Not Sure Where to Begin? Here Are 6 Steps to Help You Start to Organize Your Life!
When you find that things are feeling out of control, that the house is a mess, that you can't get anywhere on time, and that you aren't getting anything done on your to-do list- you start to feel as if you'll never be able to get organized! So when you get to that point where you want to dig in and regain control over your home and family, follow these 6 steps to help you start to organize your life again!
Step 1 to Organize Your Life: Sort It, Do It, Trash It, or List It!
When the clutter of paperwork, schoolwork, and unopened mail stacked all over the kitchen counter is threatening to bury me, I feel very out of control. So I start on the far left side of my kitchen counter and I begin going through the piles. I pick up each piece of paper once, quickly read it, and then decide what needs to happen next.
If it is something that can be done within a minute or two such as RSVP'ing to a birthday party and then adding it to my calendar, I do it immediately and then file the paper. If it is schoolwork that I just needed to review, I read it and then toss it (recycling it when possible!), or if it something that is going to take me a little while- such as paying bills, making a lengthy follow up phone call- then I write it down as a "to-do" item to get to later.
When I am done going through all of the papers- I should be left with one small pile which requires follow up. I put that in a folder on my desk and add an appointment on my calendar to deal with it.
Now you have a clear picture of what you'd like to get done. Sometimes I feel better just from this step alone- what's it's on a list, it is off of my mind!
And don't forget your email inboxes when battling back the clutter! The same rules apply- do it, delete it, or add it to the to-do list.
Does This Step Feel Too Overwhelming?
If sorting it, doing it, trashing it, or listing it on paper seems in itself to be a monumental task- break it up. Set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can get done in that time. Or tell yourself to work on just one countertop or area and work until you get through it. Then the next day, move on to the next area and so forth until it is sorted, done, trashed, or put on the to-do list.
I promise you- that your mind will start to relax a little once you have cleared the paper clutter and created one place where you have one big "to-do" list. You are starting to gain some control.
Kids aren't always going to put stuff away when they are done with it. Projects, books, and graded papers are going to come home from school that the kids will want to save. Keeping on top of finding a home for all of this "stuff" can make a Mom crazy- or certainly send her on 4000 trips up and down the stairs to put things away every day.
I suggest finding a few inexpensive bins This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. that you can label either with a location in the house or with each child's name. Then when you find an item in the kitchen that belongs in a kid's bedroom you toss it into the appropriate bin.
Now that everything that you need to or want to do is on your master to-do list, it is time to make peace with the list. If your list looks anything like mine- you could work 24/7 for the next year only on trying to complete the items on that list, and even then not make it to the bottom.
But that's not how we want to live our lives, is it? We're here to be with our families and create our own happiness too, not just get "stuff done". So the first thing you need to wrap your head around- is that the to-do list is never going to be finished. Never.
And you need to tell yourself that while it is very nice (and frees the mind) to have all of your "to-dos" listed in one place, so you aren't tripping over them all day long- you need to give yourself permission to leave things on this list for a very. long. time.
Now that you have accepted that you cannot get it all done, it's time to start figuring out where to start with the things that are important to you. So let's start going through the list.
Look at each item and next to it, give it a priority rating A-D. "A"s are for things that you need to do right now- things with defined and immediate deadlines. "B"s are things that are important, but can wait a week or two (or longer), "C"s are things you need to do (such as clean out the coat closet) but they are things you've needed to do for a while now, so if another month or two goes by, so be it. And "D"s are kind of wish-list things- like clean out the attic. Boy, I'd sure like to get to it, but since I don't walk by it every day, it can wait. For forever… or until the kids all graduate from high school and we move again!
Once everything on the list has a priority assigned- it's time to go back through just the items with an A or a B next to them and assign a scope- which means a "guesstimate" of the amount of time needed to complete that task. Maybe one "A" item requires an hour of time to complete and another one 4 hours. Give your best guess next to each A or B item.
Now take a look at your busy schedule and decide for each day of the coming week when you can find an hour or two to start working on the A-list items, and keeping in mind the scope of time needed for each, start assigning A list tasks to days of the week.
Be careful not to over-schedule yourself by cramming three 20-minute projects on the list into a spot where you know you only have a half-an-hour to do them. You'll just be setting yourself up to fail!
Once you've got this week's items assigned, start working through them day by day as you've designated. Actually getting some things done will feel great!
6. Keep the Process Going!
Admittedly, this is the step that falls apart all of the time- you've battled back the piles, you've made your lists and assigned priorities and scopes, and are starting to work through items on your to-do list. So why is it that you turn around next Tuesday and there are piles of paper all over your counters again and you feel as if you've lost control?
It's because you did not keep the process going! At least once a week you need to go through incoming paperwork and emails and follow the do it, trash it, or list it routine. Throw the kids clutter into their bins and follow up with the kids to empty them. Review your to-do list often- because priorities change! Figure out what items you are going to tackle this week. It is hard- but if you keep the process going, you can organize your life!
I hope these 6 steps will help you get started, and I would love for you to leave a comment and tell us if this will make you feel more in control. I wish you the best of luck!
Thanks for these tips! I'm a bit of a misfit myself! I really need to work on letting go of my to do list …. I feel bad about it almost every day!
Great tips! I shared with my sister who desperately needs some decluttering help! Visiting from Happiness Is Homemade party.
I love finding new tips to help me get a handle on my organization. Thank you for sharing at the Creative Muster Party. PINNED!
Lists really do help gain control of life. Then looking at the list and crossing off completed items gives a since of accomplishment.
Sometimes I feel more unorganized as an empty nester than when all of the kids were home. Great tips and thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend!
Great tips! Really appreciate you sharing them with us!
GREAT list! I'm going to have to use these steps!
I am so glad that you found them to be helpful- and I appreciate that you are following Momof6!
Wow! This is great. Some of this I do but after reading it gives me fresh motivation to sit down and get to business this weekend. I've let things slide and its starting to give me anxiety.
Thanks Stefanie! I hope your sister stops by and would love to hear what she thinks!
This is great, practical advice. It is easy to get overwhelmed when it piles up and just throw up your hands and say, I'm not doing anything! I no longer work outside the home, but when I did, I felt so not in control of my home life. Stopping by from SITS. Happy SITS day! Just followed you on twitter.
I love your bin idea I have done that with my work and my older sons work it has helped us a lot. taking care of all the school papers during major holiday's has helped us a lot at the end of the year as well. Thanks for sharing….
Oh my word. I may print this out and put it on my fridge. This is such good advice. I want to badly to be organized and keep a neater household, but it gets overwhelming. I'm going to try your advice and see where it gets me!
And I forgot … happy SITS day!
These are all such great tips! I have really been feeling overrun with papers lately. I'll be working on that today.
Thanks for the tips I will be implementing them at home!
I like the "sort it, trash it, do it, list it" idea. Most of my stress and disorganization comes from procrastination!
Love the bin idea because it gives the kids a way to take some responsibility, and if they put it away, then they know where it is. Happy SITS day!
Noooo! Don't tell me the To-Do List won't ever be finished! My inner Type A personality can't handle it! 😉 *sigh* These tips are wonderful. I especially like #2 (what a great idea), and falter at #6 – I get so lazy and am so tired, I usually will put it off till 'later' – when later comes, it's a month from that moment! UGH!
Stopping by to wish you a Happy SITS Day! Hope you enjoy it!
Wine and chocolate and coffee are my A's! 😉 your plan of attack is great! It's a lot like mine only I am not good about WRITING it down which is my critical breakdown point. Actually, most of what you outlined is what I learned in cognitive behavioral therapy for ADD. It's also what they reccomend in all sorts of books. They key to managing life with ADD is making organization a habit. Which is unnatural for us ADDers! 😉 I hope your post can help not only the everyday busy moms, but also those with ADD/ADHD that don't realize it! I am bookmarking you now! Happy sits day!!
I hadn't heard that one of the keys to managing ADD is making organization a habit…. there are probably lots of folks who would love to hear that too!
Great list! I find I really want to follow those things and often try, but I am just so darn tired from kids not ahereing to a sleep schedule that we are constantly disorganized and it is a vicious cycle. What do you do to get enough rest and energy? Happy SITS Day!
I am So struggling with the getting-enough-sleep thing right now too. I know that I need 71/2-8 hours of sleep every night be be at my best- which means my most together and most patient. But since the start of the school year, I am averaging around 6, and it is taking its toll. But fortunately, the problem is mine… my kids do a fairly decent job of going to bed on time, staying in bed and asleep, and getting up when they should, and for them, that makes all of the difference in the world. To get to that point, we used many different "reward systems" (read: bribes!), but it was so well worth it. And sometimes its just a matter of age… if they are under age 4, it's much more of a struggle.
So Great! But I have a question. Can working out be considered a "D" on that list????


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The Volvo Group's journey through Europe and participation in the EU Truck Platooning Challenge was a great success, with very positive reactions from decision-makers, politicians and the general public. Three Volvo trucks drove closely behind one another using wireless communication, in a platoon, from Gothenburg to Rotterdam.
