RAMADAN 2006 The 26th Day
Harun Yahya|
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| ADVICE FROM OUR PROPHET (SAAS) REGARDING FASTING, BROTHERHOOD AND PROPER MORAL VALUES DURING RAMADAN | ||||
Believers Seek to Please Allah People who do not live according to the Qur'an's moral teachings see their lower self as a part of themselves that must be cared for and protected. They do all they can to foster it, justify it, and bring its desires to fruition. They arrange their life, ideals, friendships, and viewpoints according to its demands, because they see it as a force that they must obey and whose every desire they must fulfill if they are ever going to be happy. But these ideas are based on wrong beliefs, for Allah reveals that the lower self will always lead a person into evil, unless He wills otherwise: "I do not say my [lower] self was free from blame. The [lower] self indeed commands to evil acts" (Surah Yusuf: 53). For this reason, only by renouncing it can people be happy and content. Instead of accepting its demands and bowing down to it, people must assert control over it and direct it as Allah wills.
And [I swear by] the self and what proportioned it and inspired it with depravity or a sense of duty, the one who purifies it has succeeded, [and] the one who covers it up has failed. (Surat ash-Shams: 7-10) Believers are aware of this truth because adopting the Qur'an as their guide means that they always listen to their conscience. But those whose belief is shallow sometimes fall victim to the lower self's desires even if they acknowledge this reality. As a result, many things in this life are more important for them than winning Allah's favor. Their basic goals are to get a good job, have a good marriage and a good circle of friends, be respected, have money, live in luxury, and make the best use of all of the blessings that this life has to offer. What is wrong with this? In short, they regard these things as more important than winning Allah's favor and so choose them instead of trying to please Him. Otherwise, it is legitimate to have all of the good things in this life. People who think in this way generally do not believe in Allah, the Hereafter, or the Day of Judgment. They just take what they can from this life and placate their lower self. Some people want to hide their strong attachment to this life and their lower self by saying that they believe in Allah and that their main goal is to win His favor. Sometimes they might even display a moral attitude similar to that enjoined in the Qur'an. However, they show their real faces when something conflicts with their lower self's desires, and begins to harm their personal interests. One can see this in daily life. For example, those who worry about the future think that guaranteeing their own material and emotional situation and that of their family is more important than winning Allah's favor. They may regard personal gain as more important than trying to conform to the Qur'an's moral teachings. The Qur'an describes the insincere nature of this spiritual state, for such people have no real belief and view their own profit as more important than Allah's approval: Yet you see those with sickness in their hearts rushing to them, saying: "We fear that the wheel of fate may turn against us." But it may well be that Allah will bring about victory or some other contingency. Then they will deeply regret their secret thoughts. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 52) Such people do not consider that everything is under Allah's control and that everything happens, both now and in the future, only with His permission. No precautions can prevent a calamity from befalling them, and their efforts will be of no use if Allah has willed the calamity. In the same way, if Allah has willed that something good happens, no one can prevent it. Those who are aware of this reality will not worry about this life or the future. As long as they are sincere and work to achieve Allah's favor, they will enjoy His assistance, mercy, and support, by His leave. In the Qur'an, He proclaims the glad tidings of this mercy: "Allah will certainly help those who help Him" (Surat al-Hajj: 40). Only Allah gives us blessings. People who forget this, thinking that they can obtain their own blessings by pursuing the things of this world, are living in great error. For sincere believers, nothing is more important than winning Allah's favor in every sphere of life. For them, material possessions, wealth, status, respect, or concerns for the future are unimportant. They never compromise their goals, even if such a decision results in hardship or anxiety. They gladly undertake any act of self-sacrifice to win His favor, for they are aware that Allah's friendship, love, and mercy are beyond value and cannot be compared with any earthly blessing, and that nothing can be given in exchange for them. As the Qur'an states: Say: "My prayer and my rites, my living and my dying, are for Allah alone, the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat al-An'am: 162) Allah has bought from the believers their selves and their wealth in return for the Garden. They fight in the way of Allah, and they kill and are killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Gospel, and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his contract than Allah? Rejoice, then, in the bargain that you have made. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba: 111) In another verse, He tells us that sincere believers regard winning His favor as more important than fulfilling their lower self's desires: And among the people are some who give up everything, desiring the good pleasure of Allah. Allah is Ever-Gentle with His servants. (Surat al-Baqara: 207) As the Qur'an says, believers give up everything without a second thought in order to win Allah's favor. Knowing that He will reward them with much finer things in the Hereafter, they live in this world without pursuing their own comfort and advantage, without expecting any return for their self-sacrifice. Their only hope is to win Allah's approval: "We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any thanks." (Surat al-Insan: 9) | ||||
| EXAMPLES TO LIVING FOSSILS: | ||||
CORMORANT SKULL
Age: 18 million years old Size: Each half is 7.6 centimeters (3 in) Location: Cerro Cuadrado, Patagonia, Argentina Formation: Petrified Forest Period: Jurassic
This fossil Araucaria cone, 208-146 million years old and identical to the ones of today, is evidence that the theory of evolution is hollow, and a major deceit. The complete fossil record puts forth that creation of God is a clear fact.
