add fun special effects to your photos--Dumpr Graphita

 

two web sites that you could use to add fun special effects to your photos, one called Dumpr and the other called Graphita. These online photo editing sites are great

Treatment of Swine Flu / H1N1 Influenza homeopathic Remedies

 

What You Can Do to Prevent H1N1 Influenza / Swine Flu?

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Note

Homeopathic remedies need strict individualization and are given as specifically prepared, non-toxic, micro-dose homeopathic potencies. Please consult a qualified homeopath before taking any homeopathic remedy for Swine flu / influenza

http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/Swine-flu-symptoms-treatment.asp

Oscillococcinum (also called Anas barbariae): This one is generally regarded to be the number one product utilized for homeopathic flu remedies. It is widely used in Continental Europe, especially in France.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Stay-Safe-From-The-H1N1-Mexican-Swine-Flu-Homeopathic-Remedies

 

Things You'll Need:

• Elderberry syrup, tincture, or capsules.
• Homeopathic Oscillococcinum or Influenzinum
• Healthy Food
• Soap and water

Step 1: Take Elderberry: Compounds in elderberry bind with viruses before they can penetrate the walls of cells. This inhibits their ability to spread. Elderberry is nontoxic when cooked, even for children. It is available syrup, tincture or capsules in. Look here for more in depth information on Elderberry visit: http://stason.org/articles/wellbeing/health/How-To-Prevent-Colds-Flu-with-Elderberry.html

Step 2Take a homeopathic flu remedy: Homeopathy has an excellent record for preventing flu. Since this current swine-avian-human virus that is going around has the same symptoms as other types of flu, you will be able to use the same remedy as you would a normal flu with great success. This is because homeopathy works on the "Law of Similars". This means you look at the set of symptoms someone has to determine what remedy to take. Since this flu has the same symptoms as other flu's, the same remedies will be effective.

Oscillococcinum200c is one remedy that has been used with great success for prevention and treatment of the flu. The recommended dosage is to take it once a week for prevention. It has also shown to be helpful to take a dose at the first signs of the flu. Simply follow the directions on the container.

Influenzinum is a remedy that homeopathic manufacturers create every year for that years expected virus. Influenzinum of latest make must be able to help as a preventative though it's not a fool-proof method.Since the symptoms are the same for this swine-avian-human virus as the regular flu, this remedy should also be effective for this. The suggested dosage for this remedy is once a month. Two or three doses of 200c every dose a week apart will help.

For the prophylactic uses of swine flu: When Swine flu appear in a family let all those who are unaffected take Ars.3c thrice daily and let the patients take influenzinum 30c every hour or two. This generally prevents the spread of the trouble and clears up the "Swine Flu" attack.

For the earliar stage of Swine Flu: One dose of Oscillococcinum 200c every 2 to 3 hours or repeat only if necessary

 

Nutrition: Too much sugar (and white flour) in the diet, is the biggest nutritional mistake people make. I include white flour because of its ability to change to glucose (sugar) rapidly. 1 tsp of sugar will depress the natural killer cell activity of the white blood cells by 50% for 2 days. ("Lick the Sugar Habit" by Nancy Appleton). There are also other immune factors that sugar inhibits so this is VERY IMPORTANT!

It is important to read labels on all your food. You MUST read the fine print to look for added sugar. Many foods and drinks have naturally occurring sugar that is included in the Nutrition Facts box on labels. This sugar is not harmful.

If a product has high fructose corn syrup, it is especially bad for your immune system.

Limiting sugar intake can be difficult for some people. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is very high in sugar. This means that having a lot of sugar seems normal to most people. You may not even realize how much sugar you are eating. I would suggest keeping a diary for one day to see what you are really eating.

Many health care professionals feel this is a contributing factor to chronic diseases as well as acute illnesses such as the flu. It is OK to have a little sugar in the diet but if you are ill, or going somewhere you are likely to be in contact with people that are ill, it is best to eat a healthy diet.

A simple healthy diet is one with lots of vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, a protein with every meal, and only a few boxed, processed foods.

Step 4

Soap and water: Friction is the most important part of good hand washing. This makes soap and water a much better choice then antibacterial cleansers or towels. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds getting in between the fingers and fingernails with regular soap and water.

