Although a substantial 21.7 per cent tariff increase was effected on February 1, 2008, this has been found to fall short of the cost recovery level that was requested by Tanesco.

The upshot is that the state controlled utility will continue to experience operational cash shortfalls, which could reach Tsh50 billion ($28.5 million) in 2008.

The details are contained in minutes of discussions between the government and a mission of the International Monetary Fund that visited the country in March this year.

While it is not anticipated that Tanesco will need subsidies in the current financial year, the government has recommended that the power utility considers cost-cutting measures.

Tanzania must get Tanesco to financial viability if the country is to enjoy a reliable electricity supply.

Last year, Tanesco had applied to electricity industry regulator, EWURA, for a 40 per cent power tariff increase.

It is understood that EWURA has agreed to consider another request for a tariff increase once Tanesco completes a cost of service study and takes measures to reduce non technical losses - notably theft of electricity.

Tanesco is currently reviewing its financial situation in view of EWURA’s ruling.

In the meantime, the power utility is using the private emergency power generators to meet intermittent power supply deficits.

Currently, the company is in the process of procuring its own 145MW gas-fired generation capacity.

Despite good rains, the financial situation of Tanesco remains vulnerable, partly because of failure to implement cost reducing measures in its financial recovery plan, including the buy out of IPTL, the conversion of its plant and the refinancing of the Songas expansion. Negotiations with IPTL’s main creditors are currently under way.

Tanzania’s energy budget has increased steadily in recent years mainly as a result of the emergency power projects, consisting mainly of leased and owned generators funded through the multilateral debt relief initiative from the IMF.

Although the economy has remained strong - averaging 7 per cent during 2001-2007, thereby outpacing the average for sub-Saharan Africa, intrinsic weaknesses have began to emerge lately.

Government expenditure has bloated significantly, financed mainly by a significant broadening of the revenue base and scaled up donor assistance.

This year’s budget was written against the background of uncertainties in donor financing. Consequently, the government may this year be forced to borrow more from the domestic market to substitute foreign financing.

The circumstances may force the government to introduce expenditure cuts to cushion the budget from the impact of temporary financing uncertainty.

Secondly, inflation has increased in recent months, mainly reflecting rising global food and fuel prices.

There are also risks that inflationary pressures could spread in an environment of rapid credit expansion.

Still, Tanzania’s performance ranks among the best for non-oil exporting countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: allAfrica.com

General
To fast for 4 days is beneficial to save oneself from punishment in the grave.
Whoever fasts for six days in Rajab will find peace in Qiyamat & walk over the Pul-e-siraat easily without accounting.

Night of 1st Rajab
Recite 20 rakat namaaz on the night of 1st Rajab after Maghrib namaaz such that in every Rakat after Surah al- Hamd recite Surah Tawheed once. The reciter & his family will be saved from punishment in the grave & will cross Pul-e-siraat like lightening without any accounting.

1st of Rajab
Recite 10 Rakat Namaaz on the 1st of Rajab such that in every Rakat after Surah al Hamd, recite Surah Tawheed 3 times. A person who prays this Namaaz will be saved from the squeeze of the grave.

Lailatul Raghaib & first Thursday of Rajab
It is related that the person who recites Surah-al Yaseen before going to bed & Namaaz -e -Lailatul Raghaib will be saved from the terror of the grave.

The first Friday night of Rajab is known as Lailatul Raghaib. Hazrat Muhammad (saws) used to fast on the first Thursday & between Maghrib & Isha recite 12 Rak’at namaz in six sets of 2 units. In every Rak’at after surah al Hamd recite 3 times Surah al-Qadr & 12 times Surah an Naas. After salam recite 70 times: Allahumma s’ale a’laa muh’ammadin nabiyyil ummi wa a’laa aaleh.

Then go into sajdah & recite70 times: subbuh’un quddoos rabbul malaaaekate war-rooh’
Then sit erect & say 70 times: rabbighfir war-ham watajaawaz a’mma ta’lamo innaka antal a’liyyul a’zeem.

Then go into sajdah & say 70 times: subbooh’un quddoos rabbul malaaekate war-rooh’.

Night of 7th Rajab
The Holy prophet (saws) says that if a person recites 4 unit namaaz on the night of 7th rajab, (such that in each unit after Surah al Hamd recites Surat at Tawheed thrice, Surah alFalaq once, Surah an Naas once.

After finishing namaaz recites Salwaat &10 times Tasbeehate Arba’).
Allah will offer him shelter under the Arsh, & give him reward of a person fasting in the month of ramdhan. Till the time he finishes the prayers, the angels pray for his forgiveness.

Allah will ease the pangs of death on him & save him from the squeeze in the grave. He will not die unless he sees his place in Paradise, & will be safe from the hardships of Qiyamat.

Middle of month of Rajab & the night of 16th & 17th Rajab
To recite 30 rakat namaaz in the middle part of the month such that in each rakat after Surah alHamd recite Sura Tawheed 10 times is beneficial to save oneself from punishment in the grave. In the same manner to recite the above naamaz on the night of 16th & 17th Rajab is also beneficial

22nd Rajab
To recite the following 8 Rak’at namaaz on the 22nd of Rajab is beneficial during death. In each Rakat after al-Hamd , recite Surah Tawheed 7 times. After finishing Namaaz, recite sawaat 10 times & recite Astaghfirullah Rabbi wa atooboIlayh 10 times.

24th of Rajab
Fasting on the 24th of Rajab carries great reward. One of its merits is that the angel of death comes in the form of a handsome youth carrying a bowl of the pure drink(Sharaabe Tahoora) & offers it to the dying man. The dying person drinks it & dies in peace.

Last day of Rajab.
For the person who fasts on the last day of Rajab, Allah will save him from the after effects of death.

When I was in elementary school, I got into a major argument with a boy in my class. I have forgotten what the argument was about,but I have never forgotten the lesson learned that day.

I was convinced that "I" was right and "he" was wrong - and he was just as convinced that "I" was wrong and "he" was right.

The teacher decided to teach us a very important lesson. She brought us up to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk and me on the other. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black.

She asked the boy what colour the object was. "White," he answered.

I couldn’t believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black! Another argument started between my classmate and me, this time about the colour of the object.

The teacher told me to go stand where the boy was standing and told him to come stand where I had been. We changed places, and now she asked me what the colour of the object was. I had to answer, "White."

It was an object with two differently coloured sides, and from his viewpoint it was white. Only from my side was it black. My teacher taught me a very important lesson learned that day:

You must stand in the other person’s shoes and look at the situation through their eyes in order to truly understand their perspective.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

PLEASE REMEMBER ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.

Take Care and Khuda  Hafiz.

Mohamedhusein G. F. Somji

Method:

To pray 4 Rakaat Namaaz- ( 2 Rakaat  x  2) as below:

1st Rakaat- after Al-Hamd - one time Ayatul Kursi  and 25 x Sura Al Qadr

2nd  Rakaat- After Al Hamd- One time Sura Attakathur and  25 x Sura Al Ikhlas
After salaam to commence second prayer.

