EATING THE FOODS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK.

(VERSE NO. 5)

      According to the comments of HAZRAT IMAM SADIQ (AS), here in this verse, by the food of the people of the Book, grains, cereals, and fruits are meant. In the matter of meat; it should be slaughtered in the name of Allah, with some ritual observances. This is opposed to animals butchered by Pagans with their superstitious rites.

INTER- MARRIAGE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

      A Muslim can marry with a chaste woman of the people of the Book. This should not be some sort of fornication, or taking them as private friends; but it must be an official marriage with the settlement of a dower, and respecting all the existing rules and regulations of marriage.

      On the other hand, a Muslim woman should not marry a non Muslim man, because the wife may usually take the status of her husband, and is affected by his beliefs and ideas. Any man or woman of any race, color, or faith, when they accept Islam as their religion, they can freely marry a Muslim man or woman, on condition of chastity and honourable life, and far from lewdness.

      In our new world, many of the customs of the ancient Pagan Era have been revived and firmly adhered to! for instance taking a girl- friend, or a boy- friend, openly and even by the married spouses, has been established as a custom among some people. In fact, to- days mankind has gone steps beyond the ancient pagans in their sex affairs, and are nearer to animals than to ignorant men!

      Their shameful customs are merely obscene acts, and against man's instinct and nature, and God's law and commandments! This present which is no better than a white elephant, has been offered to East by the lost people in West, and it has become a source of misfortune and a cause of frequent crimes in our communities.