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Monthly Archive

2009

Welcome to our Archives page. On this page you will find a total of 109 of our articles broken down into Months and Years.
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
M. Louise Row
9202

A Special Blessing: The Story of WIN

There are blessings all around us, of course, but what follows is my account of an unexpected blessing--a wondrous surprise if you will--which came at a time when I needed to experience the presence o... read more..
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
Hayati Tarhan
10823

The Education of Gifted Children

Humans are created with different levels of ability. A person who is talented in one specific field may not necessarily be as capable in other areas, and individuals who have natural ability in the sa... read more..
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
Seth Mette
9014

In an Author's Mind

Rational, Romantic, and Regular were three roommates. They were all new writers with splendid ambitions. They all dreamt of displaying the best of their talents one day. For this, they had different s... read more..
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
Turan Kayaoglu
10669

Unity, Diversity, and Dialogue: A Jewish Perspective

While the appeal of the “dialogue of civilizations” is on the rise, its sources, functions, and consequence cause controversy within and between faith communities. Amidst these controversies, some rel... read more..
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
Irfan Yilmaz
8744

It's us, Peter, your Eyes!

Dear Peter, the organs entrusted to you by the Creator have been describing themselves to you for quite a while now. As you have probably realized, our friends the heart, stomach, intestine, lungs and... read more..
Issue 68 (March - April 2009)
Hikmet Isik
10140

How do we distinguish between the desire to emulate and envy?

How do we distinguish between the desire to emulate and envy? What are your thoughts regarding the charities and alms given away openly by some leading people in good work in order to inspire others read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
M. Fethullah Gulen
10952

Satan and His Contemporary Followers

Satan is a miserable and accursed one, who has fallen away from God’s Mercy, whose task is to go astray and to lead astray, who continues his existence around the axis of sedition, incitement, hypocri... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Seth Mette
8342

The Last Prayer for Giants

Long, long ago, before the end of time, I heard a legendary story from my grandpa about what happened between him and a giant unlike others… It was around dawn, and the day was not yet fully light. R... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Ahmet Isik
7550

What Algorithms Imply for Us

Different people have different styles of handling situations; as the proverb says “Different strokes for different folks.” Another proverb “Two heads are better than one,” on the other hand, invites ... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Zeki Aydin
8797

Tips on Child Education

Preparing children for life is an art. There are many things that parents should know and do about this. One is to make children have the self-confidence that is bestowed by the Creator as a potential... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Fatih Altun
12822

Health and Natural Balance with Patchouli

Studies made recently in relation to aromatherapy show that aroma can be the preparation for many important functions in connection with a person’s spirit and body. Many experts on complementary medic... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Aalia Sohail Khan
13085

Translation of Sufi Poetry

The misunderstanding and the misconception by some Western readers that Sufi poetry is strongly tinged with sensuality and replete with erotic and bacchanalian symbolism is now discredited as altogeth... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Mehmet Celik
8289

The Koala and Its Amazing Features

Do not be misled by my appearance into thinking I am a type of bear. Although we koalas may resemble bears, we have been created with quite different characteristics. Our birth, diet, habitation and d... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Mustafa Tabanli
13896

On Nature, Beauty, and Transcendence: An Interview with Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Matter and Beyond explores a wide range of ethical, philosophical, spiritual and scientific questions through interviews with leading scholars and scientists on compelling topics such as: mysteries read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
M. Fethullah Gulen
9276

Taqwa (Piety)

Taqwa is derived from wiqaya, which means self-defense and avoidance. Sufis define it as protecting oneself from God’s punishment by performing His commands and observing His prohibitions. Besides its... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Victor H. Earnest
8086

Universal Signs

The old globe speaks on its own, Looks ecstatic with a Godly gown, With spangled Paradise all around, Proclaims Who holds the crown. In the broad wondrous sky on high Like an imperial azure eye, ... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Osman Cakmak
8033

Time and Beyond as a Dimension

Even if we cannot easily grasp the real nature of “time,” we can understand its aspect of being a “dimension.” For example, specifying only a place without specifying a “time’’ for an appointment woul... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Resit Haylamaz
31184

At What Age Did Aisha Marry the Prophet?

When covering the life of Prophet Muhammad, one of the most debatable topics is that of the age of his wife Aisha when the two married. Her alleged very young age has been used in smear campaigns agai... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Enis Turker
10910

Open Heart Surgery: A Matter of Life and Death

The miraculous duty of the heart, which throughout life pumps the blood with no interruption and sends unpurified blood to the organ where it is refined, is a clear source of contemplation and wonder ... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Dr. Sami Polatoz
7350

Fish: A Source of Inspiration for Efficient Energy Production

A perfect balance exists between the movements and behavior of a creature, its habitat, and anatomic structure. The sciences try to understand this triple mechanism in every species and put the knowle... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Vedat Akyuz
8726

How Finite Becomes Infinite

Followers of the Abrahamic religions-Muslims, Christians, and Jews in general-believe in an eternal life after death, in one form or another, and that the righteous will be rewarded for their good dee... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Ihsan Orhan
11312

Do We Worship the Same God? Comparing the Bible and the Qur'an

In spring 2008 I was asked to accompany a group of people from the United States during their stay in Istanbul. I was told that this group was working on a documentary and they would spend some time i... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Irfan Yilmaz
9424

It's me, Peter, your ear!

I was impatiently waiting for my turn to tell you about myself and so about my Creator while in the previous issue, my neighbor organs in your head, the eyes, were telling you how they were placed on ... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
Hikmet Isik
8220

Because of me

Question: What are the matters that believers should always keep in mind with regard to the fact that both individual and collective misfortunes and disasters are results of their sins? Answer: By co... read more..
Issue 69 (May - June 2009)
The Fountain
8155

Unity of Knowledge

Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an outstanding figure of our time, rejects the separation of spiritual thought from science. In this issue we feature an interview with Professor Nasr in “Talks on Matter and Beyo... read more..
Issue 70 (July - August 2009)
The Fountain
7840

Problem Solvers

"There were no lovers left for me in the world, I used to think,Then I took leave of my self and saw all were nothing but lovers.” The above couplet from Niyazi Mýsri describes the state of a “pe read more..
Issue 70 (July - August 2009)
M. Fethullah Gulen
11483

Believers Do Not Fall... No Matter How Shaken They May Be

Do not, then, be faint of heart, nor grieve, for you are always the superior side, if you are (true) believers. (Qur’an, 3:139) The situation before our eyes is as horrific as it could be, but wi read more..
Issue 70 (July - August 2009)
Kerim Balci
9266

Fethullah Gulen: Inspirer of Multi-disciplinary Studies

"The work of Gulen's followers in Turkey shows that Islam-as taught by Gulen-seeks tolerance, not conflict; it aims for a better society, not political power; and it manifests itself in prayer and c read more..
Issue 70 (July - August 2009)
A. Kadir Yildirim
10356

Microfinance for the Poor: Burden or Blessing?

Microfinance, which has become well known since its leading advocates Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh were awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, has been helping millions of people ... read more..
Issue 70 (July - August 2009)
Huseyin Algul
17794

Islam as a Religion of Love and Peace

The definition of Islam The root of the word Islam, silm, refers to "making peace, being in a mutually peaceful environment, greetings, rescue, safety, being secure, finding peace, reaching salvation... read more..
Results 31 - 60 of 109