Ein schönes Projekt, welches Frank Bürmann und Marion Hackl da ins Leben gerufen haben:

Unter dem Motto “Hamburgs frohe Kinderaugen – 100 % Freude schenken” wird die schon in 2008 sehr erfolgreiche Aktion fortgesetzt und wieder Geschenke für lauter kleine Hamburger gesammelt, deren Familien sich das Beschenken z. Zt. nicht leisten können und die sich ganz schön doll über ein Geschenk freuen würden.

A few months ago I was asked to shoot a Hooters Calendar. Like any professional photographer who shoots kids, families and weddings, my first response was “What!?!” But after learning more about it, I realized: 1) it would be no different (actually easier) than shooting men doing yoga, 2) you don’t say “no” to a charity that isn’t afraid to think of out-of-the-box ideas on raising money, and 3) I (thank God!) did not have to design the calendar. That incredible task went to multimedia artist Ryan Michael Johnson for content-design company Riffle.

The Hooters Car Show for Kids in Davenport was in September – and the final product is an amazing, vintage-themed calendar that includes information about the top 12 cars, some history on cars as well as important holidays, unique celebrated days and more! I’ve posted just a few of the calendar pages below. You can purchase the entire product for $15 – all proceeds go to the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. Calendars are available at the therapy center, located at 1504 13th Avenue in Moline. Or you can call its office, M-F at 309-762-9552. If nothing else, it’s a great stocking stuffer or gift – especially if your special someone is into really cool cars;-)

April 2010 Hooters Calendar

July 2010 Hooters Calendar

October 2010 Hooters Calendar

Wow! I have just discovered the SocialVibe widget on here, what an amazing idea as you can see to the right of this blog there is now an advert that you can click to help raise day’s worth treatment for people suffering from AIDS/HIV … this now gives me so much more drive to make this blog a success. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE click and help. IT COSTS NOTHING, the best bargain i’ll ever blog about in my opinion.

spread the word and visit http://keepachildalive.org/

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

(261. The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is that of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.)

This is a parable that Allah made of the multiplication of rewards for those who spend in His cause, seeking His pleasure. Allah multiplies the good deed ten to seven hundred times.

Allah said, <<The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah…>>

Sa`id bin Jubayr commented, “Meaning spending in Allah’s obedience”.
Makhul said that the Ayah means, “Spending on Jihad, on horse stalls, weapons and so forth”.
The parable in the Ayah is more impressive on the heart than merely mentioning the number seven hundred. This Ayah indicates that Allah `grows’ the good deeds for its doers, just as He grows the plant for whoever sows it in fertile land.

The Sunnah also mentions that the deeds are multiplied up to seven hundred folds. For instance, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Mas`ud said that a man once gave away a camel, with its bridle on, in the cause of Allah and the Messenger of Allah said, (On the Day of Resurrection, you will have seven hundred camels with their bridles.)

Muslim and An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith, and Muslim’s narration reads, “A man brought a camel with its bridle on and said, `O Messenger of Allah! This is in the sake of Allah.’ The Messenger said, (You will earn seven hundred camels as reward for it on the Day of Resurrection. )

Another Hadith: Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(Every good deed that the son of Adam performs will be multiplied ten folds, to seven hundred folds, to many other folds, to as much as Allah wills. Allah said, “Except the fast, for it is for Me and I will reward for it. One abandons his food and desire in My sake.” The fasting person has two times of happiness: when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. Verily, the odor that comes from the mouth of whoever fasts is more pure to Allah than the scent of musk. Fasting is a shield (against sinning), fasting is a shield.) Muslim recorded this Hadith.

Allah’s statement, <<Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills >> is according to the person’s sincerity in his deeds.

<< And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower >> meaning, His Favor is so wide that it encompasses much more than His creation, and He has full knowledge in whoever deserves it, or does not deserve it. All the praise and thanks are due to Allah.

There is a wonderful way to realizing your potential. It requires faith. It means believing you have a loving Father who believes deeply in your potential. You and I will waste away our precious life if we focus too much and become clouded in our own pursuits. He respects your freedom and won’t force those things that are most precious upon you. It isn’t as hard as you think to hear his voice. He doesn’t discriminate. He isn’t a respecter of persons.  He loves sincerity, a deep desire, willingness to pray and ponder, and faith – even if you initially have doubts but simple have a desire to believe.

Desperate finding the perfect Christmas present?

Look no further and bid on a “Taking the Flak” DVD which has been signed by Tira Shubart, co-creator, co-writer and co-producer of the show. Not only will you get a great DVD, you’ll also support a good cause:

This lot is being sold as part of Save the Rhino’s 15^th Birthday online auction; Hornucopia.  SAVE THE RHINO fundraises for the conservation of endangered species of rhinoceros by supporting community and education programmes in key wildlife habitats in Africa and Asia.

LINK TO AUCTION ON EBAY

People of the Book

http://sinai.bigasterisk.com/literacy.htm

Temple Sinai’s People of the Book Literacy Project was founded in the spring of 1998 with the mission of helping Oakland’s schoolchildren learn to love reading and books. We partner with three elementary schools in the Oakland Unified School District: Santa Fe School, Lazear School, and Think College Now.

