A true friend feels your pain and
endeavors to rid you of it.

A true friend shares your happiness and
tries to prolong it.

A true friend removes the glass in the road
before you step on it.

A true friend listens more and criticizes less.

A true friend gives good counsel.

A true friend will never put you in harms way.

A true friend will give you both shoulders to cry on.

A true friend will call just to see that you are okay.

A true friend will lend a hand when yours can go no
further.

A true friend will stay up with you all night
comforting your broken heart.

A true friend is not afraid to correct you when you
are wrong.

A true friend is not cowardly and will stick up for
you when you are wronged.

A true friend is honest and trustworthy.

A true friend is a gift from God.

Khadijah (ra) was the first person to accept Islam. Yes, the first Muslim was a woman! From last month's Women of Faith, you know that Prophet Muhammad (S) mentioned the four greatest women. Khadijah (ra) was one of them. Khadijah (S) was called Khadijatul Kubra, which means Khadijah the Great.

Khadijah was born in 555 C.E. Her full name was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, or Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid. She belonged to the clan Banu Asad, which was a part of the Quraish tribe.

Khadijah's family specialized in business. When she was ten, her mother died. Her father died ten years later. Her dad was a very successful businessman. When her father died, Khadijah recieved all of his property and money. She continued her father's business. She would send caravans to Syria in the summer and caravans to Yemen in the winter. From trading, she got huge profits. With this money she helped the poor and her relatives. Khadijah was married two times. Both of her husbands died in tribal battles.

Whenever Khadijah sent out a trade caravan, she would send an agent to trade on her behalf. She needed a reliable person during one trade to Syria. She had heard about a man nammed Muhmmad (S), who was nicknamed Al-Amin or the Trustworthy. Khadijah employed him even though Muhammad (S) had no business experience. Khadijah sent her reliable servant Maysarah to watch Muhammad (S) during the trade.

Maysarah watched Muhammad (S) when he was trading in Syria. Maysarah was amazed to see Muhammad (S) keeping track of each account honestly. He did not even try to cheat his employer! When the trading was done, he gave the whole profit to Khadijah. Khadijah was very impressed with Muhammad (S) 's honesty and hardworking character. She found out that her profit was twice the size that she had expected!

Khadijah never expected she would marry again. But after the trade, she admired Muhammad (S) very much. She sent a marriage proposal to him. Muhammad (S) was only 25 years old, and he never married. Although Khadijah was 40 years old, he agreed to the proposal. They got married in 595 C.E.

Muhammad (S) and Khadijah had six children, four girls and two boys. Both sons died during their early childhood.

Khadijah supported the Muhammad (S) became a prophet. She helped him spread the message of Islam. She was the first Muslim ever! The Quraish tribe boycotted the Muslims for three long years. They kicked the Muslims out of Makkah. During this time Khadijah suffered very much, but she never complained. She kept supporting her husband and the Muslims.

After the Muslims returned to Makkah after three years, Khadijah became weak from the suffering she endured during the boycott. She passed away at the age of 65, in the year 620. She will always be a woman to remember in every Muslim's heart.

Do you want braces? Many kids nowadays do. But whenever you tell someone who has braces that you want braces, they say, "No you don't!"
Are they right? That's what you have to figure out. My answer, unfortunately, would be "No you don't!" Getting braces does make your teeth straighter, but it hurts like crazy, especially when you first get them.
But don't be scared that you may be called "brace face" or "tin teeth", because getting braces is the style nowadays! Nothing to fear!
Below are some tips to getting braces!

• When you get your braces, your orthodontist will probably give you the choice of colors for your rubber bands. These are the bands of color that are placed on top of the metal brackets. Choose a color that you really like. Think about your color choice. Will it turn a different color with the type of food you eat? Will it look too dark? Choose the best color for you!
• Your braces won't hurt for the first hour, but then it will start to hurt extemely bad. Take some pain-killers, and eat a lot of ice cream to numb the pain!
• Brush and floss... a lot! Use mouthwash before you go to bed. You have to keep your gums healthy for when you get your braces taken off.
• Stay away from chewy foods! They can get stuck in your braces, and even rip them off! Things that fit in this category is gum, granola bars, caramel cubes, and other chewy foods.
• If you love to chew gum, you're in luck! You can chew sugarfree gum with braces, and most gum is sugarfree!
• Don't eat solid foods for the first 3-5 days after you get your braces. It will hurt very bad! Mashed potatoes, noodle soup, and soft rice are great options! Stay away from beef, fruits, and hard foods like candy.

