Daily Archives: February 24, 2022

In 1999, the Daughters of Charity National Health System and Sisters of St. Joseph Health System merged to create Ascension Health, which was later renamed to Ascension; over the years, various other hospitals and clinics joined the system.[2]

In 2014, the company partnered in opening the $2b Health City Cayman Islands project,[5] and sold its stake in 2017.[6]

In April 2016, a class-action lawsuit was brought in federal court, alleging that Ascension subsidiary Wheaton Franciscan Services (in Glendale, Wisconsin), erred by treating its pension plan as though it was a "church plan," exempt from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"), a federal law governing employee pensions. In January, 2018, the parties announced a settlement, in which Ascension would pay $29.5 million to the plaintiffs.[7]

In December 2018, the Attorney General of the District of Columbia brought suit against Ascension in an attempt to prevent its closure of Providence Health System hospital, which served a low-income population, and had failed financially. The suit alleged that the closure was in violation of the hospital's license.[8] Though the D.C. city council passed an ordinance giving the Mayor the power to block the closing, the suit ultimately failedwith the Council blamed by the judge for acting too slowlyand the hospital closed.[9]

In February, 2020, a jury awarded obstetrician/gynecologist Rebecca Denman, MD, $4.75 million in damages by an Indiana jury, after suing Ascension's St. Vincent Carmel Hospital and its St. Vincent Medical Group for defamation and fraud. The lawsuit arose from a December 2017 incident, in which Denman was accused of smelling like alcohol while on duty. Denman contended that she had been cheated out of the due process, as provided in the company substance-abuse policy, depriving her of a chance to establish her innocence, and retain her position.[10][11]

In October 2021, Ascension and AdventHealth announced the planned dissolution of their joint venture AMITA in 2022. Each system will retain the hospitals they originally contributed to the partnership. [12]

In 2018, controversy swirled around an announcement by Ascension and Google, that they had agreed to share information on millions of Ascension patients. The project, internally known as "Project Nightingale," involved analyzing health dataincluding lab results, medications, and diagnoses of Ascension patientsto use Google's artificial intelligence resources to recommend changes in a patient's care (different diagnostic tests, treatment plans, or additional physicians) and flag unexpected deviations in that care. The announcement sparked a probe by the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which enforces the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the principal law governing the privacy of patient records in the United States.[13][14][15][16] It also sparked inquiries by three U.S. Senators.[17]

Google and Ascension officials defended the program as beneficial.[18][19] Google Cloud president Tariq Shaukat posted a blog note asserting that Ascension health data would not be combined with consumer data, nor would it be used beyond the scope of Google's contract with Ascensionbut the actual scope of that contract remained rather unclear. Shaukat wrote that the project includes moving Ascension's computing infrastructure to the Google cloud, as well as providing unspecified tools that would enable doctors and nurses to improve care.[20]

Privacy advocates, howeveralong with cybertechnology and healthcare information technology expertswarned that Project Nightingale's risks to patient privacy may be massive, with the patient records tagged by patient name and date of birth, potentially allowing a direct correlation with other records in Google's vast database, for "other" uses outside the very limited protections of HIPAA.[13][20][21][22]

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Ascension (healthcare system) - Wikipedia

Catholic-New Iberia bolted to an early lead with a barrage of 3-pointers, then withstood a late rally to defeat Ascension Episcopal 59-50 in a Division III boys basketball regionals playoff game Tuesday.

Tristan Lewis made three 3s to open the game for the No. 6 Panthers, and Jaiden Mitchell hit two more to put the hosts up 15-0 at the 3:10 mark of the first quarter.

"I have pretty good range," said Lewis, a freshman who finished with five 3s and a game-high 20 points. "I was thinking that in order to win this game, we were going to have to start fast and shoot really well."

Although two of Ascension Episcopal's top scorers, Austin Mills and Luke Guidry, combined for only two points through the first three quarters, the No. 11 Blue Gators bounced back from the sluggish start.

The Blue Gators outscored the Panthers 13-7 in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to 26-18 at halftime. After going scoreless in the first quarter, Nelson Elmore scored eight of his 12 points in the second quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Mills and Guidry combined for 16 points and the Blue Gators closed within 47-44 on a layup by Cade Dardar with 2:30 remaining, but Mitchell made seven free throws down the stretch. Senior forward Russell Davis also scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter.

