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Life's Amazing Adventure Found In Great Kid's Books By : Mark Arens Grown ups love to read and children are no different. Reading great kids books can bring about a sense of meaning or understanding to what is going on in the world. Preschool childrens books can be a wonderful way for children to learn, understand, to share feelings or concerns and even emotions. Building Strong Character with Christian Kid's Stories By : Mark Arens Words are so powerful, so look for Christian kids stories that are filled with positive, encouraging words that will help to build self worth and empower children to make positive choices. If you choose the right christian kid's stories they can be helpful in alleviating fears that your child has or help prepare them for changes that are coming, such as learning to use the potty, going to school or moving to a new home. Transforming Power of Soaking Music By : Mark Arens As much as we're emerged in messages about what's missing in our lives, we need to diligently immerse ourselves in messages telling us what's not missing – what's true. Soaking Music is the answer. If you're not familiar with the term, soaking music is designed to bring the listener into God's presence and encourage them with words (inspired from Scripture) that remind us of God's love, faithfulness, constant presence and care. These affirming words are all set over tranquil relaxation music. The concept is that you "soak" in words which reflect God's love, blessing and healing. Kid's Board Books that Really Make a Difference By : Mark Arens When family members take time to read great books together, bonding and relationships nurture and grow. Set aside a certain time of day when great stories from great books are read aloud. Choose a series of books that grows with the child. Determine how your family would like to spend this reading time. One idea is to read at the dinner table after everyone is finished with dinner. This can create treasured memories for your entire family! Qadr Or Taqdir - Creation Of Good And Evil By : Ibrahim Machiwala Taqdir, meaning the absolute decree of good and evil by God, an idea with which the word is now indissolubly connected by the popular mind as well as thinking writers, is neither known to the Koran, nor even to Arabic lexicology. Platinum Jubilee By : Ibrahim Machiwala Platinum is a soft, ductile and silver-white metallic element. The Spanish scientist Antonio de Ulloa discovered it in gold-bearing deposits in Columbia in 1735. The English chemist William Wollaston first obtained pure platinum in 1803; and was also the first to devise a way to produce platinum in a workable form suitable for commercial purposes. South Africa, Russia and Canada produce almost all of the world's output of platinum. Nandi By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word nandi is corrupt form of nadi, whose original form is na'd in Arabic, meaning to call. The word nida means auction. The word na'd is used 29 times in the Koran. Another view suggests that the nandi is a Hindi word meaning blessing. God's Love Revealed Through Hope By : Mark Arens God's love for you personally has arrived and is here. Receive it, embrace it, bask in it. Nafs By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word nafs (pl. anfus, nufus) is derived from the verb nafusa meaning to be precious or valuable. As is said naffasa (to cheer up, reassure or relieve) and tanaffasa (to breathe, inhale or pause for a rest). The Taj al-Arus (4:260) lists 15 meanings of nafs and adds two other from Lisan al-Arab (8:119). The word nafs is used in no less than 10 connotations in the Koran. Munajat By : Ibrahim Machiwala The Arabic word munajat is derived from najiy, meaning confidential talk The Koran says: "And We called to him from the right side of the Mount (Sinai) and let him come near in order to have a personal talk (najiy) with Him" (19:52) Munafiqun By : Ibrahim Machiwala Hypocrite is the word generally used to translate the Koranic term munafiqun, the active participle of the third form of the root n-f-q. Its verbal noun, nifaq is usually translated as hypocrisy. Mujizah By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word mujizah is derived from ijaz meaning inability, referring to the miracle. The Koran exhorts miracles in a threefold sense: the sacred history, in connection with the Prophet, and in relation to revelation. The Name Muhammad By : Ibrahim Machiwala The name Muhammad (may peace be upon him) is the passive participle of the second form of the verb hamada (to praise or laud), and means "(he who is) worthy of praise" or "(one who is) often praised." Muhammad is the passive participle of the first form of the same verbal root, "(he who is) praised, to whom praised is due." Muhammad, Holy Prophet PBUH (571-632 A.D.) By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Ismael, the son of Abraham had a son, Kaidar whose progeny spread over the Arabian province of Hijaz. Adnan, to whom the Prophet traced his descent, was also a scion of Ismael in about the fortieth generations. Varas Karim Kassim By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period (1878-1958) Karim Kassim was the younger brother of Varas Bandali Kassim (1875-1956). He was born in 1878 in Karachi, where he acquired his formal education from Sind Madresa-tul-Islam School upto fourth class. He held a strong command in English, Gujrati and Sindhi languages. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan was his classmate. Mizan By : Ibrahim Machiwala The "balance" of the hereafter, therefore, differs not at all from the "balance" of this life; except that there it takes a more palpable form. The general principle is laid down in the following verses: Handfasting Part One By : James Holan This is part one of a two part article about Handfasting, its history, and its use today in modern America and other parts of the world. How a Tarot Reading Works By : Jackson Swift You might have heard about tarot cards being used for game play? Yes, it’s not uncommon. But their more popular use is for divination or a tarot reading. Why you need a church website design By : jbearnolimits1 Ideas and purpose for a church website design. Ideas for church preaching through online churches website's. Firqa - Communities By : Ibrahim Machiwala Among the indicative of divisions or distinctions, the words used in the Koran are hizb (pl. ahzab), ta'ifa, shi'a and the derivatives of f-q-r. All can be understood with the general meaning of party, group or faction. Hadith, the Second Source of Islamic Law By : ghostevyta The primary source of Islamic law is Divine Revelation. It has been given to humankind by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in 2 kinds. Bringing Back Churches To Their Former Beauty and Elegance By : joalesto Churches are some of our most historic buildings, dating back hundreds of years and surviving natural and man-made disasters. Church refurbishment is an endeavor not merely to reconnect with the past but also an effort to recover the lost glory of these structures. Hanuman chalisa By : james anne Hanuman chalisa consits of 40 stanzas and reading it 100 times a day will make you free from the cycle of birth and death. Afraid of Death and God By : Gen Wright There is no need to fear death when you are one with God. For God is merciful, and will judge each one of us according to the light that has been given to us. Kafir By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word kafir (pl. kuffar) is derived from kfr means cover, hide or conceal. In religious context it means to cover benefits received. The verb kafara denotes the characteristics attitude of those who, having received God's gifts of benevolence, try to conceal and ignore them, who are ungrateful to the Gracious God, who even take the offensive against Him. By extension, kufr came to mean to ignore or fail to acknowledge (30:13, 35:14, 46:6, 3:115), to reject, to spurn, to be thankless or ungrateful (2:152, 16:55,83, 122-4, 17:27, 26:18-19, 29:66, 30:24, 43:15). Derivatives of the root kfr occurs some 482 times in the Koran. Derivatives of the root kfr occurs some 482 times in the Koran. Is the Bible Relevant For Today? By : Gen Wright How important is Bible study to the average person? What does the Bible mean to most Christians? Most Christians have a Bible and even many non-Christians have a Bible in their home. Unlocking the Mystery Behind Salvia Divinorum By : Gen Wright What is Salvia Divinorum? Is it safe? The following article answers these and other common questions. Stop Using This As A Crutch By : Jeffrey Solochek I Over the years a lot of things, bad habits, have remained unchanged in my life and I finally figured out exactly why. Wazir Ibrahim Suleman Haji By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (1889- 1959) Ibrahim Suleman’s ancestors came from Kutchh, and a certain Rahim among his forefathers took his abode in Jerruk, Sind. Rahim had two sons, Haji and Merali. The son of the latter was Alidino, known as Aloo, who was present during the ascension ceremony of Imam Sultan Mohammed Shah at Bombay in 1885. The former Haji had a son, called Ghulam Hussain, also known as Ghulu or Wazir Ghulu. Since he was the breeder of the hawks, the people also called him Ghulu Ba’azwala in Jerruk. He was well-versed in Persian, therefore, Imam Hasan Ali Shah took him to Bombay in 1844 as an interpreter. He also used to translate the Persian farmans of the Imams in Indian languages. He served three Imams in India, and notably as a religious tutor of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah. Imam Hasan Ali Shah also vested him the title of Wazir. He also attended the ascension ceremony of Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah in 1885, and died in 1895 at Bombay. In his letter dated 23rd May, 1953 addressed to Wazir Dr. I.S. Haji, the grandson of Wazir Ghulam Hussain Haji, Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah said, “Your grand-father was one of our greatest servants and he played a great part in the early years of my Imamate. It can also be said of your father that he was a great and most devoted servant.” Count Hassan Kassim Lakha By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (1892-1982) The renowned Lakha family traces their descent back to their forebear, named Surji. His son was Jairaj, and whose son was Manji. The son of Manji was Lalji, who had four sons, Punja, Virji, Lakha and Kalyan. They dwelt in the village, called Berberaja, about 12 miles from Jamnagar, Kutchh. Lakho, or better known as Lakha was an origin of Jamnagar, Kutchh. He was an ordinary businessman. He unfortunately lost his house during the famine in Kutchh. Reduced to extreme poverty, he wandered from village to village in search of means of subsistence. His son Kassim, who was born in 1854, also passed a destitute life. Nothing is known of his early life except that he worked in a grocery shop on daily wages. The constant famines in Kutchh had almost swept away the economical resources of the people, who began to move elsewhere to sustain their lives. Kassim, the son of Lakha migrated with few Ismailis towards East Africa. Dressed in rags, he landed in Zanzibar in 1871. He called his mother and wife, Ratan Pradhan whom he had married in 1870, just before he left India. Kursha was their first child and she was born in 1880. The family grew with the birth of Fatima, Alibhai, Hassan, Sikina, Rehmatullah and Jena. Later on, he came in Lamu in 1877 to try his fortune. He was the first among his family members to venture into the business field. Kassim Lakha was also a devoted social worker and helped the Ismailis who came from India. He died in 1926 at Kampala, Uganda. He left behind four sons, Rehmatullah, Hassan, Mohammad and Alibhai. We Need To Learn How To Be Thankful For All That We Have By : Jeffrey Solochek I I am now 42 years old and often times in my life I have thought to myself "I should have a lot more in my life at 42". The Use of Anointing Oils in the Christian Church By : Clara Huset The practice of anointing oil in the Christian Church is a mystery to many. Why are they use and what is the benefit? Atheists in Washington State Provide a True Meaning of Christmas Story By : Rev Michael Bresciani The anti-religious placard placed in the State Capital in Washington State along side a Christmas tree and a manger scene have inadvertently served to point out the true meaning of Christmas. How is that so? Jahiliyya By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word jahiliyya means ignorance, which is taken to refer to the pre-Islamic period. It was the age of tribalism and is reckoned to cover the period of about a century before the advent of Islam. In pre-Islamic literature, and to a considerable degree in the Koran, the word from the root j-h-l means not ignorance but something like barbarism. The term jahiliyya occurs four times in the Koran (33:33, 48:26, 5:50 and 3:154). Is Self-Esteem Contrary To Christianity By : Johnny Kicklighter The philosophy of self-esteem is probably the most influential doctrine to arrive on the scene in Christendom's recent history. It has had as much affect, if not even more, on evangelical Christianity than the modern tongues movement that surfaced in the late 1960's. Has self-esteem psychology replaced what the church used to teach about man's sinfullness? God and Love By : Francis Hirak When it comes to God and love, God’s Love toward us is that of a father toward His children. How much love does our God truly show His children. Book Review: Jay Adams's Competent To Counsel By : Johnny Kicklighter A book review of Jay Adams' book, "Competent to Counsel." This was a watershed publication that changed the face of Christian counseling and challenges modern day psychology. How To Select The Right Christmas Gifts By : joalesto Choosing the perfect Christmas gifts should be easy and fun. Here are some great ideas that will make this holiday season truly a wonderful experience. Children and God By : Francis Hirak What is the key priority when it comes to children and God, and why are they so important and precious to Him? What is the very best road to raising Godly children? Ismailis In Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent By : Ibrahim Machiwala "In 270/884, Ibn Hawshab had sent al-Haytham from Yamen to Sind for Ismaili propaganda. He originated there the Ismaili mission that