Halal and Haraam for a Muslim...

It's just a random post through an experience i had a few weeks ago. I am not judgemental i am not conveying something that happened because of lack of resources but i want to pen down that the entire episode happened because of sheer negligence accompanied by the failed ability of distinguishing between Halal and Haraam.

I was on a recent journey to the Niagara Falls and the journey was the best road trip that i ever had, initially i had a bad time with the tourist guide who put me on the last seat of the bus and when i raised voice of suing the travel company she exchanged my seat for her seat which was right in the front and the journey was a beautiful memory i carried back home.

I was seated on a seat next to a Muslimah with her family in the backseats, parents, brother and sister in law were present they were a very warm and a nice family i do not have any complaints about the whole journey we had a real good time together.

Now why am i writing this post, yes i feel it's necessary for Muslims to be aware and wary of the food that we eat, are we serious enough about the commands of Allah swt and abide by our prophet's (pbuh) sunnah?

While returning back from Niagara on the second day our bus halted at an Asian Buffet Restaurant which was a Chinese food outlet, since i had no food with me packed because of the two day trip, i had to enter the restaurant to look out for the food items because am very very conscious about the ingredients first, for example halal meat, gluten free, no alcohol, no gelatin etc, the basic things that Muslims usually cross check before eating. The restaurant i entered had bottles of alcohol which didn't go well with me, upon entering i saw the menu and ordered a vegetable fried rice because i had no option and i had to continue traveling for another 6 hours.

The manager of the restaurant was a beautiful old Chinese lady who suggested me to have a look at the buffet and decide and may be i would like it, i was hesitant she pressurized me saying they offer a lot of deserts and sea-food. To keep the old ladies request i entered the buffet area wherein i saw numerous deserts, salads and i must admit i felt more hungry than ever looking at all the beautiful garnished delicacies what hit me hard was the sight of these items chicken, beef, pork all lined up side by side, looking at this my throat dried up i no longer wanted to even look at the food. I came outside the buffet area and asked the lady to please send me my order at the restaurant area.

I had broccoli and peas fried rice hesitantly because i had to survive and went on to board the bus and sat next to my Muslimah friend, i asked her if she is done with her lunch and she excitedly answered Yes! I ate a lot today! What a beautiful restaurant (I looked at her with a pause) she went ahead and said i had beef, i had chicken, i had the best shrimps ever and i had salmon fish (It's hard for me to forget this talk that i had) I took a deep breathe and asked her "Did you check if it is Halal? There was pork next to beef" pat came the reply "Pata nahi yaar, khaana accha tha bass" (Meaning: I dunno friend but the food was good) I closed my eyes and i felt sad on this part such warm lady such a good soul "Doesn't it make any difference for her?" When Allah swt says:

"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." -Surat Baqarah: 172-173

Then i wanted to explain her but she was not keen to listen because when i started saying she cut me off saying "Even my mother practices Islam she asks me to read Namaz, am like the Shaytaan who keeps ignoring" and i must admit the Hijabi Mother also had her lunch there, couldn't she stop her child from doing something wrong? Against the teachings of Islam?

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors. -Surat Al-An'am: 119

I had no words to say about this whole incident because somewhere my Muslimah friend knew that she was wrong but i continued to be busy with reading my book and looking at the beautiful nature outside, that is when i decided i am going to take this issue seriously and address it on my twitter handle, today i have a weekend and i sat down to pen this entire story about how the youth of today are being so careless and so carefree about some serious commands of Allah swt.

And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah ; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. -Surat Al-Hajj: 36

I would end up this post writing "Eat Halal no matter how tough, be Halal no matter how hard"

May Allah swt guide the youth of today including me and you to follow the teachings of Islam in a righteous way, May Allah swt fill our hearts with fear about the day of resurrection where everything we did in this world would be taken to account, May Allah swt keep us firm on our religion following His commands and the acts of our prophet (pbuh). May Allah swt feed us Halal food and make us concious about the difference between Halal and Haraam. Aameen birehmatika ya'arhamarahimeen.

JazakaAllahu Khayr...

Insult in Islam

As-salaamun alaykum varh beautiful people...

 
Its been a long long time i have written or even scribbled something, off late a happy nomad am i? Eeehh yeah sort of... so globe trotting, work, hectic schedules! Today it was something that whispered to me!!! Hey Happy Soul, haven't you left something behind? and Yep, "It was the rustling of leaves on a windy autumn day" this beautiful feel wanted to get the rush of all the neurons in my brain suddenly UP!!! It was telling me something, and yes i definitely knew it was my passion 'writing'... i decided that i am going to start writing again...

Life has its own shares of highs and lows, some situations make us and some situations break us, sometimes we cheer and jump with joy on a simple conversation and sometimes a small conversation can be depressing and the whole day no matter how hard we try to keep ourselves occupied but the neurons rush back with a huge gush reminding us the conversation that was a depressing one. Perhaps the matters of heart shouldn't be taken to brain, but all it happens is they just go straight to the brain.

What are these conversations that let us down? I personally feel "Insult" of an individual is the most depressing one...

Let us question ourselves?

"Wouldn't we like others to treat us kindly? Yeah you read it right, everyone on this earth would like the way you’d like to be treated.


About being rude and harsh, Allah swt says "So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]." -Surat Al-Imran: 159

Kindness is the language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

Be wary of arrogance. Only the humble can get close to the Almighty and realize that they’re nothing without Him. The minute arrogance takes root in your heart, a barrier forms. A barrier between you & your Creator. Humble yourself for Him and He will raise you.

Allah swt says "Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased." -Surat Al-Ar'af: 13
Be humble always. Don’t let arrogance creep into your heart. Respect people around you. Each day, try to make an impact on people who cross your path. Try to be a source of inspiration to others. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

Some judge others because it gives them a sense of prestige; demeaning others can also create a false sense of security. Remember, people are all different. No two persons are completely alike. Accept these differences & stop judging others. It’s a hurtful & sinful act.

Allah swt clearly mentions "O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers." -Surat Al-Hujurat: 11


Let's fear Allah swt before insulting or throwing insult at our fellow human beings. Islam has always taught us peace, Islam has always taught us patience, persistence, kindness, generosity and much more. Today let's humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness, let's take out time for gratitude that our beautiful religion has taught us.

To Allah, we belong to Him we return, let's be remembered for the beautiful words, beautiful doings and all the good things we did. let's not be remembered otherwise.

My whatsup display picture has this beautiful quote by Imam Al-Ghazali (R) wherein he says: 

"Each of your breathe is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and once gone can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life shortens. What good is an increase in wealth when life grows even shorter? Therefore be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good work, for they are your two companions who will accompany you in your grave when your family, wealth, children and friends stay behind"

Jazakumullahu Khayral Jaza...