❄ The 1000-year-old tradition of Siberian Muslims ❄ How to pray in -50°C ❄ The reality of melting snow and performing ablution ❄ Long fasts of 19–21 hours ❄ The lives of Tatar and Bashkir Muslims ❄ The practice of Islam in Russia and Siberia This isn’t just a documentary, it’s a story of faith’s warmth and patience.
“The Muslim population of Siberia represented an ethnically heterogeneous community, which included Tatars, as well as immigrants from Central and Central Asia, the Caucasus and other regions. Such polyethnicity and proximity to the Asian region, as one of the centers of Muslim culture, contributed to building contacts between Muslims of Siberia and Central Asia. Expansion of the territorial borders of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. and the government’s special interest in Central Asia has influenced the development of relations between the Muslim population of the two neighboring regions. The purpose of this study was to identify the main areas of interaction between the Muslim population of Siberia and Central Asia in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century, as well as to estimate the role of the state in regulating this process. Based on archival material, the author found that one of the areas of interaction of the Muslim population was organizing spiritual life. Despite the fact that the government, in an effort to extend its influence to the Asian region, provided support to the Muslim population in the second half of the 19th century, the same building codes were applied to the construction of religious buildings for Bukharans, as for all other Muslims. The closest contacts between the Muslims of Siberia and the Bukharians were built within the framework of pilgrimage trips, since often the way to Mecca for them lay through the territories of Central Asia. In addition, there were holy places in the region, which the Muslims of Siberia aspired to. This fact was of particular concern to the Government. The reforms initiated in the country aimed at limitation of the rights of the Muslim population have reduced the migration flow from the Asian region to Siberia. “
In this powerful documentary, we explore the hidden life of Muslims in Alaska, where nature itself becomes a test of faith. Alaska is known for its extreme weather, but few people know that in some parts of Alaska, there are 6 months of daylight and 6 months of darkness. For Muslims living there, daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, and raising children with Islamic values become a real challenge. How do Muslims pray when the sun does not set? How do they fast during Ramadan in Alaska? How do Muslim families survive isolation, cold, and religious minority pressure? This video reveals the real struggles, faith, and resilience of Alaska Muslims — from prayer in freezing temperatures to maintaining Islamic identity in a non-Muslim society. This is not just a story about Alaska. It is a story about faith, patience, and belief under extreme conditions. 👉 Watch till the end to understand how Islam survives in one of the harshest places on Earth.
The prohibition of interest (usury, or riba in Islam) forbids charging extra money on a loan, viewing it as exploitative, unjust, or a form of double-charging, with roots in religious texts (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and early economic philosophy, though modern finance has evolved complex workarounds like profit-sharing or market-rate adjustments, especially in Islamic finance which strictly prohibits guaranteed monetary gain from lending to promote equity and risk-sharing.
Core Concepts & Reasons
Exploitation:Charging interest on money (a consumable good used as a medium of exchange) was seen as getting paid twice for the same thing – the principal and its use, like selling wine and then charging for its use.
Social Justice: Prohibition aims to prevent the wealthy from exploiting the needy, fostering charity and discouraging selfishness, creating more equitable economic systems.
Religious Mandates:
Judaism/Christianity:Biblical texts forbid interest on loans to fellow Israelites, though interpretations varied historically.
Islam (Riba):Quranic verses forbid riba (increase/excess), viewing it as unjust gain, making it a major principle in Islamic finance.
Historical & Modern Context
Early Church:The Catholic Church historically condemned usury, initially applying it mainly to clerics, later extending it to all, with figures like Thomas Aquinas defining it as unjust.
Islamic Finance:Modern Islamic finance avoids riba by using alternative contracts (like profit-sharing or leasing) that align with Sharia law, shifting risk and reward.
