| RAJJAB THE MONTH FOR SEEKING FORGIVENESS | for everyone |
Salams www.duas.org/rajab.htm iltemase dua
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as)says "Rajab is the name of a river in heaven, which is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. Whoever fasts in Rajab shall be able to drink from that river".
Istighfar. The Holy Prophet (saww) has said, "Rajab is the month for seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from Allah (swt)".
Sadaqah. Giving `Sadaqah' (charity/alms) is also highly recommended
Sadaqah. Giving `Sadaqah' (charity/alms) is also highly recommended
| THE FOUR KINDS OF CORPORATE INNOVATION | for everyone |
THE FOUR KINDS OF CORPORATE INNOVATION
It seems everyone is talking about corporate innovation these days.
Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner in charge of the Information Society and Enterprise Directorates General can hardly open his mouth without speaking of European business's need to be more innovative. Nevertheless, to look at all corporate innovation as being the same kind of innovation is dangerous.
Defining categories of innovation not only clarifies the kinds of innovation necessary, but also points out approaches for promoting appropriate innovation within the organisation.
Corporate innovation can be divided into four categories:
1. customer oriented innovation
2. product innovation
3. process innovation
4. strategic innovation
Let's look at each.
1. Customer oriented innovation
“The customer comes first.” This is just as true with innovation as with anything else in business. If you cannot serve your customers cleverly, you might as well not bother with innovation at all.
Customer oriented innovation refers to all aspects of corporate-customer interaction, including: marketing, sales, delivery, customer service and everything in between. Although this comprises a diverse range of activities from advertising to after-sales service, the focus should always be the same: how to better serve your customers. Better advertising can provide more information to customers as well as remind existing customers that they made the right choice by your products. Better after-sales service can make all the difference between a making a single sale and developing a long-term relationship of multiple sales.
These days, as there is less and less to differentiate one product from another, customer oriented innovation is one area where your firm can demonstrate a real lead over the competition.
Moreover, every act of product or strategic innovation generally requires customer oriented innovation to ensure innovations are successfully delivered to the customers.
2. Product innovation
When most people think of corporate innovation, they think of product innovation, in particular, launching that stunning new product that brings in billions of Euro (or dollars or pounds or yen...), makes them industry leaders and puts them on top of Ingvar Kamprad and Bill Gates in the Fortune list of wealthy individuals.
While such innovation is nice, it is equally, if not more, important to solicit incremental product innovation from your company. Small improvements in your product are not only easier to come by, but can help keep you one step ahead of the competition. Moreover, small improvements are easier to sell and generally do not require big changes in your business.
But when that big idea for a radically new product - that will knock the competition's socks off - comes, be sure you have the means of recognising it (previous issues of Report 103 have looked at big innovations that big companies have made and lost because they did not recognise what they had invented).
A radically new product also demands an innovative marketing approach that will allow you to bring the product to market successfully. Introducing a radically new product to your customers is in large part about educating your customers to your product and helping them realise how much they need or want your product (see 1. Customer oriented innovation above).
3. process innovation
Process innovation may sound comparatively dull, but it is the bread and butter of corporate innovation. In most large companies lots of people are involved in internal processes that allow the company to run smoothly and legally. These are the people in middle management, human resources, accounting, finance, administration, and the like. In general, they recognise processes that do not work well and have ideas about how to make those processes more efficient. Sometimes, of course, they are wrong. But often they are right. Their ideas improve efficiency and help companies save money. If a company has operational expenses of Euro 1 billion annually and an accountant comes up with an idea that shaves costs by 0.5%, it translates into a savings off Euro 5 million – nothing to sneeze at. Likewise, 1,000 employees each with ideas worth Euro 10,000 in cost savings each will save the company Euro 10 million.
4. Strategic innovation
Strategic innovation is rare because it is about fundamental changes in how a company operates. And in a large company, that is about the most difficult task of all. Strategic innovation requires an innovative CEO with vision and determination. Jack Welch transformed GE from an old fashioned American industrial company into a powerful global services company.
Jorma Ollila transformed Nokia from being a Finnish conglomerate with a forestry background into becoming the world's leading mobile telephone manufacturer.
While Messrs Welch's and Ollila's innovations involved all of four kinds of innovations, successful strategic innovation was central to their success.
Strategic innovation may not necessarily come from CEOs. But visionary CEOs are nevertheless necessary for implementing strategic innovation across the enterprise.
General comments about corporate innovation
One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to assume that only people in relevant departments can provide innovative ideas for a particular kind of innovation. Believing that only the research department can have ideas about product innovation or that only management can have ideas about process innovation is wrong.
If top management of any company were to place listening devices in the staff canteen or the staff's favourite pub, they would quickly discover...
* that everyone in the company has ideas about all aspects of the company.
* that many of those ideas are well thought out.
* that the people with ideas come from all divisions and all levels of the corporate hierarchy.
* that many of those ideas are worth good money to the company.
Only by installing an idea management or innovation strategy that ENCOURAGES everyone in the firm to contribute ideas can top management truly maximise their firm's innovation potential.
It seems everyone is talking about corporate innovation these days.
Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner in charge of the Information Society and Enterprise Directorates General can hardly open his mouth without speaking of European business's need to be more innovative. Nevertheless, to look at all corporate innovation as being the same kind of innovation is dangerous.
Defining categories of innovation not only clarifies the kinds of innovation necessary, but also points out approaches for promoting appropriate innovation within the organisation.
Corporate innovation can be divided into four categories:
1. customer oriented innovation
2. product innovation
3. process innovation
4. strategic innovation
Let's look at each.
1. Customer oriented innovation
“The customer comes first.” This is just as true with innovation as with anything else in business. If you cannot serve your customers cleverly, you might as well not bother with innovation at all.
Customer oriented innovation refers to all aspects of corporate-customer interaction, including: marketing, sales, delivery, customer service and everything in between. Although this comprises a diverse range of activities from advertising to after-sales service, the focus should always be the same: how to better serve your customers. Better advertising can provide more information to customers as well as remind existing customers that they made the right choice by your products. Better after-sales service can make all the difference between a making a single sale and developing a long-term relationship of multiple sales.
These days, as there is less and less to differentiate one product from another, customer oriented innovation is one area where your firm can demonstrate a real lead over the competition.
Moreover, every act of product or strategic innovation generally requires customer oriented innovation to ensure innovations are successfully delivered to the customers.
2. Product innovation
When most people think of corporate innovation, they think of product innovation, in particular, launching that stunning new product that brings in billions of Euro (or dollars or pounds or yen...), makes them industry leaders and puts them on top of Ingvar Kamprad and Bill Gates in the Fortune list of wealthy individuals.
