India scraps import duties on AIDS drugs to battle shortage

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MUMBAI, June 11 (Reuters) - India has scrapped customs import duties for drugs and test kits used to treat AIDS in an effort to cut prices across the country, as it struggles to cope with an ongoing shortage in its national program to fight the disease.

More than a third of India's 2.1 million HIV/AIDS patients depend on getting their daily antiretrovirals for free from state-run distribution centres, but many of them have been facing shortages or stock outs for months.

The notice put out by the Central Board of Excise and Customs this week intends to make it cheaper to import raw materials that are used to make antiretrovirals under the national program, BB Rewari of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) told Reuters.

Currently, U.S. firm Mylan Inc and India's Aurobindo Pharma supply AIDS drugs to the government program.

The exemption applies to certain first-line and second-line antiretroviral drugs used to treat adults and children, as well as to certain diagnostic kits and equipment that are used by NACO, Rewari said.

He added the drugs under exemption make up roughly 95 percent of the antiretrovirals used by India's AIDS patients under the national program.

The exemption, which will remain in effect until March 2016, is the national AIDS control department's latest effort to deal with a chronic shortage of HIV/AIDS drugs at home, even though Indian companies are some of the world's major suppliers of AIDS drugs. Local firm Cipla Ltd made headlines in 2001 by making antiretrovirals for Africa for under $1 a day.

The AIDS control program has been in disarray for months after the government changed the way over $1.3 billion in federal funds were distributed, according to data and letters seen by Reuters.

Construction of clinics in rural areas has been delayed and many health workers have quit.

Government officials have previously told Reuters of a lack of participation by local drugmakers in the tenders floated by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to procure drugs.

Industry insiders, meanwhile, cite delayed tender approvals, supply bottlenecks and late payments, as well as poor coordination between the central and state governments.

AIDS drugs sold on the open market are expensive, so in an effort to make those more affordable, the government is likely to add more AIDS drugs under price control by including them in the national list of essential medicines, people involved in the process told Reuters in April.

citation from  zawya : https://goo.gl/72Jh21

Kuwait to table corporate tax bill in 2 years - finance minister

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) - Kuwait expects to table a bill to harmonise corporate tax rates between local and foreign firms in around two years' time, offering incentives to key sectors like telecoms and IT, the country's finance minister said on Monday.
Kuwait said in April it was studying proposals to introduce the same levy for domestic firms, which generally pay little or no tax on income, and foreign companies, whose commercial activities are taxed with a rate of 55 percent in the highest bracket. 

"We are looking at many, many scenarios ... but we are definitely looking at matching them," Finance Minister Anas al-Saleh told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in London. 

"We need to draft legislation ... in 24 months we should have a law that can go to parliament." 

Saleh expected the rate for international firms to fall and the levy on local companies to rise, though he declined to indicate a level. He added the government was also looking at introducing tax breaks for companies operating in key sectors like IT, telecommunications and petrochemicals. 

"There will also (be) incentives, incentives to encourage corporates to focus on certain sectors that are needed for our economy," he said. 

Introducing a new corporate tax will be politically sensitive in Kuwait, which has seen pressure on its state finances because of the plunge in oil prices. Officials say they want to diversify revenue sources beyond oil. 

Saleh reiterated there were no plans to introduce income tax for individuals. 

citation : taken from zawya - https://goo.gl/4jAxyZ

Indian Maggi sales halted in Dubai

Sunday, Jun 07, 2015

Dubai: A Dubai Municipality official confirmed shops have been asked to halt sales of Maggi noodles made in India.

Officials in India have said samples of Maggi made in India tested positive for unacceptably high levels of lead.

Maggi maker Nestle has said its internal tests, as well as external lab reports, showed Maggi is safe to eat but has voluntarily recalled the product from shops in India on a temporary basis.

In India, there is an official ban on sale of locally made Maggi in some Indian states while other states continue to sell it.

In Dubai, Maggi made in Malaysia, rather than in India, is imported and distributed to local retailers, Nestle Middle East and Dubai Municipality have said, adding that the product is safe.

