7 Perfume families
The Comité Français du Parfum has classified the vast range of fragrance combinations into seven major families, each divided into subgroups. This classification applies to perfume products for women and men alike. In many cases, word order varies according to manufacturer, e.g. woody spicy or spicy woody, floral oriental or oriental floral.
The Citrus family (also called hesperide) comprises essential oils obtained from the zest of citrus fruits such as orange, bergamot: citrus, floral chypre citrus, spicy citrus, woody citrus, aromatic citrus.
The Floral family is predominantly composed of flower fragrances, e.g. rose, tuberose etc. soliflore (also called single-fragrance floral), lavender, floral bouquet, floral green, floral aldehydic, floral woody, floral fruity woody.
The Fougère (or fern) family, despite its name, does not reproduce the smell of ferns, but features blends of woody and lavender notes. Fougère, soft amber fougère, floral amber fougère, spicy fougère, aromatic fougère.
The Chypre family, named after the perfume Chypre created in 1917 by François Coty, is comprised of oak moss fragrances blended with floral or fruity notes. Chypre, floral chypre, floral aldehydic chypre, fruity chypre, green chypre, aromatic chypre, leather chypre.
The Woody family is more suited to men and contains sandalwood, cedar, patchouli and vetiver. Woody, woody citrus coniferous, woody aromatic, woody spicy, woody spicy leather, woody amber.
The Amber (or oriental) family is warm and powdery and often has vanilla accents. Floral woody amber, floral spicy amber, soft amber, citrus amber, floral semi-amber.
The Leather family is the most masculine and evokes the smells of tobacco, smoke and leather. Leather, floral leather, tobacco leather.
==============
Perfume making techniques and Raw materialsTo extract fragrances from flowers, plants or other natural material as efficiently as possible and to fulfil the exponentially increasing demands of the market, perfume makers, throughout history, have developed a variety of extraction and conservation techniques to obtain the purest and most highly concentrated forms of raw materials.
Advances made in modern chemistry allow natural smells to be reproduced in laboratories.
Perfume making techniques
The distillation
The distillation technique is based on the ability of steam to capture essential oils. This technique was first used in Antiquity but was perfected by the Arabic civilisation in the 8th century AD and is still used today in traditional perfume making.… read more : the distillation
The absorption
The absorption technique is based on the ability of animal fat to naturally absorb odours. Depending on how well the plant matter withstands heat, this process can be conducted at either hot or cold temperatures… read more : the absorption
Extraction using volatile solvents
Extraction using volatile solvents consists of dissolving the fragrance-bearing part of the plant in a solvent which is then evaporated. This technique was practised in the 18th century using ether… read more : extraction using volatile solvents
Other Perfume making techniques
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction consists of using a carbon dioxide by-product as a solvent. Since this solvent is much easier to eliminate production costs are lowered… read more : other Perfume making techniques
The raw materials
The raw materials of plant origin
The raw materials of plant origin used in the composition of perfumes come from all over the world and are selected for their quality and originality… read more : the raw materials of plant origin
The raw materials of animal origin
The raw materials of animal origin are considerably less well known than those of plant origin and are now almost systematically replaced by synthetic products so that no species are threatened. For ecological reasons Parfumerie Fragonard no longer uses any raw materials of animal origin… read more : the raw materials of animal origin
Synthetic raw materials
Synthetic raw materials form the basis of contemporary perfume making. Since the mid-19th century, modern chemistry has enabled the perfume industry to develop so as to fulfil the qualitative and quantitative expectations of the global market.… read more : synthetic raw materials
http://www.fragonard.com/?noredirect=1
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sanjay Gupta Is Anti-Antioxidants
Sanjay Gupta Is Anti-Antioxidants By Alan Graham
With Alfred Lehmberg
AlienView.net1-25-9
Before I share my small amount of empirical data regarding the use of antioxidants to protect your eyes -and everything else part & parcel to a healthful quality of life- let me address the likely appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta as our next Surgeon General and examine his seeming bias toward antioxidants, et al.
Frankly, Sanja hasn't met a Drug Company or a dangerous pharmaceutical he doesn't like. Consider, he has ties with most of the biggies in the Pharmaceutical industry. This is very amply illustrated by his endorsements of SSRI's for pregnant women & Vioxx for arthritis sufferers, just to name two suspiciously questionable moves.
Additionally, he has his insidious "Pharm-Speak" down solid. You know "... the benefits outweigh the risks..." rap. Uh huh... even if you do kill 58,000 people, or so, to relieve their joint pain!
This is without considering, of course, that there is a much better, completely safe, and inherently natural way to relieve joint pain... That's right! Visit alienview.net/ ALLT1.html#dogtest, Arthritis, Misery, and the Dog-Test, for an overview showing that Glucosamine & MSM really works for joint pain... and I have the dog to prove it!
Anyway, Dr. Gupta seizes virtually every opportunity he can to discourage people from taking supplemental antioxidants and other supplementation. To this end, he uses certified-as-bogus studies to "prove" that antioxidants only provide for the consumer's harm, and especially if you take large amounts in a broad spectrum.
An example of said bogus studies, and a favorite among many doctors, concerns where Cancer patients were given Vit.E & Beta Carotene and then subsequently reported that they'd gotten worse compared to the placebo group. The truth of the matter is that these studies incorporated false data coming from a sub-group of persons who had lung cancer... but did not quit smoking while on chemo. Outrageous!
...And just one freaking time, reader, I would like to see these negative Vit.E studies use something besides the grossly inferior (made from petroleum) kind of Vit. E (found in Centrum) with its 2 opposing molecules! This is the "dl" alpha tocopherol - where the "l" molecule, you'll observe, is not usable by human beings... but can still plug the Vitamin E "receptor site" so the usable "d" molecule cannot then be used!
See, if the "study" said they took 100iu of Vit.E, this equates to as little as only 25iu of E actually being enjoyed by the tissues!
It gets worse! The small percentage of the artificial, manmade "d" molecule used will only be "used" one time & then it is excreted like garbage. Conversely, the natural Vit.E, with its single "d" molecule made from soy beans, etc. will be recycled in the body several times!
Plainly, the preceding is a clear example of the kind of mendacious "dirty-tricks" shenanigans -defining the activities of unethical and immoral sociopaths- as clearlypracticed by these corporate psychos! It remains, mind, that even though this phony data has, subsequently, been abundantly clarified, MD's still use it to poo- poo the use of antioxidants, and ALL supplements for that matter, without regard to the efficacy of these supplements when used in a conscientiously applied program of general nutrition. The reader must agree how wrong this is.
Yeah, I know doctors will counter with the "logical" gloss that if the petrol "d" chemical formula is the same as the Natural "d" formula, then they are the same "on paper" & will react exactly the same way in your body.
OK, tell that to Mother Nature... AND the Canadian Government research proving the unmistakable difference between the two!
Their study shows that the biopsied tissue in the brain confirms the efficacy of the natural version. Of course, on reflection, it could be that Canada grows a lot of Soy beans and wants to sell same... and they do... but I'm fairly confident they are not lying about the superiority of Natural "E" because the #1 Holistic Doctor on the web, mercola.com, says essentially the same thing! I've never caught him in a lie!
FYI - even the superior "d" alpha tocopherol is not nearly the BEST form of Vit.E, though it is still demonstrably superior to the more cheaply produced (...ding!) artificial "dl" alpha form. One is prodded to imagine the positive results which might have been attained in the above mentioned "bogus studies" had they "knocked it up another notch" by using "Natural Mixed" Tocopherol with the natural beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols used in addition to the alpha tocopherols... ...or, heavenforbid they should use the synergistic effect of ALL 8 forms of Vit.E - the 4 tocopherols plus the 4 tocotrinols. See, that's not money in their pockets...
OK, there are hundreds of Vit.E and antioxidant studies coming up with completely opposite results... mostly determined by he who has an ax to grind; however, myempirical data comes from a large group of ONE...ah, mostly ME. Push passed that. Consider, I just confirm what has been cited elsewhere in credible studies by credible persons without that aforementioned ax to grind.
