AN ATHEIST TEACHER MEETS HER MATCH

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:

TEACHER : Tommy, do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY : Yes.

TEACHER : Tommy, do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY : Yes.

TEACHER : Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.

TOMMY : Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.

TEACHER : Did you see God?

TOMMY : No.

TEACHER : That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He doesn't exist.

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy :

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Tommy, do you see the tree outside?

TOMMY : Yes.

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Tommy, do you see the grass outside?

TOMMY : Yesssssssss (getting tired of the questions by this time).

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Did you see the sky?

TOMMY : Yessssssssss.

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Tommy, do you see the teacher?

TOMMY : Yes.

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Do you see her brain?

TOMMY : No.

LITTLE FAATHIMA : Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one!!!

"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ISLAM

1.Summiyyah RadiAllahu Anha mother of Ammar RadiAllahu Anhu and wife of Yassir RadiAllahu anhu was the first to meet martyrdom for the cause of Islam. She was killed by Abu Jahl the enemy of Islam.

2.Did you know that Imam Bokhari Rahmatullah Alaih compiled his collection of 7,275 Ahadith by selection from 600,000. Before writing each Hadith he would make 2 Rakaat nafl Salaat. 

3.The 10 Sahabah who were promised Paradise during their lifetime were Abubakr Siddique, Umar bin Khattab, Uthman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib, Talha Bin Ubaidullah, Saeed Bin Zaid, Abu Ubaidah Bin Jarrah, Zubair bin Awwam, Saad Bin Abi Waqqas, and Abdur Rahman Bin Auf RadiAllahu Anhum Ajmaeen.

4.Ammar RadiAllahu Anhu Built the First Masjid at the request of RasoolAllah Alaihi Wa Sallam. It was the Masjid in Quba. 

5.Two of the Ummahatul Mu’mineen (Mothers of the Ummah), (RasoolAllah Sallallahu Wa Sallam’ wives) died before him, they are Khadija RadiAllahu Anha and Zainab Bint Khuzaimah RadiAllahu Anha.

6.Salmaan Farsi RadiAllahu Anhu was the one who suggested to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam about digging a trench around the city of Madina at the time of the battle of Khandakh (trench)

7.Abdullah Ibn Zubair (RA) was the first baby boy to be born after Hijrah. His Father was Zubair (RA) and his mother was Asma (RA). His aunt (mother's sister) was none other than Ummul Mu'mineen Aaiysha (RA) and his grand father was Abu Bakr Siddique (RA)

8.Zaid RadiAllahu Anhu is the only Sahabi whose name is mentioned in the Quran (Surah Ahzaab)

9.Rasulullah (SAW) made duaa to Allah Subhanaho Wa Taala that, He strenghten Islam with Umar bin Al-Khattab or Umar bin Hisham i.e. Abu Jahl. Allah accepted the duaa in favour of Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA). 

10.Abu Bakr (RA) received the title 'As-Siddeeq' on readily saying that he accepted Rasulullah (SAW)'s Night Journey (Mairaaj) to the Heavens when the Kuffar asked for his opinion.

11.Ali bin Abi Talib (RA) walked all the way from Makkah to Madeenah, at the time of Hijrah, while hiding from the pursuing Quraish. 

12.Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (RA) was blessed by Allah to be the first host of Rasulullah (SAW) in Madeenah.

13.Rasulullah (SAW) called Yahya (AS) son of Zakariyyah (AS) 'Shaheed bin Shaheed' meaning 'Martyr son of Martyr'. 

14.Uthman bin Affan (RA) did not fight in the battle of Badr as he stayed home to take care of his sick wife Ruqayyah (RA), daughter of Rasulullah (SAW). She died shortly before Madeenah received the news of Victory for the Muslims in the battlefield.

15.All of Rasulullah (SAW)'s children died before him except for his daughter, Fatimah (RA).

16.Amr bin Thabit (RA) became a muslim during the battle of Uhud, and died as a martyr in the same battle. When asked about him, Rasulullah (SAW) said that he was from the People of Paradise, even though he had not prayed a single salaah.

