Do You Smoke ? ...

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Do You Smoke ?
by Sameh Strauch

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=362

Smoking was discovered by the Spanish conquistadors in America, about 500 years ago; from Spain, it spread to the rest of Europe, and also to the Muslim world about 100 years later.

Unfortunately, while the West has long realized the dangers of smoking and attempted to reduce it, in the Muslim lands, it has spread with little or no interference.

Early Muslim scholars, confronted with this obnoxious habit, declared it to be makrooh (detested), comparing it with such things as garlic and onions. This was due to the fact that, at that time, none was aware of the harmful effects produced by smoking, which include, cancer, heart disease, strokes, miscarriages and premature birth in women and several other diseases.

Since it has become clear that smoking is harmful, it is obligatory upon all Muslims to abstain from it, for Allaah has said: { And do not kill yourselves, Allaah is indeed Merciful to you } (Soorah 4:29),

And the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Let there be no harming and no reciprocating harm." (Narrated by Ahmad).

Unfortunately, some Muslims, either deliberately, or through ignorance, have been guilty of misleading Muslims, by repeating the earlier judgements of scholars, that smoking is only disliked, and therefore, not forbidden.

The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam also said: "The feet of man will not depart, on the Day of Judgement, from his standing before his Lord, until he is asked about five things: His lifetime and how he spent it; his youth and how he used it; his wealth - where he earned it and how he spent it; and how he followed what he knew." (Narrated by At-Tirmizi)

He sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam also said: "Whoever imbibes poison, killing himself with it, will be consuming his poison in the Hell-fire and will dwell therein eternally." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)

Smoking is also harmful to the human mind and reason. One only has to observe a smoker who has been deprived of his cigarettes for a while: He is rude, nervous, quick to anger and incapable of concentration. He cannot relax until he has had his "fix". He is affected by insomnia, indigestion, episodes of acute anxiety and so on…

The effect upon those around him is almost equally unpleasant: They have to bear the disgusting fumes emitted by him; even a mild rebuke habitually elicits a violent reaction from the smoker, who is apparently only aware of the violation of what he perceives to be his rights, i.e. his right to inflict this foul smoke upon any person in any place.

It has been firmly established by scientists, that secondary smoking is at least, if not more harmful than primary smoking, particularly for children. Asthma,or allergy sufferers are forced to vacate the vicinity of the smoker.

Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Anyone who believes in Allaah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbour."

(Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)

He sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam also said: "Verily, the example of a good companion and a bad one is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith: As for the perfume seller, he would either give you (some perfume), or you would buy (some) from him, or at least, you would get a good smell from him. And as for the blower of the bellows, you would either get a foul odour from him, or he would burn your clothes." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Smoking is also a waste of ones wealth on things which offer only harm and no benefit, for Allaah, Most High says: { And do not waste [your wealth] extravagantly. Indeed the squanderers are brethren to the devils are brethren to the devils } (Soorah 17:26-27)

And the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Allaah hates for you three things: Gossipping, begging and wasting money."

(Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

Smoking involves consuming an evil substance. It has a noxious smell, a horrible taste and is harmful to the body.

Allaah says: { He [the Prophet] who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is right, forbid them from wrongdoing, make lawful to them the good things of life, forbid for them the evil things and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that were [formerly] upon them } (Soorah 7:157)

A smoker is not only a faasid (corrupt person), but also a mufsid (one who spreads corruption): Because of his bad example, his family members, friends and colleagues may also smoke. It is useless to say: "Do as I say, and not as I do." The problem is exacerbated when the smoker affects an air of religious piety or knowledge, because many people will take him as a role model. This multiplies his sins and increases his burden.

Genuinely pious people avoid smoking and smokers, thus the smoker is excluded from the company of the righteous.

Smokers find fasting during the month of Ramadhaan more difficult that non-smokers, because they are suffering a form of drug addiction. They rarely fast voluntary fasts since even the obligatory fast is a trial for them.

