Checklist-Ramadhan's last 10 nights & days

Checklist – Ramadhaan's Last Ten Nights and Days

 

In this blessed month of Ramadan, we have now come to the grand finale – the last ten days of Ramadan that are even more blessed than the rest of Ramadan. In it is a night that Qur'an tells us is better than 1000 months (yes, months – not days).

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived." (Narrated by An-Nasaa'i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih At-Targheeb, 999.)

So, in preparation for the grand finale, here is a checklist of some of the things that we can all do to make the remaining days of Ramadan work to our advantage:

 

1) Get in High Gear for the Next few Nights and Days

Time is of the essence. Every moment counts. Whatever you need to do for the next ten days to make the most in `Ibadah, good deeds, reciting Qur'an, dhikr, making du`aa', etc., rewards are going to be multiplied. No one knew about the importance of these days more than the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). According to Ahmad and Muslim: he would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan as he did not do at other times.

If we lose this opportunity, we get our next opportunity next year – assuming we are still around and are in good health and shape to make use of it. Even if we are – we have the past years' sins on our shoulders and life's normal trials and tribulations to face the coming year. So, there is no better time to ask Allah to make all that easier than NOW.

 

2) Get a Copy of the Qur'an and Recite as Often as You Can

A few lines on this post can't even come close to explaining the benefits and virtues of Qur'an. It is proven in the authentic Sunnah that the Qur'an will intercede for those who read it at night, as Ahmad (6626) narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, 'O Lord, I deprived him of his food and his desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.' And the Qur'an will say: 'I deprived him of his sleep at night so let me intercede for him.' Then they will intercede." (Narrated by Ahmad; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami`, no. 3882.)

As is stated in the hadith in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:"Whosoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a Hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the Hasanah (good deed) is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-laam-meem is (considered as) a letter (in reward), rather Alif is one letter, laam is one letter, and meem is one letter." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darami)

The Messenger of Allah ! Blessings and Peace be upon him' said:"The best of you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it." (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

 

3) Get your Sins Forgiven

First the bad news – In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Thawbaan said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"A man is deprived of provision (Rizq) because of the sins that he commits." (Narrated by Ibn Majah, 4022, ).

And now for the good news –

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in Prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins."

 

4) What to Say on Laylat Al-Qadr

One of the best du`aa's that can be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). It was narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who classed it as sahih, that 'A'ishah said: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, If I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna (O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so forgive me)."

 

5) Get in the Class of the Pious People

Allah has described the pious as follows (interpretation of the meaning):

(They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:17)

(And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness,) (Adh-Dhariyat 51:18)

Allah's Messenger(saw) said:" There is in Paradise an Apartment, the exterior of which can be seen from the interior, and the interior of which can be seen from the exterior. Such apartments have been prepared for those who are Polite in their talk, Provide Food to the Needy, Fast frequently and observe the TAHAJJUD PRAYERS when people are sleep." (Mishkhat Al-Masabih ; Hadith No. 1232)

 

6) Finally…

Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven't before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadan, you would want to do this again and again – even after the month is over.

And finally, when you are in a state of Prayers and worship, please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters who are in great difficulty all around the world in your prayers. Remember what the Prophet said:

"The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence." (Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)

 

Itikaf "The Spiritual Retreat"

    ITIKAF

"The Spiritual Retreat"

By E ISLAM (www.eislam.co.za)

The meaning of Itikaf is to seclude oneself in the Masjid  with the express niyyah (intention) of Itikaf.

Allah Ta'ala has indeed in His perfect wisdom created humanity in a unique way. He has made it such that from time to time His creation needs a rest. We rest at night to give our bodies time to recover. Birds retire to their nests, horses to their stables, bees to their hives etc. However there comes a time when more intensive rest or a retreat is required.  Sometimes due to a person's physical condition he is admitted into the intensive care unit allowing his body time to recover.

Likewise the soul also needs to recover from the hustle and bustle of the world, the spiritual pollution caused by evil elements of society, the rat race of wanting, desiring and acquiring more of this world and the distractions that has diverted our mind, heart and soul from the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala and His Beloved Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Intensive Care Unit(ICU) for the soul is the Masjid and Itikaf is the feature within this ICU to allow the soul to not only recover but be spiritually rejuvenated! Itikaf is indeed a Spiritual Retreat!

Inside each and every human being, a constant battle rages.  It is like a battle between two tigers. One tiger is a manifestation of evil.  It is full of hate, lust, and greed.  It's fangs drip with bitterness and strife. The other tiger is an embodiment of good.  It is full of love, compassion, and honesty.  He never betrays his brother.

These two tigers are constantly at war. Which tiger is going to win the battle?

The answer is quite obvious…. Whichever one you feed.

Our soul is being bombarded by forces of good and evil. We need to feed it good so that it overpowers the evil….and Itikaf is indeed an excellent opportunity to achieve this by feeding and nourishing the soul with good deeds.

