REMEMBERING MALCOLM X: 'Godfather of Harlem', The Great Muslim Leader of Modern America.

Remembering Malcolm X

May 19, 1925

'Godfather Of Harlem'

The Great Muslim Leader

of Modern America

(M. Javed Naseem)

Malcolm Little (the original name) was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha (Nebraska), the fourth of seven children of Louise Helen Little and Earl Little (of Georgia). Earl was an outspoken Baptist speaker, and he and Louise were admirers of Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey. They inculcated self-reliance and black-pride in their children. Malcolm X later said that white violence killed four of his father's brothers.

Because of KKK (Ku Klux Klan) threats‍, the family relocated in 1926 to Milwaukee (Wisconsin), and shortly thereafter to Lansing (Michigan). There, the family was frequently harassed by the Black Legion, a white racist group Earl accused of burning their family home in 1929.

Malcolm Little attended West Junior High School in Lansing and then Mason High School in Mason (Michigan), but left high school in 1941, before graduating. He excelled in junior high school but dropped out of high school after a white teacher told him that practicing law, his aspiration at the time, was "no realistic goal for a nigger". Later Malcolm X recalled feeling that the white world offered no place for a career-oriented black man, regardless of talent.

From age 14 to 21, Malcolm held a variety of jobs while living with his half-sister Ella Little-Collins in Roxbury, a largely African-American neighborhood of Boston.

Summoned by the local draft board for military service in World War-II, he feigned mental disturbance by rambling and declaring: "I want to be sent down South. Organize them nigger soldiers ... steal us some guns, and kill us [some] “crackers”. He was declared "mentally disqualified for military service".

In late 1945, Malcolm returned to Boston, where he and four accomplices committed a series of burglaries targeting wealthy white families. In 1946, he was arrested while picking up a stolen watch he had left at a shop for repairs, and in February began serving an eight-to-ten-year sentence at Charlestown State Prison for larceny and breaking and entering.

Besides his skill as a speaker, Malcolm X had an impressive physical presence. He stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed about 180 pounds (82 kg). One writer described him as "powerfully built", and another as "mesmerizingly handsome ... and always spotlessly well-groomed."

Prison

When Malcolm was in prison, he met fellow convict John Bembry, a self-educated man he would later describe as "the first man I had ever seen command total respect ... with words". Under Bembry's influence, Malcolm developed a voracious appetite for reading.

In late 1948, Malcolm contacted Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the emerging Nation of Islam. Muhammad advised him to renounce his past, humbly bow in prayer to God, and promise never to engage in destructive behavior again. Though he later recalled the inner struggle he had before bending his knees to pray, Malcolm soon became a member of the Nation of Islam, maintaining a regular correspondence with Muhammad.

“Between Mr. Muhammad's teachings, my correspondence, my visitors … and my reading of books, months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I had never been so truly free in my life.” – Malcolm X.

In 1950, the FBI opened a file on Malcolm after he wrote a letter from prison to President Truman, expressing opposition to the Korean War and declaring himself a communist. That year, he also began signing his name "Malcolm X". Muhammad instructed his followers to leave their family names behind when they joined the Nation of Islam and use "X" instead.

Thoughts & Speeches

“The common goal of 22 million Afro-Americans is respect as human beings. ... We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens there until we are first recognized as humans. ... Just as the violation of human rights of our brothers and sisters in South Africa and Angola is an international issue and has brought the racists of South Africa and Portugal under attack from all other independent governments at the United Nations, once the miserable plight of the 22 million Afro-Americans is also lifted to the level of human rights our struggle then becomes an international issue and the direct concern of all other civilized governments. We can then take the racist American Government before the World Court and have the racists in it exposed and condemned as the criminals that they are.” — Malcolm X.

“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses. The press is so powerful in its image-making role, it can make the criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. … If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” —Malcolm X.

Malcolm X was equally critical of the civil rights movement. He called Martin Luther King Jr. a "chump", and said other civil rights leaders were "stooges" of the white establishment. He called the 1963 March on Washington, "the farce on Washington", and said he did not know why so many black people were excited about a demonstration "run by whites in front of a statue of a president who has been dead for a hundred years and who didn't like us when he was alive".

