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Topics - Ms Jebun Naher Sikta

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1
Beauty Tips / Honey as an overnight face beauty treatment.
« on: September 26, 2018, 05:52:58 PM »
Honey can be used in many different ways to treat your skin and face, so here are few ways to use honey in an overnight face beauty treatment:

Dry Lips: Exfoliate your lips and apply a thin layer of honey on your lips before going to bed. Your lips will become smooth and moisturized with the gentle care of honey.

Pimple / Acne: Honey contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which help in clarifying skin and keep pores clear and clean. Using a cotton swab dab a bit of honey on the zit as an overnight spot treatment, the antibacterial properties in honey will dry it up

Blackheads: Mix a teaspoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to the area that is prone to blackheads like nose and chin. Rinse off in the morning.

Scar: Honey is said to lighten skin, and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds help to decrease the appearances of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration. Apply honey on scar daily before going to bed and cover it with a bandage to lighten it within a week you can see the change.

Moisturizer: For glowing skin, add a small amount of honey to your night cream or aloe vera gel, massage the cream into your skin before going to bed. Aloe vera contains healing and antimicrobial properties which help to treat acne. It also soothes the inflammation and reduces the redness.

Source:
https://www.quora.com/Should-you-apply-honey-on-your-face-overnight

2
Quran / An Ayah a day keeps shaytan away.
« on: July 19, 2018, 07:46:33 PM »
The Holy Quran is a complete code of conduct for the Muslims. Reciting even a small portion of it is conducive to repelling the Satan. The code of conduct is expressive in every verse of the Holy Quran and with due comprehension, these verses can lead to a life free from the temptations of the Satan. The proximity with the message of the Holy Quran is a remedy from all the temptations of the Satan. Holy Quran contains solutions to all our worldly and spiritual problems. It is the miracle that Allah presented to Holy Prophet (PBUH) and told him to vociferously preach its word to the mankind.

Surah Al Furqan establishes Holy Quran as the Criterion for success for the Muslims. Therefore, Quran is full of guidance on the road to success. Recitation and comprehension of a single ayat every day is a small price to pay to achieve success. A person can only be successful in front of Allah if he/she is free from the influence of the Satan. In a nutshell, Quran teaches us how to repel the futile temptations of the Satan.

Reference:
https://www.islamicfinder.org/iqra/an-ayah-a-day-keeps-shaytan-away/

In order to fulfill our daily obligations, we tend to keep away from the Holy Quran. This drives a wedge between us and Allah and allows the Satan to tempt us into incurring sinful activities. These activities eventually lead us astray. Recitation of an ayat daily will remind us that we have to fulfill the covenant with Allah Almighty. In accordance with that covenant, we will undertake pious actions in our lives. Furthermore, we will take one step a day on the road towards piety (Taqwa). Piety is the state in which a Muslim only performs those actions which are in conformity to the laws put forth by Allah.

Reading an ayat a day is a source of constant reminder that Allah is the Lord and the Cherisher of the universe and we should direct all our prayer to Him alone. It will also remind us of the merciful and forgiving nature of Allah and that we shall implore Him in the hour of need.

Holy Quran also contains a plethora of supplications that one can recite on daily basis. In Surah Al Baqarah, verse 201, Quran says:

Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire! (Al-Baqarah, 201)
Recitation of this surah proclaims the Lordship of Allah and rejection of the Satan. It also entails Allah to be the sole provider and cherisher of the universe. The reciter implores Allah to provide only what is good in this world and in the Hereafter. The reciter also asks for protection against the blazing Hellfire. Ayats like this inculcate the fear of Allah in our hearts and save us from the evil and shrewd intentions of the Satan.

An ayah a day fosters and rekindles the concept of faith in a Muslim’s heart. He conforms to the ideology and teachings of Islam so that the odds of going astray are minimized to a great extent. Quran says in Surah Al-Baqarah:

"And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith."

This ayat is a testament to the fact that the presence of strong faith eradicates all the evils of Satan from the heart of a Muslim. One can only strengthen faith using the text of the Holy Quran as it is the ultimate word of Allah.

