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Secrets of Surah Al Kahf

2014-03-06T19:33:00.002-08:00

Surah Al Kahf is the 18^th chapter of the Quran, the chapter from the Quran that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked us to recite every Friday.

WAKE UP TO BELIEVING AND BELIEVERS

The first story is about believers who hid in a cave to get away from people who did not believe. Later on they woke to a world of believers. There is a time for everything including being among those who believe.

CUSTODIANSHIP
At most we are custodians of what we have. We may think we own things but the reality is that they can disappear in an instant for many reasons. A custodian has charge over something for a period of time and that is the reality of what we have.

Never forgot to thank your creator for what you have because if you don’t then what you have may be destroyed. But a thankful heart will see the blessings in everything.

Sadly the owner of two beautiful gardens forgot this lesson and regretted after the destruction. Regret is not thankfulness either.

WHO IS THE FASTER DRAW?
When I was younger I used to watch cowboy films about the Wild West of America. I learnt that however good you are there will always be a faster draw. In gun fights who could draw their gun the fastest would win the fight but all the fighters knew that sooner or later they would meet a faster draw and that would be the end of them.

Likewise with knowledge, however much we learn there will always be someone who knows more or who has a better interpretation.That is exactly what happened to Musa (aka Moses). Perhaps we should get away from fairy tales of who is the most beautiful of them all and accept the reality of life that we should develop ourselves to the best and not compare ourselves with others in an arrogant way.

Moses also had to learn that Divine Wisdom can sometimes be disguised in matters that we perceive as bad. It is another lesson that we need to have greater understanding and we must be patient until we have reached that level of greater understanding.

Divine Wisdom from Surah Al Kahf.

Keep good company. “And keep they soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening.“
Reality of life: “Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth’s vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things” (Surat Al-Kahf, verse 45)

Six States of Mind you need.

2014-02-27T18:18:00.002-08:00

SIX STATES OF MIND TO DEVELOP

STATES OF MIND

If you are legally trained or if you have watched enough cops and robbers shows you will know that sane people can have moments of insanity.

We can be sane but behave insanely at times.

Another word for country is state. Your state of mind is a state of being and a world in itself. It is key territory for you; thus cultivating and maintaining the right state of mind is one of the purposes of your life.

Here are 6 states of mind to develop and be in 24/7.

REMEMBERING AND DOING WHAT IS IMPORTANT

1. Work on having a state of mind that remembers the important things.

Every Friday Muslims should read the 18^th Surah of the Quran entitled Surah Al Kahf. This Surah (chapter) contains the answers revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the Jews had asked for the answers to three questions.

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

2. Have a state of mind that never gets into controversies that don’t matter.

The Christian version and the Muslim version of a story about people in a cave differs, but Allah has an answer to that and that is don’t get into controversies that don’t matter. It matters not how many people were in the cave and whether there was a dog, or where is the specific location. “Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers. [18:22]

This is great advice for both business and personal life.

REMAIN THANKFUL

3. Have a state of mind that is eternally thankful.

A man had two beautiful gardens and began to boast about them. He was warned to be thankful but he refused. Subsequently the garden was destroyed.

The garden owner thought he was superior in terms of wealth but these things are often temporary.

ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE
4. Only Allah has absolute knowledge but do work on being as knowledgeable as humanly possible.

Only Allah has absolute knowledge. Everything we have is imperfect in comparison. Even Moses had to be reminded by Allah and was told that there was someone more learned than him. To Moses credit, Moses wanted to meet this person. The man he met was humble and never said he knew it all. This man’s name was Al-Khidr.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

5. Developing a state of mind that is eternally patient is a life-long purpose.

There are so many people in worldly prisons because they could not hold their tongues and be a little bit more patient. There are times when patience can be a lifesaver and we should exercise greater patience concerning the things we do not understand. In fact, we should have a default action and that is the moment we don’t understand something we should say to ourselves – let me be patient.

HELP IS ON THE WAY

6. Have the state of mind to help even if the other has not been nice.

This sixth point is almost superhuman but such help may bring its own rewards at some point of time. Moses and Al-Khidr had asked the inhabitants of a village for food but the villagers refused. However they saw that a wall was about to collapse and Al Khidr repaired it.

SIX STATES OF MIND TO DEVELOP

1. Work on having a state of mind that remembers the important things.

2. Have a state of mind that never gets into controversies that don’t matter.

3. Have a state of mind that is eternally thankful.

4. Only Allah has absolute knowledge but do work on being as knowledgeable as humanly possible.

5. Developing a state of mind that is eternally patient is a life-long purpose.

6. Have the state of mind to help even if the other has not been nice.

Word to the Wise: Wise Blessings for You

2014-02-06T21:07:00.003-08:00

Gifts of gorgeous blessings are garnered when you grace your thoughts with the greatness of blessings. Savor these blessings and watch your blessings grow.

TAP INTO THE WISDOM OF THE WISE

B: Blessings from the wisest people are yours if you reflect and act upon their wise ways.

L: Let blessings bless you and liven up your fate for the better.

E: Entertain the wisest thoughts and wisdom of the ages at all times.

S: Super blessings are enveloping you when you think wisdom and wise ways.

S: Sink deeper into your mental thinking and decision-making processes, and draw out all the wisdom that is in you and in the universe.

Y: You are blessed, totally blessed when you accept sincere blessings from wise beings. You are at your wisest when you open up to wise blessings and wise ways.

O: Open up, open up to the wisest of blessings and look around at all the things helping you to be better and better, and wiser and wiser.
U: Up your wisdom and urgently think about how you benefit from the wisdom zone.

THE WHERE YOU ARE BLESSING

B: Be proactive today because today is a good day to get moving on your dreams and plans of actions.
L: Let go of concerns and proactively press on.
E: Examine what you have and even think about skills you have not used in awhile. Examine what can be engines of growth for you.
S: Start where you are and do what you can.
S: So much can be done with what you have: brains and brawn, skills and scrutinizing other resources.
I: Imagine as high as you can and get cracking on the infinite possibilities.
N: Nature is something you should capitalize upon: your nature and the forces of nature in man, mind, and universe.
G: Go ahead with what you have and do things to move what you have.

S: Seek to see the great value, potential and opportunities that are waiting to be unearthed by you.

PACK IN MORE INTO YOUR LIFE

B: Become more blessed by being more accepting of all that is, and intentionally expand your capacity to do whatever you love.
L: Life is experienced through you so make sure you experience the best by loving more what you are and do.
E: Everywhere in the universe are lovable things, so tap into everything that can be adored, admired and appreciated – enormously energizing emotions.
S: Send love and forgiveness to your past self. Send love and forgiveness to the past, present and future.
S: Sincerely forgive yourself and step up to a better way of life.
I: I invite you to reflect upon what you could do to invite more abundance into your life. I ask you to open your mind and link with other like-minded people, energies and entities in your networks.
N: Nurture everything you have got in you and your resources, and love it as it grows.
G: Gifts of gorgeous blessings are garnered when you grace your thoughts with the greatness of blessings.
S: Sending blessings, love and good luck to you today – use it wisely. Stay Blessed.

Making time work for you (Lesson from Surah Al Kahf).

2014-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

Why do I take the time to read Surah Al Kahf from the Quran every Friday?

1. THE BLUEPRINT: I read the Quran because it is the Holy Book of God. When I was younger I was exposed to Christian religious work that said the Bible was the blueprint for living. I also believe the Quran is a blueprint for living so I recommend both.

These books bestow self-improvement, enlightenment and knowledge, and we can spend a lifetime learning to understand the depth of knowledge here.

TIMELY LESSON: Why Surah Al Kahf and why every Friday? This book is supposed to be read every Friday so I follow that advice. The benefits of doing so are that you see something new every week.

THE BENEFITS OF FAITH: Faith is cumulative so the more you read, the more dimensions will be revealed to you. If you follow the advice of reading this chapter every week, in one year you will have read this chapter over 50 times and in 10 years, 500 times. Each step of faith leads higher and higher.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE: The Quran teaches us not to fret if others are not as receptive as us. Do not fret means do not worry. This chapter shows that Allah can work wonders beyond our understanding.

CAN YOU SEE TIME STRAIGHT?: The other interesting lesson in this chapter is that our idea of time may be defective.

THE PASSAGE OF TIME: How many times have you rejected a person because you thought they were too old or too young for you?

TIMELESS TIME: One of the great things I experienced when I studied English at school was that we were to find the oldest people in the area we lived and interview them. I managed to find people in their 90s and 100s who were very intelligent, knowledgeable and a joy to be with. Their liveliness was so refreshing that if I shut my eyes and just listened, I thought they could even be around the same age as me.

TINY TIME: Likewise now as a teacher I am sometimes so amazed at the depth of intelligence, wisdom and knowledge some of the very young children display in class.

DOES IT MATTER?: Don’t be fooled by time. If you see a prejudice arising, think deeply and say to yourself – does the difference of time matter here?

GENERAL TIME: Society in an attempt to operate as a society set society norms regarding age that are just generalisations. There are exceptions to every rule.

TIMELY DIMENSIONS: My law teacher taught me that when we are prejudiced we miss out so much on life. So please be guided by the Quran and realise that time does not always work in seconds, minutes, hours, months and years - at least not how society has taught it to us. Of course, the time values indicated by society do have some validity but not in all areas, so it is up to you to be discerning and really think whether it matters in the situation you are facing.

