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Names of Allah
Names of Allah: AL-'ADL - KHABEER
AL-'ADL (The Just, The Equitable)
O You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to piety. Have fear [and awareness] of Allah. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 5:8)
Allah is the most just judge. As His order encompasses the universe, He will show His justice to His servants both in this world and beyond. All the acts of Allah, Who is All-Seeing, All-Knowing, and All-Aware, are for a divine purpose and are just.
Allah will judge all of each person's deeds according to His justice. Allah informs us that those who engage in violence will be punished and that even a single good word will be rewarded. He will manifest His infinite justice in the Hereafter.
The difficulties that unbelievers make for Prophets and believers, as well as their slanderous accusations and sins, will not remain unanswered. All of these difficulties, which raise believers' ranks in Paradise, lead unbelievers to the lowest level of the Fire. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will set up the Just Balance, and no soul will be wronged in any way. Allah will call them to account by ending the time that He has granted them. Given that Allah, the All-Knowing, keeps His promise, all people will see the consequences of their wrong actions in the Hereafter. Thus, unbelievers will be punished severely, while those who remained true to Allah will be rewarded most bountifully. In one verse, Allah states the following:
Those who pledge their allegiance to you [the Prophet] pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah's hand is over their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks it against himself. But as for him who fulfils the contract he has made with Allah, We will pay him an immense reward. (Surat al-Fath, 48: 10)
There is an important point to consider here: While pondering over His justice, do not compare it with the human concept of justice, for a faithless person, while passing judgment, may well comply with his whims and desires, remain under the influence of his feelings, or forget what has been done. Most importantly, one never knows what is in the other party's mind. But Allah, Who never errs or forgets, has assigned angels for every person in order to observe and record each of their acts and thoughts. In brief, Allah holds each person's soul in His hand. The Qur'an also reveals that our Lord, Who gives the best judgment, is infinitely just:
On the Day We summon every people with their records, those who are given their Book in their right hand will read their Book and will not be wronged by even the smallest speck. (Surat al-Isra', 17:71)
In the Hereafter, Allah will pay back all of the wrongdoing and plots hatched against believers. In this life, He may grant the unbelievers many blessings (e.g., wealth and possessions), yet these will only lead them to more evil. In the Qur'an, Allah states that believers must not be attracted to such blessings, for when compared with what awaits them in the Hereafter, the benefits of this short life are insignificant, especially when the infinite punishment of Hell awaits unbelievers.
In the Hereafter, each person's real abode, every soul will find itself confronted with all of its good deeds. Allah will manifest His justice in Hell and Paradise for all eternity. Ultimately, Allah will separate those who believe in Him from those who do not.
Say: "Our Lord will bring us all together and then will judge between us with the truth. He is the Just Decider, the All-Knowing." (Surah Saba, 34:26)
Allah commands believers to be just as follows:
Allah does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just toward them. Allah loves those who are just. (Surat al-Mumtahana, 60:8)
Allah commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what Allah exhorts you to do! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:58)
They are people who listen to lies and consume ill-gotten gains. If they come to you, you can either judge between them or turn away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot harm you in any way. But if you do judge, judge between them justly. Allah loves the just. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 5:42)
AL-'AFUW (The Pardoner)
Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:149)
People are fallible beings who may at any time think erroneously, make a wrong decision, or display a flawed attitude. But Allah, Who created humanity and is fully aware of these mistakes, forgives them. If He were not so forgiving, no soul would ever attain Paradise. Indeed, Allah calls attention to this fact, as follows:
If Allah were to punish people for their wrong actions, not a single creature would be left upon Earth, but He defers them until a predetermined time. When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour or bring it forward.(Surat an-Nahl, 16:61)
Yet we need to remember that Allah only forgives His sincere servants who turn to Him in repentance. Thus, those desiring His forgiveness must be sincere and resolute in their repentance. Allah makes it clear that He will not forgive those who repent but then return to their former ways without feeling any true regret. In one verse, Allah states the following:
Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and then quickly repent after doing it. Allah turns toward such people. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:17)
AL-AKHIR (The Last; The One Who Exists After Everything Else Perishes )
He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward. He has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Hadid, 57:3)
Allah created the universe from nothing and, ultimately, will return it to its initial state and destroy it. Nothing is immortal, for all living beings come into existence for a predetermined period of time and then die—everything, that is, except Allah, Who is the First and the Last and therefore without beginning or end.
Allah, the Creator of life and time, is not affected by any of matter's characteristics. Given that He is infinite, He will exist for all eternity, existed in the infinite past, and is unaffected by time and space. This fact is stressed in the Qur'an, as follows:
Everyone on it will pass away;
but the Face of your Lord will remain, Master of Majesty and Generosity. (Surat ar-Rahman, 55:26-27)
AHKAM AL-HAKIMEEN (The Most Just Judge )
Is Allah not the Most Just Judge? (Surat at-Tin, 95:8)
Allah passes judgment on each matter and concludes them. All events evolve and develop upon His command and wish. Each of His judgments contains many hidden divine purposes. However, most people do not really understand His commands, for, given their limited intelligence, their ability to do so is also limited. Furthermore, Allah is infinitely wise, exalted above time and space, and the One Who created and bound humanity to these concepts. A person can never know what will happen the next day or even in an hour. When Allah gives a command, however, He has total knowledge of all of its consequences, regardless of time or place. Consequently, Allah creates everything in compliance with His plan and for a divine purpose.
But unbelievers can never understand Allah's purposes, for they base their worldview on certain causes and then think that everything evolves randomly and coincidentally. Therefore, they fail to understand that Allah controls everything. Believers, however, strive to grasp the divine purposes in Allah's judgments and comprehend that He gives the best judgments. In the Qur'an, Allah commands the following:
Follow what has been revealed to you, and be steadfast until Allah's judgment comes. He is the Best of Judges. (Surah Yunus, 10:109)
Nuh called out to his Lord and said: "My Lord, my son is one of my family. Your promise is surely the truth, and You are the Most Just Judge." (Surah Hud, 11:45)
AL-'ALEEM (The All-Knowing)
Both East and West belong to Allah, so wherever you turn, the Face of Allah is there. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:115)
After people begin to think, they start to learn and, over time, accumulate more and more knowledge. Some specialize in certain fields, such as physics, philosophy, or history. All of this knowledge relates to the verb "to know," as we understand it. However, this verb also has a dimension that is far beyond humanity's grasp: how Allah knows things.
Allah, being the Creator, holds the knowledge of the heavens, Earth, and every being in between, as well as of all the laws regulating the universe and anything that happens, regardless of time or place. Moreover, His knowledge is boundless, for He knows the names of all new-born babies at any moment, every leaf falling from every tree, what will happen to each star in each galaxy, whatever happens in space at any moment, what is hidden in every living thing's DNA, and an infinite number of other things.
We must always keep the following fact in mind: In addition to what has been mentioned above, Allah knows all of our thoughts and our most secret acts. We assume that we alone are aware of our feelings, thoughts, or distress. But this is a delusion, for Allah, Who holds complete control over every point of the universe, knows what is in each person's mind and everything else. Indeed, the Qur'an informs us about Allah's infinite knowledge:
You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love. Whatever you give away, Allah knows it. (Surah 'Al Imran, 3:92)
Do you not see that everyone in the heavens and Earth glorifies Allah, as do the birds with their outspread wings? Each one knows its prayer and glorification. Allah knows what they do. (Surat an-Nur, 24:41)
And the sun runs to its resting place. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. (Surah Ya Sin, 36:38)
See how they wrap themselves round, trying to conceal their feelings from Him! No, indeed! When they wrap their garments round themselves, He knows what they keep secret and what they make public. He knows what their hearts contain. (Surah Hud, 11:5)
But they will never ever long for it, because of what they have done. Allah knows the wrongdoers. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:95)
You did not kill them; it was Allah Who killed them. You did not throw when you threw; it was Allah Who threw: so He might test the believers with this excellent trial from Him. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Anfal, 8:17)
AL-'ALEE (The Most High )
It does not befit Allah to address any human being except by inspiration or from behind a veil, or He sends a messenger who then reveals by His permission whatever He wills. He is indeed Most High, All-Wise. (Surat ash-Shura, 42:51)
Allah introduces Himself to us: Allah, the Creator of all the worlds and the sole Sovereign of the universe, is the Most High and the Possessor of the heavens, Earth, and everything in between. There is no deity but Him. High is He, Exalted above all that they associate (with Him). He is the Sovereign, the All-Powerful, and the Lord of the Ways of Ascent. Allah is Self-Sufficient, above all need.
All of the beautiful names belong to Allah, for He is the Owner of infinite beauty and infinite sublimity. A person can know Him only to the extent that He introduces Himself, and can appreciate Him through the verses of the Qur'an. In one verse, Allah describes this name in the following terms:
Allah, there is no deity but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge, except for what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and Earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:255)
AL-'ASIM (The Protector )
He [Prophet Nuh's son] said: "I will seek refuge on a mountain that shall protect me from the water." Nuh said: "There is no protector today from Allah's punishment but He Who has mercy…" (Surah Hud, 11:43)
People, all of whom are inherently feeble, can encounter all sorts of difficulties at any time, such as an earthquake, flood, hurricane, or volcanic eruption. In addition, people are vulnerable to mental distress. In the face of these unfavorable events, they must consider the following: Regardless of their effort or strength, they can never avoid a threat unless Allah wills this. Allah, the most Compassionate, is the only Protector, as the Qur'an relates in the following verses:
Say: "Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and sea? You call upon Him humbly and secretly: 'If you rescue us from this, we will truly be among the thankful.'" Say: "Allah rescues you from it, and from every plight. Then you associate others with Him.'" (Enam Suresi, 6:63-64)
People remember Allah when they are left alone, when they realize that neither material wealth nor powerful people can help them, or when they fall sick. Yet after these situations pass, they forget what happened to them and become ungrateful toward Allah. Such people, who insist upon ungratefulness despite Allah's protection, will see the truth when they face infinite punishment in Hell. Their situation is related, as follows:
As for those who show disdain and grow arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment. They will not find any protector or helper for themselves besides Allah. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:173)
AL-'ADHEEM (The All-Glorious)
Everything in the heavens and everything in Earth belongs to Him. He is the Most High, the All-Glorious. (Surat ash-Shura, 42:4)
Allah's might and grandeur is surely beyond humanity's grasp. Yet, within the limits of their wisdom, people can still see and grasp His might. Indeed, the entire universe abounds with countless examples that indicate His greatness. A closer look at our own planet will make people feel His sublimity.
The heavens carrying clouds that weigh many tons, mountains rising thousands of meters in the air, oceans harboring millions of living beings, a lightening flash and the noise of thunder following it, and billions of living beings that have submitted to Allah—all of these and countless other details are clear signs of Allah's existence.
To have a better grasp of our Lord's grandeur, let's move beyond the limits of our world and think: We live in an unbounded space, the universe, which contains billions of galaxies with countless billions of stars. We live in one of these galaxies on a planet called Earth, which rotates about its axis at a velocity of about 1.670 kilometers an hour. Just thinking on these vast figures make us realize that our existence in the universe is as insignificant as the existence of a dust particle on Earth.
As this example also reveals, people given to sincere contemplation can grasp the majesty of their Lord, Who creates billions of galaxies and holds all of them in His hand. In one verse, Allah informs us about His beautiful names:
Allah, there is no deity but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge, except for what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and Earth, and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the All-Glorious. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:255)
AL-'AZEEZ (The Almighty )
Do not imagine that Allah will break His promise to His Messengers. Allah is the Almighty, the Lord of Retribution. (Surah Ibrahim, 14:47)
This name of Allah expresses that He will always triumph and that He can never be refuted, for only He has true power. Allah created the universe's order, all of its laws (both known and unknown), and all beings on Earth. In the face of Allah's infinite power, which clearly manifests itself in the universe, the feebleness of every created being and thing is obvious. All that is created can only exist, survive, and act if He commands so.
No doubt, this feeling of feebleness also holds true for humanity. No matter how well-off, strong, and powerful people may be, each person is weak and helpless in Allah's sight. No possessions, money, or status can protect them from Allah's punishment; only those who surrender to Him, live by His orders, and strive to earn His consent will be protected. In the Qur'an, Allah promises to grant superiority to His loyal servants.
Allah has written: "I will be victorious, I and My Messengers." Allah is Most Strong, Almighty. (Surah al-Mujadala, 58:21)
… and He has sent down the Furqan. Those who reject Allah's Signs will have a terrible punishment. Allah is Almighty, Lord of Retribution. (Surah 'Al Imran, 3:4)
Allah bears witness that there is no deity but Him, as do the angels and the people of knowledge, upholding justice. There is no deity but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:18)
Do not be grieved by what they say. All might belongs to Allah. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Surah Yunus, 10:65)
A bedouin once said to the Prophet (saas): "Teach me something to say." The Prophet (saas) replied: "Say: 'There is no god but Allah, the One with no partner. Allah is the Greatest by far; much praise be to Him. The Lord of the Worlds be praised; and there is no power and no strength save in Allah the Almighty, the All-Wise.'" (Sahih Muslim)
AL-BA'ITH (The Resurrector)
How can you reject Allah, when you were dead and then He gave you life, then He will make you die and then give you life again, and then you will be returned to Him? (Surat al-Baqara, 2:28)
All people who have or will ever live are mortal. Everyone dies and is buried. Despite this obvious fact, however, most people avoid thinking about death and their subsequent resurrection. The Qur'an describes their situation, as follows:
They will ask: "Are we to be restored to how we were when we have become perished, worm-eaten bones?" (Surat an-Nazi'at, 79:10-11)
The Qur'an provides the most explicit answer to this popular delusion by proclaiming:
He makes likenesses of Us and forgets his own creation, asking: "Who will give life to bones when they are decayed?" Say: "He Who made them in the first place will bring them back to life. He has total knowledge of each created thing." (Surah Ya Sin, 36:78-79)
As these verses indicate, Allah created humanity and granted different qualities to everyone. Indeed, down to his or her fingerprints, each person has unique characteristics. As our Creator, He can re-create each person in the very same manner as many times as He wills. Allah displays this coming resurrection each autumn, when nature begins to "die" and then actually experience a type of "death" during winter. Yet when spring comes, we see dry branches blossoming, nature being revived and becoming green all over. Furthermore, this "resurrection" has been happening without any interruption since time began. For Allah, resurrecting each person is as easy as this. The parallel features of these two resurrections are stated in several verses, as follows:
He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and brings Earth to life after it was dead. In the same way, you too will be brought forth. (Surat ar-Rum, 30:19)
So look at the effect of Allah's mercy, how He brings the dead Earth back to life. Truly, He is the One Who brings the dead to life. He has power over all things. (Surat ar-Rum, 30:50)
Another meaning of the beautiful name Al-Ba'ith is "sending out Prophets." Allah sent Messengers to warn their people and bring good news in order to call them to the right path. He revealed books to some of his Messengers so that they could bring people out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light of true knowledge. No doubt, this is a great blessing of Allah to His servants. In the Qur'an, Allah relates that:
Mankind was a single community. Then Allah sent out Prophets bringing good news and giving warning, and with them He sent down the Book with truth to decide between people regarding their differences. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:213)
Allah showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a Messenger to them from among themselves to recite His Signs to them and to purify and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided. (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:164)
AL-BAQI (The Everlasting )
Everyone on it will pass away; but the Face of your Lord will remain, Master of Majesty and Generosity. (Surat ar-Rahman, 55:26-27)
