40 Hadith on the Islamic Personality: A MUST READ

All praise and thanks are due to Allâh. We praise and give thanks to Him. We seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness, and we seek Allâh's refuge from the evil of ourselves and from our evil actions. Whomsoever Allâh guides then none can misguide him, and whomsoever He misguides then none can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allâh, alone, having no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger – to proceed:

We ask Allâh to protect and grant us safety. Hence this treatise was compiled as a firm and strong nucleus for the Muslim to initiate his Islâmic life, to know the true way, follow it and call to it. Particularly since the Prophet (SAW) has indicated this reality with his saying:

"For every action there is a period of enthusiasm / activity, and for every period of enthusiasm / activity there is a period of rest / inactivity. So he whose period of rest / inactivity is in accordance with my Sunnah then he is rightly guided, but he whose period of rest / inactivity accords with other than this, then he is destroyed."

This treatise is for the enthusiastic Muslim youth who does not find, whilst swimming in the ocean of enthusiasm and excitement, the helping hand of one who knows the poison and is aware of the cure, one who can guide him to the correct way and correct thinking so that these youths can be with their minds and thoughts like the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) since they were also youths, but:

"They were youths, yet mature youths, their eyes fresh and free of evil; their feet refrained from approaching falsehood and futility. They sacrificed and expended themselves in worship and in withholding themselves from sleep. They sold their souls which were to pass away for souls which would never die. Allâh saw them in the latter part of the night, bending their backs, reciting the Qur'ân. Whenever one of them came to an Ayah mentioning Paradise, he would weep, longing for it. Whenever he came upon an Ayah mentioning the fire he would groan out of fear, as if the Hell-fire were directly in front of him. The earth devoured their knees their hands and their foreheads. They joined exhaustion in the night with exhaustion in the day. Their colour becoming yellowed and their bodies emaciated through standing long in prayer and frequent fasting – whilst they regarded their own actions to be negligible before Allâh. They fulfilled their covenant with Allâh and attained Allâh's promise."

So let us all hasten to be like them, and to resemble them since the affair is as it was said:

"We are not in comparison to those who came before except like small herbs growing beside the trunks of tall palm trees."

And as Ibn ul Mubarak said:

"Do not mention us whilst mentioning them, the fit and healthy when he walks is not like the crippled."

This offering attempts to gather those ahadith which are the most comprehensive, although Islâmic Personality will not be completed until the person follows and implements the Religion (Dîn) of Allâh the One free of all imperfections, and the Most High as He(SWT) has ordered:

"O you who believe! Enter into Islâm perfectly (completely)." (Soorah al-Baqarah (2):208)

Purity and Sincerity of Intention

From 'Umar ibn al-Khattâb (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Actions are but by intentions and there is for every person only that which he intended. So he whose migration was for Allâh and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allâh and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to attain some worldly goal or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was for that which he migrated."

The pillar of actions is pure and sincere intention, and through purity of intention the hearts become upright and at rest, and through it the person comes to know the right way in his Religion, thus he does everything in the proper manner. Through purity of intention alone will he come to know of the obligations upon him and the rights due to him. Through it he will behave justly in all affairs and will give everything its due right, not going beyond bounds or falling short of the mark.

This hadîth is one of the ahadîth which are the pillars of correct understanding of our upright and true religion.

When the Muslim servant clearly realizes what he has preceded then it becomes obligatory upon him that he should, without any hesitation, surround his sincere intention with the protective barrier for the Islâmic Personality which is:

Distinctness

From Ibn 'Umar (RAmaa) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"I have been sent before the Hour so that Allâh alone should be worshipped without any partner for Him, and my provision has been placed beneath the shade of my spear, and subservience and humiliation have been placed upon those who disobey my orders, and whoever imitates a people then he is one of them."

The Muslim has a distinct personality with its own special nature and particular outlook and manner. It is distinct in its appearance, its nature, its creed ('aqîdah), its orientation and direction faced in Prayer, and in all its affairs.

By being distinct as Muslims we preserve our Islâm and our call in a clear and pure form, free from any adulteration and mistakes. However the Muslim whilst being distinct does not depart from:

Justice and Being Justly Balanced

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Love the one whom you love to a certain degree (moderately), perhaps one day he will be someone for whom you have hatred, and hate the one for whom you have hatred to a certain degree (moderately), perhaps one day he will be one whom you love."(Reported by at-Tirmidhee)

The Muslim is justly balanced in his loving and his hating. He is just both when giving and when taking and is moderate in all of that. His being justly balanced is one of the signs of his Religion and the Sharî'ah. So he is not one who goes beyond the limits, nor one who falls short of what is required. Furthermore the Muslim does not derive this quality of being justly balanced from his intellect and desires, nor from his own opinion or other than this, rather does he take it from the Book of Allâh, the One free of all imperfections.

"Thus we have made you a justly balanced nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (SAW) be a witness over you." (Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 143)

Being justly balanced is not an easy matter, indeed many of those who call out and declare it, desire only to water matters down and compromise. So for a person to be truly justly balanced as ordered by Allâh is not easy, rather it requires:

Striving Against One's Desires

From al-'Alâ ibn Ziyâd who said:

"A man asked 'Abdullâh ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas, saying: Which of the Believers is best in his Islâm? He replied: "He from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe." He asked: Then what is the best Jihâd? He replied: "He who strives against his own self and desires for Allâh." He asked: Then which of those who migrates (performs hijrah) is best? He replied: "He who strives against his own self and desires for Allâh." He asked: Is it something you have said O 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr, or Allâh's Messenger (SAW)? He said: Rather Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said it."[Reported by Ibn Nasr al-Marwazee in Ta'zeem Qadris Salaat (no. 639)]

So striving against ones own self is one of the highest and most valuable means of increasing ones Imaan and causing the servant to draw closer to his Lord, the One free of all imperfections. Concerning this He the Blessed and Most High says:

"As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh's Religion)." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 143]

a Muslim's striving against his own self and his desires causes his spirit to rise higher, his Imân to increase and his soul to become purified. Furthermore this striving crowns the Muslim with a very great crown worn in his life, which is:

Gentleness

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Indeed Allâh is gentle and loves gentleness, and gives due to gentleness that which He does not give to harshness." [Reported by Ibn Majah (no. 3688) and Ibn Hibaan (no. 549)]

Through gentleness hearts become united in friendship and love, and good becomes widespread. Whereas through its opposite ill feelings and distrust prevails and people forsake one another. But gentleness facilitates:

Returning to the Truth

From Ibn 'Abbâs (RAmaa) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"There is no believing servant except that he has a sin which he commits from time to time, or a sin in which he persists in and does not abandon until he leaves this world. Indeed the Believer was created as one who is frequently tried and tested, who often repents (then) forgets. When he is admonished he accepts the admonition." [Reported by at-Tabaraanee in al-Mu'jamul Kabeer]

So it is as is said: Returning to the truth is a virtue whereas continuing in falsehood is despicable. Returning to the truth elevates a person and raises his rank, both with Allâh and the people. Indeed it is only Satan who makes it appear to the people that returning to the truth is a defect and a slight to one's honour. This is one of the deceptions and tricks employed by Iblees. A person returning to the truth and not being too proud to accept it places him in an ideal position to appreciate:

