Editorial

Human Rights, a Divine code

South Africans commemorate Human Rights day on Saturday 21st March each year as a tribute to those killed in Sharpeville in 1960 for demonstrating against Apartheid. Without taking away an atom’s weight of credit for their valiant sacrifice and the impetus given to the liberation struggle and the freedom that we enjoy today, we should not forget that it was Islam that gave mankind an ideal code of human rights fourteen centuries ago. These rights confer honour and dignity on mankind and eliminate exploitation, oppression and injustice.

The Divine rights were many as enshrined in the Noble Quran*, painstakingly demonstrated by the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and summarised in his Last Sermon. Accordingly, and as a logical sequence, it must follow without question that Muslims ought to be in the forefront of promoting and upholding human rights. But sadly, events on both a global and local scale paint another picture altogether. Witness the events unfolding in North Africa and the Middle East with regime changes and the reaction of world leaders. Why is it that even after their liberation there is still a massive and in most cases illegal outflow of the “liberated” Muslims to Westernised countries?

And here at home whilst enjoying the fruits of peace and stability harvested after the liberation struggle waged by others, the extremists and zealots are desperately attempting to hijack the rights of protection of honour, reputation and free association through their vociferous outbursts, chain emailing and distribution of leaflets and legal actions. Vile language, name calling, hurling of insults and sowing confusion by so called Ulama against other learned leaders and the community is the order of the day and both a denial and intolerance of the individual’s right to follow their own choices on issues such as dietary requirements and Muslim Personal Law.

SANHA is an advisory body and does not compel anyone to follow its rulings. It is proud of and grateful for the support of the broader community, mainstream Ulama leadership, Islamic organisations and industry representatives who refuse to be intimidated by the extremists.

Whilst enjoining good and forbidding evil to fellow Man is an Islamic duty, denying or usurping their legitimate rights is unpatriotic and a betrayal of the Divine code.

* For a free copy of an English translation of the Noble Quran see giveaway section.

Editor

HADITH
(Sayings and Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him)

Abu Ayuub al-Ansaari radiyallahu ‘anhu narrated:
We were with Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam one day, when food was presented to him. I had never seen any food more blessed than that in its beginning and more deficient in its end. We asked, “Ya Rasuulallah! How is this?” He replied, “We mentioned the name of Allaah (Bismillaah) when we started eating. Then someone sat with us who did not mention the name of Allaah. Shaytaan therefore ate with him.”

Comment : Mawlana Zakariya Kandalwi comments:
Majority of ‘Ulama interpret, “Shaytaan therefore ate with him,” literally. It is not impossible for him to eat and drink. This Hadiith only mentions, “Bismillaah.” It is therefore sufficient. It is however recommendable to recite the full, “Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Rahiim.” ‘Ulamaa have also written that to recite Bismillaah audibly is better as to remind anyone who has forgotten.

Reference: Ash-Shamaail lit-Tirmizii, Chapter on what Rasulullaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said before and after eating.

WINNING RECIPES

Tried and tested recipes from chefs, gourmet connoisseurs, contributors and also from kitchens of our certified plants for your culinary pleasure.

Save the information and make up your own collection of winning recipes.

Cola Casserole BBQ chicken

Poultry and Cola Beverages are always in the news for different reasons. To sink your teeth into this we have turned to a recipe that uses both these items as principal ingredients for you to chew on.

Ingredients:
About 5 1/2 cups cut-up chicken or chicken breasts, thighs, legs (for a list of SANHA certified/approved poultry abattoirs Click here)

1/3 cup flour
2 tsp. salt
About 1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced green pepper
1 cup ketchup
1 cup Cola soft drink (click here for a list of SANHA certified beverage suppliers)
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. basil leaves
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/8 tsp. pepper

Method
Rinse chicken pieces; pat dry. Coat chicken with the flour and the 2 tsp. salt. Brown pieces on all sides in the hot oil, then place pieces in a casserole dish. (Discard drippings.) Combine remaining ingredients, mixing well. Spoon sauce over chicken, covering all pieces. Cover casserole, bake in moderate oven, 180°C for about 1 1/4 hours, or until chicken is fork-tender. If desired, serve chicken with sauces on hot cooked rice. Makes 4 to 6 servings (about 3 cups sauce).

Cooking tip - *To reduce foam for accurate measurement, use Cola soft drink at room temperature and stir rapidly.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT

Interesting "bites" to whet the appetite for knowledge.

Nothing can be more international than the human preoccupation of cooking. Dating back to 6000 BC, dishes have been developed in various areas of the world. We bring you 3 international food terms.

Chinese, Wo mein – egg noodles in meat sauce, with vegetables, prawns, or crab.

French, Nicoise – cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and black olives.

Italian, Napolitana – cooked with tomatoes and basil.

SMILE AWHILE

In the serious world of Halaal, we take this moment to bring you a smile, a chuckle or even a hearty laugh. It's therapeutic, so pass it on:

Turning back the clock

A good husband like most of the readers of this bulletin, asked his wife what she'd like for her 20th anniversary. "I'd love to be six again," she replied. So the dutiful husband on the morning of their anniversary, got her up bright and early. He didn’t let her prepare breakfast and gave her a cereal with lots of sugar and juice. He then took her for a drive to the park where he ignored the curious stares and put her on the swing and see saw. Thereafter they went to a local funfair where he arranged for his dear wife to be put on every ride at the funfair. Throughout the day he ignored her normal dietary restrictions and plied her with soft drinks, popcorn, toffee apples and candy floss. He then took her to a popular restaurant (SANHA certified, of course) for lunch and even got her a kiddies meal with a little toy.

Several hours later with her head reeling and her stomach upside down she asked to go home and collapsed into bed. Her husband leaned over and lovingly asked, "Well, what was it like being six again?" She opened her eyes and said, "You fool, you idiot, I meant my dress size."

The moral of this story is: When a woman speaks and a man is actually listening, he will still get it wrong.

Conceived and presented on Radio Islam by our humourist Ebi Lockhat every Monday morning after the 8:00 am news. Catch it on audio streaming http://radioislam.ndstream.net

Please feel free to download and use as you like. The courtesy of an acknowledgement will be appreciated if you intend posting and/or republishing.

Who's Who in the world of Halaal

Name : Mufti Muhammad Ahsan Zafar

Marital Status : Married, 3 Children

Education : Qualified as a Mufti with specialization in jurisprudence from Darul Uloom Karachi

Other Interests : Reading

Position : Administrator, SANHA office Pakistan, Lahore

Key Responsibility: Spearheading the Halaal Awareness programe and establishing SANHA offices in Pakistan.

Message : Keep the company of pious people and impart their teachings to others.