Respect ...

Respect your elders all they deserve;
Respect your servants too who you well serve;
Respect your father for tilling the soil;
Respect your mother for her love and toil.

Respect all teachers who gave you knowledge;
Respect your friend who saved you from the ledge;
Respect all good minds who advised you good;
Respect the man of God who gave soul’s food.

Respect all strangers who were all Godsends;
Respect your foes who taught you self-defense;
Respect those evil men who you troubled;
Respect the tempter who well you misled.

Respect your conscience which tells you what’s right;
Respect your God who is your Friend and Guide.

Careful at petrol stations!

ATTENTION ALL LADY DRIVERS (and Perhaps male drivers as well..)

My dear friends, pls be careful. Nowadays, there are so many crazy, sick-minded, psycho criminals around us. They may not look like one, but they are.

Yesterday, a friend of my sister was almost robbed, possibly even abducted in Ampang. This happened at a petrol station.

This lady went to the petrol station to fill in the gas. Then, she went to the ATM machine (most petrols have it now) inside the petrol station to withdraw some money, and bought some stuff, and qued up to pay for the items. While waiting fo her turn, she saw innocent looking man wearing a white shirt, but she did not really think about it afterwards.

Then, she went to her car. She did not have the remote control, so she had the key ready in her hand. She got inside, and straight away locked the doors.

Suddenly, in less than a second, she heard someone was trying to open the back door. She turned to take a look, but nobody was there. She turned, and found that the man inside the petrol station (mentioned before) was trying to open the front passenger's door! He had a very innocent looking face, with decent clothing! Nobody could have ever thought that this man is actually a robber!

She was so scared, she pressed her horns, really frightened, shocked and scared. The worst part was the man did not even show any signs of being afraid or noticed. He walked calmly towards his accomplice like nothing had happened, and even managed to take make a few rounds on his bike around the station's compound before riding away.

After lodging a report, the victim and the police went through the CCTV. The recording had shown that the man was actually holding a knife in his other hand!! The police said that if the lady was a second slower, it might have been worse. Thanks God she was okay.

So friends, be really careful. Pls tell this to others.

Some lessons to be wary of :
1 - Always be alert and extra careful, especially when withdrawing money
2 - Car owners - pls have the key in ready in your hand, ALWAYS. Never start search for keys only after getting to your car.
3 - Always lock your door as soon as you get inside the car.
4 - Avoid from using big handbags - u don't want to get unnecessary attention
5 - Be cautious
6 - Be wary of strangers no matter how well dress they may be

Oh Marriage!

Before the marriage:
-----------------------------------------

He: Yes. At last. It was so hard to wait.

She: Do you want me to leave?

He: NO! Don't even think about it.

She: Do you love me?

He: Of course!

She: Have you ever cheated on me?

He: NO! Why you even asking?

She: Will you kiss me?

He: Yes!

She: Will you hit me?

He: No way! I'm not such kind of person!

She: Can I trust you?

He: Yes.*
*
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Now after the marriage you can read it from bellow to up !!!!

Forgiveness is what is best and most advantageous for a person

Forgiveness is

what is best

and most advantageous

for a person

God tells believers in one of His verses:

“It is He

Who accepts repentance

from His servants

and pardons evil acts

and knows what they do.”

(Qur’an, 42:25).

As is expressed in this verse, God is forgiving. And believers, obeying the morals God approves of, know to forgive when they face malevolence and how to banish wickedness with kindness. Without a doubt, to overlook wickedness by being patient and not be vindictive by forgiving the wrongdoer are qualities specific to a pious person. And the recompense for this behaviour is God’s approval and love.

God informs us in one of His verses:

Those who give alms

in times of both ease and hardship,

those who control their rage

and pardon their fellow man—

God loves the charitable.

(Qur’an, 3:134)

By responding to wrong-doing with goodness, the person forgiving would also be creating a place full of peace and comfort for himself and others.

