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The
typical Ramadan table is known to be over-extravagant.
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We
have experienced much this year both personally and globally.
Someone
kicks, but we are unable to see who it is. We can only see the
consequences of that kick, and in a dazed state we tend to lose the
language to properly express what is actually happening.
Emotions build up and affect our judgement and care for our own
selves, and we either tend to try to forget or we become stronger in
acknowledgement of the value of what we are already blessed with.
Ramadan
offers us an opportunity to care for ourselves and our life’s
transaction with God. “Certainly the creation of the
heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of the men, but
mostly people do not know” (40:57).
Choose
What You Eat
We
tend to get into bad eating habits throughout the year, as the
momentum of the day becomes a week, a month and finally the
year has ended. Some may even shop for convenience foods because it
offers less time in the kitchen. So whilst we are improving our
economic situation and busy doing everything else, our health
deteriorates but not always visibly. What we go through emotionally
and psychologically also manifests in our deeds and in the way we
eat and what we eat.
Referring
to genetically modified foods, Muzammal Hussain argues that it is
clear that genetic engineering is a process that we do not
understand in a world where everything is interconnected (Hussain
p.5). What affects one species affects another for better or for
worse.
“The
sun and the moon follow a reckoning. And the herbs and the trees do
adore (Him). And the heaven, He raised it high, and He made the
balance, that you may not be inordinate in respect of the measure.
And keep up the balance with equity and do not make the measure
deficient” (Rahman 55:5-9).
Fasting
and Spiritual Equilibrium
Dr.
Omar Hassan Kasule tells us that, “the definition of disease
considers several dimensions that may operate singly or in
combination: moral/spiritual, biological/pathological,
psycho-social, or normative/statistical. Loss of spiritual
equilibrium is a disease in itself and soon leads to physical
disease. Most diseases involve disturbances in the equilibrium of
the normal body physiology. These biological disturbances may be
within the range of normal physiological variation or may be clearly
pathological. The psycho-social dimension of disease is associated
with loss of equilibrium and may precede or follow physical
disturbances (Kasule p.3).” Fasting is done with one’s complete
will, encouraging the entire physiological, psychological and
spiritual systems to work together.
As
we try to get rid of the emotional build-up gained throughout the
year, our bodies will also want to get rid of the toxic waste that
it has been unable to eliminate. Fasting allows the digestive tract
to take a rest, and mobilizes the detoxification mechanism by
facilitating the release of hormones that stimulate the immune
system. Fasting also releases the insecticides and man-made
chemicals that have become stored in our body fat.
So
instead of looking to those finely packaged goods in the
supermarket, try frequenting the grocers that sell food more readily
ascertained to be as nature intended it to be.
The
Incorrect Approach
Food
intake should not be excessive rendering the onslaught of sleep soon
after consumption therefore preventing us from our duties to
ourselves, each other and God.
Incorrect
eating can cause:-
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Indigestion
– caused by excessive eating, fried, fatty and spicy foods as
well as carbonated drinks.
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Constipation
– caused by eating too many processed foods and not enough
fiber or water consumption. Fiber rich foods include most cereal
grains, fruits and vegetables.
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Lethargy
– due to low blood pressure which can be caused by a sudden
excessive consumption of heavy starchy and fatty foods.
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Headache
– caused by lack of sleep and being overly physically active.
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Muscle
cramps – due to an inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and
potassium. Foods rich in calcium include broccoli, kidney beans,
okra, parsnips, almonds, raisins, sesame seeds and dairy
products. Magnesium rich foods include: bran, brown rice,
cornmeal, cheese, egg yolk, bananas, apples, dates, almonds,
carrots, eggplant (aubergines) and cauliflower. Potassium rich
foods include: cheese, apples, cantaloupe, apricots, pineapple,
chicken, peanuts (groundnuts), cod, beet, cabbage, cucumber and
green peppers (Haffejee p.1).
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Lack
of sleep – Adequate sleep is necessary to ensure balance the
next day especially for those who go to work or a place of
study. Lack of sleep can express itself in the form of
nervousness, bad headaches and digestive problems. Sleeping
after a meal also causes problems with digestion. The final meal
should be taken at least 1 – 1½ hours before the night-time
sleep.
Break
Your Fast the Healthy Way
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Dates
are an important part of the Ramadan break-fast.
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All
the good from fasting can be undone by the sudden intake of
food. Not only this, but the body’s natural healing mechanisms are
deprived of the benefits that fasting delivers. It is noted that
healthy Ramadan practices result in the reduction of cholesterol
levels and skin conditions are much improved (al- Qalam p.9). At the
same time Iftar (the first meal taken to break the fast) is the
Ramadan breakfast and as we have always been told, breakfast is the
most important meal of the day.
Our
body is mostly water and the best source of fluid replacement is
pure unadulterated water. The sunnah (prophetic tradition) of dates
and water make a wonderful combination to gently break the fast
without placing the body into a state of shock i.e. a sudden drop in
blood pressure. Dried dates contain sodium, calcium, magnesium,
phosphorus, iron, copper, sulfur, manganese, silicon and chlorine.
Potassium, vital to the prevention of dehydration, is also
plentiful in dates. Fresh dates in addition contain thiamin,
niacin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and beta carotene.
In
some schools of fiqh it is preferable to do the Maghrib prayer
(prayer done at sunset) before commencing the main meal. “O
children of Adam! Attend to your embellishments at every time of
prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not
love the extravagant” ( Araf 7: 31). This also proves to be
functional in terms of giving your body time to digest what it needs
from the sunnah of dates and water before eating some more.
The
key word here is fiber, as fiber is slow digesting as opposed to
fast burning foods like processed and sugar-based foods. In Yemen a
typical iftar (main meal following the fast) includes a soup of
boiled oats, milk and sugar followed by shafoot (pancakes broken in
yoghurt with some spices and herbs) and samboosa (minced meat and
herbs in a pastry envelope). A balanced combination of fiber,
protein, dairy, cereal, minerals (herbs) and carbohydrates (Shabeebi
p. 1).
After
the Break-Fast
The
time between meals should be spaced out allowing for proper
digestion. Ibn Sina (otherwise known as Avicenna to the Western
world) warned never to take one meal until the previous meal was
digested. Whatever was lacking nutritionally in the previous meal
should be compensated for in the next meal. Many recipes exist
online that can conjure up ideas.
Be
careful with relaxation, for what one does can upset the balance of
what has been achieved. A bad habit that has developed in the Middle
East is a craving for shisha smoking (water pipe). In Bahrain,
17 – 21% of Bahraini women indulge in this habit. Some people
assume that it is healthier than smoking cigarettes, but in reality
it can cause throat and lip cancer as well as cause the build-up of
poisonous gases within the stomach. This can lead to heart
disease and brain stroke (Bahrain p.1).
Suhoor
(the final meal before dawn) is a mercy for those who need that
extra meal. It usually consists of a milk-based food which is
slow-digesting. Most importantly is fluid intake throughout Ramadan
that will ensure proper functioning of the kidneys and adequate
digestion. For those with diabetes, a kidney disease or those who
suffer from low blood pressure, it is recommended to consult a
physician about fasting before the Holy month begins.
Sources:
