Picture Perfect : Reading Quran

A Kenyan child reads verses from the Quran on the fifth day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in a Madrassa in Nairobi.

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40 Points HAND BOOK for family

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5.       Make time for prayers.
6.       Play more games.
7.       Read more knowledgeable books than you did in last year.
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.   Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.   Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.   Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.   Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.   Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.   Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.   Plan while you are awake.
17.   Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18.   Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.   Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.   Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.   No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.   Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.   Smile and laugh more.
24.   You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25.   Call your family often.
26.   Each day give something good to others.
27.   Forgive everyone for everything.
28.   Spend time with people over the age of 70 under the age of 6.
29.   Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.   What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.   Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.   Do the right thing!
33.   Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.   GOD heals everything.
35.   However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.   No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.   The best is yet to come.
38.   When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.   Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40.   Please send and share this to everyone you care about.

By Mohammd Sultan

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South African Fast Bowler Wayne Parnell Accepts Islam

The South African left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell has accepted Islam as his new religion. He, if selected in future, will now be third Muslim in current South African team along with Hashim Amla and Pakistan born Imran Tahir.

A South African news agency Independent Online published news that Wayne Parnell has converted to Islamic faith. Proteas’ team manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee confirmed the news by saying: “It was his choice to embrace Islam.”

Another  South African news site also says  that he has not finalized his Islamic name yet but it is likely to be Waleed. As of now he is Wayne Dillon Parnell.

Some forwarded text messages are of the view that Proteas ODI vice-captain Hashim Amla’s influenced Parnell’s conversion from Christianity to Islam. However, Parnell’s agent Ismail Kajee has denied this rumor.

Wayne Parnell, who is about to turn 22, was captain of South Africa’s team in U/19 WC 2008. He made his Test debut in 2010 against England after making his ODI debut in 2009 against Australia.

Parnell is a left-arm bowler who relies on his pace and is highly regarded as limited-over cricket specialist. In ODIs, so far, he has taken 31 wickets in 19 games. He is also known for his hostile, yorker-infested, spell against Pakistan in ICC World T20 Semi Final 2009 in Nottingham.

He has also represented Delhi daredevils and Pune Warriors in IPL 2010 and 2011 respectively. Currently, he is a team-mate of Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan and Umar Gul in Sussex county’s campaign in Friends life t20 in England.

"I converted to Islam in January 2011, after a period of personal study and reflection and it is a faith that I have always been interested in," Parnell said in a statement on Thursday. He also asked that the issue be treated with respect as he approaches his first period of fasting. "My faith choice is a matter which I would like to keep private."

Parnell confirmed that he will "continue to respect the team's endorsement of alcoholic beverages." South Africa's Test team is sponsored by Castle Lager, a local beer. Hashim Amla, also of Muslim faith, does not wear the beer logo on his playing kit after making a special arrangement with CSA because of his religious beliefs.

Parnell is currently playing cricket for English county Sussex.


Courtesy: Pakistan Inside, Espn Cricinfo

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Pig's blood found in cigarette filters

Warning to religious groups after traces of pig's blood found in cigarette filters

An Australian professor has warned religious groups that cigarette filters may contain traces of pig's blood.


Simon Chapman said recent Dutch research has identified 185 different industrial uses for a pig - including the use of haemoglobin in cigarette filters.

The University of Sydney professor said the study offered an insight into the world of cigarette manufacturing and was likely to spark concerns for devout Muslims and Jews.

Concerns: Dutch research has found thatthe hemoglobin in pig's blood is used
by some tobacco manufacturers in cigarette filters

'I think that there would be some particularly devout groups who would find the idea that there were pig products in cigarettes to be very offensive,' he told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

'The Jewish community certainly takes these matters extremely seriously and the Islamic community certainly do as well, as would many vegetarians.

'It just puts into hard relief the problem that the tobacco industry is not required to declare the ingredients of cigarettes - they say "that's our business and a trade secret".'

The research found pig hemoglobin - a blood protein - was being used to make the filters more effective at blocking toxic chemicals before they entered a smoker's lungs.

