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BEAUTIFUL DU'AA!! Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) gives some gold as a gift to a Bedouin who praised Allah most beautifully. Sayyiduna Anas reports that Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) once passed by a Bedouin who was making the following du'aa in his Salaah: "O The One Whom eyes cannot see, Who cannot be imagined, Who is beyond description, Who is unaffected by happenings, Who cannot be overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of time, Who knows the weight of the mountains, the volume of the oceans, the number of falling raindrops, the number of leaves on the trees and everything upon which the night darkens and upon which the day brightens. No sky can hide another from Him, no surface of the earth can hide another from Him, no ocean can hide anything within its depths from Him and no mountain can conceal from Him anything within its rocks. Make the last part of my life the best, make the best of my deeds the last and make my best day be the one in which I meet You." Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) appointed someone to bring the Bedouin to him as soon as he completed his Salah. Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) had been given some gold from a certain mine and when the Bedouin came before him after he had completed his Salah, Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) handed over the gold to him saying, "Which tribe do you belong to, dear Bedouin?" When the Bedouin informed Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he belonged to the Banu Aamir bin Sa'sa'ah tribe, Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "Do you know why I gave you this gold as a gift?" "Because of the family ties between us, O Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him)," the Bedouin surmised. Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "While family ties have a right, I actually gave you the gold because of the beautiful manner in which you praise Allah." This Hadtih has been reported by Tabraani who has narrated it from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami (Vol. 10 pg. 158). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEAUTIFUL ONE-LINERS ♦ Give Allah what's right, not what's left. ♦ A lot of kneeling, will keep you in good standing. ♦ He who kneels before Allah, can stand before anyone. ♦ Don't put a question mark where, Allah puts a full stop. ♦ Give Satan an inch and he will be a ruler. ♦ When praying, don't give Allah instructions, just report for duty. ♦ We don't change Allah's message, His message changes us. ♦ Warning: Exposure to Allah may prevent burning. ♦ Most people want to serve Allah, but only in an advisory position. ♦ Never give the devil a ride He will always want to drive. ♦ Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it. ♦ Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back. ♦ Allah doesn't call the qualified He qualifies the called. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 YEARS! It was narrated that in the days of the Prophet Musa (Moses) (alayhis salam)- wandered with Bani Israil (Children Of Israel) in the desert where a grizzly drought befell them. Together, they all raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain. Then, to the astonishment of all those watching, the heat scorched down, and the drought intensified. It was revealed to Musa (AS) - that there was a sinner amongst Bani Israel that had disobeyed Allah for more than 40 years of his life. "Let him separate himself from the congregation," Allah told Musa (AS) -. "Only then shall I shower you all with rain." Musa - (AS) - called out, "There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for 40 years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought." That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward… but no one did. Sweat poured from his brow and he knew he was the one. If he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst; yet, if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity. He raised his hands with sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, tears poured on both cheeks, "O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!" As Musa - (AS) - and Bani Israaeel awaited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa - (AS) - asked Allah Ta'ala, "O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though that sinner did not come forward." And Allah Ta'ala replied, "O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israaeel with water." Musa- (AS) - wanting to know who was this blessed man, asked, "Show him to me O Allah!" "I want to know who is he." Allah Ta'ala replied, "O Musa, I hid his sins for 40 years. Do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE "So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful." ( Qur'an 7:144) Should you find something on your plate that doesn't appeal to you, don't complain. There are people who don't have anything on their plate. Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege. Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes he/she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember, things could be worse. You could be them

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There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: 'I fear Allah', a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears. (Bukhari, Muslim) In this beautiful Hadeeth, the Prophet spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade. This may not seem like much at first but then reflect upon the following Hadeeth: 'On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only one mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds. So who would want more then, on this Day, than to be under the Shade and protection of Allah Azza wa Jal. Let us examine now the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering. 1. 'A Just Ruler...' The concept of Justice in Islam is very important and it is something which the Muslim - Ruler and the ruled - must apply in all matters without exception. Justice means to give each the right he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, relative or stranger, friend or enemy. Allah says: '...And do not let hatred cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer to piety' (Quran Surat Al-Maa'idah 5:8). Unfortunately, even if we admit this in theory, we quickly forget it in practice. So we find that when we speak about our friends and loved ones, we praise them beyond reason and when we speak about those whom we hold difference with, we can find no good in them and we just capitalise on their bad points. The concept of justice is most important for the Ruler, since he is in charge of his people and the primary disposer of justice in the land. For this reason, the Ruler is given special mention as one of the seven who will be honoured with Allah's Shade. 2. 'A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah...' Indeed, it is a great blessing from Allah for a youth h be guided towards worship and be befriended by the righteous, since it is in youth that a person is most vulnerable to the temptations of life and liable to drift away from the Islamic Path. This becomes apparent when we look at society around us and we see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, games, clubs, fashion, facebook etc. are all specifically targeted at the young. 'You're only young once!' they are told, which is why many Muslims nowadays waste their youth thinking that they will pray, wear hijaab and go on Hajj, etc. when they are old, as if they have a guarantee of longevity from Allah! How well we would do to heed the Prophet's advice when he said: 'Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied and your life before your death.' 3. 