Malcolm X is widely regarded as the second most influential leader of the Nation of Islam after Elijah Muhammad. He was largely credited with the group's dramatic increase in membership between the early 1950s and early 1960s (from 500 to 25,000 by one estimate; from 1,200 to 50,000 or 75,000 by another)
 
He inspired the boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) to join the Nation of Islam, and the two became close. In January 1964, Clay (Ali) brought Malcolm X and his family to Miami to watch him train for his fight against Sonny Liston. When Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam, he tried to convince Clay (who had just been renamed Muhammad Ali by Elijah Muhammad) to join him in converting to Sunni Islam, but Clay instead broke ties with him‍ – which he later described as one of his greatest regrets.

Malcolm X mentored and guided Louis X (later known as Louis Farrakhan), who eventually became the leader of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X also served as a mentor and confidant to Elijah Muhammad's son, Wallace D. Muhammad, who told Malcolm X about his skepticism toward his father's "unorthodox approach" to Islam. Wallace Muhammad was excommunicated from the Nation of Islam several times, although he was eventually readmitted.

On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X publicly announced his break from the Nation of Islam. He was still a Muslim, he said, but felt that the Nation had "gone as far as it can" because of its rigid teachings. He said he was planning to organize a black nationalist organization to "heighten the political consciousness" of African Americans.

Pilgrimage to Mecca

In April 1964, with financial help from his half-sister Ella Little-Collins, Malcolm X flew to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the start of his Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca obligatory for every Muslim who is able to do so. He was delayed in Jeddah when his U.S. citizenship and inability to speak Arabic caused his status as a Muslim to be questioned. He had received Abdul Rahman Hassan Azzam's book “The Eternal Message of Muhammad” with his visa approval, and he contacted the author. Azzam's son arranged for his release and lent him his personal hotel suite. The next morning Malcolm X learned that Prince Faisal had designated him as a state guest. Several days later, after completing the Hajj rituals, Malcolm X had an audience with the prince.

Malcolm X later said that seeing Muslims of "all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans," interacting as equals led him to see Islam as a means by which racial problems could be overcome.

Death threats and intimidation from Nation of Islam

Throughout 1964, as his conflict with the Nation of Islam intensified, Malcolm X was repeatedly threatened.

In February, a leader of Temple Number Seven ordered the bombing of Malcolm X's car. In March, Muhammad told Boston minister Louis X (later known as Louis Farrakhan) that "hypocrites like Malcolm should have their heads cut off". The April-10 edition of 'Muhammad Speaks' featured a cartoon depicting Malcolm X's bouncing, severed head.

On June 8, FBI surveillance recorded a telephone call in which Betty Shabazz was told that her husband was "as good as dead". Four days later, an FBI informant received a tip that "Malcolm X is going to be bumped off." (That same month the Nation sued to reclaim Malcolm X's residence in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. His family was ordered to vacate but on February 14, 1965‍ – the night before a hearing on postponing the eviction‍—‌the house was destroyed by fire.)

On July 9, Muhammad aide John Ali (suspected of being an undercover FBI agent) referred to Malcolm X by saying, "Anyone who opposes the Honorable Elijah Muhammad puts their life in jeopardy." In the December 4 issue of 'Muhammad Speaks', Louis X wrote that "such a man as Malcolm is worthy of death".

Assassination

On February 19, 1965, Malcolm X told interviewer Gordan Parks that the Nation of Islam was actively trying to kill him. On February 21, 1965, he was preparing to address the OAAU in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom when someone in the 400-person audience yelled, "Nigger! Get your hand outta my pocket!" As Malcolm X and his bodyguards tried to quell the disturbance, a man rushed forward and shot him once in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun and two other men charged the stage firing semi-automatic handguns. Malcolm X was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm, shortly after arriving at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, NYC. The autopsy identified 21 gunshot wounds to the chest, left shoulder, arms and legs, including ten buckshot wounds from the initial shotgun blast.

One gunman, Nation of Islam member Talmadge Hayer (also known as Thomas Hagan), was beaten by the crowd before police arrived. Witnesses identified the other gunmen as Nation members Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson. All three were convicted of murder in March 1966 and sentenced to life in prison. At trial Hayer confessed, but refused to identify the other assailants.

Reactions

Reactions to Malcolm X's assassination were varied. In a telegram to Betty Shabazz, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his sadness at "the shocking and tragic assassination of your husband". He said,

“While we did not always see eye to eye on methods to solve the race problem, I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had a great ability to put his finger on the existence and root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems that we face as a race.”

Elijah Muhammad told the annual Savior's Day convention on February 26 that "Malcolm X got just what he preached", but denied any involvement with the murder."