Professor Chapman said that although some tobacco companies had voluntarily published a list of the contents in their cigarettes on websites, they also noted undisclosed 'processing aids' in the finished product.

At least one brand of cigarettes sold in Greece has been confirmed to be using pig haemoglobin in its manufacturing processes, he added.

Professor Chapman said: 'If you're a smoker and you're of Islamic or Jewish faith then you'd probably want to know and there is no way of finding out.'

Courtesy - Mail Online / Health

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Practical Tips to Stop Wasting Time in Gossip

What’s gossiping?

Have you ever met someone guilty of cannibalism? Probably not, yet if many of us who gossiped were to go by any name – it would be this. This is the way backbiting is described in Islam and many of us know it.

Allah warns us: “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” (Quran 49: 12)

As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us, backbiting is “to say something about your brother that he would dislike.” Someone asked him: “But what if what I say is true?” The Messenger of Allah said: “If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him.”

Why do people gossip?


When someone loves to gossip, it is usually for one or more of the following reasons:

• Ignorance
• Low Self-Confidence
• Envy
• Boredom/Wasting time
• Trying to impress you
• Low faith

What to do when people gossip?

Sometimes we feel we have been dragged into it and really want to avoid situations where gossip takes place, and though we really want to do it, we don’t know how toget out of the conversation let alone put a stop to it. Here are some tips to help you out insha’Allah:

1. Praise the person being talked about 
Witness your imaan increase up as you defend them as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“whoever defends his brother’s honour, Allah will protect his face from the Fire of the Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmidhi)

There may be that moment just before speaking up in which you hesitate, but muster up some courage: once you get the first few words out, you will feel good about doing the right thing and people will realize that they are engaging in wasteful talk.

2. Invite truth from each other
Though it might be quite an outrageous act at first, you could ask the one who is gossiping to actually come with you and check the truth about what they are saying in the presence of the one they talked about! You don’t really need to go and verify but this is an action which is really part of the Sunnah, for we should prevent lying about one another and tarnishing people’s reputation especially if it is based on rumours.

3. Explain it’s none of your concern
This is probably the hardest part we stumble upon when a group of friends slip into gossip, however we should imply that it‘s none of the gossiper’s business to discuss other people affairs unless it is in a permissible manner. If you can encourage someone to not speak about others badly, then you can also tell them that it does not interest you or is irrelevant to you – instead find a mutual topic of interest to discuss other than people!

Al Hasan Al Basri said: “A sign that Allah has turned away from a servant is that He makes him busy with matters that are of no concern to him.”

4. Put yourself in their shoes
Asking the person gossiping( or even ourselves for that matter) the question: “How would I feel if this vicious rumour was said about me?” should make one regain some sense of integrity and put himself in the position of the one he just spoke against, hopefully repelling him/her from talking about another.

5. Change the topic
If you’ve tried the steps above and still find someone engaging in gossip about useless matters, find something else to talk about; take the lead in bringing up a subject you know they are interested in, or ask them to tell you about themselves.

6. Leave
If all else fails and you’ve tried to pull out all of the above tips– simply excuse yourself and leave the gathering. For Allah has advised us in the Quran:

“When you see men engaged in vain discourse about Our Signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes you forget, then after recollection, do not sit in the company of those who do wrong.” [Quran 6:68]

How to stop yourself from gossiping?

What about if it’s you who’s responsible for the vain talk?

Hold your breath and recall these tips before saying a word.

1. Remember - backbiting is a major sin in Islam and is one of the causes for entering the Hellfire.

2. Ask yourself, - “Would the person I am about to speak of like what I’m going to say? Would I say it if the person was present? Will I feel good about myself after saying it?”

You can save yourself some guilt ridden apologies later by simply asking these questions to yourself. In addition, you can try to think about how you felt the last time you found out that people were speaking badly or falsely about you.

