Archive for April 1st, 2011
Top 10 Worst Foods (in regard to Health)
Posted by almuqarraboon in Benefits from Health & Nutrition on April 1, 2011
posted by Michelle Schoffro Cook Mar 24, 2011 6:11 pm
Let’s face it: there are grocery and convenience stores (not to mention schools and school vending machines) that are full of chemical- and sugar-laced foods we should never eat. I’m frequently asked which ones are the worst. So, here are my picks for the top 10 worst foods you may be eating, in order, from terrible to tragic. The #1 Worst Food of All Time may surprise you!
10. Ice Cream—Sorry, I know just about everyone loves ice cream, but today’s ice cream is not only full of sugar, most of it is also loaded with trans fats, artificial colors and flavors, many of which are known neurotoxins (brain- and nervous-system damaging chemicals). Of course, there are healthier varieties, but most ice cream is hazardous to your health.
9. Corn and Tortilla Chips—Since the advent of genetically-modified foods, most corn we eat is a health-damaging frankenfood. Corn causes rapid blood sugar fluctuations, which you may notice as mood-swings, weight gain, or irritability, among other symptoms. Most are fried in oils that have turned rancid and are linked to inflammation.
8. Pizza—While not all pizza is bad, most of the commercially available and frozen pizza on the market is full of artificial dough conditioners and preservatives. It is made from white flour that has been bleached and reacts in your body just like sugar, causing weight gain and blood sugar imbalances.
7. French Fries—Not only do French fries typically contain trans fats that have been linked to a long list of diseases, they contain one of the most potent carcinogenic substances in food—acrylamide. Acrylamide is formed when white potatoes are heated at high temperatures. Additionally, most of the oils used for frying turn rancid in the presence of oxygen or at high temperatures, resulting in foods that cause inflammation in the body. And, researchers are discovering that inflammation is a factor in many serious health conditions, including: heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
6. Potato Chips—Potato chips offer all the health benefits (none) of French fries, but according to Health Canada, potato chips typically contain the highest levels of acrylamide, which is a carcinogen.
5. Bacon—Yes, bacon! Sorry bacon lovers. According to research in the journal, Circulation, daily consumption of processed meats like bacon can increase the risk of heart disease by 42 percent and diabetes by 19 percent. A study at the University of Columbia found that eating bacon 14 times a month was linked to damaged lung function and an increased risk of lung disease.
4. Hot Dogs—A study at the University of Hawaii found that consumption of hot dogs and other processed meats increased risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. One of the ingredients found in both bacon and hot dogs is sodium nitrite. This carcinogen has been linked to leukemia in children and brain tumors in infants. Other studies show that sodium nitrate also promotes colorectal cancer.
3. Doughnuts—Most doughnuts are 35 to 40 percent trans fats—the worst kind of fat you can eat. Trans fats are linked to heart- and brain-diseases as well as cancer. That’s before you consider the sugar and artificial dough conditioners and food additives many doughnuts contain. The average doughnut also contains about 300 calories.
2. Soda—According to research reported by Dr. Joseph Mercola, “one can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites.” That alone should make you rethink your soda habit. But, soda is also extremely acidic. It takes over 30 cups of pH-balanced water to neutralize the acidity of one cola. This acid residue can be extremely hard on the kidneys since they have to filter it. Additionally, the bones act as mineral reservoirs. Alkaline minerals like calcium are dumped into the blood to help neutralize acidity, which can weaken the bones over time. For more information on pH balance, check out my book, The Ultimate pH Solution. In studies, soda is also linked to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay, and heart disease.
1. Diet Soda—Diet soda is my choice for the Worst Food of All Time. Not only does diet soda contain most of the problems of regular soda, it contains aspartame, now called AminoSweet. According to research by Lynne Melcombe, author of Health Hazards of White Sugar, aspartame is linked to the following health conditions: anxiety attacks; binge-eating and sugar cravings; birth defects; blindness; brain tumors; chest pain; depression; dizziness; epilepsy; fatigue; headaches and migraines; hearing loss; heart palpitations; hyperactivity; insomnia; joint pain; learning disabilities; PMS; muscle cramps; reproductive problems; and even death. Aspartame’s effects can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, Epstein-Barr virus, Huntington’s chorea, hypothyroidism, Lou Gehrig’s disease; Lyme disease, Ménière’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and postpolio syndrome. That’s why I give Diet Soda the Worst Food of All Time award.
Adapted with permission from The Vitality Diet by Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, PhD, RNCP, ROHP.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, MSc, RNCP, ROHP, PhD, is an international best-selling and seven-time book author and doctor of traditional natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan, The Phytozyme Cure and HealthSmart News.
