Online Blog Entry

ISLAMIC BANKING

2011-08-18T00:49:00.001-07:00

here are almost 2 billion Muslims worldwide, a statistic that cannot be overlooked even in the banking industry. However, Muslims have very strict laws governing financial transactions. Islamic banking must adhere to the laws of Sharia to be true Islamic banking centers.
The Sharia Law of Islamic Banking

Sharia law is the law of Islam. The rules concerning financial transactions are known as Fiqh al-Muamalat. The most prominent of these laws are the laws concerning the charging of interest or fees on loans or usury fees. This is known as Riba. Islamic banking laws also forbid investing in financial unknowns, such as trading in futures, and in businesses that participate in ventures that are against Islamic principles.
Islamic Banking Principles for Interest

To comply with the laws concerning interest, Islamic banks often require a large down payment on property or goods being purchased. They may also require collateral equal to the value of the transaction. Instead of granting “loans” in the conventional way, a bank will purchase the goods or property from the seller and enter into an agreement with the buyer to sell it to them at a higher price. Since this is an exchange of goods, not money, the banks are allowed to enter into this transaction and make a profit. This is known as Murabaha (cost plus) and is how all property is purchased through a Sharia compliant bank. Islamic banks do not issue mortgages.

These transactions can fall under specific categories and practices. Safe Keeping (Wadiah) is where the customer transfers funds to the bank to hold (Keep) until their debt is repaid. During that time the bank is allowed to invest those funds to generate a profit for the bank. The bank may also charge a service fee for keeping the account safe during this period. The bank is allowed to give a gift (Hibah) on the account in the form of a monetary payment at the end of the term if it wishes. The bank, however, must have all deposited monies readily available should the debt be repaid and the deposit claimed.
Banking Partnerships for Business

Mudharabah (profit sharing) is a partnership that is formed between an entrepreneur and a bank to start a business. The Bank will supply all the money necessary to start the business and as the business operates it will receive a set amount of the profit until the initial debt is repaid. The bank will also receive as a bonus, an additional percentage of the profits until the loan is paid. Musharakah (joint venture) runs on the same principal except there are more than one business partner when the business is created.
Governing Boards of Islamic Banks

Each banking institution employs a special governing board that makes sure that all Sharia laws are complied with within the institution. This board will review all practices and investments prior to a transaction being finalized. They are also responsible for reviewing any potential investments the bank may make to ensure they comply with investment rules.

While many of these practices may seem strange to western bankers, Islamic banking has taken its hold in the Middle East. Deposits into Islamic banking institutions have been growing between 25 and 40% a year since 1975. Currently it is estimated that almost 200 billion dollars a day transacts in Islamic banks world-wide.

ISLAMIC BANKING

2011-08-18T00:49:00.000-07:00

Ramadhan

2011-08-18T00:43:00.001-07:00

Ramadan includes fasting which is the third pillar of all the five pillars of Islam. This means that the fasting during Ramadan is one of the five most basic beliefs or acts that a Muslim is supposed to do. Fasting in Islam is considered to be a means of practicing self-control. It is also considered to be a way of experiencing what hunger is all about, sympathizing with the poor and the needy, and thanking god for everything you have received in life.

An important part of Ramadan festival is offering gifts in the form of Zakat which means giving away one’s wealth to charity. The Zakat is one of the essential pillars of Islam. The concept of Zakat is to purify one’s wealth by giving a part of it to people who aren’t blessed by god.

Importance of Ramadan to Muslims
Ramadan is the time for offering intense prayers to god. During this month, Muslims try to read the Quran, the holy scripture of Islam, as much as possible. They may also visit the mosque to listen to the recitation of the Quran.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are special because during this time, the Muslims indulge in intense prayers with the belief that they’ll get closer to god because of their good deeds, sacrifices, and devotion.

According to Quran, the 27th night of the month of Ramadan, known as the Lailat ul-Qadr or the Night of Power, is actually considered to be auspicious than any other night. So, the Muslims spend almost this entire night in prayers.

Some common beliefs of the Muslims regarding Ramadan are listed below.

The Muslims believe that fasting will enable them to feel for those who get very little to eat daily.
The Muslims feel that through Ramadan prayers, they’ll connect better with their inner selves, strengthen their faith and get closer to god who has created them.
They think that Ramadan teaches them how to appreciate god for every single happiness and achievement they’ve had in their lives.
The Muslims believe that self-control during Ramadan will teach them good manners and good speech.
They believe that charity during this festive occasion will actually make them more generous and develop a sense of goodwill in them.
The Muslims feel that family gatherings during Ramadan will help strengthen their bonding with their friends and family members.

Importance of Fasting in Ramadan
The concept of fasting is not to starve but to take oneself to a spiritual level where one fully devotes himself to god. It has been proved that during fasting, the body develops immunity and gets rid of the toxins that have earlier accumulated.

Fasting during Ramadan helps the Muslims develop the spirit of sacrifice due to which they refrain from all natural desires on this earth. Although they may not think about the poor and downtrodden in everyday life, yet during fasting, they’ll learn to think about the less fortunate. Fasting also helps them get rid of overindulgence in life.

Fasting in Ramadan enables a Muslim to train his body and soul so as to develop self-restraint. It helps shape up the personality of a Muslim who is expected not to commit wrong during the remaining part of the year. Fasting is not just physical but the Muslims actually commit their body and soul to the spirit of fasting. They restrain every part of their body. For example, they restrain their tongue from backbiting or gossiping. They don’t touch anything that doesn’t belong to them. Their eyes don’t see anything that’s unlawful. The Muslims also avoid listening to obscene words during the Ramadan.

During Ramadan, the Muslims re-evaluate their lives under the principles of Islam. They are expected to make peace with their dear ones even though the latter may have wronged them. The Muslims are expected to purify their minds during the month of Ramadan. Not only should they purify their thoughts, but also their words and actions.

Ramadhan

2011-08-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

Quebec city

2011-08-11T23:30:00.001-07:00

Sure of its charms and just a touch haughty, Québec City’s gracious yet simple style continues to delight its visitors, year after year. The city has everything it takes to please: an enchanting setting on the St. Lawrence, a priceless architectural heritage, a rich and colourful past and, above all, a warm heart bubbling over with the special joie de vivre that has characterized it for four centuries.

