Are We Done?

The Holy month is coming to a close. For the seasonal Muslims, their journey is about to end, whereas Muslims for a reason, their journey is about to begin as we move away from the folds of security, restraint and spiritual upliftment.

But, the question is, “are we done”? Let us take a moment to understand where we are, even though we have a pretty good idea.

Technology has heightened. Morals have weakened. Faith has been compromised. Materialistic values have taken over. Rituals are common: Brushing teeth in the morning, taking a shower. Grabbing that early morning cup of tea, reading the newspaper. Picking up the car keys, opening the door. Going to school or work. These actions don't need a thought process. They are ritualistic; daily routine. The need to be done in order that life continues in a sound manner. Sadly, following the lifestyle of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt (a), also seems a ritual, perhaps in a traditional sense, but a ritual nonetheless.

Most recently, feverish pitches of love and compassion for Ali ibne Abu Talib (as) from the 19th to the 21st of this Holy Month, emotions running wild against his killer(s), the need to compete against time and beg for forgiveness against our (unacceptable) deeds we may have committed, changes in FaceBook statuses to reflect all the passion being extruded, requests for dua's and prayers flood the messages of ours and those on our lists. In the midst of all this compassion and love that comes with a climax of iftars and sehri's in the mosque, surrounded by our social network whom we just chatted with an hour ago about the next soccer game or how we had a great time in school just this morning, we hit the 'like' button on pages along the lines of 'why girls like boys,' or 'what you missed out on if you didn't have a relationship with me'. We also enjoy a game of online poker, perhaps without money, but we enjoy it, following the footsteps of those who took the wrong path. Unlike the beautiful hadith left behind by our beloved Prophet (s):

• [“Live like 'Ali (a) and Die like Husayn (a)”]

The statement did not mean during the 30 days; nor the 12. It meant during every breath we draw. Failure to act on what is required, no – mandated – is what angers our living Imam (a):

• [“Then each one of you should perform such actions which will bring you close to our love and should abstain from those deeds which are a cause of our displeasure and anger”]

Six times a year, we ask 'God' to bless us in our exams and tests, and maybe we might even pray our Salaat, out of desperation, on time, and as soon as they are over our actions claim; “What God?”. Sometimes, only sometimes, we look at a picture of someone without hijab and boldly and arrogantly bring God in between the indecent act of glorifying the beauty by claiming “Masha Allah! you look beautiful!”. Or, we look at our modern idols, the soccer stars, and worship their choices of girlfriends they rotate depending on their whims, praising the Lord for such beauty. And such messages just roll off on our tongues, without restraint, considering it very small:

• [24 An-Nur:15 “When ye welcomed it with your tongues, and uttered with your mouths that whereof ye had no knowledge, ye counted it a trifle. In the sight of Allah it is very great.”]

Is that the same God we praise that we need to submit to and give our lives for?:

• [6 Al An'am:162 “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”]

Or is it another god that is driven by our desires to love what we shouldn't be going after?:

• [25 Al Furqan:43-44 “Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path.”]

Submission towards Him and sacrificing our life [6:162] does not mean our life during these Glorious 30 days, or the additional 12 in Muharram, (40 if we can stretch it that far). It means that our entire life from the moment the name of Allah is recited in our ear, to the moment when the angels begin to question us (and this too is too late), is filled with sacrifice and restraint, guard, against that which is detested and disliked by Allah. How else can we call the Book, revealed in this month, a guide, that which we follow?

• [2 al Baqarah:2 “This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).”]

As these days come to a close, we need to reflect on what we will bring forth next year. Do not be fooled that our sins will be forgiven, and as soon as the moment our bellies begin to bloat, our desires too begin to expand:

• [4 An Nisaa:17 “Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.]

This world was never created to make things easy. But we are looking for ease. This world was never created for merry making and joy. But we are seeking it. This world was never created to compromise with God. But yet, against all odds and wisdom, we want to:

• [10 Yunus :23 “O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls,- an enjoyment of the life of the present”]

• [11 Hud:116 “But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.”]

