Obama Heads to Boston as City Copes with Bombing

April 18, 2013

VOA News

Police and investigators work on Boylston Street, near the finish line of Monday's Boston Marathon, in Boston, April 17, 2013.

U.S. President Barack Obama goes to Boston on Thursday, where he will attend an interfaith memorial service as the city copes with Monday's deadly bombing at the Boston Marathon.

VOA correspondent Carolyn Presutti, who is in Boston, says the president will be bringing a message of resolve and commonality.

"I'm sure he will give that message of just how Americans mold together, how Americans come together in patriotism and in support of those who are hurting," she said.  "And I'm sure it will be an encouraging type of speech, and again, just how faith always plays a role when we have these devastating events in the United States."

On Wednesday, the FBI, federal prosecutors and Boston police all denied widespread media reports that a suspect in the case had been arrested.

Officials take crime scene photos a day after two explosions hit the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, April 16, 2013.

​Those investigators told news agencies that footage from a security camera showed a man carrying, and then dropping, a black bag near where one of the twin explosions killed three people and wounded 176 others at the finish line of the annual race.

VOA's Presutti said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick offered some hope by saying the investigation was progressing, but that the false reports about an arrest weighed on citizens.

"It was very confusing, and especially for the people of Boston. They want something to hold onto, they want some closure to this. So for them to hear that someone was finally going to be arrested and maybe they would get some answers to their questioning, and then to have it pulled right from under them, they were left very confused," she said.

The investigators have collected a variety of fragments they say were part of the bombs, including pieces of pressure cookers that contained the explosives.  The lid of one of the pressure cookers was found on the roof of a nearby building.

Investigators released photos of mangled pressure cooker pieces, a few inches of a charred wire attached to a small box, a battery attached to red and black wires, a small nail and the head of a blood-stained zipper.  Authorities also found a circuit board believed to be part of one of the bombs.

A doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital said Tuesday survivors listed as critical are improving. He called the wounded "amazing people" and said he was touched to hear victims who lost a leg say how glad they are just to be alive. Numerous other victims have been released from hospitals after getting treatment for their injuries.

Two blasts seconds apart near the finish line of the marathon killed an 8-year-old boy, a restaurant catering manager and a graduate student at Boston University.