3rd  Rakaat- After Al Hamd- One Time Sura Al Kafirun and  25 x Sura Al Falaq

4th  Rakaat- After Al Hamd- One Time Sura An Nasr (Izaa Ja’a) and 
25 x Sura An Naas

After Namaaz recite the following tasbeehs:

1. Tasbihate Arbaa x 70 (SeventyTimes)

2. Salawaat x 70 (Seventy Times)

3. Allahummaghfirlil Muminina wal Muminat…. x 3 (Three Times)

Go to Sajdah Recite the following

"Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, Ya Dhaljalali Wal Ikram, Ya Allahu Ya Rahmaan,
Ya Raheem, Ya  Arhamarrahimeen"

Seek Your Hajaat

Iltemase  Dua

"We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process," Tsvangirai told reporters.

He added that a free and fair election ‘is impossible’ under the current circumstances, and urged the United Nations and African Union to intervene in what he called ‘genocide’ in Zimbabwe.

This decision would mean President Robert Mugabe will remain the leader of the restive nation.

Meanwhile, youth members of Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party on Sunday attacked journalists and forced election observers to leave a rally for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC said.

The MDC said in a statement, "Thousands of Zanu-PF youth militia, armed with iron bars, sticks and other weapons, have attacked journalists and forced election observer teams to flee from the venue of the MDC scheduled rally. Police are firing tear gas."

Police had banned the rally, but a Zimbabwe court overturned this on Saturday and said it could go ahead.

The youth militia, notorious for its violence, arrived by the busload. It set up road blocs at the main approach streets to Harare’s show ground to prevent opposition supporters from reaching the venue, ripped branches from trees and hurled stones at cars.

Hundreds of militants, many with sticks and wearing Zanu-PF ruling party colours, marched past its headquarters chanting slogans. Eight Zanu-PF trucks, warning lights flashing and crammed with passengers, circled the area.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change claimed that the militants were beating opposition supporters who were trying to reach the venue. The party’s claim could not immediately be confirmed.

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai had planned an afternoon address to the rally, his main campaign event before Friday’s runoff.

Source: Gulf News

The cause for the collapse is yet to be established. Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova said today that the police had also questioned the owner of the property, Mr Muhsin Somji (52) and that they were still looking for the contractor (name withheld).

The building, a proposed commercial structure on Plot Number 9 at Mtendeni Street within the city’s central business district, fell on a 2-storey building that housed a furniture and carpet shop on Plot Number 10 whose owner, Mr Ajay Lahkshan, said four people were in the shop when the incident occurred.

Three of them were rescued and the third victim - identified as Shamte - is considered missing. Those rescued are Ms Sharifa Juma, Ms Halima Seleman and Mama Lubabwe, all of whom were taken to separate hospitals - Ms Juma and Ms Seleman were taken to Muhimbili and Lubabwe to the Agakhan hospital.

According to a billboard on the site of the collapsed building, the main contractor was listed as N.K. Decorators, the architect as JEAM Associates and the structural engineer as CODEC. The client is McSoms Investment Ltd.

The Registrar of the Contractors Registration Board (CRB), Mr Boniface Muhegi, said that the contractor has been legally registered by his board and that it was too early to speculate who is to take the blame. “There are so many things that need to be looked at, there are many people that have a role to play and what really went wrong can only be established by a thorough investigation,” he said.

Engineers Registration Board (ERB) Registrar, Mr Ramo Makani, told this paper that the consulting engineer was also legally registered by his board – but also added it was too early to comment anything. “Building has its process that includes the municipal council inspecting every stage of construction before giving any go-ahead for another stage.

It will take time to establish what really happened,” he said. The architect, JEAM Associates, is also legally registered by the Architect and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board (AQRB), the board’s registrar Mr Abraham Marress told the ‘Daily News’ today.

The Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlement, Mr John Chiligati, said that he had not been filled in with details of the incident and asked to be given more time to look into the matter. According to Mr Kova, police have already launched an investigation into the matter but would not give further details.

On March 17, 2006 a four-storey building collapsed in Chang’ombe, Dar es Salaam, killing one person. Following the accident, the then premier Mr Edward Lowassa formed a committee of stakeholders and experts to inspect all buildings in the city, completed and those under construction. The purpose of the inspection was to ensure that all buildings meet the required standards to avoid incidents of high-rise buildings collapsing. The team’s report is yet to be made public.

Source: Daily News

ClickAfrique takes a look at Tanzania which has been ranked as having the best natural environment in the 2008 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum…..

The second annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 was released recently by the World Economic Forum and this year’s Report, under the theme Balancing Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability, places a particular focus on this issue, both through a reinforced environmental component of the Index used to measure travel & tourism (T&T) competitiveness and through topics covered by the analytical chapters.

In the latest report, 130 countries were profiled and one of the key indices looked at was the country’s natural environment.

Natural environment is a terminology that encompasses all living and non-living things that occur naturally in a region. This includes a few key components such as complete ecological units that function as natural systems without massive human intervention, including all vegetation, animals, microorganisms, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena that occur within their boundaries.

It also includes universal natural resources and physical phenomena that lack clear-cut boundaries, such as air, water, and climate, as well as energy, radiation, electric charge, and magnetism, not originating from human activity.

When the natural environment of all the 130 for the Report were examined, the east African country of Tanzania was ranked #1 in the world. The country is bordered by Kenya and Uganda on the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique on the south by the Indian Ocean to the east.

Tanzania’s natural beauty is best exemplified by the mountainous region in the north-east of the country, where Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, is situated. Standing at 5,895 meters (19,340 ft), Mount Kilimanjaro provides a dramatic view from the surrounding plains. The highest point on Kilimanjaro is Uhuru Peak, which is one of the Seven Summits (the highest mountains of each of the seven continents). Due to Kilimanjaro’s equatorial location and high elevation, almost every climate type on earth is represented, including a year-round snow-topped summit.

Central Tanzania comprises a large plateau, with highland areas, plains and arable land. The Great Rift Valley runs through the middle of the country.

The eastern shore is hot and humid, with the island of Zanzibar lying just offshore. Zanzibar is actually an archipelago of several small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as "Zanzibar"), and Pemba.

To the north and west are Lake Malawi (Nyasa) and the Great Lakes of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake), and Lake Tanganyika (Africa’s deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish) which are shared with Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya and Uganda respectively.

In the south west of the country are the spectacular Kalambo Falls, which are the second largest in Africa and are located near the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika.

Tanzania’s main river is the Rufiji which lies entirely within the country. The river is formed by the convergence of the Kilombero and Luwegu rivers. It is approximately 600 km (375 mi) long, with its source in southwestern part of the country and its mouth on the Indian Ocean. The river’s delta contains the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Much of Tanzania’s environment is protected by a system of National Parks. The rolling plains of the Serengeti National Park are home to millions of animals and birds including herds of antelope, zebra and wildebeest. These bovids participate in a large scale annual migration. Up to 250,000 wildebeest perish each year in the long and arduous movement to find forage in the dry season. Tanzania is also home to 130 amphibian and over 275 reptile species, many of them strictly endemic and included in the IUCN Red lists of different countries.

Other conservation areas include Arusha National Park, Gombe Streams National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ruaha National Park and Tarangire National Park.

The coral island of Chumbe, which forms part of the archipelago of Zanzibar is one of the most well known nature reserves in East Africa and aims to promote awareness of coral reef ecology.

Tanzania has put in a lot of effort to protect its environment as it sees it as a vital tool in bringing in tourists that would help to boost it economy.