If that were the case, then verses that speak of trials and tribulations would remain meaningless:

• [2 Al Baqarah: 214 “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah.” Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”]

• [33 Al Ahzab:24 “Such trials are imposed upon man so that God may reward the truthful for having been true to their word”]

Indeed, let us not forget, this world is full of trials and tribulations. Of difficulty and pain. Without which, the Justice of God would not be able to be substantiated. But for a person who follows the pathway of God and seeks salvation, trials, tribulations, difficulty and pain are, ironically, a source of comfort.

For satisfaction comes from Satisfying the Sustainer. That's all that matters:

• [13 Ar Rad:28 “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”]

• [89 Al Fajr:27 “(To the righteous soul will be said:) “O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!”]

It is reported in Al Kafi (Volume 2, page 74, Hadith No. 3) that Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) addressing Jabir said:

“O Jabir, do you think that it is enough for anyone just to claim by his tongue that he loves Ahlul Bayt(a)? Does he, by such a claim, become our Shiah? Jabir, I swear by the Almighty that until a person fears Allah and obeys Him, he cannot claim to be our Shiah. He must have humility, be just, fulfill his promises, engage as much as possible in the remembrance of Allah, fulfill his obligations of salah and fasting, show affection and sympathy and obedience to his parents, assist and be kind to his neighbours, the poor, those in debt as well as show sympathy and affection to the orphans. He must always be truthful. He should read and study Qur'an. There must never be any malice in his heart. Without these qualities, he ca not qualify to claim that he loves us or is our Shiah. O Jabir, it is not enough for any person only to say by word of mouth that he loves Hadhrat Ali and the Ahlul Bayt. He must follow the 'seerah' (way of life) of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt and act according to the sunnah established by them. If he does not, then his claim of love for Ahlul Bayt can never benefit him.

O Jabir, without 'ita'ah' (obedience and submission), nobody can attain proximity to Allah. We do not like them to claim to be our friends if they do not fulfill all the conditions. A sinful person is our enemy. Without good deeds and abstinence from sins, any claim of friendship to us is of no avail.”

The Eternal Sacrifice

In the blink of an eye, the first 12 days of Muharram simply floated by like passing clouds, filled with showers (or downpours) of tears that dropped on the earth’s surface with sorrow and sadness. For some, the messages, authorizations and admonitions during these sacred nights represented flashes of lightning strikes, illuminating the ugly darkness for but a few seconds; for others, they serve as beacons of light radiating and guiding the soul’s ship during the rough storms and unstable oceans, understanding the full cause of such a momentous journey. Yet for others, they serve as a cultural ritual that binds man into wearing black to show solidarity, though, unlike the former two, void of any guiding factor to salvage the crumbling self amongst demonic instigations.

Throughout the world, from Hong Kong to Dubai, Dar es Salaam to New York, Montreal to Los Angeles, year after year, Shia’s mourn the tragedy that befell the family of the Prophet (s); his men, his women and his children. The message of Husayn's (a) reform attributed to his grandfather, Prophet of Islam, was inculcated much earlier - the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham was willing to give of his son, setting a standard and a basis for all Muslims from time immemorial: submission to God’s will. This message transcended from one generation to the next, making its way across the barrier of the Seal of Prophets, through his cousin and son in law, and finally, to his grandson, Husayn (a), son of Ali (a).

The epitome of submission and sacrifice manifested itself 61 years after the migration of the Prophet from Makkah, and 680 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. This was no ordinary sacrifice. Neither was it an ordinary submission. It was the height of mans will breaking every barrier against oppression, injustice, tyranny, and above all, the barricading walls of Satan that continues to threaten and make extinct the elevated nature of mans soul.

His mission was to reform, reevaluate, and return what was rightfully the message of his grandfather. It was a resolution that stemmed from a perfect background that made his forefront message a model for all generations. What is important to understand is that his message was not limited to those after him, but that it played a significant role to those before him, as far back as the first man on earth. Ever since, Husayn served and continues to serve as a role model that begs to be emulated only by those seeking God's love and nearness. The reformation highlighted the need to seek awareness within ourselves, to seek solace in His pleasure, as well as break the backbone of every illegitimate ruler.

