Friday, 20 August 2010
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Foods that benefit and foods that harm in Ramadhan
The fasts of Ramadan can improve a person's health significantly, but - if the correct diet is not followed - can possibly worsen it! The deciding factor is not the fast itself, but rather what is consumed in the non-fasting hours. To fully benefit from fasting, a person should spare a great deal of thought to the type and quantity of food they will indulge in through the blessed month of Ramadhan. Overeating can not only harm the body but also interfere with a person's spiritual growth during the month.
Muslim families have grown up with a habit of "stock up" a lot of food for the month of Ramadhan, so that more is consumed during this time than in the course of several other months combined. At the end of the day, the presence of this too much food on the table tempts one to overeat and makes up for all one has missed during the daytime or at its worst, the meal sometime finds its way to the garbage as a left over. This problem comes in because Muslim families have failed to differentiate between feasting and fasting. It is therefore worth reflecting on the true objective of fasting which is to experience hunger and to check desire in an attempt to reinforce the soul in piety.
If this is exactly what happens in your home, then better do something as soon as you can because Islam strictly condemns extravagance at any level. Extravagance has no spiritual nor moral relevance in Islam, so especially when it comes to the holy month of Ramadhan. Throwing that bread in the garbage is like abusing Allah's bounty rendered on you, because there are millions unlucky ones craving for that piece of bread. I think if we start thinking along this line then no food will ever be wasted in our homes.
Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran: "Eat and drink freely: but waste not by excess, for He does not like the wasters." (Surah Al-Araf, 7:31)
The physical body is a gift from Allah (SWT); it is given to humans as an Amanah (in trust) to take care of for a fixed period. How much food is consumed and the choice of food has a direct impact on the physical and spiritual well-being of the person. The food that we consume affects our behaviour and personality. Wholesome, natural and healthy food assists the development of a good personality. Overeating has long been frowned upon in Islam as it is thought to increase worldly appetites and cause sluggishness, thereby 'dulling' the soul, hampering spiritual growth and increasing physical ailments.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "The children of Adam fill no vessel worse than their stomach. Sufficient for him is a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third left for air." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Most of the health problems are likely to arise from inappropriate diet, overeating and insufficient sleep. Human body has regulatory mechanisms that reduce the metabolic rate and ensure efficient utilization of the body's fat reserves in times of hunger. A diet that has less than a normal amount of food but is sufficiently balanced will keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadhan. The diet should be simple and not differ too much from one's normal everyday diet. It should contain foods from all the major food groups.
Especially now, when our daily intake is limited to two meals per day, we need to put extra effort into including foods from all the major food groups. Our bodies need at least 40 different nutrients every day to ensure that we grow adequately and maintain good health. Although most foods contain more than one nutrient, no single food provides all the necessary nutrients.
Moreover, foods have benefits that can't be replaced by a pill. It is thus important to eat a wide variety of foods every day, so as to ensure that we get all of these nutrients. The way to ensure variety, and with it a well-balanced diet, is to select foods each day from each of the five food groups.
Even though the thought of sleep may be far more appealing than waking up to force down some food, don't skip breakfast (Sahur). Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Also it is called as "Sunnat-e-Muakkadah (emphasised Sunnah)".
For years, research has shown that breakfast (the breaking of the overnight fast) provides the essential nutrients and energy needed for concentration while keeping hunger symptoms like headaches, fatigue, sleepiness and restlessness at bay. In addition, it also gets our metabolic rates up and going, it is therefore vital to ensure an adequate intake at breakfast time.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume the so-called 'complex carbohydrates' or slow digesting foods at Sahur so that the food lasts longer (about 8 hours) making you less hungry during the day. These complex carbohydrates are found in foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, unpolished rice and etc.
Fibre rich foods are also digested slowly and include bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the skin, vegetables such as green beans and almost all fruit, including apricots, prunes, figs, etc.
Foods to avoid are the heavily processed, Fried foods, very spicy foods, fast burning foods that contain refined carbohydrates in the form of sugar, white flour, etc., as well as, of course, too much fatty food (eg cakes, biscuits, chocolates and sweets, such as Indian Mithai).
Drinking of sufficient water and juices between Iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration and for detoxification of the digestive system should be encouraged in fasting individuals. However, the intake of large amounts of caffeine containing beverages should be avoided especially at Sahur. For example, drinking too much tea, coffee and cola will make one pass more urine and inevitably cause the loss of valuable mineral salts that your body would otherwise need during the day. Fruits such as bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates. However, bananas can cause constipation and their intake has to be balanced with adequate fibre intake.
Refined carbohydrates or fast digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours and may be better taken at Iftar to rapidly restore blood glucose levels. Fast burning foods include foods that contain sugar and white flour. Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium and have been recommended since the days of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as a good way of breaking the fast, because Dates will provide a refreshing burst of much needed energy. Fruit juices will also have a similar, revitalizing effect. The meal should remain a meal and not become a feast! Try to minimize the rich, special dishes that traditionally celebrate the fast.
