Wonders of the World - The Ka'aba in Makkah

The Ka'aba in Makkah

The Kaaba In Makkah

• It is the most sacred place for Muslims. The Original building was hardly six feet high and without any roof. Its expansion and development was progressive through the ages. The Mosque of the Ka'aba, has also been under expansion for the last several years.

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History - Seven Wonders of the World

History - Seven Wonders of the World

1. The Pyramids of Egypt: A group of three Largest Pyramids Khufu, Khafra and Menkaura, at Gizeh, North of modern Cairo in the UAR, often called the first wonder of the world. The great Pyramid of Khufu is 750 feet square and 480 feet high. The date of its construction is estimated at 2900 B.C.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of The World - The Pyramids of Egypt

2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: These Gardens were built by Nebu Chadnezzar, 604-54 B.C for the pleasure of his beloved queen. These were laid out atop of vaulted building. Height was from 75 to 300 feet.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of the World - Hanging Garden of Babylon

3. The Colossus of the Island of Rhodes: A gigantic bronze statue of Hallo (Apollo), was the masterpiece of Ghare, who erected it in 280 B.C. it was 105 feet high. It came down during an earthquake in 224 B.C.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of the World - Colossus of Island of Rhodes

4. The Light House on the Island of Pharos: It was built in the 3rd B.C. by Ptolemy II, on a small island of the same name, at Alexandria now in the UAR. It had a height of 400 to 500 feet. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th Century A.D.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of World - Light house Island of Pharos

5. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia: The Colossal Statue of Athens made of gold and ivory was carved out by the great sculptor Phidias in the 5th century B.C. Its height was 40 feet. It no longer exists.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of World - Statue of Zeus at Olympia

6. The Temple of Aremis Diana: This Temple at Ephsus, in Rome, was a most beautiful structure. It was built in about 350 B.C. in honour of a non-hellenic goddess who later became identified with the Greek goddess of the same name. It had 127 marble columns, and was 60 feet high. The Temple was destroyed in 262 B.C.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of World - Temple of Aremis Diana

7.  Mausoleum at Halicornossusa: It was erected in 353 B.C. by Queen Artemisia in memory of her husband, King Mausolus of Carla, in Asia Minor. It no longer exists.

   

   History - Seven Wonder of World - Mausoleum At Halicornossusa

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History - Important Terms

History - Important Terms

History - Important Terms

     Ameer (Amir). The word was used for the ruler, leader of for a chief of a state as Amir Timur (1338-1405).

      Archives. It is for a place used for keeping state documents.

     Bastille: A fortress built in 1370-83 for the defence of Paris. Afterwards, it was used for the state prisoners.

     Black Death: Term used for the attack of plague in Europe in 1348 which swallowed almost one fourth of the population.

     Bolshevism: Word Bolshevism stand for the majority but term Bolshevism signifies party which came to power in Russia under Lenin after the revolution of 1917.

     Chronology: The science of time.

     Code of Napoleon: Code issued by Napoleon in 1804 stressing the right of property was basis of legal system in France.

     Cominterm (1919): Title of the third International. It was founded in Moscow on the initiative of the Russian Communist party in 1919 in order to rally all extreme left wing socialists and communists who disliked the moderating influence of the second International. for many year it encouraged revolution against capitalist governments. It was dissolved in May 1943. 

     Cominform 1947-56: It look over some of the functions of Comintern after its dissolution.

     Commonwealth: When there was no king in England during the period 1649-1660, government was known as Commonwealth.

     Concentration Comps: A place where usually war prisoners or political rebel are forcibly detained.

     Continental System: Blockade ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte under the Berlin Decree of November 21, 1806, aiming at closing the continental ports on British manufactures.

     Czar (Tzar): The title of Russian Emperor.

     Eskimos: Inhabitants of Greenland the Arctic regions of America who mainly live by hunting.

     Exodus: It is the name of the second book of the old testament which describes the history of Israelite's in Egypt.

     Fabian Society: Established in 1884 for propagating the socialism.

     Free lances: Mercenary troops who did not belong to any particular army. They could be hired by anybody for fighting. In the modern, the term is used for writers, leaders or journalists who do not believe in any particular ideology or who are not loyal with any group or party. 

     Fullahs: Sudanese Muslims who made conquests and founded Kingdom in Nigeria.

     Grand Mughals: Mughal emperors from Babur to Aurangzeb who ruled India from 1526 to 1707.

     Gunpowder Plot (1605): It was hatched by extremist Roman Catholic who disliked Kind James I of England. They hatched conspiracy to blow up the House of Commons with gunpowder when the Kind and his ministers were to meet there. Plot was discovered.

     Huguenots: Term Stands for French protestants of 16th century who made historic sacrifices for their faith.

     Ivan the Great: He founded the Monarchy of Russia in 1492.

     Jacob ins: A radical group among the French revolutionaries who played and important role during French revolution, 1789-94.

     Joan of Arc: Famous heroine. Maid of Orleans in France, who defeated English Forces and relieved the city, was burnt in May, 1431.

     Ku-Klux Khan: A terrorist society which works underground and aims at establishing the supremacy of the white over the Negroes in U.S.A Kind, a famous Negro leader of U.S.A was short by one of the members of this society.

     Kulturkampf (1871-1887): A term which signifies the sharp conflict and differences between Bismarck and the Roman Catholic Church.

     Kuomintang: A Chinese nationalist party founded in 1891 by Sun Yatsen. In 1948. It was replaced by the Communist Party.

     Legion: Military term of ancient Rome which stands for body of troops consisting of 3000 to 6000 soldiers.

     Legion of Honour: French award, instituted by Napoleon, for distinguished services in military or civil fields.

     Lollard: A school of thought which opposed decoration of churches. Founded by John Wyeliff, 1324-84.

      Long March: An historic march of Chinese Communist from Kiangsi to Yenan (8000 miles) under Mao Tse-tung, resulting into thousand deaths including Mao's first wife.

     Maginot Line: A defensive line consisting of forts constructed by France in 1924 on the eastern frontier opposite to Luxembourg Magyars. A Mongolian race, famous for physical strength settled in Hungary.

     Manchu Dynasty (1640-1911): The dynasty that ruled over China till 1911 when it was overthrown by the Nationalists.

     Manchuria: Part of north-east China, covering Heilungkiang, Liaoning and Kirin area 825,700 sq. Miles Due to exploitation of mineral resources, it has become China's most important area of industrial development.

     Mandates: Territories which were placed under the control of League of Nations as a result of First World War. Now known as trusteeship.

     March on Rome: Mussolini's famous blockade of Rome in October 1922 resulting into the fall of king. It led to the formation of Mussolini's Fascist Government in Italy.

     Maroons: Term stands for the runaway Negro slave in Jamaica and Guiana.

     Moors: The African Muslims who crossed into Spain under Tariq Bin Ziad and ruled there for centuries.

     Reformation: A movement started by Martin Luther for the reformation of church in Europe. this movement revolted against the old practices of Pope and disapproved the idea of selling indulgences.

     Renaissance: Revival of classical learning in Europe in the 14th and last century led to a widespread interest in art and literature.

     Satti: Hindu custom according to which the windows would burn themselves in fire along with their deceased husbands.

     Scotland Yard: The London Metropolitan police headquarters.

      Triple Entente: It refers to the collaboration among three countries namely Britain, France and Russia during the period 1907-17 otherwise the term means settlement of difference.

     Vandals: Ten tonic people responsible for the disruption of Roman Empire in the 5th century A.D.

     Yezhvoshehina: Great purge of anti dissident elements from the Communist Party of U.S.S.R in 1936.

     Young Truks: Movement started by the Young Turks for liberal reforms in the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

     Zionism: Movement started by Theodore Herze in 1860 for the rehabilitation of Jews in Palestine.

     Zorooster: Founder of the religion of the Parsees.

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Fashions

Fashions

Essay Writing, Fashions

     Fashions is the style of human behavior popular during a usually short period of time. If during a certain period, people begin to put on belt-bottom trousers, wear spectacles with large, disc like glasses, or keep their hats tilted, they are following fashion. The peculiar charm of fading into oblivion. They are born quickly and they die quickly. Why Nobody knows for sure.

     Fashions, perhaps, originate in man age old wish to look distinct and attractive. Naturally, they are more popular with women. It is said that the chameleon does not change its colour as quickly as a woman wear out a new fashion. but men too are not innocent in this matter. It is they who desire to see that women are in the fashion. Indirectly, therefore, men are responsible for women's fashions. This mean that psychology of fashions is two fold. People want to be individualistic and to be acceptable to the opposite sex.