While such innovation is nice, it is equally, if not more, important to solicit incremental product innovation from your company. Small improvements in your product are not only easier to come by, but can help keep you one step ahead of the competition. Moreover, small improvements are easier to sell and generally do not require big changes in your business.
But when that big idea for a radically new product - that will knock the competition's socks off - comes, be sure you have the means of recognising it (previous issues of Report 103 have looked at big innovations that big companies have made and lost because they did not recognise what they had invented).
A radically new product also demands an innovative marketing approach that will allow you to bring the product to market successfully. Introducing a radically new product to your customers is in large part about educating your customers to your product and helping them realise how much they need or want your product (see 1. Customer oriented innovation above).
3. process innovation
Process innovation may sound comparatively dull, but it is the bread and butter of corporate innovation. In most large companies lots of people are involved in internal processes that allow the company to run smoothly and legally. These are the people in middle management, human resources, accounting, finance, administration, and the like. In general, they recognise processes that do not work well and have ideas about how to make those processes more efficient. Sometimes, of course, they are wrong. But often they are right. Their ideas improve efficiency and help companies save money. If a company has operational expenses of Euro 1 billion annually and an accountant comes up with an idea that shaves costs by 0.5%, it translates into a savings off Euro 5 million – nothing to sneeze at. Likewise, 1,000 employees each with ideas worth Euro 10,000 in cost savings each will save the company Euro 10 million.
4. Strategic innovation
Strategic innovation is rare because it is about fundamental changes in how a company operates. And in a large company, that is about the most difficult task of all. Strategic innovation requires an innovative CEO with vision and determination. Jack Welch transformed GE from an old fashioned American industrial company into a powerful global services company.
Jorma Ollila transformed Nokia from being a Finnish conglomerate with a forestry background into becoming the world's leading mobile telephone manufacturer.
While Messrs Welch's and Ollila's innovations involved all of four kinds of innovations, successful strategic innovation was central to their success.
Strategic innovation may not necessarily come from CEOs. But visionary CEOs are nevertheless necessary for implementing strategic innovation across the enterprise.
General comments about corporate innovation
One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to assume that only people in relevant departments can provide innovative ideas for a particular kind of innovation. Believing that only the research department can have ideas about product innovation or that only management can have ideas about process innovation is wrong.
If top management of any company were to place listening devices in the staff canteen or the staff's favourite pub, they would quickly discover...
* that everyone in the company has ideas about all aspects of the company.
* that many of those ideas are well thought out.
* that the people with ideas come from all divisions and all levels of the corporate hierarchy.
* that many of those ideas are worth good money to the company.
Only by installing an idea management or innovation strategy that ENCOURAGES everyone in the firm to contribute ideas can top management truly maximise their firm's innovation potential.
| Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90 mm Hg | for everyone |
Make sure your blood pressure is under 140/90 mm Hg
If your systolic pressure is over 140, ask your doctor what you can do to lower it.
If you have diabetes it is even more important to maintain your blood pressure at an acceptable level, which reduces long-term complications associated with this disease process. You should be receiving regular monitoring and advice from you GP/diabetic practitioner.
Aim for a healthy weight
Ideally try not to gain extra weight in the first place, if you have then try to lose the weight slowly, at about half to one pound a week until you reach a healthy target. This can be easier to achieve if you include exercise as well to burn off those unwanted calories and tone your body as you lose the weight.
If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure because the heart has to work very hard to keep blood circulating efficiently.
Exercise - be active every day!
Even the simplest exercise will help; you can walk, dance, use the stairs, play sports, or do any activity you enjoy. For instance: get off the bus one or two stops early; park your car at the other end of the car park and walk; walk or cycle to the corner shop.
Being physically active is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent or control high blood pressure and will help you keep your weight down. It will also help to reduce your risk of heart disease and enhances overall wellbeing. All you need to do is 30 minutes of moderate level activity preferably every day of the week - you can even divide the 30 minutes into shorter 10 minute periods if you are not used to regular exercise.
Exercise does not have to be strenuous; you should start slowly and build up the amount of exercise that you do.
It is not advisable, however, to lift heavy weights or to take on certain strenuous activities if exercise has not been gradually and appropriately introduced. If you are worried that your health could be adversely affected by exercise, i.e. you have a heart complaint; make sure that you are reviewed by your GP.
Look at what you are eating. Does it contain a lot of sodium?
It is suggested that no more than 2.4 grams of sodium should be consumed per day. Read the labels and be aware of hidden sodium, which is known to increase blood pressure. Try not to add salt to your meals.
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Eating more fiber should help to stop you feeling hungry and less likely to pick at sweets, chocolate and crisps etc.
Stop/reduce smoking - smoking causes the blood to thicken
Not only does this make you more at risk of developing a dangerous blood clot but it makes the heart work harder in order to 'push' the blood around the system to provide oxygen and other important components.
Reduce your stress levels
Take time out for yourself each day to do something you like to do without feeling guilty. If there are any problems worrying you try talking them over with a friend, or someone you trust, this is often all that is needed to make you feel better. Also remember if you wear a smile, it will rub off on others. Try it and see!
Watch your alcohol intake
Keep the amount of units you consume to a minimum, as your body works hard to flush it out of your system and this will have an effect on your blood pressure (plus it will increase your weight).
It is recommended that men limit themselves to no more than one or two drinks per day and women should have no more than one drink per day.
Take medication correctly
If you have been prescribed medication from your GP to control your blood pressure, make sure that you take the medication correctly and visit your GP regularly for your blood pressure to be monitored effectively
ALWAYS KEEP IN TOUCH OF YOUR CONSULTING DOCTOR
If your systolic pressure is over 140, ask your doctor what you can do to lower it.
If you have diabetes it is even more important to maintain your blood pressure at an acceptable level, which reduces long-term complications associated with this disease process. You should be receiving regular monitoring and advice from you GP/diabetic practitioner.
Aim for a healthy weight
Ideally try not to gain extra weight in the first place, if you have then try to lose the weight slowly, at about half to one pound a week until you reach a healthy target. This can be easier to achieve if you include exercise as well to burn off those unwanted calories and tone your body as you lose the weight.
If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure because the heart has to work very hard to keep blood circulating efficiently.
Exercise - be active every day!
Even the simplest exercise will help; you can walk, dance, use the stairs, play sports, or do any activity you enjoy. For instance: get off the bus one or two stops early; park your car at the other end of the car park and walk; walk or cycle to the corner shop.
