Just close your eyes and imagine..!

Remember Just Remember


When things are down
And you are out of your mind
Remember just remember

Allah is The Kind.

When your life is in darkness
And nothing is right
Remember just remember

Through the darkness Allah is The Light.

When nothing makes sense
And your heading for demise
Remember just remember

It doesn't make sense, but Allah is The Wise.

When times are troubled
And no one seems to care
Remember just remember

Allah won't hurt you, He is The Fair.

When your heart is breaking
And your pain makes you fall
Remember just remember

Allah Sees it all.

When you are weak
And the road seems long
Remember just remember

Seek strength from The Strong.

When life is a burden
And everything is unstable
Remember just remember

Allah is The Able.

When the way is cloudy
And there is no one by your side
Remember just remember

Allah is The Only Guide.

When no one wants to listen
Or is willing to lend an ear
Remember just remember

Allah is always ready to hear.

When you are poor and penniless
And you are stuck in a niche
Remember just remember

Allah is The Rich.

When you are down in your misery
And there is nowhere to run
Remember just remember

You can always run to The One.

When your all alone
And your pain has no end
Remember just remember

Allah is your Friend.

And when your scars are hurting
And your heart is in fear
Remember just remember

Allah is really here

Just close your eyes and imagine..!

Just close your eyes and imagine,
You have just one more day to live;
One more day to show Allah,
To you "Heaven" should he give?
To say goodbye to your family,
And all your closest friends;
To ask for forgiveness,
And try to make amends;

Just close your eyes and imagine,
Did you miss a prayer or two?
Did you please Allah, and do the things,
He asks every Muslim to do?

Just close your eyes and imagine,
Tomorrow you will be gone;
No more second chances,
To smell the mist of dawn

Just close your eyes and imagine,
The angels are going to come,
To take your soul and ask,
In your life "what have you done"?

Just close your eyes and imagine,
The words you want to say;
Will not come out you may realize,
For all your deeds you'll pay;
You want to speak out, to cry out,
In Allah I believe;
But, silence beckons you,
No more can u deceive;

Just close your eyes and imagine,
Finally,
Your silence breaks away;
You tell the angels you believe in Allah,
And for him, you did pray;
You say as tears are pouring down,
Please, Allah, forgive me,
For the sins that I committed,
Have mercy is my plea!

Just close your eyes and imagine,
That the smell of musk surrounds you,
From your head down to your feet;
You realize Allah forgave you,
Hell fire you did defeat;

But we all know as Muslims,
When it's time for you to die;
You'll not be given a second chance,
To say a last goodbye;

So live each day as If it's your last,
And never forget to pray;
So when the angels come to ask,
You'll know the words to say.



––––•(-•WE MUSLIMS•-)•––––
We do hundreds of sins everyday.
yet we do not repent.
Then we say 'Allah, Allah,'
when a calamity is sent.
Too busy in wordly things,
too busy with our money.
When told of horrifying Jahannam,
we laugh and say it's funny.
In every house there is a TV.
we sit and watch it everyday.
When the Prophet's name is mentioned,
we say, 'be quiet and go away.
We have no time to say Allah's name,
nor give money to the poor.
We turn away beggers,
who come knocking at our door.
We sit and eat plentiful,
while in the world some people die.
We've forgotten the word Assalaamu Alaykum,
but say 'Hi, Hello and Bye.'
We know death is sure to come,
yet we do not prepare.
When told that we will go to hell,
we say, 'Oh, I don't care.'
We say, 'Heaven is nice, Heaven is nice, it is surely made for me,'
But with all the sins we do, we shall have to wait and see.
So be prepared, ask for forgiveness from Almighty Allah the Great.
Dont sit there lazily waiting,
for then it will be too late.


Ya Allah Your The Greatest
Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

From You We Were Created
To You We Shall Return

From Our Mothers We Were Raised
To You We Praise

Shatain Keeps Whispering
Telling us To Go Astray

All We Have To Do Is Pray
Five Times A Day

Ya Allah Your The Greatest
Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

It Doesnt Matter What We Make
Cuz The Angel Of Death Will Come And Take

O'Allah Save Us From The Punishment Of Grave
Yes I Will Fight For My Deen And I'll Be Brave

Quran Is Our Light
So Lets Do Things Right

Mistakes Are There To Be Learnt From
Not To Be Done Over N Over

Ya Allah Your The Greatest
Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

Ramadan Getting Closer
The Night Of Blessings

Were We Ask For Forgivness
And We Stop All The Rudness

We've Been Guided By Our Prophet Mohammed PBUH
And Its Our Duty To Follow

Lets Raise Our Hands N Ask For Forgiveness
So That One Day We'll Meet At Heavens Gate

People Call Us Terroists
They Call Us Sucide Bombers

But We Aint
Were Soliders Of Allah

Sisters Keep On Ur Hijabs
Dnt Be Ashamed

Islam Is A Way Of Life

Ya Allah Your The Greatest
Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious


O Lord
O Lord,

If tomorrow on Judgment Day

You send me to Hell,

I will tell such a secret

That Hell will race from me

Until it is a thousand years away.

O Lord, Whatever share of this world

You could give to me,

Give it to Your enemies;

Whatever share of the next world

You want to give to me,

Give it to Your friends.

You are enough for me.

O Lord,

If I worship You From fear of Hell,
burn me in Hell.

O Lord,

If I worship You From hope of Paradise,
bar me from its gates.

But if I worship You for Yourself alone

Then grace me forever the splendor of Your Face.


Islam is a perfect way of life,
so why stab yourself with a knife?*
Sins and Deeds are a test,
so dont be a pest.
live life like a test.
Allah is the greatest.


Allah knows all about you,
he knows what is wrong and what is true.
so dont hide it,
Just admit.

This book that is so dear to my heart
Its name is the Holy Quran
This book sent by Allah
The mercy to every woman and man

The 5th pillar of Islam,
Visit Masjid Al Haram.
Its your duty as a Muslim
to bring back Islam into this world.
* I meant by stabbing yourself with a knife, as in commiting bad sins.



"THIS IS ISLAM....."

People of the world.....
Do you know the truth about..... Islam?
Or do you think it's about
Bombing planes and killing innocent people.....?

Forget about the lies.....
I' am here to tell you how it really is.....

You deserve to know the truth
About this beautiful way of life.....

People of the world
Islam is all about peace
Terrorism it doesn't teach
Its all about love and family and charity
And praying to one God
This is Islam

It's something you should know.....
I know it's really helped me grow
It does away with greed, filth, arrogance
And teaches us morality
A perfect way to live.....

So don't believe all you see and hear
Too many people wear a title of a Muslim.....
But they don't practice Islam.....

People of the world
Islam is all about peace
Terrorism it doesn't teach
Its all about love and family and charity
And praying to one God
This is Islam

And it teaches us the creator's made this life for us a test.....
And if we follow truth and do good deeds, He'll reward us in the Next.....
If we remember God & teach each other the truth and patience in His way
Together we can live.....in peace.....
This is Islam
".....Whosoever killeth a human being..... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whose saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind." (The Holy Qur'an, 5:32)
".....Even a smile can be charity....." (Holy Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him)



"GIVE ME YA ALLAH....."