Husayn (a) exemplified this nature by giving up everything he loved for His love. In return, millions of followers have taken that message and engrained it within their souls, and for whatever reason, it stands as an eternal testimony for time to come; a message that will never die despite the despotic rulers and heads of state that rule with an iron fist, but which is easily melted by the extreme heat and fervor towards Husayn (a), son of Ali (a), of Fatema Zahra (a), and grandson of the final Prophet of God.

He only sought to expose oppression, and not eradicate it. It will only become extinct with the arrival of the promised savior, al Mahdi (a), and his beloved companion, Jesus Christ.

Emirates, once more.

This time, after almost two years, travel to Canada was one of the most beautiful experiences ever, thanks once again to the services of Emirates Airlines.

Yet again I chose Emirates as my preferred carrier since - besides the loyalty towards their skywards program - the airline is by far one of the best out there. All that said, what I was minutely concerned about was the quality of the in flight meal between Nairobi and Dubai. This could be overlooked, but airline meals, with the tarnished history that it has, require to maintain their marked improvement over the years.

The two days I spent in Dubai was so much more convenient because of the new metro train that began services back in September 2009. The metro meant easy access to the major shopping attractions from the Deira City Center to the Burjuman to the Dubai Mall, and beyond. Not only is it convenient, but its a fraction of the price of a taxi cab - much needed relief when your pocket change are now accompanied by the threads of your pants.

The next flight to Toronto took me beyond inspiration. The A380. Bold, beautiful, and with every bragging right out there. From the front, it looks like a monstrous whale, yet sophisticated enough to admire from a distance. The side view makes you wonder - it's an illusion that the aircraft is shorter than it looks simply because of its height that spans the entire plane giving two floors of unspoken admiration.

As you enter the plane, one can only wonder what the future will hold if the present is remarkably so. The seats are by far the most comfortably spaced in comparison, with leg room you cannot complain about. Okay, considering I am not that tall, I may be biased on this one. The in flight system is set on a 10" widescreen with a number of channels that can keep you occupied for a while before you settle down to watch your selection. What I enjoyed the most however, was the aerial view of the camera. Usually, cameras are located on the front of the aircraft or the underside, but a third camera that is mounted on the tail gives you a spectacular view of the airplane as if you were viewing things from the top. Just when you thought you cannot go any higher than the second floor!

The food was really good. Perhaps, thats why I have not complained too much about the previous flight. Since this is a 14 hour journey, meal service is divided into three: a lunch service after departure, followed by a snack, which in turn is followed by another light meal prior to arrival. The crew are, as always, courteous and calm which adds to the value of what you pay, in combination with everything else.

The next portion of my trip took me once again on Air Canada, from YYZ to YUL. Surprisingly however, considering the 'slow economy', every flight I was on was full. From Mombasa to Nairobi, Dubai, Toronto and Montreal - if there was a seat, it was taken, or at least 90% of available occupancy was filled to capacity. What can I say - travelling by air is no longer a luxury but a necessity. What I can vouch for is that the excitement of air travel is still the same even if its a necessity - and that will never fade away.

Just a word of advice: Baggage claim can take an awfully long time especially if your aircraft lands in cities other than Dubai - so allow on average, 1/2 hour more to exit the airport. t took 1hr 20 mins for many of the passengers personal belongings to emerge from the conveyor belt.

Cream Puffs & Crème Patisserie

Perhaps I ought to have photographs on a step-by-step basis. It might help, especially in the dessert section. In any case, I will provide the recipe for the cream puffs & éclairs - photographs of which are now posted on the group.

