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The Five Central Teachings Of Islam
The Five Central Teachings Of Islam
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc381190365 h 1Five central teaching of Islam as expressed in Sufism PAGEREF _Toc381190366 h 1Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc381190367 h 2
IntroductionSufis is not an ethnic group or religious group but it is a mystical movement that is found in the entire Muslim world which has a great influence on the population in the Middle East. Sufism comprises of a large number of sects within Islam that are interrelated which is a reaction against the focus on practices and rituals. It grew as a result of the reaction against the stagnant legalism of the leadership in orthodox religion as a counterweight of the expanding empire of the Muslims. Critics of Sufism claim that it is not authentically Islamic. One common critic of Sufism by their fellow Muslims is that they do not take part in social and political activities. This is not however true since Sufis have traditionally been active when it comes to the protection of their territories. Sufism and Islam are inseparable in the same way that high consciousness can not be separated from Islam (Rahim, 2009).The relationship between Islam and Sufism therefore indicates that the five teachings of Islam are also applicable in Sufism. The paper will look at how Sufis express or experience these five central teachings of Islam.
Five central teaching of Islam as expressed in SufismThe first pillar of Islam teaching is the declaration of trust and faith which is known as Shahada. The focus of Sufism piety is Allah, who is supreme, all knowing, all powerful and a merciful God. The profession of faith is a prerequisite for Sufism. It is therefore a requirement in Sufism that the members of the group profess their faith in their daily prayers. The second pillar is five prayers that have to be done daily known as salat. These five prayers are performed at specific times and they are; Fajr before sunrise; Dhuhr at midday; Asr in the evening before sunset; Magrib in the evening after sunset; Isha at night. In Sufism all these prayers are performed every day and at the specific stipulated times. They say these prayers with a series of positions that have been set such as bowing with hands placed on the knees, standing, sitting in specific position and prostrating (Pecorino, 2001).
The third pillar is a practice of giving out things in a charitable way on the basis of wealth that is accumulated known as Zakat .In Sufism anyone who is in a position to give out what they have has an obligation to do so. Through this giving they get an opportunity to purify their wealth and at the same time attain salvation. In Sufism there is strict adherence to the Quran and hence they follow what is stipulated within the Quran as what is to be subjected to the Zakat tax or the exact share of an individual’s income that has to be paid at zakat. Therefore, it is expected that 2.5% of the wealth that one has should be used to benefit the poor within the society in Sufism. The fourth pillar is fasting; this is a practice that is followed in Sufism as it is stipulated in the Quran. In Sufism there is following of the three types of fasting which are ritual fasting, repentance fasting and ascetic fasting. In Sufism ritual fasting is an obligatory at is done within the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan they follow strictly the Quran teachings as they refrain from violence, gossip, anger, lust and so on. The fifth pillar is a requirement that everyone with the ability in terms of their physical and financial well being to carry out their pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime. In Sufism each and every individual both men and women are expected to carry out this pilgrimage in their lifetime (Pecorino, 2001).
ConclusionIn Sufism there is belief that Quran and Hadith have esoteric and secret meaning which is symbolic. In Sufism there is use of allegorical methods to interpret the Quran as opposed to a literal method of its interpretation. Sufism therefore played an important role when it came to the development of Muslim societies since it educated many people and often met their needs. It gave spiritual meaning in the lives of people as well as channeling their emotions. Sufis played an important role in the conversion of new region into Islam and hence they acted as missionaries.
References
Pecorino, A. P. (2001).Philosophy of religion; Islam. Retrieved April 29, 2013 from http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialSciences/ppecorino/PHIL_of_RELIGION_TEXT/CHAPTER_2_RELIGIONS/Islam.htmRahim, B.M. (2009).Sufism and Islam. Retrieved April 29, 2013 from http://www.al-islam.org/beliefs/spirituality/suffism.html
Problem of the product defect information
Name
Professor
Course
Date
Problem of the product defect informationQuestion A
A1.
The problem of the product defect information of the Green Move mainly involves its operation at a temperature that exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the prevailing four consecutive hours. I would advise the designers of the Zero Pedal to put in the safety factors and the operation instructions of the Zero Pedal. The dangers mainly occur when there is high acceleration of the Zero Pedal for four hour constantly. Thus, the designers ought to put clear instructions that pertain to its operation. The instruction ought to specify the time frame that Zero Panel must be operated. Moreover, the acceleration speed must be regulated by stating the safety factor.