Colonial city, contemporary capital

PhotoIt was here at the base of this natural fortress dubbed the “Gibraltar of America” by Charles Dickens that Samuel de Champlain first established a fur-trading post in 1608. As religious and political institutions sprang up within the fortifications, merchants and craftsmen set up shop alongside the river. A coveted prize that was subject to repeated assault, Québec City eventually fell to the British in 1759, and New France became a subject of the English crown.

Québec City (pop. 622,000), the cradle of French civilization in North America, is today a busy seaport, an important service and research centre, a cultural hot spot and, of course, the capital of Québec. Here you’ll find the art of living unsurpassed—and the pleasures of the table high on the list of priorities. Splendid public gardens and close proximity to the great outdoors add to a superb quality of life which does the locals proud.

A World Heritage Site

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, QuébecHistoric Québec was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. From the top of its imposing ramparts down to the mighty St. Lawrence, Québec City, the only fortified city north of Mexico, is your invitation to plunge into a colourful pageant of history.

Near St. John’s Gate—one of four in the city walls—Artillery Park features many historic buildings, including an impressive redoubt dating from the French Regime. Many fascinating museums lie tucked away behind the venerable façades of the old town, including the Musée de l’Amérique française, housed within the centuries-old walls of the Seminary, and the Musée des Ursulines. The Notre-Dame-de-Québec basilica boasts a superb art collection, while its crypt houses the remains of four governors of New France.

Lower Town

PhotoTake the funicular and drop into the Lower Town, whose origins hearken back to the first days of the colony. Place-Royale and the adjacent Petit-Champlain quarter abound with activity, despite their advanced age, with an interpretation centre, art and craft boutiques, and many restaurants and bistros. The Musée de la civilisation presents various themed exhibitions with a fully up-to-the-minute interactive approach. Stroll along the Old Port or, in summer, hop aboard a refreshing cruise on the river.

... and Upper Town

PhotoIf you decide to climb back up toward the Citadelle dominating the city, you’ll pass by the immortal Château Frontenac with its medieval-looking gables and turrets. From there, stroll along the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk for a sublime vista of the river. If you keep going, you’ll come to the Plains of Abraham, also known as Battlefields Park. This vast green space was the site of the fateful clash in 1759 between the French and British armies, one of the most significant military events in North American history. The site also houses the Musée national des Beaux-Arts du Québec, with its remarkable collection of Québec art and steady stream of major international exhibitions.

The newly revamped Parc Aquarium is a must for families visiting Québec. And facing Île d’Orleans, the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shrine near Mont Sainte-Anne has welcomed pilgrims since the mid‑17th century.

Non-stop celebration

PhotoIn this city redolent with history, Québecers long ago mastered the art of living well and having fun, whatever the weather. In summer, the capital swings to the beat of the Québec City Summer Festival and the New France Festival as its streets, parks and concert halls overflow with music and performance. And, since feeling festive here knows no seasonal bounds, come February, Québec City explodes into action once more with the famed Carnaval, the largest winter festival of its kind in the world.

Americas Debt ...U.S.A on a downfall

2011-08-11T23:26:00.000-07:00

America’s collective debt, also called the national debt or the public debt, represents the money that the U.S. government owes to the owners of debt instruments that are issued by the U.S. treasury. There are several types of debt instruments issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. All of these items are collectively called treasuries.

America has always had debt. Since the 18th century, the country has carried a load of debt that has fluctuated with the political and social climate of the day. In 1860, America’s debt was $65 million. The Civil War brought about a major spike in the debt. World War I and World War II also brought about major rises in the debt. The latest American debt numbers have put it at its steepest numbers since the debt level spiked during World War II.

America’s debt, as owed to foreign nations, has been rising steadily over the years. The gross debt in trillions of U.S. dollars was about $10 trillion in 1940. In 1950, it had risen to about $18 trillion. After falling for a few decades, it began rising again in the late 1980s. In 2009, America’s debt was again up to $18 trillion. It is projected to continue to rise over the next few years. By 2011 it is projected to be about $20 trillion. The projected amount of American debt in the next few years equals 100 percent of the U.S. GDP.

Foreign Held Treasury Securities in U.S. Dollars

China holds $798.9 billion in American debt. Japan holds $746.5 billion in U.S. debt. The U.K. holds $230.7 billion of the U.S. debt. Brazil holds $156.2 billion in U.S. debt. Hong Kong has $142.0 billion of the American debt. Russia has $122.5 billion of American debt. Luxemburg holds $90.8 billion of the American debt. Taiwan has $78.7 billion of America’s debt. Switzerland owns $71.5 billion of America’s debt. Germany holds $52.8 billion in American debt.

South Korea has $42.2 billion of the U.S. debt. Canada has $40.8 billion in American debt. Ireland has $38.3 billion in U.S. debt. France has $36.2 billion in U.S. debt. Singapore has $35.2 billion of the U.S. debt. India owns $32.9 billion of the American debt. Turkey owns $30.4 billion of the U.S. debt. Thailand holds $30.1 billion in U.S. debt. Norway holds $24.9 billion in American debt. Mexico holds $20.7 billion of U.S. debt

