A Pictorial Summary of some of the things that we might need to bid farewell to during Ramadan…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

So, let’s say:

Oops. Wrong Language.

One more time then.

Let’s say:

To what, you ask?

Well, to:

And to:

And to:

[That Reese peanut butter chocolate is really tasty.]

And to:

[Actually, we could ditch this one permanently. I think all the husbands will celebrate and so will all the poor people who can get this money as charity.]

That’s all we need to leave, you ask?

Erm no. This was just a summary. You can find all our resolutions here.

[Oh and here’s my memorable rant from last year.]

Ramadan 2011 Prep Tip #2: Get into shape…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

“Get into shape?”

Yes.

“That’s how you want us to prepare for Ramadan? By getting into shape?”

Yep.

“What about prayer, fasting, charity, etc????”

Okay, let me give you a little rundown of our lives:

1) We crawl out of bed for Fajr because we’re so tired.

2) After Fajr, we get back into our nice cozy beds (assuming that we don’t have any work right away. If we do, skip to point 4).

3) We crawl out of bed when we need to get up again.

4) We revive ourselves with tea or coffee.

5) We sleepwalk through the day (aided by the tea and coffee, of course).

6) We come back home and crash into our beds because we’re so tired.

Sound familiar?

We’re all so tired. We have pain here and pain there. We need to keep chugging down that tea or coffee to keep us going throughout the day, otherwise many of us won’t be able to get any work done.

Why? Because most of us are seriously out of shape. We don’t have any sort of exercise routine and our eating habits are nothing to write home about.

Let me put this very tactfully:

The human race is slowly turning into a bunch of unfit fatsos roaming the Planet Earth.

[Okay, tact is not a strength of mine.]

How do we expect to do all that ibaadah (worship) in Ramadan when we don’t have any energy? Oh and keep in mind that we’re going to be fasting for the first half of the day!

There was an article I read recently where someone asked Richard Branson (one of those rich tycoons) how one can manage to get everything done in a day. His reply?

“Work out more.”

Think about it. He has a point.

All the Prophets (alaihissalam) and their Companions (radiallahu anhum) were extremely fit people.

Let me give you a simple example. Haajar (radiallahu anha) managed to run seven times from Safa to Marwa and back in the searing heat, and that too whilst being worried about her child.

I remember walking from Safa to Marwa and back seven times for Hajj. It was in an air conditioned place and the mountains were levelled off.

I was so exhausted.

From what I’ve heard, I wasn’t the only one. Most people get exhausted with all the walking that is done in Hajj.

Why? Because we are unfit!

So, what do we need to do? We need to get into shape before Ramadan rolls around.

Insha-Allah, that will help us with both with our prayers (especially Taraweeh and Qiyam Al-Layl) and fasting during Ramadan.

For me personally, the best time of my life (i.e. when my ibaadah was at an all-time high) was when I was at my fittest level, so I’ve seen the positive effect good health can have on one’s level of imaan.

What can we do to get fit? That’s for the next part, insha-Allah…

Seriously Short Reminder No. 1 – Be Fit, not Fat

Assalamu Alaikum.

Seriously.

Fitness plays a HUGE role in the quality of your ibaadah (worship). If you’re healthy, you’ll be able to do much more ibaadah and it’ll be with much more focus (a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, remember?).

So, start walking and stop eating all that junk food!

PS. Question to the sisters: What do you think of starting a private blog (i.e. restricted to members alone) wherein the members keep track of their health, share ideas and encourage each other?

Jazakunallahu kheira.

Some Health and Fitness Tips for Ramadan and beyond: Part 2

Assalamu Alaikum.

[Here’s Part 1.]

[My apologies to anyone who might have been waiting for Part 2.]

Okay, I know this is quite late but it might be of benefit to someone out there.

In Part 1, I uploaded a health guide which mentioned the common problems that occur to those who are fasting. As I’ve suffered from some of them, I thought I’d share my experiences.

[Note: Please spare me your sympathy.]

Before I list the various problems, let me just point out one thing. No one should say that there is “no permanent cure” for a problem. This is not a statement that should come out of a Muslim’s mouth.

Allah can do ALL things and He has made a cure for every disease.

So, the first thing that we should do is turn to Him and ask Him to cure our bodies. The next thing is to use what the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) has prescribed.

Believe me, I used so many medicines. The three things that actually solved my problems were:

1) Dua

2) Black seed oil

3) Cupping (hijamah)

That’s it. Only the Prophetic remedies worked for me, subhan Allah.

[By the way, we are allowed to use other types of medicines. I’m just saying that they never really worked for me.]

[As I’m short of time, this is a summarised account of my experiences.]

The Problems:

1) Gastritis / Acidity / Heartburn:

Article: Ramadan Warriors

Assalamu Alaikum.

Yes, the title made me laugh too.

