“Why did you come here?!”

This was the question I was bombarded with the first day I arrived at Ilim College. It generally followed questions regarding my name and what far-away

place I had come from.

The girls were welcoming, eager and interested in the strange, new alien-specimen that I was, approaching me with gleaming eyes that were teeming with excitement. They were fascinated with who I was and why, of all places, I had decided to settle here. Why? But not just any ‘why’. It was a ‘why’ kindled from curiosity and sparked by an unexpected sense of concern that left me feeling like I had perhaps just made the most ludicrous decision of my life. I answered accordingly, informing them that it was the Islamic environment that compelled me to make the move from a public school to a private. But instead of nods of agreement and understanding, I was surprisingly met with looks of bewilderment and confusion. They clearly thought I was crazy, perhaps even questioning the legitimacy of my answer. Their looks were so convincing

I began to believe I really was crazy. It was as though they were stuck, suffering and eager to escape the bubble of Ilim school life, and then here I was, having voluntarily thrown myself into the seemingly sticky situation. That’s the message I received then, and it’s the same message I received from a friend the other day. While at times, admittedly, I prefer my past schooling environment to my present, I can undoubtedly confess that I definitely do not regret my move to Ilim. Still think I’m crazy? Let me explain why I am genuinely glad I am here, and not

elsewhere, and perhaps you’ll learn to

appreciate it too.

First impressions are important to everyone, whether you like to admit it or not. My first day started out the way it usually does for anxious newcomers. I scanned the place in search of any tell tale signs that might depict what this new school life had in store for me. Standing by myself, hands in my warm abaya-pockets, I carefully analysed my surrounding. I must have looked the slightest bit creepy as I watched strangers embrace each other while

Want to be featured in our next edition? Do you have Articles, opinions, poems, stories, artwork, QUESTIONS, advice or suggestions?

email us at:rant@ilimcollege.vic.edu.au

Q Graphics by NurAisyah Rosman and Farhana IsmailR

S TWARNING: PLEASE respect and dispose of this newsletter properly AS IT CONTAINS THE NAME OF ALLAH

“sometimes, all you need is a new perspective”

ISSUE four term 3, 2014

Contents

news and opinion K the burning questions

K the inside story K the straight path K the bibliophile K the ilim funnybone K

overheard

continued on page 2...

AN UNEXPECTED AWAKENING

overhearing their holiday happenings. I had left a place where most people were clumped and categorised, all belonging in cliques in some form or another, each distinct in particular traits or interests. I was astounded to find no such thing here. There were no stand-alone crowds, no intentional separation between this kind and that kind. It was all just one big mass of togetherness, a colourful pool of smiling faces, long hugs, laughs and greetings of peace. Everyone was with everyone and they all seemed to have a fascinatingly deep connection. As I noticed, and would further come to realise and appreciate, the relationships formed between two Believers reached down into the sincerest corners of the heart to bring about discussions that not only comforted mind and body, but the soul too. It is a bond forged through the sharing of beliefs, values, morals and ethics, fuelled by the robust flame of faith. Suddenly, conversations about meagre things like weather, transformed into thoughtful reminders of Allah’s Greatness and Mercy in blessing us with golden rays of sunshine and sheltering, cool clouds. It was obvious that it was more than friendship. What was blossoming was kinship; the joining of sisters with sisters, brothers with brothers. This phenomenon is one I treasure and hold dearly, as it is rare, precious, and indiscoverable in other

environments.

A lot of new experiences at Ilim made my insides happy. After having

discovered the meaning of true companionship, my most pleasant memory was during my first Dhuhr prayer. For the first time ever, I was standing with fellow students, friends, and teachers, all of us together, side by side, united in a tranquil state as our shoulders brushed and our toes wriggled into line. It was all new to me, an overwhelming experience that placed butterflies in my stomach. I was so used to just my sister and I squeezing into the small counsellor’s room as curious onlookers peeked through the blinds and teachers would stroll in unawares. Instead of the bellowing of the school band, my ears are able to hear the soothing calls to prayer. Instead of meaningless chit-chat, I have the opportunity to sit in peace and turn to the Most Compassionate. Instead of Music classes, I have entire periods dedicated to the recitation of the Qur’an. I hadn’t tasted the sweetness of congregational prayers and the warmth of unified worship until I arrived at Ilim. We are a blessed bunch of people,

incredibly blessed.

