The month of Ramadan is upon us once more. A month described as better than a thousand months, when Satan is locked in shackles and the doors of Heaven are wide open - for those who wish to enter. The Holy Qur’an lays down the main purpose of the month of fasting - to develop righteousness. It’s not easy to become a righteous person and so Ramadan is a period when good deeds are made easy and heavenly blessings are made accessible. Moreover, certain qualities which contribute to a person’s righteousness are developed. 1. Discipline Islam is the name of a heightened sense of discipline and obedience. Islam means complete submission to the Will of God which in turn leads to peace. Complete submission however cannot be attained without discipline and obedience. In this month, Muslims are commanded to forgo food, wake up early, refrain from immoral talk or behaviour and strive for betterment and increase in good deeds. This requires discipline which is brought about by forcing one’s self to rise early in the morning (or in the latter part of the night), sacrificing the comfort of the bed and offer prayer. Discipline isn’t something that can be developed over a day or even a week which is why Muslims are instructed to fast for an entire month. 2. Cleanliness & Clarity Muslims are taught to perform ablution before each prayer and be in a state of cleanliness as much as possible for outward cleanliness leads to inner cleanliness. This is why the Holy Prophet is reported to have said cleanliness is half of faith. Indeed, fasting is proven to cleanse the body of toxins and by foregoing food for a time, the body is assisted in repairing cells and utilising energy in other areas. The body also burns fat to provide energy which leads to weight loss. The NHS says ‘after a few days of the fast, higher levels of endorphins appear in the blood, making you more alert and giving an overall feeling of general mental wellbeing.’ Certainly, since food heavily affects the brain and our emotions, fasting helps in clearing out impurities and this detoxification results in an overall sense of wellbeing. That is if it’s done right though - by keeping to a balanced diet in the days of Ramadan. 3. Self-control Man is tempted and swayed by many different distractions, people, responsibilities, thoughts and emotions among other things in his life which can make it difficult to control his actions. Many people try ever so hard to give up certain foods, habits or degenerative practices yet they fail time and again. Ramadan and fasting helps foster a sense of self-control and alertness which makes it easy for people to give up their bad habits during this month. By giving up something lawful and essential to human survival, man strengthens his resolve and is enabled to have greater self control over his actions. 4. Spirituality It is definitely the experience of saints and holy men of the past that fasting promotes and enhances a person’s spirituality. Those endowed with the ability are able to experience visions and other spiritual phenomena which others cannot. This is why Prophets and other holy men go into seclusion for a time and live on the bare essentials to develop their spiritual powers. Ramadan for Muslims is the same kind of spiritual training designed to heighten the spiritual senses. 5. Humility Muslims are commanded to give themselves up to God and humbly submit to His Will neither being displeased with what He gives nor rebelling against His commands. The reason being that we are but mere beggars and servants in the presence of the Creator and King of the universe. Fasting in Ramadan reminds us that we are entirely dependant on Him and look only to Him for sustenance and provisions since He is the Best of Providers. This increases Muslims in humility and lowliness as well as trust in Him thus helping them attain nearness to God. 6. Self annihilation Sufis, saints and those who are conversant with spiritual and religious matters have always spoken about something called ‘self annihilation’ or ‘fana’. This means to completely discard your desires, passions, hopes and ambitions and remove all thoughts of the self in the way of God. Once man has purified himself thus, he arrives at the stage of freedom from grief or fear and continues his progress on the path to God. Fasting and sacrifice are means to attain the stage of self annihilation so that rather than being driven by our own selfish, conceited desires and motives, we fully conform to the Will of God and act as He wishes us to, eat when He wants us to and sleep and awake when He commands us to. When a man does this and his motives are not tainted by greed or worldliness, he attains a level of nearness to God and continues his advance. This is the path saints and Sufis have spoken of. 7. Empathy There’s little doubt that one cannot fully understand a phenomenon unless and until he has experienced it for himself. So in order for Muslims to understand and feel the privation, difficulties and pain of others among them in society, fasting has been ordained to develop empathy for our fellow beings. This in turn leads to an increase in charitable efforts and raising the downtrodden rather than looking down on them as some well-off people in our time do. Therefore, fasting is an exceptionally important part of the Islamic faith and has many more benefits which can only be perceived by one who diligently fulfils the dues of Ramadan. May Allah enable us to do so.