Responsibility

From 'Umar (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Each of you is a guardian and is responsible for those whom he is in charge of. So the ruler is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for those under his care; a woman is a guardian of her husband's home and is responsible for those under her care; a servant is the guardian of his master's wealth and is responsible for that which he is entrusted with; and a man is the guardian of his father's wealth and is responsible fore what is under his care. So each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for what he is entrusted with." [Reported by al-Bukharee and Muslim]

If everyone from this Ummah knew his own position and worth, and realized the responsibility upon him and did not seek to overstep it and take on the responsibilities of others and he carried out the obligations which this placed upon him, then that would be a comprehensive and universal good and a very great treasure through which safety and security would become widespread. Along with this something that is a feature of the Islâmic Personality is:

The Muslim Seeks to Make Excuses for Other Muslims

From Sa'd ibn 'Ubaadah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"…and there is no one who loves to accept an excuse more than Allâh, and because of this he sent the bringers of good news and the warners…." [Reported by al-Bukharee and Muslim]

So a Muslim seeking to make an excuse for his brother and those whom he loves will cause good will to spread instead of antagonism, and will bring about ties of relationship instead of estrangement. Since if Allâh, He who is free of all imperfections, grants excuse, and He is the Creator and the Most Great, then how can you O servant of Allâh, a weak creation of his, not seek to make excuse for others? Rather as is said: Seek an excuse for your brother. Likewise there is the saying: the believers seek to make excuses for others, whereas the hypocrites hope for the downfall of others. So the fact that the Muslim seeks to excuse his brothers emphasizes that:

The Muslim does not Harbour Envy

From Ibn Mas'ood (Ramaa) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"There is to be no envy except with regard to two: A man whom Allâh has given wealth which he strives to spend righteously, and a man to whom Allâh has given the Wisdom (i.e. the Qur'aan) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others." [Reported by al-Bukharee]

If he were to have envy of the people he would hope for their downfall in order to satisfy the pride that he has in himself, his vanity and the conceitedness of his mind. So he (the Muslim) knows that envy is a dangerous disease and a harmful evil and therefore keeps away from it.

As for the envy which is accepted from that which is sinful, then it is envy which does not cause the person to be afflicted by the sickness of wishing for that blessing to leave the other person. Rather he supplicates to his Lord, the One free of all imperfections, for his brother; that Allâh should protect him, and for himself; that Allâh should make him like him. As for that which is at variance with this, then it is blameworthy and to be condemned. So this emphasises that fact that the Muslim is one who is:

Following and Applying Divine Guidance

From Umm ud-Dardâ (radiyAllâhu 'anhaa) who said: I said to Abû Dardâ (RA): Will you not seek for things to entertain your guests just as others seek for things for their guests? So he replied: I heard Allâh's Messenger (SAW) say:

"Ahead of you is a steep mountain which will not be surmounted by those who are overburdened." So I wish to lighten my load for that ascent! [It is reported by al-Haakim, al-Baihaqee in Shu'abul Eemaan and others]

So the Muslim follows and applies divine guidance in all his affairs. This world to him is merely a passage to the hereafter and he has no attachment to it except for that which is essential in order to meet his needs and preserve himself.

But as for this world diverting most of his attention and being the goal which he seeks after, thinking that what he is doing is good, then this is not from the character or characteristics of the Muslim. So how strange is the case of the people who waste the prime of their lives and expend their youth submerged in worldly actions, thinking they are doing well. This is indeed something from Satan, made alluring by him. So how are there people able to do this when it is the case that:

The Muslim Has No Free Time

From Ibn 'Abbaas (RAmaa) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"There are two blessings which many people lose: health and free time." (Reported by al-Bukharee)

So how can one who has no free time preoccupy himself with this world? How can one whose time is filled experience free time? So consider, may Allâh have Mercy upon you, what one of the scholars said about one of the Imaams: 'I was a neighbour of his at the school in Cairo, my house was above his house. For twelve years, I did not awake on any night, at any hour of the night except that I noticed candle light in his house and he was occupied with knowledge. Even when he was eating, his books would be with him and he was occupied with them. From those things upon which the Muslim personality is built is:

The Muslim's Piety and Self Restraint

From an-Nu'maan ibn Basheer (RA) who said that I heard Allâh's Messenger (SAW) say:

"That which is lawful is clear, and that which is forbidden is clear, and between them are doubtful matters about which many of the people have no knowledge. So whoever avoids doubtful matters saves his Religion and his honour, and whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into what is forbidden. Just like a shepherd who grazes (his sheep) near to a private pasture (of another), he will soon stray on to it. Indeed for every king there is a private preserve. Indeed the preserve of Allâh are those things which He has forbidden. Indeed there is a piece of flesh in the body which if it is good, then the whole body is good, but if it is corrupt then the whole body is corrupt. Indeed it is the heart." (Reported by al-Bukharee and Muslim)

So the Muslim with regard to whatever situation arises in his life will have to face each of them with one of the following three stances:

1. Completely refraining from it: That is with regards to that which is doubtful
2. Accepting without constraint: That is with regard to which is clearly permissible
3. To abstain from it: This is with regards to things which are not clearly permissible nor clearly forbidden.

If the last stance indicates something it is an indication of a Muslim's piety and fear of falling into that which is forbidden and of entering into something evil.

The Muslim therefore abstains from it, and distances himself from it in order to please Allâh and to ensure that His commands are followed. It is not to be said, as some people say: 'That is not forbidden, so do it.' No, since it is not permissible to do everything other than which has been forbidden. So those things which are doubtful matters are closer to that which is forbidden, as occurs in the hadîth itself: 'Whoever falls into the doubtful matters falls into what is forbidden….' So this fear and piety confirms that:

The Muslim is Honest and Truthful in All his Affairs

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Three things are the sign of the hypocrite: when he speaks he tells lies, when he promises he breaks it and when he is trusted he proves to be dishonest." (Reported by al-Bukharee and Muslim)

So he is truthful and honest in his speech, faithful to his promise, trustworthy in carrying out that which he has been entrusted with. He does not deceive or defraud, he does not tell lies and is not guilty of hypocrisy. So truthfulness and honesty is one of the chief good qualities, whereas falsehood is the head of corruption and evil. So his honesty keeps him far away from evil and foul deeds and sickness of the heart. Therefore whatever action he does, he does it for Allâh, the One free and far removed from all defects, not to attain some worldly position, fame or repute. So his motto is:

Knowledge for Knowledge

From Jaabir (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (salAllâhu 'aliahi wa'sallam) said:

"Do not acquire knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the ignorant, nor to gain mastery over the gatherings. Since whoever does that, then: The Fire! The Fire!" (Reported by Abu Dawood)

Consider, May Allâh have mercy on you, the admonition and the lesson contained in what Ibn Abee Haatim ar-Raazee narrates, he said: I entered into Damascus upon the students of hadîth and I passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo'ee. I found a group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearance amazed me and I heard him saying:

“Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your time: when you are present you are not known; when you are absent you are not missed; when you are seen your advice is not sought; when you say something your saying is not accepted; and when you have some knowledge you are not given anything for it. I also advise you with five things: when you are treated unjustly then do not behave unjustly; when you are praised then do not become happy; when you are criticised do not be upset; when you are not believed then do not become angry; and if they act deceitfully towards you do not act deceitfully towards them.”

Ibn Abee Haatim said: So I took that as my benefit from Damascus.