Ya Allah.....

Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me Imaan and Victory
Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me strength to set us free
As we struggle on your path
Mujahideen

Grant us Ya Allah.....
The eyes to see your light
And show us Ya Allah.....
What is wrong and what is right
As we walk along your path
Siratul Mustaqeem

Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me Imaan and Victory
Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me strength to set us free
As we struggle on your path
Mujahideen

Help us Ya Allah.....
Spread this blessed Deen
And help us Ya Allah.....
Help the Muslimeen
And help us Ya Allah.....
Overcome the Mushrikeen

Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me Imaan and Victory
Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me strength to set us free
As we struggle on your path
Mujahideen

Make us Ya Allah.....
Fighters for your Deen
And make us Ya Allah.....
Forever Mu'mineen
And do this Ya Allah.....
Despite the Kaafireen

Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me Imaan and Victory
Give me Ya Allah.....
Give me strength to set us free
As we struggle on your path
Mujahideen


Pround2b Muslim

:bismillah:

I am a Muslim
And Allah I praise
For all his blessings
My voice I raise

In one Allah I believe
No equal has He
Lord of the universe
Compassionate to me

Muhammad (PBUH) the Prophet
Taught me the way
To be honest and truthful
Throughout everyday

The Holy Qur'an
To life is my guide
Its teachings I follow
By it I abide

Islam is my religion
Preaches good deeds
Mercy and Kindness
To the right path it leads

Upon all humanity
Allah showers his grace
Regardless of color
Nationality or race

Through working together
Our hopes increase
To live in a world
Full of love and peace

I am a Muslim
And Allah I praise
For all His blessings
My voice I raise


My dearest most beloved Nabi Muhammed (sallalahu-alahi-wasalam)…


No words can describe your magnificence and zest
Nevertheless I will try my best

When You were born the earth turned from darkness to light
Goodness spread and evil disappeared from sight

Never before did the world see such perfect character
Never before did they witness such exemplary behaviour

Your blessed face shone like the fourteenth moon
Its brightness more than the sun at noon

Difficulties and hardships You patiently withstood
Even losing Your family since childhood

When You delivered the Divine message to the people
The disbelievers made You an object of ridicule

Allah assisted You during this time and proved Your grandeur
Above all creation YOU !are the most superior

Today, 1426 years later caricatures are being drawn to insult Your name
Try as they might they will never reach their aim

When I heard of these pictures I felt a pain in my heart
So strong! I thought it was my time to depart

From the four corners of the world the ummah will unite
Wherever they may be they will stand up and fight

I feel a yearning to visit my Nabi (s.a.w) in Madina Shareef even for a day
So that in the presence of my beloved abundant durood I may convey

Oh my beloved Allah, with tears flowing from my eyes I beseech Thee humbly
To take me to my Prophet (sallalahu-alahiwasallam) in Musjidun Nabawi


Allah Knows Best

Allah knows what’s best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
But He knows there must be rain

We always want the laughter
And the merriment of cheer
But our hearts will lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.

Allah tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
But to help us meet tomorrow

For growing trees are strengthened
If they withstand the storm
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gave the marble grace and form

Allah tests us often
And for every pain He gives to us
Provided we’re patient
Is followed by rich again

So whenever we feel that everything is going wrong
It is just Allah’s way
To make our spirit’s strong.


Wake Oh Muslims


Wake oh Muslims! From your slumber,

Stand together, and about don't linger,

Don't run behind money, fame ad glamour,

For all will perish with you, forever.




Stand; oh Muslims! Stand together,

If you wish of both worlds; to be leader;

Hold onto the Quran and each other's hand,

And you'll be able to fight the western viper.




Prove, oh Muslims! That life doesn't matter,

If we die for Islam; we are martyrs,

Safeguard your identity Islam oh Muslims!



And your way to heaven nothing'll hinder.




Put away all the western cultures,

Adopt all of the Islamic features,

And then look into the eye of the west,

You'll see how wild are those creatures.




Oh Muslims! Look at the deceits of the west,

To keep you away from Islam they're doing their best,

Why have ye blindfolded yourself, I know not?

For, until they'll not rotten your faith they'll not rest.




The Muslims who are fundamentalists;

The west eyes them as terrorists,

The more they catch, the more are born,

And everyday gets longer, their wanted list.




Wake oh Muslims! For the time has come,

For you to stand and avenge some,

And make the world safe for those to come,

And show the world, that the Muslims are one

Ya Allah, Forgive Me

Today, upon a bus,

I saw a girl with golden hair.

and wished I was as fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave,

I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and wore a crutch.

But as she passed, a smile.

Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.

The lad who sold it had such charm.

I talked with him, he seemed so glad.

If I were late, it'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me,

"I thank you, you've been so kind."

"It's nice to talk with folks like you.

You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,

I saw a child with eyes of blue.

He stood and watched the others play.

He did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said,

"Why don't you join the others, dear?"

He looked ahead without a word.

And then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.

With eyes to see the sunset's glow.

With ears to hear what I'd know.

Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

Whispers of the Night

I pounded on the door of mercy as the world slept

And humbling myself before my Creator I wept

Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt

And dejectedly began to lament what I felt

With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears

And in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears

With poignant emotions raging in me so fierce

I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce

Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried

Thou art the only refuge and succour for one so tried

'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan

Sufferings of mine only to Thee known

Pains and torments that I can no longer bear

Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care

For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all

And only Thy forgiveness that restores those that fall

'Tis to Thee alone Oh Benevolent that I extend my hands in plea

To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee

Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty

Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save Thy mercy

Islam

Ya Allah Your The Greatest

Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

From You We Were Created

To You We Shall Return

From Our Mothers We Were Raised

To You We Praise

Shatain Keeps Whispering

Telling us To Go Astray

All We Have To Do Is Pray

Five Times A Day

Ya Allah Your The Greatest

Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

It Doesnt Matter What We Make

Cuz The Angel Of Death Will Come And Take

O'Allah Save Us From The Punishment Of Grave

Yes I Will Fight For My Deen And I'll Be Brave

Quran Is Our Light

So Lets Do Things Right

Mistakes Are There To Be Learnt From

Not To Be Done Over N Over

Ya Allah Your The Greatest

Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

Ramadan Getting Closer

The Night Of Blessings

Were We Ask For Forgivness

And We Stop All The Rudness

We've Been Guided By Our Prophet Mohammed PBUH

And Its Our Duty To Follow

Lets Raise Our Hands N Ask For Forgiveness

So That One Day We'll Meet At Heavens Gate

People Call Us Terroists

They Call Us Sucide Bombers

But We Aint

Were Soliders Of Allah

Sisters Keep On Ur Hijabs

Dnt Be Ashamed

Islam Is A Way Of Life

Ya Allah Your The Greatest

Ya Allah Your The Most Gracious

Read more...

Remember Just Remember


When things are down
And you are out of your mind
Remember just remember

Allah is The Kind.

When your life is in darkness
And nothing is right
Remember just remember

Through the darkness Allah is The Light.

When nothing makes sense
And your heading for demise
Remember just remember

It doesn't make sense, but Allah is The Wise.

When times are troubled
And no one seems to care
Remember just remember

Allah won't hurt you, He is The Fair.