     Let us look at the popularity of fashions from another point of view. They are popular with the youth, because in young people the urge to show themselves of is the strongest. Children are too small to be conscious of the thrill that fashion creates, while the aged are too old to pay any serious thought to it. The young on the other hand, find life enjoyable and want to enjoy it more by adding to its colorfulness. They adopt all sorts of devices to look different.

       Fashions are popular in cities rather than villages. The reason is that most fashions are a luxury. The simple poor and backward villagers cannot afford to indulge in such luxuries, On the other hand, the rich, clever and advanced city people are tempted to luxuriate in fashions which have a glamour of their own.

     Fashions can pertain to any aspect of human behavior, e.g to walk limpingly after Byron, to smoke a particular brand of cigarettes of to read a particular type of novels. But the most popular fashions are those that relate to dress. An apparel oft proclaims the man said Shakespeare and the world has taken Shakespeare too seriously. Thus we observe that men's pants change in size and shape every six months and their shirts every four months. that women's petticoats change in design every two months and their shirts shrink or grow every fortnight.

     To come to the moral point, fashions reflect the character of a nation. Western fashions are a clear index of the western mode of thinking and feeling. The West seen through its fashions represents a culture devoid of any moral values. Similarly fashions prevailing in various countries amongst various races or tribes give us a clear idea of their respective ways of living.

     What are the uses of fashions? Mainly, they create a colourful variety in life and add to the cultural wealth of a country. Their demerits are that they usually imply a waste of money and time and often lead to immorality.

     We the Muslims of Pakistan should pay head to tow things, Firstly, not to follow any fashion which violates the principles of Islam. Secondly, not to think too much of fashion as we have better things to do. Our efforts should be to make Pakistan not a fashion house but a great and strong country.

    

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Examinations

Examinations

Essay Writting, Examinations

     The human need to judge the knowledge and learning of many persons at the same time and grade them accordingly gave birth to the system of examination. They became all the more necessary with the progress in education and the advancement in culture and technology. Perhaps they are the only means to judge the knowledge and learning of many persons simultaneously.

     As regards the students the examinations make them work hard. They have to go through all the courses of studies as they do not know which questions are to be set in the examination. Thus, examinations promote healthy competition among the students.

     Examinations prove helpful in selecting competent persons for important posts, the right man for the right job. The Selection is fair and impartial as the examiner marks each paper according to its worth, would have been almost impossible. 

     But examinations are not without defects. They make the students resort to cramming. They learn by many questions as they can, and depend upon them for their success. It is so because thorough understanding of anything requires deep thinking and very few people are inclined to that. They accept ready made ideas and prefer cramming to using their brains.

     In an examination much depends on luck. The question paper may contain the same questions which an examinee has memorized or it may have none of such questions. Thus the success or failure of the person may not be the true measure of his knowledge.

     Examinations ignore the moral side of a person which is an essential part of his personality. Education does not mean knowledge of books alone. It concerns the whole man his mental enlightenment and moral excellence. The examinations can test the knowledge but not the morals.

     However, the demerits of examinations do not lessen their importance. No deubt, some of the universities in Japan and America have abolished them. But they have not found and effective and practicable alternative. It is not likely that such an alternative will ever be found.

     In conclusion, we may say that the system of examinations has to continue. However there is much room for improvement in the present system. The questions set in the examination should test the power of comprehension and the intelligence of a student and not the amount of knowledge he has temporarily stored in his brain.

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Economic Justice In Islam

Economic Justice In Islam

Alifye Essays Writing "Economic Justice In Islam

     Islam is the only religion that includes all spheres of human life and human activity. Why does it not just give us instructions about praying and fasting and leave us free in other matters of life? The answer is clear: Islam aims at creating a just society of human beings in which there is no exploitation of the weaker by the strong.

     Islamic system of social organisation is entirely different from the systems developed by communism and capitalism. On the one hand it does not accept the principal of the unlimited right of the individual to acquire, own and use wealth as he likes and on the other it rejects the philosophy of the complete state ownership of all means of production.

     Both capitalism and communism create unjust societies in which one section of the society has all the advantage. Capitalism gives the individual freedom of action in all matters but this freedom works in the favour of the rich. The poor have only freedom of speech and starvation but deprives him of all other freedoms.

