History of Pakistan 1912 to Date Essay

1206-1526 The Delhi Sultanate Some of the earliest relics of Stone Age man were found in the Soan valley near Rawalpindi, dating back to at least 50,000 years. Predominantly an agricultural region, its inhabitants learned to tame and husband animals and cultivate crops some 9,000 years ago. Farming villages dating from 6000 BC have been excavated in Baluchistan, the North West Frontier Province and Punjab. The Indus Valley Civilization is considered to have evolved around 2600 BC. Built on the ruins of fortified towns near Kot Diji, it is now believed to have emerged from farming communities of the area. The Civilization boasted immense cities like Moenjodaro and Harappa. These towns were well planned, with paved main roads, multistoried houses, watchtowers, food warehouses, and assembly halls. Their people developed an advanced script that still remains un-deciphered. The Indus Civilization’s decline around 1700 BC is attributed to foreign invaders, who at some sites violently destroyed the cities. But wi th recent research, historians have become unsure as to the exact causes of decline of the Indus Civilization. Aryans, who were rough cattle breeders, came from Central Asia around 1700 BC, seeking grazing land for their herds. Their religion was well developed, with gods identified from elements of nature. They followed a strict caste system, which later became Hinduism. They wrote the first book of Hindu scripture, the Rig Veda, which was a collection of hymns remembered through several generations. Some anthropologists believe that there is no real historical evidence to prove the coming of Aryans, and consider their coming as a myth. In sixth century BC, the people of the region were getting increasingly dissatisfied with the Hindu caste system. When Buddha, son of a Kshatriya king preached equality in men, his teachings were quickly accepted throughout the northern part of the Sub-continent. Around the same time Gandhara, being the easternmost province of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, became a major power in the region. Its two cities – Pushkalavati, or present day Charsadda ne ar Peshawar, and the capital Taxila, were the center of civilization and culture. Alexander the Great invaded the Subcontinent in 327 BC. Conquering the Kalash valley, he crossed the mighty Indus at Ohind, sixteen miles north of Attock. He then defeated the mighty elephant army of Porus at Jhelum, and began his march towards the long Ganges plain. However, he was forced to plan for homeward sailing when his warwary troops refused to advance further. On his way back, a serious wound, received while battling the Malloi people at Multan, finally took its toll, and Alexander died in 323 BC, leaving his conquests for grab among his own officers. Chandragupta Maurya was an exiled member of the royal family of Magadha, a kingdom flourishing since 700 BC on the bank of river Ganges. After Alexander’s death, Chandragupta captured Punjab with his allies, and later overthrew the king of Magadha in 321 BC to form the Mauryan Empire. After twenty-four years of kingship, his son, Bindusara, who added Deccan to the Mauryan rule, succeeded Chandragupta. Ashoka, son of Bindusara, was one of the greatest rulers the world has ever known. Not only did he rule a vast empire; he also tried to rule it compassionately. After initially causing thousands of lives during his conquest of Kalinga, he decided to rule by the law of piety. He was instrumental in spreading Buddhism within and outside the Sub-continent by building Buddhist monasteries and stupas, and sending out missionaries to foreign lands. The Greek king of Bactria, Demetrius, conquered the Kabul River Valley around 195 BC. The Greeks re-built Taxila and Pushkalavati as their twin capital cities in Gandhara. They were followed in 75 BC by the Scythians, Iranian nomads from Central Asia, and in about 50 BC by the powerful Parthians, from east of the Caspian Sea. After defeating the Greeks in 53 BC, the Parthians ruled the northern Pakistan area. During their era of trade and economic prosperity, the Parthians promoted art and religion. The Gandhara School of art developed, which reflected the glory of Greek, Syrian, Persian and Indian art traditions. The Kushana king, Kujula, ruler of nomad tribes from Central Asia, overthrew the Parthians in 64 AD and took over Gandhara. The Kushans further extended their rule into northwest India and Bay of Bengal, south into Bahawalpur and short of Gujrat, and north till Kashghar and Yarkand, into the Chinese frontier. They made their winter capital at Purushapura, the City of Flowers, now called Peshawar, and their summer capital north of Kabul. Kanishka, the greatest of Kushans, ruled from the year 128 to 151. Trade flourished during his rule, with the Romans trading in gold for jewelry, perfumes, dyes, spices and textiles. Progress was made in medicine and literature. Thousands of Buddhist monasteries and stupas were built and the best pieces of sculpture in the Gandhara School of art were produced. He was killed in his sleep when his own people resisted his unending expansionist pursuits. The Kushans Empire was usurped both from the North, where the Sassanian Empire of Persia eroded their rule. and the South where the Gupta Empire took hold. In the fourth century, due to decline in prosperity and trade, the Kushans Empire was reduced to a new dynasty of Kidar (Little) Kushans, with the capital now at Peshawar. Coming from Central Asia, the White Huns, originally the horse-riding nomads from China, invaded Gandhara during the fifth century. With declining prosperity, and the sun and fireworshipping Huns ruling the land, Buddhism gradually disappeared from northern Pakistan, taking the glory of the Gandhara School of art with it. After the defeat of Huns by Sassanians and Turks in 565, the area was mostly left to be ruled by small Hindu kingdoms, with the Turki Shahi rulers controlling the area till Gandhara from Afghanistan, and the raja of Kashmir ruling northern Punjab, and the areas east of the Indus. Buddhism’s decline continued as more people were converted to Brahman Hindus. Overthrowing the Turki Shahis, the Central Asian Hindu Shahis ruled from 870 till the year 1008. With their capital established at Hund on the Indus, their rule extended from Jalalabad in Afghanistan to Multan, and covered as far north as Kashmir. Fasting Buddha from Gandhara region, Central Museum, Lahore Buddha in Dhyana Mudra – preserved in Julian monastery Slave Dynasty [1206-1290] Khalji Dynasty [1290-1320] The founder of the Khalji Dynasty in South Asia, Malik Firuz, was originally the Ariz-iMumalik appointed by Kaiqubad during the days of decline of the Slave Dynasty. He took advantage of the political vacuum that was created due to the incompetence of the successors of Balban. To occupy the throne, he only had to remove the infant Sultan Kaimurs. On June 13 1290, Malik Firuz ascended the throne of Delhi as Jalal-ud-din Firuz Shah. Khaljis were basically Central Asians but had lived in Afghanistan for so long that they had become different from the Turks in terms of customs and manners. Thus the coming of Khaljis to power was more than a dynastic change. As majority of the Muslim population of Delhi was Turk, the arrival of a Khalji ruler was not much welcomed. Yet Jalal-ud-din managed to win the hearts of the people through his mildness and generosity. He retained most of the officers holding key positions in the Slave Dynasty. His own nephew and son-in-law Alauddin Khalji, killed Jalal-ud-din and took over as the new ruler. Alauddin’s reign is marked by innovative administrative and revenue reforms, market control regulations and a whirlwind period of conquests. It is considered the golden period of the Khalji rule. However, before the death of Alauddin, his house was divided into two camps. This resulted in the ultimate collapse of the Khalji dynasty. On one side were Khizar Khan (Alauddin’s son and the nominated hair to the throne), Alp Khan (Khizar’s father in law and the governor of Gujrat) and Malika-i-Jehan (wife of Alauddin and sister of Alp Khan). Malik Kafur led the other camp, who was one of Alauddin’s most trusted nobles. Malik Kafur managed to win the battle of politics and succeeded in making Shahab-ud-din Umar, a young prince of six years old, as the successor of Alauddin and himself became his regent. However, later his own agents killed Malik Kafur. After the death of Malik Kafur, Qutb-ud-din Mubarik Shah, another son of Alauddin removed his younger brother Umar from the throne and became Sultan in 1316. Mubarik was a worthless ruler and most of his time was spend in drinking and womanizing. During his rule the power was actually in the hands of a lowborn Hindu slave, who was given the title of Khusraw Khan by Mubarik himself. Khusraw, with the help of some of his friends killed Mubarik and declared himself the Sultan. With this the rule of the Khalji Dynasty came to an end. Tomb and College of Alauddin Khalji, although the grave is now missing The incomplete Alai Minar, built by Alauddin Khalji Tughluq Dynasty [1320-1412] During his rule, Khusraw replaced Muslim officers by Hindu officers in all key positions of the country. These Hindu officers openly insulted Islam, dishonored mosques and used copies of the Quran as pedestals for idols. This situation was very difficult for the Muslim of South Asia to digest. They gathered around a Tughluq noble popularly known as Ghazi Malik, who defeated and killed Khusraw. He wanted to give power back to the Khalji Dynasty, but could not find any survivor amongst the decedents of Alauddin. In this situation, the nobles asked him to become Sultan. He ascended the throne on September 8, 1320, and assumed the title of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq Shah, thus becoming the founder of the Tughluq dynasty. The Tughluqs belonged to the Qarauna Turk tribe. After becoming Sultan, Ghiyas-ud-din concentrated on crushing the Hindu rajas, who had gained power during the short rule of Khusraw. He conquered Bengal, which was no longer part of the central empire since the death of Balban. When he came back after the successful Bengal expedition, his son Jauna Khan gave him a very warm welcome. When Ghiyas-ud-din was taking the guard-of-honor, the special stage that had been constructed for the occasion fell down, killing Ghiyas-ud-din and six other people. His son Muhammad bin Tughluq succeeded him. Muhammad Tughluq was a man of ideas. He tried to implement a number of his own schemes. Unfortunately for him, almost all his schemes failed and he became unpopular amongst the masses. When he died, his cousin, Firuz Shah was raised to the status of Sultan. Firuz Shah’s long rule of 37 years is known for his marvelous administrative reforms. Due to old age, Firuz Shah handed over power to his son Muhammad Shah during his lifetime. The new Sultan proved incompetent and was not liked by the nobles. A civil war like situation was created. Firuz Shah helped in cooling down the tension and replaced Muhammad Shah with Ghiyas-ud-din, his grandson, as Sultan. However, after the death of Firuz Shah in 1388, a tussle once again began between the power-hungry princes of the house of Tughluqs. The nobles, who in order to gain more power, started supporting one prince or the other, further worsened the situation. This period of fighting amongst the Tughluq princes continued for about quarter of a century. Amir Timur’s invasion on Delhi in 1398 further destroyed the political and economic standing of the Tughluqs. The dynasty eventually came to an end in 1414 when Khizar Khan founded the Saiyid Dynasty in Delhi. Saiyid Dynasty [1414-1451] Saiyids Dynasty, claimed to be a descendent of the Prophet of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad (S. A. W.). Thus his established rule is known as the Saiyids Dynasty. Khizar collaborated with Timur during his invasion on India. As a reward, on his departure from the area, Timur made Khizar the governor of Lahore, Multan and Dipalpur. When Mahmud Shah, the last of the Tughlaq rulers, died in 1412, Daullat Khan Lodhi and Khizar both attempted to occupy the throne of Delhi. Tomb of Muhammad Shah Saiyid In 1414, Khizar won the battle and established the rule of his dynasty in Delhi. Although Khizar Khan was completely sovereign, he preferred to rule in the name of Timur, and then in the name of Timur’s successor, Shah Rukh. As a result of Timur’s invasion and the continuous wars for succession among the successors of Firuz Shah, a number of states and provinces of the Sultanate of Delhi declared their independence. Khizar tried to reintegrate these states through force, but failed in his mission. During his rule, the Sultanate was reduced to Sindh, Western Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Khizar died a natural death on May 20, 1421. His son Mubarik Shah succeeded Khizar. Unlike his father, Mubarik declared himself Sultan. His rule was full of internal and external revolts. On February 19 1434, two accomplices of his wazir, Sarwa-ul-Mulk, killed him. The reign of his successors, his nephew Muhammad Shah and Muhammad’s son Alauddin Alam Shah, were also marked by political instability. The territories of their empires were reduced to a distance of ten miles from Delhi to Palam. Finally, Buhlul Lodhi occupied Delhi and established his rule. Thus the era of Saiyids Dynasty came to an end in 1451.

