Ihyaaul Islaam Volume 1, Issue 8

ممﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣ ﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣ

In this month it is compulsory for every mature male and female to fast from before sunrise until sunset, Allah Ta’aala has made fasting in this month the fourth pillar of Islaam. The reward for fasting is magnanimous. It exceeds whatever our minds can conjure. Rasūlullah ﷺ has mentioned that: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah ﷻ, said: Except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for My sake.” The Muhaditheen stated that this means the reward for fasting is multiplied for than seven hundredfold. Allah Ta'aala says that fasting is for Him, and that He is the One Who will reward for it, on the basis of His generosity and kindness, without meaning that the multiple reward for their fasting is like the reward for other deeds. This is something that cannot be expressed; rather He will reward them with that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever crossed the mind of man. This hadith points out the reason for singling out this reward for fasting, and tells us that the fasting person gives up the desires of his nafs that he is naturally inclined to love and to give precedence to over other things, and that are also necessary for him, but the fasting person gives precedence to the love of his Lord over these things, so he gives them up in a manner that no one could know about except Allah, therefore his love for Allah becomes more important and overwhelms any other natural inclinations, and seeking the pleasure of his Lord takes precedence over attaining his own whims and desires.

The month of Ramadaan is also synonymous with being the month of the Qur’aan. In this month, Allah Ta'aala revealed the great blessing of the Qur'aan Kareem. Therefore, we should try and spend as much time as possible reciting, studying and reflecting over the Qur’aan Kareem

It is a great month, a noble season, a month in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied tremendously and likewise, in which committing sayi’aat i.e, sins is more serious. Many times we think nothing of committing sins during Ramadaan, spending the entire day watching Haraam, backbiting, and spending the day doing futile activities just to pass time. The essence of fasting is not to starve and wait for the day to pass by indulging in futility. Our mindsets have become warped. The essence of fasting is staying away from perfectly lawful things such as food and drink because Allah Ta'aala hascommanded us to for that period. It is to strive and accumulate as many good deeds as we can. Ramadaan has such a great status, an act of worship done during this month is especially virtuous and its reward is greatly multiplied, and a sin committed during this month is seventy times worse and more serious than a sin committed at any other time. For example, watching one hour of television in Ramadhaan is equal in terms of sin to watching seventy hours. It is incumbent upon us to exercise great caution in this month and constantly make Istighfaar for our shortcomings.

During this month the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of Jahannum are shut, and the Shayaateen are chained up Thus one should make every effort to strive and do good. Allah Ta’aala has placed Laylatul Qadr in this month. Rasūlullah ﷺ said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Abu Hurayrah ﻪﻨﻋﷲﻲﺿر said: Rasūlullah ﷺ said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Bukhari]

dvices 20 Ramadaan for

1. Fast Ramadhaan with belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah the Most High so that He may forgive you your past sins

2 Beware of breaking your fast during the days of Ramadhann without a valid Islamic excuse, for it is from the greatest of sins.

3. Pray 20 rakats Salatut-Taraweeh and the night prayer during the nights of Ramadhaan – especially on Layatul-Qadr (last 10 odd nights) – based on belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah, so that Allah may forgive you your past sins.

4. Make sure that your food, your drink and your clothing are from halal means, in order that your actions be accepted, and your supplications answered. Beware of refraining from the halal while fasting and breaking your fast with the haram

5 Give food to some fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs.

6. Perform your five prayers on time (in congregation for men) to gain the reward and Allahs protection.

7. Give a lot of charity for the best charity is that of Ramadhaan.

8. Beware of spending your time without performing righteous deeds, for you will be responsible and reckoned for it and will be rewarded for all you do during your time.

9. Perform Umrah in Ramadhaan for `Umrah in Ramadhaan is equal to Hajj

10 Seek help for fasting during the day by eating the Suhoor meal in the last part of the night before the appearance of Fajr.

11. Hasten breaking your fast after the sun has truly set in order to gain the love of Allah

12. Perform ghusl before Fajr if you need to purify yourself from the state of major impurity so that you are able to do acts of worship in a state of purity and cleanliness.

13. Sieze the opportunity of being in Ramadhaan and spend it with the good that has been revealed in it by reciting the noble Qur'aan and pondering and reflection of its meanings so that it be a proof for you with your Lord and an intercessor for you on the Day of Reckoning.

