Pearls of Wisdom

As Salamu Alaikum

NIACF will host its annual Islamic Arts Expo and International Bazaar in Lansdowne, VA, May 19th, 2007. This event is expected to attract thousands of attendees from the Greater Washington, DC & Baltimore area. There will be art exhibits, nasheed performances, halal food, activities for children and more.

We invite you to become a vendor at the Islamic Arts Expo & International Bazaar by securing a table reservation for just $150. Additional forms are attached for you to review. This is a great way to lend your support to NIACF and showcase your organization to the community of Muslims and non-Muslims in the area. Send in your application and payment today as there are limited spaces left.

If you are unable to attend please consider making a donation to NIACF. For more information please visit: www.niacf.org

All of us need to be appreciated, but appreciation is a value that is declining in our modern lives. Mutual understanding goes a long way towards being appreciated. When husbands and wives are side-by-side, supporting each other, their children are then set an example of how to appreciate others. The children learn how to reassure and how to be reassured, how to support others and how to be supported. If we want our children to lead fruitful lives, we must set an example.

Not Only Words

Appreciation between husbands and wives does not manifest in words only. There are hundreds of ways in which gratitude can be shown. Cooperating towards achieving a better life for the family is one major form of appreciation. Equally important is showing interest in the opinion of one’s spouse. In bad times, when there may be depression, unless appreciation is demonstrated and comprehended as such, the spirit to go on can be undermined.

The problem of lack of appreciation can exist for different reasons:

Some cultures believe that if one appreciates one’s spouse, then one is spoiling them. They get used to having anything that they want and so they never become satisfied in marriage.

The struggle to survive constant stress or bad circumstances sometimes creates a pattern of behavior that does not allow one to take the time to think of others and to appreciate others.

Our rapid lifestyle allows for little communication between husbands and wives.

Everyone has responsibilities and duties, but some people think that what they are doing is more important than what others are doing.

Competitiveness is a growing ill that undermines reciprocity.

Some people believe one should not thank others.

Consequences

It is not always one-sided. There can be many reasons why you are not getting the appreciation that you deserve:

Home or a hotel? You have reduced your life together to a series of chores and duties and have stopped making your spouse feel special.

You have lost your sense of humor and no longer laugh at the things you used to.

You no longer take care of yourself.

You have lost interest in the things that your spouse loves.

Your spouse has found someone who appreciates him or her more, or he or she finds life at home unstimulating.

You think of yourself and your needs without considering those of your spouse.

The absence of appreciation, which may seem trivial, can result in a very bad atmosphere within the family, which means the children miss out from not learning this art of appreciating others in their early years. Children may develop the understanding that whatever they do is unworthy. When the need to be appreciated is not fulfilled inside of the family, it can lead to inappropriate choices.

Solutions

Ask Allah Most High for His support and guidance, and have the good intention. Learn the importance of appreciation and ways of expressing it.

Applaud the work of others, even if it is their duty, like taking care of the children and working hard to improve the living standards of the family.

Don’t compare your spouse to others, because not everything is as it seems.

Try to respect your spouse and help him or her succeed in his or her field.

Try to intensify your interest when your spouse is going through a difficult period.

Do not hesitate in showing your feelings.

Always remember that people are different, so show your appreciation in a manner that suits you and accept the ways in which others express appreciation.

A good example is a story about`Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). A man went to visit `Umar at his home to complain about his wife. While he was waiting for `Umar, the man heard `Umar’s wife shouting, while `Umar remained silent. The man decided to leave, but `Umar came out and asked him what he needed. The man told `Umar he had come to complain about his wife, but he found `Umar’s wife with similar behavior. `Umar then told the man that he tolerated his wife because of his duty towards her, as she had been taking care of all the household responsibilities and the children. She had also been there for him and made him feel tranquil and abstinent, so men have to appreciate their wives and be patient with them.

When we look at the story, we find it to be so short but so full of lessons to apply. Although `Umar was the caliph and had the courage to acknowledge his wife’s behavior, he also acknowledged that in many cases wives go beyond their duty and that their tasks are not easy. `Umar understood that his wife was overwhelmed and responded to her behavior accordingly.

Relations within the family are all-important and if broken, they are very difficult to restore, so remember “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

By Rasha Dewedar
__________________

Sources:
Al_Shablanji, Sayyid Hassan. Nour el Absar fi Manakeb al Beit El Nabi El Mukhtar. Egpyt 1873.

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellitec=Article_C&cid=1171897418842&pagename=Zone-English-Family%2FFYELayout

Rasha Dewedar has a bachelor’s degree in oral and dental medicine. She is also Assistant Editor for Health & Science at Islamonline.net.

