Khamis, 7 Oktober 2010
New to Islam from Glasgow, Scotland – On Halal Food
IMAN President’s conversations (via email) with Sr Elena Vidican, a Romanian sister who recently converted to Islam.
(EV: Elena Vidican; KO: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamar Oniah)

Date: Wed, 6/10/10:

KO: Elena, Assalamu 'alaikum wrt. wbt.
How are you? Praying that all is well with you. Been quite some time since we communicated. Although very late now, I wish you 'Eid mubarak. I was away a lot in Ramadhan and then had to catch up with all those works I missed. Hope you find my book helpful.

Take care.
Dr. Kamar


Date: Thu, Oct 7, 2010:

EV: Assalamu 'alaikum Dr. Kamar,
Thank you for your e-mail and wishes. Eid Mubarak to you as well!
I have been away for some weeks, to visit my family and then had to work on my dissertation.
It has been a lovely time to see everybody, especially my niece who is already two years old and talks so much:-)

KO: Wa 'alaikumu salam, Elena. So happy to know you had such a good time. Indeed, on becoming a Muslim, your relationship with your family should in fact become stronger, not weaker. Do keep it up. As usual, I will respond to your queries as per question.

EV: I really enjoyed reading your book and indeed I found it very useful. I will borrow [lend] it to people who might need it as well. Also I have given your email address to some of the girls that attended the New to Islam meeting here in Glasgow.

KO: I am happy that you find my book useful. Indeed it is for you and those like you that I wrote the book for, i.e., eager to understand and learn Islam, intelligent with very profound questions. The Ummah is set for new dynamics that will promote Islam as the universal religion that it is meant to be, to help resolve the plight of modern civilization. Keep learning and thinking Elena, and you will see the Blessings and Wonders of Allah Most Merciful unfolding before you, responding to your dedication and commitment. Amin.

EV: I have just returned from the usual Wednesday meetings (New to Islam Meetings) where various speakers come and teach about Islam or answer questions that are asked. One of the topic of today was about Haram /Halal.
One of the question asked by a person was why was pork forbidden for eating? And if it was forbidden for eating, still as a creature created by Allah , should it be considered 'evil' or should we have an aversion towards it?

KO: No, CERTAINLY NOT - pigs or any creatures of Allah should never be regarded as evil. Only Iblis or Satan and those with the will-power to prefer and do evil are to be regarded as evil, i.e., cruel, sadistic humans. Pork is haram and so is contact with pigs, and Islam is not the only religion that says so, even Judaism says so. I do not have the answer to why this is so but I see this as a test to our acknowledgment to Allah's commandments. In the case of Prophet Adam PBUH, the command was with regard to the fruit, i.e., to see if Adam would comply with Allah's command not to eat the fruit. In our case, it is perhaps the pig. This, however, is my personal opinion, not verified by any source.

EV: Also when asked if seafood is halal, the answer was not very clear as there are different opinions by scholars. But if God said that what comes from the sea is considered halal (I am not sure of the accuracy of the statement though) , why are there different interpretations?

KO: The argument here is what is meant by from the sea. This is actually to determine if these are what we classify today as "fish" and not "amphibians". Amphibians, although they also live in water, we cannot eat [them], e.g. crocodiles, frogs, some types of crabs, etc. To make it easy, you can [eat] all fish. And I am sure, we don't want to eat amphibians, do we?

EV: It seems that this issue of Halal food could raise many questions especially in countries where there are so many places which also sell or offer food that contains non halal ingredients. At some point one can think if it is possible to even go out and eat in a restaurant, where you can choose a vegetarian option, but that particular place also offers haram food. Should it be so strict or if we have the right intention, that is enough?

KO: Yes, you can eat vegetarian food even if others around you do not. The concern is if indeed the food is truly vegetarian. If it is labeled as vegetarian and certified by some authority it is vegetarian, yes, we can eat. I know for example in some restaurants in UK, they have packed halal food too which the restaurant only put in microwave ovens to heat. Do not worry about the plates and glasses. Alcohol can be rinsed off by water and if you do not particularly see pork served on the plate, then the plate is okay too. In Buddhist vegetarian restaurant, the food is okay since Buddhism also prohibit alchohol. In the case of Jewish and Christian food, although their meat is halal but their food is not because they can take alcohol and do include alcohol in their cooking, not just drinking.

EV: Also if alcohol is forbidden, is it also forbidden to sit at a table or be in a place where other people drink? This situation could appear for example if you are out with friends who are not muslims, or in a social, work related event. How can one relate to these situations?

KO: No, and in fact I once advised a Muslim sister in New Zealand who had to attend dinner functions as part of her profession to attend such functions and eat the halal food there. I look at it as a form of da'wah, i.e, people will ask why she does not take alcohol - and this will become a point to start a conversation on Islam. Be confident and nice to people, Elena, for you may never know someone is there ready to become like you. Smile around and enjoy everybody's company, and enjoy life for life is a great gift of Allah Almighty and all His creatures are our fellow-creatures.

EV: Thank you
E.


KO: Wassalam and thank for all the questions. I too am learning from you.
Dr. Kamar
posted by Interactive Muslimah Association (IMAN) @ 11:31 PTG   0 comments
 

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