(16:14)
…and He is the Best of those who give sustenance. (23:72)
You provide limitlessly for whoever You will. (3:27)
Remember the bounties of your Lord, so that you may be successful. (7:69)
And so it was that our sustenance from the sea was delivered to us in the form of some cute baby CEPHALOPODS!!!! Aka octopuses, or some say octopi…..whatever the name they are slimy creatures and loads of fun to prepare as I discovered for the first time in dealing with them!
I kept staring at them….and they kept staring at me….those huge bulbous eyes…what DO I DO???
Google comes to the rescue in all situations….so I had to turn the head inside out, gouge out those bulbous eyes, the brain and the three hearts!!! along with the “beak” and the weird bit at the top and what I guess is the gut at the other end….leaving the eight legs spiraling out like a dancer performing under water synchronized swimming as they are washed and washed and washed. All the while being squirted with their dense black ink…how amazing is Allah Ta’ala’s creation, SubhanAllah! And these represent only one of the thousands of species inhabiting the oceans, with this rizq originating from the Red Sea, only a few hours to the west of Madinah.
The main fish market here is a fascinating place….small individual “shops” of about ten square meters line a central walkway, all competing for customers with their catch of the day fresh from Yanbu, the major fishing hub, creatively arranged on benches at the front. The smaller fish are in bundles with a natural string of cane weaving through the mouth then tied into a handle. Some of the larger fish, sometimes more than two meters long are truly incredible…the vibrant colours and patterns seem to have a direct impact on one’s Iman! SubhanAllah….such is the artistic magnificence of our Rabb Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala! The traders vie for custom enticing one with all sorts of offers while the bargaining adds to the general fish market symphony, enhanced by the aroma!
Saudis, like most Arabs, love their seafood, and more especially on Friday after Juma’ah. Numerous outlets around the city specialize in frying fish which have been rubbed with various spices, predominantly cumin, making a thick tasty coating. These are then displayed ready for one to choose exactly which fish is wanted, and then they are fried in a huge vat. How they recognize who belongs to what fish must be a secret of the trade! These are then carried home in an open box lined with paper….
The crowds around these places has become a real traffic hazard, with several police in attendance trying to maintain some sort of order and preventing the locals from triple parking while they race in for their Juma’ah lunch! The frying fish smell fills the air for miles, and cats congregate from miles away!
Anyway, back to the amazing octopus …apparently it is not a good housekeeper as it throws all the discarded shells from its banquets of crustaceans just outside its lair. If it octopus damages one of its vital arms, it can grow a new one. Also they are capable of learning. In an experiment, octopi were trained to distinguish between shapes and also to recognize objects by touch, and to undo the lids of jars that contained their favourite food. And the first writing ink was made from the pigment found in the octopus’s sac. And that weird little beak, the only hard feature it has…sort of like a small piece of plastic, is used to locate hiding places, and then grab onto a hard surface with this tiny beak, with the rest of the body being able to slither through….experiments have shown that a huge octopus can fit through such tiny gaps. In their natural habitat they can swiftly escape any predators by first squirting them with ink and then slinking into a tiny crevice! Extraordinarily clever! SubhanAllah!
For those with children, or those who are involved in educating our dear young ones, this link provides some excellent lesson plans.
~*~*~
"All praise is for Allah Who has made me eat this food and has provided it for me without any effort and labour on my part", is one of the Du’a our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, according to Tirmithi, would recite after meals, and it is said that all past sins are forgiven if this is recited. Some Ulema have explained the two separate issues inherent in this Du’a…..one is the blessing of being provided the food….and the second is the blessing of actually being able to eat it. Many people due to various conditions of illness may be provided with certain foods, but are unable to actually eat thereof.
…and He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
Always fascinating to visit your blog, dear Sister
I also love octopi broiled and served in vinegar and oil and spices they Greek way. Once my wife brought home some soft shelled crab for me fresh from the marke. Upon unwrapping them, I saw one was still alive and moving his claws, looking at me pleadingly. I immediately took him to the ocean and threw him back in. I cannot eat them now; his eyes were my undoing. Alhamdulillah! May Allah shower us with bounty to share, and mercy for all His creatures.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — August 19, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Salaams
Subhanallah you dearest Ukhti are full of suprises on your blog
I myself was thinking the same thing a few days ago about how blessed we are to be provided food by The Best of Providers and then to be able to eat it. This was due to a friend of mine finding out they have a wheat allergy and therefore their food intake has completely changed.
I have never eaten octopi, i hope you enjoyed them
wa’salaam
Comment by Farhanah — August 20, 2007 @ 12:56 am
Asiyah said “Why did Aunty have to cook that ?Didn’t she have anything else to eat ?
Comment by umm yusuf — August 20, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Assalamualaikum my dear Madinia sister!
I’m finally back ‘home’… missing thoroughly the majesty of The Most Majestic City! Khair Allah Ta’ala knows where the heart lies
Can’t say I’ve ever had octopus, but I am a seafood lover… I actually worked as a cook at Red Lobster (a seafood chain in North America) during my undergrad years but never came across Octopus on the menu! When reading your post I was also reminded a study investigating the ability of Octupi being able to squeeze through the smallest of crevices, Subhanallah! Video clips showed an Octopus passing through a space which seemed impossible for it to fit through! The Grandeur of Allah Azawajal is truly manifest in all things!!
For me the best fish I think I’ve ever had, was from back in the 80’s while going from Jeddah to Medina with my parents and stopping at the highway ‘restaurants’ to enjoy the fish that had been caught that day… I don’t even know what kind it was, except to say it was always delicious
Jazakiallah Khair for sharing with us your culinary delights!
Comment by ikramuddin — August 20, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear Irving Darvish….:)….may you placing the crab back in the ocean earn a high realm in Jannah…like the lady and the cat story, Ameen. Reminds me of a time when our sustenance was an eel, when upon placing it in the sink to wash it came alive, all one a bit meters of it!! Such a strong creature…and no we did not try to find a lake for it…it was eaten, but not my me! Ameen to us all receiving halal rizq.
Dear Uhkti Farhanah, may your friend all all who may be facing chances in diet due to illness be recipients of Allah Ta’ala’s infinite mercy…it is a huge test for the nafs having to suddenly abandon what one may like for other foods not so appetizing but healthier…we have become so reliant on too many manufactured and processed foods with more and more illnesses prevalent. I enjoyed the calamari that came with these creatures more!
Dear Asiyah…yes we had other things to eat, but they came as unexpected rizq..it was another learning experience!
Ahlan wasahlan dear brother Ikramuddin! Such a blessing that you are ‘home’ and more of a blessing to see gracing these climes once again…you were greatly missed by all! yes, I saw that clip too and could not believe it…SubhanAllah, we hardly know the grandeur of Allah Ta’ala’s magnificence. The fish town just off the Jeddah Madinah highway is very famous, with so many making the stop there to savour the delicious sea bounties. My only recollection of these baby octopus was in marinara style pasta…Insha’Allah your experience in the Red Lobster has left you with the ability to prepare some delicious ‘matchli’ creations yourself!
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — August 21, 2007 @ 8:58 pm