Every month, we host a ProductiveMuslim reader discussion where you can share ideas and tips to help each other become more productive. In our last discussion, readers shared practical tips on how to overcome indecision and distractions in an age where we are faced with countless, mind-boggling options and opportunities.

The theme for this month’s discussion is how to become more physically active.

For as long as we remember, we’ve heard it from our parents, educators, health professionals and friends: exercise is essential for a healthy mind and body.

Regular physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease, boosts energy levels, acts as a natural mood enhancer, keeps stress at bay and can be a fun way to connect with your significant other!

Every once in a while, when a powerful reminder comes our way, we’ll get excited, go out and shop for new sports gear and spend our hard-earned savings on a gym membership. The disappointment sets in when after a month we slowly start losing interest and pray that Allah compensates us for the money we just wasted. Back to our sedentary lifestyles, we push the guilt away by reassuring ourselves that we look and feel fine the way we are.

But deep inside, don’t you just wish you were that young man or woman who never misses their daily workout and can effortlessly take a flight of stairs? Do you feel impressed with the sixty-something grandparent who is able to actively entertain his grandchildren all day and hope you’re fit enough when you grow old? When you’re old, that is when you will look back with either pride or regret at how you treated your body.

The good news is, a gym membership is not a requirement for being physically active!

So what else can we do to make physical activity part and parcel of our packed schedules? How can students, mothers and professionals incorporate light exercise on the go without feeling burdened?

Share with us what you do that everybody else can too to become more physically active:

• at home
• on campus
• at work
• all day and every day!

and anything else to help you lead a more physically productive lifestyle.

The post [Reader Discussion] How to Become More Physically Active appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

It’s true that we don’t realize the value of something until we lose it. I struggled for over 10 years with kidney disease and despite constant warnings from my doctor that non-compliance with medication would cost me my kidneys, I never ever imagined being the one on dialysis, let alone need somebody else’s kidney to survive.

Chronic kidney disease can severely affect your daily productivity: it causes persistent fatigue, nausea, swelling due to water retention, anemia, and ruins your appetite. When you reach chronic renal failure, where your kidneys can no longer sustain you, dialysis is the only option until a donor kidney is available.

Even though we are born with an ‘overabundant’ kidney capacity, i.e. a single kidney can sustain life very well, kidney disease is widely prevalent and kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs.

Kidney Disease and Productivity

Dialysis imposes serious limitations on your lifestyle and takes a toll on your productivity. The process itself of a machine filtering your blood then returning the cleansed blood to your body over a period of four hours, three times a week sucks the energy out of you. Yet, it’s something you have to do to stay alive. It also comes with many dietary restrictions and funnily enough, a tight limit on water intake (since your body will not be able to get rid of the excess). The one time I skipped a session to attend a conference on kidney disease (ironically), I ended up in hospital with severe muscle pain due to high potassium level, which kidneys usually take care of.

Your physical productivity is not only what goes down the drain. Socially, it’s hard to make commitments because you never know how well you’re going to feel post-dialysis. Spiritually, fasting is definitely not recommended; I did not fast for the entire month of Ramadan when I started dialysis. Your lack of energy will often make it hard to go beyond the bare minimum: the five fardh prayers. The bottom line is, dialysis results in a very poor quality of life.

How to Have Healthy Kidneys

Well, I learned the importance of my kidneys the hard way, but it doesn’t have to be the same for you! With certain lifestyle changes suggested in this post, you’ll be able to take care of this team of two that works around the clock to filter waste and regulate water and salt balance in such an intricate and beautiful manner.

When laziness overcomes you, remember that health is a blessing from Allah and if we are reckless towards it, we will be held accountable.

Apart from the well-known words of advice about staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking and maintaining your weight in the normal range for your age and body size, I want to shed light on other tips that will specifically help you keep your kidneys operating at an optimum level, In sha Allah:

1. Water, water, water

“Allah has created every [living] creature from water…” [Qur’an: Chapter 24, Verse 45]

Reflecting upon this verse, I cannot begin to emphasize the importance of drinking enough water to keep your body functioning optimally. Every single cell in your body depends on water, and your kidneys are in charge of eliminating excess water or retaining it when scarce.

The golden standard has always been to drink “eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.” It’s easy to remember and easy to do! However, some factors such as doing exercise, living in a hot climate, and being ill, require additional hydration, so this 8-8 rule is not set in stone. Other fluids also count, but it’s important to make water your beverage of choice.