Try to keep your hands away from your face during a day of handling money or shaking hands with people. You can pick up a virus from many surfaces but you will only get the virus if it gets into your system by breathing it in or directly through your nose, mouth, or eyes.

If you are in an area where people are wearing a mask for prevention, it must fit tightly over the noise and mouth. You will see some people wearing a mask under the nose. This will offer no protection from airborne viruses.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep it Simple: Do not stress over cold and flu season. There are many avenues for building your immune system and supporting the body so it can heal itself using a healthy diet, herbs, and homeopathic remedies. There are many other herbs and homeopathic remedies available.
• This advice is what I do to prevent illness. It is important to see a qualified health care provider if you have any concerns about your individual health. It is also beneficial to seek out a homeopath or herbalist for individual health concerns that you wish to treat naturally.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4933940_avoid-swine-flu-naturally.html

Swine Flu / H1N1 Influenza Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of Swine flu may include all or some of the following:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of appetite

Complications Of Swine Influenza

Those at higher risk of catching influenza in general include those with the following:

* Age of 65 years or older
* Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
* Pregnant women
* Young children

But the past epidemics and pandemics of flu have shown that during pandemics most people who succumb are healthy young adults.

Complications of Swine Flu can include:

* Pneumonia
* Bronchitis
* Sinus infections
* Ear infections
* Death

Transmission of Swine Flu (How does Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine influenza is spread as follows:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Kissing
• Touching infected objects
• Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands
• Swine flu does not spread by eating pork.

Treatment of Swine Flu / H1N1 Influenza

Swine Flu Vaccination / Swine Flu Shot

The protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, so the presence of non reactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses. The current vaccine against the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide protection. The director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the United States' cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe.

naming a new born muslim boy or girl--- aqeeqah

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http://islamqa.com/en/ref/12448

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING NEWBORN

The guardian's duty on a child's birth
Adhan (Call of Prayer) and iqamah may be said in the child's ears,
Rule of Tahneek
Rule of Aqeeqah
Rule of naming the child
Rule of circumcision

What must a guardian do on the birth of the child?

Islam has laid down the fundamental principles in unambiguous terms for rearing the child.

Congratulations may be conveyed on the birth.

It is commendable that we congratulate our Muslim brother on the birth of his child and thus add to his happiness. This creates an atmosphere of love and compassion among Muslim families. If congratulations cannot be conveyed, prayers for the well being of his child must be offered. The Noble Quran refers to the glad tidings to Sayyidna Ibrahim (Alayhis -salam) and his wife.(Hud 11:69-71) Similarly, Sayyidna Zakariyya (Alayhis -salam) too was given the glad tidings of the birth of Sayyidna Yahya (Alayhis -salam) (Al Imran 3:39, Maryam 19:7) On the birth of the Noble.Prophet ( Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) the slavegirl of Abu Lahb, Sayyidah Thuwaibah, congratulated the uncle, Abu Lahb, who freed her on the occasion .

In our congratulatory message to the parent, we may add a prayer to Allah: That He bless the child, That He guide the parents to be thankful, That the child turn out to be righteous, That he have a long life. Irrespective of whether the new born is a boy or a girl, we must offer congratulations. Some people offer gifts, sweets or cash. This practice is within the limits of the Sayings of the Noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) that Muslims must present gifts to one another to foster friendship and love. However, we must neither turn it into a mere custom nor consider it obligatory. We must avoid the ways of non-Muslims and must not indulge in wasteful expenditure .

Adhan (Call of Prayer) and iqamah may be said in the child's ears,

In the right ear of the new-born baby, the Adhan may be recited, and in the left ear, the iqamah This is done immediately after the baby is bathed. On the birth of Sayyidna Hasan to Sayyidah Fatimah (Radhiallaho Anha) the Noble Prophet,(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) had said the Adhan in his ear. (Abu Dawood and Tirmizi.) This practice ensures safety to the child from epilepsy.

Hafiz ibn Qiyyim (Radhiallaho Anho) says the significance of saying the Adhan and the iqamah in the ears of the child is that the first words he hears declare the greatness and majesty of Allah. The words of testimony are those which a man recites on embracing Islam. In other words, this is a pronouncement of the creed of Islam. Besides, at the sound of Adhan and iqamah, Satan distances himself. At this early age, the child is thus invited to Allah the Majestic, to Islam and to the worship of Allah. This call forestalls temptation by Satan and ensures an unblemished faith. Moreover, it is a forearming against Satan and temptation.