Changing gears, some of you might remember my paper on rense.com a year or so back called - 20/20 Bowel Disease! ...Or, how Crohn's can improve your eyesight!
(http://www.alienview.net/ALLT1.html#eye)
Anyway, that piece was in regards to my taking large doses of antioxidants, et al, effectively curing my "incurable" Crohn's disease, but in addition discovering that the antioxidant regimen actually improved my eyesight... among other significant improvements!
Reader, before I started taking a very broad spectrum of antioxidants I would have to get slightly stronger glasses about every 18 to 24 months... pretty much like everybody else, but after I started supplementing I went 10 freaking years without new glasses at the time I wrote that paper in 2006.
In the couple of years since then I have managed to add several more big scratches on the now 12 year old lenses plus the writing on my TV seemed to be getting a little fuzzy... so I decided to finally go get an eye test and new lens prescription.
Well folks, it was my TV getting fuzzy, actually, not my eyesight!
The sweet, young, and perky eye doctor -who "laughed" & "smiled" from the moment I sat down in the chair-gushed that it was truly unusual that after so many years I could still read most of the letters BELOW the 20/20 line -I only missed one- with my old glasses! Moreover, she did not have to remotely change my prescription!
I told her about taking a broad spectrum of antioxidants for my Crohn's! The eyes are very susceptible to harmful uV light, oxygen, and the resulting Free-Radicals; the unintended consequences were those antioxidants seemed to have protected my eyes, too, by neutralizing the damaging free-radicals.
I was going to sound-off further, thinking she might be interested (seeing as she's an eye doctor)... Silly me - She stopped smiling immediately & said "I see," curtly ...the friendly perkiness was decidedly over. I guess she'd drunk the Gupta Kool-Aid.
Here's some of what I took :
1).. Lutein & Bilberry - Even though these are classic Eye antioxidants, I took them for my inflamed gut..not my eyes.
2).. Resveratrol - Super powerful antiox. found in red wine. Take the capsule form...one glass of DRY red wine will improve digestion & you will live longer don't try to get an adequate dose of Resveratrol by drinking wine - you'll have to drink way too much.
3).. Grapeseed Extract - Very cheap antiox. that is good for everything but especially good for the gut & it would appear the eyes also...considering I likely took more of this than any other antiox.
FYI : If you believe Regis that SWEET grape juice is a healthful way to get antioxidants then you don't understand that the unhealthful insulin increase -along with a dozen other things wrong with a LARGE BLAST of sugar & fructose not slowed down by any fiber- cannot be negated or justified by the antioxidants in grape juice...ah, in other words, it is STUPID to ever drink sweet grape juice except maybe that tiny amount the priest gives you.
FYI-2 : "Grape-Stuff" that is acceptable in descending order of efficacy : (a)..Grapeseed Extract - (b)..Dry Red Wine - (c)..Dry Red Wine (alcohol-Free) - & lastly, a handful of WHOLE grapes - BUT NO sweet juice & NO Grapeseed Cooking Oil, it is refined, toxic Crap...don't believe the hype.
4).. R-Fraction Alpha Lipoic Acid - this R-Fraction form is superior to regular ALA. - this is the great recycler of other antioxidants.
5).. Turmeric (Curcumin) - The yellow stuff in curry powder.
Powerful antiox. that has been shown to possibly prevent cataracts. I take it in capsules & I cook with it.
6).. Ginkgo Biloba - Protects the retina along with your heart & brain. The data, sponsored by the drug industry a few years ago that showed Ginkgo didn't work was so flawed as to be laughable, so lets move on - but write if you really want it explained.
7).. Selenium - The #1 most powerful trace mineral antioxidant out there. Take a daily total of about 400mcg...there is usually about 100mcg or so in a good multi. The FDA was sued so Supplement makers could openly advertise that supplemental Selenium would reduce cancer significantly. Please only buy Selenomethiodine or Amino-Acid Chelated Selenium...I would never take more than 400mcg daily unless I had cancer, then I would take 600mcg - you see selenium can have toxic effects if you take much over 600mcg for very long.
8).. Astragalas - Especially good liver antiox.
9).. NAC - Another great liver antiox. Remember, anything that is good for your liver is good for digestion which is good for your eyes.
10)..The "Mixed Tocopherol" Vit.E and the very expensive (but probably worth it) Tocotrinols...don't feel bad if you think the tocotrinols seem just a little too expensive...they are too damn expensive, so just get the "Natural Mixed" unless money is not a consideration. No need to take more than a 400iu softgel in addition to the 30 to 60iu in most Multi's.
Seriously, get a team of the most brilliant eye doctors in the world and arm them with an unlimited budget to do everything humanly possible using their Allopathic Medicine (western mainstream medicine). Reader, they will NEVER accomplish anything even close to what I did!
The empirical evidence? I cured my Crohn's, my "hereditary" arthritis, and kept the same corrective eyewear for nearly 12 years... actually, it's gonna be a lot longerthan 12 years because these are brand new lenses... but with the same old prescription!
Oh yeah, I haven't had a cold or taken a flu shot in that same 12 years.
Back to Gupta; what's his angle, really? Are we served by having him in an office with an increasing importance via new health care initiatives coming down the pike from Obama and his posse? The real irony, friends and neighbors, is that a natural approach to illness by way of healthful diet and nutrition is just the kind of cost savings our society should be looking for... but for the wrong kinds of Gupta indorsed people, consider, making the wrong kinds of money... the wrong kinds of way!
Regarding Sanjay's likely appointment (he looks so good on TV), wouldn't it be refreshing & good for the folks to have a SG who actually tried to do something relieving the "stranglehold" the Drug Companies have on Doctors & Dieticians? I bet there are a lot of MD's who might like that... you know, the ones who are not firmly entrenched in the vile "Pharmaceutical Kickback Program"...humm, are there any of those - do you think?
In closing, understand it wasn't Gupta who cured my Crohns, healed my arthritis, or improved my sight. No, that was a product of lay understanding as it pertains to the intrinsic value of diet, nutrition, and supplementation. No more reader, certainly, no less.
Questions?
Alan Graham
alan068@centurytel.net
http://www.alienview.net/ALLTCON.html
Well be.
With Alfred Lehmberg
AlienView.net1-25-9
Before I share my small amount of empirical data regarding the use of antioxidants to protect your eyes -and everything else part & parcel to a healthful quality of life- let me address the likely appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta as our next Surgeon General and examine his seeming bias toward antioxidants, et al.
Frankly, Sanja hasn't met a Drug Company or a dangerous pharmaceutical he doesn't like. Consider, he has ties with most of the biggies in the Pharmaceutical industry. This is very amply illustrated by his endorsements of SSRI's for pregnant women & Vioxx for arthritis sufferers, just to name two suspiciously questionable moves.
Additionally, he has his insidious "Pharm-Speak" down solid. You know "... the benefits outweigh the risks..." rap. Uh huh... even if you do kill 58,000 people, or so, to relieve their joint pain!
This is without considering, of course, that there is a much better, completely safe, and inherently natural way to relieve joint pain... That's right! Visit alienview.net/ ALLT1.html#dogtest, Arthritis, Misery, and the Dog-Test, for an overview showing that Glucosamine & MSM really works for joint pain... and I have the dog to prove it!
Anyway, Dr. Gupta seizes virtually every opportunity he can to discourage people from taking supplemental antioxidants and other supplementation. To this end, he uses certified-as-bogus studies to "prove" that antioxidants only provide for the consumer's harm, and especially if you take large amounts in a broad spectrum.
An example of said bogus studies, and a favorite among many doctors, concerns where Cancer patients were given Vit.E & Beta Carotene and then subsequently reported that they'd gotten worse compared to the placebo group. The truth of the matter is that these studies incorporated false data coming from a sub-group of persons who had lung cancer... but did not quit smoking while on chemo. Outrageous!
...And just one freaking time, reader, I would like to see these negative Vit.E studies use something besides the grossly inferior (made from petroleum) kind of Vit. E (found in Centrum) with its 2 opposing molecules! This is the "dl" alpha tocopherol - where the "l" molecule, you'll observe, is not usable by human beings... but can still plug the Vitamin E "receptor site" so the usable "d" molecule cannot then be used!
