Fasting Health Benefits: Health Guidelines for Ramadan Fasting

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 fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods; slow digesting foods including fiber 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 barely, 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).

Fiber-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, heartburn, 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 sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium. Almonds are rich in protein and fiber 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.

CONSTIPATION:

Constipation can cause piles (hemorrhoids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fiber in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, and 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. People with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.

HEADACHE:

Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occurs 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 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 at suhur (sehri). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at sehri and limit sugar-contaning foods or 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, fruits, 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 HERNIAB:

Increase 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 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 Ramadan.

KIDNEY STONES:

Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquid to drink. There fore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.

JOINT PAINS:

Causes: during Ramadan, when extra salah 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 Ramadan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Before physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease.

Ramadan Mubarak! Selamat menyambut ramadan!!

Salaam readers! Hope all of u had a great start to the Holy month of Ramadan..Inshallah May Allah bless all of us with piety and good health, forgive our sins and accept our doas. This Ramadan, inshallah, i will be publishing more with relevance to fasting. In that attempt, i present u the very first post. :)

Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah Ta'Ala has ordained fasting in Ramadhan compulsory, and I have decreed (by the command of Allah) wakefulness at night (i.e. Taraweeh, etc.) Sunnat. Whoever in the state of Imaan and the belief of thawaab fasts in Ramadhan and stays awake at night (i.e. for taraweeh), emerges from sin, purified as the day when his mother gave birth to him." (Nisai).

Hadhrat Abu bin Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting and the Qu'ran will intercede on behalf of one on the Day of Qiyaamah. The Fast will proclaim: 'O Allah! I prevented him from eating at carnal desire. Therefore for my sake accept my intercession on his behalf.' The Qu'ran will proclaim: 'I prevented him from sleep. Therefore accept my intercession on his behalf.' The intercession of both will be accepted." (Ahmad, Tibrani, Hakim).

(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi). Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The doors of the Heavens are opened up on the first night of Ramadhan. Not a single Door (among the Doors of Heaven) is then closed until the last night of Ramadhan. For every Salaat performed (this refers to Taraweeh Salaat) during the nights of Ramadhan, Allah Ta'ala records one and a half thousand good deeds for every Sajdah (of the Salaat). And, for the fasting person, Allah Ta'ala creates in Jannat a mansion of red Ya'koot (a precious stone in Jannat). This mansion will have seven thousand entrances. (So huge will these entrances be that in each entrance will be located) a palace of gold adorned with red Ya'koot.

When the Muslims fast the first day of Ramadhan, Allah Ta'ala forgives all his sins committed from the first of the previous Ramadhan. Daily (i.e. during Ramadhan) from the time of Fajr Salat until sunset, seventy thousand Malaaikah supplicate for his forgiveness. In return for every Sajdah which he (the fasting person) makes, of any Salat, whether during the day or night, he will obtain (such a wonderful) tree (so huge) that a horseman will take five hundred years to pass under its shade." (Baihaqi).(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

SITI KHADIJAH (RA) - A MODERN WOMAN AHEAD OF HER TIMES

When it comes to looking for a female archetype, let us look no further than Siti Khadijah binte Khuwalid (RA), the first wife of Rasulullah (SAW) and also the first woman to become a Muslim. Her upright character made the people of her clan call her At-Tahirah, an Arabic adjective, which means the chaste or the pure. As a highly respectable businesswoman, her morals as a widow were much more admired by the men of her clan, and her business was the talk of the town.

While women today are encouraged to make the first move in seeking love instead of griping about the lack of gender equality, Siti Khadijah(RA) had already done so hundreds of years ago! Not only that, she, a widow, had married a man who was 15 years younger than her, a move that despite being accepted in today's society, would still raise some eyebrows here. Indeed by accounts of her character as a successful and wealthy businesswoman,one would have thought that Siti Khadijah(RA) was a woman living in a contemporary society. Her sense of initiative entrepreneurial instinct, and strategic planning in hiring the right man to trade for her business was a eternal lesson from which modern women can learn.

