Oman Adventures: Wadi Shab, Al Hamra, and Misfat al Abriyeen

“Beauty has a destination” is the the new tourism slogan in Oman and it really is appropriate.  I’ve met well-off Omanis who have not traveled further than the Gulf and don’t have any desire to.  They are so satisfied with the simple, yet varied beauty of their homeland that they don’t see a need to veer any further.  Coupled with Oman’s political and social stability, even the expats are hesitant to leave her shores.

While living in Yemen and Algeria, we were so focused on study and work respectively, that we had few opportunities to explore both countries.  We vowed that whenever we’re settled in a place, we will be brave and venture out.  Since coming to Oman, we’ve had overnight trips in Salalah, Dimi wa at-Taiyyin, and Suwayq but there’s still so much more to see, so we vowed this year get a move on it!

First Stop:  Wadi Shab

Firstly, a wadi is a valley.  Sounds simple but what really makes the wadi experience is what takes place in the wadi.  Some are dry, with hardly any water, just dry desert stones, rocks, and empty space.  Some are filled with waterfalls, lush greenery, and date palms.  The experience also varies depending on the time of year and incidence of rainfall.

Wadi Shab is considered the most beautiful wadi in Oman.  It’s located in a fishing town, Sur.  We were hesitant to make such a long journey for a day trip but it was an opportunity not to be missed!  After the vast and imposing entrance to Wadi Shab, you can continue to discover oases, diving points, cliffs, waterfalls and caves.

The highlight of Wadi Shab is swimming through three ponds of water, squeezing between a narrow crevice, and reaching the innermost cave to behold a waterfall inside the cave!  Definitely a “subhaan’Allah (Glory be to God) moment”!  The journey was challenging but breathtaking.

General Note:  Wear water shoes, stay hydrated, and use sunscreen.  Even though we walked into the wadi, we had to take a boat to exit because of the rising tide.  Be prepared to pay the kind men who will deliver you safely to the shores of the parking lot.  :)

Note for non-swimmers:  Travel with people who really know how to swim, learn how to float on your back, and/or wear a lifevest.  I floated my way through the ponds with an occasional tug from a concerned swimming companion.  :)

Note for those traveling with babies/toddlers:  Definitely requires at least two able adults to do some occasional baby carrying and passing.  Some of the precupices were too steep to manage without passing a young child to another.  Also, be mindful of the time of day and intensity of heat.

Next Stop:  Al Hamra

The following weekend, we were invited to visit a student in Al Hamra, just outside of Nizwa.  While our host’s home was comfy and cozy, with all modern amenities, he took us to the old village of Al Hamra where traditional homes fashioned from clay still stand.  The old village is now largely abandoned due to the inability to install any electricity, water, and sewage infrastructure.  However, our host, a middle-aged man, was born in this village and can remember counting the cars in their town as a young boy.  His vivid memories were made alive through a tour of his birthhome.  He was literally born in his birthhome and showed us that the cattle and goats were stored in a room just across the hall.

A view from the roof shows one lone resident drying laundry on the roof.

To get a glimpse of the humble life that once inhabited this community, we visited Bait al Safah.  A tiny “museum” of sorts housed artifacts of the traditional, village life.

The lovely woman pictured above is roasting coffee beans.  She also showed us a stone mill and how to make traditional sandalwood paste (which she smeared on Lil’ Z and myself) and other body products made from local plants and seeds.

This is how traditional Omani bread is made.  It’s a light, flaky bread that can be immediately folded but crumbles in your hands once it dries.  Lil’ Z is a big fan and happily munched it all the way home, asking for “hubaz!   (Baby tr:  khubz!  English tr:  bread!).  My elder neighbor recently told me that Omanis used to make huge stacks of this bread and carry it for their journey to Hajj because it can be eaten for nearly a month!  Containing no dairy, it remains dry, like a super-thin cracker and can be stored a lengthy time.

Last Stop:  Misfat al Abriyeen

Walking through the winding roads of this village led us to a beautiful falaaj (water course) and through fruit plantations.

The plantations are completely hand-harvested with the assistance of an occasional donkey.  No tractor can make its way through the narrowing and steep passages of this village.

The gushing falaaj courses through channels through the plantation but that doesn’t keep youths from sneaking a cool swim on a hot day!  ;)   We are blessed to be in such a beautiful country and hoping to soak it up for as long as we’re here.

Leave a comment »

Montessori for Nomads: Six to Twelve Months

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be a Montessori tutorial in any way, shape or form; but rather, this is intended to share how we attempt to incorporate our understanding of Montessori priniciples in a DIY-minimalist-eco-friendly-raggamuslim-kinda way. Proceed, if you wish.

The Montessori saga continues.  :)   Flashing back to last summer, after a wonderful vacation spent house-hopping just about every week, we began to realize how little opportunity Lil’ Z had for free exploration and roaming.  At the critical age of six to seven months, she spent more time in laps sitting than on the floor scooting.  Therefore, once we get settled back into our home and rhythm, we turned our attention to Lil’ Z’s need to discover and develop her budding mobility.