'A man whose heart is attached to the mosques...' There is great encouragement in the Sunnah for men to pray in the mosques and the reward associated with it is tremendous. Not only does it make the person eligible for Allah's Shade on the day of Judgement, but, 'he does not take a step [towards the mosque except that because of it, he is raised by one rank and one sin is removed from him. Then when he prays, the Angels do not cease supplicating for him [for] as long as he remains at his place of Prayer [sayings]: O Allah send blessings upon him, O Allah have mercy upon him... (Bukhari). 4. 'Two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that....' Having mutual love for the sake of Allah is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of Iman in this world. Loving one another for Allah's sake means that the Muslim does not love another except for the correctness of his Deen. So it does not matter what the person looks like, what he wears, how rich or poor he is, where he comes from, or what the colour of his skin is - perhaps you dislike everything about him, but you love him for his Eman: this is loving for Allah's sake. 'Allah, the Mighty and Magnificent says: ' "Those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory will have pillars of light and will be envied the Prophets and martyrs." (Tirmidhee, Ahmed). SubhanAllah! Imagine being envied by Allah's chosen Messengers and those who were slain in His Path! Such is the reward of those who love one another for Allah's sake. 5. 'A man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says: "I fear Allah..."' This world is full of temptations which lead to burning in the Fire and amongst them is that which comes from women. Many a man has led his soul into destruction on account of the lure of a woman which is why the Prophet (SAW)warned his Ummah specifically about this. He (SAW) said, "The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as successors upon it in order to see how you act. So avoid the allurement of women: verily the first trial for the Children of Israel was caused by women." (Muslim) The most important provision which we need to protect ourselves from this and all other temptations in life is the fear (khawf) of Allah. This fact is alluded to in the following Qur'anic Aayah: "And as for him who feared standing before his Lord and restrained himself from impure evil desires, verily Paradise will be his abode." (Quran Surat Naazi'at 79:40) 6. 'A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity...' This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man's nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to ensure that one's intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Allah warns: "O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the Last Day"' (Quran Surat Al -Baqarah 2:264). May Allah preserve us from this. 7. 'A man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.' Our noble Prophet (SAW) informed us: "If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much." (Bukhari) Crying is not a sissy thing to do. The Prophet (SAW), who was the best of all creation, would weep as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allah's Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? Alhamdulillaah, through these seven types of people mentioned in the Hadeeth, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allah's pleasure and satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters in Iman, devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allah's Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.

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Prophet Muhammad (SAW) forever remembered Khadija (RA) with love, affection and gratitude. Khadija al-Kubra was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn (son of) Asad to the clan of Banu Hashim. Khadija's father, was a merchant and a successful businessman whose vast wealth and business talents were inherited by Khadija. Although the society in which Khadija was born was a terribly male chauvinistic one, Khadija earned two titles: Ameerat-Quraysh, Princess of Quraysh, and al-Tahira, the Pure One, due to her impeccable personality and virtuous character, not to mention her honorable descent. She used to feed and clothe the poor, assist her relatives financially, and even provide for the marriage of those of her kin who could not otherwise have had means to marry. In the beginning, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was hired by her to handle all of her business transactions. The Prophet was a young man of 25, and although coming from a noble family, he was an orphan and not a man of many means; making a meager living tending sheep in the hills surrounding the city. Yet, he had an impeccable moral character, and was widely known as the most honest man in Mecca. Khadija was looking for someone honest to handle and conduct her business. After he came back from his first business trip, Khadija asked her servant, Nufaysa, whom she sent with him, about him and his conduct. Nufaysa amazed her by her report: this young man was the kindest, gentlest man she had ever met. Never did he treat the servants harshly, as many others do. He took his employer's merchandise, sold it, and with the profits bought other merchandise that he sold again, thus profiting twice. Nufaysa also related to her the miraculous happening in the desert in which as she and Mohammed (SAW) were traveling in the heat of the desert, she noticed a cloud had followed them the entire time, shading them from the blazing sun. Khadija wished to marry this honorable man, known a throughout Mecca as Al-Ameen (The Trustworthy). Khadija then sent her servant to the Prophet. Nufaysa came to Muhammad (SAW) and asked him why he had not married yet. She asked him, "Why are you not married, yet?" "For lack of means," he (SAW) answered. "What if I could offer you a wife of nobility, beauty, and wealth? Would you be interested?" she asked him. He replied in the affirmative, but when Nufaysa mentioned Khadija, the young employee chuckled in amazement. "How could I marry her? She has turned down the most noble men in the city, much wealthier and prominent than me, a poor shepherd," he (SAW) said. "Don't you worry," she replied, "I'll take care of it." "For my part," he said, "I am willing." Nufaysa returned with these glad tidings to Khadija. Not long after, the wealthy businesswoman married her young employee in a marriage ceremony conducted by Abu Talib, the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Thus began one of the most loving, happiest, and sacred marriages in all of human history. At the age of 25 Mohammed (SAW) married Khadija, then 40. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children; 3 sons and 4 daughters. All of the sons died in young age. Khadijah (RA) was a source of immense love, strength, and comfort for the Prophet Muhammad, and he leaned heavily on this love and support on the most important night of his life. The Prophet (SAW) used to go on regular intervals to meditate and ponder over the dealings that took place in Mecca in which he (SAW) was not very happy with. Mohammed (SAW) would seclude himself in the cave of Mount Hira and worship three days and nights. While he was meditating in cave of Hira, the Angel Jibreel (AS) came to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and revealed to him the first verses of the Quran and declared to him that he was to be a Prophet. The experience terrified the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and he ran home, jumping into Khadijah's (RA) arms asking her to hold him and cover him- and she did. Zamilooni! Zamilooni! "Cover me! Cover me!" Dathirooni! Dathirooni! "Embrace me! Embrace me!" She was startled by his terror, and after soothing and comforting him for a while, the Prophet (SAW) was able to calm down and relate to her his experience. She was the pillar of strength in one of the most defining moments of history. She was there for him, she supported him, she believed in him and encouraged him. The Prophet (SAW) feared he was losing his mind or being possessed. Khadijah (RA) put all his fears to rest: "Allah forbid! He will surely not let such a thing happen, for you speak the truth, you are faithful in trust, you bear the afflictions of the people, you spend in good works what you gain in trade, you are hospitable and you assist your fellow men. She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal – a scholar well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scripture – and he confirmed to the Prophet (SAW) that his experience was Divine and he was to be the Last Prophet. "I swear by Him in who holds Waraqa's life, Allah has chosen you to be the prophet of this people. They will call you a liar, they will persecute you, they will banish you, and they will fight against you. Oh, that I could live to those days. I would fight for these." After his ministry began, and the opposition of his people became harsh and brutal, Khadijah (RA) was always there to support the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), sacrificing all of her wealth to support the cause of Islam. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his family was banished to the hills outside of Makkah, she went there with him, and the three years of hardship and deprivation eventually led to her death. Thus, the Prophet (pbuh) lost his beloved wife and friend, the first person to accept Islam and support him. She had been a refuge from all his troubles and, through her goodheartedness, the best company in his suffering. He had loved her very much. This happened in 619 A.D., the year which became known as the 'Year of Sorrow'. Soon after this, the Prophet Muhammad's uncle and protector, Abu Talib, also died. Once, years after Khadijah died, he came across a necklace that she once wore. When he saw it, he remembered her and began to cry and mourn. His love for her never died, so much so, that his later wife A'isha became jealous of her. Once she asked the Prophet if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet (SAW) replied: "Never did Allah (SWT) give me a better wife than Khadijah. She hailed my mission at a time when everybody shouted against it. She lent me the support of her conviction when there was hardly a believer. She enlivened my heart when I felt lonely and deserted. Khadijah's love was given to me by Allah (SWT). How could I forget her?"

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By brooding over the past and its tragedies, one evinces a sickness that destroys ones resolve to live for the present moment. Episodes of the past are finished; sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot make things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life. This is because the past is non-existent. Do not live in the nightmares of former times or under the shade of what you have missed. Save yourself from the ghostly apparition of the past. Do you think that you can return the sun to its place of rising, the baby to its mother's womb, milk to the udder, or tears to the eye? By constantly dwelling on the past and its happenings, you place yourself in a very frightful and tragic state of mind. Reading too much into the past is a waste of the present. When Allah mentioned the affairs of the previous nations, He said: "That was a nation who has passed away." (Qur'an 2:134) Former days are gone and done with, and you benefit nothing by carrying out an autopsy over them, by turning back the wheels of history. Everything on earth marches forward, preparing for a new season, and so should you. TODAY IS ALL THAT YOU HAVE When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to see the evening. Live as though today is all that you have. Yesterday has passed– with its good and evil, while tomorrow has not yet arrived. Your life's span is but one day, as if you were born in it and will die at the end of it. With this attitude, you will not be caught between an obsession over the past, with all its anxieties, and the hopes of the future, with all its uncertainty. Organize the hours of this day so that you make years out of minutes and months out of seconds. Seek forgiveness from your Lord, remember Him, prepare for the final parting from this world, and live today happily and at peace. Be content with your sustenance, your spouse, your children, your work, your house and your station in life. "So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful." (Qur'an 7:144) LEAVE THE FUTURE ALONE UNTIL IT COMES Do you think it wise to pick fruits before they become ripe? Tomorrow is non-existent, having no reality today. So, why should you busy yourself with it? Why should you have apprehensions about future disasters? We do not even know whether we will even see tomorrow. Many people are fearful of future poverty, hunger, disease, and disaster. A true Muslim should have firm faith in Allah (SWT). One should trust in Allah, and always ask Allah for guidance. In addition, one should ask Allah for forgiveness for any sins that may have been committed and ask Allah for righteous guidance that leaves one on the path to Sirat-ul-Mustaqueem. Ameen

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Allah says: "Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon" To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return." (Quran Surat Al Baqarah 2:156) "Every soul shall have a taste of death, then to us you will be ultimately returned." (Quran Surat Al Ankaboot 29:57) We say this statement, "Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon" "To Allah We Belong and To Him We Will Return" when someone dies, when we lose something, or suffer a setback or harm. But...........do you know what it really means? In a nutshell it means that whatever we have is not really ours. It belongs to Allah. Take a look around you; everything you see, all that you have and all that there is....in you, on you, around you....belongs to Allah alone. It is Allah who has given you all the property and goods you possess, the cars that you own, the house that you live in, the kids that He blessed you with, the health that He gave you, the time that He has allowed you to live on this earth are all Allah's property. Even the bodies we live in and the life that we have belongs to Allah alone. He is the true Owner of them all. "And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth....." (Surah Aal-Imraan: 3:180) "The kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in them belongs to Allah. He has power over all things." ( Surat al-Ma'ida: 5:120) Now, since everything belongs to Allah, then we have to include even our souls in that list. The very souls that we think of as our "self"; our "nafs"; our "being" – whatever you want to call it – that very thing that distinguishes you from the rest of the world, belongs to Allah. And this is the essence of the concept of submission to Allah in Islam. Since He is the true Possessor of everything, and everything is His property, He allots what He wills to whomever He wills.......and then He takes it away. Just like a friend who lends you his book. And then after a few days, he wants it back and you give it back to him...no regrets.....no sorrow....no questions asked. After all, it was Allah's to begin with. So He may give you something and then take it back after a while. He will bless you with a precious child that you love dearly...and then He may take it away. He will grant you money, honor and status....and then He may take it away. He may give you youth, vitality and health and then surely He will take it away. Remember....man enters into this world empty handed... and leaves it empty handed. Each day that passes, each day we breathe, each day we go about our lives, and it is but a day closer to our end, closer to our return to our Creator. In many cultures Death is something you don't talk about. In fact if you visit most cemeteries, they are so beautiful with grass and decorations that they deviate you from the reality of the occasion.