Successful journey for Volvo's truck convoy through Europe
#182871 Press release
4/8/16 Press release AB Volvo
"It has been fantastic to see people's reactions. In Denmark, families were sitting with picnics along the side of the road to see us drive by," says Anders Kellström, Project Manager for the Volvo Group's participation in the EU Truck Platooning Challenge. "We drove in a convoy for over 1,500 km on public roads and gained a lot of great experience, not just about the technology but also about traffic environment. Everything went totally according to plan, which is a great feeling."
Ben Weyts, the Flemish minister of transport , get firsthand platooning experience.
The purpose of the journey was to discuss and highlight the changes required in European transportation legislation that would facilitate the introduction of platooning. It is currently not possible to utilize the advantages of platooning on Europe's roads, since legislation in the various countries governing the driving distance between trucks differs.
"We have now created a unique collaboration in terms of future transport solutions that goes beyond both national and organizational boundaries," explains Andreas Svenungsson, Head of Public Affairs at the Volvo Group. "We note that there are varying interpretations of laws and provisions in different countries with regard to self-driving vehicles, but we feel that the tangible collaboration we have now commenced is an important step toward increased harmonization and more efficient transportation."
Platooning involves trucks driving closely behind each other while communicating wirelessly. The vehicles' fuel economy is improved as a result of the reduction in drag. Drag accounts for up to 25% of a truck's total fuel consumption, and the closer the trucks drive to each other, the greater the fuel-saving potential. By communicating with each other wirelessly, the trucks automatically match each other's speed and braking. This means that, in principle, reaction times is reduced to zero when braking. This in turns leads to improved safety and a reduced "accordion effect" linked to traffic congestion.
Journalists who would like additional information, please contact Kina Wileke on +46 (0)31 323 7229 or +46 (0)765 537229.
PDF (Eng) of press release(PDF, 25.3 KB)
PDF (Swe) of press release(PDF, 25.2 KB)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Rattled Wall Street stock investors fret about a correction
By Noel Randewich
(Reuters) - The deepest one-day selloff in Wall Street stocks in eight months has investors using the market equivalent of a dirty word: "correction".
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan in New York, U.S., October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
With traders spooked by rising U.S. Treasury yields and fears of a deepening U.S.-China trade conflict, the benchmark S&P 500 index .SPX on Wednesday dropped 3.29 percent, its worst one-day decline since February, bringing its loss to almost 5.0 percent since closing at a record high on Sept 20.
Many investors define a stock market correction as a fall of at least 10 percent from a high, often as a reaction to excessive gains.
"It's probably the beginning of the correction," said Oliver Pursche, vice chairman and chief market strategist at Bruderman Asset Management in New York.
"It's going to come down to earnings. The big concern isn't really what third-quarter earnings numbers are, but really what the outlook for the fourth quarter and first quarters are."
Fears of a potential correction became more acute as the S&P 500 technology index .SPLRCT plummeted 4.77 percent, the deepest one-session decline since 2011 for the sector behind much of the market's gains in recent years.
U.S. President Trump blamed the Federal Reserve, which he said has gone "crazy" raising interest rates.
"Actually it's a correction that we've been waiting for for a long time, but I really disagree with what the Fed is doing," Trump told reporters before a political rally in Pennsylvania.
Investors are worried about how aggressively the Fed will raise interest rates, and some are skeptical about whether the central bank will support markets the way it was seen to have done under previous Fed chairs.
A stock market downturn hitting voters' retirement savings would be inopportune for Trump and the Republican party ahead of U.S. midterm elections on November 6.
The S&P 500 index fell 10 percent in early February from a high the previous month, raising fears that a decade-old bull market was ending.
However, fueled by the deep corporate tax cuts passed by the Trump administration last year and an expanding economy, Wall Street deftly recovered. It racked up a 2018 gain of nearly 10 percent in late September, until soaring 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yields and trade policy related worries sent investors fleeing for safety.
"When interest rates go up it can throw a cold towel on an overheating economy, and that's what it looks like is happening now," said Sandy Villere, a portfolio manager at Villere & Co in New Orleans.
U.S. stocks are widely considered to be in the longest ever bull market, which started in March 2009, when investors grappled with the global financial crisis that had vaporized over half of the U.S. stock market's value.
Since then, the S&P500 index has more than quadrupled, and many investors have been debating when, not if, the run-up in stock prices would end.
"The market has been on a 10-year bull run and we have seldom seen a 10 percent correction during that time. Every time we get around that number, markets come rallying back. What's different now is that the 10-year bond yield is much higher. I think we're getting an overdue correction in the market," said Trip Miller, managing partner at Gullane Capital Partners in Memphis.
HINGES ON EARNINGS
Whether the S&P 500 index slides into a prolonged downturn may hinge on what companies say about their outlooks when they report their quarterly results in coming weeks.
Analysts expect aggregate S&P 500 earnings per share to surge 21 percent, year over year, in the September quarter and 20 percent in the December quarter, according to I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv.
But in 2019, deep corporate tax cuts that started in 2018 will be a year old, and companies are unlikely to repeat the same strong earnings growth they saw this year. Earnings repatriated from abroad this year as part of the tax overhaul may lead to fewer big increases in stock buybacks next year.
Executives on quarterly earnings call will also provide details about how they expect Trump's trade conflict with China to affect their businesses.
September consumer price data due on Thursday might fuel worries that the Fed may raise interest rates more aggressively than previously thought.
"The market is digesting the potential that rates moving upwards eventually seep into the real economy in the form of mortgage rates, auto rates, student lending rates," said Mona Mahajan, U.S. investment strategist at Allianz Global Investors in New York. "What we're seeing here is the market positioning for potential lower growth going forward."
Reporting by Noel Randewich in San Francisco; additional reporting by Sinead Carew, David Randall and Stephen Culp in New York; editing by Megan Davies


His music is highly influenced by all Caribbean genres, ranging from Reggae, Gwo-ka (Traditional Caribbean drum), Zouk, Soca and even Salsa. As a French Caribbean artist he easily passes from French to Creole and also has a few songs in English.His songwriting and serious politically conscious themes have made him a major artist, comparable, in his own style, to KASSAV. His repertoire is the expression and the vision of a young artist willing to promote both Reggae culture and the Rich creole identity, while overcoming the struggles set in a post colonial system while growing up in Guadeloupe.From 2004 to the present he has sold out entire stadiums in France (STADE DE FRANCE – Mai 2009) and has toured most of the European reggae festivals, branding the flag of French Caribbean dancehall.2018 saw him return to the forefront of the scene with a string of successful single releases including "Gucci Gang", "Game Over" and "Alter Ego" – he is constantly traveling between Europe and the Caribbean and will be available for booking summer 2019.


Are you looking to fill your need to be in the deer woods?
Deer season is fast approaching, and many hunters are getting the itch to get to the woods.
Well, that can't happen just yet.
So in the meantime, watch this video with 43 bow shots in under four minutes.


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Saviours of Islamic Spirit
(Ibn al-Jawzi)
by S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi (RA)
Ibn al-Jawzi presents another striking example of a preacher, reformer and renovator of the faith. He was the most reputed and profound scholar of his time and a prolific writer of voluminous books on exegesis of the Qur'an, Traditions, history and literary criticism.
Born in 508 AH at Baghdad, Ibn al-Jawzi was 38 years younger than Abdul Qadir. His father died when he was still young but his mother sent him to study under a reputed traditionist of the day, Ibn Nasir. He committed the Qur'an to memory and learnt its recitation, studied the Traditions and calligraphy. Describing his childhood days to his son, Ibn al-Jawzi says:
"I quite recollect that I was admitted to the primary school at the age of six. Boys much more elder than me were inmates. I do not recollect if I had ever spent my time in playing or laughing with other boys. Instead of witnessing the performance of the jugglers who frequently held their shows in the field in front of the mosque where I studied, I used to attend the lectures on Traditions. Whatever Traditions or biographical accounts of the Prophet were related in the Iectures, those were memorised by me and then I also used to take them down on reaching home. Other boys spent their time in playing along the banks of the river but I invariably used to sit down with a book in my hand in a corner and read it from cover to cover.
"I was always so anxious to attend the classes in time that often I doubled up to reach the school before the lectures began. It was not un-often that I had nothing to eat for the whole day but I am thankful to God that I have never had an occasion to be grateful to anybody in that connexion".
Zeal for the Traditions
Ibn al-Jawzi had an intense enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge and propagating the Traditions of the Apostle of God. His works on the subject were so numerous that, as the chroniclers of his time report, Ibn al-Jawzi had made a will that the water for the ritual washing of his dead body should be heated by burning the clippings and ends of his pens used for writing the Traditions. It is further related that these clippings were found more than sufficient for the purpose.