We work toward our mission in many ways:

• More than 30 tutors meet with over 70 students each week throughout the school year.
• Library volunteers help in the schools by processing and shelving donated books. (We have stocked four school libraries with attractive, quality books.) We give many books to classrooms and hold several school-wide book giveaway events each year.
• Teen volunteers provide academic help and companionship at an after-school homework center at Lazear School.
• Over the years, our volunteers have visited classes to read stories as well as to provide art and music enrichment. We have donated supplies for schoolwork, sports, and art projects.
• With our congregation’s generous cash donations we have bought microscopes for a science class; arranged author assemblies and school-wide magazine subscriptions; purchased books, reading incentives like bookmarks and classroom materials; and have donated carpeting, posters, and beanbag chairs for libraries.
• In cooperation with other groups (including Temple Sinai’s Social Action Committee), we also have provided much needed social services – arranging delivery of 150 bags of food a week to one school, conducting a holiday Adopt-a-Family project as well as a food drives for the winter break, and making school-site improvements as part of the Temple’s annual Mitzvah Day project.

Mark your calendars! Thursday 10 December at 6:30 p.m. Great Ormond Street Hospital will be holding its 10th annual Christmas family carolling concert!
Join us at St. Paul’s Church for beautiful carols sung by the St. Paul’s choir, festive readings from Julian Fellowes and other well-loved stars, and spectacular musical numbers.
Don’t miss your chance to see Faryl Smith, chart topping classical and jazz artist, perform along with the winner of the school choir competition.
After the concert make your way over to the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge for an exclusive champagne and canapé reception. Entertainment for the children will be provided.
For the combined package of the concert and the reception, tickets cost £95 for adults and £40 for children. If you are interested in just going to the concert adult tickets costs only £45 and £20 for children
To purchase your tickets, email The Special Events Team (carol.concert@gosh.org) or call 020 7239 3004.

I love this, the whole idea, I love it so much it made me cry to watch it. I’m shy about dancing, but these people – they were dancing for a cause. They didn’t care about making fools of themselves, they just let go and had a good time promoting breast cancer prevention awareness. You gotta love it:

When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for the community.

The height of the tallest tree in the world is 112meter; it is in the forests of California in the United States of America.

Scientists believe that age of this tree is more than one thousand year, the diameter of its trunk is more than three meters, and it looks like a building consisting of 37 floors.

But someone may say, where is the miracle in that creature? Here we have to ask a question, how can the water reach the height of 112 meter? What kind of pumps this tree is using? And from where does that tree get the needed energy to feed itself for more than 1000 year?

Allah almighty put the suitable methods to keep life of that tree and life of all creatures. He almighty put a very simple rule as without that rule all plants would die, that is the Surface tension of water. Water has a Tensile strength and it is able to climb through plant vessel to reach the top of the tree. There is another way to feed that tree by water which is withdrawing water from the air!

Allah almighty is the one who guaranteed the livelihood for His creatures and He had subjected all the methods to keep them alive. So, can Allah almighty forget a man who is asking and supplicating to Him? God says: (And so many a moving (living) creature carries not its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.) (Sûrat Al-‘Ankabût- verse60).

——————–

By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

www.kaheel7.com/eng

Ashleigh, a High School going girl at our Church (Southpoint Church), has begun a very unique campaign.  In South Africa, our 5cents coin tends to gather about and get thrown into jars etc. You probably have the same sort of thing in your country. So why not bring all those coins together. All of us – as a community – can be involved in accumulating a massive amount of 5cent coins that would ultimately be used for a greater purpose. Check out Ashleigh’s 5 Cent Fund Site.

A Note from Ashleigh

Hi!

Currently, I am using this website to create awareness about my group. I am still in the young stages of beginning a fund and will hopefully get bigger and better as I go along. I am only collecting coins from family and friends at the moment.

If you have any 5c coins or just loose change lying around please contact me on my email address (shown on my homepage) or in person. I would appreciate any contributions of any amounts because giving small change can make a big change!!

Thanks!

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

The Companions of our Prophet Muhammed (salallaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam) used to gather to remember death so that they would benefit their souls by increasing in fear of Allaah and strive to gain His pleasure. If this was the case of the Sahaabah and they were the best of generations, the most pious and God-fearing of this ummah, then what about us? Surely, it means that we need to engage in the remembrance of Allaah – The Most Perfect, The Most High – even more. After all, we are in far more need of this act of worship than they were.

Let us begin at the end of a man’s life, in his last moments. He is lying on his death bed and his family are at his side. His father is calling for the doctor. His wife asks him: “To whom are you leaving us?”. The man’s little daughter asks him, “Why do you not answer me?”, and his small boy cries but nobody responds to him. This is the situation Allaah, The Most High and The Most High, has informed us about:

“Nay, when the soul reaches the throat, and it is said: “Who will cure him now?”. The dying person concludes that this is the time for departing. The leg joins the other leg.” [Al-Qiyaamah: 26-29]

They place him in his shroud, his leg joins his other leg. Then he is carried upon the shoulders and taken to a dark hole. If he was a transgressing criminal he cries out: “Woe to it! Where are you taking it?

“The drive that day will be to your Lord” [Al-Qiyaamah: 30]

Then he is lowered into this ditch and dirt is thrown upon him until he is sealed in it. If he was a criminal, Allaah – The Most Perfect and The Most High – says:

“So he neither believed nor did he pray. Rather he belied and turned away.” [Al-Qiyaamah: 31-32]

This transgressor will remain in his grave alone, there will be no-one to sit with him and no-one to keep him company. He will feel the heat of the fire, smell its foul odour, and be tortured therein. This man’s grave will sqeeze in upon him so much so that the bones of his rib cage will cross each other. Despite all this punishment and all this torture and pain, he will hope that the hour will never be established. For this man knows that the hour is far worse and of he will be in greater loss on that Day.

