Cocoa Break

I had one of the worst debates with my mother recently with regards to Menstruation and Islam. One thing I realized from that argument, it is dangerous to talk about contrary beliefs to a person. Well unfortunately for me, I like to question when I don’t see obvious answers or when I see contradictory behavior. Like when women are not allowed to pray, fast or in other words not allowed to perform their religious duties and not allowed to even touch the Holy Qur’an but still must say grace before they eat or recite “Do’a” before they do anything with at least a simple “Bismillah” (In the name of God).

Anyway, let me begin with what I know about Islam and Menstruation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/samlavi/ / CC BY 2.0

The traditional Islamic interpretation of the Qur’an forbids intercourse, but not physical intimacy, during a woman’s menstrual period. During menstrual period, women are not required to perform prayers and fasting. Some scholars believe that women are not authorized to enter mosque during this period. And, after the period, Ghusl (a spiritual bath) is required to be able to perform prayers, fasting, and to enter the mosque – the same type of bath required of both men and women after sexual intercourse.
Quoted from Wikipedia.

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I can’t help but to blog about the issue on “Halal-ness” of an eatery after what I’ve read.
I am sorry for those who think that I am being a busybody but since the so called private debate was public, I believe I am entitled to my own personal view. As you guys mentioned at the end of the debate,

“To each his own”.

The argument is about how Halal is an eatery and if is wrong, or should I say forbidden, for a Muslim to eat and drink at a place he or she feels “Was-Was” or doubtful about the “Halal-ness” of the eatery.

There were 2 Singaporean Muslim friends that went on a trip to Bangkok, Thailand and ran into a couple of “Was-Was” circumstances when it comes to having their daily meals. Both obviously have different ideas on what is Halal for consumption on their trip.

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Just read one of my best buddy’s post, Arif’s Ticking Clocks, titled Complexities of my religion and couldn’t help it but think myself.

 I couldn’t agree more with him that most orthodox Muslims will say that as long as you are not a Muslim, you will go to hell. Topping on to that, even if you are a Muslim and you don’t practice Islam the way those guys in the Mosques do so, you will still go to hell!

So just what gets you an express ticket to heaven in Islam?

The answer that my parents drilled in my mind since I was young is….Nothing.

There is a funny twist to what I learn in the Madrasah who claims that if people don’t do their formal prayers, their prayers won’t be heard.

I remember this story that my parents used to tell me during the days where I would believe anything an adult would say and I would like to share it with the world. The story took place in the time of our beloved Prophet Mohammed and it goes something like this…

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