Facebook and Google+'s video chat tools compared

Video chat is the big thing again, at least according to Facebook, which let loose a new video chat service yesterday. Powered by Skype, the new feature lets Facebook users start video calls with one another while continuing to use the site.

While other video chat tools may have been built on top of Facebook's application platform, this now comes out of the box for Facebook users, old and new. The result is that Facebook's added yet another way for its 750 million users to communicate with one another.

But moving beyond the hype, the big thing you're probably wondering is how this new service stacks up to the groovy video chat tools found in Google+, the social network Google recently launched as a "field trial" (see CNET's hands-on). One of its crowning features, besides providing an alternative to Facebook, is that you can video chat with your friends in multiple ways. How do the two compare? The short of it is that Facebook is simpler to use. The longer answer is that you might be happier with Google in day-to-day use.

To help illustrate that, I've delved into some things you might want to do with these services to see how they really compare. The best way to do that is with common scenarios you'd run into when wanting to video chat with someone else. Below are five I ran into when putting both services through their paces (Google+ over the past week, and Facebook's all of today).

Scenario: You want to video chat with a technologically impaired friend/family member

How it plays out on Facebook: Facebook's added a video call item to every user profile to let you (or them) start a chat from that page. If they've never used the feature before, Facebook has them download a tiny plug-in file to run, which installs without requiring a browser restart. They then click on a button that confirms they want to chat, and the video starts up.
Want to start a video chat with someone on Facebook? It's hard to miss the option to do it.

Want to start a video chat with someone on Facebook? It's hard to miss the option to do it.
(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)


Arguably the most difficult part in all this is getting someone to download that plug-in and install it. Facebook says it only takes about 10 to 20 seconds, but you're going to want to make sure your friend or family member can actually find the plug-in installer file in the first place. Luckily, modern Web browsers do a pretty good job nowadays with helping you locate what you just downloaded. Facebook also does a bit of hand-holding here, telling you what to do to first get going.

How it plays out on Google+: Pretty much the same deal as on Facebook with regards to the plug-in aspect. The big difference is in where Google surfaces the video chat option.

There are two points of entry to get a video chat going: the chat list on the left hand side and the hangouts feature. These are entirely different chat experiences, with the chat being a one-to-one experience, and the hangouts being a place where you can chat with one or more users at the same time. Between the two options, it's easier to search for, and find someone to talk with from Google+'s home page using the chat tool. Facebook arguably has the edge here in keeping its buddy list equivalent on the same part of your screen at all times--something that's useful for folks who get lost easily.

Scenario: The conversation gets awkward/boring

You suddenly don't want to talk to this person, or the conversation has stalled. Most people would call an end to it but you don't want to. How do you fill in the time?

How it plays out on Facebook: You're left to your own devices. For better or for worse, the video chat is just that and nothing more. You can't share anything with the other person than your words and whatever's coming from the Web cam.

How it plays out on Google+: It's the same situation in Google+'s standard video chat. But with "hangouts" there are a number of social options to spice things up. You can start watching YouTube videos either by yourself, or have others watch with you. If what Google's done with turning links into content in Google Chat is any indication, more features like this should be on the way.

I attempted to keep my colleague Jay Greene entertained by watching videos of giant explosions on YouTube. That's certainly easier than blowing something up in front of your computer to keep the other person entertained.
(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

Scenario: You get a phone call and need to duck out for a minut

How it plays out on Facebook: This is one of those areas where comparisons need to be drawn back to the product Facebook's video chat is derived from, which is Skype itself. In Skype you get a bevvy of options, though notably ones to mute the line and pause the video. Here you're just forced to go to another room, or end the video call. Simply minimizing the chat window will keep the video rolling in the background.

What did we end up doing? We canceled out that Facebook video chat session, then resumed it when the call was done. That's a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.

How it plays out on Google+: Here again we have to break it out as the Google Chat video experience, and the hangouts experience.

• With the Google Chat video chat, you get quick mute button for the audio, which you can toggle on and off. You're the only one who sees and control this option.

• With Google+'s hangouts you get a microphone and video mute for yourself, as well as the option to mute the audio of others. This means you don't have to fumble for your computer's system volume knob to tell the other person to be quiet for a minute. Hangouts also makes it more transparent about what the other users are doing, whether it's muting their microphones, or hopping onto watch a YouTube video. This means you can keep tabs on what's going on when you get back from your phone call and are wondering what the other person is doing.

Scenario: The other person doesn't want to video chat

How it plays out on Facebook: First of all, if a person's not online, you can't begin a video chat with them; the video option is not present on an offline user's

profile page. But if they are, and are just away from their computer (or intentionally ignoring you), your request will eventually time out.

