Let's all have a healthy Ramdan

Let's all have a healthy Shehrullah il Moazzam

Sharing answers for frequently asked questions concerning this Shehrullah

1. Is it ok to skip Sihori or just have a fruit and water?

 A good balanced Sihori is important for keeping your energy levels high throughout the day. Sihori should have-
Fiber- Rotis, oats, sprouts and fruits are source of fiber. Have one of these as a part of your Sihori.
Proteins- Egg,dals,milk or dahi and nuts shall keep metabolism high and help in tissue repair.
Potassium- Dahi, banana and other fruits rich in potassium shall help prevent thirst throughout the day. Include a small portion of them if possible.

2. How to keep immunity high while I fast?

Our body cells get time to repair themselves and hence help us boost immunity while we are in the fasting phase, provided our building phase (post iftaar) is kept healthy.

3. I get migraines, acidity and headaches during Roza. How should I manage it?

Your body start throwing out toxins during the first few days while we fast. Hence its completely normal to get these symptoms.
Keep your meals light for dinner, drink 2-2.5 litres of water daily and sleep for a good 7-8 hours till your body successfully adapts to the new routine.
You shall follow these few tips to deal with the symptoms.
#Steam inhalation with eucalyptus or peppermint oil at bedtime.
#Epsom salt bath
#Deep breathing shall help during roza.
# Infused water with lemon, fennel seeds and jeera(for acidity)

4. I get constipated in Ramadan. How should I manage this?

Constipation is common when you are either low in water or fiber or both. Hence, have a portion of raw vegetables(cucumber, carrot,beetroot), soaked raisins, prunes or just add a tsp of sabza seeds to water.
For water intake drink- Gol paani, coconut water, lemon water or infused water.
If you feel you can not consume a good amount of water then go low with teas and coffee as it will dehydrate your further.
Chronically constipated people (not passing stools for more than 2 days) shall have a tsp of warm cold pressed coconut oil or homemade ghee in the morning and Psyllium husk(isabgol) as bedtime.
Avoid taking any medications for the same unless non of these work.

5. I am confused about what to cook daily?

Well, its the first time for most of us to cook dinners during Ramadan. As it should not consume alot of our time so that we can give enough time for ibadat,we shall keep it simple like khichdi with palida or kadhi, dal rice, chicken and rice/roti, mixed vegetable and mutton pulav and broths for dinner. You can prepare fancy meals once a week for your loved ones.
For sweet cravings- mithaas like thuli with jaggery, malida, gol papdi, kalamra, homemade aam ras are ideal. Avoid fancy cooking due to limited supplies all over the world.

6. I do not lose weight even if I fast?

Do not expect too much of weight loss during Ramadan as your metabolism is slow and would not advice to do high intensity exercises. If following healthy Sihori and post iftaar routine, one may definitely lose inches. Do not get disappointed if you jump back to the same weight on the day of eid. Your scale was showing low weight during Ramadan due to empty stomach. The ideal loss of fats is measured in inches. Be happy if your clothes are getting lose.

7. I ate a heavy iftaar/dinner,what should I do in order to balance?

Firstly stay up for a while, may be, pray bihori so that your body gets enough time to metabolize the meal.
Secondly, you can have fruits and  nuts for Sihori the next day.
Thirdly, make sure you do not do this continuously and your next day should be a lighter and an easily digestible iftaar.

8. Is it ok to have a Sihori immediately after bihori? 

Well, yes, if you feel you can manage the day without an hesitations than go ahead. Make sure your water intake and meals are not compromised. Otherwise it's a good idea to have an uninterrupted sleep.

9. I tend to feel sleepy all throughout the day while I do roza.

Yes, that's common as your brain cells needs glucose supply to stay active. Firstly check your sihori intake and secondly, just open your window or balcony, breathe in some fresh air and get involved in some activity, like tilawat or hifzul quran, tasbeeh.
A quick few minutes of spot jog, skipping or jumping jacks will give a jerk to your metabolism and keep you up for several hours. Try it!

10. I really want to stay healthy but I get severe junk cravings post iftaar.

Try looking for alternatives like grilled,steamed or stir fried. You can use a variety of spices to satisfy your taste buds. For instance, kokum, amchur, imli, lemon and jaljeera can be a nice treat to your taste buds and even better for your gut.
Eat mindfully, look for healthy alternatives, google is flooded with recipes.
Sugar and fried attracts more! Eat once and you will crave for more.
Hence portion control, chew well and eat slow.

Dont miss on Gratitude towards the naemat that Aqa Moula TUS  has bestowed on us!

May you have a healthy and safe Ramadan. Stay home and pray more!

Shehrullah Mubarak!

Baseless and Senseless claims of muddai

This is one of the many replies to the baseless and senseless claims of laeen muddai doing the rounds on different media. 

Mr. Khuzaima Qutbuddin

I am writing this letter in reply to the blasphemous email and video that has not only disturbed each and every mumin but stirred and driven them to the height of passionate fury. it is indeed the teachings of our beloved Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA and his equally illustrious and rightful heir apparent Aqa Moula Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS, that today in spite of this seething pain and anger we are sitting in the cool shade of Raudat Tahera praying for the long life of Aqa Moula TUS and trying to ignore your disturbingly disgusting video. 

You claim rights to the lofty office of Ad-Dail mutlaq and by doing that you have chosen the title of "Muddai" and torn off from your attire the grand and lofty title of Mazoon ud Dawat and shunned away from the exalted designation of  "Al-Mumin". You have finally liberated us from the bonds of "muruvat" and duty that have obliged us to call you mazoon saab since the past few years. Your deeds and your attitude have for years led us to doubt and question your position, but the silence of our Moula TUS and his allowing your name to be read in the Ahd al-Awliya has refrained us from coming to any conclusion and in fact often rendered us wounds of guilt instead. 

Mr. Khuzaima, since the day i began to understand this world, in my small humble capacity, and recognize the efforts of my Moula TUS as a mature mumin and human being, i have failed to find even a few shades of these qualities in you. What you did in East Africa causing so much havoc and confusion, leading mumineen to give misaq again, is something no one can fathom even today. It was an act of sheer madness. You had hurt our Moula RA yet Moulana al-Muqaddas RA covered your ignonimous deeds with kindness and generosity. Mr. Khuzaima, I am sorry but according to me an adna mumin, from what i perceive of you from not only my personal experience but from all that i have witnessed throughout those years, that you dont possess the qualities of an adna Mumin, and have the nerve to call yourself Al-Dai al-Mutlaq. 

Doing what you did with a humble mumin for a personal grudge though not acceptable, is understandable. But yesterday you crossed all limits. When not only each and every mumin but the whole world was mourning, you chose to gather your gang in your den and give them a discourse about your supposed virtues. No doubt we have witnessed the event of saqifa being repeated in this era. You claim your right to do imamat, well if u were so afraid to unveil true self in public you could have adhered to your ways of "taqiyat" and prayed namaz with Aqa Moula TUS. What you give in your tiresome incomprehensible speech is lame excuses. How can you do what you did on the day of wafaat of a Moula TUS who has given you so much. Whatever you have today is the result of Moulas generosity and benevolence and that you can never deny. This is how you show your gratitude? 

You say you were waiting for Moula RA to get shifa so he would clarify personally thus you absconded for the innumerable events. Your son spits poison and barks that Moula RA was brought to such events forcibly. So where were you during the celebrations of the 100th Milad Mubarak? We dont see you playing any role anywhere. When Moulana Mohammed Burhanuddin Aqa would come amidst us on that noorani chair we saw a farishta descending from the heavens. A spirit that is not bound by any physical restrictions lifted us in darajaat through nazaraat that you and your likes can never feel. You saw the discomfort boiling inside you come in front of your eyes. We saw peace and sukun. Moula RA found peace in being amidst mumineen and we offer laakho sajadaat of shukr in Hazarat Aaliya of our Aqa Moula TUS that he strived so hard to make it possible for both Moula RA and Mumineen. 

Where were you when we saw Al-Anwar, Al-Aqmar and all jawame of the fatemiyeen revived? How dare you use the lofty word fatemidawat in your blasphemous propaganda. Where were you when Moula revived the Fatemi saqafat through "Al Multaqal Fatemi al-Ilmi"? where were you when Moula RA opened the doors of Al-Jamea tus Saifiyan and let the Nile of Ilm-e-Alemohammed flow through. Where were you o sheikh when we saw this Moizzi Era in its grandeur and glory??? Wherever we saw Moula RA hoist the flags of Fatemi Sultan, we saw you missing. And on occasions where you luckily made it, we have seen on your face expressions of anger and envy when mumineen would be crying tears of happiness. Thousands of mumineen bear witness to what I say. 

You say that you were the chosen one. Syedna Taher Saifuddin Aqa RA conferred Nass upon you and it cannot be changed. You question in your ridiculous monologue the authority of Imamuz zaman RA as to how could he fail in his tayeed. Well Mr Khuzaima, a student from the primary section of Jamea would suffice to answer that. History has witnessed many such occurrences when a Dai has done nass and the Mansoos has passed away. Did the tayeed of Imam fail then? Al-iyazo billah. Similarly it may be possible according to your claims that Moulana Taher Saifuddin Aqa RA may have wished to see you reach this lofty position. But it is possible and now evident that you never rose to his expectations. Your soul died. What we see and understand today is that those words of Taher Saifuddin Moula RA were his attempt to stop you from straying. That is our perspective and your deeds have proved it to be the right one. And what do you try to prove and achieve by showing the hand-written letter of Taher Saifuddin Moula RA? Havent you seen "Aali Qadr Mufaddal" written by Syedna al-Muqaddas? How can you fail to see in those divine letters what even a small mumin child can register? Your deeds are against each and every word of the rasail shareefa of your illustrious father. You have insulted the living risalah of Moulana Taher Saifuddin RA and Moulana Mohammed Burhanuddin RA and you blaspheme the living Quran - e - kareem by holding in your hands the Kitaabullah that cannot be touched but by only those who are pure.