Being physically active is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent or control high blood pressure and will help you keep your weight down. It will also help to reduce your risk of heart disease and enhances overall wellbeing. All you need to do is 30 minutes of moderate level activity preferably every day of the week - you can even divide the 30 minutes into shorter 10 minute periods if you are not used to regular exercise.
Exercise does not have to be strenuous; you should start slowly and build up the amount of exercise that you do.
It is not advisable, however, to lift heavy weights or to take on certain strenuous activities if exercise has not been gradually and appropriately introduced. If you are worried that your health could be adversely affected by exercise, i.e. you have a heart complaint; make sure that you are reviewed by your GP.
Look at what you are eating. Does it contain a lot of sodium?
It is suggested that no more than 2.4 grams of sodium should be consumed per day. Read the labels and be aware of hidden sodium, which is known to increase blood pressure. Try not to add salt to your meals.
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Eating more fiber should help to stop you feeling hungry and less likely to pick at sweets, chocolate and crisps etc.
Stop/reduce smoking - smoking causes the blood to thicken
Not only does this make you more at risk of developing a dangerous blood clot but it makes the heart work harder in order to 'push' the blood around the system to provide oxygen and other important components.
Reduce your stress levels
Take time out for yourself each day to do something you like to do without feeling guilty. If there are any problems worrying you try talking them over with a friend, or someone you trust, this is often all that is needed to make you feel better. Also remember if you wear a smile, it will rub off on others. Try it and see!
Watch your alcohol intake
Keep the amount of units you consume to a minimum, as your body works hard to flush it out of your system and this will have an effect on your blood pressure (plus it will increase your weight).
It is recommended that men limit themselves to no more than one or two drinks per day and women should have no more than one drink per day.
Take medication correctly
If you have been prescribed medication from your GP to control your blood pressure, make sure that you take the medication correctly and visit your GP regularly for your blood pressure to be monitored effectively
ALWAYS KEEP IN TOUCH OF YOUR CONSULTING DOCTOR
| IMAM AL HADI (A.S.)- IN PRAISE OF ISLAMIC SCHOLARS | for everyone |
IN PRAISE OF ISLAMIC SCHOLARS
There was a great Shia’h Scholar in the days of our 10th Imam (as). Once a Nasibi (a person who curses the Ahlul-Bayt) had a debate with this scholar and the scholar defeated him through Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions.
One day this scholar came into a gathering, which consisted mostly of Alavids and people of Banu Hashim; and Imam al-Hadi (as) was also present. In the centre of that gathering, Imam (as) was seated and there was a huge pillow placed at that spot. As soon as the Imam (as) saw this scholar, he (as) rose from his place and asked the scholar to come forward until the Imam (as) made him sit next to him and offered him the pillow to relax.
One old man from Banu Hashim did not like this, so he complained saying, “O Son of the Prophet! How can you give preference to an ordinary person over a Sayyid who belongs to the progeny of Abu Talib and Abbas?”
When the Imam (as) heard this, he (as) was extremely furious with the old man and started quoting verses from the Holy Quran to prove the supremacy of a scholar over everyone else.
Imam (as) asked the people present there: “Do you believe the commands of Allah in the Quran?”
They all said, “Yes!”
Then the Imam (as) said, “Hasn’t Allah (SWT) said: ‘Allah will raise those who have faith and those who have been given knowledge in rank…’? (58:11) Then know that just as Allah loves a Mumin over a non-Mumin, similarly, He loves a Mumin with knowledge over a Mumin without knowledge. (Now tell me) Hasn’t Allah (SWT) also said, ‘Say (O Muhammad): Can those who know and those who do not know be equal? Verily only the men of understanding take the heed’.? (39:9) Then why are you people trying to stop me from giving preference to one who has been preferred by Allah (SWT)?? This Scholar has utilized his knowledge, which Allah (SWT) has blessed him and defeated our enemy with it. This act is better than any family ties and relation in my eyes”.
(Al-Ihtijaaj)
| Facial skin care | for everyone |
Facial skin care
What is the secret of a beautiful face? Proper skincare, the right beauty sleep every night, a balanced diet and an extra portion of care on a regular basis. We must also remember that the needs of our skin change: During the day, it needs protection from the environmental effects, for example. At night, it is regenerating and therefore needs care that supports this process. Also, the skin's ability to regenerate wanes with age. So it especially then needs care and nutrients. Moreover, the
Image
skin is always thankful for that extra portion of care, like treating yourself to a mask.
Face care routine
Cleansing - Women who wear make-up should carry out a routine of cleansing, toning and moisturing each evening, as well as washing the face in the morning. Cleansing will remove old make-up and the grime and grease that have been accumulated during the day. Remove mascara with a cotton bud dipped in eye-dipped in eye-cleansing lotion. To make the job easier keep your hair off your face. Remove the eyeshadow by gently wiping it off with a pad of clean cotton wool moistened with eye-cleansing lotion. Pour a little face cleansing cream into the palm of one hand and dab it generously over the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks---using two fingers of the other hand. Massage the cream into the skin, starting under the throat, using a gentle upward motion. Continue massaging the cream up to the forehead, using the fingertips. Gently massage the cream from the eyes to the nose. Massage cream back over the chin, which is particularly prone to blackheads. Use the index finger. Remove the cream from the face with tissue pads in each hand. Start under the chin and work over the cheeks and on to the forehead
Toning - Toners remove all traces of dirt, make-up or cleanser that remain after cleansing. Immediately after cleansing apply toner to the forehead and cheeks on a pad of corron wool. Apply the toner to the crevices around the nose. Apply the toner to the crevices around the chin.
Moisturing - Without moisture, the skin will not remain smooth and supple. The face is exposed to the drying effect of the weather, so moisturisers -- which form a film over the skin -- contain and augment the natural moisture. Using the tips ofthe fingers, dot moisturising cream lightly all over the face. Press the fingers of both hands into the centre of the forehead and work the cream slowly outwards. Pat the cream gentlyaround the eyes. Work the cream around the jawline, chin and mouth with the middle fingers of both hands. Massage the cream over the throat with alternating hands, using upward strokes from collar-bone to chin
Morning facial care
In the morning you should clean your face with luke-warm water and a creamy cleanser or purifying gel wash. Avoid bar soap because this strips the natural moisturizing factors from the skin, leaving it feeling very tight and dry. Do not rub the skin dry. Instead, blot it gently with a towel. Your morning facial care can be done in the shower or at the sink. Next, you should tone the skin on the face. Toning the skin helps remove any residual cleanser or make-up that may have been left behind. A toner also helps restore the natural pH level of the skin, leaves your skin clean, clear and ready to be hydrated. Next, apply a moisturizer. This should be specialized to your skin type. A moisturizer leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother. It also helps smooth away fine lines and dryness. A sunscreen can be applied on top of the moisturizer. Next, apply your make-up (if you choose to wear make-up). Your foundation should match your skin tone. Never use a darker foundation than your skin tone; it should look natural.
