Assalamu Alaikkum
The Dinamalar article is not only mischivous but frivolous as
well.According to Buhari Ali(ra) did not offer bai`at to Abu
Bucker(ra) for six months as he did not accept his election as
Khalifa.When Fathima (ra) Ali(ra) and Abbas (ra)wanted to inherit the
Fadak properties Abubacker(ra) declined saying that the Prophet(saw)
did not leave that to be inherited by his family but allowed the
income from it to be shared by them.Ali (ra) did not speak to
Abubucker(ra) on account of this and when Fathima (ra) died he buried
her during the night without even informing the Khalifa.However
following the death people of Madina did not show Ali(ra) the same
affection which was accorded to him earlier and so he offered his
bai`at.
The shias have a different version of Fathima(ra)s death.They say
that Umar(ra) burnt her house and and caused her injury which resulted
in the abortion of the foetus named Muhsin.According to Sunnis Muhsin
died in his infancy after birth.This is reasonable as the sex of of
the unborn could not have been decided in advance and named.Stories
appearing in Dinamalar and other magazines do not verify the
authenticity and publish whatever their Muslim contact misinform
them.There is absolutely no truth that Fathima(ra) commited suicide.It
is some thing like some Indian Shias belief that Nubuwwat descended on
Muhammad (saw) instead of Ali(ra) .The Indian Shias even have a belief
that Ali is an avatar of Rama.The Sangh parivar is very fond of such
distortions and very gladly publish such canards.
Similarly the story of Hasan and Hussain.Hasan abdicated his Khalifath
to Muawiya(ra) after receiving a compensation of one hundred thosand
dhirhams.and was poisoned by one of his wives and died before the
Karbala massacre and Hussain (ra) was martyred during Yazids
Khalifate.There is no way for Fathima(ra) death to be linked which
happened just after the Prophet`(saw)s death.
Regards
Anwar
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Raawiyah Mustafa from Cairo asks, "I used to have a normal memory, but recently have begun to forget things. When I enter my room for something, I remain inside it for several minutes until I remember why I entered. I keep standing in front of the refrigerator, uselessly trying to remember what I wanted to get from it. There are other situations that bother me a lot and threaten the stability of my family life. Is there any way to overcome the weakness of my memory?”
Forgetfulness - A Feature of This Age
Forgetfulness is associated with several problems that appeared and have increased in the second half of the twentieth century. It usually afflicts a man after the age of fifty, or maybe even earlier. Forgetfulness, in its simplest form, refers to the inability of a person to remember recent incidents, names, numbers or dialogues.
The American Newsweek magazine published a scientific study about the most important causes of forgetfulness. The results of modern research indicate that excessive physical and mental exertion without giving the body enough rest, entertainment and relaxation, leads to the production of adrenalin and cortisone derivatives. These derivatives have been proved to decrease thermal energy in the brain, which is necessary for many of its functions such as the process of remembering, understanding and receiving information. Hormones that result from excessive physical and mental exertion help in the formation of oxidizing substances, which are the most important cause behind forgetfulness and this is scientifically proven. They might also be among the causes that lead to Alzheimer's disease. Old age is also an important factor that causes forgetfulness.
Studies indicate that the rate of forgetfulness is remarkably high after the age of sixty and thereafter. Forgetfulness is closely associated with current problems and events. Researches also indicate that air, water and food pollution with heavy metals like mercury, lead and aluminum is one of the most important causes of being afflicted with a weak memory. Having a normal and moderate sleep pattern is one of the most important factors in activating the memory; hence, insufficient sleep weakens the memory, exactly as what happens when a person suffers from insomnia or uses stimulants for a long period of time.
Dr. 'Izz Ad-Deen Ad-Dinshaari, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Cairo University, recommends that a person should get enough rest, relaxation, entertainment and should play physical sports to protect himself from forgetfulness. One should also avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking. Studies that were conducted in the University of Southern California indicated that some individuals who are more than seventy years old have a strong memory because they play physical sports that activate blood circulation in the brain. They also protect the arteries in the brain from the formation of clots. Moreover, physical exercise helps to produce substances that maintain the soundness of brain nerves.
