The Radiant Hijab

Dear sisters, Alḥamdulilāh the first week of Ramadan this year has coincided with the school holidays. This is indeed a blessing as it has helped to ease Muslim families across the UK into the routine of the holy month. I could catch up with my sleep and take time to read the Quran! This made a big difference as we commenced to fast the long Summer days.

What makes Ramadan special for you? Is it competing with family members to complete the reading of the Quran or preparing the iftar feast to break the fast at the end of the day? Is it the over-whelming feeling of generosity and goodwill which enables you to give freely to charity and share your food with others? Is it the sublime satisfaction of rising up to the challenge and successfully completing a day of fasting to gain Allah’s reward? Or is it the excitement of the anticipation of Eid festivities at the end of the month and keenly shopping for gifts?

For me, what I look most forward to in Ramadan are the congregational tarawih (night) prayers. Shuffling close to my sisters, side by side, I wait with abated breadth for the recitation to begin. Subḥān Allāh, I am never so focused and alert during salah as I am when listening to the imam during tarawih. Gathering my full attention, I strain to pick out a word or two from an ayah I may recognise. The prayer is so much more meaningful when you can follow and understand the words being recited. I feel the stillness and awe in my whole being as the magnificent words of the Almighty, at once pristine in their clarity and melodic in their recital, reverberate around the hall. The prayer movements, synchronised intuitively among the faithful: qiyam. ruku’ and sujood, flow perfectly in fluent succession. The believer, at peace with other believers and at peace with the world: standing with humble submission before his Creator. For the time being at least, the cacophony, confusion and delirium of worldly affairs is blocked out as the believer is re-aligned to his ultimate purpose: the worship of Allah, subḥānahu wa taʿālā.

Not only is salah a fundamental pillar of Islam and a commandment from God, but it has immense benefits for mind, body and soul. If five prayers a day have been assigned to us by Allah – who knows us better than we know ourselves – then it must be because these prayers are something we need. Anas bin Malik (RA) narrated that the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:

“The coolness of my eyes lies in Salah.” (Musnad Ahmed)

May this Ramadan be a source of blessings and barakah. May Allah accept all you ibaadah and answer all your duas. Ameen.

 

Dear sisters, can you spot the difference between these two photographs?

                                      The photos were taken on the same day. The first picture, taken at 8am shows daisies with their petals tightly closed, while the second shows the flowers with their petals wide open. The first time I observed this phenomenon I was startled: how come I had never noticed it before? Isn’t this how we go through life – so busy in our mundane tasks, always rushing to get from one place to the next. Sometimes we fail to see what is literally at our feet.

Allah says in the Quran:

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. (Quran 3:190)

The miracles of nature are all around us: the perfection and harmony in the natural world is undeniable proof of the existence of an eternal and almighty Creator.

So, why are daisies, and other similar flowers closed at night? Researchers have come to the conclusion that this amazing occurrence is the result of Circadian Rhythms:  working around a 24 hour ‘biological clock’, daisies close at night when there are no pollinating insects which would otherwise be attracted to the brightly coloured petals. The mechanism allows flowers to conserve their fragrance and protects them from early morning dew.

Humans have a similar mechanism which allows us to wake up and sleep according to routine. Changes in our routine, like working at night and of course praying and eating in the early hours during Ramadan interfere with these natural rhythms but our bodies are able to adapt quickly to such situations. We can make use of our knowledge of our own biological clock to determine when we are most alert and energetic and utilise this fact to be more productive. For instance, I am definitely a ‘morning person’ and I can usually start my tasks from the word go. Conversely, one of my sisters works best in the evening when my energy levels are low!

Finally, whatever our routine we need time to rest, to conserve our energy and to recharge our bodies and minds. Remember the daisies and listen to your body: sometimes even a 20 minute power nap is enough to refresh your senses. Look after yourself and give yourself time to reflect on the miracles of nature all around us.

‘We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth…’ (Quran 41:53)

 

Dear sisters, subḥān Allāh, I haven’t been feeling too good this week. I’m not usually one to get flustered over a bout of cold and flu, but I was really feeling sorry for myself: being grounded at home with aches and pains, sneezing, coughing and my throat feeling like fingernails scraping a blackboard. I didn’t mind the attention though, being inundated with suggestions of home remedies from well-meaning friends and family: from a traditional brew of honey, ginger and lemon to the bizarre suggestion of keeping a cut onion by my bedside! I am grateful for their concerns and comforted by their affection.