Brake pedal pressure signal plots that the underlying driver normally applies on the brake pedal during the period of its operation on the vehicle stationary. Moreover, the brake pedal pressure goes to zero and there is sharp transition in the accelerator pedal pressure signal. Dynamic of the underlying pressure is also defined as the rate of alteration in the pressure applied on the pedal pressure by the corresponding driver. Thus pressure mainly aids in the apply friction that aids in the stopping of the brake pedals.
Problem solving models that is will utilize in making my final decision would be employment of the SWOT analysis and PEST analysis models. SWOT analysis will assist me in examining the underlying potential and corresponding suitability of the Zero Pedal in the Eastern market. The decision making will mainly incorporate appropriate tools and process. The question that I would ask will pertain to the definition and clarification issue of defects, collecting of all the facts and comprehending causes of the Zero Pedal defects. Moreover, I will brainstorm about the probable alternatives and solutions by comparing those alternatives. I will then choose the best alternative that compromises the decision. Then I will ensure that the designers of the Zero Pedal implement the chosen alternative by following up.
A2.
I will not recommend my company to pay the special $5,000 fee to have the prevailing Zero Pedal on the underlying shelves of the corresponding sporting goods store. This because the its operation that ought not to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit since the temperature of the store rooms might rise above that thus posing a lot of negative risk. Moreover, the process is not legal since it does follow the outline procedures that Green Move Company has put in place in regard to ordering and stocking its commodities.
A3.
Green Move can apply the cost/benefit analysis in the latency stage in regard to the safety concerns while looking for the permanent solution to the problem. Cost benefit analysis will aids them in disposing the present stock and increasing the market base for its products. Nevertheless, the are numerous risks in the undertaking of the cost benefit analysis because they will be exposing the users of the commodities to a lot of risks that might derail their market coverage and consequently spoil the public image of the company in case the explosion of the products occur.
Questions B
B.1
Robert should try to improve the condition of the Solar Group since the Solar Group manufacturers of the corresponding solar panels are fundamental in the production of the Zero Pedal. Termination the underlying agreements will make the Green Move company to experienced serious problems since solar panels are chief components in the manufacture of the Zero Pedal. Thus, Robert has one option of improving the condition of the Solar Group situated in Bangladesh to conform to the required standards by employing workers of appropriate ages. He ought to enforce the Solar Group that was stipulates that no children ought to be employed in the Solar Group and the employees must also be treated fairly.
Green Move Company interest is at stake since Solar Group produces Solar panels that are fundamental in the production of the Zero Pedal. So they must force the company to conform to the required standards of production. B.2
The suitable standard that Robert ought to apply when considering the underlying working conditions and corresponding wages within Bangladesh must encompass working hours of the workers breaks for the workers and the day offer of each worker. The conditions must be in line with the European Union labor rules. The wages ought to be higher and above the one in Bangladesh since the workers operate in a dangerous condition. Working hours of the workers ought not to exceed forty hours every week according to the statutory working hours. Moreover, Robert also ought to put into consideration giving breaks for the employees that is not less than forty five minutes after every six hours to prevent the fatigue in the employees that might expose them to accidents and injuries within the industry. The workers ought also to be granted some day off every week within any four week duration which is commonly known as statutory days off. This ought to exclude the public holidays.
B 3
Blog will have negative impact on the Green Move’s brand as it will portray that the products of the company are made under bad environment where workers are exploited thus exposing them to a lot of danger. The footage in the Solar Group factory that is seen to be poorly ventilated work environment does not meet the United States of America standards thus products from such condition ought not to be allowed within the market of America. Moreover, the blog will portray that the workers are paid less while producing quality products that are utilized in the manufacture of the Zero Pedal that have huge reputation in the American market. Consequently this blog might compromise the hard developed image and reputation of the Green Move’s company that will lower the sales thus low returns.
Question C
C.1
Viktor ought to provide a bid on the underlying property lease as the place offer long term strategy. It is also government owned property that is relatively big within the urban location hence will attract numerous employees. Nevertheless, Viktor must only include one envelope that will be addressed to the government office written property lease bid and reject the ones for facilitations.
