Sunday, September 27, 2009

Huran Yahya - Heal Yourself Through Forgiveness

Harun Yahya is the author, who writes under the pen name Harun Yahya, was born in Ankara in 1956. He studied arts at Istanbul's Mimar Sinan University and philosophy at Istanbul University. Since the 1980s, the author has published many books on political, faith-related and scientific issues. Harun Yahya is well known as an author who has written very important works disclosing the imposture of evolutionists, the invalidity of their claims and the dark liaisons between Darwinism and bloody ideologies. Some of the books of the author have been translated into English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Albanian, Arabic, Polish, Russian, Bosnian, Indonesian, Turkish, Tatar, Urdu and Malay and published in the countries concerned. Harun Yahya's books appeal to all people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, regardless of their age, race and nationality, as they center around one goal: to open the readers' mind by presenting the sign's of God's eternal existence to them.


This is his website for those intrested to read more of his articles (highly recommend you to do so, some pretty wicked stuff are on there) Here is a lovely article written by him, revolving the incredibly rare act in our current day and age of total forgiveness.

One of the moral traits recommended in the Qur'an is forgiveness:

Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (7: 199)

In another verse Allah commands: "… They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (24:22)

Those who do not abide by the moral values of the Qur'an find it very difficult to forgive others. Because, they are easily angered by any error committed. However, Allah has advised the faithful that forgiveness is more proper:

The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah… (42:40)

…. But if you pardon and exonerate and forgive, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (64: 14)

It has also been revealed in the Qur'an that forgiveness is a superior moral trait:

"But if someone is steadfast and forgives, that is the most resolute course to follow." (42:43)

For that reason, believers are forgiving, compassionate and tolerant people who, as revealed in the Qur'an,

"control their rage and pardon other people." (3:134)

Believers' notion of forgiveness is very different to that of those who do not live by the morals of the Qur'an. Even though many people may say they have forgiven someone who has offended them, it nevertheless takes a long time to free themselves of the hatred and anger in their hearts. Their behaviour tends to betray that anger. On the other hand, the forgiveness of believers is sincere. Because believers know that human beings are tried in this world, and learn by their mistakes, they are tolerant and compassionate. Moreover, believers are also capable of forgiveness even when they are in the right, and the other in the wrong. When forgiving, they make no distinction between large errors and small ones. Someone may cause severe losses to them by mistake. However, believers know that everything takes place under the command of Allah, and according to a specific destiny, and therefore, they surrender themselves to these developments, never acquiescing to anger.


Established Through Research

According to recent research, American scientists established that those capable of forgiveness are healthier in both mind and body. Dr. Frederic Luskin, who holds a Ph.D. in Counselling and Health Psychology from Stanford University, and his team, studied 259 people living in the city of San Francisco. The scientists invited the subjects to attend six one-and-a-half-hour sessions, and aimed to instruct the subjects in forgiveness during their conversations.

The subjects of the experiments stated that they suffered less after forgiving people who had wronged them. The research showed that people who learned to forgive feel much better, not only emotionally but also physically. For example, it was established that after the experiment psychological and physical symptoms such as stress-related backache, insomnia and stomachaches were significantly reduced in these individuals.

In his book, Forgive for Good, Dr. Frederic Luskin describes forgiveness as a proven recipe for health and happiness. The book describes how forgiveness promotes such positive states of mind as hope, patience and self-confidence by reducing anger, suffering, depression and stress. According to Dr. Luskin, harboured anger causes observable physical effects in the individual. He goes on to say that:

The thing about long-term or unresolved anger is we've seen it resets the internal thermostat. When you get used to a low level of anger all the time, you don't recognize what's normal. It creates a kind of adrenaline rush that people get used to. It burns out the body and makes it difficult to think clearly-making the situation worse1.

In addition, Dr. Luskin says, when the body releases certain enzymes during anger and stress, cholesterol and blood pressure levels go up-not a good long-term disposition to maintain the body in2.


Emotional Balance

An article called "Forgiveness," published in the September-October 1996 edition of Healing Currents Magazine, stated that anger towards an individual or an event led to negative emotions in people, and harmed their emotional balance and even their physical health3. The article also states that people realise after a while that the anger is a nuisance to them, and wish to repair the damage to the relationship. So, they take steps to forgive. It is also stated that, despite all they endure, people do not want to waste the precious moments of their life in anger and anxiety, and prefer to forgive themselves and others4.

