Allah and Neuroplasticity of the brain

Contemplating Allah will change your brain! Surprise? Surprise no more. Allow me to explain. If you contemplate the Big Bang, or immerse yourself in the study of evolution – or choose to play a musical instrument, for that matter – you’ll change the neural circuitry in ways that enhance your cognitive health. But religious and spiritual contemplation changes your brain in profoundly different way because it strengthens a unique neural circuit that specifically enhances social awareness and empathy while subduing destructive feelings and emotions .
This is precisely the kind of neural change we need to make if we want to solve the conflicts that currently afflict our world. And the mechanism that allows these changes to occur relates to unique quality known as neuroplasticity: the ability of the human brain to structurally rearrange itself in response to a wide variety of positive and negative events .

In the last two years, advances in neuroscience have revolutionized the way we think about the brain. Rather than seeing it as an organ that slowly matures during the first two decades of life, then withers away as we age, scientists now look at the human brain as a constantly changing mass of activity. According to Akira Yoshii, a brain researcher at the MIT,’ the development of particular neurological connections or skills does not occur suddenly, appearing in short intervals after robust stimulation’. He further added that ‘ it is as if there is a single important trigger and then a functional circuit rapidly comes online’ .

The Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel, who proved that neurons never stop learning, demonstrated another important dimension of neuroplasticity. If you alter the environmental stimulus, the internal function of the nerve cells will change, causing them to grow new extensions called axons capable of sending different information to other parts of the brain . In fact every change in the environment – internal and external – will cause a rearrangement of cellular activity and growth. Even more interesting, every neurons has its own “mind”, so to speak, for it can decide whether to send signal , and if it does, how strong a signal to send .
If you contemplate (tafakkur) about Allah and learn more about Islam, you will develop more neurons, and indeed ‘islamize’ the neurons mind and the end results will be an islamic thought, feeling and behaviour. Imagine what will happen if Muslim Islamize their own neurons minds.

Ruqyah - Healing from the Quran and Sunnah: Towards building new neural paths

Ruqyah - Healing from the Quran and Sunnah: Towards building new neural paths

"And We sent down in the Qur'an that which is healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss". (Qur'an 17:82)

Lets talk about Ruqyah - matters relating to spiritual healing. Ruqyah is commonly translated in English as "incantation" which carries a negative meaning, since the word incantation is usually associated with magic, spells, and witchcraft. However, Ruqyah in Islam is the recitation of Qur'an, seeking of refuge, remembrance and supplications that are used as a means of treating sicknesses and other problems). Muslim psychologists integrate ruqyah in their psychological intervention and usually act as homework for their clients to practice. In my own practice as a psychologist I adopt and integrate this intervention with my muslim clients.

Ruqyah intervention could help in building new neural paths. Allow me to explain.

Imagine renting a cabin on a lake. The first time you walk from the cabin door to the fishing dock, you have to fight your way through chest high grass and weeds. What a mess! But as you return from the dock to the cabin, it's a bit easier - you've stomped down a bit of a path. By the end of the week, after walking back and forth a few dozen times a day, you've got a nice, wide thoroughfare from cabin to dock.

Neural paths work much the same way. The more you use them, the stronger, wider they could be. These pathways follow a perceive - process - output formula. For example perception ('No one will ever love me again') - process ("i cant do this, it is not fair, why should i suffer') - output (feel sad, hopelessness, helplessness, angry etc). Although most neural paths follow this perceive-process-output formula, there are few variations on the basic theme. Of these variations, the most important are what we might call hardwired or automatic paths. This hardwired response is created by a particular part of your nervous system which elicits fight-flight response (in which you are strengthening as well). But there is another aspect of our nervous system i.e., the parasympathetic nervous system which we always neglected i.e., relax and release response (R&R). This R&R like fight and flight response is hardwired into our brain. At some point – after the crisis is over, "after the saber-toothed tiger has been fought off" – your parasympathetic nervous system will kick in, to undo the flight-or-fight response. Blood will return to your extremeties, digestion will start up again, your pulse rate will come back to normal. This is where I'm heading to. To make use of the ruqyah to speed up the R&R process and further to enable your body to quickly switch to R&R whenever it’s needed. Memorizing the verses from quran and the do'a as taught by the prophet could help ready your body on on fight-flight mode but rather on the R&R mode. At any time, Insya Allah you're moving yourself a step closer to R&R response.


Below you can find some prayers and verses that we can memorize or read, or listen to for protection, healing and cure, Insya ALLAH.


