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!

The translation of Ramadan Tasbeeh

Daily Ramadan Tasbeeh:

Allhumma inna haadha shahru Ramadan al-ladhee unzila feehil Qurana hudan linnaasi wa bayyinaatin minal hudaa wal furqaan

O Allah this is the month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran as a guidance to people with clear signs and arguments.

Allahumma baarik lanaa fee shahri Ramadan wa 'a-inna 'alayhi wa taqabbalhu minnaa

O Allah increase Your blessings upon us during this month, help us to observe its requirements and accept our prayers and supplications.

Innaka 'alaa kulle shayin qadeer

Indeed You have power over everything

Laa ilaaha illallaah. Astaghfirullaah. Allahumma innee asalokal jannata wa 'aoodhu beka minan-naar

There is no God other than Allah. I seek forgiveness from Allah. I ask You O Allah to include me among those deserving paradise and to deliver me from the fire (of hell).

Recommended Ramazan Diet

Ramazan Mubarak.

Drink Plenty of Water

Proper hydration is essential during Ramadan. Drink plenty of fruit juice and water during Suhoor and bedtime to maintain proper fluid levels. This helps avoid common health problems associated with dehydration such as headache and fatigue.

Replace Sugar with Fruit

Sugar absorbs necessary vitamins and minerals from our bodies. During Ramadan, it is important to retain as many vitamins and minerals as possible. White rice and bread act in the same way sugars do in our bodies. Whole wheat and unpolished rice are a good substitute.

Avoid Overeating

It’s a sad truth that the majority of Muslims gain weight during Ramadan, but there is no need to consume excess food at suhoor or iftaar. This may result in indigestion, bloating, upset stomach or lack of sleep. There is no reason to vary your diet too much from your normal diet before fasting. During a period of fasting, our bodies are able to compensate so there is no reason to eat more than normal.

Ramazan Diet Suggestions

Soup

Soup is a quick and easy way to get the nourishment your body needs. Soup provides two basic needs during a 

fast: nourishment and water. It is an excellent choice for iftar.

Dates/Almonds

Dates are an excellent source of fiber, sugar, potassium , magnesium and carbohydrates (Sunnah). Almonds are low in fat and a good source of protein and fiber.

Fruit

Bananas are a good source of carbohydrates, magnesium and potassium. Other fruits, such as pears, nectarines, oranges, plums and apples are a good sources of natural sugar.

Foods to Avoid During Ramazan

Avoid fatty and fried foods as they will make you feel sluggish and possibly cause indigestion. You should also avoid foods with too much sugar, which is why fruits are a preferred option. Avoid tea and opt for water instead. Tea passes quickly through the digestive system and takes valuable mineral salts with it that the body needs to function properly during the day.

Benefits of FASTING

Fasting is not only a physical but also a spiritual exercise that has many lasting benefits.

1. Heightened consciousness of Allah
Fasting helps you to become less preoccupied with bodily appetite, and gives the heart and mind the freedom to reflect upon deeper spiritual matters, such as your relationship with Allah and with fellow human beings.It enables a person to develop sustained consciousness of Allah (Takwa).

2. Healthy lifestyle
A fasting person learns restraint and only responds to hunger and thirst in a heightened level of conciousness and discipline . Through fasting, a person begins to appreciate the value of food. In the Quran, ''healthy and wholesome food'' is desciribed as the best of provisions.Thus fasting makes a person to choose a healthier life style by making small but lasting changes to their daily diet.

3. Compassion and charity
When fasting, you should think of those in need who may be fasting but have no food at the start or the end of their fast, those whose tiny children are also having to go hungry because of poverty. The Prophet Muhammad described Ramadan as “the month of mercy”. His companions observed: “The Prophet (Muhammad) was the most generous of people, but he would be his most generous during Ramadan …”

4. Community spirit
During Ramadan, the one who fasts has heightened concerns for the well-being of the community – rich and 
poor, intellectuals and labourers. Community spirit is promoted as people start fasting at the same time and break their fast at the same time, and reflect together through longer prayer and deeper devotions. It is greatly encouraged to break fast together.