However, some Dubai shops directly import Maggi from India to cater to mostly Indians who prefer Maggi flavours and varieties made in India.

Following developments in India, Dubai shops have been asked to stop selling Maggi made in India, said Khalid Al Awadhi, Director, Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality .

There is no change in policy towards Maggi made in Malaysia and shops can continue selling that, he added.

Meanwhile, Nestle continues to maintain all Maggi products, regardless of their origin, are safe to eat. It said in a statement that it “reassures consumers in the Middle East that all Maggi products sold are safe and compliant with the highest quality standards.

“We are continuously engaging with authorities in our region and we thank them for their active collaboration.

“Quality and food safety are our top priority and we perform regular tests on our raw material and finished products to ensure food safety and full compliance”.

Dhananjay Datar, managing director of retail chain Al Adil Trading, said the company has destroyed its stock of Maggi made in India. He added that following a query on the status of Maggi made in India, there was an instruction from the municipality on Friday to stop sales of the product.

Hypermarket chain Lulu Middle East earlier said the Maggi noodles sold in their shops are not from India.

“All the Maggi noodles sold here in our shops are from Nestle Middle East and sourced from Malaysia. We don’t import from any other country,” V. Nandakumar, chief communications officer at Lulu Group, had said.

Citation - Taken from ZAWYA : https://goo.gl/Qgu8FP

ARE YOU LOSING SLEEP OVER YOUR SMARTPHONE?

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Dubai: While convenient, keeping your mobile phone at arm’s length when one is sleeping has proven to affect quality of sleep, and even health.

Research conducted by several universities and doctors has shown that radiation emitted from mobile phones, especially 3G and 4G-enabled smart phones, delays and disrupts sleep.

Dr Saeed Taghizadeh, specialist neurologist at Prime Hospital, pointed out that electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones also interferes with the body’s ability to heal.

He referred to research led by by Professor Bengt Arnetz, a Swedish professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which found that using a handset right before bed prolongs the amount of time it takes for people to reach a deep state of sleep.

“Anything that disrupts the quality of our sleep impacts our attentiveness and irritability in the short and long term.”

While productive sleep helps our bodies recover form the stresses of the day, the affects of being exposed to cell phone radiation through out the night is more likely to be evident in children and adolescents.

Dr Taghizadeh explained that sleeping beside a phone is especially bad for children and teenagers who typically need more sleep than adults.

“It can cause mood and personality changes such as [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] ADHD-like symptoms and depression.”

Dr Fatima Nazir, general practitioner at Gardens Speciality Clinic, told Gulf News that experts are concerned about the effects of the radiation, as some research suggests that sleeping with your mobile by your bedside can cause dizziness and headaches, and can even trigger insomnia and other sleeping disorders.

“At the very least it makes us hyper vigilant so our sleep is more likely to be disturbed and we don’t get enough of the restorative sleep we need,” said Dr Nazir.

What happens when you sleep?

The hormone cortisol that signals us to wake up, and the hormone melatonin, which makes us sleepy are controlled by the light-sensitive cells in the brain.

“Light stimulates cells in the retina, the area at the back of the eye that transmits messages to the brain, and the light-sensitive cells inform the body what time it is,” explained Dr Fatima. When sleeping beside a mobile phone or tablet, the blue light emitted from the device has a stimulating effect. The cells in the retina are most sensitive to blue light because of a pigment called melanopsin, which is why reading on a phone or a tablet before bed is more likely to keep a person awake than reading a book using a bedside light.

“For this reason, experts advise a ban on screen time two to three hours before bed,” said Dr Fatima.

With smart phones replacing most traditional devices such as alarm clocks and flash lights, sleeping with your phone in the next room can be a big inconvenience.

However, it can be the solution for a good night’s sleep.

Citation - Taken from ZAWYA : https://goo.gl/NLJrcO

HEALTH MINISTRY WARNING OVER PANADOL

UAE Ministry of Health issues warning over wrong dosage instruction on Panadol Baby & Infant suspension packaging

Dubai: The Ministry of Health is warning the public that Panadol Children & Infant suspension product labels on the medicine box do not indicate the proper dosage levels.

