Dr Mariyam Kisten writes
Ramadan is a time to optimize on spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical well-being. It’s the perfect time to facilitate holistic healing to enhance your health and wellness. Like a yearly reset button, it serves as a space to shift us back to our purpose which is to serve Allah (SWT) in the holistically healthiest version of ourselves. There are certain lifestyle changes that can initiate the body’s self-healing mode because the body is an amazing creation of Allah (SWT). As simplistic as it seems, fasting is the perfect antidote to help us return to our natural fitra.
The Body can Heal Itself
The body is perfectly designed by Allah (SWT). In its perfection it has the ability to heal itself in favourable conditions. There are two key elements that needs to be considered when trying to harness the body’s natural ability to heal. Firstly, ingesting foods that are halal and tayyib (micronutrient dense). Secondly, having healthy functioning excretory organs like the liver and kidneys. When these two key elements are in balance, the body will be able to lay the foundation for us to return to our natural fitra.
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Shaytan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Al-Qur’an 2: 168)
Fortify our Body and Soul
Once the foundation of a healthy, fully functional bodily system is laid, the main structures can be put in place to fortify our body and soul creating a platform to balance our fitra. Reaching this goal only comes from active planning and intentional living. The checklist with Ramadan goals below gives a breakdown of all the main structures that need to be put in place.
CHECKLIST WITH RAMADAN GOALS
| · Active planning and intentional living
Plan your Ramadan and set realistic goals. · Detoxing liver and kidneys and clearing out the colon two weeks prior to Ramadan Consult with a Natural Medicine Practitioner for advice · Micronutrient dense foods/superfoods Seeds, nuts, sprouts, nutrient dense fruit and vegetables, berries, etc. · Healthy sleep / wake cycle |
· Healthy suhoor (pre-dawn) meal options
Dates, oats, nuts, raisins, chia seeds, hempseed, etc. · Staying hydrated Fortify your still water (with no fluoride) with electrolytes from fruits or natural rehydrate mixes · Functionally healthy iftar meals Use healthy substitutes |
The health of an individual impacts the health of the community as a whole. As an ummah we need to wake up and prepare ourselves for what is to come. We can no longer say that we are not aware of the current spiritual and psychological climate we find ourselves in. It is time we create an environment that allows us as a community to thrive on every platform. Islam has afforded us the tools to restore our fitra. Time and tide will reveal all. All we can do is be prepared for what is to come. Use this Ramadan to fortify your soul.