For many students, Ilim has been their second home since primary. They have been raised, nurtured and grown here, alongside their friends and fellow peers. They have witnessed the changing of buildings, of uniforms, of people. They have been moulded by each event and experience thrown their way, each student chiselled into character as they observe the shaping of their closest

companions. They have shared years filled with laughter, tears, excitement and sorrow. Some have held each other’s hands and linked each other’s arms as little preppies until Year 12. Ilim is all they’ve ever seen and all they’ve ever known. Naturally, we become accustomed to what we’re used to and often overlook its value. And while the school has faults and flaws, we need to remember that nothing is perfect, that there is always room for improvement. For many, this place has opened eyes and handed keys to doors previously perceived as nonexistent. We ought to recognise the way in which it nourishes religious harmony and caters us in such a way that our education can revolve around our spiritual life, and not the

other way around.

As I near the end of the wild rollercoaster ride that is high school, the moments and the memories of all the good times and the bad, are surfacing once again to remind me of the great journey I have been fortunate enough to experience. I know for a fact that many of you are dying to escape from this place, but please, take my advice. Love it for what it is, live in each moment, take a deep breath and say Alhamdulillah. We have been given goodness in the very palms of our hands and it’s time

we open our eyes and grasp it tightly.

By Amira Ismail

Why I Love The Rant by Omer Hassan (Ex-Ilim student and passionate ranter)Assalamu Alaykum Ranters! I'm going to list a few reasons why I love the Ilim Rant.

The Ilim Rant is a serene student newspaper that just so happened to appear in a student’s dream (Amal — I hope you're reading this) and it is a place where all students can express their feelings through writing. The Rant is full of funny comics

and interesting teacher interviews that could keep a student entertained for hours while obtaining knowledge of Islamic values and etiquettes. Not only does the Rant explore life as a student from student's perspectives, it also communicates moral Islamic behaviours that every Muslim should follow. Verses from the Holy Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet (SAW) are just to name a

few of the small particles that make up the Rant itself. If you actually take time to look through the newspaper (don't just read it for the pictures — whoops, I'm guilty) you will notice that the Rant is an all-in-one entertainment product produced by your very school mates. It is an amazing way of

communicating to the student body and reaching out to all those new students and teachers who may be reading.Enjoy the Rant and love it for what it is. Insha'Allah I'll see you guys next time.

I really enjoyed being on the team last year and hopefully I could enjoy still writing for you guys. I hope you grasp the most of what you can from the Rant and, what the heck, have a good laugh and enjoy it.

Peace out Ranters! #LOVETHERANT

news & opinion

A Is For Average By The NerdfighterNote: This article sounds much better if you alter your thinking voice into an English/British accent.

TOP THREE DEFINITIONS OF A NERD:source: Urban Dictionary• An ‘individual’, i.e. a person who does not conform to society’s beliefs that all people should follow trends and do what their peers do. Often highly intelligent but socially rejected because of their obsession with a given subject.

• A person who gains pleasure from amassing large quantities of knowledge about subjects often too detailed or complicated for most other people to be bothered with. Often mistaken for Geeks, who aspire to become nerds, yet lack the intelligence, and end up giving nerds a bad name due to their poor social skills. Non-nerds are often scared of nerds, due to their detailed

knowledge, and therefore seemingly high levels of intelligence - and subsequently denigrate them as much as possible as often as possible. • The unobtrusive man who sits in the back of the room with quiet, knowing eyes, watching the comings and goings of all the ignorant people that are unaware their petty lives will one day be controlled and governed by this container of all that is awesome. He will strike with all of the rage and knowledge that his life of social abstinence and gaming gluttony has brought him in one swift blow. Fear me for I am The Nerd.

Being a nerd is hard. It’s that label- the fact that everyone knows you to be nerdy. And accompanying this label are pressures, expectations, and an unrealistic, ideal image that you are supposed to reflect in everything you

do. People see us to be smart, bookworms, kind of weird, occasionally awkward; we know odd little facts about random stuff, we are irritated by things that are inefficient or just plain dumb or useless, we pick up on tiny details in concepts and demand answers that our teachers cannot provide. WE ARE NERDS.

You see, when we were young, our parents worked very hard on us. They made sure we valued good grades and were always achieving the highest we could possibly achieve. At the beginning, we did it for our parents, we wanted to please them. Yet over time, it just became innate- it

was for ourselves; the satisfaction of getting an A+ was the only thing we deemed acceptable for us. This worked for some time: study hard, do well and be happy. But then there were the other, slightly less happy moments. Like the moments when we got a B. We stressed and wondered why and how we dropped our A average. This is where the trouble of being a nerd starts.

