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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May the peace & mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta‘ala be on you.
In my short time in this dunya, I have recently come to realize history is a blessing given to us by Allah SWT. History is so dynamic and easily overlooked and exists in a multitude of layers: world history, regional history, local history, community history, family history, personal history, and the most important history of all: our history of Allah. History provides us with a point of reference. As human beings, we can not function without a point of reference. Each time I flip through a history book or discover history through the internet (props to Wikipedia), it is so evident what a blessing this is. Imagine your life without history. I can't imagine my life without history. Think about it—without history—what would be your point of reference? Coming back to my first point, Allah SWT truly has blessed us with history. By providing us with the FULLY DOCUMENTED life of our beloved Muhammad (SAW), Allah SWT is giving us not only the key to success, but he‘s giving us the car too. While this is the most important example we have, let‘s not forget all the other bounties Allah SWT has provided us with: scientific history, medical history, technological history, history of intelligence, etc. Alhamdulilah and thanks to our lovely writers, this history-packed issue of MBMuslima, will allow you to learn thing or two you may not have known. We ask that you sincerely read with an open heart and an open mind. Ponder. Question. Think. Be interactive and involved in the game—don‘t be on the sidelines.
Finally, we pose a thought-provoking question
What's your history? —
P.S. As always, your comments, criticism, and suggestions as a reader are highly appreciated and encourged. By the will of Allah SWT, let us all engage in a deep collective search for truth, guided by the primary sources of Islam: the Qur‘an and Sunnah. As always, JazakAllah khair for being an MBMuslima reader—this magazine would be nothing without you.
P.S.S. We are currently working to fundraise $10,000 insha`Allah. With this money, we will insha`Allah distribute 3000 free copies of MBMuslima across libraries, universities, street fairs, and prisons. We are also working to create the first ever MBMuslima scholarship inshaAllah. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/mbmuslimamagazine for more information.
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu, Sister Yasmin Essa
By Nur Soliman We should always remember ‗time‘ – consciousness of time reminds us of what has happened before, what is happening now, and what will come to happen. There are multiple layers of history that envelop the human being and the Umma, and the world community, the more monumental, greater ‗textbook‘ history, and our own individual lives, and the lives of our loved ones, of our surroundings. All of these are so intricately intertwined, and have light or heavy implications on one another, just like in Tolstoy‘s War and Peace where individual stories somehow were affected by and affected the greater background of the Napoleonic Wars in Tsarist Russia. But what does monumental history have to do with us? History, bound chronologically, goes back decades, centuries, millennia, and billions and billions of years back, but time is fleeting and this dunya is not forever. Emperors and empires rise and fall, seasons change, even entire civilizations or cities disappear under the sands or the sea, and people who once rose to prominence are now forever lost to obscurity. But that‘s not a cause of fear or despondence, or even for a sense of hopelessness; instead, it should be a prompt, a mechanism to bring about intention, achievement, and meaning to our lives and to the lives after ours. How did the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) describe our relationship to the dunya and the akhira? One hadith that I find always serves as a strong reminder of how to live is narrated by ‗Abdulla bin ‗Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) who reported that the Messenger of God (PBUH) took him by the shoulders, and said: ―Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer.‖ Ibn ‗Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say, ―When you survive til the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive til the morning, do not expect to live until the evening. While in good health (do good deeds) before you fall sick; and while you are alive (do good deeds) before death strikes‖ (Hadith 574: Sahih al-Bukhari).