Here's what's neat about Facebook's approach: the company is taking advantage of its video message service to let you record and leave a video message. These show up in your inbox like any other message, as well as in the chat dialogue on the bottom of the screen. Sure this is just an existing feature that's been re-bundled into something else, but it's smart.

How it plays out on Google+: If someone's offline, you're simply out of luck. Like Facebook, there's not an option to begin a video chat with them. And there's not an option to send them a video message that they can see after the fact.

With Google's YouTube Webcam recording feature you could theoretically work around this by recording a video there first, then sharing it privately through Google+, but let's face it, that's an enormous amount of work. Will Google likely add a video message recording feature to the sharing options of Google+? Maybe.

Scenario: You want to video chat with two people at once

How it plays out on Facebook: So far this is a no-go. During yesterday's press conference, Mark Zuckerberg noted that this could change farther on down the line with multi-person video chat. But for now if you want to talk to two people on video, it's going to be a one at a time affair.

How it plays out on Google+: Same deal with Google+'s Chat component. The difference is with the hangouts feature, where up to 10 people can be together. The obvious thing to point out here is that they'll all be talking with each other since this is a shared chat.

Conclusions

For all around ease of use, Facebook gets a definite edge when it comes to simplicity and ubiquity. It's obvious where to access the feature from user chats and user profiles alike, and you can get a video chat up and running with someone else in less than a minute.

If you want more bells and whistles, then Google's video chat efforts in Google+ beat Facebook's handily. Google's offering users a system that is completely familiar if you're used other Google products like Gmail and iGoogle, and a much more advanced group chat option with the hangouts feature.

So to answer the original question of which one to use, the answer depends on who you want to talk to. Ultimately video chatting is all about getting in touch with someone else in a way that's technologically convenient for both of you. Right now the simple truth is that Facebook's made that easier. It has more than 750 million users, any of whom with a Web cam can now talk to one another across the digital divide.

The huge--and I do mean huge--caveat here is that these two services are by no means sitting still. Google+ is still on its way to being a publicly available product (assuming it makes it there), and Facebook is on a constant march to add and change features. Knowing what Skype, which powers Facebook's video chat feature, is already capable of in software form gives us some road map of where it could be headed within Facebook's

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Original Posted By Josh Lowensohn

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Posted in: Computer Article

What’s new in Microsoft Office 2010?

At its Worldwide Partner Conference 2009, Microsoft Corp has announced that Microsoft Office 2010 has reached the technical preview engineering milestone.

The Redmond-based company has also revealed its plans to release Office 2010 for manufacturing in the first half of 2010. Currently, tens of thousands of testers will be invited to get a taste of Office 2010 and Visio 2010 Technical Preview.

What’s new in Microsoft Office 2010?

According to the Redmond giant, Microsoft Office 2010 gives you rich and powerful new ways to deliver your best work whether you are at work or home on a computer, Web browser or Smartphone. By offering more ways to access your files from virtually anywhere, Office 2010 puts you in control all the time.

Office 2010 Applications

Microsoft Word 2010
It has enhanced features to create professional-quality documents, you can work together with multiple people and almost anywhere access to your files. You can create and organize documents in less time, with less effort. Store your documents online, then access and edit Word 2010 from practically any Web browser.

Microsoft Excel 2010
Now, you can track and highlight important data trends with new data analysis and visualization tools. Like Word 2010, you can work in group over the Web. Whether you are producing financial reports or managing personal expenses, Excel 2010 gives you the proficiency and flexibility to accomplish your goals.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010
Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 delivers improved audio and visual capabilities, which will tell you a crisp, cinematic story that is as easy to create and also powerful to watch. With new easy-to-use tools, you can polish your presentations and keep your audience’s attention even longer. You can also access to PowerPoint 2010 from your Smartphone or the Web.

Microsoft Outlook 2010
The most innovative features are present in the Microsoft Outlook 2010 to have a world-class experience. It gives you tools required to stay on top of practically everything. You can save valuable inbox space with improved email conversation tracking and management. Compress long e-mail threads into conversations that can be categorized, filed, ignored or cleaned up with a few clicks.

Microsoft OneNote 2010
It gives the ultimate digital notebook experience, which stores and shares notes in one single, easy-to-access location. Now capture text, photos, video and audio files and check them virtually anywhere.

Microsoft Publisher 2010
With Microsoft Publisher 2010 you can deliver professional-quality results without having a background in graphic design, whether you are creating brochures, newsletters, e-mails, postcards, or greeting cards.

Microsoft Access 2010
With ready-to-go templates and powerful tools, Access 2010 empowers you to make the most of your information, with fewer barriers and at a lower cost.

Microsoft SharePoint Workspace 2010
In Office 2010, Groove 2007 has been renamed as Microsoft SharePoint Workspace 2010, which expands the boundaries of collaboration by offering fast access, online and off, to all SharePoint content.