40 Common Mistakes in Namaz (Salat)

The Magnifying Glass On Clarifying Many Common Errors AlAlAshAl-Minthaar Fee Katheer Min Al-Akhtaa’ Ash-Shaai’ah A Excerpt Dealing with 40 Commmon Mistakes in Salaat Saalih Ibn Abdul-Azeez Ibn Muhammad Aalish-Shaykh (hafithahullah) Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq – Translator  © 1998 Al-Haramain Foundation Mistakes of Salaah 1. Leaving the salaah altogether. This is indeed kufr (disbelief) and the evidence is found within the Qur’aan the authentic sunnah and the consensus of the ummah. Allah ta’aala states: If they repent and establish the salaah and give the zakaah, they are you brothers in faith (deen). Al-Qur’aan 9:11] And Allah ta’aala says: What landed you in As-Saqar (Hell)? They said: We were not of those who made salaah (almusalleen)†¦[Al-Qur’aan 76:42-43] and so on. As far as the sunnah: The hadeeth of Jaabir that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Between a man and shirk (what protects him from sh irk) is the abandonment of salaah. [Muslim] It is narrated by Abu Dawood, An-Nisaa’i, Ibn Maajah, and At-Tirmidhi on the authority of Buraidah Ibn Al-Husaib from the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) who said: The covenant between us and them (i. e. he Prophet – and/or his successors -and those who claim to be Muslims) is the salaah so whosoever abandons it has disbelieved. [ Ahmad and others and it is saheeh] As far as consensus (al-ijmaa’): Abdullah Ibn Shaqeeq (radiallahu ‘anhu) stated: The Companions of Muhammad (radiallahu ‘anhum) did not view the abandonment of any other deed as kufr other than (abandoning) salaah. [At-Tirmidhi and others with an authentic chain] 2. Delaying the salaah from its appointed time. This is a violation according to the word of Allah ta’aala: Verily the salaah has been appointed for the believers at specific times (mawqoot). Al-Qur’aan 4:103] Al-Mawqoot indicates a specific appointed time and the postponement of sallah beyond the obligatory time (fardh) is a major sin and Allah is the one upon Whom we depend. On the authority of Anas who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: This is the salaat of the hypocrite (munaafiq); when he sits observing the sun until it is between the horns of Shaitaan, then he stands to perform four (rak’ah) remembering Allah little. [Muslim] If this is the salaah of the hypocrite hen what of the salaah of someone who postpones the prayer until the complete period of the salaat has passed without any excuse? 3. Abandonment of the congregational prayer in the masjid by able men either regularly or on occasion. The commandment has been given to perform the salaah in congregation in the masaajid. Congregational (al-jamaa’ah) salaah is a duty except for those who have a valid excuse according to the sharia’h. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever hea rs the call (al-adhaan) and thereafter does not answer it (i. e. ttend the congregational salaah) there is no salaah for him except for a valid excuse. [Reported by Ibn Maajah and others with a strong chain (isnaad) and Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said â€Å"Its chain is according to the conditions of Muslim†]. Allah ta’aala also says: And bow down with those who bow down. {Al-Qur’aan 2:43] In a hadeeth in AlBukhaari and Muslim (mutafaqun ‘alaih): †¦I would then leave (after tbe salaah has begun) and go to those men who do not attend the salaah and burn their houses down over them. 4. Lack of tranquility (at-tama’neenah) within the salaat. This is generally done out of ignorance and it is an open sin because tranquility is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah without which the salaah is incorrect. The hadeeth about the man who performed his salaah badly is a clear evidence for this. The meaning of tama’neenah (tranquility) is that the one praying is tranquil in the rukoo’ (bending), standing (‘itidaal), prostration (sujood), and sitting between the two prostrations (juloos), and he should get in position where every bone settles into place, he should not hasten between portions of the prayer until he has attained tranquility in it and gives each its due time. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said to the one who was rushing through his salaah without observing the proper tranquility: Go back and make salaah because you have not made the salaah. And in the hadeeth of Rifaa’ah on the story of the one who prayed badly it goes on: Then he makes takbeer and bows and puts his hands on his knees until each joint is settled and relaxed. Then he says ‘sami’allahu liman hamida’ (Allah hears the one who praises Him) then stands up straight until each bone is in its place. . Lack of proper reverence and humility (khushoo’) in the salaat and excess movement therein. The place of khushoo’ is in the heart and it is evident in the tranquility of the limbs and humility before Allah. Allah has indeed praised His slave by His statement: Those who offer their salaah with all solemnity and full submissiveness. [Al-Qur’aan 23:2] As well [He has praised] the prophets by his statement: Verily they us ed to hasten on to do good deeds and they used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and used to umble themselves before Us. [Al-Qur’aan 21:90] It is incumbent. The limbs of the slave in prayer should be still and his heart should be solemn until he may be rewarded for his salaah. It is narrated on the authority of ‘Ammaar Ibn Yaasir (radiallahu ‘anhu) he said: I heard the messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: Verily a man leaves after completing his prayer and nothing has been written for him except a tenth of his salaah, a ninth, an eighth, a sixth, a fifth, a fourth, a third, or half of it. Abu Dawood, An-Nisaa’i, and others and it is an authentic hadeeth] The reason for the shortcoming in its reward is the lack of khushoo’ in the heart of the one who prays or in the limbs. 6. Intentionally preceding the imaam in the movements of the prayer or not following his movements. This nullifies the salaah or rak’ah for whoev er bows before his imaam ruins his own rak’ah unless he follows it later with another bowing. Such is likewise with the rest of the arkaan (pillars) of the salaah. It is obligatory for the praying person to follow the imaam completely without preceding him or lagging behind him in any rukn (pillar) or more. Abu Dawood and others transmit with an authentic chain from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily the imaam is to be completely followed, so if he makes takbeer then you make takbeer and don’t make takbeer until he does so, and if he bows then bow and don’t bow until he does so†¦ Its origin is in the two saheehs and Al-Bukhaari has another like it narrated by Anas. The one who forgets or the one who is ignorant is excused. 7. Standing to complete a missed rak’ah before the imaam has completely finished making the second tasleem (i. closing the prayer by saying ‘As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi to the right and left). It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Do not precede me in the rukoo’ (bowing) not in the sujood (prostration) nor in going out of the prayer (al-insiraaf). The scholars have said that the meaning of al-insi raaf is at-tasleem and it is named such because the praying person may leave afterwards and he leaves only after the second tasleem. The one who precedes the imaam should stay in his place ntil the imaam has completed his salaah, then he should stand and complete whatever he missed, and Allah knows best. 8. Making the intention for prayer aloud. This is a bid’ah (innovation), and we have previously mention the prohibition against bid’ah. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) never made the intention for salaah aloud. Ibn Al-Qayyim, rahimahullah, stated in â€Å"Zaad Al-Ma’aad† or in â€Å"Al-Hudaa An-Nabawiyy†: â€Å"When the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would stand for salaah he said: ‘Allahu Akbar’ and said nothing else before it nor did he pronounce his intention aloud. Nor did he say: ‘I will pray for Allah salaah such and such while facing the Qiblah four raka’aat as imaam or follower’. Nor did he say: ‘Fulfilling it on time, not making it up, nor the time of fardh’ all ten of which are bid’ah for which no one has reported that he did with an authentic chain, nor even a weak one, nor musnad, nor mursal, nor a single word. Indeed not one narration of the sahaabah or the best of the following generation (taabi’een), nor the four imaams. † 9. Not reciting Al-Faatihah in the salaah; The recitation of Al-Faatihah is a pillar (rukn) and the salaah of whoever does not recite it is void. This is according to the Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: Whoever makes a salaah wherein Al-Faatihah is not recited then it is khidaaj (miscarried) – and he repeated it three times – incomplete. [Muslim from Abu Hurairah] Also reported in the two saheehs is the hadeeth from ‘Ubaadah Ibn Saamit (radiallahu ‘anhu) marfoo’an (attributable to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): The salaah is null for whoever has not recited the Opening of the Book. In another wording from ‘Ubaadah: Could it be that you recite behind your imaam? We said: Yes. He said: Don’t do so except with the Opening of the Book (Al-Faatihah) for the salaah is null of whoever does not recite it. [Ahmed, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibbaan. This is evidence of its obligation for the follower. Recitation of the follower is absolute or in the aloud prayers as opposed to what is long known. Whether the recitation of Al-Faatihah is absolute or just in the prayers recited aloud is an old difference of opinion among the scholars. Is it waajib or dropped? The majority of scholars (al-jumhoor) say it is dropped however doing so is more clear from possible error and more precaution for deen. Most of those who have the opinion of it being dropped say that it is nevertheless desirable to recite it. 10. Recitation of the Qur’aan in rukoo’ (bowing position) or during sujood (prostration). This is prohibited based on a narration from ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I have been prevented from reciting the Qur’aan while bowing or in prostration†¦ [Muslim] Ali (radiallahu ‘anu) narrates he said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam prevented me from reciting the Qur’aan while bowing or prostrating. [Muslim and others] 11. Raising the eyes to the sky during salaat or looking to the right and left without due cause. As far as raising the eyes, it is forbidden and bears the threat of punishment. It is narrated by Jabir Ibn Samurah (radiallahu ‘anhu) who said: The Messenger of allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Let the people stop raising their eyes to the sky in the salaah or let their sight not return to them. [Muslim] 12. As far as looking around unnecessarily, it is a deficiency in the salaah of the worshipper as long as he has not turned his entire body in another direction [i. . away from the Qiblah]. If however the entire body is turned then the salaah is invalidated. It is narrated by ‘Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) who said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about looking around in the salaah. He said: It is misappropriation pilfered by Shaitaan from the salaah of the worshipper. [Al-Bukhaari]. At-Tirmidhi also collected an authentic ha deeth: Be warned of turning or looking around in the salaah because it is destruction. And there are other ahadeeth on looking around in the salaah. 