You challenge in your unintelligible speech anyone who doubts you to confront you. Well you are the Muddai. You are the one who is supposed to confront. And trust me, we dont need even geniuses. Little novices like me will suffice our Moula TUS and lay bare for the world your true face. Why do you fear that you will be beaten? we mumineen are a peace loving community and the whole world knows it. We were waiting impatiently for you to come and submit yourself in the feet of our Moula TUS so we could embrace you. But you failed not only Moula but each and every mumin. The so called attacks are fabrications or your imgination. We mumineen are brought up to meet the enemy with dignity. The weapon we yield is mohabbat and dua. And the name of our Moula TUS is enough to spoil clothes of Khalid and his likes. 

The pages of Quran and the pages of Dawat history stand testimony to the fate of those who have stood against Haq na Dhani. I need not say more.

Abde Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS

[As received on the common forum]

Sign Online petition

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Mumbai_Mirror_Editor_Apology_for_the_ill_framed_article_against_Dawoodi_Bohra_Community_Leader/

Previous post:

http://wakeup-mumineen.blogspot.in/2014/01/we-demand-apology-from-mumbai-mirror.html

Alcohol and Cancer

The below mentioned article has been published with the intent of making people aware of the ill affects of consuming alcohol.

Islam prohibits consumption of alcohol and even one drop of it is haram (forbidden)

Mumineen who are still indulging in this vice are urged to give up the same and obtain khushi of Mola (TUS) and Aliqadr Mola (TUS). May Allah grant strength to such people to give up all such vices.

Alcohol and cancer

·         There is no doubt that alcohol can cause seven types of cancer.

·         The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you reduce your risk of cancer.

·         There is limited risk if you only drink a little - such as one small drink a day for women or two for men.

·         You don’t need to be drunk to increase your risk.

·         Drinking and smoking together are even worse for you.

The consequences of drinking too much alcohol go well beyond the evening’s embarrassing antics or the morning’s hangover. Scientific studies have confirmed that alcohol can also cause cancer.

Obviously, not everyone who drinks will develop cancer. But on the whole, scientists have found that cancer is more common in people who drink alcohol than people who don’t.

Which cancers are affected?

Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of:

·         Mouth cancer

·         Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat)

·         Oesophageal cancer (food pipe)

·         Laryngeal cancer (voice box)

·         Breast cancer

·         Bowel cancer

·         Liver cancer

Every year, alcohol causes around 4% of cancer cases in the UK, about 12,500 cases.

Along with smoking, alcohol causes the majority of mouth and food pipe cancers. In the last decade, mouth cancer has become much more common and this may be because of higher levels of drinking.

Can light drinking increase the risk of cancer?

Alcohol can increase the risk of cancer at levels far too low to make an average person drunk. It’s not just people who have ‘drinking problems’ who have higher risks.

As little as 3 units a day can increase the risk of mouth, throat, food pipe, breast and bowel cancers. That’s the amount in one pint of premium lager or a large glass of wine!

Alcohol has a weaker effect on the risk of breast cancer than on other cancers, but it starts having an effect at a lower level.

What about heavy drinking?

The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing cancer. Heavy drinking can cause cirrhosis of the liver, which can in turn cause liver cancer.

Heavy drinking can also cause heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and, of course, injuries.

Are there safe limits? [Not applicable for muslim, as even single drop is haram]

There is limited risk if you only drink a little, such as:

·         one small drink a day for women (about two units a day).

·         two small drinks a day for men (about three to four units a day).

But remember that:

·         your risk increases the more you drink, and

·         some drinks may contain more alcohol than you imagine.

Which is worse: binge drinking or spreading my drinking across the week?

Research tells us that the total amount of alcohol you drink over time has a much bigger effect on cancer risk than when or how it is drunk.

People are more likely to develop cancer if they drink a lot of alcohol, no matter whether they save it up and drink it in one go, or drink it steadily over a week.

Does drinking matter if you smoke?

People who smoke and drink multiply the damage they receive, because tobacco and alcohol work together to damage the cells of the body. Alcohol makes it easier for the mouth and throat to absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco.

Studies have found that, on average, people who smoke and drink are up to 50 times more likely to get some types of cancer than people who neither smoke nor drink.