Evening facial care
The evening starts like the morning. First, you should clean your face with luke-warm water and a creamy cleanser or purifying gel wash. These skin cleansers will remove your make-up at the same time you wash your face. A toner should then be applied. Any trace of make-up remaining will be removed (the easiest way of applying a toner is to put it on a cotton pad). Now, while your face is still wet, you should exfoliate. Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells, which cause the face to look dull. The build up of dead cells can also contribute to blockage of the pores causing acne. Also this build up of dead cells will not let the products you are using penetrate the skin and work to their full capacity. Exfoliating will brighten the skin and give it a more healthy glow. Massage gently and rinse well. This can be done every night or 1-2 times a week all depending on the type of exfoliant. Finally, apply a moisturizer to your face, which is specified for your skin type. A firming eye cream should also be used around the eye area.
Facial care tips
Never go to bed with your make-up on. Make-up that is left on overnight clogs the pores and prevents the skin cells from shedding, which may cause blemishes and/or blackheads. The skin needs to breathe over night. Waterproof make-up is most easily removed with a gel cleanser. The most important thing that you can do for your facial skin is to avoid sunlight or use liberal amounts of sunscreen. Sunlight causes the skin to age and causes skin cancer which is the most common malignancy in humans. The most common location for these tumors is the face. If you do not believe that the sun ages your skin, then look at the skin under your upper arm and compare it to the skin on your face and the back of the hands. Alpha hydroxy acid applied daily will help prevent acne out breaks if you have acne prone skin. If you have acne and the above measures do not help, see your dermatologist. There are many prescription treatments for acne.
What is the secret of a beautiful face? Proper skincare, the right beauty sleep every night, a balanced diet and an extra portion of care on a regular basis. We must also remember that the needs of our skin change: During the day, it needs protection from the environmental effects, for example. At night, it is regenerating and therefore needs care that supports this process. Also, the skin's ability to regenerate wanes with age. So it especially then needs care and nutrients. Moreover, the
Image
skin is always thankful for that extra portion of care, like treating yourself to a mask.
Face care routine
Cleansing - Women who wear make-up should carry out a routine of cleansing, toning and moisturing each evening, as well as washing the face in the morning. Cleansing will remove old make-up and the grime and grease that have been accumulated during the day. Remove mascara with a cotton bud dipped in eye-dipped in eye-cleansing lotion. To make the job easier keep your hair off your face. Remove the eyeshadow by gently wiping it off with a pad of clean cotton wool moistened with eye-cleansing lotion. Pour a little face cleansing cream into the palm of one hand and dab it generously over the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks---using two fingers of the other hand. Massage the cream into the skin, starting under the throat, using a gentle upward motion. Continue massaging the cream up to the forehead, using the fingertips. Gently massage the cream from the eyes to the nose. Massage cream back over the chin, which is particularly prone to blackheads. Use the index finger. Remove the cream from the face with tissue pads in each hand. Start under the chin and work over the cheeks and on to the forehead
Toning - Toners remove all traces of dirt, make-up or cleanser that remain after cleansing. Immediately after cleansing apply toner to the forehead and cheeks on a pad of corron wool. Apply the toner to the crevices around the nose. Apply the toner to the crevices around the chin.
Moisturing - Without moisture, the skin will not remain smooth and supple. The face is exposed to the drying effect of the weather, so moisturisers -- which form a film over the skin -- contain and augment the natural moisture. Using the tips ofthe fingers, dot moisturising cream lightly all over the face. Press the fingers of both hands into the centre of the forehead and work the cream slowly outwards. Pat the cream gentlyaround the eyes. Work the cream around the jawline, chin and mouth with the middle fingers of both hands. Massage the cream over the throat with alternating hands, using upward strokes from collar-bone to chin
Morning facial care
In the morning you should clean your face with luke-warm water and a creamy cleanser or purifying gel wash. Avoid bar soap because this strips the natural moisturizing factors from the skin, leaving it feeling very tight and dry. Do not rub the skin dry. Instead, blot it gently with a towel. Your morning facial care can be done in the shower or at the sink. Next, you should tone the skin on the face. Toning the skin helps remove any residual cleanser or make-up that may have been left behind. A toner also helps restore the natural pH level of the skin, leaves your skin clean, clear and ready to be hydrated. Next, apply a moisturizer. This should be specialized to your skin type. A moisturizer leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother. It also helps smooth away fine lines and dryness. A sunscreen can be applied on top of the moisturizer. Next, apply your make-up (if you choose to wear make-up). Your foundation should match your skin tone. Never use a darker foundation than your skin tone; it should look natural.
Evening facial care
The evening starts like the morning. First, you should clean your face with luke-warm water and a creamy cleanser or purifying gel wash. These skin cleansers will remove your make-up at the same time you wash your face. A toner should then be applied. Any trace of make-up remaining will be removed (the easiest way of applying a toner is to put it on a cotton pad). Now, while your face is still wet, you should exfoliate. Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells, which cause the face to look dull. The build up of dead cells can also contribute to blockage of the pores causing acne. Also this build up of dead cells will not let the products you are using penetrate the skin and work to their full capacity. Exfoliating will brighten the skin and give it a more healthy glow. Massage gently and rinse well. This can be done every night or 1-2 times a week all depending on the type of exfoliant. Finally, apply a moisturizer to your face, which is specified for your skin type. A firming eye cream should also be used around the eye area.
Facial care tips
Never go to bed with your make-up on. Make-up that is left on overnight clogs the pores and prevents the skin cells from shedding, which may cause blemishes and/or blackheads. The skin needs to breathe over night. Waterproof make-up is most easily removed with a gel cleanser. The most important thing that you can do for your facial skin is to avoid sunlight or use liberal amounts of sunscreen. Sunlight causes the skin to age and causes skin cancer which is the most common malignancy in humans. The most common location for these tumors is the face. If you do not believe that the sun ages your skin, then look at the skin under your upper arm and compare it to the skin on your face and the back of the hands. Alpha hydroxy acid applied daily will help prevent acne out breaks if you have acne prone skin. If you have acne and the above measures do not help, see your dermatologist. There are many prescription treatments for acne.
| How is diabetes diagnosed? | for everyone |
How is diabetes diagnosed?
