User talk:Khatijajaffer/sandbox

PEER REVIEW

- In depth analysis of Honey in an Islamic context; readings are very clearly cited (works cited page still needed) - You could structure your article by adding some bolded headings - maybe a note on class and the use of honey - in Islamic culture, were the lower classes as concerned with "exquisite taste, ease of transport and medicinal effects" as much as the upper classes were?

Peer Edit

-Honey is one of the more significant sweet flavors that are highly praised and valued. --change to “of the many sweetners used in islamic cuisine, honey is/contains one of the more significant flavors that is highly praised” or “honey is one of the many significant sweeteners in islam” It is incorporated in many dishes, eaten during joyous occasions and revered for its medicinal value. -In fact, the bee is admired for its ingenuity and devoted to in an entire chapter of the Holy Quran.[1] --jumps quickly into the bee, maybe introduce with “the producer of honey, scientifically known as Apis or, more commonly, Honey Bee, is admired…”

Honey was known to be praised by the Prophet and was linked to purity and paradise. As a result, Honey was given much importance to within the Islamic culture and diet. -As Islam spread across the globe, its value and consumption of sweets and honey did as well.[2] --Since focus is on honey, maybe reword to “...its value and consumption of honey (and other sweets) did as well” Significance The importance of Honey within Islam can be (sub is for can be) revealed by its uses in many celebrations and rituals. -In some Islamic countries, Honey is used as one of the ways to welcome a newborn among other rituals. --delete as one of the ways because it repeats the same idea as among other ideas… “honey is used to welcome a newborn, among other rituals”

During the ceremony called Tahnik, a newborn is given a taste of something sweet(,) preferably honey or dates.[3] -This ceremony is Sunnah of the Prophet and it is told that during his time, parents would bring their newborns to him to complete it. --didn’t you say the ceremony was called Tahnik? Also, could be a good place to put a source Honey is also eaten on (sub in for on) many sweet dishes during religious holidays such as the Prophet(‘)s birthday and family celebrations like wedding ceremonies.[4] Baklava, a honey drenched phylo pastry topped with nuts, were often served during events that celebrated the rights of passage (Rite of passage) such as circumcision.[5] The month of Ramadan was (is because Ramadan is still a holiday) a time full of sweets especially during Eid ul Fitr, a festive day that marks the end of the month. It is a big celebration also known as (“)the sweet festival(“), where families and friends exchanged(exchange, see above) many gifts and feed each other sweets.[6] Many of the sweet dishes that are eaten during Ramadan incorporate Honey in them. -Honey is even considered one of the best gifts that is given and received. –-Rephrase: “honey is considered one of best gifts that is given and rec. in Islam” bc even implies a surprising fact, but since all the above info shows its value, not surprising Honey in the Holy Quran The Qur'an promotes honey as a nutritious and healthy food. An entire chapter (surah) in the Qur'an is dedicated to the Bee, chapter 16 called an-Nahl (the Bees). Specifically verses (ayaats) 68 and 69 refer to the bee and explain why it is so (highly) valued. Below is the English translation of these specific verses: 68. And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they (humans) erect. 69. "Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the routes that your Lord made easy (for you). There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colors, in which there is a cure for men. There is indeed a sign in that for people who reflect.[8] -These verses are explaining how the bee obeys God’s (Allah’s) commands. --rephrase to something along lines of “these verses explain that the bee obeys the Islamic God’s, or Allah’s in Arabic, commands” bc just in case someone reading misinterprets it as like “the only GOd” or doesnt know tht allah is just god in arabic. Sorry this sounds unclear but I can clarify in person/email -The bee follows what Allah tells it to do because it knows that it is the best way to do so. --At this point, begin with something like “according to the verse in the Quran, the bee then follows….” because its not a definite fact that can’t be argued. Allah tells the bee to build its hive, collect nectar from flowers, and create honey and that is what it does. The bee does as Allah wills, illustrating the power of Allah for he is the reason this all happens. -Through the verse Allah is telling us that he is the All-Powerful, the All-Wise, the All-Knowing, the Most Generous, the Most Merciful. If we are obedient to Allah as the bee is and follow what he has guided us to do than we too will get the best things we can. Allah is then telling us through this verse that honey is a healing medicine. --Try to stay away from using we or us because not everyone who reads will identify with allah as their god. So maybe sub for “the reader” or “Muslims” Honey is also referred to in chapter 47 of the Quran, called Muhammad. -Verse 15 specifically uses the term honey to describe paradise (also known as) (jannah). --since the verse doesn’t use honey(the writer/prophet does), either rephrase as “Muhammad, in Verse 15,...” or “in verse 15, the reader will find ‘honey’ is often used as a describing word for ‘paradise’ Below is the English translation of this specific verse: 15. (“)The description of Paradise which is promised to those who have Taqwa, (is that) in it are rivers of water that are not Asin, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of refined honey; and therein for them are all kinds of fruits, and forgiveness from their Lord. Can this be likened to those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink boiling water that severs their intestines. [10] (“) -Here Allah gives us an account of paradise and the rivers that will flow thorough it. –– sub ‘us’ for nonbiased noun -Only those who have taqwa or god-conciseness will be granted a place in paradise amongst these flowing rivers. ––not fact, so need to include “according to …”

Those who are the purist, the best of the believers, and have followed Allah’s guidance are promised a place in paradise with all the greatest things and all of their wishes. The river of refined honey signifies that it is the honey in paradise is the highest purity, color, taste and smell. This verse emphasizes that those who are in paradise are closest to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. -It also talks about hell as a way to illustrate the opposite of paradise and emphasize Allah’s wrath. ––verse doesnt talk, author does. Or “reader will notice that the verse includes...” Since honey is food of paradise (add in this text or something bc honey isn’t necessarily food of paradise de facto), it is clearly a food that is the most honorable and respected. Paradise is the land of all of the best things, honey being one of them in the eyes of Allah. [11]