17.Zaid bin Harith (RA) accompanied Rasulullah (SAW)when he went Taif.

18.The cause of Abu Lahab's death was the wife of his brother Abbas (RA), Umul-Fadl (RA). on hearing about the defeat of non-muslims at Badr, he started abusing a muslim servant, so she took a log and hit him, which caused his skull to crack. He died a few days later because of it. 

19.Ameer ul Mumineen Uthman RA. had given the duty of collecting and compiling the first holy Quran to Zaid Ibn Thaabit RA., who fulfilled it by the help of other companions and off course the help of Allah. Zaid RA. once said that "By Allah, if they had asked me to move a whole mountain from its place, it would have been easier than the task of compiling the Quran which they ordered me to fulfill".

20.Abdullah Ibn Masood RA. was the first Muslim to read the Quran publicly near the Kaaba in Makkah, after the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Waa Sallam.

21.Bilaal RA. was the first Muezzin chosen by RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

22.RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam had four daughters ZAINAB, RUQQAYYAH, UMM KULTHOOM AND FATIMA RadiAllahu Taala Anhun and three sons QASIM, TAYYAB OR TAHIR, AND IBRAHIM, but all the sons died in their infancy.

23.Did you know that the original name of the holy city of Madinah was "YATHRIB"

24.Rasool Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallams' father's name was ABDULLAH and his mother's name was AAMINAH.

25.Khadijah RadiAllahu Anha was the first person and the first woman to take shahada and accept Mohammad Sallallahu alaihi Wa Sallam as the Prophet and Messenger of Allah, followed by Zaid Bin Haritha RA., Ali Ibn Abi Talib RA. and Abu Bakar Siddique RA.

26.The first Hafiz of Quran was Uthman bin Affan (RA, offcourse after RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.

27.Ali RadiAllahu Anhu Said that he heard The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam say "TALHA(RA) AND ZUBAIR(RA) ARE MY NEIGHBORS IN PARADISE"

28.Did you know that Rasoolallah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam performed only one Hajj in his lifetime.

29.Usamah Bin Zaid(RA) was the son of Zaid Bin Harith(RA)and his wife Barakah(RA)(known also by the name of Umm Ayman(RA))

30.If all Quraans in the world today were destroyed, the original Arabic would still remain, because millions of Muslims, called Huffaz have memorized the text of the Quraan letter for letter from beginning to end, every word and syllable. Also, chapters from the Qur'an are precisely recited from memory by every Muslim in each of the five daily prayers. 

31.The Islamic calender is based on the phases of the moon, with it being approximately 11 days shorter than the 365 days of the year in the Georgian calender. Hence, the dates of our festivals (Eid -ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha) move through the year. 

32.Adam Alayhis salam was approximately 30 Ziraa tall. Ziraa is a measurement and one Ziraa is approximately half a metre. 

33.The Majority of muslims do not live in the middle East. The most populous muslim country is Indonesia, the 4th largest country in the world with approximately 184 million muslims 

34.The splitting of the Moon was was one of the greatest miracle of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa sallam. When Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was 52 years old, the leaders of the disbelievers of the Quraish tribe came to him and said, "If you are a Prophet, then split the moon into two parts." Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) dearly wanted the people to convert to Islam, especially his close friends and relatives. He prayed, raising up his hands, and the moon split into two equal halves. Each part of the moon was seen above different mountains. The disbelievers said, "Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has performed magic." They did not accept Islam. 

35.The Ummah of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), are more than that of all the Ummahs of all the other Ambiya put together. 

36.It is obligatory on every Muslim to love Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi wasallam). The sign of love for him is to adapt his way of life and always remember him. 

37.According to the Qur'an, the Kaaba was first built by the Ibrahim Alaihi Salaam and and his son Ismail Alaihi Salaam.

38.Muslims do not worship the Kaaba; the Kaaba is simply a focal point for prayer ordered by Allah Subhanaho Wa Taala..

