Insha-Allah,
in a few days (either next Tuesday the 7th
of May or Wednesday the 8th
of May), we will observe the month of fasting of Ramadan.
The
month of Ramadan does not only mean fasting. The ultimate goal is to
attain piety as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. So, it is up to us to
make sure to increase our Taqwa
and get closer to the Creator during this blessed month. All Muslims
must devote more time to acts of worship (Ibadat)
such as: Zikr-i-Ilahi
(remembrance of Allah through meditation), and Tilawat-i-Quran
(reading the Holy Quran).
Do
not waste time in the kitchen to prepare several cakes and other
foods and therefore letting a precious time go to waste. You should
instead use this time to connect to Allah in the mandatory and
supererogatory prayers. There are good numbers of Muslims who prepare
“Iftaar parties”
and thus do not really know the philosophy of fasting Ramadan. A
crazy time is lost in the preparation of dishes of all kinds, and
this concerns not only women but also men. They invite a large number
of people to Iftaar
as if this sacred moment is a feast, a moment of enjoyment that is
far from the spirit of Ramadan!
It
is true that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had advised Muslims to share
Iftaar
with a faster, but one should not go beyond limits, losing time by
preparing great kinds and large quantity of food, and foregoing the
time of prayer etc.
What
are Iftaar
Parties? It is rather an innovation because the philosophy behind the
fast of Ramadan is that we must devote ourselves more and more in the
spiritual field by making sacrifices for the pleasure of Allah (twa).
Muslims are called by divine order to fast for the pleasure of Allah,
and to make certain sacrifices that will make them feel a closeness
to Allah and also to all of humanity, especially the poor.
Take Care of Your Physical & Spiritual Health
Ramadan
is a sacred month, and it has a great importance in the lives of all
Muslims, without exception. Wake up a little earlier than usual,
before the Sehri /
Suhur, and enjoy
supererogatory prayers such as Salat-ul-Tahajjud
and remember Allah a lot. Even for the elderly who cannot fast or who
are sick and who must take medication, they are advised not to take
any risks. But they (those who cannot fast) should not forget to pay
Fidya.
And the elderly must benefit more in this blessed month in terms of
doing Tawba
which is also an act through which one gets closer to Allah. Even if
you do not fast, then you should maximize this blessed month in the
obligatory and supererogatory prayers, the Zikr,
the Tilawat-i-Quran
and if you cannot read Arabic, then you can also read them in your
own language, and also recite the Darood
Shariff.
Fasting
during Ramadan can have effects on our health. Because of this, it is
advisable for people who suffer from any disease to do a medical
check-up before the beginning of this holy month. People suffering
from non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and
cardiovascular and renal diseases must have the advice of their
doctor before starting to fast.
Our
body is robust and can cope with any type of situation. However, if
we can give it a preparation before fasting for a month, it will be
in better shape and full of energy. The human body is able to cope
with changes. But it is advisable to follow a good diet beforehand so
that we are able to fast without any problem. Plus, lazy people in
this regard will have no excuse for not fasting!
As
Sehri
is a meal made with great difficulty, the foods eaten are generally
low in vitamins and minerals. That’s why you have to eat
mineral-rich meals a few days before to prepare the body.
Iftaar
is often composed of fried foods rich in fat. Eat foods rich in
vitamins and minerals made from a variety of vegetables and fruits to
avoid deficiencies. A lack of iron can be linked to a state of
fatigue. Muscle cramps can also be felt due to lack of magnesium.
Refraining
from water during the fasting period may exacerbate an existing
urinary tract infection. Treat this infection before fasting.
Drinking enough water, can be a good preventive method, and even
eliminate it (i.e. water can cure many diseases).
The Benefits of Ramadan for our Body
Allah
(swt) has decreed the fast of Ramadan for the welfare of His
servants. If you analyze this divine order in depth, abstaining from
food for a period of 12-15 hours a day during fasting proves to be
beneficial for health. The body linked to a dietary change will
reduce the level of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in the
blood, promoting good cardiovascular health. But we must also promote
weight loss and body mass index among others, after fasting.
There
is also a decrease in abdominal fat and waist circumference: Both are
related to cardiovascular disease (waist circumference - 80 cm for
women and 94 cm for men increases the risk of cardiovascular
disease).
Fasting
also promotes a decrease in the level of glucose, triglycerides and
cholesterol in the blood. There is an increase in the level of bad
cholesterol due to excessive consumption of festive foods (fried
foods, fatty meats, etc.) and there is a decline in the consumption
of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. This should not be
like so.
The
family ties woven around the table at the time of Sehri
and Iftaar
also bring a lot of benefits, a sense of well-being.
