Once prophet Mohammed (SA) was asked. Who is the most honourable among man?
He replied: In the eyes of allah, the most honourable is the one who has Taqwa.
They said: This is known to us. What we mean is in a broder sense.
Then Prophet Mohammed (SA) said: Yusuf (AS) is the most honourable among mankind. He was handsome, perfect in everything and was the son of a prophet, who in turn was the son of prophet, who in turn was the son of a prophet. And he was in power both in spiritual and material terms.
As we all know Yusuf (AS) was a prophet and at the same time a minister in Egypt who handled the treasury!
There is a great lesson in this example from Prophet Mohammed (SA). The greatness is not coming from leading a spiritual life in seclusion. It is associated with those in control of the affairs and who successfully manages them with justice and due respect of evrything that matters.
Prophet Mohammed himself was a wholistic man. He was a Prophet, a ruler, a businessman, a father, a reformer,..............a real leader.
"My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one of the world's great religions, and became an immensely effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive..........." From the book : The 100, a Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart.
Yes. For those prophets and leaders religion was not a barrier, but a means to greatness.
Courtsey: The class of br. Abdul Kareem Sullami Edavanna.
=================
Important note to the reader: Since I am reproducing the class from my memory, the words in this post need not be exactly matching to the words from hadees. I was trying to summarise the message only. So please do not quote without referring the basic Hadees books.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saudi and Korean firms sign rail bid joint venture
Abdullah AM Al-Khodari Sons has entered a joint venture with Korea’s LOTTE Engineering & Construction Company to pre-qualify for a buildings tender on the North-South rail project launched by Saudi Railway Company.
The Al-Khobar based civil and construction contractor said it would own 55% of the joint venture that will bid for the passenger station, mosque and headquarters package. It would work on the project with LOTTE, which has branches in Abu Dhabi and Libya, if successful, it added.
The upcoming 2,400km North-South rail project will run from the border of Saudi Arabia with Jordan to Riyadh, passing through Jouf, Hail, Qassim and Sudair, connecting the northern region to the Hail region allowing the transportation of phosphates and bauxite to Ras Al Zawr in the north-east, then on to Jubail. Abdullah Al-Khodari has already won a one-year contract from Saudi Arabian Mining Company to supply above- and below-ground pipe work for the aluminium smelter in Ras Al Zawr.
Completion of the initial phase of the North-South Railway was announced by Dr Ibrahim Al-Assaf, finance minister and chairman of the Public Investment Fund on 24 May.
Railway Gazette reported that trial operations on a 1,392km section of the project began last week, with a four-wagon train carrying 200 tonnes of phosphate concentrate from the Ma'aden mine at Al Jalamid to Ras Azzawr port on the Gulf coast. By completion, 155 wagon trains will carry loads of 15,000 tonnes, it added.
The rail project is scheduled to open by 2013, with a link to the border with Jordan at Al Haditha in 2014.
The project is one of many new rail developments to arise across the kingdom. In March Al-Balad Al-Ameen Company for Urban Development said it would launch a tender for an intercity rail network in Makkah in the third quarter. Ahmad Al-Baloushi, executive president, said the company had already carried out a technical study of the project and started a feasibility study. It will eventually link to the $1.9bn Haramain High Speed rail network.
It is the second joint venture announced this month by Al-Khodari after announcing it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Kier Construction to pre-qualify for projects in the Eastern Region.
Al-Khodari’s share price rose 0.3% yesterday in Riyadh and closed at SAR 68.5.
The Al-Khobar based civil and construction contractor said it would own 55% of the joint venture that will bid for the passenger station, mosque and headquarters package. It would work on the project with LOTTE, which has branches in Abu Dhabi and Libya, if successful, it added.
The upcoming 2,400km North-South rail project will run from the border of Saudi Arabia with Jordan to Riyadh, passing through Jouf, Hail, Qassim and Sudair, connecting the northern region to the Hail region allowing the transportation of phosphates and bauxite to Ras Al Zawr in the north-east, then on to Jubail. Abdullah Al-Khodari has already won a one-year contract from Saudi Arabian Mining Company to supply above- and below-ground pipe work for the aluminium smelter in Ras Al Zawr.
Completion of the initial phase of the North-South Railway was announced by Dr Ibrahim Al-Assaf, finance minister and chairman of the Public Investment Fund on 24 May.
Railway Gazette reported that trial operations on a 1,392km section of the project began last week, with a four-wagon train carrying 200 tonnes of phosphate concentrate from the Ma'aden mine at Al Jalamid to Ras Azzawr port on the Gulf coast. By completion, 155 wagon trains will carry loads of 15,000 tonnes, it added.
The rail project is scheduled to open by 2013, with a link to the border with Jordan at Al Haditha in 2014.