Of course, such an environment is vastly superior in terms of ease, comfort, and peace to one ruled by continuous revenge, grudge, hatred, and animosity.

Of course, the individual may have to control himself and exercise great patience for some time to rid himself of the anger and feelings of resentment which at first well up him, but in return he will achieve an environment and soul full of friendship, love, respect, and peace.

This is what God tells believers in His verses:

A good action and a bad action

are not the same.

Requisite evil with good and,

if there is enmity between you

and someone else,

he will become like a bosom friend.

But none will obtain this save

those who are truly steadfast.

None will attain this save

those who have great good fortune.

(Qur'an, 41:34-35)

As a reward for good morals, God gives people a good and an easy life. Around a person who doesn’t forgive, there are always enemies who hate and despise him, whereas one who forgives is blessed with a life full of comfort and peace in this world and warm friends.

---
How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.

'Our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the hereafter, and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.'
(Qur'an, 2:200-201)

(Aameen)

Skipping :)

A very heavy blonde went to the clinic to lose weight. The Doctor told her to eat what she normally ate for three days, then skip a day. Come back in four weeks and you will have lost at least 4 pounds.

She came back four weeks later, 30 pounds lighter! The Doctor looked at her surprised and said "How do you feel now"?

I'm so sore and tired. My muscles ache all over!

Doctor: From not eating?

Blonde: No from skipping!

20 reasons why life without a girlfriend is cool

1. You can stare at any Girl

1. You don't have to spend money on her.

1. You won't get boring result in ur board papers.

1. No girlfriend, no emotional blackmailing.

1. If u don't have a girlfriend, she can't dump u.

1. Having a girlfriend is hot, not having a girlfriend is
automatically cool, and every one loves to be a cool guy.

1. This can be more to life than just waiting for the bloody phone to
ring.

1. You won't have to tolerate someone else defining, "right" and
"wrong" for u.

1. Girlfriend can get so possessive that you can't do anything
according ur wishes anymore.

1. You can buy gifts for mom, dad, sis or grandpa instead of a
girlfriend and have a happier family life.

1. You won't have to waste paper writing love letters. No more endless
waiting for ur date to arrive at some weird shop place.

1. You can have more friends, as u will have more time for them.

1. You wont have to see boring love stories instead of sports.

1. You wont have to tell lie to anybody and, therefore, u'll sin less.

1. You can have good night's sleep-no need to dream about her.

1. You wont have to fight over having a 'special' friend with ur
folks.

1. You wont have drown in the pool of her tears.

1. No tension.

1. You can be "yourself"

1. You wont have to hide your telephone bills….

The Victory of Victories

An-Numan Ibn Muqarrin (ra - may Allah be pleased with him)

The tribe of Muzaynah had their habitations some distance from Yathrib (Madinah) on the caravan route which linked the city to Makkah. News of the Prophet's (saw - may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) arrival in Yathrib spread rapidly and soon reached the Muzaynah through members of the tribe who had left and returned.

One evening the chieftain of the tribe, an-Numan ibn Maqarrin (ra), sat among the elders and other members of the tribe and addressed them: "O my people, by God, we have learnt only good about Muhammad (saw), and of His mission we have heard nothing but mercy, kindness and justice. What's wrong with us? Why do we tarry while people are hastening to him?"
"As for myself," he continued, "I have made up my mind to leave early in the morning to join him. Whoever of you wishes to go with me, let him get ready."

An-Numan (ra) must have been a persuasive chieftain. His words had a wondrous effect on the ears of his people. The following morning an-Numan's (ra) ten brothers and four hundred horsemen of the Muzaynah were all ready and prepared to go with him to Yathrib to mee t the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, and enter the religion of Islam.