Press release Friday 22nd March 2013 For immediate use Chuka Umunna speech to Federation of Small Businesses Annual Conference -Check Against Delivery- Chuka Umunna MP, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, in a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses Annual Conference, said: This is the first time I have addressed your Annual Conference and it is a real honour to be asked to do so. You’ve already heard from Vince Cable and Owen Paterson and they, quite rightly, have underlined how important you are to our economy. I echo this. And for me, what you do matters personally. My late father arrived in this country from Nigeria in the mid-1960s with little money to speak of but a huge sense of possibility. He started off washing plates and washing cars before he struck out on his own. Over 15 years, he built a thriving import/export business. Aside from his family, that business meant everything to him. He worked night and day to ensure it was a success. I saw that same determination representing many entrepreneurs and small businesses during my practice as a lawyer in the eight years before I was elected. I found my small business clients were hard working, determined to do the right thing, determined to succeed, and determined not to let their customers and employees down. So I have seen up close the risks you take to create jobs, generate prosperity and extend opportunity. Thank you for what you do. We do not recognise your contribution enough, and I am determined we change that. So I shout about the 83 per-cent of new private sector jobs that were created during our time in government by small businesses like yours and I am proud that when we left office this country was rated fourth in the world for ease of doing business, hopefully making things a little easier for you. For a Party called ‘Labour’, this matters. Supporting aspiration, extending opportunity, creating good jobs is at the core of what we believe; getting more people in jobs was why we were created. That is why today we want to see more people setting up and working in businesses. But, I know the face of business is changing. There are almost five million small businesses today. They are all different in their own way. There are ‘aspirants’ with an ambition to be their own boss but who face barriers in getting there. There are the ‘traders’ - the market stall holders, shopkeepers, plumbers, craftsmen, ‘white van man’. There are the “lifestylers’ who want work to fit around other parts of their lives like caring responsibilities, or want to start making a business dream a reality by freelancing – some freelance of course because other employment opportunities aren’t there. Others self-define as ‘entrepreneurs’, particularly those doing business through emerging sectors and social media. And then there are the ‘small employers’ who provide substantial employment in their localities. We must support and encourage this diversity and also recognise that what you do goes beyond job creation. You challenge the existing order. You ensure competition in the market place. And create choice for consumers. You innovate, producing products people want to buy the world over - you help make the British Lion roar in an ever more competitive world. So in the future, we must do even more to help you thrive. This starts with getting our economy moving again. Demand is weak – not for every business, but for far too many. We can create a better environment, but it needs demand too. You will have all seen the Budget this week. We have been arguing for a proper National Insurance break for small businesses for two years now, so I was glad to see the Chancellor announce the new Employment Allowance. And the £3 billion a year extra capital spending and the establishment of Lord Heseltine’s Single Local Growth Fund – they were welcome too. My complaint, though, is that too many of the measures kick in post 2014, when you tell me you need the support now. And there was precious little to help the High Street. That is why we will continue to argue for a temporary VAT cut to get people placing orders with you again; it is why we will continue to push the Government to deliver on a much more ambitious infrastructure plan. A targeted stimulus now to kickstart the economy, get the unemployed back to work. The Government’s official forecaster said this week that deficit reduction has stalled. Despite all the cuts and tax rises the Government’s borrowing this year will be at the same level as last year, and next year at the same level as this too. Only getting growth back will allow us to reduce borrowing. But we will only build a sustained recovery which raises living standards if we also ensure there is a much better environment to do business in. In Liverpool a few weeks ago I was talking to a businessman who told me that to register your company, you’d need to reinforce your post box given all the forms you are sent to fill in. Some young entrepreneurs in London who are in the process of setting up a web app business told me this week that it has taken them three weeks just to set up a bank account. Others, tell me it takes a month to set up a broadband connection. This is not acceptable and has to change. That is why we asked a group of business people – our Small Business Taskforce - to produce a report for business people by business people to tell us what we need to do to remove the blockages for you. And I thank the FSB for all the assistance you gave to the Taskforce. We published their report last week. It is bursting with 100 ideas. Practical measures from those who know, all aimed at making Britain the best place to start, run and grow a business. Top of the list of the problems you’ve said is finance. We need far more competition and diversity in the small business lending market if we are to transform the service you receive from them. It cannot be right that around 90 per-cent of small business lending is concentrated in the hands of just five High Street lenders. So I welcome new entrants like Handlesbank and Aldermore. Next year Nationwide Building Society will enter the market - with its mutual model you, the small business customer, would co-own that bank which could help drive a culture change. We need more mutuals in this small business space for that reason. But, this alone won’t solve the historic problems which pre-date the financial crisis. Let’s do what every other G8 economy has done and set up a state backed investment institution to get credit to small businesses where others won’t, by establishing a proper British Investment Bank. Its funds could be given out through a new network of regional banks which, last week, Ed Miliband announced we are looking to establish. Like the German Sparkassen, they would represent a return to local relationship banking, with managers who know