Assalam-o-alaikum!

Here’s a short note to inform you that I’m going away, with my books, to exam land . The return is scheduled to be by the 30th of June - a long time, I know! I probably will not be able to blog from exam land because that place is not wired to the rest of the world. Sounds pretty dull, I know but you’ve to stay there for a while, to deserve a true vacation to summer land!

Remember me in your prayers!

Assalam-o-alaikum!

I’ve been very busy lately, with various activities and commitments. My university switched over to semester system in March and we have our first semester finals in June, preparation for which is in full swing, Alhamdolillah. One very important thing that I’m becoming increasingly aware of - and amazed by - as I delve deeper into my medical books, is the immensely intricate and absolutely beautiful system that is at work in our bodies.

These days, I’m going through a chapter in Pathology (Pathology = literally, the study of diseases) that explains the processes underlying the development of Neoplasias or tumors/cancers. The book describes how cells normally are regulated within very strict cycles of life, with constant quality contol to ensure mutations (leading to unlimited cell multipilication - cancer) do not arise or go unnoticed. SubhanAllah, there are so many different genes and gene-products working round the clock to ensure cells stay in line! And there are so many different points where things could go wrong were it not for the constant ‘policing’ by regulatory genes and enzymes. Imagine this for instance - as the cells prepare to divide, they make copies of their DNA for the daughter cells to receive. This DNA, during the copy-process, naturally incurs some breaks, some missing parts, etc. and if it were left like that, we’d be unable to exist as we do today. The accumulation of such potentially lethal or even carcinogenic (cancer-causing) changes/mutations would make life impossible - or make grossly distorted and dysfunctional bodies an inevitable occurence. Instead, repair and analytical enzymes put the DNA through strict testing measures. If repair is possible, it is done but if it is not possible, these regulatory mechanisms activate certain “suicide” genes which activate cell-shut down mechanisms, to prevent the mutated DNA from proceeding into further daughter cells! SubhanAllah!

Could we have ever imagined all this could be going on inside our bodies? Even as you read this, your cells are constantly at work like a super factory, where each departments and each process is playing its role to sustain your life, without your having to tell them to do so! Amazing isn’t it? And I’ve only introduced you to the tip of the iceberg! The specific genes, enzymes, receptors, nuclear transciption factors, growth factors and checkpoint molecules, as we discover them with each passing day, are impossible to describe here. Researchers are wow-ed over and completely taken in by what they discover. Only a scientist will tell you with conviction that all this, just one part of the great complexity that we call ‘nature’, is not something to take lightly. We’re dealing with intelligence at levels we cannot even comprehend!

“Soon, We will show them Our signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth! Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is Witness over all things?

Verily! They are in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? Verily! It is He who is surrounding all things!”

Quran: Surah Fussilat (Chapter 41): Verse 53-54

Everytime I read something about such intricate processes in nature, it only makes me realize that all of these beautiful systems did not arise by ‘accident’. They were designed and guided into this evolving system by the One Creator - the One Who Created man the first time, the One Who gives life to all living things… the One Who created you and I! And all of this did not happen without a purpose.The core of all this is that we recognize the Beauty and Superiority (in all power and attributes) of Allah (swt)! And that we be grateful to Him with all sincereity, obey His commands and follow the lifestyle He designed for us, that meets our every need perfectly. Would not the Creator be aware of the best ‘Instruction manual‘?

All thanks and praise be to Allah, who made me so perfect and protects me from harm, even within my own self!

“…It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah…”

Quran: Surah Faatir (Chapter 25): Verse 38

This is an extemely funny, 100% Halal comic stip! You’ve got to read it. I stumbled on a link to it on MuslimMatters.org. Here’s the link:
http://www.islamicnetwork.com/index.php/comics/category/C63/

Have fun, InshAllah! :) Here’s a sample…

This is an article I came across at at website called “Muslim Matters”. It’s an amazing article that everyone should read! It’s a narrative of a true incident experienced by one of the writers at “Muslim Matters”. The purpose of sharing this, as you will find out when you read it, is not to entertain you with some “other wordly” tale similar to horror movies. This is fact, not fiction and it fits in perfectly, as the author describes, with what we find in the Quran and Sunnah! May Allah (swt) enable us to derive lessons from what this lady has shared with us! Ameen!

___________________________________________________________________

A Conversation with a Jinn by Umm Reem

During my visit to Pakistan last month, I had the opportunity to read over a ‘possessed’ girl. I will not discuss the details, but my conversation with the jinn, a creation of Allah that we have heard of but never seen, is definitely worth sharing. The conversation was a mixture of Urdu and Punjabi and I tried to be as precise as I can with the translation. This is not the complete conversation but bits and pieces.

I started of with the adhaan and some recitation from Qur’an until it, or she to be precise, agreed to talk to me. She was a female Jinnee named Seeta who had possessed a Muslim girl for almost 6-7 years. It wasn’t a voluntary possession rather a case of black magic. As advised, I tried to invite her to Islam first. Apparently it was the first time anyone had ever invited her to Islam so she was a little shocked:

Seeta: How can I become a Muslim?

Me: Why not, anyone can become a Muslim.

Seeta: But I am evil and I have done many evil actions.

Me: It’s okay you will be forgiven if you truly repent. My Rabb is the Most forgiving!

Seeta: But I’ve been a Hindu for centuries, I cannot change now.

Me: Sure you can if you truly believe that Islam is the true religion. Why don’t you go around and see. You can travel very fast. Go around and you will find Muslim Jinns of your kind. Talk to them and ask them, they will teach you about this religion.

Seeta: Yes, I know. Their caravans pass by us and we make fun of them.

(The complete article can be found here.)

CloudsRain

Here’s a presentation I recently put together to show in a weekly Quran class that I attend. I hope you learn as much from it as I did, while making it!