The fasting blood glucose (sugar) test is the preferred way to diagnose diabetes. It is easy to perform and convenient. After the person has fasted overnight (at least 8 hours), a single sample of blood is drawn and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
This can also be done accurately in a doctor's office using a glucose meter.
* Normal fasting plasma glucose levels are less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
* Fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 126 mg/dl on two or more tests on different days indicate diabetes.
* A random blood glucose test can also be used to diagnose diabetes. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
When fasting blood glucose stays above 100mg/dl, but in the range of 100-126mg/dl, this is known as impaired fasting glucose (IFG). While patients with IFG do not have the diagnosis of diabetes, this condition carries with it its own risks and concerns, and is addressed elsewhere.
The oral glucose tolerance test
Though not routinely used anymore, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a gold standard for making the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It is still commonly used for diagnosing gestational diabetes and in conditions of pre-diabetes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. With an oral glucose tolerance test, the person fasts overnight (at least eight but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). There are several methods employed by obstetricians to do this test, but the one described here is standard. Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken at specific intervals to measure the blood glucose.
For the test to give reliable results:
# the person must be in good health (not have any other illnesses, not even a cold).
# the person should be normally active (not lying down, for example, as an inpatient in a hospital), and
# the person should not be taking medicines that could affect the blood glucose.
# For three days before the test, the person should have eaten a diet high in carbohydrates (200-300 grams per day).
# The morning of the test, the person should not smoke or drink coffee.
The classic oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels five times over a period of three hours. Some physicians simply get a baseline blood sample followed by a sample two hours after drinking the glucose solution. In a person without diabetes, the glucose levels rise and then fall quickly. In someone with diabetes, glucose levels rise higher than normal and fail to come back down as fast.
People with glucose levels between normal and diabetic have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). People with impaired glucose tolerance do not have diabetes, but are at high risk for progressing to diabetes. Each year, 1%-5% of people whose test results show impaired glucose tolerance actually eventually develop diabetes. Weight loss and exercise may help people with impaired glucose tolerance return their glucose levels to normal. In addition, some physicians advocate the use of medications, such as metformin (Glucophage), to help prevent/delay the onset of overt diabetes.
Recent studies have shown that impaired glucose tolerance itself may be a risk factor for the development of heart disease. In the medical community, most physicians are now understanding that impaired glucose tolerance is nor simply a precursor of diabetes, but is its own clinical disease entity that requires treatment and monitoring.
Evaluating the results of the oral glucose tolerance test
* Normal response: A person is said to have a normal response when the 2-hour glucose level is less than 140 mg/dl, and all values between 0 and 2 hours are less than 200 mg/dl.
* Impaired glucose tolerance: A person is said to have impaired glucose tolerance when the fasting plasma glucose is less than 126 mg/dl and the 2-hour glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl.
* Diabetes: A person has diabetes when two diagnostic tests done on different days show that the blood glucose level is high.
* Gestational diabetes: A woman has gestational diabetes when she has any two of the following: a 100g OGTT, a fasting plasma glucose of more than 95 mg/dl, a 1-hour glucose level of more than 180 mg/dl, a 2-hour glucose level of more than 155 mg/dl, or a 3-hour glucose level of more than 140 mg/dl.
The fasting blood glucose (sugar) test is the preferred way to diagnose diabetes. It is easy to perform and convenient. After the person has fasted overnight (at least 8 hours), a single sample of blood is drawn and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
This can also be done accurately in a doctor's office using a glucose meter.
* Normal fasting plasma glucose levels are less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
* Fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 126 mg/dl on two or more tests on different days indicate diabetes.
* A random blood glucose test can also be used to diagnose diabetes. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes.
When fasting blood glucose stays above 100mg/dl, but in the range of 100-126mg/dl, this is known as impaired fasting glucose (IFG). While patients with IFG do not have the diagnosis of diabetes, this condition carries with it its own risks and concerns, and is addressed elsewhere.
The oral glucose tolerance test
Though not routinely used anymore, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a gold standard for making the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It is still commonly used for diagnosing gestational diabetes and in conditions of pre-diabetes, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. With an oral glucose tolerance test, the person fasts overnight (at least eight but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). There are several methods employed by obstetricians to do this test, but the one described here is standard. Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken at specific intervals to measure the blood glucose.
For the test to give reliable results:
# the person must be in good health (not have any other illnesses, not even a cold).
# the person should be normally active (not lying down, for example, as an inpatient in a hospital), and
# the person should not be taking medicines that could affect the blood glucose.
# For three days before the test, the person should have eaten a diet high in carbohydrates (200-300 grams per day).
# The morning of the test, the person should not smoke or drink coffee.
The classic oral glucose tolerance test measures blood glucose levels five times over a period of three hours. Some physicians simply get a baseline blood sample followed by a sample two hours after drinking the glucose solution. In a person without diabetes, the glucose levels rise and then fall quickly. In someone with diabetes, glucose levels rise higher than normal and fail to come back down as fast.
People with glucose levels between normal and diabetic have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). People with impaired glucose tolerance do not have diabetes, but are at high risk for progressing to diabetes. Each year, 1%-5% of people whose test results show impaired glucose tolerance actually eventually develop diabetes. Weight loss and exercise may help people with impaired glucose tolerance return their glucose levels to normal. In addition, some physicians advocate the use of medications, such as metformin (Glucophage), to help prevent/delay the onset of overt diabetes.
Recent studies have shown that impaired glucose tolerance itself may be a risk factor for the development of heart disease. In the medical community, most physicians are now understanding that impaired glucose tolerance is nor simply a precursor of diabetes, but is its own clinical disease entity that requires treatment and monitoring.
Evaluating the results of the oral glucose tolerance test
* Normal response: A person is said to have a normal response when the 2-hour glucose level is less than 140 mg/dl, and all values between 0 and 2 hours are less than 200 mg/dl.
* Impaired glucose tolerance: A person is said to have impaired glucose tolerance when the fasting plasma glucose is less than 126 mg/dl and the 2-hour glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl.
* Diabetes: A person has diabetes when two diagnostic tests done on different days show that the blood glucose level is high.