3. Sitting on one’s haunches (Al-Iq’aa) during the salaah and prostrating with the elbows (AlIftiraash) on the ground. Al-Iqaa’ is forbidden as related by Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) who said: My dear friend forbade me three things: He forbade me from pecking like a rooster [just touching the head in prostration – trans], sitting on the haunches like a dog, and looking around like a fox. Transmitted by Ahmed and others and its isnaad (chain) has by graded hasan (good) by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Haithami. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade a man from spreading his arms on the ground like a beast of prey. Summarizing a hadeeth collected by Muslim from ‘Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) as well as by At-Tirmidhi, Ahmed and others from Jaabir (radiallahu ‘anhu) marfoo’an (attributable to the Prophet): If any of you prostrates (sajdah) then keep straight and not spread his arms like the sitting of a dog. 14. Wearing a thin (see-through) garment that does not sufficiently cover the ‘auwrah (private area). This is an invalidator of the salaah because covering one’s ‘auwrah is a condition for a sound salaah. The man’s ‘aurah is – according to what is most authentic – from the 1 navel to the knee. Likewise he must cover his shoulders or one of them in accordance with the statement of Allah: O children of Aadam wear you adornments to every masjid. [Al-‘Araaf 31] It is sufficient to wear a single garment to cover the ‘auwrah according to what is narrated from ‘Umar Ibn Salamah (radiallahu ‘anhu): He saw the Messenger of allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam praying in a single garment (thowub) in the house of Umm Salamah, he had cast both ends over himself. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Ibn Qudaamah (rahimahullah) stated: It is obligatory to cover sufficiently to hide the color of the skin, for if it is thin enough that the color of the skin may be seen from behind to the extent that the whiteness or redness of the skin is percieved thane salaah in it is not allowed in that covering has not been achieved. 15. A woman not covering her head wit h the khimaar in salaah and not covering her feet. The ‘aurah of the swoman in the sallah is her entire body with the exception of her face. Nor is there any harm if she covers her face due to the passing by of men or the like. It is obligatory for her to wear a khimaar which is a head covering that also covers the bosom. This according to his (slallahu ‘aliahi wa sallam) statement: Allah does not accept the salaah of the menstruating female unless she is wearing a khimaar. [Collected by Ahmed and the collectors of the six most authentic books except An-Nisaa’i and it has be authenticated by Ibn Khuzaimah and others. It is also obligatory that she cover the tops of her feet in compliance with the hadeeth â€Å"The entire woman is ‘auwrah† Collected by AtTirmidhee with an authentic isnaad. Along this same meaning is what is transmitted by Malik and abu Dawood and others from Muhammad Ibn Said Inb Qunfudh from his mother who asked Umm Salamah (radiallahu ‘anhaa), the wife of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), about what garment a woman should pray in. She answered: She 1 The evidence for covering the shoulders is found in an authentic hadeeth in the collection of Abu Dawood, however we were unable to determine why the shaykh exempts one shoulder. should pray in a khimaar and a full, loose-fitting chemise that conceals the tops of her feet. Also with this meaning is the hadeeth of Umm Salamah: Lower it by an arms length. 16. Walking in front of the praying person whether they be the imaam or praying alone and stepping over the people during the Jumua’h khutbah. It is a sin upon the person who passes in front of someone who is praying. If the one praying has no sutrah then it shold be estimated to be at the place of prostration so the passerby should can pass beyond that point. As narrated in the collections of al-Bukhari and Muslim by Abu Juhaim Ibn Haarith (radiallahu ‘anhu), who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If the one who passes in front of the praying person knew how serious a sin it was for him to do so it would have been better for him to wait for forty than walk in front of him. [Forty may refer to forty days, months or years, and Allah knows best – Trans. The one who pushes between the people during the Jumua’h khutbah harms people through his being late for the salaah according to the statement of Al-Mustafah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): Sit for you have caused harm and come late. [Ahmed and others. Cutting between the people is forbidden. One who enters the masjid should sit where there is space unless he sees a genuinely open area wh ere he should then go to it and sit. Not saying the takbeeratul-ihraam (opening takbeer) when entering upon the congregation while the imaam is in rukoo’. This is a major mistake in that the takbeeratulihraam is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah that must be done by the one praying when standing for the salaah and then afterwards join the imam in the bowing position (rukoo’). To make the takbeer (al-ihraam) and then another takbeer before giong into rukoo’ is more complete and thorough. Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would make takbeer when he stood for the sallah and would then make takbeer upon bowing. Not following the imaam (by getting in the same position) when coming late and the imaam is sitting or in sujood (prostrating). It is most preferred and most sure for the one who enters the masjid that he join the imaam in whatever position he may be in, whether he be in sajdah or otherwise. It is reported by abu Dawood and others with a saheeh isnaad that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If you come to the salaah and we are making sujood then you also make sujood. For a worshipper to delay making sajdah is to have in effect revented himself from an act of worship which Allah loves. Ali Ibn Abi Talib and Mua’dh ibn Jabal (radiallahu ‘anhumaa) both stated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If one of you comes to the salaah and the imaam is in a position then do what the imaam is doing. This is collected by At-Tirmidhi with a weak isnaad however it is in agreement with the preceeding hadeeth. It is also stren gthened by a narration collected by Abu Dawood from Mua’dh (radiallahu ‘anhu): I never saw him (the imaam) in a position except I was also upon it. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily Mua’dh has performed an act that is good for you too, so do likewise. Busying oneself with matters that take one away from the salaah. This is evidence of preference of the wordly life over that of the Hereafter, following vain desires and being too busy to obey Allah. This is indeed ruination and of evil consequence to whoever does it. Allah ta’aala says: O you who believe, let not yuor wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah for whyosoever does that will be among the losers. Al-Munafiqoon 9] And He says in praise of the believers: Men who are not diverted by business or trade from the remembrance of Allah and performance of salaah. [An-Noor 37] Preoccupation with any act over the salaah or that leads to being negligant or lazy toward it such as staying up too lateand the like, is not permissible. This is because anything that leads to what is haraam is itself haraam, and Allah is the One who guides to the right path. Playing with one’s clothing or watch or the like. This is an act that negates khushoo’. The evidence for khushoo’ has been presented previously in point 5 [see August Issue – Ed. ]. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade rubbing pebbles during the salaah due to its negative effect on khushoo’ when he said: If any of you performs the prayer let him not rub pebbles for mercy is turned towards him. [Ahmed and the six 17. 18. 19. 20. collections of hadeeth with an authentic isnaad] A person might increase playing around to the point of excessive movement that is outside of the salaah and thereby nullify it. 21. Closing the eyes for no reason. This is a objectionable act (makrooh) as Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) mentioned: â€Å"Closing the eyes was not from the guidance of the Rasool (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). † He also said: â€Å"The scholars of fiqh have differed on its detestability. Imam Ahmed and others deemed it detestable and they said that it was of the habits of the Jews. However a group of them ruled it allowable without any detestablility and they said that it may indeed be a closer means of achieving khushoo’ which is the spirit of the salaah, its heart and its aim. â€Å"Most correct is that if keeping the eyes open has no detrimental effect upon khushoo’ then it is preferable to do it. If decorations, adornments or the like are around the worshipper or between him and the qiblah to the point of distraction, then there is absolutely no objection to closing the eyes. Indeed the statement that to do so is desirable (mustahabb) in this case is cl oser to the spirit of the law and its aims than the statement that it is objectionable. And Allah knows best. Eating or drinking or laughing in the salaah thus nullifying it. As far as eating and drinking there is consensus with regards to the fardh. Ibn Al-Mundhir stated: â€Å"The scholars (Ahlul‘Ilm) are in consensus agreement that the one praying is forbidden from eating and drinking. There is also consensus among them that to do so intentionally necessitates repetition of the salaah. † Ibn Al-Mundhir also transmits that there is consensus that the salaah is nullified by laughing. Raising the voice in recitation to the point of distracting those around. It is recommended (mustahabb) that one hears himself, not to the point that it interrupts anyone who is reciting the Qur’aan or making salaah. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim both transmit from ‘Umraan Ibn Husain (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prayed Dhuhr and there was a man behind him reciting ‘sabbihisma rabbikal‘alaa’ , so when he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) finished he said: Who among you was reciting or who was the reciter? The man said, â€Å"Me. † So he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I thought that some of you were disputing with me in it. The scholars state: The meaning of his words is a disapproval of the act. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) stated: Whoever is reciting the Qur’aan and the people are praying additional prayer then it is not correct for him to recite aloud thus disturbing them because the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) left some of his companions while they were praying As-Sahr (before dawn) and he said: O people, each of you is seeking salvation from his Rabb therefore do not overpower one another with your recitation. Crowding in on those who are praying. This is a type of forbidden inflicting of harm. It is upon the praying person to pray in a place where the space ends unless he sees an opening sufficient for him to pass and then there is no harm. However, to cause harm, especially on Yaum Al-Jumu’ah (Friday), is generally forbidden. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said about those who cut the prayer line: Sit, for you have harmed and come late. Not making the lines straight. Allah has ordered the proper performance of salaah saying â€Å"And establish (aqeemu) the salaah†. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has likewise stated: Straighten your lines for verily straightening of the lines is a part of correct performance of salaah (iqaamis-salaah). Al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Anas. Also AlBukhaari narrates from An-Nu’maan Ibn Basheer (radiallahu ‘anhu): Straighten your lines or Allah will cause opposition between your hearts. The order to straighten the lines and taking care to do so is mentioned in a number of hadeeth. (It should also be mention that this includes not leaving any gaps in the lines as is all too commonly neglected – Ed. Raising the feet from the ground in sujood. This is against what is commanded as it is confirmed in the two saheehs from Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was ordered to prostrate upon seven limbs and not to tuck up the hair or the clothes: the forehead (including the nose), the (palms of the) two hands, the knees and the two feet. So th e one praying is commanded to pray with the two feet touching the ground and the complete form of this is to have the toes pointing toward the Qiblah. Part of each foot should touch the ground and if one raises either of them his sajdah (prostration) is incorrect if he continues to do so throughout the prostration. Putting the right hand upon the left and raising them to the neck. This is in contradiction to the sunnah because the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to put his right hand 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. over his left upon his chest. This is in a hadeeth of Hasan from several weak transmissions in themselves but that in conjunction strengthen themselves. The sunnah is also to place the hands on the middle of the chest or upon the heart because the heart is in the chest as Allah ta’aala states: It is the hearts within the breasts that are blind. Raising the hands (making takbeer) when going into sujood or when rising out of it. It is an error to lift the hands to the neck and this opposes the sunnah. What is attributed to Ali (radiallahu ‘anhu) in the explanation of the verse: So therefore pray to your Rabb and sacrifice (wanhar – in which the verb is construed as referring to the neck [an-nahr] –Ed. ) is weak and does not constitute a proof. Also incorrect is the incorrect practice of holding one’s hands upon or below the navel as there is no substantiated proof from the authenticated sunnah for this practice – Ed) 28. Raising the hands at the time of sujood or when rising out of sujood. This is in opposition to the well-known sunnah that has been transmitted by most of the companions who narr ated about raising the hands. The student of (sharee'ah) knowledge should stick with the well-known sunnah unless in privacy though he may believe a deed to be more correct from the sunnah that nonetheless contradicts the practice of the generality of the scholars. The imaam of the people should do what is known, for what is commonly and well-known to be the sunnah upon which the majority of the scholars' practice, is sufficient and satisfactory. (The wisdom here is that for a student to insist upon public practice of that which is not regarded by the scholars generally as the sunnah may lead to harm and confusion which would amount to forsaking a fardh, i. e. the prevention of harm, for the sake of a establishing a sunnah – and one which is not totally agreed upon at that – and would thus fall into error. The scholars do not generally unite upon any practice without evidence, although the qualified student may disagree a given ruling or conclusion based upon his understanding of the texts and after sincere and thorough study and reaching a state of being personally satisfied with its outcome. – Ed. ) 28. Hastiness of some imaams in the salaah and lack of tranquility within it, thus not allowing time for the followers to be tranquil in their salaah or time to recite Al-Faatihah, especially in the last rak’ah. The imam is responsible for making the quality of the salaah good because he is being followed. It is therefore his duty to take care of following the Sunnah, and tranquility is a pillar (rukn) that the imam is more obliged to take care of due to his being followed. Likewise, the recitation of Al-Faatihah is a rukn that the followers in the salaah must be given enough time to fulfill. We have already presented the evidence for the obligation of maintaining tranquility (tama’neenah) and reciting Al-Faatihah. 9. Not taking care to make sujood upon the seven ‘limbs’ (i. e. the forehead along with the nose, the palms of both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet). Abbaas Ibn AbulMuttalib (radiallahu ‘anhu) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: If the slave prostrates, then seven body parts should prostrate with him: His face, hands, two knees, and his two feet. Related by Muslim, also attributed to Al-M ajd in â€Å"Al-Muntaqaa†, Al-Muzzee and related by others. Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhumaa) narrated: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I have been ordered to prostrate upon seven â€Å"bones† (i. e. body parts): Upon the forehead –and he pointed to his nose – both hands, both knees and both feet. There are some people who do not prostrate upon both the forehead and the nose or who raise their feet or who do not touch the palms of their hands on the ground, all of which is in opposition to what is commanded. 30. Not caring to learn the rules of salaah. This is other than what any Muslim should do. No doubt salaah is the greatest of the Islamic pillars requiring bodily action. Allah commands its performance – â€Å"Aqimis-Salaah† (Perform the salaah) – in more than seventy ayaat. It is not possible to perform it without having knowledge of its fundamentals or knowing how the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did the salaah. There is no room for ignorance of the rules of salaah, knowing its prerequisites or its essential parts, obligations, the rules for following or making up for errors and the like. It is fardh to know these matters and the absence of knowledge of these matters is a cause of a Muslim being unaware of what nullifies or spoils his salaah, and Allah is the Guide and Provider of Success. 31 – 34. Carelessness in reciting Al-Faatihah and with proper pronunciation such as saying al-‘Aalimeen instead of al-‘Aalameen, ahdinaa instead of ihdinaa, an’amtu instead of an’amta, and so on. All of these and similar errors are the type of linguistic errors that must be avoided and no one who leads the salaat should commit them. Some may contain impossible meanings such as when one pronounces the â€Å"t† (taa’) in â€Å"an’amta† as â€Å"da† (daad) and thus the salaat would be spoiled. 35. Cracking the knuckles in salaah. This is from the detested actions in the salaah and is thus forbidden. As far as cracking the knuckles in general, Ibn Abi Shaibah narrates in a statement with good isnaad, from Shu’bah Mawlaa ibn Abbaas as stating: I prayed next to Ibn Abbaas and I cracked my knuckles so when I finished my salaah he said, â€Å"May you lose your mother! You crack your knuckles while you are in salaah? Forbiddance of cracking the knuckles is transmitted in a marfoo’ hadeeth from Ali in the collection of Ibn Maajah, however, it is weak (da’eef)and not sufficient in an of itself (ghairu munjabir). 36. Intertwining the fingers (at-tashbeek) during and before the salaah. This is also among the detestable matters. Ka’ab Ibn ‘Ujrah (radiallahu ‘anhu) narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: If one of you makes wudhoo then goes to the masjid for salaah, let him not clasp his hands together for indeed he is in the salaah. Ahmed, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi. With some difference regarding its chain, AdDaarimi, Al-Haakim and others transmit from Abu Hurairah in a marfoo’ hadeeth: â€Å"If one of you makes wudhoo in his house then comes to the masjid, he is in salaah until he returns. Therefore do not do not do like this – and he clasped his fingers together. † There are other mutually supporting hadeeths on this matter of tashbeek. 37. Putting forward someone to lead the salaah as imaam when it is not his place to do so and there are others more deserving present. This contradicts the intended purpose of having an imaam (al-imaamah), which is to be an example to follow (al-iqditaa’). It is necessary that the imaam have understanding of the deen and is able to correctly recite the Qur’aan according to the satatement of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): The imaam of a people should be the one who best recites the Qur’aan†¦) Transmitted by Muslim from Abu Mas’ood Al-Ansaari (radiallahu ‘anhu). The scholars have ruled that one should not be put forward as imaam whose recitation is not good, or who openly displays sinfulness, or who has an undignified appearance, or who is an innovator, or who is corrupt or like them. If however, such people are put forward, the salaah of the followers is correct. 38. Improper recitation of the Qur’aan. This is an open deficiency and the right of the Qur’aan is that it be read correctly without aberration and that the Muslim strives to improve and excel in its recitation. Allah ta'alaa states: Recite the Qur’aan with tarteel [correct measured tone] and When we teach you the Qur’aan, follow its recitation. Meaning, recitation as is proper according to the Arabic language, with clarity and free from distortion. On this same line is the superiority of the one who purifies his intention as is narrated by ‘Kaisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, â€Å"The one who is proficient with the Qur’aan will be with the scribes (angels) honorable and obedient. While the one who recites the Qur’aan haltingly and finds difficulty (while striving to recite it properly) gets a double reward. † [matafaqun ‘alaih] 39. Some men praying behind women in the Haram (The Grand Masjid) of Makkah. Doing so there or elsewhere is a detestable action in the salaah. It is from the sunnah that the rows of the women are behind those of the men. The salaah of a man behind a women may be a cause of him losing all khushoo’ and a disturbance in the salaat through his looking (at the woman) or otherwise. A man should therefore never line up for salaah behind a woman. This is not detestable if due to necessity such as not missing the ‘Eid salaah, or Salaatul-Jumu’ah, or the congregational salaah and other similar situations (i. . that make it impossible to join the front rows with the men – Trans. ). A group of scholars have stated: â€Å"The Haram of Makkah is an exception. † Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baz (may Allah preserve him) is of this opinion. 40. Women coming to the masjid beautified or made-up and perfumed. This is one of the open and witnessed evils that become apparent during Ramadhan and outside it. The woman is coming out to worship her Master, n ot to show off the beauty of her clothing! Perhaps men may see her and she would then be sinful and she would suffer a loss of reward for her deed. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated: â€Å"Let not any woman who is scented attend the ‘Ishaa with us. † [Muslim] Imam Ahmed transmits along with Abu Dawood with an authentic chain from Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: â€Å"Do not forbid the bondwomen of Allah from the houses of Allah, and let them go out tafilaat. † The meaning of the word â€Å"tafilaat† is: Not beautified with adornments or perfumed.