The prohibition of smoking applies equally to the user, the seller, the manufacturer, the advertiser and all those involved in its production, sale or consumption, for Allaah says: { Coporate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate with one another in sinning and transgression. And fear Allaah; verily, Allaah is severe in punishment } (Soorah 5:2)

And the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Indeed, when Allaah prohibits something, he prohibits eating its price."

(Narrated by Ahmad)

So dear brothers and sisters, if you are addicted to this foul habit, you must make your intention firmly to Allaah to stop and seek aid with Him Who hears and sees all, and always answers the supplication of the sincere Believer. He, Most High says: { And when My slaves ask you about Me, [oh, Muhammad, say that] verily, I am near [in hearing, seeing and know-ledge]: I answer the supplication of the one who asks when he asks Me } (Soorah 2:186)

Solat Isytikharah Jadi Petunjuk PAS Dalam Menentukan Calonnya Di Galas

GUA MUSANG, 8 Okt (Bernama) -- Solat istikharah mungkin menjadi pemutus dalam menentukan calon PAS pada pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Galas, 4 Nov ini, kata Pengarah Pilihan Raya PAS Kelantan, Abdul Fatah Harun.

Katanya, ini kerana terlalu ramai calon yang berkelayakan dan seimbang yang dicadangkan PAS di peringkat akar umbi sebelum diperhalusi oleh pimpinan tertinggi parti itu.

"Kita percaya solat istikharah yang akan dibuat oleh Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, akan menjadi kata pemutus untuk menentukan calon PAS pada pilihan raya kecil itu," katanya kepada Bernama ketika melawat kawasan pilihan raya itu pada hari Jumaat.

Abdul Fatah yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Perancangan Kewangan, Ekonomi dan Kebajikan Negeri berkata, mengikut amalan biasa yang dinyatakan oleh bekas Ketua Dewan Ulama PAS Negeri, Yahya Othman, parti itu menerima calon yang mempunyai kriteria tidak pernah melakukan dosa besar, seperti zina dan membunuh serta sanggup meninggalkan dosa-dosa kecil, termasuk merokok.

Beliau juga menyokong kenyataan anggota Exco Kerajaan Negeri, bahawa PAS sedia menimbangkan untuk meletakkan Orang Asli sebagai calon pada pilihan raya akan datang termasuk pada pilihan raya kecil Galas.

"Ini semua tidak mustahil boleh terjadi, kerana masyarakat Orang Asli sekarang berbeza dengan sebelum ini kerana mereka kini berpelajaran tinggi dan tidak mudah menerima pandangan orang lain kerana boleh berfikir sendiri," katanaya.

Beliau yang juga anggota DUN Bukit Tuku berkata, pemilihan calon sebenarnya bukan menjadi agenda penting PAS, tetapi lebih besar dari itu untuk menegakkan perjuangan berasaskan prinsip Islam.

"Justeri itu PAS tidak merasakan sesuatu yang sukar dan "pelik" dalam menentukan calon pada semua pilihan raya, termasuk pilihan raya kecil DUN Galas ini," katanya sambil menyatakan keyakinan Anggota Parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah tidak akan menerima jika beliau dipilih sebagai calon BN pada pilihan raya itu.

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) menetapkan hari penamaan calon bagi pilihan raya kecil itu ialah pada 26 Okt ini dan jika ada pertandingan pengundian akan diadakan pada 4 Nov.

Pilihan raya kecil itu diadakan berikutan kekosongan DUN itu berikutan kematian wakil rakyatnya daripada PAS, Chek Hashim Sulaima, 46 akibat barah usus pada 27 Sept lepas.

-- BERNAMA

ooh wanita tudung labuh...

