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There are certain deeds that should never be neglected, which affect the heart permanently. Yet, some people, due to their weakness in faith, may be careless and may not perform them regularly.One deed of the heart is to have constant hope in the kindness, generosity and favours of Allah The Almighty. One should be optimistic and never lose hope in the bounty of Allah The Almighty, which He bestows on whom He wills. However, this hope should be coupled with a reason, or means, for one to feel that it will be realised. Thus, one should keep performing good deeds that give one the opportunity to harbour hope in the generosity and kindness of Allah The Almighty, for if these means are not present, then it is mere wishful thinking on one’s part.Hope is not for a person who is lazy and does not endeavour to remain upon the path of those who strive and exert great efforts. Such a person is just like someone who wants to grow plants and see them bearing fruit, without bothering to cultivate or water the seeds. Is this person equal to another, who digs the soil, plants the seeds and waters them carefully and regularly? Only the latter can realistically hope that his plants will grow fruitful. This is also the case regarding hope for the bestowal of the mercy and bounty of Allah The Almighty.Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {It [i.e. Paradise] is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture.} [Qur’an, 4: 123] Moreover, it was said, “Faith is not wishful thinking, but rather, it is what is instilled in the heart and proven by good deeds.”Hope is necessary for those who are heading towards Allah The Almighty, because if a devout worshiper loses hope, then he is heading for ruin. A sincere Muslim hopes that Allah The Almighty will forgive his sins and that He will enable him to rectify a fault in himself. He hopes that Allah The Almighty will accepts his good deeds and hopes to draw closer to Allah The Almighty. Thus, hope is one of the most important means that one must possess in order to continue his journey towards Allah The Almighty with steadfastness, especially during the age of trials and tribulations we now live in.Hope is a means of steadfastness. It is the complete opposite of despair, and to feel despair is to give up on the mercy of Allah The Almighty, which is a sin in itself, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.} [Qur’an, 12: 87] This was the advice of Prophet Ya’qoob, may Allah exalt his mention, to his sons.How does one achieve hope?• By remembering the past favours of Allah The Almighty on you.• By remembering the promise of great rewards from Allah The Almighty, and remembering His generosity and kindness towards his slaves, especially when his slaves do not even ask Him for them and are unworthy of receiving them. The slave will continue receiving all these blessings and favours as long as he remains upon the straight path.• By remembering the bounties of Allah The Almighty with regards to one’s faith, body, and life in general.• By remembering the great mercy of Allah The Almighty and that His mercy precedes His wrath, and that He is the entirely Merciful, the especially Merciful; that He is Kind and Compassionate. Thus, acquiring hope in Allah The Almighty can be achieved by knowing His Names and Attributes.Those whose hearts are alive recognize the fallacy of this world, and realise that this life is like a field in which they plant seeds for the Hereafter. The similitude of the heart is like that of the earth. Just as the earth must have seeds sown in it for it to yield fruits, the heart requires acts of obedience to make it flourish and remain alive. Just as the earth requires continuous attention, watering, digging, and so on, the heart requires continuous attention; it is enlivened by its obedience of Allah The Almighty. Just as the earth needs maintenance like removing harmful weeds from around the plants, the heart needs to be purified from doubts and desires, lest they ruin the fruits of one’s acts of obedience, which have been irrigated with the water of servitude.It is rare for one to benefit from his faith if his heart is full of evil, just as seeds cannot grow in saline water or a swamp. The slave’s hope can be compared to that of a farmer’s. Only if a farmer seeks good, fertile soil, sows quality seeds in it, waters it and takes good care of it, can he then wait for the favour of Allah The Almighty. This is real hope.On the other hand, if the farmer were to implant his seeds in a swampy, slanted area where water cannot reach, it would be ridiculous of him to expect any result or hope for anything to grow there. Also, if the farmer were to plant good seeds in good soil, but it is above ground level and on a hilly slope so that water cannot reach it; he certainly cannot hope for plants to grow there, but he might indulge in wishful thinking.Hope means waiting eagerly for results after one has exerted all efforts and employed all possible means available to them. Therefore, one should exert oneself in performing acts of obedience and worship and then wait for the bounties from Allah The Almighty to make him steadfast, to protect him from deviating until he dies, and to guard him from misguidance until he leaves this world and meets a Lord Who is pleased with him.The person with hope is someone who has been consistent in his acts of obedience and fulfils the implications of faith. He hopes that Allah The Almighty will not cause him to stray from the straight path; he hopes that Allah The Almighty will accept his good deeds and not reject them; he hopes that Allah The Almighty will reward him doubly. This is a person who can be said to have exerted all possible efforts, and who can then hope for the mercy of his Lord.Conversely, someone who habitually indulges in immoral acts, fails to water his heart with obedience, and does not curb his pleasures and lusts, and then hopes for the forgiveness and mercy of Allah The Almighty, is a deceived fool. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And there followed them successors who inherited the Scripture [while] taking the commodities [i.e. unlawful gains and pleasures] of this lower life and saying, ‘It will be forgiven for us.’} [Qur’an, 7: 169]In the Quran, Allah The Almighty tells us what the ungrateful disbeliever said, whom Allah The Almighty blessed with a garden: (what means): {I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return.} [Qur’an, 18: 36] This was a case of wishful thinking on his part.Hope is a cure that two types of people require:1. Those who have reached the state of despairing from the mercy of Allah The Almighty, to the point that they have given up worshipping Him, concluding that it is fruitless and useless.2. Those whose fear has overwhelmed them to the point that they have caused harm upon themselves and their families; such fear transgresses the limits permitted in Islam, and thus these people must correct themselves and be balanced by also having hope in Allah The Almighty.Talking to some people about hope can cure and motivate them; however, it does not cure those deceived sinners who think that they possess hope, but in fact are only wishful thinkers because they wish for the forgiveness of Allah The Almighty whilst not doing enough acts of worship. Talking about hope with such people would only cause an increase in their transgression and make them stray even further. The only way to help them is to severely admonish them into refraining from sinning – which is a very important point that we must all pay attention to.Some of the scholars said: “The person admonishing others should be kind and look to the areas of weakness and disease in people and address them, aiming to cure each person according to his level and situation; but nowadays, one should not address matters from the hope perspective, but rather exaggerate in terrifying them. The admonisher should only mention the virtues of having hope and how one can attain it in order to attract the hearts.” Thus, one should scare people, but not to the level of making them feel despair, as ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The true scholar is the one who does not make people give up on the mercy of Allah, nor make them feel secure from His wrath.”Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/