14. Preserve your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for it decreases the reward of fasting

15. Do not let fasting cause you to cross your boundaries by getting upset due to the slightest of reasons. Rather, fasting should be a cause of peacefulness and tranquility for your soul.

16. Upon the completion of fasting, be in a state of taqwa of Allah the Most High, being aware of Allah watching you in secret and in public, in thankfulness for His favors, and steadfastness upon obedience of Allah by doing all what He has ordered and shunning all that He has prohibited.

17. Increase in remembrance of Allah, seeking of forgiveness, asking for Paradise and protection against the Fire, especially when fasting, while breaking the fast and during Suhoor, for these actions are among greatest causes of attaining Allah’s forgiveness

18. Increase making Duaa for yourself, your parents, your children and all Muslims, for Allah Ta’aala has ordered the making of Duaa and has guaranteed acceptance.

19. Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance in all times by leaving sins, regretting those that you have done before and firmly deciding not to return to them in the future, for Allah accepts repentance of those who repent

20 Fast the six days of Shawwal, for whoever fasts Ramadhān and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasts all the time

Without thinking of death in abundance, we will have no inclination to reform. Life will rotate around eating, sleeping, and accumulating. We will be lulled into a false sense of security until the bubble of life bursts. Rasûlullah ﷺ forewarned us: “Think of the obliterator of pleasures (death) in abundance ” Thoughts and discussions of death, extinguishes the joys of life Observe how the T V is not only switched off, but even covered and stored away, in a funeral home Everyone forgets the World Cup, the World News and their favourite programs Maut’s icy presence freezes all debates and pleasures Rasûlullah ﷺ advised Hadhrat Umar

to count himself amongst the dwellers of the Qabr. The thought of the Qabr as one’s home, will lessen the love of the World. Rasûlullah ﷺ said: “Love of the world is the root of all evils.” By thinking of the evil nature of the world; the violence, bloodshed, wars, crime, sicknesses, hypocrisy, jealousy and pain, we will treasure our Imaan which has taught us about another existence – the existence of a beautiful Hereafter However, the quality of that life is dependent upon the deeds we perform in this life If our actions are wrong, they require reformation; if they are right, then we need to be grateful, and with the Fadhl (grace) of Allah Ta’ala, they need to be constantly supervised and taken account of. Good deeds are only good, if they are in tune with The Shari’ah and The Sunnah, otherwise they are rejected by Allah. Ramadaan is supposed to affect both the stomach and the heart. We all experience empty stomachs; but what about empty hearts? The purpose of fasting is to fast the heart from pleasures and feast the heart with Allah Ta’ala’s Dhikr, Love, and Fear Once Rasûlullah ﷺ pointed at his Mubarak heart and said thrice: “Taqwa lies here ” Allah Ta’ala states: “But their hearts are blind”, and “but their hearts are diseased” A sick heart, a blind heart is the worst calamity that can befall one – for such a heart cannot see the Truth, nor sense its own evil. Thus, let us exercise great caution: Let the heart not become blind, let the heart not become diseased! Not only is an empty stomach the key to the heart, it also empties the brain of self-deception, etc. Ramadaan is a time to open the door of the heart and look into it. Is it immersed in Tauheed – fully comprehending that harms and benefits are ONLY from One Allah? Does it possess such Taqwa that it beats in tune with The Shariah? Is the heart free to wander and roam in the Divine Love of Allah Ta’ala? Is its state of Dhikr a wall of fire against Shaytaanic Wasaawis (whisperings)?

