The creation characteristics of zebra stripes

http://www.harunyahya.com/en/Daily-Comments/200679/The-creation-characteristics-of-zebra-stripes

• - Have you ever thought why zebras have black and white stripes?
• - What could be the wonder of the stripes these beings possess?

Every being, animate or inanimate, has a color. Moreover, there are the same colors of the same species  all over the world. No matter where you go, the color of kiwis are green, the seas are blue or tints of blue and the snow is white. The color of elephants is the same everywhere in the world; the colors of trees is also the same. This situation does not change for artificially produced colors. No matter where you go in the world, if you mix yellow with red, and black and white, you get orange and gray respectively. This also never changes. The black and white stripes of zebras are like this. The common specialty of zebras living in different parts of the world is their black and white stripes. These stripes, which have different wonders, provide great benefits for zebras.

Most zebras live in open places where there is not much place to hide. Therefore, they need to  be able to move very quickly in order to survive. All the bodily structures of zebras are created in a way as to provide for these needs.

Zebra, which remind people of horses at first glance, have long hairs called a mane; their physical structure is also created quite similar to horses and they run at least as fast as them. Zebras have very long legs, strong muscles and lungs with broad surfaces which help these beings to run long distances without getting exhausted and being forced to slow down. Even though zebras’ bones are light, they are strong and created specially for running fast. However, one of the most interesting characteristics of zebras is their fur, which is made up of black and white stripes.

• Zebras’ stripes help them camouflage:

One of the most important defense tactics in animals is, no doubt, camouflage. Beings with camouflage ability are under special protection because of their body structure having been created in a compatible way to their living environment. The bodies of these beings are very compatible with their living environment. The striped patterns on zebras have an inherent camouflage ability and help them hide against their enemies in nature. As it is known, zebras live in tall-grass pastures called savannas. It is very difficult to distinguish zebras inside these tall-grass pastures;  the stripes appear as shadows of pastures and prevent the bulk of the animal’s body from beingseen clearly.

Claiming that this amazing camouflage system of zebras has come into existence by coincidences is, of course, an unscientific and irrational claim. If there is an order, it naturally has a regulator. The flawless order on Earth belongs to Almighty Allah, the Merciful. What rational people need to do is to think about Allah’s creation in detail. Almighty Allah reveals this truth in Surat an-Nahl as such:

 “And also the things of varying colours He has created for you in the earth. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who pay heed.” (Surat an-Nahl, 13)

• Zebras’ stripes are an important tool of defense:

Zebras’ colors are one of their most important defense mechanisms.  When they stand together, the predatory animals that typically  hunt them see the complete herd as a whole due to these stripes. In this case, the hunter finds it difficult to choose the individual zebra it will hunt, and this is a protection for zebras. At the same time, when they stroll around as a herd, when their patterns are next to one another, they appear as a block. The predators that want to hunt these beings cannot focus on them.

Another defense mechanism the black and white stripes have for zebras is that these stripes protect zebras from horse flies that suck blood and carry disease.

Scientists have found that horse flies are affected by light polarized on a horizontal line. This effect is an important aspect that protects zebras from horse fly attacks. Horse flies leave their larvae on leaves in water, and since light reflected from water ripples are polarized, it makes the horse fly  go for the leaf instead of water.

In a research experiment, adhesive models of different colors were placed on a field, and it was observed which model the horse flies  showed greater attention for striped models. As it can be seen from this research, the horse fly compares the black and white stripes of the zebra to polarized lights and does not go to the zebra thinking that this polarized pattern is water.

This very important observation and experiment is a very crucial example to the perfect order in the creation of living beings and their creation by a single Creator. It is impossible for the zebra to know that horse flies are affected by moving water patterns that reflect polarized light in order to send away the horse fly. Even if a zebra knows about this quality of the horse fly, it most assuredly does not have the power to create its own skin resembling the polarization in the reflection of water patterns. Furthermore, a zebra is solid colored when it is an embryo, but its skin turns into the familiar  striped form as it comes close to birth. Just before birth, these perfect stripes form in the mother’s womb.

Almighty Allah is the One Who creates zebra skin thick and long enough for the eyes of the horse fly to see the white stripes that resemble the polarization formed by water patterns in order to prevent the horse fly bites that carry contagious diseases. This example shows the infinite Mercy and  Knowledge of our Almighty Lord, Who creates everything with a wisdom:

“Your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then settled Himself firmly on the Throne. He covers the day with the night, each pursuing the other urgently; and the sun and moon and stars are subservient to His command. Both creation and command belong to Him. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.” (Surat Al-A‘raf, 54)

• Zebras’ stripes help them be recognized:

Regular stripes that cover the whole body of zebras from head to toe are different in every zebra. Just like every human being has a different fingerprint, so the stripes on zebras are also different from one another. The stripes of a zebra are much like an identity card. Individuals in a herd and mothers recognize one another and offspring respectively using these different stripes and scents.

