Friday Islam QandA
The Poet Omar on Aug 18 2006 at 3:20 am | Filed under: Religion and theology, The Poet Omar's Page
Alright, gentle readers, it’s time for my usual Friday Question and Answer session regarding Islam, Muslims, and our beliefs. The only ground rule is that I don’t want highly specific questions, such as “Well, sura xyz says …” or “The Hanbali school of jurisprudence advises…” That brings the discussion to an entirely too detailed and technical level which misses the intent of this post. I want to answer the broad questions about Islam that many feel confused or concerned about and hopefully dispel some unhealthy misconceptions in the process. So, having said that, I’ll now turn the floor over to you, the readership.
I would like to add a disclaimer here. I am neither an Imam nor one of the Ulema. I am an ordinary Muslim who happens to have some professional knowledge of theology and comparative religion. I think that this makes it easier for me to explain Islamic beliefs in terms that are easier for non-Muslims to understand, however I am not a recognized, legitimate authority on Islam. In short, I’m the guy in the pew, not the guy on the altar.Â
Sphere: Related Content15 Responses to “Friday Islam QandA”
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Omar,
Since your other post on Islam is sucking up all the debate, I have a question.
I am curious about dietary restrictions. I have already come to grips with the vastly unappreciated flaw that you have of not being able to drink beer. If somehow or another I was to meet you in person, or invite you over to dinner, what should I make sure I avoid. I hate cultural faux pas, but I make them all the time (I once cooked meat in Peters wife’s pots, boy did that cause problems for him. I have felt guilty ever since.)
Beer and BBQ, Lance … pork BBQ. Because all good southerners know Texans BBQ the wrong animal (at least that’s what Lewis Grizzard used to always claim).
Heh … obviously that menu wouldn’t work.
Near beer and BBQ chicken?
Lance, I’d be happy to address our dietary rules.
First, let me explain the basic terminology. Halal is that which is allowed to us. It’s the things that are either explicitly mentioned as allowed in Quaran or Hadith or at least not mentioned as forbidden. Which brings us to haram, that which is unlawful. These things are mentioned in Quaran or Hadith as explicitly forbidden to us.
And here we go:
Haram
Pork
Blood
Any animal which is judged to be carnivorous
Reptiles and insects
Carcasses of dead animals
Halal animals not slaughtered properly
Alcohol
Ethanol
Ethyl alcohol
Lard
L-cysteine (if from a human hair)
Pepsin
Vanilla Extract or Flavor
Rennet or Whey unless synthetic or from a plant
The following are haram if not from a halal animal
Animal Shortening, Animal Fat, Broth, Certain Enzymes, Gelatin, Lipase, Stock, Tallow.
Everything else is pretty much ok for us.
Sorry that any BBQ I might attend will have to be grilled fish and veggies, lol.
Actually I love grilled fish and veggies. Of course that also leaves chicken if I can get it slaughtered properly. Would a Kosher butcher do?
Also, being in Louisiana now we have barbecued shrimp, not just grilled, but barbecued, though we have our own Louisiana twist on that.
Gumbo sans andouille sausage, a crawfish boil, I’ll need ice tea to go with the beer, but that is typical anyway.
What about amphibians? Are frog legs okay?
I assume Escargot falls under insects, but I should confirm that.
Why Vanilla?
Good start. I’ll come up with more later.
Vanilla is usually produced using alcohol. Since it comes in contact with a haram substance, it becomes haram. Escargot would definitely be out, lol. I honestly have no idea regarding frogs, although I would think that since the diet of some (most) frogs is essentially carnivorous (and I could be completely wrong here), that would make them haram.
Kosher slaughter, while very similar to our methods, is not always acceptable. The key here is whether the blessing is said over the animal individually or just said once before slaughter begins. If it’s done before each animal is slaughtered, then it’s halal and ok for us.
Frogs are definitely carnivorous, I should have caught that.
Vanilla, so if it wasn’t produced with alcohol it would be okay. I think I see a market niche. You should do some research. A halal vanilla might make millions! Ice cream alone would be huge! We need to talk!
As for the blessing over kosher animals, well, I guess I will have to be careful. Damn I wish life were always easy. I assume there is a halal butcher somewhere around here, because I am going to figure out where you live and meet you. I am lazy, but persistent.
Lol! I have seen halal ice cream before. I’m not sure my fortune can be made working that particular angle.
As for the rest, I’m not sure that I’ve ever had a stalker before. I don’t know whether I should be honored or scared to death.
Many would say scared is the right reaction, but still was it vanilla ice cream? Is it commonly available? Who said your fortune? I came up with the angle. I was thinking you would get maybe 10%:>}
Heck, I figure a honey vanilla would go over huge. Me, you and Pogue. Of course if the volume was high enough Pogue might have to use foreign honey!
If you find this at all offensive, I sincerely apologize. Please ascribe it to ignorance, rather than intent.
My question of my Islamist neighbor is this: What do you call that big loose fitting nightshirt, and where can I get a good one? It is awfully dang hot where I live, and they look quite comfortable.
-Gil
Ooo, that was an ugly slip of the tongue. I should have said my Muslim neighbor. Sorry, Omar. Color me ignorant but learning.
-Gil
Here you go, Gil.
http://www.hilalplaza.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=836
Add a headdress and you’ll look like Lawrence of Arabia.
Gil,
It is good to have you stopping by.
Nonsense. I’ll look like a fat American in a dishdash - which is exactly what I’ll be. But I will be a *comfortable* fat american in a dishdash, and that’s good enough for me.
-Gil
lawrence of arabia…
Interesting post. I came across this blog by accident, but it was a good accident. I have now bookmarked your blog for future use. Best wishes. Wael Kfoury….