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Stress is a big issue in this fast paced and multifaceted society we live in. People have so many worries, problems, responsibilities and pressures. This makes tackling stress all the more important. Here are 5 ways to reduce stress. 1. Stop worrying Find the root cause of your worries and fix it or at least makes steps to do so. A saying comes to mind related to this, 'worrying is as effective in solving a problem as chewing a bubble gum is'. In other words, if there is a problem, worrying isn't going to fix it. Your worry and the problem will both be fixed by tackling whatever the root cause of the worry is. Writing your worries down and solutions or steps you can take to remedy them can be a big step in overcoming unnecessary worrying. Worry isn't all bad, at best it simply draws our attention to the issues that need addressing in our lives or in any situation. Worrying can actual lead to many issues being uncovered early on and thus resolved before they actually cause a significant problem. But as with anything in excess, excessive worrying is something that zaps vitality out of a person. 2. Clear your head Sometimes it's best to simply stop thinking too much and take a deep breath. Draw your attention away from whatever it is that distracts you and think 'happy thoughts' Often, if you forget about whatever is bothering you and distract yourself, when you come back to the cause of the stress, it resolves itself. So clear your mind from negative thinking by replacing it with positive things. Take a walk in the fresh air and focus on nothing but the nature and surroundings around you. 3. Be with nature Nature has a soothing touch and gives a person serenity. Spending time in the sun, in the fields, parks and in the fresh air is not only good for your body but also for your mind - and stress. Take a long walk and look around you. Listen to the birds, feel the air and smell the flowers. Refresh yourself and your mind. 4. Have an outlet Speak to people who will listen and can empathise. Share your problems with people close to you and who understand. Often just venting our issues in some way releases the negative stress and energy within us. Everyone has a different way of releasing our inner complaints, it can be through writing, talking, exercise or simply praying or meditating. 5. Do things that you enjoy Remember, life isn't all work, worries, problems and frustrations. Life is something beautiful and nothing lasts for ever. Bad times come and go and no pain, evil or suffering lasts forever. It's just not the way of this life. There are cycles and things change, people change and so do circumstances. While everyone has worries, concerns and responsibilities, it's important to sometimes get away from those things and relax. Do what you enjoy. Be with people who make you feel better and say nice things. Do exercise that you enjoy, read and watch interesting content. Take a day out with the family and/or friends. Don't worry or think about anything else, you can get back to your responsibilities and tasks with a fresher and sharper uncluttered mind after taking a break. And if all else fails... A disclaimer: I am not a health expert or psychologist by any means. The tips above are my recommendations based on various literature and personal experience. Gratitude is an exceptionally important principle in Islam and is emphasised frequently in the Holy Qur'an and Ahadith. In fact, we as humans beings have two fundamental obligations to carry out - they are 'Haqooqullah' (rights of God) and 'Haqooqul Ebad' (rights of the creation). In other words we have to give Allah and His creation the rights that are due to them. Gratefulness is one of these rights. According to a saying of the Holy Prophet, a person who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah and gratefulness is something mentioned frequently in the Qur'an: "Then We forgave you thereafter, that you might be grateful." Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 : Verse 53 "And when your Lord declared, ‘If you are grateful, I will, surely, bestow more favours on you; but if you are ungrateful, then know that My punishment is severe indeed." Ibrahim Chapter 14 : Verse 8 "And, truly, thy Lord is gracious to mankind, but most of them are not grateful." Al-Naml Chapter 27 : Verse 74 The Holy Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) advises on the way to develop gratefulness. He is reported to have said that a person should look at those below him or those less well-off, rather than looking at those who are more advantaged in terms of wealth, status etc. (Sahih Muslim : Book 42 "Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq", Number 7068) This is a fine way of ensuring that jealously and ingratitude is successfully curbed. Indeed in my experience, instead of thinking about those who have more than me, I often remember that there are millions in the world who are without even the basic necessities and therefore I should be even more grateful for the smallest comforts in life. Furthermore, gratitude leads to a positive mindset and therefore happiness, contentment and peace of mind. As Allah says in the Quran: "And whoso is rid of the covetousness of his own soul — it is these who will be successful." This verse makes a