Matters of Life and Death Essay

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Analysis of the Benchmark for External Auditors - Assignment Example Without exception, all external auditors should not allow their independence to be affected by his or her own interests. For, Auditing Standards mandate that external auditors must accept an audit engagement if they feel that their self-interests affect their independence. Independence means not only independence in fact but also go hand in hand with independence through appearance. The Auditing Standards on independence rule states that the auditor must not have any material self-interest in the clients. An auditor has self-interest if the auditor, the auditor's spouse, and children own a share of stock or two in the audit client. The Companies Act of 1948 is the legal framework for external auditors to follow in terms of independence (Power 1997, 17). Clearly, many auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self -interests. Likewise, it is mandatory that all external auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self - review. The auditor is required under all audit situations to consider if self -review will affect his independence. The auditor must not continue with the auditor sign as an external auditor if he or she believes that self-review will infringe on the auditor's independence. Clearly, it is mandatory that all external auditors will not allow their independence to be affected by self - review. Further, all external auditors should not allow their independence to be affected by advocacy. The auditor's membership in a group will have a strong impression that the auditor is not being independent in terms of auditing a client. The Code of Ethics for external auditors commands that the external auditor must not have his membership in an organization affect the independence of the auditors. The auditors must be independent in fact and in appearance. For any sign that tinges on decreasing the independence of the external auditor would signal that the external auditor should immediately withdraw from the engagement. Definitely, all external auditors should not allow their independence to be affected by advocacy. Furthermore, all external auditors must not permit their independence to be affected by familiarity. It is a fact that many external auditors can easily finish their audit assignments for many of their former audit clients. The auditors will just focus on accounts that seem doubtful or where the internal control is weak because they had already issued an unqualified opinion on the prior financial statement.  Ã‚  

The subject of war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The subject of war - Essay Example By working around the central theme, the narratives powerfully show the nature of humans, their response to challenges of the environment and the endeavors they are willing to undertake as means towards an end. With that said, it is interesting to note what caused the war in Homer's epic and how it compares with Sheri Tepper's feminist science fiction. The Iliad, narrating the events of a short period in a very long battle, continues from the Trojan war which was caused by Paris' capture of the Spartan queen Helen. In the text itself, it is said that two lovely women, Chryseis and Briseis, are the root of all rampage. When their town is defeated by the Achaean forces, the camp's ruler Agamemnon demands to have Chryseis as prize while Achilles gets Briseis. Succeeding circumstances force Agamemnon to give up his reward Chryseis but then asks Achilles to hand Briseis over to him as replacement. Insulted by Agamemnon's order, Achilles refuses to join the Acheans in their fight against the Trojans and even prays to Zeus through his mother Thetis to punish the Acheans. Zeus addresses this by coming to the Trojans' rescue, signaling that the battle between the Trojan and Achean forces have resum ed despite their peace treaty. While it is shown that it is the women who caused the war in The Iliad, it is the men who caused the war in The Gate to Women's Country. The author, Tepper, elaborates on men's desire for power, the things they do in order to obtain it and the things they sacrifice in exchange for the accomplishment of their pursuits. Sheri Tepper book considers these as manifestations of men's innate character. Homer's epic makes use of women as instruments of war. On a deeper analysis, though, it is the competitive nature of men that has driven them to war. Every strong male character is tested for bravery, valor and loyalty. On the other end, women are depicted as slaves. The poem emphasizes the existence of a struggle in the world and the ability to win over this battle dignifies and glorifies humanity. This is an idea contemplated by a male. Ages later, Tepper would intervene with a story written from a perspective of a modern-world woman, dissatisfied with patriarchal rule, motivated towards change, with a proposal of her own. Figuratively, Tepper's women respond to Homer's men. In Tepper's country, Tepper's women downplay conflicts and emphasize cooperation among members of the society. The ultimate goal is peace, as if the main motivation for this writing is the lack of it in an earlier society. To Tepper's women, war in unnecessary and all their efforts will be poured towards preve nting it. As we look into the causes or war in each story, an underlying factor that heightens the conflict is discovered. More than gender issues, a more realistic cause of strife is social disorder. The story of The Iliad progresses in a patriarchal setting while the plot of The Gate to Women's Country proposes a revolution by a matriarchal structure. Both are stories dealing with gender issues which are about power and dominance. Agamemnon exhibits dominance over Achilles by demanding for Briseis and Achilles' reaction exposes the need to soothe the male ego. Were it not for Agamemnon's aggression and Achilles' yearning for revenge, the Acheans and the Trojans would not resume their battle since a peace treaty

Gaining or Losing Power Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gaining or Losing Power Paper - Essay Example Weiner, a native of New York City and former New York City Council member, has been famous for his straight-forward liberal views and his fiery speeches on the floor of the US House of Representatives (BBC News, 2011). Weiner was forced to resign due to his scandalous online flirtations. After losing political power, Weiner is planning to return back in politics through his wife, Abedin who has been instrumental by supporting Weiner in amassing funds and participating in public events. Weiner knows that winds are not blowing politically in his favor, as â€Å"months ago† he spoke to Bill and Hillary Clinton, who have not backed any candidate in the mayoral race. As he said, â€Å"I have given wide berth to my colleagues in public life because I know I have a lot to prove to them (Bacon, 2013). Weiner is the perfect example of how public leaders gain and lose power in public policy environment. Factors such as communication, leadership, constituents, and organization played a significant role in his gaining and losing power. Weiner’s candidature for the rank of New York mayor was risked through his extra-marital sexting but the news that he might be playing a role in Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential election, if it happens (Bacon, 2013). It only indicates that political power and those who become instrumental for their party leaders in gaining that political power whatever ethical irregularities they commit are ignored by their leaders and the masses after an interval of time. Weier’s wife, Huma Abedin, is sure that future political prospects are going to brighten up for Weiner. It shows that various political ranks like that of Weiner play a significant role as constituents of both losing and gaining power. Weiner (Bacon, 2013) has been forthcoming in accepting his scandalous actions publically for hurting his wife’s political career growth for getting distanced for her insider role with Clinton. This kind of commun ication is going to help Weiner in the long run, as people start viewing the unethical traits of their leaders from human perspective by not awarding lifelong punishment to them and welcoming them back in the leading political environment. Weiner’s own political dignity as US Congressman was endangered when it was revealed that he sent underpants photo, compelling him to publically apologize to his family and his voters although he remained adamant on not submitting his resignation over this revelation. His public acceptance through a news conference, telling that he was "deeply ashamed of my terrible judgment," could possibly break the ice for his political ambitions if it is revealed that he might be engaged for launching a campaign in favor of Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016 presidential election or there is a possibility that that such falsified communication from Weiner and his wife’s side could bring him and his wife back in the public limelight, giving the expres sion that his mistakes of the past have been forgotten, letting him to start afresh. It could be a communication tactic as well because until this news is confirmed by Clinton herself, nothing can be said for sure (BBC News, 2011). There has been a history of political figures committing blasphemy but with a fine line differentiating their return back, as in the case of Bill Clinton, the US president who survived in office amidst his affair with Monica Lewinsky. And that fine line creating the difference and letting Clinton not lose power has been Clinton’s remark, stating: â€Å"I did not have sexual relations with that woman† (BBC News, 2011). Others who had to lose power include Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, who has been a regular visitor of prostitutes from the Emperors Club VIP agency and had to resign in March 2008; Chris Lee, New York

Enviromental Factors Essay Example for Free

Enviromental Factors Essay The four external factors that help organizations achieve optimal function are funding sources, non cash revenues, clients or consumers, and competitors. These four external factors are important to every organization as this is what keeps the organization going. If an organization was to lose any of these factors listed above the organization may not stay at optimal function. â€Å"The six internal factors that help organizations achieve optimal function are organizational purpose, mission, philosophy, organizational planning, organizational operations, human resources, technological resources, and financial resources. †(The six internal factors listed above are what keeps and organization strong and running. These factors cover all aspects of the organization and make sure the organization is on track with the rest of the team members of that same organization. This also helps the organization achieve their goals and be able to meet their needs more efficiently. The factors I felt were most important were clients or consumers, competitors, funding sources, and organizational planning. Every organization needs clients or consumers or their organization would fail, as well every organization needs competition to be far. Funding sources are always important as they help fund and bring money in. Organizational planning can go a long way, if the right person is doing the planning. With careful organizational planning and organization can still be run and be successful. Reference Kettner, P. M. (1993). Acheiving Excellence in the Mangement of Human Services Organizations. Hauppauge, NY: AllynBacon.