Most Misunderstood Religion

2011-07-29T03:04:00.000-07:00

The majority of the modern "educated" people are today faced with a religious crisis.
Is religion really a fact of life? It might have been one in the past, but does it still remain
so in the world of today when science has changed the whole course of life, and when
there is no place in it for anything save science and what scientific facts approve of? Does
religion represent a genuine need of humanity? Or is it something wholly dependent upon
the temperamental constitution of an individual so that one may not believe in it as there
is no difference between the two states of belief and unbelief '?
Talking about Islam they betray a similar state of intellectual crisis when the
missionaries of Islam tell them that Islam is not a mere creed, nor does it represent simply
an edification of souls, or a refinement and training of human virtues but is rather a
harmonious whole that also includes a just economic system, a well-balanced social
organization, codes of civil, criminal as well as international law, & philosophical
outlook upon life along with a system of physical instruction, all of these flowing from
the same fundamental creed of Islam and its moral and spiritual temperament. When they
hear all this, these "educated" people are greatly perplexed, for they supposed that Islam
had since long ceased to exist as it has become outmoded and had exhausted all its
usefulness. That is why they are surprised when they hear devout Muslims saying that
Islam does not belong to a remote past, it is not obsolete or antiquated but is a living and
flourishing system of life even at the present moment, as it holds within itself such
elements of life as no other system known to humanity does including socialism as well
as communism or any other system.
At this their surprise exceeds limits, they can no more contain themselves, so they
scream at these preachers of Gods words: Do you tell us all this about the religion that
approves of slavery, feudalism and capitalism-the system which holds that woman is only
a half-man and imprisons her within her household; which prescribes such punishments
as stoning to death, mutilation and whipping; which lets its people live on charity; which
splits them up into different classes, some exploiting the other; a system which provides
no security of decent living to the toiling people; and a system which is such and such,
how is it possible that such a system should even hold its own today, let alone its survival
in the future? Not to speak of its triumph and contending successfully, how can such a
system even hold out in the ruthless ideological struggle going on at present among
different modern socio-economic systems?
Before proceeding further let us, however, pause awhile and see as to who these
"educated" skeptics are? Whence does their skepticism originate? Is this attitude of mind
a result of their own free thinking or are they merely parroting the words of other, without
even so much as understanding them?
The fact is that the skepticism exhibited by these gentlemen is not at all a result of
their own independent thinking, nor did it originate in their own minds as such. For its
true source we win have to go back a little over the history of modern times.
The Middle Ages witnessed crusades between Europe and the world of Islam. Furious
battles were fought between the two after which followed a period that saw a suspension
of hostilities between the two camps but their hostility towards each other never ended as
is well borne out by what Lord Allenby said in clear terms on the occasion of the British
occupation of Jerusalem in World War I: "Now have the crusades come to an end!'
We must also keep in mind that during the last two centuries European imperialism
remained in conflict with the Islamic Orient.
The British stepped into Egypt in 1882 following Taufiq's treachery. They hatched a
plot with him for the military occupation of Egypt in order to thwart the popular
revolution under the leadership of Orabi. Thereafter the British policy of necessity
revolved around one basic aim: strengthening their hold more and more on the Islamic
world and safeguarding their interests from being swept away by the true Islamic spirit of
the Orient. We would in this respect like to refer to what the British Prime Minister of the
Victorian age, Mr. Gladstone said in the House of Commons. Holding up the Holy Qur'an
in his hands he told the members of the House: "So long as the Egyptians have got this
book with them, we will never be able to enjoy quiet or peace in that land".
Naturally the policy pursued by the British was one of deriding Islamic laws and
principles, of exiling the sense of their sanctity from Muslims' hearts, and of painting
Islam in the blackest of colors so as to make them look down upon it and in due course of
time to discard it totally. They did all this in order to tighten up their imperialistic grip on
this country.
The educational policy they adopted in Egypt was such as left the students quite
ignorant about the reality of Islam, except that it was a religion embracing worships,
prayers, praising and glorifying God, and pursuing mystic practices; that the Qur'an was a
book read in order to invoke God's blessings and that Islam was a theoretical invitation to
pursue the noblest and most generous of moral precepts. Students were never told
anything about Islam as a socio-economic system of government or as a constitution, or
as a basis of internal and external policy, or as a system of education, or as a way of life
and a watcher over life. What they were taught instead was the doubts cast against Islam
by the orientalists and other European crusaders in order to make the Muslims forsake
their religion and succumb easily to the evil machinations of imperialism.
They were taught; that the only genuine social system in existence was that which
Europe possessed, the only true economic system was one that was conceived by the
European philosophers, the right and most appropriate form of constitutional government
was what the Europeans, thanks to their various experiments, evolved. They were taught
that the rights of man were first taken cognizance of by the French Revolution, that
democracy was fostered and made popular by the English people, and that it was the
Roman Empire that provided any basis of civilization. In short, the British depicted
Europe as a rebellious but mighty giant with none to stand in its way or check its progress
whereas they presented the East as a dwarfish underling with no standing of its own save
that of subordination to Europe and complete dependence upon it for its social and
cultural outlook.
This political policy at last took effect. Among the Egyptians there sprang up
generations who were shorn of any thought of their individuality or independent cultural
existence. They were completely enthralled by Europe; they worshipped it most
devotedly; they could neither see with their own eyes nor were they any more left capable
of thinking for themselves; they would see just what the Europeans wanted them to see;
and they thought what they wished them to think.
The "educated" intelligentsia of today represents as such the culminating point of
what the imperialists with their political maneuvers achieved in-this country.
These poor people know nothing about Islam but doubt. About Islam they have no
information save what they received through their European masters. That is why they
are seen shouting like them advocating the separation of religion from the state and of
science from Islam.
But in their ignorance they pass by the fact that the religion that Europe shook off was
one quite different from what the advocates of Islamic ideology call upon people to
adopt; and that the particular circumstances that prevailed in Europe at the time and made
it turn its back upon religion were confined to that region of the world only. Nothing of
the sort ever happened in the Islamic orient; nor is there any likelihood of its ever
happening there. Thus when they call upon their countrymen to discard Islam or declare
that Islam should have no say in the management of social, political and economic affairs
of community and life, they are merely expressing and parroting the imported thoughts of
their masters.
Europe was the scene of a conflict between religion and science, because the church
there had arbitrarily embraced certain theories and dogmas (inheriting them from Greece)
and insisted that they were sacred and a gospel truth. So when the theoretical and the
empirical science demonstrated the error and fallacy of these theories, the people there
had no other course but to believe in science and disbelieve in the church as well as in the
religion these churchmen stood for. The war between religion and science gained in
intensity and the enthusiasm to get free from the dominance of these religious men
increased as the church in Europe conferred upon itself divine power and proceeded to
enforce it in a most tyrannical manner. Thus for the people there religion came to signify
an abominable ghoul that harassed them in their working no less than in their sleeping
hours. It exacted from men costly extortion and reduced them to an abject state of
subordination to the churchmen, besides calling upon them to swallow nonsense and
superstitions in the name of God. The torturing of scientists and burning them alive
because they said, for instance, that the earth was round, was the ugliest of crimes that
made it a sacred duty of every sensible, free-thinking and conscientious individual there
to come forward and help the forces that sought to destroy this abominable ghoul or at
least put it in chains so as not to let it ever again harass and oppress the people besides
harming the cause of religion by misrepresenting it and making others feel as if religion
contained nothing but falsehood and untruth.
But what about us, we who live in the Islamic East? Why should we separate science
from religion or hold that the two are at variance and war with each other? Is there even a
single scientific fact which has been found to contradict Islam and its basic creed? Were
scientists ever subjected to persecution in the domain of Islam? The whole history of
Islam is before us. It testifies that there have been great doctors, astronomers,
mathematicians, physicists as well as chemists but never were they persecuted for their
views. There is no trace of any conflict between science and their religious beliefs to be
found in the minds of these great Muslim scientists. Nor did there exist any hostilities
between them and the ruling authorities such as might have led to their suffering or
burning alive.
What is it then that makes these "educated" people plead for separation of religion
from science, for attacking Islam and finding faults with it without any understanding or
knowledge of it? Their feverish crying is nothing but a symptom of the poison that had
been administered to them by the imperialists, of course, without their knowing it.
This class of the "educated" elite was not at all in my mind when I wrote this book.
They would never return to what is right until their masters in the West also do turn
towards it after despairing of their Godless materialistic civilization and recognize that it
can bring them no salvation, and so return to a system of life that is at once spiritual as
well as practical-a system embracing belief no less than life at once and at the same time.
I had rather another class before me in writing this book-the sincere and enlightened
youth, who earnestly wish to find out the reality, the truth, but the doubts and lies spread
about Islam by the deceitful imperialistic powers leave them helpless to see the light, or
the answer to these lies, and so they are left groping about in darkness, for the slaves of
imperialism and the devils of communism would not let them march out to the right paththe
path to freedom, honor and sublimity. It is to this enlightened and sincere group of
young men that I present this book and hope that it may please God to help me dispel
doubts about Islam from their minds.