You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”
Does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Notes – that’s because they were exchanging the Roman coins to Jewish coins on Interest);
QURAN – INTEREST PROHIBITION – Surah Baqarah – 2:275 – 2:279 – Those who Persist will be in the Fire – they will be there forever;
Surah Baqarah 2:275 -2:279; Those who consume interest will stand ˹on Judgment Day˺ like those driven to madness by Satan’s touch. That is because they say, “Trade is no different than interest.” But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. Whoever refrains—after having received warning from their Lord—may keep their previous gains, and their case is left to Allah. As for those who persist, it is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever. –
Allah has made interest fruitless and charity fruitful. And Allah does not like any ungrateful evildoer.
Indeed, those who believe, do good, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax will receive their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.
O believers! Fear Allah, and give up outstanding interest if you are ˹true˺ believers.
If you do not, then beware of a war with Allah and His Messenger! But if you repent, you may retain your principal—neither inflicting nor suffering harm.
HADEETH: Muslim (1598) narrated that Jaabir said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it, and he said: they are all the same.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: That is, (they are all the same) in terms of being cursed, because they co-operated in that. End quote from Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb, 16/2
Imam al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) referred to this hadith that was narrated by Imam Muslim in the title which he gave to a chapter of his Saheeh, which he called: Chapter on the one who consumes riba, the one who witnesses it and the one who writes it down.
Then he quoted two hadiths in this chapter, one of which was the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah: When the last part of al-Baqarah was revealed, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited it, then he forbade trade in alcohol. The second hadith is the hadith of Samurah, according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Last night, I dreamt that two men came to me and took me out to a sacred land, then we set out until we came to a river of blood in which a man was standing, and on the bank of the river there was another man in front of whom were some rocks. The man who was in the river came, and when he wanted to get out, the (other) man threw a rock in his mouth, and sent him back to where he had been. Every time he came and wanted to get out, he threw a rock into his mouth and sent him back to where he had been. I said: ‘What is this?’ He said: ‘The one who you saw in the river is the one who consumed riba.’
Patients may provide health care professionals the Disability Determination Package (DDP) to complete so that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services can determine whether they have a disability for the purposes of qualifying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Health care professionals may submit the DDP either on paper or digitally through the Ministry of Health’s Special Authorization Digital Information Exchange (SADIE).
To avoid delays for your patient, it is important to:
complete all sections and questions as fully as possible
include duration for all condition(s) and resulting impairment(s)
sign all appropriate pages if sending paper originals or uploading copies
attach or upload additional medical and supporting information, such as clinical notes, hospital reports or consult reports, that support or clarify the information you identify in the forms
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides financial assistance, health and other benefits and employment supports to eligible Ontario residents who:
have a disability as defined by the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, or are a member of a prescribed class that is exempt from the disability adjudication process
are 18 years older (those under 18 can start the application process up to six months before their 18th birthday)
are in financial need
Who qualifies
To receive ODSP income support and benefits, your patient must meet the definition of disability under the ODSP Act. Being a person with a disability means:
they have a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent and expected to last one year or more
the direct and cumulative effect of their impairment results in a substantial restriction in their ability to work, take care of themselves or taking part in the community
the impairment, its likely duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional
Prescribed classes
Prescribed classes are specific categories of people who do not have to go through the disability adjudication process to qualify for ODSP. People in these categories must still apply and meet all other ODSP eligibility requirements.
For example, some of your patients may be exempt from the disability adjudication process if they:
receive Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D)
receive Quebec Pension Plan Disability (QPP-D)
are eligible for adult developmental services and supports from Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
are 65 or older and not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS)
are a resident of a designated psychiatric facility or home for special care
Health care professionals must complete the Medical Review Package to help us determine whether a person continues to meet the definition of a person with a disability for the purposes of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services uses this set of forms to determine if your patient still qualifies for ODSP income support.
If they have a medical review date assigned, patients might bring you the Medical Review Package to complete.
To avoid delays for your patient, it is important to:
complete all sections and questions as fully as possible
include duration for all condition(s) and resulting impairment(s)
sign all appropriate pages
attach additional medical and supporting information, such as clinical notes, hospital reports or consult reports, that support or clarify the information you identify in the forms
As of August 2021, there is an updated Self Report form to submit with the Medical Review Package should patients wish to complete one. The medical review process and definition of disability have not changed.