Ibn al-Jawzi was a voracious reader from an early age. In his time Baghdad had well-stocked libraries where he used to spend most of his time. He read whatever book he could lay his hands on. In one of his books entitled Said al-khatir, an auto-biographical memoir, he writes:
"Il may state here my own cast of mind. I am never tired of reading books and my joy knows no bounds whenever I find a new book. It would appear to be an exaggeration if I say that I had gone through 20,000 books during my student days. I came to know of the courage and large-heartedness, erudition and tenacious memory, piety and eagerness for prayer cherished by the savants of the old, which I could not have learnt without reading those books. The study of the books in those days also revealed to me the shallow knowledge of the scholars in our times and the dull spirits of the students now-a-days.
Penmanship of Ibn al-Jawzi
Ibn al-Jawzi turned to writing from an early age. He began writing four folios daily and continued the practice throughout his life. Ibn Taymiyah relates that when he took a stock of Ibn al-jawzi's books, they were found to be more than one thousand in number. Ibn al-Jawzi had such a profound knowledge of the science of Traditions that he claimed to tell the authenticity or otherwise of any Tradition with reference to the character of those through whom the Tradition had been handed down or with reference to the manner in which it had been narrated. He was also without a peer as a litterateur and as an orator.
His Piety
Ibn al-Jawzi was as much celebrated for his moral uprightness, devotion and piety as for his literary attainments. His grandson, Abul Muzaffar, relates that Ibn al-Jawzi completed recitation of the Qur'an every week; he never spent his time in fun or frolics during his childhood and never ate anything unless he was sure that it had been obtained through lawful means. Ibn al-Najjar records that in religious devotion and observance of prayers he presented a sublime picture of saintliness. Another annalist, Ibn al-Farsi says that Ibn al-Jawzi kept vigils by night and was never forgetful of the recollection of God. The works of Ibn al-Jawzi present an striking example of his fervent devotion and the heartfelt love of God. In an autobiographical passage included in the Said al-Khatir he writes:
"From early childhood I had an inclination towards devotion to religious contemplation and worship. I zealously observed obligatory as well as supererogatory prayers and preferred seclusion. Spending my days thus, I felt peace and enlightenment. I extremely regretted the time spent otherwise for I had an ardent desire to utilize every moment or my life under a diligent consciousness of the Omnipresent Lord. In those days I felt my heart attuned to God while my supplications and benedictions were a source of indescribable pleasure to me. My lectures and discourses, quite effective in those days, it appears, attracted a few high officials and chiefs who wanted to come closer to me by paying homage and putting themselves at my service. As it were, I too felt inclined towards them but in their company I lost the sense of peace and sanctifying grace that I enjoyed earlier in my supplications. Thereafter other functionaries of the government started gaining my favour with the result that the precautions I used to take earlier in regard to avoiding everything unlawful and doubtful, gave place to a sense of complacency. It was still not so deplorable but gradually my specious reasoning made the doubtful objects appear as perfectly lawful and, then, I realised that I had lost the sublimity and purity of my heart; instead, it seemed, as if a profaneness had taken its place which gave rise to restlessness and disquietitude in me. I witnessed that my sermons too bore a mark of my anxiety which caused an ever larger number of persons to offer penitence for their sins while my own guilt weighed heavily on my consciousness. This, obviously, made me still more disturbed, but there seemed to be no way out. I visited the tombs of the saints and earnestly beseeched God to show me the right path. Ultimately, God helped me and I again felt an inclination to spend more of my time in prayer and solitude. Now I came to know what was wrong with me and I thanked my Lord, the Most Compassionate and Merciful, for His kindness".
Character of Ibn al-Jawzi
He is reported to have been a well-built man with handsome features and all imposing countenance. Favoured with easy circumstances "he possessed a refined taste", says Muwaffaq Abdul Latif, "in dress and dietary habits and was charming and graceful". Another annalist, lbn al-Dayni relates that Ibn al-Jawzi was soft-spoken, handsome and of medium height, reputed for his clemency and generosity. Extremely careful of his health, he liked what may be called the "good things of temperate quality."
In the Said al-Khatir and the Talbis-o-Iblis he has mentioned his numerous clinical experiences and advised against penance and arduous religious practices which had then been introduced by the Iranian mystics.
Encyclopedic Knowledge
The most outstanding feature of Ibn al-Jawzi's character is his versatility. He towered over his contemporaries in his ardent desire to be well versed in almost every branch of learning. He has himself described it in some detail in the Said al-Khatir.
"The greatest trial for man lies in the loftiness of his ambition: the higher is one's ambition, the loftier aspiration for advancement or success one has. However, he is sometimes unable to achieve it owing to unfavourable circumstances, or because he lacks the means, and this causes dissatisfaction. God has, however, made me so ambitious that I have always a hankering for something higher. But I have never wished that God might not have made me too ambitious. It is true that life can be fully enjoyed only by a care-free, imprudent and a listless fellow but nobody endowed with brains would ever like retrogression of his intellect simply for the sake of getting more fun out of worldly pleasures. I know of many people who are boastful of their lofty ambitions but I have found their aspirations really limited to only one field of their activity in which they are ardently desirous of achieving success. These people are completely indifferent to their deficiency in other fields. A poet by the name of Sharif Radhi once said in a couplet: 'Ill health is never without a cause, but in my case it is because of too high an aspiration.' However, on going through his biographical accounts I found that he had no ambition save achieving power and position.
"It is related that Abu Muslim Khurasani could not sleep well during his youthful days. When asked about the reason for it, he replied, 'How can I sleep? Brilliant and ambitious though I am, I have been condemned to lead a life of poverty and obscurity'.
'Then, what would satisfy you?' asked someone. He replied, 'I would be satisfied only if I achieve greatness and power.'
'Then try for it,' he was told. 'This would not be possible without putting my life at stake', replied he.
He was asked again, 'But why don't you do so?' He said, 'Intellect asks me not to run into danger.' 'What would you do then?' was demanded of him. 'I would not accept the advice of my intellect,' replied Abu Muslim, 'and would give myself up to my folly. I will play a desperate game at the bidding of my ambition and seek the help of intellect only where imprudence fails me. I have no other course left, as poverty and obscurity are interdependent '.
"On giving further thought to this self deluded yet ambitious man I came to the conclusion that he had not given thought to one of the most important factors, and that was the question of life-to-come. He was mad after political power for which he had to be cruel and unsparing of innocent human lives. He got just a fraction of the worldly power and glory, the things he aspired, for a short duration of only eight years. Thereafter he fell an easy victim to the treachery of al-Saffah, and then his intellect did not come to his aid. It was the same with al-Mutannabbi too who was so pretentious of his ambitions, but he was also enamoured of worldly success.
"My ambition is, however, quite different from theirs. I aspire for a profound knowledge embracing the entire field of learning, which, I know, I cannot attain. I want to achieve a thorough and complete knowledge of every branch of learning which is obviously not possible in the short span of human life. I do not consider anyone perfect in the knowledge of a science so long as he lacks perfection in another branch, as, for example, if a traditionist is not a master of jurisprudence too I consider his knowledge to be incomplete.
"The imperfection of knowledge, I think, can be attributed to the lack of ambition alone. Not only that, to me the end of knowledge means an ability to act on it. Thus, what I want is that I should be able to combine with my knowledge the assiduity of Bishr Hafi and piety of Maaruf Karkhi. But it is hardly possible to achieve these along with the pre-occupations of studying and teaching and attending to other mundane affairs. And this is not all; I aspire to oblige others but do not want to lie under their obligation; my pre-occupation with the studies is an impediment in the way of my earnings but I detest to be indebted to anyone or to accept gifts from others. I ardently desire to have children as well as to be an author of merit and distinction so that these may commemorate my memory, but both these pursuits stand in the way of solitude and contemplation. I also do like to enjoy the lawful pleasures but do not possess the means for achieving these and if I devote myself to get at these; I would lose the contentment and peace of mind. Similar is the case with other matters, as, for example, I like the delicacies and refinements which my good taste desires. All these in fact mean aspiring for diametrical ends. What have those persons to do with these lofty ideals who aspire simply for worldly success, wealth, power and position? I too want worldly success but in a manner that I do not have to, impair my faith or to expose my learning or virtuous action to any risk or injury. Who can appreciate the demands of my ambition: on the one hand I relish contemplation and prayer, divine manifestation and illumination of heart, but, on the other, I have an inclination for the cultivation of knowledge, teaching and penmanship. The first requires penance, fasting and seclusion while the latter demands nourishment and mixing with the people. Spiritual contraction is unbearable for me, but making the both ends meet for my dependents stands in the way of my spiritual progress. I have endured these strains all through my life and submitted to the will of God for, it seems, the path to success and perfection lies through struggles and afflictions. For the loftiest ideal is to seek the pleasure of God Almighty, I guard myself of every defilement and take care that not a single moment of my life is spent in any vain effort. Glory be to God, if I succeed in my endeavours; but I won't mind if I fail for the Prophet has said that the intention of the faithful is better than his action.
