School kids complete the English sentences | The Muslim Times

School kids complete the English sentences | The Muslim Times:

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After a few days of respite...

Since my last email to our redoubtable 'Kenya Power' (weakness), there were a few days of respite from the unending and without explanation power outages/fluctuations but, since last week and specifically on the eve of our Eid, i.e. Thursday night, these have returned.

Now, one wonders if KP(LC), employees are like little children who have to be constantly reminded and threatened about their work and ethics. Because, like them (the children), one word of warning is NOT enough since they have short memories and soon forget and revert back to their disturbing ways.

The height of both outage and fluctuations began around 9.00 pm last night. First, there remained a low voltage (sollatek devices on red), for a few hours and then, the power went off altogether and didn't return till around 4.00 am this morning. 

Of course, after the initial answer to my call all subsequent ones went unanswered or were deliberately cut. Why? Is it because they would find my questions difficult to answer?

Therefore, one would expect that these so-called 'professionals' would have had enough time to rectify whatever ailed our interrupted power supply but, no. 

Just before 1.00 pm it went off yet again and as usual nobody was answering, either. Finally, their Regional Manager, Mr. Mkomba did and he told me that he would investigate and revert back to me, but still has not. In the meantime the power returned after an outage of over an hour!

Still no reason given for this latest one, either.

This so-called power company of ours should start being accountable to it's customers and stop treating them with impunity.

I am thankful....

This is sooo good...

Raziya

To all my dear friends………….!!  I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,  BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.   FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS. FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS. FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED . FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS. FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME. FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT  BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.  FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.  FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM. FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR. FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY  BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD. FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS  BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE. AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MANY E-MAILS ....... BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.    SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT. I JUST DID. Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Benefits of different juices ----- healthy living

Very interesting and worth trying...

Raziya

All of us want to live a healthy and happy life free from all diseases but very few of us make serious efforts in this direction.

A diet of raw food and juice can help us remain healthy. Juice diet, especially, can cure us of chronic diseases and keep our mind and body health.

RAW JUICE THERAPY

Where medicines and injections fail to cure a disease, by the use of raw food, vegetables and fruit juices people can be relieved of ailments.

Fruit-juices do the work of purifying blood. They cast out the toxic elements accumulated in the cells of the body. Fruit juices increase the quantity of urine through which all toxic elements of the body are thrown out. Raw vegetables of their juices do the work of reconstruction in the body. Vegetable-juices produce new cells in place of those that have been destroyed owing to a disease.

So fruit juices and vegetable-juices are supplementary to each other. The best time for taking fruit-juices is the first half of the day.

Vegetable juices can be taken at any time of the day.

HOW TO OBTAIN ALL THE NUTRIENTS FROM JUICES

Fruits and vegetables should be washed, shred or cut before extracting their juice.

Rinds and fibres of fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins.

While extracting juice they should be properly crushed. However care should be taken that juice ready for drinking does not contain fibre ore rind.

METHOD FOR DRINKING JUICE

It should not be gulped. It should be drunk slowly with a spoon by this process juice gets mixed with the saliva. Digestive juices, which the saliva contains, digest sugar contained in juice. Thus, the juice, which goes into the stomach, is then digested within 20 to 25 minutes.

When juices are consumed for purpose of health or cure of disease, do not add sugar, pepper, or salt for taste or liking. If you dislike the taste of the juice of one of the vegetables, you can add some lemon juice or any fruit juice to it.

Expert dieticians, say one should 'eat' juice instead of drinking it. Juices should not be swallowed hastily but taken slowly sip by sip, consumption of fruit juices in quantities has no ill effect. A partaker of juice-diet should drink minimum two or three litres of juice per day for improving and maintaining his health.

Juices of Ginger, Onions and green turmeric being highly concentrated and strong are restricted to not more than 20-25 ml per day.

A tablespoonful of garlic juice is sufficient for a day.

A person who decides to live solely on only juice-diet to get rid of certain chronic and dangerous disease should daily take 5 to 6 litres of juices of various fruits and vegetables.

After the cure of disease, there should be a gradual decrease in the quantity of juice diet and raw food should be included in the diet.