"I know he's young, but I know he's going to shoot 70% from the free throw line," McGrew said of Mitchell, one of three freshmen in the Panthers' starting lineup. "He's not going to make all of them. He's not perfect, but he's going to make the majority of them.

"Russell always finds the time to be in the right place. I don't know how he does it, but he's always in the right place to get a pass, and these guys find him. My younger guys, my ball handlers, find him and make that pass."

It was the third matchup of the year between the District 7-2A rivals. In January, Ascension Episcopal won 56-45 in Youngsville with the Panthers winning 44-41 in New Iberia in February.

"Ascension Episcopal is always a tough opponent," McGrew said. "We know each other very well. It was very important that we jump out to a big lead, and we did. We came out with a lot of energy, and we played really good defense early in the game."

Mitchell finished with 13 points for the 18-9 Panthers, who will face No. 3 Lafayette Christian (23-8) in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Elmore and Mills each scored 12 points and Dardar added 10 points for the Blue Gators, who finished the season with a 21-14 record.

"I thought our kids played with a lot of heart and a lot of toughness, which we've been preaching all year," Blue Gators coach Eric Mouton said. "There was a rowdy crowd tonight, but we never quit.

"When we play hard in our half-court trap, it's effective. Tonight, we got our hands on some balls and got steals to get us back in the game, but we gave up a couple of late lay-ups that cost us."

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Catholic High claims season series over Ascension to advance in Division III playoffs - The Advocate

Ascension hospital emergency rooms in southeastern Wisconsin are seeing a spike in the number of weather-related injuries Tuesday than what they typically see during a winter day.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, 42 patients were treated. By 4 p.m., that number grew to 61 patients.

"That's almost triple the number we would normally have treated by this time on a typical winter day," an Ascension spokesperson told TMJ4 News.

Some injuries were sustained from falls, while others were serious enough to require surgery, according to Ascension. Some patients were also treated for injuries from motor vehicle accidents.

A Weather Emergency Declaration has been issued for the City of Milwaukee for Tuesday.

The declaration, issued by Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson, "emphasizes the dangers associated with travel, and allows for the closure of various city government offices."

Additionally, Department of Public Works (DPW) crews report that they are "facing difficulty" maintaining safe travel, particularly on sidewalks. Some crews have been redeployed to ice control, which will impact some garbage and recycling collections, according to the City.

The declaration is expected to be lifted by Wednesday morning.

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Ascension hospitals seeing triple the amount of patients due to winter weather injuries - WTMJ-TV

The LVAD left ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that helps circulate blood out of the heart when someone's native heart can't keep up.

INDIANAPOLIS Six and a half years ago, Drake Foster thought he was in good health.

"I was 21 years old, living a 21-year-old's life," Foster said. "I was pretty fit, did a manual labor job, and one day I just started feeling real, real sick."

He was short of breath and unable to sleep.

"We went to the urgent care in Lebanon and they told me that I had a heart rate of, I think it was 136 at the time," Foster said. "They came in, did a few more tests and told me that I had end-stage heart failure."

It's not something Foster ever expected, and he wasn't familiar with the solution doctors suggested.

"The first thing that came up was the LVAD, which I've never heard of before didn't know anything about it," he said.

"These are mechanical pumps that basically help somebody's circulation out when their own native heart isn't able to keep up with their body's needs," said Ascension St. Vincent cardiologist Dr. Ashwin Ravichandran.

He said they typically don't install the devices in patients as young as Foster.

"It's open-heart surgery," Ravichandran said. "It's attached to the heart, where then the pump itself has a motor that sort of spins blood through it and then puts it out into the rest of the circulation. It's completely powered by an external power source because we need enough power to be able to power a device like that.

Despite carrying a battery pack everywhere he goes, Foster said he's lived a normal life.

"I graduated from school. I started my career, which I've been there now five years. I work full-time, got married, bought a house and have a daughter," Foster said. "I mean, I've accomplished more with the LVAD than I did without it."

Now he's lined up for a heart transplant.

