Abstract

In this fleeting, temporary, Earthly, material life, mankind does not have much opportunity of direct communion with Allah Most High. True dreams, if in fact they are true, are one way of receiving holy messages [other -more important- ways are: actually being spoken to by God {as in the case of the Prophet Musa (S.A.} and 'physical revelation ' by means of the Angel Jibraeel (A.S.) {as in the case of Muhammed (S.A.)}]. In this paper, pious dreams of reward in the Hereafter are presented to show readers, in an exemplary fashion, as to which particular kind of dreams one should aspire.

Introduction & Method

An explanation of how, precisely, 'dreams' as a topic fit into the religion of Islam has already been provided in the introductions to the publications DREAMS IN ISLAM and VISIONS OF PARADISE. This paper will progress a stage further and give specific examples of 'AL-BUSHRA' - the 'glad tidings' promised to true believers in the Holy Quran.

I have used myself as the subject of this research because, firstly, I do benefit from religious dreams [I am fortunate enough, Mash'Allah, to have experienced them since childhood, although almost all of these holy dreams became significantly emphatic from 1984 onwards] and, secondly, I write down such dreams as soon as possible after they occur. Normally, this would be as soon as I wake up, or later on the same day, or [if I have been feeling rather lazy!] in the next few days after that. 

These dreams are overwhelmingly literal -because they are true in the rigid sense- and, therefore, don't require interpretation.  However, in relevant cases, I have cited interpretations from Ibn Sireen's book [see bibliography] to give the reader even more understanding of the subject of the dream concerned e.g. the exact significance of seeing a Garment of Paradise. I do not forget two traditions of the Holy Prophet [S.A.]:

a] No-one can see Paradise itself, in a dream or in a state of full consciousness. 'In Paradise is what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard of, and what the mind of man cannot perceive.' [Muslim]

b] There is no rigid guarantee that one who dreams of Paradise will be granted Paradise. 'A man can be an arm's length away from Paradise and go to Hell, or be an arm's length away form Hell and then be granted Paradise.' [Muslim] Therefore, I regularly ask Allah Most High for forgiveness for my sins, though I look with anticipation towards Allah's Mercy! Even though there is no absolute guarantee of Paradise, we should believe in these dreams because of the 'AL-BUSHRA' promise. Belief in these dreams is a matter of faith, just as believing in the Unseen [e.g. Allah's Angels] is a precondition to the possession of faith.

These are not the only dreams of Paradise that I have experienced. I have selected only a few of all of those that I have written down, but these are definitely amongst the most important ones. The actual rule for revealing precious dreams -in the words of the Holy Prophet [S.A.]- is to only 'reveal them to a person whom one likes' [Muslim]. However, I have presented them here for the sake of example, and scholarship. If readers are able to reach the stage where they experience this kind of dream for themselves, then my purpose will have been fulfilled. For the Holy Prophet [S.A.] has said: 'None of you is truly a believer unless he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.' [Muslim]

When I wake up from these dreams, I feel at peace and content. I have become spiritually aware of the existence of The Superior and Capable Power that Allah Most High is. I feel as if I have come back into a troublesome, dull, selfish and artificial world from a powerful, dominant, 'sharper' and real one.

When these dreams of Reward in Paradise are read, the reader may gain the impression that all in my earthly life is well. In fact, I experienced these dreams amidst turbulent viccissitudes of my life - amidst, at times, unspeakable distress. Likewise, members of my immediate family who appear in some of the dreams have also had their fair share of troubles and problems. We all have to realise the words of the Holy Prophet [S.A.]: 'Paradise is surrounded by hardships and Hell by pleasures.' Also, 'The world for a true believer is like a prison [i.e. his/her whims are subject to restriction]. [Muslim] But to have actually seen these dreams is compensation indeed! The adversity has not, of course, ended and perhaps it will continue till my last breath. But I take heed of the philosophy of Imam Ghazali R.A., who explained that, when something bad happens to a person, this negative event is actually a blessing because, if it had not happened, then something worse would have happened instead.

