Some Historical Shots

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Xewin <xewwex@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jun 1, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Subject: [www.keralites.net] Some amazing historical shots (photos).
To:

  

The Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861

 

 

Hippo cart in 1924. The hippo belonged to a circus and apparently enjoyed pulling the cart as a trick

 

 

Charlie Chaplin in 1916 at the age of 27

 

 

Suntan vending machine, 1949

 

 

Annie Edison Taylor (1838-1921), the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She
did it in 1901 because she needed money, and after doing it said she wouldn't recommend it to anyone!

 

 

Only known authenticated photo of Billy the Kid,ca. 1879

 

 

Sharing bananas with a goat during the Battle of Saipan , ca. 1944

 

 

Jesse James, approximately 16 years old

 

 

Advertisement for Atabrine, an anti-malaria drug. Sign

was put up at the 363rd station hospital in Papua, New Guinea during WWII

 

 

How could parents ensure that their children were getting
sunlight and fresh air when living in apartment buildings? The baby cage, ca. 1937

 

 

Hotel owner pouring acid in the water when black people swam in his pool, ca. 1964

 

 

Bookstore ruined by an air raid, London 1940

 

 

Little girl comforting her doll in the ruins of her bomb damaged home, London , 1940.

 

 

Animals being used as a part of medical therapy in 1956

 

 

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Artificial legs, United Kingdom , ca. 1890

 

 

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Unknown soldier in Vietnam , 1965

 

 

1920's lifeguard

 

 

Former slave showing whipping scars

 

 

Measuring bathing suits in the early 1920s. If they were too short, the women would be fined

 

 

A space chimp poses for the camera after a successful mission to space in 1961

 

 

Testing new bulletproof vests, 1923

 

 

A mom and her son watch the mushroom cloud after an atomic test 75 miles away, Las Vegas , 1953

 

 

Walter Yeo, one of the first people to undergo advanced
plastic surgery. His eyelids were damaged in World War I,
and he got a skin transplant to replace them.

 

 

Illegal alcohol being poured out during Prohibition, Detroit 1929

 

 

Austrian boy receives new shoes during WWII

 

 

The Ford Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated

 

 

Children eating their Christmas dinner during the Great Depression: turnips and cabbage

 

 

Annette Kellerman promoted women's right to wear a fitted one-piece bathing suit, 1907…
She was arrested for indecency.

 

 

Princeton students after a freshman vs. sophomores snowball fight in 1893

 

 

Martin Luther King Jr. with his son by his side removing a burnt cross from his front yard, 1960

 

 

The original Ronald clown of McDonald's in 1963

 

 

Apollo I crew members rehearsing their water landing in 1966

 

 

President Richard Nixon trying to use chopsticks while visiting China in 1972

 

 

Construction of the Manhattan Bridge , 1908

 

 

Construction of the Berlin wall, 1961

 

 

Hitler's officers and cadets celebrating Christmas, 1941

 

 

Abraham Lincoln's hearse, 1865

 

 

Frozen Niagara Falls, 1911

 

 

Last prisoners of Alcatraz leaving, 1963

 

 

A penniless mother hides her face in shame after putting her children up for sale, Chicago, 1948

 

 

Putting on a crinoline (skirt support), 1855

 

 

Recovering bodies after the Titanic disaster, April 1912.

 

 

A most beautiful suicide - 23 year old Evelyn McHale leapt to her death from an observation deck (83rd floor)
of the Empire State Building, May 1, 1947. She landed on a United Nations limousine…

 

 

The real Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, ca. 1927

 

 

Melted and damaged mannequins after a fire at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum in London, 1930

 

 

New York City fire station, ca. 1912

 

 

Operation Babylift: Vietnamese orphans transported by airplanes to America in 1975

 

 

Polish children examined by German officers to see if they qualify as Aryan, and would be allowed to live

 

 

Santa Claus in New York, ca. 1900

 

 

Smallpox victim, New York, 1881

 

 

5:00 P.M., September 3rd, 1967
Sweden changed from driving on the left side to driving on the right - this was the result

