All the religions in the world are the feathers of the same bird i.e., God with different colours. There is only one God and there is only one universe. Similarly the man is also only one. Man should aim that one God and he should belong to all the religions in the universe. He should pick up the diamonds from all the religions and use in his spiritual path. One can have love towards the nationality. Every nation has some physical boundaries. The people who are living in that nation have that nationality. Thus there is a meaning in the nationality because it has physical sense. But in the case of religion and spiritualism there is no physical sense. Every religion belongs to every man. Therefore in religious and spiritual matters all the religions can be used. The human incarnation in every religion announces that He is the universal preacher. The message of Lord Krishna i.e., Bhagavat Gita is for the entire world. The message of Jesus i.e., Bible is for the entire world. The message of Mohammed is for the entire world. So there is no need of conversion of religions. Just like in science the invention of Einstein is useful for the whole world, every religious preaching is for everybody. Different scientists belonging to different countries have discovered different scientific inventions. The subject science contains all these inventions. If any invention is removed the science become discontinuous. Similarly the spiritualism consists of the preaching of the preachers belonging to various countries. The spiritualism must be built up by the preaching of Lord Krishna, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Mahavir etc. Spiritualism means truth like science. Different religions are following their preachers and they have taken the essence of their scriptures into the practice. Such traditional practices are like different experimental parts of Science. The scriptures of different religions are like the different theories in various chapters of science. In science the student does not distinguish the scientist based on his nationality. Similarly in spiritualism one should not have repulsion or attraction to any scripture or tradition in the World.


The spiritualism requires divine virtues, which are emphasized in various religions. The firm faith of Islam, the infinite love of Christianity, the tolerance towards other religions of Hinduism, the social service of Bhuddhism and the non violence of Jainism are important virtues of the spiritualism. These are the practical traditional aspects of various religions, which are more precious than those scriptures. Tradition is the most important essence of the scripture.


One must praise the firm faith of a Muslim on God associated with strict regularity and discipline. People are worshipping God either in the leisure time or on a holiday. But a Muslim worships God on every day whether it is a holiday or not. He worships God regularly at some intervals of time whether it is leisure or working time. The faith on God and the importance to God supercedes everything and every activity. This aspect is a page in the book of spiritualism.


Another page in the book of spiritualism is a tradition of Christianity, which is the infinite love. Bible says “revenge is mine”. The Christians love even their enemies proving that love is infinite. Love is God. God is infinite and so Love is infinite. Such infinite love can only attract the God. The proof of love is sacrifice in service. Christians sacrifice lot of their money for the spiritual works. Their love is so unlimited that they sacrifice money even to the spiritual centers of other religions. Even if some religion is opposing their religion they fund the other religion and this shows their love even to enemies. Their love in the family bonds is very weak. So the love is stored in their hearts without flowing. This concentrated love in the heart flows entirely towards God and so they sacrifice lot of their earnings for the work of God. They do not store the wealth for their children, and they ask their children to earn and live after certain age.


Hinduism should be another page. The house of every Hindu contains photos of different forms of God. At the same time they find only one God (Para Brahma) in all those forms of God. They treat the different forms of God as the different dresses of the same actor. This indicates that there is only one God for the entire world and Lord Krishna, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, and Mahavir are only the different dresses of the same God. This brings the brotherly hood of all the human beings in the entire world.


Another page must be Buddhism. Buddha kept silent on God because Veda says that God is beyond even imagination. His silence is misunderstood as atheism. He concentrated on the society, which is entire universe. All the human beings in this universe must be uplifted through right knowledge. Buddha means knowledge. Any incarnation of God does the same work.


Jainism is another page. They do not kill any living being. The highest justice (Dharma) is non-violence (Ahimsa). God has given life to any living being. What right you have to kill and eat it? You can kill even a human being if he disturbs the peace and justice of a human society. Lord killed evil people in that way. But to kill a living being which does not harm you in any way is the highest sin. God has given sufficient vegetarian food to all the living beings. Science proves today that non-vegetarian food is not good for health.


Similarly there are precious traditions of other religions which should be copied on different pages of the book of spiritualism. It should be just like a book of science. Spiritualism is the most important practical line to achieve the grace of the God. As the Science is the universal subject, spiritualism must also be the universal subject. The nations may have physical boundaries but the spiritualism is the single ocean in which all the religions mix like rivers. Every human being in this world must enter this ocean through a river and settle there as a sea fish. The man should not stop the journey while he is in the river. He should follow the journey of the river up to the end where he can find the sea with unlimited boundaries. The man is not moving along with his religion and is becoming stagnant as a river fish only.


