New image in the christmas cards photoshop contest

drawn with mouse …
Santa is on His Way photoshop picture

We heard recently that Kanye was ready  to propose to Amber Rose. Now I am also hearing that  Reggie Bush is preparing to propose to Kim Kardashian, and he is gonna do it over the upcoming holidays. Now, because his football team is on a quest to become Super Bowl champs, Reggie  (from  what  I hear)  will not pop the  question- contrary to  what all these  sites  say- during  the  Christmas  Holidays. Reggie  will  pop  the question  and announce  it  on Valentines  Day. And from what I hear,  this  will happen  very quickly.

Amber is rumured to have Kanye  so  open  that  he will  settle  for  a  justice   of   the   peace  as  long  as him  and  amber  are together.  So  who  will  get  married  first?

My Take:   I’ll  take  either one of these women  and be satisfied.  Kanye  and Reggie,  you  better wife  one of these  chicks  NOW! Because u leave me alone in a room  with  either  one of them  with  the  way  I’m  about to  pop off; It’s  a wrap!!  bwuaaaaaa

The son of football legend Sir Bobby Robson thanks those who donated to the cancer charity set up in his father’s name…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: soccer history. For a different topic see disney world crowd levels. The blog is also related to: european football.

Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid | Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 08 | Size: 1 MB
A question answered by Shaikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid regarding: My neighbour is an American Christian, and she and her family brought me a gift when it was Christmas. I could not refuse the gift, lest she be offended. Can I accept this gift, as the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted gifts from kaafirs?.

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:
The basic principle is that it is permissible to accept gifts from kaafirs, so as to soften their hearts and make Islam attractive to them, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted gifts from some of the kaafirs, such as the gift of al-Muqawqis etc.

Al-Bukhaari gave a chapter in his Sahih the title of: Accepting gifts from the mushrikeen. He (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, narrating from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “Ibrahim (peace be upon him) migrated with Sarah and entered a city in which there was a king or a tyrant, and he said: ‘Give her Haajar (as a gift).’” And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was given as a gift a (roast) sheep in which there was poison. Abu Humayd said: The king of Aylah gave the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a white mule and a cloak, and wrote to him. And he mentioned the story of the Jewish woman and her gift of a poisoned sheep to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Secondly:
It is permissible for a Muslim to give gifts to kaafirs and mushriks, with the aim of softening their hearts towards Islam, especially if they are relatives or neighbours. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) gave a hullah (suit) to his mushrik brother in Makkah, as was narrated by al-Bukhaari (2619).

But it is not permissible to give a kaafir a gift on the day of one of his festivals, because that is regarded as approving of or participating in celebration of the false festival. If the gift is something that will help in celebrating the festival, such as food, candles and the like, then it is even more haraam, and some of the scholars are of the view that this is kufr.

Al-Zayla’i said in Tabyeen al-Haqaa’iq (6/228): Giving gifts on the occasion of Nayrooz and Mahrjaan [two non-Islamic Persian festivals] is not permissible, i.e., giving gifts on these two days is haraam, and is in fact kufr. Abu Hafs and Kabeer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If a man were to worship Allah for fifty years, then on the day of Nayrooz he were to give an egg as a gift to one of the mushrikeen, intending thereby to venerate that day, he would have committed kufr and his good deeds would be cancelled out. The author of al- Jaami’ al-Asghar said: If he gives a gift to another Muslim on the day of Nayrooz, not intending thereby to venerate that day, but it is the habit of some people to give gifts on that day, then this is not regarded as kufr. But he should not do it on that particular day; he should do it before or after, so that he will not be imitating those people. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” It says in al-Jaami’ al-Asghar: A man bought something on the day of Nayrooz which he did not buy before that. If he intended thereby to venerate that day as the mushrikoon venerate it, then he has committed kufr, but if he wanted to eat or drink or enjoy himself, then he has not committed kufr. End quote.

It says in al-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel (a Maaliki book – 4/319): Ibn al-Qaasim regarded it as makrooh to give a gift to a Christian on the occasion of his festival, or to give palm leaves to a Jew on his festivals. End quote. It says in al-Iqnaa’, which is a Hanbali book: It is haraam to attend the festivals of the Jews and Christians and to sell them things or give them gifts on the occasion of their festivals.

Moreover it is not permissible for a Muslim to give a gift to another Muslim because of this festival, as stated above when quoting the Hanafi view. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whoever gives a gift to the Muslims during these festivals unlike what he usually usually at other times, his gift should not be accepted, especially if the gift is something that helps in imitating them, such as giving candles etc at Christmas, or giving eggs, milk and lambs on Maundy Thursday which comes at the end of their fast (i.e., the end of Lent). Similarly, no gift should be given to a Muslim at the time of these festivals because of the festival, especially if it is something that helps in imitating them, as we have mentioned. End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al- Mustaqeem (1/227).