Insha-allah, your braces will make you have a beautiful smile. The pain will only last from 3-5 days, remember!

Salams sisters! Okay, my problem is that during the last celebration of Eid, it didn't seem like Eid at all. I didn't wear new clothes or anything, didn't go to prayer (because there's no Muslims near where I live), didn't buy any presents (didn't even have the idea), didn't get any and I don't have the money to buy presents, I don't live anywhere near my Muslim friends so we couldn't chill together. Just basically, I didn't have anything near a wonderful Eid. What can I do to make the next Eid better, no, not the next, the one after the next, because I'm moving after this next Eid! I really want a wonderful time with me and my girls. What can I do?
-Aminatu B, 14, Michigan

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation, Aminatu. It must feel horrible to have such an Eid! When the Eid after you move comes, you can do a lot to avoid what you've been through.
- After you move, sit down with your family and try to find masjids around your area that host an Eid prayer. I'm sure you'll find one!
- Go to Eid prayer. There you can get together with your friends, make some new friends, and pray!
- Now we come to the presents. Since you don't have the money to buy presents, you should go with the option of making presents. Not only is it really fun, but the recievers will feel good that you spent time making something for them! And they don't have to be big presents, all wrapped with wrapping paper. They can be as small as an Eid card, two home-baked cookies, or a friendship bracelet! Go around the house to search for materials that would make nice presents.
- Spend time with your friends! Insha-allah, when you move, you will be reunited with your Muslim friends! Get together and hang out. There's no need to plan something big, like a game, but sit down and just talk! I'm sure you and your friends have a lot to catch up on!
- As for your Eid clothes, try to get new clothes especially for Eid. You can go shopping with your friends and family! If new clothes just isn't an option, you can wear something that you've already worn before. It only needs to be clean!

I hope this advice will be helpful to you, Aminatu. Insha-allah, your next Eid after the next Eid will be a success!

Do you leave everything for later? Or are you right on time? Find out with this quiz.

1) Today is Monday. You have a Science report due on Friday. When do you start it?
a) Monday night, of course!
b) Tuesday or Wednesday
c) Forget about it until Thursday night

2) Your mom tells you to clean your room. You agree that your room is a mess. When do you clean it?
a) Right away! There's nothing like a clean room!
b) Just after you finish reading the chapter of a book
c) Put it aside until your mom screams in your face to clean your room

3) You decide to list all the presents you will give to people for Eid. When do you do it?
a) Immediately! You're bored, anyway
b) The next day
c) The day before Eid... then stay up all night shopping and making presents.

4) Your teacher gives you a book to finish anytime in the month. When do you first open the pages and read?
a) the day you get the book! You always need something to read!
b) that weekend
c) Two days before it is due; and end up reading it wherever you go so you can finish it on time.

ANSWERS

A: No way!
You are not even close to being a procrastinator! You can get things done quickly, which makes you a person others can trust. Keep up the good work!

B: Not really!
You don't always get things done the day you hear about it, but you get them done (which is the most important part) ! Good job!

C: Sorry, but yes!
You unfortunately are a procrastinator. Today is the day to get rid of this habit. Procrastinating can lead to serious problems, and other people may lose their trust on you. Imagine applying for a job and saying that you are a procrastinator! Try to get things done the day they are assigned, and you're good to go!

The latest news is not celebrity gossip (boring!) or bad things happening to people (too much!). The latest news is brought up in almost every conversation, and reporters never leave it out. It's the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, which has been a hot topic ever since we knew who was running for president!

Now, MAG readers probably aren't over 18 years old, but we still take part in school elections. If you are over 18 years old, then vote for the candidate that you think will be the right choice!

Before you vote during your school election on November 4th, be sure to study up on the candidates. Think about issues like economy, education, environment, world peace, eliminating poverty, and health care. Who do you think will truly make the U.S. a better place?

Take part in your school election, or if you are an American citizen 18 years or older, be sure to vote for who you think is right. Election day is November 4th! Good luck!