ABBREVIATIONS

S.A. 'SALLALAHO ALAIHI WAS SALEM' - 'MAY THE PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM'

A.S. 'ALAIHI SALAAM' - 'UPON HIM BE PEACE'

R.A. 'RADHIALLAHO ANHO ALAIHI - 'MAY ALLAH BE PLEASE WITH HIM'

A.H. 'AFTER HIJRA' - THE ISLAMIC CALENDER BEGINS FROM THE 'HIJRA', THE FLIGHT OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMED [S.A.] FROM MECCA TO MEDINA ['THE CITY OF THE PROPHET']

SPECIAL NOTE

TO SEE THE TEXTS MENTIONED IN THIS PAPER -'DREAMS IN ISLAM', 'PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE', 'VISIONS OF PARADISE', 'POETRY'- PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE: http://www.dr-umar-azam.com/

THE DREAMS OF REWARD IN PARADISE

DREAM NO 1: 16TH SEPTEMBER 1988

I dreamt that the reward for giving one's parents [outright] most of one's earnings is a Robe in Paradise, a Robe whose colours change into differing colours.

Context

From 1984, I had worked as a freelance, private tutor of mathematics and English Language to school-age children. I had given most of the fees, that I had earned, to my mother, for the benefit of the whole family.

Interpretation

'Dreaming of oneself as having donned the Garments of Paradise means that the dreamer will prosper in both the worlds. All his legimate desires shall be fulfilled in both the worlds.' Ibn Sireen p.25

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DREAM NO 2: 15 JUNE 1995

In my dream, I asked someone who had read my booklet PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE to give me their comment. That person revealed that Allah Almighty has made a Paradise especially for me, and given it a special Name

Context: 

I had distributed hundreds of copies of PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE, mainly to the younger generation of Muslims - those at school, college and University. Readers had filled in the comments sheet at the back of the booklet, and I was pleased and encouraged to read their grateful comments. Allah revealed something in this dream that no reader could have told me.

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DREAM NO 3: 27 AUGUST 1995

Someone tod me that they had had a dream about me:as my Reward for writing and distributing PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE, Allah Almighty would be giving me Palaces in the next world [Paradise], and each Palace would be physically as large as this world [the planet Earth]!

Interpretation

'If a person sees himself as entering Paradise, it is a glad tiding that he will surely enter Paradise, and that all his good actions are definitely accepted by Allah'. Ibn Sireen p.24

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DREAM NO 4:    FRIDAY 3 JANUARY 1997

A medical doctor gave me the message that I would be getting 100 Palaces in Paradise!

Context

I had been ill for several years, but had still managed to keep on helping my parents financially and concentrating on my Islamic work [despite my problems].

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Dream No 5: Saturday 4th January 1997

My father asked me, 'You've got 70 or 80 Palaces in Paradise, I believe?' I replied, 'No - I have 100!' [In a later scene]my father told me, Whatever you want in Paradise, you can have!' [He was emphasising the word 'whatever'].     

Note:  Speech has been translated from the oral Punjabi in the dream.

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Dream No. 6: Sunday 5th January 1997

I dreamt that my servants in Paradise were working on my vegetable crops in the celestial fields. I had argued with my youngest sister in worldly life so, as penitance, I would have to liberate three servants in Paradise. [In a later scene] I was given the message that this sister could see my trophies growing in Paradise.

Context

Insh'Allah, these trophies will be a reward for all the Islamic work that I have been doing since May 1984 [from which date my work is officially documented], even though I have been doing such work from the age of 17, when I was in VI Form at school [in 1978-9].

Dream No 7: Saturday 4th May 1997

I dreamt that, towards the end of the world, 100 Jannats [Gardens of Paradise] will be unveiled, and they will be located at a position in the Universe near to the Earth.

Dream No 8: Wedbesday 11th June 1997

Idreamt that my youngest sister experienced a dream in which she saw our father's, Mohammed Azam's, House being built in Paradise. There had been a 'revolution' in our family, and he was now more religious than I.