Certainty: Condition of “La ilaha ill Allah”
Posted by almuqarraboon in Back 2 the Basics :), Manners & Characteristics of a Believer on April 1, 2011
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Shaykh `Obaid bin `Abdullah bin Sulaiman al-Jabiri
[Introduction:
In explaining the testimony of faith, Muslim scholars have listed seven conditions of the shahadah, which a Muslim must fulfill so that s/he may be acknowledging the unity of Allah in open and in secret.
These seven are:
- Al-`Ilm (Knowledge of the meaning of the shahadah, its negation and affirmation)
- Al-Yaqeen (Certainty – perfect knowledge of it that counter-acts suspicion and doubt)
- Al-Ikhlaas (Sincerity which negates shirk)
- Al-Sidq (Truthfulness that permits neither falsehood nor hypocrisy)
- Al-Mahabbah (Love of the shahadah and its meaning, and being happy with it)
- Al-Inqiad (Submission to its rightful requirements, which are the duties that must be performed with sincerity to Allah (alone) seeking His pleasure)
- Al-Qubool (Acceptance that contradicts rejection).
Below is an explanation of the second condition. For other conditions, please refer to the book itself. Islaam.com Ed.]
The Second Condition
Certainty: al-Yaqeen
Certainty – it is perfect knowledge of it that counter-acts suspicion and doubt.
The evidence of certainty is His, the Exalted, saying:
Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful. [Surah al-Hujurat (49):15]
Allah made certainty, without doubt (or suspicions), a condition of true belief (in Allah and His Messenger), since the doubter is from the ranks of the hypocrites (the Munafiqun).
It is narrated from Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The servant meeting Allah having testified that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, not doubting them shall enter the Jannah (paradise).” [Muslim – the Book of Iman]
In another narration: “… meeting Allah having testified … is not excluded from Al-Jannah (paradise).” [Muslim – Book of Iman]
It is also narrated from Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu `anhu) in a long hadith ending with, that the Messenger of Allah said: “…whomever you meet behind this wall, testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, his heart certain of it, give him the glad tidings of Al-Jannah (paradise).”
His saying: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allaah and His Messenger…”
“Only…” – confirms that those mentioned are included and all others are excluded.
This means that the people of true belief (Iman), both apparent and hidden, are oly those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. They believe without doubt or suspicion, by their word of mouth and deeds, and they strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives.
He, the Exalted, therefore says: “…Those! They are the truthful.”
From the evidence of the verse (ayah): “…And afterward doubt not…” In this ayah is something that the compiler did not conclude, that the deed is derived from Iman (belief). This ayah is evidence that to strive in the cause of Allah is a “deed” which is an attribute of Iman (faith).
This is confirmed in the Sunnah by a hadith narrated by Abu Jumrah radhiallahu `anhu who said I was with Ibn `Abbas radhiallahu `anhu interpreting for him to the people, when a woman approached him and asked him about wine. He said: a deputation of `Abdul-Qais came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam asked: “Who are the deputation?” (or: Who are the people?) They replied: “Rabiah”. He sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: Welcome to the people (or welcome to the deputation) neither dishonoured nor regretful. He (meaning Ibn `Abbas radhiallahu `anhu) said: They said: “O Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, we came from a long distance and between us and you is the habitation of the unbelievers (kuffar) of Mudhar. We can only come to you during the prohibited month (i.e. when fighting is not allowed). Order us with a decisive order that we may convey to those we left behind, and (if we follow it) enter Al-Jannah (paradise)”, He (Ibn `Abbas radhiallahu `anhu) said: “He [the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam] ordered them (to do) four (things) and forbade them four (things). He (Ibn Abbas radhiallahu `anhu) said: “He ordered them to believe in Allah alone and said: “Do you know what belief in Allah entails?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “To testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhamad is the Messenger of Allah and to perform regular prayers, to practice charity, to fast the month of Ramadhan and to give one fifth of your spoils (of war)…” etc. [Al-Bukhari, Book of Prayer Times]
The evidence, from the Sunnah, is that the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam explained belief (Iman) by the visible Islamic deeds and practices.
It is in the Sahih Muslim and it has a story that Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu said: “We were with the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam on a journey until all the food the people had with them was exhausted. So some slaughtered some of their mounts. `Omar radhiallahu anhu said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) why not collect all that remains of the food of the people and invoke Allah.” He did. Those who had wheat brought their wheat, those who had dates brought their dates. Mujahid (radhiallahu `anhu) said: “…and those who had date stones brought their date stones.” I (Abu Hurairah radhiallahu `anhu) said: “and what did they do with the stones?” He said: “They sucked them and drank water afterwards.” He said: “He invoked Allah until all the people had plenty of food (and he mentioned it).” [Muslim – the Book of Iman]
Regarding his sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam saying: “I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah.” To witness is to inform and testify. Man is obliged to testify that only Allah is worthy of worship and that He is one that the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam is the Messenger of Allah.