Factors Affecting Capital Budgeting of ICT Sector Firms

Factors Affecting Capital Budgeting of ICT Sector Firms This research proposal has been written to compare the factors affecting capital budgeting of firms in Information and Communication Technology sector in Thai. The survey factors of decision making in capital budgeting. The many decisions that top management must make in firms. This method is one duty of a financial manager to choose investments with satisfactory cash flows and rates of return. The factors affecting to make decision in capital budgeting, which is the allocation of funds among alternative investment opportunities, is crucial to corporate success. The explicitly considers how well-managed companies and the competition to hook up in segment market of in information and communication technology sector. Overview of Information and Communications firms in Thailand The most economies in the world people consume by spending money to buy goods and services. The ultimate aim of business is to maximize the market value of the firms common stock. Whereby, this means the wealth of its shareholders (Sharpiro 2005). The purpose focus on shareholder value begins with the simple economic understanding. Therefore, the roles of current business can growth through affecting quality competition. This research proposal has the interest in the sense of decision making style in ICT sector. Competitions exist to give the opportunity to enter the best competitions to be found in this kind of business in Thailand. A more captivating reason for focusing on creating shareholder wealth is the difference between the values of the company. Moreover, Companies in ICT sector are highly competitive market in Thailand. That the reason why the significant decision making of capital budgeting to invest by critical thinking. Verma et al (2009) observed for achieve the firms a re focusing even more on effective financial management practices and are greatly concerned about core financial issues like capital structure, cost of capital, working capital management and capital budgeting. The objective of capital budgeting In the recent years, managers have become more sophisticated in allocating capital resources and more concerned about return on investment. Sharpiro (2005) shows the important discussion is that the primary objective of financial management is to maximize the shareholder wealth. In other to, we need to know what affects wealth to benefit shareholders. Consequently, one way that people acquire more wealth is to defer invest and consumption in a company. Those who are relatively risk averse become bondholder, lending money to the company and repayment of the loan.In reality, any firm has limited capital resources that should be allocated among the best investment alternatives. The argument that capital is a limited resource is true of any form of capital. Management should carefully decide whether a particular project is economically acceptable. In the case of more than one project management must identify the projects that will contribute most to profits and to the value or wealth of the firm which is the basis of capital budgeting. Stout (2008) expresses the process of evaluating the desirability of investment is referred to a capital budgeting with real options. Furthermore, illustrate how to price a capital investment project containing real options. To explain these concepts to a wide audience in accounting In addition, this research proposal represent evaluate business strategies on the basis of prospective in capital budgeting by opinion managers who controls the capital resources is managerial decision from sample companies in ICT sector, which is good for every one, not just shareholders. It is well for politicians and other commentators to reflect on the facts in issue. Critical review of Literature This research generalized how company make financial decisions that started by explaining what these decisions are and what they are seeking an achievement. The secret of success in financial management of a corporation depends on how well in system of corporate governance to increase value. In other wards, maximizing value is like advising an investor in the stock market. To carry on business, a corporation needs a limitation to describe investment decision. The investment decision also involves purchase of assets that are often referred to as capital budgeting. The most corporations focus on capital budgeting listing the major project approved for investment. Investment proposal come into view from many different parts of the organisation that may have concluded the simple choice of which projects to accept or reject. Hence corporations need processes to ensure that every project is assessed consistently. The future investment outlays in most companies depend on the investment proc edure starts with the preparation of annual capital budgeting that is a list of projects planned for investment decision. The investment decisions let project proposals from companies for review by planning staff who controls the disposition of corporate resources is making financial decision (Brealey et al., 2011). Furthermore, Burns and Walker (2009) represented the capital budgeting process has been described in terms of four stages: Firstly, Identification is idea generation that include how project proposals are initiated. This stage composes of the overall procedure of project including sources origination and reasons for idea creation. Besides, process of origination and submission procedures are interested in an incentive system for rewarding good ideas. Moreover, this stage focuses on time pattern of creation and what level projects are generated that is a formal process for accepting ideas. Stanley and Block (1984) surveyed there has never been an in-depth survey in this stage. The responding companies in capital budgeting proposals originated bottom up over 80 percent versus top down. Secondly, Development also focuses on the details of how the data is estimated that which firms use cash flow versus accounting data. This involves the level of review, the role of project size, organizational structure and the initial screening process which rely upon primarily early screening criteria and cash flow estimation. Pruitt and Gitman (1987) identified the origination of biases in process for a deeper understanding of capital budgeting forecast and cash flow estimation. In addition, they considered financial, marketing, production and economic factors for quantitative forecast. Gordon and Pinches (1984) suggested the role in forecast accuracy and emphasis on the importance of information systems processes that were the key to improvement of capital budgeting. Thirdly, Selection includes personnel involved and the techniques used for the detailed project analysis that results in acceptance or rejection of the experimental project for funding. This stage separate to subsections follows as: 1. Personnel study on determining person who controls the disposition of corporate resources in company is making final decision and analyses capital expenditures. However, this includes amount of people are involved in project. Brealey et al. (2011) suggested the problem of biased forecasts that originated from strategic planners may have a mistaken view of forecast because cannot identify all worthwhile projects. For instance, the managers of project A and B cannot be expected to see the potential economies of closing their projects and merging production at new project C. 2. Reason for selection Techniques includes determining some techniques are preferred. According to Verma et al. (2009) demonstrated Companies invest in long term assets that expected a flow of benefit over the lifetime of the capital asset in project and a certain amount of resources in exchange for the future return that involves risk. Moreover the many capital budgeting methods or techniques are available for these investments or projects evaluation. A comparative study of affecting capital budgeting by evaluate the impact of different factors or variables on the selection of an individual capital budgeting. In addition, this research covers capital budgeting principles and techniques. Shapiro (2005) represented the companies can use to evaluate prospective investments. To accomplish this object by translate the basic principles of capital budgeting into evaluation techniques capable of applying these principles. The several different methods evaluate potential projects that manag ers use to analyse investments. The alternative methods include: Firstly, three discounted cash flow techniques net present value, profitability index and internal rate of return. The techniques are defined as follows: Net present value (NPV) is the present value of the projects future cash flows that discount at appropriate cost of capital and minus the initial net cash outlay in cost of the project. The value placed on a prospective investment project that focus on cash and only cash, account for the time value of money and account for risk. Thus, projects have a positive NPV that should be accepted. On the other hands, a negative NPV should be rejected. Moreover, Comparison in many projects that the one with higher NPV should be accepted. This NPV method focuses on all cash flows and the time value money when takes into account. Profitability index (PI) is defined as a project equals the present value of future cash flows divided by the initial cash investment as known as the benefit cost ratio. The project should be accepted if the ratio exce eds 1.00. NPV and this ratio always yield the same accept-reject decision. Sometimes, PI can provide superior decision in investment. Internal rate return (IRR) is defined as the sets of present value in project of future cash flows equal to the initial investment outlay that is a discount rate. In other words, this ratio equates the project when NPV is zero that determines the maximum interest rate. The rationale in project yielding more than its cost of capital should have a positive NPV and should be accepted. Otherwise, the project should be rejected. Secondly, two non discounted cash flow techniques payback period and accounting rate of return. The techniques are defined as follows: Payback period is defined as length of time necessary to recover it takes before the accumulative cash flow equals the initial investment from net cash flows. The payback rule states that project should be accepted if payback period less than some specified cut-off period or less period than others project. Payback period was a most commonly to use when choosing among alternative projects. Although widely to use this method, it has serious weakness because this method ignores the cash flows beyond the period and the time value of money that is very sensitive in investment decision. Accounting rate of return also called as the average return on book value or the average rate of return. This technique is the ratio that defined average profit after taxation to average book investment this is an average return on investment (ROI). A return in investment yielding grater than in comparison project and standard should be accepted. Whereas the result is below should be rejected. In addition, Verma et al. (2009) represented the comparisons capital budgeting techniques used in practice. A non-discounted cash flow in capital budgeting techniques was increasing in 1960s especially the payback period method. On the other hands, a discounted cash flow in capital budgeting techniques were interesting 1970s especially use of internal rate of return method in. A trend towards incorporation focused on risk that was also indicated by many studied. Furthermore, the most preferred method for evaluation of investment risk that depended on sensitivity conservative and analysis forecasts and the payback period method and followed by internal rate of return method were most popular in 1980s. Authors found that evaluators used multiple evaluation methods that internal rate of return and followed by the net present Value method were the most preferred choice in 1990s. The adjustment of discount rate methods were the most widely accepted discount rate that was the weighted aver age cost of capital (WACC) that Authors found 78 percent. In the 2000s, Peat and Partington (2007) demonstrated the most popular project evaluation techniques were net present value, internal rate of return and payback period that the most of companies observed these techniques. 