The blessed month of Ramadan...
Did you know that...
- the month of ramadan is a month in which the mercy and blessings of Allah descends upon us continuously.
- fasting is a complete purification and a means to developing the consciousness of Allah's presence.
- the first ten days are of mercy, the second ten days are for forgiveness and the last ten days are of being freed from hell.
- in this month the doors of paradise are opened and the doors of hell are closed.
- the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrant smell of musk.
Preparing for Ramadan...
- prepare an action plan - what are your aims and desired acheivments for this month? set specific targets and plan your time wisely.
- evaluate yourself each day before going to sleep. How can you improve yourself? what good deeds can be repeated and what bad deeds should be avoided?
- make a personal duaa list - include everything! small and big, this world and the hereafter.
- ensure that you have made up for any missed fasts from the previous Ramadan.
- Train yourself to goto bed early to avoid missing Fajr prayers.
- buy all necessities to avoid wasting precious time.
- read more, listen more for inspiration and motivation
- technology diet - less TV, internet and unnecessary phone calls - less distractions! more Qur'aan, Prayers, Dhikr and Charity.
- Plan Dawah activities in your community - feed the homeless, charity work etc...
Top 10 Deeds of Ramadan
- Reflect, contemplate & evaluate...
- Make tawbah - repent and ask that your sins be forgiven.
- Pray Nafl - grab this dear opportunity to increase your iman, piety and gain more reward!
- Strengthen your relationship with the Qur'aan by reading, reflecting on the meaning and acting apon it.
- Attend your local mosque - 5 prayers, Tarawih, Iftar, Quranic circles...
- Dua - deep, long and sincere. Open your heart to the Almighty Allah and maximise the use of this time and opportunity.
- Charity and Sadqah - give what you can regularly and witness the blessings of your actions.
- Family - spend time with loved ones and text, call or e-mail someone you have not contacted for a long time.
- Focus on good works that would move our community forward to rightousness, glory and success
- Stop swearing, backbiting - penny in a jar for each time you do - then send the money to charity.
Health & Diet in Ramadan
- Eat and Drink in moderation! remember, fill your stomache with 1/3 food, 1/3 water and 1/3 breathing space
- Suhoor/Sehri - keep it light and healthy to keep you going throughtout the day, cereals, vegetables and basmati rice are good examples.
- reduce your fat intake, less of the fried, greasy and sweet stuff to avoid feeling dense and bloated. opt for healthy alternatives such as baked samosas and whole grains like chick peas, potatoes and yoghurt!
- Avoid over eating at sehri and iftari to prevent indigestion.
- eat fruits and mixed nuts, they are rich sources of a variety of vitamins and minerals.
- Drink plenty water at sehri and at iftari to avoid dehydration.
Hope this helps.
Sources from the Islamic Relief Magazine
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