Giving Without Expectations

Since giving and receiving are so intimately intertwined in our lives, we often expect that we can attract abundance by simply conducting ourselves in an openhanded fashion. Yet we find ourselves wallowing in disappointment when our ample generosity is not met with the expected results. The answer to this quandary lies in the expectations that, in part, initially prompted us to give. Though our intention is likely pure, we can unintentionally mar the beautiful experience of giving by focusing on what we will eventually receive in return. When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive gifts based on giving gifts, bounty can once again flow freely in and out of our lives.

When the gifts you give are laden down with expectations, they cease to be gifts and become units of exchange that you are, in effect, trading for some reward. Thus, the reciprocal laws of the universe err on the side of the giver who shares for the sake of sharing. You may have seen this simple truth at work in your own experience, perhaps when life’s busyness prevented you from spending too much time contemplating the results your charitable actions would ultimately have on the lives of others. It was likely then that you received the greatest gifts in return for your kindness. If you have trouble divesting yourself of your expectations, you may need to reflect upon the root of your inability to act in the true spirit of giving. Each time you make a gift, whether spiritual or tangible, ask yourself if there is something you hope to receive in return. You may be surprised to discover that you expect to be repaid with an easy life, financial windfalls, or opportunities.

To integrate this most selfless form of generosity into your life, you will have to let go of your need to be in control. Accepting that while like inevitably attracts like, it typically does so on an unobservable timetable. This can help you stop weighing the gifts you give against those you have received. Giving eventually becomes a profound joy that stands alone, separate from any and all conditions, and you will learn to appreciate the flow of reciprocal abundance as a gift in and of itself.

What do you think?

-DailyOM.com

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V I R T U A L A S S I S T A N T S
New projects and positions!
http://www.virtualofficetemps.com
————————————–

Project update:

We are hiring Virtual Assistants this month! Please keep reading for
information on our home based projects.

As you know, it is tax time! As a result we’ve been swamped with temp VA
openings for data input operators, coders, data keyers, researchers, and
data verifiers.

Here are the most important programs that you’ll need to qualify:

Windows, the MS Office Suite (we are receiving some requests for Vista
so you might want to think about upgrading soon. For now, Windows ME, NT
or XP will do.)

eFax - http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453 - This program
is important so that you can open fax transmissions via email,
manipulate them and send them as a digital fax or email attachment. You
can sign up for a free fax number or upgrade to a local fax number for
your area. http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453

PCNow - http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT - Working as
a Virtual Assistant means that you must be able to work VIRTUALLY! This
means you must be able to join in online meetings, access documents and
files on your managers computer and upload your work to the server. This
is simply a fact of life for a virtual assistant! Download for free from
http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT before applying

Professional Virtual Assistant listing - All of our employers are
looking for virtual assistants with a professional profile. For this
reason, please make sure that you are listed on the Merchant Circle.
http://www.tkqlhce.com/bj108bksgor576CF7DA576AAFFC9 (Your listing is
100% free and will help you get noticed and get hired.) This is one of
the best ways to prove that you are a professional virtual assistant and
there are no fees associated with your VA listing.

Now on to the projects….
==========================================

We’ve had more new projects posted in the last week then we have
qualified VA’s to fill them. So, if you have the basic requirements to
work from home as a VA and have an interest in these projects, please
follow the directions to submit your interest.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Mary - VA Manager
Virtual Offie Temps, Inc.

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V I R T U A L A S S I S T A N T S
New projects and positions!
————————————–

Data Entry / Billing Associates

Pay $12.00 - $12.50 per hour
Part time, various shifts
30 openings, temp project lasting 6 weeks

Job ID: DBA-04-03

Details: Calculate and key amount of charges to be added and or removed
from accounts. Responsible for keying all check and credit card payments
into our database using PCNow
http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT and balancing these
payments on a daily basis. Verify data for accuracy. Process and submit
receivable refunds to customers accounts.

Requirements: Excellent data entry skills. Must be comfortable working
with numbers. Will be required to complete timed data entry test. You
must use PCNow http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT to
transfer files and dowload forms that
you will process (free version is okay until you are hired). Preferred
candidates will have a virtual fax service
http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453 that allows you to
open and send digital contracts.

To Apply: ————-
Please read the basic requirements for all VA projects:
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html - If you qualify,
complete the VAWR
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/vawr.html

Questions: ————-
Answer these questions in the space provided:
–From who were you referred to this job? (Due to contractual
arrangements, /SOHOjobs/BHI/TechTemps/Beyond/ members will receive first
consideration).
–Do you have keying project experience? If yes, explain.
–List the days and hours that you can work.

===========================================================

Stock List Data Input

Pay $15.00
Part time, various shifts
12 openings, temp project lasting 14 weeks

Job ID: SLD-04-02

Details: Input customer stock lists into system via login, receive
quotes via fax and input quotes to server, Perform data input and
retrieval from interactive terminals using PCNow
http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT Prepare special
reports upon request.