3. WACC is defined a usually estimated cost of capital that average rate of return demanded by investors include companies use this rate to make project selections. Bruner et al. (1998) represented the research that companies computed the cost of capital by using WACC. 4. Risk Analysis is actually defined in a capital budgeting context. The risk analysis methods focus on recognised, reflected and assessed. Shapiro (2005) represented the real options and project analysis, risk and incorporating risk in a capital budgeting analysis, corporate strategy and the capital budgeting decision. The improvements could be made in obtaining.The important input from management for improving existing risk models. Ken and Cherukuri (1991) represented the case of large U.S. companies that concluded sensitivity analysis was found popular for handling risk that measuring risk is 80 percent. Dhanker (1995) demonstrated companies incorporated risk by adjusting 45 percent used Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Shao and Shao (1996) found that firms were using risk-adjusted discount rates less often than risk-adjusted cash flows.In addition, Graham and Harveys (2002) surveyed large companies are preferred to use risk-adjusted discount rate while small companies more lik ely used Monte Carlo simulation for risk adjustment. 5. Capital Rationing include the decisions are made by the financial environment. The specific reasons in capital rationing indicate the correct project proposal biases. The reaction capital rationing is not simply to real problem in managers face that main reason was irresolution to issue external financing. Moreover, accepting projects are avoided highly risk averse by using capital rationing to make decision in company that correct for management optimistic forecast biases. In addition, Gitman and Vandenberg (2000) considered the maintain a target price to earning ratio or earning per share among 23 percent of the respondents using of capital rationing and 60 percent was a debt limit imposed by management. Thus, this improvement has been made on the characteristic of capital rationing. 6. Project Approval as defined the autonomy of divisional managers and the role of divisional manager in each of capital investment project and operating accept-reject decisions. Fourthly, Control involves how the evaluation of project performance. This stage considers by comparison the different in expected result and actual results that indicate the performance measurement. Gordon and Myers (1991) expressed the respondents had performed post-audits 76 percent. However, the post-auditing was not effective according to criteria that involved the use of risk adjusted discount rate cash flow methods, the documented policies and procedures. Unfortunately, the post-audit is unpopular decisions in a standard part of the capital budgeting process. Furthermore, Myers, Gordon and Hamer (1991) found companies by using discounted cash flow based audit procedures by using the data form the same study that result increased their performance in companies. In addition, Pruitt and Gitman (1987) reviewed an upward bias that management suspects that focus on the post-audit process. The optimistic forecasts were sometimes depended on psychological factors. The way to eliminate the psychological biases on future capital budgeting proposals that means the post-audit should provide objective information to remove psychological to effective capital budgeting. The important in control stage has resulted in the deeper understanding in both control purposes and continuous improvement for future decisions. The important contributions have been made in the omitted stages of the capital budgeting process. A set of well-defined capital investment opportunities suggested by several authors its impact on all four stages that the decision support system. Opportunities include focusing on a particular stage by using best practices perspective in the area of real options and project analysis to monitor the outcomes. Brealey et al. (2011) demonstrated the final capital budget must also reflect the strategic planning of corporation. Strategic planning attempts to identify business where the corporation has a competitive advantage that takes a top -down view of company. Research aims and objectives of research proposal The objectives of the study are to examine the capital budgeting practices being adopted by companies in Thailand. Specifically this study aims a comparative study of the factors affecting of different firms in capital budgeting in Information Communication Technology sector. The overall research focuses on objective as following: This objective examines the corporate practices regarding the techniques of capital budgeting used for evaluating an investment proposal. To analyse and compare the difference objectives of capital budgeting by using acquired data. This objective evaluates the impact of different variables or factors affecting capital budgeting on the selection of a method of capital budgeting technique. This objective analyses the corporate practices regarding risk techniques of capital budgeting used for adjusting risk in investment proposals. This objective includes the affecting factors in each project and corporate strategy that relate to the capital-budgeting decision. To evaluate processes and techniques of capital budgeting to improve decision-making and the quality of decisions. Research questions and / or hypotheses H0-What are the purposes and objectives of investment capital budgets in each firm? H0- The identification, development, selection and control stage does affect the making decision of capital budgeting to accept the project. H0-The level of capital budget project does affect the selection of investment. H0-What are a capital budgeting principles and techniques make strategic decisions preferred by companies? H0-What is the most popular capital budgeting technique affect to make decision? H0-Does the company use of multiple capital budgeting techniques? H0- what important factors of decision making are the consideration non financial factors for deciding capital budgeting investment by selected companies? H0- what are risk factors to use in Adjustments? Research Design Methodology for the research This section is essentially about justifying the terms of methodology. It addresses the particular appropriate data collection and analysis. By 150 the questionnaires have distributed go to still ICTs companies in Thailand. The Social Science Version 16 (SPSS software) was advantage from this questionnaire. Thus, imply incidence and percentage are the importance in the lead presents the conclusion spits the questionnaire, way statistics explanation is the importance of using analysis the data. Data Collection Data collected in standardised format from lot of observations based on specific variables and identify patterns between variables. Hence, Data will be collected via structured by questionnaire (see in appendix) a personnel in companies in information communication technology sector in Thailand. The population of interest is planning staffs that involve the project within different department in each company. According to the mention above objective a comprehensive primary survey is conducted of 30 planning staffs who controls the disposition of corporate resources is managerial decision involved of projects companies. The planned sample is 10 projects from different projects in company the amount of staff are surveyed depend on the level of project. Data Analysis Wrenn et al. (2007) represented the SPSS is used the way random simplify by applicability. This technique use to test general in the population that known information of being selected as part of the sample. This research has applied the explanation will of the statistics that Zikmund (2000) demonstrated the explanation and summarize about the people by average calculation that the mean and percent values are majority form in summary data. The acquired data will be analysed by using qualitative methods and data will be compared the actual factors in capital budgeting. The limitation of method used According to Saunders et al. (2007) demonstrated the way of questionnaire process depends on the technique of limitation use in the research that is taking time to collects the data. Moreover, they may take time in making completed profoundly might cause something delay in during procedure. The convenience of limitation is easy to filtration that personal researcher are appropriate more than the filtration from the people. Conclusion Nowadays, the Thailand business environment has become highly sensitive competition in Information Communication Technology sector. The capital budgeting decision necessary for a number of changes have taken place in the business and economic environment in domestic market. For achieving this, the keyword to success in financial management depends on only the professionally and competitive managed companies. The companies are focusing even more on effective financial management practices and company can thrive in such an unstable environment. In addition, the companies are greatly concerned about core financial issues. That the reasons why focus on the affecting factors for making decision in capital budgeting that companies should be improved financial management. Reference Brealey, R.A., Mayers, S.C. and Allen, F. (2011) Principles of Corporate Finance Global Edition. 10th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Bruner, R.F., Eades, K.M., Harris, R.S. and Higgins, R.C. (1998) Best Practices in Estimating the Cost of Capital: Survey and Synthesis, Financial Practice and Educational. Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 13-28. Burns, R.M. and Walker, J. (2009) Capital Budgeting Surveys: The Future is now. Journal of Applied Finance. No.1 2, pp. 78-90. Dhanker, Raj S. (1995) An Appraisal of Capital Budgeting Decision Mechanism in Indian Corporates, Management Review. (July-December), pp. 22-34. Garbutt, D. (1992) Making Budgets work. 1st edition, London: Chartered Institute of Management Accountant. Gordon, L.A. and Pinches, G.E. (1984) Improving Capital Budgeting: A Decision Support System Approach. 1st Edition. Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Graham, J.R. and Harvey, C. R. (2002) How Do CFOs Make Capital Budgeting and Capital Structure Decisions? The Journal of Applied Corporate Finance. Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 8-23. Ken, L.R. and Cherukuri, U.R. (1991) Current Practices in Capital Budgeting: Cost of Capital and Risk Adjustment, ASCI Journal of Management, Vol. 21, No.1, pp. 26-44. Myers, M.D, Gordon, L.A. and Hamer, M.M. (1991) Post-Auditing Capital Assets and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation, Managerial and Decision Economics. Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 317-327. Pruitt, S.W. and Gitman, L.J. (1987) Capital Budgeting Forecast Biases: Evidence from the Fortune 500, Financial Management. Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 46-51. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. Thornhill, A. (2007), Research methods for business students. 4thedition, Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Shao, L.R and Shao, A.T. (1996) Risk Analysis and Capital Budgeting Techniques of US Multinational Enterprises, Managerial Finance. Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 41-57. Shapiro, A.C. (2005) Capital Budgeting and Investment Analysis. 1st edition, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. Stanley, M.T. and S.B. Block (1984), A Survey of Multinational Capital Budgeting, The Financial Review. Vol. 19, No.1, pp. 36-54. Stout, D.E., Alice, Y. And Qi, H. (2008) Improving Capital Budgeting Decision with Real Options Management Accounting Quarterly Vol.9, No. 4, p. 1-10. Troung, G., Peat,M. and Partington, G. (2007) Cost of Capital Estimation and Capital Budgeting Practice in Australia Australian Journal of Management, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 95-122. Verma, S., Gupta, S. and Batra, R. (2009) A Survey of Capital Budgeting Practices in Corporate India The Journal of Business Perspective Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 1-17. Zikmund, W.G. (2000), Business Research Methods 6th Edition, Fort Worth: The Dryden Press.