Tahneek. .

Tahneek is the practice of chewing date and applying a part of the chewed portion to the palate of the child so that it goes down the child's mouth easily. If date is unavailable, one may apply any thing sweet, like sugar-candy, honey or juice, to the child's palate. Thereby, the sunnah is fulfilled. The veins and the muscles are strengthened. The dental palate, the jaws and the mouth are made active. As a result, it is easy for the child to suck milk from the breast of its mother. A pious and God-fearing scholar or a venerable saint may be invited to do Tahneek. Tahneek is mustahib. Sayyidna Abu Musa said, "When my son was born, I brought him to the Noble Prophet, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) who named him Ibrahim and performed his Tahneek with date, blessed him and then returned him to me''(Bukhari and Muslim) Sayyidna Anas carried the new born son of Sayyidna Abu Talhah to the Noble Prophet.(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) chewed a date and gave some of it in the mouth of the child, carried out Tahneek, and named the child, Abdullah (Bukhari and Muslim

Aqeeqah.

The hair on the head of the new-born must be shaved on the seventh day. It is mustahib (desirable) to give silver in sadaqah to the poor and needy equal to the weight of his or her hair. Shaving the hair of the head provides the child with strength and opens up the pores of the skin. It is also beneficial to the eye-sight, the hearing and the sense of smell. Thereby the poor is helped, too. Sayyidah Fatimah (Radhiallaho Anha) distributed silver as sadaqah equal in weight to the hair on the heads of Sayyidna Hasan Husain Zainab, and umme Kulthum. (Malik in Muwatta and Yahya bin Bukair) on the birth of Sayyidna Hasan, the Noble Prophet,(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) asked Sayyidah Fatimah (Radhiallaho Anha) to have his head shaved off and offer silver equal in weight to the hair as sadaqah. The hair weighed a dirham or a little lesser than a dirham. (ibn Ishaq)

The entire head must be shaved. To shave some hair and to leave some on the head is called qaz' and is disallowed.(Bukhari and Muslim) This is not fair with the head because some of it is bared and the rest hidden. It is exactly as though a part of the body receives sunlight and rest of it is in shade. Also, it may be compared with a shoe on one foot and none on the other. Both these things are forbidden. The intention is to prevent the defacing of one's appearance. It also aims at discouraging the adoption of unreasonable pretense or resemblance to non-Muslims. You must act on these mustahib deeds so that it is then easy to act on the fard (compulsory deeds).

Instructions on naming the child.

People name their children to distinguish them from others and to call them by their names. Islam is a complete faith. It recognized this habit and its importance. Therefore, it gave a set of instructions on naming the child.

When must a child be named?

According to a hadith, a child is pledged with its aqeeqah; it is sacrificed on behalf of the child on the seventh day when it is given a name and the hair is shaved off its head. (Ashab-us-Sunan) Thus, the child must be named on the seventh day. According to some Ahadith, the child must be named promptly on birth. When Munzir bin abu Usaid was born his father took him to the Noble Prophet, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) who took the child in his laps and asked the father its name. On being told his name, he said, "No, call him Munzir". (Bukhari and Muslim) it is reported in a tradition that the Noble Prophet said, " Last night a son was born to me, and I have named him Ibrahim after my grandfather, Ibrahim, (Alayhis -salam) (Muslim)

Names that are preferred, and that are undesirable.

The name given to the child must be meaningful, lovely and good. On the Day of Resurrection, a person will be called by his name and the names of his parents. Therefore, a good name must be selected. (abu D awood) Allah, the Exalted, likes best the names Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. (Muslim)

Those names must not be given to the child, that affect his personality or become a cause of ridicule. The Messenger of Allah, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) always changed names that were derogatory (Tirmizi) The name of one of the daughters of Sayyidna Umar was Asiyah (meaning, disobedient), the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) changed it to Jamilah. (Tirmizi and ibn Majah) Besides, the Noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) changed such names as Aziz, Utlah (hardness, thickness), Satan, Hukm, Ghurab (crow), Habab (snake, Satan). (abu Dawood) He also changed the names, Harb (war) into Silm (peace), Muztaja' (one who lies down) into Mumbais (one who is prepared, ready), Banu az-Zania (the product of adultery) into Banu ar-Rushdah (good people) Banu al-Maghwiyah (one who misleads) into Banu ar-Rushdah.