See, if the "study" said they took 100iu of Vit.E, this equates to as little as only 25iu of E actually being enjoyed by the tissues!
It gets worse! The small percentage of the artificial, manmade "d" molecule used will only be "used" one time & then it is excreted like garbage. Conversely, the natural Vit.E, with its single "d" molecule made from soy beans, etc. will be recycled in the body several times!
Plainly, the preceding is a clear example of the kind of mendacious "dirty-tricks" shenanigans -defining the activities of unethical and immoral sociopaths- as clearlypracticed by these corporate psychos! It remains, mind, that even though this phony data has, subsequently, been abundantly clarified, MD's still use it to poo- poo the use of antioxidants, and ALL supplements for that matter, without regard to the efficacy of these supplements when used in a conscientiously applied program of general nutrition. The reader must agree how wrong this is.
Yeah, I know doctors will counter with the "logical" gloss that if the petrol "d" chemical formula is the same as the Natural "d" formula, then they are the same "on paper" & will react exactly the same way in your body.
OK, tell that to Mother Nature... AND the Canadian Government research proving the unmistakable difference between the two!
Their study shows that the biopsied tissue in the brain confirms the efficacy of the natural version. Of course, on reflection, it could be that Canada grows a lot of Soy beans and wants to sell same... and they do... but I'm fairly confident they are not lying about the superiority of Natural "E" because the #1 Holistic Doctor on the web, mercola.com, says essentially the same thing! I've never caught him in a lie!
FYI - even the superior "d" alpha tocopherol is not nearly the BEST form of Vit.E, though it is still demonstrably superior to the more cheaply produced (...ding!) artificial "dl" alpha form. One is prodded to imagine the positive results which might have been attained in the above mentioned "bogus studies" had they "knocked it up another notch" by using "Natural Mixed" Tocopherol with the natural beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols used in addition to the alpha tocopherols... ...or, heavenforbid they should use the synergistic effect of ALL 8 forms of Vit.E - the 4 tocopherols plus the 4 tocotrinols. See, that's not money in their pockets...
OK, there are hundreds of Vit.E and antioxidant studies coming up with completely opposite results... mostly determined by he who has an ax to grind; however, myempirical data comes from a large group of ONE...ah, mostly ME. Push passed that. Consider, I just confirm what has been cited elsewhere in credible studies by credible persons without that aforementioned ax to grind.
Changing gears, some of you might remember my paper on rense.com a year or so back called - 20/20 Bowel Disease! ...Or, how Crohn's can improve your eyesight!
(http://www.alienview.net/ALLT1.html#eye)
Anyway, that piece was in regards to my taking large doses of antioxidants, et al, effectively curing my "incurable" Crohn's disease, but in addition discovering that the antioxidant regimen actually improved my eyesight... among other significant improvements!
Reader, before I started taking a very broad spectrum of antioxidants I would have to get slightly stronger glasses about every 18 to 24 months... pretty much like everybody else, but after I started supplementing I went 10 freaking years without new glasses at the time I wrote that paper in 2006.
In the couple of years since then I have managed to add several more big scratches on the now 12 year old lenses plus the writing on my TV seemed to be getting a little fuzzy... so I decided to finally go get an eye test and new lens prescription.
Well folks, it was my TV getting fuzzy, actually, not my eyesight!
The sweet, young, and perky eye doctor -who "laughed" & "smiled" from the moment I sat down in the chair-gushed that it was truly unusual that after so many years I could still read most of the letters BELOW the 20/20 line -I only missed one- with my old glasses! Moreover, she did not have to remotely change my prescription!
I told her about taking a broad spectrum of antioxidants for my Crohn's! The eyes are very susceptible to harmful uV light, oxygen, and the resulting Free-Radicals; the unintended consequences were those antioxidants seemed to have protected my eyes, too, by neutralizing the damaging free-radicals.
I was going to sound-off further, thinking she might be interested (seeing as she's an eye doctor)... Silly me - She stopped smiling immediately & said "I see," curtly ...the friendly perkiness was decidedly over. I guess she'd drunk the Gupta Kool-Aid.
Here's some of what I took :
1).. Lutein & Bilberry - Even though these are classic Eye antioxidants, I took them for my inflamed gut..not my eyes.
2).. Resveratrol - Super powerful antiox. found in red wine. Take the capsule form...one glass of DRY red wine will improve digestion & you will live longer
3).. Grapeseed Extract - Very cheap antiox. that is good for everything but especially good for the gut & it would appear the eyes also...considering I likely took more of this than any other antiox.
FYI : If you believe Regis that SWEET grape juice is a healthful way to get antioxidants then you don't understand that the unhealthful insulin increase -along with a dozen other things wrong with a LARGE BLAST of sugar & fructose not slowed down by any fiber- cannot be negated or justified by the antioxidants in grape juice...ah, in other words, it is STUPID to ever drink sweet grape juice except maybe that tiny amount the priest gives you.
FYI-2 : "Grape-Stuff" that is acceptable in descending order of efficacy : (a)..Grapeseed Extract - (b)..Dry Red Wine - (c)..Dry Red Wine (alcohol-Free) - & lastly, a handful of WHOLE grapes - BUT NO sweet juice & NO Grapeseed Cooking Oil, it is refined, toxic Crap...don't believe the hype.
4).. R-Fraction Alpha Lipoic Acid - this R-Fraction form is superior to regular ALA. - this is the great recycler of other antioxidants.
5).. Turmeric (Curcumin) - The yellow stuff in curry powder.
Powerful antiox. that has been shown to possibly prevent cataracts. I take it in capsules & I cook with it.
6).. Ginkgo Biloba - Protects the retina along with your heart & brain. The data, sponsored by the drug industry a few years ago that showed Ginkgo didn't work was so flawed as to be laughable, so lets move on - but write if you really want it explained.
7).. Selenium - The #1 most powerful trace mineral antioxidant out there. Take a daily total of about 400mcg...there is usually about 100mcg or so in a good multi. The FDA was sued so Supplement makers could openly advertise that supplemental Selenium would reduce cancer significantly. Please only buy Selenomethiodine or Amino-Acid Chelated Selenium...I would never take more than 400mcg daily unless I had cancer, then I would take 600mcg - you see selenium can have toxic effects if you take much over 600mcg for very long.
8).. Astragalas - Especially good liver antiox.
9).. NAC - Another great liver antiox. Remember, anything that is good for your liver is good for digestion which is good for your eyes.
10)..The "Mixed Tocopherol" Vit.E and the very expensive (but probably worth it) Tocotrinols...don't feel bad if you think the tocotrinols seem just a little too expensive...they are too damn expensive, so just get the "Natural Mixed" unless money is not a consideration. No need to take more than a 400iu softgel in addition to the 30 to 60iu in most Multi's.
Seriously, get a team of the most brilliant eye doctors in the world and arm them with an unlimited budget to do everything humanly possible using their Allopathic Medicine (western mainstream medicine). Reader, they will NEVER accomplish anything even close to what I did!
The empirical evidence? I cured my Crohn's, my "hereditary" arthritis, and kept the same corrective eyewear for nearly 12 years... actually, it's gonna be a lot longerthan 12 years because these are brand new lenses... but with the same old prescription!
Oh yeah, I haven't had a cold or taken a flu shot in that same 12 years.
Back to Gupta; what's his angle, really? Are we served by having him in an office with an increasing importance via new health care initiatives coming down the pike from Obama and his posse? The real irony, friends and neighbors, is that a natural approach to illness by way of healthful diet and nutrition is just the kind of cost savings our society should be looking for... but for the wrong kinds of Gupta indorsed people, consider, making the wrong kinds of money... the wrong kinds of way!
Regarding Sanjay's likely appointment (he looks so good on TV), wouldn't it be refreshing & good for the folks to have a SG who actually tried to do something relieving the "stranglehold" the Drug Companies have on Doctors & Dieticians? I bet there are a lot of MD's who might like that... you know, the ones who are not firmly entrenched in the vile "Pharmaceutical Kickback Program"...humm, are there any of those - do you think?
