Have Family Fun the “Halal Way”

Since most families these days are caught up with busy lifestyles and hardly get time to have fun together, baking and cooking something delicious and nutritious could be the best way to bond and build your relationships. You may include your extended family members in this activity too. Have a bake off or cooking competition!

Here’s how:

Bake cookies, cakes or cook just about anything. Donate the same to a nearby orphanage or old age home.

Donating home cooked meals and bringing cheer to innocent lives could be one of the greatest and purest ways of earning rewards and pleasing Allah . Make your kids an integral part of the process so they learn and understand the importance of engaging in charitable acts from a young age, in turn helping them grow up into responsible adults who would be proactive in helping the members of their community in a responsible and highly rewarding manner In sha Allah. Always remember to purify your intentions before undertaking any type of activity that may benefit you or the people around you.

Save Time And Use It Wisely

• Going out for a meal involves spending unwanted amounts of time in heavy traffic. Instead, you could save time by preparing a simple, nutritious healthy meal at home and use that “free time” to involve yourself in productive activities.
• You could organize a party for your children and their friends for a fun-filled Islamic activity on weekends.
• Discuss Islamic-related issues, the lives of our Prophets and the numerous lessons one could attain from each surah in the Glorious Qur’an.
• You may use that time to try out new hobbies or nurture a hidden talent.
• Perhaps you always wanted to memorize a surah and never found “time” to do it. This is the perfect moment to make a start.

Spending quality time trying out new ventures on weekends or just catching up with family members is a great way to refresh your mind and body in a halal manner.

Save Money Wisely

It goes without saying that the food you cook at home is not only delicious, but saves a huge amount of money which you may use to benefit yourself or the Ummah at large. While there is nothing wrong in pampering yourself and your family members once in a while by going out for a well deserved meal, do not make it a regular habit at the cost of spending large amounts of money in an extravagant manner. Moderation is the key to a sunnah way of living. ‘…And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.’ [Quran: Chapter 6, Verse 141]

Invest In The Hereafter

Instead, you could spend that money in the form of charity. The type of charity related works you may undertake as a family are limitless. I’ve given a few examples here. Please feel free to add your own ideas to the list in the comments section below.

Donate some amount of money to your local mosque to help them help others.
Buy a few dawah booklets and gift them to your neighbors/friends/colleagues/etc. It may be a source of guidance or inspiration they were searching for. Besides, Allah will reward you for spreading the message of Islam in a positive way, In sha Allah.
Make charity related activity a monthly habit instead of reserving it for the month of Ramadan alone.

Balanced Nutrition

Home cooked meals are nutritiously balanced because you can consciously try to include foods that are fresh and wholesome – Halaal and Tayyiba: ‘…and eat from what we have provided for you from the earth…‘ [Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 168].

Nutritiously balanced meals have a perfect combination of various vitamins and nutrients, in the right amounts that can help your body stay healthy. This will greatly reduce the risk of consuming fat filled, cholesterol loaded, fried foods that are often served in restaurants and will aid you in maintaining your waistline.

Additionally, you could take this opportunity to teach your kids about different foods that were consumed by our Prophet Muhammad , helping them get closer to the seerah in an educative manner.

Points to Ponder

1. A study conducted by WebMD showed that children who eat at home were less likely to become obese as opposed to those who consumed food from outside.*

2. People consume 50% more calories, fat and sodium when they eat out than when they cook at home.**

A Tip for Working Mothers

Pre-planning is the key. Save time by planning an entire week’s menu in advance. Buy all your groceries beforehand so you don’t have to go running around and wondering what meal to prepare every single day. You can use the resources online such as those cooking ideas from thors fork web page.

Control Portion Size

On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: “A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Home cooked meals allow you to control portion sizes. How often have you over-eaten and felt stuffed after eating in a restaurant because the portion you ordered was way too big?

A home cooked meal allows you to control:

• The amount of salt you add to your meals.
• The amount of oil you use.
• The type of food products you include (organic and fresh).
• The amount of food you cook.
• The amount of food you eat.

A Life Skill

Cooking is a life skill! Involve your kids in this fun-filled activity rather than shooing them away from the kitchen. While your cooking area might get a little messy, it is nothing compared to the priceless bond that could build between parents and children. This will also help them grow up into well-rounded individuals; preventing them from wasting time watching television all day long or being engrossed in their handheld electronic devices.

There could be nothing more productive than cooking a delicious meal together while catching up with family members. Apart from building bonds of kinship, family time is a great way to build strong foundations with children, which in turn would lead to a healthier and happier Ummah, building a community that would work collectively for bringing about bigger and positive changes. By making this a fun-filled productive family activity, you could earn tremendous rewards in the dunya and akhirah. So let’s get cooking, shall we?

References

* http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/12520/20121004/health-benefits-home-cooked-meals.htm
** http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-05-05-home-cooking_x.htm

The post [Productive Hobbies] Cooking and Baking appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

What role does a Productive Muslim play towards safeguarding the environment? What are the benefits and rewards of taking small yet crucial steps to preserve some of the most important treasures Allah has blessed us with?

Doing your bit for the environment might seem a little too difficult initially, but doing so with the right intentions of pleasing Allah will never go unnoticed. While talking about how quickly the Earth’s resources are depleting is easy, doing what you can to save the environment makes Productive Muslims stand out from the crowd.