PERSONAL TIME: Time is related to our own personal experiences and how we perceive it can be a very individual thing.

New Year Blessings

2014-01-01T03:45:00.001-08:00

Blessings for the Best Year Ever

SOME THINGS ARE TOO LATE TO CHANGE

January 1 is the start of a new year for Christians because this is the calendar based on the year when Jesus was said to be born.

Worldwide it has been adopted as the first day of the year for commerce, industry and general living purposes, and this calendar is definitely too ingrained to be changed now.

OTHER NEW YEARS

We do know other cultures and religions celebrate their new year at other times. As this day is just the start of the calendar perhaps we can avoid religious niceties and wish each other a blessed time in the forthcoming period. Let us wish everyone peace and blessings which is consistent with the Sunnah (way of life) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

Here are blessings that are for everyone.

BEGINNING AGAIN EVERY DAY

B: Best years are what we make of them, so may this be the very best year ever for you.
L: Live each of your days as the best person you can be and this year will turn out to be the best or one of your best.
E: Entertain thoughts of determination at all times that you will make this period the greatest you can. Elbow grease is what you need to employ to empower yourself to extremely effective experiences.
S: Swerve around rocks along the way by saying: “I persevere, I overcome, I do well and I prosper.”
S: Say to yourself often: “I live each day with purpose, integrity, grace, compassion and richness.”
I: I use determination as a driver to make the most of all the amazing opportunities that are around. In every situation, I will marshal all my resources and make the best of this situation.
N: “Noticing Opportunity,” is my mantra.
G: Get up, gear up and get out there is what I am going to do every day.
S: See the magic everywhere even in ordinary moments.

BUMP UP THE BLESSINGS

B: Be decisive and more proactive in how you live your life.
L: Life will have more solid results when you step up to the plate of living each day with resolution, determination and taking responsibility for your actions.
E: Eagerness can move mountains and events will more often unfold in your favor. Explore and revisit opportunities with the greatest fervor.
S: Step up your resolve to succeed.
S: Step up your resolve by stepping up your enthusiasm, meeting each day with positive and eager expectation.

Y: Your positive contributions will comeback to you again and again.
O: Open up opportunities by pulling out the best in each situation. Opportunities may be lurking in a nook or cranny if you would just look a bit more deeply.
U: Use every moment to fill your thoughts and actions with substance, and your life will be immersed in the richness of being and overflow with treasure.

Love and loss. 10 strengtheners

2013-12-31T02:39:00.002-08:00

Love and loss by Jehanzaib Younis. 10 strengtheners

The pervading power of love, its wonders and its impact on our lives. Touching quotes about love, life, friends and where we stand in the greater scheme of things!

1. START THE WAY OF SUCCESS
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
Success is simple: Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.

2. SUCCESS GOES TO THOSE WHO FIND WAYS OVER THE HURDLES
STRENGTH FROM HURT,
LESSONS FROM MISTAKES,
SUCCESS FROM FAILURE

You will never be brave if you don't get hurt.

You will never learn if you don't have mistakes.
You will never be successful if you don't encounter failure.

3. WISE WINNINGS

THE TRUE NATURE OF SUCCESS

Who wins in love wins the life but who fails in love can win the world.
But what’s the use of winning a world when you lost your life?

4. WHEN TEARS ARE NOT THE ANSWER

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile...

5. WHEN SMILES ARE THE ANSWER

Never cry for the person who hurts you. Just smile and say
"Thanks for giving me a chance to find someone better than you."

6. PAIN IS A FACT OF LIFE
WHERE DOES THE PAIN COME FROM?

Why does Love hurt?
It’s because we like someone more than our self?
NO
It’s because we trust them so much that we forget to trust our self!

7. SOME FRIENDSHIPS JUST DON’T WORK!
WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

I won’t even pretend that I still know you.
Maybe you’re the one that’s lost

But you’re not looking for a way back.

Can’t you see our friendship was the cost?

8. AVOID EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD

Don't let people bring you down,
Stand up for your right,
Show them what you’ve got...
You have the right to do what you want.
But be careful to choose what you think is right,
so that at the end of the day you will not blame yourself..

9. OVERBOARD IN LOVE

Real love cannot be deceived because it wants nothing outside of itself but
When you start giving too much importance to someone in your life, you tend to loose your importance in their life – strange but true.

10. WHERE MONEY FITS IN

Some people don't work for money ...

For some people money is the primary aspect, for some passion is the primary. My point is that the reason to live is not to collect money. Some good deeds lead you to success.

Text credit: various sources

Allah's Comfort (JYK)

2013-12-31T02:34:00.001-08:00

Never lose faith, says Jehanzaib Younis. 7 faith strengtheners

1. ALLAH IS HERE FOR US

I won’t ever lose faith because Allah is with me. Pain and the failure will not destroy my faith. Quotes that strengthen my faith, comfort me and guide me, and I hope they will do the same for you as they do for me.

2. ALLAH’S ROLE IN MY LIFE

‎"It is Allah Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me;
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.
"And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink..."
And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);
"And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection)" ( Surahالشعراء Al Shuara)

3. Victory LESSONS FROM GREAT MEN

“I learned from Hazrat Imam Hussain R.A how to achieve victory while being oppressed.” Mahatma Gandhi

4. FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

Your money and children are a test, and GOD possesses a great recompense.
Therefore, you shall revere GOD as much as you can, and listen, and obey, and give (to charity) for your own good.
Anyone who is protected from his own stinginess, these are the successful ones.
If you lend GOD a loan of righteousness, He will multiply the reward for you manifold, and forgive you. GOD is Appreciative, Clement.
The Knower of all secrets and declarations; the Almighty, Most Wise.

5. THINK, THINK, THINK AGAIN

Life is a Gift....
Today before you think of saying an unkind word
- Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
- Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Today before you complain about life
- Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you argue about who cleans up your dirty house
- Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
- Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job
- Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
- Remember that nobody is perfect are without faults.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
- Put a smile on your face and be thankful you're alive and still around.

6. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST MONTH OF THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR

Month of Muharram (The month of Muharram marks the beginning of a new Islamic Year)
Allah created Hazrat Adam in this month and pardoned him of his mistake.
Hazrat Noah’s Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi during this time centuries ago.
Hazrat Ibrahim was saved from fire and Hazrat Musa rescued from the Pharaoh during the month of Muharram.
The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) used to fast during the days of Ashura (the 9th and the 10th of Muharram) as a remembrance of the incident when Allah saved Prophet Musa (A.S) and the Children of Israel.

7. PEARLS OF WISDOM
Postings by Jehanzaib Younis

http://abetoday.com/2010/12/25/for-millions-quaid-e-azam-is-revered-as-the-father-of-a-nation-his-legacy-also-includes-some-of-the-best-philosophy-to-live-by-says-jehanzaib-younis/

http://abetoday.com/2011/01/01/last-word-of-nabi-kareem-muhammad-s-a-a-w/

Text credit: various sources

TAP INTO THE WISDOM OF THE WISE

2013-12-30T18:34:00.004-08:00

B: Blessings from the wisest people are yours ifyou reflect and act upon their wise ways.

L: Let blessings bless you and liven up your fatefor the better.

E: Entertain the wisest thoughts and wisdom ofthe ages at all times.

S: Super blessings are enveloping you when youthink wisdom and wise ways.

S: Sink deeper into your mental thinking anddecision-making processes, and draw out all the wisdom that is in you and inthe universe.

Y: You are blessed, totally blessed when youaccept sincere blessings from wise beings. You are at your wisest when you openup to wise blessings and wise ways.

O: Open up, open up to the wisest of blessingsand look around at all the things helping you to be better and better, andwiser and wiser.
U: Up your wisdom and urgently thinkabout how you benefit from the wisdom zone.

THE WHERE YOU ARE BLESSING

B: Be proactive today because today is a good dayto get moving on your dreams and plans of actions.
L: Let go of concerns and proactivelypress on.
E: Examine what you have and even thinkabout skills you have not used in awhile. Examine what can be engines of growthfor you.
S: Start where you are and do what youcan.
S: So much can be done with what youhave: brains and brawn, skills and scrutinizing other resources.
I: Imagine as high as you can and getcracking on the infinite possibilities.
N: Nature is something you shouldcapitalize upon: your nature and the forces of nature in man, mind, anduniverse.
G: Go ahead with what you have and dothings to move what you have.

S: Seek to see the great value, potential andopportunities that are waiting to be unearthed by you.

PACK IN MORE INTO YOUR LIFE

B: Become moreblessed by being more accepting of all that is, and intentionally expand yourcapacity to do whatever you love.
L: Life is experienced through you so make sure you experience the best by loving more what you are and do.
E: Everywhere in the universe are lovable things, so tap into everything that can be adored, admired andappreciated – enormously energizing emotions.
S: Send love and forgiveness to your past self. Send love and forgiveness to the past, present and future.
S: Sincerely forgive yourself and stepup to a better way of life.
I: I invite you to reflect upon what you could do to invite more abundance into your life. I ask you to open your mindand link with other like-minded people, energies and entities in your networks.
N: Nurture everything you have got inyou and your resources, and love it as it grows.
G: Gifts of gorgeous blessings aregarnered when you grace your thoughts with the greatness of blessings.
S: Sending blessings, love and good luckto you today – use it wisely. Stay Blessed.