5. A fast without the spirit is empty of blessing
Abstention for long hours can be very hard physically and spiritually. However, by the end of the long month you should feel cleansed and with a renewed spirit. Ramadan is an ideal time to break bad habits, to reflect on personality and to improve your character. Those who fast but make no change to their lives except 
delaying a meal cannot really expect to become any different in their behavior during or after Ramadan. In 
many ways, this is a wasted fast, as stressed in a number of sayings of the blessed Prophet: fasting is not merely “abstention from eating and drinking, but also from vain speech and foul language”.
Fasting is, therefore, about much more than just giving up food and drink and hoping to lose a couple of pounds.

By fasting, a person reflects, acts and betters his or her character.

Ramzan a month of blessings

A month of Blessings
A month of Rewards
A month of Unity
A month of Oppurtunity,
A month of Mercy...
Subhanallah, the greatest month RAMADAN will be with us in 5 days.

Health Guidelines for Ramadan

Recently received email article describing health guidelines for Ramadan month. I find it useful and hope you will also like it.

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.

During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However,  if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalize one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

* Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley,  wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
* Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
 * Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.

AVOID

* Fried and fatty foods.
 * Foods containing too much sugar.
 * Over-eating especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur)
 * Too much tea during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur). Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.

EAT

* Complex carbohydrates during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur) so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
 * Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
 * Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
 * Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
 * Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

DRINK

* As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar  (Breaking fasting) and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.

Common Medical Problems

CONSTIPATION
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.

Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.

INDIGESTION AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.

Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.

LETHARGY ('low blood pressure')
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tends to occur towards the afternoon.

Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.

Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.

Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood
pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their
doctor.

HEADACHE
Causes: Caffeine withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar (Breaking Fasting).

Remedy: Cut down caffeine slowly starting a week or two before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.

Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri or suhur) . The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.

Remedy: Eat something at suhur (sehri) and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.

Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.

MUSCLE CRAMPS
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.

Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.

Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.

PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA
Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend upto the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.

Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadan.

KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink.
Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.

JOINT PAINS
Causes: The  increased pressure on the knee joints during Salat. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.

Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs . Being physically fit allows greater fulfilment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salat with ease.

Lets Become Muslims beyond Ramadan

Lets Become Muslims beyond Ramadan

It is now time for us to re-evaluate our Eemaan. Question ourselves, and in process improve ourselves.

We claim to be Muslims, we claim to be Mumin, we assert to believe in Allah Taala, we declare to have faith in our Imams (AS) and Duatul Mutlaqueen (RA), but do we really believe in all with a firm heart, or is it just something we say? We claim to "believe" in the Unseen Allah, but we see the harmful effects of backbiting, drinking, clubbing, etc, yet we don't avoid them. Let's ask ourselves that if we don't even believe in what can be seen, do we really believe in the Unseen? Just "believing" in the existence of Allah does not make us Muslims or Mumins, Shaitaan also, by the way, "believes" in Allah. We must act like Muslims also.

We must also do in actions that what we say in words and that what we know in thoughts. We say we're Muslims, but are we really? He is not a true Muslim whose hands and tongue are violent. Several of us stopped cursing and backbiting and lying during the month of Ramadan, but now what? Since Ramadan is over, should we return to those faults? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

Every Muslim is to pray 5 times a day, every day, no exceptions. Several of us did that very promptly during Ramadan and most of us came to masjid for the Imamat Namaaz. Now that Ramadan is over, now what? Should we give up those prayers just because Ramadan is over? can't we get time to pray Imamat Namaaz at least one time in the Masjid? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

We made duas because we understood that indeed it is Allah who listens and grants. We sought forgiveness from Allah because we realized our faults and felt guilty. We improved our conducts and lowered our voices and controlled our tempers because we realized that a Mumeen is he whose actions represent peace and nobility. Now that Ramadan is over, will we go back to our same old self? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

We tried our best to close our ears to that which was not permissible to hear, we tried our best to stop our tongues at times when we were about to say something which we are not allowed to say, we tried our best to lower our gazes at sights which we are not allowed to see. Now that Ramadan is over, do those things become permissible to us? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