Practical way of Ruqyah:
- In order to achieve effectiveness of this Ruqyah try to read these verses and prayers in an
audible voice, making sure you recite them in a good and beautiful way.

-while reading these verses and prayers, put in front of you a glass of water (to read them onto it). After you have finished, you may either drink the water or apply it on your tensed, or sored body parts. You may also put some of this water on your face, or on your chest. Try to relax and allow yourself feel a kind of reassurance, peace and godliness while doing this. You may read it on olive oil, melted honey, in plain water or Zamzam water.

- You must also have conviction that the ruqyah is going to benefit you, it will affect your body cells and improve your immune system. Be confident that you will recover sooner or later (if you’re sick). This Ruqyah could be a treatment for many unknown psychological diseases you may have not been aware of, but ALLAH will protect you, Insya ALLAH

- You may use this Ruqyah while you are on bed, sitting, standing, driving your car, or in any other conditions, as long as you are focusing on the verses, the verses' meanings, visualizing that your body is recovering, your psychological state is improving, disease has vanished and that you are active and full of energy. It is an important step which accelerates your recovery Insya Allah.

Non- Arabic speakers can use the English text only for supplication
but not for healing.

Here below you find the simple Ruqyah:

1. The Verses(Sûrah):
Sûrah Al-Fâtihah ….Read seven times
( بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ ( ١
( الْحَمْدُ لِلَّھِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِینَ ( ٢) الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ ( ٣) مَالِكِ یَوْمِ الدِّینِ ( ٤) إِیَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِیَّاكَ نَسْتَعِینُ ( ٥
( اھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیمَ ( ٦) صِرَاطَ الَّذِینَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّینَ ( ٧
1. In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
2. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that
exists).
3. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
4. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of
Resurrection).
5. You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
6. Guide us to the Straight Way.
7. The Way of those on whom you have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who
earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went
astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error).

The first five verses of Sûrah Al-Baqarah…Read one time
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
الم ( ١) ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَیْبَ فِیھِ ھُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِینَ ( ٢) الَّذِینَ یُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَیْبِ وَیُقِیمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا
رَزَقْنَاھُمْ یُنْفِقُونَ ( ٣) وَالَّذِینَ یُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَیْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآَخِرَةِ ھُمْ یُوقِنُونَ ( ٤) أُولَئِكَ
( عَلَى ھُدًى مِنْ رَبِّھِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ ھُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ( ٥
1. Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an and none but Allah
(Alone) knows their meanings.]
2. This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-
Muttaqûn [the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear Allah much (abstain from all
kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds
of good deeds which He has ordained)].
3. Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salâh (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of what
We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakât , spend on themselves, their parents, their
children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause -
Jihad].
4. And who believe in (the Qur'an and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to
you (O Muhammad) and in that which was sent down before you [the Taurât (Torah) and the
Injeel (Gospel), etc.] and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. (Resurrection,
recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell).
5. They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.

Ayat-al-Kursî (Sûrah Al-Baqarah-verse255) …Read three times
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
اللَّھُ لَا إِلَھَ إِلَّا ھُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَیُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَھُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي
یَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِھِ یَعْلَمُ مَا بَیْنَ أَیْدِیھِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَھُمْ وَلَا یُحِیطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِھِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ
كُرْسِیُّھُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا یَئُودُهُ حِفْظُھُمَا وَھُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِیمُ
Allah! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyum
(the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor
sleep overtakes Him.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.Who is He that
can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His
creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never
compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the
heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is
the Most High, the Most Great.

The last two verses of Sûrah Al-Baqarah ….. Read one time
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
آَمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَیْھِ مِنْ رَبِّ ھِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُ ونَ كُ لٌّ آَمَ نَ بِاللَّ ھِ وَمَلَائِكَتِ ھِ وَكُتُبِ ھِ وَرُسُ لِھِ لَ ا نُفَ رِّقُ بَ یْنَ أَحَ دٍ
مِنْ رُسُلِھِ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَیْكَ الْمَصِیرُ ( ٢٨٥ ) لَا یُكَلِّ فُ اللَّ ھُ نَفْ سًا إِلَّ ا وُسْ عَھَا لَھَ ا مَ ا
كَ سَبَتْ وَعَلَیْھَ ا مَ ا اكْتَ سَبَتْ رَبَّنَ ا لَ ا تُؤَاخِ ذْنَا إِنْ نَ سِینَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَ ا رَبَّنَ ا وَلَ ا تَحْمِ لْ عَلَیْنَ ا إِصْ رًا كَمَ ا حَمَلْتَ ھُ
عَلَ ى الَّ ذِینَ مِ نْ قَبْلِنَ ا رَبَّنَ ا وَلَ ا تُحَمِّلْنَ ا مَ ا لَ ا طَاقَ ةَ لَنَ ا بِ ھِ وَاعْ فُ عَنَّ ا وَاغْفِ رْ لَنَ ا وَارْحَمْنَ ا أَنْ تَ مَوْلَانَ ا
.( فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِینَ( ٢٨٦
285. The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his
Lord and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His
Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers"
- and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to you
is the return (of all)."
286. Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he
has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. "Our Lord! Punish us not
if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which you did lay on
those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we
have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our
Maulâ (Patron, Supporter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving
people."