Writer James Baldwin, who had been a friend of Malcolm X's, was in London when he heard the news of the assassination. He responded with indignation towards the reporters interviewing him, shouting, "You did it! It is because of you—the men that created this white supremacy—that this man is dead. You are not guilty, but you did it ... Your mills, your cities, your rape of a continent started all this."

Hollywood actor Denzel Washington played the title role in the 1992 motion picture “Malcolm X” – named one of the ten best films of the 1990s by both critic Roger Ebert and director Martin Scorsese. Washington had previously played the part of Malcolm X in the 1981 Off-Broadway play “When the Chickens Came Home to Roost”.

(Courtesy: Wikipedia.org)

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POST-RAMADAN BLESSINGS: Continue The Pursuit of Righteousness After Ramadan!

Post-Ramadan Blessings

Continue The Pursuit

of Righteousness

After Ramadan!

(M. Javed Naseem)

“O you who believe! Seek help with patient

perseverance and prayer (Salaat); for Allah

is with those who patiently persevere.”

(al-Quran 2:153)

Ramadan is the best occasion to practice and continue the journey on the spiritual road. It is the best kick-start that you can get without any investment or without any extra effort. One-month journey on the road to righteousness should enable you (and facilitate you) to follow the arduous road to piety otherwise difficult. Ramadan should have helped you to make the 'good deeds' as part of your routine daily life. It should have helped you to pursue the goal of piety and righteousness without any special effort. But if, unfortunately, you are unable to follow the spiritual 'right' path after 30 days of fasting in Ramadan, then it is not the fault of Ramadan (the declared month of blessings). There is something missing in you effort, in your pursuit and in your 'connection' with the Almighty.

Those people are very unfortunate and unlucky who had the opportunity to get the maximum benefits and Allah's unlimited blessings during the month of Ramadan but failed to get a ticket to Paradise. Maybe, their efforts lacked sincerity and honesty of purpose. They treated Ramadan as an 'obligation' that they 'must' perform otherwise other people would criticize them. Ramadan is not a social duty; neither a face-saving performance; nor is it an action to show-off. It is an opportunity to establish and consolidate your connection to the Divine.

All good deeds and rituals in Islam (prayer, fasting, charity, good deeds, etc.) are meant to discipline us so that we become righteous and pious. Allah makes it very clear in the Quran:

“O you believers! Fasting is prescribed to you

as it was prescribed to those before you, that

you many learn piety and righteousness."

(al-Quran 2:183)

Same thing goes for prayer (Salaat). It is supposed to make us pious and righteous so that we can stay away from evil and indecent behavior. We are supposed to glorify Allah's name and remember Him all the time, under all circumstances. Only the remembrance of Allah can protect us from evil as it thwarts all attacks from the Devil and his friends. It's the best shield. Allah says in the Quran:

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration

to you, and establish regular prayer; for prayer

restrains from shameful and unjust deeds. And

remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in

life) without doubt. And Allah knows the

(deeds) that you do.”

(al-Quran 29:45)

The Almighty says that the prayer (Salaat) restrains us from shameful and unjust (evil) deeds. But if it (the prayer) doesn't do that, it is not the fault of the prayer (Salaat). It is our fault because we lack the conviction, the sincerity, honesty, concentration and devotion. There's definitely something missing on our part. We need to be very serious, committed and devout in our prayer. We should not take it lightly. It is a very serious and important matter. Allah commands us:

“Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers (Salaat),

especially the middle prayer; and stand before

Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”

(al-Quran 2:238)

It is very naive to consider and perceive Islam as a 'religion' – a part-time 'once-a-week' affair that has nothing to do with our daily life affairs. That wrong concept was given to it by the evil-spirited promoters of Capitalism as well as Communism. They want to keep religion out of their daily lives.

The Bible says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – (Philippians 4:6)

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." – (Jeremiah 29:12)
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." – (Jeremiah 33:3)

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." – (Matthew 6:6)

On the contrary, Islam is NOT a mere religion. It is a system of life that covers all aspects of our lives – social, cultural, political, financial, educational and religious. Religion is just a small part of Islam. The major part concerns 'others' (our families, friends, neighbors, community, the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, etc.). Islam was introduced to mankind to make us pious and righteous so that we could establish a society based on social justice and equality.