 

 

Unpacking the Head of the Statue of Liberty delivered June 17, 1885  

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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit 

Expels Nepalese Migrants

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <marco.pertoni@libero.it>
Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2013 at 1:22 AM
Subject: NEPAL - SAUDI ARABIA Riyadh expels Nepalese migrants
To: 

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Riyadh-expels-Nepalese-migrants-28082.html

 

06/01/2013 10:22

NEPAL - SAUDI ARABIA

Riyadh expels Nepalese migrants

by Kalpit Parajuli

The Saudi government ultimatum will expire on July 3. Kathmandu authorities concerned by sudden return of 120 thousand migrant workers. Experts: "If the government fails to generate jobs, the country risks hunger and poverty."

 

 

 

 

 

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Illegal migrant workers from Nepal will have until July 3rd to leave Saudi Arabia. It is expected that about 120 thousand Nepalese will be forced to return home as a result of the ultimatum issued on May 10 by the authorities in Riyadh. The Nepalese government is attempting to negotiate terms for their expulsion.

From Kathmandu, the Foreign Minister, Arjun Karki, calls the situation 'worrying' and has stated that "the Nepalese authorities are trying to persuade the Saudi government to reconsider the position of migrants." The sudden return home of 120 thousand workers to the kingdom, would risk plunging the Himalayan country into an abyss of hunger and poverty. Binod KC, director general of the Department of Foreign Employment in Nepal, explained that "it is a serious problem and that it is unrealistic to think that this huge labor force can be absorbed by the local industry."

According to some experts a surplus workforce would drag Nepal into a severe economic and social crisis, when you consider the total dependence of many families from the monthly financial contributions from migrant workers. At the moment, there are more than 400 thousand migrant workers spread out among Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, two of the nine million immigrants are believed to be illegal. In June 2011, the Minister of Labor in Riyadh launched a campaign of 'Saudization' of the country to facilitate the recruitment of young Arabs, replacing a small percentage of the foreign workforce. Even Qatar, next to Malaysia for the large presence of Nepalese immigrants, has implemented a strict policy against illegal workers, arresting them and sending them to forced labor camps.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Riyadh-expels-Nepalese-migrants-28082.html

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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit 

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From: Asad Khan <Asad.Khan@qanawat.com>
Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2013 at 8:04 AM
Subject: Saudis need extra training 'to replace expats'
To:

Saudis need extra training 'to replace expats'

       

JEDDAH: Fouzia Khan

 

Sunday 2 June 2013

 

Last Update 2 June 2013 3:16 am

 

The Labor Ministry has made it mandatory for any organization, whether schools, companies or offices, to reserve vacancies in 19 job categories for only Saudis.

These are: Executive HR manager, HR manager, labor affairs manager, staff relations manager, staff relations specialist, staff relations clerk, recruitment clerk, staff affairs clerk, attendance control clerk, receptionist (general), hotel receptionist,

 health receptionist, claims clerk, treasury secretary, security, broker, key specialist, customs broker and female sales specialists (women only).

Arab News spoke with CEOs, authorities of schools and companies who confirmed that the 19 positions classified above are related to human resources, customer services, health management, accounts, clearing and forwarding agents and, of course, women-sensitive sales areas.

Mohamed H. Zakaria, CEO and general manager of Saudi Steel Profile Company, said that the 19 job categories that are related to the HR department and reserved for Saudi nationals can easily be short-listed or filtered down to three positions. Only companies like Saudi Aramco, Sabic, SEC, or the STC can employ all categories.

"I think the best way to implement Saudization is not through passing legislation but through the sincere and active participation of the private sector and expatriates. The Labor Ministry should seek the help of expatriates to train Saudis to replace them," he said.

He also said with a per capita income of more than $ 31,000, Saudi Arabia is ahead of many European countries and with 262 billion barrel of oil reserves (excluding natural gas, metals and minerals), each Saudi owns more than a million dollar's worth of oil.