3
Islam / Can tourism be Halal or Haram?
« on: July 07, 2018, 05:17:36 PM »
Muslim millennial travelers are said to be the key driving force in shaping the overall halal travel industry. Crescent rating, which first started studying the Muslim travelers in 2008, suggests a probable increase up to 156 million Muslim travelers around the globe by 2020. It is only fair to say that the Islamic tourism is on the rise. To cope with this huge number of Islamic tourists, Muslim-friendly facilities and services are to be adopted by countries across the world in order to dominate the traveler’s pocket. Halal tourism can be summarized by any object or action, which is permissible to use or engage in the tourism industry, given that it is in line with Islamic teachings.

Since Muslims worldwide are always seeking new destinations to travel, there is an imminent increase of Muslim-friendly services and facilities not only at the airports but also hotels and other hospitality properties. For example, airports witness an increase in the number of halal-certified restaurants, prayer rooms, and other Muslim-friendly facilities. The facilities do not stop at the airports; countries like South Korea, South Africa, Taiwan and Hong Kong are rolling out red carpets for Islamic tourists. In order to attract the halal travelers, their needs are to be analyzed and entertained.

What is it that a halal traveler takes into consideration before deciding to leave for the opted destination? To start with, a safe and secure environment where his/her beliefs are both equally respected and accepted by the local population. A place where their presence is not seen as a potential threat. Furthermore, the availability of halal food and beverages is mandatory for the destinations that target Muslim travelers. It brings a great deal of discomfort to them if halal eateries are a handful or limited. Muslim tourists now commonly inquire about halal food and beverages when they visit a non-Muslim destination. Islamic law forbids Muslims to consume pork or by-products of pork, animals slaughtered without pronouncing the name of Allah (SWT) and animals that were dead prior to the slaughtering are also considered to be haram for Muslims, which means that Muslims are not allowed to eat them.

Moreover, many non-Muslim countries have started exploring this niche market segment in recent years. Hotel rooms offering Qibla directions, hotels offering prayer rooms, halal-certified restaurants in the hotels and Muslim swimsuits are measures that are being taken by the hotel industries of these countries to attract halal travelers. Countries like Thailand and Indonesia are developing special applications for Muslim tourists, which is to further encourage the incoming Muslim travelers.

Moreover, multiple organizations have grouped together to hold summits and conferences to maximize halal tourism. One such conference was the halal tourism conference held in Netherlands 2017, which was part of the global effort to boost the number of halal-savvy businesses.

Muslims millennial travelers all over the globe are increasingly wanting to explore new horizons, to achieve self-growth, new experiences, and new bonds - all without compromising on their religious and cultural heritage. The world in the near future is predicted to witness an increase in the halal tourism. More and more money is going to be pumped into the hospitality industry to target this new and emerging market segment in the following years. Countries which adopt Muslim-friendly practices and are welcoming towards Muslims will essentially get the largest chunk of the pie. Such changes will also encourage the tech sector of a country, given the fact that digital marketing is the new medium for promoting different products and services and making them accessible.

Given the rising statistics, Asia will be entertaining the largest number of Muslim travelers in the coming years. Hence, the countries within Asia are equipped with great opportunities to attract these Muslim travelers for positive economy indicators and economic benefits.

With time, more and more countries are adopting Muslim friendly facilities and services, which basically opens doors for Muslims and provides them with greater choice in choosing their ultimate vacation destinations.