     One very important principle of the Islamic system of social and economic justice is the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sources of earning money. Islam does not give its followers a general license to earn money through any means. It sets up a clear distinction between fair means and foul means of earning. All those means that enable and individual to profit at the expense of another are immoral. Only those mean of earning are fair that ensure the mutual benefit of individuals, and thus that of the whole society. 

     The Holy Quran says: "O people who have accepted the faith do not seize one another;s property by unfair means. Trade is, however, permitted which benefits both of you..?" Trade means exchange of goods and services. It can benefits both the parties only when it is conducted without any tricks, without any pressure from any side. If one party has all the trumps. and the other none, the trade between them is not trade but exploitation.

     There are other verses in the Holy Quran that define sources of ill-gotten wealth usurpation bribery misuse of private and public wealth and property gambling usury and preparation, sale and transportation of alcoholic drinks and goods that promote immorality. 

     This verse also gives us the third principle of the economic system of Islam, i.e, the spending of wealth A Muslim is not free to spend his wealth as he please. He is clearly enjoined to spend it for Alla;s purposes, i.e, to promote the welfare of the less fortunate members of the Muslim society.

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Dreams

Dreams

Alifye Essay Writing "Dreams"

     A dream is a vision or a series of picture or events we see while asleep. Almost all of us see dreams. Some people remember the strange visions they see in their sleep. Other forget as soon as they wake up. Some dreams are pleasant some are fearful. sometimes the members of a family or group see the same dream.

     In the past, people believed that dreams were sent by Allah as warning or advice. They believed in their dreams and tried to benefit form them. Everyone could not understand the meaning or the message of his dreams. There were people who could interpret dreams. They were held in high esteem.

     Some people think that dreams are the result of physical causes. Some dreams are of course caused bye sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or eating a heavy dinner. But all dreams cannot be explained in this way.

     Some people say that dreams reproduce the events or the day before. But psychologists have proved that dreams are seldom caused by the events of the day. They also rarely repeat exactly the events we experience in waking.

     Sometimes, dreams express our wishes. A hungry man will dream that he is eating a wonderful meal, and a thirsty man will dream of the sparkling cool water. Some dreams are produced by our repressed feelings and desires that cannot be fulfilled or expressed because of the social and moral pressures and checks. So they take refuge in the unconscious. When we are asleep, and the grip of our conscious mind is loose, these desires come out of the unconscious in the form of dreams.

     Dreams are mysterious things. In spite of great advances in the field of psychology we have not yet fully understood the mystery of dreams.

     However rationally we may interpret dreams there is no doubt that some dreams tell of the coming events. Such dreams give either clear or indirect warning of the future danger.

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Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

Alifye Essay Writing "Dr. Muhammad Iqbal"

     Dr. Muhammad Iqbal is the greatest Muslim thinker and poet of this century. He was born at Sialkot on the 9th of November 1877. His ancestors had migrated from Kashmir some two hundred years before. His father, Sheikh Nur Muhammad was a mystic from whom Iqbal inherited mysticism and deep love for religion.

     He received his early education at a local high school and passed his Intermediate examination from Murrey College. He had the good fortune of studying Arabic, Persian and Islamiyat under the inspiring guidance of Syed Mir Hussain.

     He proceeded to Lahore for higher studies and joined the Government College. There he came under the influence of Dr. Arnold who inspired him to study philosophy. In 1899, he obtained his Master's degree in Philosophy and joined the teaching staff of the Government College.

     He went to Europe in 1905 for higher studies in Philosophy and Law. He obtained his Ph.D in Philosophy from Germany. He was called to Bar in 1908, and he returned to India the same year. His stay in Europe was a great importance. It influenced him in many ways. He came into contact with the contemporary philosophical and political thought, but the Western civilization and materialism found no favour with him.

     On his return, he started his legal practice, but his heart was not in it. Most of his time was devoted to poetry, philosophy and religion.

     He was an inspired and creative poet. He had already written some poems which had been favourably received by critics and readers alike. Now he began to write in both Persian and Urdu. He did not believe in art for art's sake. For him, poetry was only a medium for expressing his philosophical ideas, religious beliefs and political message.