The project is one of many new rail developments to arise across the kingdom. In March Al-Balad Al-Ameen Company for Urban Development said it would launch a tender for an intercity rail network in Makkah in the third quarter. Ahmad Al-Baloushi, executive president, said the company had already carried out a technical study of the project and started a feasibility study. It will eventually link to the $1.9bn Haramain High Speed rail network.
It is the second joint venture announced this month by Al-Khodari after announcing it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Kier Construction to pre-qualify for projects in the Eastern Region.
Al-Khodari’s share price rose 0.3% yesterday in Riyadh and closed at SAR 68.5.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Oppressor and Oppressed
"Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed." Said Prophet Mohammed (SA).
A man asked, "O Allah's Apostle! I will help him if he is oppressed, but if he is an oppressor, how shall I help him?"
The Prophet replied, "By preventing him from oppressing [others], for that is how to help him."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari: Narrated by Anas R.A.)
A man asked, "O Allah's Apostle! I will help him if he is oppressed, but if he is an oppressor, how shall I help him?"
The Prophet replied, "By preventing him from oppressing [others], for that is how to help him."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari: Narrated by Anas R.A.)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO
1. International Emergency
a. The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.
b. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you.
c. Interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
2. Have you locked your keys in the car?
d. If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.
e. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock.
f. This saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.
g. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
3. Hidden Battery Power
h. Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#
i. Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery.
j. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
k. To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone!: * # 0 6 #, a 15 digit code will appear on the screen.
l. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
m. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.
Courtsey: Email from Mr. Ahmed Issam Jaradat
a. The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112.
b. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you.
c. Interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
2. Have you locked your keys in the car?
d. If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone.
e. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock.
f. This saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.
g. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
3. Hidden Battery Power
h. Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#
i. Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery.
j. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time.
4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
k. To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone!: * # 0 6 #, a 15 digit code will appear on the screen.
l. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
m. When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.
Courtsey: Email from Mr. Ahmed Issam Jaradat
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Present value for a cashflow for a given period (Discounted cash flow)
If you take a loan from the bank you will have to pay an interest. The amount you will have to pay at the end of every year to close the loan in say five or ten years is very clear in your mind.
But the opposit is not easily comprehended.
The term is the present value for a cashflow for a given period. The financial term for this calculation is called discounted cash flow. This calulates the present value for a cashflow (fixed or with varying growth) for a given number of period.
This calculation is usefull for calculating the present value of a company with certain future future projection of business.
I was searching for a reading about this material and I came across a very simple writeup on it and a calculator.
Please click below link to read:
Discounted Cashflow Calculator
I thought of sharing this link here.
But the opposit is not easily comprehended.
The term is the present value for a cashflow for a given period. The financial term for this calculation is called discounted cash flow. This calulates the present value for a cashflow (fixed or with varying growth) for a given number of period.
This calculation is usefull for calculating the present value of a company with certain future future projection of business.
I was searching for a reading about this material and I came across a very simple writeup on it and a calculator.
Please click below link to read:
Discounted Cashflow Calculator
I thought of sharing this link here.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Good and evil can not be equal
Good and evil can not be equal.
Knowledge and ignorance can not be equal.
Truth and falseness can not be equal.
Light and darkness can not be equal.
Day and Night can not be equal.
Might and weakness can not be equal.
A good soul and a bad soul can not be equal!
Today there is a great deal of dilution happening to this philosophy.
In old days someone who takes interest were treated as a bad person in the society. Those days, especially among the muslim community, you rarely find respectable people crossing the borders of the teachings of Prophet (SA).
For example:
A true believer shall not take bribe for his services.
A true believer shall not cross the forbiddesn limits (haram) in his earnings.
His body and his family should not be fed with money earned in a prohibited manner.
As per the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SA), nothing except pure will enter paradise. If your body part is fed with food earned in a forbidden manner, that part can not enter paradise!
A believer should be very carefull of such a situation.
A believer should always pray to Allah and recite Salath on Allah's messenger so that he gets the spiritual strength to keep himself away from evil deeds.
A believer should differentiate himself from others with his good deeds!
Courtsey: Highlights from the class of Br. Kareem Sullami tonight in Jeddah.
Knowledge and ignorance can not be equal.
Truth and falseness can not be equal.
Light and darkness can not be equal.
Day and Night can not be equal.
Might and weakness can not be equal.
A good soul and a bad soul can not be equal!
Today there is a great deal of dilution happening to this philosophy.
In old days someone who takes interest were treated as a bad person in the society. Those days, especially among the muslim community, you rarely find respectable people crossing the borders of the teachings of Prophet (SA).
For example:
A true believer shall not take bribe for his services.
A true believer shall not cross the forbiddesn limits (haram) in his earnings.
His body and his family should not be fed with money earned in a prohibited manner.
As per the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (SA), nothing except pure will enter paradise. If your body part is fed with food earned in a forbidden manner, that part can not enter paradise!