Word to the Wise: Wise blessings for you

2013-12-30T01:04:00.001-08:00

Blessing for more love in your life

Blessing to tap into the wisdom of the wise people around you.

B: Blessings from the wisest people around are yours if you will reflect and act upon their wise ways.

L: Let blessings bless you and liven up your fate for the better.

E: Entertain the greatest wisest thoughts and wisdom of the ages at all times.

S: Super blessings are enveloping you when you think wisdom and wise ways.

S: Sink deeper into your mental thinking and decision-making processes, and draw out all the wisdom that is in you and in the universe.

Y: You are blessed,totally blessed when you accept sincere blessings from wise beings. You are at your wisest when you open up to wise blessings and wise ways.

Blessing for what you have right where you are

B: Be proactive today because today is a good day to get moving on your dreams and plans of actions.
L: Let go of concerns and proactively press on.
E: Examine what you have and even think about skills you have not used in awhile. Examine what can be engines of growth for you in the present and from the past.
S: Start where you are and do what you can.
S: So much can be done with what you have: brains and brawn, skills and scrutinizing other resources.
I: Imagine as high as you can and get cracking on the infinite possibilities.
N: Nature is something you should capitalize upon: your nature and the forces of nature in man, mind, and universe.
G: Go ahead with what you have and do things to move what you have.

S: Seek to see the great value,potential and opportunities that are waiting to be unearthed by you.

10 ways to love more and more deeply. 10 ways to make it last

2013-04-14T16:27:00.003-07:00

Find a way never to criticize – even the type that is believed to be constructive. Instead think of ways to help and support and just do it. Always have the mindset that there must be good reasons why they behave in the way they do.
Absolute compatibility is a myth – but think about it – would you really be happy if you were exactly the same? Variety is the spice of life, so look upon the differences as adding the vim and zip to life and your friendship/relationship.
Find ways to be close – find things to do together. When you feel yourself slipping away give yourself a slap and remember to find ways to include your friend. After all the foundation of a relationship is friendship and doing things together - may be not all the time but enough to remember the connection.
Games add spice but not the blame game. This is one game that results in people never wanting to play again or putting up so many defenses that there is no game. Break down defenses by using the language of ‘I feel.”
What are the goals of a relationship? Yes relationships have goals and the greatest goal is to be more intimate and to do things that foster intimacy.
Hard bargain – the healthiest relationships are not about calculating an exact exchange – there will be times when each gives more or receives more – keep up the giving and the gracious receiving as much as possible.
Another goal to is to reach the deepest form of love. The deepest form of love goes past the heady passionate time. At that stage some couples think the relationship is over and give up. Ironically if the couple continues, they may reach the land of the deepest love.
Focus on the positive. Focus on the goals. Focus on the joys too. Leave the negative out of the equation – in fact treat it as a blessing in disguise and an opportunity for you to do more and develop more. Remember every time you complain is a wasted opportunity to focus on the positive and for you to do something constructive. Focusing on the negative is detrimental unless you treat it in a positive way – a way for you to do more and give more.
Listen Up. If you have ever taught young children you will know that getting them to listen is one of the challenges of teaching. It can be the same in a relationship but you need to start with yourself first and think about do you really listen with your ears and your eyes in your relationship? If you think you are always right then you are in need of a listening tune up. In fact, it is more positive to listen without any judgment of who is right or wrong because if you do, you are keeping scores which is detrimental in a relationship.
Sharing likes. Some people hide their needs. Ironically you should let your partner/friend be aware of your likes – perhaps that is a better way than saying needs. Treat your likes as a way of sharing who you are.

Many levels of Mountains

2013-01-24T21:54:00.002-08:00

Mountain of Knowledge
Long Wait

I grew up in the bosom of Middle England but the one piece of Muslim philosophy that my mother imparted to me was if the mountain would not come to Muhammad, Muhammad would go the mountain.

Seminal Statement

It was one of those seminal statements that has been a guiding force in my life. If things won’t come to me then I must go towards what I want.

Guiding Force

I may not have been born Muslim, but that Muslim philosophy has been a guiding force in my life and because of this statement I have wanted to know about the man who is so revered by millions of people around the world.

Inspiration

Now with the internet, writers on Wikipedia opine that Muhammad did not say this but perhaps English writers in earlier times felt he would say it and the proverb is so valuable that Prophet Muhammad could have said it. Certainly this proverb is inspired by Prophet Muhammad at the very least.

Seeking Knowledge

We are reminded to be seekers – to seek knowledge and to seek everything we need in this life.

Key to Life

This proverb is how I relate to Prophet Muhammad – a life-long quest for knowledge and working towards the key things of life.

English Mountain

This proverb which is part of English culture teaches us that we have to go out if things don’t come to us, and let us be honest that mountain is never going to get legs and come to us. So we have to be the seeker.

Climbing Mountains

Thanks totally to the internet I came across Mike Ghouse through a friend.

Mike Ghouse is an American and a Muslim. He is tireless in his pursuit of teaching the Oneness of Religion, and spreads knowledge about Islam and how many of the concepts are similar to Christianity, Judaism and other religions. He has asked the question: “How do we relate the prophet?” and my answer is here - Prophet Muhammad taught me through the mountain proverb that we must seek out everything.

Mountains of Questions

Muslims are supposed to follow a way of life called the Sunnah. That includes emulating the way of life of Prophet Muhammad – wearing similar clothes, eating like him, living like him.

Cohesive Mountain

According to Mike Ghouse, Prophet Muhammad believed in building cohesive societies. This included earning the respect of people of other faiths – Jews and Christians. We also build cohesion when we are truthful, trustworthy and just.

Peaceful Mountain

There may not be as much peace in this world as we would like; nevertheless, we can do much to spread peace and harmony in the world we operate in. Our peace may just be a pebble but many pebbles make a mountain. Nurturing goodwill and mitigating conflicts adds up. Forgiveness is part of the peace equation and a cardinal principle of both Islam and Christianity.

Mountain of Hurt

Mike Ghouse thinks of the Prophet when someone hurts him because the Prophet advised against score keeping, revenge and aggravating each other. “I love the freedom it gives me, freedom from brooding and obsession to get even with the other,” he explains.

Every Mountain

Prophet Muhammad’s last sermon was certainly ahead of its time when he declared that no man is superior to the other and that all are equal. Even in the 21st century this is a principle that not all men have embraced but there certainly has been progress in many nations.

Last Mountain

An idiom my mother also frequently used: the pot calling the kettle black. This idiom means that in some way we are the same as what we are judging about others. There are many natural emotions we need to curb including the tendency to be judgmental. When we have those times, we should remember either our Christian or Muslim heritage. Christians are told: Judge not lest you be judged too, while Prophet Muhammad said: God knows every thing about the other, not me. Let me not judge without knowing it all.

English standard before diplomas admission

2013-01-01T07:22:00.002-08:00

Requirement ReasoningRequirements are there for a reason.

Singapore Standards
Singapore prides itself as a educational hub for both private and public sector education.

Reputation RationaleThe quality of Singapore's public sector is renowned internationally, and the private sector is expected to pull its weight too and not let the side down in terms of keeping up the Republic’s quest and image as an educational destination of choice.

The private sector includes diploma and degree education from foreign universities provided through private operators.

English Reality
How can you benefit from any good-quality diploma or degree course if your English language is dodgy?

You can’t.

That is the reality, and is why James Cook University Singapore turned away 16 students mainly from China, according to The Straits Times.

Mismatch
Large numbers of foreign students flock to Singapore for intensive English classes, hoping subsequently to join a diploma or degree course after completing this course.

One of the affected students mentioned in the news report was tested again on arrival to Singapore and her language skills did not match her IELTS (International English Language Testing System) result.

Clearly Deficient
Dale Anderson, deputy vice-chancellor of the Singapore campus of James Cook University mentioned in the report that students are refused entry only if it is clear they can’t cope with their studies.

Different Tack
It seems that AEC College has taken a different approach permitting its students to start their 18-month MBA course, but then allow their students up to one year to satisfy the minimum English requirements.

This tack is nothing new.

Personal ExperienceWhen I was working in the British Council, I was aware of a number of private schools permitting students to attend courses before they got their English certification provided they had it by the time graduation came.

Downside ConsiderationsThe downside of this approach is that the student may never get up to the required English standard although a lot do.

Also what could they really understand while they are getting up to speed?

It must have an impact on the level of understanding. However, it does depend on the nature of the studies. For example, for some creative arts diploma courses this seemed a reasonable approach.

New Regulatory Authority
My experience was before the Council of Private Education (CPE) was set up and no doubt this will be an area that will come under scrutiny.

Fairness
A spokesman was reported as saying that requirements must be clearly communicated to students. That seems to be a fair point.

Other institutions were reported as saying that the English proficiency level must be satisfied before students can enroll in the diploma and degree courses.

Simon Phillips director of marketing and admissions at Curtin Singapore mentioned that some students do struggle when they have learnt English by rote learning. In this situation he said he would recommend intensive English classes.

