Shahid Khan: The World’s Richest Pakistani Reaches London in Style!

The world’s wealthiest Pakistani Mr. Shahid Khan sailed to London, that too in style.

Shahid Khan is a Florida based multi billionaire Pakistani. He sailed into the Thames, this week in his pristine brand new yacht which was 308-foot long and was suitably named ‘Kismet’ (Luck/ Fortune).The 64 year old Pakistani billionaire Shahid Khan, is in London to take in some matches featuring his Premiership Football team Fulham FC and also to watch Jacksonville Jaguars which is his National Football League (NFL) team. He intends to stay in London over the weekend to watch the NFL game at Wembley Stadium. Last year, Shahid Khan bought Fulham FC for a reported £200 million from Mohammed Al Fayed who is the owner of Harrod.

As per the reports, Shahid Khan is the 367th wealthiest individual in the world. His personal fortune amounts to £3 billion. He bought his latest yacht bought after selling up his previous yacht, which was measly 223 feet long.

As soon as the sleek German built yacht ‘Kismet’ entered London it managed to gain attention and attracted many people around Canary Wharf. A number of people took photographs of the yacht and inquired who owned the boat….Read More at PARHLO

‘Za Pakhtoon Yum’, the revival of Pukhtun Pakistani drama Industry with sheer brilliance!

Pakistani dramas have been following traditional storylines since long the inception of Pakistani drama industry. The story revolves around the issues such as poverty, misery of a girl caused by her in-laws, societal norms, marriage issues, and chauvinism to suppress women. We have been witnessing these issues for quite a while now, and it’s time that Pakistani dramas incorporate the other problems faced by society today.

Over the past 2 decades, we as the society have faced numerous intricate issues that brought detrimental effect on the social fabric of Pakistan. These problems brought divisions among different sections of society making each group intolerable to the other. Our nation seems to be divided into extremities. The divergent of opinions in depicted in issues ranging from Shia-Sunni to Punjabi-Sindhi, extremist mindsets to liberal mindsets, pro-women rights to chauvinist narratives. These diverge opinions are conspicuous in our society today. Our Pakistani dramas reflected upon these issues numerous times following a specific cultural pathway. However, Pukhtoon Pakistani dramas have failed to address these problems in order to educate the audience. Pukhtoon Pakistani dramas seem not have taken any advantage of evolved electronic media, technology and liberal narratives. Pukhtoon Pakistani dramas continue to address conventional and traditional issues such as duel between the tribes, killings, and women issues, thus limiting scope for themselves and the audience…..Read More At PARHLO

Medical Tourism in India

India is one of the top medical tourism destinations across the globe. Medical tourism in India is booming as India is now ranked among the top 3 medical tourism destinations. Cost effective medical procedures and treatment, quality healthcare equipment, and highly qualified and professional doctors and surgeons are few of main reasons why patients chose India for medical tourism in India. Apart from India, Thailand and Singapore are other medical tourism destinations most preferred y global patients. According to medical report published by Medical Value Travel in India by KPMG, medical tourism industry is dominated mostly by these three countries. Medical tourism sector accounts for more than 70 per cent of revenue earned from medical tourism in Asia. Public sector medical authorities and CEO’s of major hospitals of Asia were part of this research. The overall financial power of medical tourism sector in India is estimated at 78.6 billion dollars for the year of 2012. This makes the medical tourism sector the fast growing sector in India. It is expected to grow with exponential figure of 15 per cent and is expected to touch colossal figure of 159 billion dollars by the year 2017. The trend is appearing through which various Asian countries are adopting marketing efforts and other methods to reach out patients overseas to influence them into opting medical tourism. Asia has emerged as a leading continent in race of medical tourism destinations. Undoubtedly, it gets the most attention of patients for medical treatments because of number of reasons. Countries in Asia provide incentives for medical treatment such as cost effectiveness, availability of wide array of medical treatments, state of the art hospitals, high tech-medical equipment, skilled medical staff and surgeons, easy visa and ticketing, and most importantly a chance to visit the exotic locations after the treatment. These all factors make medical tourism a proliferating sector for governments and the patients. Countries promoting medical tourism are very cautious about the positioning they communicate with the patients. Thailand has positioned itself as destination as attractive for medical treatment as for experiencing the landscape. Singapore has garnered niche positioning for itself as a place for high quality and most sophisticated medical equipments in medical treatment.  Medical tourism In India is positioned  as the cost effective, high quality medical treatments with variety of medical procedures available. Variety of medical treatments related to cardiology, nephrology, oncology, and Neuro-surgery ensuring highest standards of medical facilities are ensured to travelers opting for medical tourism in India.  Moreover, what makes medical tourism in India

