Homeschoolers Kit- Worksheets
This Kit is designed to help homeschooling parents teach various skills to their kids. It includes numerous worksheets to help the kids gain basic learning skills,or think creatively -spelling and Math sheets (Alphabet sheets, Spelling Practice, Numbers and Counting, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division Sheets); It would also be beneficial for the non-homeschoolers.
Please purchase this Kit- and help our team with their creative effort;
#Worksheets; #Elementary; #English, #math, #Spelling, #Addition/ Subtraction, #Multiplication/ Division;
The Relationship between Water Availability and First Nations Sucide Rates
Abstract
First Nations experience disproportionate rates of suicide when compared to the general population. Various risk factors are identified to increase understanding of the prevalence of suicide among First Nations, but environmental dimensions of suicide are understudied. This study asks whether water insecurity, as reflected by long-term drinking water advisories (LT-DWA), has any bearing on the distribution of suicide in First Nations across Canada, and specifically in Ontario. To assess this, we established the proportion of First Nations with LT-DWAs in Canada and in Ontario that have had suicides occur between 2011 and 2016 through a review of media archives. This proportion was compared to census data on the proportion of First Nations with suicides in Canada and in Ontario between 2011 and 2016, and statistical significance of difference was determined through chi-square goodness of fit test. Overall, the findings were mixed. Nationally, there was no significantly difference of proportion of First Nations with LT-DWAs with combined (confirmed and probable) reported suicides occurring when compared to census proportions; however, at the provincial level, findings had significant differences. The authors conclude that water insecurity in First Nations, as indicated by the presence of a LT-DWA in First Nations across may be an important environmental dimension of suicide, contributing to enhanced risk for suicide in First Nations.
Ansloos, J., & Cooper, A. (2023). Is suicide a water justice issue? Investigating long-term drinking water advisories and suicide in First Nations in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4045.
1. Introduction
Suicide is one of the most urgent issues facing First Nations in Canada, with suicide rates approximately three times higher compared with the general population [1]. Global incident rates across a 60-year period suggest an upward trend of suicide among Indigenous peoples [2]. For First Nations in Canada, suicide is often cited as a leading cause of death for youth [3], and the leading cause of death for adults under the age of 44 [4]. Many risk factors are identified to increase understanding of the disproportionate prevalence of suicide among First Nations, but there is an urgent need to understand environmental dimensions. This exploratory study investigates one potential environmental dimension of suicide among First Nations: water insecurity.
1.1. Suicide among First Nations in Canada
As early as 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples categorized suicide risk factors for First Nations, including biopsychological factors (e.g., depression, substance use disorders), situational factors (e.g., disruptions to family life due to child welfare policies, off-reserve hospitalizations), socioeconomic factors (e.g., income levels, education levels), and cultural stressors (e.g., suppression of belief systems and spirituality, racial discrimination) [5]. Since then, a range of other demographic factors, including gender, age, and geographic location, have been found to have a significant bearing on rates of suicide among First Nations. Youth aged 15 to 24, men, and those living on reserve, are at higher risk for suicide [1]. Socioeconomic factors have also been consistently associated with high rates of suicide in First Nations [6,7,8]. Recently, household income, labour force status, education, and marital status accounted for 66% of suicide risk after adjusting for risk associated with age and sex among First Nations adults [1], demonstrating that socioeconomic factors have heavy bearing on suicide rates. However, to date, environmental dimensions of suicide among First Nations have received little research.
Qualitative studies have suggested that First Nations affected by a lack of access to safe drinking water are likely to have disproportionately high suicide rates [28] and that water insecurity may be associated with mental health issues in First Nations [36], which by extension might intersect with suicide risk. Among Indigenous peoples in Canada, more broadly, it has been found that mental health outcomes associated with suicide may be affected by climate change, and in particular changes to land, ice, snow, weather, and sense of place [37,38,39]. Related to this, research has shown that environmental changes and related damages to environmental infrastructure accompanying climate change are linked to enhanced psychosocial distress, which in turn might affect suicidality [37]. In a recent study among Inuit in Nunatsiavut, climate change enhanced the likelihood of suicidal ideation [40,41].
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/5/4045#Findings
https://archive.org/details/ansloos-water-insecurity-suicide-May-2023
We come to be Tested in Faith – Islam
SURAH AL BAQARAH – Verses 153-157
153. O you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayers. God is with the steadfast. 154. And do not say of those who are killed in the cause of God, “Dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive.