Cooked food can be taken once or twice a week especially for satisfying the palate.

If you want to keep the body and the mind ever healthy and active a combination of juice diet with raw or cooked food is desirable because it serves two-purpose health and satisfaction of the palate.

CONTENTS AND QUALITIES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

APPLE

Apple juice gives relief in the weakness of the nervous system. kidney-stone acidity, indigestion.

The slight acid content of the apple also exerts an antiseptic influence upon the germs present in the mouth and teeth. When it is taken by chewing sufficiently it may be looked upon as a natural protector of the teeth and hence should be taken in all tooth troubles.

BITTER GOURD (KARELA)

"A glass of bitter gourd juice taken on any empty stomach is a sure beneficial remedy for jaundice".

They are excellent as an appetiser and cure for cough, windiness, blood impurity fever, worms, bile anaemia and leucoderma. It relieves the burning in the kidneys. It dissolves kidney stone.

CABBAGE

Kindles gastric fire, good for the heart. To some extent it produces windiness. It is useful in cough. It's useful only when taken in juice form. Cabbage contains a new vitamin, which cures gastric and duodenal ulcers.

CARROT

Carrots eaten by chewing strengthen the teeth. Grated carrots mixed with salt have beneficial efforts on eczema. Carrots are an excellent food for maintaining health of the eyes. Carrot juice eliminated unwanted uric acid from the blood and is, therefore very helpful for out patients. It is regarded as a remedy for gallstone troubles, liver diseases, tuberculosis and scanty menstruation.

CUCUMBER

Cucumber juice is a valuable part of the treatment of theumatic conditions. Cucumber is an excellent remedy for uric troubles. Those who suffer from diabetes and those who want to lose weight should make a liberal use of cucumber.

AMLA

Amla juice for two to three months is helpful in conditions of sterility and semen weakness.

FRENCH BEANS

It is useful in diabetes many say the juice of french beans stimulates the production of insulin when taken with cabbage juice.

GARLIC

Garlic is a powerful antiseptic. Garlic is a sure remedy in the cases of windiness, cures paralysis, stiffness of the whole body. Garlic has properties to reduce high blood pressure, gives relief to the heart.

GINGER

The use of ginger juice before meals eliminates gas, it dislodges cough, and it corrects cardiac disorders. A few drops of ginger juice poured into the nose gives sure relief in headache. Toothache will be relieved if a piece of ginger is rubbed on the ailing tooth. Ginger also gives relief in cattarh and sinusitis.

GRAPES

Grapes are very good for relieving constipation. They give relief in piles. Taking grape juice for a few days removes undesirable heat from the body as the blood is cleansed and cooled.

GUAVA

Guava is palatable, astringent and sweet. It promotes semen. It is beneficial in constipation, destroys intestinal worms.

LEMON

Lemon juice is a powerful anti-bacterial. The bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases are destroyed by taking lemon juice.

The body is well cleansed if lemon juice mixed with cold water and honey is taken on an empty stomach early in morning. Warm water may be used occasionally to get relieved of constipation.

Lemon juice gives good relief in fever lemon acts as a sedative for the nerves. and the heart.

Lemon is especially appreciated for its Vitamin 'C'. Vitamin 'C' in lemon strengthens the blood vessels and prevents internal hemorrhage. It is therefore, extremely useful in high blood pressure.

It prevents vomiting and helps to cure hepatitis and other innumerable diseases.

MELON

Melon is either muskmelon or watermelon. Both Melons are cool and diuretic. It quenches thirst, has a cooling property, and soothes burning sensation in the stomach. It also has a properly for curing constipation. Since melon Juice can promote cough, one who suffers from asthma and cold should use it discreetly.

ONIONS

One who takes white onions with ghee regularly rarely falls ill. In virile disorders, one should take onion juice with honey daily in the morning for two to three weeks. This will increase one's virlity. The onion dislodges mucous, is also beneficial in intestinal disorders. The juice of the onion together with sugar is a capital remedy for bleeding piles.

