Ramadan-ul-Mubarak is a heavenly month, queued at the 9thspot, in the order of the Islamic calendar. It is an Islamic month in which, Muslim Ummah is encouraged to practice and exercise self-control. Fasting in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, we can recover health, only if attended in an appropriate way. Monitor our fasting tips and make life-style reforms to get the best out of this Ramadan-ul-Mubarak. Let this time of year, be a time of revival in spirit, soul and body.
Zakāĥ of body
Sayyidunā Abū Ĥuraīraĥ رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ has narrated that the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: “There is Zakāĥ (charity) for everything, and the Zakāĥ of your body is fasting, and fasting is half of patience.” (1)
Guidelines for a healthy fast in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak
Fasting in Ramadan carries a high-risk of dehydration, as nutrients are limited from early sunrise till sunset. In addition for fasting, Muslims are encouraged to wake-up very early to have their pre-dawn meal Sahari, but please remember to consume the right type of food and in the right quantity is the key.
Eat Saḥarī because it is a blessed (food). (2)
Don’t skip “Sahari” [pre-dawn meal]
According to a popular saying, “breakfast is a very important meal of the day” and in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, it turns out to be even more significant!
Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His angels send mercy upon the people who eat Saḥarī. (3)
Avoiding Sahari prolongs the abstaining period, as our body relies on the earlier meal to provide all the nutrients and liveliness till Iftar. Due to lengthier hours of fasting, we are expected to feel dehydrated and exhausted throughout the day. Furthermore, missing Sahari also encourages overeating in Iftar, which can reason an unhealthy digestive system.
Sayyidunā ‘Irbāḍ Bin Sāriyaĥ رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ has narrated that once the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم called him to eat Saḥarī with him during the month of Ramadan and said: “Come for a blessed breakfast”. (4)
Important Note:
Fajar Azaan is just for Salah (prayers), not for fasting; therefore Sahari must not be delayed to such a point that the time of dawn Subh-e-Sadiq appears to start. A number of Muslims keep eating even after dawn, in progress of Azaan sayings: Pay attention! This act does not close the fast; in fact it leaves the fast absolutely open and makes it null and void. As a result you will gain nothing, but will have to bear thirst and hunger the entire day.
Don’t overeat during Iftar (dinner)
Evenhanded, as it is not suitable to escape Sahari, over-eating can also harm your body, while opening the fast. Iftar must be a well-balanced healthy diet, and not an extensive meal! Over-eating and too much intake of large calories food, can affect the digestive system. People usually eat to their full in both Sahari and Iftar times and come across constipation and high-blood pressure.
Avoid eating fried foodstuffs
It is not rare, about fasting Muslims to compensate themselves with fried pakoraas, samosaas, rolls, kacchoriyaan, and other deep fried sticky dishes which are considered essential at Iftar meals. Even though these foodstuffs seem good to eat, but for a short ride, they can make abstaining the next day more challenging.
Instead, we should try foodstuffs from all light food groups, as well as fruits and vegetables. Eating fiber rich food, in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak is also acceptable, as they are digested easily than junk food. “Health is wealth” is a very popular saying in our lifecycle, which is time and again referred by our elders. Physical health is very essential for our natural life and to acquire that we need to eat in a measured style.
And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at dawn; then complete the fasts till the coming of night. (5)
Drink plenty of water
Use of liquid refreshment, as much as possible, amid Iftar meal and Sahari pre-dawn meal, can reduce the risk of dehydration in fasting.
Liquids include juices, milk, soft drinks and thirst-quenchers, but water is the best option, ideally, we have to also cut down on caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee and Colas as these drinks promote liquid loss.
Conclusion:
A well-secure intake is extremely vital for a healthy fast, in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak!
Blessed month of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak approached with the note of endurance, virtues and serving the deprived. Eating according to limit and abstaining from hefty-oiled diet is not the directive of Almighty Allah, but is the designed need of a human digestive system. Fasting not only safeguards us from misconducts but also protects us from diseases. By taking these precautionary measures we can stay healthy, so thank Almighty Allah for good health and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitar in a dazzling mode.
References:
(1) (Sunan Ibn Mājaĥ, pp. 347, vol. 2, Ḥadīš 1745)
(2) (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, pp. 633, vol. 1, Ḥadīš 1923) blessings of Ramadan page no: 83
(3) (Al-Iḥsān bittartīb Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān, pp. 194, vol. 5, Ḥadīš 3458) blessings of Ramadan page no: 83
(4) (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, pp. 442, vol. 2, Ḥadīš 2344) blessings of Ramadan page no: 83
(5) [Kanz-ul-Īmān (Translation of Quran)] (Part 2, Sūraĥ Baqaraĥ, verse 187) from blessings of Ramadan page no: 83
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