Let’s go through all the different resources we use on a daily basis and discuss what we can practically do to make our usage eco-friendly and productive:

Conserving Water

We all know how crucial water is for our survival but we tend to take it for granted.

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-`Aas reported that the Prophet passed one day by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas while he was performing wudu’. The Prophet asked Sa`d: “What is this wastage?” Sa`d replied: “Is there wastage in wudu also?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you are at a flowing river.”[Ibn Majah]

Subhan Allah! When was the last time we thought about making eco-friendly wudu?! Let’s all try to implement the following tips to save this essential precious resource:

• Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth. By doing so, you could be saving nearly 8 gallons of water a day!
• Use your dishwashers only when they are fully loaded, to save water and electricity. The same rule applies for using washing machines as well.
• If you are living in a country that receives abundant rainfall, you could try rainwater harvesting which has been employed in certain countries to make ingenious usage of rainwater.
• If you need to water your lawn, do so in the evening hours. This will help the water seep through as opposed to watering when the sun is out in full glory, which will lead to quick water evaporation, leading to water wastage and causing unwanted wilting of plants. For a properly installed water system, click here to learn more.

Saving Electricity

1. Electric fans consume less electricity than air-conditioners (ACs). Use the former as much as you can, whenever you can. An eco-conscious Muslim on the other hand, opens his windows to fill the room with natural air, improving the house’s ventilation in the best possible manner. By doing so, you will not only be saving a lot of electricity, but will also increase the quality of your life by giving your lungs the dose of fresh natural air it deserves. 
2. Do not leave devices plugged in while not using them. Do not charge your laptops, cell phones or any electronic device excessively. This will result in unwanted electricity consumption and might harm your batteries too. Simply turn off devices (especially your laptops) while not using them or while sleeping to save power.
3. Keep the doors closed while leaving the room to prevent the room from cooling or heating up too much. This way, your room remains warm in cooler climatic conditions, preventing you from using heaters excessively. You can also Insulate Your Attic for Efficiency. Make sure to hire experts who can provide Eco-Friendly External Insulation Options. During warmer climatic conditions, you could use the same principle for preventing the cool air generated by ACs from escaping out, making your room feel relatively cooler as opposed to leaving the door open while you leave. You should also learn how to change capacitor on ac unit. If not, contact an expert to replace it for you.
4. Dry your clothes outdoors if you receive abundant sunlight instead of using the dryers.
5. Walk outdoors instead of using the treadmill. This saves energy and is more beneficial for your body as well.
6. Use the good old bicycle to commute short distances instead of using your cars. This saves fuel and gives your body a natural workout, helping you stay fit. If you find that option awkward, you could try the public transport system too.
7. Natural resources like sunlight are a blessing for mankind from Allah . Use solar panels if you live in a country that receives abundant sunlight. You can check out online sites and find more info where to purchase solar panels near you.

Are you interested in lowering your heating bills and improving your home’s insulation? Consider having loft insulation for improved home value and to reduce your electric bill. You might also want to explore the benefits of secondary glazing film. This handy product I found at Low Energy Supermarket helped me achieve both of those goals, while also providing the added bonus of noise reduction. It’s a simple and affordable solution that I can confidently recommend. Then, for avenues for homeowners to increase their property value, the installation of solar panels emerges as a standout option. This upgrade not only aligns with the growing trend towards green living but also offers long-term savings on energy costs. For a detailed exploration of this smart investment, I recommend visiting a comprehensive resource for installing solar energy solutions, where you can find everything you need to know about making your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Food and You

Cook only that which is necessary. Many a times, we tend to cook way too much than what’s needed. Leaving the leftovers in the refrigerator (resulting in unwanted power consumption) or throwing them away (in effect neglecting the rizq that Allah has provided) will become inevitable.

Abdullah ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet said:

“The believer is not he who eats his fill while his neighbour is hungry.” [Al Adab Al Mufrad]

While you may not be living in a locality where your neighbour is hungry, you might probably come across people down the street who are in dire need of a few morsels. So make the intention to feed the poor in your locality if you do have leftover food. Try giving it to them when the food is fresh instead of passing it over when it has become stale. Like the Prophet said: “Love for your brother what you love for yourself!” [Tirmidhi]

Alternatively, you could use that food to feed the animals too. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:

“A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, “This dog is suffering from thirst as I did.” So, he went down the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth and watered the dog. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him.” The Companions said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “There is a reward for serving any living being.” [Bukhari]

Your time on Earth is limited, so try collecting as many rewards as you can in every manner possible, In sha Allah.

Maintaining the Environment is Charity

Many a time, we wonder how and where we could give charity. The possibilities are limitless. Here a few examples to get you started:

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah).” [Riyadh As Saliheen]

We often see public places littered with useless substances. You may see a stone, a branch, or any type of substance that is obstructing the pathway and could cause potential injury to someone. Why not remove it from the path to earn some charitable rewards In sha Allah?

