Sweet Chilli Bean Salad

Great as a side for braais or as a main on a hot day.

Drain – 2 tins chickpeas and 1 tin of mixed beans.

Boil and cube 1 potato.

Dice – 1 green pepper, ½ a cucumber, 1 onion, 2 carrots and 1 pineapple.

Chop ½ cup of spring onion.

Combine the above in a big salad bowl.

Whisk together – 8 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 ½ Tbsp Maggi chilli sauce, 4 Tbsp mayonnaise, 8 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 tsp mustard sauce and 4 Tbsp brown sugar.

Toss the salad with the dressing. Top with additional chopped spring onion and toasted nuts and sesame seeds.

Autumn Guidelines

In the previous article, our discussion on seasonal effects upon the body centred on summer, and mention was made of the manner in which heat initially increases during summer until it reaches its peak, remaining at a peak for a while, and thereafter gradually decreasing, making way for the next season – autumn.

As we look around to see the effect of this season on the plant life around us, we notice most of the leaves turning brown after which they finally dry up and fall off. A similar effect is noticed on the plant itself. This is a direct result of this season's cooling effect and an indirect result of the moisture-sapping, extreme heat of summer. Similarly, this season has numerous effects upon the body.

Read more: Autumn Guidelines

Focus on the Favours

There was once a master who asked his servant to bring him a melon. When the melon was brought and sliced before the master, he picked a slice and gave it to the servant who ate it with relish. The master, on seeing the enjoyment with which the servant was eating the slice, thought to himself, “The melon must be extremely sweet!” However, the moment he placed a slice in his mouth, he was forced to spit it out as it was extremely bitter! The master, wiping his mouth, turned to the servant and asked him, “How could you show so much of enjoyment over something so bitter?” The servant replied, “Master! You fed me the sweetest of dishes on countless occasions! How could I express dissatisfaction on this one, single occasion?”

If every couple can make this their mindset, then even when faced with the bitterest of experiences, the sweet memories of all their spouse’s virtues and favours, on all the other occasions, will assist them to overlook and forgive each other.

Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins

A quick treat for any time of the week.

Combine:

2 ¼ cups flour

¾ cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon

Whisk together:

1 cup milk

½ cup melted butter

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 large eggs

Dissolve 2 Tbsp instant coffee in 2 Tbsp hot water. Mix all the ingredients together till smooth.

Fold in ½ to 1 cup of chopped white chocolate or any chocolate of your choice. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full. Bake on 180 degrees for 15 minutes.

Rules of a Muslim Home (#14) – Leaving the Home

A woman should strive to remain at home and not emerge unless there is a valid need to do so (e.g. to visit her parents or relatives, or to visit the sick, or to console the bereaved, etc.).

When leaving home, one should recite the following du‘aa:

بِسْمِ اللهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى الله لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِالله​

In the name of Allah Ta‘ala. I place my reliance upon Allah Ta‘ala. There is no power (to do good) nor any ability (to refrain from evil) except with Allah Ta‘ala.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said that when a person leaves his home and recites the above du‘aa, the Angels say to him, “You have been guided, your needs have been taken care of and you have been protected.” On account of reciting this du‘aa, Shaitaan then moves away from this person. (Sunan Abi Dawood #5095)

Read more: Rules of a Muslim Home (#14) – Leaving the Home