Thirdly:
With regard to accepting a gift from a kaafir on the day of his festival, there is nothing wrong with that, and that is not regarded as participating in it or approving of it, rather it should be accepted as an act of kindness, with the aim of softening his heart and calling him to Islam. Allah has permitted kindness and fair treatment towards the kaafir who is not fighting the Muslims, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity” [al-Mumtahanah 60:8]

But kindness and fair treatment does not mean friendship and love, because it is not permitted to take a kaafir as a friend or love him. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell
therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allah. Verily, it is the party of Allah that will be the successful” [al-Mujaadilah 58:22]

“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth” [al-Mumtahanah 60:1]

“O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses) if you understand” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:118]

“And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor you would then be helped” [Hood 12:113]

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)” [al-Maa’idah 5:51]

And there is other evidence which indicates that it is haraam to take a kaafir as a friend or love him.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: As for accepting a gift from … [You are recommended to download the book in oder to read the full text].

-

Download From IslamFuture

Download From MegaUpload

-

No Password

An escaped prisoner from England, is on the run, but he is still finding time to update his Facebook status!

CNN.com is reporting that...Craig Lynch, 28, escaped Hollesley Bay open prison near Suffolk, eastern England, back in September, but has continued to update his Facebook status regularly — describing everything from his meals to who his next girlfriend will be.

Even though he is updating his status, and letting us all know what he will do next,..the authorities still seem to find him to be elusive.

Maybe he is lying about what he is actually up to, just like so many people on Facebook, just to throw the police off.

I think they would be wise to be skeptical about the truthfulness of his post, and do some real police work and find him.

Other than that, this takes the term ‘cyber-criminal’ to a whole different level!

Read the full story here….

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/23/uk.fugitive.facebook.prison/index.html

Light up someone’s life with these contemporary teak candlesticks from SFMoMa. They’re a steal at $22 to $28 each.

to His heartbeat.

What did I live to die for?

Love is marching to His heartbeat.

I’m still awake at this moment. Yesterday, I went to school to hand in my last chapter’s homework. 先生 took around 15 minutes to look through and spoke a little while with me. I was really happy when I left. She wished me Merry Christmas in Japanese! It’s my first Christmas greeting this year and in Japanese.

Then it struck me. When an event becomes a norm, many people and friends greet each other like it’s the norm. On the streets, people don’t come up and say, “happy new year, merry christmas” etc. because we don’t know each other. Yet when a not-so close person or a stranger says that, “You” are in their thoughts.

Before going home, I went for a bit of exploration at ION by myself. The countless number of people walking past me and how almost everyone walk in two or more made me felt kinda lonely. Following the train of thoughts, I remembered my one and only whom I went shopping with for a short afternoon. There’s always so much to learn as a companion in others’ shopping. For one, I learned about “Down Jackets”. For two, I learned that time cannot be stopped. For three, I will think about it next time.

It has rained 4 times while I’m awake. Whenever it rains, I feel safe but sad. Because when it rains, someone, somewhere is feeling down. If you’re the one, I want you to know that from this other side of the world, I’m listening.

I feel drunk writing so early in the morning.

Could you imagine a young boy help his younger brother with his homework, without his parents saying so? Could you imagine an older brother help his younger brother across the street, without his parents saying so?

In the old days you could have possibly imagined that, but now a days you don’t see that characteristic of caring in much sisters or brothers until they get older.

Well anyways the story:

The neighbors told the brother’s parents the story. They said, the older brother knocked his 8 year-old brother out of the way of an oncoming car. The older brother Adrian was thrown onto the hood, with his thigh bone broken.

This was my version of the first paragraph. If you read on please remember once you’re past the black line none of it was made by me until you get past the last line.
__________________________________________________________

To read more about it visit: http://www.modbee.com/local/story/972126.html

“That’s just natural for Adrian,” Vegas said in an interview at her house Saturday. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less from him.”

On Wednesday morning, the brothers were walking to Fair Oaks Elementary School when they were hit by a car turning left from North Lee Avenue onto Pontiac Street, just a few doors down from their house.

Oakdale police officer Mi- chael Walsh said the driver was blinded momentarily by the sun as he turned east onto Pontiac. He will not be cited, Walsh said.

There is a four-way stop at the intersection that’s a few hundred yards south of the school. Walsh called it a “traffic nightmare.” Since the collision, parent volunteers have been seen helping students cross there.

Adrian’s stepfather, Alfred Vegas, heard the sirens and his phone began to ring. He knew immediately something was wrong and ran out to the scene.

Siarah Vegas said she had just started allowing the two to walk to school together. It would be their last chance to do so until high school.

“It was their moment in the morning,” Vegas said. “Adrian’s at that age where he wants to take more responsibility. I would watch them walk down the street. You think, ‘How much can happen?’ “

Saturday was Adrian’s first day back from the hospital, where he had two screws put into his leg. It will take as long as three months to heal.

He rested his cast on a pillow while playing video games next to his dog Peanut.

Adrian doesn’t remember much about the collision. He described being in the air as if he were doing a cartwheel, then everything went black.