A believer should be very carefull of such a situation.
A believer should always pray to Allah and recite Salath on Allah's messenger so that he gets the spiritual strength to keep himself away from evil deeds.
A believer should differentiate himself from others with his good deeds!
Courtsey: Highlights from the class of Br. Kareem Sullami tonight in Jeddah.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Rule number one: Life has ups and downs
Rule number one: Life has ups and downs
In the above graph, look at series 1, 2 and 3. If they represent the life of three individuals, you can see that all the three had ups and downs in their life.
Which series you likes for yourself?
Series -2 is person who just managed his life without major falls or major success.
Series -3 represents a person who falls but his ups are not enough. ultimately he ends up a failure.
Series -1 represents a case of success. Each time he fell, he tried hard to push his life up much harder so that ultimately he reached much suucessfull position in life!
Is this not the simple case of life, companies, organizations, parties ......? It is natural that some of our ventures fail. The solution lies in quickly realizing it and make necessary remedial actions immeditely.
If the fall is big you should work very hard to push the graph up. But if you take it easy and leave it for granted or do not work hard enough at critical times, the graph automatically falls down and down!
In malayalam we say "Thaan Paathi Daiwam Paathi". Yes, we have to do our part and then ask for the help from God.
It is not difficult to make a life graph similar Series-1 for a person with dedication, determination and hard work especially at critical stages in life.
Courtsey: Mr. kabeer from Center for Information and Guidance India(CIGI), while he made a presentation in Jeddah recently.
In the above graph, look at series 1, 2 and 3. If they represent the life of three individuals, you can see that all the three had ups and downs in their life.
Which series you likes for yourself?
Series -2 is person who just managed his life without major falls or major success.
Series -3 represents a person who falls but his ups are not enough. ultimately he ends up a failure.
Series -1 represents a case of success. Each time he fell, he tried hard to push his life up much harder so that ultimately he reached much suucessfull position in life!
Is this not the simple case of life, companies, organizations, parties ......? It is natural that some of our ventures fail. The solution lies in quickly realizing it and make necessary remedial actions immeditely.
If the fall is big you should work very hard to push the graph up. But if you take it easy and leave it for granted or do not work hard enough at critical times, the graph automatically falls down and down!
In malayalam we say "Thaan Paathi Daiwam Paathi". Yes, we have to do our part and then ask for the help from God.
It is not difficult to make a life graph similar Series-1 for a person with dedication, determination and hard work especially at critical stages in life.
Courtsey: Mr. kabeer from Center for Information and Guidance India(CIGI), while he made a presentation in Jeddah recently.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Simple rule of Capitalism
There is a very simple rule in capitalism which allows entreprueners to take big risks.
If your venture is going well, there is no upper limit for the fortune it could bring to you. While if the venture is going bad, you are protected with the limited liability amount of the company!
In bad days you can declare bankruptcy and make yourself clean from the losses. Following this you can again start a new business with a loan from the bank with the same old conditions!
You never go below zero. No one will come to your home to claim the money lost from your venture, but they will only come to the factory or the assets declared under the company.
Good or bad........this is capitalism.
If your venture is going well, there is no upper limit for the fortune it could bring to you. While if the venture is going bad, you are protected with the limited liability amount of the company!
In bad days you can declare bankruptcy and make yourself clean from the losses. Following this you can again start a new business with a loan from the bank with the same old conditions!
You never go below zero. No one will come to your home to claim the money lost from your venture, but they will only come to the factory or the assets declared under the company.
Good or bad........this is capitalism.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Labour Day Thoughts
I am from Kerala, India but working in KSA.
A labourer in Kerala (Our area) comes for duty at around 8.00AM and goes back home by 1.30PM to 2.00PM!
The same keralite labourer, once he comes out of kerala is ready to work 12 to 18 hours per day! The irony is that the he does so in places like gulf countries for normal salaries like Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month!
The other day I discussed with one of my friend who is working in KSA since 1983. He was comparing the salary for labourers in KSA from 1983 and now. The increase in wages is only in the range of 20% to 30%. Whereas in India the wages of labourers increased from 500% to 800% during this period!!!!
No wonder why it is very hard for low paid Indian labourers to survive and the need for them to work so hard for long hours!!!
A labourer in Kerala (Our area) comes for duty at around 8.00AM and goes back home by 1.30PM to 2.00PM!
The same keralite labourer, once he comes out of kerala is ready to work 12 to 18 hours per day! The irony is that the he does so in places like gulf countries for normal salaries like Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month!
The other day I discussed with one of my friend who is working in KSA since 1983. He was comparing the salary for labourers in KSA from 1983 and now. The increase in wages is only in the range of 20% to 30%. Whereas in India the wages of labourers increased from 500% to 800% during this period!!!!
No wonder why it is very hard for low paid Indian labourers to survive and the need for them to work so hard for long hours!!!
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