ORANGE

The white membrane, which surrounds the sections of the orange, is an excellent source of calcium. As orange juice contains less acid than lemon juice, it is regarded as superior to the latter. Those who suffer from cold should add some warm water to orange juice. Oranges are useful in asthma and other bronchial troubles. During fever, orange juice greatly helps by supplying necessary nutrition to the patient. Orange juice gives relief to pregnant women who suffer from nausea.

PAPAYA

It increases virility. It is beneficial to the heart. It is beneficial to the liver. It helps to check spleen enlargement. It is a good medicine for constipation and urinary disorders. It helps to secure proper menstrual flow.

PINEAPPLE

The pineapple destroys intestinal worms and soothes bile. It is delicious and digestive. It expels gas.

TOMATOES

The Tomato is rich in vitamin 'A' it is a very good food for diabetic patients and for those who want to reduce their body weight.

Tomato juice cleanses the stomach and intestines it is also useful in Kidney disorders. It removes indigestion, gas and constipation. As the iron of the Tomato is easily digestible, it is completely absorbed in the body. Hence tomato juice is very important for anemic patients.

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

The iron content of fresh green leafy vegetables gives relief in anaemia and weakness. Green leafy vegetables are rich in mineral which reduce acidity of the stomach and the body.

Those who suffer from peptic or duodenal ulcer should not eat leafy vegetables. Those who suffer from diarrhea or dysentery should restrict the consumption of leafy vegetables. Spinach should be avoided by those who suffer from kidney stone.

CORIANDER

Coriander is fragrant, appetising, digestive, cool, and good for vision, antibilious and agreeable to the heart. Drinking its juice has special advantages. Coriander contains Vitamin 'A' it is beneficial to the eyes. Coriander-juice is very effective in anaemia.

TULSI

Tulsi is bitter, pungent, warm fragrant, light, appetizing and dry in nature. It cures gas trouble, cough, swelling, intestinal worms, vomitting, skin diseases and kidney disorders. It is good for the heart and eyes. It expels intestinal worms.

SPINACH (PALAKH)

Spinach is pungent, sweet, digestible, cool and dry. It is a mild laxative. It eliminates cough. Asthma and toxic elements.

As the iron of spinach is easy for digestion, it is used as a food medicine in anaemia.

PHUDINA (MINT)

Mint is palatable, heavy lubricous, warm, appetising, and good for the heart. It is useful in cough, dyspepsia, dysentery, gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. A mixture of two teaspoonfuls of mint juice, one teaspoonful of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey is a powerful medicine for abdominal troubles.

METHI (FENUGREEK)

Fenugreek leafy vegetable is pungent, bitter, and warm, it promotes bile. It is good for the heart. It expels gas. Two spoonfuls of fenugreek juice removes indigestion. It gives relief in piles.

Hajj: The Best Symbol for Our Universal Brotherhood!