Nestled amidst the glimmering skyline of downtown Dubai, my recent stay at the Pullman Dubai Downtown was nothing short of impeccable. From the moment I arrived, I knew I was in for a treat, and this luxurious oasis exceeded every expectation.One of the highlights of my stay was the LOLITA Pool Bar & Lounge, a chic and vibrant rooftop haven that offers an unrivaled view of the iconic Burj Khalifa and the bustling heart of Dubai. The crafty bartenders here seemed to anticipate my every desire before I could even utter a word, whipping up exquisite cocktails that were tailor-made to suit my taste. Sipping on these delightful concoctions while taking in the breathtaking cityscape was an unforgettable experience.When it came to dining, Pullman Dubai Downtown's food and beverage scene left an indelible mark. My dinner at Couqley French Brasserie was, without a doubt, a culinary revelation. The bucket of mussels with white wine sauce and crispy chips was a masterpiece, setting a new standard for the best mussels in Dubai. The steak and foie gras were simply exceptional, making a strong case for being the best in the country. It was a gastronomic journey I won't soon forget.For breakfast, Brothaus Bistro & Bakery proved to be an absolute gem. Their freshly-baked bread, a staple at this cozy establishment, was a huge hit for me. The pastries and bread here are truly next level, drawing visitors from all over the UAE in search of that authentic taste that sets them apart. Trust me; you won't want to miss this culinary delight.Beyond the outstanding dining experiences, Pullman Dubai Downtown's service was nothing short of commendable. The thoughtfulness and genuine warmth of the staff transformed my stay into a truly heartfelt experience. Handwritten notes and chocolates left in my room were small gestures that made a big difference, creating an atmosphere that genuinely felt like home in the heart of Dubai.Pullman Dubai Downtown is more than just a hotel; it's a destination that goes above and beyond to provide a luxurious, memorable experience. If you're looking for a remarkable stay in Dubai, Pullman Dubai Downtown should be at the top of your list. It's a true gem in the city's hospitality scene, and it's a place I can't wait to return to.