All your teachers want you to perform amazingly in their subject, but to do really well across the board is quite difficult. The endless cycle of having to achieve pressures the mind to an abyss of darkness and frustration. And as with every problem a nerd has, there is usually no solution. If there was a solution, the nerd would have already found it and there would no longer be a problem. But this troublesome mindset can only be broken by the nerd themselves. Sometimes, we need to take a deep breath and realise just how overrated this whole cycle is. It’s quite tough, to be honest; to acknowledge that you don’t have to be fantabulous in every subject. You should want to do well but at the same time if you keep your standards too high, you might just be forcing yourself into a lot of unnecessary pressure. Take the easy way- be efficient, you nerd!

So if you find that you have met the above description and are in some way relating to any of it, you are a nerd. Continue to aspire, continue to be awesome and always try to keep up that A average- but remember that being a nerd is innate in you. You are the problem solver and you will always know how to control the situation at hand; take control of your grades, but don’t let your grades take control of you.

conquer the hobgoblin of procrastination By Noor Khan

Procrastination has seemingly become a way of life for many people today. We have all had amusing conversations with our friends about the weekend we couldn’t manage to unglue ourselves from our laptop screens, the “holidays” we spent lounging for the five minutes that became five days and the endless hours spent fantasising of a magnificent miracle that would transform us into responsible human beings. Procrastination is like a curious little imp shrouded in mystery and magic that leaves us paralysed with awe into the void of a simulated industry.

That sounds extremely depressing but there is a beacon of hope for you, fellow self-diagnosed dawdler, and me. Procrastination isn’t an incurable disease but a goblin-ugly, bad habit that can be broken just like any other. So to help you clobber this beast, here are some tips that will hopefully prevent us from drowning in the high seas of loitering and hopefully float us to the shores of productivity. First and foremost, “stop regarding it as a harmless little hang-up”. Procrastination is not something that should be overlooked with ease; instead it should be faced straight away. Once you’ve recognised it as an issue “choose an area where procrastination plaques you and address it”, for example homework or chores. As soon as you begin formulating ideas on how to escape these tasks, cut the idea at its roots and

begin the task immediately. If you can’t seem to figure out where you’re going wrong “set priorities and focus on one thing at a time”. If you have a long list of tasks to complete tackle it head on by doing the most important ones first. “Give yourself deadlines” and adhere to them because they provide the discipline to maintain a busy schedule.

If you find yourself fussing over small, menial jobs, it’s most likely you’re trying to duck the most difficult problems. Deal with them first. Don’t be of those who when faced with two difficult choices choose the third, ‘to not choose’. Often the idea of perfectionism and fear of mistakes will hinder you from addressing the task. But as the Norman Peale quote goes, “believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will.” The high that comes from completing this task with carry you through the rest surely and easily.

Getting over these obstacles will take time and patience but eventually dawdling, lollygagging and postponing tasks will feel like a shed skin. The Black Death to productivity does indeed have a cure. It’s all in the power of the mind. Do what you love and clarity of purpose and internal motivation will follow. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” [Norman Peale]

look up.

a poem

This is a student’s adaptation of Gary Turk’s spoken word poem, dedicated to the online generation. Check out the original video on YouTube- it’s definitely worth watching.

I have hundreds of friends, yet I am lonely.I speak to all of them every day, yet none of them really know me.The problem we face lies in the spaces betweenLooking into their eyes, or at a name on a screen.

I took a step back and opened my eyes,I looked around and realised,That this media we call social is anything butWhen we open our computers and it’s our doors we shut

All this technology we have, it’s just an illusionCommunity, companionship, a sense of inclusionBut when you step away from this device of delusionYou awaken to see a world of confusion.

A world where we’re slaves to the technology we masteredWhere information gets sold by some rich greedy bastardA world of self interest, self image and self promotionWhere we all share our best bits but, leave out the emotion.

We’re at our most happy with an experience we share,But is it the same if no-one is there?Be there for your friends and they’ll be there too,But no-one will be there, if a group message will do.

We edit and exaggerate, crave adulationWe pretend not to notice the social isolationWe put our words into order and tint our lives a-glisteningWe don’t even know if anyone is listening

Being alone isn’t a problem let me just emphasizeIf you read a book, paint a picture, or do some exerciseYou’re being productive and present, not reserved and recluseYou’re being awake and attentive and putting your time to good use

So when you’re in public, and you start to feel alone

Put your hands behind your head, step away from the phoneWe’re becoming unsocial, it no longer satisfiesTo engage with one another, and look into someone’s eyes.

