Thursday, January 31, 2008

From the prayer book, Al-Hizbul-A'zam

From the prayer book, "Al-Hizbul-A'zam"

Strengthen me, my lord,
for I am overcome with feebleness.
Ennoble me once more,
for I have been cast down.
Sustain me, Lord,
for I am impoverished.

From the prayer book, Al-Hizbul-A'zam

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Allah is the Forgiver

Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri

The Prophet said, "Amongst the men of Bani Israel there was a man who had murdered ninety-nine persons. Then he set out asking (whether his repentance could be accepted or not). He came upon a monk and asked him if his repentance could be accepted. The monk replied in the negative and so the man killed him. He kept on asking till a man advised to go to such and such village. (So he left for it) but death overtook him on the way. While dying, he turned his chest towards that village (where he had hoped his repentance would be accepted), and so the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment quarrelled amongst themselves regarding him. Allah ordered the village (towards which he was going) to come closer to him, and ordered the village (whence he had come), to go far away, and then He ordered the angels to measure the distances between his body and the two villages. So he was found to be one span closer to the village (he was going to). So he was forgiven."

Monday, January 28, 2008

Talgat Amangeldyuly Musabayev , Muslim Cosmonaut

Talgat Amangeldyuly Musabayev born on January 7th 1951 in Kargaly / Dzhampul Oblast / Kazakh SSR. Went into space 3 times first as a flight engineer then last two times he was commander of the missions. His first mission was on April 11th 1994 and it lasted 125 days. On 25-08-1998 he led the space mission which lasted over 200 days in space. His last mission into space was on 06-05-2001 and only lasted 7 days.

Graduated from Engineering Institute of Civil Aviation, Riga, 1974; graduated from Higher Military Aviation School in Akhtubinsk, 1983 with a engineering diploma; Candidate of technical sciences degree, 2000; doctorate in technical sciences, 2007; aviation engineer; received several awards as aerobatic flyer; was selected as cosmonaut on 11.05.1990 from GMVK; 1991 appointed to Major and transferred to the cosmonaut group of Air Force (TsPK-11); OKP (cosmonaut basic training): 01.10.1990 - 13.09.1991; was assigned as double for Soyuz TM-13; following his retirement he became deputy head of the Zhukovsky academy and was appointed to Major General (September 2003); chief of the on 27.03.2007 founded National Space agency of Kazakhstan.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ali bin Abi Talib

Those who content themselves with limited provender, submitting themselves before Allah's will, shall find even a few good deeds of theirs sufficient for divine approval.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ali bin Abi Talib

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Anousheh Ansari


First Female Private Space Explorer & First Space Ambassador


On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari captured headlines around the world as the first female private space explorer. Anousheh earned a place in history as the fourth private explorer to visit space and the first astronaut of Iranian descent.

Anousheh is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems, a company that will unleash the power of the Internet to all consumers and dramatically alter and simplify consumer’s digital living experience.

Anousheh has always dreamed of traveling to space, and while she is extremely excited to realize this dream, she is also focused on sharing her experience with others. Her main objective for this mission is to become a Space Ambassador, and help to bring the space travel experience to others.

Anousheh Ansari (Persian: انوشه انصاری, born 12 September 1966) is the Iranian-American co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems, Inc and a spaceflight participant with the Russian space program. Her previous business accomplishments include serving as co-founder and CEO of Telecom Technologies, Inc. (TTI). The Ansari family is also the title sponsor of the Ansari X PRIZE. On September 18, 2006, a few days after her 40th birthday, she became the first female Muslim and first Iranian in space. Ansari is the fourth overall self-funded space tourist, and the first self-funded woman to fly to the International Space Station.

Born Anousheh Raissian in Mashhad, Iran, Ansari and her parents moved to Tehran shortly afterward. Ansari witnessed the Iranian Revolution in 1979. She emigrated to the United States in 1984 as a teenager.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and computer science at George Mason University and her master's degree at George Washington University.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Aisha bint Abu Bakr

Take to compassion and abstain from oppression and obscenity. Compassion is grace and the lack of it a disgrace.
-
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Aisha bint Abu Bakr

Friday, January 18, 2008

Muslim Cosmonaut


Abdul Ahad Mohmand is the first Afghan astronaut. Before he became an astronaut, Mohmand served in the Afghan Air Force. Mohmand became an astronaut in 1988. He became the first citizen of Afghanistan to go into space. In 1988, Mohmand spent 9 days in space aboard the Mir space station. He made observations of Afghanistan during this mission. Abdul Ahad Mohmand was an Afghan citizen, he was born in Afghanistan and he trained in USSR as a pilot. The original plan was for him to be join by Mohammad Dauran Ghulam Masum. But before the launch Mr. Dauran was diagnosed with appendicitis and his trip was cancelled.