Weaning Table and Chair

When it came to eating, we were on our own spaceship, orbiting in Deep Space 9.  We were committed to exclusive breastfeeding for as long as possible and didn’t start introducing solids until nearly nine months.  In the Montessori paradigm, solids are introduced from four to six months and the baby is fully weaned from breast milk in the following months; but Lil’ Z was thriving and content- and so were we.  Maybe we were anxious about potential food allergies, quality and selection of foods she could digest, her lack of teeth, etc.  We had no idea how long it takes a baby to get the concept of eating, so it wasn’t until about 11 months that Lil’ Z had a good, solid relationship with food.  We also wanted to try the baby-led weaning approach, in which the baby’s ability to put food in their own mouth is the indicator for introducing solids.  When we pitifully started trying to spoon-feed Lil’ Z at a small make-shift “table” (read:  cardboard box), we all ended up frustrated and messy.  This is when we decided to put on her bib, give her access to food to try on our finger or on her own, and chill out.  We were all much more relaxed and stress-free.  Eating did become a full-body contact sport for Lil’ Z but we would offer her food at dinner and just bathe her afterwards.

We also were really torn about the use of a table.  If you know anything about us, you’d know that it’s not our habit to eat sitting at a table in our home.  We’re more “Eastern” when it comes to in-home dining but Lil’ Z’s desire to move while eating and discovering started to get a little squirrelly.

Therefore, we invested in a small, mobile, feeding chair and even without it, she now grasps the concept that we “take a seat when we eat” and get up when we’re done.  Whether she’s on our lap or on the floor, she upholds this discipline.

The Discovery Basket

From the time your baby can sit up, Montessorians recommend a discovery basket, a lap-sized wicker basket filled with odds and ends that are safe for your baby’s exploration, manipulating, and gnawing.  We didn’t find a decent wicker basket, so our “discovery basket” became a “discovery bag”.  We used a gifted, reusable shopping tote and filled it with strange things- a small, smooth pebble; a little drawstring bag filled with tissue paper; a wooden massage tool; prayer beads; etc.  The goal is not to buy items for their discovery, but rather, offer real-life materials from your home.

Low-Accessible Shelves

If your baby has their own Montessori-style room, it should already be furnished with low shelves.  Lil’ Z doesn’t have her own room yet, but we provided her with low shelves for her to access in our guest bedroom/office.  We prefer that she does her “work” in the workspace as opposed to working in the sleep space.  Maybe it’s very Waldorf but we like the idea of the place she sleeps being cozy, serene, and without distraction.

Our shelves are in constant evolution.  Initially, there were a few board books on her shelves but Lil’ Z was using them for teething, so they were placed out of reach.  Slowly, we added a puzzle, a wooden rainbow disc stacker, our DIY object-permanence container made from a shoe box, our DIY coin box made from a plastic yogurt container, a drum, crochet hooks, spools, tin cans, and whatever else tickles our fancy.

Pull-up Props

To help your little one pull up to a standing position, Montessori recommends low, stable furniture or installing a wall-mounted bar.  Our furniture supply is limited and there was no way we were about to mount a dance studio bar into the concrete walls of our rental, so we shifted our box springs and mattresses to create a pull up ledge.  Sturdy, stable, and gets the job done!

Walker Wagon

The walker wagon is a great walking aid and, fortunately, we found one in Muscat.  We introduced it to her at around 12 months and by 14 months, she was steady on her feet and toddling.

Summary

To be honest, we were really hesitant about sharing our Montessori adventures and misadventures in this space.  There is certainly no pride (if anything, some shame) about our efforts.  I often see what is sorely lacking in Lil’ Z’s environment and believe that all babies deserve the beauty, logic, and satisfaction that Montessori materials offer.  The shortcomings of our reproductions are apparent.  Once, when Urbndervish’s “we’re doing our best” pep talk didn’t quite cheer me up, I observed this.

Then, this.

Moments like these remind me that Allah (God) has hardwired the desire to seek, learn, and grow so firmly within children that they really will make do with what they have and see lessons in disguise.  An emotional environment that fosters love, confidence, and trust; a spatial environment that promotes free mobility and exploration; proper nutrition and hydration to feed the brain and body; a heavy dose of time spent outdoors; and a heaping dose of prayer and sincerity are adequate fodder to flame the fuel of a developing child’s intellect (in our humble opinion).  Our only intent in sharing this is that others will be motivated to work with what they have with optimism, instead of worrying about what they lack with pessimism.

Leave a comment »

The Spiritual Work of Parenting

Image

I took my first parenting course.  I never thought I would be the type to do more than pick up a few parenting books, talk to real parents and seek their counsel; but this online parenting course absolutely captivated me.  The course was intended to be an introduction to Islamic Parenting but, in fact, it was a course on self-development, holistic parenting, and spiritual purification- all key ingredients for parenting—period.  I must admit that I took the course seeking a recipe or formula that we could whip up in hopes of producing a child much better than ourselves.  Not being raised as Muslims, you tend to wonder how do successful Muslim parents do what they do.  Is it the sincerity of the prayers, the location of their residence, the community that surrounds them, particular details of their home life, etc.?  What is the alchemy of successful parenting?  Well, I have good news and not-so-good news for those of you asking yourselves the same question.  Good news:  there is hope!  Not-so-good news:  it requires work!  Ay mio!  No easy way to get out of this one, huh?  Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), I’ve taken some nuggets of truth and words of gold from my course and hope to share them with you.

Start with a vision and aim high!

All of life should be directed by a vision of where you hope to be or what you hope to attain—parenting is no different.  When we think of who we want our children to become, we should have tangible objectives and palpable examples.  They can be short-term and long-term, firm and flexible, but everyone needs a road map, even if you encounter detours before your arrival.