An-Numan (ra) however felt embarrassed to go to the Prophet (saw) with such a numerous following without carrying any presents for him and the Muslims. There wasn't much he could carry anyway. That year was a year of drought and famine for the Muzaynah and much of their livestock and crops had perished. Still, an-Numan (ra) went around the dwellings of his fellow tribesmen and gathered up whatever sheep and goats were left. These he drove before him and made his way to Madinah. There in the presence of the Prophet (saw), he and his fellow tribesmen announced their acceptance of Islam.

The whole of Madinah was agog with excitement with the coming of an-Numan (ra) and his companions. Never before had there been a single family with all eleven brothers accepting Islam at the same time together with four hundred horsemen. The noble Prophet (saw) was exceedingly glad and rejoiced greatly. Indeed the sincerity of their effort was accepted and commended by God Almighty when He revealed the following words of the Quran to the Prophet (saw):

"And among the nomad Arabs are such as believe in God and the Last Day, and regard all that they spend in God's cause as a means of drawing them nearer to God and of (their being remembered in) the Apostle's prayers. Oh, verily, it shall (indeed) be a means of (God's) nearness to them, (for) God will admit them into His grace. Verily God is much-Forgiving, most Merciful." (The Quran, Surah at-Tawbah, 9:99).

An-Numan (ra) lived under the guidance of the Prophet (saw) and participated in all the campaigns he waged with valor and dedication. In the time of Abu Bakr (ra), he and the people of Muzaynah played a major and commendable role in putting an end to the fitnah of apostasy. During the caliphate of Umar al-Faruq (ra), an-Numan (ra) distinguished himself, in particular, in the encounters with the Sasananian (Persian) Empire.

Shortly before the Battle of Qadisiyyah, the commander of the Muslim forces Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) sent a delegation to the Sasanian Emperor, Yazdagird. The delegation was headed by an-Numan ibn Muqarrin (ra) and its main purpose was to invite the emperor of Islam . When an-Numan (ra) and his delegation reached Ctesiphon, the Sasanian capital, the people of the city looked upon them with curiosity and some disdain. They remarked on their simple appearance, their rough clothes and shoes and their weak-looking horses. The Muslims were in no way overwhelmed and sought an audience with Yazdagird. He granted them permission, summoned an interpreter and said to him:

"Say to them (the Muslims): why have you come to our dominions and why do you want to invade us? Perhaps, you have designs on us... and seek to venture against us because we are preoccupied with you.

But we do not wish to inflict punishment on you."
An-Numan (ra) turned to his men and said:
"If you wish, I shall reply to him on your behalf. But if any one of you wants to speak let him do so first."
The Muslims told an-Numan (ra) to speak and turning to the Emperor, said: "This man speaks with our tongue so do listen to what he says." An-Numan (ra) beg an by praising and glorifying God and invoking peace and blessings on His Prophet (saw). Then he said:
"Indeed God has been Kind and Merciful to us and has sent to us a Messenger (saw) to show us the good and command us to follow it; to make us realize what is evil and forbade us from it.
"The Messenger (saw) promised us if we were to respond to what he summoned us, God would bestow on us the good of this world and the good of the hereafter.
"Not much time has elapsed but ALLAH has given us abundance in place of hardship, honor in place of humiliation and mercy and brotherhood in place of our former enmity.
"The Messenger (saw) has commanded us to summon mankind to what is best for them and to begin with those who are our neighbors.

"We therefore invite you to enter into our religion. It is a religion which beautifies and promotes all good and which detests and discourages all that is ugly and reprehensible. It is a religion which leads its adherents from the darkness of tyranny and unbelief to the light and justice of faith."

"Should you respond positively to us and come to Islam, it would be our duty to introduce the Book of God in your midst and help you to live according to it and rule according to its laws. We would then return and leave you to conduct your own affairs.
"Should you refuse, however, to enter the religion of God, we would take the jizyah from you and give you protection in return. If you refuse to give the jizyah, we shall declare war on you."

