Archive for September 2009
DREAM
Posted on: September 26, 2009
- In: poem
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DREAM
As a child I dream
Of a world cool and clean
So let us love and care
For Mother Nature dear.
Men and women of great heart
Strong, brave, and smart
Men and women of great minds
Old and young, of different kinds.
By: CHARMAINE
AUNTIE SHEHLA
Posted on: September 25, 2009
- In: poem
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AUNT SHEHLA
You are my Auntie
My beautiful Auntie
You make me happy when you are here with us
You make me know how much I Love You
Because you are my Auntie Amina
By: Mark Andrew
MY DEAR AUNTIE
Posted on: September 25, 2009
- In: poem
- 3 Comments
MY DEAR AUNTIE
An Educated, With money, and Well dressed
You are so high that I can’t reach you out
Yet so down to earth that anybody can think highly of
You are so dear; like an angel sent by Allah (S.W.T.)
Influencing other; to love one another
A beautiful image was created when you were born
A highly regard human being right now
A perfect example for humanity
This Poem is for you
Meant only for you
So that you’ll know
How blessed am I that I have you in my life
My Auntie Shehla or Lynn
Or whatever your name is or will be
Who have been helping us financially
And enthuses us much
Thank you, for entirety.
By: Jennela
DREAM
Posted on: September 25, 2009
- In: poem
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DREAM
As a child I dream
Of a world cool and clean
So let us love and care
For Mother Nature dear.
Men and women of great heart
Strong, brave, and smart
Men and women of great minds
Old and young, of different kinds.
By: CHARMAINE
MISSING YOU
Posted on: September 25, 2009
- In: poem
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MISSING YOU
Everytime I think of you I always catch my breath
I’m still standing here And your miles away
And I wonder why And there’s a storm that’s ranging through my frozen heart tonight
I hear your name in certain circles and it always makes me smile
I spent my time just thinking’s about you
And its my heart that’s begging down this long distance
And I ain’t missing’ you Auntie Shehla
Since you’ve went home
Hopefully someday, somewhere, somehow,
well be together With my family.
By: Leng leng
Growing Through Temptation
Posted on: September 22, 2009
- In: poem
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Happy is the man who don’t give in and do wrong,
When he is tempted,
For afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life,
That Allah (S.A.W.) has promised those who love Him.
Our temptation have been our masters in divinity.
This is my short saying or Poem.
By: Margie
God’s Gifts
Posted on: September 21, 2009
- In: poem
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I love the things that God has made!
I love the big round sun.
That seems to say, “Come out and play”
And gives a smile to everyone.
I love the clouds that sail like ships
Moving fast in the sea-blue sky
I love the wind that whispers
To the tress as I pass by,
I love the rain that gives drink
To lovely growing things,
And splashes in the puddles
Making little magic rings.
I love the softly glowing moon,
The stars like a candlelight.
That God leaves on when He has drawn
The curtain when the night comes.
By: Adrian
Little Things
Posted on: September 21, 2009
- In: poem
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Tiny grains of dry, light sand,
Make up the long, broad strand;
Tiny drops of pattering rain,
The deep wide sea sustain.
Tiny drops of pearly dew,
Cool some drooping flown anew;
Little flashes of tiny light,
Brighten manly a darksome night.
Little hands linked together,
Form a circle of love and laughter;
Little words in kindness spoken,
Can mend a heart that” broken.
By: Arianne
How To Reduce Risk of Stroke
Posted on: September 1, 2009
What is Stroke?
Strokes occur when brain cells die due to a disruption in blood flow to the brain, as when clots block arteries (thromboembolisis). Clots that hinder blood flow cause mini-strokes. Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage) is caused by ruptured arteries.
Nearly 160,000 people fall victim to fatal strokes each year, making these episodes the third-leading cause of death in the United States after hearts disease and cancer. A third of all strokes take place in just 10 percent of the population, among those who have a set of five risk factors: high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, abnormal glucose tolerance (a sign of of diabetes)’ smoking, and left ventricular hypertrophy, a heart abnormality. A checkup with your doctor can help determine which if any of these might be a problem for you. The good news is that many of these risk factors are within your power to control. Your best weapon, then, is prevention: You can lower your risk of stroke with healthy lifestyle measures that include giving up smoking, being physically active (perhaps taking a daily walk), and following a well-chosen diet, one that is designed to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight at healthy levels.