155. We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast.
156. Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, “To God we belong, and to Him we will return.” 157. Upon these are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones.
HADITH – if you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning…
Narrated Mujahid: `Abdullah bin `Umar said, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) took hold of my shoulder and said, ‘Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler.” The sub-narrator added: Ibn `Umar used to say, “If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death.”
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَبُو الْمُنْذِرِ الطُّفَاوِيُّ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ الأَعْمَشِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مُجَاهِدٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمَنْكِبِي فَقَالَ “ كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ، أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ ”. وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ إِذَا أَمْسَيْتَ فَلاَ تَنْتَظِرِ الصَّبَاحَ، وَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ فَلاَ تَنْتَظِرِ الْمَسَاءَ، وَخُذْ مِنْ صِحَّتِكَ لِمَرَضِكَ، وَمِنْ حَيَاتِكَ لِمَوْتِكَ. – Sahih Bukhari 6416;
Surah Al ANKABUT- The Spider
1. Alif, Lam, Meem.
2. Have the people supposed that they will be left alone to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?
3. We have tested those before them. God will surely know the truthful, and He will surely know the liars. 4. Or do those who commit sins think they can fool Us? Terrible is their opinion!
5. Whoever looks forward to the meeting with God—the appointed time of God is coming. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
6. Whoever strives, strives only for himself. God is Independent of the beings.
7. Those who believe and do righteous deeds—We will remit their sins, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.
8. We have advised the human being to be good to his parents. But if they urge you to associate with Me something you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. To Me is your return; and I will inform you of what you used to do.
9. Those who believe and do good works—We will admit them into the company of the righteous.
10. Among the people is he who says, “We have believed in God.” Yet when he is harmed on God’s account, he equates the people’s persecution with God’s retribution. And if help comes from your Lord, he says, “We were actually with you.” Is not God aware of what is inside the hearts of the people?
11. God certainly knows those who believe, and He certainly knows the hypocrites.
12. Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “Follow our way, and we will carry your sins.” In no way can they carry any of their sins. They are liars.
13. They will carry their own loads, and other loads with their own. And they will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning what they used to fabricate.
#Tests; #Faith #Islam; #Dunia; #Akhira; #Afterlife; #Traveller; Hadith; Quran;
MAKWA – Builders &Books
Strong Believers – Daniel 3 – NIV
The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At this time some astrologers[b] came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Footnotes
- Daniel 3:1 That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide
- Daniel 3:8 Or Chaldeans
- Daniel 3:17 Or If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and
#Faith, #monotheism, #Bible, #Islam; One true #God; #Abraham;
STORY OF NABI IBRAHIM/ABRAHAM – QURAN KAREEM
SURAH AL ANBIYAH- PROPHETS
NABI IBRAHAM/ ABRAHAM WAS SET ON FIRE BY HIS VILLAGE FOR PREACHING aboutAllah/ God;
51. We gave Abraham his integrity formerly, and We knew him well.
52. When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” 53. They said, “We found our parents worshiping them.” 54. He said, “You and your parents are in evident error.” 55. They said, “Are you telling us the truth, or are you just playing?”
56. He said, “Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the One who created them, and I bear witness to that.
57. “By God, I will have a plan for your statues after you have gone away.” 58. So he reduced them into pieces, except for their biggest, that they may return to it. 59. They said, “Who did this to our gods? He is certainly one of the wrongdoers.”
60. They said, “We heard a youth mentioning them. He is called Abraham.” 61. They said, “Bring him before the eyes of the people, so that they may witness.” 62. They said, “Are you the one who did this to our gods, O Abraham?” 63. He said, “But it was this biggest of them that did it. Ask them, if they can speak.” 64. Then they turned to one another, and said, “You yourselves are the wrongdoers.”
65. But they reverted to their old ideas: “You certainly know that these do not speak.”
66. He said, “Do you worship, instead of God, what can neither benefit you in anything, nor harm you? 67. Fie on you, and on what you worship instead of God. Do you not understand?”
68. They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you are going to act.” 69. We said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”
70. They planned to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.
71. And We delivered him, and Lot, to the land that We blessed for all people. 72. And We granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift; and each We made righteous.
73. And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command; and We inspired them to do good works, and to observe the prayer, and to give out charity. They were devoted servants to Us.