A list of African countries and how their natural environments were ranked is shown below.

African Ranking                            World Ranking                                 Country

          1                                                                     1                                                Tanzania
          2                                                                    11                                               Uganda
          3                                                                    17                                               Zambia
          4                                                                    21                                               South Africa
          5                                                                    24                                               Kenya
          6                                                                    31                                               Botswana
          7                                                                    33                                               Zimbabwe
          8                                                                    34                                               Ethiopia
          9                                                                    38                                               Cameroon
          10                                                                  42                                              Namibia
          11                                                                  51                                               Senegal
          12                                                                  54                                               Benin
          13                                                                  61                                               Mozambique
          14                                                                  67                                              Burkina Faso
          15                                                                   70                                              Nigeria
          16                                                                   74                                             Madagascar
          17                                                                   77                                             Mali
          18                                                                   83                                             Burundi
          19                                                                   86                                             Egypt
          20                                                                   91                                             Chad
          21                                                                   93                                             Mauritania
          22                                                                  94                                             Tunisia
          23                                                                  95                                              Gambia
          24                                                                  97                                             Algeria
          25                                                                  114                                           Libya
          26                                                                 118                                            Morocco
          27                                                                 126                                            Mauritius

Source: Click Afrique

The news was announced after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon met Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi in Jeddah during a one-day visit on Sunday.

Last month, the Kingdom increased its production by 300,000 barrels a day in an attempt to bring down high prices.

It argues soaring prices are caused by speculators rather than oil shortages.

Oil prices fell by almost $2 on Friday after reports that Saudi Arabia might boost oil production. US light, sweet crude was trading at $134.86 in New York.

Speculative factors

After an earlier meeting with the Kingdom’s King Abdullah, Mr Ban said Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer, viewed current prices as "abnormally high".

"He [King Abdullah] acknowledged that the current oil prices are abnormally high due to speculative factors and some other national government policies," Mr Ban said.

"He is willing to what he can to [bring] the price of oil to adequate levels."

On Friday, the Saudi oil minister said current elevated oil prices - which hit a record high of more than $139 (£71) a barrel last week - were unjustified.

Oil minister Ali al-Naimi said a meeting of oil exporters and importers to be held in Jeddah later this month would seek a solution to the unprecedented high prices, the Saudi state news agency said.

Source: BBC News

In 2007, the Tanzanian economy grew by 7.3 percent.

"The economy will grow by 7.8 percent in 2008, 8.1 percent in 2009, 8.8 percent in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2011," Finance Minister Mustafa Mkulo said in an economic survey presented to parliament in Dodoma on Thursday.

Mkulo said the east African country’s GDP grew 7.1 percent in 2007, compared with 6.7 percent in 2006, led by telecommunications, financial services and construction.

"Inflation will be kept below 7.0 percent by the end of June 2009," he said. Average inflation in 2007 was 7.0 percent.

Mkulo released the survey ahead of making the country’s 2008/09 (July-June) fiscal budget speech later on Thursday.

Mkulo’s forecast comes at a time when high food and oil prices are eating into economies worldwide, and this could be a challenge to growth as it fuels high inflation.

Source: Reuters Africa

Chapter 2: Surah Al Baqarah
If you recite the four Ayaat of this Surah followed by Ayatul Kursi and then the three Ayaat of this Surah, you won’t have any sort of difficulty concerning your health, wealth and family members. Also you’ll not forget the Holy Qura’n and Shaitan will stay away from you.

Chapter 3: Surah Aale Imran
Recite this Surah on Friday and let Allah (SWT) shower his blessings till sunset and the angels will pray for the forgiveness of the reciter.
If written with saffron and hung in the neck of a woman with the intention of pregnancy then with Allah (SWT)’s command, the woman would be pregnant.

Chapter 4: Surah An Nisa
Recite this Surah every Friday and relieve yourself from the squeezing of the grave.

Chapter 5: Surah Al Maidah
The reciter of this Surah will get good deeds added to his account equal to the number of Jews and Christians. His bad deeds will be erased and his position in Allah (SWT)’s eyes will be high.

Chapter 6: Surah Al An’am
If you recite this Surah on a regular basis, angels will ask for forgiveness till the Day of Judgement. Write this Surah with saffron, soak and drink its water for 6 days, lots of good things will come to you, problems and ailments will stay away and you’ll keep healthy. There is great reward in reciting this Surah because Allah (SWT)’s name is mentioned 70 times.

Chapter 7: Surah Al Ar’af
Recite this Surah at least once a month; you’ll be safe from grief and sorrow on the Day of Judgement. Recite it on Friday; you’ll be with people whose account won’t be taken. Write it with rose water and saffron, drink it and keep safe from enemies and dangerous animals.

Chapter 8: Surah Al Anfal
If you write this Surah and keep it with you, it’ll enable you to get your rights from your superior.

Chapter 9:  Surah At Tawbah
Recitation of this Surah keeps away from enemies, thieves and fire.

Chapter 10: Surah Yunus
If there has been a misunderstanding in your family and you want to know who is at fault, write this Surah together with the name of all family members, and the problem will be solved.

Chapter 11: Surah Hud
If you recite this Surah on Friday, you will be with the Prophet (SAWW) on the Day of Judgement. All your sins will be forgiven and you will get the position of a martyr.

Chapter 12: Surah Yusuf
The reciter of this Surah will be safe from envy. Pangs of death will be made easy. If you write this Surah and drink its water, you’ll have good luck and sustenance.

Chapter 13: Surah Ar Ra’ad
Recitation of this Surah increases sustenance and makes you triumphant against enemies. Even thunder declares the Glory of Allah (SWT).

Chapter 14: Surah Ibrahim
Pray 2 rakaat every Friday (in 1st rakaa, Surah Ibrahim and 2nd rakaa Surah Al Hijr) after Surah al Fatihah, to be safe from sudden calamity and poverty.

Chapter 15: Surah Hijr
To prosper in business, tie this Surah on your hand or keep it in your pocket.

Chapter 16: Surah An Nahl
Recite every month to be safe from debts and calamities.

Chapter 17: Surah Bani Israel
If you recite this Surah on every Thursday night, you will see the 12th Imam before you die. If a child is stammering, or does not have clear speech, write this Surah, soak in water and let him drink, he will be able to talk clearly.

Chapter 18: Surah Al Kahf
To wake up from sleep at a certain time, recite the last ayah of this Surah. If you recite this Surah every Thursday night, you’ll die the death of a martyr. If you write this Surah in a bottle with narrow neck, you will be safe from debt, poverty and other problems. If you recite the last ayah of this Surah before sleeping, a light will appear and it will go till the Holy Qa’aba and the angels will pray for you. If the person is in Mecca, the light will go to Al bayt ul Ma’mun and angels will pray for him.

Chapter 19: Surah Maryam
If you keep this Surah with you, you’ll have good dreams. If this Surah is hung on the wall, you will be protected from thieves and frightened people will become calm.

Chapter 20: Surah Taha
By reciting this Surah regularly, your book of accounts will be given to you in your right hand on the Day of Judgement. If a man writes this Surah on a green silk cloth and goes to a family where he intends to get married, he will not be refused. When a girl wants to get married she must bathe with the water that this Surah was soaked in. If anyone wishes to get married, he should write ayah 131-132 and tie on his hand.