2011-07-29T03:00:00.001-07:00

Some of the benefits of heart-healthy exercise are reducing the risk factors for heart disease and lowering cholesterol. A sedentary (inactive) lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease. Fortunately, it's a risk factor that you can do something about. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, has many benefits, including lowering cholesterol. It can also:

Strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system.
Improve your circulation and help your body use oxygen better.
Increase your HDL or "good" cholesterol.
Increase energy levels so you can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath.
Increase endurance and improve muscle tone and strength, balance and joint flexibility, and bone strength.
Help reduce body fat and help you reach a healthy weight.
Help reduce stress, tension, anxiety and depression.
Boost self-image and self-esteem.
Improve sleep.
Make you feel more relaxed and rested.
Make you look fit and feel healthy.
How Do I Get Started?
Always check with your doctor first before starting an exercise program. Your doctor can help you find a program that matches your level of fitness and physical condition. Here are some questions to ask:
How much exercise can I do each day?
How often can I exercise each week?
What type of exercise should I do?
What type of activities should I avoid?
Should I take my medication(s) at a certain time around my exercise schedule?
Do I have to take my pulse while exercising?

What Type of Exercise Is Best?

Exercise can be divided into three basic types:

Stretching or the slow lengthening of the muscles. Stretching the arms and legs before and after exercising helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain. Regular stretching also increases your range of motion and flexibility.
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise is steady physical activity using large muscle groups. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and lungs and improves the body's ability to use oxygen. Aerobic exercise has the most benefits for your heart. Over time, aerobic exercise can help decrease your heart rate and blood pressure and improve your breathing. Aerobic exercises include: walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling (stationary or outdoor), cross-country skiing, skating, rowing, high or low-impact aerobics, swimming and water aerobics.
Strengthening exercises are repeated muscle contractions (tightening) until the muscle becomes tired.

How Often Should I Exercise?

In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, most days of the week. Exercising at least every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule.

2010-12-21T01:43:00.001-08:00

New way to earn by Discussion

2010-12-21T01:29:00.000-08:00

Meet other cellular phones fans on myLot.

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2010-12-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

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2010-12-11T23:08:00.001-08:00

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Alert Pay

2010-12-11T20:53:00.000-08:00

AlertPay is an online payment business that is privately owned and operated. AlterPay’s online payment system provides companies and individuals with the ability to pay and receive payments entirely online, allowing for rapid transfer of funds. AlertPay users have the capability to transfer funds without making public any financial or personal information about themselves, the recipient, or the transaction.

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Each dollar deposited into a registered AlertPay account is insured with the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Canada and the United States, respectively, and are held with federally regulated and chartered banks.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO, Hindi: भारतीय अन्तरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन) is the primary body for space research under the control of the Government of India, and one of the leading space research organizations in the world. It was established in its modern form in 1969 as a result of coordinated efforts initiated earlier. Taking into consideration its budget, it is among the most efficient space organizations on the globe.[2] Over the years, ISRO has conducted a variety of operations for both Indian and foreign clients. ISRO's satellite launch capability is mostly provided by indigenous launch vehicles and launch sites. In 2008, ISRO successfully launched its first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, while future plans include indigenous development of GSLV, manned space missions, further lunar exploration, and interplanetary probes. ISRO has several field installations as assets, and cooperates with the international community as a part of several bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Modern space research in India is most visibly traced to the activities of scientist S.K. Mitra who conducted a series of experiments leading to the sounding of the ionosphere by application of ground based radio methods in 1920's Calcutta.[3] Later, Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences.[3] However, it was the period after 1945 which saw important developments being made in coordinated space research in India.[3] Organized space research in India was spearheaded by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhai—founder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad—and Homi Bhabha, who had played a role in the establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945.[3] Initial experiments in space sciences included the study of cosmic radiation, high altitude and airborne testing of instruments, deep underground experimentation at the Kolar mines—one of the deepest mining sites in the world — and studies of the upper atmosphere.[4] Studies were carried out at research laboratories, universities, and independent locations.[4][5]

Government support became visible by 1950 when the Department of Atomic Energy (India) was founded with Homi Bhabha as secretary.[5] The Department of Atomic Energy provided funding for space research throughout India.[6] Tests on the Earth's magnetic field—studied in India since the establishment of the observatory at Colaba in 1823—and aspects of meteorology continued to yield valuable information and in 1954, Uttar Pradesh state observatory was established at the foothills of the Himalayas.[5] The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at Osmania University, Hyderabad.[5] Both these facilities enjoyed the technical support and scientific cooperation of the United States of America.[5] Space research was further encouraged by the technically inclined prime minister of India—Jawaharlal Nehru.[6] In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched the Sputnik and opened up possibilities for the rest of the world to conduct a space launch.[6] The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was found in 1962 with Vikram Sarabhai as its chairman.[6]

Beginning in the 1960s, close ties with the Soviet Union enabled ISRO rapidly to develop the Indian space program and advance nuclear power in India even after the first nuclear test explosion by India on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran.[7] The death of Homi Bhabha in an air crash on 24 January 1966 came as a blow to the Indian space program.[8] Following Bhabha's passing, Sarabhai was sent to assume Bhabha's place as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.[8] The 1960s also saw the founding of the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC), Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES, 1967), the Sriharikota base, and the Indian Satellite System Project (ISSP).[8] The Indian Space Research Organization in its modern form was created by Vikram Sarabhai in 1969.[8] This body was to take control of all space activities in the Republic of India.[8]

THE TRUE RELIGION

2010-12-03T09:40:00.003-08:00

THE RELIGION OF ISLAM

The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word "Islam" itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of "Allah" and as such, its name represents the central principle of Allah's "God's" religion; the total submission to the will of Allah "God". The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship "Allah" and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim", The word also implies "peace" which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.

Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the following:

"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Soorah Al-Maa'idah 5:3)

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him" (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:85)

"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:67)

Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.

For simplicity's sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.

According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: "Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven".
THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

Since the total submission of one's will to Allah represents the essence of worship, the basic message of Allah's divine religion, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person, place or thing other than Allah.Since everything other than Allah, the Creator of all things, is Allah's creation; it may be said that Islam, in essence calls man away from the worship of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man's worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. If man prays to a tree and his prayers are answered, it was not the tree which answered his prayers but Allah who allowed the circumstances prayed for to take place. One might say, "That is obvious," however, to tree-worshippers it might not be. Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna, to Saint Christopher, or Saint Jude or even to Muhammad, are not answered by them but are answered by Allah. Jesus did nottell his followers to worship him but to worship Allah. As the Qur'aan states:

"And behold Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary Did you say to men, Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah He will say-"Glory to you I could never say what I had no right (to say')" (Soorah Al-Maa'idah- 5:116)

Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather he worshipped Allah. This basic principle is enshrined in the opening chapter of the Qur'aan, known asSoorah Al-Faatihah, verse 4:

"You alone do we worship and from you alone do we seek help".

Elsewhere, in the final book of revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah also said:

"And your Lord says:"Call on Me and I will answer your(prayer)."(Soorsh Mu'min 40:60)

it is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, nor is His creation Him or a part of Him.

This might seem obvious, but, man's worship of creation instead of the Creator is to a large degree based on ignorance of this concept. It is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His divine being is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided justification for the worship of creation though such worship maybecalled the worship of Allah through his creation. How ever, the message of Islam as brought by the prophets of Allah is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his creation either directly or indirectly. In the Our'aan Allah clearlystates:

"For We assuredly sent amongst every people a prophet,(with the command) worship meand avoid false gods " (Soorsh Al-Nahl 16:36)

When the idol worshipper is questioned as to why he or she bows down to idols created by men, the invariable reply is that they are not actually worshipping the stone image, but Allah who is present within it. They claim that the stone idol is only a focal point for Allah's essence and is not in itself Allah! One who has accepted the concept of the presence of God's being within His creation in any way will be obliged to accept this argument of idolatry. Whereas, one who understands the basic message of Islam and its implications would never concede to idolatry no matter how it is rationalized. Those who have claimed divinity for themselves down through the ages have often based their claims on the mistaken belief that Allah is present in man. They merely had to assert that although Allah according to their false beliefs, is in all of us, He is more present in them than in the rest of us. Hence, they claim, we should submit our will to them and worship them as they are either God in person or God concentrated within the person.

Similarly, those who have asserted the godhood of others after their passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false belief of God's presence in man. One who has grasped the basic message of Islam and its implications could never agree to worship another human being under any circumstances. God's religion in essence is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection of creation-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of Islam:

"Laa Elaaha lllallaah" (There is no god but Allah)

Its repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise.

Thus, the final Prophet of Islam is reported to have said, "Any one who says: There is no god but Allah and dies holding that (belief) will enter paradise".(Reported by Abu Dharr and collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

It consists in the submission to Allah as one God, yielding to Him by obeying His commandments, and the denial of polytheism and polytheists.
THE MESSAGE OF FALSE RELIGION

There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship to which they call, directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah. They either claim that all men are gods or that specific men were Allah or that nature is Allah or that Allah is a figment of man's imagination.

Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that Allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it God. For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!

Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside of India have taken him to be God and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.

By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the Our'aan:

That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority: The command belongs only to Allah:

He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand ". (Soorah Yoosuf 12:40)

It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation-worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the Our'aan:

"I have only created Jlnns and men, that they may worship me"(Soorah Zaareeyaat 51:56)

Consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this state of idolatry has sealed his fate in the next life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man:

"Verily Allah will not forgive the joining of partners with Him, but He may forgive (sins) less than that for whom so ever He wishes"(Soorah An- Nisaa 4:48 and 116)

THE UNIVERSALITY OF ISLAM

Since the consequences of false religion are so grave, the true religion of Allah must be universally understandable and attainable, not confined to any people, place or time. There can not be conditions like baptism, belief in a man, as a saviour etc., for a believer to enter paradise. Within the central principle of Islam and in its definition, (the surrender of one's will to God) lies the roots of lslam's universality. Whenever man comes to the realization that Allah is one and distinct from His creation, and submits himself to Allah, he becomes a Muslim in body and spirit and is eligible for paradise. Thus, anyone at anytime in the most remote region of the world can become a Muslim, a follower of God's religion, Islam, by merely rejecting the worship of creation and by turning to Allah (God) alone-It should be noted however, that the recognition of and submission to Allah requires that one chooses between right and wrong and such a choice implies accountability. Man will be held responsible for his choices, and, as such, he should try his utmost to do good and avoid evil. The ultimate good being the worship of Allah alone and the ultimate evil being the worship of His creation along with or instead of Allah. This fact is expressed in the final revelation as follows:

"Verily those who believe, those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), the Christians and the Sabians any who believe In Allah and the last day, and work righteousness *hall have their reward with their Lord;They will not be overcome by fear nor grief (Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:62).

If only they had stood by the law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There Is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that Is evil.". (Soorah Al-.Maa'idah 5:66)

RECOGNITION OF ALLAH

The question which arises here is, "How can all people be expected to believe in Allah given their varying- backgrounds, societies and cultures? For people to be responsible for worshipping Allah they all have to have access to knowledge of Allah. The final revelation teaches that all mankind have the recognition of Allah imprinted on their souls, a part of their very nature with which they are created.

In Soorah Al-A'raaf, Verses 172-173; Allah explained that when He created Adam, He caused all of Adam's descendants to come into existence and took a pledge from them saying, Am I not your Lord? To which they all replied, " Yes, we testify to It:'

Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said, "That was In case you (mankind) should say on the day of Resurrection, "Verily we were unaware of all this." That is to say, we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship You alone. Allah went on to explain That it was also In case you should say, "Certainly It was our ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their descendants; will You then destroy us for what those liars did?" Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the "Fitrah".