Forcing Saudis into the private sector will be a temporary way out. Secondly, hiring extra Saudis and putting them on the payroll will throw many private companies out of business, as it will take at least three to five years to train and replace the expatriate work force, especially at the lower and mid levels.

"In fact, most Saudis approaching us for a job don't even know what job they are seeking and a lot of job-seekers, including Saudis and non-Saudis with even five years of work experience don't realize that they fall in the entry-level category," he explained.

Padma Hariharan, director and head of Novel International Group of Institutions, said that these positions are sensitive and organizations, including the government sector, should ensure that the employees they are hiring are sensitive to the needs of the organization, as all positions are ultimately for Saudis only.

She said the area of concern is improvement of communication in English. As the Kingdom has opened its doors to global investment and is encouraging tourism in a big way, it is mandatory for the Saudis employed to effectively communicate in English.

"Training and qualifications are absolutely mandatory to secure the job. The Ministry of Education (MoE) clearly states that we need to appoint Saudi teachers to teach Islamic education, Qur'an, Saudi history and geography and Arabic. Moreover, the Saudi faculty needs graduates in its field. In order to enhance the quality of the work force and the work environment, I would strongly recommend that the government set up a skilled work force center or hub for training professionals in their respective areas," she added.

Yosef Al Zanbagi, HR manager of MICE Arabia Group for Exhibitions and Conferences, said the royal order has made it mandatory for Saudis to be hired for management positions. Besides, the posts at the lower end of the scale do not require high qualifications. This is why Saudis prefer these posts, thereby easing the problem of unemployment among the citizens.

"Yes, of course training is important. Basically Saudi employees need an educational qualification that matches the position. They then need three months of on-the-job training. In addition to IT knowledge, English, and HR and Management training sessions, the companies usually change the job title or hire expatriates in positions lower than the management level but they perform the same tasks. And some companies do not need these positions. However, after the last royal order there will be no room to circumvent these issues," he added.

Dr. Hasan Zaman, CEO of Midrar enterprises, said Saudi employers have become more accepting of the fact that hiring foreign labor is not a long term solution.

"Many organizations have started taking steps to send their employees for training and have not used monetary incentives to encourage them. These steps will ensure that a skilled workforce is employed in their organizations," he said.

The 2013 labor policy has eradicated doubts about the new laws to be implemented. With the exception of posts exclusively marked for Saudis, all other positions for physicians, engineers, nurses, educators, designers, administrators, and even the greater spectrum of technicians, are free to be occupied by non-Saudis.

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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit 

Latest Applications of Security Cameras

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: laly s <lalysin@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Fri, May 31, 2013 at 10:42 PM
Subject: [www.keralites.net] Latest Applications of Security Cameras
To:

Latest Applications of Security Cameras Security cameras have come a long way since being used almost exclusively to solve crime in CSI or beam images of "America's Most Wanted". Nowadays, their uses are as varied as they are independent of each other. You can use the same security camera for something as mundane as trying to find who has been stealing your morning newspaper, to something as complicated and wonderful as animating plasticine puppets. The first security camera system was installed by Siemens AG at Test Stand VII in Peenemünde, Germany in 1942, for observing the launch of V-2 rockets. The noted German engineer Walter Bruch was responsible for the design and installation of the system. It could be compared to a modern day closed-circuit television (CCTV) with regards to functionality. Today, all the applications one can think of using security cameras, involve some form of security related surveillance or the other. However, like all aspects of technology, there are far more interesting use cases that can be implemented, using just a little ingenuity and some imagination. In this article, we are looking at the alternate applications for security cameras. You may find many of the applications one-off and extremely specific but they only go to prove that if you can widen your gaze, you can find solutions for anything, anywhere. How Security Cams work Unlike traditional television broadcasting, a CCTV sends a closed signal to the receiving monitor, allowing viewing to be strictly observed by the connected equipment. Surveillance cameras are capable of wide range viewing, so placing them in a corner area of the room will enable them to view a good portion of the room that is unobstructed. Picture quality has become quite impressive, with the monitors receiving video in high resolution, from the surveillance camera's eye. Video Cassette Recorders (VCR's) can also be connected to record the transmitted material on mass storage media for future reference. Commonly, coaxial cable ties all of the relevant hardware together, but higher-end systems have incorporated wireless technology that eliminates the need to hide or bury wiring in walls, floors, and ceilings. The resolution or the amount of detail that camera is able to capture depends on the specifications on the image sensor used. One important point to be kept in mind is that higher the quality of the image, more the space required for storage – so the engineer needs to find a balance wherein the CCTV provides enough clarity of image without sacrificing on storage space. The 'Other' uses Listed below are a few of the many alternate ways you can utilise a security cam. Security cams, now with the addition of readily available software, can be converted into an Internet Protocol (IP)/Network camera which extends the uses they can be put to. This allows applications such as remote monitoring and control, as well inteligent video analytics. Remote Monitoring and Control Live feed from selected cameras can be viewed from a device of our choice. It could be a laptop at some remote location, your smartphone or any such device. Commands can be transmitted for PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) cameras via a single network cable. Such modified IP cameras offer secure data transmission through encryption and authentication methods such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, and AES. Modern IP cameras have the ability to operate without an additional power supply. They can work with the PoE (Power over the Ethernet) protocol which provides power to the cameras via the same ethernet-cable that transmits data. Traffic Count on Highway Feature points on vehicles are detected using proprietary software and tracked through the video sequence while specific algorithms remove the unnecessary features. Other algorithms are invoked to define a vehicle based on the feature points caught on camera. After that, for a section of the highway being monitored by a particular cam, the number of 'vehicles' crossing the path of the cam lens is counted. The novelty of the work includes an incremental, on-line, real-time algorithm to estimate the heights of features using a combination of background subtraction, perturbed plumb line projections, projective transformation, and a region-based grouping procedure. With a few changes in the algorithm, this technique can be adapted to counting not only vehicles but also people in a hallway. Facial Recognition There are various algorithms used to recognise a face. The two most common ones are: 1. Using Eigenfaces 2. Using Line edge map Sonia Garg of Digitals India Security Products Pvt. Ltd explains, "In the eigenfaces technique, a collection of pictures of the individual is obtained and evaluated. Each image from the set contributes to a better definition of the individual's face. With enough snaps, the system can identify the face perfectly. In the line edge method, the mouth, nose and eyes are taken as the most characteristic features. The faces are converted into grey level pictures which are then encoded into binary-edge maps". This feature is not only resource-light but also is insensitive to illumination changes. The security cams are fitted with proprietary software having any one of the aforementioned algorithms to detect a human face. This is mostly used to screen for passengers on the no-fly list at airports and at other security critical areas. It has also been used to identify voter fraud and for identity proof purposes amongst other uses. Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) ANPR uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on images taken by cameras. It first uses a series of image manipulation techniques to detect, normalize and enhance the image of the number plate, and then OCR to extract the alphanumeric details of the license plate. Standardisation of number plates is a pre-requisite for the smooth functioning of the arrangement. ANPR is used in traffic cameras in certain countries to assist in checking speeding, rash driving and other infractions. The results are either processed right there or sent to a distant server where they are further worked upon. Parking Lot Occupancy This method is based on three main processing stages. In the first section, raw image acquired by camera system is pre-processed. The shadows in the image are significantly attenuated or completely removed. The image distortion is corrected subsequently. Later, optimal correspondences between one or more stationary cameras and visible parking places are established. During this process occlusions are taken into account. An occlusion, in image-processing, refers to the situation when you want to see something but can't due to the sensor setup or some other event. Finally, a parking place status is evaluated. The acquired information about parking lot occupancy can be served to another system, e.g. an intelligent transportation system. These systems find use in intelligent automatic parking lots. Public Safety Police keep CCTVs at sensitive and volatile areas of a city. The images being beamed back help them in sending law-enforcement officials or emergency teams to the proper site at the proper time hence preventing riots or other serious trouble. Animating Plasticine Puppets Topping the list of fun activities one can do with the help of a CCTV would have to be the creation of animated plasticine puppets using stop motion. Stop motion is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. The most recent example of this would be the 2009 movie, Fantastic Mr Fox which was made entirely in stop motion using strategically placed cameras. Round Up In conclusion, this article only goes to show that the diversity of uses you can put a CCTV to is limited only by the human imagination and need. I can assure you that by the time you read this line, the number of alternate uses for CCTV would have gone up again.