Some verses from Sûrah Âl-‘Imrân….Read one time
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ ھَدَیْتَنَا وَھَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَھَّابُ
(They say): "Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after you have guided us,
and grant us mercy from you. Truly, you are the Bestower."

رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ ھَذَابَاطِلً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
"Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to you! (Exalted are you
above all that they associate with you as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the
Fire.

رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ مَنْ تُدْخِلِ النَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَیْتَھُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِینَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ
Our Lord! Verily, whom you admit to the Fire, indeed, you have disgraced him; and never
will the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) find any helpers.

Some Verses from Sûrah Yûnus…… Read seven times
قَالَ مُوسَى مَا جِئْتُمْ بِھِ السِّحْرُ إِنَّ اللَّھَ سَیُبْطِلُھُ إِنَّ اللَّھَ لَا یُصْلِحُ عَمَلَ الْمُفْسِدِینَ ( ٨١ ) وَیُحِقُّ اللَّھُ الْحَقَّ
بِكَلِمَاتِھِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ.
Mûsâ (Moses) said: "What you have brought is sorcery; Allah will surely make it of no effect.
Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidûn (the evil-doers, corrupters).*" And
Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimûn
(criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) may hate it."

A verse from Sûrah Ar-Ra‘d…Read seven times
( الَّذِینَ آَمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُھُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّھِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّھِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ ( ٢٨
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose
hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah: verily, in the remembrance of Allah do
hearts find rest.

Last four verses from Sûrah Al-Mu’minûn……Read one time
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَیْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ( ١١٥ ) فَتَعَالَى اللَّھُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ لَا إِلَھَ إِلَّا ھُوَ رَبُّ
الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِیمِ ( ١١٦ ) وَمَنْ یَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّھِ إِلَھًا آَخَرَ لَا بُرْھَانَ لَھُ بِھِ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُھُ عِنْدَ رَبِّھِ إِنَّھُ لَا یُفْلِحُ
الْكَافِرُونَ ( ١١٧ ) وَقُلْ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَیْرُ الرَّاحِمِینَ
115. Did you think that we had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you
would not be brought back to us?
116. So Exalted be Allah, the True King: Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be
worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!
117. And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilâh (God), of whom he
has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kâfirûn (the disbelievers in
Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, and idolaters) will not be successful.
118. And say (O Muhammad): "My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for you are the Best of
those who show mercy!"

A verse from Sûrah An-Nûr…….Read one time
اللَّھُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِیھَا مِصْبَاحٌ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّھَا كَوْكَبٌ
دُرِّيٌّ یُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَیْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِیَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِیَّةٍ یَكَادُ زَیْتُھَا یُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْھُ نَارٌ نُورٌ
( عَلَى نُورٍ یَھْدِي اللَّھُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ یَشَاءُ وَیَضْرِبُ اللَّھُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ وَاللَّھُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِیمٌ ( ٣٥
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were)
a niche and within it a lamp: the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from
a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays only in the morning)
nor of the west (i.e. nor it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun all
day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon
Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind,
and Allah is All-Knower of everything.

A verse from Sûrah As-Sâffât…….Read one time
إِنَّا زَیَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْیَا بِزِینَةٍ الْكَوَاكِبِ ( ٦) وَحِفْظًا مِنْ كُلِّ شَیْطَانٍ مَارِدٍ ( ٧) لَا یَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى الْمَلَإِ الْأَعْلَى
وَیُقْذَفُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ جَانِبٍ ( ٨) [ دُحُورًا وَلَھُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ... ٧ مرات ] ( ٩) إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ الْخَطْفَةَ
فَأَتْبَعَھُ شِھَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ
6. Verily we have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty).
7. And to guard against every rebellious devil.
8. They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.
9. Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment. (Read seven times)
10. Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming
fire of piercing brightness.