History, then, is that sacred collection of moments given to us by the infinitely All-Providing Allah (SWT) that we choose to make us of and put baraka into. Time is all we have, and what better than to make the most of it. We are here forever, and for no time at all. Marcel Proust, the author of À La Recherche du Temps Perdu, spends pages upon pages recapturing moments of time in his life that were brimming, bursting with meaning, with memory, with shimmering life, that had a bearing on how he spent out his living days. As muslimeen, we too must make our life matter for our hereafter to be worth it too. Make the effort to be grateful to Allah (SWT) for the moment of now that He has given you with His grace and His rahma, subhanahu. Use it to good ends that will count for the akhira – dhikr of Allah (SWT) and His everlasting mercy, His infinite goodness and power, ‘ibada as enjoined on us in our faith, in good, kind words, good, kind actions, and noble intentions for this life and the hereafter. Listen to your grandfather when he reminisces; when he is no longer with you, they will be the warmest loving memories you have of him that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Learning from history gives you unexpected, deep insights into current affairs and events, and gives you lessons to learn and avoid or use. Spend an idle moment in reading a few ayahs from the Qur‘an, or helping your sibling with their music practice or math homework; volunteer at a soup kitchen or preschool; learn a new hobby, or learn to find joy in the simplest of Allah‘s beautiful miracles, from the first flower in your window-sill pots to the fortune you have in your job, your school, your family, your health, and the very fact that you‘re alive. If you are unhappy with a situation, invest sincere effort to make changes for the better. If you are worried that you are not doing enough to increase your iman make the initiative to read more Qur‘an, or do more ‘ibada with support from family or friends. If you have interests in education, politics, ethics, and want to help your family or community, take inspiration from the hundreds of pioneers of our human past and learn from them to make your own changes. Never waste a moment to make a difference in the way you live, in the life of your family, and your own community; the past, present, and future are all in your hands to make meaning of, and who knows? The way you use your time may last well into posterity and the way you spent your days will be remembered in years to come. May Allah (SWT) help us find baraka in our time and guide us in making our lives in the dunya and akhira full of faith, Ameen. Image Credit: Rewat Wannasuk | Dreamstime.com
By Jennifer F. Fawzy
Fashion often dictates what we choose to wear each morning. Halter tops, Capri pants and spaghettis are just a few styles that women like to wear because they have nice cuts and sleek designs. Sometimes we choose our clothing based upon the seasons or occasions. As religious women, are we choosing clothes that reflect what we believe or what is popular in magazines? Modesty is a virtue that is disappearing in our society. We see men and women dressed in clothing that still makes them look almost nude. No one even seems to notice anymore, as miniskirts and shorter shorts have become the norm. In fact, when we see women who are covered up, it looks out of place and odd. As women of faith, we have a duty to separate ourselves from secular society both in action as well as in the fashion world. In my experience, I have seen that many Muslim women feel like they have to justify why they dress modestly to non-Muslims. Societies that are not familiar with Islamic doctrine think that somehow modesty has to do with culture. It was customary for women in all societies to dress modestly, but over time, that has changed.
While this statement holds truth, it is usually used in the wrong context. A woman can wear whatever she wants at home with her family or even alone. Why does she have to showcase herself to people that she does not know outside the home? Why can‘t she wear what she likes instead of what fashion experts want her to wear?
These days, women are judged for how skinny they are, or how sexy they look instead of more important characteristics. Instead of liberating women to truly act equally as men, we are now reduced to sexual objects only desired for our bodies. How often do you see men parading about in a halter top or see through shorts? The media uses female sexuality to sell everything from food to cars, reducing it to a sales pitch instead of something that God has ordained to be protected. The West hardly thinks of sex as something that is sacred. Sex has devolved into an act that you can do randomly with strangers just for fun. It is no longer a physical expression of love that you share with your spouse. The real issue at hand is how to maintain your modesty. It is difficult to find appropriate clothes in many shopping malls and clothing retailers. The fashion industry wants you to bare your arms, legs and bosoms because they realize the one thing that you do not. The more skin you show, the more naked you become. I understand that arms and legs are not sexual organs and their function is not to reproduce, but they are parts of your body that deserve the same level of respect as the more private parts do. Just because your arms and legs are not sexual organs does not mean that they are not beautiful and sensual. The beauty industry knows that a woman‘s body is beautiful. This is the reason that there is a product that exists for every part of a woman‘s body from her eye lashes to her toe nails and earlobes. Men do not have such products that accentuate their beauty, but women do. There is nothing wrong with being sexy and beautiful, but we as women have to keep it from becoming excessive. We have to be mindful of how we dress because it is a display of how we think of ourselves and how we want people to treat us. If we are dressed in revealing clothing, men may treat us in such a way that is offensive. Women are not responsible for the actions of such men, but choosing proper clothing will help us to divert negative advertisement of ourselves.