Yazdagird was angry and furious at what he had heard and said in ridicule: "Certainly I do not know of a nation on earth who is more wretched than you and whose numbers are so few, who are more divided and whose condition is more evil."
"We have been used to delegate your affairs to our provincial governors and they exacted obedience form you on our behalf." Then softening his tone somewhat, he continued, but with greater sarcasm:

"If there is any need which has pushed you to come to us, we would enlist forces to help you make your lands fertile. We would clothe your leaders and the notables of your people and place a king from among ourselves over you who would be gentle to you."

One of an-Numan's (ra) delegation responded sharply to this and Yazdagird flew into a rage once more and shouted: "Were it for the fact that ambassadors are not killed, I would kill you all. "Get up. You shall have nothing from me. And tell your commander that I am sending Rustum against him to bury him and you together in the ditch of al Qadisiyyah."

Yazdagird then called for a basketful of earth and ordered that it should be borne outside the city gates by the one whom the Muslims considered to be the most noble among them as a sign of humiliation. Asim the son of Umar accepted the load as a happy augury and took it to the commander-in-chief, Sad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra), and said to him:

"Accept our congratulations for the victory. The enemy has voluntarily surrendered his territory to us." The Battle of Qadisiyyah ensued and after four days of bitter fighting, the Muslim forces emerged victorious. The victory paved the way for the Muslim advance into the plains of the Euphrates and the Tigris. The Persian capital, Ctesiphon, fell and this was followed by a number of engagements as the Persians withdrew northwards.

Despite other defeats and setbacks, Yazdagird refused to yield and constantly organized new levies to attack the Muslims and foment insurrection in the provinces which had come under Muslim control.

Umar (ra) had counselled moderation on his generals and ordered them not to press too far eastwards. However he received news of a massive Persian mobilization of about 15O,OOO warriors against the Muslims. He thought of leaving Madinah and facing the massive threat himself. He was advised against this by prominent Muslims in Madinah who suggested instead that he should appoint a military commander to confront the grave situation.

"Show me a man whom I can appoint for this task." said. "You know your army best, O Amir al-Muminin," they replied and after some thought Umar (ra) exclaimed:

"By God, I shall appoint as commander-in-chief of the Muslim army a man who, when the two armies meet, will be the most active. He is an-Numan ibn Muqarrin al-Muzani (ra)." To him, Umar (ra) despatched a letter: "From the servant of God, Umar ibn al-Khattab, to an- Numan ibn Muqarrin:

"I have received news that large numbers of Persians have gathered to fight you in the city of Nihawand. When this my letter reaches you go forward (to confront them) with the help of God, with whoever of the Muslims are with you. Don't take the Muslims over too difficult terrain lest they may be hurt, for one Muslim person is dearer to me than a hundred thousand dinars. And Peace be unto you."

An-Numan (ra) responded to the orders of the Amir al-Muminin and mobilized the Muslim forces. He despatched an advanced detachment of cavalry to reconnoiter the approaches of the city. Just outside Nihawand, the horses stopped and despite prodding would go no further. The riders dismounted and discovered iron nails in the horses' hooves. They looked around and found that all approaches to the city were strewn with these iron spikes to halt the advance of the Muslim army. On being informed of this, an-Numan (ra) ordered the
horsemen to remain where they were and at nightfall to light fires for the enemy to see them.

They were also to feign fear and defeat in order to entice the enemy to come out to them and in the process clear the approaches of the iron spikes. The ruse worked. When the Persians saw the van guard of the Muslim army appearing dejected and defeated before them, they sent workers to clear the area of the spikes. These workers were captured by the Muslim cavalry who gained control of the approaches to the city .
An-Numan (ra) pitched camp on the outskirts of the city and decided to make a determined assault on the city. He addressed his soldiers:

"I shall say Allahu Akbar three times. At the first time, get Yourselves ready (by performing wudu). At the second time, let every man of you get ready his weapons and gird them on. And the third time, I shall move against the enemies of God and you must join in the attack with me." He went on:

"And if an-Numan (ra) is killed, let no one tarry over him. For I shall (now) make a supplication to God Almighty and I want everyone of you to say 'Ameen'. "

He then prayed: "May God grant martyrdom to an-Numan (ra) this day and may He grant victory to the Muslims."

