Fellow Muslims! Mankind is now living in a world full dissentions and wars. Our present world is one that is at a critical historical crossroad in which all relationships are kept away from the path of Allaah and the authentic divine teachings are consigned into oblivion. The present world is one in which mundane interests are the criteria for every thing.

Our contemporary world is one, in which power and arrogance prevail over peace, mercy and kindness. Ours is a world in which evils are promoted in sweet and deceiving terms and in which rights are violated through false slogans. Allaah says,

“And of mankind there is he, whose speech may please you in this worldly life, and he calls Allaah to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents. And when he turns away, his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allaah likes not mischief.” (Al-Baqarah 2:204-205)

Brethren in faith! Our Ummah is now undergoing indescribably difficult situations. Tragedies that Muslims are subjected to in Palestine and Iraq are beyond the wildest imaginations. Every Muslims is saddened by the daily suffering of innocent peoples of these lands who are made to taste the punishment of the sins they never committed. Lives of many of these brethren have been unnecessarily and wantonly wasted and a great portion of their properties was wickedly destroyed.

Brethren in Islaam! When Al-Mansoor[1] built the city of Baghdad, he named it ‘Madeenatus-Salaam’ (City of Peace) and he wrote in its plan, “In the Name of Allaah. All praise is due to Allaah. Surely, the land belongs to Allaah. He gives it as inheritance to whomsoever He wills and the good ending is for the pious.”

Baghdad was the sanctuary of the scholars and reformers and a stronghold of the pious people. Baghdad is a city that, in view of its history and origin, cannot live in peace except with Islaam. It can never develop except through knowledge and eemaan and it cannot enjoy ease, stability and security except with the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. It is then incumbent on the inhabitants of the city and its visitors to understand the past, the present and the future of this city, to know their heritage and to realize that they cannot live in a better and reformed condition except by following the path of their predecessors. Let them hold fast to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger and judge among themselves according to their Lord’s injunctions.

Dear people of Iraq! Remember that your land is that of Islaam and eemaan. Unite under the banner of Islaam and do not be divided among yourselves. Your security is based on Islaamic Monotheism and your happiness depends on your firm adherence to the injunctions of Islaam. Your recent past is enough a lesson for everyone and the believer is not stung in one snake hole twice.. read more

'Allãhumma 'ãtinã fd-dunyã hasanatan wa fil 'ãkhirati hasanatan wa qinã `athãban-nari

Our Lord! Bring us Good in this world and Good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of the Fire.

Special offer on CC formations, & CIPRO submissions (From 1 Sep 2008 all Close Corporations will have to submit an annual return to CIPRO)

Contact Muhammed Cell: 084 512 6000 or (031) 207 1795
Email: mshaikh@cybersmart.co.za / Info@mshaikh.co.za
Website: www.mshaikh.co.za

MH READING & SPELLING

If your child has a problem with reading or spelling...
PHONE MUMTAZ on 011 852 5051 or 084 702 2960.

We specialize in the tutouring of Reading and Spelling to grades 4, 5, 6 and 7.

USD 9.3913 0.82%
Rand - GBP 15.8475
Rand - EUR 12.756
Indian Ruppee: 0.18
Gold: $883.50
Silver: R4.37g
Saudi Riyaal: R2.50
Pakistani Rupee: R0.11
Mahr Fatimi R6699.82
Minimum Mahr R133.99
Zakaah Nisaab R2679.92
Krugerand R8,846.06

The Nato alliance has joined the anti- piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. This comes amid calls for action against the armed gangs who have attacked scores of vessels this year. Several Nato vessels will be sent to the region, where negotiations are under way after the pirates demanded a ransom for a Ukrainian ship loaded with heavy weaponry.

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, has said his country would "ultimately" be prepared to reconcile with the Taliban group to end the conflict in Afghanistan. Gates on Thursday, however, ruled out any possible talks between the US and al-Qaeda fighters in the country. And, speaking after the first day of Nato meetings in Budapest about the war in Afghanistan, Gates said any settlement with the Taliban would be on the Afghan government's terms and would require the group to subject itself to Kabul's rule.

Serbia's neighbours Montenegro and Macedonia have recognised Kosovo in a blow to Belgrade's efforts to counter the secession of its former province. On Wednesday, the United Nations' General Assembly supported Serbia's initiative to seek an International Court of Justice opinion on the legality of the independence declaration made by Kosovo in February and recognised by 48, mostly Western states. Serbia had hoped that it would stop the further recognition of its former province.

A number of unhappy ANC members are already preparing themselves for a National Convention that is being called for by Mosiuoa Lekota. The members are mainly from the provinces. Yesterday Lekota failed to meet ANC Treasurer- General Mathews Phosa, who wanted to discuss the problems within the party. Lekota says no time was given for the meeting.

Commuters in Gauteng will soon be able to use a single ticket system for taxis, buses and trains. This follows the launch of a new transport system by the Gauteng Management Transport Authority in Johannesburg last night. The transport authority will ensure an integration of public transport into a unilateral network ahead of 2010.

In order to keep you updated of the ever changing business issues log on to the link below.

http://www.saipa.co.za/DisplayContent.asp?ContentPageID=84

CAKE
125g butter - 1 cup sugar - 2 eggs - ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda - 1 ½ cups flour - ¾ cup milk.

CUSTARD FILLING
1cup milk. 80g icing sugar. ½ tsp vanilla. ¼ cup water. 2 Tbsp corn flour. 2 eggs separated.

METHOD
Place topping ingredients in a pot and cook until light gold. Pour into one greased 20cm baking tin. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Beat well. Add cream of tartar and B.I. Soda and beat. Lastly alternate the milk and flour and beat. Pour half cake mixture over the topping. Pour the other half of cake mixture into the other 20cm greased baking tin. Bake at 200 c for 20-25 minutes. Remove the cake without the topping and place on a cake platter. Make the custard and pour over cake. Remove the cake with the topping and place over custard. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

To make the Custard
Heat milk and add icing sugar and vanilla essence. Beat egg whites stiff and set aside. Mix the water, corn flour and yolks, add to the milk. Cook until mixture forms custard. Remove from heat and fold in egg whites. Leave to cool and pour and pour over cake.

FROM A POINT OF STRENGTH
-----------------------------
'Now, while thou hast the power of utterance,
Speak, O brother, with grace and kindness
Because tomorrow, when the messenger of death arrives,
Thou wilt of necessity restrain thy tongue.'

~ GULISTAN ~

The woman answered "Well, I have contacts."

The policeman replied "I don't care who you know! You're getting a ticket!"