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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit 

Trekking High

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Deepak Punjabi <indigoblue2005@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, May 30, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Subject: [FunOnTheNet] Trekking High
To:

What could possibly go wrong? The tourist trek thousands of feet up a Chinese mountain along wooden boards that were nailed together 700 years ago By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 11:59 GMT, 29 May 2013 | UPDATED: 16:57 GMT, 29 May 2013 These vertigo-inducing pictures show tourists navigating an extremely narrow and treacherous walkway along cliffs at a scenic mountain in China's Shaanxi Province. The precipitous Chang Kong Cliff Road on Haushan mountain was built more than 700 years ago by hermits seeking 'immortals' they thought were living deep in the mountains. The walkway is only a foot width wide and has been built clinging to the absolutely vertical cliff. One misstep would send pilgrims plunging thousands of feet down into the valley. These days, anyone brave enough to navigate the path does have to wear a special safety harness. Perhaps its better not to see? A daredevil visitor to Huashan Mountain's Chang Kong Cliff Road walks the narrow pathway in a dense mist which obscures the background... and the lethal drop below But what a view... A young woman poses for photographs along the walkway, which was built more than 700 years ago by hermits seeking 'immortals' they thought were living deep in the mountains Look! No hands! A man trusts his life to the safety harness as he negotiates a section where the wooden walkway ends and the path continues cut out of the living rock of the mountain Don't look down! The man in the red jacket breaks the cardinal rule of moutaineering. But even if he is afraid, there's no turning back: to avoid precarious congestion the Chang Kong route is strictly one way Thank goodness for those safety ropes: The walkway is only a foot width wide and has been built clinging to the absolutely vertical cliff. One misstep would send visitors plunging thousands of feet down into the valley Breathtaking: Huashan Mountain is part of the Qin Ling Range that divides northern and southern Shaanxi, and also China. It is one of China's Five Great Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance Ancient: The road was built during the Yuan dynasty by a person named He Yuan Xi and his students and took them 40 years to complete. It was built as a route to a more peaceful place to practice their religious beliefs Vertigo-inducing: Tourists cling to the safety chains as they make their way along the Chang Kong route Tourists climb stairs to the narrow walkway: The route to conquer the peaks passes temples, shrines, pavilions, terraces, carvings, and statues interspersed between the granite paths and forested margins Sacred place: Many visitors time their ascent to arrive at the peak to watch the spectacular sunrise Danger: Tourists queue to make their way up the mountain. Despite the safety measures introduced by cutting deeper pathways and building up stone steps and wider paths, fatalities continue to occur on the mountain.

    
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Thanks & Best Regards,

 

 

AIJAZ AHMED

Dammam

Saudi Arabia

www.facebook.com/aijazahmedit 

FW: [K-Tic] Believers' hearts are with Allah at all times and in all places

                 

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To: ;
From: adammohomedsait@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 07:52:32 +0530
Subject: [K-Tic] Believers' hearts are with Allah at all times and in all places

 

Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When anyone of you enters the mosque, he should perform two Rak`ah (of voluntary prayer) before sitting."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 208/1144 - Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)   Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw some people performing Duha (prayers) in the early forenoon and warned them (saying): These people must know that performing Salat a little later is better. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The Salat of the penitent is to be observed when the young ones of camels feel the heat of the sun (i.e., when it becomes very hot)."[Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith confirms the opinion of those who hold that Duha prayer is different from Ishraq prayer. Ishraq prayer must be performed when the sun rises about a lance in the sky while the time for Duha prayer occurs when the hoofs of the animals begin to burn and they feel troubled with the heat of the sun. Usually the six Rak`ah performed after Maghrib prayer are called Salat-ul-Awwabin (prayer of the penitent) which is founded on a weak Hadith. In the present authentic Hadith, Duha prayer is interpreted as Salat-ul-Awwabin. Thus Salat-ul-Awwabin is in fact Duha prayer.   207/1143 - Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)     Believers' hearts are with Allah at all times and in all places      What does it mean for the heart to be with Allah at all times and in all places?   What must one do to be with Allah at all times and in all places? Some people never consider the great blessings they enjoy throughout their lives. Yet starting the day in good health every morning, being able to breathe and see, being able to enjoy scents and food and all beautiful things and being able to appreciate love, respect and friendship are all great blessings. In addition, possessing the judgment with which to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong or beauty and ugliness is another great blessing bestowed by Allah because that judgment enables one to avoid wickedness and the evil whisperings of one's earthly desires and to choose goodness and beauty instead. What one needs to do in return is properly appreciate our Lord, to give proper thanks to Him and for one's heart to be full of love and fear of Him at all times.   One's heart being with Allah at all times does not mean withdrawing from all the preoccupations of the life of this world. "The heart being with Allah at all times means"; Being aware of the greatness, might and power of our Lord at all times, Knowing that He sees, hears and watches oneself and all the other entities one sees, and that He encompasses the entire universe, Being aware that Allah is the sole judge and sole Lord of all things, and that He is mighty enough to do what He wants when He wants, And knowing that everything that happens in the life of this world, whether it appears to be good or bad, is actually the functioning of the destiny ordained by Allah. A Person Whose Heart Is Always Full of Remembrance of Allah Has a Clear Mind and Awareness  It is easy to recognize the clarity of mind of someone whose heart is always full of remembrance of Allah from his face and behavior because there is a great difference between the face of someone who believes and knows that Allah sees him at all times and someone who is heedless. No matter how attractive the face of someone who has forgotten Allah, it will never reflect any spiritual beauty or an expression full of love and meaning, humanity, humility and intelligence. In contrast, the luminosity, beauty, intelligence and nobility bestowed by faith and clarity of mind are striking in someone whose heart is with Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah notes these features of those who sincerely believe and exhibit an unsullied devotion to Him and reveals it is easy to recognize them by "...the traces of prostration" in their faces: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him             are fierce to the unbelievers, merciful to one another. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allah's good favor and His pleasure. Their mark is on their faces, the traces of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah. And their likeness in the Gospel is that of a seed which puts up a shoot and makes it strong so that it thickens and grows up straight upon its stalk," (Surat al-Fath, 29) In addition, when we look at the lives of those whose hearts are heedless of Allah, we see that it is these people who suffer the worst consequences of their heedlessness. These people, who do not believe in our Lord, Who created them from nothing and has bestowed so many blessings upon them, avoid everything that might remind them of their responsibilities to Him. They try to ignore the way that they and the universe were brought into being from nothing, they ignore the fact of death and the Day of Reckoning afterward, the countless blessings of paradise or the infinite torments of hell because they realize that only by heeding their consciences, they will have to reflect on Allah and come to faith. They know that if they think about the existence of Allah, they will remember His commandments and prohibitions and therefore be unable to follow their own earthly desires and passions.   