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Ramadan - Islam Guidance

  • As Ramadan comes to an end stay healthy

    With only a few days left to go in the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims who observe the fast fall into two broad categories.
    Some are so used to the rhythms of fasting that it feels almost natural at this point.
    For others, the final stretch is psychologically and physically the hardest.
    This year poses an even greater challenge, with Ramadan falling during some of the longest and hottest days of the year, requiring a fast of 15 or more hours in some parts of the world.
    The dramatic change from regular eating habits can take a toll on an one’s health and energy, and makes it difficult to keep up a regular fitness regimen.
    But there are ways to turn it around.
    Here are some tips to make a Ramadan fast beneficial, rather than damaging, to your health:
          
    Eat meals, not feasts
    When the body is starved of food, it burns fat to make energy, which can help shed the pounds.
    But that benefit can be lost with excessive feasting at the post-sundown meal, the iftar.
    Dr. Terry Meriden, an endocrinologist at the Thyroid & Metabolism Clinic in Peoria, Illinois, tells Quartz that it’s important to limit portions, or an opportunity to lose weight could be wasted.
    Although it might seem like the natural reaction to overstuff your stomach when it is finally time to eat, overeating causes discomfort in the abdomen, and pretty much rules out all hopes of being active after eating.
    The same goes for water.
    There is no reason to down your recommended eight glasses as soon as the sun sets.
    Sip, don’t chug, to gently rehydrate.   
      
    Wake up for the pre-dawn meal
    An integral part of Ramadan is suhur, the traditional pre-dawn meal, but many lack the stomach for a meal in the dark before sunrise.
    Since the month only offers the observant few opportunities to eat and drink, it’s important to use all of them to get through the daylight hours.
    For this meal, eat food that will release energy throughout the day.
    In order to stay full, stick to high-fiber, high-protein foods, with healthy fats such as avocado.
    And it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. Boil a dozen hardboiled eggs, make smoothie packets to keep in your freezer, bake a batch of bran muffins, or prep some oatmeal with nuts and fruit to make your morning routine a little easier.

    Work out before eating
    When you haven’t consumed food or drink all day, the thought of exercise might sound terrifying.
    But experts say it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle, though they recommend low-intensity workouts.
    Dr. Meriden suggests working out in the pre-dawn hours, before suhur.
    If you’re not an early riser, Nadia Amrikani, a personal trainer at Boston gym Physique who observes the fast, suggests exercising at iftar, after drinking water and eating a portion of complex carbs and veggies—then munching on proteins when you’re done.
    Ramadan also provides an opportunity to switch up workouts to more weight training or interval training, since cutting down cardio is recommended.
    “This gives your body a change from routine and will most likely see definite results,” Amrikani tells Quartz.
    Yoga, Pilates, and swimming are popular choices, since they don’t involve sweating profusely, which makes water cravings intense.
    Light exercise can also help to distract you from thinking constantly about food and drink.

    Eat right and stay hydrated
    Many welcome the opportunity to burn fat, but fasting for a long period of time can eventually make your body break down muscles for energy, which is less desirable.
    To prevent muscle-breakdown, meals should consist of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein to help release energy slowly throughout the day.
    Those foods will also make you feel more full, which is a plus.
    Avoiding caffeine is a good idea, since caffeinated drinks can dehydrate you. Additionally, fasting all day can escalate your sugar cravings, but it’s important not to overindulge in those post-sunset dates or pastry to avoid weight gain.
    “Give your body what it needs, not what it is asking for,” says Amrikani.
      
    Remind yourself why you’re doing this
    Often forgotten, the annual fast, one of the five pillars of Islam, is also the total commitment of the person’s mind.
    So when the last stretch gets difficult, it is important to remember why you began the fast in the first place.
    The month is a period of self-growth.
    It provides the opportunity to practice self-restraint, cleanse the body and soul of impurities, and build a sense of community.
    It can also offer a sense of solidarity with those who can’t afford food or material goods, and help inspire charitable acts throughout the year.

    This article borrowed from Ahl-ul-Bayt.org

  • Drawing closer to the holy month

    Likewise, the final call for travel to partake in the Divine banquet of the month of Ramadan is being done and the self is required to undergo a 'security scan'.
    Aba Salt Al Harawi narrates: "On the last Jum'ah - Friday - of the month of Sha'baan, I went to visit Imam Ali Ar Ridha. The Imam said to me, 'O' Aba Salt! Certainly a great amount of the month of Sha'baan has passed and today is the last Friday (of this month).Therefore make up for your negligence during this month on this day through..." Thereafter the Imam outlines nine points as here below:
    1. Increase in supplication
    2. Increase in seeking forgiveness
    3. Increase in recitation of Qur'an
    4. Repent towards Allah
    5. Fulfill any outstanding trust/requirement upon you
    6. Remove from your heart any hatred for a Mumin (Faithful one)
    7. Guard your duty towards Allah; observe Taqwa
    8. Have Tawakkul - complete reliance - upon Allah (S.W.T)
    "During the few days that are left in this month of Sha'baan, increase to continuously recite:

    اللّهُمَّ إنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ غَفَرْتَ لَنَا فِيمَا مَضَى مِنْ شَعْبَان فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا فِيمَا بَقِيَ مِنْهُ

    O' Allah! If you have not forgiven us (our sins) in that which has passed of this (month of) Sha'baan, then forgive us (our sins) in the period that is remaining (of the month of Sha'ban).
    Since Allah the Most High, out of His respect for the month of Ramadan will release a large number of people from the hell fire."
    Note the positive, encouraging and motivating content of the address urging one to make up for their negligence.

    Imam Mahdi (A.S) addressing you
    Just as the 8th Imam was addressing Aba Salt, imagine that today one is being similarly addressed by Imam Mahdi (A.S). How would one take these nine points for checking in the scan of one's nafs (Soul) travelling towards the month of Ramadan?

    Derived from: Al Mahdi.org.uk

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