Ramadan Mubarak ... but!
Some feel that the fasting month of Ramadan is a harsh time but good Muslims do not feel taxed by it because they realize that it offers many benefits. Fasting is practiced by many cultures and religions in order to purify the soul, cleanse the body or to do both — which are the aims in Islam. Unfortunately, many in our society misunderstand the real reason for fasting.
Rather than vast amounts of food which look like a feast fit for several kings, a frugal light meal would be far more appropriate for breaking the daily fast. I wish we would put an end to these unhealthy trends of excesses and extravaganza and return to our healthier former ways of breaking the fast, eating and generally behaving in a manner commensurate with the Islamic concept of Ramadan. The fact is that overindulgence undermines the principle and purpose behind fasting.
Regular fasts slow down your metabolism but regenerate your energy, cells, and organs and detoxify the body systems. You gradually lose fat tissue and restore healthy digestion. Scientists believe that when the body finds no food supply, it feeds on its waste. By consuming its own undesirable residues, the body rejuvenates itself. Thus with total fasting, the body purges itself by feeding on endogenous (internal) supplies, plying its self-healing mechanism of detoxification.
Detoxification normally produces headaches and fatigue during the first few days of fast; these are normal side effects. To relieve these, , you should drink lots of fluids, especially water, between iftar and sahoor. Even after the first days of detoxification, you should maintain a high fluid intake.
Break your fast with plenty of water, fresh fruit juices and dates in moderation, following the recommendation of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Allow fluids to do the cleansing and dates and fruit to give you energy while you pray and rest. Your dinner should not be too fatty or sweet — small amounts of kunafa, basboosa, kataif; instead, it should be nourishing and moderate with grain soups, salads, vegetables and foul or light proteins such as fish or chicken.
Allow your digestive system to rest between iftar and sahoor except for water and fruit or a very light snack. Sahoor, your last meal before fajr, should be neither filling nor rich but easily digestible — salads, vegetables, legumes, whole cereals or yogurt. Avoid rich, fatty, and sweet foods such as chocolates, soda drinks and sweetened fruit juices, syrupy desserts, creamy pastries, salty nuts and crackers, and fried and fast foods. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reminds us, “Nothing is more harmful to the son of Adam than filling his (stomach). Little mouthfuls suffice to keep him alive...”
Interestingly scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US found a correlation between fasting and longevity.
The holy month of Ramadan brings many benefits through fasting, prayers, and charity (zakat and sadagah). Fasting detoxifies and cleanses the body organs and systems from harmful toxins, chemicals, residue and carcinogens while piety and sincerity purge and clear both spirit and soul from evil doing. This results in psychological and physiological equilibrium, restoring harmony to body, mind, and soul. I would like to repeat the advice of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “Fast and you will gain health.”
Finally, allow me to wish all of us Ramadan Mubarak, while beseeching Almighty God to give us the strength and sustenance to obey and fulfill His commands.
From Arab News
رد مع اقتباس
Ramadan Mubarak ... but
ضوابط المشاركة
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