If we can achieve that immensely important and great objective, we would be successful in both worlds. Here's the guarantee from the Lords of the Worlds:

“Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness,

and establish regular prayers and regular charity,

will have their reward with their Lord. On them

shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

(al-Quran 2:277)

We need to be God-conscious and God-fearing in all our worldly affairs. The fear of Allah and the reminder of the Day of Justice should work as a perfect deterrent against evil deeds. We should be able to achieve a state where everything we do, we do it for the pleasure of Allah. Islam means to surrender or to submit to the Will of Allah. The Almighty commands us:

“Say: 'Truly, my prayer and my service of

sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all)

for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds!”

(al-Quran 6:162)

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BATTLE OF BADR: The Turning Point In Islamic History!

Remembering The Battle of Badr

The Turning Point In

Islamic History!

Truth and Righteousness

always prevail, with

Allah's help and mercy.

(M. Javed Naseem)

“And let not those who disbelieve think

they will escape. Indeed, they will not

cause failure (to Allah).”

(al-Quran 8:59)

The biggest lesson we learn from the Battle of Badr – the war between Good and Bad – is that the Truth and its followers, the true believers of God – the just and the righteous – always prevail. The true believers of God have Faith and Trust in God that gives them tremendous confidence and strength that can shatter the mountains.

The Battle of Badr has been referred to in the Holy Quran and Allah called it a “Day of Furqaan”. The Arabic word ‘furqaan’ means to 'separate' or to 'distinguish'. It was the 17^th day of Ramadan, in the 2^nd year of Hijrah (7^th of March, 624 CE) when the Almighty Allah separated/distinguished the Truth from Falsehood; the Light from Darkness; and the Guidance from Ignorance! He gave the believers a great victory and vanquished the hopes and aspirations of the disbelievers who wanted to wipe out Islam which had started gaining popularity. Muslims were a tiny minority and were constantly persecuted by the politically powerful and financially strong Quraish of Makkah.

Reynold A. Nicholson wrote:

“But the importance of Mohammed’s success

(in the battle of Badr) cannot be measured by the

material damage which he inflicted (upon the pagans of

Mecca). Considering the momentous issues involved,

we must allow that Badr, like Marathon, is one of the

greatest and most memorable battles in all history.”

(From 'A Literary History of The Arabs', by R.A. Nicholson, 1969).

Badr was the first major encounter between the newly-born nation of Muslims and the evil-living unbelievers or pagans (Kaafireen), the Quraish of Makkah. This was the one historic event that changed the course of history of not only the Arabia but of the entire universe.

(The ‘Martyrs of Badr’ graveyard in the town of Badr, Saudi Arabia)

At the dawn of Islam in Makkah, Muslims were killed, injured, tortured, robbed and persecuted. Eventually, they were expelled while some fled their homes and took refuge somewhere else. It is happening again today in every place where Islam has its foothold. Muslims are being persecuted, even massacred, their homes and homelands being destroyed and the survivors driven out as refugees.

The history of mankind tells us that it is the oppressed that conquer the oppressors in the end! That’s how Allah balances out the injustice, persecution, aggression, corruption, oppression and inequality. He helps the oppressed to break the shackles. The history of David and Goliath is being repeated – and we know the outcome very well! It’s a matter of time only. Allah tells us in the Quran:

“And We wished to be Gracious to those who

were being oppressed in the land, to make them

leaders (in Faith) and make them inheritors.”

(al-Quran 28:5)

At the battle-field of Badr, there were only 313 Muslims who came out to defend themselves against more than a thousand pagans/unbelievers of Makkah. The odds were heavily against Muslims as they were also ill-equipped. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) invoked Allah for help and the help did come!

“Remember you implored the assistance

of your Lord and He answered you:

'I will assist you with a thousand of

the angels, ranks on ranks'."

(al-Quran 8:9)

Like many other ‘Firsts’ of the history of mankind, Badr also set the first example of the treatment of prisoners of war. Their lives were spared; they were treated humanely; they were provided with shelter and fed properly, even when some Muslims did not have food to eat and survived on dates and water.

Sir William Muir, the famous British orientalist, known for his hostility towards Islam and Muslims, wrote:

“In pursuance of Mahomet’s commands, the citizens

of Medina and such of the emigrants who possessed

houses, received the prisoners and treated them

with much consideration. ‘Blessings be on the men

of Medina’, said one of these prisoners in the later

days, ‘they made us ride while they themselves

walked. They gave us wheaten bread to eat

when there was little of it, contenting

themselves with dates’.”