The Symmetry and Aesthetic in Zebra Stripes Are One of Allah’s Art of Creation

Zebras are taken into special protection with their body structures, shapes, colors and patterns created in a way that is compatible to their living environments. The bodies of some of these beings are very compatible with their environments. It can never be claimed that this detailed and compatible system has come into existence by coincidence. There certainly is a will and power that places this compatibility inside these beings and their environment in the most perfect way. The owner of this power is Almighty Allah, Who encompasses both the living being and the systems and environment it uses. This truth proves once again the impossibility of a zebras striped fur coming into existence by coincidence because this animal makes no effort on its own to get these stripes. It only does what Almighty Allah inspires to it and, in other words, it resumes its life and tries to continue its lineage. Therefore, it does not know what it needs to do in order to get the color, shape and black and white colors of its hairs.

Almighty Allah manifests on zebras to show the knowledge of creation to His servants one more time, to remind them of the  details in the systems He created that require superior intelligence and inform us of the the beauties He has granted by decorating with shapes. Allah is our Almighty Creator:

“The Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is.” (Surat al-Baqara, 117)

Zebras are camouflaged thanks to their colors compatible with their  environments; similarly, the colors and patterns of other beings  may form an intimidating appearance for enemies. Another point where color helps is in recognizing the mates or offspring of living beings. It is both foolish and illogical to claim  that this detailed system has come into existence in a coincidental way. The Owner of this flawless detail is Allah, He Who is the Lord of all worlds and encompasses both the environment and the living being itself, as well as the system it uses, with superior knowledge.

Allah reveals this truth to us in the Qur’an as such:

Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the sky and by it We bring forth fruits of varying colors? And in the mountains there are streaks of white and red, of varying shades, and rocks of deep jet black. And mankind and beasts and livestock are likewise of varying colors. Only those of His slaves with knowledge have fear of Allah. Allah is Almighty, Ever-Forgiving. (Surah Fatir, 27-28)

Allah created every living being with the qualities most compatible to their environment. Zebras  are one of the examples of Allah’s art of creation. Allah is the One Who does not have any partners in creation, and controls all things under His control.

“That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything.” (Surat Al-An‘am, 102)

2015-03-30 18:02:50 

Being a Time Engineer

Have you ever considered the value of time?

    Have you ever thought about the passing seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years?

    The time we experience moment by moment sometimes appears to slow down. Yet after hours or days pass by, one realizes that time passes very fast.

Everyone is recently complaining about how fast time is passing by, so much so that almost everyone must have heard their friends saying things like, “We were together last week, but it seems like only yesterday!” “I washed my car just last week and how quickly it got dirty again!” So how well do we make use of this valuable time we are given that passes by so fast?

Time Passes Quickly

When we reflect a little, we can see that the time we have left in this world is diminishing rapidly. A person experiences many things between babyhood and maturity; such as school, working life and career; then one’s day-to-day activities add onto that as well. When things like tests in school, a busy work environment and responsibilities awaiting at home piles up, one finds himself totally wrapped up in those. That leads to one forgetting the real purpose of life, the reason for one’s presence in this world, in other words.

Everyone inevitably encounters reports of death while reading the paper or watching television everyday. Many people have a sudden flash of enlightenment at that moment and think about the person who has died and felt touched by this news. If the deceased was a young person, they generally start thinking that such an early death deprived the deceased of things such as a career and marriage. As a matter of fact, death can come to anyone at any moment. It makes no difference if one is a child, young or old; death can come in the form of a heart attack or a traffic accident. Yet although many people do reflect on these things, they become distracted and return to thinking about their daily activities or plans for the future, as if nothing had happened.

But have you ever asked yourself whether all the plans you have made for the future have turned out as you wished?

To be realistic, things in our lives almost never turn out as we have planned. There is always something missing or something happens that we have not been expecting at that moment.