99 Names of Allah
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Allah has ninety-nine Names, one-hundred less one; and he who memorized them all by heart will enter Paradise.” To count something means to know it by heart. (sahih Al Bukhari 7392; Book 97 Hadith 21;
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا مِائَةً إِلاَّ وَاحِدًا، مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ”. {أَحْصَيْنَاهُ} حَفِظْنَاهُ.
https://archive.org/details/99-names-of-allah_202601 – Archive E-Book
99 Names of Allah (Al Asma Ul Husna)
The first pillar of īmān (faith) in Islam is Belief in Allah. As Muslims, we believe in Allah according to His beautiful Names and Attributes, which have been revealed in the Noble Qur’an and authentic Sunnah. Allah has mentioned His Names repeatedly throughout the Qur’an to help us know Him, understand His perfection, and draw closer to Him through worship and supplication.
Learning and reflecting upon the Names of Allah (Al-Asmā’ al-Ḥusnā – The Most Beautiful Names) is among the most noble acts of worship. There is nothing more sacred and blessed than knowing our Creator and living by the guidance these Names provide.
How can we truly worship, love, fear, hope in, and place our trust in Allah if we do not know Him through His Names and Attributes?
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Allah has the Most Beautiful Names. So call upon Him by them, and keep away from those who abuse His Names. They will be punished for what they used to do.” (Quran 7:180)
“Allah – there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. He has the Most Beautiful Names.” (Quran 20:8)
“He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. He ˹alone˺ has the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Quran 59:24)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred less one, whoever encompasses them (iḥṣā’ahā) will enter Paradise.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2736)
“Verily, there are ninety-nine Names of Allah; whoever preserves them (aḥṣāhā) will enter Paradise. Allah is Witr (One/Odd) and loves what is odd.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2677a)
Why Jesus is Not the “son” of God but Slave/Servant of God
Numbers 23 – Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?” 18 Then he spoke his message:
“Arise, Balak, and listen;
hear me, son of Zippor.
19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
20 I have received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
The term “Son of God” in Hebrew and Aramaic reflects a range of meanings from “divine being” or “angel” in early texts to “messiah” or “righteous person” in later periods. The phrase is often linked to the concept of a servant (ebed) in some, particularly non-traditional, analyses.
1. HEBREW
- Benei Elohim (בְּנֵי־הָאֱלֹהִים): Literally “sons of the gods” or “sons of God,” this phrase is used in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Genesis 6:2, Job 1:6) to refer to supernatural beings, angels, or members of the divine council.
- Genesis 6:2
- 1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
ב וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי-הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת-בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם, כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה; וַיִּקְחוּ לָהֶם נָשִׁים, מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר בָּחָרוּ.
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives, whomsoever they chose. - Westminster Leningrad Codex
- וַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־בְּנֹ֣ות הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֥י טֹבֹ֖ת הֵ֑נָּה וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרוּ׃
- Ben Elohim (בן אלוהים): A singular, less common form, often representing a direct creation, a king, or a highly righteous person.
- Ben HaElohim (בן האלוהים): Used for “son of God” (with the definite article), often translated in contexts referencing the Messiah or special divine association.
- Context: In Hebrew, the phrase rarely refers to physical descent from God, but rather to a position of special relationship or status.
2. ARAMAIC
- Bar Elahin (בַר אֱלָהִֽין): Found in Daniel 3:25, this phrase translates to “son of gods” or “a son of the gods”. Those were in reference to the Believers who were put into a Fire at the order of the KIng Nebuchannezar – but came out unharmed by the order of the Lord/God;
- Bera (ברא): Used in Aramaic as a word for “son,” often with connotations of being part of a larger entity (like a castle formed from sand, to use an analogy).
- Bar Elaha (בר-אלהא): A form used for “Son of God” in Aramaic dialects, particularly in later traditions, signifying a high spiritual standing.
- Bar Nasha (בַּר נָשָׁא): While commonly translated as “Son of Man,” this phrase appears frequently in Aramaic, referring to a human being, with strong messianic connotations in the Gospels.
3. Ebed (עֶבֶד – Servant/Slave of God)
- Definition: Ebed is a Hebrew word meaning “servant,” “slave,” or “subject”.
- Context: In some analysis of the New Testament’s Greek, the word pais (child/son) may be a translation of the Hebrew ebed (servant).
- “Servant of God” (Ebed Yahweh/Elohim): The phrase often used for prophets or the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 42:1), emphasizing a servant relationship rather than a direct sonship.