Since the life of the transient world keeps us busy for the whole year in studies, work, social functions, business, traveling and other such things that often causes us to be negligent of our souls and the next life, we may sometimes think that these things are the sole purpose in life and thus, we end up forgetting our true goal – Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him). Thus, it is for this reason that I'tikaf is referred to as

"The spring of life in a world struck with the drought of negligence of Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him)."

 

I'tikaf indeed rejuvenates the soul and gives a fresh breath to life. In addition, we can once again find ourselves and our Lord Allah Ta'ala and spiritually return back to Him before we are forced to return back to Him when our soul separates from our body (death).

 

The period of I'tikaf is the best time to force one's self to sit and think and reflect on the self and the world around; the period of the I'tikaf is the best time to forget the worries of the transient world and to return to nurturing the soul and linking oneself with the Creator of the soul; the period of the I'tikaf is the best time to return back to Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) in true repentance for our sins committed through the year and to give our souls the spiritual strength desperately needed to live a spiritual and pure life in this challenging world.

The Messenger of Allah ( Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam) observed, I'tikâf and the Muslims have on the whole adhered to it. It has become a regular feature of the month of Ramadhân and a confirmed practice with the devout and the faithful.

Hazrat Ayesha (Radiallâhu anha) relates that "Rasulullâh. Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam regularly observed I'tikâf during the last ten days of Ramadhân till the end of his life. After him, his wives maintained the tradition." (Hadith-Bukhari)

It is related by Hazrat Abû Huraira (Radiallâhu anhu) that

"Rasulullâh Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam observed I'tikâf for ten days every year in the month of Ramadhân. In the year he passed away he observed it for twenty days." (Hadith-Bukhari)

The Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him s family) is reported to have said: 

"The persons who secludes himself (in the Masjid in I'tikaf) in true faith and hope (for the reward of Allah), all of his previous sins shall be forgiven." (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith 24007) 

 3 TYPES OF ITIKAF

WAAJIB (Compulsory) Itikaf.

This Itikaf becomes compulsory when a person makes it obligatory upon himself. An example of this is, when a person makes a vow to Allah that if Allah fulfills a certain wish of his, he will undertake to perform so many days Itikaf. In this case the moment his wish is fulfilled, Itikaf becomes compulsory. A person may just make unconditional vow whereby he makes Itikaf Waajib upon himself for certain number of days. This becomes a Waajib duty on from that moment onward.

SUNNAH Itikaf.

This was the general practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and it means to seclude oneself inside the Masjid for the last ten days of Ramadhan.

NAFIL Itikaf.

There is no special time or specific number of days for Nafil Itikaf. A person may make niyyah for any number of days at any time, even for his whole life

Before engaging into Itikaf it is highly recommended to learn the rules relating to this important act of ibadah (worship). Please to do consult your local Ulama (Islamic Scholars) for more guidance.

For a detailed article on Itikaf and its rules please visit :

http://eislaminfo.blogspot.com/2010/08/itikaf.html

 

The Dynamic Nature of Ramadaan

The Dynamic Nature of Ramadaan

By Abu Muhammed

 

 

Have you ever noticed that in Ramadaan how it is that everyone's days (and nights) seem to rotate around their salaah(prayer) times and how easy it is to fast for long periods, perform Salaah, recite the Quraan, spend more time in the Masjid and to do good ? Business appointments are deliberately avoided close to salaah times and trips to shopping malls are strictly to get what's required, recreation curtailed and 'entertainment', almost nonexistent. Journeys, if necessary, are planned in such a manner that destinations are reached before the time of futoor (opening of the fast). In summation we can safely say that life is taken very seriously and time scrupulously spent.

A famous contemporary scholar was often heard saying,

'If our lives are spent as we spend Ramadaan then death (our meeting with Allah Jalla Wa A'ala) will be enjoyable to us as the joy we feel at the sighting of the crescent of Eidul Fitr'

One of the most salient aspects of the Shariah (The Body of Islamic Law) is that almost all the formal acts of Ibaadah (Worship) have been fixed. It can be safely said that the temperament of Ibaadah in Islam is very 'time and place' specific.

· Haj in the month of Zhul Hijjah (8^th to the 12^th) in the city of Makkah and its surrounds of Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifa

· Zakaat once a year (Lunar) fixed

· Salaah fixed five times a day at specific times, and

· Fasting in Ramadaan

The maximum benefit of these acts of Ibaadah will be reaped when they are done at their specific times and places. An example to emphasise the point is that most Muslims are aware of the great virtue of the day of Arafah (9^th Zil Hijjah) during Hajj (pilgrimage). It is a day wherein Allah frees the most souls from Jahannum (Hell) and displays His Mercy and Forgiveness in waves and torrents like no other time. Arafah is essentially a desert plain with little or no vegetation. If a person were to be on the plains of Arafah on every other day of the year other than the 9^th of Zhul Hijjah he will not benefit from the great rewards of Arafah. An example pertaining to Ramadaan is that if a person, with a valid reason, misses the fast of Ramadaan he cannot acquire the spiritual benefit of that one fast were he to fast for the entire year out of Ramadaan. The Qadha fast (late fulfillment) will fulfill his obligation but detract from the benefit of that fast in its original place and time.

