Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Common Ingredient Substitutions


Ingredient

Amount

Substitution

Allspice1 teaspoon1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon cloves
Arrowroot starch1 teaspoon1 tablespoon flour, OR 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Baking mix1 cup1 cup pancake mix OR 1 cup Easy Biscuit Mixture
Baking powder1 teaspoon1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk (decrease liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup)
Beer1 cup1 cup nonalcoholic beer OR 1 cup chicken broth
Brandy1/4 cup1 teaspoon imitation brandy extract plus enough water to make 1/4 cup
Bread crumbs1 cup1 cup cracker crumbs OR 1 cup matzo meal OR 1 cup ground oats
Broth: beef or chicken1 cup1 bouillon cube plus 1 cup boiling water OR 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus enough water to make 1 cup OR 1 cup vegetable broth
Brown sugar1 cup, packed1 cup white sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses and decrease the liquid in recipe by 1/4 cup OR 1 cup white sugar OR 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
Butter (salted)1 cup1 cup margarine OR 1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR 7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
Butter (unsalted)1 cup1 cup shortening OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil OR 7/8 cup lard
Buttermilk1 cup1 cup yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup
Cheddar cheese1 cup shredded1 cup shredded Colby cheddarOR 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Chervil1 tablespoon chopped fresh1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Chicken base1 tablespoon1 cup canned or homemade chicken broth or stock. Reduce liquid in recipe by 1 cup
Chocolate(semisweet)1 ounce1 (1-ounce) square of unsweetened chocolate plus 4 teaspoons sugar OR 1 ounce semisweet chocolate chips plus 1 teaspoon shortening
Chocolate (unsweetened)1 ounce3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon shortening or vegetable oil
Cocoa1/4 cup1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
Condensed cream of mushroom soup1 (10.75-ounce) can1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of celery, cream of chicken, OR golden mushroom soup
Corn syrup1 cup1 1/4 cup white sugar plus 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup honey OR 1 cup light treacle syrup
Cottage cheese1 cup1 cup farmer's cheese OR 1 cup ricotta cheese
Cracker crumbs1 cup