3. Is it useful for anyone to know? - Allah Most High has said: 

“Successful are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who turn away from pointless talk” [Quran 23:1-3] 

"And 'Those who do not bear witness to what is false, but when they pass by pointless talk, pass by with dignity' ” [Quran 25:72], 

“When they hear pointless talk, they turn away from it” [Quran 28:55]

These verses describe the characteristics we should embody in speech. A top tip to help you is to cut short telephone conversations and keeping chat to essential things.

4. Is it necessary for anyone to know? - Even if it is, does it require your intervention? Often it is the trick of shaytan when we indulge in backbiting, as we seem to feel better about ourselves if we downgrade others. Instead ask yourself how we can improve our own character and lives.

5. Imagine - that the person you are talking about can hear everything you are saying. However, know that Allah Ta’ala is The All-Seeing, All-Hearing, and All-Knowing. We should not forget about Day on which we will be held accountable for our deeds. Remember backbiting is a bad reflection on your own character.

6. Be mindful of the company you keep - Keep away from people who usually turn to gossip. Recall the times in which you usually find yourself gossiping and keep yourself busy during that time with other tasks or even better – invite friends to learn about the grave consequences of gossiping!

7. Are you 100% sure about it? - Spreading false information is slander as it is creating discord and problems between Muslims. As we are told in the Quran:

“Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of themselves [i.e. one another] and say: ‘This is an obvious falsehood’?” [Quran 24:12]

8. Rejoice at the time and reward you’ll gain by stopping this nasty habit not to mention the good deeds you will accumulate to efface the bad ones. You‘ll be surprised about the time, energy, and faith boost you will gain in this life, and the reward that awaits you in the akhirah insha’Allah.

9. Look for positive qualities in people. If you really have to talk about someone who’s not there, talk about how great, hardworking, funny, humble they are instead of deficiencies; as I often say ‘we are always quick to find imperfections in others but not ourselves’.

10. If you feel you have to say it to someone and that you can’t keep the news for yourself - write it in your diary or on a private piece of a paper. Reread it after a couple of days and evaluate if you still want to let the world know you are not trustworthy enough to keep a confidential fact to yourself! Discard of the paper, and of the thought in your mind – disciplining your thoughts to be good of others should be instilled instead.

11. Repent and make the intention to stop, you could keep the verses and ahadith about the punishment of this sin on your wallpaper or screen to remind you at work (where people politics can enter!). Lastly make dua’a to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)to help you and while it takes effort, don’t give up:

“Whosoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, then let him speak good or remain silent.” [Al-Bukhari]

And the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which of the Muslims is best?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “He whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe from.” [Al Bukhari and Muslim]

What about if someone is gossiping about you?

Send them a gift. They are providing you with rewards!

Someone was told: “So-and-so has gossiped about you” so he sent him a dish of dates, with the message: “I heard that you had given me your rewards as a gift, and I want to return the favour; please excuse me for not being able to pay back in full!”

Whilst this is amusing, it bears great dignity for one to befriend the one who has backbitten him

To conclude, make the intention to purify your heart today by applying these practical tips to stop wasting your life on a grave act. Share other tips you have here below!

About the Author- Sister Jihan Anwar is a university student and a journalist working at the National Yemen Newspaper

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Picture Perfect: Do not miss your prayers even if you are in North pole

You'll get ten rewards, Allah (insha Allah) will accept your pleas

and you'll be closer to Allah swt by ten more degrees

so embrace islam with all your heart

and remember the key is in perfoming salaat

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Poem: Do not be proud of...

Do not be proud of branded clothes,
because the last clothes you’ll wear is the white shroud.

Do not be proud of that pimped-out car,
because the last vehicle you’ll ride on is your coffin.

Do not be proud of that luxurious and comfortable bed,
because the last bed you’ll rest upon is the ground.

Do not be proud of your lavish homes,
because the last home you’ll have is your grave.

Do not be proud of your status/position,
because the last status/position you’ll have is “Allmarhum”.

May Allah protect us from becoming those who are proud.

Amin.