The results of modern studies show that we can avoid forgetfulness by using natural substances that could be in the form of food, or substances that are added to food or herbs that stimulate blood circulation in the brain. Garlic is very important for refreshing the memory. Researches proved that eating from half to three cloves of garlic after cutting them into pieces every day protects a person from a deficit in memory, thinking and the acquisition of knowledge. Garlic also prevents many harms such as high cholesterol, clotting and cancer. Food that contains vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid that is found in beans, spinach, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, flaxseed oil, soybean, fish, oranges and bananas, also help in activating the memory. There are some herbs that sharpen the memory and resist forgetfulness like green tea and black tea that is mixed with peppermint. The roots of the ginseng plant contain elements that improve brain function and overcome exhaustion and fatigue, which are the key factors behind forgetfulness. Other modern studies indicate that it is possible to use gene therapy to avoid forgetfulness and Alzheimer's disease, which is the most dangerous disease that afflicts the memory. Medical statistics show that Alzheimer's afflicts nearly 10% of individuals who are above sixty-five years of age, and this percentage decreases in those who are under the sixty-five.
We would like to draw your attention to the importance of reciting and memorizing the Quran, no matter how difficult this might be. It is good exercise for the memory. We should not forget the Athkaar (mention of Allah) and supplications.
May Allaah The Almighty grant us all a conscious brain and easy memorization.
Forgetfulness - A Feature of This Age
Forgetfulness is associated with several problems that appeared and have increased in the second half of the twentieth century. It usually afflicts a man after the age of fifty, or maybe even earlier. Forgetfulness, in its simplest form, refers to the inability of a person to remember recent incidents, names, numbers or dialogues.
The American Newsweek magazine published a scientific study about the most important causes of forgetfulness. The results of modern research indicate that excessive physical and mental exertion without giving the body enough rest, entertainment and relaxation, leads to the production of adrenalin and cortisone derivatives. These derivatives have been proved to decrease thermal energy in the brain, which is necessary for many of its functions such as the process of remembering, understanding and receiving information. Hormones that result from excessive physical and mental exertion help in the formation of oxidizing substances, which are the most important cause behind forgetfulness and this is scientifically proven. They might also be among the causes that lead to Alzheimer's disease. Old age is also an important factor that causes forgetfulness.
Studies indicate that the rate of forgetfulness is remarkably high after the age of sixty and thereafter. Forgetfulness is closely associated with current problems and events. Researches also indicate that air, water and food pollution with heavy metals like mercury, lead and aluminum is one of the most important causes of being afflicted with a weak memory. Having a normal and moderate sleep pattern is one of the most important factors in activating the memory; hence, insufficient sleep weakens the memory, exactly as what happens when a person suffers from insomnia or uses stimulants for a long period of time.
Dr. 'Izz Ad-Deen Ad-Dinshaari, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Cairo University, recommends that a person should get enough rest, relaxation, entertainment and should play physical sports to protect himself from forgetfulness. One should also avoid drugs, alcohol and smoking. Studies that were conducted in the University of Southern California indicated that some individuals who are more than seventy years old have a strong memory because they play physical sports that activate blood circulation in the brain. They also protect the arteries in the brain from the formation of clots. Moreover, physical exercise helps to produce substances that maintain the soundness of brain nerves.
The results of modern studies show that we can avoid forgetfulness by using natural substances that could be in the form of food, or substances that are added to food or herbs that stimulate blood circulation in the brain. Garlic is very important for refreshing the memory. Researches proved that eating from half to three cloves of garlic after cutting them into pieces every day protects a person from a deficit in memory, thinking and the acquisition of knowledge. Garlic also prevents many harms such as high cholesterol, clotting and cancer. Food that contains vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid that is found in beans, spinach, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, flaxseed oil, soybean, fish, oranges and bananas, also help in activating the memory. There are some herbs that sharpen the memory and resist forgetfulness like green tea and black tea that is mixed with peppermint. The roots of the ginseng plant contain elements that improve brain function and overcome exhaustion and fatigue, which are the key factors behind forgetfulness. Other modern studies indicate that it is possible to use gene therapy to avoid forgetfulness and Alzheimer's disease, which is the most dangerous disease that afflicts the memory. Medical statistics show that Alzheimer's afflicts nearly 10% of individuals who are above sixty-five years of age, and this percentage decreases in those who are under the sixty-five.