The Muslim Times | Alislam |  Hajj: The Best Symbol for Our Universal Brotherhood! Hajj is annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Millions of pilgrims arrived this week in Mecca, called in the past as Becca, for Islam's annual Hajj (pilgrimage), which officially started on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Around four million were heading to Mina, where they will spend their night before heading to the Mount of Arafat in the early hours of Thursday.  The dates of Hajj are determined by lunar calendar and therefore move by approximately ten days against the solar calendar, every year. Many pilgrims began leaving for Mina on Tuesday night after circumambulating the Holy Kaaba, the first house of worship on Earth, built by the Prophet Adam. The Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael rebuilt it some 4,000 years ago. Most Hajj rituals are related to the Prophet Abraham, his wife Hager and his son the Prophet Ishmael, and thus reflect the unity of humanity.  Just by focusing on the Prophet Abraham, the Hajj symbolizes the unity and common origin of all the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  When the Holy Quran talked about Kaaba, it did not label it as a blessing for the Muslims alone, but, called it a great blessing and a boon for the whole of mankind, thus symbolizing our Universal Brotherhood & Sisterhood.  The Quran announced more than 1400 years ago: Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and a guidance for all peoples. (Al Quran 3:97) As four million have converged on Mecca for the annual rituals of Hajj, this year, let us remember that Hajj is a very powerful symbol of Universal Brotherhood & Sisterhood.  The Muslims and mankind at large, not only have to profess our common human heritage, but, live it in our daily lives.  Remembering that actions speak much louder than words.  Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani The Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, came in India 120 years ago to unite all religions and mankind by emphasizing religious freedom for everyone and the fact that the founders of all religions, Confucius, Buddha, Tao, Krishna, Ram, Moses and Jesus were prophets of God. He initiated renaissance of Islam in keeping with the prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him. Ahmad also laid the foundation of a vibrant Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The creed of Islam that "There is no God but Allah," is not only a spiritual reality but becomes a moral and a social construct and paradigm. Allah wants mankind to live as one connected and loving community.  So any activity personal or group leading away from this ideal like, lying, back biting, ridiculing are forbidden and discouraged.  The picture of unity of mankind that Hajj demonstrates, is unparalleled, in any other religion and culture. People from all races and all countries and scores of different languages gather together and celebrate the rites of Hajj in the language of the Holy Quran.  The Messiah, peace be on him said: Allah desires to make all mankind as if they were all one person. This could also be called a democratic singularity. Under this concept the diverse mankind could be considered as one individual. The  purpose of religion is also that the human race be united in the form of the beads of a Tasbeeh (rosary) through one thread.  The congregational prayers or Salat is also for such unification so that all the worshipers are counted as one. The reason why we are prescribed to stand shoulder to shoulder is so that who ever has greater wisdom or spiritual charisma is able to influence the weak. It is hoped that spiritual influence of the wise will diffuse into the weak. The Hajj is also for the same plan. Allah started the plan of democratic singularity by instructing that all Muslims of a locality should say the five prayers in congregation in the local mosque. So that the moral qualities can be exchanged and the wisdom and light replaces weaknesses. By such interaction the Muslims are introduced to each other and develop affection for each other. Such introduction is very important as that leads to affection which is the basis of the unification. … The second Divine instruction is that on Friday for the Friday prayer Muslims should gather in the main mosque of the township. It is hard for all the people of the town to get together on a daily basis. Therefore, it was suggested that all the citizens of a town should at least weekly get acquainted with each other and promote unity. By such a scheme, eventually, all of them will unite in one body or singularity. Then on an annual basis Allah has prescribed that the Eid prayers be said at a regional level so that acquaintance and affection grows wider and helps in the process of democratic singularity. In the same theme, for the unity of the whole world, Allah has prescribed, to perform Hajj at least once in one's lifetime so that representatives of all people assemble together in the expanse of  Mecca. In summary this is Allah's desire that affection and love among mankind progresses. (Malfoozat 4/5 p100-101) Paigham-e-Sulh (A Message of Peace) was the last written work of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He wrote: A religion which does not inculcate universal compassion is no religion at all. Similarly, a human being without the faculty of compassion is no human at all. Our God has never discriminated between one people and another. This is illustrated by the fact that all the potentials and capabilities which have been granted to the Aryans have also been granted to the races inhabiting Arabia, Persia, Syria, China, Japan, Europe and America. The earth created by God provides a common floor for all people alike, and His sun and moon and many stars are a source of radiance and provide many other benefits to all alike. Likewise, all peoples benefit from the elements created by Him, such as air, water, fire and earth, and similarly from other products created by Him like grain, fruit, and healing agents, etc. These attributes of God teach us the lesson that we, too, should behave magnanimously and kindly towards our fellow human beings and should not be petty of heart and illiberal. For the complete text of the book click here. To read further about Hajj: The Best Symbol for Our Universal Brotherhood!  and watch a National Geographic video about Hajj, click here