When you have a long and busy day, it’s easy to forget to drink water until you feel really thirsty. In fact, the thirst mechanism is the first step the body takes to signal the need for water. Next, the kidneys decrease urine output to conserve water. As the level of water loss increases, other unpleasant symptoms appear. In cases of severe dehydration, confusion occurs as blood flow to the brain decreases. Eventually, coma, organ failure, and death will occur if dehydration is left untreated.

Here’s how you can stay hydrated at all times:

a) Choose a suitable brand of bottled water

In some countries, tap water is not clean enough to drink. In that case, you probably drink bottled mineral water. When faced with dozens of brands at the grocery store, which one do you choose? Does it matter? It really depends on why you’re drinking it in the first place. However, to simplify matters, there are four factors that should influence your choice:

1. Taste: Different brands have different tastes. What appeals to someone, may not be to your liking. You’re more likely to drink water if you enjoy its taste, so find out which water you like most and stick to it. You may also want to learn more about how a water treatment system helps improve the taste and cleanliness of drinking water.

2. pH (acidity): The body maintains our blood at a pH of 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. Therefore, try to choose water with a pH that is close to this level.

3. Cost: Some brands of bottled water are ridiculously expensive. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on water and choose accordingly.

4. Mineral composition: There is tremendous variation in mineral content between the different brands of commercially bottled water. In the absence of guidelines on what is optimal, it’s difficult to interpret what’s on the label. Don’t worry too much about this one, unless your doctor specifically tells you to watch out for the amount of a certain mineral.
b) Keep a water bottle or refillable flask with you at all times

This is something I tried recently which worked well for me. I started buying a 12-pack carton and taking two 600-ml refrigerated bottles of mineral water to work every day. This way I’m constantly reminded to drink whenever I see the bottle on my work desk. If your job is outdoors, consider investing in a flask that keeps liquids cold, especially during the summer. You could also buy smaller or larger bottles at any grocery store or vending machine and use them as you go along.

c) Check the color of your urine

Sounds gross? It only takes a second. You want your urine to be colorless or light yellow and have no smell. Darker urine that has a strong odor is more concentrated and may indicate dehydration, which means water loss exceeds water intake.

d) Use an app to keep track of your daily water intake

There are many free apps (e.g. Vesi) that you can install on your smartphone to find out how much water you’re drinking per day. This is especially useful if you feel you do not drink enough water and want to increase your water intake.

2. Watch your sodium (salt) intake

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010), we should limit daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. Yet, most of us consume more sodium than we actually need. Too much sodium in your diet may raise your blood pressure, so you should limit foods that contain high levels of sodium.

High blood pressure or hypertension is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer.” This is because a person may not experience any symptoms until it is too late. That is, when it causes a heart attack, stroke, or damage the kidney’s delicate filters and blood vessels. This usually happens in the presence of other problems, such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes. It is not a condition to be taken lightly.

I recall when I was on dialysis, the doctors would not discharge me from hospital because my blood pressure was uncontrollably high and six medications would not keep it at a normal level (120/80). I couldn’t comprehend being hospitalized just for that, but it’s actually quite dangerous if left untreated.

a) Cut back on sodium sources

The easiest way to do so as a start is to reduce consumption of canned and processed foods, fast foods, and salt-laden condiments such as ketchup and mustard.

b) Cook smart

Use less salt when cooking for your family and get them used to enjoying healthy food without extra salt from the beginning.

3. Do not ignore nature’s call

Your bladder stores urine and has a capacity of 400-600ml. Once it’s full, a signal is sent to your brain telling you to find the nearest restroom.

Ignoring this message can lead to two main problems: over time, your bladder starts to lose the ability to tell you that you need to go. Also, urine that is stored in the bladder for a long time becomes breeding ground for bacteria, putting you at risk for infections which may reach the kidneys and cause damage.

4. Keep chronic conditions under control

The two most common causes of kidney failure are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). Do not take these chronic conditions lightly.

• If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar level closely to keep it under control.
• If you have high blood pressure, make sure you check your blood pressure regularly, whether at home, at the pharmacy or at your local clinic. Make sure you take your blood pressure medication as instructed. Only taking the pill when you have a headache is not okay!
• If you have a family history of kidney-related disease, follow these tips strictly and get tested regularly. Our kidneys are resilient and won’t start complaining until some damage has occurred.

5. Go easy on over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Certain drugs are classified as potentially nephrotoxic, meaning their continued and excessive use can poison the kidneys. These include painkillers such as ibuprofen. Therefore, it is important not to abuse such medications unnecessarily or without a doctor’s supervision.