remained continued considerably under the charge of different da'is. Another da'i called Jaylam bin Shayban was recommended by Imam al-Muizz to the headquarters of Yamen. He captured Multan after overthrowing the ruling dynasty, and finally founded a Fatimid vassal state in Upper Indus Valley in 349/960. The Fatimid foothold in Multan therefore seems to have existed between 340/951 and 358/968. Jaylam bin Shayban started the new coinage in the State of Multan, known as Qahirya minted in Egypt in the name of the Fatimids. He died probably in 376/986. Twelve Approaches to Reincarnation and Karma By : jgraf An article from Insight21 that explores twelve different approaches to understanding the dynamics of reincarnation and karma. Based on research into anthroposophy and other sources, and written by Josef Graf, coordinator of both the Insight21 and Earth Vision projects Ismailis in East Africa By : Ibrahim Machiwala "The drought and water shortage had remained the buzzwords in Kutchh and Kathiawar and weather condition had taken a heavy toll onto the economy of the entire region. The people therefore moved elsewhere in search of subsistence. The Ismaili migrants left their Indian homeland and arrived in East Africa. The early reported arrivals took place in 1815 in Tanganyika. In fact, the Indian Ismailis came to Africa with entrepreneurial skills in their blood, mercantile nature in their brains and immense calibre to labour in their muscles, but with empty pockets. The first Jamatkhana was built in Zanzibar in 1838. The new Jamatkhana at Nairobi was opened on January 29, 1920, Ask For Help If You Need It - Guardian Angels Are Here to Help By : Gen Wright Think about the last time you had a problem and you prayed to God for help. Perhaps it was difficulty with your career, your family, your health, and other areas. The Process of Healing With Guardian Angel Energy By : Gen Wright In our busy schedules and everyday lives, we sometimes neglect our health and spiritual well being. This is sometimes inevitable. A Quick Introduction to Angel Chi Art By : Gen Wright An angel exists in the spiritual realm. Not everybody sees them but psychics and highly sensitive or religious people often claim that they exist. ADHD - A Deceptive Diagnosis By : Johnny Kicklighter A look at ADHD from a spiritual perspective. Understanding The Christian Way of Life By : Francis Hirak Understanding not only the Christian way but the entire life course of a faithful Christian that is actually governed by faith enabling them to overcome obstacles that would hinder their service to the true God that will increase their joy on earth and ensure true riches in heaven. Book Review: The Self-Confrontation Manual By : Johnny Kicklighter A book review of John Broger's book Self-Confrontation: A Manual for In-Depth Discipleship. Deceptive Diagnosis By : Johnny Kicklighter A book review of Deceptive Diagnois: When Sin is Called Sickness. The authors share their views on how the church and society have replaced man's sinful behavior with psychological terms. Ismailia Socio-Economic Conference By : Ibrahim Machiwala "The First World Ismailia Socio-Economic Conference was held on Tuesday, December 15, 1964 on the ground of the Aga Khan Gymkhana, Karachi. Pakistan was fortunate to be the venue of this most important Conference. It was a sunny, bright and pleasant morning, when the Present Imam arrived at 10.30 a.m. and walked through the red carpet leading to the well decorated stage amidst the thundering applause of almost 6000 Ismailis, both delegates and observers from 13 countries. The inaugural session started with the recitations of the Koran and Ginan. Ismailia Associations By : Ibrahim Machiwala "In 1944, Imam Sultan Muhammad changed the name of Recreation Club Institute into the Ismailia Association for India. Ali Muhammad Macklai was appointed its President with Alijah Rajab Ali Muhammad Dandawala as Vice-President and Itmadi Rehmatuallah Virjee as Hon. Secretary. Thus, the Ismailia Recreation Club was the progenitor of the Ismailia Association. In view of his long selfless services, the Imam granted the titles of Huzur Wazir (minister in attendance) and Commander in Chief to Ali Muhammad Macklai. Ismaili Volunteers Corps By : Ibrahim Machiwala The English word volunteer means one who voluntarily offers or enrolls himself for military service, in contrast to those who are under obligation to do so, or who form part of a regular army. The original French word corps d'armee became short during 17th century, which was borrowed in English language in the form of corps means a unit, body, or group of army. The volunteer is a member of an organized military force, formed by voluntary enrolment and distinct from the regular army. In later use, the civilians forming a corps or body also called the volunteers