(Names of the 14 martyrs of Badr are engraved on this ‘Badr Memorial’ in Saudi Arabia)

The Battle of Badr is a constant reminder to the Muslims that if they fear Allah, the way Allah should be feared; and if they obey Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.), the way they should be obeyed, Allah’s help is guaranteed!

“And remember when you were few and

oppressed in the land, fearing that people

might abduct you, but He sheltered you,

supported you with His victory, and

provided you with good things so that

you might be grateful.”

(al-Quran 8:26)

It's your Iman (Faith in Allah) that gives you immense strength. With it, you can overcome any adversary, no matter how big, how strong or how well-equipped! Here's the promise of Allah:

“O Prophet, urge the believers to fight! If there

are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they

will overcome two hundred. And if there are

among you one hundred [who are] steadfast,

they will overcome a thousand of those who

have disbelieved because they are a people

who do not understand.”

(al-Quran 8:65)

But this promise is conditional. The verse of the Quran says: “IF there are twenty STEADFAST”. The emphasis is on 'steadfastness'. That means that simply claiming to be a Believer or a Muslim is not enough. You need to show and prove it that you are a steadfast (true, honest, sincere and consistent) Believer/Muslim.

The Message:

The message that Battle of Badr sends to the Muslims of today, is that You must be somebody living by the Book of Allah – somebody who has surrendered to the Will of God – a true practicing Muslim, if you expect help and mercy from Allah!

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RAMADAN: FASTING WORKS MIRACLES On Your Body & Brain But Big Pharma Won't Tell You!

Neuroscientist Claims:

Fasting Works Miracles

On Your Brain & Body But

Big Pharma Won’t Tell You.

(M. Javed Naseem)

‘If people fast, the food industry loses money.

What about the pharmaceutical industries?

What if people do some intermittent fasting, 

exercise periodically and are very healthy,

is the pharmaceutical industry going to

make any money on healthy people?’

--- Dr. Mark Mattson, PhD

Fasting is extremely beneficial for your physical and spiritual well-being. Unfortunately, the biased media has dubbed it as a Muslim religious ritual (referring to Ramadan) only thus taking away all the health benefits your body can derive from it. Fasting is good for the body and the soul. It’s not only materially beneficial, it’s also a godly act. It’s good for the entire mankind though it’s obligatory for Muslims only. But all scriptures show that all messengers or prophets of God (like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, etc.) used to fast; and their followers did the same. The Quran says that fasting was as well obligatory for all other nations as it is obligatory for Muslims.

‘Fasting shifts stem cells from a dormant

state to a state of self-renewal. It triggers

stem cell based regeneration of an organ

or system.’ – Study

In some narrations of Hadith, it is said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) used to fast twice a week (every Monday and Thursday) in addition to the three days (13^th, 14^th and 15^th) of every month (apart from Ramadan). This kind of fasting is called ‘intermittent fasting’ (i.e., not continuous).

‘Fasting twice a week could significantly

lower the risk of developing both

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.’

-- Neuroscientists

What Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) recommended 14 centuries ago, is being discovered and researched by modern world today. Modern medical science has come up with the proof that fasting, especially intermittent fasting, works miracles on your body, especially the brains. But the money-making Big Pharma is not interested in supporting and researching such a study. They would lose most of their clients. They want people to stay sick and suffer from all kinds of illnesses so that they could make money by selling drugs in the name of treatment. This is a trillion-dollar business.

When health becomes a business, the only consideration is to boost the profits. If people are healthy, doctors and Big Pharma would not make big money. Simple!

“Intermittent fasting enhances the ability

of nerve cells to repair DNA.” – Study

Following are excerpts from an article by Arjun Walia, published December 11, 2015, by Collective Evolution:

Neuroscientist Shows

What Fasting Does To Your Brain, And

Why Big Pharma Won’t Study It!

Below is a TEDx talk given by Mark Mattson, the current Chief of the Laboratory of Neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging. He is also a professor of Neuroscience at The Johns Hopkins University, and one of the foremost researchers in the area of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying multiple neuro-degenerative disorders, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

I chose to include ‘Big Pharma’ in the title because that’s exactly what it is. There have been countless examples of the manipulation of published research at the hands of pharmaceutical companies in recent years.

This is why Harvard Professor of Medicine Arnold Symour Relman told the world that the medical profession has been bought by the pharmaceutical industry.

It’s why Dr. Richard Horton, Editor in Chief of The Lancet, recently stated that much of the scientific literature published today is simply untrue.

