Friday, November 04, 2005

Wobbly Tiramisu!

I love Tiramisu and I made it with Halal ingredients (I learned from one of the my favourite website). You can find lot of Halal desserts at supermarket but Tiramisu is definitely not one of them. They use whipping cream (to decorate) and liquor (to dip the biscuit). What is wrong with "whipping cream?" This one we can't consume it because of emulsifier 471 which if they don't put from plant origin most likely it based from animal origin and more likely from pork! Why we can't consume pork? Because ALLAAH says so! I will bring some evidence for you summarize from Dr. Zakir Naik's excellent job: 1. Pork prohibited in Qur’an The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115. "Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah." [Al-Qur’an 5:3] The above verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork is forbidden. 2. Pork prohibited in the Bible The Christian is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you". "Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you."[Leviticus 11:7-8] Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy "And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." [Deuteronomy 14:8] A similar prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse 2-5. 3. Consumption of pork causes several diseases The other non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types of diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm, hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay man’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can damage almost all the organs of the body. Another dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking temperature. 4. Pork has fat building material Pork has very little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension. 5. Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth The pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced. In the villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs. Some may argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s excreta. 6. Pig is the most shameless animal The pig is the most shameless animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork. Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives; i.e. many say "you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife." If you eat pigs then you behave like pigs. We Indians look upon America to be very advanced and sophisticated. Whatever they do, we follow after a few years. According to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become common in the affluent circles of Bombay. What is wrong with alcohol? It is prohibited for Muslim to consume alcohol. Well actually the true People of Books: Jews and Christians; they are prohibited to consume alcohol as well. Let's see how many crimes happened driven by alcohol. So... stay away! Again I will recall the explanation by Dr. Zakir Naik's excellent job: Alcohol has been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute testimony to the destructive power of alcohol. 1. Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an The Glorious Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse: "O ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling,(Dedication of) stones, And (divination by) arrows,Are an Abomination – Of Satan’s handiwork; Eschew such (abomination),T hat ye may prosper."[Al-Qur’an 5:90] 2. Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible The Bible prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."[Proverbs 20:1] "And be not drunk with wine." [Ephesians 5:18] 3. Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centreThe human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature, his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he uses the toilet. When a person consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be indulging in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They even misbehave. 4. Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics. According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713 rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists, were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of molestation. According to statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved. One of the major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease, is alcoholism. 5. Every alcoholic was initially a social drinkerMany may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’. They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard. No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years and that I have so much self-control that I have never been intoxicated even a single time. 6. If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted, a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged. 7. Alcohol is prohibited in the HadithThe Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371."Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils." In Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392"Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a small quantity." Thus there is no excuse for a nip or a tot. Not only those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with them directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah. According to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3380. It was reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "God’s curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it, the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else." 8. Diseases associated with alcoholismThere are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related illnesses: Cirrhosis of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease. Others are Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma), Cancer of Bowel, etc. Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with alcohol consumption. Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes. Strokes, Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol intake. Peripheral Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes caused by alcohol consumption. Wernicke – Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake. Beriberi and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra occurs in alcoholics. Delerium Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may cause death even if treated in well equipped centres. Numerous Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome. Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency, however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia, Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges. Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in alcoholics. The commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol. Recurrent infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol intake. Chest infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics. During acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even cause suffocation and death. The ill effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the medical profession. Skin diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence. Eczema, Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common diseases among alcoholics. 9. Alcoholism is a ‘disease’Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction. The Islamic Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says: If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease that: - Is sold in bottles - Is advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television - Has licensed outlets to spread it - Produces revenue for the government - Brings violent deaths on the highways - Destroys family life and increases crime - Has no germs or viral cause ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDYWORK Allah (swt) in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is called the "Deen-ul-Fitrah" or the natural religion of Man. All its injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam. Convinced? Not yet? Well for you non-Muslims or my brothers and sisters who loves alcohol, just think deeply about it... Anyway I am here to talk about my home made "whipping cream" which made from thickened cream. I have to mix it with mixer so it will be smooth and hard just like a normal whipping cream. Since I am an amateur cook, I mixed it too long for the aim to have the hard whipping cream and you know what? It became lumpy and watery! What a good lesson! Next time don't do it otherwise your Tiramisu will look like mine. Wobbly Tiramisu *see above* *grinned* Sources: http://famousmuslims.com/faq.htm

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Takbir Lebaran

Sebentar lagi Lebaran... Ku ingat, Takbir Lebaran yang bertalu-talu... menggema... di sekelilingku... di telingaku... di hatiku...

ALLAAHU AKBAR... ALLAAHU AKBAR... ALLAAHU AKBAR... LAA ILAAHA ILALLAAHU ALLAAHU AKBAR... ALLAAHU AKBAR... WA LILLAAH ILHAMD

Aah... betapa indahnya... betapa kangennya...

Mudik Lebaran...

Dear Readers... For you who is not familiar with Indonesian Language, "Mudik" means: Go back to the city where you belongs to. For example: Someone who works in Jakarta (Capital city of Indonesia) but originally and still live in Magelang (One of thousand cities in Java, Indonesia). He/she goes back to her city, this is called "Mudik". But the term "Mudik" more preferred being used when the person goes back to his/her city where he belongs to on special occasions such as Iedul Fitr or Iedul Adha (Two biggest religious festivals in Muslim community). The second word is "Lebaran" meaning the Ied itself. The difference between the two festivals is "Lebaran" is more to "Iedul Fitr" and "Lebaran Haji" is for "Iedul Adha". In Indonesia or other South East countries Iedul Fitr held more glorious than the Iedul Adha which is an opposite from Middle Eastern Countries. Please, don't ask me why... The festival is so glorious! That is why "Mudik" is a "Must" to the persons work or study to different city where he belongs to. They will try everything so they can spend the Iedul Fitr together with all his/her families. (See the picture attached.red) You may find this is unbelievable but let me tell you, I had this experience once!