It is of course normal to make plans for the future, but the truth we must be aware of it is that our every moment is under the control of God. Everything is already over and done with in the sight of God, and our lives are shown to us moment by moment. Almighty God imparts a very great secret to us here. That secret involves the comfort of our living in full submission to our destiny, without worrying about the future. That is because God reveals this truth in the Qur’an as follows:

It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. God knows and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara, 216)

The idea that wasting time in trivia is enjoyable is a false idea inculcated by satan. Wasting time, or ‘killing time,’ as they put it, is very common in societies that do not live by religious values. Believers, however, must spend the time given to them by God on increasing their closeness to Him at every moment, on thinking deeply and on serving Muslims and Islam.

Actually time is very important, and more valuable than gold. One must make the best use of time. Instead of watching soaps for four or five hours, a Muslim would work on increasing his general culture and knowledge, help people, cleaning up his surroundings and making himself a quality person who values beauty, art and science.

Time, every moment, was very valuable to our Prophet (saas). He carefully used every minute – and even every second – for the benefit of the community and the Ummah. That is why our Prophet (saas) was troubled by people who wasted time.

It is important to make good use of time. One of people’s problems is that they become caught up in empty talk and waste a huge amount of time on it yet that ruthlessly wastes the valuable time of this valuable life. That is very wrong,

Everything in the Life of This World Comes to an End

People, animals, flowers, fruits and other foods -even though we keep them in the fridge: Everything in this world comes to an end. Endlessness is to be found in Paradise. Nothing comes to an end there. Youth never ends. People always remain young. When you pick a fruit from a tree in Paradise, another one grows back immediately. In this world we have to wait for the right season to eat the fruit we like; there is no time problem in Paradise. You spend all your time with those you love. You can do what you like as you like at any time. You can be as beautiful as you like. There is no disease or fatigue or boredom there. There is constant beauty. The life of this world however is the exact opposite. We always run up against deficiencies in the life of this world. We are never fully satisfied. When we obtain something we really want, such as a new phone, we experience the excitement of that, but then a new model comes out before long and we then want that instead.

Everyone will spend an allotted amount of time in this world, as part of the destiny created by God. Wasted time is therefore subtracted from the limited amount of time imparted in this world, and can never be brought back.

God is the Creator of All Things and All Beauty

God wishes to reward us with Paradise and its infinite delights. Our desire for and love of Paradise increases when we compare Paradise with the life of this world. In the same way that you can conjure up images of things by closing your eyes right where you are, God will constantly bring the most delightful versions of everything into being for all time in Paradise.

While it is possible to enjoy the comfort of destiny, leaving things to their own course, without worrying for the future, wasting time in distress and worries is meaningless. Instead, we must reflect on the many blessings created for us in this world, remember the true reason for our existence and shape our lives accordingly.

Every second, every minute, every hour that passes by draws us closer to death. The limited, short time we have been given in this world will define our actual place in the Hereafter for all eternity. Consequently making the best, truest use of time is the most rational thing to do. In the Qur’an, God informs us that the life of this world is transient;

“He will say, ‘How many years did you tarry on the earth?’

They will say, ‘We tarried there for a day or part of a day. Ask those able to count!’

He will say, ‘You only tarried there for a little while if you did but know!” (Surat al-Mu’minun, 112-114)

Someone who sincerely believes in God must carefully avoid empty occupations that satan portrays as highly attractive in the life of this world. Only in that way can someone reflect deeply as is due for one with a clear mind. The Qur’an reveals that believers turn away from empty occupations:

“And those who turn away from all that is frivolous.” (Surat al-Mu’minun, 3)

Adnan Oktar's piece on News Rescue:

http://newsrescue.com/being-a-time-engineer/%23axzz3VY1JePN1

Remembering Allah in times of trials

HARUN YAHYA

Published — Friday 20 March 2015

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/720461

Every person has moments in life that may be called difficult. Most people, who live away from the moral values of the Qur’an, experience these moments with feelings like discomfort, sadness and boredom. In such environments, they display traits of aggressiveness, tension and a disputatious attitude. The reason for these reactions is that they do not have faith in Allah and the perfection of the destiny He created. The reasons, which prevent these people seeing the goodness behind these events, can be summed up as follows:

Some people think that most of their lives develop as a result of coincidences in a flow. Everything from big incidents like having cancer or losing a close one in a traffic accident, to the food he eats or the clothes he wears are special events preordained in that person’s destiny. Allah creates all these incidents down to the finest detail for that person’s trial.

A person is subject to a continuous trial throughout his life; nothing happens by coincidence. If a person cannot grasp this fact and thinks that events take place independent of Allah, then he is greatly mistaken. This is because all things that happen through the course of life are a test Allah created especially for this person, and this person is held responsible for his reactions and behaviors.