All of creation has an end. People are born, live for a certain period of time, and then die. This is also true of plants and animals. For instance, a tree may live for hundreds of years and then fulfill its destiny by dying at its appointed time. Similarly, non-living things also will meet their end, for time wears them all out. In addition, what remains of ancient nations is only their ruins. Allah calls our attention to this fact: "How many wrongdoing cities We destroyed, and now all their roofs and walls are fallen in; how many abandoned wells and stuccoed palaces!" (Surat al-Hajj, 22:45)
The universe also has an end. All of the meteors, stars, and suns hurtling through space will one day exhaust their energy and disappear. Or, for another reason, Allah will destroy this universe and keep His promise regarding the Day of Judgment. He can do this, for He is the Creator and sole Owner of infinity, as the Qur'an reveals:
Anything you have been given is only the enjoyment of this world's life and finery. What is with Allah is better and longer lasting. So, will you not use your intellect? (Surat al-Qasas, 28:60)
AL-BARI' (The Maker)
He is Allah—the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surat al-Hashr, 59:24)
The universe is based upon equilibrium and harmony. As scientific developments reveal more of its mysteries, we learn more about this equilibrium and harmony. It is apparent that each system in the universe has been designed by a superior intelligence that created everything in an amazing way. For billions of years, this great harmony and order has existed among an infinite number of living and non-living beings.
When we examine life on Earth, we come across amazing details. Whether we recognize it or not, we are surrounded with countless signs of creation. For instance, the ratio of different gases in the atmosphere are ideal for the survival of all living beings. Human beings and animals inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Although this process continues without interruption, the amount of oxygen never decreases and the amount of carbon dioxide never increases. Moreover, this amazing equilibrium is never disturbed, because contrary to human beings and animals, plants inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Thus, the oxygen consumed by people and animals is replaced by plants, a process that preserves this equilibrium.
This example is only one of the countless signs of creation on Earth. Both the micro- and macro-universes abound with similar examples. The universe, and thus life on Earth, exists only because our Lord creates things in conformity with one another. One verse reads:
And when Musa said to his people: "My people, You wronged yourselves by adopting the [golden] calf, so turn toward your Maker and kill yourselves. That is the best thing for you in your Maker's sight." And He turned toward you. He is the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:54)
AL-BASEER (The All-Seeing)
Have they not looked at the birds above them, with wings outspread and folded back? Nothing holds them up but the All-Merciful. He is the All-Seeing. (Surat al-Mulk, 67:19)
Our human faculty of sight is limited. With the naked eye, we can see for only a few kilometers. But to achieve this, we need clear weather and to be standing on a high place. Yet no matter how convenient the conditions may be, we can see only a hazy image.
In some situations, and especially when people are alone, they assume that nobody sees them. Assuming that they will not have to account for their deeds, they feel encouraged to do whatever they wish. Furthermore, they think they will never suffer any consequence for their wrongdoing. But this is a great delusion, for Allah sees even the smallest act. While our eyesight is limited, Allah sees the room in which a person remains, the rooms surrounding that room, the entire house, the city and country that harbor that house, the continent in which that country is located, the entire Earth, all planets, space, and all other dimensions beyond it. In the Qur'an, Allah informs us that He is aware of everything:
You do not engage in any matter, recite any of the Qur'an, or do any action without Our witnessing you while you are occupied with it. Not even the smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on Earth or in Heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Surah Yunus, 10:61)
Perform prayer and pay alms. Any good you send ahead for yourselves, you will find with Allah. Certainly Allah sees what you do. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:110)
They have different ranks with Allah. Allah sees what they do. (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:163)
Those who adulterate Our Signs are not concealed from Us. Who is better—someone who will be thrown into the Fire or someone who will arrive in safety on the Day of Rising? Do what you like. He sees whatever you do. (Surah Fussilat, 41:40)
AL- BASIT (The Expander)
Is there anyone who will make Allah a generous loan so that He can multiply it for him many times over? Allah both restricts and expands. And you will be returned to Him. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:245)
Allah grants spiritual and material abundance to those who believe in Him and who obey Him wholeheartedly. He removes the difficulties they face. Upon encountering any hardship, trouble, or sickness, believers take refuge only in Allah. As a reward for this, Allah eases their tasks while making things difficult for unbelievers.
The Qur'an provides many examples about this issue. For instance, Prophet Musa (as) and the Children of Israel were forced to leave Egypt due to Pharaoh's violence. However, Pharaoh followed them. During this flight, the Children of Israel, who were caught between Pharaoh's army and the sea, thought that they were finished. Yet, Allah answered Prophet Musa's (as) call, divided the waters, and made a dry path so they could escape. Allah also destroyed Pharaoh and his army, and made the Children of Israel their inheritors.
This was also a manifestation of the following situation: "Those who make pilgrimage in the Way of Allah will find many places of refuge on Earth and ample sustenance. If anyone leaves his home, making pilgrimage to Allah and His Messenger, and death catches up with him, Allah will reward him. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surat an-Nisa', 4:100) No doubt, Allah's promise has always been true—and will remain so—for His faithful servants. One verse reads:
Your Lord expands the provision of anyone He wills and restricts it. He is aware of and sees His servants. (Surat al-Isra', 17:30)
AL-BATIN (The Inward; The Hidden )
He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward. He has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Hadid, 57:3)
Look around your room. Everything you see has been designed and made by someone: the door, the CD-player, a picture hanging on the wall, the window, and so on. Now look through the window at the trees, the Sun, the sky, flying birds, and other people. If it is nighttime, you can watch the stars and the Moon. Knowing that everything in your room has been made, is it not clear that everything around you also has been designed?
The truth of this assertion is apparent. If you cannot claim that a picture hanging on the wall was made by coincidence, then you also cannot claim that the Sun, stars, and the Moon are the result of coincidence. Everything you see on Earth and in the sky has a designer, producer, and creator. Our Lord, Who created everything with great artistry, introduces Himself to us through His creation.
When you look through the window you cannot see Him. However, Allah's existence, power, and artistry is clearly seen in His creation. This is the meaning that al-Batin conveys to us. His existence and control is clear in every corner of the universe, yet no one can see Him unless He wills otherwise:
Eyesight cannot perceive Him, but He perceives eyesight. He is the All-Penetrating, the All-Aware. (Surat al-An'am, 6:103)
AL- BADEE' (The Originator; the Innovative Creator)
The Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, "Be!" and it is. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:117)
No matter how competent and intelligent people may be, any innovation or new idea is limited to their background and what they see around themselves. We enjoy five senses and cannot imagine a sixth sense. Moreover, we can use these senses only to a certain extent. For instance, we are utterly ignorant of what we cannot perceive. Accordingly, we cannot think, discover, or exercise our wisdom about something that does not exist on Earth, or in the universe as far as we know it.
Indeed, scientists develop some of their projects by imitating animals in nature and their flawless systems. For example, the dolphin's snout served as a model for the bows of modern ships, while radar works on the principle used by bats, namely, emitting very high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to compensate for their poor eyesight. Such examples are legion. (For further reference, please see, Harun Yahya, For Men of Understanding, 3rd ed., [London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd., April 2003])
Allah's knowledge is unbounded. Everything that exists, whether visible or not to the naked eye, is the product of Allah's innovative creation. At a time when there was nothing, no universe, galaxies, planets, living beings, or even a single cell, He decided to create a flawless system consisting of atoms, molecules, cells, living beings, planets, stars, and galaxies. Upon His command "Be," the universe and all of its contents came into being based upon no model other than what He willed to be. From the micro-world, of which the humanity became aware after thousands of years, to the celestial bodies discovered during the twentieth century, all of these systems were designed by Allah and function according to His laws. This is related in the Qur'an, as follows:
Say: "My Lord has commanded justice. Stand and face Him in every mosque and call upon Him, making your religion sincerely His. As He originated you, so will you return." (Surat al-A'raf, 7:29) He is the Originator of the heavens and Earth. How could He have a son when He has no wife? He created all things and has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-An'am, 6:101)
AL-BARR (The Beneficent; The All-Good)
Beforehand we certainly used to call on Him because He is the All-Good, the Most Merciful. (Surat at-Tur, 52:28)
Allah created all people and placed them in a setting that is perfectly suitable for human life and that was designed to serve them. In Surat an-Nahl, Allah informs us about some of these blessings:
He created man from a drop of sperm, and yet he is an open challenger! And He created livestock. There is warmth for you in them and various uses, and some of them you eat. And there is beauty in them for you in the evening when you bring them home, and in the morning when you drive them out to graze. They carry your loads to lands you would never reach, except with great difficulty. Your Lord is All-Gentle, Most Merciful. And horses, mules, and donkeys both to ride and for adornment. And He creates other things you do not know. The Way should lead to Allah, but there are those who deviate from it. If He had willed, He could have guided every one of you. He sends down water from the sky, from which you drink and from which come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you, as well as olives, dates, grapes, and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. He has made night and day subservient to you, and the Sun and Moon and stars, all of which are subject to His command. There are certainly Signs in that for people who use their intellect. And also the things of varying colors He has created for you in Earth. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who pay heed. He made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh meat from it and bring out from it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving through it so that you can seek His bounty, and so that hopefully you will show thanks. He cast firmly embedded mountains on the ground so it would not move under you, and rivers and pathways so that hopefully you would be guided, and landmarks. And they are guided by the stars. (Surat an-Nahl, 16:4-16)
No doubt, one can never bring into being, possess, or attain any of the blessings mentioned above by his own efforts. However, Allah has granted all of these beauties to humanity as blessings to indicate His vast generosity toward His servants. In return for such goodness, what does He expect? In the remaining part of the sura, Allah answers that He expects humanity to heed and serve Him, as follows:
Is He Who creates like him who does not create? So will you not pay heed? If you tried to number Allah's blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Nahl Suresi, 16:17-18)
AL-JAMI' (The Gatherer )
"Our Lord, You are the Gatherer of mankind to a Day of which there is no doubt. Allah will not break His promise." (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:9)
This attribute of Allah expresses His control over all systems in the universe. As the Creator of all that exists, He has the power to make all the living and non-living beings obey Him and so can gather them wherever He wishes. In the Qur'an, Allah promises that He will gather believers together in this world:
Each person faces a particular direction, so race each other to the good. Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together. Truly, Allah has power over all things. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:148)
However, the actual gathering will take place on the Day of Judgment, when all believers will enter His presence. Allah, Who knows the unbelievers who reject Him and His messengers, as well as their actions, will collect everyone who has ever lived by causing the Trumpet to be blown. Allah will gather all unbelievers to account for their deeds, and then will order them to be cast headlong into Hell, where they will be repaid in full for what they did.
In Paradise, Allah will reward His followers also in crowds. On that Day, He will gather His servants and their leaders to His presence. With their light streaming out in front of them and to their right, they will attain Paradise due to His grace and mercy. Meanwhile, just as in this world, He will keep the unbelievers in Hell together and let them argue with one another. Their impious spouses and idols will remain together and be repaid in a narrow corner of Hell. The unbelievers will be consumed with the pain of being driven to Hell along with their irreligious spouses and friends, upon whom they had relied so much. In the verse below, Allah informs us that He will gather Satan's followers together and herd them into Hell.
It has been sent down to you in the Book that when you hear Allah's Signs being rejected and mocked at by people, you must not sit with them until they start talking of other things. If you do [remain seated], you are just the same as them. Allah will gather all the hypocrites and unbelievers into Hell. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:140)
AL-JABBAR (The Irresistible; The Compeller)
He is Allah—there is no deity but Him. He is the King, the Most Pure, the Perfect Peace, the Trustworthy, the Safeguarder, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supremely Great. Glory be to Allah above all they associate with Him. (Haşr Suresi, 59:23)
Unbelievers show their arrogance and rejection of Allah by claiming that they exist apart from and are independent of Allah, and by attributing some of His characteristics to themselves. However, if they would stop and think seriously about this claim for just a second, they would easily comprehend that they did not will themselves into existence, cannot know when they will die, and had no say in the formation of their physical traits. They would realize that whatever they possess, including their own bodies, are temporary and will ultimately disappear. All of this makes it obvious that humanity is weak and can neither possess nor control anything. Further contemplation will surely provide more evidence of this truth.
In the face of all these facts, one can readily see that being arrogant toward our Lord, the Creator, is both foolish and dangerous. In fact, a person needs to comprehend that Allah is All-Mighty and that He created everything from nothing, grants every person's characteristics and meets their needs, can take them all when He wills, and that all living beings will die while He alone will exist for all eternity. Once all of this is understood, people need to submit to their Owner, for Allah has the power to make all who rebel and turn against Him bow to Him whenever He wills.
Allah relates the example of the Companions of the Garden as a lesson to believers. One of these men, who had been spoiled by his prosperity and achievements, later recognized his weakness, thanks to the name of al-Jabbar, and confessed his wrongdoing. What happened to this man, who swore to himself that he would harvest in the morning, is related in the Qur'an, as follows:
So a visitation from your Lord came upon it while they slept, and in the morning it was like burnt land stripped bare. (Surat al-Qalam, 68:19-20)
But when they saw it, they said: "We must have lost our way. No, the truth is we are destitute!" The best of them said: "Did I not say to you: 'Why do you not glorify Allah?'" They said: "Glory be to our Lord! Truly we have been wrongdoers." They turned to face each other in mutual accusation. They said: "Woe to us! We were indeed inordinate. Maybe our Lord will give us something better than it in exchange. We entreat our Lord." Such is the punishment. And the punishment of the Hereafter is much greater, if they only knew. (Surat al-Qalam, 68:26-33)
AD-DA'I (The Caller)
O you who believe! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when He calls you to what will bring you to life! Know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart, and that you will be gathered to Him. (Surat al-Anfal, 8:24)
People assume that they can take the best care of themselves and thus make the best decisions, set principles for themselves, and believe that their lives will be good if they adhere to these principles. But this is a great delusion, for Allah created humanity and is nearer to each person than his or her own jugular vein. A person may not know many things about himself; however, Allah encompasses everything about him, for He holds complete control over his seen and unseen features, his most inner thoughts, and his subconscious. Furthermore, a person can never know what she will face the next moment or may well forget some of her past experiences. But Allah, Who never forgets or errs, knows all that has happened—and ever will happen—in every person's life. For these very reasons, only Allah knows what is best for each person.
Indeed, Allah draws attention to this fact:
... It may be that you hate something when it is good for you, and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:216)
For this reason, a person needs to respond to Allah and comply with the "path that will bring him to life." Allah made this path clear through the Qur'an, which He revealed to our Prophet (saas). In every verse, Allah gives a detailed account of how a person must conduct himself or herself in order to attain salvation.
AD-DAFI` (The Remover of Tribulations)
And with Allah's permission, they routed them. Dawud killed Goliath, and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah's driving some people back by means of others, Earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favor to all the worlds. (Surat al-Baqara, 2:251)
Allah, Who protects believers against all material and spiritual dangers, also grants them irrefutable power against all unbelievers, hypocrites, and idolaters. While unbelievers plan and plot, Allah moves against them. Driving their harm away, He makes the plotters suffer the consequences of their own plots.
Meanwhile, Allah divides unbelievers, makes them fight each another, and thereby causes them to lose their strength. Furthermore, He keeps those who hate Muslims apart from them and afflicts them with many disasters. The Qur'an relates this divine protection for believers, as follows:
Those who were expelled from their homes without any right, merely for saying: "Our Lord is Allah." If Allah had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, where Allah's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. Allah will certainly help those who help Him… (Surat al-Hajj, 22:40)
This aside, only Allah can repel all varieties of difficulty, disease, misgiving, Satan's promptings to evil, and many other disasters from believers. No doubt, each one of these represents Allah's overt and hidden help to humanity. He is very compassionate toward His servants, to those who take refuge in Him and seek His help and forgiveness.
AD-DARR (The Afflictor)
Am I to take as deities instead of Him those whose intercession, if the All-Merciful desires affliction for me, will not help me at all and cannot save me? (Surah Ya Sin, 36:23)
A sudden death, an unexpected disease, a crop-destroying hurricane, an earthquake leveling an entire city, fears for the future, a traffic accident, stress, loss of possessions, jealousy, ageing… Such events are sources of grief, fear, and despair for those who are unaware of the Hereafter's existence and consider this worldly life to be their real life. No one is immune to such events, any one of which may be encountered at any time and completely change one's life.
Since we know that Allah is infinitely compassionate, what is the divine purpose for such ordeals? Allah sends hardship and trouble so that a person can grow spiritually. A person who has difficulty breathing can hardly be arrogant or humiliate others. Meanwhile, one who recovers from being bed-ridden or a financial loss fully understands the value of the restored health and possessions. Through difficulty and ease, Allah makes each person better appreciate His generous blessings.
One point deserves special mention here. If the person being tested has faith and knows that the life in the Hereafter is one's real abode, he knows that every difficulty is from Allah and thus meets it with patience. Meanwhile, he seeks help only from Allah, for he knows that only Allah can remove this trouble. This way, Allah causes His servants to draw nearer to Him and raise their ranks in the Hereafter.
However, the truth is otherwise for those who have no faith in the Hereafter. Allah will display His name ad-Darr in Hell especially to these people. Yet compared to what they will go through in Hell, whatever causes grief here will remain insignificant, for all mundane pains are temporary.
In Hell, where unbelievers will roast in fire, every time their skins are burned off, Allah will give them new skins so that they can taste the punishment again and again. Their only food will be a bitter thorny bush, and their only drink will be boiling water that tears their intestines. They will face death, but will never die. Instead, they will suffer severe and eternal pain. Beaten with iron cudgels and covered with beds of fire, they will be cast into the narrowest and darkest corner of Hell, where they will only be able to groan.
Unbelievers will ask Hell's custodians to ask their Lord to let them out and lessen their punishment for just one day. While punishing them and denying them any escape, Allah will make them see the blessings and bounty being enjoyed by the believers in Paradise. In one verse, Allah commands:
If you ask them: "Who created the heavens and Earth?" they will say: "Allah." Say: "So what do you think? If Allah desires harm for me, can those you call upon besides Allah remove His harm? Or if He desires mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy?" Say: "Allah is enough for me. All those who truly trust put their trust in Him." (Surat az-Zumar, 39:38)
AR-RAHMAN AR-RAHEEM (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)
And Ayyub, when he called out to his Lord: "Great harm has afflicted me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful." (Surat al-Anbiya', 21:83)
As is the case with all other beings, we also exist in a state of need. Our existence depends on many conditions: oxygen to breathe, water and nutrients for our bodies' physical functions, for example. The list is endless, for an infinite number of details are essential for maintaining each person's physical existence.
However, all people can survive without giving much thought to meeting their needs. Everything they need for their bodies and their survival has already been provided and put to use. The first example that comes to mind is breathing. Oxygen is essential for survival, but who provides the right ratio of oxygen in the atmosphere? Or, who places the system that takes in this oxygen and processes it so that it can be conveyed to each cell? None of these can be attributed to anyone, for no one has any part in forming the atmosphere or one's respiration system.
This vital need being the foremost, every detail is designed in its most perfect and feasible form. At this point, we encounter a superior wisdom that designs all details and the infinite compassion that the Owner of this wisdom—Allah, the Most Merciful—shows to us.
Allah's mercy is not limited to meeting people's physical needs. Allah created people, placed them in the most suitable place, and, in return, only asked them to serve Him. He also told people how to do this and sent down books and Prophets for this very purpose. This way, Allah made Himself known and called them to religion and moral excellence. These are obvious signs of our Lord's infinite mercy.
AL-AWWAL (The First )
He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward. He has knowledge of all things (Surat al-Hadid, 57:3)
Does the universe have a beginning? This question has occupied the minds of people for centuries. People who understand that the universe must have an owner believe that it must have a beginning. However, other people do not want to accept the Creator's existence and thus claim that the universe has no beginning. They assert that the universe has existed forever and will exist for all eternity. However, modern science proves that such an assertion is a great delusion.
Although many theses have been put forward for the universe's existence, scientific circles have reached the following consensus: In 1929, Edwin Hubble revealed that the universe is in a state of constant expansion. Following this, scientists deduced that if we reverse the concept of time, we can think of the expanding universe as a closely pressing system, like a shrinking giant star, for instance. In this case, we conclude that a universe that shrinks according to the concept of time ultimately reaches a point of oneness. That is, the universe came into existence when a single point expanded by means of a big explosion.
Given this, we can conclude that our universe has a beginning. Since such a flawless system has a beginning, it must have a designer. This means that the One Who designed the universe is the First and the Last, for He existed before everything and will continue to exist after everything else has ceased to exist. The Owner of this eternal power is Allah, for His name "The First" indicates that He existed before all living beings, planets, galaxies, the universe, and even time itself.
AL-FALIQ (The Opener, The Splitter )
Allah splits the seed and kernel. He brings forth the living from the dead, and produces the dead out of the living. That is Allah, so how are you deluded? He splits the sky at dawn, and appoints the night as a time of stillness and the Sun and Moon as a means of reckoning. That is what the Almighty, the All-Knowing has ordained. (Surat al-An'am, 6:95-96)
Our planet contains many kinds of plants, each of which has seeds unique to itself. If you keep dry seeds in a room, they may remain unchanged for years. Yet once they are buried in the ground or another suitable place, they start to sprout and, one day, grow into a rose bush or a giant plane tree.
While it is amazing to see such variety coming from a "dry seed," even more amazing is the formation of a living being. For a tree to exist, its seed has to collect the necessary materials from the soil and begin to grow. But a seed cannot determine the amount of minerals and water it needs, nor can it decide to grow into a green plant or a fruit tree.
If we claim that a seed can make such decisions, then we have to accept that the seed is "talented." But we cannot seriously assert that any seed has such faculties. As the verses above inform us, only Allah "splits the seed and kernel." By His will, countless trees and plants come into existence. Indeed, another verse relates that Allah creates everything:
He sends down water from the sky, from which We bring forth growth of every kind, and from that We bring forth the green shoots, and from them We bring forth close-packed seeds, and from the spathes of the date palm date clusters hanging down, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar. Look at their fruits as they bear fruit and ripen. There are Signs in that for people who believe. (Surat al-An'am, 6:99)
AL-FASIL (He Who Distinguishes (in the best way))
As for those who believe and those who are Jews, Sabaeans, Christians, Magians, and associaters, Allah will distinguish between them on the Day of Rising. Allah is witness of all things. (Surat al-Hajj, 22:17)
Some people seek mundane goals all their lives. Forgetting about the Hereafter, they strive for those goals they deem to be good. While doing this, however, they forget their real responsibility: to serve Allah. In order to please and thereby to earn the good pleasure of the deities they associate with Allah, they put forth a lot of effort and think that they benefit themselves and others.
Some people, on the other hand, devote their lives to Allah by using all of the means and blessings He grants them to earn His good pleasure. They seek to attain the straight path, please Allah, and display the moral excellence He demands from His servants.
The Qur'an states that the situation of these two people will not be the same, as follows:
The blind and seeing are not the same, nor are darkness and light, nor are cool shade and fierce heat. The living and dead are not the same. Allah makes anyone He wills hear, but you cannot make those in the grave hear. (Surah Fatir, 35:19-22)
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will distinguish between these people who adhere to differing paths and make them aware of their situation. On that Day, everyone will be fully repaid for what they did, and He will manifest His infinite justice:
On the Day of Rising, your Lord will decide between them regarding everything about which they differed. (Surat as-Sajda, 32:25)
AL-FATIR ( The Creator; The Originator)
"O My Lord, You have granted power to me on Earth and taught me the true meaning of events. O Originator of the heavens and Earth, You are my Friend in this world and the next. So take me as a Muslim at my death, and join me to the people who are righteous." (Surah Yusuf, 12:101)
Earth has a special design that supports life. Its location in space and its special structure, which meets the needs of all living beings, make it clear that this planet is the product of a superior wisdom. Our planet's living beings show that an astonishing design is inherent in all of them. Gifted with an appropriate bodily structure, every living being lives in a suitable setting.
This aside, as we focus more on the details of their formation, the fact of creation appears more clearly. Each cell, the basic unit of every living being, has a perfect system and such a flawless order that it is a clear refutation of the unbelievers' claim that life somehow created itself or is the result of a series of coincidence.
All that we see around us carries traces of an intelligent and purposeful design—a design that belongs to our Creator: Allah. Our Lord's artistry is visible in any detail. Allah relates His system's inherent perfection, as follows:
He Who created the seven heavens in layers. You will not find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again—do you see any gaps? Then look again and again. Your sight will return to you dazzled and exhausted! (Surat al-Mulk, 67:3-4)
Say: "Am I to take anyone other than Allah as my protector, the Bringer into Being of the heavens and Earth, He Who feeds and is not fed?" Say: "I am commanded to be the first of the Muslims" and "Do not be among the idolaters." (Surat al-An'am, 6:14)
Their Messengers said: "Is there any doubt about Allah, the Bringer into Being of the heavens and Earth? He summons you to forgive you for your wrong actions and to defer you until a specified time." They said: "You are nothing but human beings like ourselves who want to debar us from what our fathers worshipped; so bring us a clear authority." (Surah Ibrahim, 14:10)
AL- FATTAH (The Opener)
If only the people of the cities had had faith and fear, We would have opened up to them blessings from heaven and Earth. But they denied the truth, so We seized them for what they earned. (Surat al-A'raf, 7:96)
As the Opener, Allah tests people with hardship. However, He does not impose an unbearable burden on anyone. When Allah sends difficulty to His sincere servants, He also opens a way out. Moreover, after each test He sends ease. Indeed, Allah cites the hardships that our Prophet (saas) encountered, as follows:
Did We not expand your breast and remove your load, which weighed down your back? Did We not raise your renown high? For truly with hardship comes ease; truly with hardship comes ease. (Surat al-Inshirah, 94:1-6)
Allah gives many examples of the help He offers to believers. For example, He supported Prophet Musa (as) during his troubles and eased his way. When he asked Allah to let his brother Harun (as) accompany him on his mission to Pharaoh, Allah granted his request.
This is only one example of Allah's continuous support and help for believers. He eventually removes their hardships, even those that seem impossible to overcome. Yet, He makes the unbelievers' hearts narrow and constricted and withholds His blessings from them. No power can restore these blessings, for only Allah can grant them.
This aside, Allah opens the gates of torment for unbelievers, as follows:
... nor will they humble themselves until We open to them a gate to a harsh punishment in which they will at once be crushed by despair. (Surat al-Mu'minun, 23:76-77)
AL-GHAFFAR (The Forgiving)
"I [Nuh] said: 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Endlessly Forgiving.'" (Surah Nuh, 71:10)
Allah's forgiveness is infinite. He gives all of His servants countless opportunities to repent and thereby purify themselves. People can save themselves from the punishment of Hell by repenting for what they did in ignorance. If they turn sincerely to the Qur'an and scrupulously adhere to Allah's commands, they will find our Lord ever forgiving and most merciful, as stated below:
Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and have faith?... (Surat an-Nisa', 4:147)
In fact, even ungrateful people who are ignorant of religion may enjoy many blessings because of His forgiveness and compassion, for:
If Allah were to take mankind to task for what they have earned, He would not leave a single creature crawling on it; but He defers them until a specified time. Then, when their time comes, Allah sees His servants! (Surah Fatir, 35:45)
Allah grants enough time for anyone who is willing to receive admonition. He sends Messengers who warn and inform them about what is allowed and what is prohibited. Those who insist on denial, despite His revelations, will surely be repaid.
... I am Ever-Forgiving to anyone who repents, has faith, acts rightly, and then is guided. (Surah Ta Ha, 20:82)
But to those who do evil in ignorance and then, after that, repent and put things right, to them your Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl, 16:119)
O you who believe! Have fear of Allah and faith in His Messenger. He will give you a double portion of His mercy, grant you a Light by which to walk, and forgive you. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Hadid, 57:28)
AL-GHANI (The Self-Sufficient, The Rich Beyond Need)
O mankind! You are the poor ones in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Fatir, 35:15)
Throughout history, insolent and arrogant people have displayed one common characteristic: their power and wealth. These people grew arrogant toward Allah, due to the blessings He granted to them, and turned their faces away from Him. Forgetting that Allah is the real owner of everything, they attempted to claim ownership over what He granted them out of His great kindness. They grew rebellious, directed pressure and violence against believers, and met His Messengers with great hostility. Ultimately, Allah seized them with an unbearable torment. For example, He caused some of them to be swallowed up by an earthquake and showed others that He is Rich Beyond Need. In one verse, Allah relates the situation of such nations, as follows:
That is because their Messengers brought them the Clear Signs, but they said: "Are human beings going to guide us?" So they were unbelievers and turned away. But Allah is completely independent of them. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. (Surat at-Taghabun, 64:6)
These arrogant and unbelieving people fail to remember or grasp that only Allah, the sole Owner, actually owns all that exists. Allah informs us of this fact, as follows:
Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. We have instructed those given the Book before you, and you yourselves, to have fear [and awareness] of Allah. But if you are unbelievers, what is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:131)
The Qur'an informs us that these people, because they were well-off, had grown arrogant and thus had turned away from worshipping Allah and adhering to His Messengers. Prophet Musa (as) responded to them in the following manner:
Musa said: "If you were to be ungrateful, you and everyone on Earth, Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy." (Surah Ibrahim, 14:8)
As Allah informs us in many other verses, He is the real Owner of power and wealth. He is Rich Beyond Need of any being, but everything and everyone is in need of Him, as the Qur'an reveals below:
Have they not traveled in the land and seen the final fate of those before them? They were far greater than them in strength. Allah cannot be withstood in any way, either in the heavens or on Earth. He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Surah Fatir, 35:44)
AL-KHABEER (The All-Aware )
O you who believe! Have fear [and awareness] of Allah, and let each self look to what it has sent forward for tomorrow. Have fear [and awareness] of Allah. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Hashr, 59:18)
Humanity, bounded by time and space, can be aware of only what is visible. Our inability to step outside of these boundaries is one of our greatest weaknesses.
Allah, Who created humanity as well as space and time, is not bound by these concepts. Allah, Who is exalted above anything, naturally is aware of all that takes place in the universe, regardless of time or location. He knows how many stars are in a galaxy located millions of light years away, each celestial body's orbit as well as the information hidden inside a seed lying underground.
Allah also knows everything about people's lives: their actions, where they were born and where they will die, and for what purpose they strove. He even knows such small details as when they cried or laughed, as well as their most secret thoughts, for He created them. The Qur'an states:
Those who are tight-fisted with the bounty Allah has given them should not suppose that that is better for them. No indeed, it is worse for them! What they were tight-fisted with will be hung around their necks on the Day of Rising. Allah is the inheritor of the heavens and Earth, and is aware of what you do. (Surah Al 'Imran, 3:180)
Eyesight cannot perceive Him, but He perceives eyesight. He is the All-Penetrating, the All-Aware. (Surat al-An'am, 6:103)
Put your trust in the Living, Who does not die, and glorify Him with praise. He is well aware of the wrong actions of His servants. (Surat al-Furqan, 25:58)
Truly Allah has knowledge of the Hour, sends down abundant rain, and knows what is in the womb. And no self knows what it will earn tomorrow or in which land it will die. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.(Surah Luqman, 31:34)


