Online Diary – Ramadan and Me

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.

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,

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,

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.  

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

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

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…

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

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]