Microsoft InfoPath 2010
With Microsoft InfoPath 2010, developers can create advanced forms for departmental and enterprise business processes, including composite SharePoint applications and document workflows all using little or no code.

Office Web Applications
Office Web Applications allow you to access documents from anywhere. You can even simultaneously share and work on documents with others online. You can view documents across PCs, mobile phones and the Web without compromising document fidelity. By offering more ways to access files from almost anywhere, Office Web Applications enable you to get things done according to your schedule.

Office Mobile
Office Mobile brings the Office 2010 tools to use on your mobile device. Now you can view documents, charts and presentations in a rich interface designed for small screens with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Mobile. Further, enjoy a familiar e-mail experience with Outlook Mobile and connect with colleagues on the go using Office Communicator.

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Posted in: Computer Article

Windows 7 or Ubuntu 9.10???

Since its launch five years back, Ubuntu has turned into one of the most popular Linux operating system. After the launch of Windows 7, a major update of Vista, Ubuntu 9.10 or "Karmic Koala" has launched on October 29th. At present, Linux operating system has about 1% market share for desktops as compared to 92% of Windows, whereas it is popular for servers or embedded systems. Ubuntu, based on the Linux’s Debian flavor has focused to bring Linux operating system to the common people.

Here, the article compares some of the features of Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10:

Installation and upgrades

Users can easily upgrade their PCs with the new version of Ubuntu and it can be also installed on your current PCs without any hardware requirements. Further, like Windows 7 and Mac OS X, Ubuntu 9.10 automatically keeps users’ operating system up-to-date. While, Windows 7 will update only the Microsoft software and the operating system, Ubuntu updates itself with any other software installed on users’ system.

Multimedia

Due to their own terms and conditions, Ubuntu does not ship with the ability to play commercial DVDs. However, you can download the commercial DVD support via Ubuntu Restricted Extras in the Software Centre. It has Rhythmbox player for music and the Movie Player for video.

Microsoft’s Windows 7 come preinstalled with Windows Media Player and Media Centre, which take care of your personal files. Further, if your hardware permits, you can also watch live TV on the PC.

Software and applications

According to developers, Ubuntu is like Apple’s iPhone and supports vast software and applications. Users can have instant access to thousands of free and open-source applications. It comes with free OpenOffice.org 3.1 installed by default as its office productivity suite through which you can create professional documents, spreadsheets and presentations. The suite is compatible with all office apps including MS Office.

Windows 7 users have to buy Microsoft Office, or they can download OpenOffice and GIMP. While Windows users will have Outlook for their email, Ubuntu comes with Evolution, its emailing and calendaring software.

Windows 7 comes with Internet Explorer 8 and MSN Windows Live messenger, Ubuntu 9.10 ships with Firefox 3.5 and Empathy multiple protocol IM client.

Cloud Service

The new Linux version offers cloud storage to the masses with its Ubuntu One service, where users can store upto 2GB of data for free, but will have to pay for more storage. Ubuntu 9.10 can also take advantage of Amazon's EC2 cloud computing service.

Microsoft also provides a cloud storage application called Live Mesh that offers 25GB of storage for free, but the service is not integrated with the OS as in Ubuntu.

Speed and hardware

In terms of speed, the latest operating system of Microsoft is definitely lighter on hardware than its predecessor, Vista and it will run well on older hardware. However, Ubuntu 9.10 also works well on a wide range of hardware.

Security

According to various analysts, Linux operating systems are more secure than Windows and are not easily infected by bugs and viruses. In Windows 7, Windows Security Center has been renamed to Windows Action Center, which covers both security and maintenance of the computer.

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Posted in: Computer Article

AMD vs Intel

AMD is trying to cope with greater computing capabilities that Intel is planning to bring in future with its Clarkdale, Arrandale and Sandy Bridge. The company has reported new details on its platform roadmap during its financial analysts' day. In the roadmap, AMD also speak about the company’s future strategy for persistent growth in 2010 and beyond. Further, it has announced the future solutions for servers, desktops and notebooks.

2009’s Milestones

In the current year, AMD has transformed into a design innovation leader, which brings consistent financial results. The company has also achieved various milestones in 2009 to counter the monopoly of Intel.
The various milestones are:

1. Creation of one of the world's largest independent semiconductor foundries, GLOBALFOUNDRIES.

2. Introduction of next generation DirectX 11 capable ATI Radeon HD 5800 and HD 5700 series of graphics cards.

3. It has launched its VISION Technology to simplify the PC selection process.

4. Achieve major technology transitions such as 40nm and DirectX 11.

5. AMD also launched its 1st and 2nd generation Ultrathin Notebook Platforms, Dragon gaming platform based on its Phenom II processors and the 6-core Opteron processor.