Dream No 9: November 1996

I had two dreams on different nights in this month. Each dream contained a simple message that my brothers's visions [VISIONS OF PARADISE] are true.

Context

These visions contain messages of Reward in Paradise that Insh'Allah I will be getting. They are so fantsastic that they seem to be fairy tales!  Although only 55 of them have been published in VISIONS OF PARADISE, there are actually more than 333 of them!

Dream No10: Wednesday 3rdSeptember 1997

My brother and mother were leaning on my chest for comfort. My mother spoke in distress. She said, 'All my life, I have seen unhappiness, not joy!' I replied, 'Don't worry - we will get everything in the next world [Paradise]!'  

Note: Speech has been translated from the oral Punjabi in the dream.

Dream No 11: Monday 8th September 1997

In my dream, I was walking through a dark and frightening area, and I was afraid that I might see a CHOREIL [female demon]. Then I was told in the dream that it is far better to see a HUR [maiden from Paradise, created of Light] than the CHOREIL!

Dream No 12: Wednesday 4th January 1998

I dreamt that there was a certain person who had already passed Allah's Test, was already Blessed, yet he was still living the worldly life unremarkably. So he was in the admirable position of awaiting [certain] Salvation and Reward in the Hereafter. He had made 'Passing the Test' and 'Being Blessed' look so easy because of his capable character.

Dream No 13: Wednesday 21st January 1998: The Holy Month of Ramadhan 1417 A.H.

I dreamt that my brother, Zaheer, was reading part of a message that someone had sent to me. He read, 'May Allah Bless You!' I read the same message to him in return!

Context

Mash'Allah, many readers of my literature have have expressed their gratitude to me for giving them Islamic knowledge by giving me their sincere DUAS [prayers]. The following comment from a reader of PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE is an example:

 'Being a Muslim, I found that this booklet helped me to realise some of the importances of Islam....I think the booklet is useful and good. I think that what you are doing [writing and distributing Islamic literature] is a good deed and may Allah Almighty bless you.' REENA, LEVENSHULME HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, MANCHESTER (UK). [29 JUNE 1995]

Dream No 14: Saturday 24th January 1998: The Holy Month of Ramadhan, 1417 A.H.

I dreamt that I was writing up another of my dreams in my PERSONAL ISLAMIC DREAMS manuscript. I wrote:

Dream No 41: I HAD A DREAM THAT ALLAH MOST HIGH GAVE MY BROTHER THE MESSAGE, 'MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU 2,000,000 [TWO MILLION] TIMES!

Context

Before going to sleep, I had read a copy of my booklet PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE almost from cover to cover.

Dream No 15: Wednesday 28th January 1998: Last Day of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, 1417 a.h.

First, I had an inspirational Message that Allah Most High has blessed me 23,000,000 [twenty-three million] times! [Later] I dreamt that I was telling this fact to my brother!

Context

I had had a dream previously that Allah would bless my brother 2,000,000 [two million] times (see Dream No 14 above)! Although I felt extremely happy for my brother, I also felt miserable and hurt that Allah Almighty had not given me a similar Message about myself! I had been telling my brother, before this dream came, that Allah is Just and, because I had done far more Islamic work than he had, I would surely get a Reward from Allah commensurate with my effort. This dream confirms that Allah is both Merciful and Just!

Dream No 16: Sunday 1st February 1998

My brother said to me excitedly, 'Guess what? I've had a vision far better than your dreams that I will be blessed 2,000,000 [two million] times and that you will be blessed all those times [twenty three million times]! I had a vision that, in the Heavens, there will be Buildings in the shape of those of Manchester Grammar School, and on each side of them will be a Celestial CHADAR [check-patterned, cotton cloth used in all areas of the Muslim world] and Something of 130,000,000 [one hundred and thirty million] on each side [ie 130,000,000 Palaces or 130, 000,000 Rewards of some kind {some unknown factor}].