Be that vision and strive sincerely!

This is it right here, folks!  This is the hard part!  The formative years are spent absorbing the environment- visually, emotionally, and behaviorally.  The beauty of parenting a young child is that his/her experience is mostly what you make it and the size and expanse of his/her world is largely in your hands.  Lil’ Z reminds me of this daily when she twists her wrist to “check the time”, blows on food that has fallen, or regularly proclaims Shallalla (baby tr: Insha’Allah; English tr: God willing) throughout her day.  Every moment matters, even the seemingly “failed” moments because in the process we can teach our beloveds how to turn to Allah (God), be optimistic, and try again.

Take the means…follow the trodden path.

In the end, our children’s fates will come to past.  They will make their own decisions and follow their own destiny but, for the most part, you do reap what you sow.  Yes, the Qur’an is replete with examples of righteous prophets who had children who turned away from them, like Prophet Nuh (Noah); or had parents who rejected them, like Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon them both.  However, these are the exceptions and not the rule.  Generally, a good, upright upbringing will produce children who follow the same.  When we live a path of faith and love, with beauty and sincerity, it’s very natural for our children to follow.  Many scholars have written about the topic of raising children and many apply their advices with great success.

Pursue the goal and observe the method.

We’ve all encountered (or have been) the type of person who does the right thing in the wrong way.  You know, someone gives you important advice but in a way that belittles you, so much so, that you reject them and their advice.  Well, the same is true with little ones.  Even the best of goals and ambitions done without good character can spoil the lesson.  The importance of good character cannot be stressed enough.  Encourage and praise the good, condemn the wrong action not the actor, think before you speak, contemplate before you act, and…SMILE!  Invite your children to good, don’t drag them to it.  As the teacher oft-repeated “The raising of our children is the raising of ourselves” and “Discipline yourself before disciplining your children”. 

Guard your company and environment.

This may not be so challenging within the home, but it certainly is outside of the home. For example, the elder who offers your child MSG chips, the neighbor who slaps their child in the face for the slightest offense, or the friend whose ideal babysitter is the TV.  Sometimes you know and try to steer clear but, inevitably, you have head on collisions with undesirable circumstances and encounters.  Do your best to keep unwanted influences to a minimum and realize that your lifestyle and company will affect your children.

Teach gradually and discipline positively.

Tarbiyyah is a gradual, progressive upbringing.  Teaching and guiding a child takes time, so be wise.  When they err, be patient.  Harshness can spoil the best of intentions. It is noteworthy that the Arabic word for “education”—tarbiyya—denotes bringing something from the state of imperfection to perfection. Such is not a simple or quick task. A diamond is not developed from rock overnight! It requires patience, dedication, and consistency.

Pray and seek divine success.

Appeal to the Knower of the Unseen, the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.  The best of books, methodologies, and toys don’t produce success; Allah gives it.  The most significant lessons a child must learn in their life may not fit on low wooden shelves or individual trays- life itself is a teacher and we pray that our children navigate their way through this experience of life with success and ease!  Ameen!

Comments (2) »

the seamless seamstress

the seamless seamstress does more than it seems.

she weaves her heart into the garments she seams.

from hand-picking fabrics, like flowers in bloom

to selecting the choicest threads fit for her loom.

sorting through buttons that suit her delight,

complementing color scheme and function just right.

after basing the “frock”, she primes her machine

in the quiet hours when her attention is keen.

while dreamers dream, our seamstress seams;

wrapping us in prayer like spools in her ream.

prayers for a blushing bride in the gown she adorns;

prayers for a pregnant mother, expecting a baby to be born;

prayers for great granddaughters who whirl in their dresses;

prayers for the sons and grandsons that she blesses.

a tapestry of love in borders and hems,

each garment you’ve sewn, your touch has blessed them.

while loved ones may mourn or fear your transition,

we wear your loving legacy, and this was your mission;

to share something dear for all in your care

and blessing our lives by just being here.

so, to the seamless seamstress:

God has certainly blessed your living!

thank you for modeling a faithful life of giving!

Leave a comment »

Getting the Garlic In…Me and My Toddler

Garlic is amazing!  While taking my Family Herbalism course, the reality of how potent and powerful garlic can be really hit me!  Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-people- you name it, garlic’s got it!  Eating cooked garlic is easy but raw garlic is where the punch lies, so here are our family’s favorite ways to consume it.

Blended in dips

Hummus and baba ghanoush are our favorite garlic caravans!  All of the other flavors mask the taste so well, that you can easily sneak in a good few cloves in a single serving.  For toddlers, dips are easy to eat and fun to play in, so it’s a triple win when you’re under the weather.

Lightly sauteed or roasted with veggies

When sauteeing or roasting your favorite veggie, add chopped garlic towards the end, a few minutes before turning off your flame.  A little olive oil also can help those little garlic pieces taste savory on their own or when chomped with the veggies.

Added to curry

Curried Lentils is our vegan “Chicken Soup”.  Hot, salty, and savory!  Once the lentils are cooked and I’ve added the curry, turmeric, and salt, I add finely minced red onions, garlic, and ginger, and turn off the flame.  Let the additives steep a bit, and you’ve fooled your tongue again!

