Wait, so the world is not going to end in 2012?...NEW DETAILS

image: discovermagazine

German expert says decoding of Mexico glyphs rules out 2012 apocalypse; says it means new era
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 11:04 PM
Washington Post

MEXICO CITY — The end is not near.

At least that’s according to a German expert who says his decoding of a Mayan tablet with a reference to a 2012 date denotes a transition to a new era and not a possible end of the world as others have read it...

(Click here to the read the full article)

Finally a short victory against Facebook

image: thesangfroid

Facebook Settles U.S. Regulator’s Complaints Over Violations of Privacy
By Sara Forden and Jeff Bliss - Nov 29, 2011 3:56 PM ET

Bloomberg News

Facebook Inc., the world’s biggest social networking site, agreed to settle complaints by the Federal Trade Commission that it failed to protect users’ privacy or disclose how their data could be used.

The proposed 20-year agreement would require Palo Alto, California-based Facebook to get clear consent from users before sharing material posted under earlier, more restrictive terms, the FTC said today in a statement. It would also compel independent reviews of Facebook’s privacy practices...The settlement “will protect consumer choices and ensure they have full and truthful information about their data.”

...In a blog posting, Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said the company should have been more vigilant in protecting users’ privacy.

“I’m the first to admit that we’ve made a bunch of mistakes,” he said.

...Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center...said today’s settlement “is a sweeping order that will prevent Facebook from disregarding the privacy interests of its users in the future.”

(Click here to read the full article)

Could the seas of Saturn`s moon Titan harbor life?

By Alan Boyle

MSNBC Cosmic Blog

November 28, 2011

This infrared image from the Cassini orbiter shows the hydrocarbon lake known as Kraken Mare toward the northern edge of the disk. The dark Senkyo sand sea dominates the central area of the image. -NASA / JPL-Caltech / SSI

A fresh photo from the Cassini orbiter shows the hydrocarbon-rich seas and dunes of Titan, a Saturnian moon that might be capable of sustaining life as we don't know it.

The picture, published today on the websites of NASA's Saturn mission and Cassini's imaging team, shows the huge sea known as Kraken Mare as a dark spot on the northern edge of Titan's disk. The dark Senkyo dune field is front and center. Cassini's narrow-angle camera captured the view in near-infrared wavelengths from a distance of 1.2 million miles (1.9 million kilometers) on Sept. 14.

Titan is totally shrouded in smog, but Cassini's camera filters are set up to pierce through the haze and spot details on the surface below. The cold condtions on the moon are such that hydrocarbons such as ethane and methane can exist in liquid form. This rare picture from Cassini shows the glint of sunlight off the sheen of Kraken Mare, which is larger than the Caspian Sea on Earth. (And yes, Kraken is named after the mythical sea creature. "Mare" is Latin for "sea.")

This image, obtained using Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, shows the first observed flash of sunlight reflected off a lake on Saturn's Titan moon. -NASA/JPL

Titan's seas, lakes and rivers of hydrocarbons are among the reasons why the murky Saturnian moon ranks higher than Mars on a recently published list assessing planetary habitability. That may sound strange, considering that the typical temperature on Titan is 289 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (-178 degrees Celsius). But Dirk Schulze-Makuch, an astrobiologist at Washington State University who helped put together the list, told me that it makes sense to rank Titan as the top prospect for extraterrestrial habitability.

"If you think about it, Titan has a thick protective atmosphere like Earth's, similar to the early Earth atmosphere," he said. "It has a lot of nitrogen and methane in it, and...

(Click here to read the full article)

Additional Resources:

Cassini image confirms liquid on Saturn moon:
Reflection off Titan lake is the first seen on a world other than Earth -MSNBC

Jupiter`s icy moon Europa may hold vast amounts of liquid watery lakes and possibly life?

Life-bearing lake possibly on icy Jupiter Moon

Fresh findings about Europa based on studies of Antarctica and Iceland
By Irene Klotz; Discovery News

11/16/2011 2:35 PM ET

MSNBC

An image of Europa from NASA’s Galileo spacecraft shows plains of bright ice, long cracks and dark patches that likely contain both ice and dirt. NASA/Ted Stryk

New research shows that the jumbled ice blocks crowning the surface of Jupiter's icy moon Europa are signs of large liquid lakes below, a key finding in the search for places where life might exist beyond Earth.

Drawing from studies of underground volcanoes in Iceland and Antarctica, scientists ran computer models to see if the chaotic formations on Europa's surface could be explained by the same geologic processes seen on Earth.

"We looked at melt underneath the ice, and the fracture and collapse of ice shelves," Britney Schmidt, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Austin's Institute for Geophysics, told Discovery News.

...The study provides "the best model so far" for the ice formations on Europa, Paul Schenk, a staff scientist with the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, wrote in an email to Discovery News.

"If we go back with penetrating radar instruments we should be able to see into the ice shell, determine the stratigraphy of the layers in the shell and verify which model works best," Schenk said.

Europa, which is slightly smaller than Earth's moon, is believed to have a large ocean of salty water beneath its frozen crust.

"Europa has more water than all of Earth's oceans," planetary scientist Simon Kattenhorn, with the University of Idaho, told Discovery News.

While the ocean itself is of interest to scientists searching for life beyond Earth,...

(Click here to read the full article)


credit: Britney Schmidt/Dead Pixel VFX/Univ. of Texas at Austin & djxatlanta

Additional Resources:
[Photos] Moons of Jupiter
SCIENCE CHANNEL: Take a tour of Titan, Callisto & Europa
NEWS: Europa, Jupiter's Moon, Could Support Complex Life

Beware of the dangers of Satan`s Fahsha, for he is your ultimate enemy

أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يبَنِى ءَادَمَ أَن لاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ الشَّيطَـنَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ - وَأَنِ اعْبُدُونِى هَـذَا صِرَطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ - وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ جِبِلاًّ كَثِيراً أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُواْ تَعْقِلُونَ

O Children of Adam! Did I (Allah) not ordain for you that you should not worship Satan? Surely, he is a plain enemy to you. And that you should worship me (Allah); That is the right way. Indeed he (Satan) has led a great number of you astray; Did you not then understand?

- [Sura Yasin 36: 60-62]

image: thewaytopeace

Two people of opposite sex will never be alone!

by Muslim Faith on November 2, 2011

Whether you are an assistant sitting in the same room with your boss, chatting or messaging him without any wrong intention, talking on your cell phone to him, whether you are just having a walk or just sitting with him in a bus on the same seat, just having a tea with him, just spending some time with him… they cannot be alone but the 3rd person will be Satan.

Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reminded us, if two people in the same room, they are not alone but the 3rd person is the Satan. Whether you don’t have any wrong intention or the otherwise, satan will not leave you alone.

We don’t need to feel sorry about what we have done, just repent and make the change, reflect Qur’aan in your daily life and then see how much Allaah loves you!

- Sheikh Danish Riyaz

Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.), whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. Allah is Self-Sufficient, All-Knowing. - Sura Al-Baqarah 2:268

image: asik news

There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly distinct from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing. (Noble Qurán 2:256)

But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you). (Noble Qurán 16:82)

'' Verily ! God Will Not Change The Good Condition Of A People As Long As They Do Not Change Their State Of Good Within Themselves'' (Noble Qur'an; Ar’Rad – 13;11)

Roadside 2 Fitna:The Roadside 2 Hellfire! (Must Watch!)

For all believing Muslim men and woman, stop the people who are misrepresenting and corrupting Islam and for misleading the youth...turn away from them and don`t follow them, for there is no future with this fitna, follow the truth of the deen and FEAR ALLAH.



video posted by salafimedia2 on july 25, 2011

The Virtues of the Sacred Month of Muharram and Fasting on ‘Ashura.

Posted by: KING-slave of ALLAH! on: November 28, 2011

Islamgreatreligion.wordpress.com

Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively, as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2). 9:36

Allah’s sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein … ” [Al-Qur'an 9:36]

Abu Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

“The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumada and Sha’ban.” [Reported by al-Bukhari, 2958]

Ashura in History

Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. He asked:

“What is this?”

They said: “This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa fasted on this day.” He said:

“We have more right to Musa than you,” so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day. [Reported by al-Bukhari, 1865]

“This is a righteous day” – in a report narrated by Muslim, [the Jews said:] “This is a great day, on which Allah saved Musa and his people, and drowned Pharaoh and his people.”

“Musa fasted on this day” – a report narrated by Muslim adds: ” … in thanksgiving to Allah, so we fast on this day.”

According to a report narrated by al-Bukhari: ” … so we fast on this day to venerate it.”
A version narrated by Imam Ahmad adds: “This is the day on which the Ark settled on Mount Judi, so Nuh fasted this day in thanksgiving.”

” … and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day” – according to another report also narrated by al-Bukhari, he said to his Companions:

“You have more right to Musa than they do, so fast on that day.”

The practice of fasting on ‘Ashura was known even in the days of Jahiliyyah, before the Prophet’s mission. It was reported that ‘Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

“The people of Jahiliyyah used to fast on that day … “

Al-Qurtubi said:

“Perhaps the Quraysh used to fast on that day on the basis of some past law, such as that of Ibrahim, upon whom be peace.”

It was also reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to fast on ‘Ashura in Makkah, before he migrated to Madinah. When he migrated to Madinah, he found the Jews celebrating this day, so he asked them why, and they replied as described in the hadith quoted above. He commanded the Muslims to be different from the Jews, who took it as a festival, as was reported in the hadith of Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

“The Jews used to take the day of ‘Ashura as a festival [according to a report narrated by Muslim: the day of 'Ashura was venerated by the Jews, who took it as a festival."

According to another report also narrated by Muslim: the people of Khaybar (the Jews) used to take it as a festival and their women would wear their jewellery and symbols on that day]. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

‘So you [Muslims] should fast on that day.’ ” [Reported by al-Bukhari]

Apparently the motive for commanding the Muslims to fast on this day was the desire to be different from the Jews, so that the Muslims would fast when the Jews did not, because people do not fast on a day of celebration. [Summarized from the words of al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, in Fath al-Bari)

Fasting on 'Ashura was a gradual step in the process of introducing fasting as a prescribed obligation in Islam. Fasting appeared in three forms. When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, came to Madinah, he told the Muslims to fast on three days of every month and on the day of 'Ashura, then Allah made fasting obligatory when He said (interpretation of the meaning):
" ... observing the fasting is prescribed for you ... " [Al-Qur'an 2:183] [Ahkam al-Qur'an by al-Jassas, Part 1]

The obligation was transferred from the fast of ‘Ashura to the fast of Ramadhan, and this one of the proofs in the field of Usul ul-Fiqh that it is possible to abrogate a lighter duty in favour of a heavier duty.

Before the obligation of fasting ‘Ashura was abrogated, fasting on this day was obligatory, as can be seen from the clear command to observe this fast. Then it was further confirmed later on, then reaffirmed by making it a general command addressed to everybody, and once again by instructing mothers not to breastfeed their infants during this fast. It was reported from Ibn Mas’ud that when fasting Ramadhan was made obligatory, the obligation to fast ‘Ashura was lifted, i.e., it was no longer obligatory to fast on this day, but it is still desirable (mustahabb).

The virtues of fasting ‘Ashura
Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.” [Reported by al-Bukhari, 1867]

The meaning of his being keen was that he intended to fast on that day in the hope of earning the reward for doing so. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

“For fasting the day of ‘Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” [Reported by Muslim, 1976]

This is from the bounty of Allah towards us: for fasting one day He gives us expiation for the sins of a whole year. Indeed Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.

(Click here to read full blog post)

Death - the destroyer of pleasures

image: pinoyexchange

When a person dies the angels says, "What has he sent in advance?"...But human beings say, "What has he left behind?" - Abu Huraira, MM 5219, BQ

Do not wish for death. For if you are a good person you could do more good deeds, and if you are an evil-doer you could repent and gain Allah`s favor.

- SB 1.104, Sa`d bin Ubayd

Say: "Death, from which you are fleeing, will certainly catch up with you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the Unseen and the Visible and He will inform you about what you did." (Surat al-Jumu'a: 8)

A'isha (r) said that Rasulullah (peace be upon him) said : "The deeds most loved by Allah swt (are those) done regularly, even if they are small". ( Bukhari, Muslim )

A very amazing lecture by Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki on DEATH a.k.a الموت:

video courtesy and posted by Abdulrahman101's Channel

يَوْمَ يَغْشَـهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ وَيِقُولُ ذُوقُواْ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُون

يَعِبَادِىَ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّاىَ فَاعْبُدُونِ - كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

On the Day when punishment shall cover them from above them (and) below them, (a Voice) will say: "You taste (the fruits) of your actions!" O My servants who believe! Truly My Earth has lot of space (and room): Therefore you serve Me - (and none else)! Every soul shall have a taste of death: In the end, you shall be brought back to Us. -[Sura Al-Ankabut, 29:55-57]

Take heed for the Promised Day - The Day of Judgement

image: martyrobertsblog

From: Judgment Day - The Promised Day (Abdullah Mubarak):

For how long...for how long are we going to be heedless of the signs of Allah? For how long are we going to be busy with the dunya (world), busy making money, chasing our fruitful dreams, following our desires? We know my brothers and sisters, that death is a reality, you can`t run away from death, even if you were in a fortress with walls built up high death is going to come and find you.

