Fasting and Not Feasting

Ramzan is all about being spiritual. So besides emphasising on the spiritual factor you can start your health regimen too. It’s good to make the most of it by concentrating on your physical health too. When you fast for the entire day your body starts burning fats to make energy. This breaking down of fat helps in reducing that flab. But if you have diabetes, then don’t fast. It is not advisable for diabetic patients to fast, even if you are desperate to lose weight. Only healthy people should fast, even the religion gives relaxation to those who are unhealthy.

You can achieve a fabulous body by following healthy, nutritious diet in suhoor and iftar. One month is good enough to reduce those extra kilos. Include right proportion of proteins, carbohydrates and fat. To avoid breaking down of muscles eat properly before dawn and after dusk.You can also hit the gym two hours before iftar. Include plenty of fluids,in suhoor and iftar, in the form of juices or plain water to keep you hydrated during the fasting period. Dates are very good for your health include them in suhoor as well as iftar. You can include haleem in your diet; wide variety of spices and nuts used in its preparation makes it nutritious. Haleem strengthens your muscles. Include good number of fruits, veggies and meat which are good source of all the nutrients.

Don’t just blindly follow diet plans available on internet that say lose around 30 kilos in 30 days. There are many articles on detoxifying your body, never pay attention to them. Our organs remove toxins naturally we don’t have to go on fasts to flush them. There is no scientific evidence of flushing toxins by going on fasts. You don’t have to starve to lose weight but you need to control your appetite. Always remember if you don’t follow good diet it will cause more harm than good.

Ramadan: Self Control, Generosity and Repentance

It is that time of the year when muslims from around the world ‘fast’ from sunrise to sunset. Yes, the ninth month of Islamic calendar- Ramadan is here, when pious muslims fast, practice extreme self restraint and good deeds, besides indulging in charity (Zakat) and special prayers called Taravih.

It is the time of extreme devotion, and worship. Muslims try to offer as many prayers as possible.The month is all about self control, empathy with the less fortunate and generosity.Read this article to know more about Ramadan- the month of repentance.

Fasting:

Muslims are required to fast for 29 to 30 days depending on the sighting of the crescent.During the fast they are not supposed to taste anything.They abstain from sinful activities that including bad speech and behaviour,listening to music. It is compulsory for muslims who have reached puberty and are in good health to fast for the entire month of ramadan.Those who are not fasting on medical grounds it is obligatory for them to compensate later or give fidyah. Fidyah is where a poor person is given two wholesome meals for every missed Fast.

Suhoor:

It is a pre-fast meal taken before dawn. Few minutes after suhoor, muslims offer first prayer of the day.

Iftar:

Breaking the daylong fast is called as iftar. Muslims usually break their fast with dates, because the prophet (PBUH) broke his fast with dates.Fruits become an important part of iftari that is the reason for high fruit prices during Ramadan. After iftar muslims offer fourth prayer of the day followed by main course. Haleem, juices, desserts form integral part of iftar.

Iftar is also a kind of social gathering during the month. Lavish iftar parties are organised for friends, relatives,and community people. Iftar parties are organised at masjids as well.

Charity (Zakat):

It is obligatory to give a fixed percentage of a person’s savings to the poor in this month. Zakat or charity is one of the five pillars of islam. It is believed that good deeds are more handsomely rewarded during the month of Ramadan, so many people give sadaqah in this month.

Taravih:

Apart from regular five compulsory prayers muslims, during Ramadan offer special prayers at night. A common practice in taravih is to recite the one whole section of the Quran, eventually forming the entire Quran by the end of this month.

Recitation of Quran: 

Many muslims recite the Quran atleast once during the month because of the double rewards that await at the end of the month.

Night of power: 

It is considered the most holy night of the year. However this night also called as lailat-ulqadr is hidden in the last ten nights of this holy month. Muslims vigil and pray on the odd nights of the last ten days. It was the night when the revelation of Quran was sent to Prophet (PBUH) to guide the mankind.The month long fasting is culminated into celebrations in the form of eid, on the first of shawwal .This day is marked with a special prayer in the morning. Muslims visit friends and relatives and greet each other.