In the coming years, it will expand its momentum with new server and client platforms, which will put AMD on a clear path to industry leadership.

Recently, both companies have obtained patent rights from a new 5-year cross license agreement, after which Intel and AMD will leave any claims of breach from the previous license agreements. However, Intel will pay $1.25 billion to AMD.

Roadmap for 2010

In 2010, AMD will introduce various new platforms for balanced performance and superior multimedia and visual computing capabilities.

It will launch its Danube platform for notebook that is based on quad-core processors and is predicted to offer more than 7 hours of battery life. For ultrathin notebooks, AMD will introduce its 3rd generation Nile platform, which also provide seven or more hours of battery life. Both the new platforms will challenge Intel’s Arrandale platform.

On the Opteron server chip side, AMD is developing its Maranello platform, with the Magny-Cours chips bearing from eight to 12 cores. Its Opteron 4000 Series platform that is code-named San Marino and Adelaide is expected to offer four to six cores and two memory channels and will participate in the rapidly growing Web and Cloud Computing segment.

AMD will also introduce the industry’s first six-core desktop CPU called Leo for gaming enthusiasts as the platform supports DirectX 11 graphics and ATI Eyefinity Technology. It will challenge Intel’s Clarkdale processor.

Roadmap for 2011

AMD Fusion: One of the key future plans of AMD is its Fusion strategy, which combines CPU and GPU into an all-new PU, called APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), a concept that was first introduced in December 2006. APUs will be available in the second half of 2011 with the codenames Bulldozer and Bobcat, which will be based on new x86 cores platform.

Intel’s Sandy Bridge, the planned successor to Nehalem, will be launched in 2011 and is a processor micro-architecture based on the 32 nm manufacturing methods from Westmere platform. AMD Fusion technology will counter the Sandy Bridge platform.

While Bulldozer will target desktop and server market, Bobcat will look after the low power, ultrathin PC markets. AMD added that the two cores are being designed to be extremely scalable and able to be united with GPU circuitry and other IP assets into application-specific APUs. The company is also developing Zambezi desktop processor with up to eight cores based on Bulldozer platform.

The roadmap for AMD cites 32nm Llano processor on the Sabine platform for mainstream notebooks and desktop PCs by 2011. For ultrathin notebooks, AMD will offer the Brazos platform, with the Ontario processor supporting the DirectX 11 graphics technology.

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Posted in: Computer Article

15 Ways to increase earnings with proofs from Quran and Sunnah

1. The Taqwa of Allah

And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). (2) And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.

[Surah Al-Talq, Verse 2-3]

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).

[ Surah Al-Araf, Verse 96]

2. Seeking forgiveness and repentance

"I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) 'He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) 'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.' "

[Surah Nooh, Verses 10-12]



"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh)."

[Surah Hood, Verse 52]



And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).

[Surah Hood, Verse 3]

3. Tawakkul

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab reported that Prophet (peace be upon him) said,


"If you were to put trust in Allah (Tawakkul) the way that Allah deserves, then you would be provided for as birds are; they leave (in search of food) at the beginning of the day famished, and return at the end of the day full"

[Shaykah Al-Abani’s Silsilat Al-Sahihah, # 310]

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.

[Surah Al-Talq, Verse 2-3]

Would that they were contented with what Allâh and His Messenger (peace be upon him) gave them and had said: "Allâh is Sufficient for us. Allâh will give us of His Bounty, and so will His Messenger (from alms, etc.). We implore Allâh (to enrich us)."

[Surah Al-Tawba, Verse 59]

4. Constantly worshiping Allah

Abu Hurayrah stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"Allah says, ‘O son of Adam! Take time out to constantly worship me, I will fill your chest with richness , and remove your poverty. And if you do not do so. I will make your hands filled with occupation, and will not remove your poverty”

[Shaykh Al-Albani declared it to authentic in his Sunan Al-Tirmidhi]

Ma’qal Ibn Yasaar reported that Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Your Lord, all glory and honor be to Him says, ‘O Son of Adam! Take the time out to constantly worship Me, I will fill your chest with richness! O Son of Adam! Do not distance yourself from Me, or I will fill your chest with poverty, and fill your hands with work ”

[Shaykah Al-Abani’s Silsilat Al-Sahihah, # 1359]


5.Thanking Allah

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshiping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."