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Amazing facts: Early warning system in the beetle

In this article we are going to see how German scientists had learned from the beetles how to make an early warning system to detect fires, the black beetle can detect the fire 80 kilometer away. Let us read….

During a forest fire, most insects and animals flee in all directions, flying, and running, crawling and using every possible means to avoid the deadly flames. But there are exceptions, like some spices of beetles.

Some scientists believe people can capitalize on their behavior and the body parts they use to detect fire or sense chemicals in the environment.

Scientific news from Germany

Nowadays, group of scientists in the University of Bonn are working hard to invent sensors like the detection sensors in the black beetles which can detect the fire tens of kilometers far from the flame, those scientists are looking for that invention to help in preventing forests fires.

Researcher kloka from the Institute of Zoology at the University of Bonn confirms that some spices of beetles can hear the fires, also he say that he is trying to study those spices to figure out how it avoids fire and how it detects the emitted Infrared ray from that fire?  

Under supervision of Professor Helmut Schmitz (University of Bonn), kloka concentrated on the black beetle which lives in forests and don’t runaway from fires, it searches for it. Its larva feeds on burned wood.

In their fire-seeking frenzy, flying into flames or crawling along still-smoldering trees, the beetles may be trying to beat competitors to weakened or dying trees so that they are the first to plant their eggs into them, researchers believe.

To do that, though, the beetles must be able to find burning trees and get to them quickly. While it has been known for decades that these insects have infrared detectors that allow them to sense the heat of fires, new research by scientists indicates they also possess highly sensitive detectors in their antennas that allow them to sense minute amounts of volatile substances in smoke from burning wood.

Scientists say that the beetle possesses highly sensitive detectors in its antenna that allow it to sense the volatile substances in smoke from burning wood.

The research team had succeeded to recognize how these systems work as they are willing to mimic it. Professor Schmitz says: 'we are cooperating with researchers in biology to build micro mechanic systems which are similar to what is in the beetles.'

Another researcher Dr. Stefan Schutz of the Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, and colleagues say this highly sensitive smoke detection, coupled with their heat sensors, appears to be part of a system that allows the beetles to sense fires and home in on them from distances of more than 30 miles away.

''There is a complex interplay with the infrared system that we do not fully understand,'' Dr. Schutz said, also he added ''but we think detecting the smoke may be an early indication to the beetle that there is a fire in the area.''

''The beetles are often found in hilly places where there may not be the clear line of sight to a fire that is needed by their heat detectors'' he said: 

E. Richard Hoebeke, a beetle expert in the entomology department at Cornell University said the German work was ''new and exciting'' but also showed how much people had to learn about insects.

'Think about how little we know of insects with incredibly sensitive and complex sensory mechanisms.' Mr. Hoebeke asked.

Dr. Daniel Young, director of the insect research collection at the University of Wisconsin's entomology department, said many beetle species found in the United States and Canada exhibited fire-seeking behavior, looking for stressed or dying trees in which to plant their eggs, so their larvae could develop in or under the bark.

Dr. William G. Evans, an entomologist who studied the insects 30 years ago as a professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, said he was gratified that scientists were continuing to study the beetles, but not too surprised by their findings. ''All insects have olfactory organs in their antennas,'' he said, ''and you would almost expect the beetles to detect smoke.''

In earlier research, Dr. Evans discovered that Melanophila acuminata had a pair of thoracic pit organs that were sensitive infrared receptors, guiding the insect to fires.

These creatures are subjected to serve human

1. The above study by those group of scientists confirms that God had created everything for specific purpose but all creatures are subjected to serve human and must have a purpose , God says: 

"And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favor and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply." [Quran 45:13]

2. There is no mess in our universe and nothing is purposelessly, therefore every creature on earth has a benefit even animals and insects. God says:

"Everything with Him is in (due) proportion.*All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High." [Quran 13:8-9]

3. Allah is the one who created and subjected all of these creatures (Animals, plants, insects, moon, sun, etc…….); shouldn't we thank and glorify that great God?