The man hears ‘As-Saakhah’ from within his grave, and what is ‘As-Saakhah’? It is the second blowing of the trumpet. This is when all that is in the graves shall be raised and ressurrected. So the criminal will cry:

“Woe to us, who has woken us from our resting place?” It will be said: “This is what the Ever-Merciful promised and the messengers where truthful.” [Yasin: 52]

The earth will be torn away from above him. This man will see the heavens being cleft assunder, the stars falling and being scattered, the oceans in their greatness bursting forth, burning, the graves will at that time bring forth their contents.

“Every person shall know what he has sent forth of good and bad deeds at that moment.” [Al-Infitaar: 1-5]

Then he will raised up and driven to the crowding place: ‘Al-Mahshar’.

“That day, the mother who is nursing her child will become careless of it, the mother who is carrying her child will drop her load. That day, mankind will appear as if they are drunk yet they they are not drunk. Indeed the punishment of your Lord is great.” [Al-Hajj 1-2]

The mother will come to her son and say: “Oh my son, my breast was a container for you, my womb was a container for you. Oh my son I seek from you a hasanah (merit) that I may approach Allaah with. My son, do not be greedy towards me”. In the world this son would have sacrificed his life, rather many lives for merely the happiness of his mother so how does he treat her now? He responds to her plea: “Get away from me! Leave me! Indeed I am in need of this merit more than you.”

“So when ‘As-Saakhah’ comes. That day a man will flee from his brother, from his mother and his father, from his wife and his children. That day every man shall have enough to make him careless of others.” [Al-Abasa: 33-37]

So mankind will wait in this crowding place for 50,000 years, after which Allaah, The Most Perfect and The Most High, will come to judge them. So He will call the criminal and say to him, “Oh so and so, did I not give you of the cold water to drink? Did I not give you a healthy body? Did I not give you many bounties? What have you done with all that which I bestowed upon you?” So the man replies, “I have done nothing my Lord.”

So he lies to his Lord on that day. Allaah says: “Where are the witnesses!”. So the Angels come and bear witness that this criminal did not pray in those moments of prayer, he drank, fornicated, lied, cursed and insulted. He turned away from belief and was proud and arrogant. So the criminal says to his Lord, “I do not accept accept a wintness except one from myself.” His Lord replies to him, “And you have that?”

“The day when we shall seal their mouths, there hands will speak to us and their legs will bear witness to that which they used to earn.” [Yasin: 65]

So he turns to his skin and says to it: it was only for you that I was arguing.

“Nay, when the earth is shaken a true shaking and your Lord comes with the Angels in rows. That day the Fire will be brought near. That day man will remember but how will that remembrance avail him? He will say, ‘Woe to me! Would that I had put forth something for this life.’ “ [Al-Fajr: 21-24]

This man then remembers. This criminal remembers that when he heard the call for prayer and he did not respond to it. He remembers when he woke and the sun had already risen yet he had not prayed al-fajr. This man remembers when he abused this one, when he slandered that one, when he earned that unlawful wealth, when he struck this one and killed that one. This criminal remembers every sin with which he disobeyed Allaah with. That day all his remorse and regret amounts to nothing. Then Allaah will say, “Sieze him and fetter him. Then throw him into the blazing fire. Then put a chain which is 70 cubits long through him. Indeed he did not used to believe in Allaah, The Most Perfect, The Most High.”

The Angels will then drag him upon his face into the fire. As he enters it he will see his friends from the world already present.

“Every time a nation enters it curses it sister nation.” [Al-a'araaf: 38].

So he is greeted with curses and given a wretched abode in which to abide. The fire encompasses him from all sides roasting, burning his skin completely,

“Whenever their skins have been done (burnt away) we replace them with new skins so that they may taste of the punishment.” [an-Nisaa: 56].

Their food in the fire is Ad-Daree’ (a thorny plant).

“No food will they have except Ad-Daree’. It neither nourishes nor removes hunger.” [Al-Ghaashiyah: 6-7]

When they eat it they choke due to the thorns. So when they are choking they ask to be rescued with water, so they are rescued with an intensly boiling water which grills their faces when they appoach it. When they drink from the water, due to its heat, it cuts their intestines and causes them an increased pain. They eat from Az-Zaquum. They eat a bitter fruit which cannot be tasted.

“Indeed the tree of Zaquum will be the food of the sinners. Like boiling oil, it will boil in the belies, like the boiling of scalding water. It will be said : Drag, sieze him and drag him into the midst of the blazing fire. Then pour upon his head the torment of boiling water. Taste! You were pretending to be the Mighty the Generous.” [ad-Dukhaan: 43-49]

Due to this intense pain, suffering and anguish they are experiencing they call upon the guardian of hell-fire,

“They call, Oh Maalik let your Lord destroy us” After many years he responds to them with two words “You are staying.” [43:77].

After all of this, they have one last chance and they call upon their Lord, “Oh our Lord we were indeed astray! Oh our Lord we were indeed misguided, we did fall short. Return us to the world so that we can do good instead of that which we used to do.”

Allaah replies to them, “Rot in it and do not speak to me. After this they do not speak nor do they utter.”

They are then called from afar, “Oh dwellers of the fire, do you know what this is?” They reply, “Yes that is death in the form of a ram.” Death is then slaughtered in a place between Al-Jannah an An-Naar. It is said to the dwellers of the fire, ever-lasting life without death.

