Importance of Appearance part 1

1.1 Distinct Muslim PersonalityIslam advocates this etiquette and stresses it so as to perfect the Muslimpersonality and to bring about harmony among people. There is no doubt that embodying such mannersand virtues enhances personal style and qualities, refines personality andbrings us closer to the hearts and minds of others. The forthcoming manners and etiquette are central to Islam, its purposes and its aims. Calling it ‘etiquette’ by no means implies that it is marginal to life and social behaviour. It does not mean Muslims have the option of ignoring this code of behaviour, or that it is merely preferable to adhere to it.In pointing out that manners rank higher than deeds, Imam Al-Qar�fi in his book Al-Furw’q said, ‘Learn that a little etiquette is better than a lot of good actions.’ Rw’aim, the righteous scholar, told his son, ‘Oh my son, make your deeds salt, and your manners flour.’ Many good manners with few good deeds are better than many gooddeeds with few good manners. Even if some of these rules appear to be simple common courtesy, it is important to highlight their significance. Many Muslims commit errors which blemish the Islamic personality, whose purpose is meant to be unique in its beauty, perfection and traits. Our master, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) directed the blessed companions by saying: ‘You are on your way to meet your brothers, put on a nice dress and fix your riding so you appear distinct among people asa fleck [on a beautiful face]. Allah does not like roughness nor rough manners.’When the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘No one will enter Paradiseif they have at heart a grain of arrogance.’ A man asked: ‘A man may like his dress to be nice and his shoes nice.’ The Prophet answered ‘Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance is to deny rights and look down at people.’Shaikh Ibn Taimia said that the beauty that Allah likes include nice clothes. Hence it could be said that Allah likes all nice things. Therefore, a Muslim ought to be recognized by neat dress, cleanliness and graceful appearance.1.2 CLEANLINESS AND WASHINGThe Sunna is to keep perfume and to use it regularly on oneself. Al-Bukhari narrated that Salman Al-Farsi said: the Prophet, peace be upon him, said ‘Allah will forgive the sins of the past week for he who on Friday will take a bath, cleanse himself, put on his [regular] perfume or any perfume available in house. Then, he goes out [to Jumu’ah prayer] and does not try to separate two friends. Then he prays wherever he could and listens to the Imam.’ If the body became odorous a day or two before Friday, one should not wait till Friday to cleanse the body. We should wash our bodies as soon as it require washing to keep ourselves clean and fresh.To take a bath on Friday is specifically required since a large number of people will be gathering at mosques. However, if our body became dirty or we sweat on a particular day, then, we should take abath at the end of day or the next morning. This is indicated by a Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Abu Huraira said, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘It is the duty of every Muslim to have a bath once every week to wash his head and body.’ Another Hadith

Islamic Manners

Islamic Manners have been practically demontsrated to us by Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and have been recorded through numeroushadeethon the subject. It is sad though that many Muslims do not pay attenttion to the Islamic Manners they should be adopting and instead restrict their view of religion merely to Ibadat (external acts of worship). Below we share some articles that talk about the rightmanner to be adopted by a Muslim incertain situations taken from the book written by Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (RA). MayAllahalmighty give us all the ability to practise upon the Sunnah and teachings of Rasulallah (صلى الله عليهوسلم).