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This is an advice to all about the purpose of life. I request you to think of what I'm about to say to you as advice; not a lecture. The information that I wish to share with you may seem a bit extensive. When you consider the capacity of the human brain and the amount of information that it can store and decipher, then a few pages of information, I'm sure, will not overwork you. It is my responsibility to address the topics of our discussion, "What is the purpose of our life?" and also ask a question, "What do you know about Islam?" I mean what do you really know about Islam? Not what you've heard about Islam, not what you've seen in the actions of some Muslims, but what do you know about Islam? I would like to begin by saying that all of you have an equal responsibility. And that responsibility is to listen with an open heart and an open mind. In a world filled with prejudice and cultural conditioning, it is very hard to find people that are able to take a moment to think. To think about life objectively. And try to arrive at the truth about this world and the real purpose of our lives. Unfortunately, when you ask most people the question, "what is the purpose of our life?" such a fundamental and important question, they will not tell you what they have concluded through observation or analytical reasoning. Rather, in most cases, they will simply tell you what someone else said. Or they will tell you what is commonly presumed by others. What my father said what the purpose of life is, what the minister of my church said the purpose of life is, what my teacher in school said, what my friends said. If I ask anyone what's the purpose eating, why do we eat? Most people will say, in one way or another, it's for nutrition; because nutrition sustains life. If I ask people why they work, they will say because it is a necessity in order to support themselves and to provide the needs of their family. If I ask people why they sleep, why they wash, why they dress, etc. they will answer this is a common necessity for all human beings. We can follow this line of questioning with a hundred questions and receive the same or similar answers from people, in any language, in any place in the world. Simple. Now I ask you the question, "What is the goal and purpose of our life?" and we get so many different answers. That's because people are confused. They don't really know. They're stumbling in the dark. And rather than say, "I don't know", they just offer any answer that they've been programmed to answer. Well, think about it now. Is our purpose in this world simply to eat, sleep, dress, work, acquire some material things and enjoy ourselves? Is this our purpose? Why are we born? What is the object of our existence and what is the wisdom behind the creation of man and this tremendous universe? Think about that question. Some persons argue that there's no proof of any divine origin, there's no truth that there is a God, there's no truth that this universe has come about through any divine purpose. They say that perhaps this world has come about by chance. A big bang and this whole great world, with all of its orchestrations, just came together. They argue that life doesn't have any definite purpose, and there's nothing that can be proven through either logic or science that there's a God, or a purpose, or any divine reason behind this world. I would like to mention a few verses from the Quran that addresses this subject. "Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding, who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and conclude), "Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose, glory to You! Grant us salvation from the torment of the Fire." (Quran 3: 190-191) Now hearing these verses, Allah has mentioned very clearly to us by first drawing our attention to the creation of ourselves, to different postures of the human body, the different attitudes of the human psychology. He draws our attention to the heavens, the alternation of the night and day, the firmament, the stars, the constellations, and then He says to us that He has not created all of this for any foolish purpose. When you see the design of it, you know that the design of it is very powerful and very precise. And something very powerful and very precise that is beyond your own calculations and imagination; it cannot be foolish. It cannot be just thrown together. For instance, if you took ten marbles, and numbered then one through ten, and all of them were different colors, and you put them inside of a bag, and shook the bag, and closing your eyes, reached inside that bag. And I told you to pull out marble number one and pull out marble number two and marble number three in order. What is the chance that you will pull out the ten marbles in order? Do you know that the chances are? 26 million in one. So what are the chances of the heaven and earth being thrown in a big bang; and orchestrated like they are. What's the chance of that? My dear respected readers, we have to ask ourself a further question. When you see a bridge, or a building, or an automobile, you automatically consider the person or the company that constructed it. When you see an airplane, a rocket, or a satellite, or a large ship, you also think about how incredible an invention it is. When you see a nuclear plant, an orbiting space station, or a super international airport, like what exists here in this country, you have to be thoroughly impressed with the engineering dynamic that are involved. Yet, these are just things that are manufactured by human beings. Then what about the human body; with its massive and intricate control systems? Think about it. Think about the brain; how it thinks, how it functions, how it analyses, how it stores information, retrieves information, distinguishes and categorizes information in a millionth of a second! And does it constantly. Think about the brain for more. This is the brain that made the automobile, the rocket ship, the boats, and so and so; think about the brain that makes everything. Think about the heart. This magnificent pump works 24 hours a day for your entire lifetime without stopping. It pumps 100,000 beats in a day, while sending five liters of blood circulating through your body in just 13 seconds. In one single day your heart can pump enough blood to fill a good sized oil truck. How it pumps continuously for 60 or 70 years; in taking and discharging blood throughout the body and maintaining a steady precision throughout the life of that person. Think about it. Think about the kidneys; what kind of function do they carry? The purifying instrument of the body; which performs hundreds of chemical analysis simultaneously. And also controls the level of toxicity in the content of the body...and it does this automatically. Think about your eyes. The human camera; that adjusts, focus, interprets, evaluates, applies color automatically; the natural reception and adjustment to light and distance. The eye is the world's best camera. It can take flawless pictures and transfer them to the brain without any blurring. Six large powerful muscles control the eye and allow it to move in any desired direction. The focusing muscles of the eye move about 100 000 times a day. To give the leg muscles the same exercise would involve walking 50 miles a day. The delicate parts of this precision instrument are kept clean by the eyelids which act as window wipers. The retina can take ten different pictures each second or 800 000 pictures a day. You blink about 15 times a minute. Who created that? Who has mastered that? Who plans that? And who regulates that? Human beings? Themselves? No of course not!! What about this universe? Think about this. This earth is one planet in our solar system. And our system is one of the systems in the Milky Way. And the Milky Way is one of the constellations in that galaxy. And there are millions of galaxies like the Milky Way. Think about that...and they're all in order. They're all precise. They are not colliding with