Proper Nutrition, Supplementation & Exercise during Ramadan

In Ramadan fasting is essential; therefore the meals taken per day are restricted to only two meals a day. It is necessary that each person should intake proper nutrients so that they may be able to fast for the entire month of Ramadan. Fasting is a blessing but it cannot be done without proper energy in our body. The meals taken during the month of Ramadan should be full of full of energy that will keep us running for the entire day. It is important that all parents should have their proper meals before fasting, and even persuade their children to have breakfast before starting their fast.

Some people think that they can survive without having breakfast and can fast for the entire day, yes by the will of Allah it is possible but that will only weaken you internally. Doctors have suggested that people who do not take breakfast in the morning intent to weaken more comparatively to the others. Some children intend to sleep and do not get up at the Sehri time which is not good. It is essential that one must intake fruits, vegetables and all kinds of proteins to regain energy for the entire day. 

If you take medicines for any reason do not avoid them as they will help you prolong during your fast. Meat, fish and chicken should be taken in correct quantities so that your body does not resist any of these vitamins. Proper exercise should be done regularly in Ramadan so that you do not feel lazy and lethargic. Exercise is must in order to keep our body running and fit. Fresh food should be eaten. A lot of water should be drunk before closing your fast.

While you open your fast it is necessary that one should intake as much as water as it has to compensate for the entire day. Lack of drinking water makes you lose your energy and then you ultimately get sick, feel dizzy and tend to break your fast. Remember fasting only for the reason or tradition is not the main aim written in the Holy Quran. We fast so that we can move away from worldly things and come closer to Allah. This is a blessed month where Allah showers his blessing abundantly. Ramadan is a treat to all Muslims it is the best month of the year.

Guidance for Ramadan

People make some mistakes during the month of Ramadan not intentionally, or sometimes lack of awareness. Therefore it is necessary that we should avoid them so that our fasting may be true without any hindrance.

1)    Dhur and Asr prayers are supposed to be said separately. Some people say these prayers together which is wrong particularly in Arab countries. This is a mistake and should be kept away from it.

2)    It is not necessary to wait for the Adthan to get over. Some people think that you can only open your fast after the Adthan is over which is a wrong practice, you can break your fast the minute he starts.

3)    Allah gets happy if you avail the small opportunities of praying before you open your fast. Some people open their fast without praying if you pray you will be rewarded 3 times more than what you have really prayed.

4)    See people at times give more importance to the arriving of Eid more than Ramadan. This is not an ideal practice. The main concept is fasting in Ramadan Eid is a celebration in accordance to that.

5)    The love of parents is unbelievable at times. They forbid the young ones from fasting. If the child wishes to fast he is being prepared for this act to be carried out for the rest of his life. Therefore parents should not stop their children from fasting in this Holy month as it is rewarded from Allah.

6)    In Ramadan abstinence from food and water should not be our main focus. There are others things that are taken in accountability and consideration. Controlling your angry and usage of bad language also is an important part of Ramadan.

7)    In Ramadan when we pray with true hearts and the intention to serve Allah we are rewarded. By sleeping and loitering around and getting happy with a half day is not the main reason why we get this off. We should avail this opportunity by making the best of it praying continuously.

8)    There is no such hard and fast rule that you will have to break your fast if you are travelling. It is acceptable if you break it, it can be compensated later. But you can fast and continue if you have the will power too during travelling.

9)    Itikaaf at the mosque is necessary if you are healthy during the month of Ramadan. This is an advantage to get more blessings from Allah and spend most of our time there especially in the last ten days

10)    People have a misconception that if you cut your hair and nails in the Holy month of Ramadan it is a sin or breaks your fast Ramadan. This is also incorrect.

11)    People have weird concepts that you cannot use scented oils or perfumes in Ramadan. This is also wrong.

12)    If you get hurt and you bleed that will break your fast. This is a misconception.

The only way to know what is right or wrong is by reading the Quran and Sunnah. That is a perfect guide to follow the ways of fasting in Ramadan

Losing Weight in Ramadan

The month of Ramadan brings a lot of blessings with it. We know that this is a holy month and Allah is so gracious during this month. You know Ramadan bring something very important, weight loss. There are so many times those who are bulky thing, let’s make a resolution we will lose weight. But nothing can be done the resolution is down the drains within hours. Ramadan gives us to lose weight it’s a blessing for those who wish to lose it. Have you ever thought Allah has marvelous ideas? The thing that we can’t do and are difficult he takes out an easy solution. 

When we put on weight it gets very difficult for us to lose it. Gaining weight is a lot more easier compared to loosing it. When we put on weight we become lazy and lethargic. It is also harmful for our health. In the month of Ramadan people lose weight as they eat less and work more. Therefore Ramadan is a virtue for those who wish to lose weight. When we eat healthy food we tend to lose the fat of our body.

