The Hirshon Syrian Qamar Al-Din Dried Apricot Pudding – قمر الدين المهلبية

My glorious (and assuredly ravenous!) Citizens of TFD Nation who follow the Prophet (PBUH!)! I, the sublime Mufti of Magnificence who ALONE is TFD wish all of you !‏رمضان كريم, تقبل الله  As tonight is the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for you and restoring yourself from the daily fast is paramount, allow Me to share an unmatched version of the qamar al-din restorative apricot drink, reimagined instead as a delicious pudding that is replete with My culinary genius!

As most of My Citizenry are not themselves Muslim, allow Me the unique honor to explain what Ramadan is and why it is so important to billions of Muslims worldwide!

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH = Peace Be Upon Him). The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts between twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (fard) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, traveling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic (being diabetic Myself, I am exempt from fasting in any religion), pregnant, or menstruating. The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Although rulings (fatwa) have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca, it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.

The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan. Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from all behavior deemed to be sinful in Islam, devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.

The word Ramadan derives from the Arabic root R-M-Ḍ (ر-م-ض) “scorching heat”, which is the Classical Arabic verb “ramiḍa (رَمِضَ)” meaning “become intensely hot – become burning; become scorching; be blazing; be glowing.

Ramadan is thought of as one of the names of God in Islam by some, and as such it is reported in many hadiths that it is prohibited to say only “Ramadan” in reference to the calendar month and that it is necessary to say “month of Ramadan”, as reported in Sunni, Shia and Zaydi sources. However, the report has been graded by others as Mawḍūʻ (fabricated) and inauthentic.

In the Persian language, the Arabic letter ض (Ḍād) is pronounced as /z/. The Muslim communities in some countries with historical Persian influence, such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, India, Pakistan and Turkey, use the word Ramazan or Ramzan. The word Romzan is used in Bangladesh.

Ramadan is the month on which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

— Surah Al-Baqara 2:185

Muslims hold that all scriptures were revealed during Ramadan – the scrolls of Abraham, the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran having been handed down on the first, sixth, twelfth, thirteenth (in some sources, eighteenth) and twenty-fourth Ramadans, respectively. Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have received his first Quranic revelation on Laylat al-Qadr, one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Although Muslims were first commanded to fast in the second year of Hijra (624 CE), they believe that the practice of fasting is not in fact an innovation of monotheism but rather has always been necessary for believers to attain fear of God (taqwa).[Quran 2:183]

They point to the fact that the pre-Islamic pagans of Mecca fasted on the tenth day of Muharram to expiate sin and avoid drought. Philip Jenkins argues that the observance of Ramadan fasting grew out of “the strict Lenten discipline of the Syrian Churches,” a postulation corroborated by other scholars, including theologian Paul-Gordon Chandler, but disputed by some Muslim academics. The Quran itself emphasizes that the fast it prescribes had already been prescribed to earlier biblical communities (2:183), even though an explicit intertext for this pre-Islamic practice does not exist.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, where each month begins when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. The Islamic year consists of 12 lunar cycles, and consequently it is 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, and as it contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset.

Many Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but others use the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location.

As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the cycles of the moon; the moon may not meet the criteria to qualify as a waxing crescent, which delineates the change in months, at the time of sundown in one location while later meeting it in another location. Astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available.

Because the hilāl, or crescent moon, typically occurs approximately one day after the new moon, Muslims can usually estimate the beginning of Ramadan; however, many Muslims prefer to confirm the opening of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent.

The Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لیلة القدر) or “Night of Power” is the night that Muslims believe the Quran was first sent down to the world, and Muhammad (PBUH) received his first Quranic revelation from it. The night is considered to be the holiest night of the year. It is generally believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Dawoodi Bohra believe that Laylat al-Qadr was the twenty-third night of Ramadan.

The holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر), which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the next lunar month, is declared after a crescent new moon has been sighted or after completion of thirty days of fasting if no sighting of the moon is possible. Eid celebrates the return to a more natural disposition (fitra) of eating, drinking, and marital intimacy.

The common practice is to fast from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is called iftar. Muslims devote more time to prayer and acts of charity, striving to improve their self-discipline, motivated by hadith: “When Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked up and devils are put in chains.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims abstain from sexual relations and sinful speech and behavior during Ramadan.

Fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, and to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).

Exemptions from fasting include those traveling, menstruating, severely ill, pregnant, or breastfeeding. Those unable to fast are obligated to make up the missed days later.

Each day before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhur. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. At sunset, families break the fast with the iftar, traditionally opening the meal by eating dates to commemorate Muhammad’s (PBUH) practice of breaking the fast with three dates. They then adjourn for Maghrib, the fourth of the five required daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.

Social gatherings, many times in buffet style, are frequent at iftar. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, particularly those made only during Ramadan. Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages.