Garlic Oil

You can add fresh cloves of garlic to a small bottle of olive oil for garlic-infused oil but I’m talkin about adding a few spoons of olive oil to crushed cloves of garlic- this is garlic oil!  Just barely cover your minced garlic with a layer of olive oil and let it sit, preferably in the sun, for one to three days.  Then, use the garlic oil topically.  For a feverish toddler, you can rub garlic oil on their foot bottoms and cover their feet with socks when going to bed at night.  You can rub garlic oil over the chest to “break up” a dry cough.  A few drops of warm garlic oil is also great for ear infections (place a cotton ball in the ear afterwards) or to clear up a fungal rash on the skin.

Garlic, Cayenne, and Honey Remedy

This remedy is a true “in case of emergency” resort.  If you feel a vicious sore throat coming on, this remedy will help to oust before it can take a foothold.  Warning:  It’s rough going down!  The first spoon is not so bad, but the subsequent spoons will make a grown man cry!  4-5 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. of powdered cayenne pepper, and 1-2 tbsp. of honey.

Note for Nursing Moms:  The reason it’s important for a nursing mom to eat garlic is that your toddler will already be accustomed to the taste of it from your milk and benefit from the properties when you consume it.  Even if you’re not a nursing mom, toddlers can use a little “positive peer pressure” when it comes to eating.  Watching everyone else dip cucumbers in a fun, squishy dip may invite them to do the same.

What?!? I'm eating garlic?!?

Disclaimer:  The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Leave a comment »

Montessori for Nomads: Birth to Six Months

First things first…

Disclaimer:  This is not intended to be a Montessori tutorial in any way, shape or form; but rather, this is intended to share how we attempt to incorporate our understanding of Montessori priniciples in a DIY-minimalist-eco-friendly-raggamuslim-kinda way.  Proceed, if you wish. 

Last summer, we shared our reading list with you and it included two Montessori books.  While many of us have heard of Montessori schools and the amazing learning environment it offers children, we had no idea that Dr. Maria Montessori had insights to share about childrearing from birth.  Lil’ Z was a few months old when we discovered this and the little taste that we got via the internet whetted our palate for more.

In the beginning, we were really stuck on the cool Montessori stuff and found it neither practical nor possible to acquire “the stuff”.  However, Urbndervish, being the utililatarian guerilla that he is, emphasized that if we understand the Montessori principles, we can “flip it” and make it our own- meaning, make it relevant to our values and practical for our needs.  We don’t know of any local “Montessori stuff” suppliers nor do we have interest in importing from suppliers abroad.  We don’t own our apartment and it’s already furnished, so we can’t make too many modifications and we have no desire to add clutter to our living space.  We don’t agree with every single Montessori idea that we’ve come across and we’re okay with leaving a few to the wayside.  Now that the “don’ts” are out of the way, let’s get to the “do’s”, shall we?  ;)

Below we’ve listed a few (not uniquely) Montessori concepts for newborns and shared ways that we’ve applied them in our home.  For other Montessori nomads out there, feel free to add some of your creative ideas in the comments to share with us and others.  Thanks!

Gentle Birth and Early Bonding

In our experience abroad, there were very few birthing options.  Though the ideal would’ve been a warm, dimly light, serene cozy environment to usher Lil’ Z into her home outside of the womb, this was not amongst our available choices.  We were limited to private vs. public and city vs. town.  The private hospital environment would’ve probably allowed for a bit more serenity and calm post-partum but at triple or quadruple the cost.  We ended up birthing in a public hospital.  We wanted the opportunity to bond with Lil’ Z immediately following birth but Urbndervish wasn’t allowed to be present at the birth (long story) and after Lil’ Z was shown to me, she was whisked away for assessments and dressing.  About half an hour following the birth, we were reunited with our little one for family snuggling and nursing.

Breastfeeding, Cloth Diapering, and Comfy Clothing

Breastfeeding is the nomadic mama’s greatest ally!  The perfect food for the newborn without any excess gear, heating, or waste!

Cloth diapering is the eco-mama abroad’s greatest ally!  When you can’t find non-chlorinated, eco-friendly diapers, you can always count on cloth diapers.  Yes, people may wonder what’s going on in your child’s pants, but who cares?  You know that “bubble bum” is saving the planet and saving money!

Instead of the hand-sewn silk kimono style shirts that Montessori advocates for, we opted for soft, cotton kimono-style onesies.  Easy to wear and oh-so-cute on Lil’ Z!

Crafted Mobiles, Natural-Material Toys, and Freedom to Move

We completely flaked on the mobiles and the natural-material toys!  We only knew of the annoying, busy, jingly mobiles and had no idea that simply crafted mobiles can help a newborn with their eye tracking skills.  Also, we were hard-pressed to find any safe or creative rattles that weren’t plastic.  But, we did take Lil’ Z out for daily walks, gave her free use of our fingers for teething, and full use of our hair for pulling.  :D

We did our best to give Lil’ Z as much freedom for her range of motion as possible.  No swings, playpens or bouncy seats!  Soft comforters on the floor or spacious beds were her play gym.