We’re surrounded by children, who since they were born,Have watched us living like robots, who now think it’s the norm.It’s not very likely you’ll make world’s greatest dad,If you can’t entertain a child without using an iPad.

Now the park’s so quiet, it gives me a chillSee no children outside and the swings hanging still.There’s no skipping, no hopscotch, no church and no steepleWe’re a generation of idiots, smart phones and dumb people.

So look up from your phone, shut down the displayTake in your surroundings, make the most of todayJust one real connection is all it can takeTo show you the difference that being there can make.

So look up from your phone, shut down those displaysWe have a finite existence, a set number of daysDon’t waste your life getting caught in the net,As when the end comes nothing’s worse than regret.

I’m guilty too of being part of this machine,This digital world, we are heard but not seen.Where we type as we talk, and we read as we chatWhere we spend hours together without making eye contact

So don’t give into a life where you follow the hypeGive people your love, don’t give them your ‘like’Disconnect from the need to be heard and definedGo out into the world, leave distractions behind.

Put down your phone. Shut down that display. Stop reading this poem.Live life the real way.

Cereal 83%

Milk 17% Banana

30%

Boonana70%

The burning`q u e s t i o n s `

by izzah zulkefli

Before60%

After 40%

Simba 75%

Mufasa25%

Batman 30%

Spiderman70%

Half full50%

Half empty50%

Spoon20%

Fork30%

Spork 50%

Yes85%

No15%

Yes10%

No90%

DO YOU PUT CEREAL OR MILK FIRST?

BANANA OR BOONANA? ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON?

SIMBA OR MUFASA? WHO IS BETTER, BATMAN OR SPIDERMAN?

IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?

DO YOU PREFER SPOONS, FORKS OR SPORKS?

DO YOU WATCH 'MY LITTLE PONY'? DO YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH BE-FORE OR AFTER BREAKFAST?

teacher exposed!ms. sonia koubar

the inside story

Did you have a childhood nickname?

Yes, hahhaha it’s still a nickname in my family, they still call me Hajj.

Apparently I used to rock a lot like a Hajji, sit there and sort of bounce

around, yeah so hajj.

How would you describe yourself as a teenager?I think I was a good girl and well-mannered and behaved, but others have said that I was a bit of a rebel and pushed the boundaries a little bit.

Pretty normal…Trying to find my way.

Did you have any favourite TV Shows?I had lots; as a young kid I used to love ‘The Wonder Years’ and ‘Growing Pains’. And then it became

‘Days of Our Lives’, pretty normal.

Any particular interests?I love reading… reading. My best day, my ultimate day would be to just sit there with a book and snuggle up and read, and escape, escape this world and go somewhere else. But everyone

knows that about me.

Really?Don’t you, I’m an English teacher,

what do you expect?

Favourite Genre of book?I go through phases, umm the last book I read was ‘Barracuda’ which is by Christos Tolk, the guy who wrote ‘The Slap’, some Greek boy, Melbourne Greek boy, yeah its fiction, maybe. I really enjoyed that one. I

don’t like all those serious stuff.

Are you following the World Cup?I’m trying to; I find it hard; I read the paper. I know Cahill scored a wonderful goal and then he got

suspended.

So you’re Supporting the Socceroos then?I don’t know, I’m a bit of a traitor. I don’t really follow World Cup or soccer and I just think Australians are trying really hard and maybe it’s not the natural sport for us Aussies. Stick

to AFL! (Yeesh where’s the patriotism)

Favourite Food?I like lots of favourite food, I love food. Favourite? Oh I don’t know, I’ve

got lots. I’m pretty Western so a nice piece of steak with veggies on the side and mash, some nice pasta.

Yeah that’s pretty much it.

Which Mr Men character best describes you?Miss,Miss, Little Miss, I think it’s ‘Little Miss Chatterbox’. Is there a ‘Miss Small’ or ‘Miss Short’? There’s a few of them, put them all into a mishmash and that’s me. Mr Koubar’s

‘Mr Tall’, in case you didn’t realise.

What Superpower would you most want to have?I wish I was like the mum from The Incredible’s, with those stretchy arms and she’d jump around and do

everything, multi task.

If your old high school teacher arrived right now looking for your overdue homework, how would you handle that situation or avoid that confrontation?I’d just charm my way out of it, change the topic like I’m good at

doing sometimes. Make her forget.