Popular Enthusiasm:
The sermons delivered by Ibn al-Jawzi were attended by the caliphs, kings and chiefs of the state besides the common people of Baghdad, It is reported that his lectures were normally attended by ten to fifteen thousand persons and sometimes the number went up even to a hundred thousand. An eloquent speaker as he was, his sermons breathed an almost tragic urgency behind his message which touched the heart of his audience. His soul-stirring calls so carried away the listeners that many of them burst into tears, broke down into hysterical screams or even tore off their shirts. Innumerable persons offered earnest repentance for their sins as a result of his sermons. It is estimated that Ibn al-Jawzi secured conversion of 20,000 Christians and Jews and over a hundred thousand people made solemn affirmations to lead a virtuous life after listening to his sermons.
Ibn al-Jawzi always condemned innovations and unlawful accretions to the Faith in his sermons, asking the people to follow the path enjoined by the Scripture and the Traditions. Because of Ibn al-Jawzi's profound knowledge and eloquence as also his popularity the sectaries of heretical factions never dared to controvert him, with the result that the orthodox school gained a dominating influence. The Caliphs and nobles of the time became followers of the Hanbalite school which was distinguished for its strict adherence to the Traditions and the Scripture.
Literary Endeavours :
Ibn al-Jawzi produced some of the most distinguished works which had a profound effect on the subsequent academic endeavours. His writings helped the succeeding generations to keep to the right path as enjoined by the Shariah.
Kitab ut Mauzuaat is Ibn al-Jawzi's chief work on the Traditions. In this book he has discussed all those spurious or weak Traditions which were then commonly relied upon by the heretics for spreading beliefs contrary to the authorised teachings of the conformist school, It is true that Ibn al-Jawzi has been too harsh in his judgments since he has adopted an extremist course in regard to certain issues dealt with by him in this book; nevertheless, he has performed an invaluable task by exposing the fallacies of the heretics and innovators.
Talbis-o-Iblis is a critical study of the then Muslim society by Ibn al-Jawzi. In this book he has made a critical evaluation of the different classes and sections of the Muslim society of his time, highlighted their weaknesses, misconceptions and aberrations and delineated the causes which had given birth to different vices marring their faith, action and behaviour. Ibn al-Jawzi has set-forth the habits and customs, faults and self-deceits to which the scholars, jurists, preachers, writers, rulers and the pious often fall a prey. This book is an outstanding example of the panoramic character of Ibn al-Jawzi's writings; he shows an awareness of the mental, emotional and social attitudes of the different classes of Muslim society along with the beliefs and doctrines of heretic sections, and the subtle ways in which the latter mislead others.
Critique of the Scholars and Administrators :
The criticism by Ibn al-Jawzi is at places too severe in the Talbis-o-Iblis, as is his verdict symbolic of his extremist views, yet the book contains a mine of useful information since it deals extensively with the vices found among different sections of the people. One has generally to agree with Ibn al-jawzi's analysis which also gives an idea of the liveliness and incisiveness of his intellectual grasp.
Criticising the scholars of his time, some of whom were engaged in unnecessary hairsplitting of legal issues, he writes in the Talbis-o-Iblis:
"One of the greatest weaknesses of these scholar-jurists is that they have occupied themselves with the vain discussions but they do not pay heed to the Scripture, Traditions and the biographies of the companions of the Prophet which would have had a salutary effect towards the purification of their souls. It hardly needs any emphasis that the discussions on trifling issues like the kinds of impurities and the methods of purification would not make one tender-hearted or receptive of the awe of Allah. What is needed by man is the recollection of Allah and the discourses on the subject so that these may create a longing for success in the life-to-come. There is no denying the fact that ethical issues are not beyond the sphere of the Shariah, but these are by themselves not sufficient for achieving the ultimate objective. How can these persons be expected to follow the example of the pious souls of the bygone days, whose faith they profess to own, unless they endeavour to get at the state of ecstasy and propinquity to Allah attained by them? One should not lose sight of the fact that man is indolent by nature, and if left to himself, he would be inclined to follow the beaten track of his day. On the other hand, if he tries to cultivate the knowledge of beliefs and behaviour of the pious and elevated mentors of the former times, he would naturally try to take after their ways. A mentor of the yore has well said that he would prefer a Tradition that would make him soft-hearted to a hundred legal decisions of Qadi Sharaih."
In his critique of the preachers in the same book, Ibn al-Jawzi observes:
"Most of these preachers are accustomed to using a grandiloquent and heavily embellished language which often means nothing. The greater portions of their discourses are devoted to the accounts of the Prophet Moses, Mount Sinai, Joseph and Gelicho (Zulaikha), or the like, but they have hardly to say anything about the obligatory performances enjoined by the religion or how to avoid sins. How can their sermons prevail upon an adulterer to offer penitence; or else convince a woman to be faithful and maintain good relations with her husband ? These discourses are completely devoid of the ethical or religious teachings of the Shariah. This is also one of the reasons for these sermons being so popular, for the truth is always distasteful while falsehood is pleasing."
Further, continuing the same subject, he observes:
"It often so happens that the preacher is sincere and honest but he wants to win over and dominate the hearts of his audience. He wants to extort admiration from others. A sure symptom of this vice is that if another preacher tries to help him or begins to deliver lectures to his audience, he does not relish it although a sincere person would have welcomed the helping hand in his endeavour."
Ibn al-Jawzi also criticises the scholars for their lack of sincerity. He writes:
"If the students of any scholar leave their teacher to sit at the feet of another savant more learned and reputed than him, he feels a heartburning which is not befitting a sincere scholar. Sincere savants and teachers are like physicians who treat the people simply to propitiate God and bless with contentment another physician who is able to cure their patient."
In connection with the vices developed by the kings, rulers and administrators, Ibn al-Jawzi writes:
"Those people prefer to pattern their behaviour according to their own wishes rather than do what the Shariah enjoins. They would cut off the hand or execute a person even though it might not be lawful to do so. They labour under the misconception that what they do is essential as a matter of political expediency. This means, in other words, that the Shariah is incomplete and they are now making up for that deficiency.
"This is in reality a great deception created by the Satan ; for, the Shariah comprises divine guidance for the conduct of our temporal affairs as well, and it is unthinkable that the guidance vouchsafed by God should be deficient. God Almighty has ordained: "We have not left anything incomplete in the Scripture", and also "There is none to amend Our order". Thus, the man who wants to superimpose his own ideas over the Shariah in the garb of political expediency, really claims that the guidance vouchsafed to man by God is imperfect and incomplete. This is obviously blasphemous."
Ibn al-Jawzi points out another weakness of the rulers and administrators in these words :
"Besides their persistence on their wrongful ways they also ardently desire to pay a visit to some pious and godly personage for the purpose of seeking his benediction in their favour. The devil has brought them round to believe that the solemn invocation of the divine blessings by a godly person would make the burden of their sins lighter. This is, however, not so. Once a trader whose goods had been withheld by a collector of the toll-tax went to the reputed saint Malik ibn Dinar and requested him for his help. Malik ibn Dinar went to the collector of the toll-tax who treated him respectfully and released the goods of the tradesman. Thereafter the official asked Malik ibn Dinar to pray for him but Malik replied, 'Ask this purse in which you keep the money acquired illegally, to pray for you. How can I invoke blessings for you when countless people curse you?' 'Do you think,' added Malik, 'that God will accept the entreaties of a single individual in preference to the prayers of a thousand others?'.
At another place he writes:
"The rich and the affluent have a great regard for such misguided mystics who approve of the hearing of songs and playing on musical instruments. They are lavish in spending their riches on these mystics but would not part with a single shell for the sake of scholars and savants. As a matter of fact, the scholars are like physicians on whose advice a man spends his money grudgingly only when he falls ill. On the other hand, the misguided mystics and the musicians and singers accompanying them are like courtiers and flatterers who are normally hangers-on of every wealthy person.
"Likewise, they are devoted to the ascetics and other persons of assumed piety, and prefer them to the doctors of religion. They would readily submit to a charlatan attired as a mendicant; if he practises a pious fraud upon them they are easily led astray and begin to sneer at the scholars for not being ascetics. However, to hold the ascetics in higher esteem than the scholars is simply ignorance and an insult to the Shariah. These misguided persons should really be thankful to God that they were not present during the life-time of the Apostle of Allah for they would have turned apostate if they had seen him taking wives, eating, wearing clothes and enjoying honey."
In his critique of the masses Ibn a-Jawzi writes:
"Satan has mislead the masses to believe that attending of religious discourses and raising a wail of woe are highly meritorious acts and the sole purpose of delivering these sermons. This is perhaps because the people have been told about the merits of listening to these discourses but they do not know that the end of these sermons is reformation of their own morals and rectitude of their behaviour. Nor do they appear to be aware that whatever they listen to in these lectures shall be cited as an evidence against them on the Doomsday. I personally know a number of persons who are attending such discourses for a number of years. They get excited on hearing these sermons and burst into tears but they still persist in accepting interest, cheating others in their trade, remaining unmindful of the religious performances, and disobedience to their parents. Satan has led them to believe that their presence in these sermons, their lamentations and fits of crying will atone for their neglected duties and-the sins of omission and commission. There are also others who think that accompanying the pious and godly persons or paying visits to them shall be enough for expiation of their sins."