Improper dosage levels could lead to children being given too much of the medicine, the ministry warned on Thursday in a public statement.

The Ministry of Health sent out the warning to inform all medical entities, heads of medical centers, managers of public and private hospitals, doctors, pharmacists and assistant pharmacists.

The ministry drew attention to all target audiences that changes will be made to the information printed on the medicine boxes of the manufacturing company Glaxosmithkine.

According to a statement released by the ministry, "dose specification found on the medicine box is wrong and this results in giving the child or the infact a dose that does not suit their age due to an excessive dose of Paracetamol entering the body which could lead to liver poisoning."

Dr. Amin Hussain Al Ameri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and License Department in the Ministry of Health, signed the statement.

He could not be reached for comment by press time on Thursday.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health advises doctors to disregard the doses listed on the Panadol Infant and Children medicine boxes.

They are told to determine the necessary dose an infant should receive based on their age and weight until further notice from the Drug Management and Regulation section in the ministry.

The ministry has also provided a form for patients to fill out in case of any side effects provided by the ADR which can be found online on the website (www.cpd-pharma.ae).

 Citation - Taken From ZAWYA - https://goo.gl/CnYIJp

Domino Pizza Not Halal

Domino's Pizza Not Halal

Golden Rules of Leadership

Leadership is Care

Leadership is Action

GOLDEN RULES OF LEADERSHIP

The difference between success and failure is leadership. The qualities of GREAT LARDERS in Islamic perspective are as below.

1. True, constant and firm Faith.

2. Dignified personality.

3. Valorous and courageous

4. Steadfast and resolute of purpose.

5. Strength of will and ability to execute.

6. Charismatic and magnetic personality.

7. Eloquent.

8. Generosity and liberality.

9. A sense of justice and fair play.

1.   True, constant and firm Faith

It is essential for a LEADER to have true and firm Faith in order to lead in the political and missionary spheres. A strong, firm and solid faith leaves a lasting and deep influence on the personality. This is a basic virtue that empowers the heart with courage, valor and a total lack of fear and ambition

But the Muslim Leaders regard victory with modesty and humility as a blessing and gift of Allah Almighty. This attitude is solely due to trust, faith and a right sense of values. When the Prophet entered Makkah triumphantly after conquering it, his head was bowed low down to the hump of his horse ingratitude to Allah Almighty, His Creator. He declared universal amnesty for all the people of Makkah. Similarly, a successful Leader faces obstacles, problems and adverse conditions, instead of losing heart, turns and moves closer to Allah. He faces all difficulties with courage and bravery.

Calamities, misfortunes and problems have to be faced with patience and fortitude because they prove to be the forerunners of victory and success. And how does one inculcate these qualities? They are born of a deep and abiding faith in Allah Almighty; many a time, because of these qualities, events which bewilder man's powers of reason and logic occur in the battlefield

Leadership Qualities

2.   Dignified personality

In order to fulfill one's duties as Leader are made to pass through certain stages in the course of their training. Special care is taken to see that they are trained according to a certain manner. This is in order to cultivate an imposing and dignified personality.

The leader has to have discipline and a sense of order. Therefore men who have to fulfill the duties of Leader have to possess an impressive personality. This imposing dignity and a certain aura of majesty impresses and overawes the onlooker; and feelings of love, respect and reverence take root in his heart. This blessed quality of dignity is a gift of Allah Almighty. It can become part of one's personality only if there is true Faith, fear of Allah Almighty, integrity, and an effort to guard moral and ethical values.

Not one person had the courage to look the Prophet $ in the eye. When he spoke the effect was almost as if the persons addressed had been mesmerized and could not move. There is no parallel in human history of a person evoking such a response. He was respected, revered and inspired and loved.

3.   Valor and Courage

Only that person can fulfill the responsibilities of a leader who is the personification of bravery, valor, daring and fearlessness. When the conditions in war are extremely unfavorable only a daring and fearless man can overcome and control them. 'Ali says that whenever matters took a critical turn in a battle they used :, to look at the bold and confident attitude of the Prophet and gain courage. Whenever the fighting was at its most intense he would display extraordinary daring and nerve and move as close as possible to the enemy and try to over welcome him.

