hear a voice call, “Why did you disobey me?” But you are unable to answer why.

Suddenly your life flashes before your eyes,
And feelings of guilt and regret are becoming hard to disguise.

Images and thoughts run through your head,
If only you did more useful things, but you wasted your time instead.

Every ill word you said, and every prayer you missed is presented,
If only you took life more seriouslyÂ…if only you repented.

You say, “I didn’t know any better, I never knew to take a closer look”
But the voice replies, “Yes you did, you had The Holy Book.”

“In it you will find the meaning of life, and words of inspiration.
And the perfect example for mankind, the Prophet who received the revelation.”

“This life is but a stage, a mere drop compared to an ocean,
“So think not of the worldly things, and make sure that in your heart lies devotion.”

You wake up suddenly, alarmed and quivering.
“I wasted so much time!” you think, “good words and prayers I should be delivering.”

You pray, and then afterwards do some reflection,
And you decide to give your life a thorough inspection.

This life is so unpredictable; it can vanish very soon,
All that you see will perish, and only your deeds will remain with you.

So hold on to the Quran and the way of the Prophet (saw) for salvation,
And do not delay what you must do, remember Jannah, the ultimate destination.

http://www.weneedtounite.com/

LIFE.........
Life is nothing but an accumulation of many breaths. So every breath is just a precious diamond which cannot be purchased with anything in the world. It is a priceless jewel which has got no substitute in value. So in movements and talks, and in sorrows and happiness, such a priceless breath should not be spent in vain. To destroy it is to court destruction. An intelligent man cannot lose it. When a man gets up at dawn, he should enter into an agreement with himself just as a tradesman contracts with his partner. At that time, he should address his mind thus: O mind, you have been given no other property as precious as life. When it will end, the principal will end and despondency will come in seeking profit in business. Today is a new day. Allah has given you time, that is, He has delayed your death. He has bestowed upon you innumerable gifts. Think that you are already dead. So don't waste time. Every breath is a precious jewel. Man has got for each day and night twenty-four treasure houses in twenty-four hours. Fill up these then find them filled up with divine sights in the world next. If they are not filled up with good works, they will be filled up with intense darkness wherefrom a bad stench will come out and envelop them all around. Another treasure house will neither give him happiness nor sorrow. That is an hour in which he slept, or was careless, or was engaged in any lawful work of this world. He will feel grieved for its remaining vacant.

[Taken from al-Ghazali: Meditation and Introspection, The Book of Constructive Virtues, Ihya Ulum-id-din.]

Oh Allah

By Yusef Hayes

where are you?
I know that you cannot be
where I think you are

outside of me

I read and study

I pray
to
you

impossible that it works like that

impossible that you are anything I can
imagine
sitting there collecting prayers
dishing out punishment and reward
taking your mail
eating dinner
making love

who are you then?

you are in me
i am in you
but what does that mean?

you are the vast expanse within my heart
you are the smile that doesn't come from circumstance
you shine in my daughters eyes
you glisten on the rain drops
and the old trees sing your song

i try singing too
allahu allahu allahu

where are you where are you where are you

i need you

i am banging on the glass
i want to be inside
i want everyone inside

maybe that is the way
through the all
through the nothingness
through the pain and the crying
the madness and chaos

maybe then we all end up singing
you hear the song
and you appear

maybe

Yusef Hayes is a husband, father, and son who is learning how to love through instruction, practice, and grace. In his spare time he teaches Speech at North Shore Community College in Massachusets. He is looking forward to the return of Hip Hop and the age of Aquarius.

Question:

I was wondering if you could possibly help me resolve some conflicting issues. If God is All-Powerful, He must be able to prevent evil. If God is All-Good, He must want to prevent evil. But evil and suffering exist. How is it possible for God to be both All-Powerful and All-Good and still allow a world in which evil and suffering exist? I would greatly appreciate a response.