We must not give names that intimate to ill omen or bad character. The grandfather of Sayyidna Sa'id bin al Musayyab presented himself before the Noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) asked him his name "Hizn" was the reply (meaning, hard ground, surliness). He said, "Your name is Sahl (easy) . He replied, "How can I change the name given to me by my father?" Sayyidna Sa'id says that from then on hardness of character is found among us. (Bukhari) Sayyidna Yahya bin Sa' id says that Sayyidna Umar asked a person his name. He replied, " Jamrah" (live coals "And the name of your father?" ' Shihab (meteor). "With whom are you connected? He replied, "Harqah" (burning). Sayyidna Umar asked him, "Where do you live?" "Harrat un-Nar" (heat of fire). "Where is it?" "Zat Lazza" (flames of fire). Sayyidna Umar e (Radhiallaho Anho) said to him, "Go home, quickly! The people of your house have perished from burning". It turned out so truly (Malik in Muwatta)

The name selected for the child must be other than a name of Allah; thus, it should not be Ahad, Khaliq or Razzaq. It is permissible, however, to name the child Abdul Ahad, Abdus Samad or any other name of Allah compounded with Abdul.

When Sayyidna Hani came to Madinah with his people, they called him Abu Hakm. The Messenger of Allah, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam), said, "Only Allah, the Exalted, is Hakm. He alone is the One Who decides. Why do they call you Abu Hakm?" He replied, "If a dispute arises among my community, they ask me to decide between them. Both the parties are happy with my decision". He said, "This is commendable. We must settle the disputes of our folk. Say, do you have any son?" "I have three sons, Sharih, Muslim and Abdullah." "Who is the eldest?" "Sharih is the eldest." The Prophet said, "Your kuniyah (title) is Abu Sharih.( abu Dawood)

According to a hadith, on the Day of Resurrection, the worst of all persons in the eyes of Allah —and liable to punishment — will be he whom people will call Shahinshah.(King) Only Allah, the Exalted, is Shahinshah (meaning, King of the monarchs) and kingdom belongs to Him alone. (Muslim)

We must not give names to our children that indicate good fortune. Suppose the names to be Aflah (successful) Nafe' (profitable), Ribah (beneficial), Yasr (easy). if in a gathering, someone calls out a person by such a name and he is not there, the answer "not here" might imply that this characteristic is lacking in that assembly. Ahadith says: Allah, the Exalted, likes most four phrases subhaan Allah, wal. hamd u lillah, wa la ilaha ill Allah and Allah u akbar.

Do not give your sons the names of Yasar, Najeeh or Aflah. You will ask for them. If they are not there, the person replying would say 'not here'. These are four names; do not refer to me after adding to these names (abu Dawood, Tirmizi)

While naming their children, parents must ensure that the names they select signify servitude to Allah alone and to no false deity. They may not associate or bondage even to the name Nabi. Certain forbidden names include Abdul Uzza, Abdul Ka'bah, and Abdun Nabi. Similarly, parents must not give names to their children that emphasize love and romance. Some of these names are: Hiyam, Beef'a, Nihau, Sosan, Miyadah, Gadah, Ahlam. These mean 'violent love', 'slim waist', 'large bosomed', 'fragrant flower', 'walks swinging to and fro', 'soft and delicate woman', 'dream'. Islam envisages Muslims as a people of remarkable attributes. When parents select vulgar and romantic names, they risk tainting the character of the child.