Since the property is for the government then legal procedures that pertain to bidding must be followed and the higher bidder will be granted the opportunity of leasing the property. Every government has its leasing procedures thus Viktor ought to address the envelope to the government office in order to be liable of leasing public property. Submitting of the facilitations envelope is wrong since it does not conform to the underlying business ethics as pertaining to the business.
The legal and ethical considerations demands that government owned property ought to undergo competitive bidding in order for any development partner to acquire it. Government has its own outlined procedures of bidding that entail submission of the written documents and plans to the government office specifying the intention of the acquiring firm. The processes of the government bidding are normally competitive and are only awarded to the higher bidders will appropriate plans that suitable the objectives of the government. Competitive bidding ought to uphold the business ethics that is there ought not to be any corruption in the form of bribing the populace who are charged with process of awarding the tender or the government owned property. Thus, it will be out of order to address facilitation envelopes to the person who is not charged with the process of awarding or approving the bid since the awarding process is normally not one person decisions. C.2
Green Move ought to expand its operation within Russia since it will improve long term strategy of the company in the foreign country. This will give the company an opportunity to widen its market base in the foreign country by developing good international good will. Green Move also require to advertise its technology thus foreign expansion will leads achievement of that objective.
Question D
D.1
The underlying organizational issues that might have resulted to the ethical and corresponding legal breaches at the Green Move is mainly realization quick development and expansion. Green Move management wanted the company to develop faster within a short span of time. Thus Robert neglected the ethical issues such as upholding of high standards as in the case of not improving the working condition at the Solar Group, compromising the due procedures of stocking its products by allowing the shopping stores to market the underlying Zero Pedal within the Southeast by coaxing the company to pay the special $5,000 fee. The company also committed the corruption by submitting the payment of $2,000 in the form of the facilitation envelope in order to get the government owned property in Russia. D.2
Yes, there is massive residual risks in regard to the criminal liability and civil to the Green Move that emanated from the purely from the legal and ethical breaches. Green Move Company breaches the company act by allowing the shopping to stock its commodity by paying them $5,000. This is a criminal liability. The company also breached the quality standards in regard to the conditions of the employees. The Solar Groups in Bangladesh mainly employed children and paid poorly. They also overworked the workers by allowing them to operate in severe conditions that are against the international standards. This is against the America law since they utilized the produced solar panels in production of the Zero Pedal then selling them in the American market. This makes them to be criminally liable to any accident caused to the workers.
The Green Move company has breached the quality standards by neglecting the defect on the design by making cost benefit analysis at the expense of correcting the problems. They contrive civil offence by laying the employees that raised the problem of the defect. D.3
The short term steps that the board of directors ought to fix Green Move are putting instructions and clear precaution that pertains to operation of the Zero Pedal as they look for the ways of permanently rectifying the mistake. They can also improve the working condition of the workers in Bangladesh by giving them better pay as they look for better ways of producing the solar panels that are fundamental in the manufacture of the Zero Pedal.
Long term steps entails redesigning of the Zero Pedal to eliminate the defect and looking for better company that will adhere to the agreement of paying the workers well and ensuring the workers work in a conducive environment. Building a premise in Russia to foster for the Green Move foreign reputations D.4
The government has the role and responsibility of fixing the issues by ensuring that productions standards are followed both for the workers and the products. It ought to ensure that competitive processes are followed in awarding tenders.
Work Cited
Abut, Hüseyin, John H. L. Hansen, and Takeda Kazuya. Advances for In-Vehicle and Mobile Systems: Challenges for International Standards. New York: Springer, 2007. Print.
The Fiscal Cliff and its effects on U.S economy and employment
Name
Professor
Course Date
The Fiscal Cliff and its effects on U.S economy and employment.
As policy makers and economists debate on reviving the vital United States (U.S) economy and declining employment rate, focus has been shifted to the U.S budget and amendment of tax policy decisions. The discussion has been controversial with a section of policy makers proposing a tax cut on income, capital gain and dividends as the engine in reviving the economy while others proposing an increase in tax rate to reduce the inordinate budget deficit of over $700,000billion. This has also brought up an interesting yet very crucial heated argument within the congress with the democrats advocating for tax increment to help cut down the budget deficit while the republicans call for reduced government spending.