Ch 19.2: Islam, the Perfect and True Religion

Christian woman (after some silence): Our Lord is the model for spiritual life. What concern he has with physical life?Isabella: Quite right, Jesus Christ canbe a model in spiritual life and not in physical life. So for physical life another guide should be found. In this aspect your Lord is wanting. But the being who can be a model both for spiritual and physical life is only one. Man is neither only physical that he needs just a worldly guide. Just as man is a combination of spirit and body, he needs a guide who can rightly guide him in both thespheres of life and whose life can be a model in the whole life of man. There is no doubt that Prophet Moses’ life was of Dignity, while the life of Jesus Christ was of Grace, but the life of the Last Prophet, Muhammad, was of Perfection. Just as his life was a model for the prayerful, pious and for sufi, so also for a man of the world, a merchant and even for a king, The Prophet Muhammad grazed goats in early life, then retired to the seclusion of the cave of Hira for meditation.He traded in Syria, then married Khadijah and, taking to household life, preached from the top of mount Faran and in the lanes of Mecca, went to preach in Taif and among thetribes of Hejaz and suffered at the hands of enemies and opponents, served the starving people, looked after orphans and widows of the community, migrated from Mecca to Medina, made pacts with Jews of Medina, built mosques, settled disputes between parties, led prayers, delivered speeches at different places, trained armies in thebattles of Badr and Uhud and led them as a commander, exhibited the highest military skill, and then prayed at night and for so long a time that his feet swelled and cracked. So, in fact, all the ways and means and models of life’s requirements are found in the sacred,perfect life of our Holy Prophet Muhammad. Just as for one who grazes goats as well as for a great trader his life is a model, so also for apreacher and for a traveller and an emigrant his sacred life is worth following, so also for a retired devotee he is a good guide and his teaching a model for worldly men of homely life.And his teaching provides perfect regulations, for international life as also for the need of the dweller of forests. Just as his plan of work is a guide in the battlefield, so also he is agood model for people in the days of peace and security. In short, in household life, preaching, trading, leadership, sermonising and leadingprayers, retired life, tending cattle, formulating laws, ruling as king, andin happiness and mourning, marriage and divorce, life and death, teaching and training children and whatever tasks come in man’s civilised life there is nothing for which there is not a model in the perfect life of the Prophet. Thus perfection of life and all embarrassing needs of life are found neither in the life of Prophet Moses, nor in Prophet Jesus. So in justice and honesty we are bound to say thatthe Last Prophet Muhammad embodies in him all spiritual and physical codes of human life and of glory as well as grace. Any man of the world who is in search of a correct plan of actions for this world or the next for him in all honesty there is no other course but to take cover under the vast and merciful shade of the Last of the Prophets, Muhammad, and his sacred and complete life, his code of conduct.The entire assembly was struck dumb after this speech of Isabella and even the Christian woman with all her claim of performing miracles was entranced. When Isabella found the Christian woman sunk in humility and remorse, she apologised to all guests and said good-bye to them.It is reported by Abu Hafs that the effect of this speech was that many ofthe Christian women present at the meeting accepted Islam and after some years even that Christian woman also accepted Islam at the truthful hands of Isabella. But it did not happen all at once ; it took a few years for the amenable souls to comeunder the shade of Divine Grace and Mercy.So long as Isabella lived she continued to render magnificent services to Islam. On the one hand she silenced Christians and on the other hand poured an ocean of learning in traditions and interpretation of the Holy Quran, and thousands of Muslim divines were benefited by her learning. She lived up to the age of eighty. All Spain mourned her death and millions offered her funeral prayer.THE END