A verse from Sûrah Az-Zumar …….Read three times
قُلْ أَفَرَأَیْتُمْ مَا تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّھِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِيَ اللَّھُ بِضُرٍّ ھَلْ ھُنَّ كَاشِفَاتُ ضُرِّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ ھَلْ
( ھُنَّ مُمْسِكَاتُ رَحْمَتِھِ قُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّھُ عَلَیْھِ یَتَوَكَّلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ ( ٣٨
Say: "Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah - if Allah intended some harm
for me, could they remove His harm? Or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could
they withhold His Mercy?" Say: "Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust (i.e.
believers) must put their trust."

Last four verses from Sûrah Al-Hashr……Read three times
لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا ھَذَا الْقُرْآَنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَرَأَیْتَھُ خَاشِعًا مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْیَةِ اللَّھِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُھَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّھُمْ
یَتَفَكَّرُونَ ( ٢١ ) ھُوَ اللَّھُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَھَ إِلَّا ھُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَیْبِ وَالشَّھَادَةِ ھُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِیمُ ( ٢٢ ) ھُوَ اللَّھُ
الَّذِي لَا إِلَھَ إِلَّا ھُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُھَیْمِنُ الْعَزِیزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّھِ عَمَّا
یُشْرِكُونَ ( ٢٣ ) ھُوَ اللَّھُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَھُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى یُسَبِّحُ لَھُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضِ وَھُوَ الْعَزِیزُ الْحَكِیمُ
21. Had we sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling
itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to
mankind that they may reflect.
22. He is Allah, beside whom Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but
He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
23. He is Allah beside Whom Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but
He), the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher
over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is
He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong
the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-
Mighty, the All-Wise.

Last two verses from Sûrah Al-Qalam……Read three times
وَإِنْ یَكَادُ الَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا لَیُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَارِھِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَیَقُولُونَ إِنَّھُ لَمَجْنُونٌ ( ٥١ ) وَمَا ھُوَ إِلَّا
ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَمِینَ
51. and verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes (through
hatred) when they hear the Reminder (the Qur'an), and they say: "Verily, he (Muhammad) is
a madman!"
52. But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the ‘Alamîn (mankind, and jinn).

A verse from Sûrah Al-Burûj …….Read seven times
إِنَّ الَّذِینَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ یَتُوبُوا فَلَھُمْ عَذَابُ جَھَنَّمَ وَلَھُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِیقِ
Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them
and burning them), and then do not turn in repentance (to Allah), then they will have the
torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.

Sûrah Al-Ikhlâs...…Read eleven times
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
( قُلْ ھُوَ اللَّھُ أَحَدٌ ( ١) اللَّھُ الصَّمَدُ ( ٢) لَمْ یَلِدْ وَلَمْ یُولَدْ ( ٣) وَلَمْ یَكُنْ لَھُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ ( ٤
1. Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allah, (the) One.
2. Allah -us-Samad [Allah the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither
eats nor drinks)].
3. "He begets not, nor was He begotten.
4. "And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.

Sûrah Al-Falaq…..Read three times
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ( ١) مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ( ٢) وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ( ٣) وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي
( الْعُقَدِ ( ٤) وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ( ٥
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah), the Lord of the daybreak
2. "From the evil of what He has created.
3. "And from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as it
sets or goes away).
4. "And from the evil of those who practice witchcraft when they blow in the knots,
5. "And from the evil of the envier when he envies."

Sûrah An-Nâs……. Read three times
بِسْمِ اللَّھِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ( ١) مَلِكِ النَّاسِ ( ٢) إِلَھِ النَّاسِ ( ٣) مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ( ٤) الَّذِي
( یُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ( ٥) مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ ( ٦
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind.
2. "The King of mankind.
3. "The Ilâh (God) of mankind.
4. "From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who
withdraws (from his whispering in one’s heart after one remembers Allah).
5. "Who whispers in the breasts of mankind.
6. "Of jinn and men."

2. Prophetic prayers:
It is advisable to repeat these prayers below. Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings be
upon him) was keen to say these prayers in case of illness.

