| Men are the maintainers of women | for everyone |
Islam grants the husband certain well-defined rights upon his wife. (These are, however, less expensive and narrower in scope than her rights upon him.)
By analyzing the Qur'an and the Prophet's Traditions we discover the basic rights granted by Islam to the husband upon the wife - rights that are explicitly and exactly defined:
"Men are the maintainers of women, because Allah has made some of them to excel others, and because they spend out of their property (for the support of women)." Holy Qur'an (4:34)
According to a narration, a woman came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me what right has the husband upon the wife?" He said: "A lot." She said: "Explain me some of them." He replied "She may not fast without his permission, nor may she go out of her house without his consent. She has to use the best of perfumes, to wear the best of her clothes, to adorn herself as best as she can, to offer herself to him day and night, and still his rights are more than that."
By analyzing the Qur'an and the Prophet's Traditions we discover the basic rights granted by Islam to the husband upon the wife - rights that are explicitly and exactly defined:
"Men are the maintainers of women, because Allah has made some of them to excel others, and because they spend out of their property (for the support of women)." Holy Qur'an (4:34)
According to a narration, a woman came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and asked him: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me what right has the husband upon the wife?" He said: "A lot." She said: "Explain me some of them." He replied "She may not fast without his permission, nor may she go out of her house without his consent. She has to use the best of perfumes, to wear the best of her clothes, to adorn herself as best as she can, to offer herself to him day and night, and still his rights are more than that."
| Sura Inshirah of the Qur'an, "With difficulty comes ease." | for everyone |
Life is full of tests and trials that an individual must face with patience. Allah the Almighty has told us that among his most pious servants are those who, upon encountering a tragedy, say: "We belong to Allah and to him we shall return."
The truth is that sometimes we can't help but lose our temper and become angry about something worthless, but we don't realize that at that very moment. After losing patience and taking our anger out, we go into deep thought and reflect about why we behaved in such a manner. This is natural in human beings, and it takes time and increasing faith to maintain a healthy life with patience.
Allah has said in Sura Inshirah of the Qur'an, "With difficulty comes ease." Everywhere I go, I hear that verse, but yet it is the same people who constantly say it that have no patience. That verse indicates that we must get through the difficult times to enjoy the reward in the end. In order to achieve our goals in the next world, we must struggle in this life. The more faith a person has, the harder their test is. We can somewhat compare the test of this world to any test we take in school. For example, a senior in high school who takes a calculus class will definitely have a harder exam than that of a sophomore who is taking basic algebra.
To keep ourselves on the right track, we must constantly remind ourselves of what others have been through. For example, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon) was given an extremely difficult trial by Allah to test his faith. Honestly, how many of us can sacrifice our own family member if we were ordered to do so by our Creator? Asking ourselves such questions helps us know which level we are at in faith.
Another example that we should remember is Lady Zainab (peace be upon her) during the tragedy of Karbala and the difficulties she faced. Could any of us face what she had faced back then? She saw her brother Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the Master of the youth of Paradise, slaughtered on the sands of Karbala. She had to take care of the orphans and her sick nephew Imam Zainul Abideen (peace be upon him). This teaches us a lesson that we must not forget. If Lady Zainab was able to get through this by being patient, why can't we get to her level of patience? Nowadays if someone we love dies, we question Allah and become angry with Him. But Lady Zainab went through much more, yet she never complained. Instead, she said, "Oh Allah, accept this sacrifice from us!"
We need to examine and adopt the examples the All-Merciful Allah has provided for us through our Prophets and Imams (peace be upon them), as well as the Quran. Let us not react right away to sudden situations. We must try to think before we act, because we don't want to end up regretting something we can’t change later on.
Let us ask Allah to give us patience Insha'Allah until the reappearance of our Awaited Imam.
DUAA AL-ZIYADI
| "The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers." (Quran 7:45) | for everyone |
One action that every Shia Muslim performs is to pick up the rosary and utter the words, "May the curse of Allah be upon the oppressors." Why do we curse those who are no longer alive and present? What is the importance of such as act in the light of Islam? Do we not spread the fire of hatred by cursing the ones who are respected and loved by other sects of Islam?