Imagine your time is today, what have you got to take back to Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ (subha wa ta`ala)? Have you repented for your sins? For this temporary life we have given up eternal bliss and eternal happiness, a life which never ends. My dear brothers and sisters, even if the hereafter was soil & mud and this dunya was gold & silver, - still the hereafter would be better than this dunya, because it is eternal! But reality is, this dunya is soil & mud and the hereafter is gold & silver and yet...we choose this life over the next. Are we asleep? Why are we walking around like headless chicken?

We will be brought to account when on that day, when everyone is a stranger to another, when your own best friend in this dunya will be a stranger to you in the next, when your own mother is going to abandon you just to save herself.

The day, when every small action that you ever did you will be shown - every atom weight of good and every atom weight of evil. My dear brothers and sisters, this is the promised day of Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ , doesn`t your heart tremble with fear knowing that you will be brought to account? And how you will die thats how you will be raised.

That day when a child`s hair will turn grey due to the shock and fear, what will be your excuse on that day? When your limbs, your own legs are going to give witness against you; when your lips are going to be sealed and your legs are going to speak and say, 'Ya Allah!, he made me walk to this haram.' And your own hands are going to say, 'Ya Allah!, he used me to touch this haram.' On that my dear brothers and sisters, there is no refuge except with Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ .

There is no escape, so take heed before your time is up. Ask Allah to make us among the Saabikun, a group of people who race each other to good deeds and these people will be closest to Allah سبحانه و تعالى‎ in the next life.

- Abdullah Mubarak

Our wealth...will leave us one day

image: islamgreatreligion

Our love of wealth - consumes us...but our wealth will eventually leave us. Problem is we don`t want to leave it but it will inevitably leave us. Because of this wealth, you`ll be asked on the Day of Judgment on how we made it and spent it - all on a day that will make a child grey headed, a day of horror. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said that the poor Muslims will precede the rich in paradise by half a day - 500 years!

It says in the Qur`an, in Chapter 64: Mutual Loss and Gain (Sura At-Taghabun, verse 15)

إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

Your wealth and your children are only a trial, whereas Allah! With Him is a great reward (Paradise) (64:15)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every Ummah (nation) has a test to undergo, my Ummah (nation) will be tried through wealth.” [at-Tirmidhee no: 481]

Similarly, many people ruin their faith and fidelity merely due to the greed of wealth. This love of wealth creates in man evil instincts, miserliness, selfishness and arrogance, which in turn involve him in sins, falsehood, deceit, cruelty and robbery. This causes disorder and destruction in the world and the Hereafter is lost too!

The concept of Zakaah is to decrease the love of wealth and inculcate justice, generosity, brotherhood, affection and sacrifice among the Muslims and thus Allah the Almighty says in Chapter 3: Family of Imran (Sura Al-Imran, verse 92):

لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَىْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ

By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc., it means here Allah's Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well. (3:92)

Sexting: A Growing Heinous Phenomenon: By Carly Nicola

The Dangers of the Digital World

Posted: November 24, 2010; by Carly Nicola

Sexting is a result of advances in technology enabling new forms of social interaction. Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages, photographs or videos through some form of technology in digital media, mainly involving cell phones and internet. Anyone can participate in the act of sexting, but it has become typically common among many teenagers and young adults. The new forms of technology that we use have a big risk on the people who are using the digital media irresponsibly. With all these new forms of technology, it enables us to send photographs and videos more easily and more often. Sexting has become so common among teenagers, that they are partaking in this activity as a social thing; however the social danger with sexting is that the messages can so very easily be spread and it will be completely out of the sender’s control. Interestingly, 22% of teens admit that technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive (CosmoGirl and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2009.)

Many teenagers aren’t aware that sending or receiving explicit photographs to their peers is actually illegal and is correlated with child pornography. Sexting can result in very legal repercussions. Sexting is becoming more and more dangerous and it is not uncommon for teenagers to be charged with the distribution of child pornography or the possession of child pornography. The United States especially has such strict anti-child pornography laws, which is of course good; however many teenagers and young adults aren’t aware that they can be charged for these acts. Some people are even charged as sex offenders, and will have to live their whole lives with that title.

...Many people, especially teenagers don’t realize how big of a deal that sexting is or simply using electronic media to send something explicit. Teenagers are often unable to recognize long term consequences. There are lots of things to think about before sending explicit messages to others. Don’t forget that when you send something digitally to someone else, it’s theirs to keep afterwards and do whatever they want with it, because you can never take that back, once the message is sent you cannot un-send it. There is also no changing your mind in cyberspace, anything you send or post, in all reality will never truly go away. Also, don’t forget the laws of our country, and the consequences of committing the crimes according to the law. In all reality, don’t assume anything you send is going to remain private because it’s likely that at one time or another messages will get shared or sent to someone else. Let’s face it sexting is a very risky, and dangerous activity to be involved in....

(Click here to read the full post and view related videos)

The Dangers Lurking on the Online Community of Craigslist: By Jade Dreyer

image: dangersofdigitalworld

Click here to read the full blog post

National Geographic: JFK The Lost Bullet (2011)

Released November 22, 2011, National Geographic Documentary

National Geographic: JFK The Lost Bullet: They are among the most infamous home movies ever made, capturing an event that changed history. But do these humble 8-millimeter films reveal the whole story of John F. Kennedy s assassination? National Geographic reveals these home movies as never before … restored to a state more pristine than the day they were exposed to the Dallas sunshine of November 22nd, 1963. Join a team of pioneering investigators as they bring the home movies to life and expose the hidden secrets of the crime of the century.

http://www.putlocker.com/file/F0948FA0B3245A64#

Curiosity Rover finally off to Mars

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft, sealed inside its payload fairing atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, clears the tower at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Bill White

November 26, 2011; JPL/NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA began a historic voyage to Mars with the Nov. 26 launch of the Mars Science Laboratory, which carries a car-sized rover named Curiosity. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket occurred at 10:02 a.m. EST (7:02 a.m. PST).