to assist the regulation or law and order. Ismaili Mission Conference By : Ibrahim Machiwala To promote religious education, to train the missionaries and teachers and to establish an independent Ismailia Association in Africa, Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah had called the first Ismailia Mission Conference on Friday, the 20th of July, 1945 at Dar-es-Salaam. About a hundred delegates and observers were invited, and the Imam inaugurated the conference in the auditorium of the Aga Khan's Boys High School, Kisutu Street, Dar-es-Salaam. Ismaili Journalism By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Journalism in the modern usage is one of the younger professions. The first prototype of the modern newspaper was the series of public announcements, known during the Roman empire as Acta Diurna published daily from 59 B.C., and later in Venice as the Gazette. Similar official reports were made in China, where the earliest newspaper, the Tehing-Pao appeared in Peking in the middle of 8th century. The invention of printing from movable type by Johann Gutenberg in Minz about 1450 revolutionized the spreading of news. Mercurius gallobelgicus (1594) was perhaps the earliest magazine issued from Cologne. Religious Stew - PC Poison in the Pot By : Rev Michael Bresciani With apostasy (falling away) running rampant in the church and PC’s impassioned call for diversity and tolerance in religion what are the implications for America? Let’s see. Ismaili Flag - Red Color - Its Special Features By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Red (ahmar) is the colour of fire and blood. It is linked with vital force. It is gushing colour, hot and male, unlike green. Adam signifies red in Hebrew. Red (ahmar) is used only once in the Koran (35:27-8) in the plural form humr. The red sulphur (kibrit ahmar) of Islamic esotericism denotes Universal Man. Abdullah Numair narrates on the authority of al-Bari; who said, "I have never seen anyone more attractive and elegant in a red cloak than the Prophet" (Tabaqat, 2:534). Jabir b. Abdullah also narrates, "The Prophet put on his red sheet on the Eids and Fridays" (Ibid). Abu Juhaifah Wahab bin Abdullah relates: "I saw the Prophet in Mecca at Batha. He was in a tent made of red leather. Bilal came out with water, which the Prophet had made his ablutions. Then he came out wearing a red mantle." Ismaili Flag - Pre-Islamic Period By : Ibrahim Machiwala Warfare in pre-Islamic Arabia was waged regularly for a certain part of each year as an ordinary part of the routine of tribal life, the ostensible motive being the desire for plunder or revenge. In the Meccan oligarchy the clan of Abdul Dar of Qoraish enjoyed the privilege of holding the tribal standard. Before the advent of Islam, the Qoraish waged a war on another tribe; they received from the hands of Qassi (d. 480) the liwa, a piece of white cloth, which Qassi himself had attached to a lance. In those days, the banner of war, offensive or defensive was hoisted in the dar al-nadwah (council chamber); this was the chief prerogative of Qassi. The dar al-nadwah was a kind of town hall on the north of Kaba in Mecca. The champions who offered themselves for single combat wore distinctive signs on their armour, but nothing more specific is known of these signs or emblems. The Arab poets enjoyed to compare the flowers of the garden with the flags of different tribes, and also composed couplets to dignify the banners. Ismaili Flag - Post-Alamut Period By : Ibrahim Machiwala The post-Alamut is the longest period in the Ismaili history, and so is most obscure and dark due to the dearth of the historical informations. It almost covers 580 years for 18 Imams, who lived in different villages and towns in Iran. They had no their own rule and as a result, no need was apparently felt for their banner. Hitherto, we have surveyed that the banner or flag had been used mostly in the battlefields on different occasions and periods. Now, the period ahead was of peace, therefore, the outstanding services of the heroes were symbolized in different manners. The Ismaili flag reflects same massage to the followers through the agency of green and red colours. Mukhi Dr. Ramzan Ismail Datoo By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (d. 1939) Mukhi Ramzan Ismail (d. 1910) was a prominent leader. Imam Aga Ali Shah appointed him the Mukhi with Kamadia Hashim for the Kharadhar Jamatkhana, Karachi in 1882. Mukhi Ramzan was also an elected member of Karachi Municipality in 1854. He served the ailing persons in the community with his means and materials during the outbreak of plague in 1897. Mukhi Ramzan Ismail had eight sons, and the best known among them were Mukhi Rehmatullah, Mukhi Teja, Sabzali, Mukhi Nazar Ali or Mukhi Nanda, Ghulam Hussain or Gulu and Dr. Datoo. Ismaili Flag & New