We would like to draw your attention to the importance of reciting and memorizing the Quran, no matter how difficult this might be. It is good exercise for the memory. We should not forget the Athkaar (mention of Allah) and supplications.
May Allaah The Almighty grant us all a conscious brain and easy memorization.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Anti-Muslim article: Harvard removes Swamy-taught courses
Agencies Posted: Dec 08, 2011 at 0922 hrs
New York Harvard University has decided to remove courses taught by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy at its annual summer school session, terming his views as "reprehensible" in a controversial piece he wrote on Islamic terrorism in India.
At a meeting of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, faculty members voted with an "overwhelming majority" to remove two economics courses – 'Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business' and 'Economic Development in India and East Asia' – that Swamy teaches at the three-month Harvard Summer School session.
The faculty meeting, convened to approve the 2012 Summer School course catalogue, resulted in a "heated debate" when Comparative Religion Professor Diana Eck proposed an amendment to exclude Swamy's courses from the catalogue, the Harvard Crimson reported.
In a July op-ed piece for an Indian publication, Swamy had recommended demolishing hundreds of mosques and suggested that only Muslims in India who "acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus" should be allowed to vote.
Eck said Swamy's op-ed "clearly crosses the line by demonising an entire religious community and calling for violence against their sacred places," adding that Harvard has a moral responsibility not to affiliate itself with anyone who expresses hatred towards a minority group.
"There is a distinction between unpopular and unwelcome political views," Eck said.
Earlier, more than 400 students had signed a petition calling for Swamy's removal after Harvard had decided to stand by him, affirming its commitment to free speech principles. Dean of Summer School Donald Pfister said courses included in the catalogue are chosen by individual departments.
"I find (Swamy's) position reprehensible, but on the other hand, it is our duty to support departments and their offerings," he said.
Philosophy Department Chair Sean Kelly had initially defended the unanimous decision of Harvard's Faculty Council to keep Swamy on the teaching roster as an effort to preserve free speech at the school. Kelly ultimately voted for the amendment to remove Swamy's courses.
"I was persuaded ... that the views expressed in Dr Swamy's op-ed piece amounted to incitement of violence instead of protected political speech," he said.
Harvard had chosen to stand by Swamy in August in line with its declared commitment to free speech. However at Tuesday's meeting, faculty members agreed to remove his two courses, effectively removing him from Harvard's teaching roster. Faculty members said Swamy's article was not a product of free speech¿but of hate speech.
"(Swamy's position on disenfranchisement) is like saying Jewish Americans and African Americans should not be allowed to vote unless they acknowledge the supremacy of white Anglo Saxon Protestants," said History Professor Sugata Bose.
After Swamy's controversial piece appeared, a group of Harvard students known as 'Coalition Against Bigotry at Harvard' had started a petition drive calling on the University to severe ties with him.
The Janata Party leader had received his PhD in Economics from Harvard in 1965 and has served as an assistant and associate professor.
Division of Continuing Education spokesperson Linda Cross had called the article "distressing" but had said "it is central to the mission of a university to protect free speech, including that of Dr Swamy and of those who disagree with him."
Harvard should take a re-look at decision: Swamy
Subramanian Swamy today said Harvard University should have a re-look at its decision to remove courses taught by him while maintaining that it should have sought his comments before reaching a conclusion.
In his reaction to the University's decision to remove courses taught by him terming as "reprehensible" his views in a controversial piece he wrote on Islamic terrorism, Swamy said the University should have first sought his comments, which is a normal procedure and this has not been done.
"The article was written for a Mumbai newspaper and I teach economics in Harvard. I would assume that they would have sent their petition to me asking for my comments, which is a normal procedure. But they have not done that," he claimed.
