HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR RAMADHAN

HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR RAMADHAN

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

SUPERIORITY OF WIRRIDUS SAKRAN - HABIB ABU BAKAR ASSEGAF

HABIB ABU BAKAR BIN ABDURRAHMAN ASSEGAF

WIRRIDUS SAKRAN

SUPERIORITY OF HIZBUN NASHAR - HABIB ALWI AL HADAD

LESSONS FROM RAMADHAN

LESSONS FROM RAMADHAN

In the month of Ramadaan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting. Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal." Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa

Allaah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa." (meaning of SoraatulBaqarah (2):183) Taqwaa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allaah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allaah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allaah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allaah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allaah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allaah (SWT). When one sins, one feels distant from Allaah. That is why one might find it heard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allaah and wants to worship Allaah more, because he is not shy from his sins.

LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will

Allaah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’aan and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs man and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allaah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)

Ihsaan means to worship Allaah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allaah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action, ‘Does Allaah love this action? Is Allaah pleased with this action?' So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyaa’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it." (al-Bukhaaree)
Allaah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allaah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allaah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allaah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allaah.’"

LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related totruthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allaah (SWT) has no need that he should heave his food and drink." (al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners." (Maalik) So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him)? For example:
Do we give salaam to those we don’t know and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islaam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?

LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those whorepent." (Ibn Maajah) Allaah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

LESSON 7: Being more charitable

Ibn `Abaas said, "The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward." (at-Tirmidhee)

LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims
The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "…Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it." (Aboo Daawood) In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salaatul-`Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allaah and His Messenger.

LESSON 9: Learning discipline
The Prophet (ma Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allaah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allaah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives around.

LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allaah

It was the practice of the people of Madeenah, that during the fast of `Aashooraa (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree). So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allaah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray." (Haakim)

LESSON 11: Caring for one’s health

Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet (May Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