Ismaili Constitution Of 1986 By : Ibrahim Machiwala "The Present Imam ordained the new Ismaili Constitution on Saturday, December 13, 1986 at Merimont in Geneva. Leaders of the jamat who were mandated to work on the new Ismaili Constitution had come from various parts of the world. It was indeed a historic occasion where the family members of the Imam, members of the Constitution Review Committee and the staff of the Secretariat from Aiglemont were present. At 11.00 a.m., the Imam ordained, signed and sealed "The Constitution of the Shi'a Imami Ismaili Muslims" It is clearly seen in the photo of Hazar Imam when he was ordaining the New Ismaili Constitution that there was a small Ismaili flag on Imam's table, having an image of the Coat-of-Arms, i.e., the monogram of a crown (taj) on it. Ismaili Flag - Green Color - Its Special Features By : Ibrahim Machiwala "The Ismaili flag contains rich green colour with a red strip descending from left upper corner to the bottom of right side, making a cross mark in the flag. The nature of the characteristics, which the Ismaili flag, acquired green and red colours (lawn) from the historical context will be explored briefly in the following lines. Green (akhdar) is synonymous with nature. For the Arabs, as for many other people, green is the symbol of good luck, of natural fertility, of vegetation, of youth. For Islam, the green standard of the Prophet and the green cloak of Ali bin Abu Talib have become the very emblems of the religion. As a beneficent colour, green belongs so naturally to the popular spirit of the Arabs that their colloquial language is full of expression where this colour symbolizes joy, gaiety or success. Green is mentioned six times in the Koran as an adjective (khudr, akhdar), vide 12:43, 46:18, 31, 36:80, 55:76 and 76:21, and once as a participle (22:63). Giving the description of green, the Koran also says, "Reclining on green cushions and beautiful carpets" (55:76) and "Do you not see that God sends down water from the cloud so the earth becomes green?" (22:63). In Syria, a green land is used in describing a lucky person. To wish somebody a good year, one uses the expression green year, and when one takes up residence in a new dwelling, green leaves of beet are hung there as a token of good luck. In Morocco, the expression my stirrups are green means, "I bring the rain when I travel into an area where it is awaited." The Prophet himself declared, "The sight of green is agreeable to the eyes as the sight of a beautiful woman" (al-Jahiz, Tarbi, p.137). Wazir Chunara Ali Muhammad Jan Muhammad By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (1881-1966) Dhamu Chunara also known as Dharamsi Panjuani was an eminent trader in Bhuj, Kutchh. He visited Iran with his wife Mulibai to behold Imam Shah Khalilullah in Yazd in the beginning of 1817. The Imam granted him a sealed letter of patent in Khojki script and also bestowed upon him the title of Dharas. He had two sons, Sumar and Virji. The son of Virji was Rahimtullah, whose son was Ghulam Hussain. The son of Sumar was Premji, whose son was Jan Muhammad, the father of Ali Muhammad. Ali Muhammad, the son of Jan Muhammad, known as A.J. Chunara was born in Bhuj in 1881, where he acquired his formal education. He sprang from family well known for their piety, and himself had great enthusiasm, courage and zeal to serve the community. In 1892, he came to Bombay and worked in a shop of hats. Soon afterwards, he started his own shop, which became known as Karim Jamal Topiwala. He attended Jamatkhana regularly and heard waez attentively, inducing him to study Ismailism. His first debut in community service was when he joined the Kandi Mola Shukarvari Brotherhood in Bombay, and came into the contact of many eminent individuals. Ismaili Flag - Islamic Period By : Ibrahim Machiwala "The Islamic state of Medina continued the old Arab custom. In this context, the sources mention two synonyms, i.e., liwa (flag) and rayah (standard). It was liwa (pl alwiyah), which was ordinarily used in all expeditions; but ruyat (pl. of rayah) were used in all the battles. The Islamic armies under the Prophet was drawn from various tribes. Each unit consisted of a tribe, usually fighting under its own chief. Each tribe had its own tribal banner borne aloft by its bravest champion. This office or military post retained its tribal character through out the period of the Prophet. Nevertheless, the Prophet representing the central authority, had his own banner mostly green in colour. Reuben Levy writes in The Social Structure of Islam (Cambridge, 1962, pp. 434-5) that, "Flags had another significance in Muslim warfare. Each tribe had its own and regarded it as the ralling centre in battle, for near it was the commander." When the Prophet ordered an expedition in Medina, no call was made aloud