While there will be those who argue that the Shariah is not so stringent and allows for leeway there is great wisdom in fixing the formal acts of Ibaadah (Worship). Breaking away from a high profile meeting or stopping in the middle of an important task at work and heading off for Salaah to the local Masjid for the congregational prayer may not seem very different to fulfilling the obligation of Salaah after the meeting or completing one's task but upon closer scrutiny under a 'spiritual' microscope one will find an important difference. In the first instance a person has put the command of the Creator – Allah Jalla Wa A'ala – before everything else while in the second instance, while not making a verbal statement, a person has given priority to his meeting or task over the fulfilling of the command of Allah Jalla Wa A'ala. The former is precisely the aim and objective of Shariah. After all we are the 'Ibaad – Slaves' of Allah Jalla Wa A'ala and as Hasan Basri (May Allah have mercy on him) says 'a slave can have no other wish than to fulfill the wish (command) of his/her Master'. Fulfilling the command of Allah Jalla Wa A'ala is another name for 'Worship' which is the objective of the short and transitory life of a Human Being (Qur'an Surah 51, Verse 56) on this earth and determines the extent of his/her success or failure in the Akhira (the Hereafter)

From this perspective then, Ramadaan is a practical exercise and lesson in learning Uboodiya (Slavery) to one's Creator where one's 24 hour day becomes consciously focused at fulfilling the Command of one's Creator over and above all the 'commands' of a personal or vocational nature. Ramadaan is also proof to us that we do have the ability and capacity to dedicate ourselves towards a life of conscious worship of Allah Jalla Wa A'ala and not just one month of the year. One drawback is that we limit our niyyah (intention) only for Ramadaan.

As mentioned at the beginning, we find that in Ramadaan it becomes easy to good deeds. This is the coming in to play of the powerful force that is collectivity in thought and action as well as the effect of an environment. Islam recognises the powerful force of social pressure towards conformance and adherence.

This is borne out by the famous saying of the Noble Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) narrated by Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) about a man from the previous nations who killed ninety nine people and then desired forgiveness. It is a lengthy narration but the crux of the matter was that he was forgiven, because the advice given to him by a scholar to maintain his state of Taubah (repentance) was, 'Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place' (Hadith-Bukhari & Muslim)

This movement towards the environment of righteousness was the deciding factor that secured his forgiveness. This highlights the great effect that company and/or environment can have on influencing the actions of individuals and in turn communities and societies. This is also corroborated by another saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) narrated by Abu Musa Al Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) wherein the similitude of good and bad company (environments) is likened to a person spending time in the company of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The least one will benefit from the former is a pleasant scent (without buying) while the latter will cause one to obtain an unpleasant and foul smell and may even burn one's clothing. (Hadith-Bukhari & Muslim)

The concept of 'every man for himself and God for all' is alien to Islam. Islam promotes the idea that 'the strength of the community lies in the strength of the individual and in turn the strength of the individual lies in the strength of the community'. That is why the encouragement towards good and the forbidding of evil has been made an individual and collective obligation.

Upon closer perusal we will find that the formal acts of worship in Islam while, being 'time and place' specific, are also very social and communal with an emphasis on collectivity and public benefit. This can be seen in the institution of Salaah, Haj, Zakaat as well as in Ramadaan.

Therefore in Ramadaan we find it easy to do more good because everyone is in the same frame of mind, understanding the magnitude that is the month of Ramadaan, as well as consciously making an effort practically to maximise this great opportunity to earn good. This in turn creates an environment that generates energy and buzz that is an impetus for all acts of Ibaadah (Worship) even for those of us who normally feel lazy and disinclined.

Ramadaan presents an excellent opportunity for positive individual and collective change. The first step towards achieving this would be, not to limit our niyyah only to Ramadaan but to make the niyyah that Ramadaan be the beginning of change for us. Once we do so the next step would be to attach ourselves after Ramadaan to such people and environments where such A'amaal (practices) are in vogue that would enhance and maintain all that we had reaped in Ramadaan. If we spend one Ramadaan to the next Ramadaan for the balance of our lives in this manner then have no doubt that the time of meeting with Allah Jalla Wa A'ala (death) will be enjoyable to us as the joy we feel at the sighting of the crescent of Eidul Fitr...if not more!!!

And the one who achieves this has fulfilled the purpose of creation and passed the test that is called 'LIFE' and is entitled to an eternal and everlasting life of bliss and happiness.

Fill the Bucket this Ramadaan

Fill the Bucket!

By Abdur Rahmaan Umar

 

"Sheikh, Ramadaan soon," said Omar, his gruff voice making him sound a lot older than his 28 years, "We will really have to exert ourselves this Ramadaan!"

Sheik Hamaad nodded quietly, taking a sip of his favourite Jasmine tea.

"Yup, we really gonna have to try and do a lot this Ramadaan," chorused Ridwaan.