Three times an-Numan (ra) shouted Allahu Akbar. On the third time, he plunged into the ranks of the enemies and the Muslims rushed on behind him. They were outnumbered six to one but inflicted terrible losses on the Persians.

An-Numan (ra) received a mortal blow during the battle. His brother took the standard from his hand, and covered him with a burdah and concealed his death from the others.
The Muslim forces emerged victorious. The Persians never recovered themselves after this battle which Muslim historians have called "the Victory of Victories".

The battle over, the victorious soldiers asked for their valiant commander. His brother lifted the burdab and said: "This is your Amir. God has shown him victory and blessed him with martyrdom."

When the news was brought to Umar in Madinah, a companion who was with him said: "I saw Umar, may God be pleased with him. When he heard of the death of an-Numan ibn Muqarrin, he placed his head in his hands and began to cry."

Don't Be Sad - Whether You Have A Little Or A Lot Learn To Be Thankful

The person who is not thankful to Allah for cold, pure water; will
not be thankful to Him for a mansion or a luxury car.

The person who is not thankful for warm bread will not be grateful
if he suddenly becomes blessed with luxury food items, because an
ingrate sees a little and a lot to be the same thing. Many before us
have made binding promises to Allah that, if He were to give them
blessings, they would in turn be grateful and give charity.

"And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah [saying]: `If
He bestowed on us of His Bounty we will verily, give Sadaqah [Zakah
and voluntary charity in Allah Cause] and will be certainly among
those who are righteous.' Then when We gave them of His Bounty they
became niggardly [refused to pay the Zakah or voluntary charity] and
turned away, averse." Surah Al-Taubah – Ayaat 75 and 76.

Everyday we see people of this sort, people that are mentally
distressed, empty on the inside, and bitter towards their Lord
because He did not give them more. They feel this way despite their
good state of health and in spite of the nourishing food that
sustains them daily, not to mention all of the basic needs that they
have. They are not thankful for these things, nor are they thankful
for the free time that they have. What would then be the case if
they were given castles or mansions! Indeed they would deviate even
further from the path of their Lord and they would increase in
haughtiness and disdain.

The one who walks barefooted says, "I will be thankful to my Lord
when he blesses me with shoes." And the one with shoes postpones
being grateful until he gets an expensive car. Our wishes from Allah
are never-ending while we are slow and lethargic in applying His
commandments.

Prayers and Healing

By-Shahid Athar, M.D., F.A.C.E. *

We the Physicians have now come to accept a fact known to our patients for centuries, that healing is from God, and we are just an instrument of the Healer. We give the same medication to two different patients with the same type of medical problem or perform similar operations on two patients otherwise at the same risk and one will survive and the other one doesn't. It is more than LUCK.

As Socrates put it -" I dress the wound and God heals it. "

This is also acknowledged by Prophet Abraham,
"and when I am ill, it is He who cures me" (Quran 26:80).

God himself attests to it by saying...

" If God touches thee with an affliction, no one can remove it but He " (Quran 6:17).

Healing from Quran Quran, the Muslim revealed scripture is not a text book of Medicine but in it are some guidance, that if followed, will promote good health and healing. Thus Quran calls itself a book of healing.

" O mankind, there has come unto you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the heart and for those who believe in guidance and mercy "
(Quran 10:57).

