Samoosa - what you need to know

 

After the moon eventually was visible, Cape Town Muslims were already fasting. The other matters facing Muslims in Ramadan were paused until the moon saga was digested. Then the perennial debate whether Taraweeh is eight raka’at or twenty. Then there is the split on the samosa issue, whether it is totally unhealthy to even eat, while others opt for the air fryer and most just stick to the traditional, old school, oil. And the next question is about section 18A tax certificates for zakah.

Never a dull moment in Cape Town. All of the above has some reasoning, some good, some not so good but a blanket judgement call on any of the above issues is not necessary. Zakah is a compulsory obligation for the many Muslims that do fall in that bracket. Of course, you cannot cheat on what is due to Allah and therefore, in thinking good of others, you give the benefit of doubt to them in that they overall are not short-changing themselves in fulfilling their obligations. Where it may be blatantly clear that someone has “miscalculated” their zakah, then you may quietly advise them of their misunderstanding on the matter.

Health is an important component of your life. Very few can confidently say that they eat completely healthy but it is fair to caution those who over-indulge, be it in eating, or what they eat of unhealthy food. Eating natural is the first part of healthy eating, while halal has health and spiritual benefits. The samosa does not qualify as healthy but I am just saying.

Then the debate of 8 and 20. Khatam (full reading) or not. This debate I will leave to the ulama since some of them have firm views on the matter. Ultimately, Ramadan is the month of the Quran and that must be the focus of our discussions too. Many cannot read Quran while the first revealed word is “Iqra” (Read). So, in a way, this message is to reach out to them and encourage them to learn reading Quran and to remind them that it is never too late. You will so love the sweetness of its recitation from your own lips.

As day seven of this glorious month draws to a close, you know what you have accomplished so far and you know you can do that little more. Above all, how I would not love a dua from you. May Allah accept your intentions and good deeds.

 

click 👇 and read 

https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-setting-moon.html

Picture courtesy: https://halaal.recipes

The Freezer is Full

You must throw stones. You must pelt the devil. While it is a ritual of the pilgrimage, often you must do it figuratively in your daily action. The freezers are full. Ramadan expos are in full supply. I often wondered whether they actually teach the subject of fasting at these expos. But there is money to be made by the exhibiters and there is plenty to buy at these events. And the freezers are full.

Food is in full supply and the masajid (plural of masjid meaning mosque) are far less in capacity for those extra prayers wherein the recitation of Quran are rendered. Am I throwing stones? One thing is for sure and that is that it is such an important time to reflect. It is not difficult at all to see our shortcomings and little you are inclined to the religion beyond the bare necessity. Praise be to Allah that people are able to earn their sustenance and it is not a reflection on them that your food needs are great. The rule must be cast over the various aspects of your life, then you will know the report card already. Assuming you do not cut out the feasting in Ramadan, but you, in fact, increase your acts of worship so that your worship by far overshadows your full freezer, then the spiritual scale will register a heavy weight. Of course, health wise, it may be better that you eat less, but the emphasis must be firstly on your increase in acts of worship.

I am no learned person, but you and I have heard it enough that the desired outcome of fasting is to learn self-restraint, to increase in Allah-consciousness. So, as I see you reflect and pelting the demon in you, so that you can work a little harder to benefit from this month of fasting, I take lesson from it for myself. The freezer is full as if your heart is in the freezer too, frozen and unable to fill itself with the blessings of Ramadan. Admittedly, Muslims are more giving in Ramadan. And I don’t want to be throwing stones, but I think you also realise that you have to throw that figurative stone to relieve you of that demon inside. That demon that is preventing you from get maximum benefit from this glorious month. And your non-Muslim acquaintances, neighbours and colleagues are already all aware of how full your freezer is. Now, you just need to properly explain what Ramadan is, what you do during the month and that you don’t really have a chance to eat too much at night because you attend the tarawih (night prayer) every night.

Focusing on the freezer being full is reason enough to cast that stone. It might well be a stone or two from a weight perspective too. Importantly, a stone to dispel myths, a stone to slay the dragon, a stone to create proper focus, a stone to relieve the weight on your shoulders. You are content even if the freezer was not full.

 

Also click and read https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2023/03/suicide-at-cape.html