So consider, May Allâh protect us and you from the evils of the soul, how sincere desire for knowledge and benefit led him to listen to one who certainly possessed less knowledge than himself in order to benefit his understanding and to acquire some knowledge. Another matter that must be mentioned here is that:

The Believer is a Mirror for His Brother

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"The believer is a mirror for the believer, and the believer is the brother of the believer. He safeguards his property for him and defends him from behind." (Reported by al-Bukharee in al-Adabul Mufrad, Aboo Dawood and others.)

The description of his being a 'mirror' is very precise and profound showing the culmination of brotherhood and solidarity. So your brother, O servant of Allâh, is an image of you yourself. So if he behaves badly it is as if you are the one who has behaved badly, and if he makes a mistake, it is as if you have made a mistake. So he is a mirror for you and then an image of you yourself! So do not treat him except with mildness and gentleness. If you do not behave with your brother in this manner, then this will be something which weakens:

The Muslim's Struggle and his Devil

From Iyaad ibn Himaar al Mujaashi'ee (radiyAllâhu ;anhu) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Indeed my Lord ordered me to teach you that which you do not know, from that which He taught me this day, (instructing me): 'The wealth which I confer upon a servant is all lawful for him, and I created all My servants having natural inclination to the true way but the devils came to them and turned them away from their (true) Religion, and they forbade for them that which I made lawful for them, and they ordered them to associate in worship with Me that for which I sent down no authority.' Allâh looked upon the people of the earth and hated them, the Arabs and the non-Arabs, except for some remnants of the People of the Book, and He said: 'I sent you only to put you to the test and to tests others through you, and I sent down to you a Book which cannot be washed away by water, which you will retain and recite whilst asleep and whilst awake.' Allâh ordered me to destroy the Quraysh so I said: 'O my Lord they would break my head just as bread is broken.' So He said: 'Turn them out just as they turned you out, and fight them and We shall aid you, and spend and We shall provide for you. Send an army and We will send five more like it. Fight along with those who disobey you. The people of paradise are three: The ruler who is just, who spends in charity and is guided to do good; and a man who is merciful and kind hearted towards every relative and Muslim; and the chaste one who does not beg despite having a family to support. The people of the fire are five: The weak who does not have the will to avoid evil, those amongst you who are merely followers (of others), they do not seek after family or wealth; and the dishonest whose greed cannot be concealed even in the case of minor things; and a man who will betray you morning and evening with regard to your family and your wealth (He also mentioned miserliness or telling lies) and the person of evil manners and foul speech.' " (Reported by Muslim)

So this is very ancient conflict, continuing since the time when Allâh, the One free and far removed from all defects, created Aadam, 'alaihis-salaam, and what occurred between him and Satan is well known. This conflict will be intensified or diminished depending on the servant's closeness to or distance away from his Lord. Consider also His (SAW) saying: Satan has despaired that those who pray should worship him, but he seeks to provoke animosity between them.

Let this be a warning for us, and its opposite be glad tidings. We must not leave any way for Satan to enter upon our hearts through our actions, granting him neither full nor partial access. Indeed his deceptions are many and his traps abundant.

Beware of this, O servant of Allâh, and do not let Satan trap you with his snares and his tricks, and your impregnable fortress against him is:

Remembrance of Allâh

From Nu'maan ibn Basheer (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"Supplication (ad-Du'aa) is worship, your Lord the Mighty and Majestic said: 'Call upon Me – I will respond to your invocation.' [Soorah Ghaafir (40):60]" (Saheeh – reported by Ahmad and others)

Supplication is the head of remembrance of Allâh. Indeed he (SAW) said: …and I order you to make mention to Allâh much, and the like of that is a man being chased by the enemy who are hastening after him until he comes to a protected fortress and so he protects himself in it. Likewise is the servant, for he does not protect himself from Satan except through remembrance of Allâh, the Mighty and Majestic.

So a Muslim remembering his Lord, the One free and far removed from all defects, places him in a position of safety and protection which Satan is unable to overcome. So this prevents him from many sins and numerous negative traits pertaining to the tongue, the limbs and the heart. Therefore:

The Muslim Does Not Fall Into Backbiting

From Ibn 'Umar (RAmaa) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Whoever intercedes and prevents one of the punishments prescribed by Allâh, the Mighty and Majestic, then he has opposed Allâh regarding His orders. Whoever dies with a debt due on him then it will not be repaid by deenaars and dirhams but rather by good and bad deeds. Whoever disputes for something which he knows is false then he remains in Allâh's anger until he desists. Whoever accuses a believer of something that is untrue then Allâh will make him dwell in the pus flowing from the inhabitants of the Fire and he will not leaver until he retracts from what he said." (Reported by Ahmad and others)

The lethal plague of backbiting destroys one's good deeds, destroys brotherhood and destroys one's reward. So the true Muslim does not backbite, nor does he allow backbiting to take place in his presence. So let those people fear Allâh, those whose bodies do not develop and those whose spirit is not fed except upon spreading rumours and inventing lies against the servants of Allâh claiming that 'this is for the benefit of da'wah!'

How strange! What benefit to the da'wah will be achieved through slandering, backbiting and mentioning bad manners to others? Do you think, O you who backbites the people, that you are far removed form defect? O you who can only see the deficiencies of others, do you think that you are free from any mistakes? '…rather you are full of deficiencies and the people have tongues!' Also from those things which must be known is that:

The Muslim Does Not Pry into the Matters that do not Concern Him

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"From the perfection of a person's Islâm is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him." (Reported by at-Tirmidhee and others)

So he halts at his limits and does not exceed and pass beyond them. He knows that prying into that which does not concern him and asking about it is not fitting for him. Rather it is forbidden for him and something he has to avoid. So he complies with Allâh's orders and keeps away from what he has forbidden, since:

All of His Actions are for Allâh

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"Whoever loves for Allâh and hates for Allâh, gives for Allâh and withholds for Allâh, then he has completed eemaan." (Reported by Ahmad, Tabarni, Aboo Dawood and others)

This hadîth clearly shows the manner in which the believer conducts all his affairs and behaves in all his dealings, all of them are for Allâh and he does not give a share in any of them to other than Him, the One free and far removed from all imperfections. In all his affairs he distances himself from seeking after personal gain and enjoyment. In his loving and hating, giving and withholding he seeks only Allâh's pleasure and His Paradise. He does not seek after the worldly positions, wealth or reputation! Then if he falls into the like of this he repents and turns back (to his Lord), so:

The Muslim Repents and Turns Back to Allâh

From Abû Sa'îd al-Khudrî (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"The example of the believer with regards to eemaan is like the example of a horse with regards to its tethering stake; it roams around and then returns to its tethering stake, and the believer is negligent and then he turns to his eemaan. So feed the pious with your food and treat the believers well." (Reported by Ahmad)

So he does not persist upon sin, or treat it lightly. Rather like the rest of the children of Aadam he commits many sins. However he is frequent in turning back in repentance to his Lord.