" We have sent down in the Quran that which is healing and a mercy to those who believe "
(Quran 17:82)

Healing from Quran is of three types. a. Legislative effect: This includes Faith (Iman) in God as not only Creator but the Sustainer and the Protector. This also includes medical benefits of obligatory prayers, fasting, charity and pilgrimage, details of which is beyond the scope of this article.

b. Health Guidelines: Health-promoting items from Quran and tradition of Prophet Mohammed include use of honey, olive, fruit, lean meat, avoiding excessive eating, and Prohibition of alcohol, pork, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity and sex during menstruation.

c. Direct healing effect of Quran: Recitation of Quran by the sick person or for the sick person (ruqya) has shown to have a direct healing effect on the sick person. This most likely uses medical benefits of Echo.

Echo of sound is such a powerful force that it has been used to blast off mountains. Now the miniaturized version of Echo is used in medicine to break Kidney Stones (lithotripsy), gallstones, and even vegetations in the sub endothelial bacterial endocarditis (SBE).

Listening to the recitation of Holy Quran, in a study conducted by Dr. Ahmed E. Kadi and Associates, has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and to cause smooth muscle relaxation in Muslim Arabs, non-Arab Muslims and even in non-Muslims. It is postulated that Echo Target of Alif Lam Meem is in heart and that of Ya-seen is in the pituitary gland of the brain. Thus Prophet Mohammad (P) always stressed reading Quran (Quran-recitation) loudly and not silently by saying "The comparison between a silent reader and a reciter (Qari) is like a bottle of perfume when it is closed and when it is opened."

Use of Meditation (dhikr, Zikrallah) in Prayer and Healing
Dhikr (Zikr meditation) are acts of remembrance and communications with God as ordained to us.

1. " When my servant asks you (O Muhammad) about me, (tell them) I am close to them: I listen to the prayer of each supplicant when he asks Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way "
(Quran 2:186).

2. " Your Lord says: " Call on Me and I will answer your call "
(Quran 40:60).

3. " Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of God, for in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest "
(Quran 13:28).

4. " Remember Me, I will remember you; thank Me and reject Me not "
(Quran 2:152).

5. " Remember thy Lord much and praise Him in the evening and morning "
(Quran 3:41).

6. " Such as those who remember God standing, sitting and reclining "
(Quran 3:191).

7. " and men who remember God much and women who remember God, God has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward "
(Quran 33:35).

8. " O you believe! Remember God with much remembrance and glorify Him in the morning and evening "
(Quran 33:41-42).

Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (P)
Prophet Muhammad (P), like all other prophets of God, was engaged in the remembrance (dhikr) of God most of the time. He is known to have said

1. "There is a polish for everything that removes the rust and the polish for the rust-of- heart is the dhikr (remembrance) of God."

2. He was asked which people are most virtuous and most highly esteemed by God on the Day of Judgement. The messenger of God (P) replied "Those who remember God often."

3. It is narrated in a hadith Qudsi (direct revelation to Prophet Muhammad (P) "God Most High says I am as my Servant - think I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me by himself, I make mention of him to Myself. If he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than his. If he comes closer to Me a hand span, I come closer to him arms-length, if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running."

Thus dhikr (meditation/remembrance) has been a practice of all Sufi sheikhs. In the words of Sheikh al-Mursi "dhikr pleases God, defeats and drives evil forces, increases livelihood, makes personality more prestigious, cleanses the heart, removes the faults and saves the tongue from lying, gossip, backbiting and hypocrisy while engaged in the remembrance of God."

Seeking Help with Prayers
According to Imam Ghazali (RA), illness increases faith and brings man closer to God. Knowing this nature, we are told in Quran -

"O you who believe, seek help with patience and prayers, as God is with those who patiently persevere" (Quran 2:153).

Prophet Muhammad (P) when he visited the sick, used to comfort him and say the following Prayer for the Sick
-
"O Allah remove the hardship, O Lord of mankind, grant cure for You are the Healer. There is no cure but from You, a cure which leaves no illness behind."
Transliteration - "Allahumma Azhibil bas, Rabbannas, Ishfi wa anta Shafi, La Shifa illa Shafaok. Shifaal La Yoghadiro saqama."