your needs with discretion to make local lending decisions. And much more needs to be done to promote non-bank lending too - from equity to new peer-to-peer models. With this in mind, across Britain Labour councils are innovating with new ways of supporting small businesses. So today Labour run Camden Council has announced a joint endeavour with peer-to-peer finance firm Funding Circle, allowing the local authority to invest directly in its local small businesses. This is an exciting opportunity which we want to see expanded - our aim is for at least ten Labour Councils to sign up with Funding Circle by the end of this year. But access to finance is one thing, cash flow is another. Too many small businesses are effectively bankrolling bigger businesses that refuse to pay them on time. This is outrageous. In government we legislated so that late payments can incur interest, and we established the Prompt Payment Code. But I know how hard it can be to challenge your own customers. So, the next Labour government will expose those who pay late and we will seek to put in place a regime that will automatically trigger action against late payers, perhaps by preventing them winning public contracts and through reporting requirements on payment performance in their company accounts. You talk to me about skills: the lack of technical and engineering skills, as well the need for young people to have the right attitude for work and to be “job ready”. We agree. So we will put the money into the hands of, you, the employers. But with control of the money there will be a shared responsibility – on business and government - to train and retrain the workforce. I have already mentioned infrastructure. It is crucial that, in all its forms, it supports small business and treats you fairly as consumers – from access to superfast broadband to a fair deal in the energy markets. On digital infrastructure, we will follow the recommendation of our Small Business Taskforce and ask Ofcom to investigate how BT and other providers can deliver broadband within a week as standard. We will consider the Taskforce’s proposal of an e-commerce Ombudsman as well. On energy, small businesses consume like residential consumers but you get nowhere near the same protection. Myself and Shadow Energy Secretary Caroline Flint want to change that. Under a Labour government energy companies will be banned from rolling small businesses over onto more expensive tariffs without their consent. Back-billing will be limited to one year, not six; and we will require realistic repayment plans for small businesses that fall behind, not immediate demands for full repayment. It would be remiss of me not to say something about regulation. In every major election politicians of different parties have promised to cut red tape. But I think you are fed up of politicians making overblown promises about this, when your practical experience suggests otherwise if and when we get into office. I want to be upfront with you on this: the conversation about regulation is too crude in my view because it’s about the quality not just the quantity of regulation – both are important. Also, regulation per se is not always a bad thing – for example, I have just mentioned ensuring the energy companies serve you better - that involves better regulating them. And, as a former employment lawyer, I totally understand the worry employment law can cause but if we go for a ‘slash and burn’ approach to your employees rights at work, I fear it will hit consumer confidence. Employees worried out of their wits about keeping their jobs do not go out and spend much in your businesses in my experience. So we will adopt a balanced approach to this issue and reform where needed which is why I welcomed the Underhill Review into the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure. With regard to exports, if we are to pay our way in the world, it is no good us urging more small businesses to export if the support is not there. There is a huge amount of demand out there in the global economy, which is set to double through emerging markets. Our businesses – you – need to have your share of this pie. A straightforward thing we are looking at doing is establishing a network of ‘export hubs’ in major overseas cities, as recommended by our Taskforce, which UK firms could use as an office base and place for meetings and research. Finally, I believe that we need to transform the way in which central government serves small businesses. On finance: there are lots of disparate schemes and you have to search out details. They should be brought together under a single portal to improve access and awareness – a simple thing Government can do which will make it much simpler for you And, our new approach to small business, which reflects the changing nature of small business, is why today I say I believe there is very strong case for the establishment of a Small Business Agency, along the lines of the Small Business Administration in the US. I have met senior SBA officials several times and believe an equivalent agency could be set up here under the auspices of the Business Department to drive a small business agenda across the whole of government. What I have just outlined is not an exhaustive list but I hope it gives you an idea of our programme for small business in government. However, until the election, we continue to serve as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition - but I don’t believe we have to wait for government to actively champion small businesses. A small but effective thing we can do is establish a UK Small Business Saturday. In the US, Small Business Saturday takes place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving celebrations, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It is used to celebrate and showcase small businesses’ contribution to their local economies and to encourage people to shop at small independent businesses in their local area – it boosted spending in small independent businesses by .5 billion last year. So we are building a movement to make Small Business Saturday a reality here – it will start on Saturday 7 December this year. A Small Business Saturday in the UK is something all local authorities could support and promote. Administrations in Manchester, Birmingham and London are already supporting our campaign to do this along with seven business organisations, including the FSB, representing over 370,000 businesses. So, to conclude: it is tough out there but because I see so much drive, passion, great customer service and innovation in small businesses all over the country, I am hugely optimistic about your ability to meet the challenge. It is why I want to help. It is why you will only ever hear me talking you up, not down. It is why it has been such a great privilege to speak to you today. Ends