It’s why Dr. Marcia Angell, former Editor in Chief of The New England Journal of Medicine, said that the “pharmaceutical industry likes to depict itself as a research-based industry, as the source of innovative drugs. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

And it’s why John Ioannidis, an epidemiologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine, published an article titled “Why Most Published Research Findings Are False” which subsequently became the most widely accessed article in the history of the Public Library of Science (PLoS).

I also chose to mention ‘Big Pharma’ because of Dr. Mattson’s comments towards the end of the video: 

“Why is it that the normal diet is three meals a day plus snacks? It isn’t that it’s the healthiest eating pattern, now that’s my opinion but I think there is a lot of evidence to support that. There are a lot of pressures to have that eating pattern, there’s a lot of money involved. The food industry — are they going to make money from skipping breakfast like I did today? No, they’re going to lose money. If people fast, the food industry loses money. What about the pharmaceutical industries? What if people do some intermittent fasting, exercise periodically and are very healthy? Is the pharmaceutical industry going to make any money on healthy people?”

(Dr. Mark Mattson)

Mark and his team have published several papers that discuss how fasting twice a week could significantly lower the risk of developing both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Dietary changes have long been known to have an effect on the brain. Children who suffer from epileptic seizures have fewer of them when placed on caloric restriction or fasts. It is believed that fasting helps kick-start protective measures that help counteract the overexcited signals that epileptic brains often exhibit. (Some children with epilepsy have also benefited from a specific high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet.) Normal brains, when overfed, can experience another kind of uncontrolled excitation, impairing the brain’s function, Mattson and another researcher reported in January in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience.”

Fasting does good things for the brain, and this is evident by all of the beneficial neuro-chemical changes that happen in the brain when we fast. It also improves cognitive function, increases neuro-trophic factors, increases stress resistance, and reduces inflammation.

Fasting is a challenge to your brain, and your brain responds to that challenge by adapting stress response pathways which help your brain cope with stress and risk for disease. The same changes that occur in the brain during fasting mimic the changes that occur with regular exercise. They both increase the production of protein in the brain (neuro-trophic factors), which in turn promotes the growth of neurons, the connection between neurons, and the strength of synapses.

“Challenges to your brain, whether it’s intermittent fasting [or] vigorous exercise . . . is cognitive challenges. When this happens neuro-circuits are activated, levels of neuro-trophic factors increase, that promotes the growth of neurons [and] the formation and strengthening of synapses. . . .” 

Fasting can also stimulate the production of new nerve cells from stem cells in the hippocampus. He also mentions ketones (an energy source for neurons), and how fasting stimulates the production of ketones and that it may also increase the number of mitochondria in neurons. Fasting also increases the number of mitochondria in nerve cells; this comes as a result of the neurons adapting to the stress of fasting (by producing more mitochondria).

By increasing the number of mitochondria in the neurons, the ability for nerons to form and maintain the connections between each other also increases, thereby improving learning and memory ability.

“Intermittent fasting enhances the ability of nerve cells to repair DNA.” 

He also goes into the evolutionary aspect of this theory – how our ancestors adapted and were built for going long periods of time without food.

A study published in the June 5 issue of Cell Stem Cell by researchers from the University of Southern California showed that cycles of prolonged fasting protect against immune system damage and, moreover, induce immune system regeneration. They concluded that fasting shifts stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal. It triggers stem cell based regeneration of an organ or system.

A scientific review of multiple scientific studies regarding fasting was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007. It examined a multitude of both human and animal studies and determined that fasting is an effective way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. It also showed significant potential in treating diabetes.
(Courtesy: www.collective-evolution.com/2015/12/11/neuroscientist-shows-what-fasting-does-to-your-brain-why-big-pharma-wont-study-it)

Editor’s (M. Javed Naseem) Note:

I have been fasting regularly at least twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) for more than 10 years now. I walk 5-6km at least 4-5 times a week. I am 70+ years and feel great. I have not seen a doctor in decades (except for some dental work and an operation of Hernia, or a normal eye-test every two years). I don’t take medication. I drink a lot of herbal, ginger, green, black and other Tea. I use dates, olive oil with a small piece of whole-wheat bread, an apple, an orange, a banana and milk in my breakfast (of course Tea too .. lol). I mostly avoid red meat and use a lot of fish and turkey meat; no more chicken. For more than 20 years now, I have been eating only twice a day – the breakfast and the main meal at sunset (Maghrib). I have no physical/health problems! Alhamdo-lillah! (Thank God!). Now good luck to you! God bless!

