According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the regular intake of supplements rich in vitamin C such as sprouts, peppers and oranges lowers the risk of gout in men.

Vitamin C alleviates the pain associated with gout by tackling the inflammatory processes and lowers uric acid levels - high levels of which form crystal deposits in and around joints, causing the pain and swelling associated with the condition.

Scientists urge individuals at risk of developing gout - overweight individuals and those taking certain medications as well as individuals who drink too much alcohol, and following an unhealthy diet high in meat -- to adopt a healthy diet that is rich in vitamin C.

Drinking tea can reduce strokes

"By drinking three cups of tea a day, the risk of a stroke was reduced 21%," said Lenore Arab, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine.

The professor also said that the more you drink, the better your odds of staving off a stroke. Drinking three more cups can drop another 21%.

The effect was found in tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis, not herbs, Arab said.

Researchers speculate that the anti-oxidant epigallocatechin gallate or the amino acid Theanine in tea may be what helps.

Some studies show anti-oxidants help prevent coronary artery disease, daily news reported Friday.

"If we can find a way to prevent the stroke, or prevent the damage, that is simple and not toxic, that would be a great advance," Arab said.

Ancient Prophets: The True Story of Jesus-Part 1

Article Author : Sheikh Mansour Leghaei 

Introduction

 Three of its Surahs (Chapters); Aale-Imran (Family of Imran), al-Ma’edah (The Table Spread With Food) and Maryam (Mary) are so named because of their references to Prophet Jesus. There is only one woman whose name is specifically mentioned in the Quran and that is ‘Mary’; the mother of Jesus. 

According to a census some 75% of adults in Australia, Canada and the United States of America are Christians.  Thus, it is really essential for Muslims living in these countries to have a clear understanding of today’s Christianity and how and why it was perverted away from the true teachings of Prophet Jesus. 

The story of the birth of Jesus is so eloquently and passionately described in Chapter Nineteen (Surah Maryam) of the holy Quran that it brings one to tears. There are approximately ninety Ayaat spread across fifteen Surahs of the Quran which refer to Prophet Jesus.

The second source of Islamic teaching is Hadith.  It may be seen that there are numerous Ahadith from the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.w) reflecting and narrating the teachings and the words of wisdom of Prophet Jesus.

Both Muslims and Christians believe in the advent of Jesus on the Last Day. This doctrine is one of the major issues that relate this ancient great prophet to our modern world.

Nonetheless, in spite of the general similarities between these two religions, there are ample differences between Islam and Christianity regarding the personality of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).  However, it is worthy of note that from before the time of the revelation of the holy Quran until today, there have also been ongoing debates among differing Christian sects, as with the Jews, about the personality of Jesus and his mother. 

The Omniscient and All-Knowing Allah, through transmission of the holy Quran received verbatim by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), revealed this previously-obscure information to mankind.

 In Surah 3 Ayah 44 the Almighty states to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w):

This statement was to remind the people during the time of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w), just as for we who live today, that none of them had witnessed the life of Jesus, and thus for them all it was an unseen story. It is  Allah Alone Who is ever present, The Possessor of both authority and knowledge whereby the actual story may be narrated.

Thus, Almighty Allah in concluding the story of Prophet Jesus states:

For this reason, the objective of this paper is in relating the narration of the true version of the life of Jesus (a.s) as described by the holy Quran. However, to enhance the understanding of my dear readers, I shall also refer to some main Christian perspectives with which to compare to the Islamic view of Jesus.  

Due to the significant role of Lady Mary (peace be upon her), the story of Prophet Jesus begins in the Quran with the record of the life of his mother, Mary, and so also shall this paper.

Inscriptions of the Gates of Paradise & Hell

 With  Isnad* that is traced back to Abdullah bin Mas’oud, he said: The Apostle of Allah said (s):

“When I was led in ascension into heaven, Gabriel (A) said to me: Paradise and Hell have been commanded to come before you. He (the Prophet (S)) said: I saw Paradise and what it contains from blessings and I saw Hell and what it consists from torment.

Gabriel (A) said to me: O Muhammad read what is written on the gates, I thus read.

As for the gates of Paradise, it is written on the first of its gates: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. For everything there is a trick, and life’s trick consists of four qualities: To have contentment, to sacrifice for the truth, to refrain from malice and to be in the company of virtuous people.

On the second gate, it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. For everything there is a trick, and the trick for happiness consists of four qualities: To wipe over the head of orphans, to show affection towards the widows, to strive in fulfilling the needs of believers, and to check on the poor and the needy.

On the third gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. For everything there is a trick, and the trick for good health in this world consists of four qualities: to speak little, sleep little, walk little and eat little.

On the fourth gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be hospitable towards his guest. Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day, be generous towards his neighbor. Let him who believes in Allah and the last Day, be kind towards his parents. Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day, either speak good or remain silent.

On the fifth gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. Let him who does not want to be oppressed, not oppress others. Let him who does not wish to be slandered, not slander others. Let him who does not want to be humiliated, not humiliate others and let him who wishes to hold fast to the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks, in this world and the Hereafter, say: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah.