Context

I had donated my book DREAMS IN ISLAM to the Library of Manchester Grammar School but the School's Head Master, Dr Stephen, returned it to me, saying there was no place for it in the School. He also told me that he did not agree with some of the contents of my book. There followed a 'battle of correspondences' and the whole issue caused me grief, anger and resentment. I was consoled by the compensation offered in this dream!

Dream No 17: Saturday 14th February 1998

I dreamt that I had died, and my soul was flying through the air. I was welcomed into the world of the dead by the soul of the Prophet Muhammed [PBUH].

Context

Two days earlier, I had visited Hopwood Hall College in Middleton, Rochdale (UK), to distribute my PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE booklets to students. I had encountered problems with some staff and students, suffering hurt and dejection! But I felt better after reading some of the pleasant comments, of the College students, which testified that my work was valuable. This is one example:

'Very interesting and useful. I have found out a lot. I have realised my lack of knowledge in the area. I passed the booklet onto others, who also thought the same. I would like to read it further.' MISS RAZNA BIBI [12 FEBRUARY 1998]

Dream No 18: Date Not Recorded

I dreamt that there was a dinner party at Sandringham and a HUR-PARI [Maiden of Paradise, Created of Light] attended it.

Interpretation

'Gardens, Rivers and Damsels of Paradise suggest that the dreamer will prosper in both the worlds, the extent of his prosperity depending on how much of the above he sees.' Ibn Sirren p.25

Context

I had sent a copy of DREAMS IN ISLAM to Her Majesty The Queen in the past. Her Majesty's letter of thanks was sent from Sandringham Palace.

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DREAM NO. 19                     

I was given the message that my reward for writing and distributing this article { DREAMS OF REWARD IN PARADISE} is so great that it is incalculable.

Note: I had this dream a few weeks after writing this article.

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CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

It is impossible for man's physical eyesight to see the Power of Allah's Light in this worldly life [even the Prophet Musa (A.S.) only saw a Veil of God's Light]. The following poem, which I have written myself, gives the reason:

THE LIGHT OF GOD

Do you sometimes wonder why this is true,

God you cannot see, but He sees you?

This is a fact but it puzzles you so,

Obvious is the answer, though very few know!

Of the heavens and the Earth is God the Light,

Awesome His Brightness, the quality of Might.

The Power of His Lustre is shielded by Veils,

No vision perceives Him, the sight ever fails!

Think not, therefore, that God is absent,

Nay, He is all around you, The Omnipresent!

Only the very blessed shall ever see His Features,

Priveleged for Radiance, the noblest of all creatures!

Well known it is, you cannot see Him,

The eyes become powerless, the vision somewhat dim.

How would they perceive the Rays so bright

When even the sunshine seems superfluous light?

But nought at all is the light of a star,

The Dazzle of God is Greater by far!

Now you can see why God is invisible :

The Splendour of His Light is Truly Invincible!

 An ordinary Muslim does not have to be a prophet or saint to be guided by Allah Almighty. Any Muslim, if he or she has purity of mind, and religious intention in the mind, can benefit from Allah's Messages through holy dreams. The Prophet [S.A.] has made this clear by saying that the true dreams a person experiences are a 45th part of prophethood [Muslim].

So, what does any ordinary person have to do to receive True Messages? In other words, is there a formula? Such dreams will come about through a combination of sound character, and specific courses of action. And then the dreamer will find that he/she can remember their dreams. I would say that, firstly, the character of the dreamer has to be good - he or she should have the following qualities:

honest means of making living/not jealous of others/helpful to others/not proud/not too greedy for money/steer clear of major sins/kind to parents, spouse, children, siblings, others/having good friends/flexible - tries his/her best to do good deeds/eat halal not haram/stay alone at times and remember Allah/remember death and Life in Grave/patient when problems come/aspire to Paradise/willing to sacrifice worldly pleasures for Allah etc.

If you don't have these characteristics, don't worry! Just ask Allah for forgiveness for previous wrongdoings, don't do them again, and start afresh. Repent. The Mercy of Allah is far greater than His Anger!

