Patience in Islamic Perspective

Patience in Islamic Perspective

This is how I understood Patience ( Sabr) in Islamic Perspective. The five stages of Journey to Akhirah called Patience ( Sabr)

1.      Iman – The Faith and Belief

2.      Entering complete into Islam, in all spheres of life, the only color the color of Allah.

3.      You will be tested like Prophet Ayub Peace upon Him, like Prophet Yusuf Peace Be Upon Him.

4.      Sabr – when you remain steadfast in these test you will rewarded with Jannah.

5.      This is Complete meaning of Patience in Islam, Patience will take you to Jannah.

When I started looking at this subject of patience in Arabic Sabr, I got many references from Book of Allah Quran and when go through it, it has explained and defined very well. Patience in Islamic perspective is steadfastness as defined in Surah Al Asr Quran 104, a short but very concise in meaning and depth. But there are many more references specially two stories of Prophet Ayub Peace be Upon Him and Prophet Yusuf Peace be upon Him, whom Allah The Exalted praised in His Book for their Patience , determination, steadfastness on path of Allah. This is patience, the steadfastness and determination to stand tall against all aggression and temptations of evil that can come in different form to different people to weaken their determination, to weaken their faith. These are testing times when Iman, faith is tested.  It will be tested when you enter into Islam fully,

In Quran Allah very ordered to the believers, to become complete believers, don’t follow the temptations of Shaitan, follow the color of Allah, the only color acceptable on the Day of Judgment.  Islam is full and complete way of life, when you follow this in day in night, in customs and tradition and every aspect of your life. Then and Then only your Iman ( Faith ) is complete and acceptable on the Day of Judgment.

Narated By 'Abdullah bin Hisham : We were with the Prophet and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. 'Umar said to Him, "O Allah's Apostle! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self." The Prophet said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self." Then 'Umar said to him, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self." The Prophet said, "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are a believer)."
 Reference ►Bukhari Volume 008, Book 078, Hadith Number 628
 

Quran (2:208) Believers! Enter wholly into Islam and do not follow in the footsteps of Satan for he is your open enemy.

God demands that man should submit, without reservation, the whole of his being to His will. Man's outlook, intellectual pursuits, behaviour, interaction with other people and modes of endeavour should all be completely subordinate to Islam. God does not accept the splitting up of human life into separate compartments, some governed by the teachings of Islam and others exempt.

O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

Quran (2:138) Say: “Take on Allah’s colour.” And whose colour is better than Allah’s? It is Him that we serve.

This verse can be translated in two ways. One of these is: 'We have taken on Allah's colour.' The other is: 'Take on Allah's colour.' On the eve of the advent of Christianity the Jews followed the practice of bathing everyone who embraced their religion. This ritual bath signified that all his previous sins had been washed away and that he had adopted a different colour for his life. This practice was subsequently taken over by the Christians and is termed 'baptism'. Not only converts but even new-born babies were baptized. The Qur'anic remarks here refer to this institution. The Qur'an says in effect: 'Of what use is this formal baptism? What really is worth doing is to adopt the colour of God, and it is not water that gives one this colour but actual service and devotion to God.'

When become true believer, and follows path of Allah in all spheres of life then come the difficulties, when Shaitan ( Evil) in different form come close to you and try to deviate you from the path of Allah by saying, this is small thing , that is no problem. Some time your family, sometime society , customs and traditions which make you weak every day. These are all temptations of Shaitan ( Evil), don’t follow his path, Shaitan( Evil) will destroy your Hereafter.

When you started following the path of Iman you will be tested. Faith (Iman) is tested in many way,

Allah (swt) says in the Quran that which means:

  “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).” [Quran, Al-Ankaboot (The Spider) 29:2-3]

 “Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)?”  [Quran, Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:142]

 ·Allah (swt) also told  us that  we will be tested with good and evil, fear, hunger, lost of lives…ect

 “You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allah, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious ) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters.” [Quran, Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:186]

 “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) ……”[Quran, Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:155]

This is what Allah SWT says in Quran, these tests comes from every direction, these are the temptations of life for human being when he loves something more than Allah and His Prophet in his daily life, those who remain steadfast ( patience) and never deviate from the path of Allah, Allah has promised them the Jannah, where they will live forever, what a good destination that was.

Sura # 104 - The Declining Day -al 'Asr

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful!

I swear by the declining day, that man is a certain loser, save those who have faith and do righteous deeds and counsel one another to follow   the truth and counsel one another to be steadfast.

In this Surah an oath has been sworn by the Time to impress the point that man is in sheer loss and only those people are an exception from the loss who are characterized by four qualities:

(1) Faith.

(2) Righteous deeds.

(3) Exhorting one another to truth.

(4) Exhorting one another to patience.

Let us consider each of these parts separately in order to fully understand the meanings.

This short surah of three verses outlines a complete system for human life based on the Islamic viewpoint. It defines, in the clearest and most   concise form, the basic concept of faith in the context of its comprehensive reality. In a few words the whole Islamic constitution is   covered and in fact, the nation of Islam is described in its essential qualities and its message in one verse only: the third. This is the   eloquence of which Allah alone is capable.

Faith is the great root of life from which goodness springs in its various   forms and to which all its fruits are bound. What does not spring from   faith is a branch cut from a tree: it is bound to fade and perish; it is   indeed a devilish production, limited and impermanent! Faith is the axis   to which all the fine fabric of life's network is connected. Without it   life is a loose event, wasted through the pursuit of yearnings and fantasies. It is the ideology which collects diversified deeds under a consonant system, following the same route and geared to the same mechanism, possessing a definite motive and a predetermined goal.