Tabarra is the word given for complete dissociation from the enemies of Islam and Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). According to traditions, this act is one of the foundations of religion. This article discusses about how Tabarra is viewed in our societies.
On a side note, although the term "curse" has been used in this article for the sake of convenience, we should know that the word lan'at cannot be translated directly as "curse", which is to appeal misfortune for someone. Rather, it is an invocation praying for the removal of blessings and mercy from the doer of evil.
The world is full of hate, and Tabarra adds more hate...we need to spread love instead
A wise scholar once said, "The one who can please each and everyone must be a hypocrite." The religion of Islam is a great fan of spreading love and friendship among all human beings, but not when they are perpetrators of falsehood and injustice. A society that can accept both good and evil at the same time is unstable and will break down at some point. Tabarra acts like the sieve that filters the slightest inclination towards evil from our souls, and guards our faith against hypocrisy.
Tabarra disunites the Ummah and strengthens the Shia-Sunni Schism
Publicly cursing the murderers of Lady Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) can and will create friction between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Should Shia Muslims care about this problem? Indeed, yes. We must simply not overlook the advice of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) (especially in his last will) stating that Muslims should always beware of disunity. Cursing in public goes against the purpose of Tabarra, which is to stabilize and protect the Ummah. For this reason, our scholars have disallowed this type of potentially harmful cursing in public. No doubt we must curse those whom Lady Fatima herself would curse, but we must be mindful of doing it in a way that does not create Fitna and destabilize the Ummah.
Tabarra makes you dwell on too much past and forget the present
First of all, dwelling on the past isn't a bad thing. The remarkable thing about history is that it repeats itself so often! Islamic history is no different. As we curse the enemies of Ahlul Bayt, our curious mind seeks to know why we are cursing them, and most importantly, why the Ahlul Bayt did not approve of them. Let us recall that the Ahul Bayt did not dislike individuals for personal reasons; they disliked them because they acted against Islam. The end result of Tabarra is hatred towards everything which is against Islamic teachings.
We really don't achieve anything by uttering a simple curse...or do we?
Well, that really depends on how much Tabarra we are bringing into action. Tabarra of words is great, but quite meaningless if it only stays there. The wife of Pharoah, Lady Asiyah (peace be upon her), was a great example to show us how Tabarra should be performed. When she was severely tortured by her tyrant husband for accepting the call of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him), Lady Asiyah's prayer to Allah was:
"O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong." (66:11)
She could have simply asked Allah to save her from the tyrant Pharoah, but instead she desired separation from "his doings" and every type of falsehood and evil. When we do Tabarra, we must exactly do this. The effect of this would be to create within us repulsion towards the actions that made the accursed worthy of Allah's curse. As we do Tabarra against Yazid, we express disgust towards all his doings, and through our actions, we do nothing that resembles his actions. A person who curses Yazid would not go near alcohol. A girl who really curses Yazid cannot step out of her house without Hijab.
Is Tabarra only towards personalities in the past? Of course not! Tabarra is an always active form of worship that we need to be mindful of every day of our lives. If we are invited to a mixed gathering and we decide not to go, we are doing Tabarra. As we kill our desire for that creamy Frappucino at Starbucks or that cool Motorola Droid cell phone, we are doing Tabarra as we are boycotting Zionist goods. Every step we take against falsehood is Tabbara.
"The curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers." (Quran 7:45)
RABAB JAFFERY
| PRAISE BE TO ALLAH | for everyone |
PRAISE BE TO ALLAH BY HAZRAT ALI A.S.
PRAISE BE TO ALLAH FROM WHOSE MERCY NO ONE LOSES HOPE,
FROM WHOSE BOUNTY NO ONE IS DEPRIVED,
FROM WHOSE FORGIVENESS NO ONE IS DISAPPOINTED,
AND FROM WHOSE WORSHIP NO ONE IS TOO HIGH,
HIS MERCY NEVER CEASES, AND HIS BOUNTY IS NEVER MISSED.
