T is unfortunate that confusion and ambiguity about the Quàanic concept of Riba continues to grow and multiply among the scholars and theologians of Muslim Ummah. The article by Dr. Abdul Karim appearing in these columns on November 14 further adds to this ambiguity. However, only an epistemological interpretation of the Quàanic term Riba can help us in resolving this ambiguity in a conclusive manner.

One of the key principles of epistemology suggests that we should regard words as “physical phenomena having spatial and temporal relations; we make use of these relations in our verbal symbolization of other relations, chiefly to show the sense of the relation, i.e. whether it goes from A to B or from B to A”.

This principle postulates that we focus on the sentences in which they (the specific words) are used. But before considering sentences, it is equally essential that we examine the circumstances which necessitate the use of a particular word. This implies that the “the correct use of relational words i.e. of sentences, involves what may be termed as “perception of form” i.e. it involves a definite reaction to a stimulus which is form”. Read more…

Whilst we’re familiar with names such as Eset, Symantec and McAfee with their 98 per cent detection rates which make people feel safe online, the real question is how millions of computers and websites are still infected with malware if basically every processor is equipped with a modern antivirus programme.

The two visionary persons realised the reasons for the two per cent vulnerability of global antivirus solutions and developed ‘Instant Virus Killer’ (IVK)—Pakistan’s first antivirus software. Here in this interview with Sci-tech, Hafiz Usman and Syed Imran Ali explain the procedure. Read more…

We know the world’s richest man is Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico,

followed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet of USA .

How about governments?

Which countries’ government is the richest (having most money that is, in US$)
If you are expecting North American and European nations, you might be disappointed.
While the countries look rich, wealthy European nations can’t withstand a prolonged major financial crisis, just like Greece .
The USA might have the biggest economy, but the American government is not at all rich; in fact, it can’t even take out $150bn if asked to now without resorting to borrowing.
To date the US government has borrowed $14 trillion!
The UK , likewise, while the country/people are rich, the government isn’t.
The UK government’s debt stands at $9 trillion now.

World’s Richest Government
Richest governments after 2008-2009 financial crisis:

1. China
National reserves: $2,454,300,000,000 Read more…

What started as routine news of delay of Pakistan International flight from Toronto to Karachi changed into a potential terrorist story and within hours converted to a violent Romantic drama… Here is what transpired in the news..

A 28-year-old Canadian man was briefly arrested in connection with the allegations but then released without charge after no explosives were found aboard the plane, flying from Toronto to Karachi, a Swedish newspaper reported. Read more…

Tony Curtis

He was born in 1925 when the masses were still swooning for silent icons like Rudolph Valentino. By the late 1950s he was a household name heartthrob himself if not a silent one. Still, that oft imitated Bronx accent “yonda lies the castle of my fadduh” couldn’t derail his movie ascendance.

History continually teaches movie stars — though scant few of them seem to really listen — that what’s important is not the paycheck or even necessarily a great role but working on enough top notch material with top directors to wind up in a few classics.  It’s one of the only ways to ensure that you are remembered, if screen immortality is indeed your goal.

Curtis, like any star, had his share of duds but history has and will continue to remember him because he appeared in a good share of classics, most notably that one-two-three-four punch of Sweet Smell of Success (1957), The Defiant Ones (1958),  Some Like it Hot (1959) and Spartacus (1960). Read more…

Cricket Janaza

The Scandal is out… the Heaven has fallen… as if the flood waters raging from Northern Himalayas to the Southern valleys of Sind weren’t enough to drown a Nation … our beloved “Idiots” have breached all of the remaining dams of trust… Saying is… to drown in shame all u need is “Chullo bhar Paani” (a small cup of water)… why await the greatest flood of last 100 years…

I ask the nation to demand Excellence… from ourselves … from our Heroes… from our nation builders…  Let’s seek again the days where we cherish the true heroes only and not drug addicts like Asif and Shoaib Akhtar .. or habitual betters like Kamran Akmal …. Let’s recall the days of Hero of Sharjah the legendary Miandad… of Sydney, the Tiger Imran Khan, of Dehli… The magician Hasan Sardar.

