As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

For those of us who paint, this may be very useful information, insha'Allah. This question is answered by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari (may Allah preserve him).

What is the ruling regarding using paint brushes made of boar bristles? It is very difficult to find any other and what if one has to buy it for someone who is in one's employ as a painter and you don't actually use it yourself?

The reliable opinion in the Hanafi School and that which is considered to be the established narration (dhahir al-riwaya) is that pig hair is filthy (najas); hence it will not be permitted to use, buy or sell anything made out of pig hair.

The great Hanafi jurist (faqih), Imam al-Kasani (Allah have mercy on him) states in his renowned Bada’i al-Sana’i:
“As far as a pig is concerned, it has been narrated from Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah be pleased with him) that it is considered to be essentially filthy (najas al-ayn), due to the fact that Allah Most High described it as being “filthy” hence it will be unlawful (haram) to use its hair and all other body parts, except that there is a dispensation given for shoe-makers due to need. And it is narrated from Imam Abu Yusuf, in another narration, that it is prohibitively disliked for shoe-makers also. It is unlawful to sell pig hair as mentioned in all the narrations (related from the Hanafi Imams)….” (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 1/63)

And, as Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) explained:
“According to Imam Abu Yusuf, which is the established narration in the Hanafi School, the hair of a pig is considered filthy and impure. This is the position chosen by Imam al-Kasani in his al-Bada’i and Imam al-Mawsili in his al-Ikhtiyar. Thus, if one prayed with pig-hair more than the amount of a dirham, one’s prayer would not be valid…” (Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar, 1/206)

Thus, although some Hanafi Fuqaha did permit the use of pig hair out of need, the reliable and mainstream opinion is that it will remain unlawful. The established narration mentioned by Imam Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) is that pig-hair remains filthy, and this is the position chosen by most other Hanafi Fuqaha.

Based on this, it will normally not be permitted for one to use paint brushes made of boar bristles. Indeed it may be difficult to find paint brushes that do not contain boar bristles, but it is not impossible. Paint brushes that do not contain boar bristles can and may be found. And, as Imam al-Kasani, pointed out in the above text, all the narrations from the Hanafi jurists state that it will not be permitted to sell pig hair.

However, one should remember that the above-mentioned ruling is in the situation where one is relatively positive of the paint brush containing boar bristles. If one is uncertain, it will not be unlawful to use it.

Some contemporary Ulama state that if finding paint brushes that do not contain boar bristles is difficult, one may use a paint brush that contains boar bristles provided two conditions are met. This permissibility is based on the position held by some Hanafi jurists that it will be permitted to use pig hair in cases of extreme need, as mentioned in the above text of Bada’i al-Sana’i.

The two conditions are:
1) One ensures that the bristles do not become detached from the brush and fall into the paint, hence becoming attached with the paint onto the wall.
2) One ensures that the bristles are scientifically dried in such a manner that its wetness and moisture is not transferred into the paint.

If one cannot be certain of the above-mentioned two points, it will remain unlawful to use such a paint brush. (See: Nizam al-Fatawa, 1/40)

And Allah knows best

Labels: reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

I think it's about time for a new recipe. The Nanaimo Bar is a famous Canadian cookie/bar. It's extremely easy to make since it's a no-bake bar, I love how it tastes; rich and wonderfully chocolatey... but like most Canadian chocolates and cookies they are a little sweet. So you could either cut down the sugar or cut down your snacking time!




Makes 25

Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup (4oz/8 tblsp) unsalted butter - room temperature
1/4 cup (2oz/4 tblsp) sugar
1/3 cup (3oz/5 tblsp) unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg - beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (16oz/455g) graham cracker crumbs
1 cup (8oz/227g) coconut
1/2 cup pecans (4oz/114g) (or walnuts) - coarsely chopped

Filling:
1/4 cup (2oz.4 tblsp) unsalted butter
2 - 3 tblsp milk
2 tsp vanilla custard powder (or vanilla pudding powder)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (16oz/455g) powdered sugar
optional: green food colour

Topping:
2 oz milk chocolate (or mint chocolate.. great if you use green food colour in filling)



:: Butter a 9" x 9" pan.

Bottom Layer:
:: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.
:: Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder and then gradually whisk in the beaten egg.
:: Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (1 - 2 minutes).
:: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, graham cracker crumbs, coconut, and chopped nuts.
:: Press the mixture evenly into pan.
:: Cover and refrigerate until firm (about an hour).

Filling:
:: In your electric mixer cream the butter.
:: Beat in the remaining ingredients.
:: If the mixture is too thick to spread, add a little more milk.
:: Spread the filling over the bottom layer, cover, and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).
:: Cut into 25 squares.

Top Layer:
:: Melt chocolate in double-boiler (ie: in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water).
:: Drizzle over each square.

Labels: recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

This must be the first time I am so ahead of getting my swap package together.. it could be because I was so eager to get my ideas rolling. After narrowing it down.. I decided to make a bag for my wonderful swap partner. It's a little difficult making something for someone you have absolutely no knowledge about. Insha'Allah I hope she likes it.

For the cupcake pic on the bag, I first drew out some ideas, then stencilled on the one I liked. Insha'Allah I would like to do a tutorial in the future so others can take a try at stencilling, the easy way. I am very happy with the results, and had a blast making it, so I'm thinking of maybe sewing a few more to sell with the cupcake pic or similar.



The rest of my package includes:
:: A blank handmade card.. that was also just as fun, don't be surprised if you see more posted, one of these days
:: A recipe for some Vanilla Fairy Cakes, insha'Allah I shall also post that recipe up one day


How is everyones cupcake creations coming along??
Please remember to email me a picture of it before you mail it out, so I can put them all together in one photo album for everyone to check out, also let me know if it is okay to add your blog name (and link)/or name to your pic.

Labels: sewing, swaps

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Here it is!! My first official crocheted piece.. and a useful piece at that, insha'Allah. I made it for my niece, I think it might be a little big for her, so I may just make her another one or wait until she grows into it. The pattern looked as cute as her (masha'Allah) and I am pretty happy with the results.


I would have loved to share this pattern with everyone, but I think there is a copyright on it, since it's not a 'free' pattern. It can be found in the book Baby Talk, a publication by Coats and Clark. (they have lots of wonderful free patterns, check out their site) It's one of those thin books you can find at Wal-Mart. I shall check into the copyright, and if it isn't I will post the pattern, insha'Allah.


Jazak'Allah Umm Layla for helping me to be able to make something like this. I don't think I would have got any where this quick, had it not been for the book you sent me.

For those who have never tried to crochet.. give it a try!

I would love to hear how other sisters crochet and knitting projects are going.

(edited: 17/01/07 I checked into the copyright of this pattern, and I unfortunately can not share it with you, even if it's just online. But insha'Allah I shall post other patterns I can share.)

Labels: crochet