RAMADHAN THE MONTH OF QURAN

RAMADHAN
THE MONTH OF QURAN


All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon
His Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! I implore myself and you all to fear Allah; this honors the soul
and brings it close to its Lord. No God-fearing person will ever fail and anyone
who disregards the importance of piety will never be successful.
Dear Muslims! Whoever observes the condition of people in light of the current
trials, tribulations and calamities that are occurring all over the world will see that
the Muslims are in dire need of a generous guest that brings with it relief and
progress. They are in need of this grand guest with whom they hope to be
strengthened after a series of indescribable calamities and weakening incidents;
hence their need for this great month of tranquility and spiritual development. It is
the month of self-examination, conscience reawakening and freedom from
selfishness and lustful desires. Allah says that which translates as: "O you who
have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before
you, that you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah/ 183)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran; a Book whose
light will never fade and which is a path that never leads one astray. The Glorious
Quran is to man as the soul is to the body; it is a light for guidance. Whoever does
not read Quran or doesnt put its injunctions into practice is dead, despite the fact
that they may speak and move. Whoever does not put it into practice, has gone far
astray even if they are apparently successful in all areas of life.
Allah says that which translates as: "Is one who is dead and We gave him life and
made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in
darkness, never to emerge there from?" (Al-An’aam/ 122)
A human being without the guidance of Quran is like any living being without air
or water; all their endeavors will end up in bankruptcy. Allah says that which
translates as: "Say: 'It is for those who believe, a guidance and a cure'. And those
who do not believe – in their ears is deafness, and it (i.e. Quran) is upon them
blindness. Those are being called from a distant place." (Fussilat/ 44)
Fellow Muslims! There is no doubt that the relationship of many Muslims with
Quran is one of abandonments of either its recitation or implementation of its
injunctions. It is no exaggeration to say that the diseases of past nations have
affected the Muslims, while they are unaware of this. Allah says that which
translates as: “And there are among them unlettered people who do not know not
the Scripture except (indulging in) wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.”
(Al Baqarah/ 78) The scholars of Tafsir say about this verse: 'It means: they know
nothing about the Book except for its recitation, for it never passed their lungs and
throats. This is because of the fact that there was a spiritual absence in their
recitation and; therefore, they were unable to ponder over its meanings'.
Among the causes of the absence of reflection on the meanings of Quran is the
failure to explore and understand the laws of Allah in relation to human-beings
and natural phenomena. Also, to blame is the sanctification of erroneous concepts
and wrong interpretations of life that have become widespread among people and
which are caused by unrestrained love for this world and the hatred of death.
Ziyaad Ibn Labeed Al-Ansari ( may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the
Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) mentioned something and then said: "….and that is
when there will be no more knowledge. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How
will knowledge disappear while we have Quran with us and we teach it to our
children and while they will also teach it to theirs?’ The Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
retorted: I thought you were one of the most knowledgeable of the people of
Madinah! Are there not Jews and Christians who have their scriptures with them
and yet they take no benefit from what is inside them?’" (At-Tirmidhi and others).
One is stricken with grief and shock when they see the stance that many Muslims
have adopted with regard to the Book of their Lord. They have been covered by
darkness and wander aimlessly; the foreign systems and ideologies that they have
embraced have done nothing for them. How can it be that we have the light and
yet follow the paths of other nations?
The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) lived for sixty-three years; we are used to
believing that old age and the vicissitudes of life cause hair to turn grey. What then
will you think of a man who attributed grey hair to some verses of the glorious
Quran that he used to recite? Abu Bakr ( may Allah be pleased with him) asked
the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) about what caused some of his beard to become
grey, he (p.b.u.h.) replied: ‘It was caused by Soorah Hood, Soorah Al-Waaqi’ah,
Soorah An-Naba’ and Soorah At-Takweer.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan should be regarded as a
wonderful opportunity for every Muslim to save himself from destruction and to
purify their soul in preparation for Quranic guidance that is inherent in night
prayer. Allah says that which translates as: “Indeed, the hours of the night (i.e. the
rising for Tahajjud prayer) are more effective for concurrence (of heart and
tongue) and more suitable for words (i.e. for recitation of Quran and for hearing
and understanding it).” (Al-Muzzammil/ 6).
Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the
Muslims to wake up for night prayers, seek refuge with Allah and turn to Him for
their needs, for none has the power to answer their call except Allah alone. The
Lord descends to the nearest heaven, in a way that befits his majesty, in the last
third of the night and asks: "Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I
can forgive him?" Do any of us ever reflect upon and appreciate this great period
which is one of those in which supplications are answered? Tell me, what are the
people doing in this last part of the night? Many a miserable soul missed this
blessed period! Many people are in deep slumber at this time. It is saddening that
some of those who are negligent of this great period are however, ready to go
anywhere where they can lodge their complaints and seek solutions to their
problems - from their fellow human beings, forgetting that it is only Allah who is
capable of removing sorrow and distress. He says that which translates as: "What
is (the matter) with you that you do not attribute to Allah (due) grandeur while He
has created you in stages?" (Nooh/ 13-14)
Imam Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said: "There are three
persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person
when he breaks his fast and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose
supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it
and Allah will say, 'By My Glory! I shall assist you even if it is after a while.'"
Brothers in faith! There are; however, some people who raise their hands in prayer
and are impatient for a rapid answer; they may even feel despair if their
supplications are not speedily answered. The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said:
"Allah will answer the supplication of any one of you as long as he is not hasty
and says: ‘I called my Lord and He did not answer.’"
The delay may also be caused by sins such as the failure to uphold the rights of
kinship, or perhaps it may be due to the fact that the prayer emanated only from
the tongue and was not rooted in the heart. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.): "Allah does not
accept the supplications from an inattentive heart." The heart is not free from
turning to the desires of this life and we all know that one who always looks back
does not reach his goal in time.
Therefore, I implore you O Muslims, to make plentiful supplications to Allah, for
supplication is the essence of worship. Let nobody slight their requirements
however great or small they may be. Allah says that which translates as: "And
your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain
My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.'" (Ghaafir/ 60)
Here is an example for those in sorrow and distress: The Messenger of Allah
(p.b.u.h.) entered the mosque one day and saw an Ansari (a resident of Madinah)
man there by the name of Abu Umaamah. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked him: " O
Abu Umaamah, why are you sitting in the mosque at a time that is not a prayer
time?" He replied: 'I was forced to do so by sorrow and debt.' The Messenger of
Allah (p.b.u.h.) then asked: 'Shall I teach you a supplication by which Allah will
remove your sorrow and pay for you your debts?' He answered: 'O yes, Messenger
of Allah!' The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) then said: 'Say every morning and evening:
Allahumma innee a’oodhu bikka minal-hammi wal hazan, wa a’oodhu bika minal-
‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’oodhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhul wa a’oodhu bika min
ghalabatid-dayn wa qahrir-rijaal.’ (Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from
anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden
of debts and from being over powered by men.) Abu Umaamah said: 'I did that
and Allah removed my distress and paid for me my debt.'" (Abu Dawood)
Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is a month of generosity and spending in
ways that are virtuous. Let every Muslim take part in the generosity of this month
and not hesitate to wipe the tears off the faces of orphans, widows and the
destitute. Let everyone keep away from stinginess and covetousness for these are
two of the bad qualities from which the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) sought
refuge with his Lord from. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most generous of
mankind and his generosity multiplied during the month of Ramadan. He would
never say ‘no’ when he was asked of anything.
Further, the benefits of charity are not restricted to the beneficiary; the donor also
has a share. An example of this is when a generous person gives in charity, their
heart becomes gladdened and they become pleased with that. Therefore, this
person will be encouraged to give more and gain extra rewards. As for the miser,
whenever he thinks of giving in charity his heart feels constrained; he feels as if he
is giving away a chunk of his life!, this in turn leads to his whole life feeling
constrained. However, nothing destroys the tricks and insinuations of Satan more
than giving sincerely in charity.
Allah says that which translates as: "Satan threatens you with poverty and orders
you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty.
And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing." (Al-Baqarah/ 268)