THIS WORLD IS A PLACE FOR WHICH DESTRUCTION IS ORDAINED,
AND FOR ITS INHABITANTS DEPARTURE FROM HERE IN DESTINED.
IT IS SWEET AND GREEN.
IT HASTENS TOWARDS ITS SPEAKER.
AND ATTACHES TO THE HEART OF VIEWER.
SO DEPART FROM HERE WITH THE BEST PROVISION AVAILABLE
WITH YOU,
AND DO NOT ASK HEREIN MORE THAN WHAT IS ENOUGH,
AND DO NOT DEMAND FROM IT MORE THAN SUBSTANCE.
ILTEMAAS-E-DUA,
SUGRA FATIMA
| BE PATIENT | for everyone |
BE PATIENT
This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, and hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.
Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, " Daddy, I’m sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "But when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father went home & committed suicide.
Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken Bones & hurt feelings often can't... Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.
People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.
| Fight between husband and wife (VERBAL) | for everyone |
Poems written by WIFE and HUSBAND.
WIFE:
I wrote your name on sand it got washed.
I wrote your name in air, it was blown away.
Then I wrote your name on my heart & I got Heart Attack
HUSBAND:
God saw me hungry, he created pizza.
He saw me thirsty, he created Pepsi.
He saw me in the dark, he created light.
He saw me without problems, he created YOU.
WIFE:
Twinkle twinkle little star
You should know what you are
And once you know what you are
Mental hospital is not so far
HUSBAND:
The rain makes all things beautiful.
The grass and flowers too.
If rain makes all things beautiful
Why doesn't it rain on you?
WIFE:
Roses are red , Violets are blue
Monkeys like u should be kept in zoo.
Don't feel so angry you will find me there too
Not in cage but outside, laughing at youAND THE SAGA CONTINUES........Position of a Husband Is just like a Split ACNo matter however Loud he is in the OutdoorHe is designed to remain Silent indoor........................................................................"Husband is one who is the head of the family,but his wife is the neck, and whichever way she turns, he goes."........................................................................A man in Hell asked Devil:Can I make a call to my Wife?After making call he asked how much to pay.Devil : Nothing, Hell to hell is Free.................................................................Husband: Do you know the meaning of WIFE?It means, Without Information, Fighting Everytime!Wife: No darling, it means - With Idiot For Ever...........................................................................
Wife: I wish I was a newspaper,
So I'd be in your hands all day.
Husband: I too wish that you were a newspaper,
So I could have a new one every day..................................................................Doctor: Your husband needs rest and peace. Here are some sleeping Pills.Wife: When must I give them to him?Doctor: They are for you...................................................................Wife: I had to marry you to find out how stupid you are..Husband: You should have known it the minute I asked you to marry me.....................................................................Wife: What will you give me if I climb the great Mount Everest ?Husband: A lovely Push...!
and the life goes on........(sent by bro Najmuddin)
| A DREAM INSIDE YOUR HEART....... | for everyone |
Rain
It was a busy morning,about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have
stitches removed from his thumb.He said he was in a hurry as he had an
appointment at 9:00 am.While taking care of his wound,I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning as
he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to
the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there
for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was,that she had not recognized him in
five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every
morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled as he patted my hand and said,'She doesn't know me,but I still know who she is.'
I had to hold back
tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is
the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is
neither physical, nor romantic.True love is an
acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, andwill not be.happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make
the best of everything they have.'Life isn't about
how to survive the storm,
But how to dancein the rain.'We are all getting
OlderTomorrow may be our turn.Enjoy life now --- it has an expiration date!
(sent by bro Najmuddin)
| THURSDAY NIGHT IN PARTICULAR REMEMBERING THE SUFFERING OF IMAM HUSSAIN (A.S.).... | for everyone |
Remembering the suffering of Imam Hussain is not exclusive to the months of Muharram and Safar alone, but is actually recommended to be done throughout the year, Thursday nights in particular. Its merits have been emphasized in a great many narrations, all imparting the countless benefits that come with it.
Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him) said that one who weeps for Imam Hussain such that tears roll down the cheeks, Allah would forgive all sins committed by that person, regardless of how many there were and whether they were great sins or minor sins. (Al-Amali) He also said, "He who sits in a gathering in which our affairs (and our path and aims) are discussed and revived, his heart shall not die on the Day of Judgment when hearts shall die (of fear)." (Bihar al-Anwar)
Majalis can easily be hosted at our homes or at the mosque on Thursday nights, and surely such regular remembrance of the suffering of our Imam and his family will allow us their intercession on the Day of Judgment and bring us closer to Allah.
| WHEN DRINKING WATER............... | for everyone |
The simple act of drinking water has its own list of mustahibaat to be mindful of, which are as follows:
Furthermore, it is unworthy to drink too much water, to drink water after eating fatty food, and to drink water while standing during the night. It is also unworthy to drink water with one's left hand, to drink water from the side of a container which is cracked or chipped off, or from the side of its handle. (Ayatollah Sistani, Islamic Laws)
| LEARNING THE LAWS OF JURISPRUDENCE (FIQH) ON FRIDAY IS AN ........... | for everyone |
Learning the laws of jurisprudence is listed as one of the important recommended acts for Friday by Shaikh Abbas Qummi in Mafatih al-Jinan, alongside performing Ghusl, attending congregational prayers, giving charity, etc. He further narrates that Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said, "Pathetic is that believer who is so occupied with the affairs of the world that he does not spend even one day of the week, Friday, in learning the laws of jurisprudence."
In our quest to do well in school, university or work-related exams, are we neglecting the knowledge required of us to excel in (or even pass) THE exam of our life? Indeed, we spend hours and hours on end studying in order to make academic progress, and although this is ibaadat in itself, the worth and importance of learning the laws of Islam must be realized. Because while following the Islamic way of life was a choice, learning its laws is a responsibility.
| WEARING OF AQEEQ RING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED | for everyone |
Several sacred traditions have emphasized the significance and benefits of wearing an Aqeeq(agate) ring, preferably on the right hand. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said, "The one who wears an aqeeq ring, Allah seals for him peace and faith." He also said, "Wear aqeeq on your rings, you will be blessed and will be saved from afflictions". (Makarimul Akhlaaq)
In another tradition, Salman-al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates a conversation in which the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was informing Imam Ali regarding the wearing of rings. The Prophet advised the Imam to wear the ring on his right hand, as by doing so, one would be included among the muqarrabin (those near to Allah). Imam Ali then asked which ring he should wear, and the Prophet advised him to wear a ring with a red aqeeq, as this stone had affirmed the Oneness of Allah, the Prophethood of Muhammad, the vicegerency of Ali, and paradise for the friends and Shias of Ali. (Hilyatul Muttaqin)
| DO TAKE OUT SADQA/CHARITY.... | for everyone |
We all (hopefully) do our bit in paying out Khums and Zakat whenever it falls due. Yet what is sometimes forgotten is that true generosity comes from going above and beyond the obligations that are upon us – when one willingly contributes a part of their wealth for the sake of goodness and humanity. Numerous Qur'anic verses and traditions have stressed the importance of being charitable and taking out Sadaqah. Not only is it the key to sustenance, but traditions report that it wards off calamities, cures maladies, leads towards prosperity, and increases one's wealth, rewards, and lifespan.
We should make it a habit to take out sadaqah regularly, even daily, no matter how small the amount is, and we must always remember to take out the sadaqah of Imam Zamana (may Allah hasten his reappearance) first. Sponsoring an orphan is another great way to donate; many organizations provide the means to make this easier, such as the World Federation's Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS), information for which can be found at:
| HAVE GUEST AND TREAT THEM WITH FOOD AND DRINK ETC..... | for everyone |
Numerous narrations have conveyed the worth of having believers as guests and of treating them to food, drink, etc. It is one of the characteristics of the prophets, and one tradition states that when seven days had passed and Imam Ali did not have a single guest, he said amidst sobs, "I fear lest the Lord has removed this mercy from me." Amazing, ours is a religion so gratifying that to meet and socialize with friends cheerfully and inviting them to meals are considered virtuous and charitable acts.
| HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO KEEP ONE'S SHROUD READY.... | for everyone |
Ayatollah Sistani states in Islamic Laws that it is highly recommended to keep one's shroud (along with Sidr leaves and camphor) ready during one's lifetime. It is thus a good idea to purchase yourkafan early in life, keeping it in your closet as a constant reminder of that which is inevitable and the time for which only Allah knows. (And if you are still alive a year after purchasing it, remember to pay the Khums due!)
| CELL PHONES HAZARD | for everyone |
Here is the e-mail from Dr. Girish Kumar, Professor Elec. Engineering, of IIT Bombay. He has an extensive report [50 pages] on the study he has conducted in India on microwave radiation from cell towers and cell phones. Following is a paragraph from this study.
" Let's do some simple calculation of how much microwave power will be absorbed by human
body if exposed to the so called safe radiation level adopted in India of power density = 4.7
W/m2 for GSM900 band,. If we model human body as a cylinder, then its area will be 1.436
square meter (average height 5'6" = 1.67 m and waist 34" = 86 cm). So, power recd. by human
body will be power density x area = 6.75 Watts. In one hour, microwave energy absorbed will be
6.75 x 3600 = 24.3 KW-sec. In one day, microwave energy absorbed will be 24.3 x 24 = 583.2
KW-sec. A typical microwave oven has a rating of 700 to 1000 W, and with say 60% efficiency,
microwave power output is approximately 500 W. This implies that human body can be safely
kept in a microwave oven for 583.2 KW-sec / 500 W = 1166 seconds = 19 minutes per day. How
many people in the world are willing to put themselves, their family members, and their unborn
children in an open microwave oven for 19 minutes/day? Telecom providers or policy makers
can argue about body being adaptable to external threats and the radiation is spread over whole
day. However, question remains, would we like to put our citizens in an open microwave oven
for 19 minutes/day over the years. Also, this is only for a single source. For multiple sources, it
will increase correspondingly. Thus, the safe limit adopted by India is extremely high and
millions of people are suffering because of this."
Dear Mr. Safiuddin,
I had made a presentation at KEM Hospital, Mumbai on Sep. 20, 2010 on cell phone and cell tower radiation hazard. After that, doctors
told me that they have been getting large number of cases of teenager children having hearing loss and ear tumor. This is known as Tinnitus.
Subsequently, I met a teenager boy who had tumor and he told me that several of his friends are also having this problem as they used to talk on cell phone for too long. I asked him if he and his friends will like to appear on TV and give interview but none of their parents allowed them as they don't want the whole country should know about their health problem.
Interphone study has also reported that for heavy users (1/2 hour per day) over 8 to 10 years, increase in brain tumor is 200% to 400%.
In USA, max. SAR limit for cell phones is 1.6W/Kg which is for 6 minutes. It has a safety margin of 3 to 4, so a person should not use
cell phone for more than 18 to 24 minutes per day. This information is not generally known to people in India.
" Let's do some simple calculation of how much microwave power will be absorbed by human
body if exposed to the so called safe radiation level adopted in India of power density = 4.7
W/m2 for GSM900 band,. If we model human body as a cylinder, then its area will be 1.436
square meter (average height 5'6" = 1.67 m and waist 34" = 86 cm). So, power recd. by human
body will be power density x area = 6.75 Watts. In one hour, microwave energy absorbed will be
6.75 x 3600 = 24.3 KW-sec. In one day, microwave energy absorbed will be 24.3 x 24 = 583.2
KW-sec. A typical microwave oven has a rating of 700 to 1000 W, and with say 60% efficiency,
microwave power output is approximately 500 W. This implies that human body can be safely
kept in a microwave oven for 583.2 KW-sec / 500 W = 1166 seconds = 19 minutes per day. How
many people in the world are willing to put themselves, their family members, and their unborn
children in an open microwave oven for 19 minutes/day? Telecom providers or policy makers
can argue about body being adaptable to external threats and the radiation is spread over whole
day. However, question remains, would we like to put our citizens in an open microwave oven
for 19 minutes/day over the years. Also, this is only for a single source. For multiple sources, it
will increase correspondingly. Thus, the safe limit adopted by India is extremely high and
millions of people are suffering because of this."