Hearts Only Find Peace and Ease through Remembrance of Allah True peace, joy and happiness can only come when people believe in Allah and their hearts are with Him. One can never attain true joy and happiness so long as remains heedless of Allah. Contrary to popular opinion, all pleasures flee away if one does not have faith because people cannot live by moral virtues in places where the fact that Allah is closer to one than one's own jugular vein is ignored, and where there is no fear of His wrath. Lack of fear of Allah brings with it ignorance of all bounds and lawlessness, and thus a degenerate structure. Everyone behaves   as they please. For example, taking care over one's honor and chastity, not wasting the blessings bestowed by Allah, thinking the best of people around one (not looking for secret flaws), not showing off, not talking behind people's backs, treating the people around one with love and respect rather than with the aim of seeing what one can get out of them, displaying the moral values of which Allah approves and being gentle, kind and polite are all important examples of moral virtues. However, someone who denies the fact that Allah enfolds and surrounds him (surely Allah is beyond that) will keep as far away from these moral virtues as possible and find himself living a degenerate life.   It is for these reasons that one of the worst mistakes people make is to imagine they can avoid their responsibilities to Allah and build tranquil lives by not thinking and by erecting walls around their consciences. But the fact is that no matter how much one may be reluctant, or outright refuse to think, the existence of Allah is still an absolute reality. Allah is there as we have fun, watch the television, read the newspapers, eat, talk, walk down the street, sleep, go to school and everywhere. He is closer to us than our own jugular vein. Wherever one looks, one encounters manifestations of Allah. He creates and maintains all events. Someone who thinks along those lines can appreciate the true nature of the life of this world and the absolute existence and might of Allah, grasp the concepts of paradise and hell and be punctilious over their religious obligations. Unlike the majority of other people, he knows he must be a servant of whom Allah approves, and therefore begins to think and live by religious moral values revealed by Allah in the Qur'an and embodied by the prophets and true believers. In consequence, he will take much more pleasure from beauties and blessings than other people do, and Allah will bestow a fine life on him in this world and the hereafter. This is revealed as follows in the Qur'an: "Those who believe and do right actions and establish prayer and pay alms, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow." (Surat al-Baqara, 277)   The finest way of turning to our Lord is to begin every task by reciting Bismillah (in the name of Allah). Embarking on every task by invoking the name of Allah establishes a healthier power in terms of evoking an effect on the heart and also increases a person's proximity to Allah, because someone who embarks on a task with the name of Allah will know that everything happens under His control and that he will be successful if Allah so chooses. There is no doubt that this leads to a very deep closeness between Allah and His servant. Such a person has comprehended his own weakness and the fact he has no power to do anything without Allah's leave, and has thus fully submitted himself to Almighty Allah. This position of believers is described as follows in the Qur'an: "Say: 'Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust'." (Surat at-Tawba, 51)   A sincere, deep and uninterrupted bond established with Almighty Allah at every moment further increases a believer's faith, fervor, submission to Allah and love and respect for Him. It causes a person to avoid behavior that will be displeasing to Allah, restrains the excesses of earthly desires and evils that know no bounds, and constantly encourages one to behave in a way that may be hoped to be pleasing to Allah. This closeness bestows a great spiritual delight on the believer by drawing him closer to Allah's approval, mercy and paradise. It makes the believer scrupulous when it comes to maintaining the bounds set by Allah, and bestows a great awareness and care in seeking His approval.   The Worthy Islamic Scholar Imam Al-Ghazali Expresses His Closeness to Allah:  "He [Allah] cannot be fettered by quantities; continents cannot contain Him, He is not bounded by directions and neither the earth nor sky can hold Him. He is settled on the earth in the sense commanded by Him. He neither touches the earth, nor makes His abode there, nor settles there, nor is included in it, nor proceeds towards it, He is beyond all these. The earth cannot carry Him, but He bears the earth and the angels that bear the earth with His might, and these are mastered as a manifestation of His title of the Punisher. In the same way that His being on the earth and sky does not require Him to be distant from the ground and soil, so it does not require proximity to the earth and sky. On the contrary, in the same way as He is far from under the ground, so He is far from the earth and sky. In addition, He is closer to the servant than his own jugular