4.   Steadfast and resolute of purpose

The Quran gives a golden principle about how to inculcate and develop this invaluable quality of steadfastness and resoluteness. Allah Almighty says:

"O you who believe! If you will help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm." (47:7)

In order to attain and achieve this great quality one must be prepared to sacrifice one's life and possessions to propagate and promote the religion of Allah Almighty. Whosoever helps to spread the religion of Allah Almighty, he will find Him to be his Supporter and Protector.

And if Allah Almighty gives him His Support and Protection then he is assured success now and in the Hereafter. Steadfastness is the stepping stone to real success as the Noble Quran has instructed. The Noble Qur'an says:

"O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allah much (both with tongue and mind), so that you may be successful." (8:45)

Firmness of purpose and remembrance of Allah are very important for a Leader.

5.   Strength of will and ability to execute

Any successful Leader has to have a strong will and be competent and efficient enough to have his orders executed. If he does not have this ability he will not be able to do justice to his plan.

A determined Leader will be resolute and firm in malting a decision and also in implementing it boldly and courageously.  There are many such examples in life where person practices abstinence, has great faith in and fear of Allah Almighty, but lacks self confidence, will power and the element of firmness in the actual execution of a well thought out strategy. In other words, theoretical planning by itself is of no use unless there is practical application. A leader must have the ability to plan the strength of will to decide firmly, and then to execute the plan. A person who does not have all these qualities cannot be a successful leader in any sphere social, political or Leader.

It is this element that gives continuity and a logical follow up to action. Allah says:

"Then, when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)."

(3:159)

Brave people always practice in every field; with firm and determined action they perform incredible and remarkable deeds. Lack of sturdy resolve makes a person act according to momentary whims and caprices, and he cannot by any means carry out the onerous responsibilities of a successful leader. Thus it is essential for a Leader that strength of will be very much part and parcel of his temperament.

6.   Charismatic and magnetic personality

All the qualities mentioned above pertain to the character and capabilities of the ideal Leaderand not to his physical appearance. But when a leader is selected it should be borne in mind that his physical attributes also have an effect on the development of his personality as a whole; besides they also affect the beholder as well as his subordinates

In social interaction smartness in dress, good manners and a certain elegance of style play a very positive role in winning over people. In this context if one studies the personal habits of the Prophet one sees how particular he was as regards personal hygiene, neatness and cleanliness. People would realize he had passed by a street because he left an aura of perfume behind hm. whenever he met delegations he would make it a point to dress well. Besides being cultured and well mannered a leader also has to have a fine physique.

7.   Eloquence

Eloquence and oratorical skills can be used to great effect to rouse emotions and feelings. A skillful orator through his eloquence can change the course of things, and can turn a peaceful environment into a flaming volcano. A Leader with his eloquence can inflame his men with a burning desire to go and get it done, and thus easily gain supremacy.

A trait shared by all notable Leaders in history has been eloquence. All appropriate and timely extempore and passionate address can have a magical effect on the men. In Leader schools the officers who are chosen to command are specially educated and trained in the skills of oratory, so that they can use this skill when the need arises. Every Leader must possess this ability.

8.   Generosity and liberality

A head of any department or establishment should be a liberal, beneficent and just person; this leads to many good results. A liberal person is universally loved and respected, and this helps him to perform his duties of leadership more easily and better.

Prophet said: "A generous and munificent person is closer to Allah Almighty, people and Paradise.”

Philanthropy and generosity adds great dignity to personalities.

The Prophet Peace be upon Him was extremely generous; often he would fill up the pulses of the needy to such an extent that prosperity and well being became theirs for life. It is but a fact of human nature that a generous person who benefits others is more loved and respected by others.

When a Leader behaves with compassion, generosity and kindness with all his subordinates in the, then it is only natural that they will love him and obey hm. Leadership and generosity are very closely bound to each other. During the training of Leaders the elements of compassion, generosity and kindness should be inculcated and the advantages resulting there from pointed out to them.