Dave Chappell (a comedian) actually addressed this issue on one of his shows in an indirect way. He said, ―If you dress up as a police officer, I will treat you like a police officer. You are wearing a police officer‘s uniform. Even if you are pretending to be an officer, I would not know the difference because I am treating you based on how you look.‖ People do that! It is natural. We know a dog is a dog based on how it looks, barks, and wags its tail. I am sure that some people thought a wolf was a dog, but again there are exceptions, but exceptions do not change the rule. Modesty reasserts our God given equality to men. Men pay more attention to their visual senses, while women heed more to what they hear. Men find women beautiful and when they see our skin, it is arousing to them. If we cover our skin, a man is able to focus on the task at hand instead of becoming distracted by our looks. We do not have to give up our femininity to be treated equally as men. By giving up our femininity we actually become more masculine, and this is not being equal to a man, it is becoming one. You can still be a fashionable, beautiful woman even if you are covered up. There are so many prints and colors that you can try along with layering your clothes. I am sure people will say, ―Layering clothing will make you become hot‖ or ―I live in the desert‖ and that is okay. Cotton is lightweight and allows air to circulate through, so you can wear more light colored cotton fabrics.
To truly be modest on the outside, you have to be modest on the inside as well. Pray for God to help you with your modesty, and don‘t give up. It may be difficult at first, but all things in life that are worth the fight are. May God bless you and your efforts.
Image Credit: Bellemede | Dreamstime.com
By Brother Kyle Smith What is history? This is an important question as it is a highly debated issue. Many philosophers debate over what exactly history is, and what its role should be. However, a common definition of history is ―what has happened in the life or development of a people, country, institution, etc.‖ So with this definition we can come to the conclusion that one of the functions of history is to describe the events or happenings in one‘s life. Furthermore, one of history‘s functions is to describe the events or happenings of a society. Essentially, what I am getting at is that if one wants to learn about Muslims, then it is crucial for that individual to study the history of Muslims. The best way to study the history of Muslims is to study the seerah (biography) of Muhammad (SAW). That is because Muhammad (SAW) is the Prophet of all Muslims, so if one wants to learn about all Muslims than they need to study the Prophet‘s life. The goal of this article is to show what we can learn from the seerah, and why it is important to study it. The first reason why it is important to study the seerah is to gain a detailed chronological account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). As we all know, the most important book for Muslims to study is the Qur‘an. That is because the Qur‘an is the verbatim word of Allah (SWT) that has never been altered or changed. Allah (SWT) Himself says that there is no doubt in the Qur‘an. Therefore, all Muslims would agree that the most important book for Muslims to study is the Qur‘an. That said, there are only bits and pieces of the Prophet‘s (SAW) life in the Qur‘an. Therefore, one cannot get a detailed chronological account of all the events and happenings in the Prophet‘s (SAW) life solely by studying the Qur‘an. One on hand, the hadith is an overwhelming body of information; one can pick up a copy of Sahih Al-Bukhari and read away. However, one will not always have the context as to why that hadith was revealed. On the other hand, the seerah gives a detailed chronological account of all the major events in the Prophet‘s (SAW) life. Furthermore, seerah brings up hadith in its narration; the context as to why the Prophet said the hadith is always stated in the seerah. The second reason why it is important to study the seerah of the Prophet (SAW) is to love him. One time ‗Umar (RA) came to the Prophet (SAW) and said, ―Ya Rasulullah (O Messenger of Allah) I swear by Allah that after myself I love you the most.‖ The Prophet (SAW) replied, ―You‘re still not a believer, O ‗Umar. You will not be a believer until you love me more than you love yourself.‖ So Prophet (SAW) left and ‗Umar was thinking. Then he ran back to the Prophet (SAW) and said, ―Ya Rasul Allah (O Messenger of Allah) I swear by