We refrained from going to clubs and watching movies and listening to songs and dancing during Ramadan because we realized these attributes do not represent Muslims. Now that Ramadan is over, should we return to our previous lifestyle? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

We were awake at nights, not spending time in clubs or with friends, but instead we were awake at nights to do ibaadat for the Will and Pleasure of Allah. Now that Ramadan is over, are we relieved of our responsibilities? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

With the call of Huzurealla (TUS) indicating the salawat jaman being served to mumineen in shehrulla be hygienic and nutritious, we took this call for even not bringing kharas at the time of mid-namaaz Iftaar and instead moved to biscuits, tamra and chai. The reason for this move was to have a healthy mind and body. Now that Ramadan is over, should we return to the same eating habits of our previous palates and prove the famous saying of " 2 Mithaas, 2 Kharas, Bypass, Khalaas"? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

Whenever we used to meet each other we used to utter the words "DUA MA YAAD" or sent messages of "ILTEMAAS UD DUA" or simply SMS "DMY". Now that Ramadan is over, should we forget our relatives, friends and foes in our everyday duas and also not ask them for their duas? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???

We refrained from dawn to dusk, not only from the Haraam, but also the Halaal. The purpose of this abstinence was to create patience and virtue, and realize that if you want you can even stay away from the Halaal, so why can you not avoid the Haraam? Sure you can. You just need the will. Now that Ramadan is over, can we go back to eating, talking, watching, doing, and thinking Haraam? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???
We desisted from trimming our beards. We wore the Islamic attire (Quomi Libaas) which has been given to us as an identity by our Moula (TUS). We adored to wear the Dawat Topi wherever we went, which our Moula (TUS) Generously referred to "MARO SAYO TAMARA UPAR CHHE" in his Qalemaat Nooraniyah. Now that Ramadan is over, should we go back to the fashion of shaving our beards, removing the dawat topi , the Holy Saya of Our Aqa & Moula TUS from our heads, so as to look modern? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???
We recited Quran Majid day and night and some of us even went out of their way and heeded to memorize the last surats of Amma Sipara as per our Moula's wish. Now that Ramadan is over, should we put the Holy Quran back on the high end shelf of our rooms and start reading the fiction novels and other materials? Are we Muslims only in Ramadan???
Let us plead to Allah Sub'hanahu Taala to grant us tawfiq to obey Shariat – e – Mohammadiyah and attain the greatest of sawaabs in doing so, and make us follow the whole year around with the things we do in Ramadan only. Lets gear up to become muslims all around the year - "Lets Become Muslims beyond Ramadan"

We sincerely pray that Allah Subhanahu grants our Aqa Moula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (TUS), who is to us, not only a personality, but a phenomenon of all that is good and noble, in the past and present, a continued good health and strength to preside over our destiny until the Judgment day. AMEEN.

Perhaps It May be Our Last Ramadan!

