Islamic Diet – What is Halal?

We were talking about halal in the Muslim forum the other day, so I thought I should address it here. Technically, halal means allowed by Allah, or lawful. What it comes to food, there are very specific things that make an item halal. [h]No Pork or Pork Products[/h] It is well-known that Muslims must not eat pork, but many people are unaware of the different varieties of pork. Although non-pork versions exist, the following should always be scrutinized for pork content: Sausage Hot dogs Ham Bacon Meatballs Potted meat “Meat” sauce Kolaches In addition, many restaurants use lard for cooking; … Continue reading →

Summer Wear for Muslims

Summer is upon us, and that brings a host of problems for the Muslim family. Just how do you enjoy the long, hot days and still maintain your conservative dress? Are you stuck inside all summer? Or, worse, must you suffer heat stroke to enjoy the sun and water? Not necessarily. Luckily, some clothing manufacturers have heeded the Muslims’ cries for modest summertime wear. [h]Summertime Dress Code[/h] Before we get to that, what should Muslims wear in the heat? Exactly what they should wear in any other weather, except of a lighter, thinner material! I do know some covered Muslims … Continue reading →

Protocol for Visiting a Muslim Home

Whether you are Muslim or not, you could find yourself invited to a Muslim home. There are certain rules of etiquette you should be aware of. Although your Muslim hosts will understand if you inadvertently slip up, they will be impressed that you took the time to learn their ways. [h]Should You Bring a Gift?[/h] While it is certainly not mandatory to bring a gift while visiting, it is a nice touch. Most Muslims do bring a token gift when invited for a meal. Many also bring a gift on the first visit. So, what should you bring? If you … Continue reading →

Muslim Dating — Or Not!

Muslims do not (or at least, should not) date. Most people are a bit surprised when I tell them that. Then they inevitably jump to the conclusion that Muslims have arranged marriages. They picture two complete strangers meeting for the first time on their wedding day. While there are some Muslims who do have arranged marriages, that is not at all the norm. [h]Half of the Religion[/h] Muslims place a great deal of importance on marriage. In fact, marriage is considered half of the religion, meaning that all Muslims who are able to marry should get married. Once a Muslim … Continue reading →