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Online Diary – Ramadan and Me
Name:
Aziza A.D.U.
Country:
Egypt
The
hustle and bustle of life passes daily, like lightning. Where
has all the time gone? The last so many years of life that I
passed thinking that significance lay ahead of me in time. How
many times I simply forgot that each day molds me, contributing
to my destiny. But heedless, I live, eat, sleep and work always
planning for tomorrow, forgetting the moment at hand.
Once
again the time has passed. A whole year since last Ramadan. Each
separate day swirling into a mass of time, something past and
lost forever. Now at my doorstep lies Ramadan. A chance for
renewal.
Rising
early when all is quiet, we eat and prepare ourselves for the
day ahead. This day, today. Concentrating on the tasks at hand.
Conscious that every good done in this month, will carry a
reward which only Allah the Almighty knows, Who in His infinite
Mercy, rewards us so bounteously for the seemingly little things
we try to do. From the silence of night, the Athan (call to
prayer) is called. Beautiful notes of praise are carried on the
night air and fill our home with peace. We sit quietly and
answer the athan, remembering that prayer is the way to success.
I
spend my time in reading the Qur'an, both in Arabic and English,
soaking in the meaning of verses I hadn't read for some time.
Verses read many times take on new and more deeply significant
meanings as I affix my life to the path of Allah the Most Great.
Trying to undo bad habits that I have formed. Trying to
silence the tongue that so easily breaks ties and wounds hearts.
Trying to make my every footstep bring me closer to the Creator
and His Mercy.
As
the day wears on hunger strikes but the pervading feeling of
peace stirs the soul to patience. Eyes that are more open than
usual see the poor and how they suffer daily due to hunger,
which I now experience. Unlike the poor, for us hunger is
something we can usually control. If we feel hungry , we simply
eat. But in Ramadan, we must wait until the time of sunset.
Here's a chance to experience the feeling of those who live in
weakness every day. Giving in charity in Ramadan is rewarded
more than at other times. And at this time, in a state of
hunger, it becomes easier to give and free another human being
of deprivation.
Ramadan
is a month of struggle. Getting up earlier than usual,
continuing to work even though hungry, reading and studying
Qur'an and doing extra worship in the evenings and sometimes
late in the night, when Allah is even closer to us.
Sometimes
friends visit and we break the fast together, but our talk is
not so much of this worldly life but of Islam and how we must
improve ourselves and our families. We pray together, with the
one who knows the most Qur'an to be the leader of the prayer.
There is no pride, no conceit, no malice between us. Problems
are solved by referring back to Qur'an and the sayings of the
Prophet (peace be upon him). Even the children voluntarily join
with us, standing in prayer. A feeling of peace pervades.
Then
the last ten days come. This is the time of the greatest
struggle. Not only a struggle of the physical body to bear
changed sleeping and eating patterns but a struggle in the soul.
No harsh words should be spoken, no anger and no hurt. The
individual seeks closeness to the Creator and seeks forgiveness
of sins.
One
of the nights during the last ten days in exceedingly special.
No one, but Allah knows which night it will be that is called
'Lailat ul Qadr'. The one who sincerely prays and worships in
this night will be forgiven all their sins and their prayers
will be answered. So everyone seeks extra worship during the
nights of the last ten days. Only after the end of the night, at
dawn, does nature itself disclose the identity of the night that
just passed.
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For
me, Ramadan is a time of spiritual renewal. As always, the body
and the spirit are inter-related, one cannot advance without the
other's effort. So fasting, constraining one's desires and
giving, come together at a time when quiet reading of Qur'an and
reflection on life pervades one's daily activities. Too soon,
life will roll on, as Ramadan passes. But one never knows, if
one's life will continue to see the next year. Every morning we
awake and find another day before us, another chance to live and
cover the evils of our lives with goodness, we should feel
surprised and grateful, keeping in mind that we may not live to
see the night.
Name: Jep
Country:
Malaysia
Contribution:
The youth are among the most important resources for
change...even during Rasulullah's (peace be upon him) struggle
of da’wah to bring about change from Jahilliyyah to Islam,
many of his companions were youths. The youth are great provided
they are well-trained. Alhamdulillah Ramadan is near and is the
best training course for us. Fasting in Ramadan teaches us to
manage hardship, develop patience, and strengthen our faith and
spiritual practices. Praise be to Allah for such a great gift
and we should not waste such a great opportunity to develop
ourselves as well as to gain His Pleasure. ‘In sha Allah.
Name: Ziadh mohamed
Country:
Sri Lanka
Contribution
: Assalam Alaikum,
Ramadan
is an active month. Most Muslims waste their time sleeping
during Ramadan especially in the work place where they figure
that Ramadan is a time to be lazy. I can share some ideas to
make the month effective.