The Messenger of Allah,(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) has encouraged his follower (Ummah) to call their children with meaningful names. He has suggested names of the Noble Prophets, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) Abdullah or Abdur Rahman. This, because they may stay the best of Ummah and fulfil their duty diligently in guiding humanity to Islam and truth. The words of a hadith are: Keep the names of the Noble Prophets,(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) Allah, the Exalted, loves most the names Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. The most truthful names are Harith and Humam. The most disliked names, and vulgar too, are Harb and Murrah (respectively, war and bitters

It is sunnah to use kuniyah (honorary title) for the child

The use of a kuniyah (honorary title) for the child creates in him feeling of self-reliance and nobility. Call him Abu so and so. He cultivates a sense of confidence in the society. When the designation is lovely and fitting and used in a light-hearted vein, he feels happy about it. This also teaches him how he may address his elders and those younger than him. It was the habit of the Noble Prophet, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) , to give kuniyah to children. He called the brother of Sayyidna Anas (Radhiallaho Anho)

Abu Umair when he lost his bird the Noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) asked him, "What happened to Abu Umair Nugair (Bukhari and Muslim) The kuniyah may not necessarily refer to one's own children; it may refer to anyone. For instance, Sayyidna Abu Bakr (Radhiallaho Anho) had no son by the name Bakr but his designation was Abu Bakr. The kunnyah of Sayyidna Umar (Radhiallaho Anho) was Abu Hafs. The kuniyah given to Sayyidah Aishah (Radhiallaho Anha) was umme Abdullah- Sayyidna Anas (Radhiallaho Anho) had as kuniyah Abu Hamzah and Sayyidna Khalid bin Waleed had Abu Sulaiman. Kuniyah may be given to all, young or old.

Some considerations upon naming the child.

If father and mother do not agree on a name, then it is the privilege of the father to name the child. The child is known by his father. This is the command given in the Noble Quran. (al-Ahzab, 33:5 ) The Noble Prophet, (Sallallaho alahe Wasallam) had named of his son, Ibrahim.(Muslim)

It is not permitted to give the child a contemptuous or a disliked name. It is not proper to select such names as which refer to child's shortcoming as far as his body and appearance concern, such as Thagnay, Bhingay, Gungay, Kabray,. Kuloo, and the like. The Noble Qur'an has disallowed the use of names with the intention to tease (alHujurat, 49:11) lest children develop bad habits.

What about the designation Abul Qasim The Islamic scholars (Ulama) are agreed that the name of the Noble Prophet,(Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) may be chosen for the child. An individual named his son Muhammad. People objected to it. He went to the Prophet and narrated his predicament. The Noble Prophet asserted, "Give your children my name. However, do not use my kuniyah because I am the one to divide. I divide among you (Muslim)

How is it to use the kuniyah (title) of the Noble Prophet Abul-Qasim? There are different opinions on this. Some Ulama have disallowed its use altogether. (Bukhar and Muslim) Others have concluded that it is correct to use it as reflected in some Traditions. yet others have opined that it is inadmissible to use both the name and the designation for the same child. (abu D awood) Some others have contended that the inadmissibility was during the lifetime of the Noble Prophet but now that he is passed-away it is permissible to use both the name and the kuniyah. (abu Dawood ) This last conclusion is superior.

Aqeeqah and its instructions

What is aqeeqah.

The Arabic word aq means 'to cut'. Thus uqooq waldain is 'disobedience to parents and suspension of relations'. in the terminology of Shari'ah it is the sacrifice of a goat for the child on the seventh day after the birth..

Aqeeqah is permissible.

According to a hadith, we must perform aqeeqah on the birth of a child. Pay a ransom on. his behalf and remove filth from him. (Bukhari) According to a hadith, every child is pledged to his aqeeqah that may be sacrificed for him on the seventh day; the same day he must be named and his head shaved. (A hab-us-Sunan) The sacrifice on behalf of a boy is two goats and for the girl one goat or their equivalent . (Ahmad and Tirmizi)

The opinion of the jurists regarding the legality of aqeeqah.

Aqeeqah is sunnah or mustahib (desirable in the view of Imam Malik, Imam Shafa'l, Imam Ahmad, Ishaq, Abu Thaur and others. They based their opinion on the Ahadith mentioned earlier. They do not consider it obligatory as they find no evidence in the Ahadith. Also, it is left to intention. Hanafi think this is (istehbab) praiseworthy. Hasan Basri and Lais bin Sa'd and others think it is obligatory. They based their opinion on the hadith that says that every child is pledged to its aqeeqah. (Tirmizi and Nasai) They also rely on the Tradition that, on the Day of Resurrection, people will be questioned about aqeeqah just as they will be asked about obligatory prayers. (Ishaq from sardah)

The approved time of aqeeqah.