Chapter 21: Surah Al Anbiya
When one cannot sleep owing to fear and worry, the person should tie his Surah to ones waist.

Chapter 22: Surah Al Hajj
The reciter of this Surah will get rewards of all previous and future pilgrims. If one recites this Surah on every third day, he will go for Hajj in the same year and if he dies while going he will go straight to heaven.

Chapter 23: Surah Al Mu’minoon
To stop someone from drinking alcohol, write this Surah on a white cloth and tie it to your neck. Recite this Surah regularly and be happy at the time of dying.

Chapter 24: Surah An Nur
Recite this Surah day and night and none of your family member will be in trouble. Also 70,000 angels will follow the funeral and pray for your forgiveness.

Chapter 25: Surah Al Furqan
The reciter of this Surah will enter Paradise on the Day of Judgement without accounting for anything, on one condition that he must have faith. Keep this Surah on you to ward off dangerous pests.

Chapter 26: Surah Ash Shu’ara
Every illness can be cured if this Surah is soaked and the water drunk.
You’ll be protected from drowning/burning and be safe form wrongful death.
Recite this Surah and reap the reward tenfold as many mu’minoon and mu’minaat.

Chapter 27: Surah An Naml
The reward of this Surah is to stand on the day of Judgement reciting Shahadatain.

Chapter 28: Surah Al Qasas
This Surah when soaked in rainwater and drunk may cure stomach and liver pains.
Soak the Surah in water, drink and help dispel all your doubts and misgivings, sorrows and grief.

Chapter 29: Surah Al Ankabut
Relieve malaria, cold, heaviness of chest by drinking the water this Surah has been soaked in. Recite this Surah and sleep like a baby.

Chapter 30: Surah Ar Rum
As many angels there are between the heavens and earth, the reciter of this Surah will be rewarded ten times as many good deeds.

Chapter 31: Surah Luqman
Soak the Surah in water to alleviate all types of diseases as well as relief from severe stomach problems.

Chapter 32: Surah As Sajda
Write this Surah on deerskin and receive tons of proposals. Keep the Surah on you and be safe from fevers, headaches and pain of joints. Recite this at night and Allah (SWT) would give the records of deeds in the right hand.

Chapter 33: Surah Al Ahzab
Write on deerskin and keep it in a casket at home, all good marriage proposals will be brought. If you teach this Surah to all at home, the pangs of the grave will be kept against you. Good deeds will be written for you and you’ll be close to the Ahlulbayt on the Day of Qiyamah.

Chapter 34: Surah As Sabaa
Reciter of this Surah and Surah Fatir will stay in peace at night. and if recited at daytime, no unpleasant incident will occur. You will get good in the world and the hereafter. Write this Surah, tie it on you, and be protected form dangerous animals.

Chapter 35: Surah Al Fatir
Recite ayah 42 of this Surah and your headache will be cured.

Chapter 36: Surah Yaseen
Recite Surah Yaseen and your sins are forgiven. Recite regularly and the rewards are equal to completing the Holy Quran twelve times. If you recite this Surah for a sick person, angels will pray for his forgiveness and at time of death they will also attend his funeral. Written with rosewater and Saffron and drunk for 7 days, one’s memory would be that he would memorise what he listens. If in dispute one would win. Produces much milk for a weaning mother.

Chapter 37: Surah As Saffat
Protect yourself from misfortunes and calamities by reciting this Surah every Friday. Be blessed with health, wealth and children. Allah (SWT) will keep him safe from evils of shaitan and he will die the death of a martyr. If read over a dying person, he will pass away peacefully and easily.

Chapter 38: Surah Saad
Recite regularly; you will be saved from committing big and small sins.

Chapter 39: Surah Az Zumar
Allah (SWT) bestows great honours and onlookers will respect you, if you recite this Surah. Keep the Surah on you and everyone will praise you. Also the fire of hell will not touch you. Increases love between Husband and Wife.

Chapter 40: Surah Al Mu’min
Purification of the heart. Past and future sins are forgiven. Kept at the place of work, it brings prosperity. If one has white/black spots/pimples/boils, keep this Surah on you to get cured. Soak it, use the water to make dough, dry and grind, take a pinch to cure liver, spleen, heart, trembling problems and unconsciousness.

Chapter 41: Surah Hamim Sajda
Write in a utensil, wash with water and knead flour with that water, make balls, dry it and grind it. Give it to a person who has pain in heart, pain would be removed.
N.B. Following are merits of All Suwar starting with "Ha Mim":

Chapter 42: Surah Ash Shu’ra
On the day of Judgement there will be light on your face. Soak it and use the water to make a dough, dry and grind it, having a pinch of it daily cures eye diseases. Drink water during a journey to safeguard from troubles.

Chapter 43: Surah Az Zukhruf
The reciter is saved from the squeezing of the grave. Water soaked with this Surah is good for disease and epilepsy.

Chapter 44: Surah Ad Dukhan
The water in which this Surah has been soaked will cure constipation and stomach ails. Save your self from shaitan and get good dreams by keeping it under your pillow. If you recite on Thursday night, sins will be forgiven and 70,000 angels will ask for forgiveness till the next day. Recite this Surah on Thursday night and Friday morning, Allah (SWT) will build a house in Jannah. If a patient of Migraine drinks water of Surah Ad Dukhan he would instantly be cured.

Chapter 45: Surah Al Jathiya
The reciter of this Surah will not enter hell. Keep this Surah on yourself and remain safe from backbiters, also no one will talk bad about you. If it is hung around a newborn child, it will keep him safe.

Chapter 46: Surah Al Ahkaf
Rid the habit of forgetfulness by reciting this Surah. Soak it in Zam Zam water and drink the water, people will love and listen to you.

Chapter 47: Surah Muhammad
The reciter of this Surah will not have doubts on his religion and will be free from kufr and shirk. He will also be free from problems and diseases. After his death, 1000 angels will recite salawaat for him.

Chapter 48: Surah Al Fath
Forget forgetfulness by reciting this Surah. Surah soaked in Zam Zam water cures trembling during old age. Your children and family will be safe traveling

Chapter 49: Surah Al Hajarat
Cancel misunderstandings by reciting this Surah. A breast-feeding mother will get more milk if she keeps this Surah on her.

Chapter 50: Surah Qaaf
By reciting this Surah the pangs of death will be easier. Epilepsy will disappear. Sustenance will be increased and a breast-feeding mother will get more milk. Drink it’s water and you will not get stomach ails. For any eye problem, read ayah 23, blow water and wash your face with it.

Chapter 51: Surah Adh Dhariyat
Recite this Surah to make things easier, like pangs of death, deliveries, and e.t.c

Chapter 52: Surah At Tur
A prisoner will be let free if he recites this Surah regularly. A scorpion bite will heal if the water soaked with the Surah is sprinkled over it.

Chapter 53: Surah An Najm
If you recite this Surah regularly, you will have a peaceful life, people will love, respect and honour you.

Chapter 54: Surah Al Qamar
On the Day of Judgement, the face of the reciter of this Surah will shine. If you write this Surah on a Friday and keep it with you in your amama (cap), you will be honoured wherever you go.