Counseling one another to follow the truth and to steadfastness reveals a picture of Islamic society which has its own very special entity, a   unique inter-relationship between its individual members and a single   destination and which fully understands its entity as well as its duties.   It realizes the essence of its faith and what it has to do of good deeds   which include, among other tasks, the leadership of humanity along its own path. To execute this tremendous duty, counseling and exhortation becomes a necessity.

Counsel and exhortation to be steadfast are also a necessity because the   sustenance of faith and good deeds and catering for right and equity are   the hardest tasks ever to carry out. This makes endurance utterly   indispensable. Endurance is also necessary when adapting oneself to the   Islamic way of life, when confronting others, when afflicted with maltreatment and hardship. Steadfastness is necessary when evil and   falsehood triumph. It is necessary for traversing the length of the   route, putting up with the slowness of the process of reform, the   obscurity of road-posts and the lengthy road leading to the destination.

Imam Razi has cited a scholar as saying: I understood the meaning of Surah Al- Asr from an ice-seller, who was calling aloud for the attention of the people repeatedly in the bazar: Have mercy on the one whose wealth is melting away! Hearing what he was crying I said to myself: this then is the meaning of Walasri innal-insana lafi khusrin. The age-limit that man has been allotted is passing quickly like the melting away of ice. If it is wasted, or spent in wrong pursuits, it will be sheer loss to man. Thus, swearing an oath by the Time what has been said in this Surah, means that the fast passing Time is witness that devoid of these four qualities in whatever occupation and work man is spending his limited span of life, he is engaged in bad bargains. Only such people are engaged in good bargains, who work in the world, characterized by the four qualities.

Now, let us consider the four qualities on the existence of which depends man’s being secure from loss and failure.

Of these the first quality is Iman (Faith). Although this word at some places in the Quran has been used in the meaning of only verbal affirmation of Faith

In fact, true believers are those who believed in Allah and His Messenger, then entertained no doubt. (Surah Al- Hujurat, Ayat 15).

Those who said: Allah is our Lord, and then stood steadfast by it. (Surah HaMim As-Sajdah, Ayat 30).

True believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe, whenever Allah is mentioned to them. (Surah Al-Anfaal, Ayat 2).

Nay, (O Prophet), by your Lord, they can never become believers until they accept you as judge for the decision of the disputes between them, and then surrender to your decision with entire submission without the least resentment in their hearts. (Surah An-Nisa, Ayat 65).

Besides exhorting to the truth, the other thing which has been declared as a necessary condition for keeping the believers and their society secure from loss is that the members of the society should enjoin patience upon one another. That is, they should enjoin upon one another to bear with fortitude and steadfastness the difficulties, hardships, trials, losses and deprivations which befall the one who adheres to the truth and supports it. Each one of them should encourage the other to bear up against adversity steadfastly.

This is story of Prophet Ayub Peace Be Upon Him, when he tested with loss of wealth, children and health, he lost everything still praised Allah in Allah conditions.

Iblis reminded wife of Ayub Alaihisallam  her of the days when Ayub had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of yeas of hardship overcame her, and she burst into tears. She said to Ayub:

"How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah to remove this suffering?"

Ayub sighed, and in a soft voice replied:

"Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me, how long did I enjoy good health and riches?"

She replied, "For eighty years"

Then Ayub asked, "How long am I suffering like this?"

She said, "for seven years"

Prophet Ayoub Peace Be Upon Him Prayed to Allah;

"Verily, dsitress has seized me, and You and the Most Merciful of all those who show Mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them - as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who whorship Us" Quran 21:83-84               

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to us)." [Quran:38:4]. , 

During these times we must remember Allah more, pray harder, and be more thankful instead of being dissatisfied with our condition. We should praise and thank Allah for every condition that he tests us with. As we know these are the times when Satan tries to work on us the most by playing with our minds, emotions, and weaknesses. Allah would never forget to reward a servant for such a great task.

May Allah give us the faith and the patience when we are tested. Ameen.

This is story of Prophet Yusuf Peace Be Upon Him, how he remain steadfast, patient when Shaitan tempted him with evil act.

" And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him (to do an evil act), she closed the doors and said: "Come on, O you." He said: "I seek refuge in Allâh (or Allâh forbid)! Truly, he (your husband) is my master! He made my stay agreeable! (So I will never betray him). Verily, the Zâlimûn (wrong and evil-doers) will never be successful."

And in the next ayah 12:24 ;

" And indeed she did desire him and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. "

Prophet Yusuf was certainly possess the righteous conduct by Allah S.W.T's will, thereby, he remain innocence. He had been able to defeat his nafs (sexual desire) just because of the fear of Allah S.W.T. Today in this modern era, Muslim youth are exposed with evil culture, particularly the western secularism culture which apparently could challenge our nafs.  Muslim Youth in this material world are in the critical stage where they are easily influenced by vices that propagated by the west. Can we steadfastly be able to adhere our Islamic Value by enjoining good and forbiding evil ?  Allah says in Al-Quran that we (Muslims) are the best Ummah (Khairul Ummah) and the purpose is to invite toward good and forbid evil as in surah Ali Imran : 104 ;

" Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain
felicity."

The story of Prophet Yusuf is the best example for us to follow, on how the fear of Allah S.W.T has able to overcome carnal desire and destroyed evil. For those who strive for the path of Allah s.w.t, definitely He will shows the right ways, as in Surah Ankabut : 69 , Allah s.w.t says ;

"And those who strive in Our (cause),- We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily God is with those who do right."

Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great reward.

This is story of Sad bin Abi Waqas , 'Umar Farooq  was very impressed by the strength of his faith and the firm and truthfulness. He could never forget that incident which depicted the degree of his devotion to Islam. He had accepted Islam as a young boy; this disturbed and saddened his mother very deeply because he had given up the faith of his fathers and forefathers. She tried in many ways to bring h m back into the fold of Kuffir. When nothing worked she used the last resort of mothers to emotionally blackmail her obedient and loving son. This is something, which makes their determination falter and their resolutions fail. She went on a hunger strike and declared she would not eat until her son came back to the religion of his forefathers. She vowed that rather die than see her son become a Muslim.