Planting Trees: Investment of a Lifetime

You may have read umpteen numbers of articles on why and how you must plant trees along with the numerous environmental benefits. Now, let’s look at the Islamic benefits of planting trees. Prophet said:

“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.”  [Bukhari]

So, if you don’t have the means to donate money for building a mosque or a well, and if you don’t have the time to impart beneficial knowledge to someone, you could still earn sadaqah jariya (continuous charity)  by doing something as simple as planting a tree! Every time a person/animal benefits from the shade the tree provides or by relishing a fruit that was produced, you could be earning exponential rewards even after your death! So, take your family out and plant away. If you want to learn how to properly take care of trees, visit this website at https://www.gabestreeservice.com/tree-trimming-pruning/.

Safeguarding and doing our bit for the environment by taking care of resources that Allah has subjected to our service, is a beautiful way of showing our gratitude towards our Lord. Being a part of this blessed religion allows you to earn magnanimous rewards in numerous ways possible. With several ahadith of our Prophet stressing on making conscious efforts to conserve our environment, I hope to have inspired you to take small yet significant steps in doing whatever little you can to preserve our surroundings and receive Allah’s pleasure, In sha Allah.

Please share your thoughts on what you could do or have done for the environment, see Rich’s Tree Service, Inc. for additional enlightenment on environment and tree services, so we could inspire each other bi’idhnillah.

The post Why You MUST be an Eco-Friendly Productive Muslim and How to Go About It appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

With our iman reinvigorated, many of us begin Ramadan with ambitious goals. It is not a bad idea to have big goals, but accomplishing numerous tasks whilst fasting for a long day requires some pre-planning. As the month progresses we tend to lose the vigor with which we started. This could be due to a dip in our physical strength or decrease in our spiritual motivation.  If you want to survive a 16-hour fast with the same enthusiasm from day 1 to 30, this article is for you.

Fasting does not necessarily make you lethargic or tired, provided you eat the right type of foods. Preparing wholesome nutritious foods for suhoor and iftar is one of the easiest tricks to staying energetic throughout the day.

Physical Nourishment

• Choose Carbs

Include whole grain cereals, brown bread, oatmeal, with fresh fruits and vegetables (with skin wherever possible). These foods release sugars at a slow and steady rate. Therefore, you get a constant flow of glucose (energy) throughout the day. This will prevent lethargy.

• Avoid Caffeine, junk foods and refined foods

It is advisable to avoid caffeinated beverages during suhoor because these drinks dehydrate your body, making you feel thirsty.  Replace your cup of coffee or tea with a glass of milk and honey. This will give you surplus amount of carbohydrates without any side effects.

Junk food and carbonated beverages cause your energy and mood to spike with a sudden burst of sugar into your blood stream. This super energetic feeling will only last for a very short period of time. You may feel full but you will not have consumed the necessary nutrients your body requires. Processed foods cause digestion problems and are devoid of essential nutrients.

• Eat in moderation

Avoid binging excessively for iftar by cooking delicious foods in order to ‘make up’ for not eating throughout the day. This snatches away the huge blessings which you could have otherwise obtained had you spent that time in reciting Qur’an, praying, or doing dhikr. Extravagant meals are unnecessarily when your body can suffice with a decent, normal meal!

• Be Balanced

Some people in their zeal to do good may overwork their body. You should definitely push and challenge yourself to do extra prayers but if you feel like fainting from exhaustion or if you end up missing Fajr, Zhuhr, and Asr the next day due to lethargy, then sleep is better.

The Prophet told us our body has a right over us, so strike a balance by exerting yourself in the night prayer to seek the reward, mercy, and pleasure of Allah; however, do not burden your body excessively [Sahih Bukhari].

Eating right should obviously be combined with seeking help from Allah to keep you going all day long. This will prevent a dip in your physical and spiritual/emotional levels. When you feel like giving up due to extreme lethargy, remember that no task is daunting and arduous when you have Allah’s help!

Spiritual Nourishment

Indulge in dhikr to keep your iman high. There are many types of remembrance; however, mentally reciting a dua or a verse without involving your heart is just lip service. Read and allow your heart to be moved by what you recite.

• Remembrance of the Heart

Your heart should be in tune with what you utter from your lips. A day long fast will be rewarded multifold if you remember Allah The Most High constantly. Abu Hurairah reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running” [Sahih Bukhari].

Dhikr carries a lot of weight on your scale of good deeds, so remember Allah much. This Ramadan, allow your eyes and heart to cry for the sins it committed. Use this month to cleanse your heart. Schedule a time for regular remembrance.

• Physical Good Deeds

Perform good deeds, however small or big they may be. Remove a stone from a path or open a door for someone. Make a habit of sadaqah (voluntary charity) and give whatever skills/talent you have to support the needy. Invite your neighbor for iftar or help your mother make food – every action you do this month is extraordinary.

• Supplicate

As a fasting person, your chances of having prayers answered is much more likely; therefore, seize this opportunity to stay positive by repenting and supplicating. It is said: “Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveller, and the supplication of the parent for his son” [At-Tirmithi and Abu Dawud].

The feeling of being close to your Lord, The Most High, is one of the most rewarding blessings one can attain. Eating the right types of foods will nourish your body whilst spiritual acts of worship will nourish your mind and soul. I hope the above tips will help you have a super productive Ramadan without making you feel spiritually, physically or emotionally drained inshaAllah!