"I'm so used to having it, it's almost going to be a bigger adjustment to get used to not having it," Foster said.

When the LVAD is gone, his new appreciation for everything will stay.

"You have a different outlook on life and you kind of start seeing the little things as being what's important," Foster said. "Little problems don't seem as big."

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Ascension St. Vincent patient thriving with 'bionic' heart device - WTHR

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Ascension Sacred Heart administrators said they are investing in womens health.

Ascension Sacred Heart opened its second diagnostic womens center in the Panhandle on Friday.

The new center will offer some of the newest technology used to detect the early stages of breast cancer.

The biggest difference moving forward is you will no longer have to leave the area to get comprehensive care, Chief Medical Officer Mario Pulido said. You can now stay in your home, which is critically important when you are going through a diagnosis like this. Because family support, rest, nutrition, and having just a good support system all around.

Pulido said early breast cancer detection allows for more successful treatments. But Ascension Sacred Heart Bay has not been able to offer those vital screenings since before Hurricane Michael.

Aside from the emergency department at the main end of the beach, we were essentially non-operational, Pulido said.

Throughout this new facility, there is the technology for 3D mammograms, ultrasounds, as well as outpatient rehabilitation.

There is a Hologic mammography unit machine, it has the ability to do whats called a 3D mammography or biosynthesis, which essentially takes slices of the breast similar to a CT scan, Alabama native Dr. Jonathan Smith said. Smith is Ascensions new breast surgical oncologist.

He said his appointments will start next week.

We will be able to offer you world-class care that youd get in new york city or Houston, right here in your own backyard so Im really happy to be a part of that process and be able to offer that here, Smith said.

Dr. Smith and other Ascension staff hope to increase the number of women who have received their annual breast cancer screenings.

Ascension Sacred Heart will open a third diagnostic womens center next month at their Watersound location in Walton County.

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Ascension Sacred Heart expands Bay Co. womens health - WMBB - mypanhandle.com

How could one obtain the necessary materials to strengthen Yae Miko is a question that Genshin Impact players might find themselves asking, following the release of patch 2.5 and the arrival of the aforementioned Electro Catalyst user whose renown preceded her playable appearance. Though patch 2.5 for Genshin Impact is slated to feature several characters throughout its duration, the central focus in the first half is placed firmly on the new character of Yae Miko whos been long-awaited by a considerate amount of the player base since her exploits during the Inazuma story arc. This guide intends to illustrate to players whos set their sights on Yae Miko the location and ways of obtaining her respective talent and ascension materials.

As can be expected for a character hailing from Inazuma, Yae Mikos ascension materials can also be found in the respective region in Genshin Impact. Specifically, Yae requires the Electro series of character level-up materials, Sea Ganoderma of the local specialty variety, Handguards as drops from enemy Nobushis, and Dragonheirs False Fin which can be gotten from a world boss situated in the realms of Enkanomiya. Considering the material drops from the boss in question, it is generally pretty feasible to obtain fins alongside the Electro fragments or chunks that are needed for ascension.

Sea Ganodermas and handguards on the other hand will need to be harvested elsewhere. The general tip that applies towards searching for Sea Ganoderma is to survey the coastline or beaches of the various islands that comprise Inazuma. Should the player have access to Gorou, doing so with him in tow should prove to be an easier effort due to one of his character passive, which marks out Inazuma specialty on the minimap, whenever they are in a players nearby vicinity.

Handguards on the other hand will require players to defeat Nobushis, wandering samurai, or ronins that roam the soil of Inazuman territory. They are more than plentiful in numbers and can be found in vast quantities at locations such as Higi Village and Jinren Island, this quantity in numbers comes with the drawback of not necessarily dropping their respective materials whenever they are defeated, which means that players might find themselves hunting Nobushis across the map in quantities more than theyve originally intended.

Talent materials can similarly also be found in the realms of Inazuma. With Yae needing the Light series of Inazuma Talent books (Teachings, Guide, and Philosophies), accompanied by the previously mentioned materials that drop from Nobushis, handguards. Upon reaching higher talent levels, Yae Miko will also start to require boss materials from the newest Weekly Boss fight introduced in patch 2.5, the Raiden Shogun.