Can the Taqwa of the heart crush the craving for name, fame and wealth? Most importantly, has its Taqwa sufficient power to spotlight our own deficiencies to us? Yes, Ramadaan is the time to have that nice, thorough annual “check-up” As we all know, fasting is the ultimate form of submitting the heart to Allah Ta’ala, because the heart is forced to surrender its joys of eating, drinking and cohabitation. This is exactly the type of submission which our Rabb wants from us daily in every aspect of our lives. In our Ibaadah, our business dealings, our relationship with our families, our laughter, our sorrows, our sleeping, our eating, our seeing, our hearing, our walking and in our breathing – this submission, this Taqwa is to be the goal Taqwa and only Taqwa matters Ramadaan is ONLY the starting point and a training period for the Rooh to make Taqwa its mission in life Cut the desires, chop the Nafs, trim the heart, let the Imaan be strengthened and the Rooh be enslaved to Allah’s Commands. Whilst fasting, the entire body is in a state of Sabr, in submission and in obedience. The Rooh, dressed in this garb of Taqwa, will then happily submit itself to Malakul-Maut. ONLY then will it submit itself happily to Malakul-Maut, otherwise it will rebel! How to judge our fasts? Are we only staying hungry and thirsty or is our Taqwa becoming stronger? Fasting without contemplation, is denying the fast of its essence Hadhrat Moulana Maseehullah (Rahmatullahi Alayh) explains how to monitor and build up Taqwa :“Just as strategies and tactics are employed in worldly affairs, so too should they be utilized in Deeni Affairs With the Fadl of Allah Ta’ala, this lowly servant has formulated a strategy in order that a Taalib-eSaadiq (a sincere seeker of the Truth) may beforehand be prepared for combating his Nafs and Shaytaan. Think deeply over what you will do if Allah Ta’ala tests you. By conducting the following spiritual exercises, we will be able to discern whether our fasting is merely a ritual or whether it has benefited us Someone made a mistake in a transaction involving thousands of rands You are in a desperate financial situation and need the money Shaytaan tells you to take it and that you will somehow repay him later Will you give in to the urges of greed of the heart? Your spouse makes you angry. You are furious and upset. Do you lose your temper or do you have Sabr (patience) and Hilm (tolerance)? What effect is the fast having upon your heart? Humility or arrogance? No matter how difficult, we should turn our gazes and hearts away from sin; let us return the money to its owner, let us make a little Sabr at the anger of our partner. Yes, let us please Allah Ta’ala! Only then, would Ramadaan have benefited us Otherwise, know that a lifetime of Ramadaans, a lifetime of I’itikaaf and a lifetime of Laylatul-Qadrs will come and go – and we will remain where we were – just like last year and the year before! Until, one day, when Maut will come unexpectedly

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As we, along with our Muslim brethren around the world prepare to welcome the auspicious days of Ramadhān, it is imperative that we capitalize on the innumerable benefits that lay in our view. The benefits Allāh Rabbul Izzah provides through fasting are indeed many. Fasting boosts energy levels, improves brain health, clarity, mood, gut and heart health, regulates blood sugar levels, cleanses and repairs damaged cells, decreases inflammation and aids in weight loss However, quite often we find that year after year, we experience the opposite effects during Ramadhān The reason is simple the effects of fasting is truly dependant on the quality of our diet. What we choose to eat at Sehri & Iftaar results in sluggishness, brainfog, and fatigue or the innumerable benefits as mentioned, by the will of Allah, The Most Kind. A step in this direction of guidance is found at the most integral sources of ultimate success; ﻪﻴﺒﻧ ﺔﻨﺳ و ﷲ مﻼﻛ, the Noble Quraan and the perfect example of Rasūlullah ﷺ. Therein, we will learn, that just as it is necessary to nurture our spiritual bodies, the nurturing of our physical bodies, must be given due importance. Allah Ta’aala advises the believers:

Ohyouwhobelieve,eatfromthepurethingswhichWehaveprovidedforyouandbe gratefultoAllahifitisindeedHewhomyouworship [2:172]

A clear connection is made between consuming pure, wholesome food, which is the energy source through which our limbs are powered, and the worship of Allah ﷻ. The blessed month of Ramadhān is actually an excellent starting point to reflect on this, and to start working on small changes that can last beyond this month. It is the perfect time to develop healthy eating habits as we are already exercising our willpower and nafs during the day. While fasting, the body enters a detoxification state, and therefore, eating wholesome meals will support the detox and amplify its effect. Eating wholesome foods lessens the chance of consuming food with doubtful ingredients and unhealthy preservatives, which in turn boosts spirituality and capability towards ibaadaat Here are some tips and simple swaps that can be made to nourish our bodies and attain maximum benefit this Ramadhān, Insha Allah:

Sehri:

Never skip Sehri. This meal is indeed a mercy from Allāh, not given to previous nations. It is the bodys primary source of energy throughout the day. For Suhūr it is recommended to have high fiber, slow digesting foods that satisfy hunger for longer. Oats, Talbinah, and fiber rich fruit are excellent options for Suhūr. Rasūlullah ﷺ used to eat dates for Suhūr and encouraged thus, “The best Suhūr for the believer is dates.” (Abu Dawūd)

Dates:

Dates are a power house of nutrients and an instant source of energy They are high in sugar, fiber, iron, potassium and magnesium. Consuming dates allows one to feel satiated for an extended period of time, making it a perfect food to start the fast with. Sweet food is the fastest food to reach the liver and when one eats ripe dates the liver accepts it, benefits from it and then transfers the benefit to the rest of the organs of the body.” After this process the body is ready to accept and digest additional food. Thus, ideally and keeping in line with the Sunnah, the fast should be broken with a date and after praying the Maghrib prayer, a meal should be eaten This gives the body ample time to prepare itself for the sudden increase in food intake It is important to note that Rasūlullah ﷺ ate a date and performed his Maghrib Salaah without delay. The unfortunate habit of eating to one's fill and performing the Maghrib Salaah at a much later time is in total contrast to the Sunnah.

Quality food:

It is essential to eat wholesome food which provides lasting energy. A light, healthy and filling breakfast is best. Try to include the following in every Sehri (& Iftar).

• Protein: An energy source which balances blood sugar & prevents sugar cravings.

Options: eggs, chicken, meat, chickpeas, beans, nuts & seeds.

• Complex Carbs: Rich in fibre & releases energy throughout the day

Options: grains such as oats or brown rice, vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, onions and tomatoes & lastly, fruits such as dates, bananas, apples and pears.

• Healthy Fats: Essential for good health, energy, as well as immune funtion.

Options: Oily fish, avocados, butter, olive oil, coconut oil, chia seeds, flax seeds & unsalted nuts.

• Dairy products: Provides essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium.

Options: milk, cheese, yogurt.

Hydration:

Drink plenty of fluids, aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluids per day. Hydrate using the following options

• Water

• Herbal teas without caffeine

• Coconut water Tip: If you struggle with migraines and dehydration whilst fasting, aim for drinking coconut water, at least 2 glasses at sehri Due to the electrolytes found within, it is often more hydrating than regular water.

• Consuming hydrating vegetables such as cucumber and watermelon. (Did you know? It is sunnah to eat dates together with cucumber or watermelon as it balances the heat of dates. SubhaanAllah.) Tea and coffee are not wise options for Suhūr as caffeine is a diuretic, not providing sufficient hydration and causing loss of liquids along with essential minerals. To prevent headaches and general feeling of ill-health, hydration is key. From the time of Iftār, through the night devotions and during Suhūr drink enough water to hydrate the body whilst fasting Ramadhān is an excellent opportunity to rid ourselves of addictions to caffeinated drinks and create healthy habits that have a lasting impact all year round.

Early rising:

Why? To chew. Wake up early enough to eat at a moderate pace, in order to chew well without a rush. This will aid in energy levels as the body requires more energy to digest food that isn't chewed well This also gives time to sip on water (3 glasses at least) slowly without chugging Bonus: early awakening gives time for Tahajjud.

If eating early is difficult on you, then at least have a few dates, healthy porridge, and hydrate well.

Iftaar:

This is the time to replenish energy and recharge for taraweeh and other ibaadaat. Nabi ﷺ would eat 3 dates to break the fast, then read salaah. In this time, the stomach cools down and is then prepared to take in food. According to research, it’s not advisable to consume large meals right after breaking the fast. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realise that food has been consumed and it then sends signals to the rest of the body In this practice of Rasūlullah ﷺ, the wisdom behind the short break of Salaah between breaking the fast with water or dates, and thereafter indulging in a wholesome meal is clear. Soup is a good option to start off the meal with. It is during the Iftar meal that we often overindulge and eat too much foods that are low in nutritious value. It is a cause for concern that especially in this holy month, when the nafs should be kept in check, extravagant menus and a multitude of dishes are consumed. Fasting during the daylight hours has several health benefits. When the body is fasting and not occupied with the process of digestion, the organs are given an opportunity to rejuvenate and restore themselves, in turn allowing the one who fasts to recover from various ailments However, if a person overeats in the evening and indulges in heavy, fatty foods, this offsets the physical benefits of fasting. It is generally presumed that due to restraining from food and drink during the daylights hours, the body needs increased input during the non-fasting hours. This is not the case as the body regulates itself whilst fasting and has the opportunity to utilize its storage of body fat. To maximize the physical benefits of fasting it is desirable to eat less but have a balanced diet which taps into the major food groups.