As for the other group, the ones who obeyed their Lord in this world, let us describe briefly their fate:

When he is placed into his grave it is widened and made spacious for him. He smells the sweet fragrance of Al-jannah and feels some of its comforts. He sleeps in his grave like a bride on her wedding night who no-one shall awaken except her beloved. When the cry comes he is gathered to the crowding place and waits there for 50,000 years. This time passes as if it were the time between Zohar and Asr. Then the Lord of the worlds comes to make judgement, so He calls His slave saying, “Oh my slave, do you not remember that sin, do you not remember this sin.” So the slave replies, “My Lord I have perished!” So Allaah replies to him, “I hid it in the world for you and this day I forgive it.” This good man is handed his book in his right hand. Due to his happiness he runs to the people and says “Take it; read my book. Indeed I used to think I would meet my accounting.”

“So he will be in a content life.” [Al-Haaqah: 19-21]

Then he will be crowded from a group of al-jannah. The Jannah has eight gates and between each gate is a distance that would take 40 years to traverse. There comes a day when the gates are crowded. So as this slave of Allaah enters Al-Jannah he is greeted with salaam (peace). He sees before him 4 rivers:

“… In it are rivers of water, the taste and smell of which are not changed. Rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those wo drink and rivers of clear and pure honey …” [Muhammad: 15]

He has therein a house and he knows this house as he knows his dwelling in this life. His house is made from bricks of gold and silver. In it he has wives from the Hoorul-’een.

“And Hooron ‘een, like untouched, unseen, precious pearls. A reward for what they used to do.” [Al-Waaqiah: 22-24]

“Indeed we have created them a special creation, made them virgins, loving only their husbands of equal age.” [al-Waaqiah: 35-37]

Every time they cohabit with their husbands they return to being virgins. Outside this house he has a tent, in it he has wives. When he goes to one of them, the other does not see him.

In Al-Jannaah the righteous slave has everything he desires, wishes and wants. He neither feels extreme heat nor the bitter cold:

“They will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun nor the bitter cold.” [Al-Insaan: 13].

There is not a tree in Al-Jannaah except its trunk is made of gold. When he requires its fruit he does not need to get up from his place, since it comes to him:

“The bunches of fruit thereof hang low, within reach.” [al-Insaan: 14].

“They are served by youthful boys who never age. If you were to see them you would think them scattered pearls.” [al-Insaan: 19]

So he resides therein, tranquil and at ease. No pain, no ill feeling and no foul speech. Life without death, lasting with no end.

These are not mere stories that we tell to amuse ourselves or scare one another, rather they are the destinies of the ones who obey Allaah and those who disobey. Allaah calls His slaves to repentance many times in every day so avail these opportunities. Repentance has only three conditions, that you be sincere to Allaah, that you leave the sin and that you make a firm resolve that you never return to the sin.

So be the children of the Hereafter and not the children of this life; a party in Paradise and a party in the Hell-fire.

Source: Kalamullah

Here’s a reminder and perhaps some new facts as well.  THRESHOLD run the hostel for homeless men near the station, providing accommodation for 21 residents.  Last year they had to turn 453 people away because no beds were available.  People receive far more than food and a bed -help is given with restoring people’s dignity and self-worth, re-housing and finding suitable housing.

THRESHOLD also provide accommodation in seven smaller, family-sized properties for both men and women needing different degrees of support.
In addition THRESHOLD provides a Street Outreach Service where homeless and vulnerable people congregate such as at the Breakfast Club, the Filling station or wherever homeless people sleep-out.

On Friday 4th December, two members of Immanuel, Wayne Lanfear and Paul Bridges will be sleeping-out in the car park all night whatever the weather, to raise money for THRESHOLD.  Please do give them your support by signing their sponsorship forms.  Maybe there are a few more people at Immanuel who could join them?  Make it a family night out-with a difference!  Go on, do it!

If you need to know more, please ask Jenny Powley or Di Swan.

A cool little shot I took with the new tiltshift app for iphone

A Remarkable Story! By Anonymous

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA). He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the
Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble
Quran. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Quran.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to
Haj. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) happened to pass that way. He was
also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Holy
Prophet (saw). Seeing this lady very disturbed
and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion
is recorded as follows:

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: “The word from a merciful Lord is Peace” (Surah 36 Aayat 58).
She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah, Most High, Himself.
She said further: “Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide
for them.” (Surah 7 Aayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Where are you coming from?

The lady: “Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the
Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam” (Far
distant place of worship) (Surah17 Aayat1). She meant that she had come
from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): How long are you in this place?

The lady: “For three nights” (Surah 19 Aayat10).

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What arrangements are made for your
food?

The lady: “And who (Allah) feedeth me and watereth me” (Surah 26 Aayat
79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by
Allah.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: “And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make
tayammum) rub your faces and hands.” (therewith) (Surah 4 Aayat 43). She
meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: “Strictly observe the fast till nightfall” (Surah 2 Aayat
187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): This is not the month of Ramadaan.

The lady: “And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah is
responsive, aware”. (Surah 2 Aayat158) meaning that I have observed an
optional (nafl) fast.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): It is permitted to break the fast
when in a journey.

The lady: “And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know.”
(Surah 2 Aayat 184)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Speak like how I speak.

The lady: “He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer
ready” (Surah 50 Aayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person
is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in
the words of the Holy Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: “Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The
hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked”
(Surah 17 Aayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge
of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by
enquiring about them.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Forgive me. I have certainly made a
mistake.

The lady: “Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you” (Surah 12 Aayat
92)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Would you like to travel on my camel
and meet your caravan?