While women today find it a challenge to juggle both their career and family, Siti Khadijah (RA) not only had a thriving business but also a wonderful relationship with her husband, for she was a loving and supportive wife to Rasulullah(SAW), especially during the times when Rasulullah (SAW) was just beginning to spread the teachings of Islam. Instead of admonishing her husband for sprouting nonsense when he came from the Cave of Hira' upon meeting with Angel Jibrael, she stood by him and offered him encouragement as well as reassurance that he would be a good prophet to his people.

While she, who was use to living in luxury, could have abandoned him during the times of hardship when the tribe of Hashim was ostracised and boycotted by the tribe of Quraish, she let behind all the amenties of life her prosperity provided and joined him in the gorge where they were seeking refuge. Her actions were all the more admirable considering the fact that she was not a member of the clan and that she was over sixty years of age; the siegeand boycott resulted in adverse effects on her health, leaving her very weak and ill. It is without doubt that Siti Khadijah(RA) must have been an extraordinary woman to rise up to the challenge of being a prophet's wife.The prophet (SAW) himself often used to mention her qualities saying:
"She (Khadijah) believed in me while others rejected my call. She affirmed my truthfulness when people called me a liar.She spent her wealth to lighten the burden of my sorrow when other had forsaken me" (At-Tirmidzi)

Truly, Siti Khadijah(RA) is an excellent role model worthy of contemplation and imitation for all women today - as a non- beleiving lady who lived by morals and principles, as an astute woman who took the initiative in seeking Mr Right, as a wife who stood by her husband in difficult times, as a believer who showed no hesitation to accept the truth, and finally, as a staunch supporter to her new belief with various forms of personal sacrifices.

Al Qur'an Workshop (In English)

Al Qur'an Workshop (In English) by Ust Zulkiflee Bachik-

Date: 30 Aug 09 and 6 Sep 09 (Sundays)
Time: 2pm tp 4 pm
Venue: Masjid Sultan (Level 2 classroom)
Details:
i) Easy Tajweed Rasm Uthmani (ghunnah, madda, waqaf, Ibtida)
ii) Practical division of Al Qur'an Rasm Uthmaniiii) Easy, interactive, relaxed, repetitions-
Admission: $40 nett ($15 per session + $10 registration fee)

for further details and registration, email attartil_cs@yahoo.com.sg
Organiser: AtTartil Consultacy and Services

May Allah bless ALL our efforts, Insha Allah

Spiritual JAMMING!!!

Darul Arqam In House Talk in Mandrin.

Topic: The Beauty of Fasting in Islam
Date: Friday, 14 August 2009
Time: 8pm
Venue: Darul Arqam Auditorium
Speaker: MA YONG JIAN

Click here for details. For further queries, email or call 6348 8344

The Battle of Badr, the first battle of Islam - Part 3/3

With a cry of rage three more Meccans darted from under Abu Jahl's banner and assailed the Muslim champions (Ali and Hamzah). They too went down before the sword of Islam. A further three were dealt with the same fate. There was a moment of hesitancy among the Quraishites. Muhammad (S.A.W) did not miss his advantage. With a sharp order he sent his soldiers charging into a general attack.

When the general offensive began, hundreds of companions participated in the battle and offered sacrifices and pleased their Lord. But the members of the house of the Messenger (S.A.W.) distinguished themselves. Ali's endeavor was unique at this battle. When Hanthala Ibn Abu Sufyan faced him, Ali liquefied his eyes with one blow from his sword. He annihilated Al Auss Ibn Saeed, and met Tuaima Ibn Oday and transfixed him with his spear, saying "You shall not dispute with us in God after today."

The Messsnger (S.A.W.) took a handful of gravel when the battle was extremely heated. He threw it at the faces of the pagans saying "May your faces be disfigured. God, terrify their hearts and invalidated their feet." The pagans ran away, turning their faces to no one.

The line of the Quraish wavered and a number of their bravest and noblest fell; they took to flight ignominiously, and in their haste to escape they threw away their armor and abandoned their transport animals with all their camp and equipage. Seventy of the bravest Quraish were slain and forty-five taken prisoners, and their commander, Abu Jahl and Hanzala Ibn Abu Sofyan, were amongst the slain.