Allah that I love you more than I love myself.‖ Then the Prophet (SAW) said, ―Now you are a believer, Omar.‖ This is a beautiful hadith because this hadith erases all arrogance and selfishness that one can have; additionally, this hadith states the importance of loving Muhammad (SAW). Now what is the key to loving someone? One cannot truly love someone, unless they truly know them. Therefore, the key to loving someone is to sincerely know that individual. When someone truly knows Muhammad (SAW), his giving nature, his unselfishness, and the reasons as to why he did certain things, etc, there is no doubt that that individual will love him (SAW). The following are examples from the seerah that I personally love, specifically from the battle of Badr. Prior to the battle, the Prophet (SAW) received news from the Madinese army. This news indicated that ―a bloody encounter with the Makkans was inescapable, and that a daring step in this context had to be taken. Upon hearing this news the Prophet (SAW) held an advisory military meeting to review the situation. The Muslim army was made up of emigrants and helpers, or Ansar, and Muhammad (SAW) wanted the Ansar‘s view of the situation being that they made up the majority of the army. So the Prophet (SAW) said ―O people! Advise me‖! He was referring to the Ansar in particular, so Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh (RA) stood up and said ―By Allah I feel you want us (the Ansar) to speak. The Prophet (SAW) directly said ―oh yes! Sa‘d then gave his input; he stated that the Ansar had no doubt that the Prophet (SAW) has brought them the truth. Additionally, he stated that ―we will obey you most willingly in whatever you command us… if you were to ask us to throw ourselves into the sea, we would do it most readily and not a man would stay behind. SubhanAllah, this is amazing. Muhammad (SAW), a man who was revered by his people, wanted to know how they felt, as he was always concerned about them. Being that he loved his people so much, they in turn loved him back, and this is indicated by Sa‘d stating that they would throw themselves into the sea if Muhammad (SAW) asked. Continuing with the event of the battle of Badr, lets look at another instance in the Prophet (SAW)‘s life that I love. Prior to the battle, when the Muslim army was camped at the far bank of the valley, Muhammad (SAW) stopped at the nearest spring of Badr. Al-Hubab Bin Mundhir (RA) asked him, ―Has Allah inspired you to choose this very spot or is it a strategy of war and the product of consultation? ―Muhammad (SAW) replied ―It is a strategy of war and consultation‖. Al-Hubab said ―This place is no good; let us go encamp at the nearest water well and make a basin or reservoir full of water‖.
The beauty of this particular situation is that Muhammad (SAW) was not seeking advice. In the instance mentioned earlier, Muhammad (SAW) said ―O people! Advise me!‖ So in that situation he was looking for advice but also wanted to know how they felt. However, in this situation he believed that the place he had the army camped in was a good spot. He could have said to Al-Hubab, I am the messenger of Allah (SWT), what do you know and who are you to tell me what to do! But subhanAllah he didn‘t; rather, he took Al Hubab‘s advice and they carried the plan out. Muhammad (SAW) was in the ultimate position of authority, yet he was so humble. It‘s not even as though a large majority of his army suggested that they move to a different area. Al Hubab was only one man who suggested it; yet, the Prophet (SAW) sincerely and humbly took his advice. As stated earlier, when anyone sincerely studies the life of Muhammad (SAW), that individual will gain a love for him. In essence, studying the seerah of Muhammad (SAW) is one of the keys to getting to know him. So now the question is where or how can someone