The lady: “And whatsoever good ye do Allah knoweth it” (Surah 2 Aayat
197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah will
recompense you for it.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Well, then you may mount it.
Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: “Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower
their gaze”. (Surah 24 Aayat 30). Hadhrat Abdullah understood and
(turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her
clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed:
“whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have
earned.” (Surah 42 Aayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadhrat
Abdullah bin Mubarak’s (RA) attention towards this mishap.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood and he tied the legs of the
camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She
applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying “And we made
Sulaiman to understand” (Surah 21 Aayat 79). When the journey was about
to begin, the lady recited the Aayats which are read when undertaking a
journey “Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not
capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning.”
(Surah 43 Aayat 13).
Hadhrat Abdullh bin Mubarak (RA) held the bridle (or nose string) of the
camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling,
and he started walking very fast.

The lady: “Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice” (Surah 31
Aayat 19). Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) understood. He began
walking slower and he lowered his voice.
The lady: “Recite of the Quran that which is easy for you.” She meant
that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Holy
Quran.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) began reciting the Holy Quran.

The lady became very pleased and said “but none remember (accept advice)
except men of understanding” (Surah 2 Aayat 269).

After reciting the Holy Quran for a while, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak
(RA) asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) “O Aunt,
have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: “O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made
known unto you, would trouble you” (Surah 5 Aayat 101). She meant that
no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that
her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met
the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Do you have any son or relative
(friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: “Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world”
(Surah 18 Aayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and
he has provisions with him.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): What work are your sons doing for the
caravan? (Hadhrat Abdullah’s object for asking was to make it easy for
him to recognise her son).

The lady: “And landmarks, and by the star they find a way” (Surah 16
Aayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA): Can you tell me their name?

The lady: “Allah chose Ibrahim as (for) a friend” (Surah 4 Aayat 125).
And Allah spoke directly unto Moosa” (Surah 19 Aayat 12). By reciting
these Aayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya,
Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) called out these names in the caravan
and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) “Now send one of you with this your
silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and
bring you a supply thereof” (Sura 18 Aayat 19) In other words she
instructed them to feed Hadhrat Abdullah (RA).

When the food was brought, she told Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA):
“Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past
days.” (Surah 69 Aayat 24), and with this Aayat she recited another
Aayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him
for his good conduct and courtesy. The Aayat was: “Is the reward of
goodness aught save goodness?” (Surah 55 Aayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this Aayat. The lady’s son informed
Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mubarak (RA) that his mother has been speaking in
this manner, i.e. using only the Aayats of the Holy Quran in her speech,
for the last forty years.

Kigali is a city of busy streets, hooting vehicles and chattering people.
For me, answering my mobile is a real challenge. I can’t hear what is
being said on the other end for the surrounding noise. So on Thursday
afternoon I was amazed to find a short period of tranquility.

Gavin had left me at the CPR offices while he was meeting the
widows’ groups at Nyamirambo. We were to meet up five hours later for
another meeting reasonably close by. I needed to buy some Kinyarwanda
Bible material for the INN club and knew both the Scripture Union and the
Bible Society had premises nearby. It wouldn’t be too far to
walk. Most of the route is along a dual carraigeway.  Having made a
false start and headed in the wrong direction, I retraced my steps and
not far from CPR, I found a footpath which followed the road through a
grassy area lined with trees and colourful shrubs. It certainly lifted
my spirits and made me feel that God is good. I had been thinking for
several weeks that there wasn’t really anywhere pleasant to walk in the
city and pass a few quiet moments.

After calling in at a Christian book-shop I had noticed en-route, and
buying a booklet which would be ideal for using with the pre-school
children, I arrived at the Scripture Union centre. I had expected a good sized shop
where I could browse at my leisure and take my pick from a selection of
suitable material as I would do at home. Instead the bookshop was
housed in a small room with samples of the stock in glass cabinets. Most
of it was in English or French and I couldn’t see what I was looking
for. There were two women in the room, one of whom turned out to be SU’s
children’s co-ordinater. She was very helpful and I managed to find a
couple of small books of Bible stories, readings and activities which we
will be able to use. I also discovered they are running a three day
residential camp this coming week and she asked me if I would like to
attend a couple of the sessions. It will be good to see how children’s
ministry is carried out here and hopefully pick up some useful ideas to
take back to the INN club. After purchasing a childrens Bible which had
been recommended to me, and a few booklets from The Bible Society I
headed back to meet Gavin.

As I walked along the earth road  towards the main road I saw a couple
of groups of boys squatted near the edge playing marbles.  After a
conversation using a mixture of their limited English and my very poor
French I discovered they call the game boobons and that they thought I
wanted to give them money for them.  A few weeks ago, someone described
to me a game the children play in Rwanda which sounded like marbles,
but this was the first time I had seen it being played.

Winter: The Believer’s Best Season

It is said that winter is a time when people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as ‘the Winter Blues’ or winter depression. However, it is interesting to see how the early Muslims welcomed winter, as it is clear that they saw it in a totally different light.

Here are four ways that they would benefit from winter:

1 & 2 – Fasting and praying

It was reported by al-Haythami in ‘Majma’ az-Zawa’id’ (3/203) with a hasan chain that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Winter is the best season for the believer. Its nights are long for him to pray in, and its days are short for him to fast in.”

And Ahmad reported in ‘az-Zuhd’ (p. 118) with an authentic chain that ‘Umar bin al-Khattab said: “Winter is the prize of the worshippers.”