You’ll have to read the article to read what he meant. That’s even funnier.

_______________________________________________________________

http://www.khutbah.com/en/ramadan_hajj/warriors.php

Ramadan Warriors

by Muhammad Alshareef

Sahl Ibn Sa’d radi Allahu anhu narrates that RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“In Jannah, there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan: a door which the Saa’imoon will enter from, no one else except them. It will be announced, ‘Where are the Saa’imoon?’ and the Saa’imoon will stand. No one except them will enter from the gate called Rayyan.”

Have you ever heard of a weekend warrior? They are employees who sit in cubicles and relax at a coffee station, weighed down with donuts all week long. Then on the weekend, they rip off their suits bearing their Reebok gear underneath and spend the entire weekend playing basketball, hang gliding, and mountain climbing. What happens? They break their knees, pull a dozen muscles, and are hospitalized on Monday.

Teensie-Weensie Reminder (Day 9): Time to assess our Ramadan…- Part 2

Assalamu Alaikum.

So, I’m in a better mood today, alhamdulillah. [Read Part 1 and then you’ll understand what I’m talking about.]

I’ll try not to be catty today (at least not as much as yesterday). Yes, I’ll be Umm Muawiyah and not Umm Meowiyah.

[And I’ve learnt my lesson about writing when I’m half-asleep.]

So, where am I headed with these reminders? The first few were on where we should be going (i.e. aiming for the top), the next few will be on where we are today (i.e. our totally sad state of existence) and the ones after that will be some practical tips on how we can go from being the losers that we are today into being the winners that we want to be.

If we want to be the winners in the hereafter, we don’t just dream about it. We need to be obsessed with attaining it, do dua consistently, make a plan for getting there and then stick to the plan as much as possible. As I keep telling my students: “Paradise is not just going to fall into our laps. We have to earn it.”

So, now that 9 days have passed, let’s continue with our Ramadan assessment:

10) The Month of Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness)

Doing istighfaar is something that is a trait of the true believers.

The whole irony is that the more one increases in good deeds and decreases in sins, the more need one will feel to do istighfaar. And the more one increases in sins and decreases in good deeds, the less need one will feel to do istighfaar.

The Islamic Ruling on Masturbation (especially whilst fasting)

Assalamu Alaikum.

Yes, I know. You read the title and thought: “WHY is talking about this subject on her blog???”

A question to you: Why SHOULDN’T I be talking about this subject on my blog?

1) This blog is supposed to tackle all the issues surrounding fasting and Ramadan.

And believe me, masturbation is an issue that keeps coming up when people discuss Ramadan.

2) Many people are ignorant of the ruling on masturbation (it’s prohibited by 99% of the scholars).

I was teaching in class once and this issue came up. One of my students  asked me if there was an expiation (kaffarah) for masturbating in Ramadan. I was quite surprised by the question and I didn’t have the answer so I said that I would get back to her. So I did and I found the answer.

3) Many people are too shy to ask about such matters.

Allah is not shy of the truth so I wonder why we are?

It’s interesting that there so many people out there who will never discuss these sorts of issues under the pretext of “piety” or “modesty” yet they don’t feel shy spending the whole day backbiting about others. Where did their shame go?? [And yes, I have personally seen many people do this.]

If one is ignorant about a matter, then one needs to ask. Why? Because otherwise one of two things may happen:

1) Making the haram halal

2) Making the halal haram

So ignorance leads people to getting confused about what is lawful and what is prohibited.

Another reason that people don’t want to ask about such sensitive issues is because they don’t want people to scream at them:

“You did WHAT in Ramadan? Don’t you know that it’s HARAAM? Do you want to go to HELL?”

After two years of teaching, I’ve realised that many people want to be able to tell those with some knowledge about their problems or ask sensitive/ embarrassing questions, without being judged or screamed at.

Some might say: “Okay, this stuff is important but is it befitting that a woman talks about such matters?”

Well, I would suggest that you read the chapter on Tahaarah (Purification) in Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim. You’ll be surprised at some of the personal stuff narrated by the wives of the Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam).

They didn’t do it because they liked it rather they did it because they had a duty.

So, I’m just doing this as a duty. Perhaps someone will benefit from this information.

Remember: There is nothing sick about informing people about the rulings of the shariah.

Here are two links which are enough for those who want to know more:

1) All the fatwas from Islam QA related to this issue: http://www.islamqa.com/en/search2/masturbation/AllWords/t,q,a

2) A brother has collected various articles on this issue. It’s a good collection especially for those who are trying to cure themselves of practicing this habit: http://ibnalhyderabadee.wordpress.com/2006/09/28/masturbation-in-islam-compilation-of-articles-and-fatwas/

Note: This issue is not just related to men. Sadly, many woman are also involved in it.

Comments are closed for this post. You never know if there are any sickos loitering around.