He used to make following prayer for his own health - "O Allah cure my body, cure my heart and cure my eyesight from any illness" (repeated 3 times).
Transliteration - "Allahumma Afini fi badni, afini fi qalbi wa afini fi basari" (3 times).

Do Prayers Work? Yes they do. Dr. Larry Dossey in his book "The Healing Words" has documented the healing effects of prayer. Citing one example from the research conducted by Dr. Byrd at San Francisco General Hospital in 1988, 393 critically ill heart patients admitted to the intensive care units over a 10-month period were divided in 2 groups. Group A were the patients who were prayed for by name till they left the hospital. Group B were not prayed for. The prayer makers were not told how to pray. The results were very interesting. Those who were prayed for left the hospital early, had less cardiac arrest, 2-1/2 times less incidence of congestive heart failure and needed 1/5th less antibiotics.
They also observed that prayer combined with loving care worked even better. Men who had angina pectoris and a loving caring wife, reported 50% more reduction in angina than men who were single or divorced.

Prayers work for us even while we are sleeping.

Thus Prophet Muhammad (P) has advised us to say prayers from Quran (Surah Ikhlas, Al Falaq, Annas and/or last verse of Al Baqra (2:286) before going to sleep.

My Own Practice I do dhikr in all my free time, especially while driving, and I pray for myself, my family, my friends and my patients by name, knowing that cure is only from God.

One time I visited a critically ill patient who had an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma) and was in hypotensive shock. I asked her what could I do for her and she, out of desperation (doctors had told her she wouldn't make it) asked me to pray. So I placed my hand over the site of the tumor and made the Prophetic Prayer and left. The next day when I came, I was surprised to see her sitting up in bed smiling. She told me that evening the radiologist x-rayed her again and found no trace of the tumor. He could not explain it but thought the arteriogram may have "infarcted the tumor."

The Sufi Practices In the treatment of diseases, Sufis use prayers and the knowledge of specific verse of Quran and names of Allah (Asmae husna). This is called the Science of Tawidh (Taweez). They use science of numerology associated with Arabic alphabets. Some sample tawidh is given for illustration. One must know the healing is not in a piece of paper, words or numbers, but only from Allah. In my humble opinion, Tawidh is only a way to become God-conscious and receive His mercy as a result.

*Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine. Presented on March 7, 1997 at the 4th Annual Convention of International Association for Sufism, San Francisco, California. Dr. Athar is also the Chairman, Medical Ethics of Islamic Medical Association of North American and Member IAS. He is the author of "Health Concerns for Believers" and edited "Islamic Perspective in Medicine."
---------------------------------
Selected Reading

1. The meaning of the Holy Quran translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Amana Corp, M.D.

2. Athar, Shahid "Health Guidelines from the Quran and Sunnah" in
Health Concerns for Believers (Kazi Publication 1995).

3. El-Kadi, Ahmed "Health and Healing in the Quran" in Islamic Perspective in Medicine
edited by Shahid Athar, M.D. (ATP 1994).

4. Medicine of the Prophet by Imam Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyya translated
by Muhammad Al-Akili (Pearl Publishing House).

5. Medicine of the Prophet by Jalaluddin Abdur Rahman As-Suyuti (Ta Ha Publishers Ltd.).

6. Bakhtiar, Laleh "God's will be Done: Moral Healing through the
most Beautiful Names" The Institute of Traditional Psychoethics and Guidance 1994.

7. Dossey, Larry, M.D., "Healing Words" - Harper Collins 1993.

8. Shaykh Hakim Moinuddin Chishti "The Book of Sufi Healing".
The Inner Traditional Int.1985.

9. Al-Gazali - Invocations and Supplications translated by
K. Nakamura, Cambridge, U.K. The Islamic Text Society 1990.

10. Gilani, Shaik Muhyiddleen Abdul Qadi
- "The Endowment of Divine Grace and the Spread of Divine Mercy"
Vol I - Pearl Publication, Philadelphia, PA 1990.

