Are you observant enough?

*click on the picture for larger view

Song: Stay The Same - Joey McIntyre

Don't you ever wish you were someone else, You were meant to be the way you are exactly. Don't you ever say you don't like the way you are. When you learn to love yourself, you're better off by far. And I hope you always stay the same, Cuz there's nothin' 'bout you I would change.
	I think that you could be whatever you wanted to be If you could realize, all the dreams you have inside. Don't be afraid if you've got something to say, Just open up your heart and let it show you the way.
Don't you ever wish you were someone else, You were meant to be the way you are exactly. Don't you ever say you don't like the way you are. When you learn to love yourself, you're better off by far. And I hope you always stay the same, Cuz there's nothin' 'bout you I would change.
	Believe in yourself. Reach down inside. The love you find will set you free. Believe in yourself, you will come alive. Have faith in what you do. You'll make it through.
Don't you ever wish you were someone else, You were meant to be the way you are exactly. Don't you ever say you don't like the way you are. When you learn to love yourself, you're better off by far. And I hope you always stay the same, Cuz there's nothin' 'bout you I would change.

---------xx---------
Each and every one of us is a specially created by God. Be proud of who we are, don't try to be someone else... Be comfortable and confident in ourselves and we can achieve (almost, God willing) everything we wish for...

Nasyeed: Ya Ilahi - Muhammad Husayn

In the night, among the nights I don’t know what happened to me A darkness invaded me, O Lord, The earth and the sky shrunk And my heart didn’t see the light And the tears started to fall, O My God O My God O My God O My God O My God
	I sinned and the regret is big And I am in my sadness sorry I can’t support this regret, O Lord So do I, a criminal (in terms of sin), O Lord, deserve forgiveness I can’t support this bitter regret, O My God O My God O My God O My God O My God
You’re the one who created me Gave me mercy and enriched me Always, O Lord, You were with me But I neglected You And I forgot what You have And I followed my road, O My God O My God O My God O My God O My God
	And today My Lord I am returning From a darkness that is behind barriers The heart is broken and the path is hard And I, the drowned, I only see You To rescue me, no rescuer, No rescuer, except You O My God O My God O My God O My God

-------xx--------
This is a translation of a nasyeed which is actually a prayer asking Allah's forgiveness...the rhythm is from the song "Hallelujah", in Hebrew meaning "to praise (ye) Lord"...

Islam & Science: The Wonders of Creation

Creation of the Universe

The Qur'an informs us concerning the existence of an initial gaseous mass (dukhan), as well as descriptions of the elements which, although at first were fused together (ratq), they subsequently became separated (fatq). These ideas are expressed in chapters Fussilat and al-Anbiyaa:

"God then rose turning towards the heaven which it was smoke ..." (Al-Qur'an, 41:11)

"Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), then We split them apart?" (Al-Qur'an 21:30)

According to modern science, the separation process resulted in the formation of multiple worlds, a concept which appears dozens of times in the Qur'an. For example, look at the first chapter of the Qur'an, al-Faatihah: ( "Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds." Al-Qur'an, 1:1).

These Qur'anic references are all in perfect agreement with modern ideas on the existence of primary nebula (galactic dust), followed by the separation of the elements which resulted in the formation of galaxies and then stars from which the planets were born.

Expansion of the Universe

Chapter ath-Thariyaat of the Qur'an alludes to one of the most imposing discoverises of modern science, the Expansion of the Universe.

"The heaven, We have built it with power, Verily We are expanding it." (Al-Qur'an, 51:47)

The expansion of the Universe was first suggested by the general theory of relativity and is supported by the calculations of astrophysics. The regular movement of the galactic light towards the red section of the spectrum is explained by the distancing of one galaxy from another. Thus, the size of the universe appears to be progressively increasing.

The Sun and the Moon

Whereas the Bible talks of the sun and the moon as two lights differing only in size, the Qur'an distinguishes between them by the use of different terms: light (noor) for the moon, and lamp (siraaj) for the sun.

"Did you see how Allah created seven heavens, one above the other, and made in them the moon a light and the sun a lamp?" (Al-Qur'an, 78:12-13)

The moon is an inert body which reflects light, whereas the sun is a celestial body in a state of permanent combustion producing both light and heat.

Orbits

Today, the laws governing the celestial systems are well known. Galaxies are balanced by the position of stars and planets in well-defined orbits, as well the interplay of gravitational forces produced by their masses and the speed of their movements. But is this not what the Qur'an describes in terms which have only become comprehensible in modern times. In chapter al-Anbiyaa we find:

"(God is) the one Who created the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion." (Al-Qur'an, 21:33)

Source: http://www.islamicity.com/Science/WondersOfCreation/Commentary.shtml

------------------------xx-------------------------

Allah The Almighty is The One and Only with the power to create such complex and complete universe... Even if scientists had come up with all kinds of theories regarding the formation of the universe, the evidence were clearly stated in the Qur'an... May we all remain a firm believer of Islam...

Song: One Moment In Time - Whitney Houston

Each day I live I want to be A day to give The best of me I'm only one But not alone My finest day Is yet unknown
	I broke my heart Fought every gain To taste the sweet I face the pain I rise and fall Yet through it all This much remains
I want one moment in time When I'm more than I thought I could be When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away And the answers are all up to me Give me one moment in time When I'm racing with destiny Then in that one moment of time I will feel I will feel eternity
	I've lived to be The very best I want it all No time for less I've laid the plans Now lay the chance Here in my hands
Give me one moment in time When I'm more than I thought I could be When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away And the answers are all up to me Give me one moment in time When I'm racing with destiny Then in that one moment of time I will feel I will feel eternity
	You're a winner for a lifetime If you seize that one moment in time Make it shine
Give me one moment in time When I'm more than I thought I could be When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away And the answers are all up to me Give me one moment in time When I'm racing with destiny Then in that one moment of time I will be I will be I will be free I will be I will be free

-------------xx--------------

Time is very precious. That is why there are sayings such as "Time and tide wait for no man" and "Time is Gold". There is even a Quranic verse, Surah Al-'Asr: "1) By Al-'Asr (the time). 2) Verily! Man is in loss, 3) Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy."
In our journey through life, it isn't always smooth sailing throughout...we will definitely face some difficulties along the way. However, that's what makes us who we are today...we learned from our mistakes, improved from our successes, and we got back on our feet when we fell... And there is always that one moment that will set the path for the future, so grab the opportunity that comes your way and make the best of it...

This song was the opening song for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.