The month of Ramadan is a divine spring when rain of blessing from Allah provides a new spirit upon His believers, who eagerly wait for its advent. It is month of purification and salvation, but there are some who even in the month of Ramadan are largely involved in activities which are condemned by the Shariah and its Granter, such as immoral behavior, unjust actions, unfair dealings etc. These sins become their cause of destruction of good deeds and destroy piety. Many people spend money in the name of charity in Ramadan in public platform for self glorification, which destroy its religious significance. Hadith Literature provides us guidance that charity is offered in the same manner as you would receive from others i.e.: in an honorable mode. Ramadan gives us lessons of tolerance and patience, so we can act on it throughout the year with sympathy for the less fortunate class. People approach Ramadan in different ways. Its perception differs from people to people. Some people view Ramadan as a period of expressing their undying love for the Beloved. For them, Ramadan is a valuable, precious, and rare occasion. They spend all their time doing good, convinced that the reward of each act is multiplied manifold. Patience, sympathy, and generosity beautify the demeanor. They guard their tongues and remain preoccupied in recitation of Qur'an and Doa, seeking forgiveness, begging for Jannah, and seeking protection from Jahannam. There are others who regard Ramadan as a painstaking task. It is a painful practice and a torturous month for these so called moderates. They reluctantly keep Sawm and offer Sal'at. Their concept of Siy'am is limited to physical abstention of food, drink, and marital relationship with wife. They spend their time in chitchat, watching TV, and wasting their nights in markets and restaurants. They are not ever inclined towards Khair'at, nor are they careful of their Ibadah. Their goal in Ramadan is to prepare for Eid. The following Hadith suitably describes their spiritless actions: "Many are the ones who keep Sawm attaining nothing by such except hunger, and many perform Sal'at by night attaining nothing by it except the discomfort of staying awake." There is yet a third group who is hardly ever moved by Ramadan. They never believe in Ibadah and remain busy in their worldly activities. They are less concerned with religion, and nor have the will or the time to change their daily routines, as per injunctions of the Shariah. The following Hadith should serve as a harsh warning to them: "Jibrael appeared before me and said: "Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it passes by without gaining forgiveness". Upon that I said: Aameen". Ramadan is a School which after completion of one month course gives result to each believer, to evaluate his position. Ramadan is a sacred training School where a believer learns how to recharge one's spiritual batteries-to gain one's provision for the Akhirah. If one can not attain advantage from this month then when will he do so? This is the month for renewing our Aqidah, strengthening our willpower, and seeking Taubah, a unique opportunity to fortify the bond of love with our Creator, through Ibadah Zahirah & Aam'al Batinah. Sal'at and Zak'at are inter-connected and linked to the category of Ibadah Zahirah. Instructions have been given that Faraid should be done openly, so other people should incline towards it. Khair'at is under the head of Aam'al Batinah which has direct link to Allah alone. It is a noted fact that after each Ramadan, on Eid holidays many people indulge in immoral, shameless and indecent activities of enjoyment, which Shariah condemns. People revert to entertainment of music, forbidden films, and women displaying their beautification etc. They spend lavishly on gambling, drinking, and profligacy, and consider it as a part of joy of the festival. Involvement of the Muslims in such nefarious activities is the major cause of humiliation and fall of Muslim Power worldwide. When non Muslims observe the ugly life style of Muslims they enjoy, and support them. Ramadan ends with Eid al Fitar but the deeds and actions displayed during Ramadan should serve as facilitator which should be followed throughout the year. Eid is a bliss occasion of Islam which has no concern with the festival of other faiths. Divine help shall not reach to the corrupt by nature. Rehmat is not conferred on those who only take the name of Allah and forget true actions. Islam is a religion of qualities, not faces or personalities. It has no concern with any community or locality, but it is universal, for all time to come. Instead of improving our own character, we are happy with our own brand of Islam. The teachings of Islam has become so contaminated with foreign customs, and un-Islamic ideologies, that a converted Muslim has to make an effort to search for the Qur'an and Sunnah brand of Islam or remain confused and ignorant. A few days earlier, a senior diplomat who converted to Islam a few months ago contacted me and request to suggest an authentic book of Muslim Customs & Traditions. I advised him that it is better to perform Faraid of Islam and not to confuse himself in it, as it is not a part of religion. Know that Ramadan is an appearance of blessings; and can be a turning point in an individual's life; an opportunity of transformation towards an improved mode of life; a change from the disgrace of sins to the beauty of submission; a way to benevolence from bad society and hateful habits to morality and decent behavior. We should not loose the blessings of Ramadan by falling back on our previous careless ways. Take hold of this blessing which gives a new shape to our lives, and thus become a human worthy of being called Muslims! May Allah grant us inspiration, strength and spirit to make this Ramadan as a start towards a new phase of our life. May He grant us the ability to abide by the Shariah. It is not a matter of Doa alone but time to practice strongly, with the true concept of Taqwa (fear of Allah). May Allah allow us this opportunity to utilize our time in a positive and constructive manner, for the pleasure of Allah. Ramadan demands from each Muslim to avoid misdeeds, forbidden actions, such as vulgar language and discussion. Perhaps it may be our last Ramadan, our last opportunity to benefit from the special blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month, for who knows we may be there or not to receive the blessings next year. On the following 'Imami Doa' in a form of Farewell Sal'am I am closing this discussion: "Ya Moulaya Allah'humma La Taqalibni Min Muzey'i Hazal Yawma illa Wa'qad Ghafarta Li Jami'a Zunubi Bi'Hawlika wa Quwatika wa Min'nika wa Ra'fatika" (O my Moula! O Allah! Do not transfer me from this place (world) but in a condition that You have forgive all my sins with Your power and command and Naimah and affection), A'amin. Source and Copyright © 2009 Qazi Dr. Shaikh Abbas Borhany Email: qazishkborhany@hotmail.com