9.   A sense of justice and fair play

If all human beings behaved in a just and fair manner, society would be transformed and peace and tranquility would prevail. If person is unfair he will arouse great resentment and hatred. And this will affect his practical life. The Noble Qur'an enjoins this  "Be just: that is nearer to piety." (5:8)

Justice, impartiality, abstinence and fear of Allah are qualities which add radiance to personal magnetism. These are some basic characteristics which should be an essential part of the mental and physical makeup of any Leader. If the training centers pay attention to the inculcation and development of these qualities the Muslim nations will be able to produce great and efficient soldiers of Allah Almighty.

My Daughters My Shield from Fire , Fire of Hell ( Jahannam..)

When I was reading Tafsir today morning, I have gone through these Ayah many times, again and again. Only one question coming to my minds, has anything changed? 
This was situation 1400 years ago, Jahiliyah.. ignorance is still there, we still kill our daughters. Tears started flowing in my eyes.
Why do we still kill our daughters?  What will we say when Allah the most exalted will ask her on the day of Judgement? 
Why she was killed?
What was her crime?

Change is Awaited?

Quran Surah 81, Takwrr Tafsir Tafhimul Quran 

وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ ﴿81:8﴾ 

(81:8) and when the girl-child buried alive shall be asked:

بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ ﴿81:9﴾ 

(81:9) for what offence was she killed? *9

*9 The style of this verse reflects an intensity of rage and fury inconceivable in common life. The parents who buried their daughters alive, would be so contemptible in the-sight of Allah that they would not be asked: "Why did you kill the innocent infant?" But disregarding them the innocent girl will be asked: "For what crime were you slain?" And she will tell her story how cruelly she had been treated by her barbarous parents and buried alive. Besides, two vast themes have been compressed into this brief verse, which though not expressed in words, are reflected by its style and tenor. First that in it the Arabs have been made to realize what depths of moral depravity they have touched because of their ignorance in that they buried their own children alive; yet they insist that they would persist in the same ignorance and would not accept the reform that Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) was trying to bring about in their corrupted society. Second, that an express argument has been given in it of the necessity and inevitability of the Hereafter. The case of the infant girl who was buried alive, should be decided and settled justly at some tune, and there should necessarily be a time when the cruel people who committed this heinous crime, should be called to account for it, for there was none in the world to hear the cries of complaint raised by the poor soul. This act was looked upon with approval by the depraved society; neither the parents felt any remorse for it, nor anybody in the family censured them, nor the society took any notice of it. Then, should this monstrosity remain wholly unpunished in the Kingdom of God?