Both the Raiden Shogun materials and Inazuma Talent books have their respective domains that can be challenged to obtain the materials necessary for Yae Mikos talent ascension. Unlocking the boss fight for Raiden Shogun might entail some effort beforehand, however, as it calls for the player to progress far enough in terms of the main story and Raidens character quests to be granted entry into the boss fight domain in question.

This once again leaves the player with the necessity of covering the vast expense of handguards that is required for both Yaes ascension and talents. It perhaps would be in the players best interest to use the official interactive map provided by miHoYo themselves, which gives players the affordances to mark the respective enemies or materials they are looking to farm, that also comes with in-game screenshots in instances where the player is uncertain as to the exact locations of the things they are trying to find.

This should about covers all the materials required for Yae Miko in Genshin Impact and where to find them. Though there are difficulties associated with obtaining access to Enkanomiya and the newest boss fight that is Raiden Shogun, they are obstacles that would need to be conquered should the player intend to bolster the strength of the Head Priestess of Grand Narukami Shrine in their possession.

Genshin Impactis available now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS.

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Genshin Impact Yae Miko Materials: Where to Find All Ascension and Talent Materials - Attack of the Fanboy

By ohtadmin | on February 24, 2022

GRAND BLANC There are patients in the hospital who dont have the traditional types of movements that are consistent with seizures.

The harmful brain patterns related to non-convulsive seizure activity have no outward clinical signs and can only be diagnosed using EEG. With this new technology, clinicians have immediate access to EEG information for triaging at-risk patients in just a few minutes and for on-going automatic monitoring and immediate feedback on treatment effectiveness.

This new response program is vital in the intensive care unit and the emergency department, says Alan Janssen, DO, medical director of Emergency Medicine at Ascension Genesys Hospital. The technologys ease of use, reliability and timely response ensures the highest-quality standard of care for our patients.

The Rapid Response EEG system was developed so that patients at risk of seizure can be triaged more quickly. The device consists of a simple headband, pocket-sized recorder with intuitive software, and an online portal for remote viewing. The software provides 24/7 EEG monitoring and instantaneous alert for brain patterns which allows the physician to assess response to treatment and optimize care, all in real-time.

The Rapid Response EEG device is an essential tool to speed up the identification and treatment in acutely ill patients with seizures, said Mouaz Sbei, MD, neurologist and medical director for the stroke program at Ascension Genesys Hospital. This technology provides the opportunity to identify seizures in as little as five minutes in patients whose seizure status is unclear, instead of within hours such as with a conventional EEG. The sooner we can identify a patients status, the sooner we can start treatment. This time difference is critical, as research indicates that patients have a chance for a better outcome medically when treatment is administered in a timely manner.

The technology will be used in the emergency department and intensive care unit at Ascension Genesys Hospital and represents their continuous commitment to raise the bar in neurological care and treatment. G.G.

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Ascension Genesys Hospital using new technology to optimize care of critically ill patients - Grand Blanc View - Grandblancview

PULLMAN Reflecting on his second season at the helm, coach Brian Green came to a couple of conclusions about his up-and-coming Washington State baseball club.

We believe we can win. Were proud of who we are, he said during a news conference late last month when asked to outline his takeaways from the 2021 campaign. But we as coaches had to do a better job of getting balance in our lineup.

If the Cougars planned on making noise in the stacked Pac-12 Conference in 22, Green knew theyd need to sign some left-handed batting options and southpaw pitchers.

You better have left and right, or each week youre really at the mercy of who youre playing and the matchup, Green said.

The Cougars reeled in four high-potential, left-handed newcomers wholl compete for time on the mound and inked another three lefties wholl vie for at-bats.

Theyll mix in with a deep and talented supply of returning veterans, a group that laid the foundation for a winning tradition last season under Greens guidance.

A positive culture has been established in the WSU clubhouse and now the Cougars can focus on fine-tuning. Thats Greens primary takeaway from 21.

We left last year with a knowledge and belief that we can compete in this league, he said. The program is in a spot where there are expectations in the locker room to make a run and get to the postseason.

Now, its a matter of execution, preparation, discipline, details and commitment, and I think were in a pretty good spot as we enter the season.