study the seerah? There is a great seerah book titled Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar). This book is recommended by scholars such as Yasir Qadhi, and was awarded first prize by the Muslim World League in a worldwide competition on the biography of the Prophet (SAW) held in Makkah in 1979. Even if one does not have the means to purchase this book, there is no need to worry: it is available online at www.islamicnature.com (a website previously featured in MBMuslima) on the ―iknowledge‖ page. Once on the ―iknowledge‖ page, you will be able to access the seerah. Sources: Your Dictionary , http://www.yourdictionary.com/chauvinist (accessed May 20, 2011). The Holy Qur’an. Webb, Suhaib. September 22, 2010.http://www.suhaibwebb.com/ personaldvlpt/purification-heart/lessons-from-the-opening-chapter/ (accessed May 20, 2011). Image Credit: Igor Kharlamov | Dreamstime.com
By Mariam Al-Kalby
her love is like a whisper in the rain, there, but quiet she feared the most important her Lord, and kept the ropes tiedtied to her Lord, the Prophet, family like the branches of a tree… spreading across the skies, her limbs stretching out for knowledge, love, Jannah she knew her path and followed it through her ―blessed‖ memory forever wrapped like a tight bud
Mother of the Believers Image Credit: Astrid Lenz | Dreamstime.com
By Yvonne Maffei, Halal Culinary Expert
There’s nothing more enjoyable in the summer than no-fuss food. Fresh produce and great halal chicken are all you need in this recipe, allowing time for more fun in the sun without sacrificing great flavor. Serves 4-6 Ingredients for the Grilled Chicken
Herb & Citrus Sauce (recipe follows) ¼ cup olive oil 1 lb. boneless chicken meat (breast or thigh), cut into bite-size pieces 1 bunch red leaf lettuce 4 Roma tomatoes ½ lb. fresh feta cheese, crumbled
Ingredients for the Herb & Citrus Sauce
¼ tsp. whole cumin, toasted ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes ¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems ¾ cup fresh mint leaves ¾ cup fresh flat leaf parsley 3 garlic cloves, minced zest of 4 small lemons or 3 large ones (preferably organic) zest of 4 limes (preferably organic) ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp. sea salt
Directions for the Herb & Citrus Sauce 1. Grind together the toasted (over dry heat) cumin and red pepper flakes. Measure ½ tsp. of this combination. 2. Blend the cumin-red pepper, fresh herbs, garlic, zest of lemons and limes, black pepper and salt in a bowl until well combined. Directions for the Grilled Chicken 1. In a large glass bowl, combine the herb & citrus sauce and the oil with the chicken, covering each piece of meat with the herbs and oil. 2. Heat a grill or an indoor grill pan to mediumhigh heat. 3. Grill chicken over direct heat until meat is cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear. Be careful not to over-cook the meat or it may become dry. Directions To Make the Wraps 1. Clean and dry the lettuce leaves. Remove seeds from the tomatoes and chop finely. 2. Add chicken to the lettuce leaves, top with tomatoes and sprinkle with feta. Wrap the lettuce leaves around the chicken and toppings. 3. Serve by arranging the wraps in a platter for guests or arrange all ingredients in separate plates for a help-yourself style serving. Image Credits: Yvonne Maffei, www.myhalalkitchen.com
Q&A with Halal Culinary Expert, Yvonne Maffei from My Halal Kitchen!
Email your question to info@mbmuslima.com We will make sure it gets answered in our next issue,
just for you! Jazakum Allah khairan!
Photo courtesy Halal culinary expert, Yvonne Maffei
"Throughout history, women have been the main process through which men have achieved greatness and wisdom. Who are the ideal women that you look up to? Do you aspire to be supportive like Khadijah RA or steadfast as Assiya RA? Even though we are not faced with trials with the same magnitude as these women promised with Jannah were, we can mirror their qualities in the smallest of affairs and aim for a similar permanent abode."