Do all types of alcohol increase the risk of cancer?

All types of alcohol increase the risk of cancer, even red wine. It is the alcohol itself that does the damage, regardless of whether it is in the form of beer, wine or spirits.

Elsewhere in this section, you can read about whether alcohol has any benefits for your health.

Why are women recommended to drink less than men?

The slightly different recommendations for men and women are based on biological differences between the two sexes.

·         A woman’s liver produces less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase that breaks down alcohol. So alcohol stays in a woman’s body for longer.

·         There is some evidence that drinking just one unit of alcohol a day can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer. Smaller bodies can absorb less alcohol than large ones and on average, women are smaller than men.

·         Because of their curvy shape, women also tend to have more body fat and less body water than men. This means that any alcohol a woman drinks becomes more concentrated in her body that it would be in a man of the same size.

How does alcohol cause cancer?

There are many possible explanations for how alcohol causes cancer. It is likely that it causes different types of cancer in different ways.

Here are the most likely theories:

1.    Acetaldehyde, the hangover chemical

In your body, alcohol is converted into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde. This is one the main reasons why we get hangovers.

But acetaldehyde does more than give you a headache in the morning. It can cause cancer by damaging DNA and stopping our cells from repairing this damage.

Acetaldehyde also causes liver cells to grow faster than normal. These regenerating cells are more likely to pick up changes in their genes that could lead to cancer.

2.    Oestrogen and hormones

Alcohol can increase the levels of some hormones, such as oestrogen, testosterone and insulin. Unusually high levels of oestrogen increase the risk of breast cancer.

3.    Liver cirrhosis

Drinking lots of alcohol can damage the cells of the liver, causing a disease called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis makes you more vulnerable to liver cancer.

4.    Other chemicals

Alcohol makes it easier for the tissues of the mouth and throat to absorb the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco. This is one reason why people who smoke and drink multiply the damage they receive and have especially high risks of cancer.

5.    Folate

Folate is an important vitamin that helps our cells produce new DNA correctly. People who drink alcohol tend to have lower levels of folate in their blood and some studies have found that cancer is more common in people with low folate levels.

Can alcohol be good for you?

You may have heard that some types of alcohol can be good for you. Many people believe that drinking can be good for the heart, or that red wine can protect against cancer. Is this true?

Alcohol and heart disease

Drinking small amounts of alcohol can protect against heart disease but this does not apply to younger people.

Drinking alcohol specifically to improve your health is unlikely to work. And heavy drinking can actually increase the risk of heart disease. Around the world, alcohol causes twice as many deaths from heart disease as it prevents.

Red wine

Red wine contains high levels of a chemical called resveratrol, which has some anti-cancer effects in laboratory cells. But this is a far cry from saying that drinking red wine can protect people from cancer. For a start, red wine contains many other chemicals, which may not be so beneficial, including alcohol itself.

Based on studies done so far, there is no strong evidence that red wine could protect against cancer. One small but widely reported study claimed that men could halve their risk of prostate cancer by drinking 1-2 units a day. But much larger, stronger studies have contradicted this conclusion.

Recently, a newspaper report claimed that red wine could prevent breast cancer, based on a study which found that resveratrol blocks some types of DNA damage in breast cancer cells. But we can't conclude from this that red wine protects against cancer. 

Wine in general

It is clear that all types of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, including both red and white wines.

The bottom line is that it is a bad idea to drink wine to prevent cancer. There is no strong evidence that this would work. And moderate drinking can easily turn into heavy drinking, which can definitely cause cancer.

Reasons for cutting down

Eight million adults in the UK currently drink at risky levels and British teenagers are some of the heaviest young drinkers in Europe.

The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you reduce your risk of cancer. But there are many other benefits of drinking less.

Reduce your risk of several diseases

Aside from embarrassing injuries, alcohol can also cause heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and pancreatitis. Cutting down can help you reduce your risk of these conditions.

Lose weight

Alcoholic drinks are very high in calories. But these are ‘empty calories’ with virtually no useful nutrients. Alcohol also increases your appetite, so you might eat more heavily when you drink.

If you want to lose weight, you’ll need to consider reducing the amount you drink.

Feel better, sleep better

Alcohol is a depressant. Sometimes this effect can relax you, but at other times, it can lead to feelings of unhappiness and depression.

Alcohol can also interfere with your natural sleep patterns, so by cutting down, you may find that you sleep better.

Save money

If you’re a regular drinker, you might find that you save a lot of money by cutting down.

Source:

email from Batul Hafiji on common forum

·http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/healthyliving/alcohol/

·http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/healthyliving/alcohol/howdoesalcoholcausecancer/

·http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/healthyliving/alcohol/benefits/

·http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/healthyliving/alcohol/cuttingdown/