* Gestational diabetes: A woman has gestational diabetes when she has any two of the following: a 100g OGTT, a fasting plasma glucose of more than 95 mg/dl, a 1-hour glucose level of more than 180 mg/dl, a 2-hour glucose level of more than 155 mg/dl, or a 3-hour glucose level of more than 140 mg/dl.
| How to Call Internationally For Free Using Internet | for everyone |
How to Call Internationally For Free Using InternetInternational free calls has been an interesting subject, many blogs and websites have been trying to cover by suggesting stupid softwares, tips and ways. Spend hundreds of hours searching internet and you will find some crappy softwres which will enable you to call free anywhere in the world for few minutes. That's it. End of story. While we have another way of doing it in a proper and authentic way which is always successful. You can literally call anywhere free of charge. Atleast you won't get charged for call. However you need an internet connection at both sides. Let's say at one side there is a PC and at the other side there is mobile and you want to get connected and want to make call. Modern technologies have replaced the word 'call' with the 'voice chat' using 'VOIP'.
Consider you are in United states and your friend is in Canada, United Kingdom or Dubai or vice versa. You both should have mobile phone with internet access or one should have a PC with internet access and the other should have mobile with internet access. Mobile internet connection comes even in $3 per month in some countries. That's what you need.
You can use Skype, gTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, ICQ etc.at your PC and your friend who has mobile with internet access can use Digsby, Nimbuzz or Fring and there are other many such free services he can use and get connected with his/her buddies at messengers. Now you can send a voice chat from PC to friend who is using Nimbuzz or Fring and he can get connected with you.
I mean you are calling your friend, but when there is internet between it, its VOIP and its really very very cheap than the standard call. You can even use mobile to mobile chats using these platforms and still you are at internet and using VOIP via these networks but calling your friend.
Use internet which is not costly at mobiles to call (Voice Chat) your friends and family and do not make calls locally and internationally from phones.
Consider you are in United states and your friend is in Canada, United Kingdom or Dubai or vice versa. You both should have mobile phone with internet access or one should have a PC with internet access and the other should have mobile with internet access. Mobile internet connection comes even in $3 per month in some countries. That's what you need.
You can use Skype, gTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo, ICQ etc.at your PC and your friend who has mobile with internet access can use Digsby, Nimbuzz or Fring and there are other many such free services he can use and get connected with his/her buddies at messengers. Now you can send a voice chat from PC to friend who is using Nimbuzz or Fring and he can get connected with you.
I mean you are calling your friend, but when there is internet between it, its VOIP and its really very very cheap than the standard call. You can even use mobile to mobile chats using these platforms and still you are at internet and using VOIP via these networks but calling your friend.
Use internet which is not costly at mobiles to call (Voice Chat) your friends and family and do not make calls locally and internationally from phones.
| Free International Calls – PC to Mobile – Mobile to PC | for everyone |
Use Fring For Free International Calls – PC to Mobile – Mobile to PC
Download Fring for mobile and get connected with your friends and family. Why call locally or internationally when mobile to mobile, mobile to PC or PC to mobile Voice chats / calls are available using Fring? All you need is internet access at mobile also. Now a days when internet packages are so much cheap for mobiles, you can stay connected 24/7 and make free calls anywhere. In come countries internet connection for mobile is $3 per month cheap. If a friend is calling you from mobile using Fring and you are using gtalk or skype at PC and vice versa, then you both will not get charged a penny except what you pay for your regular internet connection monthly.
Fring makes your mobile the ultimate social device. Fring is a mobile internet community and communication service that allows friends to connect, share experiences and enhance their online communities together. Using your handset's internet connection, you can interact with friends on all your favorite social networks including Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM. You can listen to music with your Last.fm friends, check out what each other are up to on Facebook, receive alerts of new Google Mail and more...
Fring puts all your online friends into one, dynamic fringFriends buddy list, which is always connected so you can enjoy free calls and instant messaging with all your online friends, see their real-time status, and even find each other’s actual location.
Fring combines your multiple IM contacts into one dynamic profile, which shows each friend’s current availability at a quick glance and enables interaction, all directly from this combined mobile profile.
As well as it's social appeal, fring also lets you make local and international calls to landline and regular cellular numbers using your SkypeOut/SkypeIn account or almost any internet voice service (SIP) such as a1 overIP, PlusNet, Eutelia, Net2Phone and others; even from non-SIP enabled handsets.
What's more, fring does all the work for you, automatically logging you into your favorite WiFi hotspots so you save time and hassle without having to configure your WiFi access points each time.
Fring features
* Take all IM buddies mobile and view them from one, integrated contact list
* free calls
* live chat instead of SMS
* call landlines and regular cellular contacts
* enjoy mobile internet
* send & receive files
* choose incoming call and message tones
* auto-roam in and out of WiFi hotspots
Download Fring for mobile and get connected with your friends and family. Why call locally or internationally when mobile to mobile, mobile to PC or PC to mobile Voice chats / calls are available using Fring? All you need is internet access at mobile also. Now a days when internet packages are so much cheap for mobiles, you can stay connected 24/7 and make free calls anywhere. In come countries internet connection for mobile is $3 per month cheap. If a friend is calling you from mobile using Fring and you are using gtalk or skype at PC and vice versa, then you both will not get charged a penny except what you pay for your regular internet connection monthly.
Fring makes your mobile the ultimate social device. Fring is a mobile internet community and communication service that allows friends to connect, share experiences and enhance their online communities together. Using your handset's internet connection, you can interact with friends on all your favorite social networks including Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo! and AIM. You can listen to music with your Last.fm friends, check out what each other are up to on Facebook, receive alerts of new Google Mail and more...
Fring puts all your online friends into one, dynamic fringFriends buddy list, which is always connected so you can enjoy free calls and instant messaging with all your online friends, see their real-time status, and even find each other’s actual location.
Fring combines your multiple IM contacts into one dynamic profile, which shows each friend’s current availability at a quick glance and enables interaction, all directly from this combined mobile profile.
As well as it's social appeal, fring also lets you make local and international calls to landline and regular cellular numbers using your SkypeOut/SkypeIn account or almost any internet voice service (SIP) such as a1 overIP, PlusNet, Eutelia, Net2Phone and others; even from non-SIP enabled handsets.
What's more, fring does all the work for you, automatically logging you into your favorite WiFi hotspots so you save time and hassle without having to configure your WiFi access points each time.
Fring features
* Take all IM buddies mobile and view them from one, integrated contact list
* free calls
* live chat instead of SMS
* call landlines and regular cellular contacts
* enjoy mobile internet
* send & receive files
* choose incoming call and message tones
* auto-roam in and out of WiFi hotspots
| HIJAB v/s WITHOUT HIJAB- | for everyone |
| WIFE FROM HELL......(HUMOR) | for everyone |
A police officer pulls over a speeding car . The officer says,
'I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.'