Read More at.. .. TOURDEHEALTH

TIME MANAGEMENT DURING UMRAH 2014 – UMRAH 2015

 

The most cumbersome task for any pilgrim during Umrah remains the management of time.  For your assistance, we have shared under some tips for time management during Umrah 2014 – Umrah 2015.

1. NEVER KEEP YOUR WATCH WITH YOU:

The most important thing that you need to understand is that time stays irrelevant during Umrah. As, whatever task would usually take a few minutes to complete, will take hours or days during Umrah, specially during peak seasons.  Delays at the airport, during the bus travel are normal. Hence, you should leave your watch at home so that you don’t take notice of each and every detail and frustrate yourself unnecessarily. Accept and realize the fact that micro level time management during Umrah 2014 – Umrah 2015 is not possible.

2. NEVER BE ACCOMPANIED BY UNNECESSARY ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

Even on the spiritual journey of Umrah people fail to detach themselves from the world. There are many pilgrims who bring along electronic items along for their entertainment. Everything else can wait. Umrah is your time to reflect and repent so make the most out of it. Consider yourself on being a spiritual and mental hiatus. So, cage all of your electronic devices at home. Cry, weep, beg for mercy and unload all the stress, anxiety, guilt, and / or any other negative emotion off yourself.

Read More at …DAWN TRAVELS

HAJJ IN THE PAST

Today, Muslims from all around the world perform the holy pilgrimage of Hajj without any trouble. Modern facilities were not available in the past, but it failed to hurt the pilgrims’ passion, enthusiasm and the urge to please Allah. Just to give you a flavor of how Hajj in the past used to be, shared are some pictures from the past:

Hajj Ritual: ‘Stoning the Satin’ (1953)

Hajj in 1953More At…Dawn Travels

Will Power is God’s Power

Will is not a power, but it is all the power there is. How did God create the world? By will.

Therefore, what we call, “will power,” in us is, in reality, “God power,” a power that increases by our recognizing its potentiality and proves to be the greatest phenomenon in life. If there is any secret behind the mystery of the world of phenomena that can be learned, it is will power. It is by will power that all we do, physically or mentally, is accomplished. Our hands, with all their perfect mechanisms, cannot hold a glass of water if there is no will power to support them. If will fails, a person seemingly healthy will not be able to stand.

It is not the body that makes us stands upright, it is our will power. It is not the strength of body that makes us move about, it is will power that is holding the body and making it go. Therefore, in reality, birds do not fly with their wings; they fly with their will power. Fishes do not swim with their bodies; they swim with their will power. And when man has the will to swim, he swims like fish….Read More At Peace Quarters

Do You Control Your Thoughts or Do They Enslave You?

To gain knowledge of concentration requires not only study, but balance also. There are two aspects of life: the audible life and the silent life. By audible life I mean all experiences, all sensations that we experience through our five senses. This is distinct from the life, which I would call the silent life. And when one asks what benefit one derives from getting in touch with the silent life, the answer is that the benefit is as abstract as the silent life itself. The life of sensation is clear; its benefit is clear; yet limited, as is the life of sensation, so limited is its benefit. That is why   their importance lasts as long as we experience them but after that the importance of the life of sensation is finished.

The value of silent life is independent. We are inclined to attach a value to something, which concerns our outer life. The silent life does not give us a special benefit but a general benefit. In other words, if there is a minor wound on the body an external application of a certain medicament can cure it. But there are other medicines, which can cure the general condition, and this is more satisfactory than the external cure, though it is less spectacular.

One cannot say exactly what profit is gained by concentration, but in reality every kind of profit is to be attained through concentration, in all directions. There are two kinds of concentration: automatic concentration and intentional concentration….Read More At Peace Quarters

MQM’s politics of divisiveness will divide up itself

It is far from an astonishing fact that MQM is the don of Pakistani politics. MQM has once again demanded the division of Sindh to create a ‘Mohajir’ Province. It appears that MQM has failed in its attempt to create an image of a national party and returned to its original ethnic politics.