Scientists are asking very naïve question" How did these beetles develop their ability to lay eggs this way?''  The beetle expert Mr. Hoebeke asked.

Will Allah almighty forgives us and all people (Muslims and non Muslims) for the illiteracy of His graces?

Hence we Muslims should thank Allah for His graces and to be more submissive to His orders. God says:

"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah's Reminder (this Qur'an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allah)"[Quran 57:16]

Also we have to deliver the message of Islam and the miracle in Qur'an and Sunnah to all people even Muslims and non Muslims all over the world.

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel


References

1.  http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/11/science/on-the-trail-of-fire-detecting-beetles.html 
2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetle
3. www.dw-world.de  

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Picture Perfect : Makkah Mean Time effective from Ramadan

MAKKAH – Muslims around the world can now set their watches to Makkah Mean Time in Ramadan when all four faces of the world’s largest clock atop a soaring skyscraper in the Holy City becomes operational.

The clock, more than six times larger in diameter than London’s famed Big Ben, will establish Makkah as an alternate time standard to the Greenwich meridian. At a conference in Doha in 2008, Muslim clerics and scholars presented “scientific” arguments that Makkah time is the true global meridian. They said that Makkah is the center of the world and that the Greenwich standard was imposed by the West in 1884.

Read more : Makkah Time : The new alternative for GMT

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By the Fig & the Olive

Fig Fruit

By the Fig and by the Olive, by the mount of Sinai and by this city of peace.”[Quran  95: 1,2,3]

Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh)

Figs: "It is a fruit from paradise and a cure for piles"

Figs are thought to be originally from small Asia and are one of the first fruits cultivated ever. It is said that humans could live on Figs alone as a source of food -- such is the goodness and nutrition in the fruit!

Figs are a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and potassium. Figs are low in fat and high in fibre. They provide more fiber than any other common fruit or vegetable. 

Figs have many health benefits. Fresh and dry figs are high in pectin, a soluble fiber that can reduce blood cholesterol. The fruit is also believed to have a laxative effect and can aid those who suffer from chronic constipation. 

Listed below are some common problems and illnesses and how they can be avoided by the use of figs:

Insomnia

Figs contain a nutrient called tryptophan. This promotes good sleep and helps the brain use glucose properly, encouraging and stimulating good circulation. 

Memory loss

Figs contain a lot of natural sugar - up to 60%. Sugar stimulate the brain so we can think faster and recall information more quickly. So that you can think more clear and faster. Figs are the ultimate brain fuel!

Fatigue

Fresh Figs contain up to 80% of water, as well as being one of the fruits with the highest levels of natural sugars. So they are a brilliant source of energy and stimulant for the brain. Making you more alert, responsive, fresh, as well as de-toxing the self.

Skin

Due to the Fig's high water content, they are ideal for improving the skin. The skin requires a good level of water. This will clear the skin, act as a cleanser, improve acne, oil, and general well-being.

Constipation

Figs are a natural laxative So they can aid those suffering from constipation. They have a high level of fiber.

The Heart

Due to the Fig's high level of natural sugars, they are an excellent way to replace the bleached (white) sugars with a more healthy alternative. They contain a natural fructose and glucose sugar.

A high fibre diet is one of the best ways to improve cholesterol levels, and as a result aid oneself against heart related diseases insha'Allah.

The nutrient 'tryptophan' contained in Figs encourages good circulation, allowing blood to flow more easily around the body.

Figs contain the ingredient Pectin (and soluble Fibre) which is known for its colesterol lowering effects. Thus, Figs are beneficial for those of Old age, those suffering from High Blood-pressure, Diabetes, heart-disease, hyper-tension, and other such related illnesses. 

Calcium

Studies show that 80% of Americans don't consume adequate amounts of calcium daily. (NB: sorry, I couldnt find the statistics for calcium consumption for those of us that live in the UK ! :P )

The majority of the calcium consumed by those in the US comes from dairy products. However, Figs are another source where much calcium could be obtained. This is also beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant (or even those who chose to be Vegans!).