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Welcome to Liverpool Public Library
Programs, Events, & Classes
- Library Programs and Online Registration
- Calendar for Meetings of Community Groups
Many community groups meet at the library; two meeting rooms are available for public use.
- The Collaborative Learning Center is available for groups of two to four; call to reserve the CLC.
There's truly something for everyone at the Liverpool Library. We offer hundreds of programs a year, from free concerts and movies to tie-dye t-shirt workshops and sing-a-long storytimes.
The "Library Programs" link takes you to our program calendar, which lists all library-sponsored upcoming events and classes. Underlined programs require registration. You can sign up online.
Colors: Children's events are in green; Teen programs are in purple; Computer classes are in blue; all age programs are in orange; programs for families are in red; programs for adults are in brown; and public meetings are in black.
We're always planning new programs! We can let you know about them by email , and you can choose to be notified only about the programs that interest you.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wins against North Platte St. Pat's at the McGahan Activities Center have come few and far between for opponents.
"We just put everything together," said Brady coach Lynne Johnson. "It's what we've been looking for. Everyone was clicking and on the same page."
St. Pat's (12-5) came out and took an 8-3 lead in the first set. But after Brittany Lawrence served the ball out of bounds, Brady (16-3) scored the next six points with libero Carissa Rayburn serving to take a 10-8 lead.
That run by Rayburn was a sign of what was to come. The Eagles took the lead for good at 11-10 after Madison Elliott made a kill.
Elliott then went back to serve and the 5-foot-8 senior scored the next three as Brady expanded its lead to four points.
The Irish came within 19-18. But they couldn't tie or take the lead and the Lady Eagles took the first set.
In the second set, Brady jumped out to an 11-5 lead after a Sydney Widick ace that followed a kill by Josie Palmer.
From there, the Eagles never looked back and they claimed the second set, appearing well on their way to a sweep.
Brady finished off the Lady Irish after a 14-point run by Alexis Mann in the third set that ended with a match point for the Lady Eagles at 24-6.
St. Pat's scored the next three points after Mann's run. But the Lady Eagles scored the point they needed to end the match.
"Alexis was struggling with her setting and she was frustrated with herself," Johnson said. "But she just picked up her serving and she put all of her energy into it."
With the exception of the opening plays of the game, Brady largely dominated the match. Even in rotations where the 6-foot-3 Lawrence was playing in the front row, the Eagles held their own.
Johnson said that Brady's two middle blockers, 6-1 freshman Tara Callahan and 6-0 junior Palmer, weren't intimidated by the future Creighton Bluejay.
"We have two big middles and they have gone against players like (Lawrence) before, so they knew what they had to do," Johnson said. "I am proud of our middles, and our whole team, actually."
St. Pat's coach Shelly Byrn said that her team just couldn't match the Lady Eagles' level of play.
"Brady is a very balanced team and I felt this would be a good test for us," Byrn said. "It's not where I wanted us to be and it's clear we've got a lot to work on. We came out strong but we just fizzled out after that. Maybe that's because we're such a young team. But no excuses. We're not going to dwell on this and we're moving forward."
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North Platte, NE 69101


