BUKHOOR, BAKHOOR OR OUD SCENTS

THE TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE BAKHOOR AT HOME:

I had seen my mom~in law making very aromatic oud at home 

and am sharing her way of making Oud/Bukhoor

All ingredients:

Take  Sahal powder (SANDALWOOD POWDER OR CHUNKS) (by two cups)

Add 3/4 parts of the sugar powder

Add 3/4 parts of MISK powder 

Mix sahal misk and sugar powder well together on low heat till sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add these remaining ingredients while still warm.  Your home will have and aroma to last few days when you add the scents now:   

Add AMBER three spoons each spoon mix all well together

Add attar/perfume 6 spoons (Attars should be good quality)

Add pure rose oil

Once all done, store in glass jar at room temperature for about 3 days.

After that you can put them in box or cover with aluminum foil and place in cool place. . Now you can burn it on the coal or electric mabkhora (oud burner).

They can be used after some time when all ingredients are filled each other and get a little dry.

I had to share this lovely blog as love bukhoor/oud by Khaleej.

"HOW TO", TRADITION & HISTORY OF THE USE PERFUME AND BAKHOOR IN AL-KHALEEJ/العطور والبخور في الخليج

Khaleejia said: Today we will enter local house to witness & share the secret of making bukhoor at home, but in the beginning, let’s remember the history of perfume and bukhoor in the Khaleej Arabic way.

History and types of the Bakhoor* (Incense) If the pearl diving was one of the most important aspects of life in the old time, and disappeared with the passage of days due to the development of the society, there is still some semblance of life at the time, yet exist in some homes, and there are still some families who are keen to hold on to them, such as Bakhoor* incense. The incense is still used so popular today in some homes its used daily and other burn incense only on special occasions. The interest in incense and the way to use it goes to the Muslims doctrine, it is saying that when Prophet Mohammad SAW, while entering the city, he was greeted with aromas of burning ladan &incense as an expression of joy & happiness by welcome.   Therefore, the use of the incense associated in people's minds with the remembrance of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

AL-OUD Usually Oud was imported from India, men were keen to apply perfume in the holidays and before going out to pray and while gatherings. Women used the kind of incense named Al-dkhoun. Most women were knowledgeable in the way of making All-Dkhoun and know well components and proportions of each one.  The home made paste composed of misk, amber, absorbent and after kneading it was formed in the shapes of tablets or balls. which were placed in a wicker  bags attached to dresses and the remain odor stayed for always, even after washing .But this did not prevent  women from burning incense at home every evening as well. Al-Bakhoor Bakhoor and smoke are considered as basic and necessary things in the Arabic houses. There are many kinds of them like Al-Hassat, Al Amber, Al-Misk and Al-Haboob. Dakhoon al Oud -  made by adding to powder of the oud tree misk , rose oil, mix of oil perfume, amber. Then all getting kneaded and small ball are shaped. They can be used after some time when all ingredients are filled each other and get a little dry. Then it is put on the coal to welcome the guest or for other occasions or reasons: Bakhoor for ill people. One of the most common habits to use bakhoor as cure for ill people and also against demons, envy and jealousy. It is known that rooms where medicine are used have specific smell, and than more ill people lay in the bed, than more it effects the smell of the room. So bakhoor is the best way to change this smell. Bakhoor for Weddings It is a must on the weddings. Not earlier than one hour before the wedding starts a bakhoor carrier starts going around the halls and guests smoking the atmosphere with bakhoor and splitting perfume.

#Gol Paani /Jaggery Drink

#Bohra’s Gol Paani (Jaggery Water Drink)

While sharing meals at Iftar table or thaal, one beverage that quintessentially hit many Bohra households are the glasses of Gol Paani; stirred, poured and passed from one person to the other. Gol Paani literally means a refreshing drink made of jaggery and water with sabja seeds (basil seeds) quivered in to provide cooling sensation to the stomach after a day-long fast. Surprisingly, unlike many Bohra dishes, I haven’t grown up consuming Gol Paani until before my marriage though I have come across many people in the mosque carrying it in their tupperwares and would occasionally have a sip or two.