Hadiths referring to Honey (explain what the Hadiths are)There are many Hadiths that talk about honey and its importance. Sahih Bukhari refers to many of these hadiths in Volume 7(Vol 7 of what?) and tells us (don’t use us) how the Prophet and Allah’s apostles admired honey amongst many other sweet things. The Prophet used to say that, "Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing)." But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire."[12] There is also a story about a man coming to the Prophet and asking him for help of his sick brother. A man came to the Prophet and said, "My brother has some abdominal trouble." The Prophet said to him "Let him drink honey." The man came for the second time and the Prophet said to him, 'Let him drink honey." He came for the third time and the Prophet said, "Let him drink honey." He returned again and said, "I have done that ' The Prophet then said, "Allah has said the truth, but your brother's abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey." So he made him drink honey and he was cured.[13] [14] These hadiths illustrate that honey was revered by the Prophet and believed to have medicinal properties. Medicinal Value of Honey All through the Islam (sub Islamic for Islam) world, honey was a trusted medicine. It was mixed with other ingredients to help cure different sicknesses.[15] Honey(,) as seen by the previous section(,) was praised by Allah in the Quran as well as recommended by the Prophet for its healing ability. Honey was not only eaten as a sweet treat, but it was also believed to have many powers(powers in what? Medicinal powers, super powers, ?). The Holy Prophet recommended two solutions for the body and soul, the Quran for the soul and honey for the body. The Prophet specifically recommended honey for illness of the stomach and chest.[16] [17] Many Arab physicaians (spelling) also believed that honey was a remedy for sicknesses (sub illnesses).

Ibn el- Beithar, a Muslim physician (give more backgrnd on el-beithar, dates of living or time period when he quoted, or even just hyperlink his name etc) said that honey could be taken to help relax bowels, stimulate appetite, stomachaches, and swelling intestines. Other physicians used to give honey to patients as a laxative, as a way to improve blood circulation and to kids to prevent scurvy and rickets.[18] According to an Egyptian historian Al Marqazi (again hyperlink or give dates of al marqazi), when the weather would get cold honey was dissolved into water and was rubbed into one body to prevent and kill lice.[19] From Islam, the medicinal power of honey spread through pharmacology.[20] Honey in food and treats Honey was a key ingredient in many pastries in the Islamic world. Even as sugar production began to replace honey, it was still used to prepare many dishes and valued within Islamic societies. Some common desserts eaten in the Islamic world that have honey in them are Faludhaj, a creamy pudding, Bint al Sahn, a honey cake, and many types of phyllo pastries that are coated in honey like warbat or baklava. Each place where Islam took hold had its own variations of desserts that included honey. In Jordan, a treat known as Kanefeh, a soft cheese honey soaked pastry is popular. Hareesh, a moist cake with semolina, yogurt honey and topped with almonds, is another dessert that many Jordanians eat. [21] In Moroco, Rose bil Halib is a rice pudding with honey that is enjoyed as a dessert along with sfenj, a fried doughnut soaked in honey. [22] In Iran many traditional desserts soaked in sugar originally came from desserts soaked in honey. Halvas, the Arabic term for sweet referred to different traditional deserts that usually originated from Turkey and were made of honey and ground sesame seeds.[23]

-Honey wasn’t only used for sweet treats, but it was also incorporated into many savory foods as well. Honey was even used as a way to preserve food and prevent rotting meat. It was also used as a way to preserve spices and herbs and help make food taste more palatable.[24] --give examples of how (how they were preserved, what savory foods, have these methords lasted until today?, how did it make foods more palatable?). -Honey was seen all over the Islamic world and the taste of honey was glorified. --how was honey glorified? By who was it glorified? Needs clarification. Conclusion

-The taste of honey is a major ingredient and flavor that is honored in the Muslim world. --taste is not an ingredient, nor is it a flavor, it’s just a human sensation. So rephrase to something like “the taste of honey is honored highly in the muslim world. Honey itself was a major ingredient in many islamic dishes from (dates) and continues to be an important ingredient in islamic cuisine today”

-Justified by the Quran and the Holy Prophet honey was given high importance. It is a symbol of purity and whether it was eaten as a sweet treat, mixed into savory dishes, or used for its medicinal properties honey played a big role in the daily lives of Muslims around the globe. --need to say “in the Quran” or “in Islam, it is typically a symbol of purity”

My edits were put in bold and/or in parenthesis (except a few of your words that I highlighted in bold), let me know if you need any explanation or anything at all.

Your article is really informative and a super good read about the important role of honey in islam that not a lot of people know about––very interesting to read

Main editing points: •The biggest thing to edit is the references collective nouns like “we” or “us” when discussing Allah’s implications/directions for his followers. I can understand what you’re saying, but maybe just read over it and try to omit any phrases/sentences that imply the Quran, Allah, or Islam as “truth” and rather discuss them from a non-secular standpoint. ~For reference example, in the Wiki article for Muhammad, the author wrote “Muhammad c. 570 CE – 8 June 632 CE) is the prophet and founder of Islam. According to Islamic Doctrine, he was God's Messenger.” ~Yes it was a fact that he started Islam, but it is not necessarily a fact that he was God’s messenger, so they wrote “according to islamic doctrine”

•Make sure sentences are clear and complete ~For ex. “The taste of honey is a major ingredient and flavor that is honored in the Muslim world.” (see edits above) LilyVogt (talk) 04:55, 16 November 2017 (UTC)LilyVogt

Peer Review from Zikun Yu: Very insightful and informative draft. Everything in this article is relevant and clear. The article is neutral. I especially like how you break down the essay into different sections, making your claims clear.