Recruiting the four Horsemen of Neo-atheism into Cavalry of Islam

The Muslim Times | Alislam |  Recruiting the four Horsemen of Neo-atheism into Cavalry of Islam First something about the big picture, the Christian apologists want to make a case for Christianity based on laws of nature and science, by showing that there ought to be a Transcendent Creator of our universe.  They make this case, in one breath, and in the very next, deny all of science, by insisting on Eucharist, man-God of Jesus, who is not Transcendent, resurrection and miracles that violate laws of nature. Atheists are right in exposing the irrationality of the Christian dogma. However, the Christians are right in as far as their claim that there needs to be a Creator of this universe, Who employed natural means to do His work. However, both parties in their self-conceit are not listening to how Islam resolves their conflict; Islam as understood by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. In a trilateral discussion between atheists, Christians and Muslims, I believe we can appreciate reality better and come up with better theology, especially if the discussion not only involves the Creator and purpose of the universe, but, also His complete Transcendence, Original Sin and evolution of life on our planet, Trinity and Eucharist. One of my horsemen, Christopher Hitchens died on December 15, 2011.  My condolences to his family and friends.  From here on any blunt references by me, to my four horsemen, should be considered to the surviving three. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, an 1887 painting by Victor Vasnetsov. Christopher Hitchens, Prof. Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Prof. Richard Dawkins have been called the four horsemen of neo-atheism. That is old news! The latest is that I have just recruited them as volunteers for army of Islam; they form my meager cavalry, which will establish the philosophical superiority of Islam over Christianity. They will work hard for every day of their God given life, for the cause of Islam, without any worldly compensation from me. Every time they make a good case for biological evolution, for common lineage of all life forms on planet earth, they establish the truth of Islam, as opposed to the dogma of Christianity. In my previous writings, I have shown, how evolution, by showing that Adam and Eve were not the first human couple, strikes a death blow to the dogma of Original Sin. I appreciate the clarity of thinking of my cavalry, except in the areas of their blind spots, where they are blinded by their ideology, so I will continue to use their scholarship suitably. With this army of only four, I will fight in all directions, East, West, North and South, by the Grace of Allah.  We will fight not with swords or arrows, not even with pen, just one mouse and a key board, which I bought for twenty dollars of my hard earned money!  My mouse and key board will just properly direct their words.  To make sure that my horsemen do not double cross me and start fighting their own battles, I will need to suitably expose their blind spots of understanding also, so they submit to the will of Allah and continue to serve Islam.  Read on, and watch debates and in the words of Sir Francis Bacon's advice, "Read not to contradict … but to weigh and consider." It is not politically correct to condemn Deism, after all it was the religion of the Founding Fathers of USA and of the celebrated Albert Einstein.  In God Delusion, one of my horsemen, Prof. Richard Dawkins applauds the religion of Einstein and in a debate with Prof. John Lennox, says that a plausible case could be made for a Deist's God.  But, when it comes to Theism of Christianity and Islam, my horsemen use a broad brush and condemn both equally, without realizing that Islam is much closer to Deism than Christianity.  I have examined this in one of my articles, Islamic theology starts with Deism: Why all Christians and atheists should be Muslims?  My horsemen pick up weaknesses in Christianity and without evidence or knowledge attribute them to Islam also, purely on ideological grounds.  Even when their criticism of Islam is correct, it usually applies only to the Muslims of a particular sect and only exposes their ignorance and their lack of rigorous scholarship about different schools and sects of Islam. Never mind atheism, even Deism does not have a chance of winning ideology battles.  My horsemen do not fully appreciate the human psychological need for consolation.  They can use belittling labels for this need or vulnerability but they cannot wish it away.  President Thomas Jefferson predicted victory of Deism over Trinitarian Christianity two centuries ago but his predictions did not come true!  Why?  I believe it was precisely due to human need to be consoled and only a Personal God can offer that platform.  Additionally, it also stemmed from basic human craving to associate with fellow humans as equals, in rather democratic institutions like mosques and churches, rather than worshiping a few intellectual elites, who preach atheism for the sake of their personal egos. This collection is also an invitation to the atheists to consider the distinct possibility that they may have to live with some form of Theism for centuries to come. So, why do they not spend some of their time and scholarship, directly without my help, in trying to tease out different forms of Theism and get to have a say in what form of Theism, they may end up sharing the planet with? After all, according to a recent survey only ten percent of Americans are satisfied with atheistic explanation of life on our planet. If the approval rating of a political candidate was 10%, we will not honor him or her with a second look! I have a very simple, yet elegant perspective, which is that a genuine study of atheism and Christianity proves Islam! It may seem an extraordinary claim to some, but it is true and I am willing to provide extraordinary evidence to establish the claim. My 400 articles and different collections here and related websites, substantiate my claim from one angle or the other. I want to thank both my cavalry and my Christian sources for making my life so easy! My work would not have been possible before the internet revolution, so thanks to everyone, who contributed to this effort in one form or the other. And above all thanks to Allah for giving me and my horsemen this opportunity! Now, as I discuss their work individually, let me drop my analogy of horsemen and cavalry and treat them with the fullest respect that they deserve for their excellent scholarship.  I thank them for the wonderful contributions they have made, in helping me, articulate my ideas and thoughts. Let me continue on a note of agreement with Prof. Daniel Dennett of Tuft's University.  I fully agree with his proposal to teach all religions in a neutral manner in all public schools, just the facts about them without arguing about their truth or lack there of. In the following talk, however, he predicts a grand future for atheism, towards the end of the video, half jokingly suggests that the Vatican may become the European museum of Catholicism in decades to come and Kaaba may become Disney magic kingdom of Allah. God Forbid! To read further and watch several debates, click here.