Dietitians suggest in order to lose weight it is necessary that one should intake proper food at correct times.  Allah is great. We will listen to dietitian who is nothing in front of Allah but not do this every day. We all eat at odd times of the day not realizing that it is harmful for us. Allah has made the entire universe according to what they require than why do we break the rules. The main thing in Ramadan is our dedication towards Allah. This is only done by doing what we are told or supposed to do. If we eat our meals like this every day apart from Ramadan we will stay healthy fit and fine.

When we open or break our fast at Iftar time, it is necessary that we should intake a good amount of water. Water helps us to reduce the fats in our body therefore which helps us in losing weight. Remember losing weight is not easy, you can only do this easily in the Holy month of Ramadan. My advice to each one of you is that if you eat good food at proper time it will not only help you lose weight but in order to stay smart it is essential and proven good for health.

Idea of Ramadan

As we know that fasting is a virtue. It is easy to fast for 30 days with a striving mind and heart. Ramadan means sacrificing something that is essential for every human being food and water. It makes us realize how the poor stricken people survive without meals for hours. It is a time for giving to the poor in the form of Zakat. Ramadan also allows us to teat and examine our abilities to face difficult times. Allah is All Powerful and has every right to test his people. This is the month important month in the Islamic Calendar. It signifies the important of the Quran being sent down to us on earth from heaven.

Ramadan teaches us how to give and share with one another. At times people become selfish and only think about themselves. This month even the most selfish people change and sacrifice and give to the poor. This month has a lot of power as prayers are heard thrice more than what you have prayed for. It is a blessing if you read the Quran regularly in this month. Our holy Prophet (PBUH) has guided us what to do in Ramadan in the Sunnah.

It is essential that we follow the rules given o us for fasting during this month. We should all eat together so that a bounding is created between the families. We should prepare for the celebrations after the 30 days of fasting which is known as Eid. Ramadan is a blessing and an opportunity that Allah has bestowed on every Muslim. We should recite our namaz regularly in this holy month so that we can receives Allah’s forgiveness and taken up to Jannat. The one thing I like about Ramadan is that people share no matter if they have less. 

The only misconception is that people focus themselves more on shopping, what to make for Iftar, what clothes to wear for Eid. We lose the main idea of Ramadan that is getting closer to Allah. The only way we can build our relationship with Allah is praying and abiding the rules given to us for fasting. Therefore my humble request to all is that do not move away from the ultimate goal is closeness with Allah that is the only means of our reaching to Jannat and leading an extraordinary after life with him. So this Ramadan make it a point to focus on praying and fasting more than celebrating Eid.

Ramadan Diet

Ramadan brings with it the time of fasting. We anticipate the ability of trying to maintain or keep up a strong diet while fasting. Fasting can lead us to feeling dizzy and lwers our metabolism rate and consumes more energy and calories as we fast for about 12 to 24 hours a day. Here are some simple guidelines to accomplish the diet that keeps our energy and calorie balanced and maintains our health during this Holy month. 

We should not skip our breakfast:

At times we get very lazy and think that we can fast without getting up and having our breakfast. This is a wrong practice followed by most of us. We think that our sleep is more important and it is better than forcing food down early in the morning. We have learn t since kindergarten that breakfast is the most essential meal of the day.

For years, analysis has proven that breakfast (the breaking of an overnight fast) provides the necessary nutrients and activity that is required for absorption while keeping the other affection like headaches, fatigue, drowsiness and anxiety far away. In addition, it keeps and gets our metabolic speed up and active as it is necessary to keep the basic intake of proper breakfast to ensure our health while fasting.

Eat a wide variety of foods:

It is essential that as you have now come down to only eating two meals a day, and that has limited your ability to eat at odd times. Therefore it is necessary that you intake all types of food in a smaller quantity.

Even though most foods are full of more than one nutrient, no single food supplies all the necessary nutrients. Our bodies need at least 40 special nutrients every day to guarantee that we grow sufficiently and maintain good health

• Milk, yoghurt and cheese
• Meat, poultry and fish
• Breads, cereals and other grain products
• Fats and sugars
• Fruit and vegetables

It is necessary to be careful of you cooking methods in Ramadan:

By creating and making minute changes in your habits to cook, great tasty food can be created by doing so. Although appropriate recipes are an important procedure of ancestors tradition, binding of those admired favorites accept too much of fat content for today's bearing of health-conscious cooks. It is difficult for you not to make those special treats but they can be altered for good health and taste.

Eating healthy food in Ramadan

Ramadan is a time to fast. It is an obligation for every Muslim to fast during this month. As per the rules given in the Quran a person is obligated to fast from dawn to dusk. So a person only takes two meals in an entire day. If you look at this in a scientific way it is not healthy to eat only two meals a day. Therefore in order to stay healthy it is necessary that we intake good nutritious food. It does not make a difference whether we eat twice or thrice a day, it is necessary that we eat healthy food.