By Tayyaba Syed
There is an under-used miracle that has been an essential part of the history of mankind. It has the power to heal, nourish, and provide comfort without costing a penny. It is the one of the most natural and halal (lawful) forms of nutrition available for babies: breast milk. Breast milk is a kind of liquid gold for a baby and his or her mother. The benefits of breast milk are long-lasting and can be carried throughout adulthood. It is not only healthy for the baby but the nursing mother as well, a blessing provided by Allah that is complete and wholesome, and meets a newborn/infant‘s first needs in life. In Surat al-Baqara, the second chapter of the Holy Qur‘an, Allah states in part of verse 233, ―Mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years…‖ (2:233). If it is possible for the mother, she should make the lifestyle change to nurse her baby. Her milk is always fresh, at the right temperature, and readily available for the baby. Allah knows what is best for us by designing the ―perfect food‖ for a baby. Healthy eating is an important factor in preventing many chronic diseases that are common in the United States today such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. Many of these diseases and health problems can be prevented right from birth if a child is breastfed. For one thing, a breastfed baby can not be overfed. The mother‘s body naturally provides enough milk for the baby. Another example is that breastfeeding helps program a baby‘s body to metabolize cholesterol, which protects against heart disease later in life. Human milk is high in cholesterol, a fatty acid which is essential for baby to develop a strong nervous system and brain. Cow‘s milk formulas do not contain cholesterol. There are many other benefits that a baby receives from his mother‘s milk. One benefit is that a newborn‘s immature digestive system can easily break down breast milk. It is composed of lactose (an excellent source of carbohydrates), protein (in the curd and whey), and high amounts of fat. In comparison to formula-fed babies, breast-fed infants have fewer incidences of diarrhea or constipation (three to five times less to be exact). A newborn also requires certain vitamins,
minerals, and growth promoting hormones in his diet, and breast milk naturally contains many of those. Breast milk also contains natural immunities and antibodies that pass onto the nursing infants. When a baby is exposed to a germ, his mother‘s breast is exposed to it as well. The dynamic of the breast immediately manufactures a new antibody which is then passed on to the baby through the breast milk. As a result, the babies get sick less often. Nursing is great for developing a baby‘s jaw and facial muscles too. It works the bones and muscles around the mouth when baby sucks at the breast. The child will grow stronger teeth and fewer cavities. The baby is not the only one who benefits from nursing; mom does too. For example, when a woman takes a break to nurse her baby, it forces her to rest and catch her breath from her stressful and tiring day. Night feedings are easy on mom as well, because the baby may be brought into the bed and nursed while both are lying down. One great and much loved bonus about breastfeeding is that it converts weight gained during pregnancy into milk. Milk production uses between 600800 calories per day. That is like riding a bike uphill for one hour! In turn, a nursing mother should eat an extra 500 calories per day to stay healthy and produce healthy milk. Another perk is that bone density increases due to breastfeeding. It also decreases the risk of hip fractures after menopause which is common in older women. Breastfeeding even protects against ovarian, uterine and breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the less the risk is. Allah has created a perfect system. It is when we decide to steer away from His wisdom and blessings that we find deficiencies within us. Our man-made versions of the natural resource for mother to baby will always fall short. If Allah gives us the tawfeeq, or good fortune and reward, to become mothers and then provide nourishment from within us for our children, then why go against that? Breastfeeding is a time-proven method, and history shows that. Allah knows best after all. Image Credit: Stanko Mravljak | Dreamstime.com
By Azra Aljiti When someone asks me what my ethnic background is, I say I am from Kosovo. Many people are not familiar with this country, its whereabouts, or how it came to be. Many mistake Kosovo for Bosnia, but they are two different countries in Europe. Kosovo was a part of Serbia for a long time until about 12 years ago. The separation started as a civil war, but then got the whole world involved, eventually helping Kosovo separate from Serbia. However, it was not until recently on February 17, 2008 that Kosovo obtained its independence and was named its own country. Looking back at Kosovo‘s history, the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 caused changes in many people‘s lives when Islam was first introduced to the country. During the battle, the Serbs were defeated by the Ottoman Turks, and the religion of Islam became very popular. Slowly people started converting to Islam and now years later, ninety percent of Kosovo‘s population is Muslim. The culture in Kosovo is mainly Albanian. There are, however, many different ethnic groups in Kosovo as well. For example, my family and I are not Albanians. We are part of a small ethnic group from a city called Prizren which borders Macedonia and Albania. Also, there are many Turkish people living in Kosovo at this time. About 80 years ago, Islamic practices were very precedent in Kosovo. Wearing niqab by women was accepted as a norm; my great-grandfather was a hafiz. Things are much more different now. The war that separated Kosovo from Serbia was between the Serbs and the Albanians in 1999. Because of this war, my family and I moved to America. We came here in September of 1999, when I was three years old. My mother‘s aunt had lived in America for a long time and helped us adjust to this new and different country. My parents did not practice Islam as much when we were in Kosovo. It was when they were living in Chicago that they learned how to practice the religion properly.