39.Prominent Kuffar like Abu Jahl would secretly listen to the verses of the Holy Quran because they were fascinated by it.

THE IMAAM AND THE BUS DRIVER

Several years ago an Imam moved to London, United Kingdom. He often took the bus from his home to the downtown area. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the same bus. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a twenty pence ('tuppence') too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh,forget it, it's only a tuppence. Who would worry about this little amount?Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Almighty Allah (swt) and keep quiet." When his stop came, the Imam paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change".The driver with a smile, replied,"Aren't you the new Imam in this area? I have been thinking lately about going to worship at your Mosque. I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change."

When the Imam stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft, he had to grab the nearest light pole and held on for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried: "Oh Allah, I almost sold Islam for twenty pence!"

Brothers and Sisters: We may never see the impact our actions have on people. Sometimes we are the only knowledge of Qu'ran someone will read, or the only Islam someone will see. We can't settle for our sins and think that since we have been defiled by our sins, we cannot be a model for Islamic life.Quite the contrary. We are all on the same level in one aspect, as human beings. We are ALL sinners and need forgiveness.

However, the big difference is that one is saved by belief, that belief of the UNSEEN; that belief that Almighty Allah is watching one. This code of conduct which teaches one morals, etiquettes and values so that we as Human Beings may respect and honour one another.

Be careful and be honest everyday, because you never know who is watching. But, Remember Allah Ta'ala is watching.

 

MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY HELP US IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, Ameen.

COPING WITH THE FEAR THAT OUR WORSHIP WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Dissatisfaction with our sincerity in worship and with our efforts for our faith is usually a good thing. It inspires us to greater efforts, deeper conviction, and a firmer resolve to please our Lord. It prevents us from being prideful and haughty and keeps us from looking down at others when we see their faults and shortcomings.

Sometimes, though, these feelings exceed their proper bounds and can turn destructive, especially if we start feeling that the worship that we are engaged in is not good enough to count; that Allah is not going to accept anything that we do. This can easily lead us down the dark road of despair, where we start to feel that we will never be forgiven and that we cannot hope to attain salvation.

Such feelings deprive us of the peace of mind, the tranquility, and the pleasure that we are supposed to find in worshipping our Lord. This can ultimately lead us to neglect our religious duties.

There are many reasons why we might suffer from these feelings. Sometimes, our distress is the result of our hearing well-intended but misguided exhortations from those who wish to encourage us to greater devotion in our worship. So often we are told how impossible it is to attain true sincerity and how difficult it is for us to work acts of righteousness that Allah will find acceptable.

We need to realize – and hold in our hearts with the greatest conviction – that Allah is merciful and that His mercy is vast. Indeed, He has promised his servants that He will reward them with the best of rewards.

Allah says: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it.” [Sûrah al-Zalzalah: 7]

He says: “Whoever works any act of righteousness and has faith; his endeavor will not be rejected. We shall record it in his favor.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 92]

Allah is most generous. Whenever He promises something, He fulfills His promise, but whenever He threatens something, He is quick to pardon.

We must consider how Allah so often in the Qur’ân speaks of His mercy. Indeed, when we read the Qur’ân, we need to contemplate on words like the following:

“But your Lord is most forgiving, full of mercy”[Sûrah al-Kahf: 58]

“My mercy encompasses all things” [Sûrah al-A?râf: 156]

“Say: Your Lord is a Lord of all-embracing mercy”[Sûrah ah-An?âm: 147]

This is very important, because sometimes pessimism about our worship arises as a result of some evil deed that we have committed. Satan takes this opportunity to whisper into our hearts that we do not deserve Allah’s mercy, causing us to despair. We must seek refuge with Allah from this deception and not succumb to it. Instead, we need to sincerely turn to Allah and beseech His forgiveness, confidence in the knowledge that Allah forgives all sins.

Allah says: “Say: O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of Allah’s Mercy. Truly, Allah forgives all sins. Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Sûrah al-Zumar: 53]

There is no sin that He will not forgive except that of a person who dies on unrepentant polytheism.