How were your old high school teachers like?I had a great teacher for year 12 history, who inspired me and she was so passionate. She used to sit on tables and try to role play for conscription debates and that sort of stuff for Australian history. She was amazing, I began the year hating her, thinking she was a weirdo or some freak, and then by the end of the year she just

inspired me. I studied History because of her, and possibly became a teacher

without realising it because of her.

If you were stranded on an Island and you were allowed to bring any three things or people? What or who would you bring and why?I’d bring Fadi, he is stuck with me whether he likes it or not. He is company, he is fun. He probably thinks I’m a bore. I’d bring my iPad

with my paper online so there’s got to be Wi-Fi for that. And the third thing would be, I’d bring this Chef with this magical kitchen that pops up and he’d cook for me, so I don’t have to worry about food and survival and that sort of stuff. Haha I’ve turned this stranded

Island into a luxury resort.

Last question, do you have any messages for the kids reading this interview?

Isn’t life all about messages, there’s a message in everything so I guess make your mark and embrace everything that’s given to you. Reach for the stars

and Carpe Diem!

Interview by: Abdulaziz Mume,

Muhammad Adib Zulkefli and

Furkan Erbasi

department spotlight: science department by alisha rawal and zehra sert

1. What is the role of the science department?Ms Amina Rawal: To encourage and motivate kids to partake

in scientific activities that require logical thinking.

Ms Maysoon Kaddah: Science Department at Ilim College is great. Alhamdulilah, we have been blessed to work with enthusiastic and knowledgeable colleagues in our team. Hats off to Ms Amina, head of department, for her patience and never ending assistance. As a department, we strive to provide Ilim students with as many opportunities as possible to engage and carry out hands- on activities to visualise all

aspects of science.

2. Why do you believe science is important?Ms Amina: Science teaches how and why things work. Science is everywhere; you cannot survive without science. Just look at your body- that is amazing scientific machinery. If there was no science, there would be no TV, no aeroplane, no

internet, no medicines and you would still be living in a cave.

Ms Maysoon: Of course science is important. Otherwise how would we be able to understand the existence of the universe, why a ball bounces and why ants can carry something ten

times their weight?

Mr Osman Sevgi: It defines effective processes and the relationships between them. It is also progressive; one step leads to the next. Due to its direct relation to every living and

non-living thing, it is very important. Inventions & discoveries came through science (by the will of Allah). Without science,

we would not have reached to the modern age of today.

3. What is the weirdest science fact you know?Ms Amina: What you eat today will affect your progeny for

generations to come… (Epigenetics)

Ms Maysoon: Probably not the weirdest fact, but an interesting one: Lobster blood is colourless until it is exposed to air. Then the blood appears blue.

4. What is the most interesting thing you have taught?Ms Amina: Genetics, neuroscience and epigenetics: simply the

most amazing fields of science.

Ms Maysoon: The Nervous System: The speed at which signals

are sent and received instantaneously within the human body.

Mr Osman: The Big Bang Theory; we are all curious on how the universe began. As Muslims we believe Allah (swt) is the creator of all and we are content with this and leave it at that. But as scientists we are curious and we are looking for answers; we just won’t stop looking until we have some kind

of evidence.

5. What is the most interesting/ gruesome thing you have dissected?

We wanted to start with a funny science joke, but all the good ones argon! You have to admit that was sodium funny; I bet you slapped your neon that one!

Ms Amina: I don’t find dissecting disgusting, I love it. I find it

interesting and fascinating.

Ms Maysoon: A rat, followed by a sheep’s brain. 6. What is the funniest thing to happen in one of your classes?Ms Amina: There have been quite a few and we enjoy them very much. Ask my students for the details, I don’t remember them. Though, students usually find most things funny. One of the more recent moments was in one of my science class: we were making volcanoes. One of the boys dropped coloured dye all over my skirt. When he realised what he had done, he was frozen with fear, only this fear was soon replaced by

hysterical laughter. Mr Osman: It was in a mathematics class and the topic was algebra. This particular problem that the class and I were solving had the letters “x” and “y” involved. I had asked a question to the students in which the answer was the letter “y”. One of the students answered “y”. And I responded “Because I want to know”. Another student answered “y, sir”. Again I responded “Because I am your teacher and I want to know”. By then most of the student picked up on the joke and we had a laugh. 7. If you could add one science gadget to Ilim College, what would it be?

Ms Amina: PCR machine.

Ms Maysoon: Gel Electrophoresis Equipment.

Mr Osman: The Telescope, which I already have donated to the school.