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PEOPLE OF MIDIAN (NATION OF SHOAYB) Were Punished For Dishonesty.

Lessons From The Quran:

People of Midian/Madyan,

(Nation of Shoayb), Were

Punished For Dishonesty

“O Believers!

What's declared lawful

by Allah is best for you!”

– (al-Quran)

(M. Javed Naseem)

(Author at the tomb of Prophet Shoayb, at As-Salt, Jordan)

“And the Firmament has He raised high,

and He has set up the Balance (of Justice),

in order that you may not transgress (due)

balance. So establish weight with justice,

and fall not short in the balance!”

(al-Quran 55:7-9)

Despite all the teachings of the Prophets and the Holy Books, we find more and more people dishonest, unfair and unjust in the world, especially in developing countries or the so-called Third World. The people we call Kafireen (Europeans and North Americans) are more honest and just than people in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Why? Because in the Third World countries, the teachings of honesty, fairplay and justice are not embedded in the upbringing and education. Don't tell me it's poverty! The poverty has nothing to do with character-building. It is education and upbringing!

On the first day of Ramadan, in Casablanca Medina (Morocco) I had an argument with a vegetables vendor. His balance was faulty and way off. I bought one kilo of tomato and noticed the discrepancy. After I paid him, I gently pointed out that his balance was faulty. He denied. I told him to empty containers on both sides and weigh it. He did and it was way off/short. He shrugged his shoulders. I quoted him the verse of the Quran from Surah Ar-Rahman (55:9): 

وَاَقِيۡمُوا الۡوَزۡنَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ وَلَا تُخۡسِرُوا الۡمِيۡزَانَ‏

(“And establish weight in justice and do not

make deficient the balance!”)

He started disputing with me by saying that it was normal and not a problem. I pointed out towards heavens and left with a smile. I don't like to argue with the Jaahileen. I believe he was fasting, just like me. But he destroyed the spirit of Ramadan; he destroyed his Iman (Faith); he committed an act of injustice, dishonesty and even a crime (broke the law of the state). And all that for a tomato worth less than 10 cents? He still claimed to be a Muslim though!

Those were the business practices of the nation of Midian (Madyan) where Prophet Shoayb was sent to preach.

According to the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia (as per Religion.Wikia.org), Midian was a land bordered by the Arabah between Moab and Elat and by the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea (today's Jordan). Its East had no borders.

In Bible history, Midian was where Prophet Musa (Moses) spent the 40 years between the time that he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who had been beating an Israelite, and his return for leading the Israelites. During those years, he married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (Shoayb), the priest of Midian. Exodus 3:1 implies that God's appearance in the burning bush at Mount Horeb occurred in Midian. Today, the former territory of Midian is located in what is now a small area of north-western Saudi Arabia, southern Jordan, southern Palestine/Israel and the Sinai (Egypt).

Alternate Sites:

Yemen claims to have the town of Biblical Midian but that's not the right town. It's another 'Midian' which is thousands of kilometers away (out of the way) from the original Biblical route, in Yemen. Similarly, there is another Cave of the 7-Sleepers (Ass'hab al-Kahf) in Turkey too. Both claims are wrong if you observe the Biblical maps of the area and the route of the Exodus.

Midian spanned from Mount Horhab located at Elat (today's Jordanian area) at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba North to Moab sharing a border with Edom which runs up the Arabah through Petra to the Dead Sea.

The tomb of “Nabi Shoayb” is located in Wadi Shoayb, in the town of As-Salt, Jordan, about 30 km south of the capital city of Amman.

(Prophet Shoayb's tomb in the town of As-Salt, Jordan.)

Prophet Shoayb (Jethro or Yitro)

Prophet Shoayb (Shoaib) – Jethro in Bible; Yitro in Torah; also called Reuel – was the father-in-law of Prophet Musa (Moses). He was a shepherd and a well-known priest in Midian or Madyan, a town in the south of Jordan. He gave his daughter Zipporah (also called Rohaya) in marriage to Musa (Moses).

Note: Some say that Jethro was not Shoayb; he was another saint who preached in the same area but centuries after Shoayb’s era. Allah knows best.