Let’s put this all together

Even the slightest damage to your kidneys can turn your life and consequent productivity levels upside down. At the beginning, simply waking up every morning with puffy eyes and swollen ankles ruined my mood. When the anemia kicked in, I started needing weekly injections. Then when my kidneys shut down, I suffered shortness of breath. After dialysis, on most days I couldn’t drive myself home and when I did I dove straight into bed. I only started feeling normal again when I received a working kidney. Nothing works as good as the perfect organs Allah has bestowed us with, not even modern-day dialysis techniques.

It’s easy to take what we have for granted, especially our organs, which work around-the-clock from when we are born, behind the scenes, with zero effort from our end. The above were some tips from my personal experience to help you look after your kidneys. So, let’s do what little we need to in an effort to thank Allah for the blessing of good health: the cornerstone of our daily productivity!

The post Taking Care of Your Kidneys: The Key to Your Daily Productivity appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

The Messenger of Allah said,

“Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim: to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer” [Bukhari and Muslim].

In the days of the Prophet and his companions, visiting the sick was not limited to relatives and acquaintances, but included

strangers and non-Muslims (remember the Jewish kid who served the Prophet and took the shahadah on his deathbed when the Prophet went to visit him.)

Today, unfortunately, some Muslims do not even perform the minimum, using excuses like “I’m 

too busy,” or “I’ll ask about them on the phone,” or “I don’t like going to hospitals,” or “It’s a long drive!” What we fail to remember is that someone who is going through a health

low is probably bored from sitting in bed all day, needs a psychological boost, and needs to be surrounded by people who care. So, believe it or not, you’ll be doing them a favor by paying

them a visit. However, it is important to make it a productive visit for everyone by keeping in

mind the following tips (some inspired by my own experience as a patient who received a

diversity of visitors).

Here are 8 ways to make sure you are productively fulfilling one of the five rights a Muslim has over another Muslim: visiting the sick.

1. Make multiple intentions

Visiting someone who is ill is a highly rewarded act, but you can make it even more rewarding simply by making

several intentions. Examples include: making a fellow Muslim happy, supporting another Muslim in

time of need, improving relations with family or friends, softening the heart of a non-Muslim, and so on. Act smart and be sincere!

2. Setting an appointment

Inpatients are probably used to receiving visitors during visitation hours, but out of courtesy make

sure you text the patient or their family member to notify them of your visit. This way you will

avoid going at a time when they are sleeping, eating, taking a bath or receiving treatment. Be flexible and understanding if you are asked to come at a later time

and don’t let this put you off making a visit altogether; you don’t want to miss the opportunity

for tremendous thawab. It’s also a good idea to take a friend or more with you, but don’t turn it

into a party! If you’re being accompanied by someone unknown to the patient, it is advisable to

check with the patient first since they may not be ready to meet strangers.

3. Choosing a suitable gift

Generally, flowers and chocolates seem to be the most popular gifts people take when visiting

someone who is sick. Although flowers are beautiful to smell and gaze upon, they wither quickly and usually end

up outside the patient’s room (it’s funny, but they sort of ‘compete’ with the patient for 

oxygen). It’s time we put more thought and creativity into the gifts we buy, by considering the

person’s age, health condition, and any restrictions (e.g. dietary). Think of what would make the

person happy and help them make good use of their free time without exerting themselves. Ideas

include personal items they can use during their hospital stay (e.g. pajamas, travel-size beauty

products), items they can fill their time with (books, movies), or anything they’re

known to enjoy. Ask them if they need anything before you go and offer to lend them your own

items (e.g. iPad) where possible.

4. Length of the visit

While patients enjoy some company, it’s highly recommended that you make it short and sweet. Inpatients in

particular wake up early and sleep early, and medication may wear them out. Unless you are a

very close friend, be a light guest; try not

to stay for more than 20-30 minutes (or less), depending on how well they are. In addition, don’t act uncomfortably if there are no

chairs or if it’s too hot, for example, and try to minimize chatter if the person looks too tired to

engage in conversation. Avoid bringing your children if they are too young or you will end up

disturbing other patients.

5. Conversation do’s and don’ts

Please don’t feed your curiosity and start off by asking, “So, what’s wrong with you exactly?”

Remember that you are here to get them out of the mood, not probe them for medical

information! What if they had a surgery that is embarrassing to discuss? Instead, ask about how

they’re feeling and when they’re expecting to return home, for example. Offer to babysit their

children for a day if you can, or offer any other help they may need to reduce their burden.

If they choose to reveal details to you, be a good listener. Give them

advice, cheer them up, remind them of Allah’s mercy and how He tests His good

servants to elevate their ranks. This is not the time to remind

them of death and hellfire or share with them depressing news! Choose your words wisely and

carefully.