- The Servant of the Lord (Slave of God)
- 42 “Here is my servant(Slave) whom I uphold,
- my chosen one in whom I delight;
- I will put my Spirit on him,
- and he will bring justice to the nations.
- הֵ֤ן עַבְדִּי֙ אֶתְמָךְ־בֹּ֔ו בְּחִירִ֖י רָצְתָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֑י נָתַ֤תִּי רוּחִי֙ עָלָ֔יו מִשְׁפָּ֖ט לַגֹּויִ֥ם יֹוצִֽיא׃
| ן hên | Behold | Interjection | |
| 5650 [e] | עַבְדִּי֙ ‘aḇ-dî | My Servant/Slave | N-msc | 1cs |
| 8551 [e] | אֶתְמָךְ־ ’eṯ-māḵ- | whom I uphold | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs |
- Relationship to “Son”: The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament suggests that when Jesus is called “servant of God” in early traditions (e.g., Acts 3:13, 3:26), it reflects this “servant” (ebed) connotation rather than “son” (ben).
Acts 3:13 –13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.
Acts 3:13 SBL Greek New Testament 2010
ὁ θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰακώβ, ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, ἐδόξασεν τὸν παῖδα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν, ὃν ὑμεῖς μὲν παρεδώκατε καὶ ἠρνήσασθε κατὰ πρόσωπον Πιλάτου, κρίναντος ἐκείνου ἀπολύειν·
Acts 3:13 in Hebrew (Delitzsch NT or modern Hebrew translations) – emphasizes the continuity of the God of Israel with the messianic mission of Jesus. It connects the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” with the glorification of his “servant” (eved) Yeshua, whom the crowd rejected before Pilate.
Here is the Hebrew translation (Delitzsch):
אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, כִּבֵּד אֶת־עַבְדּוֹ יֵשׁוּעַ, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם מְסַרְתֶּם וְכִחַשְׁתֶּם בּוֹ לִפְנֵי פִילָטוֹס, בְּשׁוּרוֹ לְשַׁלְּח
DANIEL 3: The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace
Note: here son or “son” of God – meant Worshipper/Slave of God; as they were ready to Die for the Lord;
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
God; #Bible; #monotheism; #Jesus- Slave of God (Ebed); #Islam;
Do Not Spy and Backbite Each other
SURAH HUJURAT 49:
9 And if two groups of believers fight each other, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight against the transgressing group until they ˹are willing to˺ submit to the rule of Allah. If they do so, then make peace between both ˹groups˺ in all fairness and act justly. Surely Allah loves those who uphold justice.
10 – The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.
11 – O believers! Do not let some ˹men˺ ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let ˹some˺ women ridicule other women, they may be better than them. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.
12 – O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that!1 And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
SURAH HUJURAT/ Private Apartments – Explanations;
- Literal Meaning: Hujrah means “room” or “chamber,” and al-Hujurat is the plural, “The Chambers” or “The Private Apartments”. Quranic Context: Chapter 49 of the Quran, revealed in Medina, focuses on Islamic manners and social ethics.
- CORE TEACHINGS:
- Respect for Allah and His Messenger (Prophet Muhammad).
- Prohibition against raising voices above the Prophet’s.
- Instructions to verify news and not spread rumors.
- Emphasis on peace, justice, and reconciliation between believers.
- Establishing the universal brotherhood of all believers, regardless of race, highlighting piety as the measure of worth.
- Warning against insults, offensive nicknames, and backbiting.