Reference: The Straits Times, Tuesday January 1, 2013. Private uni bars foreign students for poor English

The birds and the bees and living happily ever after. HOW TO HAVE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

2013-01-01T03:23:00.001-08:00

THE BEST MARRIAGES

How to have a match made in heaven. Here are the secrets for a successful marriage however it takes two to believe in them.

MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
In Islam marriage is a form of worship, a social obligation, an act highly admired by Allah SWT and a way of life (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

BENEFITS TO MAN AND WORLD
1. Marriage is a life-long commitment and partnership. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated divorce was the most hated act of all lawful things in the sight of Allah.

2. Marriage is a beautiful institution, where two people experience solace, comfort and a taste of the Garden of Jannah (a heavenly time).

3. Marriage is a stabilizing force in society and guarantees well-being for the community.

4. Shared sweet moments are more rewarding than Nafl Ibaadah (extra worship). It is an Ibaadah (a form of worship) that can lead one to Jannah (heaven), where a pious couple will be happy companions for eternity.

COMPLETE EQUALITY
In Islam both spouses are equal – no one is superior to each other. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reportedly said that women are the twin-halves of men. When a man and woman have joined through marriage, they are complete.

MEN AND WOMEN ARE GARMENTS FOR EACH OTHER
Allah describes the importance and significance of men and women to each other in the Holy Qur'an.

'They (women) are your garments and you (men) are their garments.' (2:187)

Without clothing (garments), a body is not protected nor properly dressed.

One’s clothing is one’s modesty, one’s protection, one’s security, one’s respect, one’s comfort, one’s reputation even.

Clothing is meaningless without a body.

The two must go together. If apart, there is little reason for their existence.

Just as one takes care of garments, spouses, who are each other's garments, should do the same.

IDEAL WORLD
Although they are of equal status, each has different duties, responsibilities, and roles as Muslim husband and Muslim wife. The ideal of wife-hood was declared to be love and affection and not subordination and inferiority.

PERFECT MODEL
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was an example of how to treat a wife and he always encouraged his followers to treat wives kindly and lovingly: 'A good Muslim husband should treat his wife in the best possible manner.'

LOVELY LIFE
The Quran states: 'Live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be you dislike a thing in which Allah has meant for your own good.' (4:19)

TEAMWORK
The wife was regarded by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the best safeguard for the husband against sin. A husband should regard his wife as a safeguard against immorality and as a consolation and comfort in times of distress.

WISE COUNSEL
A husband and wife are to be the best of companions. They should be each others support and comfort, "a shoulder to lean on."

EXAMPLE OF WISE COUNSEL
There was an occasion where the non-Muslims of Makkah would not allow the Muslims to perform Hajj. Sacrificing an animal is a part of the holy pilgrimage. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told his followers that they would have to sacrifice the animals elsewhere, but the followers did not agree and did not obey. He asked them a couple more times, and still they thought it was not allowed to do that, so they didn't obey.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went back to his wife and narrated the story to his wife, who advised him to go out, shave his head, sacrifice an animal, and his followers would do the same. He did just that and the followers, upon seeing the Prophet doing what he had commanded them to do, finally obeyed him. This is an example of the love and respect of the special relationship of a husband and wife.

MONEY AND RESOURCES
An important duty of the husband is to provide his wife with finance from his wages, so that she could successfully run the household. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'You shall give her food when you take your food and you shall clothe her when you clothe yourself,' meaning he should take care of his wife as well as he takes care of himself.

Prophet Muhammad’s wife Aysha RA narrated that Hind, wife of Abu Sufyan, complained to Muhammad SAW: 'Abu Sufyan is a miserly person. He does not give adequate maintenance for me and my children, but I take from his wealth without his knowledge. Is this sin on my part?' The Prophet (PBUH) replied: 'Take from his property the usual amount that would suffice you and your children.'

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
A wife is a spiritual and moral being like her husband. Therefore, the husband should build a moral and spiritual relationship with his wife. This will help in establishing family units that knit together with ties of love and affection and will finally lead to the growth and development of a civilized life in communities all over the earth, but in accomplishing this, the cooperation of the wife is essential.

HUSBAND IS HEAD OF THE HOUSE
The husband has been granted the God-given right as the 'head' of the family, the organizer, the supervisor of the social unit of marriage, as all social units need a 'head.'

GO WITH THE FLOW

'Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given one more strength than the other and because they support them from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in the husband's absence what Allah would have them guard.' (4:34)

TREASURED TREASURE
The righteous woman, according to Allah, is one who is obedient to her husband. The Prophet (PBUH) said to his companions: 'Shall I tell you about the best treasure a man can have? It is the virtuous wife who always pleases him whenever he looks at her, who obeys him when he orders her, and who guards herself when he is absent from her.' But if a wife is rebellious and cannot accept this situation, the marriage will, undoubtedly, be unsuccessful.

PLEASING

A righteous woman will know that pleasing her husband is pleasing Allah and bringing displeasure to her husband is bringing displeasure to Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'When a man calls his wife for his need, let her come to him, though she may be cooking. Whenever a man calls his wife for his need and she refuses and he passes the night in an angry mood, the angels curse her until she gets up at dawn.'

BENEFACTORS
It is only natural for the husband, who is entrusted with the maintenance of the wife from her family, to expect obedience from her. The men are the benefactors. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned: 'Be not ungrateful to your benefactors.'

RULER
The husband is like the ruler of a country. If the citizens do not respectfully obey him, then, no matter what he does, he will be unsuccessful in running the country.

MICROCOSM OF SOCIETY
The home is the basic unit of the larger organization. It is only when the smaller units are in order that the larger unit will function smoothly.

ATMOSPHERE OF LOVE
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 'There is nothing better than marriage between partners who love each other.' So, the wife should feel happy to serve, please and obey her husband.

CLOSE COMPANIONSHIP
In marriage, there should be no secrets between husband and wife. The man is most reluctant in sharing his secrets with anyone, except his wife.

TRUST
A companionship so close which enables him to trust her with his confidential matters as well as to guard them safely. And it is the duty of the wife to not carelessly reveal her husband's secrets and confidential feelings and emotions to anyone. The Qur'an states that if a woman holds a grudge against her husband, it would still be unlawful for her to reveal his secrets.

HOME SWEET HOME

Addressing women, Allah says in the Qur'an: 'Stay in your homes.' (33:33), meaning that the woman's duties should be related to and around the home. A woman has an important internal duty of caring for her home, her family, and her children.

MOTHERLY
The wife and mother are the role models for the success of the future generations. They have the power to make a home or break a home. She is like the head of state, devoting herself to making her home an ideal one. She has the major responsibilities of housekeeping, taking care of everyone else’s needs before her own, management of all affairs, and most importantly, raising the children as devout, pious, righteous Muslims.

HIGHEST PLACE

An obedient wife wins the heart of her husband, therefore, gaining the upper hand. Hers is the highest place at home and in the eyes of her husband. On the other hand, a disobedient wife who quarrels with her husband and is ungrateful and unloving to him, will spend her life filled with bitterness and a rock-hard heart, not to mention the displeasure of her Lord.

JUST DESERTS
Being the maintainer of the house, the man should not abuse his right in a displeasing and unIslamic manner. If he makes this sinful mistake, he should know that he will have to meet his Lord and answer for his deeds.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 'The man is ruler over his wife and children and is answerable to Allah for the conduct of their affairs. The woman is the ruler over the house of her husband and children and is answerable for the conduct of her affairs.'

BLESSING AND PRAYER
May Allah give all believing men and women, married or looking to marry, the towfeeq (all the means) to be the ideal Muslim husband and the ideal Muslim wife with Allah's Divine help and guidance. May Allah bless all present and future marriages with love, happiness, peace, and success. Ameen. Alhumdulillahi Rabbil Alameen (Praise be to God, Amen).

TEXT CREDIT: http://quranicverse99.tripod.com/islamicways/id1.html

55 ways to the best Muslim Marriage

2013-01-01T03:22:00.002-08:00

55 tips to better marriage

SUSTAINABLE WAY OF LIFE

The Quran and Hadiths from Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) reveal how to achieve what we all want – sustainable happiness in marriage. Hadiths are the sayings of the beloved Prophet.

1. Time apart

Short separations (hours or a few days) will strengthen but long separations can weaken the relationship. Remember the adages: Absence makes the heart grow fonder but out of mind out of sight. Stories by Queen Shahrazad (One Thousand and One Nights) talk about unfaithful wives. Don’t neglect your spouse and make sure you are not apart except for the most compelling reasons (that both parties can understand and agree upon).

2. Understand each others’fitrah (our nature and character)

Fitrah is the natural disposition of a person. Allah has created man and women with certain qualities that are innate in them.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states that “Every person is born in a state of fitrah, it is their parents who change them to a Jew, Christian or Fire worshipper.” (Al Bukhari and Muslim). Both husband and wife must try not to challenge each others’ fitrah but to adjust to and accommodate the partner’s God-given nature.

3. Solve disputes on the same day.

Prophet Muhammad said, “Don’t let disputes stay until the next day but solve them the same day.”
It’s important not to let disputes last longer than a day otherwise small issues will seem very big.

4. Don’t speak about your past!
Islam forbids speaking about the sins you committed during your jahilliyah days (the time before practising Islam).