At the Lotus Feet of His Holiness Sri Dattaswami


Anil Antony


www.universal-spirituality.org


Universal Spirituality for World Peace


antonyanil@universal-spirituality.org

:assalam:


Dear sisters and brothers,


Here is the blessed month of Ramadan approaching...


Are we ready for it physically and spiritually?


This room is a valuable collection of wel-chosen articles and inspiring ideas to take advantage of this holy month.


your suggestions and discussions are most welcomed.


Your sister,

Heba










The spirit of fasting in Islam


By Afif A Tabbarah




IN Arabic "fasting" means abstinence from doing something. According to religious scholars, it is an abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse, carried out from dawn till sunset, for gaining Allah's Content.


The principles of fasting are set in the Holy Qur'an as follows: O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self­restraint. Fast for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it, (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will - it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.


Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down The Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (on the confirmed sight of the new moon) in that month should spend it in fasting; and if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intendeth every facility for you; He doth not want to put you to difficulties. (He wanteth you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful (II: 183­185).


In "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you," Allah explains that fasting is not new among the Holy Laws; it was ordained to previous peoples as well. This doubtlessly soothes the heart, facilitates the acceptance of fasting, and sweeps away the feeling of vexation, because Muslims are not the only people requested to fast.


After this, Allah adds "that ye may (learn) self­restraint," and this is the purpose of fasting. People are commanded to adopt fasting as a means to protect themselves against wicked and evil motives. Fasting safeguards the person as an individual, and the society as a whole. It protects the person from turning into a beast living according to the Law of the Jungle; it also protects society by preparing the devout individual to work for the general welfare, thus living as a human being with other human beings, not as a wild beast with other human beings.


To this effect, the Prophet (peace be upon him) confirms: "Fasting is a shelter. When one of you is fasting, let him not behave in an obscene or foolish manner. If someone intends to fight against him or scold him, let him just say: I am fasting! I am fasting!"


Fasting is a shelter in the sense that·the faster knows his fasting is carried out in order to avoid the evil of his animal nature. When he proclaims, I am fasting! he is fully aware that he says it under the effect of his human, not animal nature.


When he safeguards himself against the evils of his animal nature, and his society against his own evil, he gains Allah's Content, and thus takes his stand among the righteous.


"That ye may," here, bears the sense of preparation and readiness. The way fasting prepares the spirits of fasters for the devotion of Allah, is manifested in many aspects, the most important of which is the following. As a personal affair, fasting is left to the conviction of the faster himself, with none assuming the role of guardian over him except Allah.


When the faster obeys Allah's Commandments by rejecting the appeals of his desires that come to his mind during fasting, or when he trains himself to be patient every time he is tempted by delights and desires, out of feeling that Allah watches him and knows all the secrets of his heart - when he keeps on this for a full month (Ramadan), out of this continuous heed accompanying his activities he certainly will attain the gift of Allah's Watch over him, as well as his own fear of the Lord. He will try to avoid the shameful situation of Allah's finding him where he is prohibited to be. Allah's Watch over him enables him to carry out all deeds of goodness, and keeps him away from evil. He then would not cheat, ill treat or do injustice to others; nor would he spread corruption among people.


However, the mere abstinence from food and drink is not the real meaning of fasting that Allah enjoined on the righteous. The Prophet (pbuh) declares: "Allah does not accept the fasting of those who do not restrain themselves from telling falsehood or from doing false deeds."


The basic truth of fasting in Islam springs from Allah's Watch over the faster, as well as the latter's carrying out of his fast for the cause of none but Allah. To this effect, the Prophet explains: "Allah will forgive all the sins of those who fast during Ramadan out of true belief and in anticipation of Allah's Reward in the Hereafter."


In the same way, fasting prepares the spirits of fasters for the devotion of Allah, in the sense that fasting moderates the violence of their instinctive desires, the source of all sins. Along this vein, the Prophet (pbuh) declares: "O ye young people! Those of you who can afford marriage, let them marry, for it confines eyes to modesty and protects the wombs (of women) from evil intentions. Those of you who cannot do this, let them fast because fasting breaks off their lusts."