SMALL
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Eat
balanced meals (morning and evening). Reduce the consumption of fried
foods and sugary drinks, and replace them with fruits and vegetables,
nuts and water. Consume dates and a glass of water for Iftaar
followed by a balanced dinner. Drink enough water, 8 glasses a day or
2 litres. Keep a bottle of water with you after Iftaar
to have a good measure of the amount of water consumed. Limit the
intake of caffeine (tea, coffee) that acts as a diuretic and causes
excessive water loss.
If
you must break the fast, do it with dates because therein are a
blessing advocated by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) more
than 14 centuries ago. Indeed, the ideal would be to break the fast
with a sweet food that has a rapid assimilation (good digesting
factor) like the date. It is advisable to consume it preferably with
water or milk. The goal is to quench thirst, soothe feelings of
hunger, regulate blood sugar, prepare the stomach to digest the rest
of the food avoiding digestive disorders, such as bloating and
stomach pain.
On
the eve of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gathered the
Sahaba
(Companions) to give them advice on the best way to spend this month
in full fervour. I thus
cite a Hadith that every year when Ramadan starts, this Hadith is
mentioned to make understand the importance and benefits of Ramadan.
Hadhrat
Salman (ra) reports that on the last day of Shabaan, the Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) addressed the companions saying,
“O
people! A great and blessed month is dawning upon you. It is a month
that includes a day that is better than a thousand months. Allah has
made fasting compulsory in this month and standing in prayer
(Tarawih, Tahajjud) an act of tremendous merit.
Whoever
carries out an act of (voluntary) virtue during this month will
receive the reward of carrying out an obligatory act during any other
month and whoever carries out an obligatory act during this month
will receive the reward of carrying out seventy obligatory acts
during any other month.
It
is a month of patience and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is
also a month of sympathy and a month when the sustenance of a
believer is increased.
Whoever
provides something for a fasting person to terminate his fast shall
receive the reward of the fasting person without his reward being
diminished in the least.”
“O
Messenger of Allah!”
the companions said, “Not
all of us can afford something to give a fasting person to terminate
his fast.”
The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) consoled them saying, “Allah
shall grant this reward to any person who gives a fasting person even
a single date or a sip of water or milk to drink.
It
is a month that has mercy at the beginning, forgiveness in the middle
and emancipation from Hell at the end. For the person who makes work
light for his slaves during this month, Allah will forgive him and
free him from Hell.
In
this month, you should endeavour to do four things in abundance. Two
of these will please your Lord while you cannot do without the other
two. The two that will please your Lord are to recite the
Shahada “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” (There is no god but Allah) and to
seek Allah’s forgiveness. As for the two without which you cannot
do, it is to beg Allah for Paradise and to seek protection from Hell.
Whoever
gives the fasting person something to drink to end the fast, Allah
shall give him such a drink from my pond after which he shall never
be thirsty ever again.”
(Ibn Khuzaima, Baihaqi, Ibn Hibban).
Like
the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said in other Hadiths:
Do not get angry. Do
not insult anyone, even if someone insults you. If he does that, and
you stay quiet, then you will be rewarded. Stay away from backbiting
because backbiting is worse than fornication. Keep away from envy,
jealousy, because, do not forget that one of the sons of Adam (as)
killed his brother out of envy.
Be forgiving towards your brother
(fellow human being). Do not judge your brother, because Allah knows
more than you the causes and the remedies. Have a lot of pity on your
Muslim brothers and sisters.
Do not be arrogant/ proud, for it is out
of arrogance/ pride that Iblis refused to prostrate before his Lord
(i.e. He disobeyed Allah’s command). Do not walk like a braggart or
a rebel as if you will cut asunder the earth for Allah (swt) does not
like the boastful, arrogant.
By
your way of doing things, do not hurt anyone’s heart. Do not offend
anyone. Speak with great humility and repent for your mistakes and
failures, for Allah loves him who repents.
All
this is a training in the blessed month of Ramadan for the next
eleven months. We will have to continue the good practices of Ramadan
during the rest of the year, until the next Ramadan.
The
Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The
first night of Ramadan, an angel calls out: ‘O seeker of the good;
come near!’ and ‘O seeker of evil; stop!”
(Tirmidhi).
It
is in these terms that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) tells us that the
angels announces the arrival of the month of Ramadan.
With
these advices, in my own name and in the name of all members of the
Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, at National and International level, we
wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters: RAMADAN
KAREEM - RAMADAN MUBARAK.
Seize
this opportunity to ask Allah different duahs,
and I pray that He will accept them all, especially those that are
lawful, those that will benefit you in this world and in the
hereafter, for your physical, moral and spiritual health. May Allah
accept our works and our acts of devotion in this blessed month of
Ramadan. Ameen,
Summa Ameen, Ya Rabbal Aalameen.
----Friday Sermon of 03
May 2019~26
Shabaan 1440 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.