WSU opens Year 3 of the Green era with a four-game series at Hawaii, beginning Friday at 8:35 p.m. Grant Taylor, a big sophomore right-hander and WSUs top returning arm, will start.

WSU compiled a 26-23 record last season, winning 13 games in conference play during its best season in seven years. The Cougars tied for eighth in the preseason coaches poll.

I want them to be hungry and I think its great when youre chasing a need to improve, said Green, who signed a contract extension through 2026 in the fall. We havent accomplished anything, but what we have accomplished is creating that buzz. Theres an ascension, theres momentum. All things are getting better recruiting and our athletes and facilities and our grades.

Seven regular starters return to WSUs lineup, which finished the 2021 season second in the Pac-12 in hitting (.302), third in per-game scoring (7.2 runs) and first in doubles against league opponents (74).

WSU lost two all-conference position players in star first baseman Kyle Manzardo a Coeur dAlene product who went in the second round of Julys MLB draft to Tampa Bay and designated hitter Tristan Peterson, but the Cougars arent expecting drop-off offensively.

The returning core has been outstanding, Green said. Guys are just better. Theyre stronger. Their plate discipline is better. Their plate awareness is better. Weve got an old team, and theres nothing better than having experience and guys who have been through the wars.

Batting leadoff will probably be junior Kodie Kolden, a Lake City High grad who hit .320 last season with 38 RBIs and was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nations top shortstop. Four otherefficient batters are back in fifth-year outfielder Collin Montez (.316), senior third baseman Jack Smith (.311), junior first baseman Jacob McKeon (.345) and sophomore second baseman Kyle Russell (.301), a promising Washingtonian who was limited to just 20 games with an injury last season.

Other key pieces include Jake Meyer, an honorable mention All-Pac-12 catcher, and starting outfielder Justin Van De Brake.

If youre a Coug fan, youre going to see the same cast of characters, Green said Wednesday by Zoom from a hotel room in Honolulu. The experience will always get the nod early (in a season).

WSU secured an impressive haul of signees this offseason in a nationally ranked recruiting class also the top-ranked junior college class in the nation, per baseball publication JBB. The prized recruit is JC transfer center fielder Hylan Hall, a top-30 transfer nationally who began his college career at Miami (Florida).

He had the best fall of probably anybody, Green said. Hes an incredible competitor. Hes got an ability to go get the ball in center field that we havent had.

WSU shored up its lineup with three left-handed JC transfers: first baseman/outfielder Bryce Matthews, who started his college career at Arkansas; catcher Nate Stevens, another former Razorback; and outfielder Austin Plante, who signed with TCU out of high school.

They give us an opportunity to be very balanced, Green said.

WSU will enjoy a deeper defense this season with several versatile returners and additions. Green called infielder Elijah Hainline an elite defender. The true freshman out of Mead High will see action this weekend.

Starting left-handers Cole McMillan and McKabe Cottrell are set to make their Cougar debuts in Hawaii. McMillan, another top-30 transfer who will start Saturday, played two years at San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College after a one-year stay at Houston. Cottrell, penciled in for Sundays start, earned JC All-America honors last season in his third year at Spokane Falls after transferring out of Gonzaga.

The Cougars main concern is a new-look staff. Zane Mills and Brandon White started a combined 26 games and worked 149 innings last season. Both were selected in the MLB draft.

WSU is still sorting out its rotation. Mondays starter will be determined.

The presumed ace, Taylor went 3-0 with a 3.04 ERA last season. Junior righty Dakota Hawkins is the most tested returner. He logged a 4-6 record and a 5.82 ERA over 51 innings. Yale transfer lefty Matt Erickson, southpaw Spokane Falls transfer Cam Liss and sophomore returner Duke Brotherton, from Mercer Island, Washington, will contend for reps.

Five or six guys are going to have the opportunity to (start), Green said.

Bullpen ace Michael Newstrom graduated after setting the single-season WSU record last year with 34 appearances. Returning relievers include Connor Barison (4.05 ERA in 26 innings), Caden Kaelber (4.08 ERA, 17 IP) and Kolby Kmetko (4.98 ERA, 21 IP).

