Antibiotics: The Good and the Bad

Source: EnvironmentalHealthThreats.com

Before antibiotics, what did doctors use to treat infections, such as strep throat? There is no question about the fact that there are wonderful aspects to antibiotics. These drugs are used to treat many bacterial infections, from pneumonia to impetigo. But there are negatives to these drugs, and as a consumer and a patient you need to know the difference.

The Good Side of Antibiotics

Antibiotics are in many ways great in that they can cure many illnesses. These days when “flesh-eating bacteria” are terrorizing schools, the ability for antibiotics to cure such infections does bring comfort to American society. Illnesses that can be cured by antibiotics include sinus infections, kidney infections, bladder infections, and many other types of infections. In addition to the variety of infections antibiotics can fight, there is also a wide variety of antibiotics. There are tetracyclines, streptomycins and many other varieties.

The Bad Side of Antibiotics

Still, there are negatives when it comes to antibiotics. The first group of negatives is the side effects that accompany many of these antibiotics. Antibiotics often act without regard for the type of bacteria they are designed to attack. In other words, they do not know the difference between the good and the bad. This can often lead to an intense lowering of the natural flora in a person’s body the result of which can lead to everything from diarrhea to yeast infections.

Then, there is also the risk of creating antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When antibiotics are given and not taken completely, this can lead to stronger strains of the bacteria. Also, when doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold and the flu, they are also adding to this danger.

What can You Do?

Most physicians suggest that there are several ways you can use antibiotics so that they work effectively and are not harmful to you or your child. The first way is to take the full prescribed amount. Also, do not use antibiotics that are old, even a few weeks old. Refrain from using a family member’s antibiotics and do not hoard extra antibiotics for the next time you may become sick.

Denouncing Terrorism without a second thought

It is read that the Mumbai attackers were regular in their prayers, from the words of the one who was caught alive. I am writing this based on the assumption that this report is genuine.

Being Namazi (those who perform Namaz regularly), how can they even think of killing innocent people? The Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) not only asked the believers to be kind towards the fellow being without considering their faith, color, sex, nationality, origin, background, etc. etc., but asked the believers to be kind towards other creatures around us including animals, birds, trees, plants and so on. Knowing all these things, how can someone who claims to be a Muslim can kill someone without a genuine reason? How can they kill innocent people? What is their justification for this?

This is just because they only know the principles of Islam and not aware of how to practice it in real life. There lies the importance of knowing the Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him), knowing the way he lead his life and asked his fellow Muslims to lead their lives, knowing how he treated his fellow beings irrespective of their faiths and the things he asked the followers to uphold in their lives. These killers just know some principles and they seem to lack the importance of learning how to implement those teaching in life. They might not have paid attention to learn the way The Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) and his fellow Muslims lead their lives. It is an important part of the Islamic faith to have love for The Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) and thus those who claim to be Muslims should adhere to his teachings and advices. So those Muslims who really follow him can never ever become a killer who kills innocent people, instead they would be working for preserving peace and harmony in this world, then only they can claim to be Muslims or can be called Muslims. These attackers never represent Islam or Muslims.

This is the reason why protecting the lives of the fellow beings has become a duty of the Muslims. They need to do whatever they can in order to stop such people from doing such heinous crimes in our country or anywhere in the world. We should never feel any sympathy towards them since they are the enemies of humanity and eventually of Islam, I would say, since they are misinterpreting the principles of Islam and causes the people of other faiths also to think that Islam advocates extremism and terrorism which is completely outside the fold of Islam. This is the reason why the Muslim scholars of our country had the courage to denounce and work against such anti-social activities (www.earthtimes.com) because they understand very well that it is against Islam which give them strength to speak against that for fear of ALLAH, The Almighty LORD of the worlds.

Learn – Understand – Observe - Change

Terrorism and extremism have created a sort of agony and dilemma among the Muslims because the fellow beings or people around them started thinking like Islam is all about terrorism and killing innocent lives without any reason. Some crooked minds are exploiting the situation and have come forward with baseless allegations and false accusations to misguide the Muslims and those who have a soft corner towards Muslims. What I would like to say regarding this is, there is One who sees the plans of those who plan to destroy Islam through these baseless allegations and let me remind them that Islam is not a religion created by any man so as to be destroyed by man. It is indeed impossible for anyone to execute their plans to cease Islam from influencing people. Let The LORD of the worlds have mercy on them and show them the right path.