MQM looks mindful of its diminishing support base in Karachi as was witnessed in previous elections due to changing demographics and emergence of new political forces. The ‘Mohajir Card’ seems to be a desperate attempt by MQM to achieve what it once owned as the sole king. This myopic political agenda poses existential threat to Sindh as it will increase the divisions among various ethnic groups in the province.

It is appalling to see the MQM, the harbingers of liberal politics as they consider themselves, invoking the blasphemy law against Khursheed Shah for the latter’s ‘meant to be kind’ remark on the term ‘Mohajir’. Moreover, MQM has seriously hurt its image of secular party by making use of religion for political advantage.

The rancor of Altaf Hussain and MQM not only damaged party’s image but also diverted people’s attention away from the real issues obscuring the peace in Karachi and MQM loses most in this case.

The MQM has left and joined government many times and it looks just another political tactic of MQM to get its demands meet. By doing this MQM has ridiculed itself even in the spheres where it enjoyed un-conditional support. But, it seems MQM’s withdrawal from government seems serious but who knows, they may fall again to PPP’s alluring politics anytime in the future….Read More At PARHLO !

Healthy living, an essential way to live life

For staying physically, emotionally and mentally fit during winters, we have shared in this blog some basic suggestions. These healthy living tips for winters are easy to practice and an inexpensive means to keep blues and sniffle of winters at bay.

Increase Your Vitamin D Levels

The most significant of all healthy living tips for winters is to raise your vitamin D levels. Maintaining good Vitamin D levels is important for improving the condition of heart, skin, immune system and brain. Contrary to popular beliefs, vitamin D levels can be increased naturally without taking supplements or bathing under sunlight. The best way to increase your vitamin D level naturally is by shedding off a few pounds. For instance, if you lose around 5 percent or more body weight, your Vitamin D levels will automatically increase. Alternative ways to raise Vitamin D levels include lowering your cholesterol levels, exercising, increasing the intake of fatty fish (salmon, wild salmon, etc.) Wild Salmon is a great source of vitamin D, whereas farmed salmon (comparatively) provides less vitamin D to the body.

Take Care of Your Skin

We might not realize this, but the use of Sunscreen becomes more important in winters. There are two sorts of Ultra-violet (UV) lights released from the sun that harm your skin: Ultra-violet ‘A’ (UVA) and Ultra-violet ‘B’ (UVB) light. UVB light infiltrates the surface layers of the skin and result in sunburns. It can also cause skin cancer, if it remains exposed to the sun continually. UVB rays are less damaging as we are guarded against it on daily basis through window glass (in house/ car) and they are less intense during the winter season. UVA light, on the other hand, infiltrates not only top, but also the deeper layers of skin, creating cell harm that can result in cancer. UVA light passes through window glass and maintains the same level of intensity throughout the year, making it hard to avoid. The only way to shield your skin is by applying Sunscreen…Read More at Tour De Health

Medical Tourism in Abu Dhabi

Medical Tourism is booming in the Middle East. The medical tourism facilities in the Abu Dhabi are renowned for meeting international standards. Medical tourism in Abu Dhabi comes with high quality medical treatment, easy access to medicines and the indigenous location have been attracting medical tourism travelers from all over the world. The roots of medical tourism facilities in Abu Dhabi traces back to 1943, when the few healthcare centers were established in Al Ras, Dubai. People from the Arab countries started flowing into get medical treatments. Since then, Abu Dhabi’s healthcare facilities increased manifold booming the health care industry of United Arab Emirates. More than 140 public hospitals were made across the country. The ministry of Health of Abu Dhabi has already signed contracts with investors from different parts of the world to promote Abu Dhabi as next medical tourism hub in the region. We have already seen medical tourism investors flowing in from Korea and Israel to establish state of the art medical tourism facilities in all of the seven emirates.