Sheikh looked at them and whispered, "Or not to do."

Omar jerked his head in surprise and looked at Ridwaan, searching for an answer. Ridwaan raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. The group looked at one another with skewed glances but said little until Omar mustered the courage and broke the silence, "Did Sheikh say not to do?"

Sheikh nodded in silent affirmation, his long beard making little waves on his chest.

They looked at one another for some clue, something just wasn't right.

Zaid, unable to contain himself and ventured softly, his voice barely audible from his usual position against the wall at the back, "But Sheikh always told us that this is the month to capitalize, to take maximum benefit of the time and to really … how you say…stock up."

Sheikh Hamaad's lips curled into a soft smile as he placed his tea on the little ornate wood table beside him, "True, I did say that you have to work hard and earn rewards. But let me give you an example – if you have a bucket, how long will it take to fill up?"

Omar's face lit up, he adjusted his specs, and in his a very professional tone said, "Depends on many factors – what's the rate of flow of the water, how big is the bucket, what is the size of the opening, and …"

"Let say we ignore all that," Sheikh continued, "If the bucket has a huge hole at the bottom will it remain full?"

"Well," began Omar, "depends on the size of the hole, and the rate of…"

"No ways! It will not remain full," Zaid interrupted him, and looked to Sheikh for an explanation of the analogy.

Sheikh surveyed the puzzled look on their faces and decided to end the suspense, "If we do a lot in Ramadaan, but fail to give up sinning then we are like people who are trying to fill a bucket that has holes."

"Holy bucket!" said Zaid, chuckled softly at his joke.

Sheikh smiled and continued, "Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu anhu narrated that the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alaihi wasallam said: 'There are many such people who fast but gain nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are many such people who stand up (in Prayer) for whom there is nothing but the (difficulty) of staying awake. (Hadith-ibn Majah)' So….people may make a lot of effort, but gain nothing from it."

"Holes in the bucket," acknowledged Zaid, his head nodding in affirmation, "But why?"

Sheikh paused to sip his tea, "Because they don't give up sinning…perhaps they break their fast with haraam provisions, or they indulged in backbiting during the day. Or they indulged in some other sin that erased the good of the fasting and prayer. "

In another saying of the Messenger of Allah Sallalahu Alaihi wasallam narrated by Hadhrat Abu Ubaydah( Radiallahu Anhu) that "Fasting is a shield until it's not torn" (Hadith-Ibn Majah); which conveys a similar meaning. A shield is only useful if it's able to withstand the onslaught of the enemy. If it's damaged it's no longer a source of protection. Likewise, we have to be extra careful about not committing sins in Ramadaan.

Ridwaan leaned forward and asked, "Must we be more vigilant about sins than doing good deeds?"

"Yes, you need to be more cautious, because if you do good deeds without refraining from sin then it's like filling a bucket with holes. Holy bucket!" said sheikh nodding at Zaid, whose curiosity dragged him away from the back wall.

Sheikh paused to take drain the cup of the last drops of tea, In another Hadith it's mentioned that a person asked The Messenger Sallalahu Alaihi wasallam, just as you have asked, what causes the fast to tear, and he, Sallalahu Alaihi wasallam replied – lies and backbiting.

Fasting is not just about giving up food and drink; it's about staying away from haraam. So the eyes have to fast by not looking at anything impermissible, the ears have to fast by not listening to haraam. So too, the mouth, by avoiding lies, backbiting, swearing and other wrongful words. Even the limbs have to fast by not going to haraam or indulging in it.

"That changes the whole notion of fasting," asked Zaid, now having made his way close to the front, "But that's tough…"

Sheikh immediately began reciting in his melodious voice:

"يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ"

"From Surah Baqarah (verse 185) – Allah Ta'ala desires ease for you and does not intend for you hardship. And (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you;"

"Zaid! You love your kebabs?" Sheikh asked.

Zaid nodded bashfully. "Would you eat any one of those lovely, tasty kebabs just before fast breaking time? Say with 30 seconds to spare?"

Zaid shook his head vigorously and replied, "No!" his voice a little too loud for the occasion.

"Why not?"

"Because that would be breaking Allah's command!"

"Even by a mere thirty seconds?" asked Sheikh and Zaid shook his head more energetically.

"So we have so much self-restraint about what we put in our mouths that we won't even transgress by thirty seconds, but we take very little care about what comes out of our mouths," said Sheikh, "Allah Ta'ala has given us the ability to control ourselves, we have to use this ability to avoid all those things which earn His displeasure."

"So what's the best thing we can do this Ramadaan? "asked Omar.

"The best thing to do is to avoid sinning in this blessed month, and…and...do your best to fill the bucket. By the grace of Allah Ta'ala it will be filled which much good that will remain even after Ramadaan. So, simply, do nothing wrong this Ramadaan!"

Proven Techniques for a Successful Positive Change this Ramadan

Proven Techniques for a Successful Positive Change this Ramadan

You CAN do it!!!