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5 ways to make this Ramadan extraordinary

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu


Welcome to our long-lost friend: Ramadan. How we have missed the days of self-restraint and the nights of mercy and delight! After eleven months of sinning, we now have the opportunity to avail ourselves of a month of mercy and forgiveness. For those whose duas have not been answered, the month of answered duas has arrived. For those who have drifted away from the soothing night prayer, or who have never achieved it, the month of the blessed taraweeh has arrived. Welcome to our Lord’s mercy: the month of Ramadan. No doubt each and every one of us approaches Ramadan with a special excitement. Alas for many of us, however: the excitement is met with fear and dread instead.

Will this Ramadan be like the previous ones where I failed to truly take full advantage and mend my ways?

Will this Ramadan only demonstrate to me how far away from Allah I truly am?

Will it be yet another month that passes by without my taking full advantage of it?

If you are feeling this way, know that you are not alone. Many of us feel this way and do not know how to tackle it. As a result, the fear and dread are enough for us to avoid setting new goals and higher aspirations for this month. As a result, we find ourselves at the end of the month in the situation of having failed to benefit from this opportunity and languishing in sorrow at the thought that we will never improve.

I too used to get these whispers and thoughts in my mind. However, I overcame these thoughts with the help of Allah. Here are five things that I have done to tackle these "Ramadan blues". Let me share them with you; perhaps the suggestions may benefit you, and help you to overlook the past and focus on the future.

Good thoughts about Allah: I remind myself that my Lord is most Generous and Kind. He loves me sincerely. The proof is that even when I disobey Him He still provides for me. That is why He is giving me yet another Ramadan: yet another opportunity to get closer to Him again. He loves to forgive, and His best friends are those who seek His forgiveness the most. He has brought me to another Ramadan so that I can have yet another chance at Laylatul Qadr, and yet another chance to make my duas accepted at the time of iftar, and yet another chance to do Hajj with Rasul-Allah (sall-Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) by doing umrah in this month. He has brought me to Ramadan to sooth the sorrows in my heart with His remembrance, and for me to be reminded of the nights in my grave by the solitude of i’tikaaf: by seeing how it feels to be alone with Him in the mosque. He wants me to lighten the load on my mind, so that is why He has given me the month of the Qur’an: so that I can relive the amazing Word of my Rabb (Lord and Master). The salaf (pious predecessors) would beg Allah for another opportunity for Ramadan, so how fortunate I am that He has given me this chance once again. How fortunate I am that He has given me the chance to know when this month is, so that I can take advantage of it. How fortunate I am that He has given me the yearning in my heart to meet my Lord in this month - and I know that the one who loves to meet His Lord, Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala also loves to meet him.

Forget the past and focus on the future: I remind myself that past deeds are just that: a matter of the past. I live for the future, not the past. The past will be forgiven insha’Allah if I can mend the future. My concern should be the next deed that I do, because Allah loves to forgive; so I can have every confidence that He will forgive the past because I have nothing but regret for my past sins. The most important consideration for me is what sort of amends I make now. I remind myself of what Imam Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahu-Allah) said in his Nooniyyah:

By Allah I am not afraid of my past sins,
For indeed they are upon the path of repentance and forgiveness;
Rather my real concern is that [in the next deed] this heart
Might cease to act upon revelation and upon the noble Qur’an.