Repeat this Prayer three times
. العلیم السمیع وھو السماء في ولا الأرض في شيء اسمھ مع یضرُّ لا الذي بسم الله
In the name of Allah with whose Name nothing is harmful neither on Earth nor in the
Heavens and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing

A prayer to recover from disease…. Say it seven times
بسم الله
In the name of Allah... Say it three times

وأحاذِر أجد ما شرّ من وقدرتھ بالله أعوذ
I seek refuge in Allah and His Power from the evil of what I find and I fear.

Read this Prayer seven Times
یشفیَني أن العظیم العرش ربَّ العظیم الله أسألُ
I ask Almighty God, lord of the mighty throne, to heal me

Prayer of Wellness... Repeat it as much as you can
والآخرة الدنیا في والعافیة العفو أسألك إني اللھم

God, I ask you for pardon and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.

Note:
Within these verses of Qur'an Allah blessed with secrets of healing and success,
therefore, it is advisable to memorize and read them every day.
Sûrah Al-Baqarah , Sûrah Al-An’âm, Sûrah Ar-Ra‘d , Sûrah Yâ-Sîn, Sûrah Az-Zumar,
Sûrah Al-Burûj, Sûrah Az-Zalzalah are great Sûrahs and you may not discover the
greatness of these verses until you have the time to experience them by listening or
reciting them regularly. Therefore, we ask you to read these Verses at least once a month.

Qur’an speaks about lie detectors

Qur’an speaks about lie detectors
By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

Every time when scientists discover a scientific fact or invent an apparatus, we find that Qur’an has already precisely spoken about it. How wouldn’t it be so, and it is the Book of miracles and facts…

Scientists are trying to invent apparatus to discover lie when speaking since more than hundred years. Nevertheless, all these attempts failed because they did not know lie mechanism. They tried all kinds of tests on man to find out the apparatus that can detect lie, thus, they use it when enquiring with criminals.

Many experiences have been done in this context. At last, they could discover the best three manners to detect lie, visual, auditory and magnetic methods.

You may be astonished dear reader, if you know that Qur’an has already obviously spoken about these three methods!

1. Visual method :

Some researchers have noticed some facial changes when speaking. Thus, they experienced it by photographing a man telling truth, and just in the lying moment, specific features appear on his face, which are different from those appearing in the truth state. But, these features are very rapid that human being eye cannot see. They used rapid photography to conceive these changes, and then, they showed it slowly and noticed the face features obviously changing when lying.

Scientists confirm that the body movements change when lying, too. This has been confirmed when they studied the called ‘’body language’’. Hence, everyone expresses himself through hands, body and face movements. They say that the body language differs from a person to another and changes when lying. Because, no one can control his body movements when speaking.

2. Auditory method:

However, some scientists bent over human sound! They recorded the sound of a person saying truth, and just at the moment of lying the sound vibrations change, i.e. the recorded sound waves have two forms: (i) truth state, (ii) lying state, with an evident difference.

They confirm that everyone has his own voice print and eye print, and Glorified be Allah, when lying, the eye, the voice and the body express the person. However, and due to these changes speed, we cannot clearly observe them, and often cannot see at all. Whereas, the invented apparatus can clearly show these changes.

3. Magnetic method:

A team of scientists tried to enter in the human brain to know what happens when a person lies. To do so, they used the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) apparatus, an apparatus that works by magnetic waves and can detect the brain activation.

Scientists have done many experiences and found out then, that the frontal region of the brain is more strongly activated when the person lies. So, they detected lie by this apparatus and imaging the cerebral activity in this region.


Scientists tried since tens of years to invent lying detectors, but they remained less effective, so they are constantly looking for new means to detect lying.


The polygraph is an instrument to measure heart rate(pulse), perspiration (sweating), breathing rate and blood pressure. Scientists noticed that these rates change while lying. But this instrument is not accurate, because a professional liar can beat these changes.



Polygraph traditional experience to detect lie. This apparatus has enormously progressed; however, its effectiveness hasn’t reached the wanted level of accuracy yet. Because, man can be trained to lie and beat these changes. Hence, this instrument is no longer accurate. But, scientists say it is more effective detecting fear than lie.



Lie detectors instruments detect many changes in a person body while lying. These changes can be reflected on the face, the voice and the eyes. These results are to be recorded by the traditional lie detector. Lie detectors are instruments that monitor a person's physiological reactions; heart rate, blood pressure, activity, etc., and shows it in the computer screen. These instruments are so available for their cheap price and easy use.



Vocal lie detector. This instrument records the voice when the person is telling truth, and then when lying. With a particular program these recorded voices will be compared to determine whether the person is lying or telling truth, by taking in consideration voice graphs recorded by the instrument.