P.S: Benefited from this article? Join our Productive Ramadan Online Course – a simple, practical and complete blueprint for leading a Productive Ramadan inshaAllah!

The post [Ramadan Series] How to Survive a 16-Hour Fast appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Breaking the fast with the right type of foods is crucial to keeping your body strong and healthy. While some people resort to junk foods (due to their convenience), others try to fill their stomach with countless varieties of dishes in order to make up for not eating the whole day. While the former is detrimental to the body and does more harm than good, the latter option of feasting also becomes detrimental to your mind and soul.

It is important to feed our bodies with the right type of foods, ensuring that we do not overdo it by binging during iftar.

So, here are 7 tips to consider for iftar:

1. Break your fast with dates and a glass of water

Dates are great for iftar because they provide a concentrated source of sugar and nutrients. Most importantly, it was the practice of our beloved Prophet to break the fast with dates.

Salman ibn Amir reported that the Prophet said: “When one of you breaks his fast, then let him do so with dried dates. And whoever does not find dates, then water, for it is purifying” [at-Tirmidhi].

2. Consume carbohydrate-dense foods

Whole grains and cereals, and foods like these, provide the necessary calories and sugars that the body has been deprived of for the entire day. Use brown bread for preparing sandwiches. You can also consume pastas, given their easy method of preparation. They provide wholesome nutrients, numerous vitamins, and are good sources of fiber (which helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation).

3. Do not binge during iftar

Your digestive system will takes time to accept foods after being deprived of calories for an entire day, so remember to take it easy. Overeating could lead to gastrointestinal problems; a sudden intake of foods will force your stomach to produce numerous enzymes all at once, causing discomfort. Therefore, remember to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Moreover, it is not Islamically appropriate to overeat. For those who are suffering from gastrointestinal problems and may require alternative methods of feeding, NG (Nasogastric) or OG (Orogastric) tube placement can be a practical solution. These tubes help in delivering essential nutrients directly to the stomach, bypassing the need for oral intake and minimizing the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort from overeating. If you are considering this option or need more information, click here to explore how NG or OG tubes can support your nutritional needs while easing the burden on your digestive system.

4. Incorporate liquids and consume more fluids

Drink sufficient quantities of water to prevent dehydration. Water will help flush out toxins and aid digestion. In addition, fresh fruit juices are excellent sources of sugars, vitamins and minerals. You can also consume chicken soups or stews; these are rich in protein, which helps in building tissue or muscle mass and prevents the body from getting exhausted easily. Soups are also a good source of nutrients and electrolytes which help prevent exhaustion and dehydration.

5. Avoid oily/fried foods

These take a longer time for digestion and make you feel full, but do not necessarily nourish you or provide nutrients. They are not an ideal option to consider for iftar (or in general). However, if you must, consume small portions at dinner time.

6. Hasten to break your fast

This isn’t so much a tip about what to break your fast with, but when to break your fast. Breaking the fast on time is an important aspect of Ramadan as delaying it unnecessarily is not recommended.

Sahl ibn Sa`d reported that the Prophet said: “People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the Saum (fasting).” [Bukhari and Muslim].

7. Share the iftar meal

You can increase your blessings by providing iftar meals to your neighbors, relatives, the needy – any Muslim who is fasting!

Our Prophet said: “Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for his is the same reward as his (the fasting person’s), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person” [at-Tirmithi].

Fasting during the month of Ramadan gives us numerous opportunities to control our nafs, discipline our hearts and souls, helping us become more obedient towards Allah, The Exalted. It is also a time to look after and discipline our bodies. The take-home message is avoid binging during iftar but at the same time, make sure that your body is getting the right type of nutrients in the right amounts to prevent dehydration, exhaustion, fatigue or discomfort.

May the fasting break their fasts in your homes, and may your meals and homes be blessed. Ameen.

Which foods do you incorporate into your Iftar to help maintain your productivity?

Benefited from this article? Join our brand new Productive Ramadan course – a simple, practical and complete blueprint for leading a Productive Ramadan insha’ Allah!

The post [Ramadan Series] 7 Tips for a Productive Iftar appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Ramadan is one of the months with countless blessings bestowed by Allah on this Ummah. An entire month to ask for forgiveness, learn about self control and become a better human being spiritually, physically and emotionally; Ramadan is a truly unique month.

The well known verse about Ramadan states: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [2:183].

Whilst Ramadan is about spiritual re-connection, there is a huge need to link it to our physical routine. Consuming the right types of food in the right amount is important. A few think that fasting would exhaust them completely and hinder their work output and others look at Ramadan as an excellent opportunity to lose some quick pounds and get their desired weight and figure! Surprisingly, both notions are incorrect.

The pre-dawn meal (suhoor) is not obligatory, but it is a blessed part of fasting we shouldn’t abandon. Amr ibn al – Aas narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

“The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the Book is eating shortly before dawn” [Muslim].

Anas bin Malik  narrated that the Prophet said:

“Take suhoor as there is a blessing in it” [Bukhari and Muslim].

Aboo Saeed al–Khudree narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said:

“Taking the pre-dawn meal in Ramadan is a blessing, so do not leave it, be it just drinking a mouthful of water. For Allah the Noble and the Mighty, and His angels send blessings over those who have taken the pre-dawn meal” [Ahmad].