In the heart of dazzling Dubai, where luxury and leisure unite, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR emerges as an unrivaled oasis. Nestled along the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence, this beachfront gem redefines opulence and reimagines the art of hospitality. My recent sojourn within its graceful confines was an exquisite journey, an eloquent fusion of family-friendly enchantment, awe-inspiring panoramas, epicurean indulgence, and inventive libations. It caters to both the spirited revelers and those in quest of tranquil respite.A family oasis by the pool:One facet that defines this haven is its idyllic family-friendly pool enclave. As you grace the sun-drenched pool terrace, a feeling of serenity envelops you, accompanied by an unmistakable aura of familial warmth. The ample pools provide ample space for leisure and merriment. The younger ones are enveloped in joy within their dedicated pool, replete with exhilarating water slides and a playful splash park. Here, families weave priceless memories beneath the radiant Dubai sun.Picture-perfect vistas:This resplendent beachfront sanctuary astutely capitalizes on its premier location along the immaculate JBR coastline. The unadulterated views of the Dubai Eye and the pristine beach are nothing short of visually enchanting. Be it the leisurely breakfast on your private balcony or reclining by the poolside, the vistas are nothing short of magnificent. The colossal Dubai Eye, a majestic observation wheel, and the shimmering expanse of the Arabian Gulf together forge an ideal backdrop for capturing your moments of sojourn.Gourmet feasts and artisanal mixology:For aficionados of fine dining and connoisseurs of cocktails, this resort is an effulgence of delight. The property bestows a veritable treasure chest of culinary choices, appealing to diverse palates. From the authentic Turkish flavors of Turquoise to the succulent indulgence of STK's steaks, there's a culinary tale for everyone. Yet, the pièce de résistance is the assortment of creative libations at the numerous bars and lounges. Savor the mastery of mixology while absorbing the mesmerizing views, and you'll believe you've uncovered a clandestine sanctuary of taste and sophistication.Not simply a luxury retreat, it's a distinctive way of life encapsulated within a way of life. The property harmoniously weaves luxurious ambiance with a welcoming embrace. It's a realm where you can lose yourself in poolside leisure, savor exceptional cuisine, partake in innovative cocktails, and delve into the vivacity of Dubai, all ensconced within the sanctuary of the resort. It genuinely proffers a lifestyle experience of unparalleled opulence.A revelry within a reprieve:What distinguishes this resort is its versatility. Whether your heart yearns for spirited celebration or a serene refuge, this sanctuary caters to both inclinations. The pool parties and entertainment galas are an anthem for those seeking effervescence, while the private beach and spa confer an oasis of tranquility for the weary traveler. It is a destination designed to satisfy the diverse desires of its guests.My extraordinary sojourn was an experience woven with magic that lingers in my thoughts. From the familial poolside resplendence to the entrancing panoramas, the exquisite epicurean odyssey, and the craft of libations, this resort materializes as a life within a life. It is a place where one can submerge in the vivacious spirit of revelry and find a peaceful refuge within one remarkable sanctuary. If you yearn for the quintessential Dubai voyage, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR should reign supreme on your list.

A ‘Garba Night’ hosted by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) was replete with festivities, dance and prizes.

DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) organised a cleanliness drive for students of classes IV and V under the Clean India Mission (Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan). The aim was to create awareness among the students regarding cleanliness and its benefits.

The Under-19 Boys’ team of MES Indian School won the overall championship in the CBSE Qatar Cluster Handball Tournament 2023-24 held over three days, featuring 13 Indian schools. The team has qualified for the nationals to be held in Uttarakhand in India in November. Principal Dr Hameeda Kadar congratulated the students and their coach Mohamed Navas.

