Google+ for Android update ditches messenger, makes it easier to switch between accounts

Google+ for Android has just gotten a pretty nice upgrade in the Google Play Store. First thing’s first — Messenger has finally been laid to rest. For good. It’s Hangouts now, and as Googles Vc Gundotra put it it’s “sticking around.”

Another big change in today’s update is the ability to switch between different accounts much easier. No longer will you have to sign out then sign back in. Instead, it’ll be similar to switching between accounts in Gmail, where you select the account in the sliding drawer or the drop down menu and get switched instantly. Pages you manage will also be in this menu.

To round things out, Google Apps for Business features are fully supported, you can access your Google Drive photos and videos from within Google+, and you are given more fine controls for location sharing (you can set it to pinpoint or city level, and you can change these settings for each individual circle).

Google says the app is rolling out in the Google Play Store over the next couple of days, so don’t have a fit if you can’t access the upgrade right away. When it is available for you, you can find your download over at the Google Play Store.

BlackBerry 9720 OS 7 smartphone with touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard unveiled

BlackBerry has lifted the curtains off its next device, the BlackBerry 9720, which runs the legacy OS 7.1 instead of the revamped BlackBerry 10 platform.

The BlackBerry 9720 boasts aesthetics similar to the company's Curve series. It features a full physical QWERTY keyboard and a 2.8-inch touchscreen display with a 360x480 pixels resolution, boasting an image density of 214PPI. The device runs BlackBerry 7 OS (version 7.1).

It is powered by an 806MHz Tavor MG1 processor and has 512MB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with 4X digital zoom and image stabilisation, but lacks a front-facing camera. It also includes a 1,450mAh removable battery that delivers up to 7 hours of talk time and 432 hours of standby time. The device supports microSD cards of up to 32GB capacity, while the internal storage offered by the device is a meagre 512MB. The BlackBerry 9720 has dedicated BBM and BBM Voice shortcut keys, placed on the sides of the device. It also features FM Radio functionality.

Commenting on the launch of the device, Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President for Products at BlackBerry, said, "The BlackBerry 9720 smartphone gives you all the essentials of the BlackBerry smartphone experience to support a communications centric lifestyle. It has the best keyboard and functionality for BBM, as well as an updated BlackBerry 7 OS that adds many enhancements. It's perfect for customers upgrading from a feature phone or entry-level Android or Windows Phone device, as well as existing BlackBerry smartphone customers, that want a richer experience and jump up in style and performance."

The all new BlackBerry 9720 will be available in selected markets like Asia, EMEA and Latin America in the coming weeks. However, the pricing of the device has not been revealed yet.

How to calculate Fitrah and Distribute

    ALVIDA MAHE RAMADAAN ALVIDA

    The obligatory amount of Fitrah is one Sä’ which is 4 Mudd; 1 Mudd  is equal to about three- quarters of a kilogram.  So one Sä’is equal to 3 kilograms (about 6.6 pounds).

Payment of Fitrah becomes Wajib (obligatory) after sunset on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr on a person who is:

·         Baligh (attained puberty),

·         Aqil (sane),

·         Is not needy, not poor,

·         not unconscious

for himself and all his dependants wherever and whoever they are irrespective of age & belief. For those who pray Salatul Eid, it is Ehtiyat Wajib to give the Fitrah before the Eid prayers and for those not praying Salatul Eid the time extends up to beforeDhuhr. 

NOTE 1:         If a person spends money on someone which is sufficient for his maintenance that is not enough to consider him as one of   his dependants. Dependants are required to be under his care for their  livelihood.

NOTE 2:         If a person is a dependant of two people, his Fitrah is obligatory on both by being divided between them.

NOTE 3:         If the Fitrah of a person is obligatory on another person, it is not obligatory on him to give his Fitrah himself.

