With more and more government functions going online, we feel it is important for our readers to know how to use the different tools that are now available. After all, it is now possible to file an RTI, apply for a passport, apply for a PAN card or download a copy of your Aadhaar card, all from the comfort of your own home. Nearly everyone who's employed has also probably quit a job at some point. Changing jobs involves enough paperwork to make your head spin. One of the most irksome bits of

Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk fooddiets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research from the University of Adelaide. The study -- led by University of Adelaide Publichealth researcher Dr Lisa Smithers -- looked at the link between the eating habits of children at six months, 15 months and two years, and their IQ at eight years of age. The study of more than 7,000 children compared a range of dietary patterns

The following sayings of Jesus (peace be upon him) from traditional Arabic sources are excerpted from Walk on Water, a forthcoming book by Hamza Yusuf:  According to Ahmad, Jesus peace be upon him was known to have said, "Virtuous action does not consist in doing good to someone who has done good to you -that is merely returning a favor. Virtuous action consists in doing good to those who have wronged you." (Ahmad)  According to Malik  b. Anas, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "Do not speak m

By Shafaat Shahbandari: [caption id="attachment_72267" align="alignleft" width="154"] Shafaat Shabandri[/caption] Great Scientist Albert Einstein once said: “education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think." Adding a line to that I would say it is also the nurturing of the heart to care for your surroundings. Education can be divided into two parts, one that provides skills to help make a living and the other that transforms a person into a human being.

Here are ten foods that make you feel good: Honey: Honey contains kaempferol and quercetin, which helps to prevent depression by reducing inflammation in the brain. It can be considered as a sweet natural defense which helps you feel better. Honey also helps in boosting energy production in the brain. Cherries: They can actually work like painkillers and make you feel relaxed. They're low in calories and high on fibre. Cherries are a great source of melatonin a hormone that helps you sleep

The detailed account of the death of Jesus Christ (Prophet Eesa, peace by upon him) is provided in detail by the Noble Quran along with an account of his birth, miracles, and his ascent to the heavens before his alleged crucifixion. The following are excerpts from the book ‘Jesus – The Prophet Who didn’t Die that provides some of the details related to Jesus (peace by upon him), Mary, Bible, and Jesus’ disciples as mentioned in the Quran and related by prophet Muhammad (S. A. W. S.) Surah Mary

By Shafaat Shahbandari : [caption id="attachment_72267" align="alignleft" width="154"] Shafaat Shahbandri[/caption] Materialism - the biggest bane of modern world - has swept our society in all its ugly pervasiveness. Cities it had invaded long before, but the extent of its penetration in the countryside and in semi-urban places like Bhatkal over the last decade is astonishing. Young and old, men and women, educated and uneducated, all have fallen for it. Possession of material wealt

Al-Isra (The Night Journey) - Chapter 17: Verse 106 "We have divided the Quran into parts so that you may recite it to people with deliberation. We have indeed bestowed it from on high step by step." The Quran was revealed in order to educate a community and establish for it a system and code of life. This community would then carry it to all the corners of the earth in order to educate humanity on the basis of this perfect system. Hence the Quran was revealed one part at a time, accordi

A good meal can comfort you and bring back pleasant memories. But are there any superfoods that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face? In Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, the narrator depicts the "powerful joy" that a tea-soaked madeleine awakes in him when he is "dispirited after a dreary day, with the prospect of a depressing morrow". It isn't so much that the sweet cake tastes lovely, but that it transports him to his innocent youth, when his aunt in the country would feed him the

Imaam Ahmad said that the one who does not pray because of laziness is a kaafir. This is the more correct view and is that indicated by the evidence of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and by the words of the Salaf and the proper understanding. (Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ ‘ala Zaad al-Mustanqi’, 2/26). Anyone who examines the texts of the Qur’aan and Sunnah will see that they indicate that the one who neglects the prayer is guilty of Kufr Akbar (major kufr) which puts him bey

The vast majority of diseases are related to our diet and the Islamic lifestyle as prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is an ideal course of prevention for many diseases, including those of the heart. The Prophet disliked excessive eating. He lived with a flat belly and he died with a flat belly. He is reported to have said: "No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels are enough for the son of Adam (human being) to keep his back upright. But if he m

By Shafaat Shahbandari : What do you do when you see a handy new tool? Learn how to make good use of it, or abuse it? What I am referring to here is our use or rather misuse of social media. It is heartening to see that, as a community, we have taken to this powerful tool big time. What with many of our grandmothers using WhatsApp now! But, I have no qualms in saying that, unfortunately, we have come to abuse social media more than use it. Our treatment of WhatsApp, in particular, is most

Based on the works of Bilal Philips: This post describes the genealogy and description of God, the Most Merciful as it is described in Surah Ikhlas. It was revealed by Allah to refute beliefs attributed to Him by misguided people concerning His similitude, form, origin and offspring. For example, those who paint pictures or make statues of Allah are claiming similitude, those who worship others besides Him claim similitude, and those who attribute some parts of His creation to othe

“Every woman needs to know the facts. And the fact is, when it comes to breast cancer, every woman is at risk”- Debby W. Schultz. Come October, and it’s raining pink, the month for breast cancer awareness. Yes its pink, the colour most commonly associated with femininity. The colour which symbolizes love, warmth & nurturing, is most aptly chosen to universally mark the campaigns of breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer is fast gaining prominence in India. It is at present the most commo

Bismillaah il-Rahmaan il-Raheem In the Name of Allaah, Most Gracious Most Merciful Praise be to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds, Who has said in His book (interpretation of the meaning), “…and stand before Allaah with obedience” [al-Baqarah 2:238] and has said concerning the prayer (interpretation of the meaning): “… and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-khaashi’oon…’ [al-Baqarah 2:45]; and peace and blessings be upon the leader of the pious, the chief of al-khaashi’oon, Muhamm

These verses of the Quran were revealed at the time when non-believers of Makkah asked the Holy Prophet that how could they become alive after they die. In these verses, Allah asks these people how they came into being for the first time. Allah mentions that it is not difficult for Him to do such things and that He is omnipotent, powerful and supreme and none can equal Him. He is the master who gives orders and commands that are to be fulfilled. In Makkah, addressing to the Holy Prophet, th

If you're not eating on time, skipping meals or loading up on the wrong kind of food, then listen up! Poor eating habits can not only have terrible consequences in the short-term but also persist long after your diet has returned to normal. According to a study that was published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, poor eating habits alter the way genes express (epigenetics) themselves. Including those that deal with the immune system. This change ultimately exposes a person to the risks of

Fasting on the day of Ashura is highly recommended based on the Hadith below. Along with this we also remember this day as one of the most tragic events in Islamic history when Prophet Muhammad's beloved grandson Imam Hussein along with his family were martyred while standing up against injustice. Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 202 - Narrated Ibn Abbas: When the Prophet arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) and they said, "This is t