Sa'd bin Abi Waqas was unnerved when he saw her stubbornness, but pure faith had taken strong roots in h s heart, so his strong feet, firmly planted in Islam, did not totter. His mother was close to death by starvation and thirst. Displaying strong determination and courage he said to her:

"Dear mother if you had a hundred lives within your body, and each one of those hundred lives were to leave your body in front of my eyes, even then I would not recant and give up my faith, in Islam. It is your wish whether you want to eat or not; as for myself, I will not leave my Prophet g." Seeing that it was of no use and her son was stubborn as a rock, she finished her hunger strike. This resolution and determination of Sa'd bin Abi Waqgs  RadiAllah unho has been made immortal:

Yusuf Ali

"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did." (31:15)

From the Seerah of the Prophet (s):

‘Ata ibn Rabah related that he heard Ibn ‘Abbas say: “Shall I show you a woman of Paradise?”I said: “Yes, indeed.” He said: “A black woman came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and said: ‘I suffer from epileptic fits, and because of these, (at times) my body becomes uncovered. Would you invoke Allah, the Exalted One, to cure me of this disease? ‘ The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘If you wish, you can be patient and you will attain Paradise (for this suffering). But if you prefer, I will pray to Allah, the Exalted, to cure you of it?’ The woman said: ‘I will be patient,’ then added: ‘I become uncovered (when I have fits), so invoke Allah for me that I do not become uncovered. ‘ So the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed for her.” [Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 4, #1a]

Story of  ‘Urwah Ibn Al Zubair

‘Urwah Ibn Al Zubair had an operation, and the doctor amputated his leg.  One friend came to visit him. ‘Urwah thought that the fried came to pacify him for the loss of his leg. So ‘Urwah told the visitor: If you came to give me condolence for the loss of my leg, I already submitted to Allah with patience to reward me for its loss.  The guest told him, I came to inform you that your son fell down in a stable, and the animals stepped over him, and he died one hour ago. ‘Urwah said: O Allah! You took one child, and left me many…You took one organ from my body, and left me many organs…O Allah! You tested me with my body, and you were kind to leave me with good health.  You tested me with the loss of my son, but you were kind in leaving me the rest of my children.

During times of deep trial, despair, and sadness, Muslims seek comfort and guidance in the words of Allah in the Qur'an. Allah reminds us that all people will be tried and tested in life, and calls upon Muslims to bear these trials with "patient perseverance and prayer." Indeed, Allah reminds us that many people before us have suffered and had their faith tested; so too will we be tried and tested in this life.

"Seek Allah's help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble." (2:45)

"And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish." (11:115)

They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” Surah Barkrah

This is how I understood Patience ( Sabr) in Islamic Perspective.

        I.            Iman – The Faith and Belief

      II.            Entering complete into Islam, in all spheres of life, the only color the color of Allah.

    III.            You will be tested like Prophet Ayub Peace upon Him, like Prophet Yusuf Peace Be Upon Him.

    IV.            Sabr – when you remain steadfast in these test you will rewarded with Jannah.

      V.            This is Complete meaning of Patience in Islam, Patience will take you to Jannah.

Keep Watch What You Eat

PRODUCT WHICH WILL HARM YOU

What is Haram?

The Qur'an makes it quite clear as to what is halal and haram. Basically, all food is halal except for the following:

• Meat from swine
• Pork-based products and by-products
• Animals improperly slaughtered, or already dead before slaughtering is due to take place
• Animals killed or sacrificed in the name of others than Allah (swt)
• Intoxicants/alcohol
• Most carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears (i.e., snakes, reptiles, worms, insects etc.)
• Blood and blood by-products
• Foods contaminated with any of the above products

{foods which are forbidden}: The Holy Qur'an, 5:3 - Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah (swt); that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars)...

{prohibition of intoxicants): The Holy Qur'an, 5:90 - O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.

Ingredients to look out for:

Haram(prohibited) ingredients are those ingredients whose source are from pork, pork by-products, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, human body such as human hair.

BONE PHOSPHATE - E542 An anti-caking agent made from the degreased steam-extract from animal bones.

COCHINEAL/CARMINE - E120, E122 A red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects. Note: E124 Ponceau 4R is acceptable although it is sometimes known as Cochineal Red A.

GELATINE Gelatine is an odourless, tasteless, protein substance like glue or jelly, obtained by boiling the bones, hoofs, and other waste parts of animals. Vegetarian alternatives such as Agar Agar and Gelozone exist.

GLYCERINE - E422 May be produced from animal fats, synthesised from propylene or from fermentation of sugars..

L-CYSTEINE A flavour and improving agent manufactured from animal hair and chicken feathers.

MAGNESIUM STEARATE May be made from animal fat. Often found in medicines.

RENNET (ANIMAL) An enzyme taken from the stomach of a newly killed calf used in the cheese making process. Vegetarian cheese is produced using microbial or fungal enzymes, or chymosin.

VANILLA EXTRACT Vanilla is a plant product. It is extracted with alcohol as the solvent of choice, from the vanilla bean and is normally kept in a solution containing alcohol. If you examine at a bottle of vanilla extract, you will find it lists alcohol as an ingredient, along with the percentage of alcohol.

WHEY During cheese making, a coagulum is formed by clotting milk with rennet. When the coagulum is cut, a watery liquid known as whey is released and drained off leaving the curd to be salted and further processed into cheese. Whey contains water, fat, protein, lactose, minerals and lactic acid. Cream, butter, cheese, drinks, syrups and powder are some of the products made from whey.