The Infamous “Floor Bed” and Adjacent Mirror

No Montessori bedroom is complete without the floor bed!  The principle being that a baby can enter and exit their bed freely, once they’re able.  We loved the idea and the simplicity of it but we both felt very strongly that a newborn should co-sleep with us.  We were committed to co-sleeping for the first few years until Lil’ Ms. Rolly Polly began practicing her gymnastics while sleeping at 4 months old and it kept me up at night.  I initially thought that she was going through a developmental transition and needed extra comfort and nurturing, but it turned out that she wasn’t in need of more nursing, just more room.  So, the floor bed was placed, not in her own bedroom in true Montessori fashion, but right next to our own.  The floor bed started as a single mattress from our guest bedroom and later became a folded, cushy King-sized comforter.  For us, it’s the best of both worlds.

The floor bed should have a long mirror along the adjacent wall to encourage the baby to lift her head while lying on her tummy, see herself and the space around her in her reflection.  We had no success in finding such a mirror but we did find this!

To summarize:  whether hermit or nomad, the following Montessori principles can assist all babies irrespective of context:

  • respect all babies as individual human beings
  • allow them as much freedom of movement as possible
  • help them to become increasingly independent by creating a safe, child-friendly environment that makes it easier for them to explore.  (How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin)

Comments (2) »

Steamed Plantains

No authentically Jamaican meal is complete without a side of hot, fried, sweet, ripe plantains.  Really and truly, it’s probably the last fried food we would give up in this household, but I can’t stand the frying part and figured that there must be a better way.  I eventually found a roasted plantain recipe online that wasn’t too bad but I’m a bit prone to neglecting overbaking foods in the oven.  I also wanted to give Lil’ Z the opportunity to enjoy this delicious delight, known here in Oman as mawz al-hindi (Indian banana).  So, with our faithful steamer to the rescue, we’ve discovered that steamed plantains are quick, delicious, and tasty!  Yes, you might miss that crispy crunch around the edges, but it’s a healthier option than frying and you won’t lose the flavor like you do when boiling.

Ingredients

2 ripe plantains

1 tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil (optional)

1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

1 tbsp. honey (optional)

Directions

1. Cut plantains into slices

2. Steam for about 15 minutes or until cooked

3. Drizzle with coconut oil, cinnamon and honey.  Yes, it’s that simple!  Enjoy!

Comments (2) »

Vegetarianism in Islam: Contradictory or Compatible?

Door of vegetarian eating establishment in Malaysia

 Hello Butter Kittens!

This is your favorite balding, Muslim hipster, Urbndervish. I was asked to do a write up on Islam and vegetarianism. As you may know (or if you read our “About Me” page), Eternitysojourner and I are on a plant based diet and have been for a long time. Of course, this elicits many responses from our well-meaning Muslim community. “What do you mean you don’t eat no meat?! The Prophet Muhammad ate meat!” “Why do you make haraam (prohibited) what Allah has made halaal (permissible)?!” “Not eating meat is haraam!” etc.

Before we address this, we would like to address some cursory issues related to the topic at hand. First, it must be understood that our decision to refrain from meat and subsequently, animal products, is not based upon a moral principle that doing such is wrong in and of itself. The difference between us and some vegetarians/vegans who hold to that is that our actions are governed by what we believe to be Divine Revelation as taught in Islam. This presupposes that our moral system and structure is well-defined through the lens of our way of life, as revealed by God to the heart of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, over 1400 years ago. That withstanding, the issue (at least, to us) is not one of “absolute” morality. By “absolute” we mean an ethic that transcends time and space. Consequently, we can say with absolute certainty that the modern industries related to meat, dairy, etc. are immoral! One only needs to peruse modern factory farms and slaughterhouses to see how unethical and atrocious one creature’s treatment of another could be! However, to apply that to a simply pastoral existence in 7th century Arabia would be unjust and unfair. Similarly, it would be unintelligent to do the converse; that is, to assume that the cuisine of someone in the 7th century Arabian desert justifies the industry of packaged meats in a 20th century urban context. 

Second, it must also be kept in mind that the aversion to vegetarianism amongst Muslims can more than likely be based upon cultural context. In many eastern societies, Muslims have historically been at variance with Eastern religions/philosophies that eschew meat consumption. For example, in India, the Muslims were at odds with their Hindu/Jain neighbors and one of the principle points of conflict was meat. The Hindus and Jains promoted (semi)vegetarianism and any leaning towards vegetarianism amongst Muslims was seen as a type of solidarity with the enemy. Therefore, the most voracious opponents of vegetarianism (in our experience) are typically Muslims from the Subcontinent of India, Pakistan, etc.

It is also worth noting that amongst Muslims, vegetarianism has historically been a sign of heterodoxy. Many “Sufi” groups and proto-Muslim sects have advocated vegetarianism amongst their followers. One example is the heretical Qarmatian sect of the early centuries who were known to be vegetarians. All of that withstanding, the thought of vegetarianism in the traditional Muslim world typically leaves a bad taste in the mouth (pardon the pun)!

We thought that addressing the common concerns and questions that we encounter will help to clarify our position to those who are interested in clarity. Instead of addressing the common questions posed to non-Muslim vegetarians by non-vegetarians, we chose to deal with those questions and comments from a religious perspective. We apologize for the seeming exclusivity of this post! We typically try to make our posts inclusive. We will endeavor to explain the religious terminology and concepts to our non-Muslim readers who may not be familiar with such.  

1.   “The Prophet Muhammad ate meat. He said that anyone who doesn’t like his way is not of him!”