[Surah Ibrahim, Verse 7]


6. Frequently performing Hajj and ‘Umrah

It has been reported by ‘abdullah Ibn Mas’ud that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"Follow up between Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. continuously repeat the performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah) because they both eliminate poverty and sins just like a furnace eliminates the dirty impurities of iron, gold and silver. And an accepted Hajj has no reward less than paradise"

[ Shaykh Al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Al-Tirmidhi (1/245)]

7. Establishing the ties of kinship

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever is pleased with the fact that his Rizq be increased, and his life-span be extended, then let him establish the ties of kinship”

[Al-Bukari, # 5985]

Anas Ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever wishes to have his Rizq increased, and his life-span be extended, then let him establish the ties of kinship”

[Al-Bukari, # 5986]

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Learn enough of your lineage, so that you can establish the ties of kinship, for establish the ties of kinship increases the love amongst families and multiplies wealth and extends age”

[Shaykh Al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Al-Tirmidhi (2/190)]

8. Spending in the Way of Allah

Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers."

[Surah Saba, Verse 39]

Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“ Allah has said: ‘O Son of Adam! Spend I will spend on you!”

[Sahih Muslim (2/690)]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“There is not a single day in which a servant wakes that two angels come down (from the Heavens). One of them says, O’ Allah! Give to the one that spends a substitute (for what he has spent). And the other one says, ‘O Allah! Give to the one that withhold some (his money) destruction!”

[Al-Bukhari #1442]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“While a person was in an open area of land, he heard voice in a cloud above him say. "water the garden of so-and-so!" So the cloud immediately departed, and started pouring its rain out on a rocky plain. A large crevice in the rocks collected all of this water. So the man followed the water (in its course), and he found a man standing in his garden, using an instrument to direct this water in different directions *(to irrigate his garden). He said to him, ‘O servant of Allah! What is your name?’ The man said ‘So-an-so,’ the same name that he had heard in the clouds! Then the man asked him, ‘O servant of Allah! Why are you asking me my name?’ So he responded. ‘I heard a voice in the clouds- the same clouds that this water came from- saying, “water the garden of so-and-so” with your name. What do you interpret this as (i.e. why do you think this happened )?’ So he said, ‘If you say this (i.e. if what you say occurred), then (the reason for this is that) I see what (crops) come out of it (this garden), and I give one third in charity, and I eat with my family one third of it, and I return one third of it (to cultivate more crops)”” and in another narration, it is reported that he said, …and I give one third of it to the poor, and the beggars, and the wayfarers.’

[Muslim (4/2288)]


9. Hijrah, Emigrating for the sake of Allah

He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allâh, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allâh and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allâh. And Allâh is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[Surah Al-Nisa, Verse 100]


10. Marriage

And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Sâlihûn (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allâh is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people).

[Surah Al-Nur, Verse 32]

11.Supporting students of Islamic knowledge

Anas Ibn Malik said,

"There were two brothers (that lived) at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). One of them would come to Prophet (peace be upon him), whereas the other one would seek his sustenance (by working). So the the one who used to seek his sustenance complained to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about his brother. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied,

‘It is possible that you are provided your rizq because of him’"

[Shaykh Al-Albani agreed it to be authentic, Saheeh Sunan Al-Tirmidhi(2/274)]



12. Showing kindness to the Poor

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"The only reason that you are aided in victory (against your enemies) and provided with sustainance due to your weak?"

[Al-Bukahri (14/179)]


13. Being honest in ones dealings

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"The two parties of a transaction have the right (to annul the contract) as long as they don't separate (from each other). So, if they were truthful (to one another), and honest in explaining (the defects of an item), then they will be blessed in their transaction. But, if they lied, and hid (the defects of an item) then the blessings of their transaction are destroyed"

[Muslim, # 3836]



14.Making the Hereafter One’s main Concern

Once Zayd Bin Thabit wa with Marwan, the leader of the City, when he went to visit 'Abd Al-Rahman Ibn 'Uthman Bin 'Affan, Abd Al-Rahman said, "Nothing caused him to come here, at this hour except a question that he wants to ask." So he asked him (what the matter was). He replied, "He (meaning Marwan) asked us about matters that we heard the Prophet :saws: say". I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say

"Whoever puts this world as his only (and primary) goal, them Allah will divide his affairs for him, and He will place poverty before his eyes, and nothing will come to him of this world except that which was already written (i.e. pre-destined) for him. But whoever made the Hereafter his goal, the Allah will gather his affairs for him, and he will place richness in his heart, and the world will come to him conquered and submissive"

[Al-Albani Silsila As-Saheehah, #950 ]


15. Striving to achieve the goal (for sustainance)

He knows that there will be some among you sick, others traveling through the land, seeking of Allâh's Bounty; yet others fighting in Allâh's Cause. So recite as much of the Qur'ân as may be easy (for you), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, and lend to Allâh a goodly loan, And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, (i.e. Nawâfil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and 'Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allâh, better and greater in reward. And seek Forgiveness of Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful

[Surah Al-Muzammil, Verse 20]

And We have appointed the night and the day as two Ayât (signs etc.). Then, We have obliterated the sign of the night (with darkness) while We have made the sign of the day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning. And We have explained everything (in detail) with full explanation.