or any trumpet was blown, but he planted his green banner in the mosque to rally the Muslims under it. Ismaili Flag - Fatimid Period By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Imam Radi Abdullah (840-881) had sent his da'is in all directions from Syria to propagate Ismailism. The most acclaimed among them was Ibn Hawshab (d. 914), who was sent to Yamen in 880. He made a large conversion and established an Ismaili rule. He took possession of a stronghold on a hillock and made it his headquarters. He hoisted the green banner at his headquarters, bearing the Koranic verse on it. Meanwhile, Abu Abdullah al-Shi'i (d. 911) conquered almost whole Maghrib and routed the Aghlabid rule of 112 years. He captured Raqada and made it his headquarters on March 25, 909. He started the Fatimid khutba and struck coins. He hoisted most significantly the Fatimid banner. Ibn Hammad (d. 1230) writes in Akhbar al-Muluk Bani Ubayd wa Siyaratihim (Paris, 1927, pp. 7-8) that Abu Abdullah also got his slogans inscribed on banners, weapons, trapping and seals. The banner had an inscription of the Koranic verse: "Soon shall the hosts be routed, and they shall turn their backs." (54:45). Ismaili Flag - Early History By : Ibrahim Machiwala "In its origin, and throughout its history until down to recent times, the banner, standard or flag executed primarily a religious purpose with an object to indicate something rather than to gather people together. The earliest known representation of Egyptian banners are those found on the votive tablet of Nar-Mer (4000-5000 B.C.) at Hierakonpolis; on this are represented four bearers, carrying poles with various emblems on the top of them. Artifacts indicate that as early as 4000 B.C., the Egyptian ships also utilized a standard. Similar standards are found in many of the ancient cultures of the Middle East. Among the Indo-Germanic peoples, the use of the flags goes back to very early times. The Athara Veda (v.xxi.12) speaks of the armies of the gods as suryaketu (sun-bannered) and the Mahabharata (x16, lxxxii.23) of the hero Meghasandhi as vanaraketana (monkey-bannered). In the Avesta (Yasna x.14) there is mention of the kine banner (gaus drafso). Ismaili Flag - Alamut Period By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Hasan bin Sabbah (1034-1124) took possession of the fort of Alamut in Iran in 1090. His immediate concerns were to refortify Alamut, provide for it food and water supply, irrigate the field in the valley, acquire adjacent castles, erect forts at strategic points, institute economic and social reforms and unite the Ismailis. Thus, he succeeded to establish the Nizarid Ismailis rule in Alamut. It appears from the fragments of the historical sources that, the Ismailis continued green colour as their standard, and Hasan bin Sabbah is reported to have hoisted it for the first time on the summit of the Alamut. Varas Chhotubhai Ismail Mahomed Jaffer By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (1904-1978) Ramzan Ali (d. 1886), son of Sabzali Hansraj, a dedicated social worker and businessman in Mundra, Kutchh, had six children: three sons: Mahomed Jaffer (1874-1918), Rahim (1880-1929) and Pir Sabzali (1884-1938); and three daughters: Fatimabai, Jainabai and Sonbai. Mahomed Jaffer, a successful businessman in Bombay and Europe, generously willed one lac rupees to build a sanatorium for sick and convalescent Ismailis. However, because he passed away before he could build it, it was left to his son, Ismail, to realize his father’s humane dream. In 1931, he actually built a large sanatorium in Panchgani, known as Bagh-e-Rahat, at a cost of approximately Rs. 130,000. Ismail was born to Mahomed Jaffer and his third wife, Shirin. Mahomed Jaffer’s daughter, Fatima, was born to his first wife, while both his second and fourth wives died giving birth (the latter, giving birth to twins). Mahomed Jaffer himself passed away on October 27, 1918, and only his daughter, Fatima, and his son, Ismail survived. Ismaili Constitution By : Ibrahim Machiwala The word constitution is derived from the Latin constituere means an action of decreeing or ordaining. According to The Oxford English Dictionary (London, 1933, 2:876), "It is a decree, ordinance, law, regulation usually one made by a superior authority, civil or ecclesiastical." In the broad sense, a Constitution is a body of rules governing the affairs of an organized group. The American Gospel Train - Mountain Grade Ahead By : Rev Michael Bresciani While there are far more passenger trains criss-crossing the European country side, only America has a long and historical fascination with trains. It has spawned countless images, metaphors, songs and ballads. What is this attraction to the mighty iron horse? Wazir Chagla Vali Muhammad By : Ibrahim Machiwala Period: (1885-1966) Chagla Vali