Virtues and Benefits of Fasting



On both the individual and social levels, fasting has many virtues and benefits. Of these we can mention the feeling of sympathy for the poor. When a faster feels hungry he remembers such people who are always hungry, which leads him to sympathise with the poor. After all, man's sense of compassion springs from his feeling of pain, and fasting is a practical means to develop compassion in his spirit. When rich people establish such a feeling for the hungry poor, their inner humane principles attain an effective authority. In this regard, it is reported that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was the most generous among people, and he was especially generous during Ramadan.


Moreover, fasting establishes equality among the rich and the poor. In a way, it is a compulsory experience of poverty in that it is meant to make all people share an equality, not diversity, of feeling and to sympathise with one another through a collective sense of pain, not through a discord or diversity of desires.


Among the other virtues of fasting is that it moderates the power of habits. With some people, the dictates of habit have reached the extreme of enslavement. If a meal is served late when they are hungry, they lose their temper. The effects of stimulants like coffee, tea or smoking are even stronger on their addicts than those of food.


In fasting there is a sharpening of one's will­power. A German professor once wrote a book on the strengthening of will power, the basis of which he considers to be fasting. In his book, he maintains that fasting is an effective means to establish the control of the spirit over the body, where man lives with a full control over himself, without being a slave to his physical inclinations or needs.

Islam's Mitigation of the Severity of Fasting



Some people may happen to be ill during the month of Ramadan, or just may be on a tiring journey. In this case, Allah's Wisdom necessitates that the severity of fasting be mitigated for these people, and to this effect, Allah instructs: "If any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) from days later (II: 184). People like these may make up for the days on which they break their fast, outside Ramadan when they can afford it. A traveller is allowed to break his fast when he makes a moderate march of a day and a night, which covers around 86km and a half.


In this regard, Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments by saying: "Illness and journey must not be interpreted in an elastic sense: they must be such as to cause real pain or suffering if the fast were observed. For journey, ... some Commentators ... make it ... precise by naming a distance of 16 farsakhs, equivalent to 48 miles. A journey of 8 or 9 miles on foot is more tiring than a similar one by bullock cart. There are various degrees of fatigue in riding a given distance on horseback or by camel or in a comfortable train or by car or by steamer, aeroplane, or airship. In my opinion, the standard must depend on the means of transportation and on the relative resources of the traveller. It is better to determine it in each case according to circumstances."


Then we have Allah's words: "For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent." Such ability with hardship means reaching the utmost a person can stand, and Arabs make this statement only when a person is too weak to do something, so that he suffers a lot in doing it. The people meant in this verse are aged people, ill persons, women suckling their babes, women expecting childbirth, or those whose illness is terminal. Such people may break their fast, and, for every day they break their fast, offer food for a poor person enough to feed a middle­aged man; and thus escape damnation.


Allah then adds, "But he that will give more, of his own free will" - by increasing the prescribed ransom, feeding more than just one poor person for every day he breaks his fast, or combining another fast with the prescribed ransom - "it is better for him;" the benefit and good credit of such a deed will be his, after all.


Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgeme(between right and wrong). This part of the verse specifies the period of fasting required of Muslims, the days of Ramadan. The wisdom underlying the choice of this month for this kind of worship, is its being the month in which the Qur'an was revealed.


So every one of you who is present (on the confirmed sight of the new moon) in that month should spend it in fasting. The "new moon" stands for a new month, which is an Arab tradition. Consequently, those who see the new moon themselves or trust its sight by others, have to start their fasting. The coming on of Ramadan is confirmed in one of two ways: 1) either through direct sight of the new moon if the sky is clear; 2) or, if it is cloudy, and in this case the new moon cannot be seen, by counting 30 days for Sha'ban (the month before Ramadan), after which fasting is then started. The Prophet (pbuh) explains the case by saying: "Start your fast when you see (the new moon), and end it up when you see it again. If its sight is concealed to you, count 30 days for Sha'ban."


As for the people of the North Pole and South Pole where nights and days extend to months in some polar regions - such people may estimate their period of fasting in harmony with the temperate area to which the revelation of Islam was sent, like Makkah or Medina. According to some Commentators, this can be better done in relation to the timing of the moderate area nearest to these people.

http://www.true-islam.tk






Have you signed up to “The Contest”?