 
This barbaric custom of burying the female infants alive had become widespread in ancient Arabia for different reasons. One reason was economic hardship because of which the people wanted to have fewer dependents so that they should not have to bear the burden of bringing up many children. Male offspring were brought up in the hope that they would later help in earning a living, but the female offspring were killed for the fear that they would have to be reared till they matured and then given away in marriage. Second, the widespread chaos because of which the male children were brought up in order to have more and more helpers and supporters; but daughters were killed because in tribal wars they had to be protected instead of being useful in any way for defence. Third, another aspect of the common chaos also was that when the hostile tribes raided each other and captured girls they would either keep them as slave-girls or sell them to others. For these reasons the practice that had become common in Arabia was that at childbirth a pit was kept dug out ready for use by the woman so that if a girl was born, she was immediately cast into it and buried alive. And if sometimes the mother was not inclined to act thus, or the people of the family disapproved of it, the father would rear her for some time half-heartedly, and then finding time would take her to the desert to be buried alive. This tyranny and hard-heartedness was once described by a person before the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) himself. According to a Hadith related in the first chapter of Sunan Darimi, a man came to the Holy Prophet and related this incident of his pre-lslamic days of ignorance: "I had a daughter who was much attached to me. When I called her, she would come running to me. One day I called her and took her out with me. On the way we came across a well. Holding her by the hand I pushed her into the well. Her last words that I heard were: Oh father, oh father!!" Hearing this the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) wept and tears started falling from his eyes One of those present on the occasion said: O man, you have grieved the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet said: Do not stop him, let him question about what he feels so strongly now. Then the Holy Prophet asked him to narrate his story once again. When he narrated it again the Holy Prophet wept so bitterly that his beard became we with tears. Then he said to the man: "Allah has forgiven that you did in the days of ignorance: now turn to Him in repentance.'
It is not correct to think that the people of Arabia had no feeling of the baseness of this hideous, inhuman act. Obviously, no society, however corrupted it may be, can be utterly devoid of the feeling that such tyrannical acts are evil. That is why the Holy Qur'an has not dwelt upon the vileness of this act, but has only referred to it in awe-inspiring words to the effect: "A time will come when the girl who was buried alive, will be asked for what crime she was slain?" The history of Arabia also shows that many people in the pre-Islamic days of ignorance had a feeling that the practice was vile and wicked. According to Tabarani, Sa`sa'ah bin Najiyah al-Mujashi`i, grandfather of the poet, Farazdaq, said to the Holy Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah, during the days of ignorance I have done some good works also among which one is that I saved 360 girls from being buried alive: I gave two camels each as ransom to save their lives. Shall I get any reward for this?" The Holy Prophet replied; "Yes, there is a reward for you, and it is this that Allah has blessed you with Islam."
As a matter of fact, a great blessing of the blessings of Islam is that it not only did put an end to this inhuman practice in Arabia but even wiped out the concept that the birth of a daughter was in any way a calamity, which should be endured unwillingly. On the contrary, Islam taught that bringing up daughters, giving them good education and enabling them to become good housewives, is an act of great merit and virtue. The way the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) changed the common concept of the people in respect of girls can be judged from his many sayings which have been reported in the Hadith. As for example, we reproduce some of these below:
"The person who is put to a test because of the birth of the daughters and then he treats them generously, they will become a means of rescue for him from Hell." (Bukhari, Muslim).
"The one who brought up two girls till they attained their maturity, will appear along with me on the Resurrection Day ... Saying this the Holy Prophet jointed and raised his fingers. (Muslim).
"The one who brought up three daughters, or sisters, taught then good manners and treated them with kindness until they became self-sufficient. AIlah will make Paradise obligatory for him. A man asked: what about two, O Messenger of Allah? The Holy Prophet replied: the same for two." Ibn `Abbas, the reporter of the Hadith, says: "Had the people at that time asked in respect of one daughter, the Holy Prophet would have also given the same reply about her. " (Sharh as-Sunnh).

 
"The one who has a daughter born to him and he does not bury her alive, nor keeps her in disgrace, nor prefers his son to her, Allah will admit him to Paradise." (Abu Da'ud).
"The one who has three daughters born to him, and he is patient over them, and clothes them well according to his means, they will become a means of rescue for him from Hell. " (Bukhari, Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Ibn Majah).
"The Muslim who has two daughters and he looks after them well, they will lead him to Paradise." (Bukhari: Al-Adab al-Mufrad).
The Holy Prophet said to Suraqah bin Ju'sham: "Should I tell you what is the greatest charity (or said: one of the greatest charities)? He said: Kindly do tell, O Messenger of Allah. The Holy Prophet said: Your daughter who (after being divorced or widowed) returns to you and should have no other bread-winner." (Ibn Majah, Bukhari Al-Adab al-Mufrad).
This is the teaching which completely changed the viewpoint of the people about girls not only in Arabia but among all the nations of the world, which later become blessed with Islam.

Steadfast in Principles

Steadiness on principles

The stronger a person's personality is, and the firmer he remains on his principles and the more important he becomes.  Your principles may include that you do not take a bribe, no matter how beautifully it is referred to it: a tip, a gift, a commission, and so on.  Remain firm on your principles.

A wife may have the principle of never lying to her husband, regardless of how beautified it may be made for her in order to get along with him by using white lies.  Let her remain firm on her principles.

Such principles include not maintaining unlawful relationships with the opposite gender and not drinking alcohol. If a person does not smoke and one day sits with his friends who are smokers, then let him remain firm on his principles.

A person who sticks to his principles is seen as a hero, even if his friends pass judgment on him and accuse him of being difficult. You will find that many of these friends would certainly turn to him while facing great difficulties, or for advice concerning private matters.  They would consider him to be a more important person than the others.