Muhammad’s forefathers were originally from Mulla Katiar, Sind. They migrated to Lasbela and finally settled in Karachi. Amongst them, Vali Muhammad, known as Vali Bhagat came to live in Kharadhar, Karachi. He was a religious teacher, and a ginans reciter in Jamatkhana. The Imam paid a gracious visit to Karachi for 27 days on April 10, 1920. On that occasion, a large concourse of ten thousand Ismailis flocked in the city. The Council formed a Managing Committee to control its administration. Vali Muhammad extended his incredible services as a member, presided by Wazir Col. Ghulam Hussain Khalfan (1887-1967). He had three sons, Chagla, Jaffer and Kassim. Islam, Image Of In Western Countries By : Ibrahim Machiwala "Islam originated from monotheism, it conceived idolatry as its real enemy and acted with the purpose of subduing it first in the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslims marched northward into Syria, defeated the army of Heraclius at Yarmuk, and captured Jerusalem and Damascus. They went eastward into Iraq, defeated the Iranian at Seleucia. They further went westward and occupied Egypt away from the Byzantine empire. "In all this expansion" writes T.C. Young in Near Eastern Culture and Society (New Jersey, 1951, p. 100), "there was no forcible conversion of Jews or Christians to the Muslim religion. There was freedom for the people of the book to continue in their own beliefs and practices." Ashad Ali Haji By : Ibrahim Machiwala Virji Kamadia, known as Vira Bhagat was Mukhi of the Junagadh Panjibhai Club. His family’s profession was to cut the stones to be sold in the market. He sustained a close relationship with Wazir Ismail Gangji (1788-1883), from whom he acquired religious knowledge, and he gradually became a missionary. Jamal Megji, the son of Virji Kamadia was a brilliant orator. He delivered his first waez in Junagadh and won the hearts of the jamat, including Varas Ismaili Gangji, who said, “Your status will become too high.” Does God Heal Those Who Pray or Do We Heal Ourselves? By : David E. Comings, M.D. We have all heard stories of how people who were afflicted with serious diseases prayed to God and were healed Despite the fact that many times prayer does not help, in those cases where it was effective this strengthens the faith of those who prayed and further seals their belief that God exists Do Atheists Have to be Anti-Faith or Anti-Religion? By : David E. Comings, M.D. Since the religious terrorism of 9/11 a number of books have appeared by atheists that are staunchly anti-faith and anti-religion, placing many of the evils of modern society at the feet of religion These include Richard Dawkin's The God Delusion, Sam Harris' The End of Faith, Daniel Dennet's Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, and Christopher Hitchens' God is Not Great The Night Battles and Friulian Society By : John Schlismann Friulian society was one of superstition, a rural society in which the old traditions, many of them pre-Christian traditions died hard and were completely foreign to the non-Friulian inquisitors Many of the people in the society were uneducated and sought to explain hard times they encountered through supernatural means, such as witches and the benandanti Ave Maria By : Peter Ruppert Over the years, the hymn Ave Maria has been set to music numerous times The most famous of those was composed by Franz Schubert A Vision Check With Jesus By : Mike Fletcher Jesus is all about vision In John 14:6, one of His classic "I am" statements Jesus said, "I am the way Looking at the Importance of Songs in Worship By : Peter Ruppert Historically, songs and music have always been an important part of the idea of worship Perhaps the reason for this is the ease which songs and music provide in expressing worship Patron Saint Medals Are an Expression of Faith By : Elizabeth Guide In the shape of a coin, religious medals are very common part of the Catholic persona and many Catholics own or often wear these items on chains around their neck The history of practice of wearing religious medals dates back to the early days of the church Is There a Simple Solution to the Problem of Why God Allows Evil to Occur? By : David E. Comings, M.D. One of the most difficult questions for priests, ministers, and theologians to answer is – Why does a kind, compassionate, personal God that answers prayers and looks out for our personal welfare, allow so much evil to occur in the world This is often called "the problem of evil A Return to the Classic Latin Hymns By : Peter Ruppert Throughout history, the classic Latin hymns have been an important part of the Catholic faith Two thousand years of musical development have produced a variety of hymns that encompass settings for every imaginable purpose and time

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