In regard to the rich and affluent, Ibn al-Jawzi has the following to say:
Many among these persons spend lavishly on the construction of mosques or bridges but their object really is to become famous and win over the people by such acts of piety. Another objective they have in view is that they should be remembered after their death, and, for that purpose they get their names inscribed on the foundation-stones of these edifices. Had they undertaken the construction of these works for the pleasure of God, they would have been content with the knowledge that God is aware of what they do. If these persons were to be asked to get simply a wall constructed without having their names inscribed on it, they would never agree to it.
"Likewise, these persons donate candle-sticks to the mosques during the month of Ramadhan although these remain without light during the remaining part of the year. They cannot, obviously, evoke admiration of others by providing oil for daily lighting, which they hope to attain by donation of a single candle-stick during the month of Ramadhan."
Said al-Khatir:
Not strictly an autobiographical work, the book also contains reminiscences of Ibn al-Jawzi, his ideas and feelings and personal experiences. In describing the incidents he had come across, Iba al-Jawzi frankly admits his mistakes and weaknesses. Ibn al-Jawzi often addresses his own self to criticise its longings and aspirations, gives an account of his mental and emotional states, describes his social experiences with the help of common and everyday happenings and relates the wisdom derived from the trials and tribulations, rough and tumble of life or his dealings with women, friends and servants. An outstanding feature of this book is its immaculate sincerity and simplicity. The book is also noted for the easy eloquence and lucidity of its style, which marks the first attempt made by an Arab writer in this direction, since the then prevailing style was to use a heavily embellished language in the literary works.
Ibn al-Jawzi possessed a special gift to draw out wisdom from insignificant occurrences which many of us come across and pass over without paying any heed to them. Here is an example from the Said al-Khalir:
"I saw two labourers who were carrying a heavy beam. Both were humming a song; when one recited a verse, the other listened to it attentively and then repeated it or came out with another verse in reply to the first. I thought that if they do not do so they would have a greater consciousness of their exertion. By singing the labourers made their work easier. On further reflection I found that by engaging themselves in singing the minds of the labourers get a little respite; they get busy in another work for a short duration and thus refresh themselves. This diversion also decreases the consciousness of the burden by diverting attention from the exertion of their work. My attention was diverted from it to the burden of responsibilities and obligations enjoined by the Shariah. I thought that perhaps the consciousness of these liabilities constitutes the heaviest burden on the self of man while the greatest effort lies in controlling and checking the propensities and impulses for which the self has a liking. Thus, I arrived at the conclusion that one should cover the path of endurance with the help of giving it necessary respite and by allowing the consciousness to refresh itself by yielding to lawful pleasures. A poet was rightly said that when the caravan gets tired of travelling for the whole night, tell the people that the dawn is at hand and that they would get the needed respite during the day.
"A similar story is told about Bishr Hafi who was going somewhere along with a companion. The friend of Bishr Hafi got thirsty and he asked Bishr to wait a bit so that he could get water from a well. Bishr, however, advised him to wait till they reached the next well, and then to the next one. After they had covered a considerable distance, Bishr told his friend that the life in this terrestrial world is also a journey which can be completed in that manner. The truth is that whoever is aware of the fact alluded to by Bishr, will console his self, cheer it up when in distress and assure it of lessening the burden so that it may bear the weight of its responsibilities with endurance. A certain preceptor of the times past addressed his self thus: 'O myself, if I check thee from thy fancies and attractions, it is only on account of my affection for thee'. Another master and devine, Ba Yazid al-Bustami, once said: I used to lead my wailing self flooded with tears towards God, then it gradually got familiar with the way and began to forge ahead cheerfully.' It should thus be remembered that it is absolutely necessary to console and enliven the self so that it may bear its burden patiently." At another place he writes:
"I have seen that when hounds pass by the side of wild dogs, the latter bark at them and try to chase them. The wild dogs are envious of the hounds because of their dog-belts and clothings, but the hounds do not pay any attention to them as if they do not belong to the same species. The wild dogs are, fat and clumsy, and are not trustworthy; the hounds, on the other hand, are lean, well-proportioned and quick. They are also well-trained and trustworthy. It is out of the fear or on account of the gratitude to their master that they bring back the game to him. I have drawn two conclusions from this comparison. First, the frame and appearance of a man has a bearing upon his morals. If the former has a finer countenance, the latter would also be of a nice demeanour. Secondly, nobody is envious towards one whom he does not consider his equal. Likewise, a man who has been favoured by Allah with faith and wisdom bears no ill-will against those who lack these qualities even though the latter might be moved by jealousy towards him. In fact the faithful does not consider the faithless worthy of his attention, for, their spheres of hopes and aspirations are quite different: one harbours a feeling of hostility at another's good in this world but the other aspires for success in the world-to-come. There is a world of difference between the two."
Dialogue with the Self:
Ibn al-Jawzi sometimes applies the method of tracing an incident to its source so as to discover the general principles underlying that phenomenon. Once he prayed to Allah along with another saintly person. The prayer was answered by Allah and this made him to think as to whose prayer had found favour with Allah. Here Ibn al-Jawzi analyses the incident with the help of self-dialogue.
"Once I was confronted with a difficulty for which I had to invoke Divine blessings and succour. Accordingly, I prayed to Allah along with another godly person. I felt that my prayer was about to be answered by Allah but I thought that it was not on account of my beseeching but because of the prayer of that pious soul. I said to myself: I am aware of my own sins and weaknesses which should not apparently allow my prayers to be answered, but. who knows that Allah did not really accede to my own entreaties? I felt that although the reverend man of God who prayed for me should be free of those vices which, I knew, I suffered from, still there was a difference between him and myself. I had a sense of regret and self-reproach for my sins while he was cheerful and enlivened. And, it is not unoften that broken-hearted penitence is more propitious on occasions like this.
"There is, however, another matter in which both of us stood on an equal fooling. None of us solicited the favour of Allah on the ground of our moral excellence. Now, if in these circumstances, I owned my mistakes and humbly prayed to Allah: 'Take pity on me, Oh Lord, for I am empty-handed', there was every likelihood of my supplication having being granted. Also, it is just possible that the other person might have had an eye on his actions which would have caused hinderance in the acceptance of his prayer.
"Therefore, O my Self, thou shouldst not make it insufferable for an already broken-hearted man like me. I am aware of my guilt, and I do also confess my sins; while, at the same time, I am aware of what I implore, and have a faith in the beneficence of my Allah to Whom I prefer my entreaties. Allah may bless that devoted soul if he lacks this quality, but so far as I am concerned, the confession of my guilt is my most valuable possession."
At another place he again portrays his inner-struggle in these words : "I was once undecided about a matter that was improper and unbecoming under the Shariah but my mind had brought forth certain arguments in its favour which apparently made it look lawful to me. In truth, however, it was nothing but specious reasoning because, as I later found out, it was manifestly abominable. However, I addressed myself to Allah and implored Him to ward off this state of indecision.
"I also began the recitation of the Qur'an so as to set my mind at rest. As I had to teach the commentary of the Chapter 'Joseph'- I began my recitation from there. I was so engrossed with the problem I had in mind that I did not pay much attention to what I was reading, but I was taken aback when I recited the verse, "He said: I seek refuge in Allah! Lo ! he is my lord, who hath treated me honourably". I felt as if this verse had been revealed for me. I said (O myself: Didst thou follow it? Joseph was free, he was wrongfully made a slave and sold to Potiphar. Joseph felt so grateful to Potiphar that he called him his lord, although neither Joseph was a slave nor Potiphar a master. The chief reason for this gratefulness of Joseph to Potiphar was that the latter had treated him honourably. 'Now think of thy own self, I said to myself. 'Thou art really slave of a Master who has been a benefactor ever since thy birth. Nobody knows how many times he has over-looked thy mistakes. Dost thou remember how He provided thy needs? It was by His grace that thou acquired knowledge and earned thy living. He guarded thee from every danger and guided thee to adopt the right course. He saved thee from the hostility of thy enemies. He bestowed on thee a goodly appearance as well as intellectual gift. He enabled thee to master the sciences in a short duration although others could not acquire these over a much longer period. He also favoured thee with eloquence, intellect and memory, caused the people to show thee kindness and reverence, and made it easy for thee to procure thy livelihood without having to lie under an obligation to others. It is not possible, in truth and reality, to thank Him for the innumerable favours He has bestowed on thee the good-looking countenance, well-propor-tioned limbs, worthy demeanour, refined taste, intellectual grit, discrimination to adopt the right path and to avoid lewdness, opportunity to acquire knowledge of the Traditions and to act on it—Verily, if ye would count the bounty of Allah ye cannot reckon it How many of thy enemies laid snares for thee, but Alalh saved thee; how they wanted to discredit thee, but He exalted thee; how many favours were granted to thee, but denied to others; how many people left this world broken-hearted, but thou were crowned with success. Dost thou not see that thou are in good health, have sound intellect and a wholesome faith, thy knowledge is abounding, thy aspirations are fulfilled and if thou art ever thwarted in any desire, Allah makes thee patient and forbearing till thou knowest that it was really profitable that thy desire did not meet with success. It would be impossible to recount all the favours of Allah bestowed on thee ; since, the unknown bounties invested by Allah on man are far in excels of those that he can comprehend. Then, how didst thou consider it lawful to do something which was considered unclean by God Almighty: I seek refuge in Allah! Lo! He is my lord, Who hath treated me honourably. Lo ! wrong-doers never prosper."