“The Contest” has begun…… you can win GREAT stuff.


Have you signed up???????


If you haven't, waste no more time! SIGN UP NOW.


For more information regarding this contest, contact ALLAH directly. He is always there for you, waiting for you to sign up. What to do to sign up?


Just have the intention to worship Him devotedly and to make the best use of His immeasurable blessing “The Month of Ramadan”!


Have you had the intention, a devoted intention??


Then, take the initiative to do well. God will get the best out of you. He will help you manage your time and efforts.


“Be foremost in seeking forgiveness from your Lord and a garden, the width of which is like the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. That is the grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He pleases and Allah is the Lord of abounding grace” The Iron Chapter 57:21.


Now, What are the terms of The Contest?


“Be quick in the race of forgiveness from your Lord and of a garden whose width is that of the whole of the heavens and earth;


1.prepared for the righteous.


2.those who spend freely, whether in prosperity or in adversity.


3.who restrain anger.


4.and pardon all men; for Allah loves those who do good.


5.and those, having done something to be ashamed of wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind.


6.and ask for forgiveness for their sins, and who can forgive sins except Allah?


7.and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in the wrong they have done.


For such the reward is forgivenessfrom their Lord and gardens with rivers flowing underneath; an eternal dwelling. How excellent a recompense for those who work and strive!” The Family of Imran Chapter 3:133–136.


This contest is available with no restrictions as to age, sex, citizenship, mental status, or even previous spiritual (worship) record with Allah!


All what you have to do, if you really want to get a place, is to have the intention, initiative, and trust in God.

Remember
, Ramadan is the best time you can start, so seize this blessed opportunity and don't waste more time.


Each good manner has the reward of an act of worship.


Each act of worship has the reward of 70 acts of worship and God multiplies Thawab (reward) for whomever He pleases.

So, are you in??????????????








Before Ramadan





Things to make sure of before the month of Ramadan:


1. Having a devoted intention to fast and “fasten” your relationship with God.


2. Making your mind to purify your heart, body, mind and soul to be ready to receive enlightenment of the month.


3. Making sure that you are on good terms with all of your family members, friends, colleages, even those who have done wrong to you.


4. Purifying your heart from malice, hatred and sins.


5. Purifying your tongue from lies.


6. Purifying your mind from hypocrisy and bad intentions.


7.Staring doing good deeds from now to pave the way for your self to do that steadily in Ramadan and after (a simple good deed is really huge in the eyes of God, a steady act of worship really counts).


8.Trying to reflect upon fasting and meditate about your whole life.


9.Having a good intention of God, what you think of Him is what you will find Him to be. BELIEVE IN HIM.


10.Getting closer to Him and longing to please Him with every possible way. LOVE HIM.


11. Knowing that when you content about Him, He will be about you. BE CONTENT.


12. Having an attitude. A Muslim has an attitude.


13. Having a cause to serve and a mission to achieve. Let it be for the sake of Allah. Reward will be in multiples.


14.Making others happy, you will get happiness directly from God.


15. Working hard. Never forget your duty or cut back your on work in society claiming that you are preparing for worshiping God like you’ve never done before. He commanded you to work. After all it's an act of worship too, a more effective one.

European and Community Languages


The class of 2006 is poorly equipped to take on the globalised world, despite of their high grades. Less than five percent take foreign languages. The UK recently came bottom out of 28 countries in language ability, according to a study. Learning of languages widens the mental horizons. The British education system is depriving its citizens of the possibility of all the wonderful and useful things that come with a foreign language. An English only education leaves our children at a linguistic and cultural disadvantage. It leaves our children behind. Learning a second language at an early age has a positive effect on intellectual growth and enriches and enhances a child’s mental development. It leaves students with more flexibility in thinking. It opens the door to other culture and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries. It increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset. Some research suggests that bilingual children are more creative and better at solving complex problems. Bilinguals outperform verbal and non-verbal tests of intelligence. Researchers from University College London found out that learning a second language “boots” brain power. It is a well known fact, if somebody refuses to learn someone else’s language; they implicitly reject the other’s culture and their way of life. Schools need to teach children maths and three languages from nursery to A-level. In western European countries, all children are supposed to learn two languages along with the mother tongue at early stages. Younger children are more receptive to foreign languages than older pupils and are able to absorb the rhythms and structures more easily. It is essential that enthusiasm for languages could be nurtured earlier.


