By Noor Hani Salem

With Ramadan in the midst of summer this year, we need nothing more than hydration and good eating habits to keep us going. However, Ramadan is not only about omitting food and drink from sunrise to sunset. It’s not about sleeping all day and waking up an hour before sunset to prepare a meal. It’s not about indulging all night and sleeping all day. No, Ramadan is a spiritual car wash for our souls. It’s a time to check in on ourselves, omitting desires, and focusing on what we were initially created for: worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He).

While we focus on our spiritual upbringing, we also need to focus on our physical well-being. Instead of praying Maghrib and rushing to eat, set your intention to eat to nourish your body so that you can stand and pray. In this case, you make eating an act of worship and get rewarded for it, Allah (swt) willing. Set your intention to eat suhoor (the meal before sunrise) to worship and have energy all day. Set your intention to eat iftar (the meal after sunset) to worship and pray during the night. Now, let me share a few tips on what to eat to stay hydrated, energized, and motivated all day long.

1)     Eat dates.

• I personally don’t question any food that was eaten by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) or recommended by him.
  • Anas Ibn Malik radi Allahu `anhu (may God be pleased with him) narrated: “The messenger of Allah ﷺ  used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates, but if there were no fresh dates, he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took some mouthfuls of water.” [Sunan Abu Dawud]

• Fasting all day means facing difficulties reaching the required daily value for many essential vitamins and nutrients. Dates are known to provide many of these nutrients with just a few pieces:
  • Dates have immense health benefits, including high fiber, potassium, magnesium, copper, and B vitamins.
  • Dates are known to regulate blood sugar, weight loss, blood pressure, cancer, and arthritis. Dates also aid in facilitating oxygen to the brain and the formation of healthy skin.

• Tip: Eat three or more dates at suhoor to give you energy all day. Break your fast on dates and pray Maghrib. This regulates your blood sugar and causes you to not overeat at iftar.

2)     DON’T skip out on suhoor.

• Yes, it’s 4 a.m. and yes it’s going to be difficult, but my number one piece of advice is don’t skip out on suhoor. The Prophet ﷺ advised us to eat suhoor and promised barakah (blessings) in it. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.’” [Sunan Al- Nasa’i]

• Eating a meal before sunrise will give you energy to keep going during the long day ahead of you.
• If you skip out on suhoor, you are putting your body in starvation mode and actually only going to cause yourself to overindulge at iftar.
• So, EAT SUHOOR!
• Tip: Eat a light but nutritious, breakfast-like meal:
  • Try a zatar  or cheese pie with some cucumbers. Tomatoes and a cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice are also excellent sources of vitamins and nutrients.
  • Have nutrient-dense whole-grain toast with almond butter, cashew butter, or all-natural peanut butter. Top with berries or banana slices.
  • Try some quinoa with almond milk, raisins, cinnamon, raw honey, and bananas. It will definitely give you fuel for the day.
  • A bowl of steel cut oats or whole grain cereal and organic milk/almond milk are also great.
  • Don’t forget the dates. 😉

3)     Eat hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, citrus fruit, and tomatoes.

• It’s not only summer time, but we are fasting 17+ hours. Many of us have work and others are taking summer courses. We are going to lack energy and need as much nutrients as we can get from the food we eat. Hydrating ourselves with water-dense foods will keep our bodies from dehydrating in the heat.
• Tip: Other foods with high water content include: lettuce, pineapple, berries, citrus fruit, and spinach.

4)     Drink plenty of water between iftar and suhoor

• Water is the most purifying drink;  it cleans out toxins from your body and prevents you from getting headaches (especially when you’re not drinking or eating all day).
• Tip: Skip the soda! Drinking soda with your iftar will only make you thirstier, and dehydrate your body more than it already is. Drink water with your meal and keep it at hand throughout the night.  Break your coffee and tea addiction.

• If possible, regulate your body to get rid of your caffeine addiction before Ramadan starts. If you are drinking 3-4 cups of coffee daily, and on the first day of Ramadan you don’t drink any, you may get headaches and lack energy.
• Tip: If you really need energy, opt for dates instead. Coffee and tea are known to dehydrate the body even more.

I hope that you find these eating tips helpful! I assure you that making these small changes in your Ramadan and even regular diet, will substantially improve your overall health and fitness.

Photo: Kris Williams

By Tanima Mim Hossain

So, what is the first thing you think about when you hear the word “Ramadan”? Oof…Fasting, sleeping all day, yummy iftars (meals to break the fast), and you can be sure that everyone—and I mean everyone—knows what time maghrib (sunset) is. In fact, it is probably the only prayer time people set their alarm clocks to in Ramadan.

But, did you ever learn to look beyond what you see? Did you ever consider that Ramadan might have a grander purpose, a higher aspiration? Let’s read on, shall we?

The month of Ramadan is, of course, the month in which the Glorious Qur’an was sent down from Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (swt). Heavy stuff, huh? Each and every revelation, every beautiful verse of this magnificent Book was sent down in this month to guide not only a particular region or a group of people, but the whole of humanity; a dedication to the entire human race. It was sent down to us from God Himself. To mankind, from God. No wonder this month has been given such distinction.

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days…” (Qur’an 2:185)

So why fast, you ask? Well, if and when you fast for the sake of the Almighty Himself, and not for worldly reasons, or because your family told you to, then you can be sure that fasting will increase your taqwa, meaning your God-consciousness. And let’s admit it: in today’s world, when we are all sinning, thinking nobody is watching, we could all use a bit—or rather a lot—of taqwa. The reason you fast in Ramadan is the very same reason why Ramadan is the month in which the Glorious Qur’an was sent down: so that you may become grateful.