Allah says: “Allah does not forgive that anyone should set up partners with Him, but he forgives anything less than that to whom He pleases.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 48]

Allah loves those who turn to Him in repentance, and when His servant repents to Him, it pleases Him immensely. He says: “Allah loves those who turn much in repentance, and He loves those who purify themselves.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 222]

This should encourage us to ask for Allah’s grace, knowing that He loves us to do so.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant when he repents than one of you would be if he were to lose his mount while traveling in barren land while it was carrying his food and drink. Then, if he were to despair of finding it and went over to a tree and laid down in its shade and while sitting there in hopelessness of ever seeing it again, he sees it standing before him.” [Sahîh Muslim]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I swear by Him in whose hand is my soul. If it were not that you sinned, Allah would remove you and bring forth a people who would sin and then seek Allah’s forgiveness so He could forgive them.” [Sahîh Muslim]

We should turn to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and read therein about Allah’s forgiveness. We should remember how Allah forgave a prostitute – a woman who lived by selling her sexual favors – only on account of a small mercy that she showed to a dog. How then shall it be for someone who strives to do right?

We must hasten to good deeds with the optimism that our sincere deeds will be well received.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) relates to us that Allah says: “Whoever comes with a good deed will be given ten times its worth or more so, and whoever comes with an evil deed will be recompensed its worth or I will forgive it. Whoever draws near to me a handspan, I will come to him the extent of a forearm. Whoever draws near to me the length of a forearm, I will come to him the length of two outstretched arms. Whoever comes to me walking, I will come to him at speed. And whoever comes to me with the Earth’s weight in sin without associating anything with me, I will come to him with forgiveness of equal measure.” [Sahîh Muslim]

We must not despair. “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, save those who are astray?” [Sûrah al-Hijr: 56]

Now here is something that we need to fear – for who among us wishes to be among those who are astray!

ZAITOON (OLIVE) :CURE FOR SEVENTY DISEASES

Zaitoon (Olive) the sign of peace and friendship in this world, has its description in Holy Qur’an Allah Taala says

"By the fig and olive

 

And the mount of Sinai

 

And the city of security

 

We have indeed created man in the best of moulds

 

Then do we abase him (to be) the lowest of low

 

Except such as believe and do righteous deeds for they shall have a reward unfailing

 

What then, can after this, make you deny the last judgment

 

Is not Allah the wisest of judges” (The Fig, Surah 95)

 

The plant of olive reaches the height of 3 meters, leaves are bright green and very attractive and the fruits are of bright bluish or violet color, possesses a metallic taste. It is known from old ages. During the excavation of ancient Egyptian graves, vessels full of olive oil were found with other articles. According to the scholars of Hadith, on subsidence of Toofan-E-Nooh (The Great Flood of Noah), when water level came down, the first thing on the earth that was seen was the olive plant.

 

The plant is extensively found in Asia Minor, Palestine, Roman territory, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, California, Mexico, Peru and South zone of Australia. Usually it is imported from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey and Greece. Though olive fruits are very nutritious it is not usually eaten due to its metallic taste. Rather pickles of its fruits are largely consumed in Europe. The fruit preserved in vinegar is imported from Greece and liked very much in Europe and in Arabian countries.

 

Olive oil is a good preservative for other eatables too. Sardine and other fishes are tinned and preserved in olive oil. The smokeless burning of olive oil is a peculiar feature, which produces a bright light. The Holy Qur’an stresses the importance of Zaitoon on several occasions: (141-M-AlInaam-6), (99-K-AlInaam-6), (11-K-AlNahl-16), (AlNoor-35), (Moominoon).

 

Hazrat Sayyed Al-Ansari(R.A.) narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

 

Hazrat Alqama Bin Amir(R.A.) narrates that Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “ There is olive oil for you, eat it, massage over your body, since it is effective in Heamorrhoids (Piles).” (Ibn Al-Jozi, Zanbi)

 

Hazrat Aqba Bin Amir narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stated, “You have the olive oil from this Holy (mubarak) tree, treat yourself with this, since it cures the Anal fissure (Basoor).”