Policy makers are also faced with a major challenge. There is a tussle of whether this high tax rates on income and Medicare tax should be allowed starting from 2013, immediately after the Bush tax cuts expires.
This infamous increase on the tax rate and reduction of the massive federal government spending is what is referred to as fiscal cliff. My goal in this paper is to research the impacts of the fiscal cliff policy on U.S economy and employment and show how the fiscal cliff policy, though it might help cut down the budget deficit by about $300,000billion by 2020, it will adversely affect the economy and negatively affect the standard of living of citizens.
To achieve this goal, I have organized my paper into four sections. In the first section, I provide an account on background information that lead to introduction of the fiscal cliff. In the second section, I will discuss on the effect of fiscal cliff on the U.S economy, I end my paper with the third section on effects of fiscal cliff on employment then conclude the fourth section with my perception of how such a policy will impact negatively in the long run and give brief proposals on how the government can help cut down the deficit balance.
BACKGROUND.
The tax cuts and holidays that were enforced under the Bush administration with the then president, George. W. Bush in the year 2002 being the pioneer is considered to lead to the fiscal cliff. The tax cut policy was aimed at a reduction on the tax rate on income, dividends, capital gains, reduction in marriage penalties, and elimination of estate taxes and increasing of tax credit to children from 500 to 1000 U.S dollars per child. Unfortunately, the tax cut policy had a life span of 10 years only meant to expire by the end of 2012.
At the beginning of 2013, all tax rates on estates, payrolls, dividends, capital gains will rise and other provisions like that of the child care credit are said to be cut back or completely eliminated. This was seen as the only option left after the Obama administration failed to find a solution on how to reduce the large budget deficit. The other desperate move that amalgamates with increase in tax rate to give the brief definition of fiscal cliff is the reduction of government spending. The goal of deficit reduction will be characterized by approximately 60% of contributions from tax increment and the other 40% from reduced federal outlay. This report gives in summary the effects of such measures on employment, consumption, real GDP, economic growth as well as the budget deficit in general.
Effects of tax increment on economic growth.
Most classical economists argue that economic growth of a country can only be achieved through domestic spending, where there are massive consumptions by the public and households. An increase in tax on the other hand reduces disposable income by 3.9% annually, which sequentially reduces spending, especially on businesses that depend on discretionally dollars such as restaurants, retail shops and entertainment. An increase in tax therefore has a negative impact to the economy thereby reducing its growth. Not forgetting that it discourages entrepreneurs and private investors who spur growth as well as employees are demotivated thus reducing their productivity in the different economic sectors
Economic growth is also geared by the saving culture, though not in excess to avoid some economic effects such as the ratchet effect. Businesses, entrepreneual activities and expansions are mainly if not all financed by savings. Projections by economists have shown that a reduction of savings by 2.7% is expected. Savings in the form of retained earnings, undistributed profits, purchasing of bonds and stocks will all be affected negatively thus reducing the real GDP by around 0.3% per annum which equates to an approximate of $ 530billions yearly affecting the economic growth.
High investment tax rate discourages the free flow of capital and therefore damages the long term economic growth. The effect will not be immediately felt but the future developments will be hampered. Less capital flow means less productivity hence fewer wages thus affecting the economic growth in general. On the contrary, some argue that increase in tax, increase government revenue in the short run but eventually revenue collection will tend to decrease due to reduced public spending as well as reduced labor supply. Other factors may be Involvement of citizens in illegal businesses or unregistered ones for tax evasion and avoidance or simply reduce taxpayer compliance. Research has shown that there is a possibility of increased deficit of $ 137billion per year as from 2013 to 2017.
Some economists argue that higher taxation raises the cost of equity financing providing an incentive for leverage and borrowing rather than equity financing for corporations. During recessions, leverage can be of great help to corporations thus making them withstanding the tough economic downturns.
Effects of reduced federal spending on economic growth.
The government; through their expenditures inject money in the economy through government projects that stimulate the economy. The congressional budget office estimates that federal spending will be reduced by $103billions. Reduction in government spending will reduce the general public expenditure. A federal spending reduction in some of non-vital sectors or some of the unnecessary ventures i.e. financing of unproductive spending like wars will reduce the budget deficit since most of the deficits in the us comes from financing military activities.
Effects of tax increment on employment.