very potent point, namely that those who rid themselves of envy and jealous thinking will be successful. It is human experience that those who are generally more positive lead more fulfilling and successful lives. So gratefulness is something which leads to positivity which in turn leads a person to all kinds of success. There are always at least two sides of any situation and those who look at the 'bright side' of things generally are more capable of overcoming difficult situations and making the most of positive situations. Therefore, gratefulness and positivity are win-win attitudes in any case. The Promised Messiah also expounded the issue by explaining that as (according to the Holy Prophet) one cannot be grateful to God, without being grateful to people, it is incumbent upon us to be grateful to the nation we live in. This is the reason why he frequently praised the British government who provided all the freedoms and protection to citizens so they may practice their faith freely, without any hindrance, whatever their faith may have been. Therefore, gratitude is such an important attribute which can even make a person a more law abiding citizen. A person who is grateful for the opportunities, freedoms and protection that the state affords, is far less likely to flout the rules and laws of the state. True gratitude though, is actually linked to actions. A person who is truly grateful is one who makes sure that no action of his goes against his benefactor. Therefore, true gratitude towards Allah is not merely doing lip service, rather, true gratitude is such that it completely transforms a person. Consequently, sincere gratitude towards God is in utilising all of His favours in the best possible manner and doing good with the gifts He has bestowed on us. The greatest gift being life and guidance which means it is incumbent upon us to live life purposefully and follow the guidance which has been sent down for our benefit. In a world filled with processed and modified foods, unhealthy lifestyles and lack of exercise, digestive problems disturb the quality of life in many people. Here are five ways then, that can help alleviate constipation.
1. Drink loads of water Drinking water will soften your stools and help them pass easier. It's best to avoid excessive caffeine intake and making the switch to herbal and green tea is recommended. 2. Don't overeat Only eat when hungry and let your body deal with the food you've already consumed. Don't think that eating more will help 'push' it all out. Your body has to break down the food you've eaten and digest it. Eating more needlessly will overburden your digestive system. If you are hungry, wait till your stomach rumbles which is the sure message your body gives you to indicate that it's time to eat again. And speaking of eating, bananas and dates are known to be good for constipation. In any case, you should try to avoid processed and heavy foods. Stick to pure, wholesome food consisting of mainly fresh fruit and veg as far as is possible. In no time, you'll see how easier you pass your stools. 3. Go for morning walks and exercise more. Those who are stuck indoors, behind the desk all day long are likely to be plagued with this problem more. Man was created to move around and use the body. Taking walks or even any light exercise helps move the bowls and speed up the digestive process. A ten minute walk after a meal can do wonders. Needless to say, good diet and regular exercise = excellent elimination. 4. Sleep properly The body needs energy to function and it needs even more energy to eliminate waste if you are constipated. Sleep renews your energy and can help relieve constipation. The key is to always have adequate sleep. Not too much and not too less. Too much unnecessary time in bed is even worse than sitting at the desk all day. Don't oversleep yet make sure you are well rested. If you haven't had sufficient rest, then the body won't be able to function optimally. Striking the balance is key here. Everyone is different though and different people need various amounts of sleep which is why I won't give a figure here. The important thing to remember is that the quality of sleep is more important than how many hours you get. As long as you are adequately rested then that is enough sleep for you. 5. Relax and relieve stress It's a stressful world out there and stress can be a key contributor to constipation. The body and mind are linked so if the mind is stressed then the body will not function as well as it normally can. Exercise is good for relieving stress, as is deep shallow rhythmic breathing. Remove stress to allow for a clean, contented heart, mind and body. A disclaimer: I am not a health expert or dietitian by any means. The tips above are my recommendations based on various literature and personal experience. True purity can only really be achieved when one's heart, mind, body and soul are fully cleansed. This isn't something that can be achieved in one day. Rather, it takes time, effort, energy and commitment, as well as persistence and is in fact a life-long process. As the shell that houses our inner being, our body has an immensely important role in self-cleansing. If the outer sphere is unclean, then the inner part has no chance at all so here are 5 ways to keep your body clean, fit, healthy and pure.