When your heart is breaking
And your pain makes you fall
Remember just remember

Allah Sees it all.

When you are weak
And the road seems long
Remember just remember

Seek strength from The Strong.

When life is a burden
And everything is unstable
Remember just remember

Allah is The Able.

When the way is cloudy
And there is no one by your side
Remember just remember

Allah is The Only Guide.

When no one wants to listen
Or is willing to lend an ear
Remember just remember

Allah is always ready to hear.

When you are poor and penniless
And you are stuck in a niche
Remember just remember

Allah is The Rich.

When you are down in your misery
And there is nowhere to run
Remember just remember

You can always run to The One.

When your all alone
And your pain has no end
Remember just remember

Allah is your Friend.

And when your scars are hurting
And your heart is in fear
Remember just remember

Allah is really here

Read more...

Hajj/Islam - Competition for Best English Poetry

1.

And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage];
they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel;
they will come from every distant pass [Surah al-Hajj, 22:27]

Hajj – A Journey of Life

By road, by sea and by air the pilgrims arrive each year
With a searing passion to fulfil their life-long desire
The young and old of all colour, creed and nationality
The king and the vagrant before God in human equality
Devotees from every corner of the globe in religious unity
At the birthplace of Islam to perform the spiritual journey

In unadorned white cloth they journey to the valley of Mina
The streets of Mecca echoing with the chants of Talbiyyah
In this arid plain they remain amid prayers and meditation
Their night in ‘tent city’ is spent in hope and aspiration

Towards the zenith of this journey after dawn prayer
A sea of white flows towards the empty plain of Arafah
From noon to sunset, they stand in earnest devotion
Tears flowing with hands raised aloft in deep supplication

The loving pilgrims gather at the Mount of Mercy
Each heart devoted to humble supplication and entreaty
Immersed in recital of the Quran, salawaat and repentance
The Almighty’s mercy descends in infinite abundance

Spiritually cleansed and forgiven by the Merciful Allah
Feeling reborn, at sundown they leave for Muzdalifa
Under the desert sky they camp overnight feeling spiritual
Here they collect the pebbles for the stone throwing ritual

After dawn prayer –the pilgrims leave for Jamarat in Mina
To cast 7 pebbles at largest of pillars the Jamra Al- Aqabah
After this symbolic rejection of the Satan and temptation.
In complete obedience they prepare to offer an oblation

As a symbol of their deep love they sacrifice an animal
In total submission to Allah, a sheep, cow or camel
Then the symbolic shaving of the head or clipping the hair
After which they journey to be greeted by the Meccan air

With respect and humility they circumambulate the Kaaba,
7 times they cover the ground between Safah and Marwah
Now completely free from the state of sacred consecration
The next few nights are spent in Mina to stone the Satan

On leaving, the farewell circuit of the Kaaba is performed
Each heart weeping in sincere yearning for it to return.

2.

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Month of Hajj is soon to come

To Mecca the people will begin to run

Around the Kaaba they will make Tawaaf

Then, to Arafat they will be off

On Arafat the people will stand

Then the next day Eid Aludha will begin

In the Eid morning together we will pray

Then the rest of the day it is eat, run, and play

Now it is off to Moozdelifah where the pilgrims will stay

Their stop in this place is until the next day

The next place is Mina where the pilgrims will go

At this stop is the Jammrah and pebbles they’ll throw.

The tenth day of Hajj for the pilgrims is busy indeed

but for the rest of the Muslims it is the Eid.

The pilgrims are busy to Mecca they return

They have the hopes that all of these good deeds they will soon earn
One of these acts is sacrificing a sheep

Then they will trim their hair with still the hope of good deeds to reap

Again the pilgrims will make Tawaaf

Then running between Saffa and Marwa they will be off

On the 11th day of Hajj back to Mina they will go

For the next three days at the Jammrah they will throw.

The Hajj for the pilgrims is coming to an end

They are hoping that Allah accepted it all from where they began

There is one more thing that the pilgrims must make

It is seven more times around the Kaaba for Allah’s sake

Back to their lives the pilgrims return

Hoping Allah accepted all that they earned

3.

" Guest Of The Beneficent "

Guest of the Beneficent
Is a bare-footed beggar
A poor thing invited by One Rich and Mighty
To answer the call of a lifetime,
a pledge made to God.
Guest of the Beneficent is a humble follower
Of a humble prophet, himself a follower
In the footsteps of his father Abraham,
For the first to make the call was Abraham
To this house of God and from him sprang
Prophets by the Beneficent blessed, chosen.
Guest of the Beneficent on the path
Of such a one blessed with modest walks
All pretense and ornaments shed
Eyes fixed heart trembling hands raised
A willing guest in tears drenched
The guest is a single entity in a sea of guests
Swimming in tears remorseful
For the flesh is weak and man given to haste
Guest of the Beneficent is humbled
By feelings of smallness felt
Insignificant he's for once lost
In an ocean of devotees
he looks towards the Lord
With heart longing for freedom
From a self to blunders given
Guests of the Beneficent are people
Pulled together by a Hand Powerful
Able to call whom He wills when He wills
These beggars by the Door of the Merciful
In tongues diverse cry
In sizes and hues various appear
But in unison they answer this Call sublime
Joyful in a union at last made they chant
To the beat of a Truth long desired
Hajj is a time of bonding
Beneath a sky open
The seeker learns and teaches
Equal are the guests of God
In attires easy and plain
Kings and penniless all Needy
Shoulder to shoulder before a King Mighty
This is a time of repentance
An occasion of release in an ocean of tears
From the attachments to sin and wrong-doing
To the bonds of fellowship, hearts healing
These days of consoling, delivery
And hope elevated
The guest of the Beneficent returns not home
But happy

By Safi Abdi

4.

The Hajj - A Poem

The Hajj - The Journey
By Him whose House the loving pilgrims visit,
Responding with ihram at the appointed limit,
Uncovering their heads in total humility
Before One to Whom faces bow in servility.
They exclaim in the valleys, "We have responded to You -
All Praise is Yours, and Kingdom too!"
He invited and they answered, with love and pleasure;
When they called upon Him, nearer came the Divine treasure.
You see them on their mounts, hair dusty and dishevelled,
Yet never more content, never happier have they felt;
Leaving homelands and families due to holy yearning,
Unmoved are they by temptations of returning.
Through plains and valleys, from near and far,
Walking and riding, in submission to Allah.

At the Ka'bah
When they see His House - that magnificent sight
For which the hearts of all creatures are set alight -
It seems they've never felt tired before,
For their discomfort and hardship is no more.
Now the eye of the Lover drowns in its streams,
It sees through its tears the goal of its dreams;
Now for Allah, how many tears are issued,
Each one being followed by a multitude?
When the eye perceives the House, its darkness clears,
And from the sorrowful heart, pain disappears;
Vision cannot encompass this beautiful sight:
Each glance returns with greater delight!
No wonder at this, for when the Merciful preferred
The House for Himself, it became most honoured.
He clothed it in Majesty, a magnificent garment;
Embroidered it with Beauty, a wonderful ornament!
The hearts all love the House therefore,
Awed and humbled, in respect and honour.