Rais Jakaya Kikwete amemtumia salamu za pongezi nyingi Rais Mteule wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, Mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta.

Rais Jakaya Kikwete

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Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Jayaka KMrisho Kikwete amemtumia salamu za pongezi nyingi Rais Mteule wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, Mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta.

Katika salamu hizo zilizotumwa leo, Jumamosi, Machi 9, 2013, saa chache baada ya kuthibitishwa rasmi kuwa Mheshimiwa Kenyatta ameshinda Uchaguzi Mkuu wa Kenya uliofanyika mwanzoni mwa wiki hii Jumatatu, Machi 4, 2013, Rais Kikwete amemwambia Mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta:

“Mpendwa Rais Mteule na Kaka, ilikuwa ni furaha kubwa kwangu kupokea taarifa ya ushindi wako wa kuchaguliwa kuwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya. Niruhusu, kwa niaba ya Serikali na Wananchi wa Tanzania, na kwa hakika, kwa niaba yangu binafsi kukupogenza kwa dhati ya moyo wangu kwa mafanikio haya makubwa ya kuchaguliwa kwako.”

Ameongeza Rais Kikwete: “ Ushindi huu ni ushahidi na ishara ya wazi kabisa ya imani na matumaini ambayo wananchi wa Kenya waliyonayo katika uongozi wako. Huu ni utambuzi wa kazi yako maridadi na mchango wako mkubwa ambao umeutoa katika nafasi mbali mbali za uongozi katika siku za nyuma katika jitihada zako za kuleta maendeleo ya kiuchumi na kijamii na ustawi wa nchi yako na wananchi wake.”

Amesisitiza Rais Kikwete: “Wakati unajiandaa kuchukua madaraka ya juu zaidi katika nchi yako, napenda kukuhakikishia msimamo wake binafsi pamoja na ule wa Serikali yangu wa kuunga mkono Serikali yako. Ni imani yangu kubwa kwamba pamoja tutaweza kuendelea kusukuma mbele zaidi maendeleo ya nchi zetu – Kenya na Tanzania na pia utengamano wa Afrika Mashariki kwa manufaa ya nchi zetu na wananchi wake.”

Imetolewa na:

Kurugenzi ya Mawasiliano ya Rais,

IKULU

DAR ES SALAAM

Results of Elections in Kenya

Press Statement

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

March 9, 2013

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On behalf of the United States of America, I want to congratulate the people of Kenya for voting peacefully on March 4 and all those elected to office. Across the country, Kenyans turned out by the millions to exercise their most fundamental democratic right. I am inspired by the overwhelming desire of Kenyans to peacefully make their voices heard, and I applaud the patience they have shown as votes were tallied.

Foremost in our minds is a desire to see the will of the Kenyan people expressed freely and fairly. We strongly urge all parties and their supporters to peacefully address any disputes with today’s announcement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission through the Kenyan legal system, rather than on the streets. These elections are an historic opportunity for the people of Kenya to come together to build a better future. Since its independence in 1963, Kenya has been one of America’s strongest and most enduring partners in Africa. We stand with you at this historic moment and will continue to be a strong friend and ally of the Kenyan people.

31 Jul 2011 29 Shaban 1432

Assalamu 'Alaikum waRahmatullahi waBarakatuh

All Praise Belongs to Allah (swt), and May the Salah and Salam of Allah (swt) be upon our beloved Messenger (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him)

The Holy Month of Ramadan has returned once again, IslamicTube has been running for yet another year. May Allah Azza Wajl accept the efforts of those who have assisted us in coming this far, and may this site be of benefit to all those who use it. Ameen.

Here is a question posed and answered by IslamQA:


What should we say to the Muslims on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadaan?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him."

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

This blessed month is a great opportunity for goodness, barakah (blessing), worship and obedience towards Allaah.

It is a great month, a noble season, a month in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied and in which committing sayi'aat (bad deeds) is more serious than at other times. The gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the sinners' repentance to Allaah is accepted. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is redemption from the Fire.