***warning! catatan yang dipetik ini agak panjang, lebih panjang daripada yang pernah orangkasai siarkan sebelum ini. kepada yang malas membaca, skip sahaja. tapi yang mahu dan sukakan kebaikan teruskan membaca sekalipun catatannya agak panjang. tersentuh hati kecil membaca catatan begini. orangkasai amat bersyukur kerana isteri yang dicintai juga bertudung labuh tanpa disuruh, walaupun dalam hati orangkasai sangat mengharapkan sejak awal berumahtangga lagi. syukur kini puteri tunggal juga menjejaki ibunya sejak dari sekolah rendah lagi***

Aku tidak mahu berbicara panjang tentang kewajipan menutup aurat. Apa yang ingin kukongsi di sini adalah tentang beberapa peristiwa dalam hidupku yang membuatkan aku berasa tudung labuh itu benar-benar istimewa. Allah banyak kali menyelamatkan dan memudahkan urusanku dengan asbab tudung labuh. seterusnya..

Wang Yang Disatukan – Bila Mahu Dibersihkan?

Dzulkefly Ahmad


Asalnya memang malas hendak melayan isu ini. Memang kata orang, kerja orang politik senantiasa hendak menjatuhkan lawan. Mutakhir tampak macam Umno mencetus isu, mengambil sebanyaknya ‘mileage’ dan kemudiannya meninggalkan isu begitu sahaja. Pakatan hanya ‘mengekor’ sahaja dan bertindak reaktif. Contohnya mana isu YB Neo Ching masuk masjid, isu Kalimah Allah dsbnya.

Tak putus-putus serangan dibuat. Tapi kali ini Umno silap congak. PAS dan Pakatan tidak akan izinkan Umno mencetuskan isu dan melenyapkan isu ini begitu sahaja. Kali ini, PAS akan lanjutkan sehingga terlondeh Umno! Isu ini akan akhirnya ke Parlimen lagi!

Apabila Reezal Merican Naina Merican pertama-tama mendedahkan bahawa Kerajaan Pulau Pinang telah menggunakan wang sumbangan sebanyak RM500,000 daripada Kelab Lumba Kuda Pulau Pinang untuk pemberian wang ehsan RM100 kepada warga emas, Umno menyangka Ketua Penerangan Pemuda Umno itu bijak mencari isu membunuh lawan politiknya.

Serangan ini dianggap berjaya dan berkesan mencetuskan rasa marah orang Islam, khususnya warga emas yang memulangkan wang RM100 itu. Mereka bertujuan menjatuhkan wibawa Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng. Lantas ada yang ‘berlakon’ memulangkan pemberian itu kembali.

Umno menggeletek keseronokan melihat taktiknya menimbulkan kemarahan terhadap kerajaan Pulau Pinang dan Ketua Menteri itu berjaya. Ketika mendapat tentangan, serangan beraleh sasaran. Kali ini ditujukan kea rah program pembayaran RM1000 kepada waris ketika warga emas meninggal. Kedua-dua ini dikatakan dari sumber haram hasil derma RM2juta daripada Kelab Lumba Kuda Pulau Pinang.

Kerajaan Pulau Pinang telah secara jelas mengatakan bahawa sumber kedua-dua program tersebut adalah dari peruntukan belanjawaan 2010 sebanyak RM20 juta hasil penjimatan penjimatan dari urustadbir CAT (kecekapan, pertanggungjawaban dan ketelusan). Tuduhan Umno jelas meleset. Tetapi peduli mereka tentang fakta dan kebenaran. Yang penting mereka ‘spin’ –‘putar-belit’ dan mampu yakinkan rakyat yang tidak membaca media alternatif dan internet – golongan yang bengantung seluruh maklumat dari media BN/Umno – Utusan, BH dan RTM.

Begitu juga program Rakan Anti-Kemiskinan (RAK). RAK adalah program kerajaan Pulau Pinang untuk membasmi kemiskinan tegar dengan mengeluarkan keluarga daripada garis pendapatan RM400 sebulan kepada sekurang-kurangnya RM500 sebulan.

Umno kecewa. Program murni ini terus diserang Umno, kononnya sumber haram dan dari judi.

Pegawai Kewangan Negeri sendiri Dato’ Farizan Darus telah mengaskan bahawa sumber RM2juta daripada Kelab Lumba Kuda diasingkan dan dikhusus pemberiannya hanya kepada orang bukan Islam. Memang miskin tegar bukan hanya terdiri dari orang Islam. Tentunya tidak salah menyalurkan wang derma kepada orang bukan Islam sementara orang Islam tidak diberikan dari sumber ini. Bukankah ini satu usaha murni dari kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang mempastikan orang Islam mendapat sumber yang halal?