#Manners; #Etiquettes; #Do Not Spy/ Backbite/ Fight each other; #Islam;
Marriage and Divorce Islam – Hadith/Narrations
Woman must Consent to Nikkah/ Marriage
Aisha reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, should women be asked for their consent before marriage?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Yes.” I said, “A virgin might be shy to speak when asked.” The Prophet said, “Her silence is her consent.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6946, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1420 Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يُسْتَأْمَرُ النِّسَاءُ فِي أَبْضَاعِهِنَّ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ الْبِكْرَ تُسْتَأْمَرُ فَتَسْتَحْيِي فَتَسْكُتُ قَالَ سُكَاتُهَا إِذْنُهَا 6946 صحيح البخاري كتاب الإكراه باب لا يجوز نكاح المكره 1420 صحيح مسلم كتاب النكاح باب استئذان الثيب في النكاح بالنطق والبكر بالسكوت
Annuled “Marriage” due to Force
Khansa’ bint Khidam reported: Her father married her off after her previous marriage ended, but she disliked it. She came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he annulled their marriage. Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5138Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
Imam Ibn Hajar commented, “There is a consensus upon the annulment of the marriage, if her previous marriage ended and then she was married off without her consent.” Source: Fatḥ al-Bārī 9/194
عَنْ خَنْسَاءَ بِنْتِ خِذَامٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوَّجَهَا وَهْيَ ثَيِّبٌ فَكَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ فَأَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرَدَّ نِكَاحَهُ; 5138 صحيح البخاري كتاب النكاح باب إذا زوج ابنته وهي كارهة فنكاحه مردود; قال ابن حجر وَرَدُّ النِّكَاحِ إِذَا كَانَتْ ثَيِّبًا فَزُوِّجَتْ بِغَيْرِ رِضَاهَا إِجْمَاعٌ; 9/194 فتح الباري شرح صحيح البخاري
Pohibition of Men Visting Women Alone
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Beware of entering the homes of women alone.” A man from the Ansar said, “What about sisters-in-law?” The Prophet said, “Entering upon them is deadly serious.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5232, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2172; Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالدُّخُولَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَار يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَفَرَأَيْتَ الْحَمْوَ قَالَ الْحَمْوُ الْمَوْتُ
5232 صحيح البخاري كتاب النكاح باب لا يخلون رجل بامرأة إلا ذو محرم والدخول على المغيبة; 2172 صحيح مسلم كتاب السلام باب تحريم الخلوة بالأجنبية والدخول عليها
Propose for the Faith/ Religion
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A woman is married for four reasons: her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion. Thus, give precedence to one with religion.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4802, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1466 Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لِأَرْبَعٍ لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَلِجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ; 4802 صحيح البخاري كتاب النكاح باب الأكفاء في الدين; 1466 صحيح مسلم كتاب الرضاع باب استحباب نكاح ذات الدين
Marry Orphans or Free Women – suran An Nisaa’ /Women
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful. 1. O people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and propagated from them many men and women. And revere God whom you ask about, and the parents. Surely, God is Watchful over you.
2. And give orphans their properties, and do not substitute the bad for the good. And do not consume their properties by combining them with yours, for that would be a serious sin.
3. If you fear you cannot act fairly towards the orphans—then marry the women you like—two, or three, or four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then one, or what you already have. That makes it more likely that you avoid bias.
4. Give women their dowries graciously. But if they willingly forego some of it, then consume it with enjoyment and pleasure.
Permitted to Marry
Surah Maidah (the Table Spread) 5:5 – Today all good, pure foods have been made lawful for you. Similarly, the food of the People of the Book1 is permissible for you and yours is permissible for them. And ˹permissible for you in marriage˺ are chaste believing women as well as chaste women of those given the Scripture before you—as long as you pay them their dowries in wedlock, neither fornicating nor taking them as mistresses. And whoever rejects the faith, all their good deeds will be void ˹in this life˺ and in the Hereafter they will be among the losers.
Divorce- Verses/ Ayyat Women
226. Those who vow abstinence from their wives must wait for four months. But if they reconcile—God is Forgiving and Merciful.
227. And if they resolve to divorce—God is Hearing and Knowing.
228. Divorced women shall wait by themselves for three periods. And it is not lawful for them to conceal what God has created in their wombs, if they believe in God and the Last Day. Meanwhile, their husbands have the better right to take them back, if they desire reconciliation. And women have rights similar to their obligations, according to what is fair. But men have a degree over them. God is Mighty and Wise.
229. Divorce is allowed twice. Then, either honorable retention, or setting free kindly. It is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given them, unless they fear that they cannot maintain God’s limits. If you fear that they cannot maintain God’s limits, then there is no blame on them if she sacrifices something for her release. These are God’s limits, so do not transgress them. Those who transgress God’s limits are the unjust.
230. If he divorces her, she shall not be lawful for him again until she has married another husband. If the latter divorces her, then there is no blame on them for reuniting, provided they think they can maintain God’s limits. These are God’s limits; He makes them clear to people who know.
231. When you divorce women, and they have reached their term, either retain them amicably, or release them amicably. But do not retain them to hurt them and commit aggression. Whoever does that has wronged himself. And do not take God’s revelations for a joke. And remember God’s favor to you, and that He revealed to you the Scripture and Wisdom to teach you. And fear God, and know that God is aware of everything.