Many of the foods which are mentioned and encouraged are in the Holy Quran, and the Sunnah (the Prophetic traditions) also correspond to modern guidelines on a healthy diet and will help to maintain balanced, healthy meals in Ramadhan. The most commonly consumed foods by Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) were milk, dates, lamb/mutton and oats. Healthy foods mentioned in the Holy Quran are fruit and vegetables, such as olives, onions, cucumber, figs, dates, grapes as well as pulses such as lentils. The encouragement of fish can be seen in the fact that Islamic law spares fish from any specific slaughter requirements, making it easy to incorporate fish which has scales in a meal.
It is also important to follow good time management procedures for Ibada (prayer and other religious activities), sleep, studies, work, and physical activities or exercise. A good balance in the amount of time attributed for each activity will lead to a healthier body and mind in Ramadan.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Makkah Taraweeh 2010 - Night 1 (Full) | تراويح مكة 1431 هـ - ليلة
Ramadan 1431 August 2010 Night 1 led by by Shaykh Abdullah Juhainy and Shaykh Abdur-Rahman as-Sudays
Specials thanks to 4Quran.com for providing us with the video.
List of Juz in the Holy Qur'an in plural Ajiza of the Quran
So you ask... what are the Juz (or Goz2) in the Holy Qur'an, where can I get a list of them? Here is a comprehensive list of the Juz (plural ajiza) in the Qur'an -
Juz’ 1 – Al Fatiha 1 – Al Baqarah 141
Juz’ 2 – Al Baqarah 142 - Al Baqarah 252
Juz’ 3 – Al Baqarah 253 - Al Imran 92
Juz’ 4 – Al Imran 93 - An Nisaa 23
Juz’ 5 – An Nisaa 24 - An Nisaa 147
Juz’ 6 – An Nisaa 148 - Al Ma’idah 81
Juz’ 7 – Al Ma’idah 82 - Al An’am 110
Juz’ 8 – Al An’am 111 - Al A’raf 87
Juz’ 9 – Al A’raf 88 - Al Anfal 40
Juz’ 10 – Al Anfal 41 - At Tauba 92
Juz’ 11 – At Tauba 93 - Hud 5
Juz’ 12 – Hud 6 - Yusuf 52
Juz’ 13 – Yusuf 53 – Ibrahim 52
Juz’ 14 – Al Hijr 1 – An Nahl 128
Juz’ 15 – Bani Isra’il 1 - Al Kahf 74
Juz’ 16 – Al Kahf 75 – Ta Ha 135
Juz’ 17 – Al Anbiyaa 1 - Al Hajj 78
Juz’ 18 – Al Muminun 1 - Al Furqan 20
Juz’ 19 – Al Furqan 21 - An Naml 55
Juz’ 20 – An Naml 56 - Al Ankabut 45
Juz’ 21 – Al Ankabut 46 - Al Ahzab 30
Juz’ 22 – Al Ahzab 31 - Ya Sin 27
Juz’ 23 – Ya Sin 28 - Az Zumar 31
Juz’ 24 – Az Zumar 32 - Fussilat 46
Juz’ 25 – Fussilat 47 - Al Jathiya 37
Juz’ 26 – Al Ahqaf 1 - Az Zariyat 30
Juz’ 27 – Az Zariyat 31 - Al Hadid 29
Juz’ 28 – Al Mujadila 1 – At Tahrim 12
Juz’ 29 – Al Mulk 1 - Al Mursalat 50
Juz’ 30 – An Nabaa 1 - An Nas 6
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Some people find it difficult to follow along with the Arabic scripture in the Holy Qur’an, for our users who fall into this category, we recommend following along with the transliteration of the Holy Qur’an which can be located here Insha’Allah –
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Alhamdulillah, http://transliteration.org/ is a very good resource to help you follow along with the Qur’an, there are many other rich resources located on their website, we encourage you to make use of them Insha’Allah.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Listen to all juzuk in Quran this Ramadhan 2010. part two
Listen to all juzuk in Quran this Ramadhan 2010...