_______
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Thank you for the question you posed, it is a very important topic these days, as many people have this same question in Christianity as well. In response to your question, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County and (past) President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

Answer: Date 16/June/2003 : Answer provided by: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, past president of I.S.N.A.
Indeed Allah is All-Powerful (Al-`Aziz) and He is able to do all things (Allahu 'ala kuli shayin qadir). The Quran has mentioned this hundreds of times. It is also mentioned in the Quran that Allah is the Creator and He is the Best Creator. Glory be to Allah, the best Creator. (Al-Mu'minoon: 14)
But then the question comes why do pain and sufferings exist in the world. We find sickness, old age and death. We see things that are ugly, people who are insane and foolish. There are storms, earthquakes, floods, draught and famine. We also see people commit sins, show disloyalty, unfaithfulness, greed and insincerity. We see people commit rapes, murders; they fight and make wars. We know all these and many more problems. There are evils caused by human beings and there are natural disasters. There are suffering for individuals and there are those that involve a large number of people.
But we also know that this is not the whole story. Besides all these negative things, we also see beauty, health, prosperity, life, birth, wisdom, intelligence, growth and progress. We also see goodness among people, faith, sincerity, charity, love and the spirit of sacrifice. We also see a lot of virtue and piety. It is wrong to see one side of the coin and not to see the other side. Any philosophy that concentrates on one aspect of the creation and denies or ignores the other side is partially true and partial truths are no truth at all.
It is also the fact that the element of good is more in the creation than the element of evil. We all see that there are more people who are healthy than those who are sick. There are more that eat well than those who starve.
There are more that lead decent life than those who commit crimes. Goodness is the rule and evil is the exception. Virtue is the norm and sin is the aberration. Generally trees bear fruits, the flowers bloom, the winds move smoothly.
But then the question is why does Allah allow these exceptions to the rules?
Let us ask this question to understand Allah's ways in His creation. The Quran tells us that good, evil and whatever happens in this world happens by Allah's Will (mashiat Allah). Only Allah knows fully His Will. We finite beings cannot grasp fully His infinite Will and Wisdom. He runs His universe the way He deems fit. The Quran tells us that Allah is Wise and everything that Allah does is right, just, good and fair. We must submit and surrender to His Will. The Quran has not given us all the details about Allah's Will, but it has enlightened us with the guidance that is useful and sufficient for us. There are several points that we should keep in our mind to understand this issue:
1. First of all, Allah did not make this world a permanent world. This is a temporary world and everything here has a time limit. When its times comes it will die, come to an end and finish. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor the bad things eternal. We are here for a short time and we are being tested. Those who will pass this test will find an eternal world that is perfect and permanent. Those who will fail this test shall see the evil consequences of their sins and corruption.
2. Allah has placed a physical law and a moral law in this universe. Allah allows suffering to occur when one or more of these laws are broken. The physical law is based on cause and effect. Sickness comes if one does not take care of ones health or is exposed to infections. A car accident occurs when one is not alert, or drives in a careless manner, or if the cars are not checked, roads and freeways are not made and kept in right shape, or the traffic laws are not right or not properly enforced. Study of causes and effects is very important to facilitate safeguards. Even here we should keep in mind that Allah often saves us and He does not let us suffer from every negligence. How many times it happens that we are not careful and still we reach safely to our destinations. The way people drive in some cities, it is a miracle that more accidents do not happen and more people do not suffer. Allah says:
(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Quran. He has created man: He has taught him speech (and Intelligence). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the herbs and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures."
(Ar-Rahman:1-10)
The way we exceed the measures set by Allah and violate His laws of "cause and effect" is incredible. It is really the mercy of Allah that we are saved. Strictly speaking, the question should not be why does Allah allow suffering, but how much Allah protects us and saves us all the time in spite of our violations and negligence. The Quran says:
"If Allah were to punish people according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His servants."
(Fatir:45)

But sometimes Allah does punish people because of their violations of His laws whether they are physical or moral. The Quran tells us that many nations and communities were destroyed because of their sinful lifestyles:

If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the Peoples before them (with their Prophets), the People of Noah, and Ad and Thamud. Those of Abraham and Lut; and the Companions of the Madyan people; and Moses was rejected (in the same way). But I granted respite to the Unbelievers, and (only) after that did I punish them: but how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)! How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing! They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built?" (Al-Hajj: 42-45)

3. Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to suffer in order to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah's Prophets and Messengers were made to suffer. Prophet Ayyub is mentioned in the Quran as a Prophet who was very patient. Good people sometimes suffer but their sufferings heal others and bring goodness to their communities. People learn lessons from their good examples. Martyrs die for their faith, soldiers give their lives for their nations and this brings liberation and freedom for their people.
4. Allah sometimes allows some people to suffer to test others, how they react to them. When you see a person who is sick, poor and needy, then you are tested by Allah. Allah is there with that suffering person to test your charity and your faith. In a very moving Hadith Qudsi (Divine Hadith) the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, "O son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit Me." He will say, "O my Lord, how could I visit You, when you are the Lord of the Worlds?" Allah will say, "Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me there?" Allah will say, "O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not." He shall say, "O my Lord, how could I feed you and you are the Lord of the Worlds?" And Allah will say, "Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was in need of food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that to have been for Me?" "O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink." The man shall say, "O my Lord, how could I give You water, when You are the Lord of the Worlds?" Allah will say, "My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him to drink water. Did you not know that if you had given him to drink, you would have found that to have been for Me?"
(Muslim, Hadith no. 4661)
Prophet `Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, is also reported to have said something similar in the Injeel (Gospel or New Testament of The Bible). (See Matthew 25: 35-45) So to summarize, we can say suffering occurs to teach us that we must adhere to Allah's natural and moral laws. It is sometimes to punish those who violate Allah's natural or moral laws. It is to test our faith in Allah and to test our commitment to human values and charity. Whenever we encounter suffering we should ask ourselves, Have we broken any law of Allah? Let us study the cause of the problem and use the corrective methods. Could it be a punishment? Let us repent and ask forgiveness and reform our ways. Could it be a test and trial for us? Let us work hard to pass this test. Believers face the sufferings with prayers, repentance and good deeds. The non-believers face the sufferings with doubts and confusions. They blame Allah or make arguments against Him. May Allah keep us on the right path, Amen!
Allah Almighty knows best.
[credit to: Dr. Muzamil Saddique and www.IslamOnline.net ]

www.islamtomorrow.com

We receive a large number of eMails from all over the world and this one came in from a non-Muslim named S.W. He asks the question:
"Dear Sir:
I am trying to make a list of things to do before I die and would like some suggestions?
Thank You,
S. W."
Could you please comment as to what Islam says about death?"
Answer from Sheik Yusuf Estes,
US Federal Prison Chaplain -
"In the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful. Peace be upon His Messenger Muhammad and His family and all those who follow true guidance until the Last Day."
To continue:
Allah the Almighty is All Wise and Is the Knower of All Things.
For those who are not familiar with the teachings of Islam, we should perhaps cover a few basics before attempting to answer this most honest and in depth question.
There is a small chapter at the end of the Holy Quran called "Al Asr" and it carries a very heavy meaning which can solve a lot of the problems with the dealings of life and death of the human being. Let us consider the plus or minus translation into the English language.
"(Allah Swears an oath of great consequence) By the passage of time, all of the humankind are in a state of great loss (meaning Hell as a result of their dealings here on earth), except for those who come to the correct belief (Oneness of Allah) and do the deeds of righteousness; and encourage and exhort one another to Truth (all that pertains to Islam) and encourage and exhort one another to steadfast patience."
From the above quoted portion of the Quran and verses related to it, the scholars of Islam have concluded the following:
A) All of us are born with a purpose to be fulfilled before death – Worship of the One True God, Alone and on His terms and conditions.
Note: Quran states "Allah only created you all for the purpose of worshipping Him."
B) All of us will die and be in the grave.
Note: Quran states "Every soul shall taste death."
C) All of us (believers and non-believers) will be recreated (resurrected) on the Day of Judgment.
Note: Quran states "Surely from Allah you came and to Him is your return."
And "Do they not think that they will be resurrected, on a Great Day? The Day when all mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds?"
D) Each person will receive his/her "Book of Record" (listing of all their deeds).
Note: Quran states "Nay! Truly, the Record of the wicked is a Preserved Record."
And "Those who receive their books in their right hands will be successful." and "Those who receive their books behind their backs will be the losers."
E) Each person will be held accountable for what he/she has done.
Note: Quran states "Every person will see any good they have done, even an atom's weight. Every person will see any evil they have done, even an atom's weight."
F) None will take away the sins or punishment for another.
Note: Quran states "Allah does not burden a person beyond his ability. He will be rewarded for that which he has earned, and punished for that which he has earned."
G) None will make intercession with the Almighty except as He Wills.
Note: Quran states "Who is there that could come between Allah and what He has created except that He give them permission?"
H) The final destination of Heaven or Hell will be made known.
Note: Quran states "Verily, You shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)."
I) None will enter the Paradise except by the Mercy of Allah.
Note: Prophet, peace be upon him, said; “None shall enter the Jennah (Paradise) except with the Mercy of Allah.” When asked by his companions: “Even you? O, prophet of Allah?” And He replied: “Even me.”
J) None will enter the Fire except those who have earned it. Note: Quran states "Therefore I have warned you of a blazing Fire (Hell). None shall enter it except the most wretched."