The largest ethnic minority groups in British schools are children of Pakistani origin: a community often accused of resisting assimilation and integration. Ann Cryer, the MP for Keighley blamed Imams for not speaking English. She should blame British schooling for not teaching Urdu/Arabic to Pakistani children, thus depriving them of understanding the Sermons in Arabic/Urdu. They are unable to enjoy the beauty of Urdu/Arabic literature and poetry. Imams are not part of the problem rather than the solutions. There is a proposal to teach Urdu as a compulsory language instead of French and German in British schools. The British Government is urged to remove the requirement in the National Curriculum that children between the ages of 11-14 study at least one European language. The linguistic abilities of large number of Muslim children were being ignored because they had to learn another European language as well as mastering English. The Government must promote the status of Urdu language instead of languages of European origin. Tim Benson, head of Nelson primary school in Newham said that the “nationalistic curriculum failed to recognize the staggering array of linguistic abilities and competencies” in schools such as his, where the pupils spoke more than 40 languages. The linguistic dexterity of families speaking an array of languages was celebrated but the “awesome achievements” of children mastering three or four languages were barely recognised by the education system. Social and emotional education comes with your own language-literature and poetry. A DFES document clearly states that children should be encouraged to maintain and develop their home languages. A study shows that bilingualism is a positive benefit to cognitive development and bilingual teacher is a dire necessity and is a role model. The price of ignoring children’s bilingualism is educational failure and social exclusion. Bilingualism could be developed by bringing a partner from Pakistan. The kids will get better at both languages. One will speak English while the other will speak Urdu.


A language is not just a series of words and communications; it’s the product of a culture of people. Language is a product of history and culture. The more we destroy our linguistic diversity by only using English, the more we lose the diversity of our cultural and historical identities. Erasing languages is erasing history. Erasing history leaves people without identity and a sense of identity is what makes us human. Learning languages teach us different ways of thinking, a worthwhile and enlightening mental exercise. Languages keep us apart from animal world. Human diversity is a part of God’s plan of creation. It is something to be encouraged as a social good, not something to be annihilated in a melting pot of national cohesion. If we force the whole world to speak only one language, we are forcing the whole world to lose its own identity and culture. Languages make the world a better place. It helps us to realize that we are all different and hopefully to be more tolerant with our differences.


Iftikhar Ahmad


www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk

Bismillah:


I would like to share this beautiful song of Yusuf Islam with all of you.





<div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZfQHOj-0RPs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>

Salam


Wael

Peace to all here, I am new here and have spoken with two of your great members Muslimah, and I think Wel_Mel (I am not positive that is his name here but I think so.) Glad to be aboard to learn more about Islam, which I have learned much. I used to be a member of a faithless forum that is now not in existence where I meet both of them. On there I was known as Blackstar. Muslimah may remember me.


I hope to learn more of the religion of Islam of which I have the deepest respect though I am atheist, I have a different definition of the term. (if anyone wishes to know that I will gladly correspond through PM.) Though I am NOT anti-religion. I believe religion has its virtues and Islam from what I know now is very beneficial to mankind.


I have read the quran, and though I do not believe it to be the word of an allmighty god I do believe it was written by a VERY wise man. Muhammed (pbuh) was a man of peace and integrity and taught those concepts.


I hope to have wholesome dialogue with Muslims and others here that share the GREAT idea of PEACE among all mankind!!


Peace to you all,


Voice of reason

Bismillah


Assalamu alaikum


I wanted to check some messeges I have received in my PM box, but to my surprise all from this year seams to have vanished. Only have two left. Where did they go? :confused_smile:


And I cannot upload a avatar. The only thing that I can see after uploading is a red kross up in the corner, NO picture. Help...? :blush:

The Satanic Web


Verily! Satan is to man an open enemy.(QURAN)


I think by now most of the world has heard about the so called NET, yes the INTERNET, it has it's benefits but at the same time it has it's dangers, especially for a Muslim who's aim in life is to please Allah and attain paradise, how? You may be wondering innocently. Well keep reading and you'll see, The WEB or the NET is the name which cannot be argued about because it traps the victim just like a spider traps a fly but the difference is the victim instead of wanting to escape like the fly, actually begins to enjoy this captivity, such is the terrible addiction and attraction, It's difficult to judge whether the surfer is in control or being controlled. I know what your thinking, naaaa not me I have full control, well think again friend.