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad[peace be upon him] has said,"Almighty Allah says, 'I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart…. if he walks towards Me, I run unto him."[Hadith-Qudsi]

Make this Ramadan the month of "Change"..Are You Ready for it???

"Change" is the vogue today. "Change" is being chanted by the Presidents to rally up public support; "Change" is being demanded by the masses suffering due to skyrocketing fuel and commodity prices; "Change", a drastic one indeed, is what we are witnessing with awe in the global weather patterns.

For Muslims, Ramadan is the prime time for change. This month dramatically alters our routines and schedules. From tight sleep schedules, to hunger for extended hours, to reduction in consumption of junk foods, to a technology diet; to withdrawal from caffeine addiction, to lengthy standing in Taraweeh prayers at night, to extensive listening to the Quran. What a change indeed!

 

Beyond Routines and Rituals

The real change, however, Ramadan demands of us is the internal change – a change that positively transforms our lifestyle, character, attitudes, conversations, and habits. Allah has described this change in the month of Ramadan as follows: "O you who believe, fasting has been ordained on you as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may adopt Taqwa[Taqwa is Allah consciousness ]" (2:183 [Quran 2:183].

Slavery to Ramadan?

If our change is limited to outer physical practices only, we become slaves to Ramadan, instead of being servants to Ar-Rahman (Allah, the Merciful).

Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] has warned us about those who don't fast from bad behaviour:

"Allah has no interest in any person's abstention from eating and drinking, if that person does not give up lying and dishonest actions" [Sahih al-Bukhari].

Ramadan Resolutions

Every Ramadan we make resolutions and tell ourselves: "This Ramadan will be different. I'm going to change my ______ habit." "I will give up ………", "I will take my practice of Islam to the next level". But how many of us are really able to follow through? Plenty of good intentions, many amazing wishes, but sadly enough, life goes on as usual the morning of Eid.

Ask yourself, how is my fasting benefitting my spiritual connection with Allah? How is my extensive worship in Ramadan helping me discipline my tongue (taste and speech), eyes, ears, and habits?

Are you ready to take that first step to transform your bad habits into good ones?

Ways to Kick Bad Habits

Few things are more demanding than eliminating bad habits, since they are part of our daily routines and personality. It takes days of patience and practice to break old habits.

However, the good news is, Ramadan offers a perfect and natural environment for moral training. Interestingly, researches from "positive psychology" (scientific study of successful people) have repeatedly shown it takes between 30 to 40 days to kick a bad habit and develop a new one.

In addition to the physical discipline during the month of Ramadan, the increased spiritual exercise and connection with Allah, can transform your habits for life.

Try these proven techniques for a successful positive change in your habits during Ramadan and beyond!

1. Acknowledge and Identify your bad habits: First step is to admit you need to change. If you are in a state of denial, you won't recognize that you have a bad habit to change.

2. Pick a habit for this month: Prioritize your bad habits and focus on one for this month. If you are committed to changing at least one habit, you will see remarkable results, Allah-willing.

3. Realize that it's in us to change: Don't believe the old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." You can break a bad habit if you really want to. No one else can change your habits, if you don't want to.

4. Remember, Allah loves those who commit mistakes and repent: Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] said:

"By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them." [Sahih Muslim]

5. Intention & Plan to change: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." A healthy process of change in character requires a gradual pace, which entails planning. Develop concrete milestones to measure your progress.

6. Replace a bad habit with a good one: Completely eliminating a habit is more challenging than replacing it with a more productive habit. Moreover, it's crucial to replace the lost natural needs, such as the need to socialize and to be entertained with something healthy.

For instance, it's easier to replace or balance your addiction to TV with a physical workout or reading, than to suddenly remove the TV from your life. Interestingly, Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him], the greatest 'psychologist' of humanity, illustrated this principle in these words:

"Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people." [At-Tirmidhi]

7. Change your Environment: Resist the negative peer pressure by finding a better company of friends. Collective action to change is very powerful. Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] explained this peer pressure effect with this analogy:

"A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace." [Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim]

8. Exercise: Spiritual exercise is important for lasting change. You may not realize that by exerting your yourself in spiritual exercises like the reading of Quran and Hadith, fasting, giving charity, Zikr[remembering Allah] etc helps in eliminating a number of bad habits. Through the spiritual light of doing noble deeds evil ones will gradually be eradicated from your life. Allah says : "Indeed, Salah restrains from Shameful and unjust deeds" [Quran:29:45]. A person complained to the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] about someone who read salaah and also committed theft .The Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] said "His salaat will very soon wean him off that sin.' This shows that the evil habits can be got rid of by adhering to good practises. The doing of good deeds such as remembering Allah cleanses the heart. A clean heart encourages a person to do good deeds and refrains one from evil habits!

Moreover, exercising your will power (struggle to fight temptations) for this month helps you kick all kinds of bad habits and form new good ones. Willpower is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the more you strengthen it.