vein. Indeed, in the Qur'an Allah says "He is witness of everything" (Surat al-Saba', 47)." (IHYA-U ULUMUDDİN, Vol. 1 p. 201, Hacetü'l İslam, Imam Gazali)   What One Needs to Do to Be with Allah at Every Moment To Take Allah, the All-Mighty, As One's Friend and Guide Our Lord tests His servants by creating events they perceive as difficulties, in which they face troubles, or experience joy and happiness. Devout Muslims seek help from Allah alone under such circumstances and trust in Him alone. They place no hope in natural causes, intermediaries or other people. They do not regard Allah's creation as having any power, will or effect independently of Him. Seeking shelter in Almighty Allah, Who creates one and is aware even of the secrets one conceals from others is a major consequence and sign of proximity to Allah. To Pray Prayer is a very important means by which someone who is utterly powerless in the face of our Almighty Lord can turn to Him, confess his sins to Him, seek help from Him alone, feel His existence and power and maintain that awareness at every moment of his daily life.  To Turn to Allah in All Tasks  One of the greatest signs of faith is to be aware that all blessings belong to Allah alone, and to express this with a pure heart and tongue. It is also one of the most sincere ways of establishing a deep bond with Allah and "serving Him alone." To Always Give Thanks By examining the proofs of creation, believers reflect on how it is Almighty Allah, Who bestows such blessings as the Earth's atmosphere which protects them against dangers from space, how the Earth's crust protects them from the boiling magma beneath, how drinking water is created, the fruits of the earth, the creation of night and day, life, health, consciousness, the five senses, the air we breathe and countless other examples at every moment. And by giving thanks for these they once again turn to Allah alone.     ALLAH'S Beautiful Name:  ASH-SHAFEE - The Affectionate; The Healer And when I am ill, it is He Who heals me . ( Surat ash-Shu'ara', 26:80) Allah uses illness to force people to realize just how feeble they are and how much help they really need. Thus, the hundreds of diseases in our world are created for both bodily and spiritual purposes. For example, they are signs of a purposeful and superior creation and of His power, for how else can one explain the existence of microscopic viruses? Only Allah can remove an illness, for He is the One Who created it. As a manifestation of ash-Shafee , Allah removes a disease whenever He wills. If He does not will this, no doctor, advanced technology, or innovative medication can help or cure the patient, for all medicine is only means of recovery. Each illness is sent so that we may ponder upon it, eventually see our Lord's infinite power next to our own feebleness, and seek His help whenever we are in distress. Believers have to be aware that Allah is their only guardian and helper. The Qur'an praises Prophet Ayyub (as) for his submission to Allah. The moral excellence, patience, and trust he displayed in the face of devastating distress has become an example for all believers. The related verse is as follows: And Ayyub, when he called out to his Lord: "Great harm has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful." ( Surat al-Anbiya', 21:83) Allah answered his call and removed his distress, and Prophet Ayyub (as) earned the rewards of being patient and turning solely to Allah. http://al-tanzil.com/-64___Ash-Shafee.html Saying 'Good Morning / Evening' – Shaykh Bin Baz   Scholar: Imam ´Abdul-´Aziz bin ´Abdillah bin Baz Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/17636   Question: Some brothers limit their speech by; 'good morning…good evening' instead of 'assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh'  ie. the greeting of Islam. So is there any advice concerning this?   Shaykh Ibn Baz: Yes, that is not permitted. What is obligatory is to start with the 'Salam'. Assalamu alaykum. You do not say 'good morning' and 'good evening' but rather say: 'Assalamu alaykum. And if he said; 'wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh' is better and perfect / complete.   Thereafter (after starting with the Salaam) he may says; 'Good morning', 'may Allah give you a good morning', 'may Allah give you a good evening', 'how are you', 'how are your children', 'how is your family', (this is) a good added greeting. However he starts by saying; 'Assalamu alaykum and that is the minimum. And if he added 'wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh' then that is better. And this is how the Prophet (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) was with his companions.    One time a man came in (joined them) and said: "Assalamu 'alaykum (peace be upon you)." The Prophet said, "[He will have] ten hasanat (rewards)."  Another man passed by and said "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatu Allah." The Prophet, "[He will have] twenty hasanat." Another man passed by and said "Assalamu 'alaykum wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh." The Prophet, "[He will have] thirty hasanat." [Bukhari]    And this is the virtue of that point of view.     If you would like to be added to this mailing group, please contact amsait@gmail.com

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