In closing, understand it wasn't Gupta who cured my Crohns, healed my arthritis, or improved my sight. No, that was a product of lay understanding as it pertains to the intrinsic value of diet, nutrition, and supplementation. No more reader, certainly, no less.
Questions?
Alan Graham
alan068@centurytel.net
http://www.alienview.net/ALLTCON.html
Well be.
The experts' view: Twenty questions you were afraid to ask
The experts' view: Twenty questions you were afraid to ask
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/the-experts-view-twenty-questions-you-were-afraid-to-ask-1515312.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/the-experts-view-twenty-questions-you-were-afraid-to-ask-1515312.html
World warned of ‘food crunch’ threat
World warned of ‘food crunch’ threat
By Javier Blas in London
Published: January 25 2009
The world faces “the real risk of a food crunch” if governments do not take immediate action to address the agricultural impact of climate change and water scarcity, according to an authoritative report out on Monday.
Chatham House, the London-based think-tank, suggests that the recent fall in food prices is only a temporary reprieve and that prices are set to resume their upward trend once the world emerges from the current downturn.
“There is therefore a real risk of a ‘food crunch’ at some point in the future, which would fall particularly hard on import-dependent countries and on poor people everywhere,” the report states. “Food prices are poised to rise again,” it adds.
The warning is made as agriculture ministers and United Nations officials gather from Monday in Madrid for a UN meeting on food security likely to conclude that last year’s food crisis, with almost 1bn people hungry, is far from over.
The UN will warn ministers in Madrid that “as the global financial crisis deepens, hunger is likely to increase” under the impact of rising unemployment and lower remittances, according to three officials briefed ahead of the meeting.
The prices of agricultural commodities such as rice and wheat jumped to a record high last year, triggering food riots from Haiti and Egypt to Bangladesh and Cameroon and prompting appeals for food aid for more than 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The cost of food commodities had fallen since then, but Alex Evans, the Chatham House report’s author and an expert at New York University, said that “even at their somewhat diminished levels current prices remain acutely problematic for low-income import-dependent countries and for poor people all over the world”.
Josette Sheeran, head of the UN’s World Food Programme, said she was expecting that this year would be at least as “challenging” as last year, when the number of undernourished rose by 40m to 963m people. “We are not seeing an alleviation of the hunger pressure,” she told the Financial Times.
In addition, agricultural commodities prices have recovered in the past two months on the back of lower winter plantings in the US and Europe and a severe drought in Brazil and Argentina, two of the largest producers of food commodities.
Since December, wheat prices have risen 15 per cent, corn 17 per cent and soyabean 22 per cent. In contrast with other raw materials such as oil or aluminium which have plunged back to the levels of 2002-05, agricultural commodities are trading higher than they were just 12 to 18 months ago.
Over the medium term, the report states that “long-term resource scarcity trends, notably climate change, energy security and falling water availability” will put pressure on prices and production, together with “competition for land and higher demand resulting from increasing affluence and a growing population”.
The report recommends governments to invest more in agricultural production and an increase in international aid in this sphere, too.
● Containing global warming will require an additional €175bn in annual investment by 2020, according to a European Union draft paper, writes Joshua Chaffin in Brussels.
The paper, which says much of the €175bn ($227bn, £167bn) investment will have to be borne by the developed world, also forecasts that tens of billions of euros in spending will be needed to help poorer countries prepare for even moderate warming.
Some of the ways that the EU proposes to raise those funds include requiring developed nations to pay for their annual carbon emissions, and levying taxes on aviation and maritime transportation. The EU should also expand its emissions trading system into a global carbon market and explore the establishment of a multilateral insurance pool to help deal with natural disasters that result from global warming.
The final paper, to be released by the European Commission, the EU executive body, on Wednesday, sets out the bloc’s position ahead of negotiations in Copenhagen this December aimed at creating a global agreement to fight climate change.
The Commission declined to comment on the draft, and people involved in negotiations said it was still under discussion.
The EU endorsed a plan in December to reduce the 27-nation bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020. Member states and other developed countries are urged to increase that figure to 30 per cent.
By Javier Blas in London
Published: January 25 2009
The world faces “the real risk of a food crunch” if governments do not take immediate action to address the agricultural impact of climate change and water scarcity, according to an authoritative report out on Monday.
Chatham House, the London-based think-tank, suggests that the recent fall in food prices is only a temporary reprieve and that prices are set to resume their upward trend once the world emerges from the current downturn.
“There is therefore a real risk of a ‘food crunch’ at some point in the future, which would fall particularly hard on import-dependent countries and on poor people everywhere,” the report states. “Food prices are poised to rise again,” it adds.
The warning is made as agriculture ministers and United Nations officials gather from Monday in Madrid for a UN meeting on food security likely to conclude that last year’s food crisis, with almost 1bn people hungry, is far from over.
The UN will warn ministers in Madrid that “as the global financial crisis deepens, hunger is likely to increase” under the impact of rising unemployment and lower remittances, according to three officials briefed ahead of the meeting.
The prices of agricultural commodities such as rice and wheat jumped to a record high last year, triggering food riots from Haiti and Egypt to Bangladesh and Cameroon and prompting appeals for food aid for more than 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The cost of food commodities had fallen since then, but Alex Evans, the Chatham House report’s author and an expert at New York University, said that “even at their somewhat diminished levels current prices remain acutely problematic for low-income import-dependent countries and for poor people all over the world”.
Josette Sheeran, head of the UN’s World Food Programme, said she was expecting that this year would be at least as “challenging” as last year, when the number of undernourished rose by 40m to 963m people. “We are not seeing an alleviation of the hunger pressure,” she told the Financial Times.
In addition, agricultural commodities prices have recovered in the past two months on the back of lower winter plantings in the US and Europe and a severe drought in Brazil and Argentina, two of the largest producers of food commodities.
Since December, wheat prices have risen 15 per cent, corn 17 per cent and soyabean 22 per cent. In contrast with other raw materials such as oil or aluminium which have plunged back to the levels of 2002-05, agricultural commodities are trading higher than they were just 12 to 18 months ago.
Over the medium term, the report states that “long-term resource scarcity trends, notably climate change, energy security and falling water availability” will put pressure on prices and production, together with “competition for land and higher demand resulting from increasing affluence and a growing population”.
The report recommends governments to invest more in agricultural production and an increase in international aid in this sphere, too.
● Containing global warming will require an additional €175bn in annual investment by 2020, according to a European Union draft paper, writes Joshua Chaffin in Brussels.
The paper, which says much of the €175bn ($227bn, £167bn) investment will have to be borne by the developed world, also forecasts that tens of billions of euros in spending will be needed to help poorer countries prepare for even moderate warming.
Some of the ways that the EU proposes to raise those funds include requiring developed nations to pay for their annual carbon emissions, and levying taxes on aviation and maritime transportation. The EU should also expand its emissions trading system into a global carbon market and explore the establishment of a multilateral insurance pool to help deal with natural disasters that result from global warming.
The final paper, to be released by the European Commission, the EU executive body, on Wednesday, sets out the bloc’s position ahead of negotiations in Copenhagen this December aimed at creating a global agreement to fight climate change.
The Commission declined to comment on the draft, and people involved in negotiations said it was still under discussion.
The EU endorsed a plan in December to reduce the 27-nation bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020. Member states and other developed countries are urged to increase that figure to 30 per cent.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
One Minute Message # 2 : What the Bible Says About Muhammad
One Minute Message # 2 : What the Bible Says About Muhammad?