Skipping suhoor these days has become a norm amongst some. Some complain about lack of time, others are negligent and simply choose to ignore this huge blessing. However, here are some useful tips to plan a nutritious suhoor meal well in advance.

1. Begin With Remembrance of Allah 

It is a beautiful Iman boost, and what better way to start off your day; you’re starting off your day on the right foot, marked by spirituality and productivity. Shun lethargy and sleep with wudhu. It is one of the most effective ways to wash away your sins, and your sleep as well! Begin with the precious tahajjud prayer. This is one of the easiest ways to start your day “early”, giving you enough time to wake up and remain alert. 

2. Start With Dates

Start your meal with dates. Our Prophet said: ”How excellent are dates as the believer’s suhoor” [Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibban and al-Baihaqee; Sahih].

3. Include Whole-Wheats in Your Meal

Oats are one of the easiest foods to cook. They have numerous health benefits as well and are filled with complex carbohydrates. These take time to break up inside your body. This is amazingly useful in releasing the right amount of calories at a slow rate, giving you energy throughout the day. This will prevent a quick burn up of calories, preventing you from feeling lethargic and tired during the day. Refined products on the other hand release calories at an extremely faster rate, making you feel hungry quickly, in turn making you tired and worn out. 

4. AVOID Fried Foods!

This is the toughest step as many cultural dishes tend to go for the fried option – however create havoc in the digestive system! These foods will force the stomach to release numerous enzymes and will take a longer time for digestion. Heartburn and diarrhoea are common symptoms associated with fried foods. They fill your stomach quickly, preventing you from eating further and so it is better to avoid as best you can. 

5. Mix of Fruits & Vegetables

You can cut different types of fruits (preferably with skin) and mix them up in a bowl to make a nice salad. Add a handful of different nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashew nuts. You can also drizzle some honey on top. You can also boil vegetables or consume them raw depending on your preferences. Fruits and vegetables are extremely rich in nutrients like vitamins and minerals. They are also very rich in antioxidants.

The latter prevents accumulation of free radicals (responsible for causing cancer and other detrimental changes in the body), and are extremely useful in protecting the body from numerous diseases and illnesses. Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of fibre, which is crucial in preventing constipation, a problem experienced by many during fasting. Fibre builds up roughage, helps in cleaning the bowel, and provides satiety and fullness while eating, making you feel satisfied and full.

6. A Glass of Milk & Honey

Milk is the drink of the Ummah, and the benefits of honey are numerous and have been noted in the Quran for medical benefits. We should appreciate the great blessings of honey.

7. NO Salty Foods in Your Diet

Salt removes excess water from the cells, making the cells dehydrated. This in turn makes your body dehydrated, making you feel thirsty very quickly. Salty foods or a high intake of salt is therefore not advisable while fasting so for those who like to sprinkle salt on everything – now’s the time to stop! Soups on the other hand fill your stomach but do not provide enough calories. 

8. Water, Water, Water!

Avoid tea or coffee. These beverages are not preferred whilst fasting. They dehydrate the body and release toxins which in turn need to be flushed with water, and are therefore not advisable while fasting. So, drink water/juices instead.

9. Eggs in a Cup

Eggs are good to include in your diet, for those on a weight loss program, avoid the egg yolk but include egg white in your meal. Consume them in boiled or poached form. Do not fry them. Fish and chicken can also be consumed liberally; yogurt too is another good source of protein.

10. Use Cooking Olive Oil

It has many health benefits, and is tasty but use in moderation!

Always remember to plan your meal in advance. This way, you will be prepared and know what exactly you have to cook early in the morning. Eat right, and maintain a positive attitude to feel cheerful and energetic.

Enjoy the benefits of a blessed Ramadan and get your productivity soaring Insha’Allah!

Benefited from this article? Join our brand new Productive Ramadan course – a simple, practical and complete blueprint for leading a Productive Ramadan insha’ Allah!

The post [Ramadan Series] The Ultimate 10 Step Suhoor Guide appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Umar bin Al-Khattab [RANHU] reported that the Prophet Muhammad said: “The reward of deeds depend upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [1]

Of course, many of us are familiar with this hadith, but how can we take it to action this Ramadan? Most of the time, Ramadan ends and we start reflecting in a series of wishes:

“I wish I had done this act of charity,” or “I wish I had prayed extra nafl prayers,” or “I wish I had utilized my time to the fullest.”

Instead, start your “wish” list before Ramadan begins! Therefore, when Ramadan comes around, your goals will be set. Being organized and staying focused requires pre-planning, whether it’s for a business meeting or performing extra acts of worship. It was not for nothing that our pious predecessors used to prepare for Ramadan six months in advance.

Of course, you might be wondering how you could be rewarded even before Ramadan begins for intentions you wish to perform only during Ramadan. I’ll come to this part later, insha’Allah.

Purify Your Intentions First

Two parts compose a good deed: the intention and the action. When making an intention, two prerequisites must be fulfilled:

i) You must intend to perform the particular deed to please Allah alone. Any deed intended to please people or show off will NOT be rewarded. So renew your intentions and make your list of deeds with ikhlaas and sincerity.

ii) Intentions for performing any deed must be within the boundaries of Islam and not contradict the teachings of the Prophet or the sunnah.