Effort should be made to consume a balanced meal. Eat food which contain essential nutrients & minerals that the body needs:

• Incorporate plenty of vegetables to provide vital vitamins and nutrients.

• Choose whole grains, such as rice, which provide the body with energy and fiber

• Enjoy grilled or baked lean meat, chicken, and fish, to get a good portion of healthy protein.

• Opt for healthy cooking methods such as stir-fried, steamed, grilled, baked, or soupy dishes.

• Drink sufficient fluids to replenish fluid loss during the day. In fact, be sure to hydrate between iftaar and sehri as well.

• Follow the sehri list for iftaar as well.

What to limit in Ramadhaan?

• White Refined Carbs such as white flour, pastries etc. Opt for whole grains.

• Processed, High Sugar Foods & Carbonated Drinks.

• Deep Fried Foods: especially if fried in seed oils such as sunflower, canola, etc. These oils are high in inflammation and increases fatigue and exhaustion. Opt for frying in ghee or coconut oil.

• Salt: causes excessive thirst

• Caffeine: moderation is key, otherwise it leads to dehydration

Majority of the above foods lead to inflammation, fatigue, weight gain and "crashing" the next day.

Insha-Allah, simple swaps and changes to our diets will aid in a better fasting experience and health. The greatest benefit is being able to make use of Ramadhaan efficiently, to worship Allah with vigour and strength.

Instead of spending the days stocking the pantry and freezer with delights to feast on when the sun sets, let us focus our attention on perfecting our ibādah (worship) so that we may work towards savouring the bountiful treats of Jannah without having to worry about clogged arteries or accumulating extra kilos!

Remember, Ramadhaan is the month to cry, not fry. Cry more, fry less. - Ml Dawood Seedat.

May Allah Rabbul Izzah grant us the Taufeeq to spend Ramadhān in His pleasure, Ámîn.

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SOME ETIQUETTES OF SOME ETIQUETTES OF SOME ETIQUETTES OF THE QURAAN SHAREEF THE QURAAN SHAREEF THE QURAAN SHAREEF

There are great rewards promised for the reciter of the Holy Qur’ān: Rasūlullah said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and the good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” [At- Tirmidhi].

The Holy Qur’ān is definitely one of the greatest gifts that Allah has bestowed on this human and is the most sacred and revered book ever. As Muslims, we must show respect, reverence, dignity and honour for the Holy Qur’ān. This is what is referred to as Aadaab or etiquettes of the Holy Qur’ān.

A person is permitted to recite the Qur’ān in any posture – standing, sitting on the floor, sitting on a chair/sofa, walking, sitting in a car, lying down etc. Reciting the Qur’ān in these positions is permitted providing that reciter in not in the state of major impurity (haidh, janaabat) and not adopting a posture to purposely disrespect the Qur’ān. If he is reading from the Holy Qur’ān (Mus-haf / text), then the respect for that holy text will demand that he does not lie down or stretch his legs out and that he places the Qur’an in a slightly elevated position. Having clarified this, it is definitely better because of the dignity and reverence of the Qur’ān, to recite it while seated, facing the Qiblah, understanding what one is reading, and contemplating its meanings – in this way we can completely benefit from our recitation.

Firstlyensurethatone’sbodyandclothesareclean

Performwudhuandthensitfacingtheqiblahinanextremelydignifiedmanner. UseMiswaakbeforerecitingtheQur’an

PlacetheQur’aninaslightlyelevatedposition.Neverplaceitontheground. Donotproceedfast,butreadwithmeasureandcorrectpronunciation.

Submit your heart to the subject-matter of the verses you are reading For instance, on reciting an ayaat containing a message of mercy, the heart should be filled with delight. And on an ayaatofchastisement,theheartshouldtremblewithfear.