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'One learned man is harder on the devil than a thousand ignorant worshipers': Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Manmade quakes: Spanish 2011 deadly tremor caused by water extraction – study | The Muslim Times

Manmade quakes: Spanish 2011 deadly tremor caused by water extraction – study | The Muslim Times:

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Islam!

The Muslim Times | Alislam | The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Islam! This article by Zia H Shah MD was originally published in Winter, 2009 volume of Muslim Sunrise: This examines the philosophical and historical basis of human rights. With the election of a son of a Kenyan man to the highest office in USA we see gradual perfection of the vision expressed in the words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."  But at the same time, suicidal bombings by terrorist, the outrageous violations of human rights in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, the indifference to the so called collateral damage in air bombings, have again rekindled the question as to what are the human rights and where do they come from.  The events since September 11, 2001 have jolted every citizen of the planet earth with renewed quaking and put them on a quest to look for answers.  Is life of an American more sacred than a non-American?  What if he or she is a Muslim?  Are all humans truly created equal?  Where did the words, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal;' come from?  To one exposed to Western media only these noble words came from the pen of President Thomas Jefferson, as he authored United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.  But a more cultured Westerner may know what Wikipedia mentions, under the heading all men are created equal, "Many of the ideas in the Declaration were borrowed from the English liberal political philosopher John Locke."  But that is where Western scholarship ends. Locke lived in the seventeenth and eighteenth century.  Such is the dissociation of the Western writers in terms of ignoring the beauties of Islam, that they can attribute all such liberal ideas with a straight face to Western philosophers, despite the fact the Muslim literature has been replete with mention of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, saying to a crowd of more than a hundred thousand people, at the time of the final pilgrimage, an event that itself symbolizes human equality, "All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they may belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal. Allah has made you brethren one to another, so be not divided. An Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred to a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one."  The whole of his sermon is recorded in history and has been more famous and cherished than President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, in the Muslim world, over the centuries.  This is where human equality began, not only for the Muslims but for the whole of humanity! Fast forward to World War II.  Dr.  Andrew Conway Ivy was appointed by the American Medical Association as its representative at the 1946 Nuremberg Medical Trial for Nazi doctors.  By 1945 he was probably 'the most famous doctor in the country.'  He wrote, "Only in a moral world, a world of responsibility, can man be free and live as a human being should. Men are truly equal and free only as creatures of God, because only as the children of God and only in the sight of God and ultimate moral law are men truly equal."  In the Nuremberg trial he struggled with the question that if man-made law is the sole source of basic human rights, why condemn the Nazi assault on Jews, Gypsies, Poles, and politi­cal enemies; and having shaken by this perplexing trial he concluded: "If God and the ultimate moral law are denied, there can be no absolute argument against slavery, against 'might makes right' and man's greedy exploitation of man. If human beings have no absolute intrinsic value, no absolute intrinsic freedom of decision, no absolute liberty, no absolute duties, they possess only extrinsic value and may be used as chattels, slaves or serfs by those who have the intelligence and power." It took the catalyst of World War II, after millions of casualties, to propel human rights onto the world stage and into the global conscience.  On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the 56 members of the United Nations. The vote was unanimous, although eight nations chose to abstain.  Articles I and II could be considered paraphrasing, in contemporary legal terminology, of what the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him, had said in his address at the time of last pilgrimage, in 632 CE, or what President Thomas Jefferson wrote more than a millennium later.  Article I states, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."  As the Prophet delivered his farewell speech, to an unprecedented large gathering, standing on the back of his camel Qaswa, he raised his hands and joined the fingers of one hand with the other and then said, "Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, any superiority to claim over another. You are as brothers." For further reading and references.