Stroke-Fighting Foods
- Bell and chili peppers
- Fish: salmon, tuna, trout, swordfish, and mackerel
- Fruits: bananas, cantaloupe, cranberries, and mangoes
- Leafy greens: romaine lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard
- Legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Onions and garlic
- Whole grains
Strike Out Stroke
One of the first steps in reducing your stroke risk is to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which offer proven stroke protection: They are naturally low in fat, so they don’t contribute to fatty blockages that can impede or weaken arteries and cause them to rupture. Plant foods are extremely high in fiber, which carries fats and excess cholesterol out of the blood. They are rich sources of potassium and magnesium, which help control high blood pressure. And fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, such as vitamin C, that protect cells from damage. Vitamin E, another antioxidant, also reduces the “stickiness” of blood cells, which makes them less likely to clump together and clog arteries. In one study, people who ate about 9 servings of these foods per day were up to 30 percent less likely to fall victim to strokes than people who ate less produce.
A Concentrated Effort
Because stroke is so common and so serious, researchers have looked closely into how diet can lower risk. Many of the nutrients and properties they’ve identified as important are concentrated in fruits and vegetables. Certain types of fish and various grains and seed also contain special substances that can help control blood pressure and reduce blood’s tendency to form clots. Here’s what you get in specific categories of food:
Grains, Nuts, and Seeds Oats, oat bran, and other grains contain soluble fiber to guard against fat buildup that can weaken arteries and increase their chances of rupturing. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds, almonds, and peanuts (including nut butters) are good sources of vitamin E, a nutrient that helps fight the formation of blood clots.
Fruits and Vegetables Bananas, mangoes, green beans, and potatoes contain healthy amounts of potassium, a mineral that keeps blood pressure from climbing. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale also provide magnesium, which helps maintain safe blood pressure levels. They also contain a lot of vitamin E. Chili peppers contain antioxidants that can prevent stroke-including blood clots.
Cold-Water Fish Scientists attribute the low rates of heart disease and stroke found among native Greenland men to the high amounts of cold-water fish they consume. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and swordfish are rich in omega-3s, essential fatty acids that can lower bad LDL cholesterol and lessen the tendency of blood cells to stick together.
Onions and GarlicThese and other members of the allium family, such as leeks, containsulfur compounds that thin the blood and help keep blood pressure down. Research also suggests that they can lower high cholesterol levels.
Red Wine and Black TeaSubstances called flavonoids, found in red wine and black tea, appear to protect arteries from damage and help blood resist clotting. Because large amounts of alcohol can have the opposite effect, increasing risk of stroke and other problems. Red grape juice may be a good alternative to wine. If caffeine is a concern for you, choose decaffeinated varieties of tea.
Foods To Avoid
Salty, fried, and full-fat foods contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and elevated stroke risk. Marbled red meats, cuts rimmed in fat, and poultry with skin also raise risk due to their high cholesterol and saturated fat content. Tropical oils, such as coconut, palm, and palm kernel, are also saturated fats to be avoided. Use heart-healthy olive or canola oil when possible.
Month of Ramadan
Posted on: September 1, 2009
Today is the eleven days of Ramadan, During this Ramadan do not let the sweetness of our deeds vanish into the night, leaving only emptiness.
When one contemplates the texts on fasting, its wisdom and goals in Shariah, and looks at the reality of the Muslim communities, one realizes a wide gap between the reality and our obligations. Remember that Ramadan is a bounty that Allah blessed His servants with, to strengthen their faith, and increase their piety (Taqwa). Allah said:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious,” Sura Al-Baqarah (2:183)
Goals of Fasting
Achieving Taqwa:is one of the most important wisdom of fasting. Fasting brings on Taqwaas it lessens the desire of the stomach and mutes the sexual appetite. Whoever fast frequently would overcome these two desires more easily. This deter against committing abominations and sins and assist in controlling life leading to Taqwa.