Obesity In The United Arab Emirates

Obesity In The United Arab Emirates A health problem in the UAE and the world today, is obesity. We find it in large proportions. The UK and other countries also suffer from this disease. There are many causes of obesity and it affects people locally in the UAE , the UK and the rest of the world. The incidence of obesity is a major problem with many serious effects for the individual and the countries of the UAE , the UK and the world. This study will highlight the problem in the UAE and the UK just to show that the UAE is not the only one afflicted by obesity. Obesity -what is it? The problem of obesity is a major one in todays society, and it is estimated that more than 1 billion people are being classified as obese worldwide .Obesity is an increase in fatty tissue of the body and around organs, and it can cause a variety of bad health problems. Health problems include emotional as well as physical problems, for example, feelings of inferiority, and low self esteem due to an obese look. For children, name-calling, such as tubby, fatty, elephant, or others, as well as bullying from friends can occur. Physical problems are many, and include ones such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and some cancers. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), where the body can no longer respond to insulin, also happens. This influences the control of blood sugar levels which can rise and fall. In the UAE we have high numbers of diabetes sufferers (Global Arab Network 2010).Estimates show that by 2025, about 300 million people are expected to suffer from diabetes related to obesity . This number is to be double that of 1998 (University Edinburgh). Obesity is more than just having more weight or being overweight. It is an accumulation of extra body fat which puts the obese (overweight) persons health at risk, in the form of heart disease and diabetes (Sofsian). Body mass index (BMI) is used by doctors to find out if a person is obese. BMI correlates with height: A normal range is said to be 18.5-25; overweight is 25-30 and a BMI over 30 is considered to be obese (Henderson; Patient UK). Obesity in the UAE: There are three main causes of obesity in the UAE , namely diet, lifestyle and education. Firstly, diet is seen as one of the most important causes. The dietary (food) intake of most young Emiratis revolve around foods of a high carbohydrate and high fat content such as deep-fried chicken, French fries, burgers and pizzas. Many stores such as KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Burger King are well-known and visited on a daily basis. This type of food is eaten more now than in the past due to the UAE having become wealthy after the discovery of oil (ADMC). Stevens (2006), reports that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a boom in economic development and financial growth for all families in a region did not always come with improved health for the people who lived there. Sometimes that opposite could occur with the new found wealth going into junk food and too much of it. Next, the lifestyle of the Emiratis is another reason for obesity. Emiratis of today are less active and doing easier jobs such as desk-work, than in the past when they had to perform physical tasks. Today there is a big number of expatriate workers who do most jobs. Also, there is a general lack of exercise among young and old, male and female . This is mostly due to the weather and a lack of interest in sport or exercise. The healthy few, are mostly those who play football or other sports. Children are mostly found playing computer games in the home and eating too much. More money also means more to spend on food, relaxation and eating out. In some cases, married life also cuts back on exercise and contributes to weight-gain (ADMC). Thirdly, a lack of knowledge about healthy eating is another cause. There is an idea that the more money a country has, the more food they consume irrespective of the consequences of wrong-eating. Another factor is that there is a general lack of intervention from parents in terms of childrens eating habits and nutritional values. Parents do not stop children from eating wrongly and sometimes give children too many snacks and sweets. An awareness of healthy dietary requirements is also absent (ADMC; Sify 2010; Stevens 2006;Yaqoob 2009 ). Statistics UAE: These show that more than 60% of Emirati nationals are overweight and this figure is growing. The World Health Organization (WHO) released the following statistics for 2009:39.9% women are obese, 7th highest in the world and the men 25.6% at the 9th highest. Children in the UAE are also obese and this figure is growing (AMEinfo; Sify 2010; Yaqoob, 2009). UK Obesity in the UK is mainly caused by more or less the same factors as in the UAE- overeating; eating the wrong foods; little or no physical exercise/ activity and inheritance. It is shown that about 2 in 5 adults are overweight and a further 1 in 5 are obese (NeLM;Patient UK). According to government statistics 1 in 4 men and 1in 3 women are overweight- 24% for women and 23% for men; however, the rate of men being obese is increasing and at this rate it is estimated that by 2010 about 6.6 million men and about 6 million women will be obese. About 1 in 3 children between the ages of 2 and 15 are overweight (Henderson; IOTF; Lean; Sofsian).The UK is an old developed country and it is long since people moved away from hard physical work. The average UK life is a sedentary one with easier jobs and lots of TV viewing and little exercise. Also, children are less active and stay indoors mostly to play computer games. Effects Individuals and the country are affected in many different ways. The biggest effect of obesity on the individual is that of health risks. Heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis, to name a few, are prevalent among overweight people. Other problems due to obesity are breathing problems, bad knee joints and difficulty walking (Henderson; Sofsian, 2007). Due to these health concerns the individuals quality of life drops to a low. Obese people can lose confidence and suffer psychologically- this goes for grown-ups and children (Henderson). A result of this could be depression, mood swings, yo-yo dieting, eating disorders like bingeing and withdrawal symptoms (Patient UK;Yaqoob, 2009). The country as a whole can suffer in the form of big numbers of unhealthy citizens in need of medical care. This could put strain on the government health budget in the form of medical-care, heart- transplants and medication. Sick and unhealthy workers are less productive and this leads to a loss of income for companies and job losses for these workers(Henderson). These workers might influence their children badly with eating habits and lifestyle because they are bad role-models (Ameinfo,2009). TREATMENT: Gastric-banding in the UAE to counter Obesity: What is Gastric-banding, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve? Gastric banding is an operation performed under general anesthesia. In this procedure, the surgeon places an adjustable band around the top part of the stomach. It creates a small pouch to hold food. The procedure is done by means of key-hole surgery (laparoscope). Food coming into the pouch is held and let through slowly into the stomach, so the person feels fuller sooner and for a longer time and so does not overeat. This is a safe procedure for those who are drastically overweight and cannot seem to eat less (virtualmedicalcentre 2010). In gastric bypass a step is taken to make the stomach smaller. The surgeon will use staples to divide the stomach into a small upper section and a larger bottom section. The top part of the stomach (called the pouch) is where the food consumed, will go. It holds only a small amount of food. The second step is the bypass. The surgeon will connect a part of the small intestine, called the jejunum, to a small hole in the pouch. The jejunum is farther down from where the stomach normally attaches to the small intestine. Food eaten will now move from the pouch into this new opening into the small intestine. Food now bypasses the lower part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, and so the body will absorb less calories (Lee 2009). In a gastric sleeve operation, up to 80 % of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion of the stomach is pinned together, creating a substantially smaller digestive tract (Shaheen 2009). Shaheen (2009) reports that doctors are citing increases of up to 500 % in the number of people turning making use of gastric surgery in trying to lose weight and are even operating on patients as young as 12.This operation is not normally performed on younger than 16 years old, but in this case there was no alternative to curb the obesity. Other Programmes to counter Obesity In the UAE and the UK the governments have started with programmes to lessen obesity and cut back on the numbers of people suffering from it and dying from the results of obesity (Lean, 2006; Yaqoob,2009). Doctors and health practitioners are trying and investigating numerous ways in which to combat obesity (Pittler Ernst 2005). According to Arnold (2009), there are ways and means to overcome the problems of obesity- permanent lifestyle changes in terms of what is eaten, how much is eaten, eating manners and exercise levels. The British Medical Association agrees with the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) that, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦interventions at the family and school level need to be matched by changes in the social and cultural context so that the benefits can be sustained and enhanced (BMA, 2005). This means that there should be good efforts and progress made by the medical workers, teachers, doctors, parents, food manufacturers, and media to help with this effort (Yaqoob,2009). An idea even arose to levy a tax on sweet drinks to discourage consumption (New Scientist, 2009). Also, governmental town planners, architects, politicians and legislators should all play a role to build a better and a healthier society (BMA 2005; Yaqoob, 2009). Change 4 Life was started in the UK to highlight child obesity. Their slogan is: Eat well, Move More, Live Longer. It focuses on reducing TV, video games and indoor play and encourages more outdoor play, movement and sports activities (Callaghan, 2009). In the UAE the focus is also on exercise and diet ( McMeans 2008 ; Zawya,2009).At a seminar in Dubai, titled Fat Truth organized by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, Dr Mariam Mattar, general manager of Community Development Authority, said that In our society, there is an exaggerated focus on feeding children, regardless of their nutritional requirements. In order to control and change the growing number of obese children in the UAE, social attitudes had to change first, according to a senior community doctor and others (Ameinfo,2009; Sify 2010).Schools and families should be encouraged to get children to exercise more and eat better (Baxter 2009). Conclusion: Obesity is not confined to the UAE and the UK alone -it is a world-wide problem. Many of the causes and effects for the UAE and the UK , as well as other countries are mostly similar. People are suffering from obesity in both countries and this is causing extreme health problems, and this puts strain on governmental health services. The problem of obesity has been identified and both countries are addressing these in the form of health education, lifestyle changes and exercise initiatives.