each other, they are not conflicting with each other and they are swimming along in an orbit that has been set for them. Have human beings set that into motion, are human beings maintaining that precision? No, of course they're not. Think about the oceans, the fish, the insects, the birds, the plants, bacteria, the chemical elements that have not been discovered and cannot be detected even with sophisticated instruments. Yet each one of them has a law that they follow. Did all of this synchronization, balance, harmony, variation, design, maintenance, operation, and infinite operation; did all of this happen by chance? And also, do these things function perpetually and perfectly also by chance? And do they keep on reproducing themselves and maintaining themselves also by chance? No, of course not!! That would be totally illogical and foolish to think and in the least it would indicate that however it came to be, it is totally outside the realm of human capabilities; we would all agree to that. The Almighty Power, God...the Creator who has the knowledge to design and to proportion; who has created all of this and is responsible for maintaining all of this is the only one who is deserving of praise and gratitude. If I gave each one of you $100 for no reason, you would at least say thank you. What about your eyes, your kidneys, your brain, your life, your breath, your children...what about that? Who gave you that? Is He not worthy of praise and thanks? Is He not worthy of your worship and recognition? My readers, that in a nutshell, is the goal and purpose of this life. Allah (SWT) has said to us in the Quran, "I have not created the jinn, the spirits, nor the human beings, for any other purpose except to worship Me." (Quran 51: 56) This is what the Almighty said. So our purpose in life is to recognize the Creator, to be grateful to the Creator, to worship the Creator, to surrender ourselves to the Ceator, and to obey the laws that He determined for us. In a nutshell, it means worship. This is our purpose in this life. And whatever our system...the eating, the drinking, the dressing, the working, the enjoying between the life and the death...all of this is just coincidental. We have been created for worship and that is the purpose of our life. I don't think that anyone can have much argument with that purpose.

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Pork and its Harmful Effect He has only forbidden you carrion, blood and pork and what has been consecrated to other than Allah. But anyone who is forced to eat it-without desiring it or going to excess in it-commits no crime. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 2:173) Eating pork is harmful to health in a great many regards. This harm still persists today, despite all the precautions that are taken. First and foremost, no matter how clean the farms and environments on which it is raised may be, the pig is not by nature a clean-living animal. It often plays in, and even eats, its own excrement. Due to this and its biological structure, the pig produces much higher levels of antibodies in its body than other animals. In addition, far higher levels of growth hormone are produced in the pig compared to those in other animals and human beings. Naturally, these high levels of antibodies and growth hormone pass across to and collect in the pig's muscle tissue. Pork meat also contains high levels of cholesterol and lipids. It has been scientifically proven that these significant amounts of antibodies, hormones, cholesterol and lipids in pork represent a serious threat to human health. The existence of above-average numbers of obese individuals in the populations of countries such as the USA and Germany, in which large quantities of pork are consumed, is now well-known. When exposed to excessive quantities of growth hormone as a result of a pork-based diet, the human body first puts on excessive weight and then suffers physical deformations. Another harmful substance in pork is the "trichina" worm. This is frequently found in pork and when it enters the human body, it settles directly in the muscles of the heart and represents a possibly fatal threat. Even though it is now technically possible to identify pigs that are infected with trichina, no such methods were known in earlier centuries. That means that everyone who ate pork risked infection by trichina and possible death. Islam has prohibited blood of any type. A chemical analysis of blood shows that it contains an abundance of uric acid, a chemical substance which can be injurious to human health. 98% of the body's uric acid is extracted from the blood by the kidneys and removed through urination. The medical science finds that there is a risk for various diseases the pig is found to be a host for many parasites and potential diseases. It is important to note that the pig 's biochemistry excretes only 2% of its total uric acid content, the remaining 98% remains as an integral part of the body. Plus as everyone knows that swine (pig) eats its own excretion, which means that of all the uric acid and the other waste products excreted, most of it goes back inside again. Read The Labels The law requires that food manufacturers provide ingredient information on the food labels. That makes our job easier. All we need is to read the labels carefully. To be sure, ingredient labels are not the most readable part of many food packages, and they may not always contain sufficient information to determine the Halal status of a product. But reading food ingredient labels is the first essential step in that direction. As you read the labels, especially look for the following ingredients. They deserve a hard look: Bakery and Cereal Products Look for these in all bakery and cereal products: Gelatin, mono- and di-glycerides, animal shortening, whey. In cereals look for marshmallows. (They contain gelatin) Fruits and Vegetables Additives and preservatives may be added in the preparation of processed and canned fruits and vegetables. Look for: Gelatin, mono- and di-glyceride, cheeses, alcohol or wine. Candies Look for: Animal fat, gelatin, alcohol, whey, glycerol, glycerine, and marshmallows. Meet The Suspects Now that we have learned how to spot the suspect ingredients on a food label, here is more information that will help us decide whether these ingredients can be considered Halal or non-Halal. Lard Lard is a saturated fat obtained from swine (pigs), particularly from the abdominal cavity of the animal. Any food containing lard is completely Haram. Mono- and di-glycerides Mono-glyceride and di-glyceride are lipid (fat) molecules used as emulsifiers in shortening, bakery, and dairy products. These may be manufactured from vegetable oils, beef fat, lard, or marine oils. Therefore, Muslims should stick to labels saying vegetable or marine mono- and di-glvcerides. Shortening Shortening is a blend of fat and/or oil. If the label simply says 'shortening', stay away from it; it may even be lard. When the label says 'vegetable shortening' without listing all the vegetable sources or adding, the words "pure" or "100%". Even 1% lard will make it 100% haram. Enzymes Enzymes are a protein substance found and formed in all living cells that bring about chemical reactions inside or outside of the body. Enzymes can be extracted from animal sources, calves and pigs. Vegetable enzymes are okay. When In Doubt Remember, you can always look for the symbols K or U which is Halal (but not on alcoholic items). Absolutely no pork and if unsure choose vegetable ingredients. Why Bother? In a way, the life of a Muslim revolves around the concept of Halal. He or she must earn income from Halal sources, be involved only in Halal transactions, and eat Halal food. In every walk of life, staying away from Haram is a lifelong struggle. It is obvious that Muslims should seek an education and training for their children that will well prepare them for this. Education of Muslim children can not be complete if it fails to inculcate in them a strong faith in the superiority of Halal practices. Please share!