Ch 19.1; Islam, the Perfect and True Religion

Isabella did not say anything after this and all those present were struckdumb. The Christian women put theirheads down in humility, while Muslims seemed to be pleased in their minds. The Christian woman herself sat silent and found no word to say. When Isabella noticed her helplessness she spoke again.Isabella: Well, you must be tired now.Let us put off the discussion till tomorrow. Now, say at what time willyou be able to come?Christian woman: I will not rise without finally deciding about truth and falsehood right now. But probably you are tired.Isabella: From me you are at ease to continue the talk day and night and do not go till truth and falsehood are sorted out. What I said was for your convenience.Christian woman: In fact, I am resolved to carry the discussion till the last point. Now, just say what was the need of Islam when Christianity prevailed.Isabella: If Islam had not come, truth would not have been brought here to the world. It was Islam which revivedthe teachings of Apostles and taught people purity and cleanness. I tell you briefly a few reasons for the coming of Islam :(1) Islam by its advent perfected religion, for teaching of previous revealed Books were suited for their own time and had no universal appeal. The Quran filled the gap.(2) True teachings of Prophets were corrupted by their followers which the Quran purified. For instance, Christians, by deifying Jesus Christ, had built up the rotten structure of assigning partners to Allah which was pulled down first. Islam broughtthe light of the sun of God’s unity andpresented the true form of God’s Glory and Mercy to the world.(3) Ahl-i-Kitab (People of the Book) had attributed many shameful acts to Prophets, calling some of them liars, cheats and adulterers and thus making all Prophets sinners. Islam strongly refuted these charges and restored the real nobility and dignity of Prophets.(4) Ahl-i-Kitab (People of the Book), by interpreting their sacred Books, had manipulated them and so people’s trust on all revealed Books was lost. The Quran exposed their mischief and fraud and presented all the real teachings of previous Books anew, and now we have no need of any other book as the Quran includesteachings of all the Books revealed toProphets.(5) Since previous Prophets and their revealed Books were for particular periods and particular people, so they did not contain laws which wereneeded by men till the last day. The gap was filled by the Quran and, aftercompleting the code of religion, proclaimed that needs of all humanity are served in it by which men will be benefited till the Day of Judgment.Do you now realise why Islam came to the world?Christian woman: All these are mere claims without arguments, you neither mentioned any miracle of your Prophet nor proved his Prophet-hood. The question of his teachings comes after these problems are resolved.Isabella: You asked me to say what was the need of the advent of Islam and I briefly narrated some of the needs. Now it is for you to meet these arguments. I have already given you the proof of miracles and have put upto you such a living miracle which can be seen by all the world today, that is, the Quran and its challenge. Ifthe Quran is not the” Word of Allah, then bring just one verse to compare with it. But it is just this which the world could not accomplish. As to the Prophet being a Messenger of Allah its proof is in this very miracle. When not even one verse can be produced to compare with it, then it is established that it is the Word of Allah and the person who brought it can only be True Apostle of Allah. Another proof is that the Prophet, after his getting Prophethood, gave such a reform to the world and in his own lifetime made entire Arabia to bow before Allah. Can an example of this type be found in any false prophet? Just name even one fraudulent man who would have performed this great reforming task.Christian woman: Whatever you say, your Prophet is not fit to be obeyed. How can a person who had shed blood all his life and married so many women be ever a reformer? Look at the purity of our Lord, that he never married all his life.Isabella: Well, your lord was God and did not need married life, for it is man who needs marriage. As our Prophet was a human being like others, he contracted marriages. But just name any other Prophet who, in spite of being a human being, had not married.Christian woman: The perfect man is one who is distinguished from others.Isabella: But you believe your Lord to be God, Son of God.Christian woman: But along with thisour Lord was also a perfect man.Isabella: Did he eat and drink ?Christian woman: Why not? His eating and drinking was not in his capacity of God but in the capacity of man.Isabella: Then, how was your Lord distinguished? What is the definition of perfect man?Christian woman: The perfect man is one in whose obeying there is no difficulty.Isabella: Quite right. Now, you yourself have clarified the point. Howcan a Christian who has wife and children follow his Lord in his home life? Similarly, how can Christians who are fighting against Muslims and idolaters follow their Lord in military matters?Christian woman: Our Lord neither fought any battle nor married. So the question does not arise.Isabella: You have defined perfect man as one in following whom no difficulty arises. But here a great difficulty has arisen, for a man with awife and children has no model for him in your Lord because he remained unmarried all his life. In the same way for the man staking hislife in a battle, for him Christ cannot be a model.

The Modern World of Artificial Intelligence

Technology plays a pivotal role in bringing transitional changes in the lifestyle of humans all over the world. Since ages, men, women, and the technology are deeply associated with each other. The growth in technology also brings our future much closer to uswith ever faster speed that we think of it today. The technology is expanding at an exponential rate and hence, No one can predict or guarantee how long yourlatest gadget or product that you buy from the market few second before will remain in the top technology list.The extensive growth in the technology has not leftany stone unturned to mesmerize the human experience. Every stage and state of the industry in which we work today has been reshaped fundamentally through technology, which emerged drastically in the second half of the 20th century. With the advent of the internet, the technology has broken all the boundaries and perception of the people all over the world.This revolution is also believed to be powerful toolthat is capable enough so that in the upcoming days Computers and the technology will soon become more intelligent than us. The technological development opens new possibilities whereby the daily life of people became more comfortable, healthy, understandable, safe, fun and independent. The latest technologies also provide us, the assistance in terms of energy-friendly and sustainable solutions that helps in improving the environment in which we are living.The rampant intensification in Technology has moved much ahead from merely making our lives more convenient. In addition, to this, it has the potential to change every aspect of what we think as humans. Due to this, we have become transhuman.What Is Transhumanism?Transhumanism is said to be an intellectual movement that aims to comprehend what makes one human, and how we can go beyond our natural limitations. In short it is a phase that transform human in which we behavior and condition through developing its physical, and psychological capacities with the growth of available sophisticated technologies.The growing usage of technology has also changed the mankind in regards to the ability to perform in any situation. The rapid use of latest technology also makes a man and woman smarter. Furthermore, the faster rate of technologytransfer in this digital world also explores how quickly our younger generation is adopting this technology in this age than those who were born few years earlier. The advancement of new technologies provides us a better way of communication and excellent usage of entertainment for making our life more enjoyable.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Purushottam_Shrivastava/2247062