Reading should be in a low voice, if insincerity is apprehended on your own part or disturbance iscausedtoothers.Otherwisereadinaloudvoice.

Readinamelodiousvoice,becausetherearenumerousahaadithlayingemphasisonthis.

Dwelluponthemeaningsandenjoyreadingit

Once one has begun, not to interrupt one ’ s recital from moment to moment with human words, unlessabsolutelynecessary.

Be careful that one does not put their back towards the Quran or spread their legs towards the QuranorsitinahighplacewhentheQuranisbeneath.

DonotplaceotherbooksupontheQuran,thisshouldalwaysbehigherthanallotherbooks And if one finishes reciting the entire Qur’an, to begin it anew, that it may not resemble somethingthathasbeenabandoned.

Q: Am I allowed to apply Vaseline or lip-balm on my lips whilst fasting?

A: It is permissible provided nothing goes down the throat. However,it is best that one abstains from using Vaseline or lip-balm whilst fasting if there is no real need. The same ruling is for flavoured lip-balms.

Q: What is the best food for Sehri?

A: It is mentioned by Hadhrat Abu Huraira (R.A) that Rasulullah (S.A.W) said,"The best food for Sehri is dates." (Abu Dawood)

Q: Do ladies have to perform Taraweeh?

A: It is Sunnah Muakkadah for males and females to perform 20 rakaats

Taraweeh Salaah. It is sinful to omit it.

Q: Does bleeding from the nose break the fast?

A: Bleeding of the nose does not break the fast irrespective of the amount. However, if blood goes down the throat then the fast will be broken and the Qadha will be compulsory.

Q: Who is entitled to Sadaqatul Fitr?

A: Only those people who are entitled to receive Zakaah are eligible for Sadaqatul Fitr, and the recipient must be a Muslim.

Q: Is it permissable to use eye drops whilst fasting?

A: Yes

Q: Is it permissible for a person to take an injection while fasting and will the fast be nullified?

A: It is permissible for a person to take an injection while fasting. Fast is valid.

Q: Does incense burning (bukhoor) and inhaling the scent break fast?

A: If it is inhaled intentionally then the fast will break.

Q: If whilst fasting, water goes down the throat when gargling the mouth or rinsing the nose in Wudhu or Ghusl will the fast break?

A: If one was aware that he was fasting at the time the water seeped down the throat or nostril the fast will break. If one was unaware of him being in the state of fasting the fast will not break.

Q: After eating forgetfully a fasting person intentionally ate assuming that his fast had already broken. Does the fast now become nullified? If so will Qadha as well as Kaffarah become Waajib or only Qadha?

A: The fast will now become nullified. Only Qadha will be Waajib.

Q: Is it permissible to use ear-drops and nose-drops whilst fasting and will they nullify the fast?

A: Using ear-drops and nose-drops whilst fasting is impermissible and will nullify the fast.

Q: Whilst fasting, if the gums begin to bleed and the blood flows down the throat will the fast break? If so will both Qadha and Kaffarah be Waajib or only Qadha?

A: If the blood which was swallowed with the saliva was more than the saliva or equal to it then the fast will break and only qadha will be waajib If the blood was less than the saliva then the fast will not break.

Q: Is it compulsory for a Musaafir to fast whilst on a journey?

A: It is not compulsory for a Musaafir to fast whilst on a journey. Sharee’at has granted him a concession not to fast and to make up for the missed fast upon returning home after the month of Ramadhaan. However, if the Musaafir is able to fast during his journey then this is more rewarding.

Respect Respect

FOR FOR

There was once a fire worshipper who saw his son eating in the presence of Muslims during the month of Ramadhān. He immediately hit him and reprimanded him saying, “Why do you show disregard for the sanctity and respect of the Muslims during the month of Ramadhān?” It so happened that the fire worshipper passed away that very week. Soon after, the ‘Aalim of that locality had a dream in which he saw the fire worshipper in Jannah! In the dream, he asked him, “Were you not a fire worshipper?”

The man replied, “I was a fire worshipper. However, shortly before I passed away, Allah Ta‘ala honoured me, by inspiring me to accept Islam, due to the respect that I had shown for the month of Ramadhān.”