1.Try
to pray every prayer in congregation in the Mosque and make
du’a after each prayer.(include the Muslim ummah)
2.Pray
Sunnah prayers after the obligatory prayers.
3.Recite
Qur’an every day and contemplate its meanings. We can get more
reward by doing this.
Please
share your experiences and ideas. It can help others.
Name: Siti Nur Fadzillah
Country:
Singapore
Contribution:
Basically what I can say about what you can do in this holy
month is,
first,
when you fast, refrain from all the things that you have to
avoid while fasting like swearing and gossiping.
Fast
with full Iman. Fill your day with good deeds in purity. Think
of Allah and His messenger. Calmly wait for the time to break
your fast. Pray Salat Tarawih in the mosque, if you can. Fill
your time with reading Qu’ran especially during the night when
you pray qiyamulail. Also spend the last ten nights of Ramadan
in the mosque and you will find Lailat ul Qadr (the night of
power). Do not misuse this month... use it to your advantage to
move forward to a better Afterlife.
Name: Mohamad Zaki
Country:
Malaysia
Contribution:
Salam brothers and sisters,
It
seems that all of us are so excited to embrace the coming
Ramadan. I`m so happy to share these feelings with all of you.
Alhamdulillah,
these days I have read a lot about Ramadan either on IslamOnline
or in books. I want to become well-informed and gain more
knowledge about Ramadan. I just want to have the best Ramadan
this year.
Brothers
and sisters, let us enhance our knowledge of Ramadan so that we
will be ready when it comes. I hope we can practice what we read
in books or any sources and increase our faith and get closer to
Allah. Ameen.
Name Hadisu Abu Bakr
Country:
Nigeria
Contribution:
Salam
This
holy month tells us about self restraint. I think it is one of
the most important aspects of this holy month. The Qu’ran
states it crystal clear, due to it importance. We must learn
this subject matter, so let us all try to be proactive in this
long-awaited month and practice self restraint that means a lot
to our daily lives.
Name: Sheriffdeen Raji
Country:
Nigeria
Contribution:
Salam. The month that is filled with reward is now coming
and how well are we prepared to receive this visitor? A month
that harbors a night that is better than 83 years and some
months. In sha Allah I will not be left out of this favor that
Allah has bestowed on us. You move closer to Him and I hope you
won’'t be left out too.
7.
Name: r.ma
Country:
Thailand
Contribution:
Alhamdullilah Ramadan is coming. It is a time not only to
refrain from following our desires but also it is time where
sisters and brothers in Islam share warmth, comfort and
understanding about Islam through breaking fast and
praying Tarawih together. It is also a moment where
Muslims all around the world are united just for the cause of
Allah alone.
Alhamdulillah
Ramadan is coming.
Name: Azi Basri
Country:
Indonesia
Contribution:
Assalam Alaikum dear sisters and brothers, how do you feel when
Ramadan comes? If you feel excited and your heart blooms like
flowers in summer, it is a good sign that, in sha Allah, we are
included in the Mu’mineen. (Pious Muslims) I will happily
share the knowledge of our religion Islam with anyone, and let
us help each other and remind each other. Here’s my e-mail:
cherylin_bas@yahoo.com
Name: Sajida
Country:
United States
Contribution:
Ramadan is a month that only comes once a year. The reward for
doing good deeds is doubled in Ramadan, so we must work towards
getting our selves ready for Ramadan. In the past the Companions
of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would get themselves ready
five months before Ramadan. We must work like them.
Name:
Rabiah Bint ul Islam
Country:
Pakistan
Advantages of
Qur’anic Halaqas in Ramadan
In
our locality, we normally arrange special halaqas in Ramadan to
study Qur’an together with translation and tafsir. There are
separate halaqas for both brothers and sisters. Sisters
are very active here Alhumdulillah. They invite and encourage
other sisters to attend the local halaqah. In these halaqas we
normally discuss the translation and tafsir of Quran for 1 ½
hours.
About
2 years back they were also reciting Qur’an in Arabic in a
halaqa but it took a lot of time and many sisters didn’t want
to be away from home for that long period, so they decided to
discuss translation and a quick tafsir of Qur’an last year.
There are a few rules now.
1.
Everyone will read the given surah from Qur’an in Arabic
at home and will read and discuss the translation at the local
halaqa.
2.
No personal discussions.
3.
Everyone will respect each other even if someone has a different
opinion.
4.
The halaqa will be for all Muslims. No discussions of sects and
divisions.
5.
If someone is confused about any verse, they can discuss it in
the halaqa without any hesitation.
6.
Sisters will support each other as much as they can.
These
are the rules for attending sisters halaqa in Ramadan. It saves
a lot of time. They complete reading Qur’an each year in
Ramadan along with learning the translation and tafsir. This
makes it to easy to understand the Qur’an as Arabic is not the
primary language here. There are scholars available to clear up
any kind of misconceptions sisters may have about Qur’anic
teachings in the sisters’ halaqa. Everyone exchanges various
views on different topics which are taken from Qur’an. Some
ahadith may also be discussed.
