DR.MOHAMMED
KASIM.
M.B.B.S(CALICUT)D.C.H (VIENNA)
MEDICAL DIRECTOR & PAEDIATRICIAN
AL SHIFA AL KAHLEEJI MEDICAL CENTRE
CLOCK TOWER ,DEIRA DUBAI.
The holy month of Ramadan is on our door and we are all preparing ourself
not only to do fasting but also to have the complete physical and spiritual
benefits of the Holy month. Several studies have shown that a committed fasting
with prayers and spiritual refinement improves your health. Even those persons
with diabetics , hypertension and High Cholesterol levels were able to complete
full month of fasting provided, they follow the healthy guide lines as follows.
• Drink as much as water as you can in the night
from IFTAR to Zuhoor.
• Eat more natural foods like fruits, vegetables,
rotty, bread, soup etc. and reduce salt and spice in our diet.
• Avoid fried foods, hardcore sweets and deserts.
• The modern day IFTHAR foods like SAMOOSA, CUTLETS
and all fast foods should be discouraged.
• Smoking and alcohol should be avoided completely
during Ramadan and beyond.
• Exercise should be continued during Ramadan at
nights. A brisk walking for 30 minutes after TARAVEH prayer should tone your
muscles, Reduce your blood sugar and blood pressure. It allows good digestion
of the food and not only reduce your high cholesterol level, but helps to
convert the Bad cholesterol (VLDL) to Good Cholesterol ( HDL ).
• The Incidents of kidney stone is only seen in
people, who do not drink more water daily . Those with increased risk of urinary
stones can drink alkalinizing powder mixed water to reduce the incidence of
stones.
• Fasting at day time does not mean feasting at
Night. The quantity of food taken should be reduced just enough to keep it
going.
• The saying of prophet (SAW) about eating, to fill
the stomach with 1/3rd water, 1/3rd Food and 1/3rd
EMPTY, Very True in Ramdhan as well. So
not only improve the quality of food , reduce the quantity as well. Remember
many diseases now relates to over eating. Fasting teaches us to control our
eating habits.
• Frequent Small Meals – A very small IFTHAR with
Dates ,Juices and Water before Maghrib
Prayer, then have the food after Maghrib prayer in a relaxed way. Then again light snacks or
Kanji after Tarawih prayer.(Our famous Jeerka kanji is Very Relaxating for
Stomach).Again zuhoor is recommended to avoid empty stomach for long to prevent
lowering of sugar levels at the end of fasting.
• Prayers at night ,Not only give mental Relaxation but
strengthen your Mind and Spirits. Prayers are proved to be good physical
exercise as well. Human knowledge is very
limited to divine commands and
human beings take centuries to know divine knowledges.
PERSONAL OBSERVATION
I remember my mother( May Allah subhanathala have Mercy on Her )when
she was 70 years old and used to fasting 3 months continuously in
RAJAB,SHAABAN,AND RAMADHAN for many years after the death of my father.( May
Allah Subuhanathala have Mercy on him). Even in the night she is having light
food and enjoyed her fasting without any
Physical or Medical problems .I am sure Many readers share such experiences in our Mother land.
This clearly shows that our will, spirit and fear of God is more
important than our physical health. At the same time Many people find excuse of
their illness to escape from fasting. I have seen even small children fasting
especially in gulf countries without any difficulties.
As a Doctor ,I strongly recommend every one to fast keeping their
healthy tips in mind. Anybody who has a Medical condition can always have medical
supervision and regular preventive check up to avoid any complications if at
all arise out of fasting. Spirtual strength is more important than physical
strength.
May Allah Accept our Fasting and Prayers and wish you all a Healthy
and happy Ramdhan.
DR.MOHD
KASIM