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The benefit of reciting the Quran are numerous, but the most important aspect is our relationship with Allah through His revelation. Ramadan is the ideal time to get ourselves and the children to do it. We access the meaning of the Quran not by understanding by our intellect but by being moved by the beautiful aural recitation, which can penetrate our hearts when no logic or argument can. Being able to recite it fluently, beautifully and correctly can enhance our faith especially during the month of Ramadan. The beauty of the vocal experience is not about mere sound we project, but the continuous trial we undertake to perfect Allah's revelation in our voices. The prophet (SAW) said: "Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection."(M) "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter." (T) "It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in dunya! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!" (Ab & T) "The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur'an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur'an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward." (B & M) "The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." (B)

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The Noble Quran is filled with scientific statements and explanations that describe how Almighty Allah (SWT) describes how He created things on earth and in the Universe. Subhanallah, all of these scientific statements are in perfect agreement with our modern-day scientific discoveries. Allah Almighty Said: "We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and within themselves, until it becomes quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things?" (Quran 41:53) The 20th century was full of discoveries regarding the celestial phenomena in the universe. Yet Muslims had all of this glorious knowledge and information at their fingertips. The following article will relate a few of the great number of scientific explanations that exist in the Holy Quran. BLACK HOLES One of these entities, which has only recently been encountered, is the Black Hole. Black Holes are formed when a star, which has consumed all its fuel, collapses in on itself and turns into a black hole with infinite density and zero volume with an immensely powerful magnetic field. We are unable to see black holes even with the most powerful telescope, because their gravitational pull is so strong that light is unable to escape from them. However, such a collapsed star can be perceived by means of the effect it has on the surrounding area. Black holes reveal themselves indirectly, by the tremendous suction which their gravitational force exerts on other heavenly bodies. As well as depictions of the Day of Judgement, the verse below may also be pointing to this scientific discovery about black holes: When the stars are extinguished. (Qur'an, 77:8) Moreover, stars of great mass also cause warps to be perceived in space. Black holes, however, do not just cause warps in space but also tear holes in it. That is why these collapsed stars are known as black holes. This fact may be referred to in the verse about stars, and this is another important item of information demonstrating that the Qur'an is the word of Allah: [I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you what the Tariq is? The Star Piercing [the darkness]! (Qur'an, 86:1-3) PULSARS: PULSATING STARS [I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you what the Tariq is? The Star Piercing [the darkness]! (Qur'an, 86:1-3) The word "Tariq," name of the Sura 86, comes from the root "tarq," whose basic meaning is that of striking hard enough to produce a sound, or hitting. Bearing in mind the word's possible meaning as "beating," "striking hard," our attention may be being drawn in this sura to an important scientific fact. Before analysing this information, let us look at the other words employed in the verse to describe these stars. The term "al-taariqi" in the above verse means a star that pierces the night, that pierces the darkness, born at night, piercing and moving on, beating, striking, or sharp star. Furthermore, the term "wa" draws attention to the things being sworn on-the heaven and the Tariq. Through research carried out by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, at Cambridge University in 1967, a regular radio signal was identified. Until that time, however, it was not known that that there was a heavenly body that could be the source of regular pulse or beating rather like that of the heart. In 1967, however, astronomers stated that, as matter grows denser in the core as it revolves around its own axis, the star's magnetic field also grows stronger, and thus gives rise to a magnetic field at its poles 1 trillion times stronger than that of Earth. They realised that a body revolving so fast and with such a powerful magnetic field emits rays consisting of very powerful radio waves in a conic form at every revolution. Shortly afterwards, it was also realised that the source of these signals is the rapid revolution of neutron stars. These newly discovered neutron stars are known as "pulsars." These stars, which turn into pulsars through supernova explosions, are of the greatest mass, and are the brightest and fastest moving bodies in the universe. Some pulsars revolve 600 times a second. The word "pulsar" comes from the verb to pulse. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word means to pulsate, to beat. Encarta Dictionary defines it as to beat rhythmically, to move or throb with a strong regular rhythm. Again, according to the Encarta Dictionary, the word "pulsate," which comes from the same root, means to expand and contract with a strong regular beat. Following that discovery, it was realised that the phenomenon described in the Qur'an as "tariq," beating, bore a great similarity to the neutron stars known as pulsars. Neutron stars form as the nuclei of super giant stars collapse. The highly compressed and dense matter, in the form of a rapidly revolving sphere, entraps and squeezes most of the star's weight and magnetic field. The powerful magnetic field created by these rapidly revolving neutron stars has been shown to cause the emission of powerful radio waves observable on Earth. In the third verse of Surat at-Tariq the term "al-najmu al-thaaqibu," meaning piercing, moving on, or opening holes, indicates that Tariq is a bright star that pierces a hole in the darkness and moves on. The concept of the term "adraaka" in the expression "And what will convey to you what the Tariq is?" refers to comprehension. Pulsars, formed through the compression of stars several times the size of the Sun, are among those celestial bodies that are hard to comprehend. The question in the verse emphasizes how hard it is to comprehend this beating star. (Allah knows best.) As discussed, the stars described as Tariq in the Qur'an bear a close similarity to the pulsars described in the 20th century, and may reveal to us another scientific miracle of the Qur'an. THE STRUCTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SUN, THE MOON AND THE STARS We built seven firm layers above you. We installed a blazing lamp. (Qur'an, 78:12-13) As we know, the only source of light in the Solar System is the Sun. With advances in technology, astronomers discovered that the Moon was not a source of light but that it merely reflects the light reaching it from the Sun. The expression "lamp" in the above verse is a translation of the Arabic word "siraaj," which most perfectly describes the Sun, the source of light and heat. In the Qur'an Allah employs different words when referring to such celestial bodies as the Moon, the Sun and the stars. This is how the differences between the structures of the Sun and Moon are expressed in the Qur'an: Don't you see how He created seven heavens in layers, and placed the Moon as a light in them and made the sun a blazing lamp? (Qur'an, 71:15-16) In the above verse, the word "light" is used for the Moon ("noor" in Arabic) and the word "lamp" for the Sun ("siraaj" in Arabic.) The word used for the Moon refers to a light-reflecting, bright, motionless body. The word used for the Sun refers to a celestial body which is always burning, a constant source of heat and light. On the other hand, the word "star" comes from the Arabic root "najama," meaning "appearing, emerging, visible." As in the verse below, stars are also referred to by the word "thaaqib," which is used for that which shines and pierces the darkness with light: self-consuming and burning: It is the star that pierces through darkness! (Qur'an, 86:3) We now know that the Moon does not emit its own light but reflects that reaching it from the Sun. We also know that the Sun and stars do emit their own light. These facts were revealed in the Qur'an in an age when mankind simply did not have the means to make scientific discoveries of their own accord. It was an age when peoples' knowledge of celestial bodies was severely restricted, to say the least. This further emphasises the miraculous nature of the book of Islam. ORBITS AND THE ROTATING UNIVERSE One of the most important reasons for the great equilibrium in the universe is the fact that celestial bodies follow specific paths. Stars, planets and satellites all rotate around their own axes and also rotate together with the system of which they are a part. The universe functions within a finely-tuned order, just like the wheels in a factory. All these celestial bodies follow the most finely calculated paths and orbits. For millions of years, each one has been moving in its own path in flawless harmony with all the others. The verse which reads "[I swear] by Heaven with its cyclical systems," (Qur'an, 86:11) indicates this truth. Naturally, at the time when the Qur'an was revealed, people had no telescopes with which to study bodies millions of kilometres away in space, advanced observation technology or our modern knowledge of physics and astronomy. It was therefore impossible to establish that space had "its oscillating orbits," (Qur'an, 51:7) as described in the verse. The Qur'an however, revealed at that time, provided clear information concerning that fact. This is proof that this book is indeed Allah's word. THE SUN'S TRAJECTORY It is stressed in the Qur'an that the Sun and Moon follow specific trajectories: It is He Who created night and day and the Sun and Moon, each one swimming in a sphere. (Qur'an, 21:33) The word "swim" in the above verse is expressed in Arabic by the word "sabaha" and is used to describe the movement of the Sun in space. The word means that the Sun does not move randomly through space but that it rotates around its axis and follows a course as it does so. The fact that the Sun is not fixed in position but rather follows a specific trajectory is also stated in another verse: And the Sun runs to its resting place. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. (Qur'an, 36:38) These facts set out in the Qur'an were only discovered by means of astronomical advances in our own time. According to astronomers' calculations, the Sun moves along a path known as the Solar Apex in the path of the star Vega at an incredible speed of 720,000 kmph (447,000 mph). In rough terms, this shows that the Sun traverses some 17.28 million km (10.74 million miles) a day. As well as the Sun itself, all the planets and satellites within its gravitational field also travel the same distance. THE MOON'S ORBIT And We have decreed set phases for the Moon, until it ends up looking like an old date branch. It is not for the Sun to overtake the Moon nor for the night to outstrip the day; each one is swimming in a sphere. (Qur'an, 36:39-40) The Moon does not follow a regular orbit like the satellites of other planets. As it orbits the Earth, it sometimes moves behind it and sometimes in front. As it also moves with the Earth around the Sun, it actually follows a constant pattern resembling the letter "S" in space. This route, traced by the Moon in space, is described in the Qur'an as resembling an old date branch and does indeed resemble the twisted form of the date tree branch. Indeed, the word "urjoon" employed in the Qur'an refers to a thin and twisted date branch and is used to describe that part left after the fruit has been picked. The way that this branch is described as "old" is also most appropriate since old date branches are thinner and more twisted. There is no doubt that it was impossible for anyone to have any knowledge about the orbit of the Moon 1,400 years ago. The way that this pattern, identified by modern technology and accumulated knowledge, was revealed in the Book is yet another scientific miracle of the Qur'an. Muslims people have a huge treasure in their hands, the Holy Quran. This book not only describes the way a Muslim person should lead their life, but it also is full of complex explanations of the world that we live in. Constant reading of the Quran will enable a person to better understand this world and to become a closer servant to Allah (SWT).