If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his own way, but all children are affected by those things around them, seen or unseen.

The Prophet (PBUH) reported that Allah said, "I created my servants in the right religion but devils made them go astray". The Prophet (PBUH) also said, "Each child is born in a state of "Fitrah", then his parents make him a Jew, Christian or a Zoroastrian, the way an animal gives birth to a normal offspring. Have you noticed any that were born mutilated?" (Collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

So, just as the child submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, his soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is his Lord and Creator. But, his parents try to make him follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and Allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.

Throughout people's lives from childhood until the time they die, signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own souls, until it becomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah). If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and seek Allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they continually reject Allah's signs and continue to worship creation, the more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The homage to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog walked into the hut, The young man looked up in time to see the dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he realized that the idol could not be the Lordof the universe. Allah must be elsewhere. he now had a choice to act on his knowledge and seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was worshipping was false.

Prophets were sent, as was earlier mentioned, to every nation and tribe to support man's natural belief in Allah and man's inborn inclination to worship Him as well as to reinforce the divine truth in the daily signs revealed by Allah. Although, in most cases, much of the prophets' teachings became distorted, portions remained which point out right and wrong. For example, the ten commandments of the Torah, their confirmation in the Gospels and the existence of laws against murder, stealing and adultery in most societies. Consequently, every soul will be held to account for its belief in Allah and its acceptance of the religion of Islam; the total submission to the will of Allah.

We pray to Allah, the exalted, to keep us on the right path to which He has guided us, and to bestow on us a blessing from Him, He is indeed the Most Merciful. Praise and gratitude be to Allah,the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be on prophet Muhammed, his Family, his companions, and those who rightly follow them.

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MUHAMMAD IN JEWISH SCRIPTURES (THE OLD TESTAMENT)

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MUHAMMAD IN JEWISH SCRIPTURES (THE OLD TESTAMENT):
1) Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the book of Deuteronomy:

a) God Almighty speaks to Moses in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 18:

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."
b) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is like Moses (pbuh):

i) Both had a father and a mother.

ii) Both were married and had children.

iii) Both were accepted as Prophets by their people in their lifetime.

iv) Both besides being Prophets were also kings i.e. they could inflict capital punishment.

v) Both brought new laws and new regulations for their people.

vi) Both died a natural death.

c) Muhammad (pbuh) is from among the brethren of Moses (pbuh). Arabs are brethren of Jews. Abraham (pbuh) had two sons: Ishmail and Isaac. The Arabs are the descendants of Ishmail (pbuh) and the Jews are the descendants of Isaac (pbuh).

d) Words in the mouth:

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered and whatever revelations he received from God Almighty he repeated it verbatim.

Deuteronomy (18:18):

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

2) Muhammad (pbuh) is prophesised in the book of Isaiah:

It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12:

"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned saying, ‘Read this, I pray thee’; and he saith, ‘I am not learned’.

"When Archangel Gabriel commanded Muhammad (pbuh) by saying ‘Iqra’, he replied "I am not learned".

3) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomon chapter 5 verse 16:

"Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehrace Bayna Jerusalem."

"His mouth is most sweet: ye, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughter of Jerusalem."

All the prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament regarding Muhammad (pbuh) besides applying to the Jews also hold good for the Christians (H Q. 61:6).

courtesy(Dr Zakir Naik)

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

2010-11-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

Al-Qur'an 3:64
Al-Qur'an 20:25-28
Greet you in the same manner as Jesus (pbuh) greeted in Hebrew Luke 24:36
‘Sholam alay kum’
or Islamic greeting in Arabic Assalaamu alai kum
both meaning ‘Peace be on you’.

INTRODUCTION

Similarities / Similar Teachings in the Qur’an and the Bible which Muslims follow but Christians don't

I) ISLAM

1. Definition

A. Meaning of Islam
(i) Islam is derived from the word salaam meaning peace.
(ii) Submission to the Will of Allah (swt) i.e. God Almighty.

B. Meaning of ‘Muslim’ – One who submits his will to Allah.
C. Islam is not a new religion found by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

2. Messengers in Islam

A. (i) To every nation was sent a Guide or a Messenger
Al-Qur'an 35:24
Al-Qur'an 13:7

(ii) 25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Qur'an
(iii) Islam is the only non-Christian faith that believes in Jesus (pbuh)
(iv) Stories only of some prophets mentioned in Qur'an
Al-Qur'an 4:164
Al-Qur'an 40:78

(v) More than 1,24,000 Messengers according to Hadith

B. (i) Previous Messengers were only sent for their people and nation and their complete message was meant only for a particular time period.
(ii) Moses (pbuh) was only sent for the Jews.
(iii) Jesus (pbuh) sent only for the Jews i.e. lost sheep of Israel.
Al-Qur'an 3:49
Mathew 10:5-6
Mathew 15:24
(iv) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Last and Final Messenger for the
Whole of Mankind.
Al-Qur'an 33:40
Al-Qur'an 21:107
Al-Qur'an 34:28
Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Book of Salaah Chapter 56 Hadith No. 429
(v) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised in the Bible.
Al-Qur'an 7:157
Al-Qur'an 61:6
Deuteronomy 18:18
Isaiah 29:12
Song of Solomon 5:16
John 16:7
John 16:12-14

3. Revelations of God

A. Several Revelations sent by Allah – Al-Qur'an 13:38.
By name only four are mentioned in the Qur’an.

B. (i) The Qur’an is the Last and Final Revelation.
(ii) All previous Revelations before Qur'an were only sent for a particular group of people and for a particular time period
(iii) The Qur’an was Revealed for the Whole of Mankind
Al-Qur'an 14:1
Al-Qur'an 14:52
Al-Qur'an 2:185
Al-Qur'an 39:41

II) PILLARS OF ISLAM:

1. ***Tauheed*: Monotheism**

A. La ilaha ilallahu, Muhammad-ur-Rasoolullah
Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1 Hadith No. 7

B. Believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers.
Al-Qur'an 2:177

C. Come to common terms — Worship of one God
Al-Qur'an 3:64

D. Concept of God
Al-Qur'an 112:1-4
Deuteronomy 6:4
Mark 12:29

E. Shirk – Biggest Sin
Al-Qur'an 4:48
Al-Qur'an 4:116
Exodus 20:2-5
Deuteronomy 5:7-9

F. Jesus (pbuh) not God. He never claimed Divinity
Al-Qur'an 5:72
John 14:28
John 10:29
Mathew 12:28
Luke 11:20
John 5:30
Acts 2:21