What has preceded will clearly show us:

The Essential Characteristics of His Personality

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"Two characteristics are not found together in a hypocrite: good manners and understanding of the Religion." (Reported by At-Tirmidhee)

So his manners are the manners of the righteous people, and his behaviour that of the servants of the Lord of the worlds. He emulates the pious and follows in the footsteps of the sincere. His heart and his behaviour agree, he is not like the weak who take pains to put on a good appearance whereas their hearts are empty! His knowledge and understanding of the Religion is deep and springs from a good and sensitive heart, and precise memory. However his good manners and knowledge and understanding of the Religion do not prevent him from:

Honest Jesting

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said: We said: O Messenger of Allâh! You jest with us? He said (SAW):

"Yes except that I do not say except what is true." (Reported by at-Tirmidhee in as-Sunan)

So falsehood has no share of this, and lies cannot approach it. So his jesting is with words that are true. Nor does this mean that he is to expend all his time in lightheartedness and jesting. Rather in this and in all matters he follows the footsteps of the Companions, May Allâh be pleased with them all, and their way in this regard was:

A Time for This and a Time for That

From Hanzalah al-Usayyidee who said:

"Abu Bakr met me and asked: How are you O Hanzalah? I Replied: Hanzalah is guilty of hypocrisy! He said: Free is Allâh and far removed from all defects! What are you saying? I said: When we are with Allâh's Messenger (SAW) and he reminds us of the Fire and Paradise it is as if we were seeing it with our own eyes. Then when we depart from Allâh's Messenger (SAW) and attend our wives, our children and our business, then much of this slips from our mind. Abu Bakr said: By Allâh we also experience the same. So I went with Abu Bakr until we entered upon Allâh's Messenger (SAW). I said: Hanzalah is guilty of hypocrisy O Messenger of Allâh (SAW). So Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said: And how is that? I said When we are with you, you remind us of the Fire and of Paradise and it is as if we are seeing it with our own eyes. Then when we depart from you and attend our wives, our children and our business then much of this slips from our minds. So Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said: By Him in whose hand is my soul if you remained continually as you are when you are with me and in remembering (Allâh) then the angels would shake hands with you upon your beds and upon your roads. But O Hanzalah, (there is) a time for this and a time for that, (there is) a time for this and a time for that, (there is) a time for this and a time for that." (Reported by Muslim)

Both of these times are regulated by the orders of Allâh, as has proceeded. His time for serious matters is regulated according to the Book and the Sunnah, and his jesting is kept free of anything forbidden and accompanied only by that which Allâh has prescribed.

So he does not, through negligence, allow his jesting to become a way in which he falls into sin. Indeed how could he do this when:

He Does Not Take Sins Lightly

From Sahl ibn Sa'd (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Beware of sins which are treated as being minor, just like a people who encamp in the centre of a valley, so someone brings a stick of firewood and someone else brings a stick until they are therefore able to bake their bread. Likewise sins which are treated as being minor and for which the person is taken to account will destroy him." (Reported by Ahmad and others)

It is just as the noble companion 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood said: The believer sees his sins as if he were sitting beneath a mountain which he feared was about to fall upon him, whereas the wicked sees his sins like a man who finds a fly settle upon his nose, so he does this (one of the narrators said: He brushes it away from his nose). (Reported by al-Bukharee)

The Muslim should realize the greatness of hid Lord, the One free and far from all imperfections, and His tremendous Power and Might, and he should not think of the sin as being great or small! Rather he should think of it with regard to the One he is disobeying.

Those sins which are ignored by the weak hearted cause their destruction by removing Iemaan and fear of Allâh from their hearts.
When a person regards sins and acts of disobedience as something slight the he is one who is oppressing his own soul, and that should never occur, since:

The Muslim Does not Commit Oppression

From Jaabir ibn 'Abdullah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Beware of committing oppression for on the Day of Resurrection oppression will be darkness, and beware of avarice for avarice destroyed those who came before you, it led them into shedding blood and into making lawful that which was forbidden for them." (Reported by Muslim)

Oppression is of two types: (i) A person oppressing his own soul and (ii) his oppressing others. Both of these have been forbidden by Allâh, the One free and far from all imperfections. So a person oppressing his own soul causes him to feel at home with his sins and to commit them, and causes him to abandon acts of obedience to Allâh.

The true Muslim is far removed from all of this and furthermore:

He is not a carrier of Malicious Reports

From Anas ibn Maalik (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said: Do you know what calumny (al-'Adh) is? They said: Allâh and his Messenger (SAW) know best. He said:

"Conveying the words of some people to others in order to create mischief between them." (Reported by al-Bukharee, al-Baihaqee and others)

Tale-carrying is a foul disease; when it enters the heart it corrupts it, and when the heart is corrupt the rest of the body becomes corrupt and ones actions are destroyed.

The sickness of tale-carrying only finds a place in hearts which are filled with love of this world, the hearts of those who use the Religion for lowly and despicable ends, and we seek Allâh's refuge from that! However, as for the sincere Muslim who strives to follow and apply the guidance sent by his Lord, then:

He is not Attached to This World

From Sahl ibn Aa'd (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Jibreel came to me and said: O Muhammad! Live as you will for you must certainly die; love whom you will since you must certainly leave him; act as you will since you shall certainly be given due reward for it; know that the believers eminence is his standing in prayer during the night, and his honour is having sufficiency without dependency upon the people." (Reported by al-Haakim and others.)

The person who lives attached to this world is poor with regard to his Religion and intellect, he does not realize that this worlds, for the one having no Religion is the road to degradation, the path to corruption and the key to evil and foul deeds. Whereas the Muslim who is sincere to his Lord and his own soul and with his brothers should be an excellent example to those who thirst after this world and the few dirhams and deenaars.

He should be a lesson for them that there is no good in that, and that good lies only in taking this world as a means of increasing one's rank with regard to the Religion and seeking to purify one's heart. However these two will not be achieved except through:

Disassociation from this World

From Aboo Umaamah Iyaas ibn Tha'labah who said:

The Companions of Allâh's Messenger (SAW) mentioned this world one day in his presence, so Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said: "Will you not listen, will you not listen! Wearing old clothes is part if eemaan, wearing old clothes is part of eemaan!" (Reported by Aboo Dawood)

Zuhd (abstemiousness) is to have little regard for this world, to manifest ones poverty and need before Allâh, to treat the servants of Allâh kindly and gently, to avoid spending lavishly upon clothing, food and drink, and to avoid fame.

Zuhd is not the rejection of the favours of Allâh, the One free and far removed from all defects, bestows upon some of His servants, rather it is as Shaykhul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah, rahimahullaah, said: Keep away from that which does not bring benefit, either because it contains no benefit at all, or because something other than it is more beneficial, so that by doing the first he would be missing greater benefit, or because it will produce something whose harm will grow to outweigh its benefit. But as regards things which are purely beneficial or predominantly, then avoidance of them is stupidity. Therefore there is to be no abstemiousness with regard to:

Good Actions

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Charity (sadaqah) is due upon every joint of a person on every day that the sun rises. Administering justice between two people is an act of charity; and to help a man concerning his riding beast by helping him on to it or lifting his luggage on to it is an act of charity; a good word is charity; and every step which you take to prayer is charity; and removing that which is harmful from the road is charity." (Reported by al-Bukharee)

So if the servant is able to spend all his days and nights in obedience to Allâh, and in doing actions pleasing to Him, then let him do so!

Even though abstemiousness is to be given special attention by the rich due to their ability to spend and their wealth, as opposed to the poor, then this will not prevent the Muslim, rich or poor, from having a contented and rich soul, since:

The Muslim is Contented and Satisfied

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul (contentment)." (Reported by Muslim)

So the greatest of riches you can attain, O servant of Allâh, is contentment of ones soul, and having a contented heart and this will not be achieved except through humbling oneself before Allâh, the One free from and far removed from all defects, and calling upon Him in supplication and in placing reliance upon Him. He whose soul is contented and rich will increase in his:

Devotion to the Religion of Islâm

From Ka'b ibn Maalik al-Ansaaree (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Two hungry wolves let loose amongst sheep will not cause more harm to them than a persons craving after wealth and status will do to his Religion." (Reported by Ahmad and others)

Flee, May Allâh has mercy upon you, from this mad craving after this world and its finery, and there is no salvation from that which has been destined for a person.