Dear Mr. Safiuddin,
I had made a presentation at KEM Hospital, Mumbai on Sep. 20, 2010 on cell phone and cell tower radiation hazard. After that, doctors
told me that they have been getting large number of cases of teenager children having hearing loss and ear tumor. This is known as Tinnitus.
Subsequently, I met a teenager boy who had tumor and he told me that several of his friends are also having this problem as they used to talk on cell phone for too long. I asked him if he and his friends will like to appear on TV and give interview but none of their parents allowed them as they don't want the whole country should know about their health problem.
Interphone study has also reported that for heavy users (1/2 hour per day) over 8 to 10 years, increase in brain tumor is 200% to 400%.
In USA, max. SAR limit for cell phones is 1.6W/Kg which is for 6 minutes. It has a safety margin of 3 to 4, so a person should not use
cell phone for more than 18 to 24 minutes per day. This information is not generally known to people in India.
(sent by bro Najmuddin)
| Virus basics | for everyone |
Virus basics
A virus is a piece of code that uses a computer's resources to spread and replicate. The replication occurs without the user's knowledge.
Different viruses have different ways of infecting a computer or floppy disk. Infection can occur if you start your computer from an already infected disk, use an infected file or application on your computer, or use your disk in an infected computer that then spreads the infection to your disk.
The most common type of virus currently is the macro virus. The second most common is the boot sector infector. Other common viruses that infect applications are called file infectors. Most viruses now prevalent are one of these types or are a combination of them.
Any virus that uses "higher level" programming features can be considered a macro virus. Previously, many viruses were created using lower level system code to infect and damage computer files. Occasionally, viruses would be created using macro language tools, but the tools were not very powerful or flexible. Viruses were hard to create.
To allow users the ability to write custom routines (macros) in applications like Word and Excel, Microsoft included with these applications a version of Visual BASIC, a "higher level" programming language that was powerful and easy to use -- and easy to create viruses with.
The prevalence of Visual BASIC and Microsoft Office means that most macro viruses affect either Word or Excel. There are other macro viruses written for non-Microsoft Office products but they are a small number in comparison.
A boot sector infector is a virus that exists in the bootstrap record of a floppy or hard disk. It loads into memory when the computer is "booted" from an infected disk. Boot sector infectors spread when you access a writable floppy disk from an infected computer. The infected copy then becomes a carrier for the virus. The virus is spread to other hard drives when an infected disk is used to start up the computer. This happens most often when a floppy disk is left in the disk drive of a computer and then the computer is turned on or rebooted.
A file infector is a virus that attaches itself to, or is associated with, an executable file. An executable file can be a program file, like Word or Excel, or a system file, like command.com or the Macintosh's Desktop file or Finder. A file infector spreads when an infected executable file is run; other application files that are run subsequently then become infected. The infection can also spread to executable files, which are run from writable floppies on an infected computer. The infection is usually spread to other computers by sharing infected executables.
Antiviral software attempts to prevent, detect, and remove viral infections. There are three ways in which antiviral software attempts to do this: activity monitoring, change detection, and scanning. Most antiviral software uses, or makes available, all three. The University-supported antiviral software packages (Virex forMacintosh, Vi-Spy for DOS/Win 3.x and Win 95) offer the ability to use all three types of strategies to combat viruses.
Activity monitoring does what the name implies; it monitors your computer for any activity that is "virus-like." When it detects this activity it can either notify you of the activity, so that you can determine if it is "legitimate" activity or not, or it may prevent the activity until the monitor is "turned off." This allows you to keep track of activity that you may not be aware of and to determine whether you want the activity to continue or be prevented.
Change detection monitors your system against a previously saved "snapshot" of your system to determine if anything has changed. Common areas that are frequently checked this way are the memory map, what is loaded into memory and where it is, and executable file sizes. More often than not these items are relatively static and most unexplained changes should be investigated.