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'One learned man is harder on the devil than a thousand ignorant worshipers': Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

English translation of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya

The Muslim Times | Alislam | English translation of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya The beginning of the publication of this book, in Urdu in 1880, started the renaissance of Islam Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya has been called the Magnum opus of the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community The Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani Introduction by Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his help Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Parts I and II were authored by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian and published in 1880. At that time the Indian subcontinent had become a virtual battleground for the major religions of the world. Islam, in particular, found itself on the defensive against the onslaughts of Christians and Hindus, who spared no ploy to defame the Faith and its Founder (sa).  Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), pained by these unjust attacks, undertook a series of debates and discourses with Christians and Hindus. He himself describes the pain that he suffered as follows: My purpose, yearning, and heartfelt desire is to serve humanity; This is my job, this is my faith, this is my habit and this is my way of life. Finding the world in darkness, I pray to my Lord: May He grant my prayers of the small hours of the night. Establishing faith in Tauhid (Oneness of God)—which he found only in Islam—was his primary concern. He writes: What I am trying to demonstrate by writing all this is that Tauhid, in its purest form, is not to be found among any people on the face of the earth except the followers of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. And there is no book upon the earth, other  than the Holy Quran, that has firmly committed millions to this holy doctrine and that leads mankind so reverentially towards the One True God. People of every religion have created artificial gods for themselves, whereas the God of the Muslims is the One, Eternal, and Immutable God, whose attributes are the same today as they were before. (see Part II, Preface, on page 120) At last, as a conclusive argument against the detractors of Islam, he decided to write Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya—a compendium of arguments for the truth of the Holy Quran and Islam. He announced a reward of 10,000 rupees—the sum total of his considerable wealth at the time—for anyone who could counter even a fraction of these arguments or produce similar arguments from their own scriptures— a challenge that remains uncontested to this day. He also laid down upright rules for religious dialogue and discussion. He says: Anyone who wishes to reply to this book must respond in two ways as per the conditions laid down in the Challenge [in Part I]. They must produce arguments from their own scriptures, for comparison with the arguments of the Holy Quran, and must also refute the arguments I have given. If they fail to present comparable evidence from their own scriptures and focus entirely on countering my arguments, it will be taken to mean that they are totally incapable of providing evidence for the divine origin of their Book. (see Part II, Preface, on page 91) Based on the Holy Quran, he declared that all religious founders whose teachings have become widespread must be honoured and accepted as true. He also appealed for due courtesy in all religious discussions. Read the full introduction and the translation in Alislam.org Library.  Download PDF file. Foreword of the book by Munir-ud-Din Shams This is the first English translation of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Parts I and II, prepared under the guidance and auspices of Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his help), Fifth Successor to the Promised Messiah (as). Alhamdolillah, we were able to put the internet and associated technology to the service of the Promised Messiah and foster a very thorough system for review. The translation team of Additional Wakalat-e-Tasnif, based in the USA, reviewed the original translation, compared it with the original words of the Promised Messiah and prepared a review document which showed both the original translation and their proposed changes, along with their reasons for suggesting the change and any relevant reference material. This humble one studied these documents and then had detailed online meetings with Munawar Ahmed Saeed and Abdul-Wahab Mirza. I also followed up as needed with the Arabic and Persian Desks in London, the Research Cell and the Tasnif Department in Rabwah, Pakistan and Isha'at Department in Qadian, India. The final revised document was then presented to Hadrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba).  