We will all have moments in our life when we feel a bit down, miserable or in a bit of a mood. It is natural to feel some sort of sadness when we experience disappointments in our everyday life. However, The World Health Organisation estimates that 121 million people worldwide are suffering from ‘Depression’ – the illness. [1]

The difference between feeling a little low and suffering from a depressive illness is that these low feelings can last for weeks or months and seriously interfere with a persons life. There are different types of depressive illnesses; depression in its mildest form can make everything seem a struggle or pointless, but depression in its most severe form can be life-threatening as it can make a person simply give up the will to live.

[i]by Adnan Adrees[/i]

Ever since the PACE Act 1984 (Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) all officers of the law were given new special powers in the fight against crime. Each officer would don a bright coloured uniform and transform into large beasts called "Zords" to battle the evil minions of the uber-villian known as Crime Lord. In a desperate bid to reduce crime officers could "frisk" the people of Britain in order to weed out the evil minions.

Let’s find out shall we! Answer these simple Brain teasers:

Brain Teaser the First

Three women each have two daughters. They are having lunch at a restaurant. There are only seven chairs in the restaurant. All the women are seated.

Question: How is this possible?

Brain Teaser the Second

Suppose 6 monkeys take 6 minutes to eat 6 bananas.

1. How many minutes would it take 3 monkeys to eat 3 bananas?
2. How many monkeys would it take to eat 54 bananas in 54 minutes?

Brain Teaser the Third

The Questions

1. Over how many years was the Quran revealed?
2. Name the 7 articles of faith
3. Name the 12 months of the Islamic calender
4. Name at least 5 Prophets mentioned in the Quran?
5. What was the first MOSQUE built by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

By Naheem Zafar

Where were you when you read about the iphone being announced? I will hazard a guess: On the internet. Or reading the paper. Or talking to a geek "mate" of yours. (Well that does just about cover the options doesn't it?)

Apparently, the iphone is not the only phone to be launched this year. Shock horror!

So in this tech guide I will have a quick look at some pretenders to the throne. They will all be high end "Smart phones". So let's see what we have here:

Nokia N93i BLACK

The cons first: It's a Nokia. Next!

By Alveena Salim

Why would anyone in the 21st Century willingly practise Islam? I mean, ain't it a backwards, sexist, violent, and out-dated religion? Ain't it the religion that’s always on the news? And why the hell is Islam the fastest growing religion in the world? What does it offer anyway?

The Revival presents you ten things that Islam can offer you if you follow the teachings of Islam:

1. Direction

Question

The purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to achieve Taqwa, i.e. to become God-fearing and pious etc. But I fast year in, year out and see no change… especially when Ramadan is over! So what can I do to help become and remain a God-fearing and pious person?

Answer

By Shaykh Salim Ghisa

In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says:

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious." (Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Fasting has many benefits and grades. People believe that just by staying hungry and thirsty from dawn ‘til dusk it will make them a pious person.

Question

Animal Rennet. When is it acceptable to consume and for whom. Is the rennet of an animal killed with a bolt to the head Halal? Is this the same ruling as for slaughter?

Answer

By Shaykh Salim Ghisa

First of all one must understand the definition of Animal rennet. Also this ruling is according to the Hanafi school of thought and is as follows;

The lawfulness of rennet does not depend on the slaughterer being a Muslim or non-Muslim, in fact it depends upon whether there is life in it or not. The circulation of blood in an organ is the cause of life. No blood flows through rennet; therefore rennet is not a living thing. Therefore, it cannot 'die' and it is thus permissible to consume rennet like dairy products.

Question

Are Muslims allowed to go to the pub even if they do not drink, especially if it is work related?

Answer

By Shaykh Salim Ghisa

No. In Islam places which are allocated for the use of Haram activities are forbidden to enter even if it is not for consuming the Haram. The reason for this is that these are places which gain the wrath and the curse of Allah and also as a Muslim one must ensure that their outwardly actions do not lead others to doubt them, therefore going in to Pubs, Clubs, Casinos, dance bars etc could make a person who sees this individual think that they are going in for the wrong reasons.

Allah's Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) cursed ten people in connection with alcohol:

What you’ll need:

• 500g of Pasta
• 2lb of mince lamb
• Olive Oil
• A small Onion
• Garlic
• Tinned Tomato (blend it before starting)
• Red Chilli Powder
• Garam Masala & Coriander Mix
• 1 Jar of Ragu Sauce (or equivalent)