The congressional budget office (CBO) recently projected that employment would increase by 2 million more jobs under the scenario where the budget deficit is not reduced. With the tax increment policy being in effect, employment and living standards will be adversely affected. Many of the U.S innocent citizens are at the verge of becoming jobless. This is because of the reduced spending forcing the economy into recession thus in turn making the government dream of consolidating income tax impossible. The congressional research paper reveals a 2.8 million loss of jobs in the earlier years as the number decreases to 1.4million jobs as the years go by. Not only does the tax increase affect businesses that lead to laying off of many employees but also a tax increase in income causes a disincentive to work forcing many employees substitute work time for leisure instead.
An increase tax rate on capital gain and dividends will reduce the cost of equity capital which discourages savings and reduces investments, making capital stock and investments to fall in the long run by 1.4% and 2.4% respectively( Robert and Gerald, 2012) retained business earnings that are aimed at business expansion. Business expansion leads to increased employment opportunities but if the retained earnings are reduced, business will find it so hard to expand killing the federal goal of unemployment reduction and a target inflation rate of not more than 2%. Projections have shown a loss of 0.5% in the job market which roughly is estimated at about 750000 jobs lost in the long run. This will reduce long run output and the net worth.
Higher taxation has been found to deter flow through businesses from hiring workers and also investing. A 5% point increase in the individual marginal tax rate was found to reduce the percentage if entrepreneurs who made new capital investments by 10.4% (Robert and Gerald, 2012).
Effects of reduced federal spending on employment.
The more the government spends, the more it stimulates the economy. During the 2008 financial crisis, an expansionary fiscal policy, known as the economic stimulus package launched by president Obama was aimed to kick start the economy out of recession. Amongst of the policies was direct funding of public works to create jobs directly to the U.S citizens. Government expenditure is through financing of government projects that consequentially leads to employment of citizens in the government projects. If such spending is reduced by 40% as stated by the congress, employment will be adversely affected. The government aims at reducing Medicare by 2%. This will affect the creation and retention of about 750000 jobs annually.
Conclusion.
Currently, the U.S budget deficit runs at about $ 750 billion. This is quite a substantial amount which the government aims to reduce this amount to $ 400billions by 2020. Fiscal cliff policies if allowed possess unperceived danger in future. Some of the provisions particularly on increased tax rate in dividends and capital gains will adversely affect investment and capital stock by reducing the after tax return to investments. Other provisions like increase in income tax and Medicare tax on labor income of high income tax payers can be expected to reduce both disposable income and labor supply. This will force the economy into recession due to reduced spending.
With recession in place, unemployment and retrenchment of other employees will result forcing a slow economic growth. On my opinion, the implementation of such a policy is ironic since the main objective of the federal government is to minimize the unemployment rate by focusing on policies and decisions that spur economic growth. This study shows that higher tax rates will reduce output in the long run by 1.3% and employment will fall by 0.5%.
What the government should do is to reduce some of the unproductive spending, such as financing military activities in other nations. General reduction of federal finances will deeply affect state and local governments who are deeply tied in these federal finances. It will not be logically upright for U.S citizens to pay a great amount to the government in the form of high taxation yet in return receive unmatched expenditure and public services from the government. Many will opt not to comply in tax payments.
This tax austerity pushes the U.S economy far from the goals and objectives of federal reserves. Though the fiscal cliff will be seen as a way of reducing the budget deficit, I predict much more harm than good for this strong United States economy.
Work cited.
Robert Carroll and Gerald Prante. The Flow-Through Business Sector and Tax Reforms: the economic footprint of the flow through sector and the potential impact of tax reform, An Ernst and Young LLP report prepared for the S Corporation Association, April 2011. Print.
Congressional Budget Office. Economic effects of reducing the restraint scheduled to occur in 2013-May 2012. Print.
Robert Carroll and Geoffrey Gee. The 2001 and 2003 tax rate reductions: an overview and estimate of the taxable income response, National tax journal, vol. 61(3), pp. 345-364, 2008. Print.
Congressional Budget Office. The budget and economic outlook: fiscal year 2012 to 2022. January 2012. Print.
William M. Gentry and R. Glenn Hubbard. Success Taxes, Entrepreneurial Entry and Innovation, working paper no. 10551, National bureau of Economic Research, June 2004. Print.