8. What is the best part of being a science educator?Ms Amina: The ‘ohh’ factor. The moment when students finally understand what is going on in class and make the link to themselves; that this is how their body works and how

their brain is working.

Ms Maysoon: Constantly being reminded and sharing the miracles of Allah SWT that we take for granted. Miracles that

have been mentioned in our Quran

Mr Osman: You get to make a lot of mistakes and it is okay. We just call that “science at work” or “an experimental failure” or “a theory” or “a concept” that you do not agree with.

9. Who is your favourite scientist and why?Ms Amina: James Watson and – Creek. They discovered the

structure of DNA, thus forming the basis of modern genetics.

Ms Maysoon: Albert Einstein. Why you ask? Because for someone who had delayed language development and ‘educational slowness’, his passion and persistence led to the development of the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars

of modern physics. Mr Osman: Akşemseddin. He discovered DNA (micro organisms) about 400 years before Louis Pasteur. His discovery is mentioned in his book titled “Maddetü’l-Hayat” It is great to see that early Muslims were not just religiously active, but they were explorers as well. These people are role models for us and show that we need to explore the world as much as we need to be religiously active. As mentioned in one Islamic Quote: “Work for your afterlife as if you will die tomorrow, and work for this life as if you will live forever”.

10. Any advice for students?Ms Amina: Listen to your teachers and your parents. You can

be whatever you want to be with persistence.

Ms Maysoon: Students who have an interest or passion for

science… Go for it. It’s an amazing world of science out there. Mr Osman: Set small but achievable goals. Then come up with a plan of action (mission) on how you will achieve these goals. Stick to your plan and make the necessary changes to get back on track. Once your goals have been attained, set new goals and start over. Lastly, be responsible and respect all life.

Dear youse hoo tawk lyk dis...This is dedicated to all you teenyboppers and too-cool-for-school youngsters. I don’t want to take up too much of your time away from selfie-taking, tweeting and status-updating, so I’ll make it short and sweet. I’m sure I’m not the first one to admit it; every time you make a grammatical error, everyone secretly cringes and dies a little inside. The truth hurts, I know. So do yourself a favour. Read this, memorise this, stick this in your bathroom for all I care. But really, you need this. Before you know it, you’ll be the grammatical head honcho of your peers. If it’s popularity you want, you better start differen-tiating between “their”, “there” and “they’re”. Believe me, your friends will thank you and so will your English teacher.

And now we know that science doesn’t end with just wearing cool lab coats and burning random things. This little insight on the mysteries of the science department has enlightened us on its level of awesomeness!

bthe

straight PATH

Al Imam Abdullah Ibn al-Mubârak (may Allah have mercy on his soul) once said:“I have seen the sins killing hearts, and

their degradation may lead to their becoming addicted to them. Abandoning sins is the resurrection of the hearts, and

opposing your self is best for it.”

Whoever is concerned with the health and life of his heart, must rid it of the effects of such poisons, and then protect it by avoiding new ones. If he takes any by mistake, then he should hasten to wipe out their effect by turning in repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allâh, as well as by doing good deeds that will wipe out his wrong actions.

1. Unnecessary TalkingIt is reported in al-Musnad, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (RA), the Prophet said:

“The faith of a servant is not put right until his heart is put right, and his heart is not put right until his tongue is put

right.”This shows that the Prophet has made the purification of faith conditional on the purification of the heart, and the purification of the heart conditional on

the purification of the tongue.

I Al Imam At-Tirmidhî relates in a hadîth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar:“Do not talk excessively without remembering Allâh, because such excessive talk without the mention of Allâh causes the heart to harden, and the person furthest from Allâh is a person with a hard heart.”

I ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allâh be pleased with him, said:

“A person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire has a priority over such a frequent sinner.”

I Abû Huraira also related that the

Messenger of Allâh said: “The servant speaks words, the consequences of which he does not realise, and for which he is sent down into the depths of the Fire further than

the distance between the east and the west.”

I Abdullâh ibn Mas‘ûd said: “By Allâh, besides whom no god exists, nothing deserves a long prison sentence more than my tongue.” He also used to say: “O tongue, say good and you will profit; desist from saying evil things and you will be safe; otherwise you will find only regret.”

I Abu Huraira reported that Ibn al-

Abbâs said: “A person will not feel greater fury or anger for any part of his body on the Day of Judgment more than what he will feel for his tongue, unless he only used it for saying or enjoining good.” I Al-Hassan said: “Whoever does not hold his tongue cannot understand his deen.”