Reference :
https://www.islamicfinder.org/iqra/can-tourism-also-be-halal/

4
Islam / অন্তরের প্রশান্তি
« on: July 05, 2018, 07:06:48 PM »
মাঝে মাঝে কিছু সময় আসে যখন আমাদের কিছুই ভালো লাগে না। হতাশ হতাশ লাগে, কিছুতেই মন বসে না, মনে হয় যেন বুকের উপর পাহাড় সমান কিছু এসে ভর করেছে-নিশ্বাস নিতে কষ্ট হয়। এই সময়গুলোতে সাধারণত আমরা “ফ্রেশ” হওয়ার জন্য অনেককিছুই করি। গান শুনি, মুভি দেখি, বদঅভ্যাস থাকলে অনেকেই সিগারেট ফুঁকে, গাঁজা টানে, দু'এক পেগ গিলেও ফেলে। কিন্তু সত্যিকারের বাস্তবতা হলো এর কোনকিছুই আমাদের অন্তরকে শান্ত করতে পারে না, হয়তো কিছু সময়ের জন্য ‘ব্যস্ত’ রাখতে পারে মাত্র। বরং এরপর আরো ভয়ংকরভাবে বিষাদগ্রস্থতা আর অবসাদ এসে গ্রাস করে নেয়।
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এরকম সমস্যা নিয়ে অনেক জাহিল বন্ধুবান্ধব কাউন্সেলিং চাইতে আসে। অনেকে আবার মজা করে বলে তাদের মাথায় ফুঁ দিয়ে দিতে। তাদেরকে যখন বলা হয়, আচ্ছা আমাদের ক্ষিদে পেলে আমরা কী করি? খাই!এতে আমাদের পেট শান্ত হয়। চোখের শান্তির জন্য আমরা ভালো কিছু দেখি। কানের জন্য আনন্দদায়ক কিছু শুনি। তেমনি শরীরের প্রতিটা অঙ্গপ্রত্যঙ্গের কিছু স্পেসিফিক কাজ আছে, সেই অঙ্গগুলো দিয়ে যখন তার স্পেসিফিক কাজটা হয় তখন সে ভালো থাকে। কিন্তু আমাদের যখন পেটে খুব ক্ষিদে পায় তখন আমরা ভালো কিছু দেখি না কেন? যখন ভালো কিছু শুনতে ইচ্ছে করে তখন পেট ভরে খাই না কেন? কারণ আমরা জানি এতে কোন কাজ হবে না। পেটের খোরাক কান পূরণ করতে পারে না, চোখের খোরাক পূরণ করতে পারে না পেট!
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ঠিক তেমনি আমাদের শরীরে এক টুকরা জায়গা আছে যেটা আল্লাহর স্মরণ ব্যতীত কখনো শান্ত হয় না। কারণ সে সৃষ্টই হয়েছে আল্লাহর স্মরণের জন্য। ঠিক যেভাবে চোখ সৃষ্ট হয়েছে দেখার জন্য, কান শোনার জন্য। আর সেই হৃদয়ের জায়গাটুকু যখন তার কাজ ঠিকমত করে না তখন পুরো মানবশরীরই বিদ্রোহ করে বসে। কোন কিছুই আর ঠিক মত যায় না। রাসূল সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম বলেন,
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“...সাবধান! আমাদের শরীরে এমন একটি মাংস পিণ্ড রয়েছে যা সুস্থ (পরিশুদ্ধ) থাকলে সারা শরীর সুস্থ থাকে, কিন্তু যদি তা কলুষিত হয়ে যায় সারা শরীর কলুষিত হয় এবং সেটি হচ্ছে হৃদয়।” [বুখারী]
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আর আল্লাহ তায়ালা বলেন,
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“আমি মানুষ ও জিন জাতিকে সৃষ্টি করেছি শুধু এই কারণেই যে, তারা আমার ইবাদত করবে”। [সূরা আয যারিয়াতঃ ৫৬]
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আর যখন শরীরের সেই মাংশপিণ্ড তার খোরাক পায় না তখন কী হয়? তখন আল্লাহর জমীন আমাদের জন্য সংকীর্ণ হয়ে যায়। জীবন সংকীর্ণ হয়ে যায়। আল্লাহ বলেন,
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“… যে আমার বাণী থেকে মুখ ফিরিয়ে নেবে তার জন্য রয়েছে সংকীর্ণ জীবন, আর বিচার দিবসে আমরা তাকে উত্থিত করবো অন্ধ করে।” [সূরা তা-হাঃ আয়াত ১২৪]
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এক আলেম বলেছিলেন, একবার এক ব্যক্তি এসে উনাকে বলল আমাকে যাদু করা হয়েছে, আপনি আমাকে ফুঁ দিয়ে দিন। তিনি জিজ্ঞেস করলেন, কীভাবে বুঝলে তোমাকে যাদু করা হয়েছে? সে বলল, আমার কিছুই ভালো লাগে না, কোন কাজেই মন বসে না, মনে হয় যেন বুকের উপর ভারী কিছু এসে ভর করেছে, নিশ্বাস নিতে কষ্ট হয়। শাইখ জিজ্ঞেস করলেন, আল্লাহর সাথে তোমার সম্পর্ক কেমন? সে বলল, খুব খারাপ। শাইখ তাকে উপদেশ দিলেন, তুমি আগে আল্লাহর সাথে সম্পর্কটা ভালো করো, নামাজ পড়ো আর যদি কোন গোপন গুনাহে লিপ্ত থাকো তা ছেড়ে দাও! এবং এর কয়দিন পর সেই লোকের সমস্যা সত্যি সত্যি কেটে গেল। সুতরাং দিনশেষে তাই আমাদের নিজেকে প্রশ্ন করা উচিত আসলেই আল্লাহর সাথে আমাদের সম্পর্ক কেমন?
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সাহাবীদের সাথে আমাদের মূল তফাৎ এই জায়গাতেই, আমরা আমাদের হৃদয়ের জমীনকে আল্লাহর স্মরণ দিয়ে প্রস্তুত করিনি। আমাদের ঐ জায়গাটা সবসময়ই অপূর্ণ রয়ে যায়, সে কখনো শান্ত হয় না, সে কখনো প্রশান্তির খোঁজ পায় না। অথচ আমাদের আজ সুখ শান্তি উপভোগের যত দুনিয়াবি উপকরণ আছে তার কিছুই সাহাবীদের ছিল না। তা সত্ত্বেও তারা সুখে থাকতো। তাদের কখনো হতাশ লাগতো না, তাদের হৃদয় সংকীর্ণ হয়ে নিশ্বাস নিতে কষ্ট হতো না। জান্নাতের একটা খেজুর গাছের বিনিময়ে পুরো সম্পত্তি দিয়ে দিয়ে আবু দারদা আর তার স্ত্রী খুব গরীব হয়ে গিয়েছিলেন বটে, কিন্তু এরপরও তারা সবসময় আনন্দিত থাকতো, হৃদয়ে প্রশান্তি থাকতো। চারদিন উপোষ থেকে অবশেষে একটা পচা খেজুর কুঁড়িয়ে খাওয়া আমাদের রাসূল সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লামের অন্তরের প্রশান্তি ছিল তার রবের ইবাদত।
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সুতরাং আমরা আমাদের শরীরের বাহ্যিক অবয়ব সুন্দর রাখতে, ভালো রাখতে যে পরিমাণ মেহনত করি সেভাবে আমাদের হৃদয়টাকেও যেন একটু পরিচর্চা করি। তাকেও যেন একটু সময় দিই।