Application kit for Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits
Purpose
To apply for a Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit. Information in the application form describes the benefits that may be available to you and any dependent children you may have. It is important that you read the instructions and answer the questions with as much detail as possible. The application kit includes: 1. Application for a Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (ISP-1151) 2. Medical Report for a Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit (ISP-2519)
Unlike other high-income OECD countries, most homicides in the U.S. are gun homicides.[70] In the U.S. in 2011, 67 percent of homicide victims were killed using a firearm: 66 percent of single-victim homicides and 79 percent of multiple-victim homicides.[93] Between 1968 and 2011, about 1.4 million people died from firearms in the U.S. This number includes all deaths resulting from a firearm, including suicides, homicides, and accidents.[94]
In 2017, compared to 22 other high-income nations, the U.S. gun-related homicide rate was 25 times higher.[89] Although the US has half the population of the other 22 nations combined, among those 22 nations studied, the U.S. had 82 percent of gun deaths, 90 percent of all women killed with guns, 91 percent of children under 14 and 92 percent of young people between ages 15 and 24 killed with guns, with guns being the leading cause of death for children.[89] The ownership and regulation of guns are among the most widely debated issues in the US.
In 1993, there were seven gun homicides for every 100,000 people. By 2013, that figure had fallen to 3.6, according to Pew Research.[95]
Stats – AA Turkey Press
“Incidents of gun violence in which police were involved claimed the lives of 587 people, while 361 were wounded.
In 2022, a total of 44,362 people died due to gun violence, while 38,592 were wounded, according to GVA data, which showed that 1,683 of those killed were under 18 years old, as were 4,487 of those injured.
The country is once again discussing ways to address the issue of gun violence on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, observed yearly on the first Friday of June.
US ‘number one’ in private gun ownership
Anti-gun groups in the country have long called for greater legal hurdles on the personal right to bear arms, as the US stands out as the only nation in the world where civilian-owned firearms outnumber people.
The US ranks first in the world in terms of private gun ownership, with 120.5 guns per 100 people, according to research conducted after last year’s Uvalde school shooting in Texas that claimed 21 lives.
Americans are estimated to own 393 million of the 857 million civilian-owned firearms in the world, corresponding to about 46%.”
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.
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.
* SURAH AL MULK- THE DOMINION (Of the Heavens and earth)
Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. (means Bleessed is Allah/ God0
˹He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving. (Surah Mulk – Verse 1-2)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing his `Abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever.” – Sahid Al Bukhari 5778 – Book 76-Medicine;
REGARDING ALLAH (SWA) FORGIVENESS
As to Regards to whom Allah azza wa Jal Forgives or not – it is not up to any of us to know even with Major sins – as the ayah/ verses in surah al Imran says:
To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. He forgives whoever He wills, and punishes whoever He wills. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (surah Al Imran 3:129);
Surah an Nisa – Women – Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him ˹in worship˺,1 but forgives anything else of whoever He wills. And whoever associates others with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin. 4:48;
A compass is a navigational tool that indicates direction, typically using a magnetized needle that aligns with Earth’s magnetic field to point towards the magnetic North Pole, helping users find North, South, East, and West for orientation and travel. While the most common type is the magnetic compass, other versions use gyroscopes or GPS, but the principle remains finding cardinal directions.
Earth’s Magnetic Field:Our planet acts like a giant magnet with north and south poles, creating invisible magnetic lines of force.
Magnetized Needle: A compass has a lightweight, magnetized needle (often iron) balanced on a pivot so it can spin freely.
Alignment: The needle detects Earth’s magnetic field and aligns itself, with one end pointing to the magnetic North Pole.
Cardinal Directions: Once the needle points north, users can easily determine the other cardinal directions (South, East, West) and use markings on the compass card (or rose) to find specific bearing.
