One of My Ramadan Desserts: Katayef (Pancakes) with Walnut Stuffing

This photo is courtesy of jordanpicture.blogspot.com. You can also find a Jordanian verision of this recipe there.

Katayef is one of my personal favorites even though I have never been really good at making it. My mom, however, is a genius when it comes to katayef. Here is her recipe.

Katayef with Walnut Stuffing (Pancakes stuffed w/walnut stuffing)

Ingredients
3 cups flour
1 cups farina/cream of wheat
½ tsp of yeast
2 cups water
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp baking power, ½ tsp of baking soda
A pinch of salt (this I will never understand)

Directions
You can hand mix or use a blender. Add water, farina, yeast and sugar. Blend/Mix well.
Slowly add the flour and continue to blend. Add in baking power and soda.
Heat a griddle or non stick skillet with med-high heat. Power mix in medium circles like you do with pancakes.
Cook golden brown, no need to flip over- remove after the one side is golden brown.
Let cool.
While cooling the pancakes, prepare the walnut stuffing.

Walnut Stuffing
2 cups walnuts – crushed
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp fine coconut (this is optional)
Mix ingredients well.
Stuffing the pancakes
Place about one tbsp stuffing on each pancake.
Fold over, pressing the edges together to close.

Baking
Heat your over to about 400 degrees.
Grease a baking tray. Line the katayef up with each with cooking oil.
Place in oven for about 10 mins, and then flip over to the other side to brown for another 10 minutes.
Let Cool.
While your katayef are baking and cooling, prepare your syrup.

Syrup
Mix 3 cups of water with 3 cups of sugar in a medium pot with a 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
Bring to a boil and keep stirring on a high heat. Reduce to medium heat and let simmer until texture of syrup is thick.
You can now dip the katayef in the syrup until they are each completely covered.

You can serve right way. Katayef is best served warm.

Teaching Your Children About Islam #5: Teaching Islam to your children is part of your Islamic Duty

Islam teaches us to be successful and the way to do so is to utilize our knowledge of the Quran and to practice the sunnah way of life. We need to constantly focus our time, our efforts, emotions and patience in learn Islam, not just for us to be successful, but for us to be able to share Islam with our children. Teaching them Islam and the sunnah way of life is the best gift that we can give our children. We are accountable for our children’s successes and failures in this life and in the hereafter. It is our duty as Muslims to teach our children to be accountable. Our prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has made it clear that the way of the sunnah is be responsible and accountable for our children and our families.

There is a story where Abdullah ibn Umar heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) saying that:

"Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it." I heard that from Allah's Apostle and I think that the Prophet also said, "A man is a guardian of is father's property and is responsible for it, so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care." Hadith of Bukhari 3/592

The statement above shows how our Prophet (peace and blessing upon him) commands Muslims to be responsible for their families and their children. Thus, the best way to do this is to teach our children Islam, as Allah has told us that our children, as are our wealth and possessions, are a test from Allah. “Your riches and your children may be but a trial: whereas Allah, with Him is the highest Reward.” [Qur'an 64:15]

Because our children are a trial and that all riches attained are not as high as pleasing the Almighty Allah, we must guide our children to Islam. In order for us to pass Allah’s test, our children must worship and please Allah, our creator. By teaching our children Islam properly, we give them the best education we can give them. Isha’Allah.

Islamic Stories #2: How It All Started

This is one of my favorites and it brings tears to my eyes each and every time.

Nearly 4,000 years ago in Sumerian town of Ur in the Valley of the River Euphrates (now a southern province of Iraq), lived a young man named Abraham. The people of Ur once worshipped Allah, but as time passed they forgot their true faith, and started praying and worshipping idols as statutes made of wood and clay and sometimes even stones. Abraham could not understand this. How could people worship things they made with their own hands? He would often leave the town to sit alone and think about the heavens and the earth and world around him. He believed wholeheartedly that the worship of his people was wrong and that there was a right way of worship.

One night, Abraham sat staring at the sky and saw a beautiful shining star, so he said “This must be Allah!” (Quran vi.77) The star then faded away and he became disappointed. Another night Abraham saw the rising moon and he though to himself “This is my Lord.” (Quran vi. 78) But the set and Abraham began to wonder: “Unless my Lord guide me, I surely shall become one of the folk who are astray.” (Quran vi. 78).