——————————————–

It is narrated in the books of recorded traditions and history that the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, ate meat. However, to justify the daily eating of meat by stating that it is the “Sunnah” (or the Prophet’s consistent practice) would be incorrect. It is well-known that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, did not eat meat consistently, nor did he eat it on a daily basis. There are other foods that he ate more consistently and regularly, such as barley bread, dates, pumpkin, and other vegetarian foods. Interestingly enough, no one invokes the “Sunnah” when it comes to these foods! 

He is recorded as loving to eat the shoulder of lamb. He is also narrated to have eaten chicken and a type of bustard. We know not of any narration in which he was said to eat beef, camel, fish, or any other meat. If the Sunnah denotes a consistent practice of the Prophet, it would be incorrect for one to say that eating meat is the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, did not eat it normally, nor did he generally eat all types of meats.

Regarding the narrated statement of the Prophet: “Whoever dislikes my way (Sunnah) is not of me”, the context must be understood. The aforementioned reference is a part of a larger narration in which a group of the Prophet’s Companions came to him and some said: “We will not marry!” Another group said: “We will not eat meat!” Another group said: “We will not sleep on pillows/cushions!” Yet another group said: “We will fast and never break our fast!” When the news reached God’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, he said: “What are with these people that they say such?! I pray, I sleep, I fast, I eat, and I marry women. Whoever dislikes my way is not of me!”

According to the context of the narrated tradition of the Prophet, he was countering the mistaken concepts of his Companions that spirituality can be achieved by refraining from marriage, meat, etc. However, he assured them that he engaged in all of the things that they said that they would refrain from, yet no one was closer to God than he. It is noteworthy that the Prophet Muhammad didn’t say: “I eat meat” in response to the Companions. Consequently, he didn’t state that eating meat was his way (sunnah).

2.   “Why do you make prohibited what Allah has made permissible?!”

——————————————

No doubt that this objection is a direct reference to the verse of the Holy Qur’an in which Almighty God addressed the Prophet: {O Prophet, why do you make prohibited what Allah has made lawful for you?!} (Holy Qur’an 66:1). Anti-vegetarian Muslims use the import of this verse as a proof that Muslim vegetarians shouldn’t refrain from meat because it is religiously permissible.

The Holy Qur’an itself does not give us the details of what the Prophet prohibited himself from. For that, we consult the books of Qur’anic exegesis known as tafseer. In one of these texts, an incident is mentioned where some of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad were jealous of another and they sought to conspire against her. One of his wives was known to make a honey drink that he enjoyed. Two of the wives knew that and to prevent him from that honey drink, they agreed to tell him that his breath stunk after drinking it. When he came to each of the two wives, they did just that. After which, he said: “I swear by Allah that I will never drink of this honey again!” It is then that the verse was revealed to him {O Prophet, why do you make prohibited what Allah has made lawful for you?! Do you seek the pleasure of your wives?!}. According to this narrated tradition, the Prophet was censured for vowing by Allah to never drink honey again.

This, in no way, can be compared to a conscientious decision to refrain from meat or other animal products! One is not making an oath or the like by Allah when one decides to not eat meat! This is not the import of the holy verse! This is further emphasized by the fact that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, refrained from eating certain foods that were otherwise permitted for him. For example, he never ate lizard or onions; yet he was not censured for doing so! This shows us that refraining from a certain food is not the same as prohibiting it.            

3.   “There is a narrated statement from the Prophet Muhammad in which he is recorded to have said: ‘The master of foods among the people of this world and the people of Paradise is meat.’”

———————————————-

Muslims who argue against vegetarianism cite this tradition in support of their thesis. However, those familiar with the sciences of narrated traditions from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, should refer to those scholars whose specialty is scrutinizing the narrated traditions. One would readily see that the traditionalists include this narration amongst the list of concocted reports falsely attributed to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. For example, a well-known traditionalist named Ibn al-Jawzi included this tradition as well as others with similar wording in his book entitled: Al Mawdu’at (Tr. “Fabricated Traditions”).

4. “Muslims are commanded to eat meat during the Hajj pilgrimage. Allah says: {…so that they may witness the benefits for them and mention the Name of Allah on known days for what He has provided for them of cattle. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor} (Holy Qur’an 22:28).

———————————————-

The Muslim opponents argue from this verse that Muslims are commanded to eat meat during the Pilgrimage season with the words {eat of them}. Therefore, a Muslim cannot be a vegetarian.

We reply by saying that according to the classical and medieval exegetes of the Holy Qur’an, the statement {eat of them} is not a command, rather it is a permission. A well-known traditionalist and Qur’an commentator named Ibn Katheer stated in his exegesis of this verse:

“There are those that use this verse as a proof that eating the sacrificial meat is religiously obligatory. However, this is a strange statement! The vast majority says that it [i.e. eating the sacrificial meat] is either permissible or a recommendation.”

Some of the early exegetes such as Mujahid, ‘Ata, and Ibrahim said:

“It is permission. If one wants to eat it, they can. If one doesn’t want to eat of it, they don’t have to.”

Therefore, this is not a proof that a Muslim cannot refrain from eating meat.

**********************************************************************

All-in-all, from an Islamic perspective, one is free to eat or refrain from eating those foods deemed permissible. There’s no disagreement amongst our scholars concerning that. However, the most pressing question and concern would be “Which foods are most beneficial for us in this present age?”