The driver says, 'Gee, officer, I had it on cruise control at 60; perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating. '
Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: 'Now don't be silly, dear -- you know that this car doesn't have cruise control.'
As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, ' Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once!!?'
The wife smiles demurely and says, 'Well dear you should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did or your speed would have been even higher.'
As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, 'Woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?'
The officer frowns and says, 'And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.'
The driver says, 'Yeah, well, you see, officer, I had it on, but I took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.'
The wife says, 'Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving.'
And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks, 'WHY DON'T YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??'
The officer looks over at the woman and asks, 'Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma’am?'
( I love this part )
'Only when he's been drinking.
'I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.'
The driver says, 'Gee, officer, I had it on cruise control at 60; perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating. '
Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: 'Now don't be silly, dear -- you know that this car doesn't have cruise control.'
As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, ' Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once!!?'
The wife smiles demurely and says, 'Well dear you should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did or your speed would have been even higher.'
As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, 'Woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?'
The officer frowns and says, 'And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.'
The driver says, 'Yeah, well, you see, officer, I had it on, but I took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.'
The wife says, 'Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving.'
And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks, 'WHY DON'T YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??'
The officer looks over at the woman and asks, 'Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma’am?'
( I love this part )
'Only when he's been drinking.
| Iranian Child - Remembrance of Fatima Al-Zahara [as] [ENG SUB] | for everyone |
| SUPPLICATION | for everyone |
Supplication
Hadith: Narration
"And Know, that certainly the hearts of the Obedient and Sincere ones will
be attracted to you like birds are attracted to their nests"
Imam Al-Askari (as) to his son Imam Al-Mahdi (atfs)
Dua: Supplication
My God, offenses have clothed me in the garment of my lowliness; separation from Thee has wrapped me in the clothing of my misery! My dreadful crimes have deadened my heart, so bring it to life by repentance from Thee! O my hope and my aim! O my wish and my want! By Thy might, I find no one but Thee to forgive my sins and I see none but Thee to mend my brokenness! I have subjected myself to Thee in repeated turning; I have humbled myself to Thee in abasement. If Thou castest me out from Thy door, in whom shall I take shelter? If Thou repellest me from Thy side, in whom shall I seek refuge? O my grief at my ignominy and disgrace! O my sorrow at my evil works and what I have committed!
I ask Thee, O Forgiver of great sins, O Mender of broken bones, to overlook my ruinous misdeeds and cover my disgraceful secret thoughts! At the witnessing place of the Resurrection, empty me not of the coolness of Thy pardon and forgiveness, and strip me not of Thy beautiful forbearance and covering!
My God, let the cloud of Thy mercy cast its shadow upon my sins and send the billow of Thy clemency flowing over my faults! My God, if remorse for sins is repentance, I - by Thy might - am one of the remorseful! If praying forgiveness for offenses is alleviation, I am one of those who pray forgiveness! To Thee I return that Thou may be well pleased!
My God, through Thy power over me, turn toward me, through Thy clemency toward me, pardon me, and through Thy knowledge of me, be gentle toward me! My God, Thou art He who hast opened a door to Thy pardon and named it 'repentance', for Thou said, Repent to God with unswerving repentance. What is the excuse of him who remains heedless of entering the door after its opening?
My God, though the sins of Thy servant are ugly, Thy pardon is beautiful. My God, I am not the first to have disobeyed Thee, and Thou turned toward him, or to have sought to attain Thy favour, and Thou wert munificent toward him. O Responder to the distressed! O Remover of injury! O Great in goodness! O Knower of everything secret! O Beautiful through covering over! I seek Thy munificence and Thy generosity to intercede with Thee, I seek Thy side and Thy showing mercy to mediate with Thee, so grant my supplication, disappoint not my hope in Thee, accept my repentance, and hide my offense, through Thy kindness and mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful!
| JOB INTERVIEW... | for you |
Be Prepared For The Job Interview
Guidelines To Follow For A Successful Interview
Being prepared for the job interview will show prospective employers you ARE the right choice. Dress for success, and have the right attitude to ace that interview.
Your hard work has paid off - you have an interview for that job you are just dying to work at. Don't blow your chances at this opportunity. Be prepared to answer your career questions and demonstrate the right attitude for this job.
Dress Appropriately
So often this simple advice is overlooked. You must find a balance between dressing for the job and dressing for the interview. Simple enough if you are going for a traditional "office job", but what if you are going for a construction job? Remember - still show the interviewer you know what is required: wear your safety boots, clean and neat jeans or work pants, and an appropriate work shirt.
And yes, for that office job, it is suggested you wear what you'd wear to work. Programmers can usually still wear clean and neat jeans, but it does depend on the company. Generally speaking, it is still best to dress for success - that is, a suit or jacket and appropriate bottoms.
Careful on the jewellery - not too outlandish - just keep it simple. But if you're going for a creative position, be creative! (just don't overdo it). Get the idea? Dress for the job, but keep it somewhat formal. The idea here is to dress for success!
Be Prepared For The Interview
Bring copies of your resume and cover letter to hand out to the interviewers. Not everyone may have a copy handy. Don't forget your handy Business Cards - they will help the interviewers to remember you, especially in a favourable light.
Create and use a summary skill sheet - this is for your own use only! You can use it as sort of a cue card or "study sheet" - to remind yourself of important points you want to include in the interview. This sheet will also help you answer those tough interview questions about yourself. Read my course Job Searches to determine the best way to create this important document.
Of course, you have researched the company, haven't you? Understand the company's mission statement, or basic workings of the company.
Put Yourself In An Appropriate Mind Set
This means: relax but be confident! Use calming techniques such as deep breathes and visualization before the interview to keep your mind and body in tune. Be confident you will get the job! Put a smile on your face and in your voice: show them you are an upbeat person and the right candidate for this job! Your attitude will go a long way in getting you the job. Who would you rather work with - someone who has all the qualifications but is miserable to work with, or someone who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done - with a smile?
Remember - you DID get the interview - so you DO have the right qualifications!
Author: Paym Bergson
Guidelines To Follow For A Successful Interview
Being prepared for the job interview will show prospective employers you ARE the right choice. Dress for success, and have the right attitude to ace that interview.
Your hard work has paid off - you have an interview for that job you are just dying to work at. Don't blow your chances at this opportunity. Be prepared to answer your career questions and demonstrate the right attitude for this job.
