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Fasting New Muslims

Fasting and Overall Health

Though fasting is often not an easy task and takes mental will power and physical endurance, Islam stresses the importance of keeping the body and mind from harm.

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Fasting is neither a responsibility nor a right for those who are too ill to tolerate it. Hence, it is very important to seek medical advice if you suffer from a chronic disorder such as diabetes or hypertension. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are exempt from fasting too.

Individuals with diabetes who are able to keep their blood glucose levels stable through diet control are better suited to fasting than those who require medication or insulin injections, though most diabetics can fast with the right care. But, children with type I insulin dependent diabetes should avoid fasting.

Your doctor will determine if you can fast by checking your overall health including:

• Any uncontrolled high blood pressure or angina

• Current infections

• A history of uncontrolled diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis

• Whether you require insulin or medications to control your diabetes

• Whether you have kidney stones, emphysema or other disorders

For most diabetic Muslims, fasting is safe and can be beneficial, particularly if they have type II adult onset diabetes or are obese diabetics. However, a careful diet must be followed and glucose levels must be monitored cautiously. Long term complications, dehydration, infections, hypoglycemia (low glucose levels) and coma are real harms that can occur if diabetes is not carefully monitored.

If you are on prescription medication for high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, angina, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular disorders, it is very important to consult your doctor about changing your medication schedule. Do not reduce your dosage or stop medication on your own; this can have serious effects such as stroke and heart disease.

Scholar’s Advice

‘If fasting will cause harm to a person afflicted with a dietary disease such as diabetes, they are not required to fast. Instead, they should provide food for a needy person for every fast they miss. The amount of food is a ‘mudd’ or approximately 600 grams of the dominant staple food of that land, i.e. rice, wheat, potatoes, etc. They are excused from fasting for as long as the relevant affliction endures.’ (Imam Zaid Shakir)

Benefits of Fasting

Often recognized as the missing link in western conventional medicine and nutrition, fasting results in fascinating bodily processes, by which the body sheds toxins, heals, repairs and replenishes its energy supplies.

Fasting has been shown to improve allergies, anxiety, depression, colds, headaches, muscle aches, skin irritations and other illnesses. Medical studies show that fasting and curbing calorie intake even contribute to a longer lifespan.

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Source: emel.com.

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: One Supplication a Day

Ramadan is almost here!

Millions of Muslims around the world are eagerly and passionately waiting for the new moon of Ramadan.

The majority of Muslims will celebrate the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Wednesday, July 10, while some Muslim minorities will observe the dawn-to-dusk month a day earlier.

As we dedicate our time during the Holy Month to get closer to Allah through prayers, reading the Qur’an, supplication is a key component that our prayer should contains during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which was also an authentic sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Every day of fasting is a forward step to the next, that is, we need to plan and prepare our Ramadan’s chronicle right from the first night of the precious month.

So, what kinds of supplications are there, and what should we say? What if I don’t speak Arabic? How can I supplicate, talk to my Lord, get in touch with Him? Dr. Tariq Ramadan will guide us through this.

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 1

Here we are on the first day of Ramadan with a new life, a new beginning and a new breath….

With Dr. Tariq Ramadan series Ramadan Chronicles: One Supplication a Day we learn a new du`aa’ each day of the Holy Month.

Here’s the first day’s….

 

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan: Unsealing Hearts

 

By Musa Burki

Praying to our Creator for mercy and wisdom.

Praying to our Creator for mercy and wisdom.

A time for our hearts to become unsealed

Reflecting on the divine words revealed

The month in which we hope to never end

Unable to count the infinite blessings it sends

Asked by our Lord to give up our worldly pleasures

So that we may receive His divine treasures

It’s a time that comes once a year

Yet the moments that we hold most dear

The nights spent in prayer and reflection

Prepares the soul for redemption

Praying to our Creator for mercy and wisdom

Pleading to be admitted into His kingdom

We welcome you, O Ramadan, with joy as our guest

Having to subdue our egos as a test

You mend our hearts and give us tranquility

As we engage in battling our iniquity

Solidifying the bonds of kith and kin

Washing away the stain of sin

Fasting not only of body but of speech

It is Your Benevolence which we beseech

O Ramadan, you have blessed us with your presence

Teaching us to grow from our spiritual adolescence

Continue to be the month which will always bless

Helping us to alleviate our fears and distress

 

Share your thoughts and feelings about the precious guest with us and with others….

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Source: muslimvoices.org.

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 2

It’s the second day of our fasting, and in efforts to get closer to God every day, what supplication should we learn today?

What should we ask God today? How could we get closer to Allah, truly feel that intimacy?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say: “Allahumma a`inni `ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husn `ibadatika (O Allah help me in remembering You, in thanking You and in worshipping You in the best way).”

Let’s learn the meaning of this du`aa’ with Dr. Tariq Ramadan…

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan Checklist: Get on the Right Track

Why are we fasting? What is the true purpose of fasting? And what is the wisdom behind this act of worship? What is intended to teach us? And how is it supposed to transform our life?

Let’s ponder on God’s words:

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn taqwa (God-consciousness). (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

So, how could we do this; attain taqwa through our fasting?

How could we make use of the Holy Month to transform our whole life, be better individuals, get closer to God, etc?

What exactly should we do, focus on? How to ascend gradually in our worship over the whole month?

Follow these very productive, practical tips….

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan Daily: Extra Good Deeds

Ramadan is a very special and precious quest, make use of its limited presence while the doors of paradise are swung open, and the doors of hell-fire are shut.

Through the 30 days of fasting increase good deeds and acts of worship as possible as you can, knock earnestly on the doors of God’s mercy, get closer and closer to Him. But, how?

Here are some tips to help you reach these goals gradually…

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 3

On our journey to learn, understand supplications we can’t overlook what the prophets and messengers of Allah (peace be upon them all) were saying and asking Allah when there were facing hardships, calamity, when they were facing people rejecting them or even in times of success and achievements while calling to Allah and conveying His message.

So, what did the prophets and messengers of God say in their du`aa’ to God, what did they ask Him?

The Qur’an mentions many examples of these supplications. Learn here one of Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) supplications….

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 4

Are you one of those who ask God only when facing calamity and hardships, those who ask God to give them more and more in this life, forgetting about the hereafter?

About these people God say:

Some people say, “Lord, give us what we want in this life,” but in the life hereafter they have no beneficial share. (Al-Baqarah 2:200)

Could this be the sole objective behind making supplication to God, talking to Him? Could getting our worldly needs and desires met be the reason why we pray to God, worship Him?

Do we try to connect to God only in times of hardships and adversity? Is this the only way we talk to Him?

Is this sincere belief in God? Could it keep a true tie with our Lord?

So, what should we learn to ask God in order that we get a balance between this life and the hereafter; what should the true believer ask God?

This is what the Qur’an teaches us…

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Fasting New Muslims

Ramadan’s Chronicles: Day 5

Out of true belief in Allah, we turn to Him, ask Him to remain true believers with deep unshakable faith in Him. So, what should we ask God to help us remain mindful of Him, be always on His true path?

Allah (Exalted is He)  says in the Qur’an:

They say, “Lord, do not cause our hearts to deviate from Your guidance, and grant us mercy. You are the Most Awarding One”. (Aal `Imran 3:8)

So, what is the significance of this du`aa’, what do we understand from it? How does it help in strengthening our relation with God, be always mindful of His presence?

Listen attentively to Dr. Tariq Ramadan here…

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