5. Don’t expect perfection – live your lives naturally.
A couple came to Prophet Muhammad and said, ‘We make mistakes’ and Prophet Muhammad said, ‘You are not perfect.’
Always evaluate problems honestly and don’t expect miracles.

6. Convey your love and warm feelings to each other.
“You must express yourself to your partners” it is said in a Hadith. The wife of Prophet Muhammad said: “The Prophet never let a day pass without showing his affection.”

7. Fight against your own problems and don’t share anger with your partner.

8. Do not be critical of each other.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Do not be critical.” All types of criticism are forbidden in Islam. Islam allows certain types of white lies in order to maintain a good relationship. For example, complimenting on the wife’s cooking even if it doesn’t taste nice!

9. When in a dispute with your partner don’t expand the argument by adding all other previous disputes.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Dare any of you who sleeps with his wife in the night and then criticizes her in the morning.”

10. Never doubt your partner.
Doubting each other can lead to the destruction of the marriage.

11. Trust your partner and show you have full confidence in them.

12. Pick a suitable partner for yourself but also make sure that you are also compatible for your partner.

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad after seeing a woman for the purpose of marriage and said, ‘She is of good Deen (faith/religion) but her father refuses.’ Prophet Muhammad replied,‘Did you look to yourself?’ (This man never went for jihad or was seen among the men of Medina). The man replied “Ya Rasuallah, verily you have spoken the truth.”

13. The main pillar to maintain a good relationship between the husband and wife is purity, hence cleanliness of body and house is important.
Once a woman complained to the Prophet about her husband’s bad odour.
Prophet Muhammed said, “None of you who believe in Allah spits and covers it.”

14. You need to sacrifice to maintain relationship.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Sacrifice is the best gift between husband and wife.”

15. ADVICE FROM A SAHABIYAT (the female Companions of Prophet Muhammad) TO HER DAUGHTER
“Care about your husband like you care about yourself and have love for your partner like what you love for yourself.”

Prophet Muhammad would never eat before his wives. As mentioned in a hadith

“The best among you is the one who raises the food and feeds his wife.”

16. Give your partner gifts.
Exchanging gifts will cause more inclinations toward each other and strengthen the relationship. However, make sure those are the types of gifts your spouse likes. Some people prefer to be with the person when they are buying – so again find out what pleases your spouse. Useless gifts will be unappreciated and sour the relationship.

17. Don’t be selfish!
Give and take, don’t always take.

18. Don’t accuse your partner of problems. by saying ‘You did it’ or ‘it’s your fault.’

19. Live for the day and don’t worry about tomorrow.
Allah knows whether or not you are going to wake up in the morning!

20. Always remember that marriage is a divine bond, so think twice before doing something on the impulse which you will regret later.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Three things that are serious: marriage, divorce and freeing the slave.”

21. Although love is an essential part of marriage, do not take it for granted and abuse each other thinking that your partner will always love you regardless of ill treatment.

22. Be an example to your partner and let your actions tell and convey your personality.
Prophet Muhammad said; “To change your partner the way you wish, be the model for them.”
“Pray Qiyaam with your wife.” Qiyaam is the night prayer.
Fatima (ra) the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad asked ‘How can I be closer to Ali (ra)?’ The Prophet replied ‘Pray Qiyaam ul-Layl with him and whenever he wakes up, wake up with him.’

23. Do not let parents, relatives or neighbors interfere with your marriage.
Try to reconcile between yourselves as much as you can and if that’s not possible than allow a trustworthy Muslim to arbitrate.

24. Don’t rush into correcting differences which you perceive in your partner. There are some matters that can only be changed with time.

25. The couple must both accept the consequences and responsibilities that marriage brings and be satisfied.

26. Do not embarrass or humiliate your partner especially in the presence of other people.

27. Participate in collective activities together.
Co-operating with each other will bring a sense of family life – picnics, BBQ, dawah projects. Dawah is missionary work for Islam. Prophet Muhammad used to do collective things with his wives.

28. Do not look down on your partner or ridicule their capability, rather let your partner express themselves.
Prophet Muhammad said, “The good husband is the one when she speaks he listens and when she complains he is concerned.”

29. The financial right (Naafaqah) of the wife is something serious and her husband must fulfil it.

30. Do not share your sadness and misery with your partner rather exchange jokes and laughter.

31. Do not allow your friends to interfere in your marriage.
Aisha (ra) the wife of Prophet Muhammad once said to the women of the Ansar “Watch out! Do not give room for your friends to interfere in your own privacy.”
Part of a man’s fitrah is that he has the right of authority in the family as the head of the household and also that no one should know about his affairs.

32. Let your husband feel that you are content with him and that you are proud of him.
Muhammad Prophet said, “Do not compare your husband with another man and do not compare your wife with another woman.”

33. During times of disputes remember the goodness of your partner.
Prophet Muhammad said, “The good deed abolishes the bad deed.”

34. Abu Bakr (ra) said: “In order to understand the character and goodness of your partner, remember:
• What do you like about your partner?
• What happy experiences have passed between the two of you?
• What things did you do together?”
• Umar bin Khattab (ra) said: “The good man is the one who makes his partner like him and appreciate him.”

35. Be careful not to use abusive words during times of disputes.

36. Have celebrations with the family.
Prophet Muhammad used to encourage his daughter Fatima (ra) and Ali (ra) to celebrate with their children.

37. The intelligent wife is the one who asks her husband for things at the right time. For example, don’t ask for a expensive dress if you know he can’t afford it!

38. Prophet Muhammad said, “Three things that should not be used My dignity, My status, My pride.”

39. Do not abolish the presence of your partner. Always consult your partner, even if it’s for small issues such as grocery shopping.

40. Do not run away from home!
If you want to discipline the wife for doing something sinful then separate from the bed but don’t leave home.
Prophet Muhammad said; “Don’t run away from home.”

41. Do not anger your husband by asking too many unnecessary questions and vice versa.

42. Do not desert the husband at home.
Umar bin Khattab disciplined a woman for that and said to her; ‘Are you a woman or a man?’

43. Do not exchange roles!
Allah has clearly defined the rights and responsibilities of the husband and wife. Hence it is not proper for us to swap them. A woman must remember even if she is working, her husband, children and home would always come first.

44. Respect the In-laws.

45. Prophet Muhammad said, “Honour your mother in-law and call her by the best names (according to the tradition).”

46. Don’t let the neighbor interfere.
Prophet Muhammad said; “Look after your neighbours and participate with them in happiness and sadness and always command them to obey Allah.”
Disclosing family secrets is not participating in sadness!

47. Be careful not to have disputes frequently, it will jeopardise the relationship.
Learn to sacrifice in issues of permissibility in order to maintain tranquillity.

48. Always establish quietness, calmness and tranquillity in the home.

49. Do not interfere with your partner when they are disciplining the children except in an emergency where your partner is violating the Shari’ah (Muslim laws).

50. Look after your children and maintain a high standard of upbringing in terms of clothing and feeding.

51. Listen to your husband and try not to forget to do things for which he has asked you to do.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Teach your wife the chapter of An-Nisa, Al-Maida, An-Nur (from the Qu’ran).” This chapter includes sexual conduct.http://quran.com/24

52. Shari’ah must be the centre of your lives and obedience to your husband is one of the means to Jannah (heaven/paradise).

53. Remember that Allah will always test you and there will be times that you may have domestic problems but remember every problem doesn’t mean the end!

54. Avoid arguing with each other especially in front of children.

55. The wife should not allow anyone to enter her home without the permission of her husband.

Source of the material - http://www.zawaj.com/55-ways-to-have-a-happy-marriage/

Zawaj.com Editor’s Note: this is based on an article that was published on a few Muslim forums with no author given.

55 ways to enjoy your marriage. Start well and daily renew the love you have through respect, regard and doing activities together. Blessings.

Kindness, forgiveness and mercy - which is the greatest?

2013-01-01T03:19:00.001-08:00

Kindness, mercy and forgiveness - why you should forgive

When we forgive we spread kindness. "And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement" (Prophet Muhammad PBUH).

DO KINDNESS AND MERCY MEAN THE SAME?

In the dictionary, mercy is a synonym for kindness. A synonym is a word with a similar meaning. Even though they are synonyms we may still use the words in different senses.

Why do we talk about God’s mercy and for humans kindness?

Usually when we talk about human mercy we think of when we could kill another but we decide not to do it – that is mercy. Thus mercifulness is when another has done a clear wrong to us but we decide to be merciful (extreme kindness) and pardon them. Forgiveness is also a synomym of mercy. Thus we can be kind or merciful when we forgive. Gentleness is also a synonym of mercy.

FORGIVING THE UNFORGIVABLE

Mercy is compassion and forgivenss shown for something that perhaps is unforgivable by ordinary standards but we are prepared for the sake of the relationship or for some other reason to overlook or pardon.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KINDNESS AND MERCY

When we open the door for another we are being kind because it is a nice thing to do – in this situation we are not being merciful.

GOD’S MERCY

When dealing with God, we talk about God’s mercy because we have sinned, we have done wrong. God exercises his mercy in this situation. Yes we do talk about man’s mercy but we usually talk about kindness because for most human interactions we need kindness, and kindness means niceness, courtesy and being generous of spirit.

It is kind to exercise mercy but for most ordinary events – humans only need to be kind. However, for a very serious act or transgression then the human needs to think of mercy – which is the most extreme type of kindness, forgivenss and compassion.