'Arafat
Now to 'Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness
From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;
Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing
Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.
The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest,
Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest,
"My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,
I'll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.
I have forgiven their sins, – to this you are witness –
Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness."
So joyous news! O people of that standing,
When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;
How many slaves are set completely free?
Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He.
Now Satan is never known to lose such face:
He's blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.
For he sees a matter that enrage him must:
He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust!
Such Forgiveness he never did see
As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!
He built his edifice from every temptation available
Till he thought it was complete, unassailable;
Then Allah struck his building at its very foundation,
So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation;
What worth has his structure, this evil ploy,
That he does build, and the Lord does destroy?

Muzdalifah & Mina
Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night
In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;
Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need
To stone at the time of the Prayer of 'Id;
Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,
Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.
If sacrificing themselves were Allah's demand,
They would respond, submitting to the command;
Just as they'd expose their necks in Jihad
To Allah's enemies, till these stream with blood;
They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.

The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah
So when they've removed those natural growths,
Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths,
He invites them again to visit His House:
What honour and welcome this visit allows!
By Allah, they visit it in so much splendour,
Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour;
There Allah bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness,
Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness.

Mina
Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,
Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;
They stay there a day, then another, then a third,
They're allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;
They stone the pillars daily after the sun's decline,
With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!
If only you could see their standing there:
Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy's share!
"O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do
That we hope for no-one, only You!
Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,
We pray for Your Mercy overflowing."

The Farewell Tawaf
When they've achieved at Mina all their gains,
Once more they fill the valleys and plains:
To the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,
To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.
When departure nears and they are certain
That the bond of proximity is about to loosen,
There's only a last stand for a final farewell:
Now for Allah are the eyes that swell,
And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn
Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;
And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous
Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous!
Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng,
Whilst others chant their sorrowful song:
"I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,
My fire of grief is raging and burning;
I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins -
My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!"
No blame today for saying what you feel:
No blame for expressing what you used to conceal!

By: Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
Translated by: Usama Hasan

5.


Hajj

For Allah, my heart went there
Where I turn my face in Prayer

It's a duty, this I know
So to Makkah I did go

For Allaah I packed my gear
Then to His House I came near

For my journey I was ready
Allaah made me strong and steady

I walked around the Ka'bah wall
And teardrops from my eyes did fall

Yearning was I for this day
In Allaah's House to pray!

Truly my heart, Allaah brought
I thank Him for His support!

With His Mercy I arrived
Then home I went, purified!

6.

ISLAM.........

Islam is the religion of tolerance,

Care, love and security
Islam is the religion of monotheism
Submitting to ALLAH, not the trinity
Believing all the books, the angels,
Messengers and Mohammad's (PBUH) identity

From Adam to Jesus, son of Mary
The woman an example of purity
Mohammad (PBUH) is the last messenger
Who completed the message for all humanity.

7.

Hajj is about Allah

Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about you
Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about criticizing the group leaders
Hajj is not about arguing when there are transportation issues
Hajj is not about what it would be like if you were in charge
Hajj is about holding yourself still when plans seem to go awry
Hajj is about silence

Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about ridiculing others in your group
Hajj is not about mocking anyone you see
Hajj is not about your dislike of someone on His guest list
Hajj is about being patient with the old, the sick and the young
Hajj is about the charity of the smile, and of being helpful
Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about complaining when getting new foods
Hajj is not about whining when eating the same food day after day
Hajj is not about getting what you want
Hajj is about being grateful whether or not you get what you think you need

Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about talking on a cell phone while circling the Kaaba
Hajj is not about staying on the internet with friends or business
Hajj is about trusting and depending on Allah
Hajj is about talking to Him

Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about comfort and luxury
Hajj is not about shopping
Hajj is not about rest
Hajj is about making as many salats as you can in the Haram
Hajj is about reading Quran in airports and on busses
Hajj is about prayer and dhikr, day and night, wherever you are

Hajj is about Allah
Hajj is not about your importance in this life
Hajj is about your insignificance in the next life
Hajj is about contemplating death
Hajj is about contemplating the grave
Hajj is about contemplating the Day of Judgment
Hajj is about your tears of hope and fear

Hajj is not about you
Hajj is about Allah

8.

Eid-ul-Adha and Hajj

We celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and the Hajj,
In which the rewards are much.

Eid-ul-Adha is a reminder of Ibrahim’s (PBUH) sacrifice,
Which shows us in how many ways Allah is nice.

We run between the mountains of Safa and Marwa,
Since it was done by Bibi Hajira.

Hajj is about equality,
Forget your own individuality.

Doing the rituals in a few days,
For cleaning your slate, this is one of the ways.

The reason for this Eid leads back to Ibrahim’s (PBUH) story,
But we must remember that only Allah deserves all glory.

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What are Einstein’s true beliefs about religion and science

I bet everybody knows who Einstein is, and many people know why he is famous and how he left is mark in the scientific world. Still, aside from his brilliant results in physics (mostly), he is also very well known for his aphorisms, metaphors and overall interesting way of expressing himself. I’ve always found it hard to understand why “believers” claim that Einstein is “one of them”, relying on one of his famous aphorisms: “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”. Seems quite a jump to me, but there are even further indications that he had really no true interest in religion, especially a little known letter that he wrote on January 3 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind who had sent him a copy of his book Choose Life: The Biblical Call to Revolt.

Due to be auctioned this week in London after being in a private collection for more than 50 years, the document leaves no doubt that the theoretical physicist was no supporter of religious beliefs, which he regarded as “childish superstitions”. It is well known that Einstein was born in a jewish family and he made remarks about this on several occasions, but despite this, his feelings towards religion are of disbelief, to say the least, and rejected the idea that jews are god’s favorite people.

In his letter, he claims:

“The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.”

He writes about his origins too, rejecting the idea of god favoring jews:

“For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions. And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people. As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything ‘chosen’ about them.”

The letter will go on sale at Bloomsbury Auctions in Mayfair on Thursday and is expected to fetch up to £8,000. Also, probably the most famous of his quotes is somewhat religious: “He [God] does not throw dice” when referring to randomness thrown up by quantum theory. Still, this is a metaphor to say the most, but unfortunately his position was widely misinterpreted. Despite his categorical rejection of conventional religion, Einstein discharged the fact that his ideas were used by evangelists for atheism. He was offended by their lack of humility and once wrote. “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.”. 16.000$ for a letter… the chance to shove it in the face of creationists all over the world… priceless !

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Top 10 Organized Religions and their Core Beliefs

Christianity [Abrahamic, 27 AD] 2.1 billion adherents


Christianity is a monotheistic religion which is based on the teachings of the Old Testament and Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe that Jesus, as the Son of God is part of the Trinity (God as three persons in one), the others being God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that Christianity fulfils Judaism. Most Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus to be the cornerstone of their faith. Protestant ofshoots of Christianity believe that salvation comes from the belief in God alone, whereas Catholic and Orthodox Christians belief that faith, combined with good works is required for salvation.

The Christian scriptures are called the Bible – comprising two books, the Old Testament (based on the Septuagint) and the New Testament. Protestants and Catholics have the same books in the New Testament, but Martin Luther removed 7 books from the Old Testament during the Protestant reformation, considering them to be apocryphal. He also removed four books from the New Testament but was later persuaded to put them back – they were Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation.