SHELLAC E904: a resin from the lac insect

EMULSIFIERS (E470 to E483) - haram if obtained from pork or non-halal sources.

 

Halal Products Must Confirm to Three Things - 

1. Source must be Halal
2. Content Must Be Halal
3. Process from which Final Product is Made must be Halal.

When product confirms to these things then only it can be called as Halal Product.

Taqawa is what you eat?

WHAT PEPSI AND OTHERS DOING TO ENHANCE TASTE

What You Don't Know About Flavor Enhancers Can Harm You

The receptors are made from HEK293 -- HEK stands for Human Embryonic Kidney cells, with 293 denoting that the HEK was from the 293rd experiment. HEK293 originally came from a healthy, electively aborted baby whose cells were then harvested and cloned.

"Senomyx's salt taste, savory flavor, and sweet flavors -- as well as all their other flavor enhancers -- are purposefully developed so that they stimulate your taste buds without them actually tasting anything ... Much like MSG, these flavor enhancers operate on the neurological level to produce these reactions ...

Since they are not actually ingredients but rather 'enhancers' they are not required to be listed in a package's ingredients except as 'artificial flavors' ... [And] because very small amounts of the additives are used ... Senomyx's chemicals have not undergone the FDA's usual safety approval process for food additives."

It's no secret that most processed foods contain a variety of "artificial" and "natural" flavors intended to make you crave a certain brand of chips or cookies over another. But what is largely unknown to most consumers is that a new variety of food additive is already on the market and probably in some of your favorite snack foods.

These new additives are unique because they are not flavors at all. They are chemicals that contain no flavor of their own, rather they activate or block taste receptors in your mouth. The chemicals can mimic or enhance the taste of sugar, salt and monosodium glutamate (MSG), for example. 

Amazingly, these flavor-altering compounds are used in small amounts (less than one part per million), which means companies like Senomyx do not have to go through the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval process typically necessary to release food additives. Instead of the lengthy FDA process, the compound only has to be classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association --  a process that can take as little as 18 months, with a mere 3 months of safety testing on rats.

"Unlike artificial sweeteners, Senomyx's chemical compounds will not be listed separately on ingredient labels. Instead, they will be lumped into a broad category -- "artificial flavors" -- already found on most packaged food labels."

Embryonic Kidney Cells from Aborted Baby Used to Create Tastier Junk Foods

Food Additives Increase Your Toxic Load

Cancer is, by and large, a man-made disease caused by a highly unnatural lifestyle and continuous exposures to excess chemicals, including chemicals in your food.

more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035276_Pepsi_fetal_cells_business_operations.html#ixzz1tJyh5cgz

more:http://www.naturalnews.com/035276_Pepsi_fetal_cells_business_operations.html#ixzz1tJylfcaf

Pepsi's lawyers say Mountain Dew can dissolve a mouse

more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034602_Mountain_Dew_mouse_dissolved.html#ixzz1tJz60ODw

NaturalNews) While drinking Mountain Dew, have you ever seen (or perhaps felt on your tongue) a thick, jelly-like substance? Maybe you assumed the ingredients in the soda had gelled. According to Mountain Dew manufacturer Pepsi, you may have been ingesting some extra protein with your beverage in the form of a liquified rodent.
Quench your thirst with some chemicals

NaturalNews has reported many times in the past on the health dangers of soda, including the fact that Mountain Dew and other fruit-flavored beverages contain a flame retardant chemical (http://www.naturalnews.com/034448_brominated_vegetable_oil_soft_drinks_chemical.html). The bright green color of this soda obviously derives from food colorings, many of which also have negative health consequences.

more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034602_Mountain_Dew_mouse_dissolved.html#ixzz1tJzAHx1Y

Coca-Cola, Pepsi to reduce 'cancer-causing' caramel coloring content of their soft drinks

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/mar/09/coke-pepsi-recipe-change-avoid-cancer-warning

Coke and Pepsi change recipe to avoid cancer warning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17308181

Coke and Pepsi change the way they make their drinks to avoid a cancer warning label in compliance with Californian law

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-coke-pepsi-idUSBRE82814V20120309

Pepsi and Coke may cause Cancer?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2112335/Coke-Pepsi-change-recipe-avoid-putting-cancer-warning-labels.html

Cancer warnings

One has to wonder if this warning would drastically affect the sales of these beverages.  Don’t cigarette packages have dire warnings with disturbing graphics printed on their labels?   Have not other food products also been linked to cancer, such as aspartame and other synthetic sweeteners and food additive products.   So what is it and is there a real concern over 4-MEI?

Tareq Bin Ziyad

Tareq Bin Ziyad

.

Tariq ibn Ziyad was born in the tribe of Natzawah (a Berber tribe of North Africa). His father was an early convert to Islam who had joined the Faith since the days of the first liberator of North Africa, 'Uqbah ibn Nati' AI-Fihri . Upon the death of his father Tareq bin Ziyad , still a young teenager joined  the Muslim army in North Africa. Despite his young age he showed great courage and enthusiasm for the Faith and for its spread in the hearts of people.  Soon he won the trust of Musa ibn Nusair who appointed him Governor of Tangier and its surroundings in the Far West (as Morocco was called then), when the area was liberated from Roman control.  