Requirements: 10-key proficiency is preferred. Strong customer service
skills also required. Must have data entry or typing experience.
Homebased references helpful. Preferred candidates will have a virtual
fax service http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453 that
allows you to open and send digital contracts.

To Apply: ————-
Please read the basic requirements for all VA projects:
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html - If you qualify,
complete the VAWR
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/vawr.html

Questions: ————-
Answer these questions in the space provided:
–From who were you referred to this job? (Due to contractual
arrangements, /SOHOjobs/BHI/TechTemps/Beyond/ members will receive first
consideration).
–Do you have keying project experience? If yes, explain.
–List the days and hours that you can work.

===========================================================

Data Entry Operators

Pay $11.50/hr
Part time, various shifts
50 openings, temp project lasting 7 weeks

Job ID: DEO-04-04

Details: Operates various data entry terminals and automated data
systems to record and verify billing/accounts receivable information,
customer demographic data and account data for computer processing.
Follows standard sequences and coding. Will also correct, edit, and
verify all data entered into automated systems using PCnow
http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT

Requirements: Must be able to pass keying test with 10,000 keystrokes
per hour and less than 3% error rate. Preferred candidates will have a
virtual fax service http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453
that allows you to open and send digital contracts.

To Apply: ————-
Please read the basic requirements for all VA projects:
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html - If you qualify,
complete the VAWR
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/vawr.html

Questions: ————-
Answer these questions in the space provided:
–From who were you referred to this job? (Due to contractual
arrangements, /SOHOjobs/BHI/TechTemps/Beyond/ members will receive first
consideration).
–Do you have keying project experience? If yes, explain.
–List the days and hours that you can work.

===========================================================

Virtual Executive Assistant

Pay $16.25/hr
2 Part time, 1 Full time
3 openings

Job ID: VEA-04-05

Details: Will support a busy medical department by scheduling meetings,
answering emails, managing data input usijng PCNow
http://www.kqzyfj.com/5i116y3B-7APRQWZRXUPRQUTTQWT and preparing a
variety of reports, documents and files. The ideal candidate will be
experienced in providing secretarial support and services.

Requirements: Full Knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications is a
must. Knowledge of Access is very helpful, Virtual assistants with an
eFax account extremely helpful! You can obtain a free account from
http://www.kqzyfj.com/qp80ehpdlo2439C4A724368B453 Excellent
interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor, Reliable and hard
working, Must be able to work independently from your home.

To Apply: ————-
Please read the basic requirements for all VA projects:
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html - If you qualify,
complete the VAWR
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/vawr.html

Questions: ————-
Answer these questions in the space provided:
–From who were you referred to this job? (Due to contractual
arrangements, /SOHOjobs/BHI/TechTemps/Beyond/ members will receive first
consideration).
–Do you have keying project experience? If yes, explain.
–List the days and hours that you can work.

Please note - These employers will also consider resumes posted on
Monster http://www.anrdoezrs.net/6m101uqymuxBDCILDJGBDCFDFHKE

Virtual Assistants should also obtain a free virtual assistant business
listing at http://www.tkqlhce.com/bj108bksgor576CF7DA576AAFFC9
(important if you want to be taken seriously by hiring employers!)

=================================================================

>Start of Sponsor Message >>>>>>>>>>

—————————————
S P O N S O R :
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—————————————

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Ad Agent
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http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=74874&p=3&topicID=11073516

Copy Editor
Work at home. Publisher, seeks individual to copyedit original
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http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=74874&p=3&topicID=11073516

Data Entry Customer Service
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>> End of Sponsor Message >>>>>>>>>>

================================================================

Other projects: If you do not qualify, we invite you to investigate
other virtual projects with VOT. Visit
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/jobs.html for more information.

Best of luck,
Mary (VA Manager)
Virtual Office Temps

—————————————-
VIRTUAL OFFICE TEMPS
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com
info@virtualassistantjobs.com
—————————————-

Asalamu alikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Looking for a good way to spend a few hours? Try volunteering this month
at the soup kitchen! Volunteers help serve food to those in need.

Meet at 3:45pm on Monday, April 16th in the front office of Al-Huda
School. For more info & to sign up, call Br. Karim at 301-461-2787 or
email karimabaz@gmail.com.

Details:
We normally travel together to the soup kitchen, which is located in
Washington, DC. If you prefer you can also meet us there. The Judiciary
Square metro stop (red line) is one block away, and there is limited
on-street, metered parking. The address is: First Trinity Lutheran
Church, 309 E. Street NW, Washington, DC. For more info about the soup
kitchen, see www.dphw.org. Brothers and sisters are both needed &
encouraged to volunteer! Students can earn community service hours.

Wassalaamu alikum.

–
The Islamic Information Center

Dar-us-Salaam
5301 Edgewood Road
College Park, MD 20740

Ph: 301-982-9463 | Fx: 301-982-9849
info@LearnAboutIslam.org | www.LearnAboutIslam.org

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