.:Bullet Proof Read:.

Got date?
The blessed month of Ramadan teaches us to eat healthy.

 

A belated Ramadan Mubarak! The moon is still young though so there’s a whole lot more that can be done, may Allah help you.

 

Until my colleague came along recently, I was the youngest employee at work, with most others already in their Golden Age. It’s unsurprising then to hear of staff members or even volunteers getting down with illnesses associated with old age. No matter being somewhat accustomed to such news, it still saddens me. Especially when their conditions get worse.

 

On Monday, I was informed that one of our ex-imams’ health was deteriorating. After suffering from what they said was a mild stroke, he now can barely speak, and when he does his speech is hard to understand.

 

It broke my heart to think how one goes from being healthy (seriously, for their age, it’s amazing to see them up and about) to being so dependent upon others due to illness. How one day you could go from an active individual to being a complete vegetable. Bit scared? Well, you could always be a GOOD piece of vegetable…

 

Abu Hurairah said: “The Prophet, peace be upon him, remarked: ‘The example of a believer is like a fresh tender plant; from whichever direction the wind blows, it bends the plant. But when the wind dies down, it straightens up again. (Similarly a believer is tested by afflictions to strengthen his faith and heart, and he remains patient and firm). And an evil person is like a pine tree which remains hard and stiff until Allah breaks it whenever He wills.”

 

Eh? Well, seriously, a believer is supposed to balance in preparing himself in this life - on one hand he regards this day as possibly his last when it comes to worship, and on the other hand, he expects himself to possibly live the longest human life in terms of working in this world.

 

So what does that mean when it comes to health?

 

It means preparing yourself spiritually through practical worship:

1. Supplication: Asking Allah for the best of health.

2. Prepared in steadfastness and patience should any (serious) illness befall you.

- So much actually falls under this. Besides the basic and optional rituals akin to a Muslim’s life, what’s needed is adequate knowledge of the religion. Simply because you need to know your Lord to put full trust in Him that this is what He’s decreed and He Knows best what is good for you. Interestingly too, medicine is considered to be a valid field of Islamic knowledge.

 

At the same time it also means preparing yourself physically through working with this world:

1. Learning about/taking interest in health issues where it does/might concern you.

2. Implementing sensible, known measures - well-balanced diet, exercising, plentiful of good food recommendations in the Sunnah and general Islamic world, etc.

3. Check-ups! Know how your body is doing. What needs to be done more, what has to be avoided, etc.

 

I know I’ve arranged the above advice in such an order but obviously these steps go hand-in-hand, and usually the du’a comes after the efforts. Seriously, when you take practical preventive steps, your exclamation of “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un” (To Allah we belong and to Him we return) when some bad befalls you would be so very sincere and effective.

 

Perhaps just a few months back, I wouldn’t be the sort to give such cheesy advice, especially knowing the younger crowd that comes along here… I used to think my mum was overly paranoid with all her medicines, health programmes/talks and everything. To me, it’s like you’re healthy now, take advantage of it and live life! (As a Muslim should of course.)

 

But lately, I’ve come to realise that taking these steps is a measure of your gratitude towards that very health that Allah has granted you. It’s more than merely saying thanks to Allah. It’s more than simply performing more worship in good health while you neglect to maintain that condition. And it certainly is much more beneficial to you and even your loved ones - as your health affects them too - than simply praying, “O Allah keep me in the pink of health.”

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Vital connection: I said a chain (a chain) would do you good.

Ever had one of those days where from the moment you wake up, everything seems to go wrong? Or sometimes it starts off well then takes a sharp turn for the worst? Ever then realise that “Ahh, it must’ve been that thing I did in the morning.”?

 

It happens. Because whatever you do in this world has an effect - direct or otherwise - on whatever happens to you - either in this world or the Hereafter, or both. What you do just before leaving the house for work/school matters. Just a minor tiff between you and a family member can be enough to wreck your whole day. Start it off with a smiley farewell and the day sails smoothly. Because everything’s inter-connected.

 

You will be treated as you treat others. People fail to realise this in the long term.

 

“Righteousness never wears out, sins are not forgotten, debts are not laid to rest; so do the best you can for as you treat others, so shall you be treated.” - Abu ad-Darda’ (#773, az-Zuhd)

 

Just as the Impact and Effect of Sins are obvious, so are the fruits of good deeds. For example, see the link between as-Salah and al-Falah? Even when that consequence from good spells out a test, a believer will recognise that as an opportunity to exercise the best of patience.

 

Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim)

 

It really takes a heart of gratitude to see this.

 

Gratitude teaches man to see with God’s eye the blessings veiled in affliction.

When your iman is high, you see Allah’s Laws and Wisdom in everything. When you find it hard to make sense of something, when you face difficulty in putting two and two together, when you give up on trying to understand, when knowledge is blocked… that’s when you know your iman is low. And you need to turn up the power of dhikr.

 

Abū Hurayrah Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said that Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā says: My servant does not draw near to Me by anything better than what I have made obligatory (fard) on him, and he will continue to draw near to Me with optional (nawāfil) acts of worship until I love him. And when I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he takes, and his feet with which he walks. If he asks of Me, I shall certainly grant him his request, and if he seeks My protection, I shall certainly protect him. (Bukhārī)

Oh yeah. I hope this post is coherent enough. ;-)

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