At the same time, there may be some who are misguided only because of these misunderstanding that Islam is all about killing people and extremism. Perhaps, Islam is the only religion that exists in this world which still is in the pure form. There may be people who claim to follow Islam, at the same time works against the principles of Islam. What we need to remember is, there is no compulsion in Islam and if one wants to be a Muslim he/she needs to change their personal wills and desires to match the principles of Islam. Those who succeed in doing this are the victorious and the people who make false allegations might continue to do the same until Angel Azraeel(May ALLAH be pleased with him) comes to take their soul out of their body. They may beg and repent on the day of judgment for their false allegations and works against Islam. Also, those who kill innocent people in the name is Islam will also have the same fate because ALLAH is The Most Merciful and Just, He doesn't do any injustice to anybody.

"Is it a wonder for mankind  that We have sent our Inspiration  to a man from amongst themselves (saying): "Warn mankind and give good news to those who believe that they shall have with their Lord the reward of their good deeds"? But the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evil sorcerer!" [The Holy Qurán 10:2]

From the above verse quoted from The Holy Qur'an, it is very clear that those who believe in Islam and act based on the beliefs are only going to be the victorious and dwellers of paradise whereas those who make false and baseless allegations against Islam and those who follow Islam in the true manner are truly going to be the inhabitants of hell. Let them keep this as a warning so that when they face the same situation on the day of judgment, they may remember these words from The Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an is not just a religious book like the other religious books, but a revelation from ALLAH, The Creator of the entire universe, revealed to the final messenger of ALLAH Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) through the Angel Jibreel (May ALLAH be pleased with him). The Holy Qur'an is THE ONLY inspiration or revelation that exists on the face of earth in its pure form without even a minute change.

Muslims are convinced of the fact that everything in The Holy Qur'an is true and whatever is mention in it has happened, is happening and will continue to happen. If any of those who make baseless accusations against Islam are truthful in their claims, take up the challenge of The Holy Qur'an...

"If the Mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another." (Qur'an 17:88)

"And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed From time to time to Our Servant, then produce a Surrah Like thereunto; And call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If your (doubts) are true. But if ye cannot ?And of a surely you cannot. Then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones ? Which is prepared for those who reject Faith.?" (Al-Qurán 2:23-24)

If you or anyone is not capable of proving Te Holy Qur'an is true and the divine inspiration, please think and follow the final revelation. We, Muslims, do not ever ever support extremism or Terrrosim whoever be those who behind it. We want to punish those who do evil deeds in the name of Islam be punished severely based on their crimes like in any other case. but at the same time we can't support who make false allegations against innocent people without an impartial and proper investigation irrespective of the faith, color or nationality of the accused.

We are not perfect human beings, so it is obvious that we make mistakes but once we recognize our mistakes we should try not to repeat them. This is an advice first to myself and then to my fellow Muslims and other brothers and sisters who read this. I am not a complete Muslim, but these are thoughts that come to my mind.

As Muslims, we are supposed to follow the principles of Islam in all the areas and aspects of our lives to the maximum possible extent, not for name sake but for the sake of the pleasure of ALLAH and thus for the betterment of ourselves, our society, our country and the entire world. As a first step, we need to learn the teachings and principles of Islam from pure and trustworthy sources with examples from the life of The Prophet Muhamamd (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upohn him) and from the lives of the Sahaba (May ALLAH have mercy on them), the companions of The Prophet(May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) and from the lives of the Tabieen and Tabi'-tabi'een (Muslims of the next generation of The Prophet(SAW) and the Sahaba(R.A.) and then the next generation).

Once we learn and practice the teachings of Islam through The Prophet (May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him), we have lot of responsibilities entrusted on us and we will be questioned for our deeds on the day of judgment. Lets follow the principles of Islam and honest to the teachings and thus become a true Muslim and human being who shows the same mercy and love towards the fellow beings like our dear leader of all times, The Prophet Muhammad(May the peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon him) and let him feel proud of us on the day of Judgment. May ALLAH help us in following the principles of Islam and in preserving harmony on the face of the earth - Aameen.