In another study involving 1,500 people depression, stress and mental illness were observed to be less frequent in religious people. Dr. Herbert Benson, who conducted the research, linked this to the way religions encourage "forgiveness", and went on to say:

There's a physiology of forgiveness… When you do not forgive, it will chew you up5.

According to an article titled, "Anger is Hostile To Your Heart," published in the Harvard Gazette, anger is extremely harmful to the heart. Ichiro Kawachi, an assistant professor of medicine, and his team scientifically demonstrated this with various tests and measurements. As a result of their research, they established that grumpy old men had three times the risk of heart disease than their more tempered peers. "The tripling of risk," Kawachi says, "involves high levels of anger, explosive anger that includes smashing things and wanting to hurt someone in a fight6."

Researchers believe that release of stress hormones, increased oxygen demand by the heart's muscle cells, and added stickiness of blood platelets, which leads to clots explain how anger increases the chance of a heart attack7. Furthermore, at times of anger, the pulse rises above its normal level, and leads to increased blood pressure in the arteries, and thus to a greater risk of heart attack.


Psychosomatic Disorders

According to researchers, anger and hostility can also trigger the production of proteins linked to inflammation in the blood. The journal Psychosomatic Medicine suggested that the emotion triggers the production of inflammatory proteins, which may in turn be causing the hardening of the arteries, causing heart disease and stroke8. According to Associate Professor Edward Suarez of the Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina, the protein interleukin 6 (or IL-6) is much higher in men who are angry and depressed. High blood levels of IL-6 lead to atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty deposits in the lining of the walls of arteries9. According to Suarez, as well as factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol, heart disease is also linked to psychological states such as depression, anger and hostility10.

Another article, titled "Anger Raises Risk of Heart Attack," published in The Times, stated that a short temper might be a short cut to a heart attack, and that young men who reacted to stress by becoming angry were three times more likely to develop premature heart disease, and were five times more likely to have an early heart attack11. Scientists at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, found that quick-tempered men are at risk of heart attack even if there is no family history of heart disease12.

All the available research shows that anger is a state of mind that seriously damages human health. Forgiveness, on the other hand, even if it comes hard to people, is pleasing, an aspect of superior morals, that eliminates all the harmful effects of anger, and helps the individual to enjoy a healthy life, both psychologically and physically. Forgiveness, of course, is one of a form of behaviour by which a person can stay healthy, and a positive virtue everyone should live by. However, the true aim of forgiveness-as in all else-must be to please Allah. The fact that the features of this sort of morality, and that the benefits of which have been scientifically identified, have been revealed in many verses of the Qur'an, is just one of the many sources of wisdom it contains.


--------------------------------------------------


1- Jennifer Desai, "Stanford Forgiveness Project's Dr. Frederic Luskin studies why learning to forgive might be good for the body as well as the soul," Almanac, 9 June 1999, www.almanacnews.com/morgue/1999/1999_06_09.forgive.html.

2- Ibid.

3- Frederic Luskin, Ph.D., "Forgiveness," Healing Currents Magazine, September-October 1996, www.stanford.edu/~alexsox/4_steps_to_forgiveness.htm.

4- Ibid.

5- Claudia Kalb, "Faith & Healing," Newsweek, 10 November 2003, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3339654/site/newsweek.

6- William J. Cromie, "Anger is Hostile to Your Heart," Harvard Gazette, www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1996/11.07/AngerisHostileT.html.

7- Ibid.

8- Peter Lavelle, "Anger trigger to heart disease found?," ABC Science Online, 5 August 2003, www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s915243.htm.

9- Ibid.

10- Ibid.

11- Mark Henderson, "Anger Raises Risk of Heart Attack," The Times, London, 24 April 2002, www.rense.com/general24/anger.htm.

12- Ibid.

Source

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Suhaib Webb - The Fear of Allah

In this lecture, brother Suhaib speaks about how one can fear Allah and revere Him. However, don't think that this is the same fear as the fear we feel of people here on Earth. When we fear someone, we tend to run AWAY from them. When we fear Allah Subhanho wa Taala, we run TOWARDS him. A number of stories are shared in the lecture, as well as examples that easily bring the idea forward.

I watched the lecture twice, that's how much I liked it hehe. Plus brother Suhaib's yo yo yo accent is awesome, and when he suddenly switches to Egyptian Arabic its even awesome-r haha. Enjoy!