G. 99 Attributes of Almighty God
Al-Qur'an 17:110

H. Prefer using name ‘Allah’ rather than the word ‘God’ as the word ‘God’ can be played around with. Allah in the Bible – Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani
Mark 15:34
Mathew 27:46

2. Salaah

A. Not merely Prayers but Programming
Al-Qur'an 5:90
Al-Qur'an 2:188

B. Prayers restrain you from shameful and unjust deeds

Al-Qur'an 29:45

C. Salaah timings – for healthy soul five times a day
Al-Qur'an 17:78
Al-Qur'an 20:130

D. Take off shoes before entering mosque.
(i) Commandment of Allah to Moses
Al-Qur'an 20:11-12
Exodus 3:5
Acts 7:33

(ii) Can Pray with Shoes.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah, Chapter 240,
Hadith No. 652-653.

(iii) Hygienic
E. Ablution
(i) Al-Qur'an 5:6
Exodus 40:31-32
Acts 21:26

(ii) Hygienic
(iii) Mental Preparation

F. Stand shoulder to shoulder, while praying –
Sahih Bukhari – Vol. 1, Book of Adhan Chapter 75 Hadith no. 692
Abu Dawood – Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 245 Hadith No. 666.

G. Sujud – Prostration
(i) To humble your mind, humble your body
(ii) Sujud mentioned 92 times in the Qur’an
Al-Qur'an 3:43
Al-Qur'an 22:77

(iii) Prostration in the Bible
Genesis 17:3; Numbers 20:6
Joshua 5:14; Mathew 26:39

3. Zakaah

A. Meaning: Purification and Growth
B. Description: 2.5% of saving every lunar year in charity
Al-Qur'an 9:60

C. If every human being gives Zakaah, not a single person will die of hunger.
D. "Wealth does not circulate only amongst the wealthy and the rich"
Al-Qur'an 59:7

E. I Peter 4:8

4. Saum - Fasting

A. Description – one lunar month i.e. during the month of Ramadaan every lunar year, Muslims fast, i.e. abstain from food and drinks from sunrise till sunset.
B. Benefits: learn self restraint. If you can control your hunger you can control almost all your desires. It enhances spiritual awareness.
Al-Qur'an 2:183

C. Medical Benefits:
(a) Increases absorption capacity of intestines
(b) Lowers cholestrol.

D. Discourages smoking, alcoholism and other addictions.
E. Bible prescribes Fasting
Mathew 17:21
Mark 9:29

5. Hajj

A. Description – Pilgrimage atleast once in life time if you can afford it
B. Universal Brotherhood – 2.5 million people from all over the world gather, wear two pieces of unsewn cloth, preferably white. Cannot differentiate between rich and poor.
Al-Qur'an 49:13

C. Significance of Kaaba – Muslims don’t worship it
Psalms 84:4-7

III ) ISLAM IS A COMPLETE WAY OF LIFE

These five pillars do not constitute complete Islam. Only if the pillars are strong, will the structure be strong.

1. Humans Created to Worship Allah

A. Jinn and Man created for worship of Allah
Al-Qur'an 51:56

B. Meaning of Ibadaah – root word Abd meaning ‘slave’.

2. Obeying Commandments of Allah is Submitting your will to Allah

A. Abstaining from alcohol

Al-Qur'an 5:90
Proverbs 20:1
Ephesians 5:18

B. Abstaining from prohibited food
Al-Qur'an 5:5
Al-Qur'an 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115

(i) Dead meat
Leviticus 17:15
Deuteronomy 14:21

(ii) Blood
Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:14, Deuteronomy 12:16,
I Samuel 14:33, Acts 15:29

(iii) Pork is prohibited
Leviticus 11:7-8
Deuteronomy 14:8
Isaiah 65:2-5

(vi) Food on which names beside Allah have been invoked
Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:14

C. (i) Being Honest in your Business
(ii) Helping Neighbours
Al-Qur'an 107:1-7
(iii) Abstaining from Backbiting
Al-Qur'an 104:1-3
Al-Qur'an 49:11-12

(iv) Obeying and Respecting Parents
Al-Qur'an 17:23, 24

(v) Celibacy or Monasticism is prohibited in Islam
Sahih Bukhari: Vol. 7 Book of Nikah, Chapter No. 3, Hadith No. 4

(vi) Loving, being Kind and Just to your Wife
Al-Qur'an 4:19

(vii) Abstaining from Adultery
Al-Qur'an 17:32

D. Dressing Modestly
(i) Al-Qur'an 24:30
Mathew 5:27-28

(ii) Al-Qur'an 24:31
(iii) Six Criteria for Hijab in Islam
Deuteronomy 22:5
I Timothy 2:9 e.g. of Mary
I Corinthians 11:5-6

E. Circumcision
Acts 7:8
John 7:22
Luke 2:21

F. In short, every Muslim should follow all the Commandments of Allah (swt) and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and abstain from the things they have prohibited.


CONCLUSION

(a) If Christian is a person who follows the teachings of Christ (pbuh) and not one who worships Christ (pbuh). (We are more Christian than the Christians themselves).
(b) Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah.
Jesus (pbuh) said, "not my will but thy will be done." i.e. Muslim.
John 5:30 (c) Al-Qur'an 5:82

courtesy(Dr ZAKIR NAIK)

COFFEE

2010-11-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

INDIAN COFFEE BEANS

According to a coffee history legend, an Arabian shepherd named Kaldi found his goats dancing joyously around a dark green leafed shrub with bright red cherries in the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Kaldi soon determined that it was the bright red cherries on the shrub that were causing the peculiar euphoria and after trying the cherries himself, he learned of their powerful effect. The stimulating effect was then exploited by monks at a local monastery to stay awake during extended hours of prayer and distributed to othermonasteries around the world. Coffee was born.

Despite the appeal of such a legend, recent botanical evidence suggests a different coffee bean origin. This evidence indicates that the history of the coffee bean beagan on the plateaus of central Ethiopia and somehow must have been brought to Yemen where it was cultivated since the 6th century. Upon introduction of the first coffee houses in Cairo and Mecca coffee became a passion rather than just a stimulant.

In the Beginning:

Legend has it, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi. One day, he noticed his goats frolicking around in an unusually spirited manner. He observed that they were also eating the berries of a nearby shrub.