Ok so what's the problem with surfing huh? Well once online it's like you get into a trance or more like cyber space, it makes you forget the real world and the reality around you but puts you into what its called virtual reality, yes that's the name virtual reality where everything is unreal but appears to be so real. Personally I think it should be called the Satans web.


Once the user is connected then everything else is disconnected and believe me I mean everything, Mom's shouting from downstairs, kids are crying around you, maybe the door bell has rang a couple of times but nop this person is in a different world, the concern for salah is gone, work, studies and other good deeds like reading quran, thikr are either delayed or sometimes completely in the recycle bin, INNALILAHI WA INNA ALAYHI RAJIOON, yes the most scary and most dangerous thing about it is that it has disconnected us from ALLAH .


As Muslims we have to be alert and worry about our Faith in all circumstances and in all times, for this life is very short and the life of the hereafter is for ever enjoying but only for those who make effort on their faith and Islam and try to save themselves from the evils of Satan, maybe were enjoying ourselves surfing horrific web sites or even chatting in the rooms. Hold on, I think chatting is the wrong term, it should be flirting, the biggest evil of all, SATANS ROOM, yes cyberfreinds, the room without a view but the most dangerous part of the net, we all know what goes on in these rooms, this is the room where even the innocent ones have become addicted, their father being proud of them thinking they are sitting in front of the PC working hard little does he know that she's chatting to more guys then she would have if she went out. Think about this, if you had a child would you like her roaming on the streets chatting up guys some as old has probably Clinton, oops better not mention no names, anyway would you? Or would you let strangers come in to your daughters bedroom and chat with her for hours? Well that's what's happening and dont think MY DAUGHTER? NEVER my daughter cant even think of such a thing, well wake up MR and stop pretending you know what's going on cuz you dont, this is how Satan's destroying us sitting in our own homes.


Yeah forget the pen pal days, that was the innocent stuff nowadays girls and boys are known to have travelled around the world meeting their cyber girl/boy friends, and if not that then long distance phone calls is common and you know how it starts? Well it start's of with just looking into the chatrooms maybe to make a friend of the same sex.


Satan even tells the god fearing ones, you can give dawah to them look how many people you can talk about Islam to and how much reward you will earn, yeah. All rubbish, Satans playing with you in his fingers, its a coincidence how everytime you end up giving dawah to the opposite sex, hmmmm I wonder why, well anyway your in the rooms with your cool username saying hi room, asl and all that stuff and after some time in and out the rooms you starting to get this big friends list, and usually its the opposite sex.


Your chatting day in day out, getting closer to your friends and if they live locally then you take it one step further, we all know what that is dont we? Course we, do its the mobile with the coolest tune around yeah another thing which is kicking nowadays anyway well talk about that another day so now you've exchanged numbers and send each other text messages and before you know it wing bing bang wallop, you running away with him/her, ok maybe not that far but whatever or however far you've got, your taking your self closer and closer to the fire of hell and just think about it brothers and sisters what would happen if death would take us in that state or that night where we just had a good chat and exchanged some lovy dovy sentences between each other?


We tend to forget death specially when were young, we think naa maan I got long time left, but death can take us anytime and in any condition, we dont have to be old and ill or have any problems, and once death comes finish, no coming back only one way in this world and only one way out.


So as I was saying you got these yahoo pager or MSN messenger and ICQ and now theirs even voice chat and web cams so many it's hard to keep track and all of them are full of friends, Havant had so many friends in your life isnt it great? Is it?


Yeah great for wasting your time, this precious time will never come back and will be accountable for on the day of judgement, anyway so now your chatting away, if you pray your salah probably pausing and quickly praying it at the speed of 50 mph then jumping back on to the hot seat, so your chatting away to your real friend which in reality you dont know jack about him only what he /she has told you which in most cases is a lot of cod wallops whatever that is and youve fell for him or her, now your up till midnight chatting away talking freely which you would never able to imagine doing if you werent online and when your not talking to him/her your thinking about him/her probably even got a pic in your PC ,I bet your even fantasising or day dreaming while in studies or at the office desk probably sending a quick mail from uni or college or school now you tend to feel a bit happy and cant wait to get online and chat again some even start meeting in cinemas and shopping, malls, raves and partys etc ,so now the net has made meeting strangers possible in such a large scale which before would be unimaginable some have even got married , ok thats good but come one how many is that ?