1 cup bread crumbs OR 1 cup matzo meal OR 1 cup ground oats

Cream (half and half)1 cup7/8 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon butter
Cream (heavy)1 cup1 cup evaporated milk OR 3/4 cup milk plus 1/3 cup butter
Cream (light)1 cup1 cup evaporated milk OR 3/4 cup milk plus 3 tablespoons butter
Cream (whipped)1 cup1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
Cream cheese1 cup1 cup pureed cottage cheese OR1 cup plain yogurt, strained overnight in a cheesecloth
Cream of tartar1 teaspoon2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar
Cr�me fraiche1 cupCombine 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt. Let stand for 6 hours at room temperature
Egg1 whole (3 tablespoons or 1.7 oz)2 1/2 tablespoons of powdered egg substitute plus 2 1/2 tablespoons water OR 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute OR 1/4 cup silken tofu pureed OR 3 tablespoons mayonnaise OR half a banana mashed with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder OR 1 tablespoon powdered flax seed soaked in 3 tablespoons water
Evaporated milk1 cup1 cup light cream
Farmer's cheese8 ounces8 ounces dry cottage cheese OR8 ounces creamed cottage cheese, drained
Fats for baking1 cup1 cup applesauce OR 1 cup fruit puree
Flour--Bread1 cup1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon wheat gluten (available at health food stores & some supermarkets)
Flour--Cake1 cup1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons
Flour--Self-Rising1 cup7/8 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Garlic1 clove1/8 teaspoon garlic powder OR1/2 teaspoon granulated garlicOR 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt--reduce salt in recipe
Gelatin1 tablespoon, granulated2 teaspoons agar agar
Ginger--dry1 teaspoon2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
Ginger--fresh1 teaspoon, minced1/2 teaspoon ground dried ginger
Green onion1/2 cup , chopped1/2 cup chopped onion, OR 1/2 cup chopped leek OR 1/2 cup chopped shallots
Hazelnuts1 cup whole1 cup macadamia nuts OR 1 cup almonds
Herbs--fresh1 tablespoon chopped fresh1 teaspoon (chopped or whole leaf) dried herbs
Herring8 ounces8 ounces of sardines
Honey1 cup1 1/4 cup white sugar plus 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup corn syrupOR 1 cup light treacle syrup
Hot pepper sauce1 teaspoon3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper plus 1 teaspoon vinegar
Ketchup1 cup1 cup tomato sauce plus 1 teaspoon vinegar plus 1 tablespoon sugar
Lard1 cup1 cup shortening OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil OR 1 cup butter
Lemon grass2 fresh stalks1 tablespoon lemon zest
Lemon juice1 teaspoon1/2 teaspoon vinegar OR 1 teaspoon white wine OR 1 teaspoon lime juice
Lemon zest1 teaspoon1/2 teaspoon lemon extract OR 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lime juice1 teaspoon1 teaspoon vinegar OR 1 teaspoon white wine OR 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Lime zest1 teaspoon1 teaspoon lemon zest
Macadamia nuts1 cup1 cup almonds OR 1 cup hazelnuts
Mace1 teaspoon1 teaspoon nutmeg
Margarine1 cup1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR 1 cup butterOR 7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt OR 7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mayonnaise1 cup1 cup sour cream OR 1 cup plain yogurt
Milk--whole1 cup1 cup soy milk OR 1 cup rice milkOR 1 cup water or juice OR 1/4 cup dry milk powder plus 1 cup water OR 2/3 cup evaporated milk plus 1/3 cup water
Mint--fresh1/4 cup chopped1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
Molasses1 cupMix 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Mustard--prepared1 tablespoonMix together 1 tablespoon dried mustard, 1 teaspoon water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar
Onion1 cup, chopped1 cup chopped green onions OR1 cup chopped shallots OR 1 cup chopped leeks OR 1/4 cup dried minced onion OR 1/4 cup onion powder
Orange juice1 tablespoon1 tablespoon other citrus juice
Orange zest1 tablespoon1/2 teaspoon orange extract OR1 teaspoon lemon juice
Parmesan cheese1/2 cup, grated1/2 cup grated Asiago cheeseOR 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
Parsley1 tablespoon chopped fresh1 tablespoon chopped fresh chervil OR 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Pepperoni1 ounce1 ounce salami
Raisin1 cup1 cup dried currants OR 1 cup dried cranberries OR 1 cup chopped pitted prunes
Rice--white1 cup, cooked1 cup cooked barley OR 1 cup cooked bulgur OR 1 cup cooked brown or wild rice
Ricotta1 cup1 cup dry cottage cheese OR 1 cup silken tofu
Rum1 tablespoon1/2 teaspoon rum extract, plus enough water to make 1 tablespoon
Saffron1/4 teaspoon1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Salami1 ounce1 ounce pepperoni
Semisweet chocolate chips1 cup1 cup chocolate candies OR 1 cup peanut butter or other flavored chips OR 1 cup chopped nuts OR 1 cup chopped dried fruit
Shallots, chopped1/2 cup1/2 cup chopped onion, OR 1/2 cup chopped leek OR 1/2 cup chopped green onion
Shortening1 cup1 cup butter OR 1 cup margarine minus 1/2 teaspoon salt from recipe
Sour cream1 cup1 cup plain yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough cream to make 1 cup OR 3/4 cup buttermilk mixed with 1/3 cup butter
Sour milk1 cup1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice mixed with enough milk to make 1 cup: Let stand 5 minutes to thicken
Soy sauce1/2 cup4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Stock--beef or chicken1 cup1 cube beef or chicken bouillon dissolved in 1 cup water
Sweetened condensed milk1 (14-ounce) can3/4 cup white sugar mixed with 1/2 cup water and 1 1/8 cups dry powdered milk: Bring to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes
Vegetable oil--for baking1 cup1 cup applesauce OR 1 cup fruit puree
Vegetable oil--for frying1 cup1 cup lard OR 1 cup vegetable shortening
Vinegar1 teaspoon1 teaspoon lemon or lime juiceOR 2 teaspoons white wine
White sugar1 cup1 cup brown sugar OR 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar OR 3/4 cup honey OR 3/4 cup corn syrup
Wine1 cup1 cup chicken or beef broth OR 1 cup fruit juice mixed with 2 teaspoons vinegar OR 1 cup water
Yeast-active dry1 (.25-ounce) package1 cake compressed yeast OR 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeastOR 2 1/2 teaspoonsrapid rise yeast
Yogurt1 cup1 cup sour cream OR 1 cup buttermilk OR 1 cup sour milk

