Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Hugh McCauley's Culinary Cruise on Oceania's Riviera

Join Hugh McCauley and friends aboard the Oceania Riviera for a culinary delight of a cruise vacation! More information about the cruise to follow soon.  Book early for addtional amenitites.
Call Lynva at 954-966-7690

Monday, August 1, 2011

About Ramadan

About Ramadan:

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.


During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.


Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.


During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.


Benefits from Ramadan


1. It strengthens one's ties with Allah and trains the soul to observe duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).


2. It enforces patience and determination in the Muslim individual.


3. It promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the Muslim away from arrogance and showing off, since it is an act between the individual and his Creator.


4. It promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trust-worthiness.


5. It encourages the Muslim to do away with bad habits and change his/her circumstances for the better.


6. It enhances generosity, hospitality, and spending on charitable causes.


7. It reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.


8. It instills orderliness and close observance of the value of time.


9. It serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.


10. It offers a chance to balance one's attention to both physical and spiritual needs.


Assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh -


May God's peace and blessings be upon you
Wishing you a very blessed and prosperous Happy Ramadan. May Allah (God) bring happiness, peace, reward, and joy to all of you and your families and to all of humanity. We hope that this sacred month is a source of blessing and happiness and that all good works are accepted.

Your global eTurboNews team
by Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, publisher