Though it was the first engagement of the youthful Ali, he showed surprising results and was praised by one and all. He killed no less than sixteen-though some historians give him credit for thirty-six of the bravest and the most prominent of the Quraish army.

This battle laid the foundation of the Islamic State and made out of the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabic Peninsula.

The Battle of Badr, the first battle of Islam - Part 2/3

Warfare in those days followed a different pattern. Before the general battle began, a number of duels were fought between the leading warriors on each side. When the Muslims reached the fertile vale of Badr, a favorite watering place and camping ground on the caravan route, three stations northwards from Mecca, the Prophet (S.A.W) ordered a halt, taking up a suitable position near a stream of fresh water, to await the arrival of the infidel army. It was on the next day, Friday, 17th Ramazan 2 AH or January 13th 624 AD that the enemy, blowing their trumpets, approached the Muslims, and both forces were arrayed in battle.

Three of the infidel warriors, Utbah, the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan, his brother Shaybah, and Al-Walid son of Utbah came out of the ranks and arrogantly challenged the Muslims. Three Ansars of Medina stepped forward to meet this challenge. This greatly enraged the Meccans who refused to combat with the Ansars saying, "We have not come all this way to cross arms with the Medinites, against whom we bear no grudge. We challenge the people of Mecca who have the courage to defy us." Upon this Ali and Ubaydah, cousins of the Prophet, and Hamzah his uncle, responded to the challenge. In the words of Col. Bodley, "At the taunt of the Quriashite, Ali dashed out of the Muslim ranks glittering in breast-plate and helmet. He was soon followed by Ubaydah bin al-Harith, a paternal cousin of Muhammad and Hamzah who wore an ostrich feather in his Cuirass. The three companions were thus closely related to Muhammad and fulfilled the Quraish for Hashimite (the clan of the Prophet) blood!"

The three duels were as rapid as they were murderous. Hamzah killed Shaybah, While Ali killed Al-Walid. Ubaydah was mortally wounded, but before he fell, Ali and Hamzah were able to come to his rescue. Hamzah hurled himself at Utbah, and with a sweep of his sword cut off his head. In a few minutes three of Mecca's most important warriors had been sent to find out the truth about the hell which Muhammad (S.A.W) had promised them!" Ubaydah was the first martyr at this battle. He died after he lost his leg.

The Battle of Badr,the first battle of Islam - Part 1/3

SimplyMuqmin will be covering "The Battle of Badr,the first battle of Islam" in 3 parts. Inshallah, here's the first part for you today. :)

The emigration of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) to Medina had turned the enemies from Mecca more hostile, and they constantly kept on thinking how they could overthrow him, and put an end to Islam. The Meccans and their allies started to bring their raids to the very outskirts of Medina, destroying the fruit trees of the Muslims and carrying away their flocks.

The winter of 624 AD saw the invasion of Medina by a strong force of Meccans led by Abu Jahl consisting of all army of 1000 strong with 700 camels and 100 horses.

Receiving information about this force, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) decided to meet the enemy outside Medina at a place called as Badr (200 Miles from Mecca and 80 Miles from Medina). He set out with three hundred and thirteen (313) of his followers. This small force was marshaled out of Medina with the youthful Ali holding the Banner of the Prophet (S.A.W).

The battle of Badr was the most important among the Islamic battles of Destiny. For the first time the followers of the new faith were put into a serious test. Had victory been the lot of the pagan army while the Islamic Forces were still at the beginning of their developments, the faith of Islam could have come to an end.

No one was aware of the importance of the outcome of the Battle as the Prophet (S.A.W.) himself. We might read the depth of his anxiety in his prayer before the beginning of the Battle when he stood up supplicating his Lord:

"God this is Quraish. It has come with all its arrogance and boastfulness, trying to discredit Thy Apostle. God, I ask Thee to humiliate them tomorrow. God, if this Muslim band will perish today, Thou shall not be worshipped."