 

Khalid Bin Saad(R.A.) narrates, “I came to Madinah with Ghalib Bin Al Jabr. Ghalib became ill during the journey. Ibn Abi Ateeq came to see him and told a narration from Hazrat Aisha(R.A.) that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) told about the cure in Kalonji. We crushed a few seeds of Kalonji and mixed it with olive oil and dropped in both nostrils, after which Ghalib became healthy.” (Ibn Maja, Bukhari)

 

Hazrath Abu Hurairah(R.A.) narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stated, “Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for seventy diseases in it, one of them is Leprosy.” (Abu Naim)

 

Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam(R.A.) narrates, “ We have been directed by the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) that we should treat the Pleurisy with Qust-e-Behri (Qust Sheerin) and olive oil.” (Tirmizi, sanade Ahmed, Ibn Maja)

 

Olive oil has a place in Govt Pharmacopoca of USA and Britain (British Pharmacopoca). Both of these countries have given prime importance to olive oil for the treatment of various ailments and have fixed standard parameters to evaluate its purity.

 

It contains Palmatic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Steanic Acid, Myristic Acid and Glycerides. It is not dissolved in water but in Alcohol, Ether, Chloroform and Liquid Paraffin.

 

The adulterant very often used in the olive are of the seeds of Tea Plant, Arachis oil in the market samples of olive oil. Sometimes Machine Gun oil and refined Mobile oil are also found.

 

Olive oil is extracted from the ripened fruits. The unripe and over ripe fruits contain less amount of the oil. The fruits are processed three times. Successively, the first round oil is the best in quality, golden in colour, with a light fragrance and known as virgin oil. Some varieties of olive oil remained unchanged in its effectiveness for years together. It contains therapeutic potential even if it is a thousand years old. Despite the prime importance and holiness given by Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) no work has been done to find out its efficacy for the ailments other than the Haemorrhoids, Anal fissure, Skin diseases, pleurisy and leprosy, which are already described by the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) , whereas the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) himself says that it contains cure for seventy diseases.

 

According to Ibn Al-Qayyim the red coloured oil is better than blackish one. It is an exhilarant, glows up the facial complexion, provides prevention against poisons, regulates the digestive process, expels the intestinal parasites, makes the hair lustrous and minimizes the ageing problems. The massage of olive oil with common salt over the gums is a remedy for several diseases of gums and teeth. The local application of olive oil or the water extracted from the crushed olive oil leaves is effective on boils, rashes and itching. The chronic ulcers and boils, which show difficult, healing condition, are healed up with the use of olive oil locally.

 

According to Zahbi it strengthens the hairs and body, hence could be used as a good tonic in old age problems and to delay the ageing process. It is also useful in sexual weakness. Combination of normal saline with olive oil is highly effective in burns cases.

The decoction of olive leaves in water is effective against mouth and lip ulcers and allergic dermatitis also.The concentrated aqueous extract of olive leaves and fruits is very effective against dental cavities and application of this solution shows very good effects on Leukoplaquea in mouth.This solution is applied with vinegar on Alopecia, grows the hair and removes the Alopecia.It is also stated that the local application of this extract removes the scars of small pox and boils.The powder of seeds mixed with butter is effective in brittle nails.The pickles prepared from olive fruits is a good appetizer and removes constipation.The smashed leaves are applied locally to check excessive perspiration.The water extracted from the leaves with honey is used as eardrops and effective in various ear ailments.The oil procured by burning of olive wood is effective against all fungal infection viz a viz, Ringworm, T.versicolor etc. in addition to Eczema, Psoriasis, Dandruff and Alopecia.The local application of olive oil on scalp is highly effective against dandruff. It grows the hairs and checks, the loss of hair.The application of olive oil in eyes relieves the inflammation.The massage of olive oil over the body tones up the muscles and organs, it relieves muscular pains.Some physicians also advocate the massage of olive oil for epilepsy.It relieves the Sciatic and arthritis.The ointments prepared from olive oil are very good healing agents. It heals the sinus and fistula very quickly. 25ml of olive oil mixed with 250ml of barley water, if taken internally, is highly effective against chronic constipation.It is a good Diuretic, hence is used in Ascites.It also removes the kidney stones.A conventional regimen is also available comprising of olive oil and other herbal drugs having potential against the Gall bladder stones. It is stated that this regimen dissolves and expels the Gall bladder stone.