Christians believe in Sacraments (Catholics and Orthodox and some Anglicans believe in 7: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Last Rites, Holy Orders, and Matrimony; some Protestants (following Martin Luther) believe in the sacramental nature of Baptism and Holy Communion, while others reject outright the concept of sacramental theology.

Christianity is generally broken into three branches: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Catholicism is the largest with over 1 billion adherents. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches split in the 11th century in an event called the Great Schism. Protestantism split from Roman Catholicism in in the 16th century in an event called the Protestant Reformation.

Islam is a monotheistic religion originating with the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th-century Arab religious and political figure. Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad, God’s final prophet, and regard the Qur’an and the Sunnah (the words and deeds of Muhammad) as the fundamental sources of Islam. They do not regard Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. Islamic tradition holds that Judaism and Christianity distorted the messages of these prophets over time either in interpretation, in text, or both.

Almost all Muslims belong to one of two major denominations, the Sunni and Shi’a. The schism developed in the late 7th century following disagreements over the religious and political leadership of the Muslim community. Roughly 85 percent of Muslims are Sunni and 15 percent are Shi’a. Muslims consider the Qur’an to be the literal word of God; it is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe that the verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between the years 610 and his death on July 6, 632.

Islam considers itself to be the supreme religion and therefore Muslims must not place themselves in a position inferior to that of the followers of other religions. Pursuant to this principle, Muslim women may not marry non-Muslim men, non-Muslims may not inherit from their Muslim relatives, and a testimony of a non-Muslim is inadmissible against a Muslim. A non-Muslim who insults Islam must be put to death, according to most schools of Islamic jurisprudence, or flogged and imprisoned, according to others.

Hinduism [Dharmic, 1500 BC] 1 billion adherents
Hinduism has no founder, being itself a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. It is the world’s oldest existent religion, and has approximately a billion adherents, of whom about 905 million live in India and Nepal. Hinduism contains a vast body of scriptures. Divided as revealed and remembered and developed over millennia, these scriptures expound on theology, philosophy and mythology, providing spiritual insights and guidance on the practice of dharma (religious living). Among such texts, the Vedas and the Upanishads are the foremost in authority, importance and antiquity. Other major scriptures include the Tantras, the sectarian Agamas, the Purāṇas and the epics Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa. The Bhagavad Gītā, a treatise excerpted from the Mahābhārata, is sometimes called a summary of the spiritual teachings of the Vedas.

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include Dharma (ethics/duties), Samsāra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various yogas (paths or practices). Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, monism and even atheism. It is sometimes considered as henotheistic (devotion to a single “God” while accepting the existence of other gods), but such a view may be considered an oversimplification of the complexities and variations of belief.

Buddhism [Dharmic, 600 BC] 376 million adherents


Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means roughly the “teachings of the Awakened One” in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism was founded around the fifth century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama – most commonly referred to as The Buddha. In Buddhism, any person who has awakened from the “sleep of ignorance” (by directly realizing the true nature of reality), without instruction, and teaches it to others is called a buddha. All traditional Buddhists agree that Shakyamuni or Gotama Buddha was not the only Buddha: it is generally taught that there have been many past Buddhas and that there will be future Buddhas too.

While there are now many sects of Buddhism, they all hold to four fundamental points: 1, All accept the Buddha as their teacher; 2, all accept the Middle Way (non-extremism), Dependant Origination, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path; 3, all accept that both monks and the laity can pursue the path to englightenment; and 4, all consider Buddahood to be the highest attainment.

Sikhism [Dharmic, 1469 AD] 23 million adherents


Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539 AD) who was the first of Sikhism’s 10 Gurus, a lineage of holy teachers that continued until the end of the 17th century. The Gurus are understood to be the mediators of divine grace. Sikhism originated in the Punjab region of northwest India, where it drew on elements from Bhakti Hinduism and Islamic Sufism to develop into a distinctive religious tradition in its own right. Sikhs believe that liberation from the karmic cycle of rebirths occurs in the merging of the human spirit with the all-embracing spirit of God. Sikh males are recognisable by their long beards and turbans – worn to cover the hair that traditional says they should not cut.

Their religious worship involves contemplation of the divine Name. The ultimate deity is known by several names: Sat (truth), Sat Guru (true Guru), Akal Purakh (timeless being), Kartar (creator), and Wahi-Guru (”praise to the Guru”). By concentrating on God’s Name (or many titles), Sikhs believe that one conquers the ego and unites with God.

The compilation of the Sikh scriptures, the Adi Granth, was begun in 1604 by the Fifth Guru. The last of the ten Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh, announced that he would be the last personal Guru and that thereafter, Sikhs were to regard the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) as their teacher. This sacred book is considered the living embodiment of all ten Gurus and is therefore the focus of worship in all Sikh temples and local gurudwaras, or sanctuaries.

Judaism [Abrahamic, 1300 BC] 14 million adherents



Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, based on principles and ethics embodied in the Bible (Tanakh) and the Talmud (Rabbinical discussions on ethics, customs, and law). According to Jewish tradition, the history of Judaism begins with the Covenant between God and Abraham, the patriarch and progenitor of the Jewish people. Judaism is among the oldest religious traditions still in practice today.

Throughout the ages, Judaism has clung to a number of religious principles, the most important of which is the belief in a single, omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent, transcendent God, who created the universe and continues to govern it. Originally Judaism had priests and a temple in which sacrifices were made to God. The priesthood is an inherited position, and although priests no longer have any but ceremonial duties, they are still honored in many Jewish communities. Many Orthodox Jewish communities believe that they will be needed again for a future Third Temple and need to remain in readiness for future duty.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the expulsion of the Jews, Jewish worship stopped being centrally organized around the Temple, prayer took the place of sacrifice, and worship was rebuilt around rabbis who acted as teachers and leaders of individual communities. Modern Judaism is generally split into three groups: Orthodox, Conservative, and Liberal.

Baha’i Faith [Abrahamic, 1900 AD] 7 million adherents



Baha’i was founded in Iran in the mid-nineteenth century by Mirza Husayn Ali (1817-1892). Better known as Baha’ullah, he believed that he was the prophet foretold by the Bab, a religious leader who was believed to be a direct descendent of the prophet Muhammad. Baha’ullah was persecuted and banished several times during his life, and he died as a prisoner in Palestine. Babism (from which Baha’i originates) was a breakaway from shi’a Islam.

Important Baha’i prophets include Adam, the Jewish prophets, Jesus, and Muhammed, all of whom have been succeeded by Baha’ullah. The closest thing to a religious text the Baha’i have is Baha’ullah’s Kitab al-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) which contains detailed instructions for Baha’i living.

The Baha’i believe that all religions teach the same truth. They therefore reject prejudice–racial, political, or otherwise–and stress ethical teachings such as world peace, education, and sexual equality. Although they believe that God is completely unknowable, they hold that God’s presence and works are evident in the creation of the world and the existence of the prophets, among other things.