According to the Muslim cosmology, we hold the past as an ideal but yet are not stagnated to the point that we are oblivious to technological or scientific advances. This is the reason why our past civilizations led the world in scientific/technological development but yet held the words of our ancestors and sages to be of highest benefit. We are not Luddites who confine our appreciation of the earliest generations to simply mimicking them superficially. We hold their simplicity and values to be our ideals as we move towards the future.

All of that withstanding, we are to research into the most efficient and resourceful ways to live our lives. We are not held captive by parochialism at the expense of the planet. Rather, our way of life encourages us to be just stewards of the earth and seek to preserve it. Is our desire for meat and other animal byproducts contributing to the destruction of our ecosystem? Much research and studies suggest that it is. If this is the case, then it is our religious duty to rectify this situation by eliminating or greatly reducing our animal intake.

Even if one were to look at the personal benefits of a plant-based diet, it should be reason enough to consider it. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, is recorded to have said: “The strong believer is better than the weak believer” or something to that effect.  The personal health benefits of a plant-based diet are many. Consistent animal consumption has been linked to everything from aggravating diabetes to osteoporosis to cancers. Do yourself a favor and watch the documentary “Forks over Knives.”  

From a personal perspective, I can testify to the benefits of a plant-based diet. I feel better and look better! I no longer wake up almost choking on mucus due to dairy consumption. I have more energy! I feel lighter! My palate has become more attuned to international fare and flavors. I won’t have to worry about high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I feel like a “strong believer.” All praises due to Allah!

Comments (4) »

A Modest Road Trip to the UAE: Part II

Our Modest Road Trip to the UAE continues on the humbler side of the Hajar Mountains, i.e. Oman. We imagined a scenic ride along the beach, watching the waves crash into the coast; only to discover that you can’t see the coast from the road that extends from the border, Khatmat Malahah, down towards Muscat. Oops! No frets though, we eventually worked the beach into our adventure even though it was too cold for swimming!

Day 5

After crossing into Oman in the early afternoon, we made plans to stop at the beach in Sohar for some refreshments and sand play. As we turned into Sohar, we wondered if we would find any establishments open since it was that opportune napping/siesta time between the noon and afternoon prayer. We missed our turn to the municipal park to access the beach and found a parking lot to turn around just pass Sohar Beach Resort. To our surprise we saw a sign: Africa Coffeehouse and Restaurant.

Very curious sign (especially considering the weight of bearing an entire continent on your eatery’s name). Our patient tummies have become accustomed to the restraint of verifying two facts before preparing to eat:

1. Is it open?

2. Anything vegan on the menu?

I entered the coffeehouse/restaurant for the reconnaissance mission and was greeted by a friendly, South Asian waitress. I was pleased to see a vegetarian section on the menu but still struggling to make the “Africa” connection until I realized that the offerings were Zanzibari/Swahili food. Yes, we’re still in Arabia and if you haven’t heard, there are Black people here! Not just from Zanzibar either! There are homegrown Omanis who have as familiar faces as our relatives but have never left the Gulf. This is one of the many features of Oman we love: the diversity in appearance. We rarely “stand out” and that often serves us well.

The menu was appetizing and including a variety of fresh juices. We settled on a “Green Goddess” drink of kiwi, celery, cucumber, green apple, and lemon. Delish! After Lil’ Z mastered her straw-sucking skills with our carrot juice that morning, she was ripe and ready to rip into our drink. We also ordered Maharage (kidney beans in “African” sauce) and Mhogo (cassava in coconut gravy), with a side of Swahili chapatti.

The food was bomb! Our first experience of Swahili food was a huge hit and we savored every last bite. The so-called “African” sauce was a coconut-milk based sauce, similar to that of the cassava dish. The ambiance was artistic and contemporary, with a touch of tradition. We were warmly attended to by all of the servers and welcomed to return anytime.

Oh yes, back to the beach.

We let Lil’ Z play in the sand with her new-found seashell and saw riding horses before continuing on our journey. We drove one more hour to Suwayq where our hosts received us with true Omani hospitality.

Day 6

After a late night, we pushed out early to visit Ayn Al-Kasfa, a hot spring in Rustaq.

I’ve heard of hot springs before but this hot spring was like boil-an-egg hot. Sheesh! I guess you get used to it because children were dipping in and out with no woes. Interestingly, the spring is hot when the weather is cool and cool when the weather is hot!  Subhan’Allah!  The ayn has sheltered stalls for visitors to enjoy, separated by gender.

We took a nap and rustled ourselves to go out once again. This time, we were going “house hopping” to meet and greet friends and relatives of our hosts. Of course, you can’t go to an Omani’s home without being fed, so each of our three stops had meals and refreshments. By the end of the long day, we were tired of eating all of the delicious vegan food, specially prepared for us.

Day 7

On the last day of our tour, our hosts prepared a delicious breakfast, we packed up “Suzi” and headed home, carrying warm memories and the subtle scent of bukhoor (incense) in our clothes. Along the journey we reflected on our “week on the road” and Lil’ Z serenaded us with some of her original renditions, sung to the tune of cute. It was such a joy to not only see new places but to see Lil’ Z’s interactions with new places and people. She’s always initially watchful but her warmth rises and peaks shortly thereafter. When she sees other children, she waves and “talks” to them, looking at them directly in their eyes. She generously offers them their toys and attentively listens to their conversation. She plays with them well and cries when they cry. To see her little spirit and personality blossoming is such a treat, masha’Allah. May Allah protect her big heart and use it to bring comfort to the hearts of others- ameen!