According to Ahadith, it is commendable to rerform aqeeqah on the seventh day. The Noble
Prophet, (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) did the aqeeqah of Hasan and Husain on the seventh day after their birth. It may be done on the fourteenth or twenty-first day;' it is valid, too, on the fourth, eighth or tenth day or later. (Maimooni)

How is the aqeeqah of a girl performed?

Aqeeqah is sunnah mustahibah for both, boy and girl. Two goats are sacrificed on the birth of a son and one on the birth of a daughter (Ahmad and Tirmizi and ibn Shaibah) However, if anybody sacrifices one goat on the birth of a boy, he has performed a valid aqeeqah. (abu Dawood) This does not imply preference of a boy over a girl but this is because the Noble Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe Wasallam) had done it. It may be, too, because man is given excellence over woman by reason of his superior physical power, heavier burden of responsibilities and supervision.

The bones of the animal must not be broken

We must not break the bones of the sacrificial animal (Abu Dawood) This is a sign of good omen of health and strength of the child. The poor and the neighbors get large pieces, too. However, there is no harm if someone does break the bones of the animal.

Other general instructions regarding aqeeqah.

The animal that is valid for sacrifice is valid too in the offering of aqeeqah. These include goat, sheep and ram. The animal must be one year old, fully. However, a six-month old ram may be offered in sacrifice and aqeeqah if it is sufficiently fat and healthy and looks like a year old. The goat must be a year old. The animal must be free from defect. It must not be blind, squint eyed or so much thin that there is no marrow in its bones. It must not be so lame that it cannot walk by itself to the place of sacrifice. That animal, also, is invalid for sacrifice whose tail or ear is cut off more than two-thirds, or most of its teeth have fallen off, or it has no ears since birth or is so much mad that it does not eat or drink.

The sacrifice of an animal is valid if its ear is torn or a horn is split. Also, if an animal is lame but it can walk on its three legs its sacrifice is allowed. If some of its teeth are broken but most are intact, the animal is not very mad or the ear, tail or hip is only one-thirds cut off, then, in all such cases, the sacrifice of this animal is valid.

The sacrifice of a cow or a buffalo is not valid before it is two years old. The camel must have completed five years of age.

It is legitimate to share in aqeeqah and sacrifice.

We may offer a cow or a camel instead of a goat in aqeeqah.

The division of meat during the aqeeqah are subject to the same injunctions that apply (Bayhaqi) for division of meat of a sacrificial animal. We may eat the meat ourselves, distribute as sadaqah, or gift it. However, in the case of aqeeqah, it is legitimate to give some to the nurse also. in celebration of aqeeqah we may invite others and cook the meat for the feast.

It is commendable to perform aqeeqah on behalf of the child. According to a hadith, while offering the animal of aqeeqah, one may say: I sacrifice in the name of Allah. O Allah, it is for You alone and it will return to You. O Allah, this aqeeqah is on behalf of so-and-so.( Ibn Munzir) However, if at the time of sacrifice, the parent has not yet named of the child, even then aqeeqah is valid because of the intention behind it.

The wisdom behind the legitimacy of aqeeqah.

On the birth of the child, the animal is offered in aqeeqah to obtain nearness to Allah and to offer ransom for the child. The child intercedes for its parents. Parents find in the fulfillment of the obligation under Shari'ah a source of happiness. Also, it promotes love and compassion among the individuals of society and all participate in the happiness. It opens a new fount of income. It diminishes poverty and need. In Islam, there are different occasions of feast. These may be when guests or visitors arrive, on the birth of a child, on the marriage of a son, on circumcision of a newborn boy, when the travelers returns home, when aqeeqah is performed and when a house is built.

The foregoing instructions emphasize upon the guardians that attention must be paid to rearing the child right from its birth. They must go over every matter concerning the child. Observance of these injunctions guarantees the health of the Child. When it opens its eyes, the child may find itself in a practicing Muslim family, whose guideline is Islam and who comply with the rules of Shari'ah. Thus, Islam establishes itself in the heart of the child. It strengthens the faith of the child. It encourages the child to be gentle, well mannered and pious.

Contact us: http://www.as-sidq.org/birth.html