A new voice analysis lie detector. Scientists passed more than hundred years experiencing to discover this new method. A slit voice change has been confirmed at the moment of lying, this is to say that Allah the Almighty put in each person liar indicator. Glorified be Allah, despite of all these wonderful facts, some say that man has been created and done all this system thanks to the nature!



These instruments record the voice and then, analyze it and look for the parts where the person made en effort, i.e. there is s lit change of voice that appears in this program just at the moment of lying. The Qur’an has already told us about this, saying : ‘’ and indeed you would definitely know them by the distortion in their saying’’



Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) apparatus has shown some fundamental regions in the brain that become activated at the moment of lying. These regions are the prefrontal, the frontal and the under cervical zone, that Qur’an called forelock, and told us that this forelock is the centre of lie and sin, a fact that scientists have recently discovered.

Let’s consider now the holy Qur’an to discover that the basis of the invention of these apparatus has been mentioned in. This is one from this Book miracles, because the west scientists confirm that no one knew about all what they are discovering today, so where did this come from in the holy Qur’an ? This proves that the Revealer of this Qur’an knows the secret and what is hidden, He said ‘’Surely for Allah nothing (whatever) in the earth or in the heaven is concealed.’’ ‍(5 :Surat Al Imran (The House of Imran))

Miraculous fact :

Allah (Glorified be Allah) says in a great verse speaking to His Messenger the Prophet Mohamed (All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him): ‘’ And if We had (so) decided, We would indeed have shown them to you. Then you would indeed recognize them by their marks, and indeed you would definitely know them by the distortion in their saying, and Allah knows your deeds. ‘’(30 :Surat Muhammad)

This verse speaks about those hypocrites, those liars. It tells the Prophet they are liars and Allah is able to unveil their lie and their hate to the Prophet and the believers. Let’s see together how did the verse express lie detection among those liars in two ways:

1. Allah the Almighty Says : ‘’ And if We had (so) decided, We would indeed have shown them to you. Then you would indeed recognize them by their marks’’, that is to say that Allah the Almighty, if he decides, capable to show His Messenger those liars through their facial marks. This obviously indicates lie detecting way through the face. This verse confirms that it is possible to detect lie trough facial marks, a method that scientists are today using by their instruments.

2. Regarding the second part of the noble verse: ‘’and indeed you would definitely know them by the distortion in their saying’’, it clearly indicates lie detecting through the voice ‘’ the distortion in their saying’’. The word distortion ‘’lahn’’ in Arabic language means the slit change in the voice when speaking. Hence, the verse indicated the auditory method to detect lie through the voice.

3. As far as the third method is concerned, scientists confirmed that the frontal region of the brain becomes activated while lying. This fact has been indicated in the Holy Qur’an, when Allah described the forelock saying: ‘’A lying, sinful forelock’’(16: Surat Al-Alaq (the Clot)).

Therefore, Allah described the human forelock, or the frontal part of the head, by lie, a fact that scientists confirm today through their instruments.

4. There is another method to detect lie by imaging the temperature aura around the eyes. US-researchers confirm at Mayo Clinic, that when a person is lying, the blood flow rate increases in his face, especially around the eyes, causing then, a slit temperature increase around the eyes. This change can be recorded by the lie detector.

Therefore, the eyes can betray the others, hence, Allah (Glorified be Him) told us that He knows the treacherous of the eyes. The eye can hide rapid actions that cannot be visible, but not from Allah. He decided the invention of these instruments by man to be a proof that His word is true. Allah’s knowledge is bigger than the man one! Allah said about Himself :‘’He knows the treacherous (look) of the eyes and whatever the breasts conceal.’’ (19:Ghafir).

How to answer to those who deny this miracle:

Some doubtful persons pretend that the forelock region or the frontal part of the brain has no relation with lying. Whereas others are pretending that the sin region is different from the lie one. So, I considered worthy to expose the experience results done by researchers at the Pennsylvania university on 18 students. The results are as follow:

When the students lied, the areas of the brain that play a role in paying attention and controlling error were much more active than when the students told the truth. The brain sections include the anterior cingulate gyrus, located deep in the brain towards the top of the head, and parts of the prefrontal and premotor cortexes, both located in the very front of the brain.

Let’s see, dear readers, how do they interpret their experience that the sin responsible region is the same region activated when lying, which is at the top, the frontal part in the brain nearest point to the front. This very part is called forelock in the Qur’an, and described by two words: lie and sin : ‘’A lying, sinful forelock’’. Are there more expressive words than Allah’s words describing this region mission?