Chapter 55: Surah Ar Rahman
The reciter of this Surah will die a martyr and enter paradise. If you recite this Surah on Friday morning, you will get great reward. Keep it on you at all times to make your work easy. Eyes will be cured. Hang it on the wall to ward of all insects

Chapter 56: Surah Waqia
If you recite this Surah regularly, your sustenance will increase, you will not face poverty, people will love you, and you’ll not be grieved. Death pangs will be easy and your sins forgiven.

Chapter 57: Surah Al Hadid
Recite this Surah to make a wound heal fast. Also recite this Surah for release of prisoners.

Chapter 58: Surah Mujadilah
If you recite or tie this Surah to a sick or restless person, he will get peaceful sleep and remain calm. If you recite this Surah day and night, you will be safe from theft. If you will recite this Surah on hand and throw it on an enemy, he will be friendly towards you.

Chapter 59: Surah Hashir
To have a good memory and be intelligent, write this Surah and drink the water you soak it in.

Chapter 60: Surah Al Mumtahanah
Cure any spleen disease by drinking the water this Surah has been soaked in for three days.

Chapter 61: Surah As Saff
If recited during journey, you will be saved from thieves and other problems.

Chapter 62: Surah Al Jum’ah
One who recites this every morning and evening will be saved from shaitan’s promptings. Also you will be free from worries.

Chapter 63: Surah Munafiqun
Recited regularly, this Surah cures, boils, eye- sores, internal pains and many other sicknesses.

Chapter 64: Surah Taghabun
The reciter of this Surah will be saved from sudden accidental deaths and cruel people.

Chapter 65: Surah At Talaq
The 6th Imam says those who recite this Surah in Wajib namaz he will be protected from the Fear of Day of Judgement and will have a place in Heaven. By reciting this Surah regularly, Allah (SWT) will accept his repentance in full.

Chapter 66: Surah At Tahrim
Regularly recitation helps clear debts. Soak the Surah in water; sprinkle it over a sick person for comfort, and on an epileptic patient for cure. For good sleep, recite before going to bed.

Chapter 67: Surah Al Mulk
One who memorises this Surah will be saved from the chastisement of the grave and if you recite it for a dead person, his difficulties will immediately decrease. Also the reciter of this Surah will achieve what he seeks and be in Allah (SWT)’s protection.

Chapter 68: Surah Al Qalam
One who recites this Surah regularly will have no problems in his sustenance.
Also hung around the neck, tooth pain will subside.

Chapter 69: Surah Al Haqqah
The child of a pregnant woman would be safe if this Surah is hung around her neck.
The water from this Surah will make a child intelligent if it’s given to the child.

Chapter 70: Surah Al Ma’arij
Recite this if you wish for a certain prisoner to be released. Recited at night, you’ll be safe from shaitan’s promptings.

Chapter 71: Surah An Nuh
Recite the Surah regularly to get your wishes granted and have a house built for you in Jannah by reciting it every morning and night.

Chapter 72: Surah Al Jinn
Keep yourself safe from the witchcraft. A prisoner who recites this regularly will be released. Recitation of this Surah keeps your treasures safe and away from debts.
Keep it on you for good memory.

Chapter 73: Surah Al Muzammil
The reciter of this Surah will have a peaceful death and keep him away from bad situations. Recited in Namaz E Shab or Isha, he’ll be free from sins for the whole day.
If you recite this Surah without missing a day, you’ll see the Prophet in your dreams and whatever you’ll ask from Allah (SWT), would be granted to you. Recited on a Thursday night a hundred times, a hundred sins will be forgiven and a hundred good deeds added to his account and his wish granted.

Chapter 74: Surah Al Muddaththir
You should recite this Surah if you want to memorise the Holy Qur’an. Your memory will be excellent and you will not die until you have memorized the Qur’an. You will also have no bad luck in life.

Chapter 75: Surah Al Qiyamah
Recite this Surah regularly, you will rise from your grave with light, your livelihood will increase, you will be under Allah (SWT)’s protection, people will love you and you will be purified and become humble. Your heart will become strong when you drink the water from this Surah. Recite this Surah and act on it; it will come to you smiling with good news on the Day of Judgement.

Chapter 76/77: Surah Ad Dahr/Al Insan
You will go to Paradise if you recite it regularly, on every Thursday morning; the reward is a 100 hoors in heaven, 4000 gardens and a house near the Prophet. The water of this Surah will cure heart disease.

Chapter 78: Surah An Naba
Recite this Surah daily, you will visit the Holy Qa’aba within a year. If you recite it with the intention of staying awake, you will remain awake. Recite whilst traveling, you will have a safe journey. The water from this Surah will cure stomach ailments.

Chapter 79: Surah An Nazi’a't
Reciter of this Surah will get as much reward as ten times the stars in the sky.

Chapter 80: Surah Abasa
The reciter of this Surah will rise from his grave joyfully. The reciter of this Surah will return safely from a journey. One will enter paradise under its shade.

Chapter 81: Surah Al Takweer
All eye problems will disappear if this Surah is written and hung around the neck. Also by reciting this Surah, eyesight is improved.

Chapter 82: Surah Al Infitar
Your faults are hidden during the day of Judgement if this Surah is recited regularly.

Chapter 83: Surah Al Mutaffifin
The fire of hell will not touch you if you recite this Surah.
Recite on any of your treasures or property to safeguard them.

Chapter 84: Surah Al Inshiqaq
Make an amulet of this Surah for a pregnant lady and remove once the child is born.
It also helps in the easy delivery.

Chapter 85: Surah Al Buruj
Recite this Surah for a sound sleep. It also keeps you far from dangerous places.
To stop breast-feeding, make an amulet for the child and this will help him wean the habit.

Chapter 86: Surah Al Tariq
If you recite this Surah on the medicine before having it, it will become more effective.
The water in which you soak the Surah will heal a wound faster if you wash with it.

Chapter 87: Surah Al A’la
To relieve earaches, recite this Surah and blow on the part that is affected.
This Surah is also recommended for curing piles, neck pains and broken limbs.

Chapter 88: Surah Al Ghashiyah
Recite this Surah to calm a scared and crying child. This Surah cures toothaches.

Chapter 89: Surah Al Fajr
This is Imam Husain (AS)’s Surah. If you have difficulty conceiving, tie an amulet of this Surah around your waist and then sleep with your spouse.

Chapter 90: Surah Al Balad
The water of this Surah will relieve nose problems and an amulet will ward off diseases in a child.

Chapter 91: Surah Ash Shams
By reciting this Surah daily, it will increase your livelihood and people will always be in agreement with you. Your heart will be strong and you will have good memory.

Chapter 92: Surah Wal Layl
Recite this Surah 15 times before sleeping and see only good dreams. And if you recite this Surah in the ear of a person who is unconscious or suffering form epilepsy, he will be cured.

Chapter 93: Surah Wad Duha
Write this Surah over the name of a person who has disappeared, he will come back.
If you have forgotten anything, recite this Surah and the thing will remain in Allah (SWT)’s protection.

Chapter 94: Surah Al Inshirah
Cure chest pains by reciting this Surah and wear an amulet for palpitations. If a person whose urine has stopped, write this Surah, soak it in water and then drink it, it will cure the ailment,.