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ORLANDO, Fla. - The jury found Tyrone Mosby guilty on Friday on all counts, including attempted felony murder in the shooting of 16-year-old Danielle Sampson, leaving her in a coma.
Danielle was brought into the courtroom with her family for the verdict, which read Mosby was guilty of armed burglary, two counts of attempted felony murder, aggravated assault of firearm, aggravated battery, shooting from a vehicle and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
"Danielle is a fighter there's no way shed miss this day for the world," said Baje Fletcher, Danielle's sister. "She's a fighter so we wheeled her on in."
Mosby, wearing a suit coat, sat emotionless as the verdict was read. He was taken away in handcuffs.
Prosecutors said Mosby was in a shootout with Joseph when a bullet, intended for Joseph, hit Danielle. Mosby was also found guilty of attempted murder in his shots fired at Joseph.
Danielle was 15 years old and a sophomore at Apopka High School when she and her family got caught in crossfire as they left church July 29 in their van. Danielle was shot in the head by a stray bullet and now has severe brain damage.
"It's a bitter sweet day," said Danielle's mother, Alma Fletcher. "We're glad that justice has been served in this area, but it's not going to bring back my daughter the way we need her to be."
Police said Mosby, who was 19 at the time of the shooting, was one of several people who had burglarized a home and shot at the homeowner as they ran away.
Mosby faces up to life in prison. He will be held on no bail, pending the April sentencing.
Danielle's family says they hope this serves as a lesson on gun violence.
"I just have a word for the young people: to cease fire. Put away your weapon because weapon hurt family," said Danielle's father, Justin Fletcher.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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HUNDREDS of young people from Worcestershire schools will take centre stage at a grand concert to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.
More than 300 teenagers from schools around the county will dominate the 600-strong Centenary Chorus during the Armed Man - a Mass for Peace 2014 at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, September 28 at 3pm.
Their involvement is found on the work of five years worth of projects from Sing UK, the not-for-profit organisation who provide singing opportunities, particularly for young people.
The landmark concert will also feature young singers from Germany, France and Belgium, the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Goldring and the programme will include the Armed Man by Karl Jenkins and Beethoven's Symphony No.5.
Anne Renshaw, Sing UK's operations director,
This amazing concert at the country's premier concert venue with one of the world's finest orchestras will be led very strongly by young singers of Worcestershire which is remarkable.
We are bringing together young people from the four principal countries involved in the First World War in a spirit of peace and reconciliation to perform together. It's going to be very special.
The event has the backing of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who said: "It is truly humbling to see hundreds of young people, whose great-grandparents would have been on opposing sides of the war, coming together for this extraordinary event, which whilst remembering the lives lost, will also celebrate the spirit of peace and reconciliation in the 21st century."
The schools involved include Worcester's Christopher Whitehead Language College, Nunnery Wood High School and Tudor Grange Academy along with Malvern's Dyson Perrins CE Academy and the Chase School.
Bewdley School & Sixth Form Centre, Kidderminster's King Charles I School & Sixth Form Centre, South Bromsgrove High School, Evesham's Prince Henry's High School and Pershore High School are also involved.
Donations are welcomed to support the educational costs of the project via singuk.org/tam/donate.
For more information and tickets, go to royalalberthall.com/tickets or call the box office on 0845 401 5045.