Some Health and Fitness Tips for Ramadan and beyond: Part 1

Assalamu Alaikum.

My treadmill misses me. Or perhaps I’m the one who misses the treadmill?

Why do I miss my treadmill? Because a Muslim needs to be fit – otherwise, he/she will not be able to all that he/she is required to do (which is basically to worship Allah in the best possible manner). It’s as simple as that.

So, with that in mind, here are some resources for us to improve our health this Ramadan:

Firstly, we need to understand the importance of health and fitness in Islam. So here goes:

1) Here’s an interesting explanation of the hadeeth of the strong believer and the weak believer.

2) Prefer listening? Here’s a very interesting lecture about the place of fitness in Islam:

Fitness in Islam by Yaser Birjas (Download):

3) 5 Health Myths that hold Muslims Back – Nice. And he backed it up with evidence.

The brother had a website but it isn’t up any more. He did produce the following short videos though:

Why are Muslims Fat?

Ramadan is the Month of Fitness, not the Month of Fatness…

Assalamu Alaikum.

Yes indeed. It’s time for a rant.

So, if you’ll permit me…

<Begin Rant>

Ramadan is the Month of Fitness, not the Month of Fatness.

Ramadan is the Month of Piety, not the Month of Party.

Ramadan is the Month of Fasting, not the Month of Food.

Ramadan is the Month of Abstinence, not the Month of Stuffing-Yourself-Until-You-Drop-Dead.

Ramadan is the Month of Wiping Out your sins from your book of deeds, not the Month of Writing More Sins to your book of deeds.

Ramadan is the Month of the Quran. And no, that does not mean taking a dusty Mushaf off your shelves after 10 months and 20 days and reading it without tajweed, understanding or application.

Ramadan is the Month of Starting Afresh – which means starting a new life until the end of your life, not a new life until Shawwal.

Ramadan is the Month of Silence, not the Month of Socialising (Hello Iftar Parties Full of Gheebah. I’m talking to YOU.)

Ramadan is the Month of Sisterhood (and Brotherhood), not the Month of Cat fights. (Hello Sisters in the Masjid. I’m talking to YOU).

Ramadan is the Month of Giving in Charity, not the Month of Being a Cheapskate.

Ramadan actually lasts for a whole Month, not just the 27th night.

Ramadan actually lasts from Fajr until Fajr, not from Fajr until Maghrib.(Hello Sheesha Addicts and Majlis Tent Goers. I’m talking to YOU.)

Ramadan is the Month where the Gates of Paradise are opened and the Gates of Hell are closed. So why exactly do we behave as if the Gates of Hell are open and the Gates of Paradise are closed?

Ramadan is the Month where we pray more, not the (only) Month where we pray.

Ramadan is the Month of Manners. You’d think people could at least try for a measly 29-30 days to ACT nice???

Ramadan is the Month of Smiling, not the Month of Snarling.

Ramadan is the Month of Tawheed (worshipping Allah alone), not the Month of Shirk (ascribing partners to Him). How truly sad it is that nobody knows what Tawheed is, when it is the Right of Allah and  the Key to Paradise.

Ramadan is the Month where we increase our presence in the Masjids, not the Month where we increase our presence in the Restaurants.

Ramadan is the Month where we Seek Forgiveness, not the Month where we Seek Food.

Ramadan is the Month of Activity, not the Month of Sleep.

Ramadan is the Month of Striving, not the Month of Snoring.

Ramadan is the Month where we go the extra mile to please Allah, not where we go the extra mile to please our stomachs.

Ramadan is the Month of Increasing in Prayers and Khushoo (humility) not the Month of Increasing in Pakoras and Kushari.

Ramadan is the Month of Dawah to Allah, not the Month of Dawah to your Iftar Party.

Ramadan is the Month of Health, which means that manufacturers of cooking oil should NOT be making profits at this time of year.

Ramadan is the Month of Improving your (hereafter) CV, not the Month of Befriending your TV.

Ramadan is the Month of Atoning (for your sins), not the Month of Moaning and Groaning (about the hunger, ibadaah, etc).

Ramadan is the Month where we strive to get mentioned by Allah to His Angels, not the Month where we strive to get mentioned by your Iftar party guests (“Ooh, what a fantastic host you are!”).

Ramadan is the Month where we stand in rows waiting for the Salah to begin, not the Month where we stand in lines waiting to order the food.

Ramadan is the Month where we visit the Masjids, not the Month where we visit the Majlises.

Ramadan is where we behave NORMALLY (where we act likes the slaves of Allah). It’s the rest of the year where we behave ABNORMALLY (where we act like slaves of this world).

Brother Abu Uwais was right. We need a Ramadan.

<End Rant>

Okay, I just had to get that out of my system.

Yes, I know. That was nasty but it was the sad truth wasn’t it?

We’ll all strive to do better this year, insha-Allah.