He who wishes for salvation then let it be the case that his desire for his Religion is his foundation and guiding principle, if this is so then Allâh will protect him and protect his religion. Then from the comprehensive matters that should be known is:

How the Muslim Deals With People

From Aa'ishah (radiyAllâhu 'anhaa) who said that a man sought permission to enter upon the Prophet (SAW), so he said:

"Give permission to him and what a bad son of his people (or: what a bad man of his people). Then when he entered he spoke politely to him. Aa'ishah said: So I said: O Messenger of Allâh, you said about him what you said and then you spoke politely to him? He said: O Aa'ishah the worst people in station before Allâh on the Day of Resurrection are those whom the people desert, or abandon, in order to save themselves from their evil speech." (Reported by al-Bukharee)

It will also not be hidden that one of the best ways of cementing ties and improving relations is:

Visiting Brothers

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"A man went out to visit a brother of his in a different village, so Allâh, the Most High, put an angel in wait for him in the road. So when the angel came to him he said: Where are you going? He said: I am going to visit a brother in this village. He said: Is it that you have done something for him for which you seek repayment? He said: No, it is just that I love him for Allâh's sake. He said: Then I am one sent by Allâh to you (to inform you) that Allâh, the Mighty and Majestic, loves you, just as you have loved for His sake." (Reported by Muslim)

(Paradise) cannot be attained unless the incentive for it is:

The Muslim's Character

From Abu Darda (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"There is nothing which is heavier upon the balance than the good character." (Reported by Ahmad)

So by his character the Muslim turns enemies into friends, opponents into companions, and harsh people into those who are mild. Character is a commodity which is almost something rare amongst the people today, except amongst those who sincerely worship Allâh alone, Who are honest and true in the worship of the Lord of the Worlds. So good character refines the soul and enables that:

The Muslim Knows His Own Worth

From Abû Hurayrah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger (SAW) said:

"There will come upon the people years of deceit in which the liar will be believed, the truthful disbelieved, the treacherous will be trusted and the trustworthy held to be treacherous, and the despicable (ar-Ruwaybidah) will speak out. It was said: Who are the despicable ones (ar-Ruwaybidah)? He said: The lowly, ignoble man who speaks out about the public affairs." (Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and others)

So it is binding upon the obedient servant that he should:

He Hopes for good for Himself and His Brothers

From Jundub (RA) who said that the Messenger of Allâh (SAW) narrated:

"That a man said: By Allâh, Allâh will not forgive so and so. Whereas Allâh, the Most High said: Who is it who swears by Me that I will not forgive so and so, for I have forgiven so and so, and have rendered your actions futile." (Reported by Muslim)

The fear and hope that a Muslim has for his brothers does not prevent him from carrying out what Allâh has established with regard to:

Ordering Good and Forbidding Evil

From Aboo Sa'eed al-Khudree (RA) who said:

"Allâh's Messenger (SAW) stood amongst us to deliver an address, and from his address was that he said: Indeed it is about to occur that I will be called and will respond. Then after me will follow rulers over you who say what they have knowledge of, and act upon what they know. Obedience to them is obedience to me, and you remain like that for a time. Then there will follow rulers over you after them who say what they do not have knowledge of and act according to what they do not have knowledge of. So whoever is sincere to them and assists them, or strengthens them then they are destroyed and have caused destruction. Accompany them with your bodies and differ with them by your actions, and bear witness for the doer of good from them that he is a doer of good, and for the doer of evil that he is a doer of evil." (Reported by al-Baihaqee in az-Zuhdul Kabeer)

In ordering good and forbidding evil, the Muslim is careful of:

Being Cautious to Avoid Animosity and Dissention

From Jaabir ibn 'Abdullah (RA) who said that Allâh's Messenger said:

"Indeed Satan has despaired that those who pray should worship (him) in the Arabian peninsular, however (he seeks) to provoke animosity between them." (Muslim)

Perhaps a word which one does not realize allows escaping from his tongue and it falls upon one of the servants of Allâh, or a mistake he makes, perhaps this will cause a great fire to blaze in the hearts of the brothers.

This is the most Satan desires and it causes him to be joyful and happy. So what we have indicated certainly occurs and is bound to occur and it leads to widespread evil and great danger, so since this is the case, then what is:

The Means To Escape the Trial which Befalls the People

From Abdullah ibn Mas'ood (RA) who said:

"How will you be when you are covered by a trial in which the young grow up and the old become infirm. If anything of it is abandoned it is said: The Sunnah has been abandoned. It was said: When will that occur, O Aboo Abdur Rahman? He said: When your scholars pass away, and those ignorant amongst you become many; when those who recite amongst you are many, but those who have understanding of the religion are few; when your leaders are many, but those who are trustworthy are few; when this world is sought with actions of the Hereafter; and when knowledge is sought for other than the Religion." (Reported by ad-Daarimee, al-Laalikaa'ee, al-Haakim and others)

The means of escape is to follow the example provided for us! Indeed obeying and following Allâh's Messenger (SAW) is the greatest escape from the trials which envelop us.

For Allâh, for Allâh, O servants of Allâh, learn, and act, and fear Allâh and obey Him that you may be shown mercy.

The Islâmic Personality is a clear and distinct personality. Its fabric is the Book of Allâh, and its thread is the Sunnah and these two are inseparable from it. It is a sincere and determined personality educated and refined upon precise methodology which does not contain even the slightest deficiency because it emanates from the source of all knowledge, Allah (SWT).

We ask Allâh to grant success to all of the Muslims, and that He establishes us upon the way and methodology of His Prophet (SAW). He is the best One to ask and the greatest One who responds, and our final call is all praise is for Allâh, Lord of all the worlds.

What philosophers think about 'Wife'.

>>> I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry.
>>>That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste.
>>______________________________________________
>>
>>After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they
>>just can't face each other, but still stay together.
>>Hemant Joshi
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>By all means marry! If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you
>>get a bad one, you'll become a
philosopher.
>>Socrates
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving
>>them.
>>Dumas
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>The great question... which I have not been able to answer... is,
>>"What does a woman want?
>>Newton
>>
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.
>>Anonymous
>>
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to
>>go to a restaurant
two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner,
>>soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays."
>>
>>Henry Youngman
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to
>>forget it once...
>>Anonymous
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>You know what I did before I married? Anything I wanted to.
>>Henny Youngman
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.
>>Rodney Dangerfield
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>A good wife always forgives her husband
when she's wrong.
>>Milton Berle
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>Marriage is the only war where one sleeps with the enemy.
>>Anonymous
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day
>>he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You
>>can have mine."
>>
>>Anonymous
>>________________________________________________ ______________________
>>
>>First Guy (proudly): "My wife's an angel!"
>>
>> Second Guy "You're lucky, mine's still alive."