Confucianism [Taoic, 600 BC] 6.4 million adherents



Confucianism is a Chinese set of philosphical and ethical beliefs that were taught by the sage Confucius. It has had a tremendous effect on East Asia right up to the 21st century. Debated during the Warring States Period and forbidden during the short-lived Qin Dynasty, Confucianism was chosen by Emperor Wu of Han for use as a political system to govern the Chinese state. There is a large body of Confucian texts which includes the I Ching (a series of divinations) and a series of books on poetry, rituals, music, and more. Y

Confucianist doctrine remained a mainstream Chinese orthodoxy for two millennia until the 20th century, when it was attacked by radical Chinese thinkers as a vanguard of a pre-modern system and an obstacle to China’s modernization, eventually culminating in its repression during the Cultural Revolution in the People’s Republic of China.

Confucianism aims at making not simply the man of virtue, but the man of learning and of good manners. The perfect man must combine the qualities of saint, scholar, and gentleman. Confucianism is a religion without positive revelation, with a minimum of dogmatic teaching, whose popular worship is centered in offerings to the dead, in which the notion of duty is extended beyond the sphere of morals proper so as to embrace almost every detail of daily life.

Jainism [Dharmic, 600 BC] 4.2 million adherents


Jainism is one of the oldest religions in India and it has co-existed alongside Hinduism despite being a minority of less than 1% of the population. The religion was founded by Mahavira (”The Great Hero”) who is considered to be the most recent in a long line of 24 teachers who have brought Jainism to the world during various epochs. These teachers preach a belief in enlightenment through austerity and rejection of the world. Jains do not believe in a god and they seek release from endless reincarnations through strict self-denial.

Jainism also places a great emphasis on non-harm of living things and will often have their mouths covered with muslin to prevent accidentally swallowing insects. Many Jains also use a small brush to sweep the ground in front of them while travelling so they don’t accidentally step on a creature.

The main religious text of Jainism is called Agamas. An agama is an ancient Jain textbook. There were many agamas in ancient times, but as time passed, many of them were lost or destroyed. At present, 45 agamas are available. Agamas are written in the Prakrit language. These are read and studied by Jain monks (sadhus) only. The sacred literature was not written down until 500 AD.

There are two main types of Jain, the Digambaras and the Shvetambaras. The Digambaras have much simpler rituals and disdain earthly belongings to a point that the male monks live completely naked.

Shinto [Taoic, 300 BC] 4 million adherents


Shinto is a religious system that originates in Japan which has influences from Buddhism and other Chinese religions. Shinto recognizes no all-powerful deity and is a diverse set of traditional rituals and ceremonies, rather than a system of dogmatic beliefs or ethics. Shinto recognises a variety of gods (kami) which are the powers of nature primarily associated with such things as animals, trees, mountains, springs, boulders, the sun, and sometimes ancestors. Offerings are made to these gods and they are later eaten.

Shinto rituals involve dance and Shinto priests bless the offerings to the gods with branches from the sacred sakaki tree dipped in holy water. In some parts of Japan, women Shamans fall into a trance and speak for the gods.

Shinto does not have a founder or canon of religious texts, but a written Shinto mythology appears in the early sections of the eighth-century books “Kojiki” (”Records of Ancient Matters,” completed in 712 AD) and “Nihon Shoki” (”Chronicles of Japan,” completed in 720 AD), which record the role of the kami in creating Japan and the Japanese imperial lineage

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Signs Of Doomsday According To Major Religions r

All the world’s great religions contain Messianic prophecies, which promise that God will one day send a Promised One whose teachings will unite all humanity.

The Promised One is called by different names by different religions. Christians await the return of Christ.Jews look forward to a Prophet like Moses. Hindus look for the return of Krishna. Muslims look for the appearance of Imam Mahdi as well as Christ. Buddhists await Buddha.

The fascinating aspect of all these prophecies is that they all seem to be pointing towards the same event.

All the major religions of the world have their own signs of Doomsday.

Christianity

According to the Bible, there are twenty-one signs of Doomsday:

1. Israel, the fig tree, is budding and the generation that sees it shall not pass till all is fulfilled.
2. The son of perdition, the return of Jesus for his church, and rebuilding of the temple.
3. The red heifer.
4. Cohen and Levi.
5. The world awaits someone.
6. Transgressors are come to the full.
7. Neighbor oppressing neighbor.
8. Evil becomes good and good becomes evil.
9. As it was in the days of Noah.
10 Men shall be lovers of their own selves.
11. A famine for the word of God.
12. Many shall run to and fro.
13. Knowledge shall be increased.
14. One world government.
15. The Antichrist to rule the world.
16. One world religious system.
17. The mark of the beast.
18. All nations gather against Israel.
19. Ferocious battle kills two thirds of Israelites.
20. Half of Jerusalem is taken, and one third of the remaining Jews are holed up in the other half of Jerusalem.
21. Jesus Christ returns and the Mount of Olives splits in two for the battle of Armageddon.

Islam

Muslims believe in messengers of God and prophets. They believe that the final message to man was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. He is the last prophet sent by God. He is said to have foretold the following 72 signs that would appear nearing doomsday:

1. People will leave prayer.
2. People will usurp Amaanat.
3. Lying will become an art.
4. There will be murders on the slightest of disagreements.
5. Interest will become common.
6. There will be very tall buildings.
7. People will sell religion for the world.
8. People will treat relatives badly.
9. Justice will become a rarity.
10. Lies will be considered truth.
11. Clothes will be of silk.
12. Persecution will become common.
13. Divorces will become common.
14. Sudden deaths will increase.
15. The usurper of Amaanat will be considered honest and honorable.
16. The keeper of Amaanat will be called an usurper of things given to him for safekeeping.
17. Liars will be thought of as honest.
18. Honest people will be thought of as liars.
19. False accusations will become the norm.
20. It will be hot in spite of rain.
21. Instead of wishing for children, people will pray that they not have children.
22. People from bad backgrounds and with bad upbringing will live a life of luxury (material, not peaceful).
23. Good people, when they try to practice, will be cut off from the world.
24. Previously good people will also usurp Amaanat.
25. Leaders will become persecutors.
26. Ulema and Qaris will commit adultery.
27. People will wear clothes of animal skin.
28. But their hearts will smell and will be dead.
29. And will be bitter.
30. Gold will become common.
31. Demand for silver will increase.
32. Sin will increase.
33. Peace will become rare.
34. Words(Ayats) from the Quran will be decorated and calligraphy will become.
35. Mosques will be decorated.
36. And will have tall Minars.
37. But hearts will be empty.
38. Alcoholic drinks will be consumed.
39. Punishments ordered by the Shariah will be revoked and will no longer be implemented.
40. Women will order their mother around.
41. People who are with naked feet, naked bodies and against religion will become kings.
42. Women will trade along with men.
43. Women will imitate men.
44. Men will imitate women.
45. People will swear by things other than Allah and the Quran.
46. Even Muslims will be prepared to give false testimony, without being incited to it.
47. Only people one knows will be greeted with the salaam.
48. The knowledge of the Shariah will be used to earn worldly things.
49. Acts, which earn the Akhirah, will be used to earn the world.
50. Assets belonging to the nation will be considered and treated as personal treasures by the rulers.
51. Amaanat will be considered ones personal asset.
52. Zakaat will be considered as a penalty.
53. The lowest and the worst man in the nation will become its leader.
54. People will not obey their fathers.
55. And will mistreat their mothers.
56. And will not hold back from harming their friends.
57. And will obey their wives.
58. And the voices of the men who commit adultery will be raised in mosques.
59. Women who sing will be treated with great deference.
60. Instruments of music will be kept with great care.
61. Alcohol will be drunk on the highways.
62. People will be proud of their acts of persecution.
63. Justice will be sold in the courts.
64. The number of men in the police force will increase.
65. Instead of music, the Quran will be used to gain pleasure for its tune and style (Qirat), not for what it preaches, its meaning or for rewards in the Akhirah.
66. Animal fur will be used.
67. The last of the Ummat will curse those before them (clearly seen today in people who call the Prophets companions names).
68. Either Allah will send a Red Storm upon you.
69. Or Earthquakes.
70. Or your faces will be changed.
71. Or a rain of rocks from the skies. Asteroids? Meteors.
72. Lies will become a habit of the rulers and the rich.