Allah has infinite power and He is very merciful (Al-Halim) to His servants; He does not give His servants a trial that is beyond their power. This is a promise made by Allah: “We do not impose on any self any more than it can stand. With Us there is a Book which speaks the truth. They will not be wronged.” (Qur’an, 23:62)

Every difficult trial, diseases, accidents, financial and spiritual troubles a person may face in the life of this world are trials within the boundaries that he can handle.

A person may think that he has no way out, everything is over or that this is a difficulty he cannot overcome. He may display a rebellious attitude by forgetting that there may be a goodness in that incident. But all of these are actually empty illusions given by satan. A believer should never fall into despair, as Allah commands us, and should deeply think about every situation he faces.

“Or did you imagine that you were going to enter the Garden without Allah knowing those among you who had struggled and knowing the steadfast?” (Qur’an, 4:142)

People make many plans for their future, the next day or an hour from now. These plans are sometimes realized according to plan, but sometimes they are hindered due to unexpected developments. People who are astray from the moral values of religion think that these disruptions happen by coincidence. Whether or not a plan is carried out or not, all incidents a person faces are in that person’s destiny and are events preordained by Allah. “He directs the whole affair from heaven to earth...” (Qur’an, 32:5) “We have created all things in due measure.” (Qur’an, 54:49)

A person may think that he lives what he plans, but actually he only lives the destiny Allah creates for him. Not even a single moment is outside destiny.

A person who could not understand faith would think that all incidents are a result of random developments and coincidences. When something bad happens to him because of that, he would name such things with meaningless words like “luck.”

A person is a being limited to time and place. Everything that happens in a person’s life is created by Allah Who is not bound by time and place and Who has “infinite wisdom.”

“Nothing occurs, either in the earth or in yourselves, without its being in a Book before We make it happen. That is something easy for Allah.”(Qur’an, 57:22)

People who have sincere faith live their lives knowing that everything in their lives is subject to the destiny Allah creates and they are all created for a reason. As a result of this they always reach goodness.

“Say: ‘Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the faithful should put their trust.’”(Qur’an, 9:51)

It is revealed to us in the Qur’an that satan is thankless and rebellious. We understand from the verses that he will approach people from the right, left, front and back and try everything to divert people from the true path. One of the most important methods satan uses to reach this evil goal is the prevent people from seeing the best in everything that happens, and thus make them rebellious and unthankful towards Allah. Satan tries whisper suggestions into people’s hearts by finding their sensitive areas.

Satan influences people in two ways to prevent the good. The first is that he does everything he can to prevent good deeds and tries to guide people to cling to the life of this world. The second, he tries to prevent people from seeing the good and wisdom behind incidents.

However, Allah has granted people countless blessings. He shows His kindness to people with blessings from birth till death. Therefore believers take Allah as a friend and guide, trust and submit to Allah even if they do not understand the wisdom of something they are faced with and endure in knowing that a good result will surely come out of it. As revealed in the verse “...It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know. (Qur’an, 2: 216)

—

The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science.

Bigots’ Futile Attempts to Discredit Art

Painting belongs to Jesús Enrique Helguera | Mexican Classical Painter

Bigots’ Futile Attempts to Discredit Art

By Adnan Oktar
http://www.jeffersoncorner.com/bigots-futile-attempts-to-discredit-art/

Bigots take it on themselves to banish everything and every one that represents beauty and aesthetics. To be able to do that, they didn’t hesitate to forge fake hadiths shamelessly attributed to Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).

Through these false hadiths the fanatics make painting and sculpture unlawful for Muslims. Indeed, according to some fabricated hadiths, painters are regarded as among those who will suffer the worst torment in the hereafter. According to this perverse perspective, these people have attributed divinity to themselves, may God forbid, by imitating His creations. Yet what possible connection could there be between a painter or sculpture producing a work of art and claims of divine status? If a painter or a sculptor does make such a perverse claim, that can only be because of weakness of mind or soul, not because of the art he produces. And that is a possibility that applies to all people and all members of professions.

The people who will receive the severest punishment from God will be the picture makers. (Sahih Bukhari, Book 72, Hadith 834)

Whoever makes a picture will be punished by God till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.

(Sahih Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith 428)

The most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection would be the painters of pictures.

(Sahih Muslim, Book 24, Hadith 5270)

The painter of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, “Make alive what you have created.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Book 93, Hadith 646)

The angels do not enter a house where there are pictures.

(Sahih Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith 318)

All the painters who make pictures would be in the fire of hell. The soul will be breathed in every picture prepared by him and it shall punish him in the hell.