Strengthening willpower and acquiring patience: The Prophet (SAW) called Ramadan the month of patience as it increases one’s will power to control his desire and the selfishness of his soul. This training allows him to be strong in following Allah’s commands. The most important being to carry the Message and propel it forward. The person train himself to be patient in obeying Allah by stopping at the limits set by Allah both by way of action and abstention. Allah said:
“These are the limits set by Allah, so approach them not.”Sura Al-Baqarah (2:187)
Fasting is pure worship: The fact that he is abstaining from food and drink both in public and in secret shows his honest faith and strong love of Allah, and his knowledge and feeling that Allah is all-knowing of everything. For this reason Allah has made the reward for fasting greater than for any other type of worship. Allah said in the hadith Qudsi:
“Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied [in rewards], the good deed by ten of its like, up to seven hundred, ups to whatever Allah wills, except fasting, it is for Me and I will reward it. He abandons his desire and his food for My sake.” (Related by Muslim)
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
“…And people may see that a person is not eating in front of them, but the fact that he is really abandoning his food and his desire for the sake of God is a thing that nobody can find out about, and that is the essence of Fasting.” (Zaad al-Mi’ad 2/29).
Relieving Muslims from life’s distractions: Eating, drinking, and socializing all distract a person and weaken ties with Allah. It is by the Mercy of Allah that Muslims are ordered to fast so as not to be bothered by the instruction of these activities. Nor by the thought about nor the anticipation for them when devoting themselves to the all types of worship either reading the Qur’an, offering additional prayer or making Itikaf. For this reason the Prophet (SAW) said:
“Fasting is a shield, and a secure fortress against Hell fire” (Related by Ahmad).
Discovering Allah’s Blessings: A person experiences the hardship of the poor. He should then be thankful to Allah who has blessed him with His bounty while others are deprived. This should make him more sympathetic and willing to share this bounty. The poor rediscovers that fasting helps a person be more devoted to worship. More able to concentrate and meditate. He should thank Allah for.
Acquiring strength and endurance: It has been discovered that depriving the body of food for a period of time helps its defense and endurance mechanism. This in turn this protects the body from certain diseases.
Many believe that fasting consist only of certain abstentions, forgetting that Allah established certain acts of worship with fasting. Among which are:
Qyamul-layl: The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever performed the night prayer during Ramadan out of belief and anticipating God’s rewards, will be forgiven his previous sins.” (Related by Muslim).
Performing Umrah: The Prophet (SAW) said:
“An Umrah during Ramadan is like a Hajj with me.” (Related by Hakim).
Offering Iftar (meal) to those who fasted: The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever feeds a fasting person has the same reward as him, except that the reward of the fasting person will not be diminished.” (Related by Ahmad).
Reading and completing the Qur’an: The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Fasting and [reading] Qur’an will intercede for the person:
Fasting will say: O Lord I forbade him eating and drinking so let me intercede for him, and the Qur’an will say: I deprived him from his night sleep so let me intercede for him from,” he then said: “So they will intercede for him.” (Related by Ahmad)
The Prophet (SAW) used to recite the whole Qur’an to Angel Jibreel each Ramadan.
Giving in Charity: Ibn Abbas (RA) said:
“The prophet (SAW) was the most generous during the month of Ramadan.” (Related by Muslim)
I’tikaf: which is to confine oneself in the masjid for prayer and invocation leaving the worldly activities. Ibn Abbas (RA) said:
“The Prophet (SAW) used to perform I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Related by Muslim).
It is surprising that many people have abandoned I’tikaf though the Prophet (SAW) never abandoned it from the time he arrived to Madinah until he died.
Supplication: In the verses dealing with fasting,Allah said:
“And when My slave ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me.” Sura Al-Baqarah (2:186) This is an encouragement for the fasting person to increase his invocation. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Three invocations will be answered:
- The invocation of the fasting person,
- The invocation of the oppressed,
- And the invocation of the traveler. (Related by Muslim).
Repentance: Ramadan is the time of repentance and return to Allah, for it is a time when the devils are chained, and when many people are saved from hell fire every night by the grace of Allah.
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