ARAUCARIA CONE
Age: 208 - 146 million years old Size: Each half is 7.6 centimeters (3 in) Location: Cerro Cuadrado, Patagonia, Argentina Formation: Petrified Forest Period: Jurassic
This fossil Araucaria cone, 208-146 million years old and identical to the ones of today, is evidence that the theory of evolution is hollow, and a major deceit. The complete fossil record puts forth that creation of God is a clear fact. | ||||
| THE NAMES OF ALLAH: | ||||
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High exalted be Allah , the King, the Real! Do not rush ahead with the Qur'an before its revelation to you is complete, and say: "My Lord, increase me in knowledge." (Surah Ta Ha, 20:114) Some people, despite the countless signs surrounding them, fail to appreciate Allah's greatness. Despite their helplessness, they grow arrogant and never think about our Creator, because they follow the urgings of their lower self, which encourages them to indulge in evil. Yet the faithful, aware of their helplessness before Allah's greatness, understand that they have no real power whatsoever. Allah calls attention to creation's helplessness and His greatness in the following example: O mankind! An example has been made, so listen carefully. Those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot even create a single fly, even if they were to join together to do it. And if a fly steals something from them, they cannot get it back. How feeble are both the seeker and the sought! They do not measure Allah with His true measure. Allah is All-Strong, Almighty. ( Surat al-Hajj, 22:73-74)
The word "infinite" is a concept over which one has to think a lot in order to grasp Allah's greatness. After death, Allah will create people anew and make them start a new life either in Paradise or in Hell as a repayment for what they did in this world. Here, we are talking about infinity - not about a hundred years, a hundred thousand years, millions or even billions of years. That is, even if there were hundreds of trillions of people destined to live for a trillion years, they still would be unable to determine the exact limit of infinity. We have created all things in due measure. Our command is only one word, like the blinking of an eye. We destroyed those of your kind in the past. But is there any rememberer there? Everything they did is in the Books. Everything is recorded, large or small. ( Surat al-Qamar, 54:49-53) Then when He granted them a healthy, upright child, they associated what He had given them with Him. But Allah is far above what they associate with Him! ( Surat al-A'raf, 7:190) He Who guides you in the darkness of land and sea and sends out the winds bringing advance news of His mercy. Is there another deity besides Allah? May Allah be exalted above what they associate with Him! ( Surat an-Naml, 27:63) Allah created you, then provides for you, then will cause you to die, and then will bring you back to life. Can any of your partner-deities do any of that? Glory be to Him, and may He be exalted above anything they associate with Him! ( Surat ar-Rum, 30:40) | ||||
| THE EVOLUTION DECEIT: | ||||
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But this is not evolution, because no new species of moth emerged. All that happened was that the ratio ratio of the two already existing types in an already existing species changed. In addition, it has since emerged that the account on which this claim was based was untrue. The well-known photos showing moths clinging to the bark of trees were found to be fabrications. Contrary to what has been claimed, no instance of so-called "industrial melanism"-the darkening of color due to industrial pollution-has ever taken place. Just as an Earthquake Cannot Improve a City, Neither Are Mutations Mutations are caused by random changes in the DNA in which all the information concerning the human body's characteristics is encoded. Mutations occur due to outside agents such as radiation or chemicals. Evolutionists maintain that such random genetic changes can cause living things to evolve. The fact is, though, that mutations are always harmful to living things, do not develop them, and can never endow them with any new functional features (such as wings or lungs, for instance). Mutations either kill or deform the afflicted organism. To claim that mutations improve a species and endow it with new advantages is like claiming that an earthquake can make a city more advanced and modern, or that striking a computer with a hammer will result in a more advanced model. Indeed, no mutation has ever been observed to increase-much less improve-genetic information. | ||||