Seasonal changes often bring about the common cold and closed environments like schools are ideal breeding grounds for germs – viruses and bacteria happily make the rounds of pupils and staff alike. It is almost expected that you are next in line for a runny nose!

 

The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) was reported as saying:

“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (narrated by Abu Huraira (radi Allahu anhu) in Sahih Bukhari)

So, for even a minor illness, there is reward for the one who patiently endures. Of course, in the grand scale of things, a person may become inflicted with a debilitating or even terminal illness. If we remain steadfast in the remembrance of Allah in good times and in the face of small health setbacks, then we are more likely to successfully navigate more serious complaints. May Allah (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) always keep us safe and well and never place upon us a burden that we cannot bear.
Another thing I have learned this week is the importance of taking medicine. I am not a good patient at the best of times and feel frustrated when I’m slowed down by sickness. I am also very reluctant to take any medicines but I will now think differently after studying the lessons behind the famous Hadith:

One day Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it and he asked the Bedouin, “Why don’t you tie down your camel?” The Bedouin answered, “I put my trust in Allah.” The Prophet then said, “Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah” (At-Tirmidhi).

Taking the necessary means to achieve a particular outcome does not negate or in any way diminish Trust in Allah. Rather, a person is required to actively seek Allah’s Help by being proactive and putting in the ‘leg work’ first. For example, a person can supplicate to Allah until his red in the face for good grades in an upcoming exam but, he has to revise thoroughly for it first! Allah judges us on how well we use the resources at our disposal. For the success of any task, two conditions have to be met: you have to try your best to accomplish the task by taking the necessary (halal) means and leave the rest to Almighty Allah. If what you wish has already been written for you, it will happen – according to Allah’s Will. So…to overcome an illness, it is wise to take the treatment or medicine, as long as it is halal and you do not place total reliance of a cure in it. 

As with every aspect of a believer’s life, there is a certain etiquette to be adopted when taking treatment for an illness. Our Noble Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), is the best example for mankind. When you are taking a pill, always say Bismillah and a small dua. An example of a dua for cure, given in the Books of Bukhari and Muslim, as narrated by Anas (radi Allahu anhu) is:

“O Allah, Lord of Mankind, the One Who relieves hardship grant healing for there is no healer but You a healing leaves no trace of sickness”

By this you are acknowledging not only the greatness of The Almighty but also the fact that the medicine in and of itself is only a means and the cure is by the Mercy of Allah (subḥānahu wa taʿālā). Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“There is no disease that Allah has sent down except that He also has sent down its treatment.” [The Book of Medicine: Sahih Bukhari]

The One who sent the disease has also sent the cure. As believers, this is a cause of great optimism and we must never give up hope, even in dire situations, nor ever despair of the Mercy of Allah.

Alḥamdulilāh, I am feeling much better now. If you or anyone you know are suffering from illness, do not lose hope, take the necessary means and call on Allah by His Name of Ash Shafi, for insha’Allah, there will be a cure.
May Allah grant our hearts and bodies Shifa. Ameen.

 

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Notes

The picture is for illustration only, never take paracetamol with Lemsip or any other product containing paracetamol

Acknowledgement to hibamagazine for Ash-Shafi illustration

 

 

Dear sisters, it is an undeniable fact of nature that just as the sun rises, it also must set. Similarly, there are only two realities which are guaranteed in this life: birth and death.

Allah says in the Quran (translation of the meaning):

“Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned” (21:35)

There was a news story last week which touched my heart and the hearts of thousands of people around the world. The death of Qari Jaffar Abdul Rahman was a poignant reminder of the frailty of human existence and the transient nature of life. The respected Sheikh was filmed while reciting from Surah Mulk at an event. Just as he completed the second verse, he suddenly passed away and these (English translation) were the last words on his lips:

“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving” (67:2)

May Allah, subhana wa ta’la, grant him the highest ranks of Paradise, and may He strengthen his family with patience, forbearance and fortitude.

This story served as a timely reminder and a reality check. All too often we are so caught up ‘in the moment’ that we fail to realise the passing of time. We feel that our journey of life is only just beginning although the reality maybe that our final destination is just around the corner.

