Letter to Erin 20160205

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello Dearest!  Hi Darling!  Is it business as usual today?  It's almost Super Bowl time, and I'm sure you are deeply entrenched in acts of commerce.  You work hard, so you deserve success.  Don't forget that as my wife, you are automatically a professional endorser of food products.  Yes, you as well.  This business affects all business, because everybody must eat.  So don't just limit yourself to caviar and crackers.  Try all sorts of food out that appeals to you, as long as it's lawful and good.  Lawful meaning halal.

What is halal is not limited to just food.  Income and sex must also be halal.  For instance, I came across a link (which started for me at Yahoo news) that some people were using verse 4:3 of the Qur'an to legalize gang rape and sex slaves.  The entire verse reads (and I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected):

If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice: two, or three, or four.  But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly then only one, or that your right hands possess.  That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.  (The Women 4:3)

What "the right hands possess" generally means captives or slaves.  Justice aside, since these women are captives, some people consider it lawful to have sex with them.  If you were to read the entire verse, one must marry these slaves or captives in order to be just.  "Marry" meaning giving her a place to live, protect her and provide for her.  Rape clearly being an act of oppression, and uncontrolled lust clearly being the path of the devil, brings to scrutiny the legality of the capture AND the legality of the war.  She is what the LEFT hand possesses: an income of oppression.

Some people with thick beards, wearing sheets and turbans, claiming to be "ulama" (learned), create "fatwa" (edicts) that legalize acts that are clearly oppressive.  But you know as well as I that having a pretty face and wearing pretty clothes and a pretty hat doesn't mean that a girl has a good heart.  So these "ulama" look the part.  I refuse to believe in them, and I am not a follower of them.  I am a follower of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).  And if you are still confused as to who the hypocrites are, then know that prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) never oppressed his captives: he released them.  And Allah is the Most Merciful.

Getting back to food, it's time for more pizza.  So I made a batch of dough this morning, and marinara sauce.  My favorite pizza is sausage and basil, and that can be the only type of pizza I eat.  I don't desire variety in my pizza.  My Mom wants a chicken and pineapple pizza.  That will be tomorrow or Saturday, Mom.  It depends on whether the dough is ready or not.  A caviar pizza?  I don't know about that.  Dinner was chicken wings again.  My stomach has become more sensitive since it got attacked by a sour pineapple, so I had to dilute my home made hot sauce with ketchup.  The next batch of hot sauce I make will have to be mild sauce.  Would you like to share my food with me?  You are welcome, because I love you and I need you.

So many goodies in today's letter, huh?  Let's end with a cartoon.