Issue 60 (October - December 2007)

In all of existence the human being stands out with one major quality: free will. Together with many other superior qualities, like speech and intellect, humans were also blessed with this priceless characteristic in the heaven. Free will played the major role in “the descent”and the curtain was ra…

Having free will-which we can briefly describe as the power or inclination to make a decision whether to do something or not-is a distinctive element of being human and is the very essential of ethical conduct. Without this concept we can talk about neither virtue nor being human. Cognizance of fre…

The Sun consists of three parts: the interior, the outer layer, and the solar atmosphere. The outer layer of the Sun is similar to the boundary that exists between the Earth and its atmosphere. The core is denser than the outer layer. It is possible to observe the outer layer of the Sun, but it is…

How often do we hear the words “I hate maths” or “I don’t want to do my homework” and “I don’t like school.” Just imagine how a carer or parent who is concerned and exerts a great deal of time and effort feels when they find the child still refuses to respond positively towards learning. “Why is m…

We see a wall. It seems to be solid, made of one piece, as if it is covered with plaster. If we scrape off the plaster, we can see that the wall consists of hundreds of Stones (or bricks), proportionally cut and placed, one on top of the other. When we take a piece of stone and closely examine it…

One has only to visit a place such as the Gallipoli Mosque at Auburn and receive the welcome and hospitality offered by the Muslim community to all comers to experience the rich contribution that Muslims are making to our Australian society. As Christians, Muslims, and Jews mingle there one is remi…

The blood that is carried away from the heart to all the parts of the body by the cardiovascular system plays a vital role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body. While the smooth flow of blood without any blockage is crucial to the distribution of nutrients to the tissues…

Scientists are always trying to find more effective ways of making high performance materials with minimum consumption of energy and resources, minimum waste production and, of course, maximum functionality. In other words, they are trying to make materials that are economically viable, environment…

Every human being is endowed with an inquisitive nature; there is an innate quest to find answers to the existential questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I go? Those who pursue answers to these burning questions seek to attain knowledge of their Creator through the scriptures…

The order, ingenuity, and simultaneous complexity and simplicity of the human organs are simply marvelous. The wonder one feels only increases when the organ for hearing, the ear, is examined. Not only are the organ structures and operation principles amazing, but the atomic level of sensitivity to…

A person is not a machine that can remain indifferent to their surroundings. It is a duty for every person to work for their parents and relatives if they are a child or for their children if they are parents. In fact, a person should work for all of humanity, regardless or not, based purely on the…

Question: What benefits can the month of Ramadan provide for us to become disciplined people? What good habits should we develop during this month? Discipline means the directions and prohibitions, as well as the rational, ethical and spiritual training one must abide by. It is the “spirit of orde…

Firar, which literally means to run away from something, is used in Sufism to denote the journey from the created to the Creator, sheltering from the “shadow” in the “original,”1 and renouncing the “drop” of water in order to plunge into the “ocean.”2 Further, it means discontent with the piece of…

First came to realize my power to distinguish paper people in a formal talk at the university. The speaker was going to great lengths to present his seminal contribution to an age old question, and a number of people in the audience were utterly impressed by his findings while the rest were still t…

The Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923 between the allied powers and the Turks in the aftermath of World War I, still prevails on the Turkish agenda. While on the one hand, some celebrate this treaty, arguing that it marks Turkish independence from the invading powers, others are critical about it…