6. Safety comes first 

It was narrated that Prophet Muhammad said:

“There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm” [Ibn Majah].

How does this authentic hadith relate to visiting a sick person? Well, if you’re suffering from a

bad cold, it may not be wise to visit someone who is already weak. In this case, apologize and

pay them a visit when you’re better. On the contrary, if the patient is suspected to have a

contagious disease, do not put yourself at risk; follow safety protocols as instructed by the

hospital staff.  A good-intentioned behavior which I did not appreciate as a transplant recipient with a very low

immunity level was visitors who refused to wear a face mask, insisted on kissing me, and brought

their sick kids over to say hi. These things do more harm than good, so please be aware!

7. Power of Dua’a

One of the most beautiful things in Islam is the collection of supplications we have been

provided with to recite in each and every situation we may encounter in our daily life. Instead of

saying “Get well soon!”, learn these two duas and remember to recite them when visiting the sick.

Remind them to regularly make dua for themselves, perhaps even give them a small book of

supplications. Before you leave, don’t forget to ask them to make dua’a for you as well.

(Everyone used to ask me that, even the doctors!)

8. Reflect, reflect, reflect!

Hospital visits ought to get you reflecting and your tongue oft-repeating “Alhamdulillah.” You are likely to see many patients, young and old. You will see

worried parents and hear weeping children and agonized patients. Seek out good deeds

sincerely and Allah will lead you to them insha’Allah: comfort a person in distress, surprise a child

with a simple gift, or try to find out if a patient on the ward needs financial help or has no family

around. Smile and spread salaams wherever you go. Additionally, make it a habit to say

this dua’a whenever you see somebody who is afflicted as well as remember those who are sick

in your prayers.

Now that I have shared my insights on things to consider when visiting the sick, I

urge you to seize every available opportunity to visit a sick brother or sister. Allah has made it very easy for us to earn good deeds, and this is one method!

The next time you’re too lazy to visit a sick friend or colleague, just read this

hadith which will motivate you to hit the road insha’Allah:

“Ali Ibn Abi Taalib related that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: ‘If a man calls on his sick Muslim brother, it is as if he walks reaping the fruits of Paradise until he sits, and when he sits he is showered in mercy, and if this was in the morning, seventy thousand angels send prayers upon him until the evening, and if this was in the evening, seventy thousand angels send prayers upon him until the morning” [at-Tirmidhi].

The post How a Productive Muslim Visits the Sick appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Likewise, a sick person in particular needs a support system to cope better with their situation and receive both moral and physical support. This support system consists of family, friends, the medical team, and sometimes even strangers who have had a similar experience. All of the aforementioned categories of people have helped me greatly throughout the years in many different ways—from hugs, personal assistance, and hospital visits, to lengthy conversations and invaluable words of advice and encouragement. In the third and final part of this series, I will focus on some tools related to social interactions.

Social Tools

1. Appreciate how your loved ones react to your sickness.

For a long time, I had a hard time getting along with (in my opinion) overprotective, over-reactive parents. We argued frequently about issues that directly or indirectly related to my health that they greatly feared for—going out to certain places, spending too much time outdoors, skipping medication, and so on and so forth. I resented certain behaviors, like when my mum would cry to her brother on the phone or when my dad encouraged the doctors to keep me in hospital for as long as they wanted. I even gave a speech about this issue for my Public Speaking university class! Why didn’t they take things casually like I did? Why did they have to make my life difficult? It was out of their hands—they were parents who had unconditional love for their daughters! It took me a while until I learned to appreciate their feelings and tried not to be critical of their seemingly overrated actions. This minimized our skirmishes and made them comfortable expressing their fears and worries without being judged, which they had every right to.

“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small” [Quran chapter 17, verse 24].

May Allah forgive us for our shortcomings.

2. Don’t turn down help if you need it.

If you’re used to doing things yourself, it may be hard to ask for help. Knowing this, your family will probably offer it. At times, you’ll be able to serve yourself well. However, if you really need help, humble yourself and accept to be accompanied to the bathroom or get assistance with changing your clothes. It’s only temporary, insha’Allah. Otherwise, it will be difficult to cope. Find the best shower door for your needs at GlassShowerDirect.com.

3. Join a support forum.

Sometimes, real-life experiences teach you lessons that no medical research can tell you. That is why I joined a support forum prior to my kidney transplant in order to find out what it was like for others, and get some helpful tips. Connecting with others in the same situation also helps you feel part of a community, instead of panicking at the thought of going through this alone.