232. When you divorce women, and they have reached their term, do not prevent them from marrying their husbands, provided they agree on fair terms. Thereby is advised whoever among you believes in God and the Last Day. That is better and more decent for you. God knows, and you do not know.
233. Mothers may nurse their infants for two whole years, for those who desire to complete the nursing-period. It is the duty of the father to provide for them and clothe them in a proper manner. No soul shall be burdened beyond its capacity. No mother shall be harmed on account of her child, and no father shall be harmed on account of his child. The same duty rests upon the heir. If the couple desire weaning, by mutual consent and consultation, they commit no error by doing so. You commit no error by hiring nursing-mothers, as long as you pay them fairly. And be wary of God, and know that God is Seeing of what you do.
234. As for those among you who die and leave widows behind, their widows shall wait by themselves for four months and ten days. When they have reached their term, there is no blame on you regarding what they might honorably do with themselves. God is fully acquainted with what you do.
235. You commit no error by announcing your engagement to women, or by keeping it to yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking about them. But do not meet them secretly, unless you have something proper to say. And do not confirm the marriage tie until the writing is fulfilled. And know that God knows what is in your souls, so beware of Him. And know that God is Forgiving and Forbearing.
236. You commit no error by divorcing women before having touched them, or before having set the dowry for them. And compensate them—the wealthy according to his means, and the poor according to his means—with a fair compensation, a duty upon the doers of good.
237. If you divorce them before you have touched them, but after you had set the dowry for them, give them half of what you specified—unless they forego the right, or the one in whose hand is the marriage contract foregoes it. But to forego is nearer to piety. And do not forget generosity between one another. God is seeing of everything you do.
238. Guard your prayers, and the middle prayer, and stand before God in devotion.
Narrations on being Intimate with Slave Girls (War Captives) – Milk Yameen
Those times (prior to Second World War) Slavery was common in all societies – all the way from the Roman Empire, Asia, Middle East and Africa – and women taken Captives from War used to be “Rights Hands Possess” (slave girls to their master); however, historically speaking Islam encouraged to Free the Slaves – and the Children coming from this Union (slave -master relationship)- were born Free and Inherited from the Dad’s Property – and some became Rulers in the Persian Empires (Sons of the Sultan/ Ruler) in the Persian Empire; it’s not the “chains” type of slavery they had in pretty much all over the world – with no option to buy the person out of it – or people would be slaves for generations, as they could not free themselves from the salvery system -except maybe through Civil War (such as the North/ South War) in North America;
The slave owner has the right to be intimate with his female slave (who is a Muslim, Christian, or a Jew) because she is his “milk yameen” (that which his right hand possesses) but he cannot marry her. If he wishes to marry her, he has to set her free and then marry her like the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did with Safiyyah bint Huyayy 
. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, set her free and then married her.
Al-Mawsoo‘ah Al-Fiqhiyyah (Fiqh Encyclopedia) reads: “The slave owner is not allowed to marry his slave woman. The author of Al-Hidaayah says: ‘This is because the marriage contract in Islam is established on a basis of partnership and exchange of matrimonial rights and obligations among the spouses and this is incompatible with ownership in case of a slave owner and his slave woman; so there will be no matrimonial rights and obligations in this case.’ Ibn Qudaamah said: ‘This is because the master-slave bond entails deeming it lawful for the slave owner to benefit from the service of his slave woman and to be intimate with her; it cannot be combined with a weaker contract, i.e. marriage…. Therefore, if the man was given the ownership of his wife as a slave (like if he married her as a slave woman, then he bought her from her master), their marriage contract is annulled.’ Ibn Qudaamah asserted that there is no disagreement among scholars concerning this.”
That said, you should know that there is no disagreement among the scholars regarding the following:
1) It is permissible for the Muslim man to marry a free woman from the People of the Book (Christian or Jew), as underlined by Ibn Qudaamah: “There is no disagreement among scholars regarding the permissibility of marrying the free women from the People of the Book.” [Al-Mughni]
2) There is no disagreement among scholars regarding the impermissibility of the Muslim man’s marriage to a disbelieving woman who is not Christian or Jewish. Al-Mawsoo‘ah Al-Fiqhiyyah reads: “It is impermissible for the Muslim man to marry a disbelieving woman who is not from the People of the Book; Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe…} [Quran 2:221] This is according to the scholarly consensus. Ibn Qudaamah said: ‘There is no disagreement among scholars that it is impermissible for the Muslim to marry their women or eat their slaughtered animals.’”