Abdullah ibn Masud [ranhu] said: “No utterance will benefit without a deed, and no utterance and action will benefit except with a niyyah (intention), and no utterance, deed and niyyah will benefit except that are in accordance to the Sunnah.”

After Purification Put Intention into Action

a) Social Deeds: Prepare a list of deeds that you intend to perform for the society. This could be:

• Giving Charity: It doesn’t matter how little the money is – never underestimate the power of charity. Allah says, “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?” (2:245).

Additionally, make intentions for charity even if you don’t have the physical means to do so. Prophet Muhammad gave the example of one whom Allah has granted wealth who spends it in the way of Allah , while one who is poor says: “Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.” The Prophet  said, “If that is his intention, his reward is the same as that of the other.” [2]

• Feeding one hungry person at least once during Ramadan (or many times over if you have the means).
• Giving Dawah: Ramadan is the best time of the year for you to take advantage of multiple dawah opportunities ranging from why Muslims fast to educating people about the five pillars of Islam.
• Arranging an iftaar party for the poor in your community.
• Teaching a child to read Quran during Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad said: “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it (to others).” [3]
• Donating a Quran to your mosque.
• Donating money (within your means) to your local mosque.

b)    Personal:

• Teach your kids the importance and beauty of fasting during Ramadan, and make them understand that it is not just mere abstinence from food and drink.
• Fast with the objective of fulfilling one of the pillars of Islam and in the process please Allah (vs. fasting because you simply feel you “have to”).
• Read Quran with tafseer for a better understanding rather than indulging in speed-reading without understanding a single word.
• Memorize a few short surahs during Ramadan with meaning.
• Pray tahajjud as much as you can during the blessed month.

The Reward of Purifying Your Intentions

You are probably still wondering how you would be rewarded for creating a list of intentions even before Ramadan begins. This is how it works:

i) Even when an intention is NOT converted into action:

If, for whatever reason, you are not able to fulfill your list of intentions, you will be rewarded for your sincerity, insha’Allah.

Jabir ibn Abdullah [ranhu] reported: “We accompanied the Prophet in an  expedition when he said, “There are some men in Al-Madinah who are with you wherever you march and whichever valley you cross. They have not joined you in person because of their illness.” In another version, he said: “They share the reward with you.”[4]

According to Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, the meaning of this hadeeth is that “If a person intends to do a good deed, but is then unable to complete it due to an obstacle in his way, the reward for what he intended would still be recorded for him.”

Think about it: even if you are not able to perform a good deed, Allah will reward you if your intention was sincere! Imagine the amount of barakah, blessings and hasanat you are loading into your bank account of deeds to be displayed in the Hereafter, even before Ramadan begins!

ii) When an intention IS converted into action:

Ibn Abbas [ranhu] reported that the Messenger of Allah, related: “Verily Allah has recorded the good deeds and the evil deeds.” Then he clarified that: “Whosoever intends to do a good deed but does not do it, Allah records it with Himself as a complete good deed; but if he intends it and does it, Allah records it with Himself as ten good deeds, up to seven hundred times, or more than that. But if he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, Allah records it as a complete good deed; but if he intends it and does it, Allah records it down as only one single evil deed.” [6]

Stay Ahead of the Crowd! Rather than waiting for the blessed month of Ramadan to begin and then to figure what good deeds you can squeeze into your busy routine while adjusting to a new sleeping routine, prepare from today. Make a list of deeds you intend to perform during the blessed month to earn extra ajr and contemplate the rewards for intending to do so for the sake of Allah.

Spread the word and share the khayr! Don’t forget to spread the word and encourage your friends, family members, and fellow Muslim brothers and sisters into this business of intentions. The prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account.” [7]

Remember, you can continue this game of intentions even after Ramadan by making a list of intentions for every single act you do. So what is your list of intentions for this Ramadan? Take out your note pad and start now!

References:

1. Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 78, Number 680
2. Al-Tirmidhi
3. Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Hadith 545
4. Sahih Muslim
5. Hasan al Basri
6. Al-Bukhari& Muslim
7. Sahih Muslim

The post [Ramadan Series] Earn Extra Rewards Even Before Ramadan Begins appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Wrong!

Simply put, if you don’t eat the right way, you are going to suffer from a number of lifestyle-related disorders even before you even turn 40. Maybe you are already suffering from a few common ones like diabetes, high/or low blood pressure, obesity and the likes.

What’s worse, unhealthy living directly hinders your ability to work productively, eventually making you put your hard earned money towards healthcare. Lengthy office hours, work overload, eating the wrong type of foods, and unhealthy sleeping patterns will broaden your waistline while burning a hole in your pocket.

Simple Steps to Revamp Your Eating Habits

Eat Consciously

Never sit with a plate filled with food and watch TV or do any other form of activity. Concentrate on what you are eating. Other tasks can wait. It is no secret that people who eat while doing other activities end up eating more than those who don’t,  it’s eating while unconscious. The reason is simple: your mind is busy with something else and will not send the right signals to your body, in turn making you forget that you’ve eaten enough (thus, eating more before you feel ‘full).

Add Color to Your Shopping Cart!