Five figs provide about 250 mg of the daily recommended level of calcium.

Blood pressure

Figs are beneficial for those with heart-related diseases. Lowering colesterol, they are advantageous for those with high blood pressure.

Figs are a particularly good source of Poatassium. Potassium is a mineral crucial to the control of blood pressure. People who eat potassium-rich foods tend to have lower blood pressure and, subsequently, have less risk of related conditions such as strokes. 

Stress

Physical stress results from having high levels of work to do, illnesses, not eating properly, lack of sleep. Emotional stress is triggered from dunya things, such as family woes, work/school troubles and so on. Figs are extreamely nutritious, and over-all an ideal fruit to overcome stresses and anxieties. Figs are high in calories – about 50 calories per fig – but are highly nutritious snacks.

Anemia

Figs contain Iron which enriches the blood, and helps to produce it. Thus, they are ideal for women, girls and those suffering from Anemia (lack of Iron).

Digestion

Five figs provide more than 20 percent of the daily recommended allowance of fibre. Hence, they are excellent in aiding digestion and improving the condition of the stomach and bowels.

Hemorrhoids (piles)

Prophet Muhammad is recorded to have said to make use of Figs in order to curb Hemorrhoids.

Bones

Figs, with their high level of calcium are ideal for young growing children and for the development of bones. They are also invaluable for those suffering from Osteoporosis and brittle bones.

Weight control

Three figs, fresh or dried, contain about five grams of fibre. The soluble fibre contained in Figs can help people cut down on snacking because it causes nutrients to be absorbed more slowly, making people feel more satisfied after a meal. However, it should be remembered that Figs are high in calories.

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Some Health Guidelines for Ramadhan

" The destruction of Man lies in 3 things:  his Stomach, his Lusts & his Tongue" 

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadhan.  If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadhan.  During the holy month of Ramadhan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is  an ideal time to normalize one's weight. In view of  the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow  digesting foods including fiber containing-foods  rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

(a) Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).

(b) Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).

(c) Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot  (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially  dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products.

Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heartburn, and weight problems.

AVOID

(d) Fried and fatty foods.

(e) Foods containing too much sugar.

(f) Over-eating especially at suhoor (sehri).

(g) Too much tea at suhoor. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.

(h) Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking cut down gradually starting a few weeks before  Ramadhan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.

EAT

(i) Complex carbohydrates at suhoor so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.

(j) Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.

(k) Dates are excellent source of sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.

(l) Almonds are rich in protein and fiber with less fat.

(m) Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

DRINK

(n) As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.

CONSTIPATION

(o) Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.

Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fiber in the diet.

Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making  roti.

INDIGESTION AND WIND

Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.

Remedy: Do not over-eat; drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.

LETHARGY ('low blood pressure')

(-) Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from  sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint  are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure".

(-) This tends to occur towards the afternoon.

Causes: Too little fluid intake decreased salt intake.

Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.

Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need  their medication adjusted during Ramadhan. They should consult their doctor.

HEADACHE

Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too  much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur  as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.

Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadhan. Herbal and caffeine- free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.

Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates especially at suhoor. The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.

Remedy: Eat something at suhoor and limit sugar- containing foods and drinks.

Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.

MUSCLE CRAMPS

Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.

Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.

Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.

PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA

Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadhan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a  burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and

can extend  upto the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions. Medications are  available to control acid levels in the stomach.

People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadhan.

KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones may occur in people who have less  liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.

JOINT PAINS

Causes: During Ramadhan, when extra salah are performed the pressure on the knee joints increases.  In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.

Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadhan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Being physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease.

by Dr. Farouk Haffejee

Islamic Medical Association of South Africa - Durban

(You may print and take home to share with your family members)

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Non-Muslims Quotes: Bosworth Smith

Benjamin Bosworth Smith (1784-1884) 

"Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."