Death is like a journey to a land from which there is no return. So before you die, be sure to pack three things to take along with you on the journey:
1) Proper identification { ID }
2) Enough nourishment to last for Eternity
3) Sufficient Garments or Coverings
1) Proper ID: [Book of Record of Persons Life]
This covers two very important categories.
One is the faith or belief.
The other is the actions and deeds.
They must both be correct to insure an easy transition into the Next Life and a proper place in the Paradise in the Hereafter.
Let us begin with the Covenant of faith with the ONE TRUE GOD & Acts of worship to Him Alone without partners.
This is meaning that the person comes to the understanding that there is only One True God who is the only Creator, Sustainer and God of all that exists. This can be understood as “Oneness” or “Tawhid of Islam.” This might be better understood by breaking it down into the following three categories:
1) “Oneness” of Lordship [Tawhid Al Ulu hiyah]
2) “Oneness” of Worship [Tawhid Al Rubbu biyah]
3) “Oneness” of Characteristics [Tawhid Al Asma was Siffat)
Record of submission to His Will over your own will.
Correct Beliefs
There are three things that we will be asked about right after our death:
Who is your Lord?
[Allah]
What is your religion?
[Islam]
Who is your prophet?
[Muhammad]
Immediately you will find those who will argue that this is not fair. After all, Muhammad, peace be upon him, was sent by Allah with the message of Islam only 1,400 years ago. So, what about all those who lived before him? And what of those who came afterwards and never heard of Allah, Islam and Muhammad, peace be upon him?
And the answer is quite simple. Islam is the only true religion brought by all of the prophets of Almighty God [Allah]. They all preached a message of total surrender to the One and Only True God of the Universe. If the person lived the life of "Surrender, Submission and Obedience to the Almighty, in Sincerity and Peace"; then they in fact, lived as a true Muslim without ever knowing the Arabic terms.
This means that all of the followers of all of the prophets of Almighty God from Adam to Moses to Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, will find that they will be supplied the correct answers to these questions when asked.

After the angel of death removes the soul from the body, the angels will carry the soul of the one who has died up to the heavens and when they come to Allah the Most High, He will reject any who are not in possession of the correct answers [mentioned above]. After the questioning the person will be then reunited with his or her own dead body and spend the remainder of time waiting for the Day of Judgment.
2) Nourishment:
Acts of charity and kindness only for the sake of the Almighty. These good deeds will accompany the person throughout his or her life in the grave until the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment they will all see their deeds clearly.
There are two angels who record all the actions and deeds of the individual from birth until death. The angel on the right records all of the good deeds while the angel on the left records all of the bad ones.
As soon as the person intends to do a good thing, a good deed is recorded for him/her.
After doing the good deed, ten full good deeds are recorded for the person (or 70 or 700 or as much as Allah Wills).
If a person encourages others to do a good deed, then a matching reward is recorded for the one calling to the good deed.
Another angel on the left, records all of the bad and evil deeds of the person as follows:
If the person intends to do a bad deed, but stops himself from it because he/she knows it is wrong, then a full good deed is recorded for them.
If the person intends an evil or bad deed but does not have the chance to commit it, then nothing is recorded either way.
If the person commits a bad deed, the angel on the left begins to record a bad deed in his/her “Book of Records”, but the angel on the right stops him and asks him to wait to see if the person might repent. After a while the angel on the left again begins to record the bad deed but again the angel on the right stops him with the same pleading. This continues for a while and if the person refuses to seek the forgiveness of The Almighty, then one full bad deed is recorded to his/her account.
At anytime that a person should commit a bad deed, he/she should immediately seek forgiveness from the Almighty and follow up the bad deed with a good one.
Additionally, when a person performs the obligatory prayers on time in accordance with the teachings of Islam, all the sins from the most recent prayer are forgiven.
When a person attends the Friday prayers according to the teachings of Islam, he/she is forgiven for all of the sins for the previous week since the last Friday service.
When a person makes the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Thurl Hijah on the Islamic calendar, all the sins since birth are forgiven and the record is wiped clean for a fresh start. All previous good deeds remain in place.
In the case of the one who comes to Islam from some other faith group, all of his/her sins are forgiven and wiped clean and all of the previous ones are held in place. The person is as pure and innocent as a new-born baby but with the exception that all of the deeds previously committed whether bad or good are all purified to become mountains of good deeds for the new comer to Islam.
3) Garments:
Forgiveness, Honesty, Respect & Fairness in dealings with others is the best covering.
One important note: Even if a person has no bad deeds at all and he or she has mountains of good deeds it will still not be enough to gain entrance into the Paradise of the Almighty.
Why?
Because of the saying of the prophet, peace be upon him, that “None shall enter the Jennah (Paradise) except with the Mercy of Allah.” When asked by his companions: “Even you? O, prophet of Allah?” And He replied: “Even me." [mentioned above]
Oh yes, don't leave behind a mess -- leave behind a Will!
And finally and most important of all regarding the death of anyone, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
"And do not die, except in complete submission to Almighty Allah."