(Sahih Muslim, Book 24, Hadith 5272)

All the beauties in nature are works of art made by our Almighty Lord. We realize how glorious art can be by looking at these works of our Lord’s. In fact, almost every technology present in the world has been developed by imitating God’s creation. The existence of things created is a blessing for technology. For example, people imitate birds and some species of fly created by God when manufacturing airplanes. Since these planes were inspired by living things, they possess perfect flying abilities and maneuverability. This is an advantage because there are already perfectly functioning models in nature. This is a gift bestowed by God as a blessing on all engineers.

Despite all the scientific advances that make our lives easier and more comfortable, today’s world of technology is simply a copy of these works of art in nature. God has created the models in nature and the technological copies of them as blessings for us.

The reason for the way that fanatics target the art of sculpture in particular actually lies in a tradition inherited from the past. In the past, when idol-worship was widespread, some rulers took measures against making statuettes in order to prevent people from worshiping idols. These measures, intended to avert potential dangers in these societies in the past, were literally propagated as a commandment of the faith, even though there is no such prohibition in the Qur’an. That is one of the worst pieces of damage caused by some people who prefer their traditions to the Qur’an.

We do not deprive ourselves of fire or the Sun just because Magians worship fire and other people worship the Sun, or we don’t kill cows just because Hindus have sacred cows so it is a genuinely primitive way of thinking to ban all statues just because there are some pagans who worship idols. What is wrong is to deify objects and other entities, and people who do that are those who commit unlawful deeds, not the objects themselves.

The arts of painting and sculpture that the fanatics prohibit for Muslims are most definitely not unlawful according to the Qur’an, the Book that is the guide for all Muslims. God loves art and causes His servants to love it; He has created the whole universe with art. There are no verses in the Qur’an that make fine arts such as painting and sculpture unlawful. On the contrary, works of art are praised in the Qur’an.

Statues and works of art praised as examples of majesty in the palace of the Prophet Solomon (pbuh) appear as follows in the Qur’an:

They made for him anything he wished: high arches and statues, huge dishes like cisterns, great built-in cooking vats. “Work, family of David, in thankfulness!” But very few of My servants are thankful.

(Surah Saba’, 13)

The fanatics who ban these arts – despite these verses of the Qur’an – need to say what they think about the Prophet Solomon (pbuh), who had extraordinarily lovely statues in his palace.

These peddlers of superstition have wreaked great damage on Islamic societies. The Islamic world never managed to develop after the spread of such superstition about sculpture and painting. Societies that cannot develop art remain frozen, soulless and atrophied; they are closed to novelty. They gradually lose their creativity, ability to think practically and understanding of detail. Coldness and lack of taste are reflected in the places where they live and the way in which they behave toward one another. As a result of their turning their backs on art, monotony, coldness and lack of taste, devoid of grace, predominate in the dark world of the fanatics.

(Painting belongs to Jesús Enrique Helguera | Mexican Classical Painter)

The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science. He may be followed at @Harun_Yahya and www.harunyahya.com

Islam has no place for selfish desires

HARUN YAHYA

Published — Friday 13 March 2015

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/717461

Allah Almighty has created the human soul with a predisposition to selfishness as a test. Unless he lives by the moral values of the Qur’an and tames his earthly desires, this feeling will come to dominate his whole moral framework.

Such a person generally thinks of himself alone, rather than everyone else. He always wants the best, finest and most perfect of everything for himself. He wants to have possessions and children and for his own family merely to be comfortable. In face of difficulties, he will expect the people around him to undergo all kinds of risks and troubles for him and to support him, even at the cost of their own interests. He seeks to protect his own whims and interests and to ensure his own ease and comfort.

When the situation is different he can forgo many things he values, for the sake of protecting his own interests and preventing any harm coming to him.

Allah has revealed this passionate selfish feeling in human earthly desires as follows in the Qur’an: “Truly man was created headstrong – desperate when bad things happen, begrudging when good things come.” (Qur’an, 70:19-21)

They are a major threat to modern societies. The materialist thinking that is widespread in modern societies that do not live by religious moral values, reinforces the selfish and egotistical spirit in human nature and disseminates a “me-first” philosophy. Indeed, the idea of “So long as I’m all right, who cares what happens to anyone else?” or “Looking out for number one” generally dominates such societies.

Thus, oppressed and poor people; their children devoid of education or food; are of no interest to such people. This social structure generally leads to a troubled and unhappy atmosphere.