For the Cream Puffs and/or Éclairs

1 cup water
1 cup flour
6 tbsp butter
3-4 eggs + 2 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 tsp sugar

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Combine the butter, water, sugar and salt in a medium pan and bring to a boil.
2. Then add in all the flour at once, turn down the heat to medium, and continue stirring. The mixture will start looking like a messy glob, but then it will come together and start to pull away from the sizes within 2 minutes or so.
3. When it comes together, continue stirring until you notice VERY LITTLE residue sticking to the bottom of the pot. This tells you much of your water content has now evaporated.
4. Let it cool a little - enough that you can put your finger in without removing it quickly. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition with a wooden spoon. You can use a mixer on low-medium speed. The end result must be a very thick yet pliable batter. When you lift the wooden spoon or mixer from the batter, it must slowly fall to the bowl, creating a 'v shape' as if it is tearing from the spoon or whisk.
5. Put it in a pastry bag and pipe mounds, about 1.5 inches wide and 1" high. The mound will form a small peak on the top - this can be flattened with a slightly damp finger. Place them about 1 inch apart on all sides, on a greaseproof baking sheet. For éclairs, pipe them a little longer
6. Place the tray in the oven, centre position, and close the oven door - increase heat to 425F (or 218C) and bake for about 12-14 minutes until golden brown on the top.
7. Lower temperature to 350F (175C) and bake another 10 minutes. Turn the oven off leaving the door ajar for another 10 minutes. (Total 32-34 minutes)
8. Remove the baked cream puffs and prick them with a knife or wooden skewer. Let cool - then start filling it with the cream!

The Why’s:
1. Egg white usually helps in making the shell crispier, as does water. Some recipes call for milk, but they help in making the shell softer (as does yolks). Cream puffs and éclair shells are made to be crispy, though whatever your preference, knock yourself out!
2. The initial bake at a high temperature ensures most of the moisture leaves. It is lowered in order to ‘cool’ and finally, the piercing is to release any built in steam that might be trapped in the hollow center which would contribute to building moisture within and thus, softening the shell.

Crème Patisserie Filling

1 1/2 cups milk
2 egg yolks + 1 egg
2 tbsp of flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tbsp butter, cut into pieces

Using electric mixer mix eggs, sugar, flour and cornstarch until pale and well incorporated.

Meanwhile, in a large pot bring milk to almost boiling (The milk will foam up to the top of pot when done, so watch carefully). Using silicone spatula, slowly temper 2/3 of the milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Return everything to the pot and over medium heat bring the mixture to boil whisking constantly until the mixture becomes very thick.

Remove from the heat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it cool for 1.5 hours or until the mixture is warm enough to melt butter. Stir in butter until is melted - can be made ahead of time if refrigerated.

Shehnai

With a hint of retreating into colonial times, combined with the decor and splendour of the Indian Subcontinent, the elegant Shehnai Restaurant continues to excel in the culinary cuisine choices that are available in Mombasa. The steep prices (perhaps contributing to the cost of the beautiful upholstery) softly reflects on the menu that could easily be a second dictionary; the variety is endless. In such an environment, one would certainly expect the prices to resemble the surroundings, but I would question the lack of complexity in the flavours that need to match the spiked dough one would ultimately dish out – not to say the food was not good. It was.

Having said that, both the food and service were above the standards you’d generally find in Mombasa. On the day I visited Shehnai, I had the liberty of trying the chef’s special of the day: Malai Chicken. I must admit the chicken was moist and tender, bursting with the richness of exotic spices, all of which went well with the buttered naan. After scrolling through the menu more than once, I also opted for the tandoori prawns, and there was no disappointment there either, while the richness of the vegetable curry added to the meter that met an approval of ‘above expectations’. Disappointingly enough, I ordered the masala fries as an accompaniment, but it was pretty much the same as you’d expect anywhere else, although blatantly over priced without good reason.

If your wallets and purses can take a heavy blow once in a blue moon, and despite some very minor setbacks, Shehnai is a place to visit. And always ask for the chef’s special – you never know what could turn up on your plate! Here are my current ratings:

Service *****
Value ****
Cuisine *****
Price $$$$

Flavours & Marinating

There are a thousand and one ways to marinate meat, chicken or even fish. Every chef, cook or food connoisseur has their own method of mixing spices and creating unique flavours that can only be attributed to the intensity of the marinade used. But that’s not all – the how, when and what that is used is just as crucial to the final outcome of any given dish; whether an appetizer or a main course.