Those people who have a lackadaisical  outlook on life don’t ponder on the topic of death: for them, death signifies the end of all pleasure after which the body decays and the soul is wiped out of existence. This is indeed a morbid approach and as far as they are unconcerned about the reality of their demise, their whole life slides slowly and depressingly into oblivion. They are like ships adrift on the ocean – just going ‘with the flow’. Such people just think ‘we live and we die’ and all they think they have is this life and they try to make the most of their existence by craving and accumulating material gains to gain happiness and to be seen as being successful by their peers. It is truly sad that they don’t believe in the afterlife.

Still others are deluded by imagining countless opportunities to be born again to live the perfect life: like ‘Groundhog Day’, they believe that they have to attain perfection in their existence to be ultimately free of the circle of death and reincarnations in order to achieve samsara. 

The reality is that each and everyone of us is here for a fixed term, known only to God, and we can neither advance nor delay the inevitable without His command. In an authentic Hadith collected in Sahih Muslim and narrated byJaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah,  the Prophet (peace be upon him) was recorded as saying:

 “Each person will be resurrected according to the state in which he died.”

If you choose to live a life of sin, you will die in that state and you will be raised up for the final reckoning in the same state. What a dismal end to a wasted life! Of course, if you live a life of piety, you will insha’Allah have a blessed death and a blessed resurrection.

We cannot plan the details of our exit from this world, but we can prepare for the inevitable by filling our hearts with the remembrance of God, with dua and dhikr. May Allah, subhana wa ta’la, give us the ability to use our time wisely and help us overcome one of the greatest hurdles of the modern age: procrastination. Why wait to do tasks tomorrow when you don’t know for certainty that you will still be here, alive and healthy? Indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised his followers to avail free time while thy have it: to seek methods to improve time-management skills to become more efficient and productive.

What if tomorrow never comes? Can you afford to put off something which should be done today – and it’s not just mundane tasks or important deadlines, but also attitudes in our relationships with our families.

So today,  praise God and seek His pleasure by making a loved one happy. Kind words and a smile are amongst the most belittled treasures of this world!

 

 

Dear sisters, I had a lovely day last Saturday. I had been feeling  little ‘under the weather’ so I was thrilled when my sisters came to my home to join me for lunch!

I made vegetable tagine, salad, pakoras, balti chicken and rice. Cooking in a tagine takes longer than conventional methods but the result is a more flavoursome dish – the large conical lid traps the steam and this in turn keeps all the natural flavours locked in. I enjoy rustic cooking with the ingredients just thrown into a  pot and seasoning added between samplings! 

The meal got me thinking about the campaign to eat five portions of fruit or vegetables everyday. When first confronted by this task, I couldn’t believe that anyone could eat that many vegetables voluntarily and the prospect of consuming mouthfuls of green leafy vegetables was more than I could stomach. Moreover, the dilemma of trying to fit it into my daily meals and the effort of constantly chopping and peeling! The breakthrough in my way of thinking came with the tagine. It was relatively easy to roughly chop vegetables of your choice, saute for a few minutes, then cover and simmer until done. As with most recipes, there are no ‘hard and fast’ rules about your choice of vegetables for the dish and you can experiment by using those in season or special offers from the supermarket. Apart from onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and green chillies, I added sweet potato, carrots, peppers and courgettes. The spices can also be adapted: from the subtle flavours of North Africa and the Middle East, to the deeply pungent and spicy masala of the Indian sub-continent. It is better to season sparingly and add fresh herbs like coriander, to bring out the true breadth of taste and to avoid masking the natural flavours of the vegetables. For an authentic taste, I stirred in a tablespoon of harissa paste.

My second dish of the day was my version of Greek salad: with lettuce, cucumber, fresh tomato, avocado, fresh coriander, feta cheese and pomegranate seeds – drizzled with the juice of fresh lemons and olive oil! This colourful salad brought to mind the suggestion of many health professionals : to eat a rainbow of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

The benefits of eating a variety of plant-based produce are manyfold:

• A variety of colours make the vegetables more appealing and you will be more satisfied as a result. Top chefs thrive on the fact that half the enjoyment of food is linked to the way it looks on a plate. Fine dining involves paying attention to detail and aesthetically pleasing presentations of food.
• Eating fruits and vegetables of different colours will help you eat, at least, five portions a day, if not more…
• You will be ensuring an intake of a range of minerals and vitamins:

Red vegetables like tomatoes contain antioxidants which help to lower cholesterol.