4. Enjoy the pampering you receive while it lasts!

A wise Arabic proverb quotes a man who was asked which of his children he loved the most, to which he answered: “The young until he grows up, the sick until he recovers, and the absent until he returns.” So, expect to receive super-nice treatment from everyone, not to mention the duas, calls, messages, flowers, gifts, and a universal willingness to make you happy! At the same time, when a family member is sick it is normal to see the entire family stick together and spend more time in each other’s company. During Ramadan, my family ate iftar in my hospital room every single day. Learn to capture those precious moments and create a fun atmosphere instead of adding to the worries they try their best to conceal.

As this series comes to a close, I sincerely hope you found some benefit in all 12 tips! Please do share them with anyone you know who is dealing with illness. I ask Allah the Omnipotent to cure sick persons everywhere, alleviate their pain, and grant them patience that elevates their ranks and erases their sins. Ameen.

References: www.seekersguidance.org

The post How to Be a Productive Patient (Part 3) appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

In Part 2, I move on to the spiritual tools, which every Productive Muslim cannot do without during any trial, including severe or sudden illness. Know that in spite of advances in modern medicine, the outcome of any treatment, progression of any disease, and how our entire body functions, lies within Allah’s dominion, not science or a world-renowned surgeon. He is whom we turn to in times of need and supplicate with a sincere heart, expecting good.

Spiritual Tools

1. Make dua’a regularly.

“And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him” [6:17]

Equipped with this belief and keeping in mind that a patient’s supplication is answered, insha’Allah, learn and recite the duas that have been recorded in the Quran and sunnah (Prophet’s tradition), such as Prophet Ayyub’s : 

“Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful” [21:83]

Furthermore, there are beautiful litanies for healing written by the great spiritual masters of the Islamic tradition. If you’re in pain, place your hand at the site of pain and say this du’aa. In general, this is an excellent chance to renew your imaan (faith) and get closer to Allah by making dua, reading Quran, engaging in constant dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and giving charity where possible.

2. Learn the rulings on ritual purification and prayer for the sick.

Prayer, unlike fasting, is an obligatory act of worship that even the sick are not exempt from. However, in certain conditions, the form of prayer might change, as in war or travel. When sick, if you cannot stand up in prayer, sit. If you cannot sit, pray lying down. If you cannot move your limbs, pray with your eyes. No matter how tired you feel, don’t sever this link with your Creator, not at a time when you need Him most! Wudu’ (ablution) can also be replaced with tayammum (dry ablution) if the use of water will harm you. Allah has facilitated worship for us at all times, so stay steadfast on your prayers! For a detailed list of rulings, check out this page.

3. Be patient by contemplating the reality of this world and remembering the rewards attached.

Waiting is not a pleasant state to be in, but as a patient, waiting is inevitable: waiting for test results to come out, waiting for a drug to kick in, waiting to be discharged. So, being patient per se is a must; it’s your state of mind and heart during it that really matter. Do you constantly complain and ask, “Why me?” Are you depressed and feel that your life has lost meaning? Then you have not understood the purpose of worldly life.

During our limited time on earth, every human being will be tested, and illness is a type of test. Simply accept this fact, which Allah establishes at various points in the Quran, such as: 

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient”[2:155].

Next, remind yourself of the numerous rewards promised for those who are patient in times of hardship, especially sickness. You will then feel blessed rather than distressed! Below are some of the words that comfort me the most:

• “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” [Bukhari]. 
  
• “When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health” [Bukhari].
• “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account”[39:10] 
• “It became more severe so when its rings entangled me / It was relieved and I thought it [relief] would not come about” [poetry by Imam al-Shafi].

Being sick and weak is humbling; it is a powerful reminder of our powerlessness and constant need for Allah. Remember Allah at all times so that He would remember you in your time of need.

4. Stay positive!

Thinking well and positively of Allah at all times is crucial, for Allah says: 

“I am to My servant the way he expects me to be towards him. And I am with him when he remembers Me” [Bukhari and Muslim].

A true believer also knows that there is goodness behind anything that befalls him; if it is delightful he will be thankful and be rewarded and if it is unpleasant he will be patient and be rewarded, as per the famous hadith. Learn to look at the bright side of things, e.g. a prolonged hospital stay means more time off work, while weight gain implies shopping for new clothes. Stay positive and expect good news every morning, and don’t forget to smile—it does wonders and it’s the sunnah!

Alhamdulillah, this is an area I fared well at, which is perhaps why people were always surprised to find out I had a chronic illness, and more recently a kidney transplant; it’s hard to tell! It all boils down to accepting Allah’s decree, doing your part, and not worrying about the future. Allah will  reward you with peace of mind, ease after difficulty, and countless blessings. Health is truly a blessing to be appreciated, so make the most of it while it lasts.

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