According to the Bible, God said to Moses, on whom be peace: I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. (The Holy Bible, New International Version, Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 18). The prophet described in the above verse must have the following three characteristics: 1. He will be like Moses. 2. He will come from the brothers of the Israelites, i.e. the Ishmaelites. 3. God will put His words in the mouth of the prophet and he will declare what God commanded him. Let us see which prophet God was speaking of. 1. The prophet like Moses Some people feel that this prophecy refers to the prophet Jesus, on whom be peace. But, although Jesus (peace be upon him and all of God’s prophets and messengers) was truly a prophet of God, he is not the prophet spoken of here. He was born miraculously, and finally God raised him up miraculously. On the other hand, Muhammad is more like Moses; both were born in a natural way and both died natural deaths. 2. From among the Ishmaelites Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis, chapter 21). Ishmael became the grandfather of the Arab nation. And Isaac became the grandfather of Jewish nation. The prophet spoken of was to come not from among the Jews themselves, but from among their brothers, the Ishmaelites. Muhammad a descendant of Ishmael, is indeed that prophet. 3. God will put his words in his mouth ‘Neither the content of the revelation, nor its form, were of Muhammad’s devising. Both were given by the angel, and Muhammad’s task was only to repeat what he heard.’ (Word Religions from Ancient history to the Present, by Geoffrey Parrinder, p. 472). God sent the angel Gabriel to teach Muhammad the exact words that he should repeat to the people. The words are therefore not his own; they did not come from his own thoughts, but were put into his mouth by the angel. These are written down in the Qur’an word for word, exactly as they came from God. Now that we know that prophet we must listen to him, for, according to the Bible, God says: ‘I will punish anyone who refuses to obey him’ (Good News Bible, Deut. 18:19).
http://www.islamland.com/EN/Contents.aspx?AID=49&HL=1&Q=One
According to the Bible, God said to Moses, on whom be peace: I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. (The Holy Bible, New International Version, Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 18). The prophet described in the above verse must have the following three characteristics: 1. He will be like Moses. 2. He will come from the brothers of the Israelites, i.e. the Ishmaelites. 3. God will put His words in the mouth of the prophet and he will declare what God commanded him. Let us see which prophet God was speaking of. 1. The prophet like Moses Some people feel that this prophecy refers to the prophet Jesus, on whom be peace. But, although Jesus (peace be upon him and all of God’s prophets and messengers) was truly a prophet of God, he is not the prophet spoken of here. He was born miraculously, and finally God raised him up miraculously. On the other hand, Muhammad is more like Moses; both were born in a natural way and both died natural deaths. 2. From among the Ishmaelites Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis, chapter 21). Ishmael became the grandfather of the Arab nation. And Isaac became the grandfather of Jewish nation. The prophet spoken of was to come not from among the Jews themselves, but from among their brothers, the Ishmaelites. Muhammad a descendant of Ishmael, is indeed that prophet. 3. God will put his words in his mouth ‘Neither the content of the revelation, nor its form, were of Muhammad’s devising. Both were given by the angel, and Muhammad’s task was only to repeat what he heard.’ (Word Religions from Ancient history to the Present, by Geoffrey Parrinder, p. 472). God sent the angel Gabriel to teach Muhammad the exact words that he should repeat to the people. The words are therefore not his own; they did not come from his own thoughts, but were put into his mouth by the angel. These are written down in the Qur’an word for word, exactly as they came from God. Now that we know that prophet we must listen to him, for, according to the Bible, God says: ‘I will punish anyone who refuses to obey him’ (Good News Bible, Deut. 18:19).
http://www.islamland.com/EN/Contents.aspx?AID=49&HL=1&Q=One
Saturday, August 2, 2008
How to Write Effective Press Releases
Citizen Action Manuals
"How-to Guide" #4: "How to Write Effective Press Releases
"How-to Guide" #3: How to Conduct an Effective Grassroots Lobbying Effort
"How-to Guide" #2: How Organize Effective Demonstrations
"How-to Guide" #1: How To Make Your Letters to Capitol Hill Count
http://www.nationalcenter.org/eptfaction.html
"How-to Guide" #4: "How to Write Effective Press Releases
"How-to Guide" #3: How to Conduct an Effective Grassroots Lobbying Effort
"How-to Guide" #2: How Organize Effective Demonstrations
"How-to Guide" #1: How To Make Your Letters to Capitol Hill Count
http://www.nationalcenter.org/eptfaction.html
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic drugs can save lives. But some germs get so strong that they can resist the drugs. This is called resistance. The drugs don't work as well. Germs can even pass on resistance to other germs.
Antibiotics normally work by killing germs called bacteria. Or they stop the bacteria from growing. But sometimes not all of them are stopped or killed. The strongest ones are left to grow and spread. A person can get sick again. This time the germs are harder to kill.
The more often a person uses an antibiotic, the more likely it is that the germs will resist it. This can make some diseases very hard to control. It can make you sick longer and more doctor visits.You may need to take drugs that are even stronger.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/antibioticres/resistance.htm
Antibiotic drugs can save lives. But some germs get so strong that they can resist the drugs. This is called resistance. The drugs don't work as well. Germs can even pass on resistance to other germs.
Antibiotics normally work by killing germs called bacteria. Or they stop the bacteria from growing. But sometimes not all of them are stopped or killed. The strongest ones are left to grow and spread. A person can get sick again. This time the germs are harder to kill.
The more often a person uses an antibiotic, the more likely it is that the germs will resist it. This can make some diseases very hard to control. It can make you sick longer and more doctor visits.You may need to take drugs that are even stronger.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/antibioticres/resistance.htm
Monday, July 7, 2008
Who Was Jesus According to Jesus?
Who Was Jesus According to Jesus?
The Qur'an tells us a lot of wonderful things about Jesus. As a result, believers in the Qur'an love Jesus, honour him, and believe in him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.
The Qur'an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by God's leave, and that he raised the dead by God's leave.
What then is the significance of these miracles? First, the virgin birth. God demonstrates his power to create in every way. God created everyone we know from a man and a woman. But how about Adam, on whom be peace? God created him from neither a man nor a woman. And Eve from only a man, but not a woman. And, finally, to complete the picture, God created Jesus from a woman, but not a man.
What about the other miracles? These were to show that Jesus was not acting on his own behalf, but that he was backed by God. The Qur'an specifies that these miracles were performed by God's leave. This may be compared to the Book of Acts in the Bible, chapter 2, verse 22, where it says that the miracles were done by God to show that he approved of Jesus. Also, note that Jesus himself is recorded in the Gospel of John to have said, "I can do nothing of my own authority" (5:30). The miracles, therefore, were done not by his own authority, but by God's authority.
What did Jesus teach? The Qur'an tells us that Jesus came to teach the same basic message which was taught by previous prophets from God—that we must shun every false god and worship only the one true God. Jesus taught that he is the servant and messenger of that one true God, the God of Abraham. These Quranic teachings can be compared with the Bible ( Mark 10:18; Matthew 26:39; John 14:28, 17:3, and 20:17) where Jesus teaches that the one he worshipped is the only true God. See also Matthew 12:18; Acts 3:13, and 4:27 where we find that his disciples knew him as Servant of God.
The Qur'an tells us that some of the Israelites rejected Jesus, and conspired to kill him, but Allah (God) rescued Jesus and raised him to Himself. Allah will cause Jesus to descend again, at which time Jesus will confirm his true teachings and everyone will believe in him as he is and as the Qur'an teaches about him.
Jesus is the Messiah. He is a word from Allah, and a spirit from Him. He is honoured in this world and in the hereafter, and he is one of those brought nearest to Allah.
Jesus was a man who spoke the truth which he heard from God. This can be compared with the Gospel According to John where Jesus says to the Israelites: "You are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=26
The Qur'an tells us a lot of wonderful things about Jesus. As a result, believers in the Qur'an love Jesus, honour him, and believe in him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.
The Qur'an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by God's leave, and that he raised the dead by God's leave.
What then is the significance of these miracles? First, the virgin birth. God demonstrates his power to create in every way. God created everyone we know from a man and a woman. But how about Adam, on whom be peace? God created him from neither a man nor a woman. And Eve from only a man, but not a woman. And, finally, to complete the picture, God created Jesus from a woman, but not a man.
What about the other miracles? These were to show that Jesus was not acting on his own behalf, but that he was backed by God. The Qur'an specifies that these miracles were performed by God's leave. This may be compared to the Book of Acts in the Bible, chapter 2, verse 22, where it says that the miracles were done by God to show that he approved of Jesus. Also, note that Jesus himself is recorded in the Gospel of John to have said, "I can do nothing of my own authority" (5:30). The miracles, therefore, were done not by his own authority, but by God's authority.