9. Think of yourself as a changed, different, new person. This simple psychological shift in your thinking about your own image can do wonders. Tell yourself, "I can't continue this ill-behaviour. I am better than that. I am stronger. I am wiser."

10. Reward success: The most fundamental law in all of psychology is the "law of effect." It simply states that actions followed by rewards are strengthened and likely to recur. Unfortunately, studies show that people rarely use this technique when trying to change personal habits.

Setting up formal or informal rewards for success greatly increases your chances of transforming bad habits into good ones, and is far more effective than punishing yourself for bad habits or setbacks. As Muslims we should also remember that the ultimate reward is Allah's Pleasure and Paradise in the Hereafter.

11. Get help: Tell someone about your effort to change if it helps. He or she may keep you on track and may offer some good advice. Read books that will encourage you to do virtues actions. Join programs in your local Mosque. Ladies should endeavour to join their local Taalimi Halqas. There are good and sincere people who are ready to assist. We are not an island- We are an Ummah!

12. Boost your spiritual immune system: By fasting,doiung good actions, spending time in the Mosque or going in the path of Allah will boost your Imaan[faith] which will provide you with internal strength to overcome temptations to reverting to old bad habits.

13. Remind yourself of Death and Hereafter often: "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet [peace be upon him]once stated. [At-Tirmidhi.]

14. Resolve to continue on and follow up: Giving up bad habits or learning good habits requires regular maintenance and determination. It is a long, ongoing process, also known as "Tazkiyyah" in Islamic terminology. It's more difficult than the first few steps of change. ("How many times have I dieted, for example, only to gain the weight back?"). So ensure that you follow up. Link yourself to a good Allah-fearing Islamic Scholar and make a habit of spending time in Allah path.

15. Develop a relapse strategy: How do you ensure not to return to your bad habit you are trying to change? Some people donate money to a good cause every time they return to sinning or a bad habit. This reminds them of the 'cost' of going back to old bad habits. Others try physically demanding acts to deter them from reverting to old ways. For example that if you do___ act than you will keep three fast or pay so much sadaqah[charity] etc

16. Ask Allah for Help: MOST IMPORTANT!-Make Asking for Allah's Help an integral part of the overall change process. Ask for Allah's Help before, during and after every attempt at kicking a bad habit. Do so sincerely, even begging and crying, like a child does when he or she really wants something. Allah is Ever-Willing to Help and to Respond to our needs, but it is us who must take the first step towards Him. Allah will NEVER disappoint us!

"And whosoever is conscious of Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He (Allah) will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine." [Quran 65:2-3]

Diet - Ramadhaan- Make that change!

Let us make the change in Ramadhaan 1434!

By Shakira Dockrat-Abram-B.Dietetics (Unv.Pretoria)

 

Let This Ramadhaan be different!   We know it is a most beautiful and blessed month of restraint, in our thoughts, words, actions and, for a part of our day in our eating………Fasting gives the digestive system a rest, where the energy usually used in food digestion and food metabolism is directed towards body detoxification, tissue repair and system healing.   The West recommend fasting as an ideal detox and a brilliant way to supercharge the immune system.

Sadly though, come Iftaar time and our poor stomachs are overwhelmed with large quantities of partially chewed, mostly unhealthy greasy foods. This defeats and   destroys all the spiritual and health benefits of the fast in one meal.  The Holy Quraan states

" ……And eat and drink but do not waste by extravagance, certainly He(Allah) does not like those who waste by extravagance."  (Quraan 7:31)

The solution lies in continuing the spirit of restraint, even at Iftaar time. We should not view Iftaar time as an opportunity for indulgent overeating where we consume foods that are more harmful to our health than beneficial.  Our Noble Prophet Muhammed SAW  preferred to eat simple food that was easily available at Iftaar and did not require much preparation. We need to simplify and practice moderation in our eating habits as he did. This will be the elixir to better health as outlined by Umar ibn al Khattab:

"   Beware of overeating, it ruins the body and causes sickness and laziness in performing prayers.  Seek moderation,  it is more healthful for the body and more distant from waste. "  

I have outlined ten practical ways to assist us in obtaining the full physical benefits of fasting.

·         Iftaar should be made with fresh or dried dates and water. Our Beloved Prophet SAW often ate dates with cucumber.  He said the heat of the former overcomes the coolness of the latter. We should also combine the two, with the added benefit being cucumbers high water content – 95%. One serving of dates would be 2-3 medium sized dates.

 

·         Fluids-our bodies need to rehydrate between iftaar and bedtime.  Other good choices besides water would include:

·         Milk drinks such as almond milk or date milkshake. The combination of milk and dates forms a complete meal of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibre. For weight loss, fat-free/skimmed milk should be used. Our Beloved Prophet SAW said of milk this prayer:

" Oh Allah! Bless it for us and grant us more of it, for I do not know of a more complete food or drink than milk."(Tirmidhi)

·         Haleem- prepared with wheat, barley, oats and minimal fat. This is very similar to Sawiq a broth consumed by Prophet SAW.  Nourishing vegetable soups can also be prepared.