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Not all college majors may be created equal when it comes to earnings and unemployment. And for graduates with agricultural degrees, the outlook is bright.
According to a study by Georgetown University, the specific degree can truly pay off for some.
About 6 percent of recent graduates in agriculture and natural resources are unemployed, which is below the national average of 7.9 percent for recent college grads. Nursing grads have lowest unemployment rate, 4.8 percent. Architecture and information systems grads have the highest unemployment rates at 12.8 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively.
Again, the type of degree can make a difference.
Experienced graduates with degrees with general agriculture (2.8 percent unemployed) and plant science/agronomy (2.7 percent unemployed) fared better than animal sciences (4.1 percent unemployed) and natural resources/management (4.7 percent unemployed).
In 2012, an article on Yahoo! slammed agricultural degrees as "useless," which prompted a number of rebuttals from across the country. Read, "Commentary: Yahoo, please don't mess with the goat ropers"


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During 2013 and 2014, the LSU Health Care Services Division (HCSD) underwent a historic transformation as six of HCSD's seven hospitals transitioned to public-private partnerships designed to support the HCSD mission by providing new resources for patient care and teaching. The new partnerships include the following hospitals:
- Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge
- Interim LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans
- Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma
- University Medical Center in Lafayette
- W.O. Moss Regional Medical Center in Lake Charles
- Bogalusa Medical Center in Bogalusa
HCSD remains committed to working with our partners to maintain some of the critical success elements of our system. Each of the partners will be working with us on accountable care services, the required tools for the health care system of the future. We will also plan to maintain our Practice-Based Improvement Network and health care effectiveness programs, to assure we are continuously measuring against existing standards, identifying new medical evidence, and identifying and optimizing opportunities for improvement. Our clinics, under new management, will remain leaders in the development of medical homes and in the organization of care that is patient and family centered.