Ibn al-Jawzi narrates another personal experience of the same nature: "Once I acted on a legal opinion which was upheld by certain schools of jurisprudence but rejected by others. However, I felt an uneasiness as if I had committed a sacrilege which was causing me spiritual contraction and a drift towards unorthodoxy. With a deepening sense of bereavement and sullenness, I realised as if my own Self was asking me: 'You didn't act against the advice of the jurists. Why is then this feeling of privation?' I replied: 'O my insinuating Self, I have two answers to thy question. First, thou turned aside from the teachings of thy own juristic school-If thou had been asked to pronounce a legal opinion on this question, thou wouldst not have advised it thus. 'I won't have acted on it, interjected the Self, 'if I had not considered it lawful.' I replied: 'No, thou wouldst not even advise others to act likewise. 'And the second reason is,' I added, 'that thou shouldst be happy over the gloom experienced by thee, for had thou not been already favoured with the illumination thou wouldst not have had this feeling of bereavement.' 'But I dislike the gloom coming over me,' replied the Self. 'Then thou shouldst make up thy mind,' said I, to give up the disputed act. Thou thinkest that it has been made lawful through consensus of opinion. Still thou shouldst decide to renounce it simply for the fear of God.' The Self was then saved of the spiritual contraction and gloominess after it had acted likewise.'
Ibn al-Jawzi was primarily a traditionist and jurist but he always emphasised the importance of the study of biographical accounts of the pious and saintly masters of the olden times for the purpose of purification of soul and implanting a religious zeal. He has advised the scholars, jurists and traditionists in the Talbis-o-Iblis and the Said al-Khatir to pursue this branch of learning. Speaking of his own experience in this regard, he writes in the Said al-Khatir:
"I feel that the study of juristic sciences and Traditions is not sufficient to instil a tenderness of heart which enables it to attract the divine grace. The only way to acquire this faculty is to study the inspiring biographies of the masters who were pure of heart. The knowledge pertaining to the lawful and unlawful matters does not produce the warmth and tenderness of heart. This is brought about by effective incidents narrated in the Traditions and the biographical accounts of the mentors of yore. Those teachers of the olden times had realised the true content of faith and lived up to it instead of simply acquiring a knowledge of it. What I am recommending to you is my personal experience. I have seen that the traditionists and their students generally devote their entire attention to the chain of narrators and the canons framed for the reception or rejection of the Traditions. Similarly, the jurists are extremely fond of the science of dialectics for gaining a victory over their opponents. How can these make one tender-hearted? Formerly the people used to visit the men of God to pattern their behaviour after the example set by these pious souls instead of acquiring knowledge from them. And, indeed, this is the end of knowledge. Therefore, let it be understood very clearly that it is absolutely necessary for you to include the study of the biographies of the pious and reverend souls in your curriculum of the Law and the Traditions."
Biographical Writings:
Ibn al-Jawzi has accordingly written the biographies of a number of luminaries such has Hasan al-Basri, Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, Sufyan Thauri, Ibrahim ibn Ad'ham, Bishr Hafi, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ma'ruf Karkhi and others. In addition to these biographies, he has also written a compendium of reputed scholars, writers, saints, etc., in four volumes under the title of Sifat us-Safwah. This book is really a revised edition of the Hilyatul Awliya by Abii Nua'im Asbahani which was edited by Ibn al-Jawzi. In revising the book he has kept in view the principles of historical criticism and deleted the spurious accounts related by Abu Nua'im.
Study of History:
Ibn al-Jawzi held the view that along with the study of religious sciences like the Law and the Traditions, History should also be studied by the students because the lack of knowledge in this branch of learning had led certain scholars to commit unpardonable mistakes. He, therefore, advised that every student should have at least as much knowledge of history that he does not commit any grevious mistake. Writes he in the Said al-Khatir :
"A scholar-jurist must be conversant with all the related sciences. A jurist has to have the knowledge of other sciences like History, Traditions, Lexicology, etc., on which he has very often to rely upon. I heard a jurist saying that Sheikh Shibli and Qadi Shuraik had once got together in a meeting. I wondered at the ignorance of the jurist who did not know that the two were not contemporaries. Another scholar once said in a lecture that since Caliph Ali had bathed the dead body of Fatima, their marriage did not terminate even after the death of the latter. I thought, God may help this man, for he does not know that Caliph Ali had married the niece of Fatima, Umamah bint Zainab, after Fatima had passed away. How would it have been possible if their marriage had continued after the death of Fatima? I have seen similar grevious mistakes committed by al-Ghazali in the Ihya Ulum id-Din. I was surprised to see how he could mix up the incidents happening at quite different times. I have compiled all such errors of lyha in one of my books. Another scholar, Sheikh Abul Ma'ali al-Jawa'ini has mentioned another curious story in his book entitled Ash-Shamil, on the subject of jurisprudence. He writes that certain Batinites have related that Hallaj, Abu Sa'id al-Janabi Qarmati and Ibn al-Muqann'a had conspired to overthrow the then government by creating dissatisfaction among the masses. Each one of them undertook to raise insurrection, in a certain country and in accordance with that agreement al-Janabi went to Ahs'a, Ibn al-Muqann'a to Tarkistan and Hallaj to Baghdad, The two confidants of Hallaj, were, however, of the opinion that he would surely lose his life because it was not possible to dupe the people of Baghdad. If the narrator of this story only knew that Hallaj was not a contemporary of Ibn al-Muqann'a, he would not have given credence to this story. Mansur had ordered the execution of Ibn al-Muqann'a in 144 A.H. while Abu Sa'id al-Janabi Qarmati came to prominence in-286 a. h. and Hallaj was killed in 309 a. h. Thus Qarmati and Hallaj were almost contemporaneous but Ibn al-Muqann'a was born much earlier. There is thus no question of the three meeting and conspiring together.
This would amply make it clear that every scholar should have a grounding in the sciences related to his own. It is discreditable for a traditionist that he should not be able to give a legal opinion in any matter simply because he has been engrossed in the study of Traditions and has no time to pay attention to other branches of religious learning. Similarly, it does not behove a jurist to be unable to explain the meanings of any Tradition. I implore God that He may endow us with an ambition that may not allow us to put up with the least indolence".
Historical Writings :
Ibn al-Jawzi did not merely criticise the scholars for not being well versed in history, but he also wrote a comprehensive history of Islamic peoples from the inception of Islam till 574 a. h. in ten volumes. In this work entitled as al-Muntazam fi-Tarikh il-Muluk wal-Umam. Ibn al-Jawzi first gives the year and then narrates the important incidents and events of that year along with the preeminent personages who died during the year, followed by an account of their achievements. This work of Ibn al-Jawzi thus combines chronicle with scientific history interwoven with a harmonious account of the notable personalities.
Another historical work of smaller size by Ibn al-Jawzi is Taiqih-o-Fuhum-i-Ahl-il-Athar Fi-'Ayun At- Tarikh Wa-Sayar. This is a compendium of historical information which has also been published.
Oratory of Ibn al-Jawzi :
The chroniclers of his time agree that Ibn al-Jawzi was a gifted orator who could draw large crowds. In the Said al-Khatir he has mentioned his internal struggle which once almost prevailed upon him to pay absolutely no attention to the rhetoric and the choice of words in his speeches as this could be construed as a show of oratory. However, he gave up the idea since on further reflection he came to the conclusion that eloquence was a God given gift, a perfection and not a defection, which ought to be employed for the propagation of faith. Similarly, Ibn al-Jawzi entertained a desire, more than once, to give up preaching and withdraw himself to a life of complete seclusion and meditation. However, he won over his self to follow the right path by arguing the issue with it. He ultimately decided that this was a suggestion hinted at by the Satan who did not like to see thousands of persons carried away by his eloquence towards the path of moral and spiritual reformation. The prophets of God were primarily preachers and they also associated with the people. The self of the man being indolent and abhorring exertion wants to turn its back upon the world. It is also tempted by the love of fame, honour arid popularity which can easily be gained through winning over the hearts of the people by retiring from the world. Thus Ibn al-Jawzi reasoned with his Self to counter the whisperings of the Satan who wanted him to abandon his mission of preaching and inviting people towards the path of divine guidance. Ibn al-Jawzi thus continued to press his intellectual gifts for more than half a century to the task of serving his people and revivification of the faith.
Ibn al-Jawzi died on a Friday night in 597 A.H. The entire population of Baghdad suspended its work to attend his funeral prayers which was held in the mosque of (Jama) Mansur. It was a memorable day in the history of the metropolis; innumerable people were found sobbing for the departed teacher. The annalyist reports that quite a few inhabitants of Baghdad spent their nights throughout the ensuing month of Ramadhan at his grave offering prayers and reciting the Qur'an for the peace of his soul.