Paramedics had to cut from Adrian’s shoulders his favorite Quiksilver backpack, which he earned by doing chores and yardwork. Siarah Vegas said parents at Fair Oaks Elementary plan to raise money to replace it.

Adrian shrugs off any great importance of his actions, calling them just an “instinct.”

What Adrian’s really concerned about is showing up at his school band concert, even though he can’t play the drums yet.

He pleads with his mom: Can he, crutches, cast and all, be there in the audience?

This has been an extraordinary story to me as to today, boys and girls are jealous because of their brother’s/sister’s attention.

I’m so dumb.

Okay, and yes, I bring it upon myself.

I hate it when I start to like people. I hate to admit it, too, but I’m a smidgeon of a hopeless romantic. And my imagination is way too out of proportion.

Therefore, if I tend to feel the least bit like swooning over someone, it avalanches until I’m sitting here in a cloud of daydreams.

Do you understand how much time this wastes?!

So, to crystallize my mind once more and focus it on the numerous tasks at hand, I feel like I have to take action in order for me to stop thinking sillly thoughts.

And, I tried to. But it’s not working yet and I don’t know if phone-checking just wasn’t his priority today, or what. Who knows? I don’t know!

Another note on the way I seem to function: I may or may not freak out if I go out on a limb and there’s no response. Just a flatline there? Well, there I go, freaking out.

Not that I’m freaking out. Because I’m not.

It’s just, this is a weird situation. Like, really weird. And I never, never imagined it would be my scenario.

All the things I told KT last year (warning her against younger boys, be careful when you talk to them, they might get ideas) are coming back to haunt me. The advice I tried to provide, cautioning against getting involved with a boy two years younger? Ha.

I want this one to get the idea, and I don’t know if he has or not. And I’m trying to take my own advice and ignore the fact that I never freak out about boys unless I like them. And with my current schedule and relentless desire to daydream, it is not the best idea to get involved with anyone. Let alone to like them! How dumb of me!

So I keep telling myself, “Don’t do it.”

But I’m not listening. And I think I’ve already gone ahead anyway.

It’s like Irony’s slithered right back around and given me a bite in the ass.

So. This is just freakin’ awesome.

And in case you couldn’t tell that that was loaded with sarcasm, I’ll be honest here and say, I like lying to myself.

Yesterday, 12th of December, I finally completed my Japanese Intermediate term. Although it wasn’t a major accomplishment, I just wanted to tell somebody about it but yet there wasn’t anyone around to share my joy.

So here it is. Sharing the news with internet phantoms.

when tomorrow starts without me, i know i forgot myself

the.LIFE Files was in the house at the legendary Los Angeles Forum with an exclusive group of media from around the world to watch Kobe Bryant introduce his new Nike Zoom Kobe V sneaker which is his first low top basketball shoe.

By Cara Sulieman

HE HIT headlines across the world when it was revealed he left his legacy to places across the globe that shared his surname.

But the claims baffled the solicitors of Eric Gordon Douglas – the mysterious Edinburgh philanthropist – as his will doesn’t show any such bequests.

It seems that the heart-warming story of generosity started after one of the beneficiaries misunderstood the terms of their donation.

Douglas Borough Council on the Isle of Man was bequeathed £10,887.73 and somehow thought that they were amoung 20 places around the world named Douglas that had benefited from his will.

The bachelor used to holiday on the Isle of Man and left money to the council, a museum and an old folks home on the island.

“Laughing his socks off”

But it turns out that most of Eric’s legacy was left to a long list of charities in the UK, including the Scottish SPCA, the RNLI and Children 1st.

The retired accountant left a total of £329,452.32 – most of which was the value of his home – and dished it out to 18 different institutions and one friend.

Although the story of the eccentric Scot spreading his generosity across the globe wasn’t true, his friend Graeme Fraser said that Eric would have loved the attention that his death has brought him.

He said: “He’ll be laughing his socks off wherever he is.

“He would have loved the fuss this has caused.

“Eric was eccentric without a shadow of a doubt, he was quite a character.

“He’ll be kicking himself he didn’t do it this way, because he had quite a sense of humour.”

“Confusion”

Living in the capital all his life, he didn’t move out of the house where he was born in the Harrison area of Edinburgh until after his father George’s death in 1959.

And even then, Eric moved less than a mile away to Abbotsford Court in the city.

Staff at Aitken Nairn, the solicitors who were executors of the will and wrote to Douglas Borough Council, were mystified by the mix-up.

The council admitted they had made a mistake, saying: “We would like to clarify that there was some confusion over this issue, and would apologise for any distress it may have caused.”

Eric Douglas left varying amounts of money to 18 different institutions.

They are the Association of International Accountants, the Burghs of Douglas and Moffat, Erskine Hospital, the National Trust, Manx National Heritage, Manx Old Peoples Home, Royal British Legion Scotland, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Royal Over-Seas League, RNLI, Children 1st, Salvation Army, Edinburgh Zoo, Tennis Scotland, Scottish SPCA, and George Watson’s College.

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.