This development has enabled Abu Dhabi to provide state-of-the-art medical and health care centers ensuring medical treatment of highest quality, and promising comfort, to medical tourists flowing in from different parts of the world and for local population. We can exemplify from the success of Dubai Health Care Centre in Medical Tourism industry by looking at the standard of medical and health care centers, offering medical diagnosis and treatment to medical tourists…Read  More at Tour De Health

Healthy living, an essential way to live life

For staying physically, emotionally and mentally fit during winters, we have shared in this blog some basic suggestions. These healthy living tips for winters are easy to practice and an inexpensive means to keep blues and sniffle of winters at bay.

Increase Your Vitamin D Levels

The most significant of all healthy living tips for winters is to raise your vitamin D levels. Maintaining good Vitamin D levels is important for improving the condition of heart, skin, immune system and brain. Contrary to popular beliefs, vitamin D levels can be increased naturally without taking supplements or bathing under sunlight. The best way to increase your vitamin D level naturally is by shedding off a few pounds. For instance, if you lose around 5 percent or more body weight, your Vitamin D levels will automatically increase. Alternative ways to raise Vitamin D levels include lowering your cholesterol levels, exercising, increasing the intake of fatty fish (salmon, wild salmon, etc.) Wild Salmon is a great source of vitamin D, whereas farmed salmon (comparatively) provides less vitamin D to the body.

Take Care of Your Skin

We might not realize this, but the use of Sunscreen becomes more important in winters. There are two sorts of Ultra-violet (UV) lights released from the sun that harm your skin: Ultra-violet ‘A’ (UVA) and Ultra-violet ‘B’ (UVB) light. UVB light infiltrates the surface layers of the skin and result in sunburns. It can also cause skin cancer, if it remains exposed to the sun continually. UVB rays are less damaging as we are guarded against it on daily basis through window glass (in house/ car) and they are less intense during the winter season. UVA light, on the other hand, infiltrates not only top, but also the deeper layers of skin, creating cell harm that can result in cancer. UVA light passes through window glass and maintains the same level of intensity throughout the year, making it hard to avoid. The only way to shield your skin is by applying Sunscreen…Read More at Tour De Health

HAJJ AND ‘UMRAH DESCRIBED

O people! These are the days in which you are setting about traveling towards the Sacred Mosque, seeking the atonement of your sins, attainment of the Home of Peace (i.e., Paradise) and immediate reward as a compensation for the money you have spent in this cause.

O Muslims! You are heading for the House of your Lord and the blessed places that He has sanctified, in order to perform one of the best kinds of worship. You have not traveled for fun or out of pride or showing off, rather intending an act of devotion with which you seek the pleasure of your Lord, submitting your souls to His Majesty. You should therefore observe this obligation according to the commandments of your Lord, without excessiveness or negligence, maintaining other obligations as well, such as Wudhoo’ or Ghusl (for purification), Salaah (prayer), etc.

When you set off for Hajj or ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage), you should hold the conviction that your sole aim is to observe one of the most sacred acts of reverence; during your journey, bind yourself to conform to other obligations such as purification and congregational Salaah, for many people neglect the principles of purification and perform Tayammum (dry ablution with dust) despite the availability of water, in which case the Tayammum becomes invalid. Some people may disregard the congregational Salaah, busying themselves with things that they can carry out after performing prayer. You should shorten the fournormal”>Rak’ah (units of) prayers, performing two only, right from your departure from your town until you return to it. However, if you perform Salaah behind an Imaam who completes the Salaah (i.e., makes the entire Salaah), you should complete your Salaah likewise, whether you attended it from the beginning or if you missed any number of Rak’ahs. As for combining prayers, according to the Prophet’s sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam actions, a traveler should not combine prayers unless in the course of journeying. With regards for one who settles in a place, it is preferable for him not to combine them. Concerning Rawaatib (supererogatory prayers performed before and after the obligatory prayers), it is preferable not to perform them during travel, except the two Rak’ahs of Fajr. As for the Witr (a supererogatory prayer that consists of an odd number of Rak’ahs, the minimum of which is one Rak’ah) and other kinds of optional voluntary prayers, they are to be similarly performed in residence as well as in journey.

You must possess good manners – being kind, generous, cheerful, patient and forbearing. Indeed, circumstances are ever-changing and patience always has a good result.