Only people living by the moral values of the Qur’an can bring about any change in such a contaminated society; only they can change the people of selfish interest — those who protect their own interests and violate everyone else’s; and who have no love or fear of Allah.

Islam cultivates love of Allah and which is the only way to acquire such values of good conscience as compassion and helpfulness, which are at the root of the Qur’anic moral values.

Fear and love of Allah enables people to submit themselves to Him, to see the best in everything and to have compassion. In the verses Allah reveals how the only interest of concern to believers is His approval: “They fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will spread far and wide. They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives: ‘We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any thanks. Truly We fear from our Lord a glowering, calamitous Day.’ So Allah has safeguarded them from the evil of that Day and has made them meet with radiance and pure joy.” (Qur’an, 76:7-11)

Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who goes to bed full when his neighbor is hungry is not one of us.” It is an important warning to all those believers who desire to earn Allah’s approval. Therefore, anyone aiming to earn Allah’s approval will not just settle for a solution to his own problems; he will also assume responsibility for resolving the problems of others around him in need.

This may of course require people to give up things they love or to sacrifice their own comfort. The way that Muslims look to protect and watch over the poor by giving alms, help people in need by canceling their debts and spend their possessions on Allah’s path, rather than accumulating and hoarding them, are moral virtues bestowed by the ethical values of the Qur’an.

Responding to people’s needs and treating them kindly are forms of behavior that prevent atrophocation of the conscience. Empathizing with others, treating the needy with affection and showing respect and love make it possible to eliminate cruelty and selfishness. Verses reveal that the reward for good behavior comes in the Presence of Allah: “Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are not related to you, and to companions and travelers and your slaves. Allah does not love anyone vain or boastful.” (Qur’an, 4:36)

Faith perfects people’s behavior, as it does so many other traits. A believer who constantly heeds his conscience as required by religious moral values will always behave in the best, most considerate, trust-inspiring and tolerant manner.

Someone possessed of these moral attributes has earned merit for his own life in the hereafter. At the same time, he is instrumental in freeing the world from its self-interested and selfish nature, and making it a place of the delights of Islam.

—

The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science.

Those who trust Allah never lose hope

HARUN YAHYA

Published — Friday 27 February 2015

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/710656

One of the important characteristics of a Muslim is that he remains in a positive state of mind, whatever the circumstances. He tries for the best and look for wisdom.

A Muslim is never in despair, not even in most difficult moments. That is because they believe that Allah is the Creator of all things; that He has the power to create whatever He wants by saying it to “Be!”

The faithful knows that any trying times, he finds himself in, are a God-sent test. He takes things in his stride, recalling what Allah Almighty has advised him: “...it may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” (Qur’an, 2:216)

Everything turns positive for a Muslim with such a depth of soul. Whether it be trouble or difficulty, it is Allah Who bestows them on that person. He is believers’ Helper and Guardian. Any thing and everything that Allah Almighty has created is for the best and which contains much wisdom.

Allah teaches the souls of those believers who have a sincere and unsullied belief in Him throughout the life of this world to be worthy of Paradise.

Every stage in this instruction is, by Allah’s will, a means whereby Muslims can take another step toward Paradise. Having faith does not mean making no mistakes. Allah creates human beings to be fallible, flawed and weak.

Muslims make mistakes the same way as everyone else. But the difference between them and those people who base themselves on the criteria of the society of the ignorant is that when Muslims realize the correct course of action by way of their consciences, or even if they do not but are reminded of it by others, they do not deliberately insist on continuing with their errors.

It is immediate repentance and sheltering in Allah and an intention not to repeat one’s error but to learn from one’s mistakes. This is a major indicator of a Muslim’s sincerity. Allah tells us how Muslims should behave in the face of their own mistakes: “Those who, when they act indecently or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their bad actions (and who can forgive bad actions except Allah?) and do not knowingly persist in what they were doing.” (Qur’an, 3:135)

Muslims are valuable entities bearing the Spirit of Allah. According to the Qur’an, it is improper for such people to exaggerate their mistakes and regard themselves as worthless because of them. It is Allah Who creates mistakes and causes people to commit them in destiny.

Even before a person is born it is already ordained in destiny at what time, on what date and where they will commit that error. Even if a person were to experience that moment a thousand times over they would still make the same mistake at the same time, on the same date and in the same place.

It is therefore wrong for people to lack self-confidence because of errors they have committed. Muslims never, under any circumstances, pay any heed to the approval of other people. They never become preoccupied with such doubts as “I wonder what people will say? What will they think of me? Will they love me any less? Will their trust in me be damaged?” Muslims seek to earn Allah’s approval alone.