The language we speak, Našinski, is a similar dialect of the Bosnian language. Bošče (pictured here) is an example of traditional clothing from Kosovo. This garb was worn by women at weddings many years ago and is still worn today. However, Kosovka brides traditionally wear the white wedding gown. For everyday wear, Kosovka women may wear dimije which resembles a skirt. In regards to food, our recipes traditionally come from Turkey. Some food we eat is sarme (ground beef rolled up in cabbage), pita (spinach and cheese stuffed in crust), and baklava (sweet pastry dessert).
Here is a sample of my mother Shemsa Aljiti‘s pita recipe: INGREDIENTS Pita Dough: · 4 cups flour · 1 cup water · 1 teaspoon salt
Filling: 1 pound fresh chopped spinach ½ pound cottage cheese ½ stick butter melted
DIRECTIONS Divide kneaded dough into 12 small pieces. Separate the 12 pieces into two groups of six. Put them one on top of the other and in between each piece rub in the melted butter. Roll flat each stack with a rolling pin until smooth and circular. Then spread one round piece of dough onto a large circular metal baking pan. Next, put the mixture of spinach and cheese onto the dough. Then lay the second piece of flattened dough on top of the spinach/cheese mixture. Place into oven for 25-30 minutes at 425° F. Remove from oven once top layer is a nice golden brown color. Let the pita cool, slice, and serve. Bujrum! Azra Aljiti, 14, is a high school freshman at the Institute of Islamic Education (IIE) in Elgin, Illinois. This article was originally published in the Chicago Crescent Newspaper.
QUR’AN CHALLENGE 1st Ten lines of Surat Ad-Dukhān (The Smoke)
سورة الدخان In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
(1) Ha, Meem.
(2) By the clear Book,
(3) Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
(4) On that night is made distinct every precise matter -
(5) [Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]
Translation Credit: http://www.quran.com/44
(6) As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
(7) Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them, if you would be certain.
(8) There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
(9) But they are in doubt, amusing themselves.
(10)Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke.
Bismi Allahi alrrahmanialrraheemi 1. Ha-meem 2. Waalkitabi almubeeni 3. Inna anzalnahu fee laylatin mubarakatin innakunna munthireena 4. Feeha yufraqu kullu amrin hakeemin 5. Amran min AAindina inna kunna mursileena 6. Rahmatan min rabbika innahu huwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu 7. Rabbi alssamawatiwaal-ardi wamabaynahuma in kuntum mooqineena 8. La ilaha illa huwa yuhyee wayumeetu rabbukumwarabbu aba-ikumu al-awwaleena 9. Bal hum fee shakkin yalAAaboona 10. Fairtaqib yawma ta/tee alssamao bidukhanin mubeenin Transliteration Credit: http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=30&chapter=44
WORDS EXPLAINED FOR THE NON-MUSLIM InshaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English, InshaAllah means „God willing‟. This is a very commonly used phrase, as Muslims believe God has power over everything. MashaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English , MashaAllah means 'Whatever Allah (God) wills'. Often, it is used as an expression of delight or achievement. JazakAllah khairan Simply translated from Arabic to English, jazakAllah khairun means „May Allah reward you for the good”. This is commonly used to thank someone or to acknowledge someone‟s effort. SubhanAllah In Arabic, SubhanAllah means „Glorious is Allah”. This is used when praising God. It is also commonly used as a exclamation like “Wow!”. Masjid The Masjid is simply the Arabic word for Mosque. Many Muslims refer to the Mosque as a Masjid. Masjids are primarily used for Salah (Prayer) Jummah prayer The Friday prayer services that Muslims attend weekly. SWT: Subhana wa’ta3la Arabic Praise used after the name of Allah meaning „glorious and exalted is He” Hijab Headscarf prescribed to Muslim women for modesty purposes Shahadah Declaration of Islamic faith. Assalamu Alaykum May peace be unto you.