[Surah Al-Isra, Verse 20]

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Posted in: Islamic Articles

“From” and “To”

oleh Daily Quran and Hadith pada 11 April 2011 jam 21:25

The heart’s hijrah requires migrating “from” one state “to” another. A person migrates with his heart:

from loving other than Allāh to loving Him;

from offering servitude to other than Allāh to offering it to Him;

from fearing other than Allāh to fearing Him;

from having hope in other than Allāh to having hope in Him;

from relying on other than Allāh to relying on Him;

from asking and deploring other than Allāh to asking and deploring Him;

from surrendering and submitting to other than Allāh to surrendering and submitting to Him.

This is precisely the meaning of “fleeing unto Allāh”, as Allāh (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says:

فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ

…Flee then unto Allāh…

[Adh-Dhāriyāt 51:50]

And indeed, the tawheed required from a person is to flee from Allāh unto Him!

Under this heading of “from” and “to” falls a great reality of tawheed.

Fleeing unto Allāh

Fleeing unto Allāh (subhanahu wa ta’ala) includes turning to Him alone for appeal, worship, and all that proceeds from it, such as love, fear, surrender, and reliance. Thus, it includes the tawheed of Ilāhiyyah, which is the common subject among the messengers’ messages – may Allāh bestow His praise and peace upon them all.

Fleeing from Allāh

On the other hand, fleeing from Allāh (unto Him) includes the tawheed of Ruboobiyyah and affirmation of Qadar. It professes that whatever one hates or fears or evades in the creation only takes place by Allāh’s will.

Indeed, whatever Allāh (subhanahu wa ta’ala) wills surely happens, and its existence becomes mandatory by virtue of Allāh’s will. And whatever Allāh does not will never happens and is impossible to exist.

Thus when one flees unto Allāh, one would actually be fleeing (unto Him) from a thing that occurred by His will and decree. In other words, one would be fleeing from Allāh unto Him!

One who properly understands this would then understand the meaning of the Prophet’s (salAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) words:

“I seek refuge from You in You” 1

One would then also understand the Prophet’s (salAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying:

“…There is no shelter or escape from You except to You…” 2

There is nothing in the creation from which one would flee or seek protection but is created and originated by Allāh (subhanahu wa ta’ala) . Therefore, one would flee from what is mandated by Allāh’s decree, will, and creation; and one would flee to what is mandated by Allāh’s mercy, goodness, kindness, and bounty. Hence, one flees from Allāh unto Him, and seeks refuge in Him from Him!

Footnotes:

1. This is part of a hadeeth recorded by Muslim from ‘Aa’ishah (radiAllāhu ‘anha) who said that one night she missed Allāh’s Messenger (salAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam). After some search, she found him in the Masjid (which was adjacent to her apartment). In the darkness, her hand hit the soles of his feet that were erected (in sujood). He was saying:

“O Allāh! I seek protection from Your wrath in Your acceptance, and from Your punishment in Your pardon, and from You in You! I cannot offer You the praise that you deserve, so I only praise You as You praise Yourself.”

2. This is a part of a hadeeth recorded by al-Bukhāri and Muslim from al-Barā’ Bin ‘Aazib (radiAllāhu ‘anhu) that the Messenger (salAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) instructed a man to say when going to bed:

“O Allāh! I submit myself to You, turn my face unto You, support my back unto You, and rely in my affairs on You, hoping in You and fearing You; there is no shelter or escape from You except to You! I believe in the Book that You have revealed and in the Messenger You have sent.”

He (salAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) added: “If one dies (after saying this), he dies upon the fitrah (pure nature).”

* Transcribed from: Ar-Risalat ut-Tabukiyyah | The Message from Tabuk | Ibn ul-Qayyim

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The Battle Islam Vs Jahiliyyah

And all of Islam in Makkah was manifested in this issue: the issue of the battle between Islam and jahiliyyah. There was no fasting, charity, pilgrimage, inheritance, or anything else of the Shariah mannerisms, such as drinking with the right hand, the details of how to pray, or anything else. All of this was delayed by the Lord of Honor until this believing group was nurtured upon the belief that was settling in the depths of their hearts and running through their veins that there could be no meeting point between Islam and jahiliyyah, and that the fires of this conflict would never be put out so long as there was a truth to uphold, and so long as there was a falsehood that existed, and these two situations can never cease to exist.

This is a battle.