Orange/yellow vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots contain a chemical which is converted to vitamin A in the body. This vitamin is important for the health of our eyes.

Green vegetables, rich in the plant pigment chlorophyll, have been found to protect against certain types of cancer.

Blue/purple vegetables contain chemicals which  are thought to prevent certain types of cancer.

White/beige foods, such as mushrooms, may reduce inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Research on this topic is still ongoing and further studies will hopefully elucidate the benefits of incorporating a variety of  fruits and vegetables in your diet.

What have I learned of life’s lessons this weekend?

Definitely, it is the simple pleasures in this life which give you most joy: the immense blessing of sharing a simple meal with my sisters is something that I will not only treasure in my memory but insha’Allah, I will seek to repeat more frequently. For those who truly count God’s blessings and are grateful, then every small occasion is a cause for celebration and showing gratitude. While those who are materialistic, even a posh meal at an expensive restaurant with celebrities and high-flyers will not fill their hearts with happiness. 

We need to reconnect with nature. We need to reconnect with the Creator.

I leave you with the dua of the Prophet Suleiman (as):

“My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your favors which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants.” Surah An-Naml (27:19)

Useful resources

https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/5-a-day/colourful-foods

 

 

 

 

 

Dear sisters, may I present you with a picture of a lemon cake I baked recently. As you can see, it is already in a state of demolition! Yes, I know this is a website aimed at promoting health and well-being and no doubt you will be asking what my ulterior motive is for showing you a picture of a half-eaten cake (which, may I add, was very tasty)! The answer is that we all know that fad diets don’t work: the more a particular food is denied, the more you crave it. I should know, I’ve been dieting (or thinking about it) practically all my life. The first instance was when the school doctor advised me to try to lose weight by giving up potatoes, cakes and biscuits. I was a chubby six year old at the time and my favourite food was pink iced buns from our local bakery. I was not ready to commit to a life without cake and I threw his prescription in the bin!

Throughout my life I have tried, half-heartedly to lose weight but as time goes on, it is getting more and more difficult. My conclusion is to not make any drastic changes in my diet but to focus on healthy alternatives. There are plenty of resources available online with nutritional information of common foods and healthy alternatives.

The religion of Islam, is not just a set of rituals, rather it represents a complete way of life and advocates moderation in all spheres of human existence. We are free to enjoy the bounty of the Earth but we should take only what we need and not exploit the material resources we have at our disposal. Allah says in the Quran Chapter 2, verse 172:

O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. 

The important point to note here, is that we should be grateful for the provision Allah has provided for us. There is also a warning against greed and gluttony:

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.(Quran 7:31)

A number of Hadith record the virtues of eating in moderation, as advised by the Prophet (peace be upon him). An example is:

“The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1381), Ibn Maajah (3349); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2265).

Another incentive for eating responsibly is that food always tastes better when you are mindful of what you are eating. The great Islamic scholar, Ibn Taymiyah writes:

‘Those who show moderation in eating find greater pleasure in their food than those who overindulge. When they become addicted and habituated to their indulgence, they find no great pleasure in it anymore, though they might suffer for want of it when they do not have it and endure ill health because of it.’

Going back to the cake, by sharing it with family, friends, colleagues or neighbours, you are not only being thoughtful and generous but you also limit what you eat yourself and it is a great tool for da’wah. Finally, it is better to bake yourself so you know that only fresh ingredients have been used and there are no nasty chemicals to contend with!

So, you can have your cake and eat it…but only in moderation!

A good website that provides a general plan for losing weight is:

http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/weight-loss-guide/Pages/weight-loss-guide.aspx

Please also refer to my article about how your environment can make you more prone to obesity:

https://www.islam21c.com/islamic-thought/getting-a-hold-on-obesity/

 

Dear sisters, Ramadan is only a few weeks away: the most important month of the year for all Muslims around the world. Last year seems a distant memory but what have you done to prepare for Ramadan this year? What do you aim to achieve? Have you set any goals for the month of fasting or are you living each day as it comes?