from http://juzquran.blogspot.com/2010/08/listen-to-all-juzuk-in-quran-this.html
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 30 (An Nabaa 1 - An Nas 6)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 29 (Al Mulk 1 - Al Mursalat 50)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 28 (Al Mujadila 1 - At Tahrim 12)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 27 (Az Zariyat 31 - Al Hadid 29)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 26 (Al Ahqaf 1 - Az Zariyat 30)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 25 (Fussilat 47 - Al Jathiya 37)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 24 (Az Zumar 32 - Fussilat 46)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 23 (Ya Sin 28 - Az Zumar 31)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 22 (Al Azhab 31 - Ya Sin 27)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 21 (Al Ankabut 46 - Al Azhab 30)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 20 (An Naml 56 - Al Ankabut 45)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 19 (Al Furqan 21 - An Naml 55)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 18 (Al Muminum 1 - Al Furqan 20)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 17 (Al Anbiyaa 1 - Al Hajj 78)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 16 (Al Kahf 75 -Ta Ha 135)
Listen to all juzuk in Quran this Ramadhan 2010 part one
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 15 (Al Isra (or Bani Israil) 1 - Al Kahf 74)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 14 (Al Hijr 1-An Nahl 128)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 13 (Yusuf 53-Ibrahim 52)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 12 (Hud 6 - Yusuf 52)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 11 (At Tauba 93 - Hud 5)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 10 ( Al Anfal 41 - At Tauba 92)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 9 (Al Araf 88 - Al Anfal 40)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 8 (Al Anam 111 - Al Araf 87)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 7 (Al Maidah 82 - Al Anam 110)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 6 (An Nisaa 148 - Al Maidah 81)
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 5 (An Nisaa 24 - An Nisaa 147)
Juz 5 An Nisaa 24 - An Nisaa 147
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 4 (Al Imran 93 - An Nisaa 23)
What chapter(s) and verses are included in Juz 4?:
The fourth juz of the Quran starts from verse 93 of the third chapter (Al Imran 93) and continues to verse 23 of the fourth chapter (An Nisaa 23).
When were the verses of this juz revealed?:
The verses of this section were largely revealed in the early years after the migration to Madinah, as the Muslim community was setting up its first social and political center. Much of this section relates directly to the Muslim community's defeat at the Battle of Uhud in the third year after the migration.
Select Quotations:
"And hold fast, together, by the Rope which Allah stretches out for you, and be not divided among yourselves. And remember with gratitude Allah's favor on you. For you were enemies, and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren. And you were on the brink of the Pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you, that you may be guided." 3:103
"O you who believe! Persevere with patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance. Strengthen each other, and fear Allah, that you may prosper." 3:200
What is the main theme of this juz?:
The mid-portion of Surah Al-Imran discusses the relationship between Muslims and the "People of the Book" (i.e. Christians and Jews). The Qur'an points out similarities between those who follow "the religion of Abraham," and repeats several times that while some People of the Book are righteous, there are many who have gone astray. Muslims are urged to stand together for righteousness, repel evil, and hold together in unity.
The remainder of Surah Al-Imran points out lessons to be learned from the Battle of Uhud, which was an extremely disappointing loss to the Muslim community. During this battle, Allah tested the believers and it became clear who was selfish or cowardly, and who was patient and disciplined. Believers are urged to seek forgiveness for their weaknesses, and not to lose heart or despair. Death is a reality, and every soul will be taken at its appointed time. One should not fear death, and those who died in battle have mercy and forgiveness from Allah. The chapter ends with reassurances that victory is found through Allah's strength, and that the enemies of Allah will not prevail.
The fourth chapter of the Quran (An Nisaa) then begins. This chapter's title means "Women," as it deals with many issues regarding women, family life, marriage, and divorce. Chronologically, the chapter also falls shortly after the Muslims' defeat at the Battle of Uhud. So this first part of the chapter largely deals with practical issues resulting from that defeat -- how to care for orphans and widows from the battle, and how to divide the inheritance of those who had died.
Listen to Al-Quran: Juz' 3 (Al Baqarah 253 - Al Imran 92)
What chapter(s) and verses are included in Juz 3?:
The third juz of the Quran starts from verse 253 of the second chapter (Al Baqarah:253) and continues to verse 92 of the third chapter (Al Imran:92).
When were the verses of this juz revealed?:
The verses of this section were largely revealed in the early years after the migration to Madinah, as the Muslim community was setting up its first social and political center.
Select Quotations:
The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is that of a grain of corn: It grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. God gives manifold increase to whom He pleases, and God cares for all and knows all things. 2:261
Behold! The angels said, Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and of the company of those nearest to God. 3:45
What is the main theme of this juz?:
Within the first few verses of this section is the famous Verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255). This verse is often memorized by Muslims, is seen adorning Muslim homes in calligraphy, and brings comfort to many. It offers a beautiful and concise description of Gods nature and attributes.
The remainder of Surah Al-Bakarah reminds believers that there is to be no compulsion in matters of religion. Parables are told of people who questioned Gods existence or were arrogant about their own importance on earth. Long passages are devoted to the subject of charity and generosity, calling people to humility and justice. It is here that usury/interest transactions are condemned, and guidelines for business transactions given. This longest chapter of the Quran ends with reminders about personal responsibility that everyone is responsible for themselves in matters of faith.
The third chapter of the Quran (Al Imran) then begins. This chapter is named for the family of Imran (the father of Mary, mother of Jesus). The chapter begins with the claim that this Quran confirms the messages of previous prophets and messengers of God it is not a new religion. One is reminded of the strict punishment facing unbelievers in the Hereafter, and the People of the Book (i.e. Jews and Christians) are called upon to recognize the truth that this revelation is a confirmation of what came before to their own prophets.
In verse 3:33, the story of the family of Imran begins telling the story of Zakariya, John the Baptist, Mary, and the birth of her son, Jesus Christ.