The under-19 Boys’ and Girls’ football teams of MES Indian School won the championship in the CBSE Qatar Cluster Football tournament. After the final match at MES and organised by Ideal Indian School, the latter’s principal Shaik Shamim Saheb handed over the trophies. Birla Public School secured the first runner-up position in the Boys’ as well as the Girls’ categories. A total of 15 teams of boys and 13 teams of girls participated in the three-day event. MES is now qualified to participate in the National Football Championship in November in India. The winning teams were trained by Binoy K K and Shani G R, teachers of the Department of Physical Education. Afsal and Gigi P Abraham were the managers for the boys’ and the girls’ teams, respectively. MES principal Dr Hameeda Kadar congratulated the winners and the coaches.

Johan Jobsy (VI -D) of MES Indian School represented India in the Qatar Masters Open 2023 chess championship in the 'B' category and achieved 23rd position playing against 92 players from more than 30 countries. He was congratulated by Indian ambassador Vipul at a ceremony.

Indian Sports Centre (ISC) hosted a community reception for the Indian chess players participating in the Qatar Masters 2023. The event at Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) was also in association with Qatar Tamizhar Sangam (QTS). Grandmaster Gukesh, representing his fellow players, took the stage and spoke on their behalf. Indian ambassador Vipul was the chief guest. Indian embassy first secretary Sachin Shankpal, ISC president E P Abdul Rahiman, ICC president A P Manikantan, Indian Community Benevolent Forum president Shanavas Bava and QTS president Manibharathi were present.

MES Indian School hosted its maiden TEDx youth event which also included the audience from MESIS, the other school under the same management.The speakers were Pramod Janardhan Shetty, Naureen Youssef, Jeacim Francis Adaya and Trivikram Sunil. MES principal Dr Hameeda Kadar gave the opening speech.Academics director and cultural and co-curricular activities deputy director Ashraf Sharafudheen P T presented mementos to the speakers.Off-campus division administrator and Students External Activities chief co-ordinator Manmmadhan Mambally highlighted the efforts from obtaining the TEDx licensing, to execution of the event, by the members of the organising committee that included MES Grade XII students Alen Thomas, Johann Cherian George, Johan Thomas, Arundhathi, Rene, Rajalakshmy, Liana Jermy, Afiya Haroon and Vasudev.

'Maha Bathukamma' celebrations were held by Telangana Jagruthi Qatar (TJQ) with a tribute to Chandrayaan-3, Aditya L1 replicas. President Sudha Pasupulati said the event under the guidance of advisory council chairperson Nandini Abbagouni reflected Indian and Telangana State culture and heritage. Ladies and girls were dressed up for the occasion to reflect the Indian culture and performed Bathukamma. With the objective to promote handloom and to support artisans, the committee distributed handloom sarees from Narayanpet and Siricilla districts of Telangana.

About 500 members of Telangana Welfare Association (TWA) attended Dussehra celebrations, president Mohamed Abdul Rauf said. Indian embassy deputy chief of mission Sandeep Kumar was the chief guest. TWA founder president Khaja Nizamuddin was presented a memento. Gadde Srinivas, Rajani Murthy and Radhika Sai were honoured for community service. TWA vice-president Ramesh Pitla and management committee members Swetha Netaji, Sravanti, Radhika, Padma, Prathyusha, Nagraju, Ghulam Rasool, Shoaib, Ramesh Netaji, Krishna, Swaraj Kumar Syed Bakhar Mohiuddin, Venu Gopal, Talha, Iqbal and Gulam Ghouse were present.

DPS - Modern Indian School, conducted an Islamic Studies Tasbeeh-making activity in a kindergarten glass, which included Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The primary goal was to familiarise young students with Tasbeeh and Dhikr, while promoting fine motor skills, creativity, and cultural awareness. The teacher introduced Tasbeeh and Dhikr, explaining their significance in Islamic culture. The students chose their favourite colours and carefully strung the beads, all while reciting Dhikr. The students gifted their beautifully crafted Tasbeeh to the principal, vice principal, headmistress and the Department of Islamic Studies. This activity created an inclusive, respectful classroom environment and deepened the students' understanding of cultural and religious practices.