Ibn Rajab al-Hambali said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 276):

“Winter is the best season for the believer because…Allah strengthens his practice in it by making worship easy for him. This is because in winter, the believer can fast during the day with ease without suffering from hunger and thirst. The days are short and cold, and he therefore doesn’t feel the hardship of fasting…

As for praying at night in the winter due to its long nights, one can have his share of sleep and then get up to pray afterwards and recite all that he usually recites of the Qur’an while he has had enough sleep. So, he can combine between the sleep that he needs and the usual amount of recitation of the Qur’an that he completes in a day. So, he fulfills the interests of both his religion and the comfort of his body…

And it was narrated that Ibn Mas’ud said: “Welcome to winter! Blessings descend in it, its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” It is also narrated from him and al-Hasan: “Winter is a wonderful time for the believer. Its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” When it was winter time, ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr would say: “O people of the Qur’an! Your nights are now long for you to recite in. So, recite! Your days are now short for you to fast in. So, fast! Night prayer in the winter equals fasting during the day in the summer.” This is why Mu’adh wept on his deathbed and said: “I weep because I will miss the thirst I felt when I fasted, praying at night during the winter, and sitting knee to knee with the scholars during the gatherings of knowledge.””

It was reported by Ahmad (4/335) with a chain authenticated by al-Albani in ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (1922) that the Prophet said: “Fasting in the winter is the easy prize.”

Ibn Rajab commented on this in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 276):

“And the meaning of it being an easy prize is that it is a prize obtained without any battle or effort or hardship. So, the owner of this prize has been given it as a favor without any effort on his part.”

3 – Caring for the poor

Ibn Rajab said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 281):

“Taking care of the poor in the winter and protecting them from the cold is a great deed. Safwan bin Salim went out on a cold night in Madinah near the mosque, and he saw a man with little clothing on. So, he took off his coat and covered him up with it. So, someone living in Sham saw in a dream that Safwan bin Salim had entered Paradise with a shirt he had made. So, he went to Madinah and said: “Show me where Safwan is.” When he found him, he told him of the dream.

Also, Mis’ar saw a bedouin standing in the Sun saying:
Winter has come, and I have no money * And such a thing can only happen to a Muslim;

The people have put on their coats * And it is as if I am in Makkah only wearing ihram…

So, Mis’ar took off his coat and put it on the man.

It was related to one of the righteous leaders that there was a woman with four orphaned children who were naked and hungry. So, he had a man go to them and bring them clothes and food. He then took off his outer clothing and said: “I will not wear these or be warmed by them until you return and tell me that they are clothed and fed.” So, the man went and came back and confirmed to the leader while he was shivering in the cold that they had taken the clothes and had eaten. He then put his outer clothes back on, and at-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that the Prophet said: “Whoever feeds a hungry believer will be fed by Allah on the Day of Judgement from the fruits of Paradise, and whoever quenches his thirst will have his thirst quenched from the Sealed Nectar, and whoever clothes him will be clothed from the green silk of Paradise.” And Ibn Abi ad-Dunya reported with his chain that Ibn Mas’ud said: “The people will be gathered on the Day of Ressurection as naked, hungry, and thirsty as they ever were. So, whoever clothed someone will be clothed by Allah, whoever fed someone will be fed by Allah, and whoever quenched someone’s thirst will have his thirst quenched by Allah, and whoever relieved others will be given Relief by Allah.””

4 – Remembering the realities of Hell

It is reported in ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (1457) that the Prophet said: “Hell complained to its Lord, saying: “Parts of me have consumed the other parts.” So, He allowed it two breaths of exhalation: one in winter and one in summer. As for its breath in winter, that is the bitter cold, and its breath in the summer is the extreme heat.”

Ibn Rajab said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 282):

“And from the virtues of winter is that it reminds one of the extreme cold of Hell and pushes one to seek refuge from it…

Zubayd al-Yami woke up one night to pray. So, he walked towards the bowl of water that he would wash up from and put his hand it to find the water so cold that it was almost frozen. This reminded him of the extreme cold in Hell, and he did not remove his hand from the bowl until he later awoke and his servant came to find him like this. His servant said: “What are you doing, sir? Why didn’t you pray at night as you usually do? Why are you sitting here like this?” He replied: “I put my hand in this bowl and touched the cold water, and was reminded of the extreme cold of Hell. By Allah, I did not feel the severity of its coolness until you came just now. So, go and don’t tell anyone about this until I die.” And nobody knew of this incident until he had died, may Allah have Mercy on him, and it is mentioned in the authentichadith: “Hell complained to its Lord, saying: “Parts of me have consumed the other parts.” So, He allowed it two breaths of exhalation: one in winter and one in summer. As for its breath in winter, that is the bitter cold, and its breath in the summer is the extreme heat.”

…How often does winter come then summer * And spring goes and autumn comes;
And we go from hot to cold * And the sword of destruction is raised over your head;
O you who is insignificant in this world * Till when will procrastination deceive you?
You who seeks what is temporary, till when * Will your heart be busy with what is temporary?
Strange is the one who humiliates himself for this world * While a piece of bread would suffice him for each day…”

So, these examples show that winter time is a special time that we should mark not by being down and inactive, but rather by reviving our energy in worship and servitude to Allah.
Source: Kalamullah

Thanksgiving is over. It’s time for the holiday season! I am now allowing myself to listen  to Christmas music. Starting: now.