Persoalan yang hendak ditanya rakyat, khususnya umat Islam ialah : Sejak bila pulak Umno pandai membezakan sumber rezeki halal dan haram? Sebabnya? Judi dan Umno ini sinonim sejak azali lagi!

Sejarah merakamkan betapa Umno mengingkari fatwa yang dikeluarkan oleh Mufti Pulau Pinang pada tahun 1951 iaitu Tuan Haji Abdullah Fahim (Ayahanda mantan PM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) bahawa judi loteri adalah haram.

Ertinya halal dan haram dalam UMNO tidak pernah menjadi masalah sejak penubuhannya mereka lagi. Malahan, tumbesaran UMNO tidak sangat memperhitungkan halal-haram sejak Merdeka lagi.

Ini terbukti apabila kalangan ulamak di dalam Umno membantah loteri kebajikan adalah haram. Pemimpin Umno tidak memperdulikan bantahan ulamak dalam Umno, berakhir dengan episod penubuhan PAS pada 24 November 1951.

Sampai sekarang kita tidak dengar suara membantah secara agresif dalam Umno supaya judi dihapuskan, malahan baru sahaja kerajaan Umno BN meluluskan lesen judi bola 2010 sempena pertandingan Piala Dunia kepada Syarikat Ascot Sport Tan Sri Vincent Tan Berjaya Group pada 6 Mei 2010 tetapi terpaksa digantung buat sehingga kini.

Peliknya kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang yang pertama mengharamkan judi bola sekaligus memusnahkan rancangan Umno untuk membenarkan lessen judi bola di Malaysia. Kerajaan PAS lebih awal lagi tidak mengizinkan lesen judi di premis-premis di Kelantan setelah berbincang dengan semua tokoh agama-agama lain.

Isu pokok yang hendak diketengahkan ialah sumber pendapatan. Timbalan Perdana Menteri turut tumpang semangkok mengambil kesempatan untuk memukul kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat kononnya orang Islam cukup peka dengan sumber pendapatan mereka bukan dari sumber haram seperti judi.

Kalau benar TPM peka dan Umno peka dengan sumber pendapatan perlu bersih dan halal, mengapa kerajaan Umno/BN sejak berdekad lamanya masih mengumpulkan semua pendapatan dari cukai dan bukan cukai dari sumber yang haram seperti Cukai Dosa atau “Sin Tax”, rokok, judi, arak dsbnya masih tidak lagi dipisahkan bahkan disatukan dalam ‘Wang yang Disatukan’ atau “Consolidated Fund” di peringkat kerajaan Pusat?

Ahli Parlimem Kuala Selangor pernah membangkitkan perkara ini, seperti juga beberapa ahli Yang Berhormat yang lain, tetapi pimpinan Melayu Umno membisu seribu bahasa. Tiba-tiba nak tunjuk warak dan alim kononnya peka dengan sumber pendapatan – halal dan haram. Kemuncak hipokrasi Umno!

Seluruh rakyat perlu diberitahu bahawa pimpinan Umno menipu rakyat lagi khusus kakitangan kerajaan bahawa penerimaan gaji mereka adalah tidak jelas dari sumber yang halal kerana telah ‘disatukan’. Dalam amalan Kewangan Islam, sumber yang jelas boleh dipisahkan dari sumber yang haram bagi pembersihan pendapatan. Tentunya gaji kakitangan mampu dibayar dari sumber yang jelas halalnya.

Sudah sampai waktunya pimpinan negara bertindak menyelamatkan pembayaran imbuhan kakitangan kerajaan untuk umat Islam di segi gaji dan bayaran yang mereka terima. Hanya ‘political will’ atau iltizam politik yang tinggi serta kepekaan terhadap agama yang mendalam yang akan mampu membuat perubahan seperti ini. Umno/BN tidak diharapkan untuk membuat perubahan ini.

Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat termasuk kepekaan pimpinan bukan Islam dari Pakatan tampaknya lebih bersungguh dari pemimpin elit Umno yang tegar dengan rasuah dalam kerasukan haloba tempolok masing-masing, meninggalkan kepentingan umat Islam dan mengorbankan kesejahteraan rakyat seluruhnya.


** Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad adalah AJK PAS Pusat dan juga Ahli Parlimen Kuala Selangor

When grandma goes to court (DONT MESS WITH GRANDMA)

Camel's milk may treat Aids, cancer

By Eman Al Baik

28 December 2004

SHARJAH — A research body here is seeking global tie ups to produce drugs to treat deadly diseases including Aids from the unique antibodies found in camel's milk.

The Arab Science and Technology Foundation that is working on a project to produce recombinant RNA from antibodies found in camel's milk to treat several diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and hepatitis C, apart from Aids, plans to approach American and European pharmacological organisations, said a top official.

“We are optimistic about finding investors to sponsor the project as laboratory tests have proved the milk component's efficiency in treating different types of diseases through such medicines. Despite the tremendous curative efficiency of the camel milk on a range of diseases, we will focus on its potency of curing Alzheimer's, Aids, cancer and hepatitis,� Imad Ghandour, the foundation's business development director, told Khaleej Times.

The production process of any medicine costs up to $800 million, said Ghandour, adding: “Translating an idea (to produce a medicine) into a project and finally having the medicine on pharmacies’ shelves is very costly. Money is needed not only to manufacture the medicine from herbs or natural materials but also to get the approval for it from American and European health organisations.�

Besides, the experimental phase of any drugs takes between eight and 10 years, according to Ghandour. The drug producers have to ensure the product has no side effects. To guarantee a 100 per cent curative effectiveness and clearance from side effects, huge capital is needed.

“An American company — which produced a medicine that later showed dangerous side effects and caused fatalties after two years of hitting the markets — is facing real troubles,� he pointed out.

The concept of using camel's milk was initiated by Dr Sabah Al Jasim of the Shaikh Zayed Medical Herbs Centre. He conducted a series of laboratory tests, proving the curative efficiency of the milk on different chronic and serious diseases. Dr. Al Jasim then submitted his research to the foundation to apply for patent and manufacture it.

Dr. Al Jasim's proposal is based on the discovery of a large number of viral antibodies in camel's serum and milk. The antibodies show exposure to diseases by which they are not infected. A fact proven by the fact that camels are unaffected by diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) that affects other cattle, according to the research.

Microbial diseases including leptospirosis, glanders, epizootic ulcertaive syndrome, lymphangitis, mastitis, pasteurellosis, paratuberculosis, tetanus, botulism, gas gangrene clostridia, the plague and the rickettsias also appear to be of very minor importance to the camel in comparison to other domestic animals, according to Dr. Al Jasim.

The relatively low molecular weight of the camel's heavy chain antibodies and certainly the recombinant VHH derived from these heavy chain antibodies, confer a big advantage here compared to common human antibodies.

The camel antibodies have the same antigen affinity as normal antibodies consisting of light and heavy chains, but are much smaller. Moreover, the comparative simplicity, high affinity and specificity and the potential to reach and interact with active sites, camel's heavy chain antibodies present advantages over common antibodies in the design, production and application of clinically valuable compounds.

This makes them good candidates to penetrate dense tissues to reach the antigen, where larger proteins cannot.

“The first step is to find sponsors for the project. Then, two years will be needed to prove curative effectiveness of drugs generated from camel milk on human beings. Results on volunteer patients will then be submitted to American and European organisations for approval on its manufacture — a process that usually takes up to eight years,� Ghandour elaborated.

The foundation aims at adopting the project to promote science in the Arab world, by mediating among Arab scientists, innovators, Arab businessmen and investors. By facilitating the interaction among them sharing the goal of improving scientific capability building inside the Arab world, noted Ghandour.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2004/December/theuae_December790.xml&section=theuae&col=

Dubai Fountain.. amazing