His saying: “The servant meeting Allah having testified…” This is the evidence from the hadith as in the other narration stating: “The servant meeting Allah having testified… is not excluded from Al-Jannah (Paradise).”
To clarify his sallallahu `alaih wa sallam saying: “… he is not excluded from Al-Jannah (Paradise)”, we must explain two things:
First:
To exclude from Al-Jannah (Paradise) is of two kinds:
- Permanent exclusion – in the case of unbelievers. This does not apply to those who meet Allah on Tawhid.
- Temporary exclusion – this may happen to some believers for major sins they committed as proven in the authentic traditions (Ahadith Mutawaterah) of intercession (Al-Shafa`a).
Second:
To say that permanent exclusion does not apply to those who meet Allah on Tawhid is strictly speaking conditional and the criteria applied is demanding. It begins with knowledge of the meaning of La ilaha ill Allah and acting upon it. Other conditions will be presented when the tradition narrated by `Otban on the condition of sincerity, is discussed.
It is narrated by Abu Hurairah that: “We were sitting around the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam). Abu Bakr (radhiallahu `anhu) and `Omar (radhiallahu `anhu) were with us. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) got up and departed. He was long in coming back and we were worried that he may be attacked, so we arose and I was the first to rise and go out seeking the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam). Eventually, I came to a wall belonging to the Ansar (helpers) of Bani an-Najjar. I went all around it to find a door but found none. I saw a small river going through an opening in the wall from a wall outside it. I drew myself together like a fox and entered on the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam). He exclaimed: “Abu Hurairah?” I said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “What is the matter with you?” I said: “You were wit us, arose and were late coming back. We were worried that you may be attacked and we became alarmed. I was the first to follow you, and came upon this wall. I drew myself together like a fox and these people are behind me.” He said: “O Abu Hurairah,” then gave him his sandals and said: “Take my sandals. Whomever you meet behind this wall and who witnesses that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, his heart certain in its belief, give him the glad tidings of Al-Jannah (Paradise).”
He mentioned the tradition and in it `Omar radhiallahu anhu asked: “O Messenger of Allah, may parents be sacrificed for you, did you send your sandals with Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu `anhu) to give glad tidings of Al-Jannah to whomever he met witnessing with certainty that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah?” He said: “Yes.” He said (meaning `Omar radhiallahu `anhu): “Then do not. I fear that people may depend upon it (meaning they will become lax). Let them do (good deeds). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: “Let them.”
His saying: “Give him glad tidings.” [If a man is given glad tidings his face becomes relaxed. That is because if a person is happy, the blood will rush to his face like water in plants]. The meaning is that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam knew that every Muslim that Abu Hurairah (radhiallahu `anhu) was going to meet will enter Al-Jannah (Paradise).
His saying: “…his heart is certain…” The condition of certainty requires the negation of suspicion and doubt and this is the main point of narration.
These traditions tell us:
First:
The belief in the Hereafter, judgment and recompense is necessary.
Second:
The excellence of Tawhid and that whoever dies upon it, certain in its belief will enter Al-Jannah (Paradise).
Third:
The (decision) of al-Shurah (consultation) is acceptable provided it is correct even if it were from one person. The idea is not to collect votes.
Fourth:
To prevent corruption/mischief is given preference over bringing benefits. This is in accordance with the Shari`ah not with human judgment. Evidences of that are to be found in the numerous texts which we are unable to recount here.
Ways to improve your relationship with QURAN
Posted by almuqarraboon in Memorizing Qur'an, Qur'an on April 1, 2011
Bismillah walHamdulillah
7 Ways to improve your relationship with ALQURAN
O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as a thing (abandoned)” [al-Furqan 25: 30],
{وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا ﴿٣٠}
Transliteration: Wa Qāla Ar-Rasūlu Yā Rabbi ‘Inna Qawmī Attakhadhū Hādhā Al-Qur’āna Mahjūrāan
Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur’an? Or do you read daily, but don’t find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur’an.
1. Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Qur’an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah’s Book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it? Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was described by his wife as a “walking Qur’an”; in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Qur’an, he lived it.
2. Do your Wudu (ablution). Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you’re not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.
3. Read at least 5 minutes every day. Too often, we think we should read Qur’an for at least one whole hour. If you aren’t in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become 10, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!
4. Make sure you understand what you’ve read. Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you’re reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you’ve read that day.
5. Remember, the Qur’an is more interactive than a CD. In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. Remember that when you read the Qur’an, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention.
6. Don’t just read; listen too. There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your Walkman or your car’s CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not as a replacement for it.
7. Make Dua (supplication). Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Qur’an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
Al Muqarraboon 