Chapter 95: Surah Wat Teen
Poison will not affect the person who recites on his food

Chapter 96: Surah Al Alaq
Recite this Surah for safe travel, from drowning, safekeeping treasures. Recite this Surah in the day or at night and if you die in the course of it, you will die a martyr’s death.

Chapter 97: Surah Al Qadr
i) Recite 10 times in one sitting, 1000 sins are forgiven.

ii) Recite 15 times after Isha prayers, you’ll be safe until the next night.

iii) Recite this Surah in wajib namaz, all your sins will be forgiven.

iv) Recite this Surah once in Ramadhan and get the reward of fasting for the whole month.

v) Recite this Surah in front of your employer, your work will be done.

vi) Recited 7 times on a mu’mins grave, his sins are forgiven.

Chapter 98: Surah Al Bayyinah
Hang around the neck for cure of jaundice/white spots on body. Soak the Surah in water, drink and pregnancy stays safe and body swellings disappear. Recite it on food there will be no effect of poison.

Chapter 99: Surah Az Zilzaal
Recite this Surah to keep you safe from earthquakes and accidental deaths and you will die peaceful and enter heaven. Whoever has been afflicted with facial paralysis should look at this Surah to get cured.

Chapter 100: Surah Al A’adiyat
Regular recitation of this Surah will be rewarded equally to the whole Qur’an. Your debts will be paid and you will be free from fears. If you are in pain, write this Surah in a new utensil and soak it with rainwater, then add a pinch of Sugar. Drink this water for the pain to subside.

Chapter 101: Surah Al Qariah
This Surah will increase your livelihood when you recite it regularly. Keep it with you; the door of sustenance will open for you.

Chapter 102: Surah At Takathur
If you recite this Surah when it rains, your sins will be forgiven. Before sleeping, you will be safe from the squeezing of the grave. If you recite in wajib namaaz, you will get the reward of 100 martyrs and in Nafila Namaaz the reward of 50 martyrs. Recite this Surah for headache and it will get cured.

Chapter 103: Surah Al ASR.
If you recite this Surah on a regular basis, you will have a peaceful death. Also, recite this Surah to cure fever.

Chapter 104: Surah Al Humazah
An amulet of this Surah worn around your neck will save you from evil eyes.
For eye pain, recite this Surah and you will be cured.

Chapter 105: Surah Al Feel
Troubles will fly away when this Surah is recited over a worried person.

Chapter 106: Surah Al Quraish
The reciter of this Surah will get the thawaab of a tawaf of Khana e Q’aaba and itteqaf. Doors of sustenance will be open. If you recite this Surah over a heart patient, he will be cured. You recite it on food and it will not harm you.

Chapter 107: Surah Al Ma’un
Recite this Surah after Isha prayers and you will be under Allah (SWT)’s protection. If you recite this Surah 41 times with 10 salawaats in the beginning and end, you and your children will never be dependant on any body. If you recite this Surah 100 times you will be under Allah (SWT)’s protection till next morning.

Chapter 108: Surah Al Kauthar
If you recite this Surah on a Thursday night, you will see the Prophet (SAW) in your dreams. Whoever recites this in his wajib and Nafila prayers will get to drink the water of Kauther.

Chapter 109: Surah Al Kafiroon
If this Surah is recited 100 times before the rising of the sun on a Friday Morning, your wishes will be granted. If you recite this Surah, you will get the reward of reciting quarter of the Holy Qur’an. Whenever you travel to accomplish a mission, recite these five suwar: Surah Al Kafiroon; An Nasr;At Tawheed;Al Falaq and An Naas after which you recite "deeni Islam."

Chapter 110: Surah An Nasr
The reciter of this Surah will get the reward of being with the Prophet on the day he conquered Mecca.

Chapter 111: Surah Al Lahab
The reciter of this Surah should curse Abu Lahab. Reciting this Surah regularly, helps in the cure of stomach ails. For a peaceful sleep, recite before going to bed.

Chapter 112: Surah Al Ikhlaas
The reciter of this Surah gets the reward of a quarter of the Holy Qur’an. Recite 12 times, there will be palaces, 100 times 25 years sins are forgiven, but on the grounds he has not killed and not usurped someone’s rights. Recite 1000 times, death will not come until the palace is built in Jannah. Before entering home, recite once and sustenance is increased. Recite 10 times for a safe journey. In Namaz E Shab, this Surah ,if recited 30 times in both rakaat all your sins are forgiven. Recite 11 times in the graveyard to gift the buried ones.

Chapter 113: Surah Al Falaq
In Ramadhan recitation of this Surah in wajib and Nafila namaaz, you are rewarded the thawaab of Mecca’s fasting. In Layl namaaz the recitation of this Surah and Surah an Naas is accepted by Allah (SWT)

Chapter 114: Surah An Naas
Recitation of this Surah every night keeps the false doubts, evil, jinn’s are kept away. An amulet for a child keeps evil away. Whenever this Surah is recited where there is pain, it will vanish.

Surah Al Fatihah
i) If you recite on a dead body 70 times, it should be no wonder Allah (SWT) restores him to life.

ii) Pain subsides if the Surah is recited on any body pain.

iii) If this Surah does not give relief form pain, nothing else can.

iv) Imam Jafar As Sadiq (AS) said: "AL – HAMD" whose beginning is Praise, middle is Purification and the end is Supplication."

v) Anyone who listens to some one reciting the Surah, he will receive the equal reward.

The Tanzania government has finally approved Kenya Commercial Bank’s Amana Islamic suite.

According to KCB-Tanzania head of retail banking Gloria Nyambok, the approval will see the bank introduce the second phase of the Amana suite comprising loan products.

Ms Nyambok added, “The bank consulted an Islamic panel of leading scholars to guide the product development process.”

She said the bank has agreed to abide by the stringent guidelines set by the National Muslim Council of Tanzania. Among these are the establishment of an Amana Banking Advisory Board to oversee the product and the appointment of Shariah-compliance officers.

Muslims make up more than 50 per cent of Tanzania’s population. Existing banking regulations have hindered the introduction of Islamic banking in the past.

The Islamic faith prohibits its members from earning interest on their accounts in any way. Giving and receiving as well as witnessing interest are all prohibited. Islamic banking products therefore do not pay interest on deposits nor demand or receive interest from borrowers.

The bank’s head of corporate affairs Doris Parsons said there would be a free ATM card that is linked directly to the Islamic facility, issued only to Amana Account holders.

KCB Tanzania has cut a niche for itself in the local banking sector for continually introducing competitive products.

Last year the bank introduced Biashara Banking for small and medium enterprises as well as KCB Cub Account for minors. the two products have been very well received.

Source: The East African

Naade Aliyyan Madh’haral Ajaaibe
Tajid’hoo Awnan Laka Fin-Nawaaib.
Kullu Hammin Wa Ghammin Sayanjalee
Bi Wilaayatik.
Yaa Aliyyu, Yaa Aliyyu, Yaa Ali.

(Call Ali, He is able to bring about the extraordinary. You will find him an effective supporter in all calamities. All worries and sorrows will soon disappear on account of your authority, O Ali, O Ali, O Ali.)