Not being one to be left out of all the fun, he decided to try the berries himself. He was energized and pleased with the effects the cherries had on him. He told his friends and soon word spread throughout the region. The rest is history.

Coffee Timeline:

Here is an interesting timeline of the history of coffee from the UTNE READER, Nov/Dec 94, by Mark Schapiro, "Muddy Waters"

Prior to 1000 A.D.: Members of the Galla tribe in Ethiopia notice that they get an energy boost when they eat a certain berry, ground up and mixed with animal fat.

1000 A.D.: Arab traders bring coffee back to their homeland and cultivate the plant for the first time on plantations. They also began to boil the beans, creating a drink they call "qahwa" (literally, that which prevents sleep).

1453: Coffee is introduced to Constantinople by Ottoman Turks. The world's first coffee shop, Kiva Han, open there in 1475. Turkish law makes it legal for a woman to divorce her husband if he fail to provide her with her daily quota of coffee.

1511: Khair Beg, the corrupt governor of Mecca, tries to ban coffee for feat that its influence might foster opposition to his rule. The sultan sends word that coffee is sacred and has the governor executed.

1600: Coffee, introduced to the West by Italian traders, grabs attention in high places. In Italy, Pope Clement VIII is urged by his advisers to consider that favorite drink of the Ottoman Empire part of the infidel threat. However, he decides to "baptize" it instead, making it an acceptable Christian beverage.

1607: Captain John Smith helps to found the colony of Virginia at Jamestown. It's believed that he introduced coffee to North America.

1645: First coffeehouse opens in Italy.

1652: First coffeehouse opens in England. Coffee houses multiply and become such popular forums for learned and not so learned - discussion that they are dubbed "penny universities" (a penny being the price of a cup of coffee).

1668: Coffee replaces beer as New York's City's favorite breakfast drink.

1668: Edward Lloyd's coffeehouse opens in England and is frequented by merchants and maritime insurance agents. Eventually it becomes Lloyd's of London, the best-known insurance company in the world.

1672: First coffeehouse opens in Paris.
1675: The Turkish Army surrounds Vienna. Franz Georg Kolschitzky, a Viennese who had lived in Turkey, slips through the enemy lines to lead relief forces to the city. The fleeing Turks leave behind sacks of "dry black fodder" that Kolschitzky recognizes as coffee. He claims it as his reward and opens central Europe's first coffee house. He also establishes the habit of refining the brew by filtering out the grounds, sweetening it, and adding a dash of milk.

1690: With a coffee plant smuggled out of the Arab port of Mocha, the Dutch become the first to transport and cultivate coffee commercially, in Ceylon and in their East Indian colony - Java, source of the brew's nickname.
1713: The Dutch unwittingly provide Louis XIV of France with a coffee bush whose descendants will produce entire Western coffee industry when in 1723 French naval officer Gabriel Mathieu do Clieu steals a seedling and transports it to Martinique. Within 50 years and official survey records 19 million coffee trees on Martinique. Eventually, 90 percent of the world's coffee spreads from this plant.
1721: First coffee house opens in Berlin.
1727: The Brazilian coffee industry gets its start when Lieutenant colonel Francisco de Melo Palheta is sent by government to arbitrate a border dispute between the French and the Dutch colonies in Guiana. Not only does he settle the dispute, but also strikes up a secret liaison with the wife of French Guiana's governor. Although France guarded its New World coffee plantations to prevent cultivation from spreading, the lady said good-bye to Palheta with a bouquet in which she hid cuttings and fertile seeds of coffee.
1732: Johann Sevastian Bach composes his Kaffee-Kantate. Partly an ode to coffee and partly a stab at the movement in Germany to prevent women from drinking coffee (it was thought to make them sterile), the cantata includes the aria, "Ah! How sweet coffee taste! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine! I must have my coffee."
1773: The Boston Tea Party makes drinking coffee a patriotic duty in America.
1775: Prussia's Frederick the Great tries to block inports of green coffee, as Prussia's wealth is drained. Public outcry changes his mind.
1886: Former wholesale grocer Joel Cheek names his popular coffee blend "Maxwell House," after the hotel in Nashville, TN where it's served.
Early 1900's: In Germany, afternoon coffee becomes a standard occasion. The derogatory term "KaffeeKlatsch" is coined to describe women's gossip at these affairs. Since broadened to mean relaxed conversation in general.
1900: Hills Bros. begins packing roast coffee in vacuum tins, spelling the end of the ubiquitous local roasting shops and coffee mills.
1901: The first soluble "instant" coffee is invented by Japanese-American chemist Satori Kato of Chicago.
1903: German coffee importer Ludwig Roselius turn a batch of ruined coffee beans over to researchers, who perfect the process of removing caffeine from the beans without destroying the flavor. He markets it under the brand name "Sanka." Sanka is introduced to the United States in 1923.
1906: George Constant Washington, an English chemist living in Guatemala, notices a powdery condensation forming on the spout of his silver coffee carafe. After experimentation, he creates the first mass-produced instant coffee (his brand is called Red E Coffee).
1920: Prohibition goes into effect in United States. Coffee sales boom.
1938: Having been asked by Brazil to help find a solution to their coffee surpluses, Nestle company invents freeze-dried coffee. Nestle develops Nescafe and introduces it in Switzerland.
1940: The US imports 70 percent of the world coffee crop.
1942: During W.W.II, American soldiers are issued instant Maxwell House coffee in their ration kits. Back home, widespread hoarding leads to coffee rationing.
1946: In Italy, Achilles Gaggia perfects his espresso machine. Cappuccino is named for the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.
1969: One week before Woodstock the Manson Family murders coffee heiress Abigail Folger as she visits with friend Sharon Tate in the home of filmmaker Roman Polanski.
1971: Starbucks opens its first store in Seattle's Pike Place public market, creating a frenzy over fresh-roasted whole bean coffee.

2010-11-01T20:16:00.001-07:00

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INTRODUCTION

I) ISLAM

1. Definition

2. Messengers in Islam

3. Revelations of God

II) PILLARS OF ISLAM:

1. Tauheed: Monotheism

2. Salaah

3. Zakaah

4. Saum - Fasting

5. Hajj

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1. Humans Created to Worship Allah

2. Obeying Commandments of Allah is Submitting your will to Allah

CONCLUSION

COFFEE

In the Beginning:

Coffee Timeline:

1. ***Tauheed*: Monotheism**