In the event of an error or imperfection, they beg Allah to forgive them and hope that He will forgive their sins. They know that He is infinitely forgiving. What matters is whether or not He approves of that person. The Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) prayer, “[It is] He Who I sincerely hope will forgive my mistakes on the Day of Reckoning...” (Qur’an, 42:82), is an excellent model on this subject.

Since Muslims have faith and trust in and rely on Allah, they always regard themselves as virtuous and valuable. They always have respect for themselves.

They always remember Allah’s verse “Do not give up and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers” (Qur’an, 3:139), which represents the way they look at themselves. Muslims want to be loved and trusted by other Muslims.

But they also know it is Allah Who will create that love and bestow that feeling of trust in other believers’ hearts. Muslims’ errors are instrumental in strengthening the love felt for those people. That is because the important thing is not the mistake, but the behavior in the face of it of the person committing it. Since Muslims fear Allah, they have uneasy consciences when they make an error. They immediately think as they are shown in the Qur’an and thus see the truth.

They then feel regret for their mistakes and strive to make up for their mistake and to improve their moral values by seeking shelter in Allah. The more errors people commit, the more they are able to realize how weak they are.

They attain a deeper understanding of how much they need Allah. This mindset increases a person’s submission to Allah and humility. And Allah creates feelings of sympathy and affection for that person in the hearts of other believers.

The responsibility incumbent upon believers is to ensure that the moral values of the Qur’an rule their lives as much as possible and to seek the greatest amount of Allah’s approval in all they do at every moment of their lives.

It is impossible, according to the moral values of the Qur’an, for anyone harboring such an intent and who lives for Allah in a determined and fixed manner, not to be loved or trusted. Faith requires that Muslims know this and that other Muslims will love them because of that faith.

It also requires that they have trust that only Allah can create that love in others’ hearts. As Allah tells us in another verse from the Qur’an: “As for those who believe and do right actions, the All-Merciful will bestow His love on them.” (Qur’an, 19:96)

• The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science.

Calling others to divine truth a must for believers

HARUN YAHYA

Published — Friday 6 March 2015

What’s there in Islam that the believers feel so enthusiastic to tell others about? What indeed makes a Muslim remain egged on when it comes to Islam?

Allah Almighty commanded there be a group among believers who call people to the good and the right: “Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success.” (Qur’an, 3:104)

In light of this verse, sincere Muslims feel it as an obligation on their part to tell others about Islam, its beauty and the morality therein, as also the futility of living in a manner not in sync with this spiritual morality.

Having fully grasped the import of ethics in one’s life, they want others too to experience the same. They know what awaits in the hell for those who live a rebellious life; and hence these believers want people to live a life that pleases Allah Almighty and which saves them from Hell’s torment.

It is therefore obligatory to know the truth. Because, the Judgment in the Hereafter is going to be based on our deeds in this temporal life. And that will decide our eternal life in the Heaven or the Hell as a return for those deeds.

Such believers therefore do their best in their efforts to convince every single person to embrace Allah’s grace and thus saving them from the fire of Hell. They spend their whole time in helping people come to the straight path.

Such people receive great physical and spiritual strength from the believers, who continue preaching with the same zeal even if they fail to convince a single person of the right path. Their responsibility nevertheless is to only communicate the message. It is Allah the One Who will bestow guidance on whomever He wishes. When many in Makkah did not believe, despite Prophet’s (peace be upon him) profound efforts, Allah said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): “You cannot guide those you would like to, but Allah guides those He wills. He has best knowledge of the guided.” (Qur’an, 28:56)

 

Source of believers’ strength

“The believers are only those who have had faith in Allah and His Messenger and then have had no doubt and have struggled with their wealth and themselves in the way of Allah. They are the ones who are true to their word.” (Qur’an, 49:15)

This attribute of believers explains their enthusiasm in their hearts very explicitly. Likewise, believers strive for the values they believe in doubtlessly, regardless of what happens, only with the strength given by the enthusiasm of their faith. Another reason that keeps their believers’ vigor alive is that they live in between fear and hope as revealed in the verse, “... And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.” (Qur’an, 7:56) 

Living in between fear and hope means “Believers could never be completely sure whether Allah is pleased with them or not, and whether they showed morals that could be rewarded with His Garden. Therefore, they are aware Allah’s torment on the Day of Judgment and constantly strive to make their morals better. They have great hope that they could reach the grace and Garden of Allah Who is infinitely merciful. Since they experience these two feelings, hope and fear, at the same time, they never find their efforts sufficient and never consider themselves exempted from mistakes and deficiencies. As it is revealed in the verse, “... And those who...fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil of (their) account.” (Qur’an, 13:21), they are aware of Allah’s torment every moment. In return for this continuous enthusiasm, Allah promises believers this good tiding: “Give good news to the believers that they will receive immense favor from Allah.” (Qur’an, 33:47)

 

Prophets’ spirited role in spreading Islam 

Every Prophet has faced difficulties while carrying the divine mission. They braved intimidation and danger to their life while leading their respective communities to the right path. 