The least harmful of a tongue’s faults is talking about whatever does not concern it.

2. Keeping Bad CompanyUnnecessary companionship is a chronic disease that causes much harm. How often has the wrong kind of companionship deprived people of Allah’s generosity, planting discord in their hearts, which even the passage of time-even if it were long enough for mountains to be worn away-has been unable to dispel. In keeping such company, one can find the roots of loss, both in this life and in the next life.A person whose company is doom is like taking poison: its victim either finds an antidote or perishes. Many people belong to this category. They are the people of religious innovation and misguidance, those who abandon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and advocate other beliefs. They call what is the Sunnah a bid‘a and vice-versa. A man with any intellect should not sit in their assemblies nor mix with them. The results of doing so will either be the death of his heart or, at the very best, it falling seriously ill.

The voice of hidayah: Poisons of the heart

What Gives the Heart Life and Sustenance?The well being of the believing servant’s heart, is indeed far more important than that of his body, for while the well being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal

bliss in the next.

Similarly, while the death of the body cuts the servant off from this world, the death of the heart results in everlasting anguish. A righteous man once said, “How odd, that some people mourn for the one whose body has died, but never mourn for the one whose heart has died – and yet the death of the heart is far

more serious!”

Thus, acts of obedience are indispensable to the well being of the heart. It is worthwhile mentioning the following acts of obedience here, since they are very necessary and essential for the servant’s heart: Dhikr of Allâh ta‘Ala, recitation of the Noble Qur’ân, seeking Allâh’s forgiveness, making du‘âs, invoking Allâh’s blessings and peace on the Prophet, may Allâh bless him and grant him peace, and praying at night.

An overall conclusion:I We Should Obey Allah and his messenger in all mattersI We should avoid vain talk and backbiting

I We should avoid looking at forbidden thingsI We should avoid bad company as it may affect our Deen.

Oh Almighty Allah, give us strength to enjoin good and forbid evil, Ameen.

Written by: The Islamic Enrichment

Committee (IEC)

Text adapted from:

http://www.islamictreasure.

com/1175-the-four-poisons-of-

the-heart/

the story of prophet hud by Hafsah Chao

Prophet Hud (AS) was from the tribe of A’ad. They were the tribe that Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Quran as the people who created their city from lofty pillars, the like of which was never created. This was also the only tribe that Allah (SWT) destroyed completely. We can find remnants of other tribes

today, but not of A’ad as they were completely destroyed.

They were the first people after Nuh to worship the idols. Prophet Hud (AS) told his people over and over again to worship Allah (SWT) alone and to leave their arrogant ways.

However, they did not listen.

So Allah (SWT) sent upon them a fierce wind, as Allah (SWT) mentions in Surah Al-Haqqah:“And A’ad, they were destroyed by a fierce roaring wind; which He made it rage against them for seven nights and eight days, uninterruptedly. So you could see the people lying overthrown as if they were stumps of fallen palm trees. Then do you see any remnants of them?” (69:6-8)

This fierce wind, might be in a way similar to, or possibly even stronger than, the tornadoes that we see today. But this tornado-like-wind was upon the people of A’ad for 7 days and 8 nights. This place is now in a place between Oman and Hadramout (Yemen), but it is a completely barren desert. The tribe of A’ad was once a great tribe and civilisation, but do

you see any remnants of them?

We learn from this story the important lesson of never letting money and power lead you astray.

sweet sunnah By Zakariya IsaaqDuring Radaman we settled into the tradition of eating dates. Many of us do not know the benefits of eating them, so this article will outline the numerous benefits of this sweet Sunnah.According to a modern medical survey, it is now accepted that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. Breaking fast with dates helps avoid overeating of food after the fast is finished, due to their high nutritional value. When they are consumed after fasting, the body readily absorbs these nutrients and feelings of hunger are pacified. Also, the nervous system can get a lot of help from consuming dates, since they have such significant amounts of potassium.Dates are one of the very best sweet and versatile foods that can regulate the digestive process. It can significantly boost energy levels in people within half an hour of consuming it. The American Cancer Society recommends an intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fibre per day, which can be supplied through dates. It is also said that taking one date per a day will help you to maintain your eye health all your life. These are some of the various benefits of dates. So next time you break your fast, have a few dates!

friendship and forgiveness hand-drawn by a student

Crossword

c o m p l e t e t o w i nBy Iskandar Zulfikar

THE RULES: 1. complete the crossword

2. cut it out

3. give it to a member of the ilim rant

team

4. a winner will be randomly selected

to win a fabulous prize!