Whoever wishes to understand it clearly as it is, as if he is receiving the Quran as it was revealed, and to take part in the battle that it is fighting - the battle that it fought the first time around - he must read “˜Fi Dhilal al-Quran.” Whoever does not read Sayyid Qutbs tafsir in Fi Dhilal al-Quran will not be able to grasp the depths of this battle, for many reasons. From them is the fact that the man who wrote this book was relaying to the people these events from the midst of the conflict, and from the depths of the battlefield. He wrote these words while he was watching the hangmans noose being tightened in front of his very eyes. So, he wrote them while he was free of all fears, and free of all the burdens of the dunya - no job, no wife, no children, no connection to the burdens that pull one to this Earth. He wrote them while he was bidding the dunya farewell, and everyone who reads the tafsir of al-Baqarah, Al-Imran,an-Nisa,˜al-Maidah,al-Araf, and walks with them - in the second printing onwards - will realize that the one who wrote these words is not from the people of this world. Rather, he is bidding this world farewell with these words, and is giving it a departing wave with these words

Because of this, many people read books, read explanations of the Quran, read the words of Ibn Kathir, at-Tabari, and other than them, and they are never able - and I am saying this to you as a professor of Shariah, and I know more than you, and I understand this issue more than you do - they are unable to understand the Quran as it was revealed, nor are they able to partake in the battle for which Allah revealed it - not just in the era of the Messenger of Allah, but in every era, and in every place.

This Quran is the Book of Allah that was revealed to fight a battle against the enemies of Allah:

{and strive against them with it a great struggle} [al-Furqan; 52]

And it is a must for the people to understand the Book of Allah, why it was revealed, and with whom these texts are dealing with. And some people think that these texts fought a battle, played their role, and that it is no longer possible to utilize this way of looking at things, or to move forward with these rules to fight the battle of today, which is as if it were the same battle that was fought by the Messenger of Allah.

So, I advise you and myself to read ˜Fi Dhilal al-Quran”

[at-Tarbiyah al-Jihadiyyah wal-Bina; 3/6-7]

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Ibn Al-Qayyim Speaks on Love

Chapter: Concerning the Desire for Allah and the Signs of the One Who Knows Allah

As for the desire for Allah (raghbah), wanting Him (lit. His Countenance) and yearning for the meeting with Him, then it is the capital of the slave, the foundation of his affair, the basis of his life of goodness, the source of his (true) happiness, success and bliss, and it is the coolness of his eye. For this reason he was created and for it he has been commanded. The messengers have been sent and the books have been revealed also for this purpose. There is no rectification or bliss for the heart unless its desire is solely for Allah, alone, Mighty and Majestic is He. Hence, He alone should be his desire, what he seeks out and his goal. As Allah, the Exalted, has said, “So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord turn your desires and intentions” (Qur’an 94:7-8). And He, the Exalted, has also said, “Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and so will His Messenger. We implore Allah’” (Qur’an 9:59).


Those who desire are three types:

* Those who desire Allah,

* Those who desire what Allah has

* And those who desire other than Allah.

So the lover is the one who desires Allah. The one who is concerned with works is the one who desires what Allah has. And the one who is satisfied with this life, in neglect to the Hereafter, is the one who desires other than Him. The person whose desire is for Allah alone, Allah with suffice him from every concern, take on all of his affairs, deflect from him what he is not capable himself to deflect, protect him like the protection of a father to his child and preserve him from all afflictions. And whoever prefers Allah to all others, Allah will prefer him to others. And whoever is for Allah, Allah will be for him where he is not even there for his own self. Whoever knows Allah, nothing will be more beloved to him than Him and no desire will remain in this type of person for anything other than Him, except that which will bring him closer to Him or assist him in his wayfaring to Him.

From among the signs of experiential knowledge (ma’rifah) of Allah is veneration and awe (haybah). As the slave’s experiential knowledge of his Lord increases, so to does his veneration and awe increase. As Allah, the Exalted, has said, “It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah” (Qur’ân 35:28), meaning, those who are knowledgeable concerning Him. And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I am the most knowledgeable of you concerning Allah and I am the most intense in awe and reverence of Him” (Al-Bukhârî and Muslim).

So whoever knows Allah (has ma’rifah) his livelihood will be pure, his life will be sweet, everything will revere him and all fear of created things will leave him. He will find intimacy with Allah and will have an aversion for (common) people. Knowledge of Allah (ma’rifah) will bequeath to him shyness in front of Allah, veneration and reverence of Him, vigilance (concerning His vision), love, trust in Him, turning to Him, pleasure in Him and submission to His ordinances.

It was said to Junayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, “There are a group of people here that claim that they can attain righteousness by leaving all movement.” He responded, “Such ones have spoken of the removal of all action, and this is something very immense. The one who fornicates and steals is in a better state than the one who says that (as far as I am concerned). For verily, those who have experiential knowledge of Allah (the ‘ârifûn) have taken their actions from Allah and they have returned to Allah in them. If I were to live one thousand years I would not decrease in performing righteous works.” He also said, “One who knows Allah does not really know Allah until he becomes like the earth; the feet of the righteous and the unrighteous tread upon him. And (until he becomes) like the rain that waters what it likes and what it doesn’t like.”

