The Furnace of Love​

Iron is a substance renowned for its strength and resilience. Hence, iron, in its various alloys (a form where it is mixed with another metal) is used extensively in the building industry, especially to support concrete slabs, reinforce foundations, etc. However, have we ever wondered how iron is shaped? After all, we find it available in a multitude of sizes and shapes!

The answer is that for iron to be shaped, it must be heated in a furnace. Once the iron is red-hot, it softens to some extent, becoming malleable (easily shaped without breaking) and accommodating. It is then easy for the blacksmith to mould the metal into the shape he desires. 

In a similar manner, some husband’s have temperaments of ‘iron’. They are ‘hard’ men, unyielding and firm. This certainly has some positives, as such people rarely, if ever, compromise on their standards and values. Furthermore, such people tend to be steadfast, committed, principled and punctual. However, just as everything in life has cons, there are some cons to this as well.

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A Method of Determining Temperament​

A simple method through which one may determine the temperament of a food is through the taste of the food. There are four basic tastes and each has its own temperament. They are:

Salty: These foods are generally hot and dry.

Sweet: These foods have some heat but are predominantly moist.

Sour: These foods are cold and dry.

Pungent (spicy): These foods are generally hot and dry.

Another simple method that we can use is the following:

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Ginger Buttons

A classic biscuit with a bit of zing

Ingredients:

113g melted butter

¼ cup icing sugar

¾ tsp vanilla essence

1 cup flour

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp ginger powder

1/3 cup finely chopped pecan nuts

1/6 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

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Emulating the Elders​

“A Muslimah’s Guide to Living a Blissful Life” by Sayyidah Khairun Nisaa (rahimahallah) #6

My dear daughters! Carefully observe your elders and learn intelligence from them. Strive to become like them and imbibe modesty, bashfulness, intelligence and wisdom. By doing this, you will attain success and prosperity in this world and the next. Furthermore, you will lead a life of respect, happiness and dignity.

Until good and bad examples are not placed before you and a comparison is made between them, you will not gain a true understanding. Similarly, until you are not given a complete description of how things were in the past, and the manner in which people of the past lived, interacted and socialized, and how they educated and raised their children, and until the mannerisms and ways of the young girls of those times is not clearly outlined before you, you will never understand and will not be able to instil those qualities within yourself that are in actual fact the essence of being a civilized human being. Likewise, you will be unable to correct your weaknesses (and improve your character). 

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Coconut and Granadilla Cake

A Refreshing Cake Perfect for Summer

Ingredients:

5 eggs

¾ cup castor sugar

1 tsp lime/lemon zest

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

125g melted butter

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