With an objective to honour and acknowledge the students of Classes XI and XII, who excelled with their outstanding academic performance, MES Indian School conducted a Blue and Green card awarding ceremony during the morning assembly. Students who scored above 90% were honoured with green card status and those with 80% to 89% with blue card certificates.

The 4th edition of the Inter-school competition, Scintilla, organised by Rajagiri Public School (RPS), brought together about 450 participants from 19 schools across Qatar. Indian Cultural Centre's cultural head Suma Mahesh Gowda inaugurated the event.A highlight of the inaugural function was the welcome address by Nevaa Mariah Bobby, a kindergarten student. Various competitions were held across three venues.

The fifth edition of DPS-Modern Indian School Model United Nations (MUN), held over three days, was attended by 250 students from schools across Qatar. They engaged in discussions which enhanced the learning of intricacies of leadership, diplomacy, teamwork, research work, debating and negotiations through hands-on experiences. This edition’s theme was ‘Global Crisis Response’. The closing ceremony was graced by DPS-MIS finance director George Thomas and his wife. Principal Asna Nafees threw light on the success of the school in organising the conference which ensured equity and inclusion.

Doha Music Lovers and M Paul Records jointly hosted a 'Mega Musical Night' which had popular Indian singer Garry Singh, specially flown in from Punjab, and other singers, artists weaving a spell over the audience.Jaweed Bajwa, Sara Ali Khan, Madhu Vanteru, Divya Gopi, Aslam Cheniyery, Basit Imtiyaz, Shaban Nafees, Rony Khan, Vimlesh, Manish, Shravya, Joshita Durgu, Shakshi Sukhnani, Vandana Raj, Shivani, Tarangini, Dhanya Priya, Reshma, Felix, Frango and the team of Emote Edition dance studios performed.Indian Sports Centre president E P Abdul Rahman was the chief guest. Doha Music Lovers president Syed Rafi explained that the group has singers from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. M Paul Records founder Mohinder Jalandhary, himself took to the stage, performing Punjabi songs. RJ Kabeer from Radio 107 FM gave a captivating rap show.The guests included Andhra Kala Vedika president Venkappa Bhagavatula, Telangana Gulf Samithi president Madhu, Indian Community Benevolent Forum managing committee member Shankar Goud, Yawar Hussain (Aqsa Neon), Sonu (Sonu Doha Contracting), Lokesh Walia (Daym Al Saif perfumes), Jyothi (Emote Edition) and Luthfi Khan Kakar (Sheen Services).