NOTE 4:         If it is obligatory on a person to pay the Fitrah of another person, his  obligation will not end if the latter himself pays his own Fitrah

For the purpose of Fitrah, dependants include guests who are present at the host’s house at the time of sunset on the eve ofEid-ul-Fitrah.  However, if a guest comes   without the consent of the host, his Fitrah becomes Wajib upon the host on the basis ofEhtiyat Wajib (obligatory precaution).  This ruling also applies to a person who is forcibly made to maintain another person.  But if he invites a person for Iftar on the night of Eid,  he is not one of his dependants and his Fitrah is not obligatory on the person who invited     him. 

(Ehtiyat Mustahab to pay for uninvited guest or one forcibly maintained.)

On the basis of obligatory precaution (Ehtiyat Wajib), one should not give Fitrah from that food which is not staple in his place (town or city), even if it be wheat, barley, dates or raisins.  In other words, the article of Fitrah should be the common food of the people of the town normally eaten by them, even if it is not the only thing that they eat.  This is regardless of whether it is from the four categories (wheat, barley, dates and raisins) or from other than them such as rice and maize.

(Staple food has not been made a condition).

NOTE:  It is sufficient if payment is made in cash instead of food.

DISBURSEMENT OF FITRAH

Fitrah is not given to a needy person who, according to the Shari’a is a Faqeer, that is, a person who is not able to meet his living expenses for himself and for his dependants for one whole year, nor does he possess the means to earn a livelihood for himself and his dependants. 

NOTE 1:  It is Ehtiyat Wajib that Fitrah is given to a Faqeer who is a Shia Ithna Asheri.

(Ehtiyat Mustahab to give to a Shia Ithna-Asheri Faqeer.)

NOTE 2:         The Faqeer to whom Fitrah is given need not necessarily be Adil, but it is Ehtiyat Wajib that Fitrah should not be given to a person who drinks  liquor, or one who does not perform his daily Salaat or one who commits   sins openly or one who will use the Fitrah in a sinful way.

 NOTE 3:         The essential factor is the value at the time of the payment, not at the time   of the obligation, and the country in which Fitrah is paid, not the country of  the person on whom the obligation is due.                     

A non-Seyyid cannot give Fitrah to a Seyyid even if he maintains a Seyyid and pays his Fitrah. 

It is recommended to give preference to one’s relatives when giving Fitrah, then to the neighbors and then Ahlul Ilm (people of learning).

It is necessary to have the intention (niyyah) of giving Fitrah to fulfill God’s obligation and  for His pleasure only.

 If one does not give out or set aside the Fitrah within the due time, he should give the Fitrah later, on the basis of precaution, without making the Niyyah of Ada or Qadha but only the Niyyah of Qurbatan Ilallah.

Lailatul Qadar

Lailatul Qadar, translated as the Night of Power, is the greatest night of the year. During this period, Muslims should spend their nights in worship and seek forgiveness, reward, and blessings of Allah.

27th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 4th night of Lailat-Ul-Qadr

1) In the 27th night, pray 12 cycles of ritual prayer (raka’) (3 set of 4 raka’ each)
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah IIKHLAS fifteen times. After salah recite any Astaghfar 70 times.
Astaghfar: "Allah Hummagh Fir Li Wa Tub A'laiyya Inna Ka Innta Tawwabur Raheem" OR "Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zambiyon Wa Atoobu ilaiyh"
Benefit: Inhsa Allah, Allah tala will give sawab equal to Ibadah of Ambiya Karam's (Messengers of Allah) Ibadah.

2) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA recite Surah QADR 3 times and Surah IKHLAS 27 times, and plead to Allah for the forgiveness of sins.
Benefit: Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), the Allah Almighty will forgive all their previous sins.

3) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah TAKAASUR once and Surah IKHLAS three times.
Benefit: Whoever offers this salah, they will be saved from hardship at the time of death, and Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), they will be freed from the punishment of the grave.

4) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’).
In each raka’, after Surahh FATIHA, recite Surah IKHLAS seven times and after salah recite this seventy times:
"ASTAGHFIRUL LAA HAL AZEEMAL LAZEE LAA ILAAHA ILLA HUWAL HAIY YUL QAYYOOMU WA ATOOBU ILAIH"
Benfit: Before the person gets up from the praying area, Allah Almighty will pardon them and their parents, and Allah Almighty will Command the angels to adorn the Paradise for them and it is said that they will not die until they see the blessings (ne'mat) of Paradise with their own eyes.

5) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah ALAM’NASHRAH once, Surah IKHLAS three times and after salah, recite Surah QADR 27 times.
Benefit: Effecive for unlimited Sawab of Ibadah.

6) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (1 set of 4 raka’).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA' recite Surah QADR three times and Surah IKHLAS fifty times and after completion of this salah (namaaz), recite this once in prostration (sajdah):
"SUBHAAN ALLAAHI WAL HAMDU LILLAAHI WALAA ILAAHA ILLAL LAAHU WALLAA HU AKBAR"
Benefit: After that whatever wish one may have, either worldly or religious, may be pleased. Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), their supplication will be fulfilled.

7) In this night, recite Surah Mulk 7 times. It is good for freeing from punishment.

29th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 5th night of Lailat-Ul-Qadr

1) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each).
In every raka’, after Surah FATIHA recite Surah QADR once and Surahh IKHLAS three times. After salah, recite Surah ALAM’NASHRAH 70 times.
Benefit: Efective for the completion of Imaan.

2) Offer four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah IKHLAS five times. After salah, recite SALAAT-O-SALAAM (Darood Sharif) 100 times. Click here for Durood page.
Benefit: Effective for forgiveness of sins.

3) Recite Surah WAAQIAH seven times. Beneficial for increase in Rizq.

* In any night of RAMAZAN-UL-MUBARAK, after taraavih recite Surah QADR seven times. Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), the one who does so, will be saved from all troubles and afflictions.

On this great night it's of great benefit to perform Salat-Ul-Tasbih.

  Recite Surah Qadr 7 times in Shabe Qadr
  On 21 Night – Recite Surah Qadr 21 times
  On 23 Night - Recite Surah Yaa-Seen & Surah Rehmaan
  On 25 Night - Recite Surah Dukhaan 7 times, Surah Fateh 7 times
  On 27 Night - Recite 7 Ha-mim
  On 27 Night - Recite Surah Mulk 7 times
  On 29 Night - Recite Surah Waqia 7 times
  On last Friday (Jumetul wida) - Recite Surah Qadr 3 times before Juma Namaz

Remember pray for me...

About the Holy Month of 'RAMADAAN'

Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari] …

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:”… whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

“…whoever witnesses the Month of Ramadan should fast through it…” Q(2:185)

“Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong)..” (Q 2:183)

“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness” (Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

“…And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.” (Q 2:184)
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation"
It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning

According to the Holy Quran:


One may eat and drink at any time during the night "until you can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight: then keep the fast until night"

The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things -

the telling of a lie
slander
denouncing someone behind his back
a false oath
greed or covetousness

These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan

During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer

On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan.





                       






Special Characteristics of Ramadan

1. Observing the fourth pillar of Islam has been prescribed during this month, and it is one of the best means by which a person attains piety and forgiveness of sins.

2. The first revelation of the Qur'an as guidance for humanity was given to the Prophet (pbuh) during this month.

3. The sunnah of performing the tarawih prayer is observed during this month.

4. Ramadan contains Laylatul-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months.

5. The great battle of Badr between the Muslims and the unbelievers took place during Ramadan in the second year of the Hijrah.

6. The Muslims re-entered Makkah victorious during Ramadan in the eighth year of the Hijrah. After this conquest people began to enter the fold of Islam in multitudes, and Makkah became free of polytheism and evil.

Benefits from Ramadan

1. It strengthens one's ties with Allah and trains the soul to observe duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).

2. It enforces patience and determination in the Muslim individual.

3. It promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the Muslim away from arrogance and showing off, since it is an act between the individual and his Creator.

4. It promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trust-worthiness.

5. It encourages the Muslim to do away with bad habits and change his/her circumstances for the better.

6. It enhances generosity, hospitality, and spending on charitable causes.

7. It reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.

8. It instills orderliness and close observance of the value of time.

9. It serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.

10. It offers a chance to balance one's attention to both physical and spiritual needs.

Home

About me yourself