In the Qur’an, the Prophet Noah’s (peace be upon him) sincere efforts are pointed out as such: “He said, ‘My Lord, I have called my people night and day but my calling has only made them more evasive. Indeed, every time I called them to Your forgiveness, they put their fingers in their ears, wrapped themselves up in their clothes and were overweeningly arrogant. Then I called them openly. Then I addressed them publicly and addressed them privately. I said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Truly He is Endlessly Forgiving’.” (Qur’an, 71:5-10)

Thanks to the Prophet Noah’s zeal to preach the moral values of religion and carry out Allah’s command, he was not affected by their actions and continued his mission with a solid determination. 

However, it is important not to forget that the Prophet Noah and those who preach Allah’s religion with great spirit will be rewarded for every word they speak and effort they show on this path. 

Allah Almighty says: “(Triumphant) are those who turn repentant (to Allah), those who serve (Him), those who praise (Him), those who fast, those who bow down, those who fall prostrate (in worship), those who enjoin the right and who forbid the wrong and those who keep the limits (ordained) of Allah — And give glad tidings to believers!” (Qur’an, 9:112)

 

• The writer has authored more than 300 books translated in 73 languages on politics, religion and science.

http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/714226

Students need to be shown through fossil exhibitions that evolution theory is wrong and life forms never change

From Mr. Adnan Oktar’s interview on A9 TV on 20 February 2015

Adnan Oktar: See, we are working against Darwinism. A great many people are watching. What does Darwinism mean? Blatant denial of God. What does materialism mean? Blatant denial of God. Materialism is the child of Darwinism. It is born out of it. The essential thing is Darwinism.

- God commands us to “Struggle with them until there is no more mischief and the religion belongs to God alone,” in one verse. You have identified the source, the root of the corruption in the world, Darwinism, and you have been striving against it for years.

Adnan Oktar: We go and visit teachers of theology and say. ‘Darwinism is a grave threat.’ ‘Where did you get that idea from? The Qur’an speaks of Darwinism,’ they say. See, they are in a state of surrender. They seek a system that denies God in the Qur’an. Please! My brother, that is impossible. Darwinism denies God. It says that humans were created by chance out of a bit if mud. It says, ‘Something resembling a worm came into being by chance.’  ‘A microbe emerged first. Then a worm. Your forebear was a microbe, a worm.’ That is the belief in question. How can that be espoused in the Qur’an? God is not going to say, ‘I do not exist.’ May He forbid! God is not going to say, ‘All the prophets lied.’ Darwin says that. And a great many teachers of theology say that Darwin spoke the truth. 

- You have been striving single-handed against Darwinism since you were 23, by printing brochures, masha’Allah.

- When you set out, the level of people who believed in Darwinism in Turkey was very high. But now around 95% of people believe in Creation. Everyone believes in God. Masha’Allah.

Adnan Oktar: Darwinism has been defeated in Turkey through hard work, praise be to God. I worked really hard.

- And Turkey became a more prosperous place after that, insha’Allah!

Adnan Oktar: Of course, prosperity and wealth followed in its wake. If Darwinism were still around in Turkey, God would have destroyed it, may He forbid. God has lifted that scourge from us.

- They have been unable to answer you.

Adnan Oktar: Of course, what answer can there be? We show people more than 600 million fossils. Six hundred million! The number is still growing. But it is forbidden to show fossils in public schools. You should put them on show at the main gate, so students can see them and make up their own minds. They should see creation and that no changes have ever happened.

- Darwinist teachers at Oxford and Cambridge in England are complaining about students reading your books.

Adnan Oktar: They are wringing their hands. They are saying, ‘Students used to be all Darwinists, but they have abandoned it. They now believe in Creation. That is all due to Adnan Oktar.”

- I saw a young person reading one of your books on the London Underground 10 years ago.

Adnan Oktar: Masha’Allah.

Other Formats

 MP4
 DOC