Ramadan Mubarak! A Pep Talk From Me to You

Asalam alaykum loves! Ramadan Mubarak, we have reached this blessed month Alhumdilah, May we be able to make it through this month changed for the better, with getting rid of bad habits and gaining new positive habits! May Allah accept all the good you do this month, May you become closer to Allah emotionally, mentally, physically and May your sins be forgiven, May your heart be filled with things that love Allah and may you gain knowledge and love for the Quran.

                                                                   AMEEN!!!!

If you don't know much about Ramadan, or if this is your first Ramadan, welcome! Ramadan is a blessed month for Muslims, is it the month in which our Holy Book, the Quran was revealed. This month we fast from Sunrise to Sunset, not only abstaining from drink or food, but also from seeing harmful images or videos, from sexual intercourse, drinking, smoking,  from participating in gossip or backbiting or harmful or negative speech and to really overall engage more than normal in worshipping God and doing deeds that are pleasing to God.

I feel like if you are not familiar with the health benefits of fasting, you would be like WHAT WHY WOULD YOU STARVE YOURSELF??!! It says in the Quran:

We would not be told to do something if we were not capable of being able to handle it. Honestly in my last blog post I discussed how often in our society we are used to overeating to the point where we become sick and gain weight because it is not what our bodies are meant to do. My favorite time of the day is the beginning of the day before I have eaten anything, because not only do I feel thinner but I haven't consumed anything so I feel clean and light. There are plenty of studies that show how intermittent fasting, fasting once a week or for a few hours a day so your body gets a break and gets to cleanse itself, removing the toxins and harmful substances or chemicals we have consumed.

Nutritionist Claire Mahy told Al Jazeera: "Fasting allows the gut to cleanse and strengthens its lining. It can also stimulate a process called autophagy, which is where cells self-cleanse and remove damaged and dangerous particles."

 Fasting can lead to the release of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the brain."This has been shown to protect brain cells and could reduce depression and anxiety, as well as the risk of developing dementia," Mosley added.

So now you now that physically fasting has benefits for your body, but what are the emotional and mental benefits? Emotionally Ramadan is a way to teach yourself discipline and it is a month of sacrifice (not literally), disciplining yourself to stay away from harmful areas, harmful substances and harmful videos that will impact you. It gives you the opportunity to grow as a person, learn and study more about your faith, build habits like waking up earlier, not wasting time and to find ways to help those in need. Any good you do in this month, has more reward than any other time in the year, so it may start off as something good you do during Ramadan but involve into helpful habits even when Ramadan is over. Mentally you also understand what it is like to have to go long hours without food or water, which humbles you, gives you a new found respect and empathy towards those who do not have the luxury to eat and drink whenever they please. On top of that, we have Muslim brothers and sisters who are in war torn countries, who have to not only worry about finding food to break their fast but about their own lives. Right now we have sisters and brothers who are being put in internment camps in China, being persecuted and harmed for practicing their faith and fasting. As well as Palestine and Syria and Yemen and countless other countries, where there is suffering and pain happening.

May Allah protect our brothers and sisters worldwide, provide them with food to break their fast and outside of Ramadan, protect them from those who wish to harm them, give them safety and shelter, and reunite them with their loved ones in Jennah Tul Furdaus who have left this Earth and grant those who have passed as martyrs and grant them mercy!

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

What I like about these verses is that it highlights that, if you are sick or traveling, you don't have to fast because you are going through something difficult, it is not mandatory, but once you are no longer sick or traveling, you can makeup those days. Also if you have a chronic illness or condition and cannot fast, you can instead feed a poor person each day of Ramadan.

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185).

After listening to a Podcast called Ramadan Prep for Busy People by Ibn Abee Omar, don't overwhelm yourself with a million things. Yes definitely pray Taraweeh when you can but remember to get enough sleep so that you can be productive at work, we all have that list of a million things we want to make Dua for, but spread it out throughout the day, find time you don't normally do anything for like when you are driving or walking to make zhihkr, use Paid Time Off or Vacation Time to take days off during the last ten days to maximize worship and staying in the Masjid overnight and stick to the basics as well, those are more important!

I used to get nervous and worried how I would handle Ramadan when it approached, people would always talk about how excited they were and I would be like ahhh I feel the opposite. With time fasting becomes easier, and once you absorb yourself in worship and your job and prayer and family, you hardly notice the hunger and your body feels stronger!

Now to help myself not feel so overwhelmed, I changed my perspective to think about this month as a month of Education and Training, to educate myself more on the stories in the Quran and the meaning behind the verses. A lot of people have a goal to complete the Quran, but it is also necessary for us to look at the translation or Tafsir (explanation) to give us more insight into the verses. So if you are able to, pace yourself so you have time to look at the context and reflect on the lessons.

Try to remember those you know who may be alone in Ramadan, I was listening to another podcast on Ilmfeed, which the speakers where from the UK and they had a program called Open Iftaar where people from anywhere gather together to break their fast and it has been especially helpful for college students living away from home (like my situation, live alone) so they aren't breaking their fast all the time by themselves. Even for those who are new to Islam, reverts/converts, we want to make sure they feel welcome and invite them to your home or out to eat so they are surrounded by the love from the brotherhood/sisterhood.

Lastly, there are moments during the month us ladies will have to miss days due to our cycles. It can definitely be awkward explaining to people like coworkers who are like, hey aren't you not supposed to eat? or other Muslims who are like yo what are you doing?, honestly you can explain if you want or you can just secretly sneak food (like I have done) to avoid questions. As Muslims we should be understanding or open minded when you see someone eating and give them the benefit of the doubt that they have a valid reason. But ladies just because we can't pray or fast doesn't mean we can't participate! Listen to lectures, make zhihr, make dua, read Quran (like on your phone) and do various other good deeds! Allah gave us women these times of the months for a reason and just because it happens in Ramadan means it is a mercy, but also gives us a chance to benefit and get reward in other ways.

                                            Happy Fasting everyone!