Fiqh and Food

The marriage of the Prophet(pbuh) and Zainab bint Jahsh(ra) gave way for some important laws and social ettiquettes that we all strive to follow inshallah, one it gave the ruling on not ascribng oneself to your adopted parents and put it in practice with the Messenger marrying the ex wife of his adopted son, Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah . But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.(33.5) And [remember, O Muْammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah ," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.(33.37) and also let us know overstaying your welcome is not cool and of course the ruling on veiling O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.(33.53)

Another miracle the Prophet(pbuh) recieved was food. Umm saleem prepared Hais and sent it with her son Anas Ibn Malik to the wedding party, approximately 300 guests attended, the food that she sent besides the sheep that was slaughted would not have filled all the guests but each time guests came for the food more appeared in the container and they ate till their fill. It was truly a feast!! Subhanallah. Although this wedding buffet was the most extravant of the Prophet(pbuh) hais was also enjoyed at his wedding with Saffiya(ra).

Here is a recipe for hais I found, enjoy

HAIS
Enough stale bread for 5 cups of crumbs
1 cup finely ground almonds
1 cup finely ground pistachios
5 cups pitted dates (about 2-1/2 lbs.)
1 cup melted butter or mild sesame oil
Confectioner's or superfine sugar

Using a food processor or blender, pulverize enough stale bread to make 5 cups, then set aside. Finely chop the nuts, and set aside. Finely chop the dates, then add the nuts a bit at a time until all are incorporated; then add the bread crumbs in the same manner. Pour in the melted butter all at once and continue to process until the texture is smooth.

Roll into balls or fingers, dust with sugar, and let rest in a cool place before serving

Struggles

Recently this verse spoke to me I think mostly cause sometimes I struggle with changing/ opening my mind to what Allah wants and not what I selfishly want, whether its eating out at non halal restaurants, listening to music or simply not realizing small sunnahs make a big impact on my life. It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muْammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.

Subhanallah, no detail is left out of this way of life.

The Table Spread

In the Quran Allah(swt) tell us how the disciples of Isa(pbuh) asked for a table spread of food as a sign of Isa(pbuh) truthfulness and Allah(swt) granted him this favor and sent food from the heavens. This is just another example of how food plays a role in warming the hearts and of anything they could have asked for it was just a basic need. And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger Jesus." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah ]." [And remember] when the disciples said, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven? [Jesus] said," Fear Allah , if you should be believers."They said, "We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses." Said Jesus, the son of Mary, "O Allah , our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers."Allah said, "Indeed, I will sent it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you - then indeed will I punish him with a punishment by which I have not punished anyone among the worlds." (5.112-115)
I haven't been able to find any hadith yet about what the dicples ate but some biblical scripture state roasted fish and bread, sometimes Muslims are confused about whether fish is halal, in surah 5 verse 96 Allah(swt) says: "Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of iْram. And fear Allah to whom you will be gathered"
There is also a hadith where the messenger (pbuh) says,
"The water of the sea is pure, and its dead creatures are halal."

Honoured Guests

The Honoured Guests were angels in the human form sent to Ibrahim(pbuh) to inform him about becoming a father to a son but what I love about this story is how we treat unexpected guests or whenever hosting in general. First he greeted them with a stronger greeting then they him then he discretely but quickly went inside and picked his best food and roasted them a calf. He then placed the food close to them encouraging them to eat making them feel comfortable to eat. sometimes when you to to someones house they want your to help yourself , which can make the guest uncomfortable or it may seem like its a burden for you to have them over. Ibrahim(pbuh) never told them let me go cook you something he just did it, he gave them the best he had placing it closed to them and encouraged them to eat.

Allah(swt) says;
Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham?
When they entered upon him and said, "[We greet you with] peace." He answered, "[And upon you] peace, [you are] a people unknown.
Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf
And placed it near them; he said, "Will you not eat?"
And he felt from them apprehension. They said, "Fear not," and gave him good tidings of a learned boy.(51.24-28)

Allah(swt) says

"And He it is who causes gardens to grow, [both] trellised and untrellised, and palm trees and crops of different [kinds of] food and olives and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Eat of [each of] its fruit when it yields and give its due [zakāh] on the day of its harvest. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess." (6.6)

Food Spotlight

GINGER is a knobby, light brown coloured fleshy root of a tropical plant 'zanjabil' with a warm aroma and hot burning taste. It is available fresh, dried, preserved in sugar syrup and as a ground dried powder. ginger is mentioned in the Quran as a drink we will receive "And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been[created] clear [as glass],
Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.
And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger.
[From] a fountain within Paradise named Salsabeel.
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.
And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion." (76.15-20)

Ginger reduces nausea helps with digestion and increases sexual drive.

Allah(swt)says

[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him]. (2.022)

Allah (swt) says

"Then eat of what Allah has provided for you which is lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is indeed him you worship." (16:114)

What is Haram?

Haram is an Arabic word meaning unlawful or forbidden. Concerning food in Islam pork and its by-products, alcohol, meat of dead animal, animals slaughtered in a name other than Allah(swt), blood and intoxicating drugs are all haram.
If there is no other food available for your survival you may eat some just enough for your survival.

Allah(swt) says,
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.(2:173)

Allah(swt)says

"Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as a provision for you and the travellers"(5:96)

Allah (swt) says

"O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors."

"And eat of what Allah has provided for you which is lawful and good. And fear Allah, in whom you are believers. "(5: 87-88)