What did Jesus teach? The Qur'an tells us that Jesus came to teach the same basic message which was taught by previous prophets from God—that we must shun every false god and worship only the one true God. Jesus taught that he is the servant and messenger of that one true God, the God of Abraham. These Quranic teachings can be compared with the Bible ( Mark 10:18; Matthew 26:39; John 14:28, 17:3, and 20:17) where Jesus teaches that the one he worshipped is the only true God. See also Matthew 12:18; Acts 3:13, and 4:27 where we find that his disciples knew him as Servant of God.
The Qur'an tells us that some of the Israelites rejected Jesus, and conspired to kill him, but Allah (God) rescued Jesus and raised him to Himself. Allah will cause Jesus to descend again, at which time Jesus will confirm his true teachings and everyone will believe in him as he is and as the Qur'an teaches about him.
Jesus is the Messiah. He is a word from Allah, and a spirit from Him. He is honoured in this world and in the hereafter, and he is one of those brought nearest to Allah.
Jesus was a man who spoke the truth which he heard from God. This can be compared with the Gospel According to John where Jesus says to the Israelites: "You are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=26
Why God's book cannot contain errors
Why God's book cannot contain errors
1. God Revealed it
"Those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes unto them (are guilty), for indeed it is an unassailable Scripture. Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it. (It is) a revelation from the Wise, the Owner of Praise" (Qur’an 41:41-42).
"Praise be to Allah* Who has revealed the Scripture unto His slave, and has not placed therein any crookedness (but has made it) straight" (Qur’an 18:1-2).
"Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent" (Qur’an 39:23).
"A Qur’an in Arabic, containing no crookedness" (Q 39:28).
2. God Preserves it
God has promised to always preserve His book. He says:
"Surely We, even We, revealed the Reminder [the Qur’an], and We verily are it’s Guardian." (Qur’an 15:9)
The Qur’an contains no additions. It
remains today letter for letter as it was revealed over 1400 years ago. Nothing added, nothing taken away.
Two of the original manuscripts of the Qur’an prepared 1400 years ago still exist today. One is in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, and the other in Tashkent, Russia. Both of these are identical in content with the Qur’an available all over the world today.
You Can Examine it!
God says:
"Will they not then consider the Qur’an with care? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much discrepancy." (Qur’an 4:82)
Here God challenges people to find an error in the Qur’an. If it contains errors then it cannot be from God. If, on the other hand, it had been the production of a human being it would definitely contain errors. A human writer 1400 years ago would have written on the basis of the level of knowledge of his or her day. And many of those ideas would turn out to be false later as humankind learns more, especially in the field of science. But the Qur’an is remarkably free of error. To learn more about this, write for a free brochure titled "The Bible & The Qur'an — Compared."
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=44
1. God Revealed it
"Those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes unto them (are guilty), for indeed it is an unassailable Scripture. Falsehood cannot come at it from before it or behind it. (It is) a revelation from the Wise, the Owner of Praise" (Qur’an 41:41-42).
"Praise be to Allah* Who has revealed the Scripture unto His slave, and has not placed therein any crookedness (but has made it) straight" (Qur’an 18:1-2).
"Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent" (Qur’an 39:23).
"A Qur’an in Arabic, containing no crookedness" (Q 39:28).
2. God Preserves it
God has promised to always preserve His book. He says:
"Surely We, even We, revealed the Reminder [the Qur’an], and We verily are it’s Guardian." (Qur’an 15:9)
The Qur’an contains no additions. It
remains today letter for letter as it was revealed over 1400 years ago. Nothing added, nothing taken away.
Two of the original manuscripts of the Qur’an prepared 1400 years ago still exist today. One is in the Topkapi Saray Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, and the other in Tashkent, Russia. Both of these are identical in content with the Qur’an available all over the world today.
You Can Examine it!
God says:
"Will they not then consider the Qur’an with care? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much discrepancy." (Qur’an 4:82)
Here God challenges people to find an error in the Qur’an. If it contains errors then it cannot be from God. If, on the other hand, it had been the production of a human being it would definitely contain errors. A human writer 1400 years ago would have written on the basis of the level of knowledge of his or her day. And many of those ideas would turn out to be false later as humankind learns more, especially in the field of science. But the Qur’an is remarkably free of error. To learn more about this, write for a free brochure titled "The Bible & The Qur'an — Compared."
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=44
The One True God
The One True God
Most people realise that there is only one true God. Throughout history, this one true God has appointed many good men to tell others about Him so that humans everywhere may turn away from false gods and worship Him alone. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them) all spoke about this one God and worshipped Him alone.In the Gospel According to Matthew, 26:39 (King James Version) we are told that Jesus "fell on his face, and prayed" to God. And in the Gospel According to John, 17:3, Jesus declares that the one he prayed to is the only true God.This very God speaks to us in these last days in His final Scripture which He will safeguard from corruption. God announces in His book good news to all those who believe in Him and do right. He says: Surely those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and afterward are upright, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not nor grieve, but hear good tidings of the Paradise which you are promised. We are your protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter.There you will have (all) that your souls desire, and there you will have (all) for which you pray. A gift of welcome from the Forgiving, the Merciful. (Qur'an 41:30-32)Those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad — and it is the truth from yourLord — He rids them of their ill-deeds and improves their condition. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehoodand because those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. (Qur'an 47:2)Accept this invitation, therefore, and enjoy a life of peace and satisfaction on earth, then everlasting life in God's Paradise.The true scripture promises all this to those who choose no other god except the one true God who was worshipped byAbraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). The truth has now come to you from your Lord! Won'tyou accept it?
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=17
Most people realise that there is only one true God. Throughout history, this one true God has appointed many good men to tell others about Him so that humans everywhere may turn away from false gods and worship Him alone. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them) all spoke about this one God and worshipped Him alone.In the Gospel According to Matthew, 26:39 (King James Version) we are told that Jesus "fell on his face, and prayed" to God. And in the Gospel According to John, 17:3, Jesus declares that the one he prayed to is the only true God.This very God speaks to us in these last days in His final Scripture which He will safeguard from corruption. God announces in His book good news to all those who believe in Him and do right. He says: Surely those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and afterward are upright, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not nor grieve, but hear good tidings of the Paradise which you are promised. We are your protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter.There you will have (all) that your souls desire, and there you will have (all) for which you pray. A gift of welcome from the Forgiving, the Merciful. (Qur'an 41:30-32)Those who believe and do good works and believe in that which is revealed unto Muhammad — and it is the truth from yourLord — He rids them of their ill-deeds and improves their condition. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehoodand because those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. (Qur'an 47:2)Accept this invitation, therefore, and enjoy a life of peace and satisfaction on earth, then everlasting life in God's Paradise.The true scripture promises all this to those who choose no other god except the one true God who was worshipped byAbraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). The truth has now come to you from your Lord! Won'tyou accept it?