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A new University of Minnesota Extension program offering farm families strategies and practical information on regulatory and management aspects associated with a hired workforce will be available in June in Rochester, Minn., and St. Cloud, Minn.
"Employment Skills for Today--Planning for Success" is a full-day workshop designed to help participants deepen their knowledge of legal and tax issues related to labor workforce management, including:
- tasks employers must do to properly document workers;
- the newly revised Form I-9;
- the hiring process and employee compensation;
- cultural diversity; and
- maintaining effective communications with employees.
The programs are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They're offered:
- June 17, Room HA112, University Center Rochester, 1926 College View Road SE, Rochester; and
- June 21, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud
The workshops are free, but space is limited. Lunch is included. To register, please call contact Bobbi Ruesch at 507-337-2801 or email her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
AgStar Financial Services sponsors the workshops, with promotional assistance from Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Dairy Initiative, St. Cloud Technical & Community College and the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.


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Night of Strength III Vol. 1 DVD
So there I was...
Maybe you wanted to be there too...
Night of Strength III Vol. 1 DVD is your chance to see what you missed. Wait a minute. You say that you were there? I know you could not have been in two places at once, and the NOS III had two rooms going! So now is your chance to see what you may have missed.
You get to see:
Granite Ball Lifting,
Pavel Tsatsouline of Dragon Door,
John Wood of Functional Hand Strength,
Strongman Dennis Rogers,
Wooden Dummy Demonstration,
Strongman Pat Povilaitis,
Kettlebell & Dumbbell Juggling,
Proto-Type & Custom Equipment,
Wing Chun Kung Fu,
Bar Bending,
Card Tearing,
Feats of Strength,
Master Benny Meng,
and much, much, more...
You also get to see the joking around and playing with monster Atomic Athletic toys, during the set-up!
So you say that you missed Benny Mengs' instructional demo on the Wing Chun Wooden Dummy? The entire demo is on this hour long DVD. Master Meng packs more information and training into his demonstration than anyone could possibly absorb in a dozen sittings.
Hear Kim Wood's jokes and cajoling as this massive party of strength gets moving. I am not going to say that things get crazy...
OK. I will say it. Things did get crazy. With iron, granite and steel flying as fast as Benny Meng's fists we all had a great time, in fellowship and comradery. The Atomic Athletic Night of Strength is the underground event that even greats like David Webster could not miss.
If you missed the Night of Strength III,then you have to see this DVD, which was co-sponsored by
Atomic Athletic and Tiger Claw.
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Conditional Admission Checklist
Following is a list of the materials necessary to complete your conditional admission application to Gonzaga University. We will contact you directly if additional information is required.
- Complete the ESL online application www.gonzaga.edu/esl
- Official transcripts in English from all high schools, colleges, and universities attended (including any institutions in the U.S., including ESL programs)
- Completed Financial Declaration OR an official Sponsorship Letter
- Original bank statements which support the information provided on the Financial Declaration
- Copy of Passport (emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com)
- Send/email your application materials to:
Gonzaga University International Student Programs, AD 88
502 E. Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0088
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com Fax: (509) 313-5814
Once you are conditionally admitted to the university, an I-20 form will be sent to you.
**Please note: Conditional admission DOES NOT guarantee full admission to Gonzaga University. You must meet ALL conditions of admission* in order to be fully admitted.
- Completion of the Common Application
- $50 application fee (payable through the Common Application process)
- Successful completion of Gonzaga University's English as a Second Language (ESL) program with faculty recommendation (3.0 GPA or higher)
- Personal Essay and Activities List (found on the Common Application)
- SAT or ACT test scores (if you have them)
- Common Application School Report
- One Common Application Teacher Evaluation
- Gonzaga Common Application Supplement
- Common Application International Supplement
**Please remember: You will have assistance with these conditions during your ESL program!
International Students & Scholar Services
Schoenberg Center
Spokane, WA 99258-0088
Toll Free: (800) 986-9585
Ext. 3648
Phone: (509) 313-3648
Fax: (509) 313-5814
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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London Marks & Spencer Group PLC will promote CEO Stuart Rose to the role of executive chairman. He is expected to hold this post for three years.
Rose will succeed Chairman Terry Burns, who will step down as of June 1. The announcement caused a negative reaction from shareholders as the decision reportedly did not take into account the views of the company's investors, according to a report from Thomson Investment Management News.


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You'll have to forgive me for giddiness. In just a few hours, I get to watch baseball up close with my wife and daughter. (When she woke up, her first words were, "Baseball game? Opening Day?") And my wife's employer has finally seen fit to classify this as a day off, a precursor to, I hope, making this a national holiday.
After the game, I get to discuss it with the principal players, and then write about it. Win or lose, there will be actual baseball, and it is my profession to chronicle it. I'm not bragging- I'm just pointing out that I am acutely aware of how fortunate that makes me, and grateful for that good fortune.
So I can't get too worked up over the fact that this Mets team probably isn't doing much this year. They are about to play 162 games of baseball.
Maybe it is the way I was brought up. I was born in 1980. So I experienced winning Mets baseball early on- my first team was the 1986 Mets, and throughout the 80s, the Mets were in contention.
But from age 11-16, the Mets lost a lot more than they won. And yet, I remember trying to convince a largely uninterested girlfriend how big it was that the Mets acquired Carlos Baerga, pulling for Anthony Young, and celebrating in the car when Todd Hundley set the single-season home run record for a catcher. I don't remember walking around upset because the Mets lost constantly. That girlfriend gave me more angst than seasons of losses.
No, I'm not optimistic that this team will win more than 67 games this year. And I don't expect a lot of company at Citi Field after this one. But here are some things I'm bullish on:
I think Daniel Murphy will be better than expected at second base, and therefore be quite valuable there.
I think Ruben Tejada will improve over last year, and continue to develop.
I think Lucas Duda's bat, anyway, is for real.
I think R.A. Dickey can pitch well for the Mets for a long time.
I think Jon Niese will make his contract extension look like a bargain.
I think Bobby Parnell will become a late-inning weapon this year.
Maybe I'm wrong about these things. Hey, maybe I'm wrong about the overall prospects of the ballclub. What's great about all the discussion is that we get to see ourselves.
What I don't expect is to look back at this time, years from now, and think how miserable I was, sitting at a baseball game with my wife and daughter in the sunshine, or hearing Howie Rose through the radio on a summer evening, because at the end of that game, Jason Bay weakly grounded out to end the threat.
It is baseball season. Our days contain something spectacular, an extended music to anticipate all day, nearly every day, for months. Maybe not into October, sure. But we get 162. That we know.
If the reality that we're probably only getting 162 fills you with despair, well, there's a team across town that's just perfect for you.
The Lohud Mets BlogA blog by LoHud about New York Mets baseball
Why Time Begins On Opening Day
You'll have to forgive me for giddiness. In just a few hours, I get to watch baseball up close with my wife and daughter. (When she woke up, her first words were, "Baseball game? Opening Day?") And my wife's employer has finally seen fit to classify this as a day off, a precursor to, I hope, making this a national holiday.


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NIJ anticipates making a number of awards in cooperation with BJS and OJJDP. A total of $40,000 may become available for each award made through this solicitation for projects that are usually 12 months in duration. Indirect costs are allowable and included within the total award of $40,000.
Learn more and apply [1].
Links:[1] https://ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl001103.pdf


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"When Charles Darwin published 'The Origin of the Species' in 1859, he did more than change the way people thought about life on Earth - he made a lot of money. That wealth has made its way to Australia, into the pockets of his great-great-grandson Chris," reports The Sydney Morning Herald 23 April p3. "Chris Darwin is spending the money on something he thinks his famous ancestor would have approved of - saving species from extinction..."
"Darwin's theory caused a scientific revolution and religious outrage, but before he died in 1882 he wrote: "I feel no remorse from having committed any great sin, but have often regretted that I have not done more direct good to my fellow creatures."
"Chris Darwin, a one-time failed Biology student, says those words inspired him to use his inheritance to fulfil his great-great-grandfather's last wish.
Editorial Comment: This worthy goal of saving creatures from extinction will prove three things: the continuing trend on this planet is toward extinction, not evolution; any creatures rescued from extinction will continue to produce their own kind, and; Charles Darwin's theory will not be helped by Chris Darwin's rescue plans. Chris' work will actually benefit the Creationists' cause for years to come - Yea! Go for it Chris!


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STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2012) — Today, the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development advanced State Sen. Brandt Hershman's (R-Buck Creek) proposal to reward Indiana's highest performing public schools with additional state funding.
Senate Bill 493 was approved 11-1 and will now be considered by the full Senate. Under this legislation, Indiana public school corporations could receive extra funding for annual achievement test performances if they have an overall passing rate of at least 85 percent or an overall improvement rate of at least a 6 percent from the previous year. Qualifying achievement tests would be High school Core 40 end-of-course English, algebra or biology assessments and ISTEP+ assessments.
In 2012, approximately 15 public schools achieved the qualifying ISTEP+ or Core 40 pass rates, and 18 schools had the needed 6 percent rate increases.
"Our schools need new incentives to achieve," Hershman said. "K-12 education accounts for more than half of Indiana's general fund budget. That includes remediation money for schools with the lowest ISTEP+ scores, but doesn't offer financial motivation to schools for making improvements."
Hershman offered an example noting that, for fiscal year 2012, Gary Community School Corporation received nearly $2,600 more per student than West Lafayette Community School Corporation, even though Gary had significantly lower achievement test scores. Data shows Gary schools received $8,433 per student plus federal Title I money, while West Lafayette schools received $5,846.
"This legislation is a matter of good public policy," Hershman said. "I'm not questioning funding for other schools, but pointing out a disparity. Right now, because of our school funding formula, some of our highest-performing schools receive the least amount of state funding. We need to consider rewarding these schools and encouraging others to improve as well."
Hershman also authored legislation to give high-performing schools more regulatory flexibility. Senate Bill 189 passed the full Senate 44-5 and is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.


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The era of buying old books at the big chain used bookstores is ending. The larger chains are much more likely to be targeted for fines than the small local stores, so the larger chains have been quick to react. What remains unclear is what the bookstores are doing with the old books. I hope that the books are placed in storage rather than destroyed.
I have read so many reports of Goodwill stores from various parts of the country pulling their old books that I feel confident that Goodwill has ordered all stores to remove them. What is Goodwill doing with the old children's books? Goodwill may perhaps be selling all of the old books online, but I have noticed that Goodwill has fewer old children's books for sale on eBay than it once did. Of course it seems that everyone has fewer old children's books for sale on eBay, so this might be coincidence.
I checked my thrift stores around a month ago. I seldom go into my Goodwill store since the selection has always been pathetic, but the store always had at least a couple of worthless older children's books. This time, I saw no old children's books, not even worthless ones. I suspect that Goodwill has instituted a blanket policy banning the sale of old children's books.
Walter Olson also reported how one library is "boxing up many books that are likely to have been printed after 1985, because their copyright date falls before then; it is a common practice for children's books to list only a copyright date even if they were printed many years later. So at that cautious library, at least, the law's effects are even more drastic than one might have assumed."
This means that under some people's interpretation of the law, even recent books may become unavailable. I have read reports of stranded inventory that companies cannot distribute. The stranded inventory will likely be destroyed. Our economy is in terrible shape, and we have this idiotic law that is forcing many small companies out of business. This law will further weaken our economy. Rewriting this law should be a dire emergency for Congress, but they do not care.
Walter Olson wrote of many developments on March 18 in his blog. Olson stated that the CPSC is "officially urging the nation's libraries to remove from their shelves children's books printed before 1986 until more is known about their possible dangers from lead in their inks, dyes and pigments."
Carol Baicker-McKee posted a comment on Olson's blog, stating in part:
I also spoke with Joe Martyak, the CPSC chief of staff, yesterday, and while he did not mention "sequestering" books, he did tell me that there is considerable legal precedent for seeing libraries as "distributors in commerce" so the agency definitely considers them to be subject to CPSIA. Martyak also told me that they are finding older books that under destructive testing do exceed the 300 ppm standard that goes into effect in August...Martyak said that the agency is continuing to test vintage books to get a sense for how widespread the presence of lead is in older books, and they won't make a final determination about an exemption for the older books until then. Got the feeling that could be a while.The parts that are most important to me as a collector of vintage books are "destructive testing" and "continuing to test vintage books." The CPSC is destroying old books in order to test them for lead. What do you think about that?