"In Mohammadanism every thing is different here. Instead of the shadowy and the mysterious, we have history....We know of the external history of Muhammad....while for his internal history after his mission had been proclaimed, we have a book absolutely unique in its origin, in its preservation....on the Substantial authority of which no one has ever been able to cast a serious doubt."

- Bosworth Smith -

Ref: Muhammad and Muhammadanism, London, 1874

Read who is Bosworth Smith

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Words are your reflections

Mahmud was a very pious man, but he was not very attractive looking. One day, he was walking along the road, minding his own business, when a lady came up to him, and started calling him names and abusing him. This lady kept saying all kinds of nasty things, and Mahmud just listened to her patiently. Finally, when she was finished calling him names and abusing him, Mahmud just greeted her, smiled, and said

"and a nice day to you," and continued on his way.

Why did Mahmud, the pious man, behave this way?

It is because he knew that everything she said was just a reflection of her own inner self.

If you use bad language, you are just making obvious to everybody how far away you really are from Allah, since your words are in reality a reflection of your own inner self.

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The Origin of Creation: CLAY & WATER

In the Quran, Allah reveals that the creation of man is a miracle. The first human being was created by Allah shaping clay into a human form and then breathing a soul into it, Allah (SWT) says in Quran :

"Your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to create a human being out of clay. When I have formed him and breathed My Spirit into him, fall down in prostration to him!" [Quran 38:71-72]

and also says :

"Then inquire of them: Is it they who are stronger in structure or other things We have created? We created them from sticky clay " [Quran 37:11]

When the human body is examined today, many elements present on the earth are also discovered to be found in the human body. Living tissues contain 95% carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur, with a total of 26 different elements.

In another verse of the Quran we are told:  

"We created man from an extract of clay"  [Quran 23:12]

The Arabic word "sulala," translated as "extract" in the verse, means "representative example, essence." As we have seen, the information revealed in the Quran 1,400 years ago confirms what modern science tells us-the fact that the same elements as those found in the soil  are employed in the human creation .

Below is a diagram showing the distribution of the elements in a 70-kilo human being.

Element	Symbol	%	Weight
Macro-minerals			Gram
Oxygen	O	65	43,000
Carbon	C	18.5	12,000
Hydrogen	H	9.5	6,300
Nitrogen	N	3.3	2,000
Calcium	Ca	1.5	1,100
Phosphorus	P	1	750
Potassium	K	0.35	225
Sulfur	S	0.25	150
Chlorine	Cl	0.15	100
Sodium	Na	0.15	90
Magnesium	Mg	0.05	35
Silicon	Si	0.05	30
Macro-minerals			Miligram
Iron	Fe	0.01	4,200
Zinc	Zn	0.01	2,400
Copper	Cu	0.01	90
Boron	B	0.01	68
Cobalt	Co	0.01	20
Vanadium	V	0.01	20
Iodine	I	0.01	15
Selenium	Se	0.01	15
Manganese	Mn	0.01	13
Molybdenum	Mo	0.01	8
Chromium	Cr	0.01	6

As we notice above water forms the main component of the human being and any other being. Allah (SWT) says :

" Allah created every [living] creature from water. Some of them go on their bellies, some of them on two legs, and some on four. Allah creates whatever He wills. Allah has power over all things" [Quran 24:45]

" and We made from water every living thing? So will they not believe?" [Quran 21:30]

"And it is He Who created human beings from water and then gave them relations by blood and marriage. Your Lord is All-Powerful" [Quran 25:54]

When we look at the verses concerned with the creation of human beings and living things, we clearly see evidence of a miracle. One such miracle is of the creation of living things from water. It was only possible for people to come across that information, clearly expressed in those verses, hundreds of years afterwards with the invention of the microscope.

All life forms need water in order to survive. Animals in dry regions, therefore, have been created with mechanisms to protect their metabolisms from water loss and to ensure maximum benefit from water use. If water loss takes place in the body for any reason, and if that loss is not replaced, death will result in a few days. The famous 17th century scientist Jan Baptista van Helmont discovered in 1640s that water in the soil was the most important element of plant development.

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