| THE SIGNS LEADING TO FAITH : | ||||
Mother-of-Pearl's Special Damage-Limiting Structure The nacre structure making up the inner layers of a mollusk shell has been imitated in the development of materials for use in super-tough jet engine blades. Some 95% of the mother-of-pearl consists of chalk, yet thanks to its composite structure it is 3,000 times tougher than bulk chalk. When examined under the microscope, microscopic platelets 8 micrometers across and 0.5 micrometers thick can be seen, arranged in layers (1 micrometer = 10-6 meter). These platelets are composed of a dense and crystalline form of calcium carbonate, yet they can be joined together, thanks to a sticky silk-like protein. (Julian Vincent, "Tricks of Nature," New Scientist, August 17, 1996, vol. 151, no. 2043, p. 38.) This combination provides toughness in two ways. When mother-of-pearl is stressed by a heavy load, any cracks that form begin to spread, but change direction as they attempt to pass through the protein layers. This disperses the force imposed, thus preventing fractures. A second strengthening factor is that whenever a crack does form, the protein layers stretch out into strands across the fracture, absorbing the energy that would permit the cracks to continue. (Ibid., p. 39.) The structure that reduces damage to mother-of-pearl has become a subject of study by a great many scientists. That the resistance in nature's materials is based on such logical, rational methods doubtlessly indicates the presence of a superior intelligence. As this example shows, God clearly reveals evidence of His existence and the superior might and power of His creation by means of His infinite knowledge and wisdom. As He states in one verse: Everything in the heavens and everything in the Earth belongs to Him. God is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Qur'an, 22: 64) | ||||
| BOOK OF THE DAY: | ||||
Taking The Qur'an as a Guide
The purpose of this book is to explain that the Qur'an is the Word of Allah, a guide for humanity that addresses everyone, and that its commands are applicable to all times. Thus it must be the most important reference. An accurate perception of Islam and the correct understanding of its verses are essential for those who seek to be guided by it. In this respect, it is one of the most important duties of every Muslim who has wisdom, a conscience, and common sense to convey its message to all people.
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| SITE OF THE DAY: | ||||
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Have you ever asked yourselves questions like these: "How did our earth come into existence? How did the moon and sun come into being? Where were you before you were born? How did oceans, trees, animals appear on earth? Who was the first human being? Your mom gave birth to you. Yet the first human being could not have had parents. So, how did he come into existence?" You will find all the answers to the above and many other important questions in this site. Besides, you will read about interesting features and amazing accomplishments of wonderful creatures living on earth that reflect Allah's infinite power and artistry.
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Since the lower self is created together with much evil, people must listen to their conscience and do good. Otherwise, it will lead them to live in ways that do not please Him and that will cause them great disappointment in this world and the Hereafter. Out of His mercy, Allah inspires the human conscience with many ways to train the lower self: 
Even though every corner of the universe manifests Allah's greatness, this vast manifestation is not sufficient to explain His infinite power and greatness. Allah is exalted above any partnership, defects, and limits. He is the sole Owner of all beautiful names and superior attributes. His knowledge, wisdom, might, power, mercy, compassion, and generosity is infinite.
Of all the supposed "proofs" of the theory of evolution, the most frequently repeated concerns changes in a species of moth in 19th century Britain. It is claimed that due to air pollution during the Industrial Revolution, tree bark was darkened-for which reason dark- colored moths were better camouflaged from predatory birds, and thus their numbers increased. 