Dress Appropriately
So often this simple advice is overlooked. You must find a balance between dressing for the job and dressing for the interview. Simple enough if you are going for a traditional "office job", but what if you are going for a construction job? Remember - still show the interviewer you know what is required: wear your safety boots, clean and neat jeans or work pants, and an appropriate work shirt.
And yes, for that office job, it is suggested you wear what you'd wear to work. Programmers can usually still wear clean and neat jeans, but it does depend on the company. Generally speaking, it is still best to dress for success - that is, a suit or jacket and appropriate bottoms.
Careful on the jewellery - not too outlandish - just keep it simple. But if you're going for a creative position, be creative! (just don't overdo it). Get the idea? Dress for the job, but keep it somewhat formal. The idea here is to dress for success!
Be Prepared For The Interview
Bring copies of your resume and cover letter to hand out to the interviewers. Not everyone may have a copy handy. Don't forget your handy Business Cards - they will help the interviewers to remember you, especially in a favourable light.
Create and use a summary skill sheet - this is for your own use only! You can use it as sort of a cue card or "study sheet" - to remind yourself of important points you want to include in the interview. This sheet will also help you answer those tough interview questions about yourself. Read my course Job Searches to determine the best way to create this important document.
Of course, you have researched the company, haven't you? Understand the company's mission statement, or basic workings of the company.
Put Yourself In An Appropriate Mind Set
This means: relax but be confident! Use calming techniques such as deep breathes and visualization before the interview to keep your mind and body in tune. Be confident you will get the job! Put a smile on your face and in your voice: show them you are an upbeat person and the right candidate for this job! Your attitude will go a long way in getting you the job. Who would you rather work with - someone who has all the qualifications but is miserable to work with, or someone who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done - with a smile?
Remember - you DID get the interview - so you DO have the right qualifications!
Author: Paym Bergson
| ISLAMIC INFORMATION CENTER | for everyone |
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Follow us on Twitter
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Check out our Wiki| IMAM AL HADI (A.S.) - BRIEF | for you |
IMAM AL-HADI (A.S.)
IN PRAISE OF ISLAMIC SCHOLARS
There was a great Shia’h Scholar in the days of our 10th Imam (as). Once a Nasibi (a person who curses the Ahlul-Bayt) had a debate with this scholar and the scholar defeated him through Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions.
One day this scholar came into a gathering, which consisted mostly of Alavids and people of Banu Hashim; and Imam al-Hadi (as) was also present. In the centre of that gathering, Imam (as) was seated and there was a huge pillow placed at that spot. As soon as the Imam (as) saw this scholar, he (as) rose from his place and asked the scholar to come forward until the Imam (as) made him sit next to him and offered him the pillow to relax.
One old man from Banu Hashim did not like this, so he complained saying,
| IMAM ALI AL-HADI (A.S.) - A TRIBUTE | for everyone |
Imam Ali Al-Hadi (AS) Biography
Imam (A) was only 8 years old when his father died. Thus, like his father, he also took over the responsibility of Imamat at a very young age.
The Abbaside Caliph Ma'mun Rashid was succeeded by Mu'tasim, who ruled for 8 years. He was in turn followed by Wathiq Billah. During the 5 years of the reign of Wathiq, Imam (A) and the Shia were allowed to live peacefully. After Wathiq, his brother Mutawakkil came to power.
Mutawakkil was notorious for his free living, immodesty and intoxication. He was the first Abbaside Caliph to hold and participate openly in parties where music, drinking, vain talk and all kinds of evil were practised.
For the first 4 years of his rule, Mutawakkil was occupied in state matters, so he did not trouble Imam (A). After he was free from his affairs, he turned his attention to the activities of Imam (A).
At the time, Imam (A) was preaching to the people in Madina, guiding them to the right path and increasing their faith in Islam. The recognition of his great knowledge and attributes grew day by day. When Mutawakkil heard about his reputation and popularity, he was overcome by jealousy and felt that his own power was threatened.
Mutawakkil disguised his hatred for Imam (A) and wrote to him, respectfully inviting him to come to Samarra to meet him. He claimed that he believed in the position of Imam (A) and wanted to settle matters peacefully.
Although Imam (A) was well aware of Mutawakkil's evil intentions, he knew that the consequences of refusing would be sure death. He therefore reluctantly decided to leave Madina, the beloved city of the Holy Prophet (S).
When he arrived in Samarra, Mutawakkil totally ignored him and ordered that he should be put up in an inn provided by the state for beggars and homeless people.
Mutawakkil now showed his true colours by imprisoning Imam (A) under the custody of a cruel hearted man by the name of Zarraqui. This man, however, soon changed his feelings on witnessing the manners and behaviour of Imam (A). Thereafter, Mutawakkil transferred him to the prison of another cruel man called Sayeed. Here Imam (A) remained until Fateh bin Khaqan became the prime minister of Mutawakkil. Fateh was a Shia and could not bear to see the miserable condition of Imam (A), so he used his influence to secure his release. However, Mutawakkil kept a close watch on the activities of Imam (A), trying to prove that he was acting against the government so as to have an excuse to kill him.
Although Mutawakkil was his most deadly enemy, Imam (A) did not return this enmity. Once Mutawakkil happened to suffer from a serious sickness and his own doctors declared him incurable. Mutawakkil's mother approached Imam (A) for help, and he prescribed an ointment that resulted in a spontaneous cure.
Mutawakkil made it his duty to hunt out and kill all the descendants of Abu Talib and made life so terrifying for them that they were scattered far and wide. He did not content himself with this, but also showed his disrespect for the dead by demolishing the grave of Imam Husain (A).
He prohibited anyone from going to Ziyarat to Karbala. If anyone tried, they were put into underground prisons, never to be seen again.
Mutawakkil was finally killed by his own son Muntansir, who succeeded him. He was followed by Mustain Billah and Mu'taz Billah. It was the accursed Mu'taz who decided to kill Imam (A) because he could not bear to see the devotion of the people to him. A messenger of Mu'taz came to Imam (A) and managed to poison him. Imam (A) died within a few hours. The funeral prayers were conducted by his son, Imam Hasan al-Askari (A), and he was buried in Samarra. He was only 42 years at the time.
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| BELIEVER | for everyone |
| WHO IS SHIA | for everyone |
| LETTER OF EDITOR OF TIMES | for everyone |
BRAVO! Prakash Bajaj ......TIMES OF INDIA...
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| A Call for Humanitarian Help | for everyone |
To:
abbasalamdar@yahoo.com
|
I.M.A.M. | Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya | 13357 Michigan Ave | Dearborn | MI | 48126
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posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 05:21
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