Swamy said the decision was a "dangerous one" as it makes a person teaching in Harvard accountable for what he writes on any subject anywhere in the world.
"If tomorrow anyone writes on India and writes rubbish about India, they come here, then they can be punished here for what they write in America. That would be a dangerous principle. Harvard should look at it," he said.
Agencies Posted: Dec 08, 2011 at 0922 hrs
New York Harvard University has decided to remove courses taught by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy at its annual summer school session, terming his views as "reprehensible" in a controversial piece he wrote on Islamic terrorism in India.
At a meeting of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, faculty members voted with an "overwhelming majority" to remove two economics courses – 'Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business' and 'Economic Development in India and East Asia' – that Swamy teaches at the three-month Harvard Summer School session.
The faculty meeting, convened to approve the 2012 Summer School course catalogue, resulted in a "heated debate" when Comparative Religion Professor Diana Eck proposed an amendment to exclude Swamy's courses from the catalogue, the Harvard Crimson reported.
In a July op-ed piece for an Indian publication, Swamy had recommended demolishing hundreds of mosques and suggested that only Muslims in India who "acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus" should be allowed to vote.
Eck said Swamy's op-ed "clearly crosses the line by demonising an entire religious community and calling for violence against their sacred places," adding that Harvard has a moral responsibility not to affiliate itself with anyone who expresses hatred towards a minority group.
"There is a distinction between unpopular and unwelcome political views," Eck said.
Earlier, more than 400 students had signed a petition calling for Swamy's removal after Harvard had decided to stand by him, affirming its commitment to free speech principles. Dean of Summer School Donald Pfister said courses included in the catalogue are chosen by individual departments.
"I find (Swamy's) position reprehensible, but on the other hand, it is our duty to support departments and their offerings," he said.
Philosophy Department Chair Sean Kelly had initially defended the unanimous decision of Harvard's Faculty Council to keep Swamy on the teaching roster as an effort to preserve free speech at the school. Kelly ultimately voted for the amendment to remove Swamy's courses.
"I was persuaded ... that the views expressed in Dr Swamy's op-ed piece amounted to incitement of violence instead of protected political speech," he said.
Harvard had chosen to stand by Swamy in August in line with its declared commitment to free speech. However at Tuesday's meeting, faculty members agreed to remove his two courses, effectively removing him from Harvard's teaching roster. Faculty members said Swamy's article was not a product of free speech¿but of hate speech.
"(Swamy's position on disenfranchisement) is like saying Jewish Americans and African Americans should not be allowed to vote unless they acknowledge the supremacy of white Anglo Saxon Protestants," said History Professor Sugata Bose.
After Swamy's controversial piece appeared, a group of Harvard students known as 'Coalition Against Bigotry at Harvard' had started a petition drive calling on the University to severe ties with him.
The Janata Party leader had received his PhD in Economics from Harvard in 1965 and has served as an assistant and associate professor.
Division of Continuing Education spokesperson Linda Cross had called the article "distressing" but had said "it is central to the mission of a university to protect free speech, including that of Dr Swamy and of those who disagree with him."
Harvard should take a re-look at decision: Swamy
Subramanian Swamy today said Harvard University should have a re-look at its decision to remove courses taught by him while maintaining that it should have sought his comments before reaching a conclusion.
In his reaction to the University's decision to remove courses taught by him terming as "reprehensible" his views in a controversial piece he wrote on Islamic terrorism, Swamy said the University should have first sought his comments, which is a normal procedure and this has not been done.
"The article was written for a Mumbai newspaper and I teach economics in Harvard. I would assume that they would have sent their petition to me asking for my comments, which is a normal procedure. But they have not done that," he claimed.
Swamy said the decision was a "dangerous one" as it makes a person teaching in Harvard accountable for what he writes on any subject anywhere in the world.
"If tomorrow anyone writes on India and writes rubbish about India, they come here, then they can be punished here for what they write in America. That would be a dangerous principle. Harvard should look at it," he said.
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