Utilize Allah’s (glorified and exalted be He) bounties by filling your basket with all types of fruits and vegetables when you go shopping.

• Red | Lycopene and anthocyanins give a red color to fruits and vegetables. These pigments are known to reduce the chances of developing several types of cancer. Examples include tomatoes, strawberries, red grapes, cherries, watermelon, cranberries, red potatoes, radishes, etc.
• Orange & Yellow | Carotenoids are responsible for giving a yellowish or orange-ish tinge to fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are converted into vitamin A inside the body and are therefore crucial for maintaining healthy skin and eyes along with boosting your immune system. So, don’t forget to buy carrots, oranges, papayas, pumpkins, pineapples, etc.
• Green | Chlorophyll imparts a green color to fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables and broccoli are amazing sources of B vitamins like riboflavin and folic acid. They are good in vitamin C, calcium, iron and fiber.
• Blue & Purple | Anthocyanins are responsible for giving a blue or purple color. These powerful antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to your cells, in turn protecting you from different types of cancers, premature aging, heart diseases, stroke, etc. Examples include eggplants, blueberries, plums, prunes, purple grapes, etc.

Tips that will Promote Healthy Eating Habits

Eat the right type of foods at the right time and in the right amounts. Eating right will keep your brain active, helping you concentrate better. It will directly prevent lethargy and fatigue, helping your body tick for long hours without facing a breakdown. Remember the Sunnah of filling your stomach with 1/3 food, 1/3 water and leaving the remaining 1/3 portion of your stomach empty.

1. Eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruits juices. When you do have juice, fresh fruit juices are better than canned/bottled juices.
2. Whole grains always score higher than refined products.
3. Lean meat, chicken and fish are amazing in terms of nutrients.
4. Substitute high fat milk with skim milk.
5. Eating 4 to 6 small meals vs. 3 large meals will force your body to work constantly to break down the food particles, giving you a constant dose of energy.
6. Do not gulp down food. Proper and slow chewing will not only break down the food particles, making it easier for your digestive system to utilize the nutrients properly, but will also prevent overeating, aiding in weight loss.
7. Skipping breakfast should never be an option! It is called “break fast” because you are literally breaking your fast (by not eating for at least 6-8 hours that you spent sleeping). Therefore, your body needs fuel early in the morning. Skipping breakfast will force you to munch foods at abnormal times, forcing you to put on weight. Decreased work output becomes inevitable.
8. Junk foods are just that: JUNK! So, stay away from them. (Easier said than done, but when you begin to switch out sugary foods for healthy alternatives, your body will adapt and it will soon begin to reject the unhealthy options that may have once been a temptation!)

How to Snack Healthily

This is by far the most favorite topic amongst teenagers, office goers, stay at home mothers, kids,  or just about everyone. Snacking is considered to be more interesting than eating boring meals regularly. Did you know that by snacking smartly, you can burn more calories by forcing your body to work hard and increase its metabolic rate? This doesn’t mean you can reach for the junk food: Here’s how to snack wisely:

1. Munching an apple or a pear is a great option for snacking. Packed with the right amount of calories and fiber, these fruits will keep you active and satiated.
2. If you find these fruits boring, try hummus which is packed with proteins and unsaturated fat. Apart from being delicious, hummus will boost your body with amazing amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Add nutritious veggies like celery, zucchini slices or carrot into hummus. You can also dip whole grain crackers. However, moderation is a key. Don’t convert your snack time into mealtime(A word of caution: The safety of hummus during pregnancy is highly debated, therefore, pregnant women are requested to consult their doctor before consuming hummus.)
3. Adding blueberries, cherries or just about any type of fruit into low fat yogurt is an amazing snack option to consider. A handful of nuts sprinkled on top adds to the nutrient content.
4. French fries can be replaced with vegetable soups or chicken soups. They add a lot of minerals and vitamins and are very low in terms of calories.

Cook & Prepare Meals the Healthy Way

While most people concentrate on eating the right type of foods, many forget to inculcate the right type of cooking practices. Improper cooking practices will destroy several nutrients that could have otherwise been saved.

1. Remember to steam vegetables wherever possible instead of boiling them. This will save the veggies from being exposed to high amounts of heat, preventing nutrient loss.
2. Do not soak vegetables for a long time in water and throw the water away. By doing so, you are flushing nearly 50 percent of the water-soluble vitamins down the drain.
3. Broiling or baking instead of frying will help in nutrient retention.
4. Do not wash fruits or vegetables after peeling the skin.
5. Do not expose fruits or vegetables to atmosphere after chopping them into pieces or after peeling the skin. This will lead to excessive destruction of vitamin C. Consume them immediately.
6. Do not wash whole grains excessively. Washing grains repeatedly will lead to an enormous amount of nutrient loss.

How Overeating or Under-Eating Can Decrease Productivity

Overeating will result in excessive production of serotonins, making you feel drowsy. Additional fat consumption will cause numerous diseases to wreck havoc in your life. Under-eating, on the other hand, is extremely dangerous. This will force your brain and body to work on a negative energy balance, resulting in a complete shutdown.

Take Breaks!

Staring at the computer screen for long hours will damage your eyes and your health, decreasing your concentration power. Remember, your body has a right over you and you should not force it to work like a machine.