History tells us that Spain at the time was suffering from turmoil and strife under the rule of Rodrigos who usurped the Spanish throne from its rightful heirs. Julian had sent his daughter to get education at the Spanish Court in Toledo. But Rodrigos apparently did not observe the rules of propriety in dealing with royal guests. Julian's daughter was badly mistreated and imprisoned by him. When her father learnt of the news he was enraged. Julian convinced the legal heirs of the Spanish throne to seek help from the Muslim Arabs who had conquered the whole of North Africa and were near the doors of the Iberian Peninsula. Both of them talked to Tariq ibn Zivad who suggested to them to talk to his Emir Musa ibn Nusair in Kairawan in Tunisia. Naturally, Musa ibn Nusair and Tareq bin Ziyad were already studying the ways and means of carrying the banner of Islam across the sea to Spain. So Julian's visit gave Mussa ibn Nusair a golden opportunity to learn more closely of the situation in Spain. Musa ibn Nusair wrote to the Caliph at Damascus for permission to invade Spain. Due to the novelty of the experience the Caliph was very reserved in his reply. He suggested that scouting expeditions be sent to Spain before any major invasion was undertaken. Tareef another Berber Muslim was chosen to lead 400 commandoes tor the task of military exploration or scouting. The expedition was a success. Upon the return of Tareef, Musa ibn Nusair decided that the time was ripe for the invasion.

Tariq ibn Zivad was chosen to lead the army of 5000 men under the pretense of saving the Spanish throne. Tariq ibn Ziyad was supported by a group of experts, Arab and Berber alike. Julian was to supply the ships to transport the fighters, and he was also to act as a guide for them on the Spanish land. It has been pointed out by historians that the move was a tactful and strategic one. For if the Muslims used their own ships it would have attracted attention to them. The Muslim fighters crossed the strait in groups and gathered at the mount called later the Mount of Tariq (Gibraltar), after the name of their commander. This was achieved in 92 A.H. (711 G.). In order to show his soldiers the seriousness of the situation,  Tareq bin Ziyad burnt all the ships that carried them to the Iberian Peninsula. In his historic speech to his army he said, "0 people! Where is the flight? The sea is behind you, and the enemy is in front of you. By Allah! You have no alternative except patience and steadfastness.

On Sunday, 28th of Ramadhan 92 AH  (19th July 711 AD) the battle  started between the Muslim army under the command of Tareq bin Ziyad and the Spanish army under the command of Rodrigues . Naturally, by then the Muslim army received a new reinforcement of 5000 men, carried this time by the Muslim fleet. Julian's men acted as agents for the conquerors by pointing out to the Spaniards the truth about the Muslims: that they were not colonizers, nor military invaders, but rather "carriers" of a message of peace and liberation. So, a part of the Spanish cavalry deserted Rodrigues. This caused chaos in the army, and many soldiers started running for their lives. However, the battle continued and the Muslims started winning the war. Rodrigues fled, leaving behind his defeated army.  In 14 months all the major towns of Toledo, Seville, Morda and others were under Muslim control, and in two years’ time almost the whole of the Iberian Peninsula was already under Muslim rule, which lasted for the next 800 years.

To the conquest of Spain by Muslims many historians attribute the cultural developments in Europe that led later to the Renaissance. The Muslims brought to Spain the net products of many civilizations that extended from the Atlantic Ocean in the West to India and China in the East. It was in Muslim Spanish centers of learning that many influential European scholars had their education.

Liberalization India's Journey to Nowhere

1991-2011 – Liberalization – India’s Journey to Nowhere

The caretaker government in India headed by Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, and Finance Minister Yashwant  Sinha’s immediate response was to secure an emergency loan of $2.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund by pledging 67 tons of India's gold reserves as collateral. Reserve Bank of India had to pledge India’s gold reserve to secure an emergency loan from the IMF which caused national outrage resulting in the caretaker government’s ouster and Congress won the fresh elections.

The move helped tide over the balance of payment crisis and kick-started Manmohan Singh’s economic reform process.

Crisis was caused by current account deficits and currency overvaluation.

The economic crisis was primarily due to the large and growing fiscal imbalances over the 1980s. During mid eighties, India started having balance of payments problems. Precipitated by the Gulf War, India’s oil import bill swelled, exports slumped, credit dried up and investors took their money out.

Due to the currency devaluation the Indian Rupee fell from 17.50 per dollar in 1991 to 26 per dollar in 1992. The investor confidence also played significant role in the sharp exchange rate depreciation. (Government stole money overnight from people, and country become poor.)

Root cause of the crisis: Gross (state and center combined) fiscal deficit (Expenditure more than Revenue) reached 12.7% in 1990-91. The Government borrowed from RBI to cover up the shortfall (deficit) not covered by the revenue. Money supply expanded as a result which led to high inflation. Government debt increased to 53% of GDP at the end of 1990-91 and the interest payments increased to 20% of the total central government expenditure in 1990-91.

Where Do India Stand Today

Are we heading towards the dangerous economic crisis of 1991? According to a report presented by major industry body FICCI on, the current financial situation is somewhat similar to 1991. The report presents a very gloomy picture of the economy. Report said that current state of borrowings and fiscal imbalance is more worrying than the crises two decades earlier.
FICCI’s report says that in the decade prior to 1991, the government’s borrowings increased significantly by annual average rate of 12 percent. Whereas in last five years, government’s borrowings increased by annual average rate of 32 percent. Similarly in the decade of 80s, non-plan expenditure saw an annual average increase of 20 percent whereas it is growing by annual average rate of 30 percent presently.
In last five years, fiscal deficit has grown by annual average rate of 30 percent as compared to annual average rate of 18 percent prior to the 1991 crisis. In the present scenario, growing revenue deficit is seen as a threat by economists.

Situation may worsen further by consistent slow revenue collection figures. In the last five FY, tax revenue growth has been 13 percent whereas it was 16 percent in the decade ended in 1990-91.

Trade deficit records new high at $185 b

The rising trade deficit, touching $184.9 billion mark, was a worrying factor.

Owing to the huge trade deficit, the current account deficit (CAD) is likely to be close to an uncomfortable 4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011-12.

The economic indicators are worrisome certainly. After the massive overrun of the budget estimate last fiscal, the projected fiscal deficit for 2012-13 at 5.1 per cent appears ambitious.