So give thanks to Him for the season of goodness and blessing that He has bestowed upon you, and for the means of bounty and various kinds of great blessings for which He has singled you out. Make the most of this blessed time by filling it with acts of worship and forsaking haraam things, so that you may attain a good life in this world and happiness after death.

For the sincere believer, every month is an occasion for worship and his whole life is spent in obeying Allaah, but in the month of Ramadaan he has even more motives to do good and his heart is even more focused on worship, and he turns even more to his Lord. By His grace, our generous Lord bestows His bounty upon the fasting believers and multiplies the reward for them on this blessed occasion, so He gives abundantly and rewards generously for righteous deeds.

Time passes quickly

Days pass so quickly, as if they were mere moments. We welcomed Ramadaan, then we bade it farewell, and only a short period of time passed and we are welcoming Ramadaan again. So we should hasten to do good deeds in this month and strive to fill it with that which Allaah is pleased with and with that which will help us on the Day when we meet Him.

How can we prepare for Ramadaan?

We can prepare for Ramadaan by taking stock of ourselves and recognizing our shortcomings in living up to the Shahaadatayn, or our shortcoming in fulfilling our duties, or our shortcomings in not keeping away from the desires and doubts that we may have fallen into...

We should set ourselves straight so that in Ramadaan we will have a higher degree of faith. For faith increases and decreases. It increases through obedience to Allaah and it decreases through disobedience and sin. The first act of obedience that a person should achieve is that of being a true slave of Allaah and believing that there is none that is rightfully worshipped except Allaah, so he directs all kinds of worship to Allaah and does not associate anyone else in worship with Him. Each of us should realize that whatever has befallen him could not have missed him, and whatever missed him could not have befallen him, and that everything happens by the will and decree of Allaah.

We should avoid everything that could undermine our commitment to the Shahaadatayn. This means keeping away from bid'ah (innovations) and things that have been introduced into the religion. We should also follow the principle of al-walaa' wa'l-bara' (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), by taking the believers as our friends and by regarding the kaafirs and hypocrites as enemies, and we should rejoice when the Muslims gain a victory over their enemies. We should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions and adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the way of the Rightly-Guided Khulafa' who came after him. We should love the Sunnah and love those who adhere to it and defend it, in whatever country they are and whatever colour or nationality they are.

After that we should take stock of ourselves and recognize our shortcomings in doing acts of worship such as praying in congregation, remembering Allaah (dhikr), paying attention to the rights of neighbours, relatives and the Muslims, spreading the greeting of salaam, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, urging one another to follow the truth and be patient and steadfast in doing so, being patient in avoiding evil actions and in doing good deeds, and accepting the decree of Allaah with patience.

Then we should take stock of ourselves and our sins and our following whims and desires. We should stop ourselves from persisting in that, whether the sin is great or small, whether it is a sin of the eye, by looking at that which Allaah has forbidden; or by listening to music; or by walking to things of which Allaah does not approve; or by using one's hands to srike in a manner with which Allaah is not pleased; or by consuming things that Allaah has forbidden such as riba (usury) and bribes, or any other means of consuming people's wealth unlawfully.

We should never forget that Allaah stretches forth His hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, and He stretches forth His hand at night to accept the repentance of those who sinned during the day. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).

Those who spend (in Allaah's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good‑doers).

And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allaah and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allaah - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allaah's Orders)"

[Aal 'Imraan 3:133-136]

"Say: "O 'Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful"

[al-Zumar 39:53]

"And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah's forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful"

[al-Nisa' 4:110]

By taking stock, repenting and seeking forgiveness, this is how we should welcome Ramadaan. "The smart man is the one who takes stock of himself and strives to do that which will benefit him after death, and the helpless one is the one who follows his own whims and desires and engages in wishful thinking, (assuming that Allaah will forgive him regardless of what he does and that he does not need to strive to good deeds)."