The best part of cooking is to understand the basic flavours, and then exploring the endless possibilities of using the spices at your leisure while knowing the limits of 'how much'. It's good to have recipes but use them only as a guide, not as an end tool. Don't forget; try using olive oil whenever you can, especially with Middle Eastern cooking. It's a healthy and guiltless luxury anyone can enjoy.

When marinating meat or chicken, the three main items that need to be present are: an acid product, oil, and the herbs and spices. The purpose of the acid is to denature the protein strings. Keep in mind, the amount of acid should not overpower the meats but rather used to both enhance the flavour as well as tenderize the meats (more on tenderizing below). The spices are the main flavours that diners will focus on, so make sure they are not overloaded. This is your creative side that will also expose itself through your selection of spices, herbs and other flavours. What the oil does is help maintain the moisture within the marinade and keeps the meats from drying out during the cooking process. Flavoured oil does both.

Did you know that a marinade does not tenderize the meat as such? What I mean is, the entire marinade penetrates to only 1/8th of an inch of the outer layer of the meat, and so large cuts of meat such as whole poultry, roasts, and the likes, will not benefit from ‘becoming tender’ all the way in; which is why a method known as ‘scoring’ is done on some meats and fish. Small cuts of meat about ¼ inch thick (such as steaks and fillets) usually end up with better results. With large cuts, what you want to make sure is how you cook the meat to a point where it does not dry-out on the inside, while still maintain the bursting marinade flavours on the outer surface, and moist and tender within.

Papain is an enzyme that helps in breaking down the tough connective tissues. But all this does mostly is allowing for the breakage of the tissues and in turn the juices tend not to hold well in the meat, becoming drier as you cook. And if you marinate it for too long in the refrigerator or at room temperature, the contact area of the meat becomes mushy. The recommended times are about 2-4 hours room temperature and a maximum of 2 days in the refrigerator. When you use an acid base marinade, always use containers made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel – but never aluminium.

There's much more to it than what I have just mentioned, but if you love cooking, you can push your limits to no end. Next time, I’ll touch on specific flavours and how you can make your own marinade your family or guests will love. Go ahead – experiment a little. Life is full of surprises anyway.

Shaame Bahaar

Nestled amidst the secluded residential neighbourhood in Kizingo, is the courtyard of one place that is most certainly amongst the best in Mombasa. I have been here twice in a month’s span, and have not been disappointed on either of the two visits.

Diners have a choice of sitting inside on one of two levels, or taking in the fresh air under the large canopies on the corner of this commercial building. There are plenty of tables to choose from both inside and out – either way, both offer different ambiances during the course of your meal. Should you choose to sit inside, the decor is quite interesting; coloured tiles skilfully arranged depict a large mural of an animated forest, while the waterfall that once was, is now replaced with decor that complement the tiled art. On the other hand, sitting along the sandy street corner constitutes a peaceful and relaxed mode (but only if you request the music be turned off).

The menu is not daunting – a small card that lists a combination of grilled meats, vegetables, and various accompaniments that do not take all day to select. We ordered mixed tikka grill, chips pilipili, chuzi chicken, and an accompaniment of buttered naan. The mixed grill was a delightful platter of chicken kebab, beef kebab, lamb chops, beef cubes (mishkaki), and boneless chicken tikka. On all of my visits to various barbecue hot spots within the Island and beyond, I was quite impressed with their selection and quality offered.

I particularly enjoy the lamb chops, grilled to perfection with a bursting flavours. The chuzi chicken was an interesting selection; a whole spring chicken accompanied by a tangy spiced sauce. In all, their dishes seem to exact the right amount of spices and flavour that make the experience quite worth it.

While I have not been to this place on a crowded night, the service is quite outstanding on its own merit. Their helpings are quite generous, and along with that, the value for money is simply in line with ones expectations.

The meal ends with a warm bowl of water with a sliver of lemon to wash our hands, rounding it off beautifully with deep fried milk balls (gulab jamun) soaked in sugar syrup and skewered onto toothpicks – unique and impressive as far as the final touch. Though I must admit, the gulab jamun are not very fresh. I would strongly recommend this place if you wish to entertain guests – or maybe yourselves once in a while.

Service ****
Value *****
Cuisine *****
Price $$