Picture the scene: the new moon has been sighted and an official announcement has hailed the start of the Ramadan. While the men leave for tarawih prayers at the masjid, you busy yourself in the kitchen:

• breakfast ready for tomorrow morning – check
• alarm set to wake up early to eat – check
• Ramadan Kareem message sent to all contacts – check
• dates for iftar – check

Oh no! You’ve forgotten to get the sherbet! Now this is serious…how can your family break their fast without this refreshing drink? You’ll have to go to the shops tomorrow! So you spend a good chunk of the next morning buying groceries and (of course) since your out, how about a quick look for potential Eid gifts. Before you realise it, the day is over! Unfortunately this scenario is not uncommon and I am as guilty as the next person of not being prepared in time for Ramadan. Outside of Ramadan, I like to drink tea to punctuate my day, and just as the month of fasting starts I go ‘cold turkey’ – switching off my caffeine fix immediately. No wonder I get withdrawal symptoms as I end up with bad headaches for the first few days of Ramadan. Worse still, my headaches make it difficult to concentrate on ibadah!

It is well known that the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), would prepare for Ramadan months in advance. We should try to emulate them by planning to take maximum benefits from the holy month. The virtues and blessings of Ramadan are countless as described in authentic ahadith. The month represents the annual opportunity Allah has given the believers to refocus their lives to live by His commands, to renew their intentions to please The Creator and to try earnestly to do what they can to get closer to Him. These days are special and shouldn’t be wasted doing mundane tasks that take you away from the worship of Allah. Any outstanding tasks should be completed before the arrival of this month.

School children are drilled with the proverb:

‘If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail’

This is true for any upcoming task: from writing a school assignment, organising an event, a work-related project, starting a new business, and of course, Ramadan. The best way to plan is by setting SMART targets – the acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. 

You can read more about planning for Ramadan here:

[Aiming for an Awesome Ramadan Series – Part 1] It’s Time To Change Your Life

Please share any goals you have for Ramadan this year.

Together, we can inspire each other. Together we can achieve greatness.

Dear sisters,

We are not only defined by our internal qualities but also by the mish-mesh and accumulation of countless memories – interactions with people and circumstances – over space and time. Sometimes you might read something which leaves a great impression on you and is reawakened every now and then throughout life.

One of the set books for O-Level English Literature, which I studied many years ago,  was ‘The Great Gatsby’ by Scott Fitzgerald. The rich language and imagery more than makes up for the short novel. On the face of it, the novel is a cautionary tale of unrequited love, but the subplot is infused with anecdotes on how a poor boy embraced ‘The American Dream.’ Even when he was young, he wanted to ‘make a name for himself’ and eagerly put together a program for self-improvement:

“On the last fly-leaf was printed the word SCHEDULE, and the date September 12, 1906. And underneath:

Rise from bed…………………………………………………..6.00 A.M.
Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling……………………6.15-6.30 ”
Study electricity, etc. ………………………………………..7.15-8.15 ”
Work……………………………………………………………….8.30-4.30 P.M.
Baseball and sports…………………………………………..4.30-5.00 ”
Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it………5.00-6.00 ”
Study needed inventions…………………………………..7.00-9.00 “

GENERAL RESOLVES

No wasting time at Shafters or [a name, indecipherable]
No more smoking or chewing
Bath every other day
Read one improving book or magazine per week
Save $5.00 [crossed out] $3.00 per week
Be better to parents”

However, his meteoric rise to fame and riches, through bootlegging, is doomed because his vision, his goal and purpose in life are corrupted and unrealistic. He wanted to escape his humble beginnings and impress the girl of his dreams but when he was finally successful in the material sense, he was left unfulfilled and disillusioned. The dream was shattered!

Gatsby had a good plan and somewhat noble intentions but his strategy was flawed because he didn’t have a clear vision or a contingency plan or even achievable targets. He didn’t take into consideration his place in the universe, the fleeting nature of life and the true purpose of his existence.

Now, what is the point of these ramblings? Before we begin on our journey, we need to have a clear vision: what do you want to achieve? My advice to you is to aim high – not just Paradise, but the highest ranks. Why do you want to join me on this journey – ultimately it should be for the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’la). Think of it this way – insha’Allah as you become healthier, happier and more confident, you will be more enthusiastic about fulfilling your roles and responsibilities in following Allah’s commands. 

I will speak more about setting SMART targets next time, but for now let us renew our intentions and make sincere dua to Allah (subhana wa ta’la) to help us achieve our objectives.