www.zaytuna.org

TENDERNESS AND EASE..

THATS IT REALLY!!!..HEHE

THE FUTURE IN A CUP: TEA, OR COFFEE?

CAFFEINE BEVERAGES-TO DRINK OR NOT
by Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. President Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc. 7102 W. Shefford Lane Louisville, KY 40242-6462, U.S.A. E-mail: IRFI@INAME.COM Website: http://WWW.IRFI.ORG

Islam is a universal religion. Islam is submission to the Will of God. This implies doing right, being an example to others to do right, and having the power to see that the right prevails. One should set an example to others to eschew wrong and have the power to see that wrong and injustice are defeated.
Islam disciplines the human being so that a Muslim can do good and ward off evil. Islam brings out the best in a human being, exalts him/her to the highest position on earth. Therefore by following the word and spirit of Islam one can strive to become a perfect human being. This statement is supported by the fact that our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most perfect human being ever lived on earth (See Dr. Ahmad Deedat's Video Tapes).
One should have the knowledge to distinguish between what is good and what is bad or evil. Anything that produces harm, injury or death is bad, by definition. Also anything that deviates or distracts a Muslim from performing his Islamic obligations or duties is also bad or harmful. Halal means lawful, permissible. The acts of Halal are made by Allah (SWT) and revealed to man through Al-Qur'an. If one examines Halal in detail one sees that Halal is designed for the benefit and welfare of mankind. It is designed to be for the "good" of mankind. Therefore Halal can be construed as good and could be synonymous with "good". Similarly Haram could be interpreted to mean bad or evil. Whenever the word Halal is mentioned we invariably understand that it is applied to meat and other foods.
Let there arise out of you
A band of people inviting to all
That is good, enjoining what is right
And forbidding what is wrong:
They are the ones to attain felicity.
— Al- Qur'an, 3: 104

Commenting on this verse Allama Yusuf Ali says " the root idea is attainment of desires, happiness, in this world and the next; success; freedom from anxiety, care or disturbed state of mind;..... The ideal Muslims community is happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, sure of itself, strong, united, and prosperous: because it invites to all that is good; enjoins the right; and forbids the wrong. "
Al Qur'an is guidance for all of mankind and for all times, present and future. The concept of Halal to the personal habits of Muslims is extended based on the arguments given initially and on the following verses taken from the Noble Qur'an:
Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind.
…… Surah, Baqara, 2: 44
Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.
…………… Surah, Baqara, 2: 60
Those who believe and do good works: such are rightful owners of the Garden (Jannah). Surah Baqara, 2: 82

O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you. ……..Surah, Baqara 2: 168