Most scholars group the main aspects of the methodology of the Companions in preserving the Sunnah into the following seven categories: prudence in narrating the Hadiths, verification and substantiation of the Hadiths before accepting them, critique, discussions and assessment of the narration, travelling for search and confirmation of the Hadiths, memorisation, practice and writing of the Hadiths. Some scholars refer to these aspects as ‘rulings’, ‘methods’ or ‘ways’ instead of methodology.1- Prudence in narrating the Hadith:Because of the fact that the Sunnah is a revelation and a sacred Source for this religion, the Companions were very careful when narrating what the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said or did. This vigilance was illustrated in:l Avoiding narration unless they had to. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Abi Layla said: “I have met with 120 Companions from the Ansaar (supporters of the Prophet), none of whom would narrate a Hadith or answer a question of fatwa unless he absolutely had no choice but to do it. One would have to go and ask another instead of him, so much so you would keep going from one to the other until you get back to the first one you asked.”They understood that they were conveying the message brought to them by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and that people see it as such, thus everyone wanted the other to do that because they may know it better. This, however, should not be construed to mean they avoided spreading the message or teaching Islam to others. This prudence indicates they were fully aware of their role and its significance. They would rather let others, who may be more knowledgeable, do the job, but once they had to do, they did it in the best way possible.lLimiting or discouraging the narration. This attitude was adopted for the purpose of protecting the Sunnah because it minimises the possibility of mistakes or forgetfulness that may otherwise cause people to doubt the Sunnah or mistrust the narrators. This trend was strongly encouraged by Caliphs Abu Bakr, radhiallah ‘anhu, and ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, radhiallah ‘anhu, and was accepted and practiced by the Companions. This attitude is founded on the famous Hadith narrated by many Companions: “It is sufficient - for one to tumble into lying - to narrate or repeat everything he/she hears.” [Al-Bukhari and others]lEncouraging narration from knowledgeable Companions. To strike a necessary balance between being cautious and insuring the transmission of the religion and the spreading of its teachings, the Companions who had a great deal of knowledge - like those recommended by the Prophet - never hesitated to narrate, write or teach the Sunnah. There are hundreds of narrations that encourage such practice so long as it is done in the right manner.lOpting for verbatim narration. Guided with instruction in the Hadith, “May Allah bless the person who hears a statement from me and conveys it as he/she heard it,” the Companions did all that was humanly possible to keep their narration verbatim of what they actually heard from the Prophet. There are many reported incidents, which testify to this fact. Having such natural mastery of the Arabic – that was common among them - and the fact that they saw and heard the Prophet say, do and explain to them his teachings repeatedly, as well as their understanding of the need for verbatim transmission of narrations, all combined to make it easy for them not to cause changes as they narrate any Hadith.2- Verification of the Hadith before accepting itThis is an important tool that the Companions established to safeguard the Sunnah against any foreign material interference and accidental or deliberate mistakes. This was a common practice amongst all of the Companions when receiving or narrating the Sunnah.Imaam Ath-Thahabi mentioned this practice, in one of his great books, addressing the issue of Hadith memorisers. He said that it was one of the ways used by of the four Caliphs to protect the Hadith. For example, Abu Bakr was asked to rule in the case of a grandmother who came asking for her right in inheritance, he said that he knew of no amount due to her neither in the Book of Allah (i.e., Qur’an) nor the Sunnah of the Prophet. But when Al-Mugheerah told that he has witnessed the Prophet give one-sixth of the total amount of the inheritance, he asked him if he had witness to substantiate this claim. And when Muhammad Ibn Maslamah witnessed to the truth of that figure, Abu Bakr accepted it and gave the grandmother exactly that.In the case of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, Ath-Thahabi mentioned many incidents that testify to the fact that he always ascertained the narration when it was necessary to do so. He narrated that Maalik Ibn Aws heard ‘Umar say to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ‘Awf, Talhah Ibn Az-Zubayr and Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqaas: “I ask by Allah, Who maintains the Heaven and Earth! Did you hear the Prophet say: ‘I am not to be inherited, whatever I leave is to be given in charity’? They said: ‘Yes, Allah is our witness.’” [Ahmad]After narrating the above incidents among others, Imaam Ath-Thahabi repeatedly asserted that the verifications were not meant to doubt the truthfulness of any of the Companions rather they were necessary to establish a standard of care and respect for what the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said or did. They did that for themselves and to institute a tradition to be followed and honoured by all who come after them.In summary, it is essential to note the following about this method:lThe purpose was to protect the Sunnah, not to doubt one another. All of the Companions are trustworthy as clearly stated in the Qur’an, and doubting their trustworthiness can certainly damage one’s faith.lThe purpose, also, was to establish a method and set an example to be followed by the rest of the Muslim nation. The truth, however, remains that Companions used to accept narration conveyed by any one of them. Their request of witnesses or that the narrator gives an oath that he is saying the truth was to establish the methodology, so that people would not take narrating a Hadith lightly. This fact may further be supported when considering that:lSometimes they required a witness while at others they had the narrator give oath or reminded him of how serious it is to lie against the Prophet. This variation indicates that the purpose was actually to establish awareness of the significance of narrating the Hadith rather than set up a requirement of having more than one narrator as a condition for its