Scanning is the lynchpin of most antiviral software. Scanning checks your system against a listing of code in known viruses, called "signature scanning." When a signature is discovered the application notifies you of the possible presence of a virus.
These strategies have flaws, but when used in combination they are usually very effective.
The key to making sure your system is virus-free is to use antiviral software and keep it up to date. Old software is not, and cannot be, aware of new viruses.
If you think that your system has a virus, don't panic. Make sure that you have the most current version of antiviral software. If one package sees something that another doesn't, make sure that both packages are up to date. If you are using the current version of antiviral software and it still doesn't see anything, bring a copy of the suspect files to your local support provider; he or she can have the files examined.
9. What is a Trojan horse program?A type of program that is often confused with viruses is a "Trojan horse" program. This is not a virus, but simply a program (often harmful) that pretends to be something else. For example, you might download what you think is a new game; but when you run it, it deletes files on your hard drive. Or the third time you start the game, the program might E-mail your saved passwords to another person. Note: Simply downloading a file to your computer won't activate a virus or Trojan horse; you have to execute the code in the file to trigger it. This could mean running a program file, or opening a document in a program (such as Word or Excel) that could execute any macros it contains. 10. What's the story on viruses and E-mail? You can't get a virus just by reading a plain-text E-mail message or Usenet post. What you have to watch out for are encoded messages containing embedded executable code (i.e., JavaScript in an HTML message) or messages that include an executable file attachment (i.e., an encoded program file or Word document containing macros). In order to activate a virus or Trojan horse program, your computer has to execute some type of code. This could be a program file attached to the E-mail, or a Word or Excel document containing macros. And it could be a file you downloaded from the Internet, or received on a floppy disk. There's no special hazard in files attached to Usenet posts or E-mail messages; they're no more (and no less!) dangerous than any other file. Also, bugs have been discovered in some E-mail programs that could (in theory) be exploited to infect your computer with a virus or to activate a Trojan horse program. Potential security holes have been reported in Eudora Pro, Microsoft Outlook, and the E-mail component of Netscape Communicator. Check the manufacturers' web sites for patches and workarounds. Generally, it's a good idea to keep all your software updated to the most recent version in order to avoid known security flaws. Treat file attachments that might contain executable code as carefully as you would any other new files; check them with an up-to-date virus scanner before opening them. If you're using E-mail or News Reader software that has the ability to automatically execute JavaScript, Word macros, or other executable code contained in or attached to a message, I strongly recommend that you disable this feature. My personal feeling is that if an executable file shows up unexpectedly attached to an E-mail, you should delete it unless you can positively verify what it is, who it came from, and why it was sent to you. 12. What kind of files can spread viruses? Viruses have the potential to infect any type of executable code, not just the files that are commonly called 'program files'. For example, some viruses infect executable code in the boot sector of floppy disks or in system areas of hard drives. Another type of virus, known as a 'macro' virus, can infect word processing and spreadsheet documents that use macros. And it's possible for HTML documents containing JavaScript or other types of executable code to spread viruses or other malicious code. Since virus code must be executed to have any effect, files that the computer treats as pure data are safe. This includes graphics and sound files such as .gif, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, etc., as well as text documents in .txt files. So just viewing picture files, for example, won't infect your computer with a virus. The virus code has to be in a form, such as an .exe program file or a Word .doc file, that the computer will actually try to execute. | ||||
Is my system infected?
Symptoms of file infectors can be executables that used to work but are now failing to load correctly. Your antiviral package may indicate that something "goes resident" in memory and stays there after running an application. A macro virus infection is usually not as subtle as file infectors or boot sector infectors. With a macro virus all your documents may only offer you the option to save them as templates. You may notice "extra" macros that did not come with your word processing package and that you did not create. As soon as you note a symptom, investigate! You may not have a virus, or even a serious problem, but don't take chances.
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| UNIVERSAL MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (UMAA) | for everyone |
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UMAA Convention 2011
"The Quran, Ahlul Bayt & Modern Society: A Focus on Identity, Citizenship andCollaboration"
The 9th annual UMAA convention will be taking place in Toronto, Canada!