Abraham started to see the beauty in the moon and the sun and the stars. Abraham began to realize that Allah was the most powerful and Allah was the creator of everything: the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, etc. This understanding made Abraham feel at ease, because he finally realized the truth. He went back to his father and the town’s folks and inquired what it they worshiped. They told him that they worshipped and were devoted to idols. He asked them if their idols heard them when they cried or did their idols benefit them in any way or harm them. They responded in the negative.

To this, Abraham became angry and told them that Allah created them and guided them. It was Allah who fed them and it was from Allah that they drank water. It was Allah who healed when they were sick. It was Allah who allowed death and it would be Allah that lifted humanity to the heavens and Allah who would forgive them for their sins.

What do you worship? They said: We worship idols, and are ever devoted to them. He said: Do they hear you when you cry? Or do they benefit or harm you? They said: Nay, but we found our fathers acting in this manner. He said: See now that which you worship, you and your forefathers! Lo! They are (all) an enemy to me, except the Lord of the Worlds. Who created me, and He guides me, And Who feeds me and waters me. And when I sicken, then He heals me. And Who causes me to die, then gives me life (again) And Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my sin on the Day of Judgment. (Quran xxvi.70-82)

One day, when the townspeople were away, Abraham smashed the idols, expect for the ones they were too large. They asked Abraham who had done such a thing, and Abraham responded that they should ask their Gods. To this, the people responded that the idols do not speak.

To this, Abraham responded: ‘Do you worship what you yourselves have carved when Allah created you and what you make?' ‘Do you worship instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you?' (Quran xxxvii.9S—6, xxi.66).

Abraham then issued a warning to the townspeople:

Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if you did but know. You serve instead of Allah only idols, and you only invent a lie. Lo! Those whom you serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him, (for) unto Him you will be brought back. (Quran, xxix. 16-17)

The people decided to punish Abraham by burning him to death. The King of Ur and the townspeople gathered as Abraham was put into a closed-off building filled and made with wood. The fire was so bad that the people were pushed back by the flames.

Allah said: “O’fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham.” (Quran, xxi. 69)

When the fire died down, they saw Abraham sitting as if nothing happened. The people of Ur, despite the miracle before them, still not convinced of the presence and power of Allah. Abraham implored his father to stop serving the devil and to reject the gods of Ur, and his father would not. Abraham was threatened with stoning, and left Ur, sadly without his father.

Abraham left his home and went into the wilderness alone. He could not remain in Ur among people who worshipped statutes. He travelled long and far and then settled in what is not Palestine. This is where he married Sarah. Unfortunately, Sarah and Abraham were not blessed with a child and Abraham married another woman, Hagar who gave him a son, Ishmael. Years later, Sarah had a son and they named him Isaac. Allah told Abraham to leave Palestine to a new land with Hagar and Ishmael only.

Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael leaving Palestine was a wonderful and important part of Allah’s plan for Islam. You see, the decedents of Ishmael would form a nation from which a prophet would be born that would guide the people in the way of Allah. This would be Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him). From the decedents of Sarah’s son, Isaac, would come Moses and Jesus.

Well Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael left Palestine and travelled until they reached what is now Mecca. There was no water in the valley of Mecca, but Abraham left Hagar and Ishmael knowing Allah would take care of them. With no water, Hagar found two hills, one called Safa and the other Marwah. She went up one hill and found no water. Then she went up the second hill and again, found none. She did this seven times going up and down both hills. Then she returned to her son and to her surprise she found a spring of water bubbling out from the earth beneath him. The spring, near where Hagar and Ishmael settled, was later called Zamzam.

The area where Hagar and her son settled became the city of Mecca. Abraham would visit his family from time to time, travelling from Palestine to Mecca. During one of his visits to Mecca, Allah commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build the rebuild the Ka’bah, the very first place that people worshipped Allah. Allah told them exactly how to build it – it would stand straight up by the wall of Zamzam and be in the shape of a cube. Its eastern corner was to be built using black stone that fell to earth from heaven, and was brought to them by an angel from the hill of Abu Qubays. Abraham and Ishmael worked hard and prayed that Allah would send a prophet from among their decedents.