List of first ladies of United States of AMERICA

First ladies

---

18th Century
1.Martha Washington 2.Abigail Adams


19th Century
3.Martha Jefferson 4.Dolley Madison 5.Elizabeth Monroe
6.Louisa Adams 7.Rachel Jackson 8.Hannah Van Buren
9.Anna Harrison 10.Letitia Tyler 11.Julia Tyler
12.Sarah Polk 13. Margaret Taylor 14.Abigail Fillmore
15.Jane Pierce 16. Harriet Lane 17. Mary Lincoln
18.Eliza Johnson 19.Julia Grant 20. Lucy Hayes
21.Lucretia Garfield 22. Ellen Arthur 23. Frances Cleveland
24.Caroline Harrison 25.Frances Cleveland 26.Ida McKinley

20th Century
27.Edith Roosevelt 28. Helen Taft 29.Ellen Wilson
30.Edith Wilson 31. Florence Harding 32.Grace Coolidge
33.Lou Hoover 34.Eleanor Roosevelt 35.Elizabeth Truman
36.Mamie Eisenhower 37.Jacqueline Kennedy 38.Claudia Johnson
39.Patricia Nixon 40.Elizabeth Ford 41. Rosalyn Carter
42.Nancy Reagan 43. Barbara Bush 44. Hillary Clinton

21st Century
45.Laura Bush 46. Michelle Obama

Anger Mangement

Anger is a valid, healthy emotion.
Anger is an emotion that can help set limits and boundaries in relationships.
Anger is a tool to help identify needs and wants.
Anger is powerful and needs to be used with respect.
When you know how to respond to your anger positively, you can tap into an unlimited source of personal power. This personal power can in turn enable you to speak for yourself and to learn to manage the fear of shame or criticism.
Anger Alternatives can show you how to work towards your wants without rage, violence, aggression, or controlling behaviors.
Did you know that...?

• An anger problem is any behavior caused by anger that hurts you or someone else
• Anger problems affect men and women of all ages, and from all walks of life.
• Anger problems come in many forms.
• Some people become indecisive or inactive when they feel their own or another persons anger. (Passive)
• Some people act out anger feelings by attacking, or trying to control. (Aggressive)
• Some people use addictions to avoid their feelings. (Dependant-Addicted)
• Some people become introverted and depressed.(Depressive)
• Some people use their anger to manipulate or manage others. (Passive-Aggressive)
• All anger problems are a form of control.
• When anger is “reacted” to, the anger is in control.

At Anger Alternatives, you can learn the tools to...

• Control anger related behavior
• Separate anger feelings from anger behaviors
• Identify anger sources
• Learn anger signals
• Stop anger from being in control.
• Accept and respect yourself
• Develop emotional literacy
• Release old shame and guilt.
• Break old patterns that don't work

• Stop reactionary behaviors
• Determine available support
• Improve interpersonal communication skills.
• Improve relationships with family, friends, and fellow employees.
• Re-establish credibility
• Establish limits and boundaries
• Take appropriate risks

Tips on how to respond to anger situations

Step Back and Breathe
Count to ten before you say or do anything and be mindful of your breathing. If you still don’t feel calm, count to ten again…and breathe.
Ask yourself:

• What am I angry about?
• What is hurting me?
• What is going on that is not ok for me?
• Did this person intend to hurt me?

When possible, remove yourself from the source of the stress and anger
Go for a walk or exercise. Moderate physical activity can be a productive outlet for your emotions. Besides releasing pent-up energy, your general physical feeling will improve.
Avoid emotionally charged and strenuous workouts, they can feed into the anger.
Imagine a calm relaxing scene.

• Remember a time when you felt at peace.
• Close your eyes, and travel back there.
• Allow yourself to be there for a while and feel yourself release.

Empathize with the other person.

• Try to see the situation from his or her point of view.
• Remember that there is always more than one way to see anything.

Write in a journal. Keep track of your anger:

• What did “I” get angry about?
• What did “I” do or say in response?
• How did “I” feel, physically and emotionally?

By identifying your sources of anger, you can learn to anticipate and respond to anger situations.
Use “I” statements when talking about the problem or situation instead of criticizing or blaming the other person. “I” am upset that the kitchen didn’t get cleaned after dinner,” instead of “Why is the kitchen still a mess?”, or “You should have cleaned it!”
Stop Brooding or Stewing. “Mind talk” is a major anger signal and one of the most destructive things you can do to yourself.

• Rage starts when you lose control of your own thoughts or feelings.
• You can control what you say.
• Talk to the person you have anger with.
• Share your feelings with a close friend or family member.

Windows shortcut keys and tricks

GENERAL SHORTCUTS
ALT- F4 - Quit a program / Shut down
ALT-TAB - Hold down the ALT key and hit tab to cycle through open windows.
CTL-ESCAPE - Display the Start menu
SHIFT - TAB - tab backwards through a form
CTRL - X - Cut
CTRL - C - Copy
CTRL - V - Paste
F1 - Help menu
CTRL - Z - Undo
SHIFT & Restart - To restart just windows and not your whole computer, hold down the shift key when you click the OK button on the shutdown screen. Saves lots of time. (not for XP)
CRTL-TAB - Navigate tabs on a tabbed screen

FILE & DESKTOP SHORTCUTS
Hold SHIFT while inserting a CD - Prevents the CD from "autorunning"
If an item is selected:
CTRL while dragging a file - Copies the file
CTRL - SHIFT while dragging a file - Creates a shortcut to the file
SHIFT - DELETE - Deletes an item without sending it to the recycle bin.
ALT-ENTER - Display a file's properties.
F2 - To rename the file

In Windows Explorer:
LEFT ARROW - Collapse the current selection if it is expanded
NUM LOCK-MINUS SIGN (-) - Collapse the selected folder
RIGHT ARROW - Expand the current selection if it is collapsed -Or- Select the first subfolder
NUM LOCK- * Expand all folders below the current selection
NUM LOCK- PLUS SIGN (+) - Expand the selected folder
F6 - Switch between left and right panes

In My Computer:
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up
ALT- RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to a previous view
ALT- LEFT ARROW -Move backward to a previous view

INTERNET BROWSER SHORTCUTS
For Internet Explorer 6 and Netscape 7 (may work in older versions)
Open History Window Ctrl+H
Reload Ctrl+R
Back (Previous Page) Alt+Left Arrow or Alt+Backspace
Forward (Next Page) Alt+Right Arrow
Stop Esc
Home Alt+Home
Go to Bottom of Page End
Go to Top of Page Home
New Window Ctrl+N
Close WIndow Ctrl+W
Go Up one Line Up Arrow
Go Down One Line Down Arrow
Full Screen (toggle) F11
Find on Page Ctrl+F
Add Current Page to Favorites Ctrl+D
Print Current Page or Active Frame Ctrl+P
Organize Favorites (IE)/ Manage Bookmarks (NS) Ctrl+B
Maximize a Window Alt+Space+x
Minimize a window Alt+Space+N
Scroll page up Alt+Up Arrow
Scroll page down Alt+Down Arrow
Internet Explorer ONLY
Open Favorites Bar Ctrl+I
Select text in address bar Alt+D
Force Reload (not from cache) Ctrl+F5
A faster way to type in addresses with IE is to just type in the name of the site:
worldstart
and hit CTRL + Enter. The "http://www. " and ".com" will be added for you!
Netscape ONLY
Open / Close Sidebar Panel (toggle) F9
Select text in Location Bar Ctrl+L
Force Reload (not from Cache) Ctrl+Shift+R
Zoom Text Smaller Ctrl+- (minus)
Zoom text larger Ctrl+= (plus sign)

WINDOWS KEY SHORTCUTS
The Windows key can be used in conjunction with other keys to act as a keyboard shortcut for faster access to menu commands. Now, while the Alt key tends to open program menus (ex: Alt+F opens the File menu and Alt+E opens the Edit menu) and the Ctrl key performs actual operations (ex: Ctrl+C will copy and Ctrl+V will paste), the Windows key will open various Windows tools...
Win key + R will open the Start menu's Run box
Win key + F will open the Start menu's Find window
Win key + E will quickly launch Explorer
Win key + Pause/Break will open the System Properties window
Win key + M will Minimize all windows
Win key + Shift + M will undo Minimize all windows
Win key + D will switch between minimizing all open programs and showing them all
Win key + Tab will cycle through items on the taskbar
Win key by itself will open the Start menu
You can also open programs or folders on your desktop by pressing the Windows key + the first letter of the program/folder/shortcut + Enter . Sounds kinda tedious, but if you're in a bind with your mouse, it can come in quite handy.