ISLAMIC MERCY

If we repent of sin and stop the act then Allah will be merciful. Mercy (forgiveness) prevails over wrath (anger). Thus the meaning of God’s mercy is more about forgiveness (which includes kindness).

MERCY REWARD

Reward for kindness and compassion was also assured by Prophet Muhammad: “The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and He Who is in heaven will show mercy unto you” (As-Suyuti).

A Prophet’s Mercy

Prophet Muhammad was sent as mercy to all creations with no exception. This means that Islam was founded upon mercy.

GENTLENESS

The Prophet was also most gentle in guiding people, and whenever they used to harm him he always asked Allah to pardon them for their ignorance and cruelty.

COMPASSIONATE COMPANIONS

The followers (known as Sahabas) of the Prophet Muhammad were expected to he compassionate. Compassion is a synonym of mercy. An example of mercy was Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who dedicated his wealth for buying slaves from their brutal masters and then he set them free for the sake of Allah.

THE CONCEPT OF MERCY

When clarifying the right concept of mercy to his Companions, the Prophet said that it is not by one’s kindness to family and friends, but it is by showing mercy and compassion to the general public whether you know them or not.

MERCY TOWARDS CHILDREN

When a man once saw the Prophet kissing his grandson, he said, “I have ten children but I have never kissed any one of them.” The Prophet replied: “He who does not show mercy, no mercy would be shown to him” (Al-Bukhari).

ENCOURAGING KINDNESS

The Prophet encouraged kindness by saying that a person is rewarded by good deeds for each hair he strokes on an orphan’s head.

WAR, PEACE AND DISBELIEVERS

Mercy in Islam also extends to enemies, in times of war and peace. Prophet Muhammad used to urge his Companions to maintain family ties with relatives who were disbelievers by calling on them and giving them gifts.

MEN WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE

Allah commands Muslims to grant refuge to enemies if they should ask for it, and forbids anyone to harm them. This is stated in the Qur’an, where Allah says: If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. (At-Tawbah 9:6).

RESPECT IS ALSO A KINDNESS OR MERCY

The Prophet forbade his Companions to harm the elderly, injured, women, children, and people in places of worship. Also, destroying fields was forbidden. Defacing the corpses of enemies was strictly banned and giving them rapid burial was commanded out of respect.

The Prophet’s orders regarding captives were strictly obeyed by his Companions. In one of the stories about a battle related to us by a captive, he says that he was staying with a Muslim family after being captured. Whenever they had their meals, they used to give him preference by offering him bread while they would eat only dates.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) victoriously entered Makkah after defeating the Quraish, he approached them and asked, “How do you expect me to treat you?” They replied, “You are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother! We expect nothing but goodness from you.” Then the Prophet announced, “I speak to you in the same words as Yusuf (the Prophet Joseph) spoke unto his brothers: o reproach on you this day, God will forgive you, He is the Most Merciful of the Merciful. (Yusuf 12:92). Go, for verily you are free.”

On this day, when tolerance and forgiveness were least expected, the Prophet set an example of mercy and forgiveness by releasing all the captives without ransom, and forgiving them for the persecution and brutal torture of the Muslims, which was continuous during the first 13 years of conveying the message of Islam.

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

When the Prophet saw a donkey with a branded face, he said, “Have you not heard that I have cursed anyone who brands an animal on its face or who hits it on its face?” (Muslim).

The Prophet once said that a woman was sent to Hell because of a cat that she imprisoned, neither feeding it nor setting it free to hunt for its own food. On the other hand, the Prophet said, a man went to Paradise for giving water to a dog in the desert that was panting out of thirst.

The Prophet forbade that knives should be sharpened in front of animals before slaughtering. In addition, the slaughtering of an animal before another was prohibited. This is clear in one of the Prophetic sayings: “God calls for mercy in everything, so be merciful when you kill and when you slaughter: sharpen your blade to relieve its pain” (Al-Bukhari).

One of the Companions related this incident: When they were traveling with the Prophet, they found a bird with its young ones, so they took them from their mother. The bird came and started flapping its wings, so the Prophet asked, “Who has distressed this bird by taking its young? Return them to it at once” (Al-Bukhari).

Animal welfare was affirmed by the Prophet when he said that anyone who took a living thing as a target is cursed. Forcing animals to fight till one gores the other was also strictly banned, for animals have feelings and this would be definite torture for them.

MERCY STARTS WITH GOD

Mercy starts with God and is bestowed by Him to every living creature. Humans show each other mercy, to live harmoniously with one another, and in turn, by showing this mercy, they themselves are shown even more mercy from Allah.

Source of some of the text: http://www.naveedmalik.com/thetruthoflife/others_mercy.htm

Animal welfare was affirmed by the Prophet

10 straightforward ways to success

2013-01-01T03:18:00.000-08:00

10 straightforward ways to success

Advertising Space - After your Hub is published advertisements may be placed in this space.

10 ways to be more successful

EASY PEASY
For some there is no easy way to success – it requires learning from mistakes and is one of the best ways. Take Steve Jobs for example – he certainly had ups and downs before he met with meterioic success. Here are 10 points that help you have more success more easily.

1. ACTION
Are you really taking action to move your dreams forward. Think of what actions you can take and do to get moving. Focus upon what the action will bring you. In other words, you need to think what this action will bring you.

2. NEWNESS
Do something new. If you keep doing the same things the same way time after time then progress will be slow or non-existent. Act upon new ideas and experiment with new ways of doing things.

3. IMPROVEMENT
When we talk about improvement – we talk about improving our actions and that includes yours offerings – your product. Ideally introduce to the world something that people will talk about, recommend and resonate with. Make sure your offerings are the tip-top – invest the time and resources you can in it.

4. POWER UP
It is about your audience, your fans, your customers, your sphere of influence or in marketing talk – your market share. You need to get your website and your social media working for your too. In these areas you need to offer something of value – somenhting free in exchange for an email address, for example.

5. MONEY
You have to do financial projections for your business and products. Keep financial considerations in your mind too.

6. THE GIFT OF THE GAB
The gift of the gab is the ability to speak. If you want success you need to be able to write well and speak well. These are skills that can be improved with regular practice. Again go into action write and speak as much as you can but with the intention to improve and do better. Watch and learn from the best speakers and writers.

7. BETTER THE LEADERS
In every field there are leaders – study them, what makes them tick. Study their websites and their social media presence. Don’t copy, but see what ideas might complement your purpose, and also have you can innovate on the current ideas set. I once read a story – it was about some children who were trying to get the bananas of a banana tree. None of the children could read the bananas on their own. Only when they co-operated and one bent down and allowed another to use her like a stepping stone were they able to get the bananas. Team work, co-operation and collaboration can get us further. We may not have a formal relationship but we need to learn from others.

8. COLLABORATIVE EFFECT
Often when we share we have more. Think about how others can help spread your message – people in your industry and field. Think alliances and mutual benefits.

9. PASSIONATE SINCERITY
Passion and sincereness are powerful ways to touch your audiences. Inject passion and sincereity. Take the passion test and look at some of the best selling products and think how passion was injected.

10. SUCCESSFUL FLEXIBILITY
Success rarely happens overnight. It may take years – but keep your purpose in mind but be flexible to incorporate new ideas, new directions and new collaborations.

Steve Jobs had his ups and downs but still went on to great success. So can you.

Native speaker input

2012-12-31T15:56:00.003-08:00

Is it absolutely necessary to take language tuition in Singapore, or is it just optional to give your child’s language skills some ‘extra polish’? English language teacher Susan McKenzie discusses Lee Wei Ling’s recent article about language tuition in the Sunday times.

Pain and Pleasure
Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.

Playing Around
Although the Lee siblings received a “strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!

Chinese Chatter
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.

Extra Polish
Wei Ling’s Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.

Chinese Drama
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.

Queen’s English
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à-tête sessions. Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”

Free Flow
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.

Ring of Confidence
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.

Uphill Task
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!

Dressing Down
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?

French Connection
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.

Get Real
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.

Reference: The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, by Lee Wei Ling, 23 September 2012

Listening and idioms

2012-12-31T15:52:00.003-08:00

A World of Meaning

Idioms are phrases with special meanings. Straightforward idioms are usually ones all speakers of English can understand. Clichés are said to be overused phrases – but some so-called clichés are so apt (suitable) that they convey a world of meaning to us and more importantly enlighten and illuminate our thinking.

Here are some very apt idioms relating to the art of silence.

Listening and Silence
Did you know that the same numbers of letters make up the word silent? The same letters can be rearranged and mean silent or listen. In fact when you think about it – to listen effectively you have to be silent to be able to really listen to what someone is saying.

Feel the Silence
The art of listening is to listen like you’ve never listened before – treat listening as if you are hearing something for the first time. This way you will be fresher in your listening. Feel the silence when you listen. When you are silent, you will hear at a deeper level of listening – we can call it a new level of listening.

Listen with Silence
Notice that the word Silence and the word License also have the same number of letters as well. Silence gives you the license to listen and be silent at the same time.

Space of Silence
The gap between your thoughts is the space of silence. Treasure this space. Treat it as the punctuation of thinking – the time for a comma, full stop (period), question mark or exclamation mark!