1. Eat right The maxim 'you are what you eat' holds ever true. Food is known to have a profound effect on not only your body but also your mind, heart and soul. Moderation is key, eat not too much of one thing but have a little of everything in proportion. Also never eat too much or overfill yourself. A general rule is to fill 1/3 of your stomach with food, 1/3 with water and leave a third for air - to breath. It takes your body a considerate amount of energy to digest your food - energy that can be better utilised elsewhere. So it's always better to regulate the amount of food you eat. 2. Drink plenty of water Water is the drink of life. Just as the earth is made up of 70% water, so are our bodies. Get addicted to water, drink it all day long. It is the best way of flushing out toxins and impurities. Until your urine is regularly either very light or clear, then you're not getting enough water. Water will hydrate you more than anything else and keep your concentration levels high and your skin clear and smooth but don't just take my word for it, see here, here and here. 3. Remove all intoxicants and offending foods This may be one of the hardest ones. Giving up something isn't easy and requires tremendous motivation, dedication and commitment but it can and has been done. There's hardly any need for a reminder of the harms of smoking - you get it on every packet you buy. Likewise it's better to give up alcohol all together as the principle in life should be that anything which has more harm than benefit should not be pursued. As drinking alcohol is likely to get you drunk, lose your senses, damage your liver and senses, it's best to stay complete away from it all. And don't even go near drugs! If you are truly looking for a clean, healthy and pure body then keep away from those three harmful intoxicants - alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. If you're addicted to anything then fight that addiction! Eating an apple in the morning is better than coffee and will keep you feeling clean, free and fresh whereas the effects of coffee will eventually wear off leaving you no option but to drink more thus making you a slave to that bitter tasting drink, not to mention the unpleasant coffee breath you'll get afterwards. In the same way tea, fizzy drinks, junk food and anything else you seem to be unable to live without, give them up from time to time. This will not only be good for your body but it will greatly strengthen your will power and mental capacity. Take it in small steps, the first 3 days are the hardest, but it starts getting easier after that. From 3 days go to 7, then if you can go 21 days without giving in to your cravings, you can consider yourself successful. 4. Exercise Yes, you can't escape exercise. It's recommended to have at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and thumb exercises on your Xbox or playstation controller doesn't count. Nor can you trick yourself in to thinking you're actually playing football while you're actually staring at a screen with 22 players running around while you twiddle your thumbs. No. Exercise means actually getting up and moving about. If you haven't done it in a while start slowly. You have to crawl, walk and then run. I don't actually mean start crawling around your living room but start by light exercises such as moving your arms and legs, stretching, yoga then you can move on to walks, jogging and and even the gym or team and individual sports. Everyone needs exercise, preferably at least 30 minutes a day minimum. There are so many different forms of exercise to try. Try brisk walking, jogging, football, table tennis, squash, yoga etc. Find something you enjoy and exercise won't feel so much like a chore. The key to this is trying new sports and exercises a few times and see which one works best. Personally I like mixing things up. Start with a brisk walk or jog in the morning with some yoga. Some table tennis in the evening and a football match once or twice a week. Occasionally I'll go to the gym and do a light workout. I have a friend who found his passion in gym workout and from being of average build, he's now become one of the most muscly people I know. An upcoming Arnold Schwarzenegger you might even say. Point is, if you find your passion, you'll do much better. 5. Morning is best If there ever was a time to purify yourself, it is most certainly the morning period. Apart from the early morning peace, serenity and calm, the morning is a great time for self-reflection, contemplation and preparing for the day. If you start the day with peace and calmness you'll be better able to effectively tackle your problems and tasks in the day. Start the morning with a nice brisk walk, taking in the clean morning air which will also assist in helping your digestive system work properly. The body eliminates toxins and bodily waste best in the morning so it's a good idea to get a good start. Don't have a lie in, rather, get going with some exercise, shower and drink plenty of water in the morning as well as fruits which will not only give you energy but will help cleanse your body. As they say 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Speaking of fruits, exercise and water - these are some of the most effective methods of removing the problem of constipation. As far as purifying the body is concerned, constipation is the antithesis of purity. When the body can't remove waste, what hope is there of purifying the body? I have a proven method to tackle constipation however bad. It seems to be quite a big problem and really hinders a person's life causing discomfort and distress. So there it is. 5 ways to purify one's body. Remember, when you're successful in cleansing and purifying your body it in turn heals and gets rid of many of your niggling health problems, makes your mind sharper and clearer, strengthens your immune system, improves your sleep and makes you a much more effective, well-rounded and happy person. Take care of your body and it will take care of you! |
AuthorAtif Rashid writes about faith, extremism & mental health. Categories
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