Reference url: http://archive.islamkashmir.org/radiant-reality/oct-2006.htm#11.%20Saviours%20of%20Islamic%20Spirit
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Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said, "Indeed, the Shariah is founded upon wisdom and welfare for the servants in this life and the afterlife. In its entirety it is justice, mercy, benefit, and wisdom. Every matter which abandons justice for tyranny, mercy for cruelty, benefit for corruption, and wisdom for foolishness is not a part of the Sharia even if it was introduced therein by an interpretation." (Source: I'lām al-Muwaqqi'īn 3/11)
قال ابن القيم رحمه الله فَإِنَّ الشَّرِيعَةَ مَبْنَاهَا وَأَسَاسُهَا عَلَى الْحِكَمِ وَمَصَالِحِ الْعِبَادِ فِي الْمَعَاشِ وَالْمَعَادِ وَهِيَ عَدْلٌ كُلُّهَا وَرَحْمَةٌ كُلُّهَا وَمَصَالِحُ كُلُّهَا وَحِكْمَةٌ كُلُّهَا فَكُلُّ مَسْأَلَةٍ خَرَجَتْ عَنْ الْعَدْلِ إلَى الْجَوْرِ وَعَنْ الرَّحْمَةِ إلَى ضِدِّهَا وَعَنْ الْمَصْلَحَةِ إلَى الْمَفْسَدَةِ وَعَنْ الْحِكْمَةِ إلَى الْبَعْثِ فَلَيْسَتْ مِنْ الشَّرِيعَةِ وَإِنْ أُدْخِلَتْ فِيهَا بِالتَّأْوِيلِ
3/11 إعلام الموقعين عن رب العالمين ابن القيم


Our products and services include etc, etc., florists, plumbing, referrals to hair stylists and skin care.Helping people in english.
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Here at 1st United Pawn & Loan, we buy and sell all types, conditions, dates, and grades of coins. We also buy previously graded coins. 1st United Pawn & Loan also sells all types of paper money. The paper money we carry ranges in condition.
Here are some examples of coins we buy.


'Blazing Saddles' is the 1974 film directed by Mel Brooks. Screenwriters were Andrew Bergman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg and Al Uger.
Governor William J. Le Petomane (Mel Brooks) and State Attorney General Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) are in it for the money, power and prestige. Lamarr is the power behind the throne. Easily manipulating Le Petomane to do whatever he wants. Everything he does is in the boss' name. If a plan backfires the Governor gets the blame. In public, Lamarr plays the role of a helpless civil servant.
Their latest scheme is a land grab. The town of Rock Ridge lies in the path of their railroad. Since the people won't sell they will drive them out anyway they can. Eventually they figure racism will do the trick. Trouble-maker and ex-railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little), a Black man, is appointed Sherriff. But Le Petomane and Lamarr seriously underestimated him.
The man thinks on his feet, is extraordinarily charming and can sell ice to Inuit. Bart becomes fast friends with another outcast. The town drunk is the famous gunslinger The Waco Kid (Gene Wilder). He gave up the gunslinger lifestyle then crawled into a bottle. Together they turn the town's citizens and alienated railroad worker population into allies. Thraw evil plans and scheming to their advantage.
The good: Guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry and can't breathe. Timeless classic that never gets old. The entire main and supporting cast is a comedic dream team. Not a bad apple in the bunch. Seen billion times and will keep watching. Harvey Korman stole the movie from beginning to end. The Count Basie Orchestra added a touch of class to the joint. Mongo! Lili von Shtupp. Hedley Lamarr.
The reel fight of good vs. evil also occurring in real life. The title song. Sight gags! Breaking the fourth wall repeatedly. Couldn't look at statues for a long time because of that scene. Booked solid at the gallows. Rock Ridge church folk singing their woes at Sunday's service. Gabby Johnson's reaction to and warning about Bart. Bart's life story putting Jim to sleep.
The most unexpected and funniest fart joke in history. The brute squad Mongo taking on the town. I'm so tired segment. Excuse me while I whip this out. Son you're on your own. Baby you're so talented and they are so dumb. Pawn in the game of life. You men are only risking your lives, while I am risking an almost-certain Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor!
Do that voodoo that you do so well! Le Petomane found the perfect lover in Lili von Shtupp. Bart and Jim riding off into the sunset in style.
The bad: The jokes aren't PC and people may find the name calling offensive. But then again everyone is insulted and made fun of in this film.
The ugly: You didn't want it to end.


We bring you the Spain soccer table and Football Rush game in the matchday 21.
Barcelona continues to lead both tables.
In the Spanish La Liga, the first 6 positions have not changed and are still led by the same teams.
The changes come from the seventh position where Betis has been ousted by Valencia. This raises 2 positions thanks to the 3 points obtained in the match against Villareal in which were 3 to 0.
5 goals received Levante in the match against Sevilla. These were very successful and took the 3 points without receiving any goal against him. Throughout the day only a tie has happened to the Real society against Huesca where both teams scored no goal. Espanyol and Real Madrid were 2 – 4, so the 3 points were for Real Madrid.
Rayo escapes from the downhill positions thanks to the goal they scored in the match against Alaves. This position of descent is now occupied by Celta in this position along with Villareal and Huesca.
In the game Football Rush Mobile League have not happened major changes. Barcelona is becoming more and more separated from Real Madrid and 4000 points of difference.


Manchester United To Pull Out Of Toby Alderweireld's Race.
Premier League giants Manchester United have been in the race for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld since two seasons ago but they failed to capture his signature despite making a huge-money offer for him.
Though reports claim that Luke Shaw is willing to remain under the Portuguese manager beyond this summer, José Mourinho remains keen on luring the player to Old Trafford this summer.
Alderweireld wasn't in Mauricio Pochetino's good book last season as the Argentine failed to give the Belgian defender much time on the pitch.
The experience defender is yet to say anything to the media about his future with the North London outfits but reports suggest that the world cup star is considering leaving the team this summer.
Meanwhile, latest reports emanating from Manchester United via The Sport review claims that Mourinho could be ending his interest in the defender since he's gotten Diogo Dalot from Porto.
Diogo Dalot, 19, looks like a player for the future as he hasn't gotten the experience needed to be a regular player for the Red Devils but Mourinho is reportedly set to make him one of the players who will see spend much time on the field of play in the coming season.
As for Alderwiereld, he would be hoping to mend things with Pochetino before the start of next season so as to reclaim his starting berth in the Manager's first eleven. He has a year left in his contract with Tottenham but he could be sold out for just £25m.


Oakley MI 15 Yard Dumpster | Dumpster Infinite!
At Dumpster Infinite!, we strive to bring you the best service at the best price available. We have a wide selection of dumpster sizes in stock in Oakley, MI, with flexible & timley pickup and delivery. Give us a call today for all your dumpster rental and roll off needs.
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Nowadays there are most companies offering rubbish bins in addition to disposal containers on rent and you can take advantage of this opposition. The companies are dispersed across several areas in addition to cities therefore you must choose the nearest 1 for their and your convenience.
Yet 15 Yard Dumpster in Oakley, MIs are not one size fits all. To assist you keep your expenses in check, you spend only for the actual receptacle measurement that suits ones amount of garbage. So whether you rent some sort of 10-, 20-, or 30-yard total capacity dumpster, you'll have exactly the expanse involving space you must jettison all of your crap. Contact your nearby junk hauling service these days for a free, no-obligation estimate within the different sizes involving dumpsters.
As far as fees are worry than fees depend upon company to company. You can find most companies which offer their services on flat charges you could possibly find costlier whereas several companies give the service about rent basis like you can take bin or perhaps dumpster on rent. High are some corporations which provide a person same products and services in cheaper rates but you have to be mindful while choosing these kinds of corporations as there might be hidden fees. So it is advisable that you should select companies that provide you rubbish bin or dumpster about rent. As most of these firms are spread over many towns so you can find your local service provider. The main part is that you could save your rubbish bin or dumpster move money which many other corporations can request.
through your nearby junk or perhaps trash haulers gives a number of benefits that can make your lifetime much simpler when you're tackling property projects. Whenever you rent a dumpster, you can find rid of anything, large or small, you need to, you can focus on your own timetable, and you can abandon the final cleaning work to the garbage and dumpster pros.
Every so often when we look around the house and property we get the need to do a in depth cleanup. The need usually occurs spring is in the air, nonetheless it can happen at any time when we recognize that the accumulation involving unused in addition to worn out assorted items have simply just built up being too much.
Businesses that tend to excel are businesses that don't let you lift a new finger after they arrive to total the rubbish removal assistance, and the identical companies that in addition promote dumpster leases made easy! Make sure that the dumpster organization you work with offers dumpsters that roll. It will make your life easier if there are tires to move the actual dumpster around in one area to an additional.
The trash stacked up for longer period of time is polluting both oxygen and terrain making it harmful for the individuals to survive. The trash generated throughout these projects needs to be cleared immediately. If you choose traditional manner of cleaning trash such as self-cleaning to dispose the trash then it requires pretty long time and the trash being stacked up for so very long will leave filth for the air along with contaminate surrounding areas growing many catching diseases.