“… Allah intends for you ease 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; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Qur’an 2:185)

When you fast, you refrain from all that is haram, and you are in a state of more self-control than usual. Did you ever ask yourself why Allah (swt) would ask you to do such things? Does He want to make you suffer for no reason? Absolutely not. It is because in the month of Ramadan your goal should be focused on being completely and entirely grateful. You see, when you put your desires on hold, you get to experience how people who are less privileged than you feel on a daily basis. You also get to focus on the more important things in life that you normally take for granted because you are so distracted by your desires, by things that serve no purpose to you. It is safe to say then that another purpose for Ramadan is for the Muslim ummah (community) to recharge itself, for Muslims to regain control of their lives, for a “higher quality” ummah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)

Because Ramadan is a month of gratefulness, we should be grateful for the month of Ramadan itself! Think about it. Ramadan is thirty days filled with opportunities to take advantage of. Rewards gained are actually multiplied during the time of Ramadan. Subhan Allah (glorious is God)! The devils are locked up, and there is a positive vibe in the air that lets you know that you could be doing something that will benefit you for the akhirah (the Hereafter). AlhamduliLah (praise be to God)! Each and every day of Ramadan should be taken seriously, as it could be your ticket to jannah (paradise).

Sahl ibn Sa’d reported that the Prophet said:

“There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: ‘Where are those who fasted?’ When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

And since Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an itself was sent down, why not get closer to what it has to say? It was sent down for you, after all. Subhan Allah, can you believe the miracle of it?  So let each word of every verse make you think, let it make you understand the reality of our lives, and let it bring you closer to Allah (swt) for the rest of your life. Let it increase your iman (faith) so much so that for once you are captivated by its meaning and its message towards you. You will never find something quite amazing or something that will get to you quite as strongly as the Qur’an. AlhamduliLah.

Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said: “… whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Approach this Ramadan 2014 with sincerity, ambition and hope so that as the Muslim ummah of today, we may become the people of the Qur’an and carry out the very mission it was sent down for in the first place. I pray for all of you to have a great Ramadan this year. May Allah (swt) guide, forgive, and bless you all. Ramadan is a month of blessings, so do not miss out.

Thank you for reading. Please share this if you can.

Muslims Making a Difference Series

In a world of selfishness and greed, AYEO (which stands for Afghan Youth Education Organization) has introduced a new generation of selflessness and generosity. Comprised of young adults on the west coast of the United States, AYEO began a movement of magnanimity. It has initiated a new way of life which revolves around helping those who cannot help themselves.

Afghan Youth Education Organization was established in 2007 by a group of young adults. An organization once only known to the members has surpassed all expectations and received international recognition.  Every year AYEO offers many different fundraisers which prove extremely beneficial for poor and homeless men, women, and children of the war-torn country of Afghanistan. The prime objective of AYEO is to instill education in the minds and hearts of the youth of Afghanistan. It believes that the majority of the focus should be set on the youth because they are the future.

Afghanistan is a country that has been ravaged by war for decades and has been altered from its original state of beauty. We pray that as long as Allah (swt) wills, we, as a team, will be able to assist the poor with food, clothes, and of course, the ability to further their education by providing means to a proper education.  Despite no governmental assistance and no aid for the outcry of the poor and homeless, AYEO will do as much as possible through the good graces and constant help from our supporters.

AYEO supplies thousands of children with school supplies in Afghanistan as well as feeds thousands of people. With the help of amazing supporters and generous donors, AYEO is even able to give orphans presents and new clothes in celebration of Eid (Islamic Holiday).  Its latest fundraiser began in the beginning weeks of Ramadan this year (August 2011). AYEO was fortunate enough to have one of its members, Mahmood Ahmadi, in Afghanistan all throughout Ramadan to express to fellow AYEO members that there are families without food or water, children walking around barefoot because they have no shoes, and elders living on the street, praying for any bit of help.

As word spread that help is critical, a team was organized to do an emergency fundraiser. The  goal of the fundraiser was to attain monetary donations to be sent directly to the director in Afghanistan who could immediately distribute the funds. We began with a goal of $100 the first day, not knowing what the response would be from our supporters. To our surprise, we received an extreme amount of support.  By the second day we had over $1,000; we exceeded our goal. One hundred dollars a day was too small of a goal with the ideas we had in store for the homeless, so we increased our goal to $1000 a day. As the days rolled by, we saw an abundant amount of donations from all over the world.  AYEO has raised over $22,000 in a matter of 2 weeks. It was able to feed thousands of men, women, and children on the streets of Kabul for Iftar (when fasting breaks for the day) and supplied many children with presents, school supplies, and new clothes in celebration of Eid. As Eid quickly approached, AYEO hosted an Eid feast for all the poor and homeless in the area so they could enjoy at least one unforgettable Eid.

The outcome of the Emergency fundraiser surpassed any expectations, and it isn’t stopping there. AYEO is a force to be reckoned with. We have pledged to continue this momentum year round. We hope to make it a tradition to always feed the homeless during Iftar in Ramadan, supply children with school materials, provide warm clothes during the winter, and give general assistance throughout the year so the people of Afghanistan will always remember that they are not forgotten.

AYEO is here to stay and without the support of our amazing supporters,  we couldn’t have done half the things we have accomplished already. AYEO thanks everyone who has helped in every way. We have saved lives and have given new hope to those who most view as hopeless. In the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Thank you & God bless.

For all those who want to help please contact AYEO at ayeo.org@gmail.com

To donate please go to our website www.ayeorg.org and click on the paypal link in the fundraiser tab.

To track AYEO’s progress throughout the year, follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ayeo_org