Now there are some things that puts some of us back and make us swear that we aint going in them rooms again, yup one is the big bill we get at the end of the month or quarterly, soon as we open that bill arghhhhhh our heart stops for a split second and were making excuses that noway, BT has overcharged me, But unfortunately Satan has one again, ok if our server is free we shouldnt get happy cuz thats more dangerous, then we dont have no time control and might end up eating our meals on the damn PC, yeah I bet some are even doing it. Secondly its the heart breaks that put us of for a while, we meet someone nice on the net and think he/she is the one and have high hopes for the future but soon after we find out the truth, that he is married and is older then your father or she is only 15 and is still in school, yup this is common everybodys lying their teeth out making themselves out to be the perfect partner just to impress eachother, so the hearts broken, (usually female hearts) and are sick of the net but as time goes by what are we doing? Yes back again caught in the web of Satan.


Lets take it further ok, not only the young and innocent are in cyber land but the married ones too are involved, the husband is chatting with women and the wife doesnt even suspect anything just wishing he would give her as much time as he gives his work well she thinks its work only if she knew hey, or the depressed house wives who are bored with their husbands and want something to bring the spark back in their lifes or viseversa, take this opportunity to chat or flirt with younger people and sometimes it even leads to affairs, yup you must have heard ab ut it, so and so person ran of and left her husband and kids, really? Yes, she found this guy on the net would you believe it? Well you better believe it coz now this is happening in realty. Now we shouldnt forget the single moms coz they are a victim in a large scale, men seeing them as an easy target and trying to make themselves sound caring and sweet so they win them over, the shy and innocent ones find it the best way to meet the right guy probably chatting to a doz people at a time, half the people dont even mention that there married and have got half a doz. children, why should they? It will spoil the fun, astagfirullah may ALLAH forgive us.


My dear friends Islam has never opposed technology and modern inventions but we have to in reality think and contemplate on how we are using the net, are the chatrooms taking us further form ALLAH or bringing us nearer to thee or is it making our creator happy or bringing his WRATH? Do we really think these chatrooms are benefiting us and our faith? The language used in the rooms is itself enough for one to decide this is a no go zone for us, and we all know that the topic the room is under is not whats being discussed. We cannot fool ourselves by saying and trying to make which is unlawful lawful by using the excuse that there is no serious harm and its just a bit of fun or our hearts are clean and we dont have any bad intentions, maybe we dont but Satan's traps are so dangerous that we would fall in to it without us even realising and his job is to try to take each and every one of us in hellfire and this is one of the tools he is using THE INTERNET, so we have to ponder for a while and ask ourselves are we a victim of SATAN >? And Im sure the answer will be YES.


So my friends we should repent sincerely and make firm intention to avoid indulging in these sins, ALLAH opens the ways for the one who trys, and Im sure all of us want to please our creator so we can live a life of bliss, it just takes a bit of effort, if we dont make a effort then it will be a grave danger for our IMAAN and AKHIRAH and we will have to face the consequences, whether we accept it or not its the truth and only Allah knows best.

<i>Rather than tackling the challenge of fundamentalist terrorism with a pithy remark packaged for the 9/11 anniversary or reaching for a John Paul-inspired sweeping gesture, the professor Pope went digging into his books. He went so far as to quote a 14th century Byzantine emperor´s hostile view of Islam's founder. "The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the Pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."</i>


Obvioulsy, nobody hear is going to agree with that statement. Understandably so. However, rather than just getting angry at it why not offer a rebuttal. The 14th Centry Byzantine emperor and Pope Benedict say that Muhammad brought nothing new that was good. They say that he only brought evil and inhuman things.


So. Where does the Pope err? What did Muhammad bring that was new to the world?

It's always a good idea to take some time off to have a great laugh...


considering this...


take a look at this clip


ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS


http://addictingclips.com/Clip.aspx?key=...2AB451C177

assalam wa alaikum,


i would like to find out what are all the acceptable dowries used in islam given to women.i am soon to be married and i am a bit lost concerning this because i know women should not over exaggerate what they for their dowry.Can someone fill me in on it so i can give the best answer. Jazakallah .


salaams,


Khadeeja.