Via shawls by hoda to a a good cause such as a registered thrift retail store or a Environment for Mankind store really help those types of corporations. It is tough to keep every one of the material you would like to get rid of from a home or office constructing separated, but a good dumpster will probably be almost like an additional worker at work site. There are numerous sizes to suit just about anyone's need -- from a ten garden small dumpster way up to a Twenty, thirty, and in some cases 40 garden size. Are going to delivered to your internet site or property, dropped off, next picked up whenever full.
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Your den may be the place you get to, to get away from earth's every day worries. Maybe you sit in your living area to read a magazine or the newspapers. You may even carry clients for your den if you work from home. If it is the case, you want a den that may be comfortable nevertheless professional looking.
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Once the rummage sale made is over, you will still may have a large amount of junk to remove. In the past you thought you would employ these items however it turns out due to did. Of course before the rummage sale made or 15 Yard Dumpster in Oakley make sure there is nothing as part of your barn or exterior buildings that the children desire. Let them check out things and provide them to all of them to keep. Now the things you avoid using and do not desire are through your barn and garage area.
If you have ever considered old wall picture off you be aware of it is a blunder and a big chore. Outdated wallpaper bits that are difficult to get off because of the glue that was used when the wallpaper ended up being hung. Often construction teams or artists will use a unit to get the wall picture off of partitions. This is much faster and not just as much work as tearing it off manually ,. You will still have got large bits and tiny pieces of wall picture all over the kitchen floor. The person working on the walls can simply pick up the garbage along with throw this into a rented dumpster so he or she can quickly return to work. You intend to make their job as easy as possible since labor is very pricey. The longer the labor usually takes, the higher your current bill will likely be.
In your home redevelopment or structure projects, you find huge waste elements that has to be left to keep your job location totally free of the trash. The garbage generated from your property renovation causes many uncomfortable side effects impacting the eco-system causing polluting of the environment in the atmosphere as well. Self disposal regarding home renovation rubbish will put you to difficulties like time consumption, actual stress as well as budgets. You'll need some a specialist to handle the process hassle free.
Your family are enthusiastic about the new lounge you think about. You want to remove the worn out carpets, doors, base board and all creating throughout your property.
Someone who is conducting a home renovation project would more than likely require a central place to store the many debris along with garbage they may accumulate. In the course of renovations, there are lots of materials like floor tile, wall picture, cabinetry along with kitchen counter shirts, among others. Most people don't possess and have direct access with a trash trash can large enough to maintain all of the material.
The minute you actually call the dumpster company, you'll already have a fantastic indication if they are a professional company. Does the individual who answered your current call educated of their products and services? Does he / she sound professional in his types of dealing? If these features are professional enough, you may be assured that you are dealing with a professional dumpster company.Make certain that the company you'll hire is insured along with licensed. When you opt for a company who does not need insurance, some might destroy your current neighbor's property or home and you might become personally kept liable for investing in the damages.
It's important to understand, however, that typically a roll-off 15 Yard Dumpster in Oakley, MI is definitely that: some sort of 15 Yard Dumpster in Oakley, MI. It does not instantly include property or home clean out intend to get material into the dumpster for you personally. This can come as a surprise to many folks, because so many dumpster companies state that their dumpsters are accessible for hauling rubbish, removing waste, and dealing having home cleanouts. You'll want to read the small type when you're taking a look at dumpster firms to actually know if these are generally suggested uses or involved services.
How frequently have you bought something or even put something to the side when you might use this one day? These matters can be tiny, like discount coupons, or huge like hard drive boxes or maybe machinery or even furniture. Stop keeping these products that you don't need to have! You are merely collecting rubbish! For pricey items, market them on the web or throughout the classified portion of your local document. When selling things, restrict how long you will wait previous to dropping your current price and just how long you will keep the piece. Less expensive goods can either head to charity or even go straight to the trash, according to whether somebody else could use an item.


There's something satisfying about getting new sounds for a synthesizer. The new Sound Box from New Wave Presets is a varied and sonically multi-faceted collection of over 128 sounds.
If you want to add more sounds to your Elektron Analog Keys or Elektron Analog Four you could do a lot worse than consider this pack. But don't take my word for it. Take a listen to sounds from Sound Box on the New Wave Presets website.
Sound Box includes classic sounds like emulations of vintage synths, and acoustic instruments, and also new unheard of sounds. You will discover various basses, leads, keys, drums, FX's, and a nice selection of pads and atmospheres. There are 128 sounds packaged into 1 .syx file for the Elektron Analog Keys/Four.
For analog Keys users many sounds make use of the modulation joystick, velocity, and aftertouch.
1. What Is Analog Four?


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First flights of UK-built Taranis unmanned aircraft surpass all expectations
2014-02-05T22:49:58+00:00 5 Feb 2014
Together with the UK Ministry of Defence, we have revealed that Taranis, the stealthy unmanned combat vehicle demonstrator and the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers, surpassed all expectations during its first flight trials last year.
Taranis first flight video footage
Maiden flight
Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder, made its maiden flight at an undisclosed test range on Saturday 10 August 2013, under the command of our test pilot Bob Fraser. The demonstrator aircraft made a perfect take-off, rotation, 'climb-out' and landing on its 15 minute first flight. A number of flights took place last year, of up to one hour in duration and at a variety of altitudes and speeds. The details were revealed at a briefing held in London today.
Under the control of a human operator
The Taranis demonstrator is the result of one-and-a-half-million man hours of work by the UK's leading scientists, aerodynamicists and systems engineers from 250 UK companies. The aircraft has been designed to demonstrate the UK's ability to create an unmanned air system which, under the control of a human operator, is capable of undertaking sustained surveillance, marking targets, gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and carrying out strikes in hostile territory.
Technological advances
The findings from the aircraft's flight prove that the UK has developed a significant lead in understanding unmanned aircraft which could strike with precision over a long range whilst remaining undetected. The technological advances made through Taranis will also help the UKMOD and Royal Air Force make decisions on the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft and how they will operate together in a safe and effective manner for the UK's defences.
Jointly funded
Costing £185 million and funded jointly by the UK MOD and UK industry, the Taranis demonstrator aircraft was formally unveiled in July 2010 but only a very limited number of scientists and engineers have ever been given full access to the top secret aircraft.
Initial 'power-up' or ground testing commenced later in 2010 at our military aircraft factory in Warton, Lancashire followed by a comprehensive and highly detailed programme of pre-first flight milestones including unmanned pilot training, radar cross section measurements, ground station system integration and, in April 2013 taxi trials on the runway at Warton. The aircraft and its ground station were then shipped from Warton to the test-range before being re-assembled and undergoing systems and diagnostics checks. Taranis then made a number of high speed taxi tests in July before its maiden flight in August 2013.
Major landmark for aviation
Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology said: "Taranis is providing vital insights that will help shape future capabilities for our Armed Forces in coming decades. Its advanced technology is testament to the UKs world leading engineering skills that keep Britain at the cutting edge of defence." Commenting on behalf of the industry team, Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, BAE Systems added: "The first flight of Taranis represents a major landmark for UK aviation. The demonstrator is the most advanced air system ever conceived, designed and built in the UK. It truly represents an evolution of everything that has come before it. This milestone confirms the UK's leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation."
Team Taranis
About the size of our Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft – we have designed and built Taranis working alongside Rolls-Royce, the Systems division of GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Aerospace) and QinetiQ working alongside UK MOD military staff and scientists. In addition to prime contracting the project, we led on many elements of the Taranis technology demonstrator, including the low observability, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy elements (in partnership with QinetiQ).
BAE Systems Air
Taranis is an unmanned combat aircraft system advanced technology demonstrator programme
Taranis - looking to the future
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The objective of the study was to perform a systematic review to identify and appraise outcome measures and measures of pain that are used to assess the experience of pain by older people with osteoarthritis, and to assess whether these measures are effective at capturing the multidimensional nature of the experience of this pain. A systematic review of five electronic databases from January 1996 to March 2013 was done. Inclusion criteria were cohort/observational and cross-sectional studies; specific diagnosis of OA; employed outcome measures of pain and/or health and/or quality of life which included questions about pain; and considered older adults. Articles were reviewed for methodological quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. A total of 14 publications met the inclusion criteria, and 11 discrete studies were included in the review. The studies used 21 different outcome measures, utilizing 13 measures of pain. Sensory, affective and cognitive dimensions of pain were captured by the measures, albeit studies predominantly measured intensity or severity alone. Measures of pain used in epidemiological studies do not adequately capture the multidimensional nature of the experience of pain in osteoarthritis. There is a fraught complexity in the multidimensionality of the experience of pain in osteoarthritis, and studies exploring osteoarthritis pain in older people should attempt to capture this multidimensionality by employing multiple valid and reliable outcome measures that capture specific dimensions of the pain experience.


You start the day off with so many good intentions—where do they all go? With this hopeful pad, you'll never lose sight of those lofty aspirations. Whether you want to attract positive energy or just get rid of household clutter, this pad has your karma covered.