We clearly have a group of guys were excited about, Green said.

The Cougars are hungry for their first national postseason run since 2010. The program has only qualified for the NCAAs twice in the past 30 years. But they seem to be trending upward under Green.

We want to be in the hunt, we want to be chasing it and we certainly know we have something to prove, Green said. At the same time, were out there promoting and selling like crazy to get people to believe in where were going.

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'There's an ascension, there's momentum': Washington State baseball on the rise in Year 3 under Brian Green - The Spokesman-Review

The Prophet was really depressed and dejected. His beloved wife Khadijah, a source of comfort and support, was dead. His uncle Abu Talib, his second father, a pillar of strength who defended him against the vicious attacks of his enemies, was also gone. His mission to Taif had been unsuccessful. He had tried to invite the people to Islam, but in hateful and humiliating retaliation, they had sent their children after him, throwing rocks on him until he bled. It was truly a Year of Grief. It was in this context that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was taken up to the heavens in a miraculous and profound journey Muslims know as Al-Israa and Al-Mi`raj.

Out of numerous fruits of the Ascension or Al-Mi`raj which is like an elaborate tree of Paradise in meaning, we shall mention only five as examples.

First Fruit:

The vision of the truths from which the pillars of faith originate and the seeing of angels, Paradise and the Hereafter and even the Majestic Being, became the cause of such a treasury and an eternal light and gift for the universe and mankind that it has freed the universe from being seen as a disordered heap of things doomed to destruction and showed that, in reality, it is the harmonious collection of the sacred writings of the Eternally Besought-of-All and lovely mirrors where the Grace and Beauty of the Single One are reflected. It has pleased and rejoiced the universe and all conscious beings. Again, through that light and gift, it has freed man from the confused state of misguidance in which he was seen as a wretched, completely helpless and destitute being entangled in innumerable needs and hostilities and doomed to eternal annihilation, and showed that, in reality, he is of fairest composition and the best pattern of creation, one who, being a miracle of the Power of the Eternally Besought-of-All and a comprehensive copy of the collection of His writings, is addressed by the Sovereign of Eternity, and one who is His private servant to appreciate His perfections, His friend to behold His Beauty in amazement, and His beloved and an honorable guest of His designated for Paradise. It has implanted infinite joy and enthusiasm in those who are truly human.

Second Fruit:

The Ascension brought to men and jinn as a gift the essentials of Islam, including primarily the prescribed five daily prayers, which contain all the things pleasing to the Ruler of Eternity, Who is the Maker of creatures, the Owner of the universe, and the Lord of the Worlds. People must be so curious about perceiving those things pleasing to Him, and the perception of them brings so great happiness that it cannot be described. For everyone is desirous of knowing the wishes of a renowned benefactor or a benevolent king to the degree that he says: I wish I had a means of communication and talked to him directly! I wish I knew what he asks of me! I wish I knew what things of me are pleasing to him! God has the possession of all creatures, and the grace, beauty and perfections shared by all creatures are but a dim shadow in relation to His Beauty, Grace and Perfection. You may understand to what degree mankind, who need Him in infinite respects and receive His boundless bounties every moment, should be curious about and desirous of perceiving His wishes and the things pleasing to Him.

It was as a fruit of the Ascension that having left seventy thousand veils behind, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) heard of the things pleasing to the King of Eternity directly from Him with absolute certainty and brought them to mankind as a gift.

Mankind are extremely curious to know facts about the moon and any other planet. They desire that someone will go there and tell them about it. They are ready to make great sacrifices for this end. But the moon travels in the domain of such a Master that it flies around the earth like a fly. The earth flies around the sun like a moth. As for the sun, it is only a lamp among thousands of other lamps and functions like a candle in a guest-house of the Majestic Master of Kingdom. Thus, such are the acts and qualities of the Majestic Being, and the wonders of His art and the treasuries of His Mercy in the eternal world, that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) saw during the Ascension and then told mankind about. You may understand how contrary to reason and wisdom it will be if mankind do not listen to that person with utmost curiosity and in perfect amazement and love.