DRAW A COMPASS
A compass is a tool that helps you find your way in the righ ..
To protect yourself from being cast by Magic, recite Surah Al Ikhlas, Surah Falaq and Surah Nas, each 3 times in the morning and evening.
“Rasulullah ﷺ used to seek refuge from the jinn as well as from the evil eye until Surah al-Falaq and an-Naas were revealed. When they were sent down, he utilised them and left other things.” [Tirmidhi]
Aisha (radi Allahu anha) reported that when the Prophet ﷺ went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over them after reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times. When he became seriously ill, she used to recite (these two Surahs) and rub his hands over his body hoping for its blessings. [Sahih Bukhari]
SURAHS – QURAN CHAPTERS
The Noble Quran is comprised of Surahs (chapters) where each and every verse had a specific reason behind its Revelation. Furthermore, other than the verses being a part of Holy Quran that brings return, there are different verses that come with extraordinary virtues. Two of such renowned short chapters are Surah al Falaq, and Surah an Naas.
Bewitchment of the Prophet (Peace be upon Him)
Narrated Aisha: Magic was worked on Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) so that he used to think that he had sexual relations with his wives while he actually had not (Sufyan said: That is the hardest kind of magic as it has such an effect). Then one day he said, “O `Aisha do you know that Allah has instructed me concerning the matter I asked Him about? Two men came to me and one of them sat near my head and the other sat near my feet. The one near my head asked the other. What is wrong with this man?’ The latter replied the is under the effect of magic The first one asked, Who has worked magic on him?’ The other replied Labid bin Al-A’sam, a man from Bani Zuraiq who was an ally of the Jews and was a hypocrite.’ The first one asked, What material did he use)?’ The other replied, ‘A comb and the hair stuck to it.’ The first one asked, ‘Where (is that)?’ The other replied. ‘In a skin of pollen of a male date palm tree kept under a stone in the well of Dharwan’ ” So the Prophet (ﷺ) went to that well and took out those things and said “That was the well which was shown to me (in a dream) Its water looked like the infusion of Henna leaves and its date-palm trees looked like the heads of devils.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “Then that thing was taken out’ I said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ) “Why do you not treat yourself with Nashra?” He said, “Allah has cured me; I dislike to let evil spread among my people.” Sahih Bukhari 5765 – Book 76, Hadith79;
SURAH AL-FALAQ/ DAYBREAK – CH113
In the name of Allah/ God, the Gracious, the Merciful. 1. Say, “I take refuge with the Lord of Daybreak. 2. From the evil of what He created. 3. And from the evil of the darkness as it gathers. 4. And from the evil of those who practice sorcery. 5. And from the evil of an envious when he envies.”
SURAH AN-NAAS – CH114 – THE PEOPLE – QURAN KAREEM
In the name of Allah/ God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
1. Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.2. The King of mankind. 3. The God of mankind.4. From the evil of the sneaky whisperer. 5. Who whispers into the hearts of people. 6. From among jinn and among people.”
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of An-Nas, The King of An-Nas, The God of An-Nas, These are three attributes from the attributes of the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic. They are:
Lordship, Sovereignty and Divinity. Thus,
He is the Lord of everything,the King of everything and the God of everything.All things are created by Him, owned by Him, and subservient to Him.
Therefore, He commands whoever is seeking protection to seek refuge with the One Who has these attributes from the evil of the whisperer who withdraws. This (the whisperer) is the Devil that is assigned to man. For verily, there is not any of the Children of Adam except that he has a companion that beautifies wicked deeds for him. This devil will go to any lengths to confuse and confound him. The only person who is safe is He Whom Allah protects.
It is confirmed in the Sahih that he (the Prophet) said,
There is not a single one of you except that his companion (a Devil) has been assigned to him. They (the Companions) said, “What about you, O Messenger of Allah!” He replied, Yes. However, Allah has helped me against him and he has accepted Islam. Thus, he only commands me to do good.
#Protection from #Magic; #Duahs, #Prayers, #Islam, #QuranKareem
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