Through west scientists’ words, I can see an explanation to what has been mentioned in the Qur’an. There, the forelock is described by sin and lie. After précised experiences, scientists say that the frontal top region in the brain near the head or the front, is the region responsible for sin operation, and is the same one controlling lie. This is to say that man forelock (non believer person of course) is lying and sinful forelock!!

Whereas the forelock of a believer is clean and becomes activated only towards Allah, as the prophets used to do. The Prophet says imploring Allah: ‘’my forelock is between Your hands’’, and the prophet Hûd says: ‘’ Surely I have put my trust in Allah, (Literally: I entrust “my self” to Allah) my Lord and your Lord; in no way is there any beast whatever except that He is taking it by the forelock. Surely my Lord is on a straight Path.’’ (56:Hûd)

So dears, you have to maintain this region and avoid lying. Man can betray a man, but can never do so with the Creator of man, Glorified be Allah.

Also, I say if with unconscious machines man could detect lie, what about the Lord of the seven heavens, doesn’t He know what is in the breasts and what is hidden? He said: ‘’He knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows whatever you keep secret and whatever you make public; and Allah is Ever-Knowing of the inmost (thoughts within) the breasts (Literally: what the breasts own).’’ (4:At-Taghabun).

Finally, it is clear that the Qur’an enumerated all small and great things, as everyday we witness new reality proving what did the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) say about this Book: ((this Book) with unlimited miracles) (reported by At-Tarmidhi). Allah’s words secrets remain unlimited according to what Allah says:’’ And if whatever tree (s) in the earth were pens, and the sea (and) seven more seas even after it (were) to replenish it, (yet) in no way would the Words of Allah be depleted. Surely Allah is Ever-Mighty, Ever-Wise.’’ (27: Luqman).

--------------------


References:

1. Mind Reading By MRI Scan Raises, www.telegraph.co.uk.

2. http://www.dr-mcginnis.com/how_it_works.htm

3. http://www.pimall.com/NAIS/truster.html

4. http://www.lie-detection.com/

5. Are they lying? Functional MRI holds the answer, scientists say , http://www.uthscsa.edu/opa/issues/new35-16/fMRI.html

6. http://mri.kennedykrieger.org/sitemap/quant.html

7. http://www.blifaloo.com/info/lies_eyes.php

8. http://www.apa.org/releases/deception.html

9. http://www.learnbodylanguage.org/body_language_lying.html

10. Can fMRI Really Tell If You're Lying?, http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=new-lie-detector

11. Brain Scans Can Detect Lying, http://preventdisease.com/news/articles/brain_scans_detect_lying.shtml

12. http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/liars/default.htm

Islam, Life and Psychology

How To Boost Your IQ

Maximising brain power can be as simple as making a few lifestyles tweaks. Below are some top tips:

1. Being Sociable (+ 3 IQ points) – Intelligence is much more than being good at maths and languages. According to the psychologist, Howard Gardner, there are nine types of intelligence ranging from sensitivity to the natural world, to the capacity to think in three dimensions. One of the most significant types is social intelligence – the ability to understand and interact with others. Psychologist cum writer, Daniel Goleman argues that in modern society, outstanding leaders need a combination of self-mastery and social intelligence. He cites that research showing that high social intelligence predicts how well banking executives do in their annual appraisals. In 1999, US researchers studied nearly 3000 elderly people and correlated their mental status with the number of social contacts they had. Those with no social contacts were approximately twice likely to develop cognitive problems compared to those with five or six social contacts.

2. Getting an education (+ 3 IQ points) – The relationship between education and intelligence is two-way street. In both directions, it’s positive. Firstly, children with higher intelligence test scores tend to do better at school – they are less likely to drop out and are more likely to attend university. Secondly, there is increasing evidence that schooling itself has an impact on mental abilities. The most obvious examples of this are tests such as A-Levels, which are designed to measure school learning. But it is also true of intelligence tests themselves. Generally speaking, the more schooling you have the better your IQ score will become. On the other hand, interruptions to school have a detrimental effect. Children who attend school intermittently get lower IQ scores than those who go regularly. Amazingly, test scores even drop over the summer holidays when learning tends to be replaced by fun in the sun.