After the completion of the Kabah, Allah commanded Abraham to call mankind to his Holy House. Abraham was not sure if anyone would hear his call, but Allah told him that Abraham would call them and Allah would bring them. This call is how the pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca started and til this day, the people of Islam continue to answer the call of Abraham.

Islamic Stories #1: The Prophet is Born

These weres stories I heard growing up and I wanted to share them.

One day, an Arab tribe of Mecca was traveling and met a hermit in the desert, and some of the men in the group stopped to speak with him. Hermits were known for being wise and the tribes relied on them for advice in those days. The hermit asked the group where they were from and they responded that they were from Mecca. Then, the hermit told them that soon Allah would send them a prophet, and that prophet would be born among their people. The hermit also told them that the new prophet’s name would be "Muhammad" and that he would guide them into a new way of life.

Meanwhile, back in Mecca, Aminah, the mother of our soon-to-be prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him, was saddened by the loss of her husband, and was at the time pregnant with a boy. During her pregnancy, she had many dreams, and one occasion, she dreamt that there was a great light shining out of her, and on another occasion, she dreamt that she heard a voice telling her that she would have a boy and his name would be "Muhammad." She never forgot that voice, but kept her dream to herself.

On a Monday, the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, in the year of the Elephant, Aminah gave birth to her son. Allah had sent many signs that one of his chosen prophets would be born on that date in the year 570 A.D., and these signs were seen. Many Jewish scholars who read the scriptures knew of these signs. One of the scholars of the town of Yathrib saw a brillant new star in the sky that he had never seen before the night our prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was born. He called the people around him to show them the star and told them that that sign meant that the new prophet was born.

The same night, another Jew passed the meeting place of Qurayash in Mecca. He asked them if a baby boy had just been born among their people. His question was confirmed and he told them if that were true, then the boy would be the Prophet of the Arab nation.

Aminah sent news of the birth to her father-in-law, Abd al-Muttalib, who was sitting near the Kabah when the news came. He was delighted and began to think of a name for the child. Six days had passed and he was not able to find the right name for the child. On the seventh day, Abd al-Muttalib feel asleep near the Kabah, and dreamt that he should name the child "Muhammad", just as Aminah had dreamt. Thus, the child was called Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The name Muhammad means "the Praised One."

When Abd al-Muttalib was asked by the leaders of Qurayash what he named his grandson. Many asked him why he would choose such a name and not a name that their people would name. He told them that he wanted his grandson to be praised by "Allah in the heavens and by men on earth."

Don’t Forget Your Zakat

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mentioned well over 70 times in our Glorious Quran, and after Salah, it is the most important act in Islam.

The meaning of the term “Zakat” is “purity” or “cleanliness.” You must set a portion of your wealth for the poor and needy so that one’s soul and wealth is purified. Wealth is impure in Allah’s eyes if you do perform your Zakat. Moreover, your soul would be impure because not giving Zakat means you are ungrateful.

You must perform your Zakat in a monetary manner. Those who fulfill this duty are promised abundant reward in this world and the hereafter. Evading your Zakat means consequences as warned in our Glorious Quran.

The benefits of Zakat include:

It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands.

Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.

Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to Allah.

Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor.

Source: Easy Islam, http://www.easyislam.com/zakat.asp

Moreover, Zakat obligatory upon:

Every adult who is sane, free and Muslim.
Wealth must be in excess of a specified amount, excluding personal belongs
It should be possessed for one complete lunar year.
Zakat should of some productive nature that derives benefit or profit, i.e, merchandise, gold, livestock, etc.

For more information on calculating Zakat, visit Easy Islam.

Allah tells us of the virtue of giving Zakat in the Quran:

"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261)

Benefits derived from giving Zakat include: the pleasure of Allah, increase in wealth and protection from losses, Allah’s forgiveness and blessings, protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death, shelter on the Day of Judgment, and security from 70 misfortunes.

The Quran also tells us the punishment of not giving Zakat:

"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)

Your Zakat must be paid by the end of Ramadan. There are many of us struggling through some tough economic times, but we still need to perform our Zakat. Remember, Zakat is contingent upon your income, and if you are unable to give Zakat in monetary form, you can give something of value away, like livestock or business services.

For some examples on how to calculate Zakat, visit Iman’s Corner at the Islamic Center of Raleigh.