Saturday, 24 April 2010

Oh sister covered in hijab by sh. Badr Ali Utaybee hafidahullaah



Oh sister covered in hijab by sh. Badr Ali Utaybee hafidahullaah

This is a poem by shaykh Badr Bin Ali Utaybee hafidahullaah, taken from "20 pieces of advice to my sister before her marriage"

"Oh sister veiled in hijaab slacken your pace.
Walk upon the heats of the jealous
ones and cause them to tremble!

Move with nobility and pride whenever the eyes of the envious
are barred from glancing at your skin.

You are beauty in its goodness and perfection.
You are chastity in all its glory.

Don't be decieved! Indeed veiling your face is from the sunnah
of that chosen Hashami Mesenger (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam)

Being veiled from sight is for you
a sign of dignity;
be delighted and with it, spoil yourself.

Your veil is a protective armor from every dreadful assailing wolf.

This is our legislation, truly and justly
Just as it is our nature.

It has been established in verses of the Qur'an and
authentic hadiths, related by trustworthy narrators.

When you recite the book of your Lord then understand
that in (surah) an-Nur are ayaat concerning al-Hijaab.

So ponder His order to throw the khimar, that covers your head,
over your face and to let it drape over your sides from and back.

And understand the word (throw) to indicate the importance
of being keen to cover your face and body
and this is clear truth.

And you have been prohibited from throwing your legs about,
So let not the sounds of anklets entice the ears.

And also in (surah) al-Ahzaab are verses 53 and on,
In them is my Lord's command to veil.

When
they came asking the prophet's wives or if you, Oh
sister are asked.

Because these verses even though they are for the prophets wives,
they are to be applied generally, due to what follows.

Because veiling is for the purification of the hearts which
so quickly fades the eyes when lined with kuhl.

And look to the conclusion of Al-Ameen and his understanding of the verse in
Adwaa'ul bayaan (1) and it is replete with benefits and also in this verse is an order
for you to bring your garment over you fully as to hide yourself and make yourself unrecognizable.

This book of Allaah Affirming that unveiling is
a foundation of evil that being (men) to trail.

And the best of creation says about you "she is auwra"(2)
referring to women so think!

And on the authority of ibn Mas'ood as related by at-Tirmidhee
and declared hasan saheeh with each narrator just and precise
from first to
last.

And likewise al Bazzaar and ibn Khuzaymah and ibn al Adiyy
and Ali ad-Daraqutni (3)

Oh sister do not throw off the veil.
It is nobility for you and increase you in splendor,

As for those who encourage unveiling,
they only intend for you shame and belittlement.

And that you become like a mannequin in the hands,
a plaything, sold off for a petty price.

They seek that your picture is displayed in magazines
after you were once like a jewel, protected and safeguarded.

They want you to dance to music with them,
abandon your religion, and act like someone else.

And that the scum of mankind exchange,
between them and themselves, authority over you.

And use not acting as an excuse
Barking jackals, howling wolves,
there is no trust to be had in them.

Be warned from becoming the hunted, stalked down and eaten.

The "muck" of the art is belittling and
embarressing,
be warned of falling, Oh sister into mud.

Don't be amazed by the laughing of the mistresses of singning
and don't be bedazzled by the sinful stars of cinema.

This cannot decieve your type!
By Allaah, their chests constrict due to their sins,
filled with anguish and regret.

They, with their worries and woes, live their lives in a sick state,
Only Allaah's religion holds the cure.

Their chests are burnt by an open flame
that has set a blaze in its hollow.

With every day it burns stronger, more hot.

This is their intent; it decieves us not.

So do you, Oh sister, see as we see?

Do you understand whats being presented to thee?

Is dignity, that the Muslim women relinquishes her hijaab?

Or that she fills with shame and disgrace?

Or is it decency if she is naked, uncovering her face,
wearing tight clothes and pants instead a modest
overgarment?

Is chastity to sing the song of adulterers and fornicators,
when overtaken by passion la la lee?

Is fortitude to agree to burn along with those
that will roast in hell?

Or is it sound politics to appoint to office over the masses,
one pampered raised in petty amusement(4).