Once you reach the Meeqaat (the location that a pilgrim should not go beyond without entering into the state of Ihraam), you should take a bath and scent your bodies, including your heads and beards. You should then assume Ihraam for ‘Umrah intending Tamattu’ (type of Hajj, i.e., performing ‘Umrah then waiting until the commencement of Hajj days, to perform Hajj) and proceed to Makkah while uttering the Talbiyah (saying: ‘Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk, Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal-hamda Wan-ni’mata Laka Wal-mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak’ – ‘I re spond to Your call, O Allaah, I respond to Your call; I am obedient to Your orders and You have no partner, I respond to Your call; all the praises and blessings are for You, all the sovereignty is for You and You have no partners.’) When you reach the Ka’bah, you should make seven rounds of Tawaaf (circumambulation) around it for ‘Umrah. You must know that the entire Sacred Mosque is a place for Tawaaf, no matter if you are close to the Ka’bah or far away from it. However, Tawaaf close to it is preferable, so long as the pilgrim is not harmed by the crowds. If there are throngs of pilgrims, one may do it from afar and this will suffice. After making Tawaaf, you should offer two Rak’ahs behind Maqaam Ibraaheem (station of Prophet Ibraaheem, where a stone with his footprints lie) either near the Ka’bah or far from it. The most important thing is that the Maqaam Ibraaheem must be between you and the Ka’bah. You should then make Sa’i (pacing seven times between Safa and Marwah) beginning from Safa. When you finish the seven rounds, you should shorten the hair of your head, cutting it from your entire scalps, contrary to what is done by many people now, who cut hair from only one part.

On the eighth of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, you should take a bath and perfume your bodies in preparation for Ihraam for Hajj. You should assume Ihraam right from the place where you are staying, then you should go to Mina, where you are supposed to perform the Dhuhr (noon), ‘Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), ‘Ishaa’ (night) and Fajr (morning) prayers, shortening the four Rak’ah ones without combining them. This is based on the conduct of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who used to do the same in Mina and Makkah.

Upon the crack of dawn on the Day of ‘Arafah, you should march to ‘Arafah, pronouncing Talbiyah solemnly with submissiveness. When you reach there, you should combine the Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers, performing each as two Rak’ahs at the time of Dhuhr. You should then devote yourselves to supplication of Allaah, while in a state of Wudhoo’, facing the Qiblah (direction towards the Ka’bah in Makkah). You should pay attention to the p recincts of ‘Arafah and its landmarks, as many pilgrims mistakenly stand outside its boundaries; whoever does not stand within the plain, his pilgrimage will be imperfect. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Hajj is (the Day of) ‘Arafah.” (Ahmad) A pilgrim may stand at any place on the plain of ‘Arafah – east, west, north or south – except at the bottom of the valley of ‘Urnah. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “I stand here and the entire ‘Arafah is a standing place.” (Muslim)

At sunset, when the setting of the sun is confirmed, you should rush to Muzdalifah, pronouncing Talbiyah with humility and gentleness as much as possible. This is according to the command of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: when he hurried from ‘Arafah, he straitened the bridle of his she-camel, bending her neck until her head was about to reach his saddle and said: “O people! (With) tranquility! (With) tranquility!” When you reach Muzdalifah, you should perform the Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ prayers, then spend the night there until dawn. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not permit anyone to leave Muzdalifah before then, except the weak, who were permitted to leave by the end of the night.

After you perform Salaah, you should face the Qiblah, pronounce Takbeer (saying: Allaahu Akbar – ‘Allaah is the Greatest’), praise Allaah and supplicate to Him until the daylight becomes visible. You should then move on to Mina before sunrise and pick up seven pebbles. Then, you should go to Al-Jamrah Al-‘Aqabah (one of the three stone-built pillars at which pebbles are thrown, which is situated at the entrance of Mina from the direction of Makkah) and throw seven stones at it after sunrise, saying Takbeer upon each toss, while being submissive to Allaah and honoring Him. Know that the aim of throwing stones is to remember Allaah and glorify Him; remember that the pebbles should fall within the wire fence and it is not necessary that they hit the stone column.

