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السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

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I Keep My Language Clean!

 السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

I Keep My Language Clean

It's an event created by a friend of a friend of mine :)
It started as an initiative of creating a change. Based upon our religion concepts, we should definitely keep our language clean!
Check these sayings by prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him :) 

و إن سوء الخلق يفسد العمل ، كما يفسد الخل العسل - صححه الألباني

إن أكمل المؤمنين إيمانا أحسنهم خلقا و إن حسن الخلق ليبلغ درجة الصوم و الصلاة - صححه الألباني

ليس المؤمن بالطعان ، و لا اللعان ، و لا الفاحش ، و لا البذيء - صححه الألباني

أنا زعيم ببيت في ربض الجنة لمن ترك المراء وإن كان محقا ، وببيت في وسط الجنة لمن ترك الكذب وإن كان مازحا ، وببيت في أعلى الجنة لمن حسن خلقه - حسنه الألباني

So If you wanna talk, ask yourself, the word I'll say...

• Will it please Allah or not?
• Will be written within my good deeds or bad ones?
• Will it help me in my grave?

The event has 2 phases now...I'm looking forward for the next ones :)
 

 

Phase I: Keeping our language clean while driving

 

Simply: " Keeping our language clean while driving" because it's a common phenomena that people curse unnecessarily while driving.
 

Phase II: While joking with friends, I will be KEEN to keep my language CLEAN

 

"I'm against joking using bad words"...The aim of this phase is to draw attention that cleaning our language doesn't mean only when we are angry. It's a general attitude that we should all seek to acquire, even if it's just a matter of joking.
So, Even if i'm jo...king with my friends, I will be keen to keep my language CLEAN!! :)

 

 

And remember!

 
 إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.

The Little Things

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته 

It is the Little Things that Make a Big Difference

There was a man taking a morning walk at the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left behind and with the morning sun rays, they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn't understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, "What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?" This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one." 

What difference are we making? Big or small, it does not matter. If everyone made a small difference, we'd end up with a big difference, wouldn't we?

-----Copied-----

10 Studying Tips

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

First you have to note that what goes right for someone does not necessary go right for everyone. We're different, so we conceive information differently.
So to start, everyone should define himself for himself...like:

• I perform the best when not under pressure.
• I need to revise an information twice in order to get it.
• I love equations.
• I remember stuff when linked together.
• etc...

Everyone has his own unique list and remember "We Are Different" :)

Here are some tips that were useful to me and I'll try to generalize them in order to fit with most of us.

First

Start by motivating yourself
Search for a motive to study the subject, like objectives, applications,...why this subject is important for "me"?
Write a list of intentions, why are you studying? link it with your beliefs.
Sometimes you may just need to do something nice before you start, like a good healthy meal, some exercises or may be a computer game :)

Second

Manage your time.
Do not spend the whole day moving between different subjects and having a Zero output at the end of the day!
Do not distract yourself with phone calls while trying to concentrate. (make time for them :))
Group your questions to the end of your study.
[check those 2 maps for some time-management tips #1 #2]

Third

Before you start, make sure that there is nothing on your desk that is not related to the subject you're about to start :) If possible, only put the materials that you'll currently use.

It helps a lot to feel that you only have something small to do, also so as not to be distracted with the other subjects.

Fourth

Try to have fun :) Enjoy what you're doing with all possible ways.

use colors, sticky notes, drawings, ...... anything that would make ur studying seems to be fun :)
you can even make a funny chart with all your tasks and deadlines.
For me, mindmaps played a very important role in my study
(check out this document for a quick intro about mindmapping )

Fifth

Take breaks...never stay so long on your desk...It's boring & you'll lose concentration. Take a 5 mins break each 55 mins or something. It depends upon the subject you're studying.

Sixth 

Plan your studying time. Make specific studying hours and have some goals to reach.
Make time for having fun, helping your friends, communicating with your family..........
Try to have a balanced life.

Seventh

Collaboration! Sometimes it helps a lot to study in groups. Brainstorm with your friends & share your good ideas. Generally the IQ of a group is much larger than the IQ of an individual.

Eighth

As you study -through the whole year- highlight all the important parts and main topics. It will help you a lot when revising and when trying to find some specific piece of information.

Ninth

Stay organized as much as you can. It will save you plenty of time when it's time to study!

Tenth

Last but not least, never forget night prayers. I can't remember/find the name now, but it was said that one of the good ancestors -who was a chemist- used to pray at night when faced by hard chemistry problems :)

إذا استعصت عليه مسألة، أستعان عليها بقيام الليل

Remember to always follow up with yourself to make sure you're on the right road

Happy new semester everyone 

Think Different!

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

You know this famous quote "They laugh cause I'm different and I laugh cause they're all the same" :D?
Well it's a fact that we're different...so why think in a traditional way?
Let your thoughts take you wherever and maybe you'll be that distinguished character who'll actually make a difference.