Many
sisters said that it isn’t that easy for them to read whole
Qur’an in Ramadan along with the translation and tafsir if
they are at home because they wouldn’t have time. This is how
these halaqas are beneficial for them. These halaqas also
provide free hijabs for those sisters who can not afford to buy
them.
I
personally think that these kind of halaqas should be arranged
for Muslim youth especially in Ramadan where they can discuss
Qur’an and ahadith.
Muslim
parents should also encourage their children to organize and
attend these Islamic activities in Ramadan. These halaqas will
be very useful to create awareness amongst young Muslims to
strive for the deen. May Allah guide us all. Ameen. Allahu
Akbar.
Name:
Issma AlKhatib
Contribution:
What Ramadan means to me…
Watching
the sun set into the ocean, the beautiful shades of
orange and yellow melting into the soft blue water, and
then racing to the kitchen to break my fast. A rushed
prayer passes my lips as I take a bite out of the tender
date, then hurriedly gulp down my glass of milk. We set
the table as the men start to pray Maghrib, and then
join them. All concentration is on what food I will fill
my plate with. After the Salah the whole family gathers
around the table, and we start the meal with soup, and
then our eyes deceive us leading to overstuffed
stomachs.
Standing
shoulder to shoulder with other Muslim sisters for the
tarawih prayer in the mosque. I hear the words of Allah
read in the most beautiful voice and tone over the loud
speakers and my body trembles with fear at the
understanding of the ayats. As the words ‘Allahu
Akbar’ float through the crowd, we all bend down
simultaneously for sujud. During the month of Ramadan no
du`aa’ / supplication is refused, so this is the time
to pour our hearts out to the one most Merciful, where
we ask for forgiveness for our wrongs, where we ask for
guidance for our problems, where we ask for anything
that can cross our minds.
Towards the end, as the du`aa’ of the imam travels
through the mosque, my eyes blur with tears. I am
reminded of all the other Muslims who are suffering
around the world for merely proclaiming themselves as
Muslims. I feel a close link with every person around
me. I am surrounded by Muslim sisters who are here for
the same reason as I, to thank Allah for the all the
blessings and bounties He has given us. No matter how
much we thank Him, it will never be enough. Our Creator
and Sustainer has done so much for us and offering our
prayers and fasting this month of Ramadhan is the least
we could do to return the favor.
Name:
Talaat Maaty
Ramadan
and Health
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This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some
common problems encountered in Ramadan. The advice
should enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully
the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, our diet should not differ greatly from
normal and should be as simple as possible. We should be
able to maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor
gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadan is an
ideal time to lose weight.
We should aim to consume slow digesting foods including
fiber-containing foods. Slow-digesting foods last up to
8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last only 3 to 4
hours.
Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and
seeds like barley, wheat, oats, semolina, beans,
lentils, whole meal flour, and so on (complex
carbohydrates).
Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white
flour, and so on. (refined carbohydrates).
Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole
wheat, grains, seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas,
sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, methie, fruit
with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs
and prunes, almonds, and so on.
Meals should be well-balanced, containing foods from
each food group, that is, fruit, vegetables,
meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products.
Fried foods should be limited, as they cause
indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.
AVOID
Fried and fatty foods
Foods containing too much sugar
Over-eating especially at Suhur
Too much tea at Suhur. 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, cut down
gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan
EAT
Complex carbohydrates at Suhur so that the food
lasts longer
Dates are 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.
Problems to Avoid
CONSTIPATION - Constipation can cause piles
(haemorroids), fissures (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 refined foods, increase water intake, use
bran in baking.
INDIGESTION
AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating. Excessive fried and fatty
foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind for
example, eggs, cabbage, lentils, fizzy drinks like
Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or 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, paleness 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 and tobacco-withdrawal, too much
exercise, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur during the
day and worsen towards the evening. 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
Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration,
perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), headache, and
palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics: Excessive sugar consumption
that is, refined carbohydrates especially at Suhur. The
body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose
to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at Suhur, 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 these minerals for example,
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, AND GASTRITIS
Increased acid levels in an empty stomach aggravate
the above conditions. It causes a burning feeling in the
stomach area 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
liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink
extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.
JOINT PAINS
Causes: Extra Salah during Ramadan increases
pressure on the knee joints. In the elderly and those
with arthritis this may cause 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. Being physically fit allows greater fulfillment,
thus enabling one to be able to perform Salah with ease.
Source: Dr. Farouk Khaffejee
Islamic Medical Association of South Africa - Durban
“There are two blessings which many people lose: good
health and free time.” [Bukhari]
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