...The mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place Curiosity near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life.

...The Atlas V initially lofted the spacecraft into Earth orbit and then, with a second burst from the vehicle's upper stage, pushed it out of Earth orbit into a 352-million-mile (567-million-kilometer) journey to Mars.

...Curiosity's ambitious science goals are among the mission's many differences from earlier Mars rovers. It will use a drill and scoop at the end of its robotic arm to gather soil and powdered samples of rock interiors, then sieve and parcel out these samples into analytical laboratory instruments inside the rover. Curiosity carries...

(Click here to read the full article)

For more information about the mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/msl and http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.

Visit the new Curiosity Cam on UStream

How do you get to mars? (video)

Curiosity rover trailer (video)

Curiosity Rover - The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 2011

Watch how the new Curiosity rover will land on Mars from launch to using a new innovative sky-crane to touch down on the red planet:


Uploaded by Meatspinner98 on Apr 10, 2011

Steven Lee, the guidance, navigation, and control manager for the Mars Science Laboratory mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, Calif., describes how NASA plans to land and navigate [Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL )sequence] its new Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars in 2012.

Uploaded by spectrummag on Jan 4, 2011
Read more: http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/robotic-exploration/planetary-rovers-are-w...

What Islam Says About Gossiping (Ghibah)

image: thewaytopeace

Posted: November 20, 2011 by The Way to Peace

In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad the honest and trustworthy. Oh Allah! We have no knowledge except that you taught us; verily you are the All-Knowing the All Wise. Oh Allah! Teach us what is beneficial, let us benefit with what you taught us, and increase our knowledge. Oh Allah! Show us the truth and help us follow it; show us the falsehood and help us to avoid it. Oh Allah! help us to be among those who listen to the good speech and follow its best, and let us enter into your Mercy among your righteous worshippers.

“The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).

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

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

Why do people gossip?
When someone loves to gossip, it is usually for one or more of the following reasons:
Ignorance
Low Self-Confidence
Envy
Boredom/Wasting time
Trying to impress you
Low faith

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

1. Praise the person being talked about
Witness your imaan increase up as you defend them as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“whoever defends his brother’s honour, Allah will protect his face from the Fire of the Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmidhi)
There may be that moment just before speaking up in which you hesitate, but muster up some courage: once you get the first few words out, you will feel good about doing the right thing and people will realize that they are engaging in wasteful talk.

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

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

Thereafter, Allah, the Exalted, endowed upon His slaves uncountable endowments. Allah said in Sura Ibrahim, Ayah 34: [Should you attempt to count your endowments from Allah, you would be unable.]

The tongue is one of many endowments Allah bestowed upon His slaves. Although the tongue is a tiny organ, the person who uses it to comply with the orders of Allah, the teachings of the Qur'an, and the teachings of the Prophet may earn blessings in this world and the in Hereafter. However, the one who uses his tongue in disobedience does not display thankfulness to Allah and leads to his own destruction. Certainly, being thankful to Allah means not using the endowments bestowed by Allah in what is forbidden.

One needs to know the sins of the tongue can be small or enormous. One should be aware some of these sins take the person out of Islam. As what the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said in the hadith related by at-Tirmidhi:
'A person may utter a word he thinks harmless, which results in his falling the depth of seventy (70) years into Hellfire'. This hadith clearly refers to the bottom of Hellfire a place only the blasphemers will reach.

Ibn Abid-Dunyia related the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said:
'One can greatly beautify himself with two habits--good manners and lengthy silence. In this hadith lengthy silence means not speaking except for what is good, such as remembering and praising Allah and teaching others what is good.'

Al-Bukhari and Muslim related from the route of Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet said: 'Let the one who believes in Allah and the Hereafter utter good words, or let him be silent'.

We are responsible for our words. Allah said in Sura al-Isra’, Ayah 36:
[One is responsible for what he hears, sees, and believes.]

At-Tirmidhi narrated a saying of the Prophet to the Companion, Mu^adh Ibn Jabal, in which he responded to Mu^adh by saying:
In this hadith the Prophet answered the question of Mu^adh Ibn Jabal, confirming what makes the people fall into Hellfire on their faces is the reaps of their tongues.

Hence, wisdom entails that one uses his tongue in remembering Allah, performing obedience, ordering the lawful, and forbidding the unlawful. Let us remind ourselves of what Allah said in Sura Qaf, Ayah 18: [Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it)].

However, it is known that some of these sinful words will be erased if the person repents. On the Day of Judgment wouldn’t each one of us want to have all good words in his record and not those disliked or sinful words?

Thus, it is important to emphasize on matters relating to the tongue. The Prophet advised us in a hadith related by at-Tirmidhi:
'The one who adheres to the lengthy silence (except from that which is good) will be saved on the Day of Judgment.'

In another hadith related by al-Bayhaqi, the Prophet said:
'You shall be saved as long as you are silent, for if you speak, it will either be in your favor or stand against you.'

Due to the importance of this subject the scholars of Islam were compelled to write extensively about it. Among the great scholars of Islam is Imam al-Ghazaliyy, who said about the tongue:

"The tongue is a great endowment from Allah; though small in size, its crime is enormous." A person may utter words of praise and thankfulness to Allah for which he earns reward. One might also utter a word that take him out of Islam--thereby loosing the reward of all his previous good deeds. Reported in the texts of the scholars are narrations that highlight significant matters of the tongue.

Among these is what Imam an-Nawawiyy reported:
Qiss Ibn Sa^idah and Aktham Ibn Saifiyy met together. One of them asked the other, "Generally how many errors have you found the sons of Adam commit?" The other replied, "I have counted 8000 such errors, but let it be known, we cannot count them all. However, there is one good trait that would cover up for all of these errors and mistakes: To have control over one’s tongue."

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

Brief Story and Lesson of the Young Woman & The Scholar on the dangers of gossiping (ghibah)

image: mirroroflige.org

http://www.siddeeqeenshuhadaa.com/2011/11/what-islam-says-about-gossiping-ghibah.html

A young woman had a habit of spreading gossip about the people around her. Once it so happened that she changed her house to a new locality, and started to gossip about her new neighbor.

Within a few days the whole community knew about the story. Her neighbor was deeply hurt and offended.

A few days later the young woman learnt that what she had said was completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a learned Scholar to find out what she could do to repair the damage.

Scholar : “Go to the marketplace,” he said, “and purchase a chicken, and have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers and drop them one by one along the road.”