It is a tradition in my house – the one we have been following for last many years.  

As Ramadan approach, I stock on jaggery, sabja seeds and lime and mint. We drink it every day so it really helps in making a quantity more than we need for a day that can be stocked well in the refrigerator for a couple days more. 

Since it isn’t made in many households other than that of few Bohras and even Arabs, mainly coming from the Western region of India constituting Bombay, Gujarat and Rajasthan & Africa, I suggest you give this recipe a try. Gol Paani is a super revitalising drink on hot sunny days, whether fasting or not.

It is preservative and cholesterol free and is absolutely healthy because of it’s ingredients. Jaggery is known to cool down body temperatures and provides instant energy, the one we certainly need during Ramadan after abstaining from food for more than 12 hours a day; water keeps the body hydrated and takmaria/sabja seeds popularly used in Indian Faloodas, is excellent for digestion in hot climate. Though it may sound like a medicinal drink, this elementary beverage is a great party pleaser the guests are bound to fall in love with and sure will be gone in few seconds.

With so many evolutions and fads going around with what is best suited for the bodies with people jumping up and down with something new each day- detox, kale and likes; a simple homemade drink with natural ingredients is what we really need. Like how they did in olden days. With no trends to follow. And to live simple.

Gol Paani

• Servings: 8 medium glasses
• Difficulty: Easy  
•                        
• 
  
• Ingredient:

• Jaggery – 1/2 cup (small cubes or grated).  If your ghor is not very sweet adjust to your taste 
• Water –  1 litre 
• Takmaria / Sabja seeds – 2 tbsp
• Lime juice – 2-4 tbsp (optional)
• Saunf powder
• Rock salt pinch
• Mint leaves – a few, for garnishing as it gives soothing freshness nd is cool for stomach.

Method –

In a large steel pot, place grated jaggery and just melt with water over heat little. Let sit till jaggery melts. Then pls sieve the water without stiring as u will find sand or any unfamiliar grits at bottom.

Now is the part which makes the Gol Paani cool ~ put into container with lid & shake shake shake... very much (our parents used to mix from one jug to other 40×) (I am making this in liquidizer so everythi g gets mixed properly and NO shaking:) Add more water as needed to adjust the sweetness.

Just before making the juice, soak takmaria seeds (optional) in 1/4 cup water and let it rise – will look sticky when done. Add mint, lime juice (optional), Rock salt little, Saunf powder and takmaria seeds in jaggery water. Give a good stir and do a taste test.

Serve cold.

Instagram  

• TGoogle

Surah Al Kahf

✦═✦SECRETS OF SURAH AL-KAHF✦═✦

Ever wondered why Prophet Muhammad(SAW) asked us to recite Surat Al-Kahf every Friday?
Let’s find out today inshaAllah…

This Surah has Four stories in it,having some morals,lets see them and understand what they are saying to us:

1) The People Of The Cave
Its the story of young men who lived in a disbelieving town, so they decided to migrate for the sake of Allah and run away. -Allah rewards them with mercy in the cave and protection from the sun - They woke up and found the entire village believers.
MORAL:TRIAL OF FAITH.

2) The Owner Of Two Gardens
A story of a man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allah regarding the afterlife.So His garden was destroyed - He regretted ,but was too late and his regret did not benefit him .
MORAL:TRIAL OF WEALTH.

3) Musa(AS) and Khidr(AS)
When Musa(AS) was asked-“Who’s the most knowledgeable of the people of earth?””
Musa(AS) said: Me…,but Allah revealed to him that there’s someone who Knows more than him.
Musa(AS) traveled to the man and learnt how the Divine Wisdom can sometimes be hidden in matters which we perceive as bad.
MORAL:TRIAL OF KNOWLEDGE.