(Nuzhatul Majaalis pg. 201)

Air-fryer tips

Asair-fryer’sbecomemorepopularandaffordableastheyearsgoby,manypeoplefindthemselves withthesegadgets,butarenotquitesureofitsfullpotential.Listedbelowaresometipsforyour convenience:

No need to preheat! Use as little oil as possible

Use oil from a reusable spray bottle instead of a non stick spray as it leaves a residue in the airfryer basket

Use an air fryer liner (silicone or paper) for crumbed foods or when you'd like the food to retain sauce or with sticky food as this helps to avoid having to wash air fryer basket

Add a slice of bread to the bottom of the basket to collect extra grease which will result in an easier clean up. (Remember don't throw the bread away after doing this! Crush it into smaller pieces and give it to the birds or chickens. Food must never be thrown in the bin!!)

All dishes/pans that are suitable for an oven will be suitable for an air fryer Avoid placing hot air fryer basket on surfaces that could burn and are not heat friendly

Add a little water at the bottom of the air fryer basket if cooking foods that are fatty and smoke easily (chicken wings)

For an even cook or browning, don't overcrowd or stack foods on top of each other, rather place them alongside each other

Use breadcrumbs for breading foods instead of flour and eggs as it will not be the same as deepfrying

Soak skewers in water before using to prevent them from burning

Wipe out any residue with paper towel and immediately soak the air fryer basket after cooking with warm water and dishwashing liquid

Clean the inside of the airfryer often (by the element) not

just the basket as it gets caked with grease and grime

14 Never scrub the basket with anything harsh/ rough as this ruins or could remove the non stick layer of the basket

17. Best place to position the air fryer is under the stove's hood.

18. Air fryers are best for hot weather as it does not heat up the home the same way an oven does.

19. An Air fryer is the way to go for reheating leftovers!

20.Simply remove the basket and shake it to turn food contents that do not require careful turning (potatoes veggies, liquid)

21. Clean the inside of the airfryer often (by the element) and not just the basket as it gets caked with grease and grime

22. Foil is air fryer friendly

23.Hand wash the air fryer basket and avoid using the dishwasher

24.The air fryer can be used for roasting chickpeas, nuts etc.

air fryerPIES

Set air fryer to 180 c and bake pies for 12 minutes.

Remember! Every air fryer is different, so experiment with your one for perfect timings.

If you don’t have an air fryer, a thermo-fan oven does the same thing! Just give or take 15 minutes extra.

AamliChutney:

250g Red Amli soaked in 3/4 cup water and vinegar

Handful of red dry chillies soaked in water

6 cloves garlic

1tsp salt

3 1/2 tsp fine red chillies

2 tsp whole mustard seeds

3/4 cup white vinegar

1 Tblsp Methi

2 tablespoons sugar

Salt

3 tablespoon oil

2 Tablespoon

sesame seeds

Curry leaves

1 bottle tomato sauce

4 Tablespoon sweet

chilli sauce

Chut Chut neys neys

METHOD:

Soak aamli in water and and 1 cup of vinegar overnight. Remove seeds and strain. Blend garlic and soaked chillies until smooth. In a saucepan fry mustard seeds, sesame seeds, and urry leaves in oil. When mustard seeds start spluttering add garlic and chillies mixture. Add chillie powder and salt. Simmer then add Aamli pulp and simmer on low heat till thick and saucy. Add in methi masala and tomato sauce about 500 ml or as required.

GreenChutney:

1 bunch dhania

1/2 green pepper

1 green apple

Salt to taste

5 green chillies

2 teaspoon crushed garlic

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1 tbsp oil

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp vinegar

RedChutney:

10 cloves garlic

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup fresh red chillies

2 tablespoons crushed red chillies

2 tablespoons Methi masala

1 bottle tomato sauce

1 small tin apricot jam (450g)

METHOD:

Blend all together until smooth.

METHOD:

Soak garlic and chillies in vinegar overnight. Add to a blender and liquidise along with all the ingredients. Make a wagaar with less than a 1/4 cup of oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add liquidized mixture to wagaar and mix well, allow to cool, bottle and store in fridge.

Write each number of Qadhaa fasts from 1 in each block. As you pay your Qadhaa back, tick off the blocks.

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MY TRACKER Quraan