Healthy Eating During Ramadhaan

 Taken from Tafseer Raheemi


Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Whilst most of us will have revised the legal rules of fasting, few of us would have given careful deliberation regarding what we consume at meal times. The days will be longer than last Ramadan, hence it is paramount to eat sensibly and remain well hydrated so that we do not start quarrelling, abusing, using foul language and thus fall into the category of, “How many from among those who fast receive nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst.” [Nasa’i]

Background

Fact: nearly 6/10 adults in this country are classed as overweight, up to 1 in 4 adults are classed as obese. Nearly 12% of the Muslim community in Britain are obese. South Asians are up to five times more likely than the general population to have diabetes. Only 30% of South Asian men and women eat the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
A major contributing factor therefore is our diet/eating habits. Ramadan is a chance to reflect and make small steps for the long-term future in order to facilitate health in general. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, presented a solution to our problem when he advised: “The worst vessel the son of Adam can fill is his stomach. A few morsels which hold his back straight are enough for the son of Adam. If he really wants to eat,  then one third for food, one third for liquid and one third for air” [Tirmithi]
Tips: Enjoy the sustenance of our Lord, food is a blessing, and sustenance is increased in Ramadan. However, aim to be balanced, as our religion is a way of moderation. If you suffer from any medical conditions then seek advice from your general practitioner first.

General

• Have a good pre-dawn meal (suhur)
  • A long fast kept on a half empty stomach will only result in becoming unwell and unable to take advantage of the blessed days, i.e in the form of  reading Quran, doing zikr, fulfilling the rights of family and friends etc.
• Fluids (preferably water only) and dates should be added to each pre-dawn as well as each dusk meal
• Avoid caffeine completely due to its diuretic effect
  • Caffeine induces unnecessary urination, resulting in losing vital fluids
  • Therefore avoid large cups of tea and coffee at suhoor time.
  • If essential, reduce amounts compared to usual intake.
• Consider multivitamins, unfortunately our food is no longer as nutritious as it once was. Poor soil, lack of crop diversity, improper storage and cooking methods are all reasons for this.
  • Vitamins C, E, A, zinc, selenium and B-complex are the top nutrients required
  • Most are found abundantly in fruits and vegetables respectively
  • Due to an expected reduced intake, coupled with the stress upon the body when fasting, stores may be low.
  • Seven-Seas appear to be a good starting point.
• Avoid heavily-processed, fast-burning foods that contain refined carbohydrates in the form of sugar, white flour, etc., as well as, of course, too much fatty and fried foods.
• Perfect opportunity to give up smoking.

Fluids

In order to prevent dehydration, the effects of which result in lethargy, headaches and poor concentration, it is absolutely essential to drink plenty of water when possible.

• Substitute ALL liquids with water or milk (preferably goats milk) – this is a Prophetic habit.
• Reduce all forms of fizzy drinks, fruit juices and caffeine.
• If fruit juices are essential:
• Squeeze them yourself
• Opt for juices that are labelled not from concentrate

Foods

Complex carbohydrates and fibre-rich foods are digested slowly and release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. Incorporating the following types of foods will provide ample energy for the day:

• Barley, wheat, oats, millets, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal, flour, basmati rice.
• Bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the skin,
• Fruit and vegetables.

Alternative cooking methods

From time to time we should enjoy the odd Samosa. An alternative to the usual frying method would be to lightly brush with oil and bake in the oven.

• Grill or bake: This may take longer but it is far healthier, has no effect on taste and reduces loss of minerals. Fish and chicken taste much nicer when grilled for example.
• Oil: Aim to reduce to a minimum, however gradually so one is accustomed to the taste.
• Shallow frying: Shallow frying has the advantage of actually being quicker, less loss of nutrients and results in no difference in taste.

Event: The Beginning of Guidance

Our dear friend, Maulana Muhammad Husain sahib is delivering a course, please do take some time out to go and benefit. It will most surely be beneficial inshallah. We pray that Allah Ta'ala makes the event a success. Ameen. See poster and details below:

AlMuhsinaat Present
Our 4th Summer Intensive

The Beginning of Guidance

Say, “Allah’s guidance is the guidance, and we have been ordered to submit to the Lord of the worlds, {6:71}

A course teaching a highly motivational manual detailing the fundamentals of acquiring guidance through God-consciousnes (taqwa).

A Summer Weekend Intensive Course to be taught by Shaykh Muhammad Husain Qadhi for brothers only. This course will take brothers through one of Imam Ghazali’s final works – The Beginning of Guidance. A compilation which embodies a lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality.
This course will help provide brothers with the nourishment they need to tread the path of guidance. Join us for what promises to be a highly unique opportunity, and one that will insha’Allah open the doors to a lifetime of change and transition.