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ADULTS in Somerset are being asked to volunteer to help vulnerable children with the pledge that it will make them feel better, too.
ChildLine has released figures showing it's not just children who benefit – 77.2% of volunteers said their confidence inc-reased, 64.9% experienced a rise in self-esteem and 54.8% had improved emotional well-being.
The findings coincide with ChildLine's New Year's Resolution campaign asking people in Somerset to offer their time to support children and young people who desperately need help.
The charity is looking for schools service volunteers in primary schools across the county.
The service aims to visit every primary school in the county once every two years by 2016 to talk to children about abuse, how to protect themselves and where to get help if they need it.
The service already has several volunteers, but ChildLine needs to recruit more in Somerset.
Volunteers spend up to half a day a week supporting the programme, which aims to prevent abuse before it starts by equipping children in every primary school in Somerset with the knowledge they need to act with confidence if they fear abuse.
Using age-appropriate assemblies and interactive workshops, trained volunteers encourage children to recognise situations where they may need help and show them ways of accessing support.
ChildLine schools service coordinator Natalie said: "When you've finished an assembly you feel like you've made 30 new friends.
"The children are all brilliant and we have fun. It's inspiring and you never tire of it."
For further information and details of how to apply, see www.nspcc.org.uk/ childlinevolunteer ChildLine is the UK's only free and confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people.
Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people aged 18 and under.
For more information call 0800-1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
If you're worried about a child don't wait until you're certain – call the NSPCC's trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support on 0808 800 5000.


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LACMA Shop - Tim Burton Stain Boy Vinyl Toy
In case you haven't yet heard the good news, I will let you in on a Macy's Thanksgiving Day tidbit: Tim Burton is coming to town! His balloon, B. Boy, will be accompanying the floats and the bands and the dancers of a more traditional ilk. Personally, I think he's adorable. Almost as adorable as Stain Boy, who is now available at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (otherwise known as LACMA.) Burton's work is ugly-cute personified . . . and totally unique. In other words, it's art.


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Thamarai 02.06.2015 Tamil show special on Sun TV features today's episode of Thamarai 02.06.15 Produced by Radaan Media Watch Sun TV Serial Thamarai 02/06/15 Sun TV Serial Thamarai 02-06-2015 Radaan Media Presents Thamarai June 2nd 2015 Episode.
Source 1 – Click on the image below to watch. (Use Google Chrome or Firefox)
Source 2 – Click on the image below to watch.
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The Perfect Design in the Universe Is Not by Chance
The feather of a golden pheasant
The theory of evolution, with its claim that time, chance and mud combined to form a "creative god" is reminiscent of the various creation myths of uncivilized and unscientific societies. Anyone who uses his mind logically, with no ideological prejudice, will easily understand that it is untenable.
As we have pointed out from the outset, those who accept the theory of evolution believe in chance events that have been subtly operating since the beginning of the world; and that with the help of time, thinking, intelligent research professors, university students, scientists like Einstein and Hubble, actors like Frank Sinatra and Charlton Heston, as well as gazelles, lemon trees and carnations all came to be from "some warm little pond" in Darwin's words.27 And those who believe this nonsense include scientists, professors, and other cultured, educated people.
For this reason, it is appropriate to designate the theory of evolution as one of the strongest spells ever cast over the world. Throughout modern history, few ideas have so bewitched people. It's as if this theory has pulled a curtain over their eyes, preventing them from seeing evident facts and, based on those facts, thinking logically and intelligently. This blindness is more serious and incomprehensible than the ancient Egyptians' belief in the Sun God Ra, the totems of some African tribes, the sun worship of the Sabians, the hand-made idols of the people of Abraham, the worship of the Golden Calf by the children of Israel, and the Christians' belief in the trinity. About such people, the Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said the following: "It is not someone without eyes who is blind but someone without understanding."28
the feather of a golden pheasant
the feather of a golden pheasant
This is the lack of intelligence that God points out in the Qur'an; in several verses, He says that some people will have their judgment clouded and fall into such a wretched state as to be unable to see the truth. Some of these verses read as follows:
As for those who do not believe, it makes no difference to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe. God has sealed up their hearts and hearing and over their eyes is a blindfold. They will have a terrible punishment. (Qur'an, 2: 6-7)
... They have hearts they do not understand with. They have eyes they do not see with. They have ears they do not hear with. Such people are like cattle. No, they are even further astray! They are the unaware. (Qur'an, 7: 179)
In another verse (15: 14-15), God says that these people have been so bewitched that they would not believe even if they witnessed miracles:
Even if We opened up to them a door into heaven, and they spent the day ascending through it, they would only say, "Our eyesight is befuddled! Or rather we have been put under a spell!"
That this spell has such a wide effect on the world, that it has been able to keep so many people so removed from the truth without being broken for 150 years is too amazing for words to express. Yes, it's understandable that one or two people could believe in impossible propositions, in nonsensical claims. But it seems wholly preposterous for people all over the world to believe that lifeless, unconscious atoms suddenly decided to come together, abruptly display extraordinary organization, discipline and conscious intelligence and, operating flawlessly, produce the universe, planet Earth with all its life-sustaining qualities, and living things endowed with their innumerable and complex systems.
In the Qur'an (7: 116), God tells of an episode that occurred between Moses (peace be upon Him) and Pharaoh, showing how some people who espoused a godless philosophy put spells on others. When Moses was explaining the true religion to Pharaoh, Pharaoh told Moses to meet him where his skilled magicians were gathered with the people. When Moses met the magicians, he commanded them to display their skills, and:
He said, "You throw." And when they threw, they cast a spell on the people's eyes and caused them to feel great fear of them. They produced an extremely powerful magic.
Pharaoh's magicians were able to put a deceptive spell on everyone—except Moses and those who believed in him. But the proof that Moses presented to them in response "swallowed up what they had forged" as it says in this verse, in other words, made them ineffective:
We revealed to Moses, "Throw down your staff." And it immediately swallowed up what they [the magicians] had forged. So the Truth took place and what they did was shown to be false. They were defeated then and there, transformed into humbled men. (Qur'an 7: 116)
As this verse states, when these people understood that the spell put on others was unreal, they were humiliated. If those who are under a spell today, dedicating their lives to defending claims presented under a scientific guise, do not give up their nonsense, they too will be humiliated when all the evidence for the truth comes out and the spell is broken.
Malcolm Muggeridge, the atheist philosopher and supporter of evolution, confesses his uneasiness in this regard:
I myself am convinced that the theory of evolution, especially the extent to which it's been applied, will be one of the great jokes in the history books in the future.
Posterity will marvel that so very flimsly and dubious an hypothesis could be accepted with the incredible credulity that it has. 29
This day is not far off—in fact, it's quite near—when people will understand that chance is not a god, and realize that the theory of evolution has been the biggest deception casting a most powerful spell.
But this spell has begun to be lifted very quickly from people all over the globe: Many individuals who have learned the secret of evolution's deception are amazed how they could have been taken in.
They said "Glory be to You!
We have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."
(Qur'an, 2: 32)


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Meeting Information
53rd Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma PhysicsNovember 14-18, 2011
Salt Lake City, UT
General Information
DPP and GEC Joint Meeting
The Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) annual meeting was co-located with the 64th Annual Gaseous Electronics Conference (GEC) in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. All technical sessions were held at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
DPP 2011 Scientific Program
DPP Website


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Fulton County Programs
For additional areas of interest, please view our upcoming events or visit the main Penn State Extension website.
4-H is an educational program for youth.
The Master Gardener Program provides interested individuals with extensive training in many phases of gardening. In return, participants volunteer to teaching horticultural information to the public based on university research and recommendations.
Listing of all Extension programs


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This welcome page is used to introduce you to the Feminism and Women's Studies site.
|Activism Explores feminist activism and the way organizations are using feminism in the real world.
|Links Select websites relevant to feminism and Women's Studies.
|Gender and Sexuality Explores the issues surrounding gender and sexuality, especially where feminism is concerned.
|Programs Links to Women's Studies programs at colleges and universities.
|Health Provides information on various women's health topics.
|Theory Covers a variety of academic topics concerned with feminism and women's studies.
|History Sites that chronicle important benchmarks in the history of Women's Studies.
|Workplace A collection of links that deal with issues surrounding working women.
Last modified 2007-02-14 05:32 AM