My ears heard and my eyes saw the Prophet (S.A.W) when he spoke, “Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day...
BITS ‘N’ PIECES
Narrated by Abu Shuraih Al-Adawi (R.A)
My ears heard and my eyes saw the Prophet (S.A.W) when he spoke, “Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his neighbor generously, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should serve his guest generously by giving him his reward.” It was asked. “What is his reward, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “(To be entertained generously) for a day and a night with high quality of food and the guest has the right to be entertained for three days (with ordinary food) and if he stays longer, what he will be provided with will be regarded as Sadaqa (a charitable gift). And anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quite (i.e. abstain from all kinds of dirty and evil talks).”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 48
The Great Molasses Flood killed 21 people in Boston, in 1919.
The Great Molasses Flood, also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster, was one of the most unusual and tragic industrial accidents in American history. It occurred on January 15, 1919, in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. On that cold winter day, a massive storage tank holding over 2.3 million gallons (about 8.7 million liters) of molasses suddenly burst. The tank, owned by the United States Industrial Alcohol Company, released a huge wave of thick, sticky molasses that raced through the streets at an estimated 35 miles per hour, destroying everything in its path.
Molasses is a thick, dark brown syrup that is a byproduct of sugar refining, typically produced when sugarcane or sugar beets are processed. It has a rich, sweet flavor and is commonly used in baking, candy-making, and as a sweetener in various foods. In the early 20th century, molasses was also used to produce industrial alcohol for explosives and other purposes. Although it flows slowly under normal conditions, molasses can behave unpredictably when under pressure or in large quantities, especially when temperatures change rapidly.
The sudden release of such a large volume of molasses created a devastating force. A 25-foot-high wave of the syrup flooded the surrounding area, knocking buildings off their foundations, overturning vehicles, and trapping people and animals in the sticky mess. The disaster killed 21 people and injured around 150 others. Many victims drowned or suffocated in the molasses, while others were struck by debris or crushed by the pressure of the wave.
Rescue and cleanup efforts were extremely difficult due to the molasses’ thick consistency and the cold weather, which caused the syrup to harden quickly. Firefighters, police, and volunteers worked for days to clear the streets, using salt water and sand to wash away the residue. For years after the incident, residents claimed the smell of molasses lingered in the neighborhood.
Investigations revealed that the storage tank had been poorly constructed and inadequately tested. The disaster led to changes in building codes and stricter regulations for industrial safety in Boston and beyond. The Great Molasses Flood remains a powerful reminder of how overlooked dangers can lead to unexpected tragedy - even from something as seemingly harmless as a sweet, sticky syrup.