As today all of you (read us) are asking the question… What..? Why..? I do no more but to remind us of “HOW” we got here… let us recap the way us, the Pakistani nation have raced ourselves to “Mediocrity” and now digging to become the exemplary milestones of “Below Average Attitudes”
Read more…

Pakistan is experiencing the worst flooding it has seen in over 80 years. Entire villages have been washed away, an early estimate of over
1,600 deaths so far and over 2 million displaced or otherwise affected. Not only is the immediate water damage causing havoc, the floods have inundated crop-producing areas, dealing a crippling blow to the
agricultural-based economy and threatening a food crisis. The Pakistani
government now struggles to rescue and provide aid to millions – while
still fighting with militant Islamist forces in many of the hardest-hit
regions. With even more heavy rains predicted in the coming days, here
are a handful of recent photographs of Pakistanis as they cope with this
latest disaster.

We appeal to all Pakistanis living in United States and elsewhere in the
world to generously donate to the following three Michigan based
Pakistani Organizations. Emergency assistance is urgently required and
your immediate assistance would be greatly appreciated. “In the
aftermath of the floods there is a serious risk to survivors from
potentially deadly diseases which will spread as a result of
contaminated surface and drinking water.” Your donations will help make
a difference to the people of Pakistan whose homes and livelihoods have
been washed away by severe monsoon floods.
Read more…

As the curtains draw on the first round… yes we have seen some heartbreaks and some joys..  But over all a lot of surprises…  Some crazy surprises..

Frank Lampard

The way the cup is shaping up…. I think we are in for even more surprises…. But the ones I am awaiting are the magical moments that would come… and would ensure that we get the best of the best… from the creative forwards and solid defenders… or the mid field kings…  yes there is plenty to come… watch out for these teams as they remain my favorites for they have one of them to become the ‘Golden Boots’ for the cup..

One reason for this world cup not being so rich is the absence of big name ‘Mid-fielders’…. Last edition of FIFA 2006 we had so many… if you all remember Zidane for France, Beckham for England, Fuigo for Portugal, Kaka and Ronaldhino for Brazil, Tito for Italy, Ballack for Germany and so on… the mid-field Kings decided which side will make the last eight and then the last four. Well we have a few of those this time around as well.. To start with …

10- Frank Lampard – England

One of the finest goal scoring mid-fielders, Lampard can set the pieces for his forwards Rooney and others. I know many think its Rooney who may win it for England… with England not doing so well till now, I still feel if it was Beckham who could do it from the mid…. It will have to be Lampard to do the job this episode.

Read more…

2010 FIFA World Cup

The frenzy is beginning.. the momentum is building.. and the state is set the grandest show of them all. The FIFA World Cup of Football.. this time in the African Continent started last nite….. As I recap some of the most memorable and magical moments of past few world cups that are still afresh memories…. So many we can recall that crowned Heroes to the Game … winning hearts and minds of people.. more so achieving beyond imagination climax scenes…

Brazil has been the favorite side for most fans and at least the 2^nd best favorite for all over last three decades… and there is no other reason for that except the shear class…. Grace… and the silence of classic Brazilian samba…

The ones who do magic… want to do it … and do it so badly that they can make the impossible to happen as they say… take a look…..

Read more…

Mother, the only relationship and figure that makes this earth worth living despite the fact for people of faith knowing the finality of this life and the world we live in…Praises and tributes to our mothers are rendered in every form… poetic… lyrical…. prose…

I start with the Masetro Ustaad Nusrat Fateh original rendring performed by Rahat Fateh ali’s as a beautiful tribute in the sweet Punjabi language….. Simply heart-touching.

Read more…