Diet During Ramadan

"To be healthy, one must consume food from the major food groups: bread and cereal, milk and dairy product, meat and bean, vegetable and fruit. During the month long fast of Ramadan the metabolic rate of a fastingperson slows down and other regulatory mechanisms start functioning. Body and dietary fat is efficiently utilized. Consuming total food intake that is less than the total food intake during normal days is sufficient to maintain a person's health. Intake of fruits after a meal is strongly suggested. A balanced diet improves blood cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, prevents constipation andother digestive problems, and contributes to an active and healthy life style."
- (Int. J. Ramadan Fasting Research, 3:1-6, 1999)
INTRODUCTION
Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.
This is why the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him, Pbuh) has been attributed, by Hazrat Abu Hurairah in hadith, to say: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by Hazrat Abu Harairah, the Prophet (Pbuh) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say(to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting." (Ibn Khuzaoinah). Restraint from food, water, and undesirable behavior makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behavior. In an investigation in Jordan (1), a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases was noted during the month ofRamadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians(2).
Ramadan fasting has spiritual, physical, psychological, and social benefits; however, manmade problems may occur, if fasting is not properly practiced. First of all, there is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner or sahur ( the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of bodyfat. [El Ati et al. (3)]. Basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting. [Husain et al. (4)]. A diet that is less than a normal amount of food intake but balanced is sufficient enough to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.
Health problems can emerge as a result of excess food intake, foods that make the diet unbalanced, and insufficient sleep (5, 6). Ultimately also, such a lifestyle contradicts the essential requirements andspirit of Ramadan.
DIET DURING RAMADAN
According to Sunna (the practices of Prophet Muhammad, Pbuh) and research findings referred in this report, a dietary plan is given:
1. Bread/Cereal/Rice, Pasta,Biscuits and Cracker Group:6-11 servings/day; 2. Meat/Beans/ Nut Group: 2-3 servings/day. 3. Milk and Milk Product Group: 2-3 servings/day. 4. Vegetable Group: 3-5 servings/day; 5. Fruit Group: 2-4 servings/day. 6.Added sugar (table sugar, sucrose): sparingly. 7. Added fat, polyunsaturated oil 4-7 table spoons.
Breakfast, iftar :
*. Dates, three
*. Juice, 1 serving (4 oz.)
*. Vegetable soup with some pasta or graham crackers, 1 cup
The body's immediate need at the time of iftar is to get an easily available energy source in the form of glucose for every living cell, particularly the brain and nerve cells. Dates and juices are good sources of sugars. Dates and juice in the above quantity are sufficient to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. Juice and soup help maintain water and mineral balance in thebody. An unbalanced diet and too many servings of sherbets and sweets with added sugar have been found to be unhealthy. [Gumma et al. (7)]./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Pouring millions of dollars of alcohol down the Nile!

If I had the money, I would stay there!!!
Seriously, one of the thingsI hate, is having to doubt the food and stuff in a restaurant or hotel in a Muslim majority country. My friends were at a fancy hotel in just such a country, and they almost ate some halal-looking stuff, luckily one of them had the sense to ask the waiter if everything on thebuffet was halaal...turns out several were prepared with alcohol! My question was, why didnt the waiter,seeing women in hijaab, not warn them before hand?
My friend said she felt like such an idiot having to aska Muslim if the food was halaal. I think she did the right thing, and alhamdulillah, she didnt have to eat anything haraam.
Bro Khalid: Whats the name of the halaal hotel inDubai? And how expensive is it?
I think that it is a good step for a reputable hotel like the Hyatt to turn all halaal. Hopefully lots will follow suite. If you wannadrink, then don't come to aMuslim country! I think that would be a great slogan!
I get sad at thinking how much of the revenue of our very wealthy Arab nations is made on Haraam stuff. You know, wallahi, I believe that theywould make just as much if not more (with the added blessings) if they just left out all the haraamstuff, like alcohol. Thye have so many attractions, people would visit theour countries despite there notbeing alcohol/pork. May Allah swt guide us
Take care, see you all at the Grand Hyatt!! ;)
Salam
S.
Fozia :
:slm:
You know that is soo true, there is barakah in following the halal.
There's a restaurant here, and it absolutely and utterly does not allow alcohol in any shape or form and the meat is zabiha, I love it being the one place I can eat out without worrying.
You should see the barakah in this place, its always utterly packed out, the food is fabulous and the clientele range from muslims to non muslims and nobody has made a peep about the no alcohol rule. Lots of restaraunts have tried to copy them too.....
I'd stay at the grand hyatt in a heartbeat, when I'm rich inshallah I'll take my girls there, actually I'll lookaround we could prolly getvery good off peak deals there, its possible I think.
Thoroguhly agree support our brothers and sisters who are trying to live islamically.
Wassalaam
BrKhalid :
Asalaamu Alaikum :bro:
Quote
--
Whats the name of the halaal hotel in Dubai? Andhow expensive is it?
--
This is the thread we had earlier on this .,..
This one is near the beach at the marina but there is also a 5 star Coral hotel in the centre of town near to all the souqs and the old Dubai./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting

Three Grades
It should be known that there are three grades of Fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.
*. Ordinary Fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.
*. Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet --and all other organs -- free from sin.
*. Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for thoseconducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are notof this lower world. Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.
To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of Allah. It doesnot lend itself to detailedexamination in words, asits true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to Allah, Greatand Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than Allah, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vaindiscussions.' [al-An'am,6:91]
Inward Requirements
As for Special Fasting , this is the kind practiced by therighteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment:
1. See Not What Displeases Allah
A chaste regard, restrainedfrom viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace:
"The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be Allah's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of Allah will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart."
Jabir relates from Anas that Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, said:
"Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze."
2. Speak Not What Displeases Allah
Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making (the tongue) observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting ofthe tongue. Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahidas saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.' The Prophet, on him be peace, said:
"Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fastinghe should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, Iam Fasting!"'
According to Tradition:"Two women were Fastingduring the time of Allah's Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: "Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten." One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "These two women have been Fasting from what Allah made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what Allah, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sattogether and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!"'
3. Hear Not What Displeases Allah
Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why Allah, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: "Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain." [al-Ma'idah, 5:42] Allah, Great and Glorious is He, also said: "Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?" [al-Ma'idah, 5:63] Silence inthe face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. Allah, Exalted is He, said: "You are then just like them." [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin."....
/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Sports Car vs. Quraan - a nice story

A young man was getting ready to graduate college.For many months he had admired a beautiful sportscar in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man waited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduationhis father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Quran. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said "With all your money you give me a Quran?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and sawthe still new Quran, just ashe had left it years ago. With tears, he opened theQuran and began to turn the pages.
As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Quran. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss ALLAH blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en