     He published many volumes of poetry Bang-i-Dara., Bal-i-Jabril, Zarb-i-Kaleem, Asrar-i-Khudi, Ramooz-i-Bekhudi, Payam-i-Mashraq, Jawaid Nama and Zaboori-i-Ajam. All of these have become classics of literature. 

     He was deeply interested in religion. He delivered six lectures at Madras, which were later published under the title 'Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam.

     In 1930, Iqbal presided over the Allahabad Session of the All-India Muslim League, and delivered his famous presidential address in which he asserted that the only solution of the problems of the Indian Muslims was a separate Muslim state. This was the first demand for Pakistan. But he did not live to see the emergence of the new state. He died in 1938. It was nine year after his death that Pakistan was achieved. 

     Iqbal's genius was fully recognized by his nation in his lifetime. He was immensely popular among all sections of Muslims All sorts of people-politicians, mystics, journalists and students came to him for guidance and inspiration.

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Depression

Depression

Alifye Essay Writing "Depression"

     The World of human beings is not a fairyland, and life is not a perpetual picnic. Here happiness does not grow on trees and wishes do not always come true. One has to accept life as it is with all its joys and all it sorrows. It takes courage and an understanding of the nature of life and human condition to do so.

     Man, in spite of all his achievements, is still a human being not a superman. He is creature of emotions and sentiments. Certain things make him happy and certain things make him sad. A little bird chirping in the early morning may fill his heart with joy. And the autumn wind shaking last dead leaves from the trees may move him to tears.

     Everyone fells a little sad a little worried a little depressed at times. There is nothing wrong with it. It is as natural as feeling happy. There is no harm in being dejected for a little while. Depression is a natural reaction against a sense of loss, a personal misfortune or the death of a dear one. This is the normal kind of depression.

      This normal natural depression shows that we are capable of feeling and caring. It shows that we are not robots and the hurry of this machine age has not deprived of the human qualities. It Helps us to adjust to the changing realities of life. It brings acceptance. 

      It is not always easy to distinguish between normal and abnormal depressions. The chief difference is intensity and duration.

      Normal depression does not produce radical changes in one's thinking and behavior. The feeling of sadness may disturb one's sleep for a few nights or cause him to skip a meal or two or neglect the routine of life for some time. But it loses its intensity as time goes by life reasserts itself and everything falls into place once again.

     The abnormal depression called endogenous depression is generally not related to any actual event or loss. If it has a cause. This abnormal depression is a sign of some kind of mental disorder. Some patients lose contact with reality and suffer from delusions. Others may become insensitive to events around them lose interest in eating and other physical activities.

     Abnormal depression may be produced by psychological causes or changes in the brain Anti depression drugs electro-shock therapy and psychotherapy are effective cures.

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Cooperative Movement

Cooperative Movement

Alifye Essay Writing "Cooperative Movements"

     In the earliest day, human beings lived in very small groups, isolated from other such groups.  We do not know much about their life then. But we know for certain that they could not afford to be alone for long. They instinctively felt that they needed the help of others in order to make their existence secure comfortable and happy. So we see that the urge to be social and cooperative in primitive.

     But when we talk of cooperative movement, we speak of a phenomenon which is quite modern, though the underlying idea is fundamentally the same. It means organized attempts made collectively by human beings with a view to solving their common problems.

     Suppose, the citizens of a particular area face the problem of adulterated food and want to provide themselves with pure food. For this purpose, they raise funds and establish a general provisions store. which is run jointly. Or suppose the villagers in some part of the country want to construct embankments in order to protect their cornfields from floods or rain. If all of the make contributions and work together on the project they are said to be working on cooperative basis. When such tasks are undertaken frequently by people. in various fields they are said to have started a cooperative movement.

     Socially the cooperative movement by creating a sense of interdependence in them brings the members of society closer. It serves as a binding factor.

     The moral point of the movement is that is teaches men to trust and respect one another. In other words. it makes them better, more cultured citizens.

     Cooperative movements are very popular in the advanced countries of the world. Such as America, Britain and France. These nations have in face realized the real value of such movements and are reaping great benefits from them.

     In Pakistan we need to follow this example. The possibilities of cooperative in our country are enormous. The government can do much to popularise such a movement by taking the necessary initiatives. The People should also recognise the fact that their concerted efforts would not only help them but also their country.

    

 

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