In view of the researches carried out in USA and England, it is concluded that it is a good nourishing diet during the ailments of kidney, where nitrogen-containing food/proteins in take is contra indicated.

 

Since, the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stated that it is a good remedy for Anal fissure, hence for the same complaint patients were advised to take two spoonful of olive oil at bedtime and an ointment was applied on fissure locally at retiring and in morning, prepared from 8 spoonfuls of olive oil and 2 spoonfuls of ground henna leaves. This showed very good effects against the problem. It is a good tonic for hair and maintains the lustre. Its combination with other prescribed drugs of Tibb-al-Nabwi is a good remedy for Psoriasis and Eczema. The impressions of several doctors practicing in Middle East and North Africa reveal that no case was detected of Gastro Intestinal Carcinoma, among those who were used to consuming olive oil. Japanese doctors also endorse this fact and have the opinion that olive oil prevents the incidence of G.I.T. Carcinoma.

 

The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stated that it is a good remedy for intestinal inflammations. Therefore it was used in the cases of G.I.T ulcers and found very much effective. It is also observed that no remedy equates the benefits of olive oil in hyper acidity and gas troubles.

 

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) recommended the use of olive oil in Pleurisy. Keeping this in view olive oil was administered in various diseases of Respiratory tract and it was observed that the regular users of olive oil were least affected with common cold and coryzha? and pneumonia.

 

The clinical experiences of well-qualified and highly established doctors in the profession who take a keen interest in Prophet’s medicine reveal that olive oil is a good supportive treatment in Tubercular infection of either site. According to a narration of Kahlid Bin Saad(R.A.) in Ibn Maja, one spoonful of Kalonji was pulverized and mixed with 12 spoonful of olive oil. This suggestion was dropped into the nostrils morning and evening for the cases of chronic cold and epitasis. The results were found highly positive.

RAIN IN THE QUR’AN

Rain is indeed one of the most important factors for life on the earth. Rain is a prerequisite for the permanence of life in a region. Rain, which carries great importance for all living things including human beings, is mentioned in various verses of the Qur'an where substantial information is given about the formation of rain, its proportion and effects. The fact that it was not possible for any of this information to have been discovered at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an shows us that the Qur'an is the word of Allah. 

Now, let us examine the information given in the Qur'an about rain. 

The Proportion of Rain 

In the eleventh verse of Surat az-Zukhruf, rain is defined as water sent down in due measure. The verse is as follows:

"And He who sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure, and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be raised (from the dead)". (Surat az - Zukhruf, 11) 

This "measure" mentioned in the verse has to do with a couple of characteristics of rain. First of all, the amount of rain that falls on the earth is always the same. It is estimated that in one second, 16 million tones of water evaporates from the earth. This number is equal to the amount of water that drops on the earth in one second. This means that water continuously circulates in a balanced cycle according to a "measure". Another measure related with rain is about its falling speed. The minimum altitude of rain clouds is 1200 meters.

 

 When dropped from this height, an object having the same weight and size as a rain drop, would continuously accelerate and fall on the ground with a speed of 558 km/h. Certainly, any object that hits the ground with that speed would cause big damage. If rain happened to fall in the same way, all harvested lands would be destroyed, residential areas, houses, and cars would be damaged, people would not be able to walk around without taking necessary precautions. What is more, these calculations are made just for clouds of 1200 meters high, whereas there are also rain clouds at an altitude of 10.000 meters. A rain drop falling from such a height could normally reach a very destructive speed. 

