Preheat oven to 350°F.
For the icing: Combine sugar and water in a small bowl and set aside.
Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with shortening. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Combine the butter, corn syrup, molasses and brown sugar in a 1- or 2-qt. sauce pan. Melt the ingredients over low heat.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the melted butter mixture. Combine lightly. Add the eggs, milk and raisins, combine until just incorporated.
Divide the batter among the muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes.
Remove muffins from the pan and drizzle with icing while still warm.