·         Freshly squeezed fruit juices with minimal added sugar. Good to get the kids involved before Iftaar time, when time is dragging.

·         Fruit smoothies-made with milk/yoghurt, fruit of choice, seed mix and honey.

·         Herbal teas such as rooibos, chamomile or green tea which do not have a diuretic effect. Rooibos teas brewed with spices and low fat milk makes a tasty alternative to normal brewed tea. It also prevents unnecessary diuresis associated with normal tea.

 

·         Food of Colour should be your first course. No vitamin or mineral supplement can compete with the nutrients found naturally in fruits and vegetables. They are Allah SWT great gift to us, one we do not do justice to. Let us make it a habit in our homes to serve attractive platters of fruits served with a drizzling of honey and cinnamon, exotic salads served with low fat olive oil and vinegar based dressing, vegetable sticks and low fat dips such as hummus, at the start of every meal. Let us not serve fruit as dessert,  a common cultural habit. Eating fruits and vegetables before meals prepares our stomach for more effective digestion, and also aids in quicker satiety due to their high water content. Something we all would welcome for weight loss.

 

·         Smart Savoury preparation.  Savoury consumption in Ramadhaan is an innovation of the indian culture, so we have our Indian ancestors to blame for all the hard work involved. As mentioned our Noble Prophet SAW partook of simple food. It would be of great health benefit if we just abandoned this practice of savoury making for Iftaar.  However I am aware that this is easier said than done. The bottom line is that all the deep fried, rich, cheese laden savouries produce unnatural fats, called trans fats in the body.  Studies have shown these to be ARTERY BLOCKERS!  Further, frying of carbohydrates at high temperatures generates a toxic by product called "acrolin", which is believed to have a carcinogenic effect. Above all, the  simple fact is : fats make you fat.

 

Smart savoury preparation entails becoming innovative and creative with savoury recipes and preparation techniques so that less oil and fat are used.  Non-fried savouries such as wraps, meat buns, lagans, savoury crumpets, pitas, baked samoosas, patta and kebabs are all great tasting examples. The use of an air fryer can also further assist.

·         Eat small amounts, chewing food properly.

Our Beloved Prophet SAW  said: " No human fills a vessel  worse than his stomach. For a person, few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight.  If he wants to fill his stomach, then should divide his stomach into three parts. One third for his food,  one third for his drink and one third for his breath."

If we could just adhere to these sound words of guidance from Allah SWT most Beloved creation-Prophet SAW, during and out of Ramadhaan we would benefit ourselves tremendously both physically and spiritually, InshaAllah.

An easy way to go about doing this would be to drink fluids first, to eat slowly, chew food well before swallowing and to embrace the sunnat practice of eating while sitting on the floor. Poorly chewed food results in more work for the stomach which further results in indigestion and bloatedness.

 

·         Plan an iftaar menu for the week.  Ensure every meal is a well -balanced healthy meal with all the food groups and minimal amounts of added fats. This will also result in less time spent in the kitchen and more time for ibaadat.  Include the following at every meal

Vegetables and fruit: as outlined above, commence every meal with food of colour.

Carbohydrates:  whole grains such as brown rice, barley, whole grain breads, brown roti, whole wheat pasta ,potato with skin

Proteins: allocate at least two days for chicken, fish and lentils and one day each for beef and mutton trimmed of all the fat.

 

 

·          Consume more of the foods that are mentioned in the Holy Quraan and sunnat.

Grains: barley, whole wheat, lentils

Fruits: dates, grapes, pomegranate, figs, olives, watermelon, quince

Vegetables: cucumber, squashes, pumpkin, marrows, mushroom, chard, garlic, onion

Drinks: water and milk

Other: Honey, olives and olive oil, black seed

 

·         Perform Taraweeh salaat.

It is very clear that the less we eat at Iftaar, the better our performance of Esha and Taraweeh Salaat. Overeating at  Iftaar time results in increased blood flow to the digestive tract, with less blood flowing to other vital organs such as the limbs and brain. This leaves one feeling lethargic and weak during salaat time. The importance of performing this ibaadat with concentration and devotion cannot be overemphasized.  Furthermore during the performance of a correct salaah, each and every muscle in the body is exercised- Subhanallah.

 

·         Partake of sehri as it is a sunnat.

Our Noble Prophet SAW said there is great blessing in partaking of sehri. If one is unable to eat at that time, a glass of water or milk and a few dates will suffice. For those who are small and weak, a milk drink such as Ensure, Life Gain or Build Up can be consumed.

A healthy sehri meal should include the following:

·         Honey water

·         Dates and other fresh fruits

·         Whole grain, low GI cereals such as oats, barley, taystee wheat, muesli with nuts, seeds and raisins OR

·         Whole grain, low GI bread, rolls or roti

·         Protein  topping such as egg, low fat cheese, peanut butter, chicken filling

·         Herbal tea. Avoid normal tea as it causes diuresis which results in unwanted fluid and mineral loss.

