In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
There is no other god beside GOD

Ramadan, Appreciativeness and Food

Ramadan is a great time to grow our souls by prayer and appreciation. Waiting all day to break our Ramadan fast gives us plenty of opportunities to think of God and be appreciative. Each time we are hungry, we can thank God for giving us the ability to fast, for providing us food that we will eat when we break our fast God willing, and for all the bounties and blessings God has given us. Not only does fasting build our self-discipline and patience, it also makes the breaking of the Ramadan fast so much more enjoyable. Most people recount that their sense of taste is heightened after the day of fasting, and food has never tasted so good!

In all of this we should remember to thank God for providing us the food, as also the ability to see, smell, taste and eat it. Also, let us not forget that God enjoins us to eat and drink in moderation. Always remember to take God's name before eating any food, whether in Ramadan or the rest of the year.

[7:31] O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons.

[16:114] ... you shall eat from GOD's provisions everything that is lawful and good, and be appreciative of GOD's blessings, if you do worship Him alone.

[6:118] You shall eat from that upon which GOD's name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His revelations.

Links to Ramadan Recipes

Allrecipes: Ramadan Arabic-Islamic cuisine Cardoc's Islamic dishes with vegetables Holiday Recipes: Ramadan Iranian / Persian Recipes Jewish & Middle Eastern Recipes Middle Eastern Recipes Ramadan Recipes: Fig & Lemon chicken, beef meatballs, Koushari, Samak bi Taheeni, Domates Dolmasi RecipeZaar: Ramadan Sister Clara Muhammad's Ramadan Cookery Vegetarian & Vegan Ramadan recipes (Amanda's Kitchen)

Editor's Note: strictly speaking, the religion of Submission (Islam) does not have a particular "style of cooking". Cuisines are essentially a cultural artifact, not a religious one. According to the Quran—all food is lawful as long as it is not prohibited. The list of prohibited foods are detailed in Quran 2:173, 6:145, 16:115 and other similar verses:

[2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[6:145] Say, "I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except: (1) carrion, (2) running blood, (3) the meat* of pigs, for it is contaminated, and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD." If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

*6:145-146 Only four kinds of animal products are prohibited: animals that die of themselves, running blood (not trapped within the meat), the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than their Creator. Verse 146 informs us that such prohibitions are very specific; God prohibits either ``the meat'' or ``the fat,'' or both, if He so wills.