Date: Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2012
Time: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Venue: Euston [Details upon Registration]
Nearest Stations: Euston Square (Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and Circle lines), Warren Street(Northern and Victoria lines), Euston (Northern and Victoria lines) and Russell Square(Piccadilly line).
Course Instructor: Shaykh Muhammad Husain Qadhi [Imam of Masjid Umer]
Tickets: £15  (including course notes and light refreshments) 10% discount for bookings before 16/06/12
This course is in support of AlMuhsinaat & Ummah Welfare Trust
To enrol, email: mhislamiccourses@gmail. com [Full details given upon enrolment]
Contact For Brothers: 07845 607 972    
‘Imam Ghazali’s Bidayat al-Hidaya is a highly motivational manual detailing the fundamentals of acquiring guidance through God-consciousness (taqwa). Imam Ghazali argues that just as there is an end to this noble objective there is also a beginning to it, which must be made firm for one to achieve success. He then goes on to expound the fundamentals of this “beginning.”
While being concise and to-the-point the manual is laid out in the form of a detailed daily timetable providing the reader strong inspiration and much heart-rending counsel.
The three sections of this book are on obedience, refraining from disobedience, and the etiquette of companionship with the Creator and with creation. One of Imam Ghazali’s final works, it embodies a lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality and can be taken as an introduction to his larger works.’
White Thread Press, The Beginning of Guidance
--
Limited Spaces
An opportunity not to be missed
Enrol ASAP insha'Allah and embark upon a journey that will insha Allah cultivate the change we need in order to acquire Divine Guidance.

Risalatul Awa'il (Al-Awa'ilus Sunbuliyyah)

Assalamu Alaykum,

Turath Publishing are holding an event for Ulama & Mishkat/Bukhari students on 24th June 2012 (10am to 12pm). Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani sahib will be delivering a lesson on the short book, Al-Awa'ilus Sunbuliyya. I understand that many people do not have the actual kitab itself and so I have uploaded a Word and PDF version of it for those who can't get hold of the actual book. Please find the links below and make dua for me

PDF version                       Word version

EVENT FOR SISTERS: Qualities of a Believer

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal’s advice to his son on his wedding day

From: Tafseer Raheemi

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal’s advice to his son on his wedding day:

Dear son, you will not attain good fortune in your home except by 10 characteristics which you show to your wife, so remember them and be enthusiastic in acting upon them.

As for the first two; women like attention and they like to be told clearly that they are loved. So don’t be stingy in expressing your love for your wife. If you become limited in expressing your love, you will create a barrier of harshness between you and her, and there will be a decrease in affection.

3. Ladies hate a strict, overcautious man, yet they seek to use the soft vulnerable one. So use each quality appropriately. This will be more appealing for love and it will bring you peace of mind.

4. Ladies like from their husbands what their husbands like from them, i.e. kind words, good looks, clean clothes and a pleasant odour. Therefore, always remain in that state.

5, Indeed, the house is under the sovereignty of the woman. While she remains therein, she feels that she is sitting upon her throne, and that she is the chief of the house . Stay clear of destroying this kingdom of hers and do not ever attempt to dethrone her, otherwise you will be trying to snatch her sovereignty. A king gets most angry at he who tries to strip him of his authority, even if he portrays to show something else.

6. A woman wants to love her husband, but at the same time she does not want to lose her family. So do not put yourself and her family in the same scale, because then her choice will be down to either you or her family. And even if she does choose you over her family, she will remain in anxiety, which will then turn into hatred towards you in your daily life.

7. Surely woman has been created from a curved rib, and this is the secret of her beauty, and the secret of the attraction towards her. And this is no defect in her, because ‘the eyebrows look beautiful due to them being curved’. So if she errs, do not rebuke her in a manner in which there is no gentleness, attempting to straighten her; otherwise you will simply break her and her breaking, is her divorce. At the same time do not let her off upon that mistake, otherwise her crookedness will increase and she will become arrogant with her ego. Thereafter, she will never soften for you and she won’t listen to you, so stay in between the two.

8. It is in the women’s nature to be ungrateful towards their husbands and to deny favours. If you were to be nice to her for her whole life but you grieved her once, she will say, “I have never seen any good from you”. So don’t let this attitude of her make you dislike her or to run away from her. If you dislike this feature of hers, you will be pleased with some other good habits within her, so create a balance.

9. Surely there are times when a woman goes through some conditions of bodily weakness and fatigue of the mind. Such that Allah has relieved her of some of her compulsory worships during that period; Allah has totally pardoned her from praying, and has postponed the days of fasting for her within this break to a later date until she regains her health and becomes normal in her temperament once more. Thus, during these days, treat her in a godly manner. Just as Allah has relieved her of the duties, you should also lessen your demands and instructions from her during those days.

10. Last but not least, know that a woman is like a captive with you. Therefore, have mercy upon her.

Translated by Hazrat Maulana Abdul Rahim
Edited by Abdus Subhan