HATFIELD, England – In the search for Earth-like planets, astronomers zeroed in Tuesday on two places that look awfully familiar to home. One is close to the right size. The other is in the right place.

European researchers said they not only found the smallest exoplanet ever, called Gliese 581 e, but realized that a neighboring planet discovered earlier, Gliese 581 d, was in the prime habitable zone for potential life.

"The Holy Grail of current exoplanet research is the detection of a rocky, Earth-like planet in the 'habitable zone,'" said Michel Mayor, an astrophysicist at Geneva University in Switzerland.

An American expert called the discovery of the tiny planet "extraordinary."

Gliese 581 e is only 1.9 times the size of Earth — while previous planets found outside our solar system are closer to the size of massive Jupiter, which NASA says could swallow more than 1,000 Earths.

Gliese 581 e sits close to the nearest star, making it too hot to support life. Still, Mayor said its discovery in a solar system 20 1/2 light years away from Earth is a "good example that we are progressing in the detection of Earth-like planets."

Scientists also discovered that the orbit of planet Gliese 581 d, which was found in 2007, was located within the "habitable zone" — a region around a sun-like star that would allow water to be liquid on the planet's surface, Mayor said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090421/ap_on_sc/eu_britain_new_planet

All that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting. And most certainly shall We grant unto those who are patient in adversity their reward in accordance with the best that they ever did."
The Noble Quran, 16:96

Hatim al-Asamm , The Kashf al-Mahjub

Hatim al-Asamm, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

Since I understood four things, I have discarded all other knowledge. First, that my daily sustenance has already been apportioned to me and will neither increase nor decrease by my futile efforts, so I strive to increase it no more. Second, I alone and no one else can atone from my sins, so I devote myself to the Lord. Third, I know that I will never be able to escape death, which is in our pursuit, so I have prepared myself to meet him. Fourth, I know that God is observing me; therefore I refrain from doing what I must not do.

Hatim al-Asamm, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

Space shuttle Discovery blasts off with crew of 7

Space shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven rocketed into orbit Sunday evening, setting off on a space station construction mission cut short by launch delays that dragged on for more than a month.
Discovery rose from its seaside pad just as the sun was setting, a spectacular sight for a space agency anxious to get the flight going. As the shuttle sped away like a brilliant star, part of the launch plume glowed pink, peach and golden. The shuttle was visible for several minutes.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090316/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle

Iranian Satellite

Iran said Tuesday that it had launched its first domestically produced satellite, a move that has prompted concerns in the United States and other nations about Iran's nuclear ambitions and its ability to deploy long-range ballistic missiles.
The launch on Monday, coinciding with celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, also creates an early challenge for President Barack Obama, who has sought to strike a conciliatory tone toward Iran by conditionally offering dialogue after years of tensions. The United States and other nations believe Tehran wants to develop nuclear weapons, a charge that Iran's leaders deny.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/04/africa/04iran.php

Phoenix Mars Lander Found Liquid Water, Some Scientists Think

During its more than five-month stint on Mars last year, NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander found evidence that liquid water existed at the spacecraft's landing site, some Phoenix team members say.
Water is key to all forms of life as we know it and the discovery of liquid water would suggest a greater opportunity for biology on the red planet.
The new but controversial conclusion comes from observations of a set of "little globules" attached to struts on the lander's legs that were photographed by Phoenix's robotic arm camera over the course of the mission, as first reported at Spaceflight Now.
These globs were seen to apparently move and grow between snapshots, and 22 members of the Phoenix team, including principal investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona in Tucson, think that this behavior combined with other Phoenix findings indicates that these blobs might have been liquid water that was splashed up onto the spacecraft as it landed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090310/sc_space/phoenixmarslanderfoundliquidwatersomescientiststhink

Surgery

Mansur's surgery went fine. he is home with his mother now. Alhamdilah

The Holy Quran, 4:85

“Whoever rallies to a good cause shall have a share in its blessings; and whoever rallies to an evil cause shall be answerable for his part in it.”

The Holy Quran, 4:85

The Life and Thought of Rumi

Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
Sever the chains of the ego. Set yourself free and witness the bright essence of your inner being. Discover within your heart the wisdom of a prophet without books, without teachers, and without prudence.

-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"

Abu’l-Fayd al-Misri The Kashf al-Mahjub

Abu’l-Fayd al-Misri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

When Moses conversed with God, he asked, "Lord, where shall I seek You?"
God answered, "Among the brokenhearted."
Moses continued, "But, Lord, no heart could be more despairing than mine."
And God replied, "Then I am where you are."

Abu’l-Fayd al-Misri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"

The Life of Muhammad

Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"
God now said to Muhammad: 'I gave my past messengers many wise words to convey to the people; and these words were written down to guide future generations. Each of these messengers knew that I would send a further messenger to confirm the message I had given them. Do you accept this? Will you take up this burden?'
Muhammad answered: 'I accept.'

Ibn Ishaq "The Life of Muhammad"

Kitab al-Muluki

Razi: Kitab al-Muluki
Grief clouds thought and reason, and harms both the soul and the body; so you should repel it, or reduce it as much as possible. This can be done in two ways: you can strive to prevent grief from occurring; and you can banish grief when it does occur.

Razi Kitab al-Muluki

Al-Hizbul-A'zam

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

Humbly do I implore You, keep me in Your divine grace, and deprive me not of peace. Save me from sudden misfortunes; deliver me and sustain me. May I never displease You, my Lord.

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

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as narrated by Abd'Allah bin Amr
A true Muslim is the one who does not defame or abuse others; but the truly righteous becomes a refuge for humankind, their lives and their properties.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as narrated by Abd'Allah bin Amr

The Kashf al-Mahjub

Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
We cannot do away with our daily nourishment, but let us not wallow in gluttony. Abu Yazid was once asked why he regarded fasting so supreme. He replied, "Had the Pharaoh known hunger he would not have declared himself God. And Korah would never have been so rebellious had he endured the pain of starvation."

Al-Hujwiri The Kashf al-Mahjub

Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
The search of knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.

-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Kitab al-Najat

Ibn Sina, Kitab al-Najat

Prayer is that which enables the soul to realize its divinity. Through prayer human beings worship absolute truth, and seek an eternal reward. Prayer is the foundation-stone of religion; and religion is the means by which the soul is purified of all that pollutes it. Prayer is the worship of the first cause of all things, the supreme ruler of all the world, the source of all strength. Prayer is the adoration of the one whose being is necessary.

Ibn Sina “Kitab al-Najat”

The Life of Muhammad

Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"
When Muhammad reached the Grand Mosque, most of the population was at the entrance, eager to look at him. As he went in, he threw the end of his cloak over his left shoulder, leaving his right arm free. He declared, "May God have mercy on the man who today shows the people he is strong." Then he walked round the Kaba, kissing each side, and finally kissing the black stone. After a short pause he trotted round the Kaba three times, and walked around it a further three times.
-Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"

New baby

I am so sorry for not finishing the story i started and not updating will soon but you see my wife had our 4th child, so i have been very busy. Rowan Mansur Ott 8lbs 3.5 ounces born the 30th of december.

Ali bin Abi Talib , Masters of the Path

Ali bin Abi Talib, "Masters of the Path"

The highest person is he who is of most use to humankind.

Ali bin Abi Talib , Masters of the Path