Third Fruit:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) saw the hidden treasury of eternal happiness during the Ascension and brought its keys to men and jinn as a gift. Through the Ascension he saw Paradise with his own eyes, observed the everlasting manifestations of the Mercy of the Majestic All-Merciful One, and perceived eternal happiness with absolute certainty, and then he brought to men and jinn the good tiding that there is eternal happiness (in an everlasting world).

It is indescribable how great happiness it aroused in the mortal, wretched men and jinn who had regarded themselves as condemned to eternal annihilation, that such a good tiding was given to them at a time when all creatures were giving out heart-rending cries at the thought of being in a flux amidst the convulsions of death and decay in an unstable world, going into the ocean of non-existence and eternal separation through the flow of time and the motion of particles. Consider how such a tiding delights a man if he is given a palace by the king in the vicinity of his residence just when he (the man) is about to be hanged. Add together the instances of joy and happiness to the number of all men and jinn, and understand the value of this good tiding.

Fourth Fruit:

As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) himself received the fruit of the vision Allahs Beautiful Countenance, he brought it to men and jinn as a gift that every believer may be honored with the same vision. You can understand how delicious, fine, and beautiful that fruit is when you make a comparison like this:

Anyone with a heart loves a beautiful, perfect and benevolent one. This love increases in proportion to the extent of beauty, perfection and benevolence and mounts to the degree of adoration and self-sacrifice. It even increases to the degree that one may sacrifice whatever one has and ones life for the sake of a single vision of the beloved one. Whereas, when compared to His, all the beauty, perfection and benevolence shared by the whole of the creation cannot even be like a few flashes of the sun in comparison to the sun itself. You may understand from this what a pleasant, beautiful, rejoicing and blissful fruit it is that one deserves in the abode of eternal happiness the sight of a Majestic One of perfection, Who is worthy of infinite love, the sight of Whom deserves to inspire an infinite eagerness.

Fifth Fruit:

It was understood through the Ascension that man is a valuable fruit of the universe and a darling beloved of the Maker of the universe. This understanding is one of the fruits of the Ascension, through which man, who is outwardly an insignificant creature, a weak animal and an impotent conscious being, has risen to a position so high that it is the cause of pride for man above all other creatures. The joy and happiness it must give to man is indescribable. For if you tell an ordinary private that he has been promoted to the rank of field-marshal, he will feel infinite joy. While being a mortal, helpless, reasoning and articulating animal that had been continually receiving the blows of decay and separation, man was told unexpectedly through the Ascension: In the inner and external dimensions of Allahs dominion and in an everlasting Paradise, enveloped by the Mercy of an All-Merciful, All-Compassionate and All-Magnificent One, you may succeed in realizing all the desires of your heart and in recreation, in traveling, to and fro with the speed of imagination and in the broad sphere of the spirit and the mind. You may also succeed in seeing His Most Beautiful Countenance in the abode of eternal happiness.

You may imagine what great joy and happiness one who is truly human will feel in his heart on hearing this. Now, turning to the one in the position of listener, we say: Tear apart the shirt of atheism and put on the ears of a believer and the eyes of a Muslim. By means of comparisons, we will show you the degree of the value of one or two of those fruits.

Here is the comparison: Suppose we are in a place like a big desert. Caught by a sand storm in the midst of night, we cannot see even our hands. While in this wretched state (hungry, thirsty, hopeless and without protection) if someone appears unexpectedly with a car, and picking us up, takes us to a Paradise-like place where an extremely merciful lord welcomes us and takes us under his protection, where our future has been secured, and a banquet has been prepared for us, you may guess how we will rejoice and feel happy. So, the desert is the world, and the sands stand for helpless men and other creatures tossing about in the violent disturbances of time and events.

Every human being is anxious about his future, at which he looks with the view of misguidance, and sees it in a thick darkness. There is no one he knows to hear his cries. He is extremely hungry and thirsty. But thanks to Gods wishes and the things pleasing to Him, which we come to know as a fruit of the Ascension, the world is the guest-house of an extremely Generous One with men in it being his guests and officers; when, in such a guest-house, the future appears to you as beautiful as Paradise, as lovely as mercy and as brilliant as eternal happiness, you may understand how lovely, pleasant and beautiful that .fruit is

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Fruits of the Prophets Ascension - Islam Online