In the Middle East, iftar consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers; one or more main dishes; and rich desserts, with dessert considered the most important aspect of the meal. Typical main dishes include lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf. Desserts may include lokma, baklava or knafeh.

Over time, the practice of iftar has evolved into banquets that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of diners. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the largest mosque in the UAE, feeds up to thirty thousand people every night. Some twelve thousand people attend iftar at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

Zakat, often translated as “the poor-rate”, is the fixed percentage of income a believer is required to give to the poor; the practice is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that good deeds are rewarded more handsomely during Ramadan than at any other time of the year; consequently, many Muslims donate a larger portion – or even all – of their yearly zakat during this month.

Tarawih (Arabic: تراويح) are extra nightly prayers performed during the month of Ramadan. Contrary to popular belief, they are not compulsory. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran, which comprises thirty juz’ (sections), over the thirty days of Ramadan. Some Muslims incorporate a recitation of one juz’ into each of the thirty tarawih sessions observed during the month.

In some Islamic countries, lights (fanous) are strung up in public squares and across city streets, a tradition believed to have originated during the Fatimid Caliphate, where the rule of Caliph al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah was acclaimed by people holding lanterns.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan switches on Ramadan lights

On the island of Java, many believers bathe in holy springs to prepare for fasting, a ritual known as Padusan. The city of Semarang marks the beginning of Ramadan with the Dugderan carnival, which involves parading the warak ngendog, a horse-dragon hybrid creature allegedly inspired by the Buraq. In the Chinese-influenced capital city of Jakarta, firecrackers are widely used to celebrate Ramadan, although they are officially illegal.

Towards the end of Ramadan, most employees receive a one-month bonus known as Tunjangan Hari Raya. Certain kinds of food are especially popular during Ramadan, such as large beef or buffalo in Aceh and snails in Central Java. The iftar meal is announced every evening by striking the bedug, a giant drum, in the mosque.

Common greetings during Ramadan include Ramadan mubarak and Ramadan kareem, which mean (have a) “blessed Ramadan” and “generous Ramadan” respectively. During Ramadan in the Middle East, a mesaharati beats a drum across a neighbourhood to wake people up to eat the suhoor meal. Similarly in Southeast Asia, the kentongan slit drum is used for the same purpose.

In some Muslim countries, eating in public during daylight hours in Ramadan is a crime. The sale of alcohol becomes prohibited during Ramadan in Egypt. The penalty for publicly eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan can result in fines or incarceration in the countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia. In the United Arab Emirates, the punishment is community service.

Now – as to qamar al-din itself! 😀

Many of the ingredients in My supreme version of this hallowed Ramadan drink are identical to those used in My previous recipe for medieval lamb and dried apricot stew – this dish is a great way to use up the leftover ingredients from the main dish served to your famished family and friends and the two dishes complement each other quite perfectly!

Qamar al-din (Arabic: قمر الدين, lit. ’Moon of the Faith’) is an apricot fruit leather, which is popularly made into apricot juice or a nectar beverage from Arab cuisine famously consumed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

It originates from Syria and was first produced in the Ghouta, where the variety of apricots most suitable for qamar al-din was first grown. Qamar al-din is enjoyed across the Middle East and North Africa as well as in Somalia, though Syrian qamar al-din is still believed to be the best because the variety of apricots most suitable for making qamar al-din grows only in Syria and southwestern Turkey.

Several theories have been proposed for the origin of qamar al-din’s name. One theory holds that it was named for its inventor, a Syrian man named Qamar al-Din. He was said to have been so handsome that he resembled the moon (qamar, Arabic: قمر), hence his name.

Another theory holds that apricot season coincided with the sighting of the new moon marking the beginning of Ramadan in the year when qamar al-din was invented. A similar theory, widespread in Egypt, traces the name’s origin to a Caliph who was known to celebrate with qamar al-din upon seeing the crescent moon during Ramadan.

To produce qamar al-din, apricots and sugar are boiled over a fire and then strained through a wooden strainer that is soaked in olive oil. The apricots are then left to dry in direct sunlight. Once it has completely dried, it is then packaged, shipped, and sold. This dried apricot leather is thicker, more consistent, and has a stronger flavor than ordinary apricot leather, and is thus more suitable for making qamar al-din.

Making the drink from this apricot leather only requires adding rosewater or orange blossom water, though apricot pieces (fresh or dried) and ice are often added as well. Sometimes, some of the floral water is replaced with orange juice or plain water. Qamar al-din is traditionally served thick and cold, and it is believed to be especially fortifying and a good source of energy, electrolytes, and hydration, all of which are crucial after a day of fasting.

Some in the Levant add pine nuts and ice to their qamar al-din, making a beverage that resembles a thicker, apricot-flavored version of jallab. In Syria, it is also casually eaten without being turned into a drink, as the fruit roll to snack on itself. A common variation is wrapping the fruit leather around a piece of walnut.