When you finish throwing the pebbles, you should slaughter your Hadi (the animal offered as a sacrifice by the pilgrim). The same conditions of Udhiyah (animal sacrificed on ‘Eed Al-Adha) apply also to the Hadi. Moreover, a pilgrim may commission a person to slaughter the Hadi on his behalf. You should then shave your entire head after the slaughtering; it is not lawful to shave a part of the head and leave another part. Women should cut as much as a fingertip from the end of their hair. By doing so, you will be in the first state of Tahallul (minor release, meaning you will be partially free from the restrictions of Ihraam). Thus you may wear your regular clothing, clip your fingernails and apply perfume, but may not have sexual intercourse with your spouses. You should then go to Makkah before the Dhuhr prayer, where you will make Tawaaf for Hajj and then do Sa’i; then, you must return to Mina. It is after this Tawa af, Sa’i, throwing of pebbles and shaving your head that you will be in the second state of Tahallul (major release) after which you are then permitted to do all things you were previously forbidden due to being in the state of Ihraam, even having sexual relations with your spouses.

O people! A pilgrim should perform four rituals on the day of ‘Eed: (he ought to) throw the pebbles, slaughter a sacrificial animal, shave his head and perform Sa’i and Tawaaf – this is the most perfect type of sequence. If you do any of the four above-mentioned steps before the other, such as shaving the head before slaughtering, making Sa’i and Tawaaf after leaving Mina, delaying slaughtering until the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah in Makkah, (your Hajj) will still be valid, especially if there is a need to do so.

What is Umrah?

In Arabic, the word 'Umrah is derived from I'timaar which means a visit. However, 'Umrah in Islamic terminology, means paying a visit to Ka' bah, performing Tawaaf (circumambulation) around it, walking between Safaa and Marwah seven times. A performer of 'Umrah puts off his Ihraam by having his hair shaved or cut. 'Umrah can be performed along with Hajj and in other days as well.

'Umrah can be performed during anytime in the year, there is no fixed time for 'Umrah.

The Pillars of `Umrah are four:

a)     Ihraam: which is assumed at the Meeqaat.

b)    Tawaaf: around the House.

c)     Sa'y: walking between As-Safaa and Al-Marwah, which consists of seven circuits.

d)    Tahal-lul: which means coming out of the state of Ihraam; becoming lawful what was previously prohibited during Ihraam.

During 'Umrah, pilgrims do not go to Minaa, 'Arafaat and Muzdalifah or throw pebbles on the Jamrahs (stone pillars representing devils) or offer animal sacrifice. These rites are only performed during Hajj.

How to perform 'Umrah:

1.     When the one who wants to perform 'Umrah arrives at the Meeqaat, it is recommended for him (both man and woman) to take a bath if convenient, including menstruating women and those experiencing postnatal bleeding. The man perfumes his head and beard but not his Ihraam garments. There is no harm in what remains of it after Ihraam. There is nothing wrong if it is not possible to take a bath at Meeqaat.

2.      Men are to change into their clothing of Ihraam while the women only need to make their intention at that time in the clothing they are already wearing. There is no specific clothing designated for women, except that they are prohibited from wearing the Niqaab (face-veil) and gloves. Instead, they may cover their hands with the lower part of their khimaar (head covering), while using the upper part of their jilbaab (outer garment) or a separate piece of fabric to cover their faces by drawing it down, if there is need to do so.

As for men, they must assume their Ihraam at the Meeqaat by wearing two pieces of fabric called the Izaar and the Ridaa'. The Ridaa' covers the top half of the body, while the Izaar covers the lower half. No other clothing is allowed to be worn in addition to these – no underwear, no pants, no shirt, no turban, no hat, etc. are to be worn.

Then the pilgrim makes the intention at the Meeqaat to begin the rites of 'Umrah by entering the state of Ihraam. The intention must be made in the heart, while the statement made afterwards is: "Labayka 'Umrah" or "Allahumma labbayka 'Umrah". This statement begins the rites of `Umrah. So the first pillar of `Umrah is the Ihraam. The intention is made in the heart, while the tongue recites the opening Talbiyyah. And if you wish, when uttering Talbiyyah, you may state a condition to Allaah fearing that which may prevent you from completion of the ‘Umrah whether illness or fear - saying "in habasanee haabes fa mahillee haithu habastanee" (I come out of the state of Ihraam from the place You prevent me from continuing). So if you do that and are then prevented or become ill - then you may come out of Ihraam. Then repeat the Talbiyyah: "labbayk Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak" (“In response to your call O Allaah I perform ‘Umrah, here I am O Allaah. In response to Your call. You have no partner. In response to Your call. All Praise and Blessings, and the Ownership of all that You created is Yours (alone). You have no partner”)

Upon arriving at the sacred mosque in Makkah (Al-Masjid Al-Haraam), you should enter with your right foot and say: "Bismillaah, Allaahumma Salli 'Alaa Muhammad, Allaahumma Ighfirli waftahli Abwaaba Rahmatik. (In the name of Allaah! O Allaah! Exalt the mention of your Messenger. O Allaah! Forgive my sins, and open the gates of Your mercy for me)." You should enter in a manner expressing humility and gratitude to the blessings He, Almighty, conferred upon you.