Listen to your Heart
In the silence you have greater access to your feelings. When you listen to your heart you have greater awareness of your feelings and how you feel about a particular issue. Your feelings are there for a reason so you need to listen to them. Listening to the heart is listening to our feelings and not hard logic. There is a message in our heart if we are silent enough to listen to it.

Listen up
Listen up means to pay greater attention to what is going on. We need to listen up to be able to effectively listen to whatever we should be listening to. There are times when if we don’t listen up we will miss what is going on. “Listen up now! This is important.”

Listen in
Sometimes we want to listen in on something. That means we want to listen but may need permission to do so. “Can we listen in when the band rehearses today?”

A Word to the Wise
If you are wise then you will listen to what is going to be said next.

Bending Your Ear
If I have to bend your ear then I have to force you to listen to me. I would hope that you would hang on to my every word (listening to me closely).

Lend me your ears (listen to me)
Show willingness by saying “I’m all Ears.” Not only am I listening but I really want to listen. I am eager and what you are saying won’t fall on deaf ears.

Take Heed (listen carefully and be warned) - It Pays to Listen
Silence is golden when making an effort to listen. Listening is one of the best ways to learn if you listen with the aim of understanding what is being said. Listening builds rapport and respect when you listen with interest.

All Ears
Listen not only with your ears, but also with your experience, your knowledge, your compassion, your intuition and your real intention to understand. Listen well and create a powerful connection with the person you are listening to.

Golden Listening Blessings
B:  Being able to effectively listen is essential to being a successful communicator.
L: Listening plays a role in every endeavour: for learning, understanding, working, creating, presenting, and developing satisfied customers, clients and partners.
E:  Effective listening enables you to obtain valuable information and to understand the hidden meanings in the words of others.
S:  Silence and listening go hand in hand. Silence is needed to concentrate on the message and the true meaning of the communication.
S:  Silence is a state that should be felt when listening. Silence permits you to hear at a deeper level of listening, understanding and putting the dots together.
I:  Increase your learning, comprehension, understanding and productivity by a conscious effort to listen.
N:  Nourish your mind with thoughts that you can really improve your listening and reap all the benefits that this post says you can achieve with effective listening.
G:  Gaps between your thoughts are times to reflect in the state of silence. Gaps of silence are an important aspect of coming back stronger in the art of communication. Gaps of silence enable you to review the beat of your heart, mind and soul.
S: Skillful listening enables you to learn more from people than they intend to tell you. Silence gives you the licence to listen and be silent at the same time.

the best attitude for kids

2012-12-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

Little BearsI teach a Little Bears class for children officially aged at least 2 and half, although if the child is ready before that age they can join. Usually children are in the two to three age group. In my experience, kids have to be at least aged two before they can appreciate some of the activities.

Activity-Based
What activities can kids in the two to four year old range be expected to do?

This depends on what can be expected from children in this age range and also the philosophy of the organisation your child is attending classes at. Our philosophy is that before a child should learn to read he/she needs to have mastered phonemic awareness (awareness of the sounds of words), basic writing of letters and the ability to focus for about one and a half hours.

Awareness First
I am attempting to achieve in the Little Bears class:

Sounds first: A child first learns sounds and so we are putting together the sounds of English.

Shapes and Coloring first: A child can’t just write so it is best to learn how to color first and to draw shapes. This is what is called the development of motor skills (holding the pencil properly and being able to use the pencils correctly).

Talking first: Also when I am talking to the child I do repeat a lot and use pointing to reinforce language and understanding.

Educational Teething
The primary problem concerns separation issues, separating from Mum or Dad. I regard this as the equivalent of teething. It is painful for all, but we have to go through this process and the earlier the better. I have seen children aged five and six still having these problems, so there is no ideal age to go through. The earlier the better is what I say. This brings me to the main reason why you send your kids to English classes, and that is to have the best social skills possible.

Clear SignsMost parents focus upon the objective signs of leaning: Oh my child can do this and that … That is part of the joys of parenting and totally natural.

Savvy Social SkillsA minority of parents don’t overlook the skill that I feel is the most important.

Good Attitude
You may send your child to class to learn a language and to develop your child’s brain in the most holistic way, but the most important skills a child needs to learn is how to focus, how to work with a system and how to interact well with others. In other words, developing the good attitudes that underpin success. You may have read about how people get hired for skills but fired for attitude. The best attitudes are learnt at the youngest age and that is in class.

Start EarlyYour child is going to class to obtain the optimum success – to learn to operate in English with the greatest social success. Mastering social success is the one greatest aspect of childhood learning that will last a lifetime.

3 wishes or kids

2012-12-31T15:45:00.001-08:00

Are your kids missing out on the three top life skills?

Do you remember how you learnt the three top life skills?
Those three skills being financial management, cooking and social etiquette (including grooming). If you could give yourself a grade in these areas what would it be?

Financial Management
Think about your financial story – how did you learn this crucial skill?

When I was growing up I was a Brownie (the younger arm of the Girl Guide Movement) and I took the Thrift Badge which aimed to teach financial skills. I remember having to keep a savings account to show how I could save money and also care more about the things I owned. This was probably financial management at its most simplest and today is woefully inadequate.

Growing Money
Of course, parents do try to impart financial management to their kids with pocket money but often are too mean or too indulgent.

Children usually are under the impression that parents have a lot of money and have high expectations. Kids even at the age of four or five are boasting about where their parents are taking them for a holiday and what has been bought for them. Parents do remind kids of the famous adages such as Money Does not Grow on Trees but many children find that hard to believe.

Professional Primer
If parents feel they need help in this department then there are the professionals such as Mind Champs (www.moneychampkids.com) and people who have undergone the Mind Champs training such as Fortuna Tung (lifeskillsbuddies.com.sg). Children learn by example so if you are going to send your child on one of these courses, you need to think about what example you are setting. At the same time this might be a good juncture to rethink your financial management skills and win greater respect and understanding from your children.

Culinary Arts
Please don’t blame my mother. My mother attempted to teach me to cook and there were some classes at school too. I even passed the Cooking Badge for the Brownies but still my cooking sucks.

Being able to cook is an essential skill and without it can affect our health in the long term. While fast food is a treat once in a while, every day may not be such a good idea! If I had my time over again I would say if only I had taken cooking more seriously and I feel handicapped only having rudimentary culinary skills. This is one skill I think is worth going on a course for, and who knows your child might make you some great food that you can enjoy!

Social Discourse
I am a great believer in the development of social skills. It is a department where there is room for improvement for most people. I know I wish I could remain calmer in difficult social situations and in the office. Being able to say nice things to others is one social skill that many kids need to improve upon.

In the English classes I teach at I Can Read social skills are an important part of the ethos of the teaching. In my teaching – expressing English politely is an important social skill that has to be learnt.

Just changing the tone of phrases such as “Excuse me,” can be asking to be excused or referring to the other as rude!

When I was still a teenager I attended finishing school in London. I attended Lucie Clayton and spent a summer learning social skills, grooming and etiquette (how to behave in all the social situations one would encounter). We may think we know many of the social graces but actually some of the finer points do need imparting.

Have a compelling story

2012-12-31T02:44:00.000-08:00

Impressive CV
The irony of life is that we need an impressive CV but its impressiveness is not what bags the job. It is a good intro but then …
A Leg in the Door
No more than a leg in the door, resumes get you in front of the hiring people, but it will be a compelling story that will get your past the door and into a work station that is truly yours.
Preparation is Key
Many people have got the message of a professional CV (sadly some have not!). Some people have to learn the hard way and I am one of those who took that route until I wised up. Not just a professional CV but also specific preparation about the company. I went to one interview and had not even looked up the company’s website. The disappointment on the part of the interviewing panel was palpable and needless to say I did not get the job! This was clear lack of preparation and lack of savvy.

Leadership Quandary
If you are applying for a responsible position where you will be making some day to day decisions and aspiring to a leadership position then you need a compelling story about yourself and how you hope to benefit your target employment company. You have to be prepared to be hired. If you are not prepared how on earthy can you take the lead in a responsible position.

Leadership Positions
Think about what people have to do in a company: teamwork with colleagues and manage one or more employees. You may have to persuade customers and sell products and services.

Why the Lack of Preparation?
In my case I thought I knew enough. That must be a form of arrogance. Arrogance is defined as meaning that you think you are better or know more than others. In my case it was complacency – thinking I could look it up once I got there! Or is that arrogance again?

Advance Work
Aptitude – your skills to do the job are set out in the CV, but at the interview your attitude is also being tested. Your attitude is on the line. How you tell your story will reveal your attitude, your passions and your can-do philosophy.

Emotional Click
Your CV is important and all the date is on the page. Now you are on the stage. Remember what Shakespeare penned: All the world’s a stage and here is your 15 minutes to 30 minutes (usually). There needs to be an emotional connect and that is where your compelling story fits in.
Next Time
When you get the next call for an interview go into overdrive and load up with a compelling story that hits the right spot. You can’t sell yourself on the back of your CV alone!

The Number One Secret of Getting that Job Offer: have a compelling story.

3 wishes for your kids

2012-12-31T01:45:00.002-08:00

Beautiful Blessing
When your child is born you are in the greatest position to bestow blessings upon your child. Many will just wish for a healthy baby while some are more ambitious, the child must get to an Ivory League University and make millions.