4) Dhul-Qarnayn
Its a story of the great King that was given knowledge and power and was going around the world,helping people and spreading all that’s good.He was able to overcome the problem of
Yajooj-Majooj and build a massive dam with the help of people whom he could not even
understand.
MORAL:TRIAL OF POWER.

In the middle Allah mentions Iblees as the one who stirs these trials:
Behold! We said to the angels “Bow down to Adam”: they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers!

Now let us see what’s the relationship between Surat Al-Kahf and the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)?

Dajjal will appear before Day of Judgement with the 4 trials:


***He’ll ask people to worship him and not Allah:
Trial of Faith .


***He’ll be given powers to start/stop rain and tempt people with his wealth:
Trial of with his wealth. .


***He’ll trial people with the “knowledge” and news he gives them:
Trial of Knowledge .


He’ll control huge parts of the Earth.
Trial of Power .

How to survive these trials? The answers are in Surat Al-Kahf
Survival Kit 1: Good companionship.
“And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; no obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds.” (Surat Al-Kahf, verse 28)

Survival Kit 2: Knowing the Truth of this World .
“Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth’s vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is (only) Allah who prevails over all things” (Surat Al-Kahf, verse 45)

 Survival Kit 3: Humbleness.
“Moses said: “Thou wilt find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient: nor shall I disobey thee in aught.””(Surat Al-Kahf, verse 69)
 Survival Kit 4: Sincerity.
“Say: “I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your Allah is one Allah. whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.” (Surat Al- Kahf, verse 110)
Survival Kit 5: Calling to Allah.

“And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him.” (Surat Al-Kahf, verse 27)
 Survival Kit 6: Remembering the HereAfter .
“ One Day We shall remove the mountains, and thou wilt see the earth as a level stretch, and We shall gather them, all together, nor shall We leave out any one of them. And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks, (with the announcement), “Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!”: And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, “Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this!
It leaves out nothing small or great,but takes account thereof !” They will find all that they did,
placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice.”

#Nabeez ~ Ramadhan drinks

One of the common complaints in Ramadan is that of acidity.In most parts of the world the fasts are going to be ranging from 15-18 hours (even more).To combat this I recommend drinking Nabeez. I have been making it since last Ramadan.  I'm reposting so that others who suffer from acidity too may benefit. The write up below gives details and the history about Nabeez.

Nabeez' [Nabidh] was one of the drinks consumed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In his time, it was typically made with dates or raisins and water.

It is an alkalizing tonic, having the tendency to remove acidity from the stomach and digestive system and it also helps to remove other metabolic wastes from the body. It improves digestion as it's high in soluble fibre and it strengthens the memory. It assists the spleen function, liver, throat, chest and prostate, and so is particularly good for men. Nabeez will also benefit patients of Arthritis and elevated levels of Uric Acid (gout).

Making Nabeez is just as simple as soaking the dates (or raisins/sultanas) overnight and drinking the water in which they were soaked in the morning.

The idea behind soaking dates or raisins in water is so that they sweeten the water and become softened. Softened dates/raisins release their vitamins and minerals more easily and are easier to digest.

'Ajwa' ( a variety of date )are the best variety to use if making Nabeez with stoneless dates and 'Manaqqa' is the best variety of raisins for making it with raisins, but black raisins can also be used, those colours were not Created without reason, so it is always preferable to keep changing our diets with new colours and and trying new varieties.

At night soak around 100 grams of dates or raisins in 1 litre of drinkable / healthy water and keep the utensil covered with a plate. Ensure the water is kept cool.

Next morning,you can drink the water and eat the soaked fruit as was the traditional method, or just use your blender (water + soaked fruit) to obtain a beautiful cloudy Nabeez.

And if you soak the fruit in morning, drink it in the evening. Nabeez should be consumed within 12 hours of soaking time, but if it is kept air tight inside the refrigerator, it will not spoil for 2-3 days.

Nabeez must never be left for more than 2-3 days, otherwise it may start to ferment, which is the start of the alcohol brewing process. This is forbidden to consume.

Never mix raisins and dates together; their Nabeez should be made separately.