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=17
POLICY STATEMENT: ZERO-TOLERANCE TOWARDS TERRORISM
POLICY STATEMENT: ZERO-TOLERANCE TOWARDS TERRORISM Shabir
Ally
We understand that:• Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance.• Our faith does not tolerate the killing of non-combatants. • Non-Muslims have the God-given right to believe and practice other religious teachings. • All human beings should be treated with respect even if we disagree with their beliefs and teachings.We recognise that:• Much injustice has been done, and continues to be done, against Muslims globally. • Many Muslims have suffered from acts of discrimination locally. • Much media attention of a negative sort has played a role in tarnishing the image of Islam and Muslims, thus contributing, even if inadvertently, to this sort of injustice and discrimination.Yet we see that: • Many violent acts committed around the world and linked to some misguided Muslims have contributed to a great degree of apprehension and misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims. • Moreover, such acts reflect badly on the religion of peace, especially when their perpetrators use traditional Muslim terms, texts, and symbols in association with their violence. • Such acts have not helped the religion, but have caused widespread harm to innocent Muslim individuals who get caught in the broad nets of tougher antiterrorism measures.Hence we resolve that: • The powerlessness of Muslims to deal with injustice, discrimination, and media misrepresentation is not an excuse for violent acts, whether done out of desperation or cold calculation.• As Muslims we cannot correct a wrong by doing an equal or greater wrong. • When we have no power to make things right we have to seek the help of God in patient prayer and non-violent activism. • Under no circumstances will we tolerate the killing or harming of non-combatants.• We will do everything we can to prevent and avert such harm to our fellow citizens and neighbours, whether they be Muslims or non-Muslims. • We will not allow our premises or community resources to be used for inciting hatred for other people, whether they be fellow residents of our great country, or other Children of Adam in our global village. • We will rigorously enforce our policy of zero-tolerance towards
IslamInfo.com
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=66
Ally
We understand that:• Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance.• Our faith does not tolerate the killing of non-combatants. • Non-Muslims have the God-given right to believe and practice other religious teachings. • All human beings should be treated with respect even if we disagree with their beliefs and teachings.We recognise that:• Much injustice has been done, and continues to be done, against Muslims globally. • Many Muslims have suffered from acts of discrimination locally. • Much media attention of a negative sort has played a role in tarnishing the image of Islam and Muslims, thus contributing, even if inadvertently, to this sort of injustice and discrimination.Yet we see that: • Many violent acts committed around the world and linked to some misguided Muslims have contributed to a great degree of apprehension and misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims. • Moreover, such acts reflect badly on the religion of peace, especially when their perpetrators use traditional Muslim terms, texts, and symbols in association with their violence. • Such acts have not helped the religion, but have caused widespread harm to innocent Muslim individuals who get caught in the broad nets of tougher antiterrorism measures.Hence we resolve that: • The powerlessness of Muslims to deal with injustice, discrimination, and media misrepresentation is not an excuse for violent acts, whether done out of desperation or cold calculation.• As Muslims we cannot correct a wrong by doing an equal or greater wrong. • When we have no power to make things right we have to seek the help of God in patient prayer and non-violent activism. • Under no circumstances will we tolerate the killing or harming of non-combatants.• We will do everything we can to prevent and avert such harm to our fellow citizens and neighbours, whether they be Muslims or non-Muslims. • We will not allow our premises or community resources to be used for inciting hatred for other people, whether they be fellow residents of our great country, or other Children of Adam in our global village. • We will rigorously enforce our policy of zero-tolerance towards
IslamInfo.com
http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=66
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Clot a Lump
The Clot a Lump
“…then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,”
(Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14)
By: Dr. / Zaghloul El-Naggar
These miraculous words appear at the beginning of Surat Al-Mu'minun. This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has a total of 118 ayahs excluding the basmallah (invocation of the name of Allah (SWT)). The Surah was named as such due to the fact that it refers to the believers and describes some of their characteristics, which Allah (SWT) approves of and asks from His servants.
Tenets of faith in the Surah:
Faith in Allah (SWT), His angels, books, Messengers, the day of judgement and in jannah (paradise) and hell. Moreover, one should believe that only the believers, whom the Surah describes, will enter jannah.
Complete belief and certainty that Allah (SWT) created man from soil. He has prearranged the consecutive stages of development through which the embryo goes through inside the womb until it reaches its final and complete form. The Surah also describes how believers firmly believe that life will be followed by death, after which one will be resurrected to be judged and rewarded with either eternal life in jannah or hellfire. This is all because man was not created without purpose and will surely return to the Creator.
Belief that Allah (SWT) is the Creator of the seven heavens, seven earths and all that is in or on them. He (SWT) is the one who sends rain from the sky and has allowed us to live on this earth. He (SWT) is able to take it all away if He so wishes. Furthermore, Allah is the Creator of all the plants and living beings, and is the All-Knowing.
Surrendering to the oneness of the message received from the heavens. This involves believing in the brotherhood between the Prophets and Messengers who were all involved in the same da’wa (missionary activity) that called for people to believe in the Oneness of the Creator (SWT), i.e. that He has no partner, child nor competitor. Allah (SWT) also distinguishes in the Surah between His attributes and those of His creation, and emphasizes that He (SWT) is Incomparable. þ
The firm belief that Allah (SWT) knows all that is seen and unseen, is the Best of Providers, is the One who blesses us with life and takes it away from us, and is the Lord of the throne. Associating partners with Allah (SWT) is disbelieving, and disbelievers eventually will loose.
Belief that, once dead, there is no returning until the Day of Judgment. During this period, those who have died are in a state of barzakh (a state that acts a barrier between death and resurrection) where they await the blowing of the trumpet. After the first blow, all those on earth will die, and after the second, all the dead will be brought back to life.
Firm belief that the successful ones are those whose scales will be heavy on the Day of Judgment (with good deeds), and that those whose scales are light will be sent to eternal hellfire.
þ
Signs of creation in Surat Al-Mu’minun:
Reference to the creation of man from soil (an extract of clay).
A thorough description of the stages of development of the fetus, starting from a nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge), to an ‘alaqa (clot of blood), to a mudgha (lump of flesh) and finally, to bones encompassed by flesh. The end result is another human being. This was revealed at a time when it was thought that a new-born started its development as a miniature version of itself as a result of either a drop of maternal menstrual blood or paternal semen. It was believed that size was the only difference between the first day of the fetus’ existence and the day of birth. We now know that the change in the length of the fetus that occurs from one stage to another is of only a few millimeters, and sometimes of even a fraction of a millimeter. The fact that the Holy Qur’an accurately describes these stages of development, without the availability of modern technology or any form of imaging devices at the time of revelation, is a clear sign of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an.
The mentioning of the seven heavens. This is an unseen fact that modern science cannot establish due to the vastness of the universe, its seemingly infinite dimensions, and its ongoing expansion to which only Allah (SWT) knows the end.
A reference to the sending of rain from the sky, as decreed by Allah (SWT), to be stored inside the earth. This was the first indication that rain is the origin of the water found in the earth’s crust; a fact discovered by scientist at the end of the 18th century, more than eleven centuries after the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. It is evident that these conclusions were based on the Islamic heritage that was translated into Latin and Greek.
An established link between the sending of rain from the sky and the growth of plants from the soil, the formation of gardens of date palms and vines, as well as the growth of other fruitful trees and harvests.
A description of the olive tree and its production of oil and seasoning for us to eat, especially the olive trees grow on Mount At-Tour (in Sinai Peninsula). þ
A reference to the creation of cattle and its importance, which only could be noticed by those who contemplate. Cattle are of great use to us. Along with several other things, cattle produce milk, provide us with meat and provide us with a means of terrestrial transportation, just like boats provide us with a means of transportation on water.
The precedence of hearing senses over those of sight and intellect or comprehension. Recent observations in newborns have shown that, in fact, hearing precedes any of the other senses.
Reference to the changes in the day and night indicate the assertion of the spherical shape of the earth, its rotation around its axis and its orbit around the sun.
Mentioning a number of Prophets and Messengers and giving an accurate account of the fate of their people. Historical and archeological studies of some of these peoples have confirmed what was mentioned in the Qur’an. Among these Prophets are Nuh (Noah), Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron) and Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary).
Each of these ten points needs to be separately addressed in detail; therefore, I will choose one of these points to discuss. I will elaborate on the second point, which is that concerning the clot mentioned in the ayah that can be translated as,
“Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,” (Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14).
Linguistic evidence in the Glorious Qur’an
The word mudgha was mentioned three times in the Qur’an; once in the fifth ayah of Surat Al-Hajj, and twice in the 14th ayah of Surat Al-Mu’minun. The word in Arabic means a lump of incompletely developed flesh of a size big enough to be chewed. This is why Allah (SWT) named the stage following the clotting of the blood as such. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “...then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones,” (Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14).
Allah (SWT) also said what can be translated as, “O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge i.e. the offspring of Adam), then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh - some formed and some unformed (as in the case of miscarriage)” (Surat Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage):5).
The Arabic word mudgha and its derivatives provide a great deal of detail about that specific stage of development. The derived word mudagha is what remains in the mouth after chewing, whereas the word madighan refers to the mandible (jawbones) needed for the mastication of food or for aiding the process. Additionally, the word mudgha also means what has been chewed, refers to something that teeth have chewed and left visible marks on; marks that change in the process of chewing due to the repetitive act.
http://www.elnaggarzr.com/en/main.php?id=94
Twelve Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet
Twelve Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
Originally published by IANA
---------------------------------------
My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of Islam - to which I ascribe - but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world.