But this is not how it works; no matter from how high they fall, average speed of rain drops is only 8-10 km/h when they reach the ground. The reason for this is the special form they take. This special form increases the friction effect of the atmosphere and prevents acceleration when the rain drops reach a certain speed "limit". (Today parachutes are designed by using this technique.) 

This is not all about the "measures" of rain. For instance, in the atmospheric layers where it starts to rain, the temperature may fall so low as 400 C degrees. Despite this, rain drops never turn into ice particles. (This would certainly mean a fatal threat for the living things on the earth). 

The reason is that the water in the atmosphere is pure water. As known, pure water hardly freezes even in very low temperatures. 

The Formation of Rain 

How rain forms remained a great mystery for people for a long time. Only after air radar were discovered, could it have been possible to learn by which stages rain formed. 

The formation of rain takes place in three stages: First, the "raw material" of rain rises up in the air. Later, clouds are formed and lastly, rain drops appear. 

These stages are clearly defined in the Qur'an in which precise information was given about the formation of rain centuries in advance; "It is Allah Who sends the Winds, and they raise the Clouds: then does He spread them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments, until you see rain-drops issue from the midst thereof: then when He has made them reach such of his servants as He wills behold, they do rejoice!" 

Now, let us look at the three stages mentioned in the verse; 

1st Stage : "It is Allah Who sends the winds..." 
Countless air bubbles formed by the foaming in the oceans continuously burst and cause water particles to be ejected towards the sky. These particles which are rich in salt, are then carried away by winds and move upwards in the atmosphere. These particles which are called aerosols form clouds by collecting around themselves the water vapour - that again ascends from the seas - as tiny drops, by a mechanism called "water trap" 

2nd Stage : " ... and they raise the Clouds: then does He spread them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments ...."
The clouds form from the water vapour that condenses around the salt crystals or the dust particles in the air. Because the water drops in these are very small (with a diameter between 0.01 and 0.02 mm), the clouds are suspended in the air and they spread in the sky. Thus the sky is covered with clouds. 

3rd Stage : ".... until you see rain-drops issue from the midst thereof."
Water particles that surround salt crystals and dust particles thicken and form rain drops. So, the drops which become heavier than air depart from the clouds, and start to fall on the ground as rain. 

The conclusion to be arrived here is that; Every stage in the formation of rain is told in the verses of the Qur'an. Furthermore, these stages are explained in the order they take place... Just like in many other natural phenomena in the world, it is again the Qur'an that provides the most correct explanation about this phenomena as well, and more, that has announced these facts to people centuries before they were discovered by science. 

Life Given to a Dead Land 

In the Qur'an, a lot of verses call our attention to a particular function of rain, which is "giving life to a dead land". It is stated in a verse as

".... We send down pure water from the sky. That with it We may give life to a dead land, and slake the thirst of things We have created,- cattle and men in great numbers". (Surat al-Furqan, 48- 49) 

In addition to furnishing the earth with water, rain also has a fertilisation effect. 

Rain drops that reach the clouds after being evaporated from the seas, contain certain substances "that will give life" to a dead land. These "life-giving" drops are called "surface tension drops". Surface tension drops form on the top level of the sea surface which is called the micro layer by biologists. In this layer, which is thinner than one tenth of a millimetre, there are many organic leftovers caused from the pollution of microscopic algaes and zooplanktons. Some of these leftovers select and collect within themselves some elements which are very rare in sea water such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and some heavy metals like copper, zinc, cobalt and lead. 

These "fertiliser" laden drops are lifted up into the sky by the winds and after a while they drop on the ground inside the rain drops. Seeds and plants on the earth find numerous metallic salts and elements essential for their growth here in these rain drops. This event is informed in another verse of the Qur'an as follows:

"And We send down from the sky rain chartered with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests." (Surah Qaf, 9)

Salts that fall with rain are small examples of some fertilisers (calcium, magnesium, potassium etc.) used for increasing fertility. The heavy metals found in these types of aerosols, on the other hand, are other elements that increase fertility in the development and production of plants. 