‘Naad-e-Ali’ was brought by Archangel Jibraeel(A) from the Almighty Allah(SWT) to the Holy Prophet(SAWW) on the event of the Battle of Khaybar. Its recitation has multi purpose effects, some of them are as under:-

# If someone is surrounded by enemies, she/he should recite ‘Naad-e-Ali’ on some earth and throw it towards the enemies, its effect will be that the enemies can’t do any harm to the reciter of this.

# If one is afraid of enemies she/he should recite it 27 times daily, enemies will be humiliated.

# To be safe from evil effects of sorcery recite 7 times on water, drink some of it and take bath with the remaining water.

# To remove the bad effects of a poison write Naad-e-Ali on a china clay plate, with saffron, then recite it 21 times and wash the plate with clean water and give that water to the affected person to drink.

# For an incurable disease or ailment recite Naad-e-Ali 21 times on a glass of water and give it to the sick person to drink.

# To get rid of disturbing troubles and worries recite Naad-e-Ali 1000 times in the house.

# If there is a misunderstanding or a conflict with some person recite Naad-e-Ali 71 times and go to that displeased person, there will beging love and understanding between you and the concerned person.

# To be free from false accusations recite Naad-e-Ali 40 times in the morning, you will be treated with respect.

# If one recites Naad-e-Ali 25 times before Friday Prayers then the loss of sleep or insomnia will be cured.

# For prosperity and honour one should recite Naad-e-Ali 21 times daily.

# To have large means and wealth recite Naad-e-Ali 12 times everyday in the morning.

# Reciter of Naad-e-Ali 17 times daily will have an upper hand over the enemy.

# Recite Naad-e-Ali 34 or 36 times for fulfillment of legitimate desires.

# For curing any disease recite Naad-e-Ali 27 times daily.

# For seeing the Holy Prophet in dream recite Naad-e-Ali 7 times everyday before going to bed.

# To be freed from prison one should recite Naad-e-Ali 16 times daily.

# To get a solution of an urgent matter in your favour recite Naad-e-Ali 15 times daily.

# To be aware of devine plan concerning your matter recite Naad-e-Ali 16 times daily for 40 days.

# To increase knowledge recite Naad-e-Ali 17 times after Zuhr prayers for 20 days.

# Recite Naad-e-Ali 50 times daily for 16 days for fulfillment of legitimate desires and success in your efforts.

# For removing discord among two persons recite Naad-e-Ali 30 times daily for 20 days.

# To have courage and power recite 25 times Naad-e-Ali.

# Reciting Naad-e-Ali 1000 times in one sitting will result in fulfillment of any legitimate desire.

The track is called Seal of Prophets. Have a look see, give your thoughts on the video, personally I think it’s excellent, both visually, as well as how it’s mixed, and the track - totally awesome!  I love it

The guys have blended Arabic and Western languages and musical styles to produce a set of tracks that are truely a first of their kind - I would invite anyone to have a good listen and learn from the spiritual vibes of The ViGiL.

Enjoy:

You’ll be able to get the album very shortly from right here (as well as from their site), stay posted for more information soon.  Having heard it already, I can say with complete certainty it’s absolutely awesome!!

SPREAD THE WORD!!

With Salaams and Dua’s

Shabbir

The fisherman was overjoyed. He thanked King Parveez and left.

Queen Shireen turned to her husband in anger and scolded him for paying so much for a fish. King Parveez let her have her say but said that the fish was purchased and that there was nothing that could be done about it.

However, the Queen was adamant and insisted that the fisherman be brought back.

“We will ask the fisherman about the gender of the fish,” she said. “If he answers that it is female, we will say that we wanted a male fish and if his response is that it is male, we will say that we wanted a female fish! Either way, we will be able to return the fish and have our money back.”

So the poor fisherman was called back and was asked the question.

Fortunately, he was clever enough not to be caught out.

He replied, “The fish is neither male or female. It is neutral.”

King Parveez was so impressed by the ingenuity of the man that he ordered a further 4000 dirham to be paid to him. The fisherman thanked the King again but as he was about to leave with the heavy bag of money, one of the coins fell onto the floor. The fisherman immediately bent down to look for the coin. Queen Shireen was already upset that the fisherman had been given 8000 dirham.

“Look how miserly this man is!” the Queen exclaimed. “One coin has fallen out of his bag full of money and he searches for it instead of leaving it for some other poor servant to find.”

The man heard this remark and said, “O Queen, it is not out of miserliness that I search for the coin but rather because it had the picture of generous King Parveez on it. I would not tolerate anyone to cause dishonour to the King by treading on the coin.”

The King was so happy with this response that he immediately called for another 4000 dirham to be given to the fisherman. When Queen Shireen saw all  this, she thought it was better to hold her tongue and let the man go with the 12000 dirham before the King decided to increase the amount again. (Lessons from Life)

Speech is an Art. If one knows what, when and how to talk  then such a person will be successful in life. The Holy Prophet(S) has said,

“The beauty of man is in the clarity of his tongue”. (Kanzul-’Ummaal)

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(A) has said,

“Your tongue is the translator of your intellect”. (Bihar al-Anwaar)

In other words, a person’s intellect and wisdom is recognized through his speech.

Source: 40 Sparks of Wisdom

“O Zarqa!” explained Aby Layla, “Today I was humiliated in the court of Mutawakkil by failing  a test! A convicted thief was brought in front of Mutawakkil so that he could be punished for his crime. Mutawakkil turned to me and said, “O Abu Layla! According to the Qur’an, this thief’s hand should be cut off. Tell me, from where should the hand be cut?”

“The Qur’an does state,’ I replied, ‘that the hand of a thief should be cut-off. It also states in the verse on wudhoo that one should wash one’s hands till the elbow. It follows that the hand should be cut from the elbow.’

“Mutawakkil then looked at the other learned people in the court and asked for their opinion. One of them said that in the verse pertaining to ‘Tayyammum’, the hand was regarded as being only up to the wrist.

After much debate, Mutawakkil posed the same question to the Imam of the Shia’s, Muhammad bin Ali. At first the Imam was reluctant to respond, saying that others had already expressed their views. However, Mutawakkil insisted that the Imam must give an answer.

‘You can cut no more than the fingers of the thief,’ said the Imam, ‘because the Qur’an says: The places of prostration are for Allah (72:18). This means that the parts of the body used in Sajdah (prostration during prayer) should not be harmed. As the thief is a Muslim and will need his palms to keep on the ground when performing Sajdah, only the fingers should be cut.’

“O Zarqa! When Mutawakkil heard this, he was so impressed that he praised the Imam of the Shia’s and by doing so, our reputation was ruined. I know that whoever harms the Imam will be sent to hell, but I must have my revenge!”

The following day, Abu Layla approached Mutawakkil and reprimanded him.

“What did you do yesterday?” he asked Mutawakkil. “The people consider Muhammad bin Ali to be the true Imam and feel that you are on the path of falsehood. By giving him preference over me, you have proved to them that their view is correct.”

Abu Layla’s words had the desired effect on Mutawakkil. The provocation finally led him to poison and kill Imam Muhammad Taqi(A). (Bikhre Moti)

Jealousy is one of the most dangerous diseases of the soul. If one does not learn to control it, it can lead one to self-destruction. A jealous person is never happy in this life and his actions as a result of jealousy may lead him  to earn the displeasure of Allah(S) in the Hereafter.