Your Wish
Whatever your wish for your child and there should be many for a rounded upbringing, the top three would financial finesse, culinary skill and social charm.

Financial Finesse
How do we learn financial management and financial savvy? I learnt some basic stuff when I was a Brownie (a junior Girl Guide) but it was real simple stuff such as saving pocket money and not wasting things. Apart from watching my parents that was it!

Further parental advice may be limited to admonitions such as money does not grow on trees! That is hardly training!

Perhaps people who study accountancy and business at college will learn some financial management too, but for the average Joe and Jane it is going to be lacking.

These days there are courses available for kids to attend. It is never too young to introduce your child to one of these courses. Think about your own example of how you use and manage money. Does your example pass muster?

At the same time this might be an opportune moment to rethink your financial management or mismanagement.

Canned Cuisine
Tonight again its burger or something out of a can!

Not the best way to live if that is your daily fare. One of my biggest regrets in life if that I am not a better cook. Again I did try – attempted the Cooking Badge with the Girl Guides and my dear mother did try to show me the basics, but I rarely got past peeling the potatoes.

If you can cook you might think it is natural for everyone to cook. But it just does not come naturally for all.

If I had my time over again I would have taken cooking more seriously and if you have children then lose no time, get them enrolled in cooking classes.

This is one skill I think is worth going on a course for, and who knows your child might make you some great food!

Social Skills Advocate
I am a total believer in social skills development.

In my teaching of English I am glad I have the opportunity to interact with young minds and to explain to them why nice behave is important.

Social Skill expertise is an underpinning skill for social success. Without developed social skills, it is going to be difficult to interact well with others.

One of the best investments I made when I was a teenager was to save up for a grooming and etiquette course at Lucie Clayton. This was a London finishing school course, and I spent a few months learning how to behave correctly in diverse social situations. Not only that I really enjoyed this experience.

My Three Wishes
My three wishes for your children are –
may they learn to the best cooks,
may they always make wise financial decisions and
may they have express the best social graces and charm.

Where are you headed to?

2012-12-29T01:44:00.000-08:00

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Do you have a good answer?

Whenever I have asked myself that question I have not really had a good answer.

Money First

My first consideration is money. I hope I will be earning more money.

I also hope I will be with the same company.

Your Feelings

What do you feel when asked that question? Will you be able to look back with satisfaction and contentment about your achievements?

If five years is too much, how about one year in the future?

So Rare

If you look at CVs these days it is rare that people have stayed with the same job for many years.

Is Your Track Record Better Than Mine?

If I look at my CV the maximum time that I stayed in one position was 10 years, two jobs where I stayed for about 5 years and two jobs where I stayed less than two years. In my current job I have not yet done two years. What about you - what has your track record been like so far?

Push and Pull Factors

Of course we console ourselves that we were looking for better jobs but often the shift is lateral or brought upon because of some dissatisfaction in our job such as an overbearing person (a kinder word than bully but it feels like bullying).

What Can You Do Better?

Think about your career up to now and how it has been going. Could you do better and where could you do better? What are the realities about you and about your job choices? Who can help you and how can you help yourself? Look within and look at your existing job and see how you can improve.

Likes and Dislikes

In all the jobs I have been in there have been people who have liked me and people who ... That is life.

What you should make a greater effort on is to know yourself better and more deeply - in other words what makes you tick and click. In addition, work on the things that you need to get up to speed. This will help to increase your confidence translating into better choices of what to embrace and what to avoid.

What Confidence Does

With greater confidence people's respect and acceptance will increase. It may still mean that not everyone warms to you but hopefully that won't matter so much or affect your career.

Career Carving

If you have been in a company that gives you access to free training or bosses behave like mentors then you are truly lucky. Most of the companies I have worked for have not and so you have to develop your own plan. Even if you work for the ideal company and you get all the training you need, do think how you can add to that. But again remember why are you training - to make you better at your job or to make you better with your relations with others.

The Price of Love

2012-12-18T20:00:00.001-08:00

Lament of Loss

“The time we had spent with someone.

The time we know, we are never going to get back.” (Muhammad Mohsan Zaki)

May the Blessings Be

Oh this is sad and so true - I wonder why we spend so much time hoping when the other has made it so clear that they don't want you. And yet we do. A very sad aspect of life, or perhaps it is to our credit if we have good thoughts and wish the best for them. If only if should become may the blessings be.

Stages of Loss

In a relationship break down – there are a number of stages.

Stage One

The first stage is perhaps our need to tell them what we had hoped they had done that they have not done. That actually makes the break up worse but then after that we should wish them well.

Perpetual Love Stage

We should wish them well because if you truly loved you will love them forever and we should wish a loved one well.

Always Easier Said than Done

Yes it is easier said than done but it is best for them, for you and the world. The good or bad news is that you may think of them for the rest of your life. So many times the what ifs come in but try to crowd them out with good thoughts and good wishes for the person.

Why the Love Should Remain

When we offer love sometimes it is rejected but if we really feel the love why should we turn it to hate or to something that is not nice.

Proof of Love

The proof of true love is that we continue to love no matter what.

Unreturned Love

While it may mean that we never get that person's love hopefully in time, at the very least, they will realize that there was someone in their lives who truly loved them.

If we believe in God, and if we honour God then we should work to do this. It is not easy but it is one of the challenges for us. Really it is not easy and there will be good days and not so good days but do we must. Also sometimes we may even be back to square one when the flood of emotion takes over us but we must seek solace at that time by saying to ourselves - yes I truly loved and cared.

Why Love is Never a Sure Thing

Love is never a sure thing because some people only love what we do and not what we are, so when we cannot give exactly what they want then they don’t love us any more (according to their definition of love). However, do you really want to keep on buying their love? Well I can’t answer that question for you but you need to think whether that price of love is worth it. You may think it is and are prepared to pay it.

How Deep is Your Love?

I don't think it is to do with naivety totally – I think it is to do with how deeply you felt and the commitment you made. When the other stops loving or perhaps makes it clear they never loved, the other can't just stop if they themselves truly loved. I am not saying the person stays depressed for the rest of their life. In fact by continuing to love even though it is now at a distance one can avoid the worst days of depression, which is why I say continuing to love is good for you, them and the world.

What We Wanted

Loving is what we wanted to do anyway, so there is no harm continuing to love. I cannot talk for the Muslim world, only the Western world and in the Western world I think there is nothing worse when I meet someone and they tell people they don’t love their former partner any more, or worse they hate their former partner. How can love turn to hate? If it does then it was a very conditional type of love and probably no better or true than the one who no longer wants anything to do with you.

Forgiveness

I think this approach also helps in the process of forgiving too. If you continue to love then it is easier to forgive and in forgiving you will find a form of peace towards the situation.

True Jinnah: True Beliefs

2012-12-11T22:01:00.001-08:00

The Man Behind the ManRehana Matri: MA Jinnah was a man with a vision, influenced by another man with a vision (Allama Iqbal). Both returned from Britain to serve their people.
Relentlessly RelevantRehana Matri: MA Jinnah is still relevant to Pakistan because he is the father of the nation and he wanted to create an Islamic state where everyone is able to practice their own religion, free and without fear.
Relentless WorkIf MA Jinnah could advise the younger generation today, Rehana Matri thinks he would tell them: work hard and not waste time, stand together.

Man of Principle and Pragmatic WisdomThe words in quotation marks are those of MA Jinnah when he gave his first presidential address to the Constituent Assembly in 1947.
First Duty“The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State.”

Bribery and Corruption“Bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand.”

“Colossal crime against society”
“A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime than the biggest and most grievous of crimes.”

“The evil of nepotism and jobbery”
“I shall never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any any influence directly of indirectly brought to bear upon me.” <Jobbery is using public office for your own gain or advantage, while nepotism is favoring family and friends where there is no merit.>

Partition
“There are people who do not quite agree with the division of India and the partition of the Punjab and Bengal. …but now that it has been accepted, it is the duty of everyone of us to loyally abide by it and honourably act according to the agreement which is now final and binding on all.”

“A united India could never have worked”
“A division had to take place. On both sides, in Hindustan and Pakistan, there are sections of people who may not agree with it, who may not like it, but in my judgement there was no other solution.”

Last SpeechMA Jinnah passed away in September 1948, but one of the last speeches he gave was to the Army Staff College.

“The Defence Forces are the most vital of all Pakistan Service”

Oath Of Allegiance
“An oath is only a matter of form; what are more important are the true spirit and the heart. But it is an important form, and I would like to take the opportunity of refreshing your memory by reading the prescribed oath to you."

“I solemnly affirm, in the presence of Almighty God, that I owe allegiance to the Constitution and Dominion of Pakistan (mark the words Constitution and the Government of the Dominion of Pakistan) and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully serve in the Dominion of Pakistan Forces and go within the terms of my enrolment wherever I may be ordered by air, land or sea and that I will observe and obey all commands of any officer set over me…..”

“The spirit is what really matters”
“Any command or orders that may come to you cannot come without the sanction of the Executive Head. This is the legal position.”

Source of quotes for the first presidential address: Source: Dawn, Independence Day Supplement, August 14, 1999.
Transcribed from printed copy by Shehzaad Nakhoda
http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/constituent_address_11aug1947.html