Although surprised by this advice, the woman did what she was told.
Scholar; The next day the Scholar said, “Now go and collect all those feathers you dropped yesterday and bring them back to me.”

The woman followed the same road, but to her dismay, the wind had blown the feathers all away. After searching for hours, she returned with only three in her hand.

Scholar: ”You see,” said the learned Scholar, “it’s easy to drop them, but it’s impossible to get them back. So it is with gossip. It doesn’t take much to spread a rumor, but once you do, you can never completely undo the wrong.”

A Muslim Girl’s Guide For Dealing With Guys

For my Muslim believing sisters, may you have Allah`s peace and blessings upon you all,

image: siddeeqeenshuhadaa

Posted: May 14, 2011

muslimfaith.wordpress.com

Life is full of crazy obstacles, but the one that will probably bug you the most and always be getting in the way is the opposite gender. Here, from one sister to another, is a Muslim girl’s guide for how to deal with guys.

1 ) No Touching:- Muslims are forbidden to touch any non-Mahram (Mahram is your dad, brothers, father-in-law, husbands, grandfathers, and the siblings of your parents) person of the opposite gender. That means no patting on the back, no hand shaking, no pushing, no shoving, no holding hands, and obviously no kissing and all that. If you’re in a difficult situation where you think someone will try to shake your hand, the best thing to do is just smile and say, “My people don’t shake hands” and then explain why. And why, is because we believe a woman’s touch is a privilege and she doesn’t just share it with anyone.
2) No Flirting:- Not even with Muslims, not even in an Islamic school, especially not in a masjid! Flirting means that you’re saying or doing things on purpose that make the other person attracted to you. There’s no set criterion for what flirting is, but any girl knows what is and how to do it.

Muslim women are supposed to behave better than the average woman, who has to be beautiful for all the men around her all the time, who are trapped behind their looks and only judge themselves to be worthy if half the men they know are in love with them. A wise dude once said, “Don’t start the mower unless you intend to cut the grass”. If you don’t want a guy’s advances, then don’t do anything to earn them. There’s no point in throwing yourself all over guys and trying to seduce half the world. You really only want to marry one guy, and you want to spend the rest of your life with him, and chances are he isn’t going to be some dork you fluttered your eyelashes at in high school.

3) No Boyfriends:- As a Muslim, you know that having a boyfriend is haraam because it counts as Zina – fornication. Fornication, in easy English, means ‘sexual sin’ or ‘intercourse before marriage’. Allah expressly forbids romantic or sexual relationships outside of marriage. When people go against that rule, then you get the typical western society where people play sexual merry-go-round with each other, giving each other STDs, using and abusing each other, and destroying the sacredness of marriage as an institution. You can’t even be sort of engaged to a guy, and then “date” to get to know each other. In Islam, non-Mahram men and women aren’t allowed to be alone together (that includes talking on the phone!), to touch (not even shake hands), or even gaze at each other. It doesn’t matter if the guy you like is Muslim, a great guy or the Prince of England, you can’t date him.

4) No Boy—friends:- The easiest way to ensure that you don’t end up falling in love with some guy before you’re ready to get married is to avoid making friends with boys. Of course in school you have to interact with boys all over the place, but that doesn’t mean you should be best buds with them. Probably 90% of relationships begin from friendships. Chances are you’re not ready for marriage, your parents aren’t ready to let you get married, you’re still in school and your crush is not the sort of fellow you want to spend the rest of your life with, so just avoid being friends with him in the first place. It really is the best formula for saving yourself from needless temptation.

When you have to talk to boys in school as teammates, lab partners, group members, and peers, it’s best to maintain a distance. That means that you don’t confide in them, you don’t let down your guard, you don’t unnecessarily engage them in needless conversation, don’t joke around, and never flirt. Yeah it may be a little hard, but this is your afterlife we’re talking about. So many great sisters have put themselves in really sticky situations because they allowed a boy to get to know them, and either ended up liking the boy, or having the boy like them. once that happens you either end up becoming a pair (which is HARAAM!), or having to end your friendship. Instead of letting it get to that point, and then having to kill a friendship that you probably worked hard on cultivating, you should just stop it before it begins. There are plenty of great girls all around who can be your friends and if you really think only a guy will understand your problem, then talk to your REAL brother, or your father, or an uncle.

5) No Talking on the Phone with Boys:- In Islam its forbidden for non-related guys and girls to be alone together because there is the chance for physical zina, vocal zina, and zina of the eyes. That means, with no one there to watch you guys except that boogery shaitaan, then you might be tempted to actually DO something, or say gross things, or just stare at each other all lustily. With that in mind, it’s also a safe bet to assume that talking on the phone with non-Mahram guys is a no-no too. Why? Because unless you’ve both got it on speaker-phone and you’re chaperoned by a responsible person, then you’re still kind of “alone” with him. The people in your house can’t hear what he’s saying to you, and his family can’t hear what you’re saying to him. There’s a chance for some bad stuff then, so just avoid it. Not to mention, having some dude saying things into your ear that no one else can hear would be gross in real life, why is it okay for him to talk into your ear via the telephone? For the most part it’s just too intimate.

6) Be Disaffected:- What does that mean? Disaffected means un-affect-able. That means that nothing a dude can say can hit your nerves, make you blush, or get a reaction out of you. It also means that you are uninterested in what they do as well. Imagine yourself being in an airplane looking down on the scenery below. You’re a little interested in what’s going on down there, and it may look really nice, but you know that to get to the scenery you have to jump off the plane. Like the scenery miles below you, the guy may look really nice, but you know that to get him you have to jump off the plane …errr…commit spiritual suicide, and though the fall may be fun, you will eventually hit the ground 600 meters below and go -splat– on Judgment Day. Maybe even sooner.

Short of becoming an ice-princess, being disaffected involves putting up a mental wall between you and all of male-kind. They don’t know your thoughts and you don’t care for theirs. You can interact with guys at school within the bounds of Islam, but always maintain a formal distance. Don’t ask a guy how his infected toe is doing. Don’t give him a hug when he looks down. Don’t offer to help him with his homework. Don’t go out of your way to remind him that you exist, and that you’re not half bad looking. Even if you don’t feel like behaving, make yourself behave anyway, your afterlife is important enough to discipline yourself for.

The safest philosophy when dealing with guys is remembering this ”He’s not what I want, so why should I do anything to make him interested in me? That’ll just make for a painfully awkward situation and it’s not worth the sin anyhow.”