Here are some easy easy ways to be a good person during the next month:

1. Donate your old books to hospitals or libraries.

2. Regift the remnants left on giftcards as donations to your fave charity at plasticjungle.com.

3. Tend a garden by giving $5 to dinnergarden.org to buy seeds for enough veggies to feed a struggling family of seven.

4. Fight hunger and malnutrition by giving $1 to vitaminangels.org which gives vitamins to kids in poor parts of the US, Honduras, and Haiti.

5. Click around at care2.com. Literally, CLICKING will help.

6. I don’t care how peaceful and against the war we are.  Send a free holiday card to soldiers who won’t be spending Xmas morning cozy and warm. Go to redcross.org.

7. Stop Googling and Wikiprusing and use Goodsearch instead. Same results, but it will also send money to causes of your choice.

8. Stock a fridge by giving a measly buck to feedingamerica.org. The donation will supply a family with 9 pounds of groceries.

9. DO NOT WRAP YOUR PRESENTS THIS YEAR. Alternatives: newspaper, magazine collages, wallpaper.

10. $1 at gocampaign.org…a US nonprofit will feed 4 Tanzanian kids a healthy brekky.

11. Play some trivs at frekibble.com. Be your answer right or wrong, a puppy will still be less hungry.

Please do atleast one of these. I promise it will make you feel less materialistic this season.

Peace,

Sources: like charity, earth 911, nytimes.com, fuckyeahchristmas

Inspired by an article in Glamour magazine

PIXIE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Someone dumped Pixie in a park and drove away. Fortunately a caring family picked her up and took care of her until she came into rescue. Rescue immediately took her to the vet as she was not spayed, micro-chipped or up to date on shots. The sad news is that Pixie has cancer of her mammary glands and needed immediate surgery.  This grotesque tumor has been growing for sometime and was ignored by her owner. If caught early she could have lived a long life, however now we are not so sure. Pixie NEVER would have had this aggressive cancer is she had been spayed. Dr. Joan Talbot of Tropicana Animal Hospital performed surgery on Pixie Wednesday to remove the growth and send to lab for diagnosis. Pixie is a tiny little girl and the incision to remove the tumor is huge, so there is fear that it may come open. Now Pixie is resting in her foster home under the careful & loving supervision of Darlene Kearley and family.

Pixie is resting in her foster home under the careful & loving supervision of Darlene Kearley and family.This is where Pixie needs your help…her operation and continuing care is expensive and we ask that if you are able to please make a donation to Pixie’s medical bills. You can do this by sending a check to:

LVHDDCR c/o Leilani Ehlers
5840 W. Craig Rd Suite 120-287
Las Vegas NV 89130

Or you can also make a donation through paypal using the button under Pixie’s pictures on our site.  Please let us know that your donation is for Pixie.  We all know that money is tight especially this time of year, but please let us show Pixie that where her owner walked away to let her die, we will walk in and help her to live. Thank you from Pixie

Help Pixie live

www.lvhddachshundclub.com/Rescue/CurrentDogs/Pixie.htm

Recently, some have made comments to me indicating that they had a very, very low opinion of Christians, especially fundamentalist Christians. In fact, this person seemed to be blaming most of the world’s ills upon those of Christian faith. I have been thinking about this, the Church has certainly had its share of problems, and much evil has been done in the NAME of Christianity, what IS the truth? Has the Christian faith been the source of much evil and injustice, or has it been an agent for change to the better?

Notice that I emphasized name above. Doing something in the name of Christianity no more makes it or me Christian than doing something in the name of Mars makes it or me Martian. So how do we know if an act is Christian or a person is a true follower of Christ? Fortunately, the bible makes it very clear. You shall know them by their fruit. What fruit? I’m glad you asked, Paul tells us in Galatians:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

There are many references to how we are to live our lives, both in the Old and New Testaments. Both make very clear that God’s will is that we walk in love and show justice, humility and mercy. The prophet Micah put it this way:

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

No one can deny that the early church turned the known world on its head. Their impact was large and profound. Just what was that impact? Well, in reading the ancient writings, we find that their love was evident, both in their dealings with one another and with the world. In fact, when a plague swept through the Roman Empire in the third century, it was the Christian believers who attended the sick. Keep in mind that at this time they had suffered continual persecution since the time of Emperor Trajan (100AD). It was this willingness to love others in the face of hatred and their refusal to renounce their beliefs even in the face of death that caused them to stand out and others to come to believe.

In the dark ages, the church in the form of monasteries became the haven of the arts, science and literature. Much was lost then, but no doubt much more would have been lost were it not for the church. Even so, much wrong was done in the name of the church, and many church truths were lost as well. But, were the acts, acts of true believers, true followers of Christ? Were they acts of the true church? Well, using the rule I set forth a few paragraphs ago, I think we can agree the answer would be no. Eventually, reformation came, beginning with Martin Luther. His 95 theses could be considered the birth of Protestantism and the slow restoration of the church. Luther published the first bible in the common language of the day, in the process helping to standardize and stabilize the German language. Not wanting this to be a book on church history, let us skip ahead.

By the 1700’s slavery, child labor and the like was accepted practice. Enter Christian reformers like John Wesley and William Wilberforce. Wilberforce had a tremendous impact upon English culture, and was at the forefront of the anti-slavery movement in England. Wesley’s teachings led to prison reform, and supported the abolitionist movement. In America, the situation was similar, with many Christian sects opposing slavery. Although they did not have the early success of the abolitionist movement in England, in the end, it was Christian believers who were at the forefront of the movement which eventually ended slavery. Christian influence continues to be found at the heart of moral reform. From the ending of child labor, to the establishment of schools and hospitals, orphanages, humane treatment of prisoners, the civil rights movement, to the establishment of this country and the writing of its constitution and bill of rights, Christianity has played an important and positive role in this world.