Prophet Muhammad also said:

1. Alcohol will be called Sherbat and will be considered Halal.
2. Interest will be called Trade and will be considered Halal.
3. Brides will be called Gifts and will be considered Halal.
4. Women will be naked in spite of wearing dresses.


Jews

These signs were said to have been given in the historical books of the Hebrews, and depict the fifteen days before doom:

1. All the water from the earth, including the seas will rice up to the clouds, above the mountains, so that the cry of the seals, the yelling of the sea-monsters and the roar of the whales will be on the dry strands after the water leaves them.

2. The huge noise of the water falling down again the next day into their proper places will be heard, so that it goes deep into the earth; and nobody knows where.

3. All the water will freeze in its place and become hard, and armies will march on this.

4. The sea-animals of the earth will rise up into the clouds, and will cry and clamour continuously for fear of the Day of Doom. None other but God will understand what they are saying.

5. All the birds on the earth will move continuously, without resting, and without eating any food or drinking anything.

6. Great rivers, with fiery and rough waves, will flow out of the firmament from sunrise to sunset.

7. A huge, scary, ugly and unbearable sound will be heard from the heaven, and there will be thunder with many lightnings. From the southern part of the sky, there will be seen a fiery red cloud rising and spreading all over all the earth, and crimson blood will pour from that cloud, and fill the earth – both the land and the sea. There will be huge fires over all parts of the globe, and the world will face a mighty earthquake with a huge spark rising from every part of the earth. The sea will also be ruthless on that day.

8. There will be an excessive tremor and all the creatures of the earth will be numb with fear. The waves of the sea will rise very high, and the ocean will be shaken from its very core with fiery winds. The thundering seas and the water against rivers of fire, with no pleasure, no music throughout the world will leave a sad and distressful feeling.

9. Each and every stone in this world, both small and big will break into four parts. These parts will talk to each other, and except for God, nobody else will understand their language. These stones will begin to tremble after losing their form. All the woods of the earth will be completely uprooted, after they have all broken on that day. Streams of sulphurous fire will rise from the earth so that the entire world is one single blaze of fire from sunrise to sunset.

10. All the stones and trees on the earth will be shedding blood. Rough winds will rise and the whole world will be shaken at once. All humans will be screaming, wailing, and crying, and pleading with the earth to open up for them, so that they do not have to witness all the evil. They would prefer to die rather than be alive at that moment. It is at that time that three hundred and sixty-five stars will fall on the earth. The mountains will fall and they will be on the same level as the ground.

11. Big thunders and the sound of four fiery winds from the four airts of heaven will make all the elements shrink and separate. Five thousand three hundred and sixty-five stars will fall on earth just as ripe fruits falling on a windy day. The moon will turn into the color of blood, the sun will grow dark, the mountains and all other structures will turn into ash. A horrendous screaming of the burning birds will be heard. Humans will face a sad, bitter, and heavy grief on that day. All mankind will kneel in front of God, praying for Him to save them from the fire of Doom.

12. All the lawless animals of the earth will have to leave their places, and be on the plains, howling and crying, with no food or clothing. Every person that has tasted life will die on that day and the whole world will be on fire and hail. Then the doors of the palace will open and the roar of the seven heavens will be heard at the coming of the Creator with His angels. The heaven’s angels will sing to the Creator to rescue them and the angels and the souls of the saints and the good people will be saved, so that the fire of Doom does not burn them.

13. All graves will open up and the dead will come out, and the world will be in grief, as there will be no place to live for the living or for the dead in this world.

14. All the living will die.

15. The final sign of the day before doom – The only Son of the King of heaven and earth and hell, with all the angels and archangels, in His company will go, on that day to the summit of Mount Zion to judge their deeds, both good and evil, for Adam’s impure children. Michael the Archangel will summon all the human beings to that great assembly. All the dead will arise; first, the apostles will arise, then the prophets and the confessors, the martyrs and the saints and the good people, then the virgins and penitents and in the end, baptized infants. The whole human race will be aged thirty on that day, with no one being older or younger. This is the age at which Adam was created and the age of Jesus when He was baptized. Then the King of Glory will arise with His final Cross on his shoulder in everybody’s presence. He will have traces of all the wounds of His Passion upon Him, so that all the incurable wounds and tortures, which they themselves inflicted upon Him, may be manifested to the Jews.

Hinduism

According to Kaala Jnaana written by the Hindu mystic, Veera Brahmam, Kali Yuga will last for 5000 years after Lord Krishna passes away, after which evil will spread throughout the world. Hindu legend states that at the end of kali yuga, Vishnu, the universal ruler will appear again under his form of the Kalki-avatara for doing away with the wicked and inaugurating a realm of righteousness and spirituality. This will be the Doomsday.

The signs of Doomsday are:

1. There will be a rain of fire. Following this a strange thing will happen. 20 feet tall humans will appear and claim to be Kalki. (this is in India).
2. A huge comet will be born in the south; several people will die due to this.
3. Mammary glands will be born to the males of Cow, Goat, etc. and people will get milk from them.
4. Tigers will disappear completely from the forests.
5. The Sun will appear like a green colored human being.
6. Moon will be seen on a new moon day.
7. Wealth will arrive from other countries to India and India will be very rich and powerful.
8. Stones will break and fly about like crows and eagles; Stone horses and chariots will start to run.
9. Blood and pus will flow out from stones.
10. It will rain blood.

Over the years, there have been many versions of these signs and you will find they differ when taken from different books, and this is one version of the signs of Doomsday in different religions.

Skeptics may find it interesting to know that even the laws of science support the fact that the world will come to an end. The second law of thermodynamics states that everything goes from order to disorder and eventually ends. It can be your body, house, earth’s magnetic field, extinction of species or the shrinking sun.

Whether all this is true or not and whether we choose to believe in all this or not, will depend entirely on each one of us. What we have reproduced here is just what has been written about in numerous books.

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Beautifull Religious Buildings Carved from ‘Living Rock’

Perhaps among some of the most astonishing buildings in the world are those cut from living rock. Known as rock-cut architecture, buildings like this can be found all over the world from Myanmar to Ethiopia and many contain priceless works of ancient art. Some of these incredible carved caves date back thousands of years while others are surprisingly a bit more modern than you’d think. These 15 buildings carved from colossal cliffs, monoliths and volcanic rock are breathtakingly beautiful and a fascinating look inside the traditions of cultures long gone.