Specific Courses of Action

Note: To minimise the length of this paper, the reader is referred to crucial information from previously- published sources. It is better to read the prayers in Arabic, aloud but not too loudly.

1. Keep the HOLY QURAN in a high place in your bedroom.

2. Decorate your bedroom with posters of QURANIC VERSES, Islamic calendars etc.

3. Carry Taweez from PANJSURA SHAREEF [PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE P. 7] and ROOHANI TAWEEZAT with you.

4. Give money for Allah's sake e.g. to Islamic Darbars in Ajmer Shareef, India. You will be sent Taweez and Tabarak. Frame the Taweez and consume the Tabarak. Prayers for you personally, and your family, will be held in the Darbar. The money you send will be spent on preparing food for destitute visitors to the Darbar etc.

5. Spend part of your earnings for the cause of Islam - give money to near relatives, Mosques, Islamic organisations, and for your own religious activity e.g. buying a useful religious book from a bookshop.

6. Before going to sleep, read these books: THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM, THE SPECTACLE OF DEATH, KEY TO THE GARDEN OF BLISS. See bibliography.

7. From DREAMS IN ISLAM, read the following before going to sleep:

AYAT AL-KURSI P.41/PRAYER FOR THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT P.109/PRAYER TO SECURE STATUS OF A MARTYR P.120/PRAYER TO SECURE THE INTERCESSION OF THE HOLY PROPHET [S.A.] P.127/PRAYER TO SECURE HIGHEST GRADE IN PARADISE P.128/PRAYER FOR PALACE IN PARADISE P.140

8. From PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE, read the following before going to sleep:

DAROOD TO SEE PROPHET [S.A.] IN A DREAM P.10/SPECIAL DAROOD P.13/PRAYER FOR 70,000 ANGELS TO PRAY FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS P.18/KEYS TO THE TREASURES OF HEAVENS& EARTH P.20/PRAYER TO BE READ BEFORE SLEEPING P.22

9. From PANJSURAH SHAREEF, read the following before going to sleep:

SURAH YA SIN P.9/SURAH AR-RAHMAN P.32/SURAH AL-FALAQ P.104/SURAH AN-NAAS P.105/SEVEN HAIKALS PP. 107-11/SIX KEYS PP.114-5/DUA-E-AMN & DUA-E-WABA PP.116-7/DUA GANJUL ARSH P.118/DAROOD TAJ P.201

I am not saying, of course, that you can't read any other useful Islamic verses. You don't have to read absolutely everything: a selection could be adequate. Also, this is not to say that you can't read newspapers, secular books etc. before going to sleep. But make sure that Islamic actions are the last before actually sleeping!

10. Before sleeping, look back at your good deeds during that day, or in your life, and feel pleased about them.

11. Think that your soul is about to leave your body, and you want it to go to Allah Almighty, not the Devil!

12. If your soul is worried or troubled because of some sin you have committed, repent and determine not to do it again. Say 'Sorry to Allah from your heart. Read the Prayer for Forgiveness and Prayer for Protection from Troubles [PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE P.22]. Then, Insh'Allah, your peace of mind won't stop you from sleeping.

13. Think of death, Life in the Grave and Paradise. Think of Paradise as being, Insh'Allah, your destination.

BIBLIOGRAPHY & INFORMATION

1. THE MEANING OF THE GLORIOUS QURAN - Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Nadim & Co., London UK, 1983

2. PANJSURAH SHAREEF WITH SIXTEEN SURAHS OF THE QURAN. New revised edition. May 1998. Compiled by Sahban-ul-Hind Maulana Ahmed Saeed Dehlvi. Translated by A.S. Siddiqui M.A. [Aligarh]. Saeed International [Regd.], E-9, Jangpura Extn., New Delhi, India

3. ROOHANI TAWEEZAT [ARABIC-URDU] Shabbir Bros., Lahore, Pakistan

4. SAHIH MUSLIM Vols. I-IV Sh. Muhammed Ashraf, Lahore, Pakistan

5. DREAMS AND INTERPRETATIONS By Allama Muhammed bin Sireen [R.A.] English Rendering by Maulana Ahmad Hathurani, Dar-ul-Ishat, Urdu Bazar, Karachi 1, Pakistan