authenticity.lThere are a very large number of narrations, which indicate that in many cases the Companions had actually accepted Hadith from one narrator without seeking any substantiation or verification.3. Study, critique, and assessment of the narrationsOf the ways the Companions used to preserve the Sunnah, properly learning and studying it, was perhaps the most important. They refer to this using terms like, “Tadaarus” and “Muthaakarah,” both of which indicate a studying that involves more than one person as well as a mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas. The results of this “studying and discussing” were manifold.Learning the Sunnah correctly, free of mistakes was one of the goals, and so was the firm memorisation of it. And since it was physically impossible for a large number of the Companions to have equal time access to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam these discussions were the means through which the narrations known to only a few individuals were passed on to many others, thus expanding the circle of narrators.Books such as Jaami’ Bayaan Al-‘Ilm by Ibn Abd Al-Barr and Al-Jaami’ Li Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi by Al-Khateeb have many authentic narrations from the Companions bearing witness to the effectiveness of these discussions in preserving the Sunnah.Another aspect of the Companions’ methodology in preserving the Sunnah was the critical assessment and evaluation of what they narrated and taught to one another. Anytime a Companion felt what he heard from another had a problem, he or she would critically analyse it and give his/her opinion about it. A major example of this effort by the Companions was demonstrated by Badruddeen Az-Zarkashi who wrote a book in which he collected more than seventy narrations in which one Companion, ‘Aa’ishah, the Mother of the Believers was reported as having corrected other Companions’ narrations based on her assessment of the narrations in light of the Qur’an and the Hadith.4. Travelling in search of the HadithAnother great effort they made was traveling in search of the Hadith, for after the death of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam the Companions moved to different places within the Muslim land, and travelling became an essential method of Hadith collection, authentication and preservation. Here are a few examples of the Companions’ travel for the sole purpose of confirming certain narrations:Jaabir Ibn Abdullaah travelled a whole month to Ancient Syria only to verify one Hadith. [Al-Bukhari]One of the Companions travelled to visit Fudhaalah Ibn ‘Ubayd and told him that he came not to visit him but only to ask him about a narration that they both heard together from Prophet and he was hoping that Fudhaalah had the complete wording of that Hadith. [Abu Daawood]One of the Companions left his home in Madinah in order to meet Abu Ad-Dardaa’ in Damascus only to have Abu Ad-Dardaa’ confirm a narration which this Companion had already heard from the Prophet. [Ibn Abd Al-Barr]The Companion Abu Ayyoob travelled all the way to Egypt to ask ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Amr about one Hadith. Abu Ayyoob told ‘Uqbah that the two of them were the only living Companions who have heard that Hadith directly from the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and he wanted to confirm the Hadith from ‘Uqbah . [Ahmad]5-Memorisation of the HadithMuslims – one generation after the other – did all that is humanly possible to preserve the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah as accurate as they received it from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Besides the extra effort they exacted to develop the Methodology, the Companions benefited from a talent that came naturally to them, one that was truly befitting to the main undertaking of that methodology - the verbatim transmission of the Sunnah. This unique quality of the Companions was that they enjoyed powerful memories. It was easy for anyone of them to commit to heart any number of narrations and retain them as such for a very long time.This quality was not specific only to the Companions but rather was a common feature of the Arab society as a whole. Many scholars - Muslims and non-Muslim alike - established the fact that the Arabs of that era were masters of language, and their society had a profoundly strong oral tradition. The known narrator of poetry, Hammaad, for example, was reported to have memorised at least one hundred long poems for each letter in the Arabic alphabet. That is more than 2,800 pieces of poetry. Powerful memory was a source of pride for them and they placed more confidence in it than in writing, they believed that writings could be tampered with. Some even took this pride to extreme levels, they would not write anything down for fear that may be taken as indication of defective memory.Obviously, the Companions who had more passion for preserving the Sunnah than poetry and literature used this powerful quality to protect and maintain the Sunnah. Imaam Ad-Daarimi narrated that the Companion Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, said: “I used to divide the night into three parts. In the first, I would perform the optional night Prayer, in the second I would sleep, and in the third I would spend committing Hadith to my memory.”Actually, all of the Companions considered this an honor and a blessing, for they were encouraged to do so by the saying of the Prophet: “May Allah make radiant (bestow vigour upon) anyone who heard what I said and committed it to his memory until he is able to convey it to another. Perhaps the person who hears it from him can have a better understanding of it than him.” [At-Tirmithi]On the other hand, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also taught the Companions two aspects that brought a needed balance to the use of memorisation in conveying his Hadith, namely the importance of writing, and the need of being moderate in all matters. This fact complemented their efforts in establishing a sound and well-rounded methodology.The phenomenon of “Memory Power” continued to be a general character of the Arab society well into the third and fourth centuries of Hijrah, the time by which all of the Sunnah was collected into books and records. But the diminishing of its prevalence in the society with time did not minimise the role memory played in the preserving of the Sunnah. “Memory Power,” or Dhabt - proficiency in narration, as it later came to be known - became an essential part of the standards used to judge authenticity. Judging the narrators memory power is central in what we know as the science of “Al-Jarh wa Ta’deel.”