Ancient Rock City of Matera, Italy

In the ancient rock city of Matera in southwestern Italy, people live in the same exact homes that their ancestors did 9,000 years ago. Matera was created from a rocky ravine and the many natural caves in the area – called the ‘Sassi di Matera’ – were the first houses of the Neolithic inhabitants of the region. The caves create a labyrinth of houses, and it’s practically impossible to distinguish the natural rock formations from the ancient architecture. The houses seem to sprout from the rock in an organic way, creating somewhat of a tourist attraction from what was in the mid 20th century a ghost town. Matera was notably the setting for Mel Gibson’s film ‘The Passion of the Christ’.

Po Win Daung Caves, Myanmar

Dozens of caves in the Po Win Daung hills contain a treasure trove of carved Buddhas dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The hills have been occupied since the dawn of human inhabitation of Myanmar – formerly Burma. Within the caves you can see 4,000 murals, and take a covered stairway up a hill to the main cave shrine. Intricately carved Buddhas act as pillars within the caves as well as sentinels outside the entrances.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia

Among the most amazing structures carved from living stone are the churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia. 11 rock-hewn churches have each been carved from a single block of granite with its roof at ground level. 12th-century King Lalibela commissioned these churches with the goal of creating a New Jerusalem for those who couldn’t make the pilgrimage to the original city. Each church was created by carving a wide trench on all four sides of the rock and then painstakingly chiseling out the interior. The largest among them stands at 40 feet tall.

Ajanta Caves, India

The stunning rock-cut temples of Ajanta in Maharashtra, India, are among India’s most underrated treasures. Hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of a ravine in the Wagurna River valley, the caves consist of two complexes: monasteries and sanctuaries. They were excavated between the 1st century BCE and 7th century CE, and contain paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.

Abu Simbel Nubian Monuments, Egypt

Four colossal statues of ancient Egyptian Pharoah Ramesses II guard the entrance of Abu Simbel, a temple cut out of the sandstone cliffs above the Nile River. Commissioned by Ramesses himself, the temple faces east so that twice a year, the sun’s rays reach into the innermost sanctuary, lighting up the statues of Ptah, Amun-Re, Ramesses II and Re-Horakhty. The complex was relocated entirely from its original setting in the 1960s to avoid being flooded when Lake Nasser was created.

Yungang Grottoes, China

The Yungang Grottoes of Datong in the Shanxi province of China are comprised of 53 caves and 51,000 statues, and are one of China’s most beautiful examples of cave art. Giant Buddhas tower over visitors who wind through the caves viewing the many sculptures inside. Much of the artwork that was once inside the grottoes was stolen in the early 20th century and the wooden temple buildings that once protected the caves burned down. So, the site is now in urgent need of protection and has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.

Cappadocia Cave Houses, Turkey

Cappadocia is one of the 73 current provinces of the Republic of Turkey, and has one of the most strange and fascinating landscapes of the world. The rocky, scrubby land features bizarre volcanic ‘tufa’ rock formations referred to as ‘Fairy Chimneys’ as well as complex underground cities and buildings cut from the soft ‘tufa’. Many of these are churches, with columns and arches decorating the stony face of an otherwise natural hunk of rock.

Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Carved from a giant rock in Sri Lanka, the Golden Temple of Dambulla was once a set of caves inhabited during prehistoric times and then used for pre-Buddhist ceremonies. The temple was built and decorated in 89 BC by King Valagambahu. Inside, the cave ceilings and walls are painted with religious images that follow the contours of the rock. 150 statues of Buddhist order, figures from Sri Lankan history and a few statues of Hindu gods. A 14-meter-tall Buddha statue carved from the rock dominates the first cave as you enter.

Ellora Caves, India

Like the Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Carved from the Charanandri hills between the 5th and 6th centuries, the Ellora Caves were built just as Buddhism was declining in India and Hinduism was once again becoming more popular. As a result, there are both Buddhist and Hindu caves within the complex, with a rich variety of religious art including many elaborately carved shrines. The Ellora Caves are highly valued today as an example of the country’s tolerance of both religions.

Al-Hijr, Saudi Arabia

Among Saudi Arabia’s best-known architectural sites is Al Hijr, also known as Madain Saleh. The facades of the dwellings in Al Hijr were carved into the sandstone mountains sometime in the second millenium BC. Al Hijr – which literally means ‘rocky place’ – is believed to have been inhabited by the Nabataeans and the Thamud. It features water wells, well-preserved monumental tombs, inscriptions and cave drawings.

Dazu Rock Carvings, Chongqing, China

The Dazu rock carvings in Chongqing, China are hewn from the cliffside, featuring more than 5,000 statues and over 100,000 Chinese characters of inscriptions or epigraphs. Though Buddhist statues dominate, Taoist and Confucian figures can also be seen which is rather rare in Chinese grotto art. The carvings were made in 650 CE in the Tang Dynasty and continued in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1616-1911).

Petra, Jordan

The city of Petra in Jordan is known as a setting of the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It’s also one of the new 7 wonders of the world, and it’s easy to see why – its majestic rock-cut architecture is among the most sophisticated ever seen. Built into the slope of Mount Hor, Petra flourished during Roman times but was unknown to the western world until 1812 when discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Over 800 individual monuments can be seen in Petra, including tombs, baths, funerary halls and temples.

Goa Gajah, Elephant Cave Temple, Bali

Goa Gojah, the Elephant Cave Temple, is one of Bali’s most historically significant sites. The cave was apparently partially destroyed by a natural disaster long ago, and was undetected for centuries until a team of Dutch archeologists stumbled upon it in 1923. Thought to have been built in the 11th century, Goa Gojah features statuary influenced by both Hinduism and Buddhism and contains secret meditation chambers for priests or hermits. Two traditional bathing pools outside the cave contain water said to have magical properties.

Churches of Ivanovo, Bulgaria

In the Ruse area of Bulgaria, there are a set of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn from solid rock known as the Churches of Ivanovo. Though the presence of these churches in the cliffside is impressive in itself, the structures are best known for their beautiful and well-preserved medieval frescoes. Christian monks dug out the caves and made the churches in the 13th century and though it’s a bit easier to access now, centuries ago people had to climb the cliff with ropes to get inside.

Temples of Damanhur, Valchuisella, Italy

Viewing photos of the Temples of Damanhur, carved into the rock under the village of Valchuisella, Italy, one might think they’re an ancient wonder. But what the Italian government has deemed “the 8th wonder of the world” is actually a modern product of one man’s very active imagination. A 57-year-old former insurance broker created the ornate temples, occupying almost 300,000 cubic feet, in secret over a period of 16 years. Oberto Airaudi selected the hillside for its sturdy rock, built an unassuming house and began excavating underneath it. The self-described ‘paranormal’ eccentric had volunteers work in 4-hour shifts to create the nine chambers full of astonishing murals, mosaics, statues, secret doors and stained glass windows. Airaudi’s entire story is a long and bizarre one, and though some may deem his creations a bit gaudy, the fact that he pulled all of this off certainly is amazing.

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