History of selling the Countries Assets

(How we reduced fiscal deficit by selling stakes in PSU)

Trends in the current account deficit are even more troubling. At 4 per cent of GDP in the first nine months of 2011-12, the current deficit is at levels not seen in a while. Rising oil prices, the consequent higher import bill, and a surge in gold imports seem to have combined with a fall in capital inflows to push up the deficit. Net FII investment in the stock market fell by more than half to Rs.47,935 crore in 2011-12, with most of it coming in the last quarter, according to SEBI data.

The trend of a rising current account deficit and falling capital inflows should be seen in the context of the foreign exchange reserves, which have been falling in recent months, thanks to the central bank's market intervention to support the rupee. At the current level of a little over $258 billion, the reserves cover about five months of imports, which is not a very comfortable position.

How much Precious Assets have been sold

In the name of divestment India has sold RS.  1, 00,264.71 (USD 25 billion) of assets i.e. public sector enterprises. Basically this is used to show fiscal prudence, but this is not fiscal prudence. Today situation is worst and with ONGC fiasco in selling FPO, government is looking at other alternatives. According to Bloomberg report government is planning find innovative way to sell the nation. This fiscal prudence has come from selling assets, auctioning natural resources. In 2010 it was one time profit from auctioning 3G telecom licenses.

The government had in 2010 mobilized Rs 1.08 lakh crore from auctioning of spectrum for 3G and broadband wireless access (BWA) services.

Nation for Sell

Now comes this wire from Bloomberg on another new plan. India plans to borrow as much as 500 billion rupees ($9.5 billion) using land and shares as collateral to bridge a budget deficit. The South Asian nation will set up a fund manager by Jan. 15 that will pledge stocks it holds in non-state companies including ITC Ltd. (ITC), Axis Bank Ltd. (AXSB) and Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (LT), the officials said declining to be identified before a public announcement. The company will use the proceeds to buy the government’s stakes in state-run firms.

The new holding company will pledge the stakes and real estate properties transferred to it from the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, an agency formed in 2003. The state-run firm will be wound up within 3 weeks and the assets will be transferred to the new company, the officials said.

This is amazing jugglery and engineering to manage the fiscal deficit. Each year something like this comes…Though execution will be a task. Pledging land etc is a task which takes a long time.

A Myth Called Foreign Currency Reserve

India has foreign currency reserves of around 295 billion USD. Important question is it enough. If we look at its contribution, which has almost 142 billion USD in securities which is considered as hot money and can fly anytime. This will crash the stock market and rupee will collapse, this is reality. In real term we may consider this amount to be in the range of 175 billion USD to 195 billion USD. This may be enough for 3 months imports. If oil goes to 150 USD or more then all calculations will go awry.

The second problem is India’s coverage of foreign debt with foreign currency reserve. It stands at around 88% and may go down further. This is alarming situation.

What India Achieved

If we came back and situation looks similar then what really India achieved. In last 20 years we sold assets to be prudent, we opened market and still we are at the situation. Liberalization is starring at India’s policy makers.

India was Once a self sufficient in all aspects, now we are importing food i.e. Pulses, Edible Oil and many more items.

India’s consumer electronics is dominated by foreign companies and BPO is always criticized by great friend USA.

If we look at India’s HDI report (Human Development Indicators) we are doing poorly rather than excellent. Poverty is reduced by taking down poverty line. Is this economics, or politics?

In 2000 INDIA has been ranked 128th amongst 174 countries for which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released its latest computations of the Human Development Index (HDI).

In 2011 India ranks a low 134 among 187 countries in terms of the human development index (HDI), which assesses long-term progress in health, education and income indicators, said a UN report released on Wednesday. Although placed in the "medium" category, India's standing is way behind scores of economically less developed countries including Iraq and Philippines and Sri Lanka has been ranked 97. Iran is much higher at 88 and Cuba at 51.

The countries which are facing discrimination and ban from capitalist nations are doing good and liberalized India is doing badly. In fact its rank has gone down from128 to 132. Is this called development?

The most important question is why India liberalizing?

How to Win Heart

How to Win Peoples Heart

One of the most difficult things is winning the hearts. This journey starts with knowing a human being and understanding, then winning his heart. Really this is a big challenge. Very few people are able to achieve this art. Art of winning hearts is difficult art.

All people endeavor to specialize in techniques that are needed in order for them to excel in their fields of operation or work.

Winning hearts is also an art with its own ways and means.

Some-one successfully captures your heart, not with wealth, status, or lineage, but merely by his interpersonal skills. Hence, hearts are not won by force, wealth, beauty or status. They are won by much less of a sacrifice, yet few are able to win them.

Deal with the people so skillfully that they love you for who you are and what you say, and for your smile, gentleness and generosity. They will love the fact that you overlook their faults and stand by them at times of hardship. Do not allow their hearts to be attached merely to your status and your purse!

The one who provides his children and wife with wealth, food and drink only does not win their hearts by doing so, but only their stomachs! The one who showers his family with wealth while he mistreats them does not win their hearts; rather; he only wins their pockets. For this reason, do not be surprised if you see a young man who faces a problem and therefore complains to his friend, teacher, or the Imam of a mosque, but not to his own father. This would be because the father has failed to win over his heart and break down barriers. On the other hand, it is the teacher or the friend, who has managed to win his heart;

A believer worships Allah by being well-mannered and dealing pleasantly with all, not to attain status or wealth, or for people's praise, or to get married, etc., but only so that Allah may love him and make him beloved to His creation. Yes! Whoever considers exercising good manners as worship will deal courteously with everyone, be the rich or poor, a manager or a tea-boy. If one day a poor cleaner on the street stretches out his hand for you to shake it, and then another day a director of some company stretches his hand out in the same way, will you treat them equally? Will you welcome them both, and smile at them equally?

The Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) wouldcertainly treat them both equally in terms of welcoming them and showing them sincere conduct and compassion. Who knows, perhaps the one you may belittle and look down upon might actually be better in Allah's sight than he who you look up to and show honor and respect to. The Prophet PBUH said, "The most beloved of you to me, and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in manners." (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet PBUH also said to al-Ashaj bin 'Abd Qays, "You have two qualities that Allah and His Messenger love."What are these two qualities? Praying at night? Fasting all day? Al-Ashaj became overjoyed and said, "What are the two qualities, 0 Messenger of Allah?"

The Prophet PBUH said, "Forbearance and patience." (Ahmad and Muslim)

The Prophet PBUH was asked about piety, and he replied, "Piety is to show good manners:' (Muslim)

He PBUH was asked about the deed on account of which most will enter paradise, He PBUH said, "Fear of Allah and good manners." (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet PBUH said, "The most complete in faith are those best in their character, those who are easy to socialize with, and those who get along with others and others get along with them. There is no good in the one who cannot get along with others and others cannot get along with him:' (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet PBUH said, "there is nothing heavier in the scales than good manners:' (Abu Dawud, Sahih)

The Prophet PBUH said, "A person by his good character reaches the rank of the one praying at night and fasting all day." (alTirmidhi, Sahih)

The one who improves his character becomes successful in both worlds. Consider the incident of Umm Salamah - may Allah be pleased with her - when she sat with the Messenger of Allah PBUH and thought about the Hereafter and what Allah had promised her.

She said,"0 Messenger of Allah! A woman might be married twice in this world. When she and her husband’s die and they all enter paradise, who is she going to be with?"

What did he PBUH say in response? That she will be with the one who prayed the longest? Or the one who fasted the most? Or the most knowledgeable of them? No! Rather, he (PBUH) said, "she will be with the best of them in character?'

The one who improves his character becomes successful in both worlds.

As a matter of fact, Allah's words in his praise are something we will continue to recite until the Last Day, "And indeed, you (0 Muhammad Peace be Upon Him) are on an exalted standard of character!"

The Prophet's character in its entirety was the Qur'an. When he recited, "Be good, for Allah loves those who are good" he was good to the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the noble and the weak. When he heard Allah's words, "Forgive and overlook..." he forgave and overlooked. When he recited, "Speak well to the people..." he spoke well to all.

The Prophet PBUH was so eager to improve his character that he would pray to Allah,"0 Allah, just as you have beautified my physical being, beautify my character." (Ahmad, Sahih) He PBUH also would say,"0 Allah, guide me to the best of manners, for none guides to them except You. Protect me from bad manners, for none can protect me except You." (Muslim)

Purify your intention so that your interpersonal skills can turn into acts of worship, with which you can draw closer to Allah.

There are things which people unanimously love and appreciate, and things which they unanimously dislike. There are also things upon which they differ so while some may be appreciative of them, others Il) may find them cumbersome. Hence, everyone loves to be smiled at and hates to be frowned at, yet some may appreciate jokes whilst others may not. Some people may like others visiting them whilst others would rather be left alone may love to talk excessively whilst others may not. Often feel comfortable with those of the same nature as themselves.

On another occasion, the Prophet PBUH fought the Jews of Khaybar briefly and then made a peace agreement with them where he stipulated that they were not to hide any of their wealth, or conceal any gold and silver, and that they must present everything to him so he may decide what to do with it. He also warned them that if they were to hide anything, then they would have no agreement or pact..

Huyay bin Akhtab was one of their leaders who had returned from Madinah with a leather bag full of gold and jewelry and then passed away, leaving behind all his wealth, which the Jews concealed from the Messenger of Allah PBUH. The Prophet PBUH saidto the uncle of Huyay bin Akhtab, "What happened to what Huyay brought from Banu Nadheer (i.e., the leather bag )?"

He said, "It was all spent on expenses and wars." The Prophet ~ thought about what he said, and it occurred to him that Huyay had only died recently and that the wealth he had brought over was of a huge amount. Moreover, there had not occurred any war recently that it could have been spent on. The Prophet ~ said, "The wealth was only brought here recently, and it was too much to have been spent so quickly."

The Jewish man said, "The wealth and jewellery have all been spent." The Prophet PBUH realized .that the man was lying, so he looked at his companions, who were many in number, and each of them understood his message. The Prophet ss then turned to az-Zubayr bin al-'Awwam and said,"0 Zubayr, give him a taste of punishment."

As az-Zubayr began his approach the man was terrified. Knowing that his situation was grave, he said, "Well, I did see Huyay once going into this deserted place!" and pointed to an old abandoned house. The Muslims went into the house and found the wealth hidden therein. This is how the Prophet ~ was with az-Zubayr.

Yes, everyone has a special key to open his heart, earn his love and influence hlrn. We notice this often in our lives. Perhaps you have heard work colleagues say that if you want to get the manager to agree to something, then so-and-so is the key, or if you want anything, ask so-and-so to speak to him on your behalf. Why not then use your skills to open up people's hearts and be a head instead of being a tail? Yes, be special and look for the keys with which to open up the hearts of your mother, father, wife and children. Find the key to the heart of your manager at work and your colleagues. Knowing the keys to their hearts helps them accept good advice when it is offered, that is if the advice is presented in an appropriate manner, as people do not all react the same way when advised.

Once, the Prophet $ was sitting in a blessed gathering of his and speaking to his companions, meanwhile, a man entered the mosque, looking to his left and right. Then, instead of sitting in the Prophet's circle, he headed for a corner of the mosque and began to undo his lower garment. The people were left in suspense as to what he is going to do next. Then, to their horror, he raised his lower garment, sat down quite calmly and began to urinate!