 

·         Be positive and inspired to be healthier!

The Most Gracious and Merciful Allah adapted the human body to withstand this difficult yet very beneficial fasting process. The whole purpose of fasting is to have a lighter body in order to free the soul and focus on more spiritual matters. Insha-Allah may we all initiate positive changes this Ramadhaan, and may Allah SWT instill in us the desire to be healthy individuals and protect our health so we may worship him better –Ameen.

 

Praylist or Playlist? Plan your Du'as this Ramadhan

Ramadhan:

Plan Your Du`a (Supplication)

By Abu Yusuf

From self improvement, to material things, to bettering relationships in your life, write down everything you want to ask Allah

If I told you that I can give you whatever you wish and allow you to have one week's time to decide what you want, will you plan for it?

I believe you will.

We plan for the things that are important in life, for the things we want most. From job interviews, to choosing spouses,going for Haj, to picking out furniture for the house, we plan for things that are important in our life.

So what about our du`a (supplication)?

Is not du`a a way to receive what we ask for? Allah (Allah Ta'ala) is the one that provides everything in our lives and asking Him is the most important thing we can do, but how often do we actually plan for it? Du`a too often becomes only a spur of the moment thing rather than a comprehensive list of things we wish for the most.

With Ramadan upon us, now is the best time to really put our minds to what we wish to ask the Creator of the heavens and the earth. I would like to share some ways to do so most effectively from my own personal experience.

Others Have Playlists, Muslims Have Praylists

For the past four years, before the beginning of every Ramadan, I have made a special, organized, and comprehensive list of du`a. The list would consist of 8 to 10 things that I desired the most, both in this world and in the Hereafter. Every day of Ramadan, I would pray for them at the times that supplication is most likely to be accepted. I call these my praylists.

As Muslims, we make du`a to Allah everyday. We make du`a right when we wake up, before every meal, every time we raise our hands and recite chapter Al-Fatihah, and so much more. Why then make a special list of du`a? Developing a praylist helps one focus and reflect.

Focusing on a specific list of du`a helps remind oneself of his/her needs and ambitions. By listing and repeating the items on the list, every single day, it not only assures that one does not forget all his wishes but it reinforces the pursuit of each one. For example, if I have always wanted to improve my tajweed (recitation of the Quran), by asking for help from Allah (Allah Ta'ala) to do so everyday encourages me to put my words into practice.

Reflection of du`as allows one to appreciate what Allah has granted him. I can personally attest to this. There have been items on my past praylists that have been answered in ways that I could never imagine. It's incredible. I look back and cannot believe I have received so many of the things I asked so desperately for. Allah (Allah Ta'ala) truly does not leave the hands of a believer empty when raised to Him.

The Time Is Now

Now that Ramadan is upon us again, I am excited to develop another praylist for the blessed month and I would love to encourage you all to do the same.

As an incentive, I remind myself and others, that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything" (At Tirmidhi). Why make Him angry?

Here are effective ways to plan your du`a to make the best out of your praylist:

Write It All Down

Take some time to actually write out your praylist. Do so in a format which is most accessible for you to review. You can write them on a small piece of paper to place in your wallet or purse, or if you're like me, you can type them into your phone's notes application.

There shouldn't be any limit on the size of the list, as long as it is manageable. If the list is so long that it becomes a burden to repeat more than once a day, it's then best to shorten it.

If you are weary of writing out your praylist because you wish to keep some or the entire items private, you should still write it out but then only list keywords that remind you of each item.

Ask Anything & Everything That Is Good

When choosing your items, imagine that Allah is asking you to ask Him for anything and everything you've ever wanted! Imagine the possibilities. From self improvement, to material things, to bettering relationships in your life, write down everything you want to ask Allah with no limitations other than keeping each item halal (lawful). Remember, you're asking Al-Mujeeb! The one who responds and is the supreme answerer.

Learn Prophetic and Quranic du`as to include as well.

Organize

Organize items in your "praylist" into different categories. I use the categories: this world, hereafter, worship, Muslim community and relationships. Once each item is sorted, you'll notice that some categories may be lacking than others. Adjust and add du`as where necessary. This will ensure that your praylist is all encompassing of your needs.

Make Du`a When They Are Most Likely Answered

These times include right before breaking the fast, during your prayer in prostration, after the obligatory prayers, night prayer, and the last 10 nights. At the least, everyday of Ramadan, I always make sure to make du`a before breaking my fast during iftar.

Remember the Etiquettes of Du`a

There is a right and proper way to make du`a. Remember that we must praise Allah Ta'ala first, ask for peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and then make our du`a.

So go on, take some time to think of what things you want the most. This time next year, you'll be surprised how many items on your list Allah Ta'ala has directly or indirectly granted you insha'Allah (Allah Ta'ala-willing).

I pray we all have a meaningful and successful Ramadan full of blessings. May Allah Ta'ala preserve us all to reap the benefits of such a Holy month and bring us closer to Him. May He give us all strength, knowledge, patience and humility. Ameen.