At the time of Sehri we should have milk products so that the proteins and calcium required by our body should stay intact. Intake of fruits and cereals in the morning is healthy. It is essential that we should chew our food slowly as mentioned in the Sunnah by our Holy Prophet (PBUH). The intake of lots of water before we close our fast is essential. During the month of Ramadan the consumption of water becomes less, if not taken properly at the beginning of the fast will make us weak and we will lose our energy.

We should try and stay away from the sun in the month of Ramadan as it will make us weak and thirsty. Yes Ramadan is a time of self sacrifice but Allah has not asked us to die in the heat and torture ourselves.

At the Iftar time it is essential for each one to open our fast with water take a minute or two and then eat something light. Our body is not used to eating something heavy and oily in the first few days. People who only drink water and don’t eat anything after Iftar it is wrong. It will harm our body which can weaken you. Therefore it is necessary to make sure that you intake your meals. I would suggest all to eat light go for prayers and then come and eat for dinner in that way you will not harm yourself and you will stay healthy.

Remember eating healthy food will make you able to fast for the entire month of Ramadan or else you will weaken and not be fit to keep your fast. Therefore it is necessary to keep a healthy diet to stay fit for the entire month.

Mistakes to be avoided during Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month of Muslims when we fast from sunrise to sunset. There is a strict code of conduct during Ramadan which needs to be followed, and there are mistakes that are common but should be avoided during Ramadan. This article points some common mistakes that people make during Ramadan that should be avoided.

• Food becomes the center of attraction during the month of Ramadan to the extent that people begin to worry about eating more than Fasting. This becomes so important that people have Iftar parties and spend a lot of money on food that is not required.
• Preparation for sehri is done way ahead in advance before Fajr. At times people eat a few hours after Taraweeh or Isha Salah which is wrong. Sehri is supposed to be eaten before Fajr.
• People don’t make Niyyah (intentions) during the month of Ramadan to fast and pray. This is something which is done in one’s heart, it need not to be disclosed verbally and announced. It is also done only once, at the beginning of the holy month.
• If you get to know later that Ramadan has started you should keep the fast by refraining yourselves from food and water and fast for the day.
• Many people do not consider praying for Taraweeh on the first night Ramadan. It is a norm that you go for Taraweeh prayers the night you fast. They forget that in the Islamic calendar, the day changes after Maghrib.
• Some people believe that if someone eats of drinks something by mistake the fast is broke. Here is good news you need not to worry as you can continue the fast if broken accidently and you do not have to fast for another day.
• Some people believe that if you see someone, or eating do not drink, do not forget that the person he / she is fasting. According to Sheikh Bin Baz (RA), this is wrong and is a to devote to God for the good and forbid evil. So we tell people, because the non-evil way.
• Many females believe that Mehndi is prohibited in Ramadan. But this is an old fashioned belief, it is not wrong to apply Mehndi during Ramadan.
• Most people will disagree with this but tasting the salt or spices while cooking does not break our fast. Islam has allowed that as long as the food is not eaten by the person his fast remains intact.
• People believe that it is forbidden to use a miswak or toothbrush during Ramadan. This is incorrect, as Miswak was used by the Prophet (saw) during Ramadan.
• Some people have the concept of making the Fajr Adhan before time. They think by doing this they can stop the people from eating and continuing the fast. But this is a wrong practice and should not encourage it.
• Some people have the concept of making the Maghrib Adhan after time. They think that if incase Maghrib is late then the people will eat slowly. This too is wrong and should not do.
• Some people have the concept that you cannot lay with your spouse in Ramadan. It is wrong during the day but it is legal between Maghreb and Fajr.

Why is Ramadan Important

All around the world there are many Muslims. In Pakistan Ramadan is given a lot of importance. Let me share a few experiences about how Ramadan is celebrated in Pakistan. There is a lot of excitement on the eve of Ramadan. When it is confirmed that the following that all Muslims have to fast. There is a sudden rush on all of the shops, as people start buying things for Ramadan. Sometimes it is hard to understand that why does the prices of everything go up in Ramadan. The simply answer is that there is a sudden rise in demand.

What I feel is that many a times the people living here in Pakistan do not realize that the basic meaning of Ramadan is sacrificing for the poor. People normally have Iftar parties during Ramadan which according to me is not correct. People drift away from the main reason why Allah has asked us to fast. If the motive is kept the blessings showered by Allah is great, but people around here don’t understand. I feel that someone should realize and make a change only then will we be able to be called true Muslims. Fasting for a duty of just because parents want us to or it is a tradition. Fasting from the heart and meaning it should be the main motive.