In 2005, I took a course called "Think Different". It was all about creative thinking and how to be creative.
It began with a simple questionnaire that was supposed to tell you whether you are creative or not.
I don't remember it all, but what stuck in my mind was a question that said: "Do you mix and match with your clothes?"

Well, who don't?! It is quite rare that you meet a girl who wears this specific scarf with this specific shoes and this specific bag and this specific...............you get the point. I believe that even boys don't do this!
The point is, most of the people will definitely answer this question with a "Yes".
and the questionnaire said that if you answered at least 1 question with a yes, then you're creative!
So they started by telling us you're all creative (in a practical way).

From the funny tasks that we took this session was to spend 1 week trying to get off your bed each day in a different way. Like jumping, falling, putting ur hands first on the floor, ........

In 2007, I joined a workshop in ACES that was called mindcodecs, which was also about creativity.
from the most practical and usable things I learned there was the PO.
What PO?
It stands for Provocative Operation. This term was created by Edward De Bono (who also created the 6 thinking hats) [search for it if you wanna learn more, it's interesting ;)]

How I first used this process? well we were teamed up and we needed to find a name for our team. So, we decided to use this operation. I opened a novel that I was holding and got to a random page & we started searching for random words in the page and chose "topaz blu sky" to be our name :)

So as a conclusion...
We're ALL creative.
There are loots of techniques that you can learn to increase your creativity.
Start with yourself and try to exercise being creative.

And a small note...when you are thinking about some important issue and you really need some creative ideas and you can't find any, it doesn't mean that you are not creative!

do not pressure your mind and always remember "The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas, and throw the bad ones away."  ~Linus Pauling

Finally..
You see things as they are and ask, Why? I dream things as they never were and say, Why not?"

Feels Better

Al Salam 3alikom w ra7mat Allah w'barakatoh

A thought that came to my mind...الأفـــضــــل قادم لا محالــــة بإذن الله :)

well it really feels better...Be Optimistic Always. It helps you think in a better way & concentrate on achieving more.

As you sow...

So Shall you reap :)

So make sure you are sowing the right seeds!

This applies on MOST of the aspects of our life.

If you are studying...then, As you sow (study & work hard) so shall you reap (knowledge).

If you are working...then, As you sow (Do your work/research) so shall you reap (get output).

just by living...As we sow (worship Allah with all of its meanings of working, praying.....) so shall we reap (By entering paradise insha'Allah)

If you are faced with people who are spreading negative energy. Try not to get affected by them.

you need all the positive feelings to go on.

yesss!! you can do it!

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.

and you can do ANYTHING if you are determined enough.

Remember...

Attitude is contagious...Is yours worth catching??!

yes it's just like this image. You smile at your friend, he smiles back at you...even if he doesn't really feel like smiling!

Watch your attitude. The only difference between a good day and a bad one is your attitude!

If you are faced by a problem...It's okay..actually it is more than okay :D

It a chance for you to do YOUR BEST :)

So now whenever you're faced by a problem, just do your best :)

last but not least...

People rarely succeed UNLESS they have FUN in what they are doing

It's one thought that leads to another...

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become your character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Try to make a difference

Al Salam 3alikom w ra7mat Allah w barakatoh

This is a really Speechless Speech!!

A group of 12 & 13 years old, trying to make a difference.

"If u don't know how to fix it plzz stop breaking it!"

[One person can make a difference & everyone should try]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igyGf_DxHnE#

قهوة على الحائط

قهوة على الحائط

في يوليو 2007 وفي مدينة البندقية الإيطالية وفي ناحية من نواحي أزقتها النائية كنا أربعة موتورين نحتسي قهوتنا - بين العشوين - في أحد المطاعم ( .. (بورتو فينيسيا
جلس إلى جانبنا شخص وقال للنادل/ القرسون إثنان قهوة من فضلك واحد منهما على الحائط. فأحضر النادل له فنجان قهوة وشربه صاحبنا لكنه دفع ثمن فنجانين....! وعندما خرج الرجل قام النادل بتثبيت ورقة على الحائط مكتوب فيها فنجان قهوة واحد

وبعده دخل شخصان وطلبا ثلاث فناجين قهوة واحد منهم على الحائط. فأحضر النادل لهما فنجانين فشرباهما ودفعا ثمن ثلاث فناجين وخرجا....فما كان من النادل إلا ّ أن قام بتثبيت ورقة على الحائط مكتوب فيها فنجان قهوة واحد..!؟

وفي أحد المرات كنا بالمطعم للغداء ..ثلاثة هذه المرة ( الرابع كان صايم..) فدخل شخص يبدو عليه الفقر فقال للنادل فنجان قهوة من على الحائط..
أحضر له النادل فنجان قهوة فشربه وخرج من غير أن يدفع ثمنه..
ذهب النادل الى الحائط وأنزل منه واحدة من الأوراق المعلقة ورماها في سلة المهملات

تأثرنا طبعاً ( كعرب ويونان..) لهذا التصرف الرائع من سكان هذه المدينة والتي تعكس واحدة من أرقى أنواع التعاون الإنساني..