Friday May 27th - Sunday May 29th, 2011 UMAA is proud to announce the continuation of it's annual scholarship. The Jafri B. Rizvi Memorial Academic Scholarship will be awarded during this year's UMAA convention in Toronto, Canada. We are now requesting nominations for Shia students aged 15-22 years and for Shia graduate students to receive the "Jafri Rizvi Award in Academic Excellence for 2011" which shall be presented at the 9th Annual UMAA Convention.
This year, the scholarship program has been expanded and will be selecting three winners:
First Place Award: $1,500.
Second Place Award: $1,000.
Third Place Award: $500.00
Application material is available on the UMAA web site www.umaamerica.net
Please send all application materials via email to UMAA hemani@umaamerica.net no later than May 14th, 2011 (the date on the website is being updated)
The finalists will be recognized at the final session of the 9th UMAA Annual Convention on May 29, 20111 to receive an award grant.
If you have any questions, please contact us at hemani@umaamerica.net. We encourage each of you to distribute this email to your friends and family and encourage talented students to apply for these awards. Recipients of the award must register for the convention.
Click here to visit the UMAA Website for updated information about this year's program!
Stay tuned for details about the First International Shia Basketball Tournament!
Matrimonial Services Details to Come Shortly! Register online today! This year UMAA will be taking place at the Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre. Call now to book a room at the subsidized rate of $99/night. 8500 Warden Avenue, Markham, Ontario, Canada L6G 1A5 Tel: 1-905-470-8500
To book your room at the special UMAA rate click on this link.
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| ACTS OF MUSHTAHIBAAT | for everyone |
Ghusl of Friday
Ghusl al-Jum'ah is so commendable that the Holy Prophet told Imam Ali, "O Ali, do ghusl every Friday, even if you have to sell that day's sustenance and go hungry in order to purchase water, because there is no greater sunnat than this [ghusl]." (Mafatih al-Jinan)
The ghusl can be performed at any time on Friday from sunrise till sunset, although the recommended time is before midday. And if missed on Friday, its qadha may be performed the following day.
Praying with Perfume On
Our Prophet was very fond of perfume and would always urge his friends and followers to make a habit of using it regularly. He spent much of his savings on purchasing perfumes, and especially encouraged its use on Fridays to prevent any bad odor from bothering others in the congregational prayers. Although striving to emulate our beloved Prophet is reason enough to practice this, narrations also tell us that prayer performed with perfume applied is better than 70 prayers without!
Brushing Your Teeth Often
This may be seem needless to mention, yet brushing the teeth is amongst the most recommended etiquettes enjoined by our Holy Prophet – so much that it could have been made obligatory! For he said, "If it were not hard upon my Ummah, I would enjoin them to brush (their teeth) with every prayer." (Bihar al-Anwar)
Traditions state that two units of prayer performed after brushing the teeth is superior to seventy units performed without it. It is further stated that if one forgets to brush his teeth before wudhu, it is mustahab to do so after it and to rinse the mouth three times with water. (Bihar al-Anwar)
Not only before offering prayers, but brushing teeth is also recommended before performing wudhu, at the time of reciting the Qur'an, at daybreak, and on waking up from sleep.
| BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER | for everyone |
Bringing people together and implementing love and harmony among them is among the greatest acts. In fact, the Holy Prophet said that to make peace between two individuals is worthier than one's entire prayers and fasting. (Bihar al-Anwar)
We are living in a world where people enjoy watching (and sadly, inciting) arguments and conflict among others, and while the task of making peace becomes a rather grueling one, it is important to try. With the right conduct and intentions, even the seemingly impossible can become possible.
| INITIATE GREETINGS AND EMBRACE | for everyone |
An act so simple, and yet forsaken too many a time by many of us.
Imam Hussain said, "Seventy rewards is the share of the one who initiates a greeting, and only one reward belongs to the one who returns the greeting" (Bihar al-Anwar)
The Holy Prophet said: "When you meet each other, then initiate greeting and embrace, and when you separate from each other, then depart with seeking forgiveness." (Bihar al-Anwar)
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 07:17
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