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For full details of THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM by Maulana Zakariyya Khandlawi, KEY TO THE GARDEN OF BLISS by Maulana Ahmed Saeed Dehlvi and THE SPECTACLE OF DEATH by Khwaja Muhammed Islam [Conclusion & recommendations, Poin No 6], please contact specialist bookshops such as ROLEX BOOKS [Manchester], and THE BOOK CENTRE [Bradford & Manchester]. For a full list of Islamic bookshops, please see:       

        THE MUSLIM DIRECTORY  [65A, Grosvenor Rd., London W7 1HR [UK] Tel./Fax: 020 8799 4455 E-mail: info@muslimdirectory.co.uk Websites: www.muslimdirectory.co.uk    & www.ummah.com

This directory also contains a wealth of other Islamic information!

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Readers may download my books DREAMS IN ISLAM [1992], PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE [1995] and IN AWE OF GOD: A Collection of Poetry [2000], as well as VISIONS OF PARADISE [1997] by Zaheer Azam, from my website:

www.dr-umar-azam.com

After seeing my website, [1] PLEASE SIGN MY GUESTBOOK WITH YOUR HONEST COMMENTS.  [2] PLEASE FILL IN THE SIMPLE COMMENTS FORM AT THE END OF 'PRACTICAL ISLAMIC ADVICE'. Please recommend my site to your friends etc.

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The address for sending money to an Islamic Darbar in Ajmer Shareef [Conclusion & Recommendations, Point No 4] is:

SAHIBZADA SYED VILAYAT HUSAIN CHISHTY, CHIEF MOALLIM OF HAZRAT KHWAJA SAHIB [R.A.], DAR-UL-QAYAM & BAKSHI BUILDING, DARGAH SHARIF, AJMER 305 001, INDIA.

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YOUR COMMENTS

Your comments and suggestions are valuable to me and they will be used to improve this work, if necessary. Please give me your HONEST opinions about this research paper. It would definitely help if you wrote as much as possible. You can E-mail me at any of the following three addresses:

uazam_@hotmail.com

contact@dr-umar-azam.com

dr_umar_azam@yahoo.co.uk

NO COPYRIGHT

DREAMS OF REWARD IN PARADISE has been compiled for the maximum benefit of prospective readers. Therefore, I waive copyright. Please feel free to FORWARD this research onto as many individuals & organiisations as you wish, via the internet.

DOWNLOADING/DUPLICATION

Likewise, there are no copyright restrictions on downloading this reaearch from your mailbox, if you have received it via the internet. Once you have the Master copy on paper, there are no restrictions on photocopying, oprinting etc. The only request I make is that this research shall NOT be sold for monetary profit.

NOTIFICATION OF UTILITY

If, after reading this research and following my suggested courses of action, you experience a similar dream of REWARD IN PARADISE, please tell me about it. I will compile such reports and make an extension to this research paper in the future, Insh'Allah. Be sure to write it up as soon as you wake up, if possible. Write down the date too. Obviously, I do not have to remind you to bring only genuine dreams to my notice! The Holy Prophet [S.A] has said: 'The worst lie is that a person claims to have seen a dream which, in fact, he has not seen.' [Muslim]

WEBSITE

One reader has asked if he can put this research on his website. I have agreed. Others readers can do so as well, but please notify me so that I can recommend your sites.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to Asim Ghaffar for giving me his confident opinion that this research paper should be published because of its potential to be very useful to readers. Further thanks go to Zeban Ahmed, Taimur Zahid, Noorain Zahid and Zaheer Azam, for their interest in this project. Thanks to staff of 'Diamond Telecommunications', Wilmslow Road, Manchester for providing technical support. Finally, many thanks to staff of THE ISLAMIC TIMES JOURNAL, Stockport and the staff of RAVI & EAST newspaper, Bradford for encouraging me to produce another article on an Islamic topic.