Suhaib Webb - The Fear of Allah

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Suhaib Webb - Revenge of the Fallen


Ustadh Suhaib Webb was born in 1972 and raised in the State of Oklahoma, USA. During his teens he became a Hip Hop DJ and made many records with different artists and bands. Suhaib Webb converted to Islam at the age of 20. He completed his degree in Elementary Education and served as Imam for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City. He moved to the Bay Area and is currently in his second year of studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. While in the States Ustadh Suhaib works with MAS at many local and national levels.

I very recently came across this brother (3 days ago) and I loved all his lectures and speeches so far. He has a very (yo yo yo) attitude when it comes to talking which is so weird to hear when one discusses islamic matters haha. I guess I've been brought up with the notion that all scholars and sheikhs are these rigid boring people that speak in ye olden language.

Here is an amazing lecture revolving sins and the reality of humans being far from perfect.

His Egyptian accent is wicked haha

Suhaib Webb - Revenge of the Fallen

Where have I been?

This is gonna be an (about me) update. First I want to apologize for not having been taking care of this place like I said I would, but I really got caught up with Ramadan and my studies. My days were composed of:

-Waking for su7oor, reading Quran, praying, reading a little more Quran and maybe some Duaas, sleep

-Wake up, get dressed up, off to uni

-Go immediatly to friend's place for if6ar

-Come home usually about 8 pm, pray Taraweeh

-A bit of studies or surfing on the web and sleep

In the beginning I was able to manage my time well because I did not have a lot of assignments due at Uni, but then they started piling up one by one and ... AHH!

Oh well that part is over with, and Ramadan is over as well =( May Allah accept all our fasting and worship throughout this whole month. The air does not feel the same at all with the Holy Month gone.

And Eid Mubarek! Eid here was on a Monday, but I decided to skip lectures and spend the day under the shade of a tree, eating yummy BBQ with fellow Muslims here hehe.

The most crazy Uni time of the year is creeping up. I have 4 weeks left until I have to

-Hand in Managment Report

-Hand in Design Report

-Finish Usability Project

-Prepare for a presentation

-Design a poster for engineering day

and throw a couple of assignments here and there. May Allah help me through this time. I do admit that I am kinda nervous, but I will do my best and whatever happens I will be satisfied with it. Hehe, inshaAllah Khair =).

THEN ITS BACK HOME! TO MY FAMILY =D

I will do my best to keep this place alive during the next month. Salam Alekoum!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Beauties of Islam - Relationship between human beings and Almighty Allah

Even though this series is mostly aimed at people who are new to Islam or are curious about it, I did find it very lovely to watch. I'll post the videos I epically liked. Here is the first one, where Sheikh Yusuf explains our relationship with Allah.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Bilal Assad - Those Who Desire Paradise

Another awesome lecture from this brother.

Those Who Desire Paradise.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Fasting From One's Desires - Bilal Asaad

Sorry for not updating this place .. my time has been squished my university/assignment/sickness. I'll post the usual Ramadan vids later, but here is an excellent lecture. We're in the last days of Ramadan, still a chance for one to make better their fasting



Wednesday, September 9, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 18 Observing Allah

Dr. Imad talks about the concept of observing Allah because He is always observing us.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 18

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 18

شاهد كيف يصبغون الكتاكيت (الصيصان) - مقطع مؤثر



Title of video --> Watch how they dye/color the chicks.

Warning: if you love animals, be prepared for some heart breaking scenes. I couldn't take watching the video, but just goes to show how heartless so many people are. Harming a helpless creature is FORBIDDEN in Islam. The Shaikh in the video is greatly condemning the act, expressing his disbelief at how the man is treating the chicks as though they are food, dropping into a bowl and mixing them all up.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 17 Entering and Exiting the home

Ustadh Jamaal shares with us the proper etiquette for entering and exiting the home.

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 17

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 17

Monday, September 7, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 16 He Frowned

Dr. Imad shares with us an important story from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 16

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 16

Sunday, September 6, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 15 Spending for Allah

This episode reminds us of the great reward of spending in Allah's way, the Almighty, as is mentioned in the parable from surat Baqarah.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 15

I felt so guilty at the end of the episode when we were told how Allah Subhanho Wa Taala told Prophet Moosa Peace Be Upon Him how special the Umma of Prophet Mohammed Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him. The guilt I felt is due to how far so many of us have strayed from the straight path of Islam. We take for granted what we are blessed with.