Graduated from Polytechnical High school in Kabul; graduated from Air Force Academy; Colonel Air Force; he currently lives in Stuttgart, Germany.
Transported to the Mir orbital station a Soviet-Afghan crew comprising the cosmonauts V.A. Lyakhov, V.V. Polyakov and A A Momand (Afghanistan) to conduct joint research and experiments with the cosmonauts V.G. Titov and M K Manarov. Returned Manarov, Titov (Soyuz TM-4), Chretien (Soyuz TM-7) to Earth. Initial orbit 195 X 228 km at 51. 57 deg. Maneuvered to a 235 x 259 km orbit, then docked with Mir at 05:41 GMT on August 31st, 1988 at its 339 x 366 km orbit. Moved from aft to forward port September 8th, 1988. Undocked 03:33 GMT December 21st, 1989. Revised software installed as a result of TM-5 abort overloaded computer. Landing planned for 06:48 aborted. Backup program used. Orbital Module retained through retrofire. Recovered December 21, 1988 09:57 GMT. Landed 180 km SE Dzhezkazgan.
Abdul Ahad Mohmand was awarded the hero of the soviet union on September 7th 1988

Thursday, January 17, 2008

When Does Poverty End?

Abu Hafs Haddad in Attar: Tadhkirat

Poverty is not complete until one likes giving more than receiving.

Abu Hafs Haddad in Attar: Tadhkirat

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Muslim Astronaut

Musa Khiramanovich Manarov was born in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR on March 22, 1951. He was a colonel at the Russian Air Force and graduated from Moscow Aviation Institute with an engineering diploma in 1974. Musa was selected as a cosmonaut on December 1, 1978. He is currently married with two children.

From
December 21, 1987 - December 21, 1988 he flew as flight engineer on Soyuz TM-4. The duration was 365 days 22 hours 38 minutes. In February 12, 1990 - May 26, 1991 he flew again as a flight engineer on Soyuz TM-11. The duration was 175 days 1 hour 50 minute . During his 176-day stay, Manarov observed the Earth and worked in space manufacturing. He also performed 20 hours of spacewalks.

Manarov logged a record total of 541 days in space.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani , Futhul Ghaib

If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed; if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out. Submit therefore before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani , Futhul Ghaib

Friday, January 11, 2008

Physical vs. Spiritual Wounds

Sadi, "Gulistan"

A Sufi was wounded by a leopard. He tried every kind of medicine to heal his wounds, but none was effective. Yet the Sufi never ceased to give thanks to God. Some people said to him: 'You are suffering greatly, and yet you constantly thank God. How is this?' The Sufi replied: 'I give thanks to God that I am suffering a physical wound caused by an animal, and not a spiritual wound caused by sin.'

Sadi , Gulistan

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Why Aamus

I have been asked by several friends why I wrote Aamus so I will explain. I have watched a show little people big world for some time now and have found it fascinating. For those not familiar with the show it is about the Roloff family the parents are both little people one son is also a little person but the other children are not. One of the comments made by the father is how he wished all of his children were little people. This was made while he was trying to discipline his 16 year old son who is already much larger than him. So I was quite sympathetic. The I watched the documentary Sound and Fury which deals with deaf culture. If you haven’t seen it do so, it is excellent. There the idea that cochlear implants are a method of committing genocide against deaf society is brought forth. This along with the ideas of genetic drift which I have explored in other stories brought about the need I had to write Aamus. I have even entertained the idea of a Celtic Alliance ship coming across a planet of little people. I have tried not to state if either side in this argument is right, but to present both sides. Oh and a little side note Aamus is Somali for quite or be quite.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

LSU Tigers #1

BCS Championship game
LSU Tigers 38 Ohio Buckeyes 24

The LSU Tigers claimed thier second BCS crown in five seasons with a 38-24 victory against the Ohio State buckeyes on Monday night.

Monday, January 07, 2008

BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. GO TIGERS!!!!!

LSU VS OHIO BCS championship game tonight. Go Tigers!!!!!!

GO TIGERS
GO TIGERS
GO TIGERS