This is not applicable for one gender in exclusion to the other.  Rather, it applies equally to men and women.  Be firm in your principles and do not waiver, or else people will subdue you.

When Islam became dominant and tribes began sending envoys to the Messenger of Allah an envoy from the Thaqif tribe came with ten odd men.  When they arrived, the Messenger of Allah brought them to the mosque so they may hear the Qur'an.

They asked him about usury, fornication and alcohol, so he informed that they were forbidden.  They also had an idol which they would honor and worship following their forefathers which was named arRabbah (i. e.  Goddess) and they used to describe it as atTaghiyah (the tyrant).  They had concocted various stories and tales about it to convince people of its strength. They asked the Prophet Sallallahhowsalam about arRabbah, as to what he would like to be done to it.  He replied without hesitation, "Destroyed. . . "

They were terrified and said, "Impossible! If she knew that you wanted to destroy it, she would annihilate everyone!"

'Umar, who was present in the gathering, was amazed at their fear of the idol being destroyed.  He said, "Woe be to you, 0 Thaqif! How ignorant you are! ArRabbah is just a stone that neither can benefit nor harm!"

They became angry and said, "We have not come to speak to you, 0 Ibn alKhattab!" 'Umar became silent.

They then said, "we want to stipulate a condition that you leave atTaghiya alone for three years, after which you may destroy it if you wish:'

The Prophet Sal’lallah ho’wsalam realized that they were attempting to negotiate on an issue of creed, which is the greatest principle in a Muslim, since the oneness of Allah is the very foundation of Islam!

However, if they really were about to become Muslims, then why the need to remain attached to this idol?

The Prophet Sal’lallah ho’wsalam replied, "No. "

They said, "OK, then leave it for two years, and then you can destroy it:'

"No," he replied.

They said, "OK, then leave it for a year only!" "No", he replied.

When they realized that he would not respond to their wished, they also realized that the issue was that of polytheism and faith, and therefore not open to bargaining!

They said, "0 Messenger of Allah, you be the one to destroy it. W can never destroy it ourselves. "

The Prophet Sal’lallah ho’wsalam said, "I will send someone to you who will spare you from having to destroy it.”

They said, "As for the prayer, then we do not want to pray, since we have a disdain for a man's bottom being higher than his head!"

The Prophet Sal’lallah ho’wsalam replied, "As for destroying your idols by your own hands, then we have absolved you from that, but as for the prayer, then there is no good in a religion that has no prayer!"

They replied, "We will do so, even if we scorn it," and made an agreement with the Prophet Sal’lallah ho’wsalam.

They went back to their people and called them to Islam, and the people became Muslims, albeit reluctantly.

There then came to them some men from the companions of the Messenger of Allah in order to destroy the idol.  The men included Khalid bin al Walid and alMughirah bin Shu'bah alThaqafi.

As the Companions headed for the idol, the people of Thaqif became terrified.  Their men, women and children came out to observe the idol.  They had a feeling in their hearts that the idol would not be destroyed and that it would somehow defend itself.

ALMughirah bin Shu'bah stood up, took an axe and turned to the Companions who were with him and said, "By Allah, I will make you laugh over Thaqif!"

ALMughira bin Shu'bah then approached the idol, struck it with the axe, fell on the ground and began to shake his leg.  Upon seeing this, the people of Thaqif screamed with joy, "May Allah distance alMughirah from His mercy! ArRabbah has killed him!" They then turned to the rest of the Companions and said, "Whoever of you wants to break the idol, let him step forward!"

Thereupon, alMughirah stood up laughing and said," Woe to you, 0 people of  Thaqif! I was only joking! This idol is only made of stone! Turn to Allah in repentance and worship Him alone!"

He then turned to the idol to destroy it whilst the people were still there, looking on.  He finally destroyed the idol, stone by stone, until it was leveled it to the ground.

Revelation •••

Whoever seeks people's pleasure at the displeasure of Allah, Allah becomes displeased with him, as do the people.  And whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah for the displeasure of people, Allah becomes pleased with him, as do the people"