Readers, I have a major test tomorrow, please say a Dua for me to pass xD Here's the episode

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 15

Nouman Ali Khan - Obedience from Love of Allah

Br. Nouman Ali Khan discusses in this khutbah an indirect form of shirk. It is a form in which we follow and chase what is haraam. It is crucial that we obey what Allah ta'ala has said. Br. Nouman discusses the fate of those who obey their culture, tradition and relatives rather than Allah's commands. At the end of the day, knowledge doesn't keep us away from haraam. It is the sincere dedication to obey Allah ta'ala that will ultimately help us.
Sound quality is kinda bad, but quite a thought provoking lecture/khutbah in our present day and age.

Nouman Ali Khan - Obedience from Love of Allah

Saturday, September 5, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 14 Al Ghafoor

Beautiful Episode =)

Muslema Purmul shares with us the meaning of yet another beautiful characteristic of Allah, Al Ghafoor.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 14

I still didn't have the chance to watch this episode (was studying for a test) but from what was said yesterday am guessing the flight of Prophet Moosa Peace Be Upon Him and the Children if Israel from Egypt and Pharaoh is told, in addition to one of Allah's miracles to Prophet Moosa: Splitting the sea.

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 14

Nouman Ali Khan - Who are the People of Taqwa?

This is defiantly one of my favorite lectures given by the brother. Click on the link to watch the video in HQ.

Nouman Ali Khan - Who are the People of Taqwa?

Friday, September 4, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 13 Hope

Some pretty bad technical errors occur in this episode starting somewhere at the 4th minute where the music becomes so loud you can't hear what is being said xD Still, some good points are covered.

Dr. Imad uses verses from the Quran to shed light on the importance of having hope in Allah.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 13

This episode was kinda scary for me to be honest. In it the plagues or curses Allah Subhanho wa Taala sent down on Egypt as warnings are spoken about. Even after all the doubtless signs from Allah, Pharoh still refused to grant Prophet Moses Peace Be Upon Him's request of letting him and the Children of Israel to leave Egypt.

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 13

Nouman Ali Khan - Our Legacy for the Next Generation: Doubt?

I guess I am considered to be in the middle when it comes to generations. What I mean is that I am not the next generation, as in I am not that young anymore, nor am I the current generation, as in I have not contributed as much to my society to be counted as one. Haha hope that made sense =P Nevertheless, this lecture by brother Nouman is a gem for all generations. It shows how far we have strayed from the path by arguing over petty thing, missing the big picture and hence warranting Allah's Subhanho Wa Taala's wrath on us. Disagreement is normal amongst human beings, after are all each is an individual on his own. What we need to learn to do is live with these disagreements in a light manner, not letting them take control over us. The art of talking when needed, and backing down when did so needs to be pounded into so many people's heads haha. Speaking your mind all the time being counted as a good trait is a misconception.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 12 The role of the Heart

Munir reminds us of what the true purpose of our heart is.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 12

Good episode as always. I am way too sleepy at the moment to even give an overivew of what is talked about, but seriously it is a good episode *sleepy thumbs up*

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 12

Nouman Ali Khan - The Quran: The Book of Timeless Guidance

This is not part of the after taraweeh series by brother Nouman (won't be posting anymore of them since I've posted all that is available), but still an amazing lecture. You can't help but look at the Quran in a different light after this lecture.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 11 Speech and Spirituality


MUST WATCH!!
Jamal reminds us of some of the Islamic etiquette of speaking with one another, and how these basic manners are a part of spirituality.

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 11

Another exciting episode xD Prophet Moosa Peace Be Upon Him and Pharoh's battle continues, this time infront of a huge crowd. Subhan Allah, Subhan Allah!

I love the effort Amr Khaled put into this episode, standing in the sun and running from place to place to bring us closer to the images and meanings. May Allah reward him for it all, Ameen.

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 11

Nouman Ali Khan - The Healthy Marriage

This is the 19th and the last video available from the wonderful series =(



Tuesday, September 1, 2009

In the Shade of Ramadan 2009 - Episode 10 Cover Me

Dr. Imad narrates the story of the reaction of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) to receiving the revelation. Dr. Imad draws important lessons from this great events that we can implement in our lives.


Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 10

I enjoyed this episode SO MUCH! In it we are taken through the debate Prophet Moosa and Pharoh had in a super exciting way xD

Amr Khalid: Quran Stories - Episode 10

Nouman Ali Khan - Wasting Time

This is the 18th lecture in the series.

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