Remember that you’re always being watched! Would you act all giggly and stupid with boys if the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) could see you? No, right? Because you’d feel like an ungrateful idiot for disregarding the religion that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) took so much pain for just to deliver to you. Well, imagine how ungrateful it is to act like a supreme idiot when Allah can see you all the time, and it’s really stupid to disregard the religion that Allah prescribed, the favors He’s bestowed upon you. How dumb is it to take the eyes that Allah gave you and do things with them that He told you not to? (like oggle at boys?) How much stupider is it that He can see you doing this, and you know it!

7) You have no secrets:- Not because Big Brother (whoever that is…) is watching you, but because every single thing you ever did will become public domain on the Day of Judgment, and you’ll be brought to trial to defend what you did. Just don’t do anything that you wouldn’t want your parents, your siblings, your teachers, your friends, and the whole world to know about, ok?

Related posts from [Rubaiat`s Blog]

Stylish Hijaab Vs. Islaamic Jilbaab

The Garment of Righteousness
Covering feet for women in Islaam – Abu Mussab Wajidi Akkari
Women and Perfume in the presence of non-mahrams

Two people of opposite sex will never be alone!

The Hijaab is Beautiful

Posted: May 27, 2011

muslimfaith.wordpress.com;

Abu Abdullah Fattah Salah ibn Bernard Brooks; Khadejah Jones

As-Salamu Alaykum (peace be upon you)By Abu Abdullah Fattah Salah ibn Bernard Brooks

Indeed, all praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His Aid and beg for His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and from the bad consequences of our deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead that person astray and whomever Allah leads astray no one can guide that person. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah Who is alone and without any partners and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) is His slave and final Prophet and Messenger sent to mankind.

Certainly the most perfect speech is the Speech of Allah and the finest guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). The worst of affairs are those that are innovated into this religion as every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is astray and every going astray leads to the Hell Fire.

It often occurs to me that many of my sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijab without truly pondering over its superiority. Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her Wali (guardian) has instructed her to wear it. Perhaps she has recently reverted to Islam and her close sisters have told her of its obligation. Or, perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijab. A sister who does not truly know the superiority of Hijab will always remain envious of the women of the Kuffar. Why? Because they see these misguided women looking beautiful for all to see. Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman which causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijab.

Therefore, what follows is a reminder for my sisters in Islam. It is a reminder of the true status of these so-called beautiful women. It is a reminder that Hijab will always reign supreme and that the true man (i.e. the Muslim man), will forever be dazzled by the beauty of the Muhajjabah (woman who wears the Hijab).

Some Excellent Qualities of Those Who Wear Hijab

Al-Hamdulillah, it is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of Haya (modesty). Allah loves for our Muslim women to be shielded by their Hijab. It is their outer protection from the decadence of this life. Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) has said:

“Verily! Allah is Hayiy (modest, bashful) & Sitteer (i.e. the One Who Shields – from disobedient acts). He loves Haya (i.e. He loves for one to practice modesty and bashfulness) and Sitteer (shielding; covering).” [Collected by Abu Dawud; An-Nasa'i; Al-Bayhaqi; Ahmad; & in Sahih An-Nasa'i]

Thus, as possessing Haya is a quality that is beloved by Allah our sisters must feel comfort in knowing that they have this Haya and not the women who show themselves to the world; hence, such women will not be shielded from Allah’s Wrath. Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband’s home (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah’s shield upon her.” [Collected by Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi]

Therefore, we see that the Hijab of the Muslim woman has a quality that comprises Haya (modesty). Haya is what proceeds from Iman (belief). That is why when Allah commands the women to observe Hijab, Allah says:

“And tell the believing women…” [Sura An-Nur, 24:31]

Allah also says:

“…And the women of the believers…” [Sura Al-Ahzab, 33:59]

Furthermore, Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Al-Haya (modesty & bashfulness) is from Imam (belief) and Imam is in Al-Jannah (the Paradise).” [At-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

He (Peace and blessings be upon him) also said:

“Haya (modesty and bashfulness) and Imam (belief) are fully associated together, if one is lifted the other follows suit.” [Narrated by 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar; related by Al-Hakim in his "Mustadrak"]

My dear sisters in Islam, know that these women who beautify themselves for the world to see possess no Haya; thus, they are void of any Iman. Instead of looking to the latest fashion models for guidance, you, my dear sisters, must look to the wives of the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). Look at the extreme amount of Haya that ‘Aisha bint Abu Bakr possessed even in the presence of the deceased:

‘Aisha said: “I used to enter the room where the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) and my father (Abu Bakr) were later buried in without having my garment on me, saying it is only my husband and my father. But when ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab was later buried in (the same place), I did not enter the room except that I had my garment on being shy from ‘Umar.” [As-Samt Ath-Thamin Fi Maniqib Ummahat Al-Mu'minin . Al-Hakim brings a similar narration which he says is "good according the conditions of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim"]

My dear sister in Islam, I know that it is quite difficult for you to go out wearing Hijab in a society that mocks and torments you. I know that you, indeed, feel strange and out of place. However, if you knew the status of those who are mocked by the Kuffar as well as the status of the strangers, you will continue to wear your Hijab (i.e. to cover your entire body with a Khimar as commanded (24:31), as well as with a Jilbab (33:59), with the exception of the hands and face; however, knowing the recommendation to cover those parts (as well) with dignity. Allah says in His Book:

“Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed. And whenever they passed by them, used to wink one to another (in mockery); And when they returned to their own people, they would return jesting; and when they saw them, they said: ‘Verily! These have indeed gone astray!’ But they (disbelievers, sinners) had not been sent as watchers over them (the believers). But on this Day (the Day of Resurrection) those who believe will laugh at the disbelievers. On (high) thrones, looking (at all things). Are not the disbelievers paid (fully) for what they used to do?” [Sura Al-Mutaffifin, 83:29-36]

Allah’s words should serve as a support for you my dear sisters. Also, take comfort in being a stranger among these lewd and sinful women. Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Islam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange, so good tidings for the strangers.”[Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Reported Sahih Muslim]

As-Sufur and It’s Characteristics

As-Sufur means to expose or to un-cover. Therefore, instead of practicing the Hijab (covering), the women of the Kuffar practice As-Sufur. As-Sufur is sinful as it leads to At-Tabarruj (i.e. to make a dazzling display of oneself). Displaying oneself is a attribute of one who is Jahil (ignorant). Allah says:

“And stay in your houses and do not display yourselves (At-Tabarruj) like that of the times of ignorance…” [Sura Al-Ahzab, 33:33]

Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The best of your women is the affectionate, the fertile (in productivity), the propitious (favorable), the consultative if they fear Allah. The most evil of your women are the Mutabarrijat (those who do At-Tabarruj), the Mutakhayyilat (who strut/swagger), and they are the hypocrites. Those who enter Al-Jannah (the Paradise) are like the Cough Crow.” [Al-Bayhaqi in his "As-Sunan"]

My dear sisters in Islam, we see from the above Ayah and Hadith that displaying oneself is indeed Haram. Further, it is a quality of the most evil of women! Therefore, do not be envious of the women of the Kuffar. They only have this life to enjoy while the believing women will have Al-Jannah. There is nothing in your Hijab whatsoever to be ashamed of as it is the garment of the righteous and pious female slaves of Allah. In order to truly show you how evil those women who make As-Sufur and At-Tabarruj are, let us ponder over the following statement of Allah’s Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him):

“Of the people of Hell there are two types whom I have never seen, the one possessing whips like the tail of an Ox and they flog people with them. The second one, women who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced (to wrong paths) and seduce others. Their hair is high like the humps (of camels). These women would not get into Al-Jannah (the Paradise) and they would not perceive its odor, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such a distance.” [Sahih Muslim]

Sisters in Islam, these women who practice At-Tabarruj are common among us today. These are women that even the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) did not see! Look around you and you will see those women who are clothed but naked! Look at the hair styles of the women who practice At-Tabarruj – are they not high like the camel’s hump? My dear sister, perhaps we are the first generation since the time of the Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) to witness such women. If one ponders over photos taken thirty to forty years ago, one will see that the women of the Kuffar did not make At-Tabarruj as their offspring do today. These are women who will be in the Hell Fire, save Allah has mercy upon them by guiding them to Islam! Thus, how can you envy them? My brothers, how can you desire them over your creature of Haya? These filthy women will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. This Hadith also shows us that what the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) came with (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah) is the Haqq (truth)! This is a prophecy that has come to pass in front of our very eyes. Hence, will we continue to envy these evil women or be grateful to our Lord for your Hijab which brings Haya?

Whatever I have written that is true is from Allah alone while anything that is false is from myself and Shaytan. Subhanaka Allahumma Wa Bihamdika, Ash Hadu An La Ilaha illa Anta, Astaghfiruka Wa Atubu Ilayk.

Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team

Related posts from [Rubaiat`s Blog]

Stylish Hijaab Vs. Islaamic Jilbaab

The Garment of Righteousness
Covering feet for women in Islaam – Abu Mussab Wajidi Akkari
Women and Perfume in the presence of non-mahrams

Two people of opposite sex will never be alone!

Beware of Satan`s Fahsha for he is your ultimate enemy

image: thewaytopeace

Two people of opposite sex will never be alone!

by Muslim Faith on November 2, 2011

Whether you are an assistant sitting in the same room with your boss, chatting or messaging him without any wrong intention, talking on your cell phone to him, whether you are just having a walk or just sitting with him in a bus on the same seat, just having a tea with him, just spending some time with him… they cannot be alone but the 3rd person will be Satan.

Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reminded us, if two people in the same room, they are not alone but the 3rd person is the Satan. Whether you don’t have any wrong intention or the otherwise, satan will not leave you alone.

We don’t need to feel sorry about what we have done, just repent and make the change, reflect Qur’aan in your daily life and then see how much Allaah loves you!

- Sheikh Danish Riyaz

Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.), whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty. Allah is Self-Sufficient, All-Knowing. - Sura Al-Baqarah 2:268

image: asik news

Imagine An Underground Park In NYC? It Could Become Reality

Spot Under Delancey Street May Be Developed Into Subterranean Paradise
CBS.com
November 22, 2011 8:19 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — When most people think of the New York City underground the subway, rats and bad lighting are among the first things that come to mind.

Image left: An artist’s rendering of the proposed underground park (credit: delanceyunderground.org/)

But, how about beautiful spaces with natural sunlight, grass, trees and remarkably good-looking people relaxing in a park-like setting? Well, that’s exactly what pops into the heads of architect James Ramsey and his partner Dan Barasch. The pair want to turn the rundown, graffiti-covered trolley terminal under Delancey Street into an underground park, reports CBS 2′s Don Dahler.

“It’s part historical rediscovery of an amazing space; it’s part science-fiction. And I think it’s part just sort of a green, magical community renewal,” Ramsey said.

“This is a space that could be used on a day like this that’s rainy and cold and grey. And it could be used in winter and it could be used when it’s freezing outside,” Barasch added.

While the plan may seem far-fetched to some, Ramsey and Barasch appear to be the right men for the job. Their resumes include words like “NASA,” “Yale,” “Cornell” and “Google.”

The ambitious duo were inspired by the overwhelming success of the “High Line” project, an elevated old train line turned park. The proposed “low line” park would take up three blocks underneath the Lower East Side, and would feature actual trees and greenery, thanks to technology straight out of science fiction.

Ramsey described the process, which would turn the dark bowels of Lower Manhattan, into a year-round sunny day, saying, “There’s three portions to this. There’s collecting the light and concentrating it. There’s sending it through either a shaft or fiber optic cable. And then there’s distributing it.”

The proposed park, which would be free to the public, has gotten a positive response from the city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and although the developers aren’t sure yet how much it would cost, they’ve already started raising funds for their subterranean vision of the future.

Click here to view the video on the proposed underground park by cbs2 channel

For more information on the proposed park check out http://delanceyunderground.org

The Facebook secret service

posted on: muslimfaith.wordpress.com
November 20, 2011, Jon Stock

Do you know it’s finally a book you have to face!

It started off as an innocent university paper. Austrian law student Max Schrems, 24, thought it would be interesting to find out how much information Facebook had stored about him over the past three years. Facebook’s European headquarters is in Ireland and, under European privacy laws, which are stricter than in the US, the company was obliged to disclose the data. Schrems was surprised to receive a CD containing 1,222 pdf files.

He was alarmed to discover that information he had removed from his profile, including deleted messages, had been retained by the social networking site.

“ If the post office opened, scanned and analysed every letter that came through and never deleted it, everyone would freak out,” says Schrems. “ That is what Facebook is doing with our messages.

I have read their privacy policy but, after a year investigating, I still have no clear idea of what they use this data for.” Schrems set up an online campaign group called Europe versus Facebook.