Many a times it is noticed that during this Holy month in order to reach home at the time of Maghrib we see people fighting. Is this what we are supposed to do? How can we fast and fight at the same time. People get so angry and things in Karachi are so expensive that a normal person can’t afford to open their fast properly. It is so sad when we see women and children begging on the road for food during this Holy month and people getting angry as they are a hindrance to them while they buy their eatables at the stall.

My view is that a single person can bring out a revolution but someone has to be willing to do so. It is necessary for each Muslim brother to understand that Ramadan is a gift from Allah to each Muslim and we should make the best of it during this month. So why not think for a while and understand the importance of Ramadan. It indeed will help us to focus on what Allah wants from us. So my brothers and sisters it’s time to look back and make a change, do something different from the others and take this opportunity to do what we have never done before.

Fasting in Ramadan is a Virtue

Fasting is a virtue. Islam has given it preference in the form of Ramadan. It is necessary for every Muslim to understand the concept and basis of Ramadan. By Fasting we are in a close connection with Allah. Ramadan is a Holy month where we get the opportunity to show our faith and dedication to Allah. It is necessary for every Muslim to understand that during this month all sins are forgiven and the reward will be provided in jannat.

Remember fasting just for the sake or tradition is not what is asked from us. If we fast it should be done with true spirit and a clear heart only then will we achieve our true motive. Ramadan is a blessing to all Muslims; it is during this month that our Holy Prophet (PBUH) received his prophet hood as well as the Holy Book Quran was bestowed and given to us as our ultimate guide. Fasting gives our soul a meaning.

During the month of Ramadan people have different traditions of giving Zakat. Zakat is a kind of charity for the poor. Giving Zakat is important but more important is the intention of giving. Ramadan teaches us how to be patient, giving and devoted to the works for Allah. All that man has is given by Allah. During Ramadan it is necessary that every Muslim fast. By fasting we learn about the way people live in poverty, we should be grateful to Allah for showering his blessings on us that we have got a lot more than we deserve.

Ramadan is a time where we can thank Allah for the wondrous gifts that we have received from him. By fasting we learn what is hunger and starvation. Allah gives us the courage to fight hunger and thirst. Man does not live on food alone but also the will and words of Allah. During Ramadan we get the power to fight against Satan and his wills. He is defeated when he plots his doings in our heart. When we don’t do what he wants he sends us more terrible difficulties to face. Allah is the Almighty and everlasting, anyone who obeys his word will prosper.

Remember Ramadan is the best time to come close to Allah, the deeds that we do during this month is rewarded to us back ten times more then what we have done. So remember this Ramadan may be or last so get connected to Allah as the world is nearly coming to an end, come together so that we may all be in jannat.

Ramadan

The tradition of fasting and praying was early derived from the concept of Ramadan which is an important aspect of Islam. Ramadan is know followed by mostly everywhere around the globe in all the Muslim communities. In each and every part of the world there is a huge amount of anticipation for the Holy month of Ramadan. It has its own specialties and morals to follow such as praying, abstinence from food, good deeds, and to follow the schedule of Sehri and Iftar punctually. It can be elaborated as to every head o Ramadan has an essence to be known and to conjure up it would be…..

PRAYING:
Praying in Ramadan is mandatory and not only praying but also with your whole heart and soul. Prayers by Allah are required five times a day. These prayers in the Holy Month of Ramadan means a lot as for man dedicates an entire month of his serving the almighty and praying unto him for the good to come to him and he may come closer to Allah. Prayer during Ramadan makes man more pious and interpersonal with Allah.

ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD:
In the month of Ramadan the actual quality of it is that the followers of Allah abstain from food in order to offer him a sacrifice of their own being to prove that he is who owns them and it is by him they live. It is his blessings and love due to which they have everything and everything is by him. During this abstinence of food they live with the words and promises of the Holy One.

GOOD DEEDS:
Good deeds come from a good moral character and a good moral character comes from a person who is follows Allah and his commandments. The Ramadan is also one of his commandments to follow and by following it people tend to have good deeds and not only that but also they behave in a certain manner which distinguishes them from others. These good deeds done in the Holy month of Ramadan are deeds in action and most countable and acceptable by Allah.

SEHRI AND IFTAR:
Sehri is the schedule of getting up early in the morning and praying so that the Fast can be closed and the holy period begins with it. Normally people have something light so that they may allow their bodies to prolong for the entire day and not only that but also can stay in good health. People do faint due to low blood pressure or weakness for which this exercise is mandatory. Iftar is the opening of the fast but with a prayer which is again a good exercise for one so that he may do it by the consent of Allah. This nourishes the human body for the entire day it didn’t get.

All these four heads are compulsory for a person moving in Ramadan so that he may be in good contact with God and would also honor his word as command.