Seven Legal Tips To Start A Business

1. Ensure your business name is available:You need to invest money as well as effort into starting a new business. Before doing so, you should ensure that the title is available for registration. It should not happen that you do everything and suddenly find that someone else has already taken the title. This will prove advantageous to you while you register for your trademark.You can check the availability of a title in many ways. You can conduct a search if any firm has applied for a trademark registration in the same name. You can also conduct an extensive search to verify the existence of the same name elsewhere in the country. Your business lawyer can do the search for you.2. Choose the appropriate legal structure:There are various structures for a business entity. There can be sole proprietorship concerns, partnership firms, limited liability companies (LLC), or even corporations. You should choose theappropriate structure for your business enterprise. The sole proprietorship and the partnership firms are the easiest to form. They do not require any formal registration as such. However, these concerns cannot offer any protection to the owner against any liability. Hence, you can opt to form a LLC. You get protection against any liability in such kinds of concerns. This is easier to form than a corporation is. You can consult your legal advisoror business law firm.3. It is better to register your business name:You should register your business name with the state authorities. This gives it an identity and people get to know whom they are dealing with. In case you wish to form an LLC, it requires an automatic registration. However, in case you form a sole proprietorship or a partnership, you can ask your business lawyer to assist you in registering the name with the authorities.This procedure ensures you legality to operate your business in your name. It can also ensure that no one else takes up this name in the future.4. Do not forget to obtain a Federal ID Tax number:Every individual in the United States has a Social Security number. Similarly, a tax ID number is necessary for every business entity. They also call it the Employer Identification Number. You can apply for a Tax ID number online with the IRS. Your legal advisor can assist you in this regard. This number is mandatory in case you wish to recruit any employees. This will ensure that you need not use your social security number for business transactions.5. Opening a business bank account is mandatory:You have completed your registration. You have also obtained your Tax ID number. You can now proceed with the opening of a business bank account in the name of the firm. You will be able tomake and receive payments through this account. You need not use your personal account for official purposes. This can also be useful for tax calculations later on.6. Obtain the requisite local permits:You may have to obtain certain local permits depending upon the business you do. Your business law firm or your business lawyer will be able to guide you better in this regard. You may require local business licenses such as a sales tax license, health department permit and so on. You can also contact the local authorities or visit the necessary websites to learn more about obtaining the requisite permits and licenses.7. Familiarize yourself with employer laws and responsibilities:You will have to employ many persons in your firm. You should be fully aware of the employer laws as well as responsibilities. There are many legal obligations to observe while hiring employees. You may require knowing about pay roll administration, tax rules, waging per hour requirements and so on. You can consult your legal advisor about the same. Your business law firm will be able to explain to you the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. You should be aware of your obligations before you go on with the job of recruiting people.It is beneficial for you to know about the rules and regulations before embarking on your own business. Remember, you are your own boss. Hence, it becomes all the more important to know the legalities ofstarting your own business.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ganesh_Hari_Behera/2251673

3 Reasons Why Business Credit Is For You

Whether you're an enterprising entrepreneur or a resourceful investor, funding for your business or investmentneeds can be elusive.There is no shortage of methods that can be used for business funding:*.personal savings*.retirement savings*.personal credit cards*.lines of credit on personal assets*.private money or partners*.business/personal loansHowever, these methods may be limited in amount and/or require demanding qualifications. Even worse, some methods require use of YOUR money.Personal capital should be the last resort of any entrepreneur or investor.Here's a smarter option:business creditw/ a personal guarantee. This is the route of least resistance.3 Reasons Why You Should Choose Business Credit w/ a Personal Guarantee:1. Minimum Qualifications*.Qualifying w/ a personal guarantee is straight-forward. There are only 2 requirements: good personal credit and healthy projected income. Lenders want to know how well an applicant has managed their personal funds, and if the applicant is able to project substantial earnings from their business's products or services.2. Quick Transfer of Funds*.Business credit refers to the securing of credit cards under your business entity. Typically, funding w/ a personal guarantee is swift and seamless. There are no long waits or strenuous application processes. Do you recall how quickly lending decisions came back after you appliedfor personal credit cards? Business credit decisions work the same. Some decisions are instant while others takea little over a week.3. NO attachment to your personal credit file*.As a business owner/investor it's best practice to keep your personal credit clean. A clean credit profile characterizes you as an attractive business partner and ideal lending candidate. The benefits of great credit are endless; fortunately, business credit allows you to maintain great personal credit while still granting you access to the capital you need. Although, you are personally guaranteeing funds, business credit does not appear on your personal credit file unless you default. Making the minimum payments required is non-negotiable.Requirements for business credit w/ a personal guarantee are minimal; however, simply applying does not guarantee maximum funding. I suggestconsulting an expert or a professional service. They should be able to assist you with qualifying for and securing maximum funding.Always evaluate the potential expenses that accompany your selected funding option prior to making decisions.Raising capital doesn't need to be stressful or time-consuming.Don't allow burdensome lending to slow you down.What method will you use to secure business funding?I chose business credit. MAXIMUM funding with minimal requirements.Qualified applicants receive an averageof $40,000+ in funding.Learn more and receive your free consultation -->https://mwcc.wufoo.com/forms/green-vibes-consulting-llc-prequalification-form/Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ryan_L_Catchings/2247365