Prophet Musa’s (Moses’s) Father-in-Law

Prophet Musa (Moses) was married to Prophet Shoayb’s daughter, Zipporah (or Rohaya), after Moses had fled Pharaoh’s Egypt, having killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Having fled to Midian, Moses intervened in a water-access dispute between Shoayb’s seven daughters and the local shepherds. Consequently, Shoayb invited Moses into his home and offered him hospitality. However, Moses remained conscious that he was a stranger in exile. He named his first son (Shoayb's grandson) “Gershom”, meaning "stranger there".
 

Moses is said to have worked as a shepherd for Shoayb for 40 years before returning to Egypt to lead the Hebrews to Canaan (now in Israeli territory), the "promised land.” Prophet Shoayb (Jethro) is mentioned in the Bible in Exodus.

Shoayb, Moses' non-Hebrew father-in-law, is a central figure, particularly in the rites and pilgrimages, of the Druze religion. Jethro is revered as the chief prophet in the Druze religion. They believe he was a "hidden" and "true prophet" who communicated directly with God and then passed on that knowledge to Moses, whom they describe as a "recognized" and “revealed” prophet.

(Wadi Shoayb -- Valley of Shoayb -- near As-Salt, Jordan.)

Shoayb's mission is often mentioned in the Quran with the mission of Noah, Hud, Saleh and Lot. Scholars have pointed out that these five Prophets exemplify the early prophetic missions: The prophet would be sent to his community; the community would pay no attention to his warning and would instead threaten him with punishment; after years of preaching, God would ask him to leave his community and his people would be subsequently destroyed in a punishment. Scholars interpret the listing of the five prophets to be chronological, with Noah being the only prophet in the list who preached before the Great Flood. He was also a descendant of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).

Shoayb was selected by Allah as his messenger for the people living in the region of Midian (Madyan), south Jordan. They lived in an area surrounded by thick forests. Their general occupation was trading – buying and selling. But they were not very honest people. They often lied to each other and cheated in their trade. They were like merchants from Hell. They opposed Shoayb’s teachings and kicked him out of town.

After many years of preaching, when Prophet Shoayb and his followers left the township, there came the commandment of Allah to pass. One night a big blast struck the inhabitants of Madyan and by next morning they were lying there, under the debris of their houses, lifeless, as if they had never lived. Allah narrated their account in the Holy Quran:

“So the earthquake seized them,

and morning found them prostrate

in their dwelling-place. Those who

denied Shoaib became as though

they had not dwelt there. Those who

denied Shoaib, they were the losers.”

(al-Quran 7:91-92)

Shoayb's Story In Surah Hud (Houd)

Prophet Shoayb was sent to the people of Midian (or Madyan) who passed after the nation of Thamud that had settled in the southern Jordan. They built castles in the planes and carved houses in the mountains. Prophet Shoayb's story is narrated in Surah Hud/Houd and Surah al-A'raf. Here's the narration from Surah Hud (Houd):

“To the Madyan People (We sent) Shoayb, one of their own brethren. 

He said: "O my people! worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. 

And give not short measure or weight. I see you in prosperity, but I fear 

for you the penalty of a day that will compass (you) all round.

And O my people! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from 

the people the things that are their due; commit not evil in the land 

with intent to do mischief!

That which is left you by Allah is best for you, if you (but) believed! 

But I am not set over you to keep watch!"

They said: "O Shoayb! Does your (religion of) prayer command you 

that we leave off the worship which our fathers practiced, or that we 

leave off doing what we like with our property? Truly, you are the one 

that forbears with faults and is right-minded!"

He said: "O my people! See you whether I have a Clear (Sign) from 

my Lord, and He has given me sustenance (pure and) good as from 

Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid 

you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; 

and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, 

and unto Him I look. And O my people! Let not my dissent (from you) 

cause you to sin, lest you suffer a fate similar to that of the people of 

Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you!

But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance)! 

For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."

They said: "O Shoayb! Much of what you say, we do not understand! 

In fact among us we see that you have no strength! Were it not for 

your family, we should certainly have stoned you; for you have 

among us no great position!"

He said: "O my people! Is then my family of more consideration 

with you than Allah? For you cast Him away behind your backs 

(with contempt). But verily my Lord encompasses on all sides all 

that you do! And O my people! Do whatever ye can! I will do 

(my part). Soon will you know who it is on whom descends the 

penalty of ignominy; and who is a liar! And watch you, 

for I too am watching with you!"

“When Our decree issued, We saved Shoayb and those who 

believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves. But the 

(mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate 

in their homes by the morning, as if they had never dwelt and 

flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed 

(from sight) as were removed the Thamud!"

– (al-Quran 11:84-95)

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