Those who make one from your gender in charge over their affairs will never attain success,
As authentically reported in the prophetic narration (5)

And it is just that she is given exactly as her husband in inheritance
and in rights of marriage and divorce ? (6)

Naturally she is not the same as a man

And in Islamic legislation she is below him
and is rightfully under his guardianship.

Oh our sisters, By Allaah this is her condition,
If you asked them: A modern woman

So do yourself well and stick to the shari'ah,
which if you hold firm to it,
your will not be misguided and will not
go astray.

It is your fortress, your honour.

It is your covering,
your light in the darkeness of the nights

Your are exalted in sticking to the injunctions of your faith,
like a star by which the sky is fully of beauty.

May Allaah protect you and All who say
"Be rewarded with good Oh Bad bin Al-Ali

footnotes:

1)
I intend here the shaikh of our scholars, Al- Allaamah Muhammad Al
Ameen ash-Shanqetee, in his book Adwaa Al-bayaan (6/548). He mentioned
that the strongest opinion is that this verse is general to all women.
2)
Translator note: The auwra (private part) for the woman varies
depending on who she is in front of. However, while in front of foreign
men, who are not her husband, father ,grandfather, brother, son , uncle
or nephew, she has to cover every part of her body according to the
opinion of many of the people knowledge.

3) Narrated by
at-Tirmidhee (4/337), Ibn khuzaymah in his saheeh (3/93-94), Al Bazzaar
in his Musnad (5/427), ibn Adiyy in al Kaamil (3/424),ad- Daraqutni in
al-I'lal (5/314), At-Tirmidhee declared it to be hasan saheed Gareeb
and al Hafidh A'li bin Umar ad-Daraqutni graded it to be authentic.

4)
Allaah, th Most High said about the female gender "(Like they then for
Allaah) a creature who is brough up in adornments (wearing silk and
gold ornaments, i.e. women), and who in dispute cannot make herself
clear?"(surah az-Zukhruf:18) According to the scholars of tafsir, this
verse refers to the weakness of the woman and her deficiency in
expressing herself.

5) Collected by Al-Bukhari , based on this
how can woman be given positions of great importance in a nation, such
as the ruler of the country or military general?

6) A woman is
not equal to man in inheritance or when dealing with marriage and
divorce. All of this is not because of the deficiency in her, but it is
from the completeness of a man's authority and guardianship over her;
he is her wali and he is responsible for her affairs. That is because
in the Islamic legislation, females are not equal to males.

sunnah prayers


QUESTION

What is your advice to someone who has stopped praying the Sunnah prayers in the daytime and does not pray anything at night?

ANSWER by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

There is nothing more outstanding as advice than the hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), when he said:

"The very first thing a servant will be asked about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is found to be deficient, then it will be said, 'Doesn't he have any optional prayers?' If it is found that he has optional prayers, then they will fill the void, and thus his prayers will be accepted, and the rest of his deeds will also be accepted." [1]

And the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was asked about a dream that Ibn Umar had, so he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"What a good man 'Abdullaah ibn Umar is, so long as he prays at night." [2]

So then consistently praying the optional prayers, the most important of them being the Witr prayer and the (12) Sunnahs throughout the day and night, is from the most important of all affairs to the Muslim. This is because you, O Muslim, by way of them, compensate for the lapses found in your obligatory prayers.

And the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) clarified in a hadeeth that a man may pray but he may only be credited with half of it, another may pray but only be credited with one third of it, and another may pray but only be credited with one fourth of it... [3]

The meaning is that it often occurs that the people have shortcomings in their prayers, while it is obligatory to offer them, completing them perfectly. So have you actually offered all of your prayers completely and perfectly according to the Sharee'ah?

So then you must take care to consistently offer optional prayers, you must take care to consistently offer the Witr prayer, you must take care to offer the other optional prayers consistently. It has been related that Imaam Ahmad said about the one who does not consistently pray the Witr prayer, "He is an evil man, his witness is not to be accepted."

So how could a Muslim who has no work keeping him from his worship become lazy and then abandon these (optional) prayers. No doubt, he has caused himself to lose a great amount of good, and to miss an opportunity to obtain tremendous virtues, while being free to do them and try to keep consistency in offering them.