In the meantime, I hope your Ramadan is blissful and beautiful. Isha’allah.

Teaching Your Children About Islam #4: Why do Muslims Fast?

Children ask this question with curiosity. This is your chance to explain the greatness of Islam to them. My son asked me this recently and I had to do some research on answer. Just because we are parents and raised in the Islamic faith does not mean we know the answers. Here are some explanations that you can provide your children with.

First, it is our ibadah (our worship) to Allah. According to our prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him), the month of Ramadan is a great and blessed month. Fasting during this month is one of the five pillars of Islam. We fast to please Allah. Fasting, like the other pillars of Islam, helps us to be positive, practice good will, and good character in our lives and our communities. Fasting helps us develop faithfulness devotion to God.

Another reason for fasting is we build good and moral characters because our consciousness is provoked. A God conscious and fearing heart causes us to act positively. We become self-purified, self-motivated and self-inspired to do good. Our hearts are peaceful and through this, we create positive energy. Moreover, we more aware about doing right and staying away from the wrong. Our consciousness is called Taqwa (God- consciousness).

Another great thing that comes out through our fasting and our awareness is our development for strong action and good intention towards brotherhood and sisterhood. Fasting, especially Ramadan, brings people together at numerous times during the day: at Suhr (predawn meal), Iftaar (sunset meal) and Tarawih prayers (special Ramadan prayers), instead to the normal five times a day prayers.

Ramadan is also a month of sharing and giving charity. Sadaqah is the voluntary charity whereas Zakah is required of every Muslim. Our Prophet (Peace and Blessing Be Upon Him) said: “If someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast, it will provide forgiveness for his sins."

There are so many more reasons for fasting in Ramadan. The month of Ramadan was the month that our Glorious Quran was revealed. Fasting brings us closer to the Quran and we must aim to complete at least one reading of the Quran, especially during the Tarawih prayers.

Fasting also teaches us patience and commitment. We learn patience to endure hunger and thirst. We understand the sufferings of the poor and needy and thus, we learn to be compassionate. Patience is also very important in understanding right and forbidding the wrong. We also learn self and social discipline. The waking, the prayer, the breaking of the fast, and so forth help us to create order in our lives. Community relationships are stressed in Ramadan because people come together to understand and practice. Everyone is part of the Islamic community, rich or poor, and no one is different or better in Allah’s eyes.

Allah revealed two verses that spelt out our reasons for fasting.

"O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to attain) piety" (Q2:183)

"(fasting is) for a fixed number of days: but if any one of you is sick, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from (other) days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But whoever can give more (than this) of his own free will--(then) it is better for him, and it is better for you that ye fast, if ye but knew." Q(2:184)
When these two verses revealed, the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the Muslims "Ramadan fast is a divine obligation but whoever likes to fast `Ashura day (as well) may do so voluntarily or leave it".

The Ramadan fast is a blessings to Muslims. Allah gave us the entire month of Ramadan as a blessing and our opportunity not to lose sight of who we are.
Share this with you children and you will be surprised with their responses.

My Suhr Favorites

This is a memory I miss about growing up in a big family during Ramadan – Suhr. Here are couple of my favorite Suhr recipes.

Tomato Salad w/Tahini Sauce

Ingredients
3 tomatoes
1 large cucumber
2 garlic cloves – crushed
½ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Mint, if available, about 1/2 cup chopped
½ cup tahini sause

Directions
Dice tomatoes and cucumber (mint) – leave some mint for later
Mix tahini with garlic, lemon, salt and pepper. You can add a little water to lighten the thickens
Add tahini mix with tomatoes, cucumbers, mint and mix well
Pour olive over as a garnish with some mint.

Palestinian Omelet – Makes two omelets

Ingredients
6 eggs slightly beaten
4 tablespoons parsley chopped
½ bunch green onions chopped
4 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon fresh (or dry) chopped mint
½ an onion chopped, if you like
Any other veggie you would like to add
Salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients together expect butter
Place 2 tablespoons butter in pan and heat
Drop ½ the egg mixture in skillet
When set, turn the omelet to the other side. Fry until golden brown
Repeat same for second omelet

What are your favorite Suhr favorites? Share those on your blog and leave a link here. Thanks.