O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you.... . 2: 172
The righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). Surah, Baqara, 2: 189.
The best provision is to ward off evil. .. Surah, Baqara, 2: 197
Allah loveth those who have a care for cleanness… Surah Baqara, 2: 222.
O Ye who believe! Strong drink (intoxicants) and games of chance (gambling) and idols and divining arrows (superstition) are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed (prosper). …Surah, Al-Ma'ida, 5: 90
Satan seeks only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink (intoxicants) and games of chance (gambling) and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will ye then not abstain?
………Surah, Al-Ma'ida,. 5: 91
... So be mindful of your duty (to Allah) and do good works, and again: be mindful of your duty, and believe; and once again: be mindful of your duty, and do right. Allah loveth those who do good………Surah, Al-Ma'ida…5: 93
Caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, three closely related alkaloids, occur in plants, which are widely distributed throughout the world. From ancient times, water extracts of these plants have served as beverages for man. These alkaloids possess important pharmacologic properties and are therapeutic agents. Coffee-extracted from the seeds of Coffea Arabica and related species- contains caffeine. For making tea, the leaves of Thea sinesis are used. They contain caffeine and theophylline. The seeds of Theobroma cacao are used to make cocoa, which contains caffeine and theobromine. Mate, a popular national drink of many South American countries, contains caffeine. Even the so-called "soft drinks", particularly the cola-flavored drinks popular in the U.S. and many other countries, also contain caffeine. These drinks are made using extracts of kola nuts, which, like the guru nuts chewed by the natives of Sudan, contain about two percent caffeine.

