The traditional food in Jordan is not disappointing at all. Masya Allah they are delicious. I particularly like maqlubah literally meaning upside down. Originally from Philistine, made famous when the Philistines began to make Jordan their home. But really most of their dishes are nice. It plays round with fresh tomatoes, ghee, herbs, nuts and grilled stuff.
Anyway on our last day at Petra and also our last day of Jordan in Aqaba, we thought of eating at a nice restaraunt set up. You know good food, nice setting, nice environment and so forth. So we entered this restaraunt. Loads of visitors in there. Very full.The host was bubbly and were doing things fast and yet managed to talk to all his customers.
I didn't realise that in Jordan, alcohol is allowed almost everywhere. Maybe because I am living in Qtar where you can only find alcoholic drinks in hotel and can only buy if you have license to buy it. It was in this restaraunt that I overheard someone ordered beer and the host explained that he didnt have beer. After taking his order, he mumbled to himself in arabic that alcohol is haram and he will not sell it.
Subhanallah! Here I am in a restaurant that is full of visitors and as you know the fitna is, alcohol SELLS. This restaurant is on the main street going to Petra surrounded by visitors who are used to drinking and almost all restaurants have alcohol (I only realised this later) and here the owner refuse to have alcohol for his fear of |Allah.
And look at his restaurant, the food is really good (I am not bias), the restaurant has a nice ambience, the customers came in more than once and it is listed in major tourist guidebooks, and some fair comments in tripadvisor HERE and HERE.
Does it not remind you what Allah says in Surah Talaq 65: 2-3
In Aqaba was tougher, all the nice looking restaurants that are jam packed with tourists mostly divers pro or otherwise serve alcohol. We were about to go to a normal kebab joint when we spotted one near to our hotel. Also filled with people. Slow in service though but food was good. Well the bread would be nicer if its fresh. Also no alcohol.
Why do we need to please people and go against our deen? Really the tourists can do without alcohol for a while. And because they are tourists, they would understand the difference in custom. Jordan does not have to sell themselves this way because Jordan itself is a country that will make tourists flock to them even without alcohol. But then again perhaps the owner is non muslim. And I must remember not all Arabs are Muslim.
Yup remember that.
This thought of maqlubbah is making me hungry.
____________________________
When I was in the university, I stayed in the hall with people from different countries. me and a Turkish guy were the only Muslim. Anyway, they know I don't drink. An Italian girl asked me, what do you drink for dinner in the restaurant when you cannot drink wine? Even though I find this question strange because I always wonder how do you quench your thirst drinking wine and not to mention getting rid of that hot taste of chilly with wine or brandy or that fiery alcohol drink, I told her we have varieties of fruit juice freshly pressed, or water not to mention variety of tea drink, milo and coffee. All no alcohol? Why spoil it I'd say.
They respected me and respected my believe. The other one who drinks openly on the other hand was always getting the bashing from others for not obeying Allah. Another story perhaps.
Anyway on our last day at Petra and also our last day of Jordan in Aqaba, we thought of eating at a nice restaraunt set up. You know good food, nice setting, nice environment and so forth. So we entered this restaraunt. Loads of visitors in there. Very full.The host was bubbly and were doing things fast and yet managed to talk to all his customers.
I didn't realise that in Jordan, alcohol is allowed almost everywhere. Maybe because I am living in Qtar where you can only find alcoholic drinks in hotel and can only buy if you have license to buy it. It was in this restaraunt that I overheard someone ordered beer and the host explained that he didnt have beer. After taking his order, he mumbled to himself in arabic that alcohol is haram and he will not sell it.
Subhanallah! Here I am in a restaurant that is full of visitors and as you know the fitna is, alcohol SELLS. This restaurant is on the main street going to Petra surrounded by visitors who are used to drinking and almost all restaurants have alcohol (I only realised this later) and here the owner refuse to have alcohol for his fear of |Allah.
And look at his restaurant, the food is really good (I am not bias), the restaurant has a nice ambience, the customers came in more than once and it is listed in major tourist guidebooks, and some fair comments in tripadvisor HERE and HERE.
Does it not remind you what Allah says in Surah Talaq 65: 2-3
And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.Put your means - good food, good location, friendly host, clean place and everythign a good restaraunt should have and tawakkal. May Allah make the owners steadfast and not fidget with fitna and mat Allah bestow him barakah.
In Aqaba was tougher, all the nice looking restaurants that are jam packed with tourists mostly divers pro or otherwise serve alcohol. We were about to go to a normal kebab joint when we spotted one near to our hotel. Also filled with people. Slow in service though but food was good. Well the bread would be nicer if its fresh. Also no alcohol.
Why do we need to please people and go against our deen? Really the tourists can do without alcohol for a while. And because they are tourists, they would understand the difference in custom. Jordan does not have to sell themselves this way because Jordan itself is a country that will make tourists flock to them even without alcohol. But then again perhaps the owner is non muslim. And I must remember not all Arabs are Muslim.
Yup remember that.
This thought of maqlubbah is making me hungry.
____________________________
When I was in the university, I stayed in the hall with people from different countries. me and a Turkish guy were the only Muslim. Anyway, they know I don't drink. An Italian girl asked me, what do you drink for dinner in the restaurant when you cannot drink wine? Even though I find this question strange because I always wonder how do you quench your thirst drinking wine and not to mention getting rid of that hot taste of chilly with wine or brandy or that fiery alcohol drink, I told her we have varieties of fruit juice freshly pressed, or water not to mention variety of tea drink, milo and coffee. All no alcohol? Why spoil it I'd say.
They respected me and respected my believe. The other one who drinks openly on the other hand was always getting the bashing from others for not obeying Allah. Another story perhaps.
1 comment:
Subhanallah... sadaqallahul 'Azim!
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