The month of Ramadaan is the month of great gains and profits. The smart trader is the one who makes the most of special occasions to increase his profits. So make the most of this month by doing lots of acts of worship, praying a great deal, reading Qur'aan, forgiving people, being kind to others and giving charity to the poor.

In the month of Ramadaan the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut. The devils are put in chains and a caller cries out each night, O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, desist.

So, O slaves of Allaah, be among the people of good, following the path of your righteous forebears who were guided by the Sunnah of your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that we may end Ramadaan with our sins forgiven and our righteous deeds accepted.

We should note that the month of Ramadaan is the best of months.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Another of example of that - i.e., of the differentiation between the things that Allaah has created - is the fact that the month of Ramadaan is superior to all other months, and the last ten nights are superior to the other nights."

Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/56

This month is superior to others in four things:

1 - In it there is the best night of the year, which is Laylat al-Qadr. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree).

And what will make you know what the Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is?

The Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees,

(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn"

[al-Qadar 97:1-5]

So worship on this night is better than worshipping for a thousand months.

2 - In this month was revealed the best of Books to the best of the Prophets (peace be upon them). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)"

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

"We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al‑Qadr) in the month of Ramadan - the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship].

Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.

As a Command (or this Qur'aan or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers)"

[al-Dukhaan 44:3-5]

It was narrated by Ahmad and by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer that Waathilah ibn al-Asqa' (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Scriptures of Ibraaheem were sent down on the first of the month of Ramadaan. The Tawraat was sent down on the sixth of Ramadaan. The Injeel was sent down on the thirteenth of Ramadaan. The Zaboor was sent down on the eighteenth of Ramadaan, and the Qur'aan was sent down on the twenty-fourth of Ramadaan.

Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1575.

2 - In this month the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are chained up.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains." (Agreed upon).

Al-Nasaa'i narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When Ramadaan comes, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are put in chains."

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 471.

Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in one report: "When the first night of the month of Ramadaan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up and the gates of Hell are closed, and not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed. And a caller cries out: 'O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allaah has those whom He redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night."

Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 759.

If it is asked, how come we see many evil actions and sins committed in Ramadaan, for if the devils are chained up that would not happen?

The answer is that evil actions become less for those who observe the conditions and etiquette of fasting;

or that the ones who are chained up are some of the devils - namely the rebellious ones - not all of them;

or that what is meant is that evil is reduced in Ramadaan, which is a proven fact. If evil happens at this time, it is still less than at other times. Even if all of them (the devils) are chained up, that does not necessarily mean that no evil or sin will happen, because there are other causes of that besides the devils, such as evil souls, bad habits and the devils among mankind. Al-Fath, 4/145

4 - There are many kinds of worship in Ramadaan, some of which are not done at other times, such as fasting, praying qiyaam, feeding the poor, i'tikaaf, sadaqah, and reading Qur'aan.

I ask Allaah, the Exalted, the Almighty, to help us all to do that and to help us to fast and pray qiyaam, and to do acts of worship and to avoid doing evil. Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/12468



And our last words are: "All Praise Belongs to Allah The Rabb Al 'Aalameen".

Jazakumullahu Khayran!

Wassalaamu 'Alaikum waRahmathullahi waBarakaathuhu.

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14 nights KwaZulu Natal Self Drive Highlights
from £ 2798.00 per person
Includes: Return flights with South African Airways, AVIS car rental, 2 nights at Cathedral Peak Hotel, 2 nights at Fordoun Hotel & Spa, 3 nights at The Oyster Box Hotel, 2 nights at Ghost Mountain Inn, 2 nights at Amakhosi Safari Lodge, 2 nights at Pakamisa Game Lodge and 2 nights at Isandlwana Lodge


8 nights KwaZulu Natal Bush and Beach
from £ 1898.00 per person
Includes:Return flights with South African Airways, AVIS car rental, 2 nights at Pakamisa Game Lodge, 2 nights at Amakhosi Safari Lodge and 4 nights at Lalaria Lodge

Based on two adults sharing. Based on bookings before 31st August 2011 and travel before 31st March 2012.