DISCOVERY OF COFFEE
The earliest history of these beverages is not known except for many conjectural statements and mythical stories. Legend credits the discovery of coffee to Kaldi, an Arab goatherd. This appears fairly reliable as the word "coffee" comes from the Arabic word "gahwa", and until the end of the 17th century, the world's limited supply of coffee was obtained almost entirely from Yemen in Southern Arabia. The story goes that in about 850 CE the shepherd observed night-long friskiness and frolic in goats who had fed on berries of the evergreen coffee plant. Puzzled by the queer antics of his flock, he picked the berries so that he might make a beverage from them. This drink made him experience a sense of exhilaration and thereby proclaim his discovery to the world. The stimulating effect of coffee made it popular. This drink proved to be very helpful for enduring long religious services of the Muslims, particularly in the month of Ramadan. The orthodox priests pronounced it intoxicating and were against the use of this devotional antisoporific. But despite the threat of severe penalties, coffee drinking spread rapidly among Arabs and their neighbors. Today that in the US alone, over a billion kilograms are consumed annually. An adult American consumes an average of 8 kilograms of coffee or about 800 cups each year of the brown, non-nutritious liquid. It is estimated that more than half the world's coffee beans are brewed in America. The stimulatory effects of caffeine and the aroma of coffee are the two main reasons for the popularity of coffee. The taste and general desirability of a heated beverage are two minor reasons. Although toxic effects have been reported, no deaths have been reported from the drinking of coffee and the practice continues to increase in popularity.
The alkaloids are xanthine derivatives or methyl xanthines. Caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Xanthine itself is dioxypurine and is related to uric acid in structure. The fact that these alkaloids bear similar structural formulae may not be obvious to the practicing pharmacist.
Caffeine was first extracted from plants in 1820 by the German scientist, Friedlieb Runge, as a white odorless, crystalline powder.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
The most important ingredient in coffee-and the one primarily responsible for its continuing popularity-is caffeine, a drug that powerfully stimulates the central nervous system and gives that familiar coffee "lift." Caffeine clears away mental cobwebs, relieves drowsiness, masks fatigue and creates for many a general sense of well-being.
Caffeine in small doses helps produce a clearer train of thought, a keener appreciation of sensory stimuli and a swifter reaction time. Its "pick-me-up" properties largely account for the popularity of cola drinks, 600 ml of which have roughly the same amount of caffeine as a 174 ml cup of brewed coffee.
Since children are more sensitive to the stimulant effects of caffeine than adults, doctors discourage youngsters from drinking colas and cocoa (depending on the source of the chocolate, cocoa can have as much as half the caffeine as a cup of coffee). In addition to stimulating the brain, caffeine stimulates the kidneys to produce more urine.
Caffeine's virtues have prompted many drug manufacturers to include it in medications designed to relieve pain, premenstrual tension and cold symptoms (where it counters the drowsiness produced by antihistamines). Caffeine is also the active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to help people stay awake. In fact, the dose of caffeine in a single stimulant tablet is no greater than that in a cup of brewed coffee, but the unaware consumer may pay a lot more for caffeine in the drug than in the drink.
Caffeine, which constricts cerebral blood vessels, is used to treat migraine-type headaches and to counter the effects of drugs that depress the central nervous system. It is being studied as a treatment for hyperactivity in children (in whom it has a calming effect) and to stimulate breathing in premature babies who tend to stop breathing during sleep.
UNTOWARD EFFECTS
At the same time, however, caffeine may have untoward effects. It can interfere with fine muscular coordination and possibly accuracy of timing. Large doses of caffeine-the result, say, of drinking several cups atone time or 10 or more cups a day- can cause irregular or rapid heart beats; insomnia, upset stomach; increased breathing rates, blood pressure and body temperature; nervousness and irritability.
Caffeine "addicts" have sometimes been mistakenly diagnosed as suffering from an anxiety attack and treated incorrectly with tranquilizers instead of eliminating the cause of their difficulty.
Sometimes caffeine has paradoxical effects. In some people it may cause a headache; in others it may relieve one. In some it raises the amount of sugar in the blood; in others in lowers it (and may consequently stimulate hunger pangs or, rarely, a hypoglycemic reaction - a dizzy, weak, nauseated headachy, irritable feeling).
The effects of caffeine show up within 30 to 60 minutes of its ingestion and last several hours. Half the amount consumed is gone from the body within three and half hours.
The source of caffeine does not seem to make much difference in how rapidly it is absorbed into the blood, how high a level is reached and how long it stays around. Many people believe that while coffee in the evening will keep them awake, tea won't.
A cup of tea does have less caffeine than coffee-between half and three-quarters the amount. But one careful study showed that on an empty stomach the caffeine in tea is absorbed as readily as that in coffee, and when the same doses of caffeine are given as tea or coffee, the same levels of caffeine are reached in the blood. Instant coffee has less caffeine than brewed coffee, but more than tea.
Caffeine and even decaffeinated coffee stimulates the release of acid in the stomach, and therefore, coffee in any form is ill-advised for ulcer patients. Patients with high blood pressure or fever may also be told to avoid caffeine, since it raises both body temperature and blood pressure.
Although one major study indicated that coffee drinkers face an increased risk of heart attack, two subsequent studies that took other factors-including cigarette smoking-into account found no such relationship.
PREGNANCY
There have also been suggestions that excessive coffee intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage or malformations in the child. Although this relationship has by no means been proved, moderation in the use of caffeine-containing substances during pregnancy would seem wise.
CANCER
An initial suggestion that coffee consumption may increase the risk of bladder cancer has not stood the test of further research. However, a Japanese researcher using the U.N. statistics found correlation between estimated national average consumption of coffee and age-adjusted death rate for prostate cancer in twenty countries. In laboratory studies, caffeine can cause cancer-like changes in cells at doses 20 to 40 times higher than the highest level ever measured in a habitual coffee drinker.
At lower doses, caffeine seems to inhibit the cancer-inducing effects of other chemicals, and thus may be protective. However, British studies suggested that another substance in coffee, chlorogenic acid, may enhance the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the stomach.
ASTHMA
A tea estate worker in Sri Lanka developed asthma in the presence of tea fluff. "Coffee worker's lung" was found in a patient having circulating antibodies against coffee bean dust in the serum. This patient had worked for more than 20 years in a coffee-roasting factory.
LETHAL DOSE
High doses of caffeine stimulates the spinal cord. This may lead to clonic convulsions and death in experimental animals. However, in man the lethal dose of caffeine is estimated to be between three and 10 grams (gulping 30 to 100 cups of coffee rapidly at one time). Six human deaths have been reported so far in the literature around the world.
WITHDRAWAL
Heavy coffee drinkers who decide to break their addiction to caffeine should beware of abrupt withdrawal. Sudden withdrawal can cause headache, nausea and vomiting, mental depression, drowsiness and disinclination to work. The symptoms, which begin 12 to 16 hours after the last dose of caffeine, can be relieved by caffeine.
The best way to withdraw from caffeine is slowly weaning yourself a cup or two at a time over a period of a week or more.
Because of the potential toxicity of caffeine and the widespread usage of its products, one should question the safety of prolonged and excessive drinking of caffeine beverages.
Many Americans are giving up coffee drinking as prices have soared 500% recently.

A MAN WHO THINKS HE IS WISE(HAHAHAHA)

Three things it is best to avoid: a strange dog, a flood, and ((((((a man who thinks he is wise. ))))))))))
Welsh Proverb

Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.
Native American Proverb (Blackfoot)

If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep.
Yiddish Proverb

SO TRUE!!! RIGHT??

A full cup must be carried steadily.
English Proverb

THE TRUTH IS PLAIN AND SIMPLE..but only for those who SEE & SEEK...!!!...

HOW DEEP WOULD YOU GO TO HIT REALITY???!!!

..................