ARROW TRICKS
Here's a cool little arrow trick to try with word processing programs. Next time you're using your arrow keys to go from one area of a sentence to another (left and right arrows), hold down your CTRL key. Instead of moving one space at a time, you'll go one word at a time.
If you're using the up and down arrows to go from line to line, holding down the CTRL key will make your cursor jump from paragraph to paragraph (well, from carriage return to carriage return anyway).
One last thing, if you hold down the SHIFT key while you do this (i.e. hold down SHIFT + CTRL at the same time), you select text as you arrow along.
I've tested this in MS Word and Wordpad, but it *should* work no matter what word processing program you use.

HOME / END KEY FUN
Do you ever find yourself scrolling through a huge folder ? Well, if you need to get to the beginning or the end quickly, just press Ctrl+Home .. If you want to get to the end, click Ctrl+End.


This little trick works on more than just folders. If you use the Home key in a word processor, it goes to the beginning of the line you're currently working on. If you hit the END key, it should head to the end of the current line. If you pair Home & End up with the Ctrl key in a word processor, you will be whisked away to the beginning or end of the document. Again, this should work, but it depends on your word processor.

Speedup your work by using keyboard more and mouse less.

Useful Shortcut:

Start + M: Minimizes all open windows
Start + Shift + M: Maximizes All Windows
Start + E: Runs Windows Explorer
Start + R: Open the RUN Dialog Box
Start + F: Open the Search Results Dialog box
Start + CTRL + F: Opens the Search Results-Computer dialog Box (if the computer is connected to a network)
Start + Pause (Break): Opens the System Properties Dialog Box


Windows System Key Combinations:

F1: Help
CTRL + ESC: Open Start menu
ALT + TAB: Switch between open programs
ALT + F4: Quit program
SHIFT + DELETE: Delete item permanently


Windows Program Key Combinations:

CTRL + C: Copy
CTRL + X: Cut
CTRL + V: Paste
CTRL + Z: Undo
CTRL + B: Bold
CTRL + U: Underline
CTRL + I: Italic

Mouse Click/Keyboard Modifier Combinations for Shell Objects:

SHIFT + right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
SHIFT + double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
ALT + double click: Displays properties
SHIFT + DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin


General Keyboard-Only Commands:

F1: Starts Windows Help
F10: Activates menu bar options
SHIFT + F10: Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object
CTRL + ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
CTRL + ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
ALT + DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
ALT + TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
ALT + SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
ALT +- (ALT + hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI)child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
CTRL + TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
ALT + underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu
ALT + F4: Closes the current window
CTRL + F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
ALT + F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed
ALT + F6: switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)

Shell Objects and General Folder/Windows Explorer Shortcuts For a selected object:

F2: Rename object
F3: Find all files
CTRL + X: Cut
CTRL + C: Copy
CTRL + V: Paste
SHIFT + DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin
ALT + ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object
To Copy a File: Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.
To Create a Shortcut: Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

General Folder/Shortcut Control:

F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
F5: Refreshes the current window.
F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
CTRL + G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
CTRL + Z: Undo the last command
CTRL + A: Select all the items in the current window
BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
SHIFT + click + Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

Windows Explorer Tree Control:

Numeric Keypad *: Expands everything under the current selection
Numeric Keypad +: Expands the current selection
Numeric Keypad -: Collapses the current selection.
RIGHT ARROW: Expands the current selection if it is not expanded, otherwise goes to the first child
LEFT ARROW: Collapses the current selection if it is expanded, otherwise goes to the parent


Properties Control:

CTRL + TAB/CTRL + SHIFT + TAB: Move through the property tabs


Accessibility Shortcuts:

Press SHIFT five times: Toggles StickyKeys on and off
Press down and hold the right SHIFT key for eight seconds: Toggles FilterKeys on and off
Press down and hold the NUM LOCK key for five seconds: Toggles ToggleKeys on and off
Left ALT + left SHIFT+NUM LOCK: Toggles MouseKeys on and off
Left ALT + left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN: Toggles high contrast on and off


Microsoft Natural Keyboard Keys:

Windows Logo: Start menu
Windows Logo + R: Run dialog box
Windows Logo + M: Minimize all
SHIFT + Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize all
Windows Logo + F1: Help
Windows Logo + E: Windows Explorer
Windows Logo + F: Find files or folders
Windows Logo + D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop
CTRL + Windows Logo + F: Find computer
CTRL + Windows Logo + TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray)
Windows Logo + TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons
Windows Logo + Break: System Properties dialog box
Application key: Displays a shortcut menu for the selected item


Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType Software Installed:

Windows Logo + L: Log off Windows
Windows Logo + P: Starts Print Manager
Windows Logo + C: Opens Control Panel
Windows Logo + V: Starts Clipboard
Windows Logo + K: Opens Keyboard Properties dialog box
Windows Logo + I: Opens Mouse Properties dialog box
Windows Logo + A: Starts Accessibility Options (if installed)
Windows Logo + SPACEBAR: Displays the list of Microsoft IntelliType shortcut keys
Windows Logo + S: Toggles CAPS LOCK on and off


Dialog Box Keyboard Commands:

TAB: Move to the next control in the dialog box
SHIFT + TAB: Move to the previous control in the dialog box
SPACEBAR: If the current control is a button, this clicks the button. If the current control is a check box, this toggles the check box. If the current control is an option, this selects the option.
ENTER: Equivalent to clicking the selected button (the button with the outline)
ESC: Equivalent to clicking the Cancel button
ALT + underlined letter in dialog box item: Move to the corresponding item

The main issue in Win XP is the secuirity that we can not protect our secret data from the access of other..

However, in Windows XP Professional, we can also set folder permissions for specific users or groups. To do this, we must first change the default setting, which is simple file sharing. To change this setting, follow these steps:
•Open Control Panel, click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
•Click the 'View' tab, and scroll to the bottom of the Advanced Settings list.
•Clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box.
•To manage folder permissions, browse to the folder in Windows Explorer, right–click the folder, and then click Properties. Click the 'Security' tab, and assign permissions, such as Full Control, Modify, Read, and/or Write, to specific users.
We can set file and folder permissions only on drives formatted to use NTFS, and we must be the owner or have been granted permission to do so by the owner.

Now question is how can we change FAT to NTFS file system.

No Problem see its best solution....