I ask Allah that He facilitates tat this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every heart...
Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.
My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.
Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands. This Koran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were able to belie him regarding anything that he said.
2. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Koran.
4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet's way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform-even to the minute detail-every act of worship-like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.
9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah's blessings peace be upon him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) have done so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet. Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad brought for all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom,, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought.
In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring an) of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.
12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him).
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
Originally published by IANA
---------------------------------------
My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of Islam - to which I ascribe - but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world.
I ask Allah that He facilitates tat this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every heart...
Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.
My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.
Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands. This Koran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were able to belie him regarding anything that he said.
2. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Koran.
4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet's way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform-even to the minute detail-every act of worship-like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.
9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah's blessings peace be upon him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) have done so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet. Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad brought for all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom,, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought.
In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring an) of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.
12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him).
Wonderful Qur'an site (Reciter + translate to different languages
While browsing the Internet ,I found this magnificent site
The site has a lot of advantages such as
Written interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an such as English, French, German, Indonesian and other language
Reading of the English translation
Reading of the Qur'an by different Reciter Abdul Basit, Alshorim AlSudais, Al-Ajmi, Aallasi
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran
http://www.mp3quran.net/ajm.html
http://www.youtubeislam.com/search_result.php?page=1&search_type=&search_id=Quran&sort=viewnum
The site has a lot of advantages such as
Written interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an such as English, French, German, Indonesian and other language
Reading of the English translation
Reading of the Qur'an by different Reciter Abdul Basit, Alshorim AlSudais, Al-Ajmi, Aallasi
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran
http://www.mp3quran.net/ajm.html
http://www.youtubeislam.com/search_result.php?page=1&search_type=&search_id=Quran&sort=viewnum
THE WOMAN'S STATUS IN CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
THE WOMAN'S STATUS IN CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
This page was created to compare a woman's status as seen in Christianity and Islam.
The sources are mainly the Bible, Quran, and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
The First Woman / Eve Christianity (Bible)
"When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it...Then the man (Adam) and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman (Eve) you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he (God) said, "Because you listen to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
Genesis 3:6-17
Islam (Quran)
(God said):"O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as you wish: but do not approach this tree, or you run into harm and transgression." "Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them (Adam and Eve), bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he (Satan) said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live for ever." "And he (Satan) swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser." "So by deceit he brought about their (Adam and Eve) fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy to you?" "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if You do not forgive us and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost"
Quran 7:19-23
Female Gender vs. Male Gender
"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..."
Leviticus 12:2-5
"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills.
Quran 42:49 "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire."
Prophet Mohammed
The Female Spiritual Essence
"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare." "Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-while I was still searching but not finding- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all."
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28
"And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: 'O my Lord! build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong," "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)."
Quran 66:11-2 "Heaven is at the feet of the mothers."
Prophet Mohammed
Menses
"When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening."
Leviticus 15:19-23
Ali asked the Prophet Mohammed if when a man and a woman make love then their clothes stick to them from the sweat of their bodies, or if when a woman has her period her clothes stick to her body, are the clothes considered unclean?
The Prophet replied: "No, the uncleanness is only in the semen and the blood."
Prophet Mohammed
Sexual Relation During Her Menses
"Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period."
Leviticus 18:19
"They ask you concerning women's courses (period). Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away (of making love) from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean..."
Quran 2:222
A Woman's Right to Education
"let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law, and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for woman to speak in the church."
1Corinthians 14:34-35
Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman.
Prophet Mohammed
Right to Inheritance
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter...'"
Numbers 27:8
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, -a determinate share."
Quran 4:7
Dressing Modesty / Head Covering
"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head"
1 Corrinthians 11:3-6 "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God"
1 Timothy 2:9-10
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Quran 33:59 ...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..."
Quran 24:31
Polygamy
"After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him."
2 Samuel 5:13 "He (Solomon) had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines..."
1 Kings 11:3 "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
Genesis 4:19 "If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated: then it shall be, when he maketh..."
Deuteronomy 21:15 "if he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall her not diminish."
Exodus 21:10
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... to prevent you from doing injustice."
Quran 4:3
Prohibition in Marriage
"Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living."
Leviticus 18:18
"Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: -your mothers, daughters, sisters...and two sisters (the wife and her sister) in wedlock at one and the same time..."
Quran 4:23
Divorce
"...Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:11-12
"O Prophet! When you do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord..."
Quran 65:1
The Divorcee & Widow
"...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Matthew 5:32 "'The woman he (the priest) marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people.'"
Leviticus 21:13-4
"If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (marrying widows) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner..."
Quran 2:234
The Respect of Parents
"Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them(his parents) and was obedient to them..."
Luke 2:51 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death."
Mark 7:10 "Each of you must respect his mother and father..."
Leviticus 19:3
"He (God) has made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable."
Quran 19:32 "And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail (pains of childbirth) upon travail his other bore him, and in two years was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal."
Quran 31:14
http://www.geocities.com/window2islam/misconceptions/chartwoman.html
This page was created to compare a woman's status as seen in Christianity and Islam.
The sources are mainly the Bible, Quran, and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
The First Woman / Eve Christianity (Bible)
"When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it...Then the man (Adam) and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman (Eve) you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he (God) said, "Because you listen to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
Genesis 3:6-17
Islam (Quran)
(God said):"O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as you wish: but do not approach this tree, or you run into harm and transgression." "Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them (Adam and Eve), bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he (Satan) said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live for ever." "And he (Satan) swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser." "So by deceit he brought about their (Adam and Eve) fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy to you?" "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if You do not forgive us and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost"
Quran 7:19-23
Female Gender vs. Male Gender
"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..."
Leviticus 12:2-5
"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills.
Quran 42:49 "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire."
Prophet Mohammed
The Female Spiritual Essence
"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare." "Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-while I was still searching but not finding- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all."
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28
"And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: 'O my Lord! build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong," "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)."
Quran 66:11-2 "Heaven is at the feet of the mothers."
Prophet Mohammed
Menses
"When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening."
Leviticus 15:19-23
Ali asked the Prophet Mohammed if when a man and a woman make love then their clothes stick to them from the sweat of their bodies, or if when a woman has her period her clothes stick to her body, are the clothes considered unclean?
The Prophet replied: "No, the uncleanness is only in the semen and the blood."
Prophet Mohammed
Sexual Relation During Her Menses
"Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period."
Leviticus 18:19
"They ask you concerning women's courses (period). Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away (of making love) from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean..."
Quran 2:222
A Woman's Right to Education
"let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law, and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for woman to speak in the church."
1Corinthians 14:34-35
Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman.
Prophet Mohammed
Right to Inheritance
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter...'"
Numbers 27:8
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, -a determinate share."
Quran 4:7
Dressing Modesty / Head Covering
"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head"
1 Corrinthians 11:3-6 "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God"
1 Timothy 2:9-10
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Quran 33:59 ...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..."
Quran 24:31
Polygamy
"After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him."
2 Samuel 5:13 "He (Solomon) had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines..."
1 Kings 11:3 "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
Genesis 4:19 "If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated: then it shall be, when he maketh..."
Deuteronomy 21:15 "if he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall her not diminish."
Exodus 21:10
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... to prevent you from doing injustice."
Quran 4:3
Prohibition in Marriage
"Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living."
Leviticus 18:18
"Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: -your mothers, daughters, sisters...and two sisters (the wife and her sister) in wedlock at one and the same time..."
Quran 4:23
Divorce
"...Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:11-12
"O Prophet! When you do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord..."
Quran 65:1
The Divorcee & Widow
"...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Matthew 5:32 "'The woman he (the priest) marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people.'"
Leviticus 21:13-4
"If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (marrying widows) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner..."
Quran 2:234
The Respect of Parents
"Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them(his parents) and was obedient to them..."
Luke 2:51 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death."
Mark 7:10 "Each of you must respect his mother and father..."
Leviticus 19:3
"He (God) has made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable."
Quran 19:32 "And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail (pains of childbirth) upon travail his other bore him, and in two years was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal."
Quran 31:14
http://www.geocities.com/window2islam/misconceptions/chartwoman.html
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