The Zakat Foundation of America

Aug 13, 2010

As the blessed month of Ramadan is upon us, I want to remind all of you and myself of the importance of preparing to enter this great month with a physical and mental exercise in order to reap the benefits, and ultimately get the greatest prize of all, which is the freedom from hell fire. Since Ramadan will be during the summer I would like to share with you a few tips that will help us fast safely.

Since the days are very long, Suhor becomes essential. Make sure that, instead of eating refined carbohydrates which do not last in your body for long, eat complex carbohydrates which will last much longer and feed your body throughout most of the day. Foods such as dates are a staple in Ramadan and will help you fast.

Other foods with complex carbohydrates include bread, corn and lentils. During Iftar, limit any fried foods, as these do not last long in the stomach. Instead, eat foods which are high in complex carbohydrates, such as dates, almonds, fruits, vegetables, grains and seeds.

Remember also not to overeat as that does not compensate for not eating the whole day. Instead, it can make you quite sick.

Keep cool and wear light cotton clothes that will allow your skin to breathe and stay in the shade. The heat causes you to lose a lot of water, and since you are fasting, you will not be able to immediately replace it until the fasting period ends. Thus keeping cool and staying in the shade or indoors can help you to retain water levels. After the fasting period ends, make sure you drink a lot of fluids to replace lost water, and to keep water levels balanced. This will help make your fast easier the next day, since your water levels are balanced.

I pray to Allah (SWT) that we reach and reap the benefits of the month of Ramadan in this life and the Hereafter and be among those that are freed from the Hellfire. Ameen.

Wassalam Alaikum, M. A. Hamadeh

*M. A. Hamadeh, MD, FCCP is president of MECCA. We thank him for his permission to present this article to you.