I ask Allaah to excuse us and him, and to be gracious.

There is a hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam):

"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (rak'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." [4]

When you do not pray this prayer, four rak'ahs before the 'Asr prayer, you have prevented your own self from being included in those whom the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) supplicated for, those who pray this prayer.

The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Whoever consistanly prays twelve rak'ahs throughout the day and night, a palace will be built for him in Paradise." [5]

When you abandon the rawaatib prayers, and you do not pray these twelve rak'ahs, you have deprived your own self from this virtue.

Most of the optional prayers have great virtues attached to them, described by the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). So then, O Muslim, how can you lose out, how can you not be concerned about it?

And Allaah knows best.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Collected by At-Tirmithee, Aboo Daawood, An-Nasaa'ee, and others, see Saheeh Al-Jaami'is-Sagheer wa Ziyaadah #2020.

[2] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #1122 (3/10 of Fat-hul-Baaree)

[3] see Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #796

[4] Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #1270

[5] Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood #1250

SOURCE

This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a cassette recording with the knowledge and permission of the shaykh, file no. AAMB015, dated 1423/6/25.

Monday, 19 April 2010

some factors that cause backbiting and their cures

some factors that cause backbiting and their cures


Some factors that cause backbiting and their cures

1. Subsiding anger.
This is done by backbiting the person who kindles his anger -so everytime this person makes him angry, he subsides it by backbiting the person. Through this (the backbiting), he feels he is getting even with the other person. The cure for this is the advice of the Messenger (peace be upon him) "Whoever suppresses his anger while in a position to enforce it, Allah will call him at the head of the creation until he chooses for him from the hoor'een (special women of Jannah that are promised to the believer), for him to marry from them as he pleases. [Ahmad and At-Tabaraanee]

2. Wanting to keep Mends.
In order to maintain friends with others, a person indulges in backbiting because he is afraid of losing their friendship. Thus he does not reprimand them when they backbite, but indulge in it with them. To cure this he must remember the saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him) "Whoever solicit the pleasure of men by displeasing Allah, Allah will consign him to mankind. [At-Tirmidhi]

3. Wanting to raise one's status with other people.
This is done by debasing others, by saying things like such and such a person, is ignorant or his understanding is weak, thus indirectly implying that he is more knowledgeable than the one he debases. In order to cure this sickness, the perpetrator must be reminded that Allah is the final judge and this person that he is claiming is ignorant, might be better than him with Allah. Furthermore, that person may be excused because of his lack of understanding.

4. Playing around and making fun of others.
This could involve mockery and sarcasm. It is enough to remind those indulging in this practice of what Allah, the Most High said:
"O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter is better than the former..." [Al-Hujuraat 49:11]
At other times, it could involve lies, as mention is made of some people in a way to make others laugh. It is enough to answer with the statement of the Messenger (peace be upon him): "Woe to the one who speaks and lies to make people laugh, woe to him, woe to him" [Ahamad, Abu Dawood & others]

5. Envy.
Through envy, a person is backbited because of his noble position and high standing, in order to debase and reduce his worth in people's eyes. The envier should reflect upon the statement of the Messenger (peace be upon him): "Faith and envy cannot exist together in the heart of the slave". [Ahmad 8: 436]

6. Fear of Blame.
Something is attributed to a person who wants to free himself from it, by blaming another person totally, although they both had shared in the act. He does this so that he can free himself from being blamed. The correct thing to do is to acquit himself honestly, and not try to throw the blame upon anyone else.

7. Having too much spare time.
This can cause a person to fall into backbiting, because it is easy for such an idle mind to become busy with men, their honor and their faults. To correct this a person must spend his time in acts of obedience to Allah, worship, seeking knowledge, and teaching others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Two blessings are misused by people, good health and spare time to do good." [Bukhari]

8. Trying to get close to a person in authority to acquire material gains.
In order to get close to those in authority and to gain their favors, someone may backbite his workmates with his boss. To cure this, he must realize the true value of this world with Allah, the Glorious, and that He is the Provider, and that He would allow him to get only what he deserves. And no boss can give him anything if Allah, the Sublime does not will such for him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"...know that if the nation (all mankind) were to gather together to benefit you with something, it would only benefit you with something that Allah had already prescribed for you..." [At-Tirmidhi]