To convert a FAT partition to NTFS, perform the following steps.
Click Start, click Programs, and then click Command Prompt.
In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type cmd and then click OK.
At the command prompt, type CONVERT [driveletter]: /FS:NTFS.
Convert.exe will attempt to convert the partition to NTFS.

secrets about Windows XP

You've read the reviews and digested the key feature enhancements and operational changes. Now it's time to uncover some of Windows XP's secrets.

1. It boasts how long it can stay up. Whereas previous versions of Windows were coy about how long they went between boots, XP is positively proud of its stamina. Go to the Command Prompt in the Accessories menu from the All Programs start button option, and then type 'systeminfo'. The computer will produce a lot of useful info, including the uptime. If you want to keep these, type 'systeminfo > info.txt'. This creates a file called info.txt you can look at later with Notepad. (Professional Edition only).

2. You can delete files immediately, without having them move to the Recycle Bin first. Go to the Start menu, select Run... And type ' gpedit.msc'; then select User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer and find the Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin setting. Set it. Poking around in gpedit will reveal a great many interface and system options, but take care – some may stop your computer behaving as you wish. (Professional Edition only).

3. You can lock your XP workstation with two clicks of the mouse. Create a new shortcut on your desktop using a right mouse click, and enter 'rundll32.exeuser32.dll, LockWorkStation' in the location field. Give the shortcut a name you like. That's it -- just Double click on it and your computer will be locked. You can also try Windows key + L to do the same.

4. XP hides some system software you might want to remove, such as Windows Messenger, but you can tickle it and make it disgorge everything. Using Notepad or Edit, edit the text file /windows/inf/sysoc.inf, search for the word 'hide' and remove it. You can then go to the Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Windows Components and there will be your prey, exposed and vulnerable.

5. For those skilled in the art of DOS batch files, XP has a number of interesting new commands. These include 'eventcreate' and 'eventtriggers' for creating and watching system events, 'typeperf' for monitoring performance of many subsystems, and 'schtasks' for handling scheduled tasks. As usual, typing the command name followed by /? Will give a list of options -- they're all far too baroque to go into here.

6. XP has IP version 6 support -- the next generation of IP. Unfortunately this is more than your ISP has, so you can only experiment with this on your LAN. Type 'ipv6 install' into Run... (it's OK, it won't ruin your existing network setup) and then 'ipv6 /?' at the Command line to find out more. If you don't know what IPv6 is, don't worry and don't bother.

7. You can at last get rid of tasks on the computer from the command line by using 'taskkill /pid' and the task number, or just 'tskill' and the process number. Find that out by typing 'tasklist', which will also tell you much about what's going on in your system.

8. XP will treat Zip files like folders, which is nice if you've got a fast machine. On slower machines, you can make XP leave zip files well alone by typing 'regsvr32 /U zipfldr.dll' at the command line. If you change your mind later, you can put things back as they were by typing 'regsvr32 zipfldr.dll'.

9. XP has ClearType -- Microsoft's anti-aliasing font display technology -- but doesn't have it enabled by default. It's well worth trying, especially if you were there for DOS and all those years of staring at a screen have given you the eyes of an astigmatic bat.
To enable ClearType, right click on the desktop, select Properties, Appearance, Effects, select ClearType from the second drop-down menu and enable the selection. Expect best results on laptop displays. If you want to use ClearType on the Welcome login screen as well, set the registry entry HKEY_USERS/.DEFAULT/ControlPanel/Desktop/FontSmoothingType to 2.

10. You can use Remote Assistance to help a friend who's using network address translation (NAT) on a home network, but not automatically. Get your pal to email you a Remote Assistance invitation and edit the file. Under the RCTICKET attribute will be a NAT IP address, like 192.168.1.10. Replace this with your chum's real IP address -- they can find this out by going to WWW.whatismyip.Com -- and get them to make sure that they've got port 3389 open on their firewall and forwarded to the errant computer.

11. You can run a program as a different user without logging out and back in again. Right click the icon, select Run As... And enter the user name and password you want to use. This only applies for that run. The trick is particularly useful if you need to have
Administrative permissions to install a program, which many require. Note that you can have some fun by running programs multiple times on the same system as different users, but this can have unforeseen effects.

12. Windows XP can be very insistent about you checking for auto updates, registering a Passport, using Windows Messenger and so on. After a while, the nagging goes away, but if you feel you might slip the bonds of sanity before that point, run Regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced and create a DWORD value called EnableBalloonTips with a value of 0.

13. You can start up without needing to enter a user name or password. Select Run... from the start menu and type 'control userpasswords2', which will open the user accounts application. On the Users tab, clear the box for Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer, and click on OK. An Automatically Log On dialog box will appear; enter the user name and password for the account you want to use.

14. Internet Explorer 6 will automatically delete temporary files, but only if you tell it to. Start the browser, select Tools / Internet Options... and Advanced, go down to the Security area and check the box to Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when
Browser is closed.

15. XP comes with a free Network Activity Light, just in case you can't see the LEDs twinkle on your network card. Right click on My Network Places on the desktop, then select Properties. Right click on the description for your LAN or dial-up connection, select Properties, then check the Show icon in notification area when connected box. You'll now see a tiny network icon on the right of your task bar that glimmers nicely during network traffic.

16. The Start Menu can be leisurely when it decides to appear, but you can speed things along by changing the registry entry HKEY_CURRENT_USER/ControlPanel/Desktop/MenuShowDelay from the default 400 to something a little snappier. Like 0.

17. You can rename loads of files at once in Windows Explorer. Highlight a set of files in a window, then right click on one and rename it. All the other files will be renamed to that name, with individual numbers in brackets to distinguish them. Also, in a folder you
Can arrange icons in alphabetised groups by View, Arrange Icon By... Show In Groups.

18. Windows Media Player will display the cover art for albums as it plays the tracks -- if it found the picture on the Internet when you copied the tracks from the CD. If it didn't, or if you have lots of pre-WMP music files, you can put your own copy of the cover art in the same directory as the tracks. Just call it folder.jpg and Windows Media Player will pick it up and display it.

19. Windows key + Break brings up the System Properties dialogue box; Windows key + D brings up the desktop; Windows key + Tab moves through the taskbar buttons.

How to improve your English-speaking skill?

English is everyone’s need in this modern world. It has a status of “Lingua Franca”.As a non-native speaker, you cannot improve your English, specially spoken English, just by virtue of Observation only. Although you can improve your English and accent, by watching newscasters, movies and sitcoms but nothing is more effective then a professionally created accent reduction program.

Mostly people prefer a professionally made home study plan such as English GURU (famous in PAKISTAN and India).This kinds of courses are affordable and most importantly, a person learns at his/her own pace according to their understanding. There is no element of rush in it. These courses are usually consisted on different books, which teach a different level of English (like English for beginners, intermediates and professionals) and they include MP3 audio format in there course. This permits you to work on improving your English speaking skill. You can even practice English while driving to work or gym.

If you have an urgent need, you can buy a similar program mentioned above or you can take admission in any spoken English courses. But you have to have enough money to execute your plans. Tutors are also available to teach English skills. They usually set up programs that are like group discussions. These types of program can be effective in molding your vocal cords and reducing the impression of your native accent. These classes and tutoring programs are quite expensive so better keep a view on your pocket as well.

You will see your self that improvement in English will effect a lot of areas of your life. Being bilingual or trilingual in this modern era can be a huge plus point. If you have high-level English, you will see your confidence shooting up and up but if you have troubles with English idioms and grammar, you would not be able to succeed in business and your confidence will suffer. Many opportunities will open, as your English skills will improve.