Take a break every 30 minutes by looking away from the screen. Use your five-minute break to make a quick dua, recite a few verses of the Quran, or even to breathe deeply and finish it off with Alhamdulillah. Recite Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim as much as you can in one minute to earn extra reward.[1]

Wasting time is not an option for Productive Muslims. You can also pray two quick nafil rakats. This will boost your work output and spiritual life.

The Secret to a Healthy Lifestyle: Small Consistent Steps

Eating healthily will not deprive your taste buds of savoring delicious foods. Additionally, you do not have to bring about overwhelming changes in the way you eat to live healthy. Small changes like those mentioned above will bring about significant results, insha’Allah:  Remember, small consistent deeds are more beloved to Allah (glorified and exalted be He).[2]

References:
1)    Abu Hurairah reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)’.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

2)    A’isha said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The deeds most loved by Allah (are those) done regularly, even if they are small.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

The post Transform Your Unhealthy Eating Habits for a Better You appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

The post Increase Your Energy with Energy-Rich Foods appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

The post What Are You Striving for: Dunya or Akhirah? appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Although some latest scientific research has thrown immense light on the marvellous benefits that different types of foods provide to our body, did you know that these properties were discovered hundreds of years ago by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions?

Even with enormous advancement in technology, we are battling a larger number of diseases than what our grandparents had to deal with. So, where exactly are we going wrong? Let us turn back the pages in history and rewind 1,400 years to discover the amazing health secrets Prophet Muhammad (S) and his civilisation were applying in their lives through the types of foods they had incorporated in their daily diet.

Listed below are five super foods you will find may affect your productivity levels:

• Honey:

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire. But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire.”
(Sahih Bukhari)

The Quran testifies to the healing nature of honey, when Allah says: “And your Lord revealed to the bee saying: Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build: Then eat of all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many colors, in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.” (Surah An-Nahl, Verses 68-69)

Did you know that honey could be used for treating stress, anemia, burns, insomnia, osteoporosis, and abdominal pain? It can also kick off fatigue, digestion related problems; relieve symptoms of sore throat and nasal congestion. So instead of pumping your body with artificial supplements to boost your immune system, utilize an efficient supplement like Kratom Earth to cure your physical and psychological ailments.

However, have you ever heard about prostadine, a Prostate health supplement? What does Prostadine legit offer? This is a trending dropper dietary supplement that corrects prostate problems and also cleanses urinary system! Why not also try it? In addition, if you’re looking for an anti-aging supplement, try using NMN by GenuinePurity, which will help you feel younger and improve your energy level.

• Dates:

These were an indispensable part of the Prophetic diet. Packed with high quality sugars like sucrose and fructose, dates act as instant energy boosters. They are easy to digest and have a plethora of water-soluble vitamins along with crucial minerals like calcium and iron. Dates have been mentioned more than twenty times in the Quran under various situations, highlighting the immense importance these wonder foods possess.

It is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “If somebody takes pressed dates every morning, he will not be effected by poison or magic on that day till night.” (Sahih Bukhari 7:663)

• Milk:

If you were thinking milk was purely meant for children, think again! As a drink, it was the custom of our Prophet (S) to have a combination of dates and milk to get the best out of both. Apart from being rich in calcium, did you know that milk provides several vitamins and minerals in the right proportions, helping your stomach digest and utilize them to the maximum? They are extremely rich in proteins too. These build up your immune system, helping you fight off microorganisms.

• Whole grains:

After the hullaballoo of fast foods, people have gone back to traditional methods of including whole grains in their diet. Brown bread has become the latest fad with every diet conscious person swearing about the numerous health benefits. Whole grains are packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and fiber.

What does this mean for you? Well, by including whole grains, you are giving your body a perfect concoction of super beneficial nutrients. In other words, you are keeping obesity, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, digestive problems and cancer at bay inshaAllah.

Whenever a person of the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) fell sick then it was ordered that the barley gruel should be prepared for him. Then he used to state: “It removes the grief of the patient’s heart, removes its weakness as any of you removes the dirt from your face after washing it”. (Ibn Majah). Barley, oats, brown bread and whole wheat are some options you can consider.

• Olive oil:

 Scientists vouch for it, nutritionists cannot get enough of it and it holds an enviable place in the family of cooking oils. Allah also mentions it in the Quran. (See Chapter 24, Verse 35)

Olive oil is power packed with antioxidants that can prevent cancer and premature aging. It is extremely rich in unsaturated fats, preventing the possibility of you developing cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol related problems.

One of the Companions, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: “Eat the olive oil and apply it (locally), since there is cure for seventy diseases in it, one of them is leprosy.” (Abu Naim)

In the above article on Blog Action Day I hope to have inspired you to revive your intake of some of these super energy foods with multiple benefits. It’s evident that the Islamic civilisation and history offer practical ways forward in consumption of food. What scientific discoveries are revealing today was understood and exploited hundreds of years ago!

With the verse of Allah which means: “Oh mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth” (Chapter 2, Verse 168) it is not surprising to learn that the Prophet and Muslims have been using several foods for curing mild to severe forms of sickness. I hope the aforementioned foods will be a part of your daily diet and you’ll share tips below on other super energy foods you love!

The post Top Energy Foods to Increase Productivity appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.