Being the Hetman of Heterodoxy means that TFD has decided to mix things up and turn qamar al-din into a pudding – as I have a SERIOUS weakness for puddings of all forms!

As eruditely explained on eatlikeasultan.com:

Apricot leather (قَمَر الدِّين, Qamar al-Din):

The present-day Qamar al-din refers to a drink made from apricot leather (usually added with rose water), rather than the paste itself. It is a very popular drink (often associated with Ramadan) all over the Middle East, especially in Syria (its original homeland) and Egypt.

In the Middle Ages, it was also used in cooking, and is specifically mentioned in a 13th-century Levantine recipe. None of the medieval Arabic culinary treatises provided instructions on how to make it, but thankfully the famous blind Christian physician Dawud al-Antaki (d. 1599) did, in his medical handbook entitled ‘Memento for the wise and a collection of marvellous wonders’ (تذكرة أولي الألباب والجامع للعجب العجاب).

It is very straightforward and not different from today’s methods, except in the absence of sugar. After macerating the apricots, they are beaten into a mash, placed on boards coated with sesame oil and left out in the sun. (in case you live in a country in short supply of sunlight, a dehydrator does the trick very nicely, too!) The result, so al-Antaki tells us, should be thin sheets. [al-Antaki, 1884, I, p. 307] In Iran, it is known as the children’s favourite lavashak (لواشک) and denotes fruit rolls, made with a variety of fruits.

Saudigermanhealth.com has this to say regarding the nutritive value of qamar al-din:

Qamar al-din juice is one of the most popular drinks in Ramadan. It’s prepared by chopping dried apricots into a paste, diluting it in water, and adding a moderate amount of sugar.

Here are a few health benefits of drinking this refreshing beverage in Ramadan:

• Qamar al-din guards against fatigue and headaches by preventing hypoglycemia.
• Qamar al-din is rich in dietary fibers that store water and prevent thirst during the day.
• Qamar al-din has many other health benefits, such as preventing indigestion, insomnia, and anemia.
• Contains vitamins A and B which enhance the nervous system, help with concentration and prevent headaches and memory loss.
• Prevents weight gain in Ramadan because of its high vitamin C content which increases the basal metabolic rate and prevents fat deposition.
• Helps maintain normal levels of sodium and potassium in the body and prevents hyponatremia and hypokalemia which causes constipation, nausea, fatigue, and muscle cramps.

In order to put Mine own imperious imprint upon such an age-old recipe, I sought to enhance not just the taste (which admittedly is already delicious!) and improve upon the mineral benefits of the drink post-fasting.

I have succeeded – ALL GLORY UNTO ME! 😉

First off though – respect the foundation of the recipe!

Syrian apricot leather is considered the finest qamar al-din one can buy – and it is VERY difficult to source in this (and most countries these days) due to the terrible civil war and its aftermath! However, after much research and refusal to compromise, I at last found an online source that sells the genuine Syrian qamar al-din – buy it from here!

From here – all bets are off, these are My additions to the classic recipe. First, I am exceedingly fond of passionfruit in all its forms, and I find adding some to the apricot really enhances the floral and tropical notes of the drink – be sure and use passionfruit juice and NOT nectar (nectar is mostly water and sugar). This is a great brand.

Rose water is a classic addition to qamar al-din, but I prefer the more concentrated hit of Bulgarian rose extract – the finest in the world! Just add a few drops to start, it’s potent indeed – this is My preferred brand.

Mastic (aka mastiha) is a common spice used throughout Southern Europe and the Middle East. Chios Mastiha is the 100% natural resin of pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, a tree that grows only on the Aegean island of Chios, Greece that comes in the form of medium-sized “tears”. Chios Mastiha is a unique product with many beneficial qualities and wide-ranging uses since antiquity and is included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Buy it here.

As finely grated coconut is a classic garnish of this dessert, I saw fit to add some coconut water to the base of the recipe – it has tons of electrolytes that will really help those recovering from their difficult daily fast. Plus, it’s delicious!

As a garnish, the classic triumverate would be finely-grated unsweetened dried coconut (this is My preferred brand), finely-chopped dried rose petals (My brand is this) and finely-chopped pistachios – I’m extremely fond of the dark chocolate covered pistachios from Trader Joe’s – they’re a killer snack and also work incredibly well with this dessert – buy it here.

My Citizens – regardless of whether you adhere to Islam or simply enjoy apricots – My sublime version of qamar al-din pudding is about to become one of your new favorite easy and delicious desserts! 😀 Another restorative drink for Ramadan that I highly encourage you to try was a personal favorite of the Prophet (PBUH!) – check out My adaptation of it here.

Battle on – the Generalissimo

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