فما أجمل أن نجد من يفكر بأن هناك أناس لا يملكون ثمن الطعام والشراب
ونرى النادل يقوم بدور الوسيط بينهما بسعادة بالغة وبوجه طلق باسم ( مادام فلوسه بتوصلو على داير المليم ..)!!
ونرى المحتاج يدخل المقهى وبدون أن يسأل هل لي بفنجان قهوة بالمجان

فبنظرةٍ منه للحائط يعرف أن بإمكانه أن يطلب...ومن دون أن يعرف من تبرع به ..

لهذا المقهى مكانه خاصه في قلوب سكان هذه المدينة ...

منقووووووول

Steps [0]: Utopia...A Deeper Look

Al Salam 3alikom w ra7mat Allah w barakatoh

Steps [0]: Utopia...A Deeper Look

Steps [1]: A Vision

Utopia...المدينة الفاضلة

The Perfect Place

That place that doesn't exist in real life.

I really wish some day we would come to a point where people are seeking to build this Utopia.

I have this paper now on my notice board

It's as shown "my steps to paradise" paper..

It should contain steps that I'm already taking right now and stuff that may encourage me.

Now it has an intentions paper & a statement which says: "Utopia...a deeper look".

For me "Utopia" always referred to the conference held in Talaee el Kamal School. but in this paper I meant another Utopia.

A bigger Dream that I have...

1st you'll need to know my motive...so check this fatwa about cartoons for kids and search for:

"وهذه بعض الإيجابيات من مشاهدة الطفل لهذه البرامج :"

and start reading from there.

The following was concluded:

بعد تبيّن هذه الإيجابيات والسلبيات ، يبدو الموقفُ الشرعيّ بعدَ ذلك واضحًا إن شاءَ الله تعالى ، فكلما وجدت السلبياتُ أكثر اقتربَ الحكمُ إلى التحريمِ أكثر ، وما أمكنَ فيه تجنبُّ هذه السلبيات اقتربَ إلى الجواز ، وهذا يدلنا على ضرورةِ السعي لإيجاد شركاتِ إنتاجٍ لأفلامِ الكرتونِ الإسلاميةِ ، بحيث تُغرَسُ فيها جميعُ الفضائل ، وتُنفَى عنها جميع المضار والرذائل .

This was how I had this Dream..

I came to this fatwa when i was searching for something which is totally unrelated to it.

I read it & I had my vision of this company...The R&D department not only wiz employees but also with kids to develop the most interesting cartoons & games EVER.

I remembered "Richie Richie" and how the little boy & his friends began in developing the chocolate to have a better taste. Well they are the target market, so their opinions must be highly appreciated & most probably will be VERY valuable!

I can see the kids enjoying watching these cartoons & gaining wonderful experience & developing their skills. I can see their parents feeling safe that their kids are not harmed in anyway by watching these cartoons, in the contrary they're always gaining more information & their behavior is getting better.

Well it's not just that. They're also learning about The Prophet -peace and mercy be upon him- & the noble companions. I see a 10 years old boy/girl knowing as much information as if they've read encyclopedias. I see them enjoying their science class @ school, because they saw the real thing in the cartoon & they can relate to it.

I see them having a vision to their life & a Big goal :)

I see a whole new better generation coming up to raise this Umma!

you may think of it like: "give me a break, all of this gonna happen because of a cartoon company?!"

well have you ever heard about the story of Microsoft, Apple or Pixar animations??

They all started small, ended BIG.

What make them special or better than us??

I guess it's the will. and the wish to change.

"Dare to make a difference".

i've always been praying Allah to Use me :$

and Subhan Allah I've passed by this fatwa wiz no apparent reason.

I had this idea & I took some steps towards it (okay little ones, but @ least i'm thinking about it now).

So here I am again praying Allah "اللهم استخدمني و لا تستبدلني"

and asking for the HIS Help & Mercy

and hoping that one day I'd make something that deserve to be brought with me yawm Al Keyama to tell prophet Mohammed "I did that for Allah, for You & for Islam".

May be "Utopia...a chance to change" is the nawah (seed) for "Utopia...A Deeper look"

May be both together would affect the new generation & would make people happier.

A Chance to Change...

sorry if i've been talking a lot about an idea...that may or may not be true one day

and most probably ain't important to most of the readers now :$ :$

I just wished to share...may be this would motivate someone to make something good and may be it would push me to take more real steps :)

Thanks for reading =)

Al Salam 3alikom w ra7mat Allah w barakatoh