On the sixth gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. Let him who wishes to have his grave wide and broad, build mosques. Let him who does not wish to be eaten by earth worms attend the mosques. Let him who wants his body to remain soft, tender and never be decomposed, sweep the (floors) of the mosques and let him who wants to witness his place in Paradise, cover the (floors) of mosques with rugs.

On the seventh gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah. The purity of the heart is found in four qualities: In visiting the sick, participating in funerals, in purchasing shrouds and repaying loans.

On the eighth gate it is written: There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah: Let him who wishes to enter from these gates, hold fast to four qualities: generosity, good manners, charity and abstention from harming the servants of Allah.

And I saw written on the gates of Hell:

On the first gate, three words are written: Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure will find happiness and whoever fears Allah will find peace while the one who is conceited and at loss is he who implores and fears other than Allah.

On the second gate: Let him who does not wish to be unclothed on the Last Day, clothe the bare skins in this world. Let him who does not wish to be thirsty on the Last Day, give water to the thirsty ones in this world, and let him who does not wish to be hungry on the Last Day, feed the hungry bellies of this world.

On the third gate it is written: Allah’s curse is on those who do not speak the truth. Allah’s curse is on the greedy ones. Allah’s curse in on the oppressors.

On the fourth gate three words are written: Allah humiliates whoever insults Islam. Allah humiliates whoever belittles The Prophet’s Household. Allah humiliates whoever assists the tyrants in their oppression of people.

On the fifth gate three words are written: do not follow (your) desires for desires are contrary to belief, do not speak about what concerns you not, for you may lose Allah’s mercy and never rally to be among the supporter of tyrants.

On the sixth gate it is written: I have been made unlawful on those who are diligent (in their worship), I have been made unlawful on those who are charitable and I have been made unlawful on those who performed fasting.

On the seventh gate three words are written: Bring yourself to account before you are brought to account. Reprimand your own selves before you will be reprimanded and invoke Allah now before you are brought before Him where you are then unable to invoke Him.

Source: [Bihar Al-Anwar, V.8, P.144]  Verily, His gracious Prophet spoke the truth.

 *Isnad: is an ascription (of an Islamic tradition) where an uninterrupted chain of authorities are traceable in an ascending order of  traditionaries, to the first authority. 

Links: www.ihic.org.au

Varzaneh City of Women in White

With a population of about 1,350, the city spans over 800 hectares and is situated 1,475 meters above sea-level. Because of its proximity to desert, it has warm and dry climate that peaks during August-September.

The best months for traveling to Varzaneh are March, April, May, September and October.

The mausoleum of Shah Zein-ul-Abeddin, a descendent of Imam Sadiq (AS), is located one kilometer to the east of Varzaneh.

Custom

Since ancient times, all girls and women in Varzaneh have traditionally worn the white covering. This is attributed to different reasons, including the area’s pre-Islamic custom.

Sand Mounds

These sand mounds are located 10 kilometers to the southeast of Varzaneh. They are the nearest desert areas to Isfahan city. These mounds occupy an area of 17,395 hectares and extend up to 45 kilometers.

Camel riding, bicycling and air flights can be experienced there.

Artesian Water Well

These water wells usually have a depth of about 400 meters. Due to the presence of a confined artesian aquifer, the groundwater flows upwards through a well without the need for pumping.

The distance of these wells from Gavkhouni Wetland is 10 kilometers.

Gavkhouni Wetland

This is one of Iran’s 22 wetlands registered under the Ramsar International Convention in 1975.

The wetland, located 30 kilometers to the east of Varzaneh, is 1,470 meters from the sea level and occupies an area of about 470 square kilometers.

Many migratory birds, including flamingo, geese, ducks and eagles, flock to Gavkhouni Wetland every year. These birds prefer the Gavkhouni Wetland as their winter habitat and for reproduction.

Unfortunately, Gavkhouni has been endangered by shortage of water and an excessive inflow of environmental pollutants.

Historical and Cultural Works

Varzaneh’s Grand Mosque: This mosque was built on the remains of a fire temple dating back to the Sassanid era. However, the present structure of the mosque has been renovated in the Timurid era (about 581 years ago).

Old Bridge: This is one of the oldest bridges built on Zayandehroud River and dates back to the Safavid era. The brick bridge is 86 meters long and has a width of 6.5 meters and a height of 6 meters.

Shah Abbasi Caravansary: This is one of the 999 caravansaries built during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavi and shows the importance of Varzaneh as a communication link. Varzaneh was formerly located en route the Silk Road.

Rabbit Castle: This castle is located 60 kilometers to the east of Varzaneh and belongs to the Safavid era.

Qourtan Castle: This castle is located 12 kilometers to the west of Varzaneh in the historical village of Qourtan. It dates back to 1,000 years. The castle spans over 40,000 square meters and has 14 towers. It has three mosques and its architecture dates back to the early Islamic era.

Handicrafts of Varzaneh include fabric- and carpet-weaving.

People can visit Varzaneh via Isfahan, Shahreza, Naeen and Ardestan.

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