Evaluate previous attempts in order to plan a strategy to make it work this time: I remember that it is illogical to think that my future chances of success are a reflection of my failures in the past. My past inabilities only show me what to do better this time so that I can increase my chances this time around. So if I tried to pray taraweeh every night but failed, I should look back at what happened in order to learn lessons from those failures. Was it that the Imam’s recitation was not good? If so, then let me try to find a mosque to go to whose Imam recites better. If I failed to complete reciting the whole Qur’an last year, let me look at why that was the case and how I can change it. Can I put up reminders to read the Qur’an, or shall I buy a few more copies of the Qur’an and put them in more convenient places, such as one in my car, another in my briefcase and another on my table, so that I have a mushaf always on hand? If I missed getting up for fajr last Ramadan, why did it happen and how can I change it? Perhaps I should buy more alarm clocks, so let me go to the store right now. Perhaps I should SMS my friends to start a fajr prayer-calling group so that each day one of us is responsible for waking the others up. Perhaps I should make my suhur my heaviest meal so that my body feels hungry at suhur-time and so I get up more easily.

Reward, challenge and penalise myself: I can plan and prepare to reward myself if I finish this Ramadan satisfactorily. So I tell myself that if I can make myself pray all my prayers at the earliest time this Ramadan and recite the Qur’an five times this month, then I will buy myself a new laptop; if I can recite it ten times then I will go away with my family for a holiday, or some other significant reward that I know I would definitely like to treat myself with. I warn myself that if I fail to at least recite the Qur’an five times in this month, then I will donate a thousand dollars to charity. I remind myself that even Allah’s Messenger sall-Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to give worldly rewards to those who excelled in battle: e.g. half the war-booty from the raids to the Muslim knights who had taken part in the raid; he (saw) would consider it a great sin upon the one who fails to join the obligatory battle. In the same spirit of reward, challenge and penalty, I would do this for my children and my wife as well by helping them with a reward if they do something extraordinary this month, and a penalty if they did not even do the minimum extra level. In this way I can give them an added incentive to do good in this limited time of Ramadan. I remind myself that ultimately we must do it for Allah and never for a physical prize, but associating an emotional desire with an action and fear of a punishment at the non-performance of it will cause that action to be foremost in the subconscious part of my mind. I remind myself that the worst thing about not making this Ramadan special is going to be something worse than the penalty I have stipulated. It will be the disappointment of a Ramadan wasted, and the risk of Allah’s wrath.

Create peer-pressure and responsibility: I remind myself that if I make my friends and family aware of some of my goals, then they might help me. So I share some of my goals with them, ensuring that I am doing it to engage their help in performing it, not in a spirit of boasting. I hope that this will give me added support and encouragement to ensure that they help me in achieving the good things I have set out to do. If they do not help, at the very least they should not mind when I excuse myself from their service or company in order to spend some time on working towards my goal.

I hope that some or all of these things will help you to look upon this Ramadan with a fresh outlook. Make lots of dua to Allah that this Ramadan will be special for you, for your family, and for the Ummah of our beloved sall-Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. I am interested in hearing from you if you have other things that you do to focus positively at the advent of another Ramadan.

Jazaakumullahulkhair and my duas for you and your family for a fantastic and blessed Ramadan, insha’Allah;
wassalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Health Guide For the Ramadan

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.

During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is an ideal time to normalise one's weight.

In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).

Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).

Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.

The foods eaten should be well-balanced, from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products.

Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.

AVOID
-Fried and fatty foods.
-Foods containing too much sugar.
-Over-eating especially at sehri.
-Too much tea at sehri. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
-Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.

EAT
-Complex carbohydrates at sehri so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
-Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
-Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
-Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
-Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

DRINK
-As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.

REMEDIES:

CONSTIPATION - Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.

INDIGESTION AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.

LETHARGY ('low blood pressure') - Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadhan. They should consult their doctor.

HEADACHE
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadhan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganise your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR - Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates especially at sehri. The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at sehri and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.
Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.

MUSCLE CRAMPS
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.

PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA - Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadhan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.
Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadhan.

KIDNEY STONES - Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.

JOINT PAINS
Causes: During Ramadan, when extra Salâh are performed the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.
Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadhan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Being physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform Salâh with ease.