Today, the vast majority of humanitarian work being done in the third world is accomplished through Christian workers and agencies. Even at home many of the efforts to help the poor and disadvantaged have Christian roots. The list of those who have spent their lives, doing good, reaching out to the poor, the naked, the hungry and the infirm stretches back through the centuries. Some, like Wilberforce, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa, the whole world knows. Most are known only to a few, and may labor their whole lives in seeming obscurity, unknown in this world perhaps, but well know before the throne of God. For some, it is something they take time from work to do, some make it their lifelong vocation, and some will even lay down their lives in their selfless quest to help others.

Is the Church perfect? No, we may seek to follow the only perfect one, but we are not perfect. Could we do more? Possibly, there is so much need, but there are also many practical issues that limit us all. In the end though, we must conclude that while much harm has been done in the name of Christianity, true Christians have done and continue to make many positive contributions to our world.

Hand-Painted Love Goddess Pendant Brooch Keychain benefits Family Violence Prevention Fund

Notes from the Artist:

“Lo! where the rosy-bosomed Hours,
Fair Venus’ train, appear,
Disclose the long-expecting flowers,
And wake the purple year!”
-Thomas Gray, “Ode on the Spring”

This heart-shaped pendant protects a hand-painted miniature of a Aphrodite/Venus nestled among the decorative roses. She is the ancient Greek and Roman goddess of love and beauty; her emblems include the rose and the dove. Antiqued, silver-tone setting, 2” x 2”, can be attached to a keychain, Silver-toned vintage necklace chain or can have a pin back attached—just let me know which you would prefer.

***50% of the purchase price of this miniature will be donated to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. Share the love with those who need it. Learn more at www.endabuse.org.***

Items are sent via USPS First Class Mail. Each jewelry piece includes a fabric gift bag made from recycled tulle, velvet or recycled tie silk.

I happened across this on the internets awhile ago and it’s been stuck in my mind. This is a video of the Acholi tribe in Uganda. After surviving civil war they are crowded together in a slum where they can break rocks in a quarry or sell whatever they can make for money, and it’s never very much. The women in the video are just incredible. They make this gorgeous jewelry by making beads out of recycled paper. Call me a sucker, but I ordered a necklace. I love it. I love that I was able to help someone more. Each necklace comes with a little card saying who made it. Esther made mine and the Acholi website has a short video telling her story here. It’s not a charity site, these women are selling beads and making money. Along with the opportunity to make money they also learn money management skills. Something I think I could use as well. Quick somebody get me some paper, glue, a paper cutter, and some string! I’m gonna McGuyver my way out of this financial crisis. (Mind you, I bought these well before I was so devastatingly broke that I spent my Friday night at home blogging about spending money. )

Aren't These Pretty

Save 酒井法子 (Noriko Sakai) via http//norip.asia/ !!

Your earnings also will be able to donate to Noriko Sakai.

Don’t hesitate. Do it now!! (by Napoleon Hill. and Clement Stone)

Tetsuya Kitahata <kitahata@99.alumni.u-tokyo.ac.jp>

– http://wp.me/pIVsu-7

We are remiss in not putting up any new postings to the blog for a while. Our only excuse is that we took a few days out to visit Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. We don’t have residency permits in Rwanda yet and so needed to renew our passport visas by leaving the country. Alternative destinations were Congo with its guerrilla militias or Uganda with its expensive entry visas. So Burundi it was. Aside from complying with the diplomatic niceties of visa regulations, the trip gave us a valuable opportunity to review the project so far and gather our thoughts.

Since entering Africa by Egypt, where visitors are welcomed with a warmth usually reserved for the tax inspector, we have noticed that border controls become noticeably more relaxed as one travels south. By the time we reached Kenya, the customs officers were happy to pass the time of day telling us what they thought of Gordon Brown. Burundi is as far south as we have been so far and proceedings at the border were decidedly laid-back. It turned out that there was no accountant on duty that day so they couldn’t issue us with visas to enter the country. Never mind. Instead, we were given a scrap of paper torn from a notebook with a scribbled instruction in Kinyarwanda to pay on the way out. I like informality.

Crossing the border took us back into the Africa we had become familiar with north of Rwanda. Here again were the villagers selling their fruit and wares by the roadside to any passing vehicle that might stop. This has been done away with in Rwanda. Again we were passing military checkpoints along the road. And again we were back into big mountain climbs where the heavy trucks, Bujumbura’s lifeline, crawl uphill at 10mph and downhill at 15mph. We realised how much Rwanda has tried to turn itself into a modern economy. Unfortunately, the dirt and squalor that are apparent along the roads of other countries have merely been moved out of sight rather than eliminated.

It has to be said that Bujumbura isn’t a pretty place. The teaming rain doesn’t help although its one redeeming feature is Lake Tanganyika which could look very appealing on bright day. For all that Burundi is seen as Rwanda’s poor relation,  there is definitely a bustle and more shops in Bujumbura than Kigali. There are also shades of Addis Ababa where the streets are unsurfaced and beggars sit along the pavement.

Lake Tanganyika

So, confined to the hotel with our deliberations, what did we learn? Much of our work we are pleased with. Other aspects need a bit of attention. After almost four months on the dark continent we are learning to adapt and know that we will make mistakes along the way. The road back to Rwanda was almost like going home. Perhaps we have adapted better than we think.