The 7 Forces Of Business Mastery

Starting with the end in mind, I want you to envision consistently creating raving fans and a raving culture for your business. Everything you are doing is to accomplish this goal.1. Know where you really are. Create a business map to get from where you areto where you want to be.2. Constant, Strategic Innovation. All business fundamentally comes down to2 core things. Marketing and Innovation. These are the only 2 things that make money in any business.3. Constant and Never Ending Improvement of World-Class Marketing and Product Promises. Your products and services must be the best.4. Constant and Never Ending Improvement of Sales Mastery Systems. Do you use a system to succeed?5. Constant Anticipation for the power of financial and legal analysis. Most people don't pay attention to this until it is too late. Every successful business needs advisers for legal and financial issues.6. Constant Optimization and Maximization. Draw out the experience your customer goes through and see where you can add more value to this process. Most people are blind to advertising because we are bombarded by it. People will remember the experience they have and how they felt after interacting with you.7. Constantly Create Raving Fans and Culture. People are going to keep buying and will stick around. Remember your best customer is your current customer.Now ask yourself some quality questions. Listed below are the exact questions Steve Jobs asked histeam when he revolutionized Apple.1. What business are you in? Their first answer was they were in the computer business.2. The next question was, what business are you REALLY in? We are actually in the business of connecting people with their greatest passion.3. What business do we NEED to be in? We are in the computer business, but we NEED to be in the music business. This is when the iPod and iTunes were created. These same questions then led them in the iPhone business.Now ask these questions of yourself. Why did you get into your business originally? Why are you in itnow? Every business needs 3 types of people to be successful.1. People Who Are Entrepreneur Minded2. Managers and Leaders.3. Artists To Implement Your ConceptsIf you personally don't have all these qualities, team up with those who do. Implement these 7 forces, ask yourself critical questions, and watch your business flourish into what you dreamed it would be.Dee Carlson is a stay at home mom (retired) and loves spending time with her family camping, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, skiing and travelling. She is focused on showing others that Network Marketing works! Dee enjoys sharing tipsand tricks she has learned along the way. Avoid information overload and follow a proven system.Grab her free step-by-step guide to get prospects to join your team and get your business to the next level.http://pagecreatorpro.com/mastermymarketArticle Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dee_Carlson/904135

Palm oil hits over 2-week low on data showing surprise output gain

Malaysian palm oil futures dropped for a fourth straight session on Tuesday to hit their lowest level in more than two weeks, after data from a palm millers' body showed an unexpected rise in production.The palm oil contract for May delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 0.6 percent to 2,551 ringgit at the close of trade, after hitting 2,542 ringgit, its lowest since Feb. 5, earlier in the session.Traded volume stood at 48,314 lots of 25 tonnes each."Palm continued (its fall) on technical selling on yesterday's weak closing," said a Kuala Lumpur-based trader with a brokerage firm, blaming the surprise gain in output for the fall.The Southern Palm Oil Millers' Association released data on Tuesday that showed output up 2.6 percent between Feb.1 and Feb. 20 compared with the same period in January.Output of the vegetable oil is likely to drop in February due to seasonal trends and the dry weather effects of the El Nino, an industry analyst said earlier.Industry experts have also forecast growth in global palm oil production to slow this year, but recent rainfall could mute the impact of the El Ninoweather pattern which brings crop-damaging dry weather across Southeast Asia.Palm stockpiles have been falling since they reached a record high of nearly 3 million tonnes inNovember, lending support to benchmark palm oilprices.A stronger ringgit also weighed on sentiment. The Malaysian currency strengthened against the dollar on Tuesday, hitting a high of 4.1680 in early trade, before snapping some of the gains later.A stronger ringgit makes palm oil more expensive for holders of foreign currencies.Palm oil is expected to slide to 2,506 ringgit per tonne, as suggested by a rising channel and a Fibonacci projection analysis, according to Reuters market analyst for commodities and energy technicals Wang Tao.In competing vegetable oil markets, the May soybean oil contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange lost 0.6 percent, while the Chicago soyoil contract fell 0.8 percent.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder

Agriculture sector USAID, PBIT sign MoU

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to promote Punjab as a desirable destination for investment in agriculture."The MoU signed highlights USAID's commitment to developing the agriculture sector in Punjab.Through this partnership, USAID and PBIT will work together in promoting investment and creating jobs in the livestock, dairy and horticulture sectors," USAID Provincial Director forPunjab Dr Miles Toder remarked."The combination of USAID and PBIT resources will help stimulate the business enabling environment in the province, which will help overcome investment and trade challenges."Through this memorandum, the USAID-funded Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) and PBIT will promote investment opportunities for joint ventures, advocate for public-private partnerships emerging from the Government of Punjab's agricultural initiatives, and highlight trade and investment areas for international and domestic investors.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder

Vegetable crops: farmers asked to take steps

The Met Office on Monday asked the farmers to take steps to guard the vegetable crops against diseases.It said that the vegetable growers should ensure field sanitation with using prophylactic fungicidalsprays to protect the crops from diseases attacks.It warned the farmers of growing weeds could scale down their crop yields at the end. It urged that the wheat growers should speed up measuresto remove the unwanted plants from the fields either with sprays or manually.It advised that the growers of agriculture plans should stop irrigating wheat at the present shooting stage since there was a rainy spell expected to drench the crop.Farmers of the country's lower half region especially in the central parts should take ensure optimum room temperature of the poultry rearing houses against the fast changing humidity levels, it said.Trees continue to fall away leave that could hurt the standing Rabi crop growth including wheat, it said, asking the farmers to begin collecting the foliage immediately after landing the field to help improve yields.In Punjab, weather is expected to remain mostly dry with light to moderate rain in Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Lahore and D G Khan divisions on February 28 and 29. Sindh is likely to undergo dry weather.Weather in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to remain mainly cold and cloudy with light to moderate rainfall and light snowfall over the hills in Hazara and DI Khan division from February 27 to 29.Widely cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of Balochistan with light to moderate rain and light snowfall over the hills in Zhob, Sibbi andKalat on February 28 and 29.In Gilgit-Baltistan, cold and cloudy weather is expected to prevail with light to moderate rain andlight snowfall over the hills main in Gilgit, Skardu and Hunza on February 28 and 29.Widespread rain-thunderstorm and snowfall overthe hills is expected in most parts of Kashmir including Muzzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Kotli on February 28 and 29.News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder

Wheat worries

It would appear strange but bounties of nature could sometimes have their own complications and side issues. The surplus wheat the country has in its stores this season reflects such an unusual situation.As the new harvesting season nears in both Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan has already five million tonnes in its stocks.Of the total wheat stocks, Punjab is holding 3.5 million tonnes and Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) about 1.6 million tonnes while Sindh is believed to possess stocks of around 0.5 million tonnes.According to market reports, the country is again set to harvest a wheat crop of 25 million tonnes this season due to favourable weather conditions and a higher procurement price to lure growers to produce more.In January, the federal government had set a wheat export target of 1.2 million tonnes by offering transport rebate.Punjab was allowed to export 0.8 million tonnes of this commodity with a transport rebate of dollar55 per tonne while Sindh was asked to export 0.4 million tonnes with a rebate of dollar 45 per tonne.However, only 247 tonnes of wheat was exported during July-December 2015-16, fetching just$66,000. Exports had already dropped to 10,441 tonnes (dollar 3 million) in 2014-15 from 20,037 tonnes (dollar 7 million) a year earlier.Wheat surpluses in the country and the failure of the government to dispose them of in a fruitful manner is a proof of the authorities' callousness and indifference to analyse the situation carefully and in time for the larger economic interest of the country.It is more than obvious that wheat could either be consumed locally or exported to fetch foreign exchange.So far as domestic consumption is concerned, since wheat is a basic necessity of life for most of the households in the country, its demand is almost inelastic since a reduction in price can hardly lead to higher consumption.As for exports, the government seems to have misread the situation entirely. While wheat prices in the world market remain under a great deal of pressure, India has taken over the Afghanistan market from Pakistan, causing a glut of wheat in the market.The government did not consider global trends while fixing the procurement price of Rs 1350 per 40 kg for wheat. Clearly, these rates are not feasible when the international wheat prices are inthe range of Rs 2200 to Rs 2300 per 100 kg.Against this background, there is no way in sight to dispose of last year's stocks or current year's crop which will find its way into the market after the middle of March in Sindh followed by Punjab crop after 15th April, 2016.It needs to be noted that if the procurement price ofwheat had not been fixed at such a high level, farmers could have utilised their lands for growing some other crops like pulses which were more rewarding.Besides, it needs to be mentioned that usually big landlords are the real beneficiaries of high procurement prices.Obviously, neither the small landowners nor ordinary consumers in the cities are going to benefit from the existing policy of the government.Apparently, the government is also faced with an issue which could only be resolved through highersubsidies, entailing a great deal of burden on the budget.We don't know about the policy approach of the government to this festering problem but the authorities need to think fast and in a more prudent fashion to overcome the odds and sods of a difficult situation.The issue is important because wheat is the leading food grain of the country, occupying the largest area under a single crop.Not only does wheat add value to agriculture, it also makes a significant contribution to country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).News SourceNews Collated byPAKISSAN.comCourtesy Business Recorder

Ch 18.5: A White Lie

Isabella: So you should come forward with the criterion of the truth of your Lord so that on the same criterion the Prophethood of Muhammad may be proved.Christian woman: The greatest proof of the Prophethood of our Lord is thathe revived the dead, gave sight to the blind, cured the leper and saved people from the grip of Satan.Isabella: What is the proof that your Lord did all this? Where are those dead whom Jesus Christ revived? Where do those blind and lepers live whom your Lord gave sight and cured? As against this I present to you a miracle of our beloved Prophet which is as alive today as it was in his lifetime and will live for ever. Thisis the miracle of the Holy Quran which challenged the whole world, that, if it is the invention of the Prophet’s mind, to bring forth any such work: just ten verses, a few verses, only one verse like it, but so far no Christian, no Jew, no idol-worshipper, nor anyone else has taken up the challenge. This is the living miracle which will keep helpless the whole world till the Day of Judgment. As against this the miracles of other Prophets were transitory, timely and made to die out, of which there is no proof except hearsay.Christian woman: You have started irrelevant talk. Can such a book be a miracle which orders four marriages? Look here! our Lord had said that he was the path of truth andlife and without him no one could reach God, the Father.Isabella : The Quran never ordered four marriages. It has just given permission for it under certain conditions. But if multiple marriages are any crime what would you say about Prophet David and Solomon who, according to Old Testament, had hundreds of wives? As to your Lord saying that he was the path of truth and life, how can this be a refutation of the Quran? Every Prophet came to the world with the path of truth and life. Your Lord said that he was the path of truth and life, but the Quran says about our Prophet that not only he was on the right path but he also showed the path of truth to others : “Innaka la-tahdi ila siratin mustaqim” [Surely thou guidest to the right path (xliii. 52)}. The Quran says our Prophet was not only himself life but he came to give life to the world : “Ya ayyuhalladhina amanustajibu lillah wa lir Rasuli idha da’akum lima yuhyikum” [O ye who believe, when Allah and His Apostle call you then you should respond to the call so that he may give you life (viii. 24)].The proof of it is that the Holy Prophet converted the barbarians, cruel, oppressive, ignorant, thieves, murderers, adulterers and idolators into moral, Allah-worshippers and pious men and hundreds of thousands of Companions flocked to his standard. That is, he gave life to the Arabs in his very lifetime. As against this, your Lord made just twelve Disciples in his whole life and even to them he did not give full life, as Christ himself called some of themdishonest, some accursed and some thieves.Christian woman: You talk a lot, but so far you have not proved what miracle your Prophet performed.Isabella: My advice to you is that you give up logical talk but try to convince me by your miracle, as yourmiracles are widely known and people come to take your blessing from long distances. You are not apt in logical talk.Christian woman: You are not competent enough that miracles maybe performed before you.