To date, it has lodged 22 complaints with Ireland’s data protection commissioner.

All Facebook users outside the US and Canada— about 600 million people, including users in India— have a contract with Facebook Ireland Ltd.

Schrems is concerned that the data will turn into “ life archives”. These, he claims, could fall into the hands of advertisers or intelligence services. I have had a look at the complaints and Schrems is definitely on to something.

I don’t believe that Facebook has any hidden, malicious agenda. “ The assertion that Facebook is doing some sort of nefarious profiling is wrong,” Facebook spokesperson Andrew Noyes recently told Fox News.

I do think we have no idea how much personal information we are agreeing to share online and how it might potentially be used. Schrems’s allegations are based on the assumption that Facebook is not only hosting data, but also processing it without our control. It also stores all deleted posts, photo tags and pokes.

More seriously, Schrems alleges ( in complaint no. 2) that Facebook is compiling “ shadow profiles” of people who have not even joined the site. They keep a record of names that have been searched for on Facebook. When someone then joins up, they are alerted to anyone who has been searching for them. Facebook encourages users to hand over data about users and non- users, including email addresses, telephone numbers, addresses and work information. It asks us to synchronise our Facebook account with our email address book contacts.

“ Facebook Ireland is creating extensive profiles of non- users and it is also enriching existing user profiles,” claims Schrems. “ This means that Facebook Ireland is gathering excessive amounts of information about data subjects without notice or consent…. This information might be embarrassing or intimidating or constitute sensitive data such as political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs and sexual orientation.” Another complaint ( no. 17) concerns the “ like” button. Many web sites feature this “ social plugin” and you and I might think that Facebook only knows that we have visited the site if we choose to like it. But, as Schrems points out, Facebook starts gathering data the moment we land on the page, including date, time, URL and your computer’s IP address, browser and operation system. If you visit Facebook even as a non- user, a cookie is placed on your browser, allowing your internet activity to be tracked.

Facebook says it only keeps the data for 90 days and it is used solely for security purposes, but it is still worrying.

Facebook claims it is committed to transparency and it is not alone in trying to gather information about its customers. There is also much that the savvy user can do ( such as turning off cookies). My fear is that the majority of users outside the US are unaware of the extent that our internet activities are being tracked and recorded. Ireland’s data protection commissioner has just finished its audit of Facebook and its findings will be eagerly awaited.

- The Week

Additional Resources:
Facebook Reveals its User-Tracking Secrets | zokimag

The fish McDonalds uses for it`s Filet-o-Fish sandwich

images: sitcomsonline & popfi

The Hoki fish, from New Zealand is used in McDonald`s Filet-o-Fish sandwich

Here is a video clip from the Young Turks, discussing and the revealing the true whereabouts of the fish used by Mcdonalds:

Uploaded by TheYoungTurks

Resources:

>The sad little hoki fish inside your Filet-O-Fish sandwich

> Hoki Fish As Sandwich Fillet

> Try The Hoki Fish Sandwich

Welcome to 'Frankenstein Meat'

Meat Glue: The Meat Industry`s Dirty Little Secret

'Ever heard of meat glue?' Well you sure will think about the next time you sink your teeth into a burger or a t-bone steak after reading this. After reading a clip of the article on prisonplanet.com and the original article on greenprophet.com, I was so shocked to know the scraps of meat otherwise not used by butchers or cooks are put together with 'meat glue' and charged a premium price for it!

'Meat glue' is white powder sold by the kilo, - the meat industry's dirty little secret. Meat glue is transglutaminase, an enzyme derived from beef or pork blood plasma in powder form, it makes pieces of beef, lamb, chicken or fish that would normally be thrown out stick together so closely that it looks like a solid piece of meat. Oh and here is the big kicker - you don`t have to tell the customer, once glued together and cooked, no one can tell the difference-not even the professionals.

Even though meat glue was banned by the European Parliament in May 2010, a study in the U.S. trying to get the nod by the FDA says its safe but guess what, the product manufacturer Ajinomoto funded the study. Meat glue is readily available online and sold by the kilo throughout the food and meat industry.

Welcome to 'frankenstein meat.'

Read the full article here

Watch the shocking video on how 'meat glue' is used in the meat industry:

video provided and uploaded by worldstarhiphop

Followers & Subscribers

You all may have begun to see already, I`ve added Blogger`s Blogsend email subscription service to my blog so readers can be updated to the minute on new content when its posted. All my followers and subscribers were automatically added to the service. If you do not want any emails from my blogs, please unsubscribe or send me an email and I`ll gladly remove your email info.

For new subscribers, you can now be updated and follow my blog by entering your email in the new 'follow by email' service box and confirming it in your email.

Thanks as always for all your tremendous help and support.

Rubaiat Ahmed

http://rubaiatahmed.blogspot.com/

National Geographic: Death of a Mars Rover (2011)

When the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity touched down on Mars in January 2004, they were expected to drive a few hundred yards and last ninety days. Seven-plus years later, the hardy robots have proven to be two of the greatest explorers of the Space Age, trekking miles across hostile deserts, climbing mountains, scrambling in and out of craters, and cheating death many times. Now comes the sad news that while Opportunity continues to roll, Spirit has reached the end of the road. Death of a Mars Rover tells the epic story of Spirit and Opportunity, and the desperate effort to save Spirit after she drove into a quicksand trap and then fell silent over a year ago.

http://www.videobb.com/watch_video.php?v=KCjBGG7itb60

National Geographic: Egypt Underworld (2009)

New excavations are revealing more than we've ever known about Egyptian life after death. To the ancient Egyptians, life after death was a high-stakes underworld journey fraught with terrifying obstacles: fiery lakes of death, battles with bona fide monsters, and ultimately eternal death or resurrection with the sun. It's a journey each Egyptian believed was real, and for the pharaoh the stakes were even higher – the entire cosmos depended on the king's successful journey and resurrection. Now, new excavations are revealing more than we've ever known about what the Egyptians knew they'd encounter on their afterlife journey. Today Dr. Zahi Hawass is excavating a mysterious tunnel at the very bottom of Seti's tomb; a perilous tunnel dug far below the surface of the earth. On a true Indiana-Jones style quest in which Dr. Hawass will put his own life in jeopardy for the sake of discovery.

http://www.videobb.com/watch_video.php?v=HYT50ypMonUF

http://www.videozer.com/video/2bGrBqT

Related info:

Pharoah Seti I

Family tree of Seti I