Yahyâ ibn Mu’âdh said, “The one who knows Allah leaves this world (at the time of death) and he has not had his fill of two things: crying over his self and yearning for his Lord.” Others have said, “One who knows Allah will not really know Allah until if he is given a dominion like the kingdom of Solomon it would not distract him from Allah for even the blink of an eye.” It has also been said, “The one who knows Allah has found intimacy with Allah and has an aversion for other than Him. He has realized his poverty in front of Allah, so Allah has enriched him from His creation. And he has humbled himself in front of Allah, so He has ennobled him amongst His creation.”

Abû Salymân Ad-Dârânî said, “While (resting) in bed, the one who has experiential knowledge of Allah has openings that do not even come to the one who is standing in prayer!”

Dhun-Nûn (Al-Misrî) said, “For everything there is a punishment. And the punishment of the one who knows Allah (the ‘ârif) is being cut off from the remembrance of Allah.”

In summary, the life of the heart is with Allah and there is no life for it without that, ever. So when the heart is in agreement with the tongue in its dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and the heart is in agreement with what the Beloved wants from it; when he (the servant) belittles the many works and statements that he has made and regards even Allah’s subtle generosity and kindness as great; when he embraces obedience and leaves off disobedience, and has left all of it for the sake of his Beloved, so that nothing of it remains; when his heart has become full with reverence, awe, preference and pleasure in Him and his patience in yearning for Him has reached its last straw; when he cannot find repose except in His remembrance, desire for Him and yearning for the meeting with Him; when he cannot find (true) intimacy except in His dhikr, while maintaining His ordinances and preferring Him to others…Then this, this is the true lover (muhibb).

Junayd said, “I heard Al-Hârith Al-Muhâsibî say: “Love (mahabbah) is your inclination to something with all of your being. Then, your preference to that thing over your own self, your soul and your possessions and wealth. Then, your being in accordance with that thing inwardly and outwardly, privately and publicly. Then, realizing your shortcomings with regards to your love of it.”

It was said, “Love (mahabbah) is a fire that burns in the heart. It burns everything other than what the beloved wants from the lover.” It was also said, “Nay, it is exerting all efforts in pleasing the beloved. And that could never be so until one no longer sees the ‘love’ anymore, but only witnesses the beloved.” It is mentioned in some of the Hadith Qudsi, “My servant, I am, by your right, a lover of you. So, be you, by my right upon you, a lover of Me.”

‘Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak said, “Whomsoever is given something of love and is not given its equivalent of awe and veneration (khashyah), then he is deceived.”

Yahyâ ibn Mu’âdh said, “A muster seed’s amount of love is more beloved to me than seventy years of worship without love!”

Abu Bakr Al-Kattânî said, “An issue concerning love (mahabbah) came up in Makkah during the days of the Pilgrimage. The sheikhs spoke on the matter. Junayd was present and he was the youngest amongst them. So they said to him, ‘Give us what you have O Iraqi!’ He lowered his head in humility and his eyes shed tears, and he spoke: ‘(How great is) a slave who has left himself, connected to the dhikr of his Lord, upholding His rights, witnessing Him with his heart. The lights of His Essence have burned his heart and his drink is pure from the cup of His pure love. If such a one speaks, it is by Allah. If he utters, it is from Allah. If he moves, it is by the command of Allah. If he remains silent, he is with Allah. So he is by Allah, for Allah and with Allah.’ So the sheikhs cried and said, “There is nothing that can be added to this. May Allah rectify you, O Tâj Al-‘ârifîn (crown of those who know Allah)!”

It was said that Allah revealed to Dawûd, peace be upon him, “O Dawûd, I have made it prohbited (harâm) for the hearts to contain the love of Me and the love of others at the same time.”

Those who know Allah (the ‘ârifûn) have all agreed that love is not acceptable without compliance (with the Sacred Law), so much so that some of them said, “The reality of love is being in accordance with what beloved wants, concerning what pleases him and what makes him angry.” The People (of the Science of Purification; Al-Qawm) have also agreed that love is not acceptable without Tawhîd (belief in the Oneness of Allah).

It was related that there was a man who claimed that he was overwhelmed by the love of a certain person. So one day this certain person said to him (the lover), “How can this be, when my brother over here is much more attractive and more perfect in beauty?!” The man looked over to him and then the person pushed him and said, “Someone who claims that he loves us and then looks at other than us?!”

Excerpt from the book “The Garden of the Lovers and the Excursion of Those Who Yearn”

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