Hudur (aba) took personal interest in this project and readily devoted his precious time to resolve the many questions which arose during the translation and revision process. Since both the translation and revision teams were located remotely, Allah the Almighty granted my humble self the good fortune of sitting in the blessed audience of Hadrat Khalifatul-Masih V to seek guidance and relay his directives throughout the process. He was particularly anxious that the translation be as close to the original as possible. He also took personal interest in the translation of the Persian poems. We sincerely hope and pray that this presentation will introduce the reader to the writings of the Promised Messiah so that a zest for reading them in the original may be developed (Amin). Munir-ud-Din Shams Additional Wakilut-Tasnif London May 2012 Introduction in the words of the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya has five different parts.  The first two parts of Barahin-e-ahmadiyya should be considered to be a preamble to the other three parts and rest of his works, which comprise almost 80 different books.  The Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani concludes the part II of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya by tabulating six advantages of this work, comprising of five parts: The first advantage in this book is that it is not deficient in discussing the essentials of faith. Rather, it comprises all the verities upon which these principles are based, and all the lofty truths that are collectively described as 'Islam.' This means that the readers shall acquire a comprehensive understanding of the essentials of Islam and become immune to the ploys of impostors and deceivers. Rather, they will become excellent teachers and astute guides for others. The second advantage is that this book contains 300 strong and compelling arguments in support of the truth and principles of Islam. The truth of this faith will become evident to every seeker after truth, except, of course, those who are completely blinded by prejudice and dwell in its darkness. The third advantage is that this book responds to all the doubts and misgivings caused by our opponents, be they Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Aryah Samajists, Brahmu Samajists, idol worshippers, atheists, naturalists, freethinkers or agnostics.  Not only have their objections been thoroughly refuted, but the very points that the ignorant critics found objectionable, have been presented as evidence of the Holy Quran's superiority over other scriptures. And this superiority, too, has been proven so conclusively as to turn the tables right upon the critics. Moreover, it does not confine itself merely to responding to the objections; rather, it demonstrates that the matters, which the ignorant critic considers to be objectionable, are, in reality, such that they prove the superiority of the teachings of the Holy Quran over other scriptures. This superiority has been established with such cogent arguments that the critic himself turns into the object of criticism. The fourth advantage is that, as against the principles of Islam, the principles of other faiths have also been thoroughly and rationally scrutinized and all their false doctrines and creeds have been shown in stark contrast to the true principles of the Holy Quran. The beauty of a precious gem, after all, is all the more appreciated when set in contrast. The fifth advantage in this book is that, those who read this book will become cognizant of the truths and subtleties of the Holy Quran. Furthermore, the wisdom and deep insight of the Holy Book [Quran]—whose illuminating radiance is the source of Islam's light—shall become evident to all. For, all the arguments and truths that are recorded herein have been derived from the sublime verses of the Holy Quran itself. I have not given any rational arguments other than those presented by God Himself in His own Word. It is in this manner that almost twelve parts of the Holy Quran have been quoted in this book; hence, it may aptly be called a comprehensive commentary upon the subtleties, verities, profound secrets, wise principles, and sublime philosophy of the Holy Book. Any truth-loving person who goes through it will see the beauty and grandeur of the matchless Book of Allah the Almighty like the bright sun. The sixth advantage is that this book argues its points in a very solid, reasoned and balanced fashion, but without compromising the requirements of grace and lucidity. This manner of argumentation will prove to be an excellent means of fostering knowledge and lending maturity to thought and perception. The study and use of sound rational arguments sharpens the intellect, the understanding of subtle points helps enhance the power of comprehension, and the exercise of proper argumentation establishes one's mind squarely upon the truth. It also helps to develop and perfect the ability to discern the basis and real truth of every point of contention—which is essential for the perfect development of our intellectual faculties and on which depends the honour and prestige of the human self. To read other parts of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya in Urdu and to read English translation of some of his other books, find the links below: Islamic Books (English) Library @ Alislam.org Ruhani Khazain: The Books of the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, in Urdu

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'One learned man is harder on the devil than a thousand ignorant worshipers': Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)