3.     Upon arriving at the K'abah, stop reciting the Talbiyyah, then approach the Black Stone, touch it with your right hand and kiss it. If this isn't possible, you should face the Black Stone and point to it. Don’t push and shove, causing harm and being harmed by other people. When touching the Stone, the following is said:

A pilgrim must walk, keeping the Ka'bah on his left. When you reach the Yamaani corner touch it with your right hand, if possible, but do not kiss it, and say: "Bismil-laahi wa Allaahu Akbar". If this is difficult for you, then go on performing tawaaf without touching it, pointing at it or even saying "Allaahu Akbar"

During this Tawaaf it is preferred for a man to do two things:

a)     Al-Idhtibaa' from the beginning of Tawaaf until the end, which is placing the middle of one's Redaa' under the right arm and the ends of it over the left shoulder. When you are finished performing Tawaaf, you may return your Reda' to its original state because the time for A-Idhtibaa' is only during Tawaaf.

b)    Ar-Raml during the first three circuits only. Ar-Raml means speeding up one's pace with small steps.

Make supplication from your heart, for that which will benefit you. Recite whatever you wish, supplicate to Allaah by asking for good, recite the Quran, anything you wish. There are no specific statements or supplications to be recited during the Tawaaf that are authentically established in the Sunnah. However it is recommended to say between the two corners during each circumbulance as it is reported from the

Then pray two short Rak’ahs, as close as conveniently possible, behind Maqaam Ibraheem. If it is not possible then you can pray them anywhere in the sacred mosque. It is preferred to recite during the first Rak'ah the chapter "Al-Kafiroon" [109] and during the second one the chapter of “Al-lkhlaas” [112].

Upon completing the two Rak'ahs, return to the Black Stone and touch it, if convenient

6.     Then climb unto mount Safaa until the Ka'bah is visible, if possible. Facing the Ka’bah the following is to be said 3 times, and between each time one is to make ones own supplication:

"Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wadahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa 'alaa qulli shay'in qadeer. Laa ilaaha il-lall-llaahu wahdahu, anjaza wa'dahu, wa nasara 'abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaaba wahdahu" (Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest. None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, Who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates alone.)

7.     Then descend and go towards Marwah, running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only), upon reaching Marwah climb upon it if it is possible, and repeat the same procedure as when ascending Safaa except you are not to recite the above-mentioned verse, because it is recited when ascending Safaa for the first time only. This completes one circuit. Then one continues back to Safaa running between the fluorescent green lights (for men only) - thus completing two circuits.

There are no particular supplications to be recited between Safaa and Marwah. Seven circuits are to be completed ending the last one on Marwah.

Then one is to have his hair cut although shaving it is better. Women should shorten their hair by a finger-tips length from the end. The rights of 'Umrah have now been completed.

5 Simple Ways to Stay Happy

These days, people seemingly have lost control over their emotions. To remain happy, we are dependent on good things to happen and when things go down, we feel down and depressed. Sad and happy phases come and go, but the question if we can remain happy regardless of whatever happens in their lives?

Can you stay calm when their laptop crashes down or when the boss yells at you for nothing? Can you become able to get over a failed relationship in no time? The answer is simple, ‘Yes’, you can! The key lies in having command over your emotions and mind. For this, we have shared under the 5 simple ways to stay happy.

1. Discontinue Running After Things and Begin to Live:
A lot of people have this constant urge to buy things. They always need more things such as new clothes, new shoes, more money, or healthier relationships to stay happy. They are never satisfied with their current state of life. One of the simple ways to stay happy.....Read more at Peace Quarters.

Spirituality, Mindfulness, Motivational Quotes, Self Esteem, life, Self Help

Tagged with: Happiness