The Companions were shocked and exploded upon seeing him urinate in the mosque. They were about to rush towards him, but the Prophet ~ asked them to stay seated and keep their calm; he said, "Do not interrupt him!" The Companions watched as he urinated and perhaps he wasn't even aware of them looking on! The Prophet ss, as he witnessed the scene - a man urinating in the mosque - continued to calm his Companions down.

How forbearing he was! When the Bedouin had finished and stood up to tie his garment around his waist, the Prophet ~ . called him gently. The Bedouin came and stood in front of the Prophet ~.The Prophet ~ said, "The mosques are not built for this purpose. They are only built for prayers and reading of the Qur'an."

This was end of his brief advice. The man understood the Prophet's words and left. When the time for prayer came, the Bedouin came and prayed along with them. The Prophet ~ initiated the prayer with his Companions by saying "Allahu Akbar". He then recited and bowed. When he raised up from bowing, he said, "Allah hears the one who praises Him." The Companions said, "Our Lord, to you belong all the praise!" Except that this man added,"0 Allah, have mercy on me and Muhammad, and no one else!"

The Prophet ~ heard him, and when the prayer finished, he turned around and asked who said those words. The Companions pointed out the man to him, so he asked him to come forward. When he came and sat in front of him, 10 and behold, it was the same Bedouin. The Prophet's love had entered into his heart so deeply that he wished that the Prophet and he be the recipients of Allah's mercy exclusively.

The Prophet ~ said to him, "You have narrowed what is vast!" Meaning that Allah's mercy was enormous enough to include them two and everyone else, so it should not have been restricted to the two of them only. Notice how the Prophet ~managed to capture his heart by knowing how to deal with him, for he was a Bedouin who had just come from the desert. He could not be expected to be as knowledgeable as Abu Bakr and 'Umar, or even Mu'adh' and 'Ammar, and hence he should not be treated like them either.

Let's look at the case of Mu'awiyah bin al-Hakm, - may Allah be pleased with him - who was just a regular Companion. He did not live in Madinah, or even accompany the Prophet PBUH often; rather, he had cattle in the desert to tend to. One day, Mu'awiyah entered Madinah and visited the mosque. He sat in the gathering of the Prophet ~ and his Companions as they were discussing the etiquettes of sneezing. One of the etiquettes the Prophet ~taught was that if one hears his brother sneeze and then praise Allah, he should say to him 'YarhamukAllah' (i.e., 'May Allah have mercy on you'). Mu'awiyah committed this to his memory and left. After a few days he returned to Madinah to fulfil a need and entered the mosque where the Prophet PBUH  was praying with his Companions, so he joined them. As they were praying, one of the Companions sneezed, and before he could say "al-Hamdulillah", Mu'awiyah remembered that he was supposed to respond, so he hurriedly said i in a loud voice, "YarhamukAllah!" The people who were praying became confused and began to look at him with disapproving looks. When he noticed the commotion he became confused and said, "Woe be to me! Why are you staring at me?!"

The Companions began to strike their hands on their thighs, insisting that he be silent, and he complied. When the prayer was over, the Prophet $ turned to the congregation. He had heard the commotion and the voice of the one who spoke, but the voice had belonged to a new, unfamiliar person. He asked, 'Who spoke?' and the people pointed at Mu'awiyah. The Prophet PBUH asked him to come forward and he did. He was terrified as he didn't know what would happen to him for interrupting the prayer and ruining people's concentration.

Mu'awiyah said, "May my mother and father be sacrificed for him! By Allah, I have never seen before him nor after him a leader who gave better instruction than he. I swear that he did not scold, beat or revile me, but simply said: 'Talking to people is not befitting during the prayer, for it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring his Greatness and recitation of the Qur'an. This is how brief his advice was:' Mu'waiyah understood the advice and when he felt more comfortable.

The Messenger of Allah PBUH dispatched a group of his Companions to al-Huraqat, a, sub-tribe of Juhaynah. Usamah bin Zayd was one of the warrior .The battle commenced in the morning the Muslims became victorious and the enemy fled. A man from amongst the pagans saw that his men were defeated, so he threw his weapons and fled. A man from the Ansar and Usamah began to chase him as he attempted to escape in terror, until he hid behind a tree. Usamah and the Ansari caught up with him and raised their swords to strike him. When he saw the two swords above his head about to come down on him, and realized that death was at his doorstep, he said, "There is no one worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger!" Usamah and the Ansari were puzzled; did he accept Islam sincerely or did he simply say this to save his neck? They were in the middle of a battle and surrounded by bodies, blood and flesh, as the man looked on. They had to make a quick decision, for they could have been struck by an arrow anytime. There was no time to contemplate. While the Ansari withheld, Usamah thought that it was a trick, so he struck him with his sword and killed him. They returned to Madinah victorious. Usamah stood in front of the Prophet ~ and told him the entire story, including what happened to the man they killed. The story was that of Muslim victory, and the Prophet PBUH was rejoicing, that is, until Usamah said, "Then I killed him..." Suddenly, the Prophet's complexion changed and he said, "He said: La Ilaha Illallah and you killed him?!" Usamah said, "He did not say it intentionally! He only said it out of the fear of our weapons!" But the Prophet PBUH repeated his question, "Did he say, 'There is no god worthy of worship but Allah,' and then you killed him? Did you split open his heart to know for certain that he had only said it out of fear of your weapons?" The Prophet PBUH fixed his eyes on Usamah and kept repeating, "Did he say 'There is no god but Allah', and then you killed him! Did he say 'There is no god but Allah', and then you killed him?! How will you deal with his testimony, 'there is no god but Allah', on the Day of Resurrection?" Usamah said, "He continued to repeat himself until I wished I had only accepted Islam that day."