In the radiant embrace of Dubai, a city renowned for its opulence and gleaming skyline, I embarked on a culinary voyage like no other. An unforgettable evening awaited, a Twilight Brunch at the exquisite Address Fountain Views, promising to etch itself indelibly into my heart. As I entered this enchanting realm, the resplendent Dubai skyline gracefully paved the way for a sumptuous odyssey amidst captivating surroundings.Harmony of tastes and eleganceEvery Saturday, as the clock chimed 6:30 pm, a warm and gracious invitation summoned me to The Restaurant at Address Fountain Views. This was no ordinary evening; it was a symphony of flavors and an exhibition of elegance that aimed to redefine my Saturday nights.Tucked away in the heart of Downtown Dubai, this establishment proved to be a haven of opulence and culinary artistry. The debut of their Twilight Brunch was nothing short of magical. The restaurant's setting, framed by the majestic Burj Khalifa and a serene infinity pool, was truly extraordinary.A rendezvous with culinary enchantmentIt all commenced on October 7th, as the sun gracefully descended beneath the iconic Dubai skyline. The Twilight Dinner Buffet at The Restaurant presented a lavish feast for the senses. The soulful melodies of a saxophone and singer duo serenaded us, creating an ambiance that was unparalleled. It was the perfect setting for treasured moments with my dearest companions.A gastronomic palette for every tasteGuests like me were offered the freedom to select from two distinct packages. The soft beverage package, priced at AED 285 per person, was ideal for those seeking a delightful evening without the effervescence. However, for those wishing to elevate their experience, there was the house beverage and bubbly package at AED 385 per person.The Twilight Brunch menu was a culinary masterpiece, showcasing dishes that celebrated the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced microgreens and vegetables. The buffet-style presentation allowed us to savor each bite at our own pace.Culinary dreams brought to lifeThe appetizers were tantalizing, featuring roasted chicken with pumpkin, marinated artichoke with halloumi, and a poached pear with blue cheese salad. The offerings extended to a lavish salad bar, international bread and cheese selections, and an enticing array of cold mezze.The main course was an unmatched banquet. Oysters, mussels, prawns, and lobster beckoned at the live seafood station. Saj manakish, lamb ouzi, and roasted tomahawk from the grill tantalized our palates. We could even customize our own risotto at the live risotto station. To conclude our meal on a sweet note, an array of desserts awaited. The Madagascar vanilla mille-feuille, the black sea salt caramel éclair, a variety of ice cream flavors, the white chocolate fountain, and more were all there to satiate our cravings.Gastronomic brillianceAddress Fountain Views' Twilight Brunch was not merely a meal; it was a journey that seamlessly blended culinary mastery with awe-inspiring vistas. Whether you sought a romantic dinner or a joyous gathering with friends, this experience was destined to create enduring memories. It was an evening that would forever remain close to my heart.As the bewitching hours drew to a close, the enchantment of the Twilight Brunch lingered with me. To secure your place at this celestial banquet, make reservations and inquiries at +971 4245 8888 or via email at [email protected] DetailsWhen: Saturdays, 6:30 pm to 11:30 pmOffer: An opulent evening buffet with live entertainmentPrice: Soft beverage package for AED 285 per person; House beverage and bubbly package for AED 385 per person

A Sri Lankan Football Tournament, organised by the Qatar Kottaramulla Society, saw Badurians FC emerging champions in the Elite Division and Wolf Pack FC winning the Veterans’ Division. Friends DC were the runner-up in the Elite Division and Black Square FC in the Veterans’ Division. Clean Nation Movement’s leader Isham Marikar lauded the organisers.