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(A) has said, “A jealous person is he who exhibits love in his speech and conceals his hatred in his actions; he has the name of a friend and quality of an enemy”. (Ghurar al-Hikam)

He(A) has also said, “An extremely jealous person suffers from much grief and his ill-deeds are in manifolds.” (Ghurar al-Hikam)

Source: 40 Sparks of Wisdom

Many years ago there lived a King who built himself a huge and magnificent palace. No one had seen anything like it before. The turrets rose into the sky and many expensive materials were used in its construction. The King invited one and all to come and view his palace and left a guest book at the entrance for them to sign and leave comments in.

He took pleasure in reading the various praises that people visiting the palace had written for him in the book. However, he came across two comments that were not in keeping with the general feeling. These two comments were not in praise of the palace; on the contrary, they criticized it. The King was upset and summoned the authors of the comments. At first, neither of them was ready to explain his comment but, after the King assured them that their lives were not in danger, they disclosed the reasons.

"O King! There are two weaknesses in this palace. The first of these is that some day, the palace will turn into ruins, and the second one is that it does not have anything to ensure that its owner will not be separated from it one day. In a life of just a few days, why do we have to attach ourselves to such worldly, material things?" (Bikhre Moti)

Man will soon die and leave behind all his worldly possessions. What will accompany him the journey to the Hereafter are his noble deeds.

"Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of the world, but lasting righteous deeds are better with your Lord in reward and better in hope." (18:46)

Wisdom therefore dictates that man should focus his attention to things that are imperishable and highly rewardable.

Source: 40 Sparks of Wisdom

"O He who has total, absolute and everlasting power, therefore is versatile and at all times gets the better of the impossible, the Almighty, the Dearest beloved. Dwarfed are all that which have been created by Thee before Thy Majesty. Keep me safe from the evil any of the created beings may direct at me O the praiseworthy who vies in beauty and goodness; does everything in a pleasant way, gives joy, heart and confidence; treats with love and kindness. O "There is no god save Thee. Be Thou glorified. Verily I have been a wrongdoer. Then WE heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus We save believers", Send blessings on Muhammad and on his Pure and Pious descendants."

"Yaa Shadeedal Quwaa Wa Yaa Shadeedal Mih’aal Yaa A’zeezu Yaa A’zeezu Yaa A’zeez Dh’allat  Bi-A’z'zmatika Jamee-u’ Khalqika Fak-Finee Sharra Khalqika Yaa Muh’sinu Yaa Mujmilu Yaa Mun-i’mu Yaa Mufz’il Ya Laa Ilaaha Illaa Anta Subh’aanaka Innee Kuntu Minadh’ Dh’aalimeen Fas-Tajabnaa Lahoo Wa Najjaynaahu Minal Ghammi Wa Kadh’aa Lika Nunjil Moo-Mineen Wa S’allallaahu A’laa Muh’ammadin Wa Aalihit’ Tayyibeenat’ T’aahireen."

"How are you with that which is near?" asked the King.

The man was shrewd enough to understand the deeper meaning of the question.

"It has become far," replied the old man.

"How are you with that which is far?"

"I have come near it."

"How are your close friends with you nowadays?"

"They have all left me."

"How about the two?"

"The two have become three."

The King smiled and got up to leave.

"Do not sell it cheaply, O old man," he advised

The King’s advisor, who was listening to the question and answer session intently, was completely baffled. On their way back, the King asked his advisor what he had understood from the dialogue. The advisor requested the King to give him three days to ponder over it and the King agreed.

The next day, the advisor was still puzzled and so he decided to go back to the old man and ask him the meaning of the interrogation. Initially, the farmer refused to say anything. But then the advisor decided to tempt the man with money. The man bartered with him until the price of 30,000 dirham was agreed. The farmer started to reveal the meanings.

"The last thing that the King advised me to do was not to sell it cheaply.

He was referring to this very secret and I have sold it to you at a fairly good price.

"As regards the first question, the thing which was near to me was my matrimonial relationship with my wife. Naturally, in this old age it has gone far.

"The King then asked me about that which is far and I replied that I have to go near it. He was enquiring about my eyesight. In my youth, I could see  things, which were at a distance. Now I have to go near the things that are far so that I am able to see them properly.

"The third question was about my ‘close friends’. These were my teeth. I replied that they have all left me."

"Finally, the question of two becoming three relates to my legs. When I was young, I used my two legs to walk. But now I have to use a stick as my third leg."

The advisor was astounded at the wisdom of both the King and  the farmer and realised that the King had wanted to make the farmer rich through such a noble exercise. (Lessons of Life)

Islam teaches us to respect the elderly and the aged people. We should never undermine or belittle them for they have wisdom due vast experiences of life. Imam Musa Ibn Ja’ffar al-Kadhim(A) has said,

"Blessings of Allah are with the elderly people and an old man amidst you is like a prophet." (Ahsan al-Muqaal)

He(A) has also said,

"Respect the elderly people because in their respect is the honour of Allah". (Ahsan al-Muqaal)

Source: 40 Sparks of Wisdom

2) Four things that destroys the body:
a) Worry
b) Sorrow (Sadness/Grief)
c) Hunger
d) Staying up late (in the night)

3) Four things that dry the face & take away its happiness:
a) Lying
b) Being disrespectful / impudent (insisting on something wrong knowingly)
c) Arguing without knowledge
d) Excessive immorality (doing something wrong without fear)

4) Four things that increases the wetness of face & its happiness:
a) Piety
b) Loyalty
c) Generosity (being kind)
d) To be helpful to others without he/she asking for that.

5) Four things that stop the Rizq (Sustenance)
a) Sleeping in the morning (from Fajr to sunrise)
b) Praying less
c) Laziness / Idleness
d) Treachery / Dishonesty

6) Four things that bring / increase in the Rizq.
a) Staying up in the night for prayers.
b) Excessive Repentance
c) Regular Charity
d) Zikr (Remembrance of Allah / God).

The Holy Prophet(S) also said to communicate to others even if you listen one Verse (Ayah) & this one verse will stand on the day of Judgment for intercession.

It is narrated that one day, a man entered the court of Prophet Solomon(A), looked around at all the people and went out again. When the court adjourned, one of the people present approached Prophet Solomon(A) and asked him whether he knew this strange man.

"The person you saw was the angel of death, Israel," replied Prophet Solomon(A). The man was taken aback and looked worried.

"Why was he staring at me as though he wanted to take my soul?" he asked.

"What do you want me to do?" enquired the Prophet.

"O Solomon!" exclaimed the man. "You have power over the wind. Command it to transport me to the land of Hind (India)."

As the man was a believer, Prophet Solomon(A) agreed and granted his wish.

A few days later, Prophet Solomon(A) saw the angel of death again. He asked him why he had been staring at the man so intently on that particular day.

"O Solomon!" replied the angel. "Allah commanded me to take the soul of that man on the soil of Hind. When I saw him sitting in your court, I could not understand how I could carry out Allah’s order. Nevertheless, as it was a divine command, I left for Hind and fortunately found the man there. I took his soul as Allah(S) had commanded." (Hayaat al-Quloob)

There is nothing more certain than death. It is a reality, which nobody can escape from. Allah, the Almighty says:

"Wherever you may be, death shall overtake you, even if you were in fortified towers". (4:78)

Source: 40 Sparks of Wisdom