Forests also develop and are fed with the help of these sea-originated aerosols. In this way, 150 million tons of fertiliser falls on the total surface of lands every year. If there was not a natural fertilisation like this, there would be very little vegetation on the earth, and the ecological balance would be damaged. 

What is more interesting is that this truth, which could only be discovered by modern science, was informed by Allah in the Qur'an centuries ago.

TWO BLESSINGS - GOOD HEALTH AND FREE-TIME

All praises to the Lord of the Worlds who has out of his infinite mercy blessed us with endless blessings. Glad-tidings to the servant of the Almighty who is showered with countless bounties day in and day out. Most unfortunate is he who does not recognise these blessings and bounties and is not thankful for them.

The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) states in a Hadith:

"There are two blessings in which most people are in great loss: 1) Good health and 2) Free time."

How true the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) is. Many of us have had or have good health and free-time. However how many of us can answer with a true heart that we used these two blessings the way that they are meant to be used or have showed appreciation towards the Almighty the way we should have?

The Almighty has not given us this good health to waste, He has given health and time to us for a purpose; that we worship him the way He is meant to be worshipped, to spread His religion and to call people towards Islam; and to help Humanity who are in dire need of help.

Then again, how many of us have put this good health to use?

How many of us have worshipped Allah the way he is meant to be worshipped?

How many of us have helped the religion of Islam? 

How many of us have thanked Almighty Allah for the good health that he has blessed us with?

These are all questions that we should ponder upon. As the saying goes, "The only time you realise the value of a gift is when you lose it."

By the time we realise the value of these special gifts bestowed upon us, we would probably have lost them by then. Then no matter how much regret we have, they will never come back.

Think about our free time.

How many hours are spent sitting in front of the television?

How many hours are wasted merely listening or watching a game of football?

Imagine how much we could have worshipped the Creator and attained his pleasure and high status in the hereafter. Have we no value for this time?

A saying of Imam Shafi'ee Rahmatullahi Alayhi: "Time is like a sword, cut it before it cuts you."

He is trying to say that don't waste your time. Every second that passes by will never come back. We have to put all this time into good use. The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) has said in a Hadith: 

Take advantage of five conditions before five others:

1) Youth before old age.

2) Good health before sickness.

3) Free time before you become occupied. 

4) Wealth before poverty.

5) Life before death.

This free time of ours should be spent in the remembrance of the Almighty. On the Day of Judgement, the people of heaven will only have one regret; they will regret all the free time they wasted in the world. The reason for this regret will be that they could have achieved a higher status in Paradise if they didn't waste their free time.

May Allah Taa'la give us the ability to spend our free time worshipping the Almighty Allah. Ameen.

ONE MISTAKE MOST OF US DO WHEN WE START TURNING TO ALLAH

READ & UNDERSTAND 

One mistake most of us do when we start turning to Allah, prayers and Quran is that we anxiously wait for the "sweetness" of eemaan the moment we start. And when it does not happen, when our 5 times prayers seem forced, when the Quran doesn't bring us to tears - we GIVE UP!

No yaa Ikhwaani! This is another big trap we have to save ourselves from. Indeed, the sweetness of eemaan will not come except with constant perseverance. Your standing or reciting will not make it happen instantly!

It is when Allah will see you constant in His Path, it is when He sees that you pray even when you don't feel like it, it is when He sees that you recite His Word even when every inch of your brain tells you not to, it is when He sees you strive to stand in tahajjud though you may "hate" it... it is THEN that He will give you this sweetness and contentment as a GIFT from Him.

Reflect on the words of Sufyan ath-Thawri (rahimahullah):

“For twenty years...I struggled to remain standing in prayer at night. For those twenty years I never tasted the sweetness of the night prayer. It was only after that that I found comfort and sweetness.”

Continue ya ikhwaani and DO NOT GIVE UP. When the Lord of the worlds has not given up on you, how can you give up on your own self?

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