Comments (1) »

A Modest Road Trip to the UAE: Part I

To be honest, “modest” and “UAE” don’t belong in the same sentence.  The oil-rich nation boasts the world’s tallest building, the world’s largest mall, man-made islands, underwater hotels and the like.  So, what business do your favorite Raggamuslims have in UAE?  Well, Urbndervish was graced with a week-long mid-semester break and we thought it was too much time sit around twiddling our thumbs.  We considered heading further north but it’s just too cold.  We considered heading west but we didn’t have enough planning time.  So, we decided to pack up our compact car “Suzi” and hit the road for UAE.  We certainly didn’t want to see all that the Emirates has to offer because, frankly, we’re not that interested in the fanfare but we were curious to visit Sharjah, the religious and cultural center of UAE, Al-Ain, the “uptown” twin sister of Al-Buraimi (in Oman), and to shop at an organic store on the day of their 20% off sale.  Additionally, Urbndervish’s friend invited us to visit his family on the eastern coast of Oman and we thought it was a good time for a leisurely visit.

The Ride

Meet “Suzi”.

The Gear

 

Adventure hat, outdated Lonely Planet guide, and a borrowed phone with GPS.

­The Plan

-Spend a night in Al Buraimi

-Cross the border via Hafeet and visit Al-Ain

-Spend a few days in Sharjah

-Shop at the Organic Store in Dubai

-Pass Fujairah to exit UAE via Khatmat Malahah

-Drive down the eastern coast of Oman, pass Sohar

-Spend two nights in Suwayq

-Bring it on home 

­Day 1

We left for Al Buraimi just after sunset.  In retrospect, it would’ve been better to leave during the day because long portions of the road towards and following Ibri were unlit.  Two-lane roads after dark aren’t the best for travel and we missed out on the mountain views.  No frets though, many more mountains to come!

Day 2

After spending the night at a hotel in Al Buraimi, we left at about mid-day and entered Al-Ain.  The border crossing was easy.  Instructions and directives weren’t the clearest but you get through eventually.  People give you pieces of paper, only to be taken by the next guy standing by the road.  There’s a bit of stop-and-go, but not bad.  Just make sure you have proof of car ownership and valid insurance that covers your car in UAE, your passports, your residency cards, and some Emirati cash for visas.  You can buy car insurance at the border and if you didn’t exchange any money prior, you’ll be directed to an inconspicuous Indian man wearing shades and greased hair.

Our first impression of Al-Ain was how green it is!  One of its former amirs took “greening” the emirate very seriously and there are trees everywhere!  The pastel-colored homes and large, impressive schools reminded us of South Florida.  We visited the Al-Ain Oasis for about an hour and then hit the road for Sharjah.

 

En route to Sharjah, we stopped at the Dubai Outlet Mall to buy Lil’ Z a new swimsuit and grab some lunch for her.  We continued to Sharjah and were impressed by just how well-developed it is–with subways and public buses.  Sharjah has lots of beautiful mosques, museums, and tons of sick houses.  The homes were elaborate and imposing in size and design. 

It was time for dinner, so we stopped at an Indian restaurant that we read about via Happy Cow and enjoyed a delicious meal before retiring in Ajman for the night.

Day 3

­After watching the sun rise over Ajman, we sought out some fresh fruits and carrot juice for breakfast and went to visit Sharjah’s central souq. 

 

The souq was gorgeous and inviting, but closed!  It was Friday and just about everything is closed until 4pm.  Lil’ Z had fallen asleep in the car, so we took a few photos of the souq and the nearby Khalid Lagoon.  To pass the time, we drove to University City, where the University of Sharjah is housed alongside other institutions. 

 

Entering University City is a bit surreal and over-the-top.  We were hoping to find the library open but our plot was foiled once again.  As we approached the golden hour of 4pm, we visited the Souq Al-Arsa and, later, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.  

 

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is inviting, well-designed, and comprehensively curated.  It held Islamic artifacts, mosque models, interactive touch-screens, calligraphy, tiles and textiles, etc.  It was reminiscent of Kuala Lumpur’s Islamic Arts Museum.

As the sun set over Sharjah, it was time to eat!  We read about an Ethiopian restaurant online called “Al Habasha Restaurant” and since it had been so long since we ate Ethiopian food, we sought it out and gave it a try. 

The lentil dish and injera was satisfying, as always, but there weren’t any vegetable dishes on the menu, so we ended up with a hot, delicious mess.  The sights, smells, and sounds of Ethiopia only reignited our yearning to visit.  We’re coming, insha’Allah!

­­Day 4

On this brave day, we made our way to Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall, to shop at the Organic Store.

 

We made plans to reconnect with a family from Cali currently living in Abu Dhabi.  Their son and Lil’ Z became well-acquainted over a late lunch at P.F. Chang’s. 

In the interludes of eating, we checked out the waterfront, only to realize that we were beholding the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifah.

Day 5

After a few days of UAE’s opulence and encounters with haughty Emiratis, our skin was starting to itch, so we happily returned to the “sleepy sultanate” that we call home, sweet Oman!  The view of the Hajar Mountains was amazing and Oman welcomed us with open arms (and a routine car search!).

More on the Omani side of our road trip to come.

Comments (6) »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.