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Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!

OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me
and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!
(Aameen)

British Muslim and Non Muslim Organisations Write On Gaza in Commons’ House Magazine

House magazine, Parliament’s official publication, published an article in its latest issue written by the Muslim Council of Britain and 31 supporting Muslim and non-Muslim organisations under the title: The War on Gaza as we see it.



The article illustrated the unacceptable bias in both political stands as well as in media coverage that seemed to offer Israel immunity to perpetrate what would in any other situation be described as clear and undeniable crimes of war. The article also criticised the British government for its ‘pathetic’ response to the escalating crisis that has, to date, killed almost 1000 Palestinians and injured more than 4000.



Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the MCB stated: “The double standards at play is shameful to say the least. We claim to wage wars in order to democratize nations in the Middle East and further ashore, yet when the Palestinians chose their leaders in one of the most fair and free democratic elections the region has witnessed, Britain and the world shunned them and turned their lives into a living hell.”



The article ended by commending the stand of the leader of the Liberal Democrats; “To avoid further loss of innocent lives and in the interest of regional peace and international stability we call on our government to implement the Liberal Democratic leader’s Nick Clegg call for an embargo of arms sales to Israel and ensure a comprehensive ceasefire, end to the siege, opening of the borders and end to the Israeli occupation.”

New York plane crash tapes unveiled

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The crew of a US Airways jetliner disabled by birds that knocked out both its engines over New York calmly told air controllers: "We're gonna be in the Hudson" before splash landing in the river, according to tapes of the account released on Thursday.

The Federal Aviation Administration recordings revealed a four-minute segment of clipped, matter-of-fact radio communication between the pilots of Flight 1549 and controllers, who cleared the skies to get the stricken plane with 155 passengers and crew in for an emergency landing.

The recordings start with the Airbus A320 apparently striking a flock of birds shortly after takeoff on January 15 from LaGuardia airport, bound for Charlotte, North Carolina.

After takeoff, the New York high altitude controller centre gives routine instructions to the US Airways jet, code named "Cactus" because the company is based in Arizona.

The following is an abbreviated exchange of communication between radar controllers and Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, both of whom misstated the call signs for the flight.

1549: "This is, uh, cactus Fifteen-Thirty-Nine (sic). Hit birds. We lost thrust in both engines. We're turning back towards LaGuardia."

FAA to LaGuardia: "It's Fifteen-Twenty-Nine (sic). He, ah, bird strike. He lost all engines. He lost the thrust in the engines. He is returning immediately."

FAA: "Cactus Fifteen-Twenty-Nine (sic) if we can get it to you do you want to try to land runway one three (at LaGuardia)?"

1549: "We're unable. We may end up in the Hudson."

Controllers at this point repeat runway instructions and again the US Airways crew says it cannot make LaGuardia.

1549: "Oh what's over to our right? Anything in New Jersey, maybe Teterboro (airport)?"

FAA: "Do you want to try and go to Teterboro?"

1549: "Yes"

FAA to Teterboro: "Cactus Fifteen-Twenty-Nine over the George Washington Bridge wants to go to the airport right now."

FAA: "You can land (at) Runway One at Teterboro."

1549: "We can't do it."

FAA: "Okay, which runway would like?"

1549: "We're gonna be in the Hudson."

FAA: "I'm sorry, say again, Cactus?"

Radar contact is lost seconds later and there is no response. Nevertheless, controllers continue to try and get Flight 1549 to an airport, suggesting Newark as a third alternative. Other pilots see the plane hit the water.

Another set of controllers asks a helicopter pilot who has spotted Flight 1549: "Is he still flying?"

HELICOPTER 1: "Looks like he (is) getting lower."

HELICOPTER 2: "Going down."

HELICOPTER 1: "He's in the water."

HELICOPTER 1: "I got him in sight right next to the USS Intrepid mid-river."

(Reporting by John Crawley, editing by Philip Barbara)