Hey there kiddo.

There are some things you need to know about what’s to come. Brace yourself for potentially what could be the best 6 years of your life. On the brink of 18 and ultimately adulthood I think I am qualified to talk to you about some ways that you could make your life epic and also some things that you must

remember.

First of all, I know that you may be feeling like a small fish submerged in a very large ocean. However you must know your worth. You are a very valuable member of this sea. Don’t be afraid to make your mark and volunteer to change the lives of others. I know you may be thinking that you are barely a teenager and there is no way you could change anybody’s life, however that is only society’s stigma on you. Go out and be awesome. Nobody is ever too young to volunteer and help in

any way that they can.

Which brings me to my next point; don’t be afraid to be different. Dare to be bold and unique. I know it may be scary to be the only person choosing yellow instead of green, but when given a choice, don’t choose based upon what your friends have chosen. This applies specifically to your subject selections in the years to come. Just because your mate chooses a math subject, it does not mean you must choose it also. Ultimately, learn to base your decisions upon what you

want and not what your friends or society wants.

Rid yourself of vanity and jealousy. When you see successful people let that motivate you to achieve by working hard and never settling for less than you are capable of. Do not think that success will come to you by sleeping and watching the latest episode of ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Success will come to you by hard work, so build up hard working traits from this vital year and I can assure you that you will breeze through

high school easily.

Know your mother’s worth. Do not under any circumstance ever raise your voice at her or even have feelings of discontentment with her. She is ultimately striving for your success. She is on your side of the bleachers cheering for you. Now I know it may not seem as though she is right now because of all the other people in the bleachers supposedly cheering for you too. But slowly as people migrate to their own bleachers leaving your one, you will realise that the only true fan that stayed and was there all along was your mother. Value her, kiss her, hug her and tell her that you love her on a

daily basis.

On a final note, just give up arguing about your vegetables. Especially spinach because guess what? Spinach WILL become your favourite food to eat by the time year twelve comes around.

a letter to my year 7 self

f r o m o t h e r l a n g u a g e staken from www.visual.ly

othe

bibliophile**A person who collects or has a great love of books.

ender’s game

by orson scott card

reviewed by zehra sert

The world has been attacked twice by aliens - the Buggers. Humanity almost perished twice.

Preparing for the next battle, the International Fleet - Earth’s army - finds and trains military geniuses from the age they should be trained: early childhood. The goal? To have these children be the leaders of the army, and defend Earth from a Third Invasion. And hopefully get rid of these Buggers once and for all.

Ender is one of these children. Recruited at six years old, his entire life has been torment from his older brother, Peter, and love from his older sister, Valentine. He rises to the top of the talent pool faster than anyone else. But will he survive in an artificial community amongst soldiers much older than him?The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for no less than that. Is Ender really the general they’ve been waiting for?

What is so awesome about Ender’s Game is not just the sci-fi, nor the action, nor the raw emotions Orson Scott Card projects towards us. It is the perfect blend of all three and more - in almost fatally high doses.

A satisfying read for the seasoned sci-fi readers, and an exemplary starter for the first-timer, Ender’s Game is not a book to be ignored!

legendby Marie Lu

reviewed by Aida Ismail Legend is a novel by Marie Lu set in a dystopian future where America is split into two parts, the Republic and the Colonies. The protagonists of the story are two fifteen year olds, June and Day. June was born in an elite family in one of the wealthiest districts in the Republic. On the contrary, Day is the country’s most searched for criminal who grew up in the slums in the Republic’s Lake Sector. Their story changes when one day, June’s brother, Metias, is killed and Day is made to be the main suspect. They soon uncover a deeper, darker secret their country has been hiding from them and the true reason they have been brought together.

Legend is a great novel with the story alternating between both June and Day’s point of view. As the story unravels, June and Day’s lives unexpectedly intermingle in a thrilling adventure.

This book is part of the ‘Legend’ series and can be found in the IIim College library and is great for anyone who is looking for a great novel to read in their spare time.

Untranslatable wordsf r o m o t h e r l a n g u a g e s

taken from www.visual.ly

The Ilimf u n n y b o n e k

QoverheardRreal people. real situations. all, overheard.

I"Can I try on your glasses? Are they high voltage?" -Student

I"Who is in the nucleus?" -Teacher

I"Autumn is my favourite month." -Student

I"If you got hit by a car, would you: run away, get hit, or jump

over it?" -Student

I"Do you have a pseudo-name?" "I'm not Sudanese..." -

Teacher and student