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Omar Bin Abdul Aziz was born in 682 A.C., in Medina, Saudi Arabia. During his childhood, he memorized the entire Quran. Omar was a direct dissident, on his mother's side, of the famous Amir ul-Momineen, Umar ibn Khattab (RA). He inherited many good traits and manners from his great grandfather that also made him into one of the great Khalifas. When Omar Bin Abdul- Aziz first became Khalifa, he made the following changes that strengthened the administration: All taxes were abolished. People commented that there was nothing in the treasury and most of the savings were used to help the poor and needy. He replied by saying, "…the state treasury was not meant for the walls but the people, so why should they not be given?" •Instead of taxes, he requested all the governors to encourage the citizens to practice agriculture. •He dictated that if anybody had a piece of land which he/she did not cultivate for three years, the land was to be taken and given to somebody else who would cultivate, hence discouraging laziness. •State officials were excluded from entering into any business. •Unpaid labor was made illegal. •Pasture lands and game reserves (which had been previously reserved for families of high ranks) were evenly distributed among the poor for the purpose of cultivation. •He urged all officials to listen to the complaints of their citizens. In addition, he used to announce that if any subject had seen an officer maltreating the people, the officer should be reported to the leader and that subject would be given a reward ranging from 100 - 300 dirhams. •He wrote to his prison guards not to handcuff any jailed person for it prevented him from performing Prayer. He also wrote to them: "If your power over people were to lead you to treat the prisoners unjustly, then remember the Power of Allah over you." Khalifa Omar's fruitful achievements led to the well-being of his society. When the time for the annual obligatory charity came, no one accepted it. Instead, it was sent to neighboring towns to raise other's standards of living. Everybody was able to assist his family without begging. This brought about jubilance among the people and loyalty towards their leader. Omar also gave away all of his wealth for the betterment of society. In his possession, Omar owned only one thobe. His people realized this, when they noticed that he was always late for Friday prayers as a result of waiting for his one thobe to dry after washing it. Another example of this remarkable leader was shown in how careful he was in using state-owned supplies. In Omar's office he had two candles. If he wanted to write state affairs, he would the candle that belonged to the state. However, if he wanted to write his own personal letters, he would use the candle which had been bought from his own money. Following the example of the Prophet (S), Omar bin Abdul-Aziz sent out emissaries to China and Tibet, inviting their rulers to accept Islam. It was during the time of Omar bin Abdul Aziz that Islam took roots and was accepted by a large segment of the population of Persia and Egypt. Omar bin Abdul-Aziz was the first Khalifa to commission a translation of the Qur'an from Arabic into another language. Upon the request of the Raja (king) of Sindh (which the country is now called Pakistan), He had the Qur'an translated into the ancient Sindhi language and had it sent to the Raja (718 CE). During Omar's leadership, faith flourished, as it had during the period of Umar ibn al Khattab (R). It is for these reasons that historians sometimes refer to Omar bin Abdul Aziz as Omar II. Omar bin Abdul Aziz was also the first Khalifa to attempt a serious reconciliation of political and religious differences among Muslims. Omar started in the Jumha Khutabs (Friday sermons) the following passage from the Quran to be read instead: "God commands you to practice justice, enjoins you to help and assist your kin and He forbids obscenity, evil or oppression, so that you may remember Him." (Quran 16:90) Khalifa Omar Bin Abdul Aziz delivered his last khutbah (sermon): "O people. You were not created in vain, nor will you be left to yourselves. Rather, you will return to a place in which Allah, Subhannah wa Ta'ala, will descend in order to judge among you and distinguish between you. Destitute and lost are those who forsake the allencompassing mercy of Allah Ta'ala, and they will be excluded from Jannah, the borders of which are as wide as the heavens and the earth. Don't you know that protection, tomorrow, will be limited to those who feared Allah (today), and to those who sold something ephemeral for something permanent, something small for something great, and fear for protection? Don't you realize that you are the descendants of those who have perished, that those who remain will take their place after you, and that this will continue until you are all returned to Allah Ta'ala? Every day you dispatch to Allah Ta'ala, at all times of the day, someone who has died, his term having come to an end; you bury him in a crack in the earth and then leave him without a pillow or a bed. He has parted from his loved ones, severed his connections with the living, and taken up residence in the earth, whereupon he comes face to face with the accounting. His is mortgaged to his deeds. He needs his accomplishments, but not the material things he left on earth. Therefore, fear Allah before death descends and its appointed times expire. I swear by Allah that I say those words to you knowing that I myself have committed more sins than any of you; I therefore ask Allah Subhannah wa Ta'ala for forgiveness and I repent. Whenever we learn that one of you needs something, I try to satisfy his need to the extent that I am able. Whenever I can provide satisfaction to one of you out of my possessions, I seek to treat him as my equal and my relative, so that my life and his life are of equal value. I swear by Allah that I had wanted something else, namely, affluence, then it would have been easy for me to utter the word, aware as I am of the means for obtaining this. But Allah Ta'aala has issued in an eloquent Book and a just example (The Sunnah) by means of which He guides us to obedience." He (Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz) lifted up the edge of his robe and began to sob, causing the people around him to break into tears. Then he stepped down and never stepped again on the stand till he passed away. Omar's leadership cannot be compared to any other person's - it was so unique. Different leaders reigned before and after him but none could break his record of the magnificent changed he made. He died in the year 719 CE, after ruling for only two years and five months. His subjects mourned in great pain, saying that they would never have a leader like Omar bin Abdul-Aziz.

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