3. Cohabiting ( + 2 IQ points) – Swedish researchers have found that people who live alone from midlife are almost three times as likely to develop cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease, compared to those who live with a partner. Researchers started with the idea that remaining socially active can protect cognitive functions. They reasoned that marriage is particularly important as they force us to adapt to another person’s needs and perspectives. So they gathered data from a group of people in Finland over a period of more than two decades. At the end of the study, in 1998, 1432 of the participants aged 65 to 75 were evaluated for signs of cognitive impairment. From this group 139 people were diagnosed with cognitive impairment, and 53 with Alzheimer’s disease. People who were not living with a spouse or partner were as twice as likely to have some level of cognitive impairment. Perhaps this points to the effect of combining psychological trauma with a lack of social and intellectual stimulation.

4. Napping ( + 1 IQ points) – Staying at hte top of your mental game during a long working day can be tough going. The good news is that taking a brief nap can make a world of difference to your cognitive abilities. An Australian research team studied the impact of a 10-minute nap on the alertness and cognitive function of 16 healthy volunteers. They found that a brief kip left to participants noticeably more alert and better able to perform tests of their mental functions. The same research team found that the benefits of a 10-minute nap seemed to outstrip improvements after a 30-minute nap. The trick to successful napping seems to be ensuring you get enough sleep to rejuvenate yourself , without entering deep sleep that leaves you groggy afterwards.

5. Crafts ( + 1 IQ points) – Crafts such as pottery and quilting have joined the list of activities that can help reduce your risk of memory loss in old age. Scientist from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota studied 197 people aged 70 to 89 who either had signs of mild cognitive impairment or who had been diagnosed with memory loss. They compared them with 1124 people in the same age bracket who had no signs of memory problems. Both groups are asked to describe their daily activities within the past year and in middle age, when they were between 50 and 65 years old. During their later years, those who had done craft activities such as pottery or quilting, or other mentally stimulating activities, had a 30 to 50 per cent lower risk of developing memory loss than people who did not do those activities.

The Prophet’s Practice During Ramadhan

The sahabah used to say that with the start of ramadhan they would note an increase in three things in the practice of the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet would dramatically increase his worship, despite the fact that his normal worship was such that his noble feet would swell from standing in prayer for extensive periods of time. He was tremendously generous in giving for the sake of Allah, and during this month he would open his heart and hands even more in charity. He would increase his weeping in front of Allah in fear and humility, seeking repentance.

Increasing worship, charity and supplication are prophetic examples that all muslims should strive to follow with sincerity. Muslims tire their bodies everyday in their work, but there should be at least some time during their lifetime when the body gets exhausted in worship. There should come a time when the eyes long for sleep, but the worshipper reminds himself that struggling to stay awake seeking Allah’s pleasure will earn him the honour of looking upon Allah in Paradise. The eyes that stay awake now will sleep soundly in grave. Only after death do restless hearts find peace. Only he sleeps soundly who remained awake.

Ramadhanis the month of staying awake during the night in worship. Believers should accustom themselves to less rest and sleep and respect this month for the holy month of struggle, sacrifice and immense blessing that it is.

Islamic Solution to Depression

Islamic Solution to Depression:

* Defining Goal of life: Islam teaches us that we should focus our goal on succeeding in our life to come after this life. If we emphasize on the transitory nature of this worldly life-then most of our problems of this life lose it’s importance in our lives and subsequently lose their power of a having negative impact on us.
* With difficulty, comes ease.
* Everyone needs a support system, and everyone needs a best friend, and everyone need role models.
* God never burdens a soul more than it can bear.
* Develop gratitude for the blessings that God has given you.
* A depressed person needs a source to turn to, turn to God for help, support, mercy and forgiveness.
* If there is a God, and there is, only good will become of the negative situation one finds themselves in.
* Find out purpose and value in your life and in everything that you’re going through.
* Incorporate prayer in your schedule at least twice a day. Talk to God.
* Live one day at a time.
* Surrender your unmanageable problems and things over which you’ve lost control of to God.
* Always Hope in Allah’s mercy.
* Get involved with your religious organizations, charities, or some other volunteer work
* One should say “al-hamdu lillah” a few hundred times a day. A phrase in the Arabic language that means “All praise and gratitude for God”. Muslims say this phrase when they are in difficult situations.
* If we think it is a bad situation, it could have been worse. If we think it is a good situation, it is still a test for us. Everything is from God and we should praise Him often. Thanking Him is one way to praise Him—al-hamdu lillah.
* Each one of us came to this world for a purpose
* Exercise
* Nutrition
* Sleep well
* Read
* Contemplate
* Write a Journal
* Reconnect with your lost relationships
* Spend time in nature
* REMEMBER THE “SOME BASIC TRUTHS”