As for having lawful intercourse with one’s idolatrous/pagan slave woman (i.e. a non-Muslim slave woman who is not from the People of the Book), jurists held different opinions about this. Most of them maintained that it is forbidden; however, some were of the view that it is allowable given the fact – which you mentioned – that the Companions had slaves from among the women of polytheistic Arabs. The scholars who held that it is forbidden say that this ruling was abrogated by the verse (that means): {And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe.}.
Forbidden to Marry – Female Close Relatives;
˹Also˺ forbidden to you for marriage are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal and maternal aunts, your brother’s daughters, your sister’s daughters, your foster-mothers, your foster-sisters, your mothers-in-law, your stepdaughters under your guardianship if you have consummated marriage with their mothers—but if you have not, then you can marry them—nor the wives of your own sons, nor two sisters together at the same time—except what was done previously. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Also ˹forbidden are˺ married women—except ˹female˺ captives in your possession.1 This is Allah’s commandment to you. Lawful to you are all beyond these—as long as you seek them with your wealth in a legal marriage, not in fornication. Give those you have consummated marriage with their due dowries. It is permissible to be mutually gracious regarding the set dowry. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
But if any of you cannot afford to marry a free believing woman, then ˹let him marry˺ a believing bondwoman possessed by one of you. Allah knows best ˹the state of˺ your faith ˹and theirs˺. You are from one another.1 So marry them with the permission of their owners,2 giving them their dowry in fairness, if they are chaste, neither promiscuous nor having secret affairs. If they commit indecency after marriage, they receive half the punishment of free women.3 This is for those of you who fear falling into sin. But if you are patient, it is better for you. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
#Marriage, #Divorce, #Islam, #Hadeeth, #Narrations; #Meher– Dowery to the Wife (from Groom) ; #War Captives – Slave Girls (right Hands Possess);
Duah/ Prayer -Islam
Canada’s Forest Regions
The forests of Canada are located within eight different regions:
| Forest region | Location | Predominant tree species |
|---|---|---|
| Acadian | Maritimes | red spruce, balsam fir, yellow birch |
| Boreal | Northern Canada | white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir, jack pine, white birch, trembling aspen, tamarack, willow |
| Carolinian (Deciduous) | southwestern Ontario | beech, maple, black walnut, hickory, oak |
| Coast | British Columbia | western redcedar, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir |
| Columbia | British Columbia | western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir |
| Great Lakes–St Lawrence | central Canada | red pine, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, yellow birch, maple, oak |
| Montane | British Columbia and Alberta | Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, trembling aspen |
| Subalpine | British Columbia and Alberta | Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine |
- An ecozone is an area of Earth’s surface representing large, very generalized ecological units. Each ecozone is characterized by a unique interplay of geologic, climatic, vegetative, wildlife and human activity factors.
- Canada has 20 ecozones: 15 terrestrial and 5 marine. The 15 terrestrial ecozones are further divided into 53 ecoprovinces, and those in turn are subdivided into 194 ecoregions.
- Ecozones, ecoprovinces and ecoregions are useful units for reporting and planning purposes at, respectively, the national, provincial and regional levels.
Ecozones are the broadest classification type for forests
- Acadian Forest RegionLocated in Quebec as well as the Maritime Provinces in Eastern Canada, and extends into the United States.
- Boreal Forest RegionThe largest forest region in Canada. It is located in the north and contains about one-third of the world’s circumpolar boreal forests (also sometimes referred to as a snow forest).
- Coast Forest RegionLocated on the west coast, this region is home to almost entirely coniferous trees such as the Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar.
- Columbia Forest RegionThis region is located between the Rocky Mountains and the central plateau in British Columbia.
- Deciduous Forest RegionThis Canadian forest region is located between Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie in southwestern Ontario.
- Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Forest– This region is the second-largest forest region and is located from southeastern Manitoba to the Gaspé Peninsula.
- Montane Forest Region – Located in the west of Canada, this region covers parts of the Kootenays, the central plateau of British Columbia, and a number of valleys close to Alberta’s border.
- Subalpine Forest Region– This region is located in British Columbia and Alberta.
Sources:
#Canada, #Forest Types, #Ecozones,
bismillahschool.net 