Source: Unknown.

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Allah: My belief / Allah’s Greatness from Surah Kahf (Verse 109)
« on: May 20, 2018, 11:59:55 AM »

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if We brought (another sea) like it for its aid[/b][/i][/size].[/size][/b]” (Surah Al-Kahf: 109)

Reflections from these verses
The verse illustrates Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) unfathomable Greatness which man will not be able to comprehend completely as it cannot be contained in any number of words written even if the seas were converted into ink.
The verse makes us aware that Allah the Supreme, the Creator, the Lord and the Master of the world is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.
We human beings, with our limited understanding can only grasp Allah’s attributes and understand what He makes clear to us through His Final Word, the Quran.
Our knowledge of Allah is limited to what He has told us about Himself through the Quran and His Prophets. We should therefore be careful not to draw any erroneous conclusions about His designs and plans as our thinking is limited by the limits of our minds.
When we become aware of the Supremacy of Allah, it naturally follows that we put our lives in His Protective Hands; follow His Commands without questioning; have the best hope, and then prepare ourselves to meet Him, the Most Beneficent, the All Forgiving.

Reference Link:

http://www.iqrasense.com/quranic-tafsir/allahs-greatness-from-surah-kahf-verse-109.html?awt_l=EZul9&awt_m=3uEbUM2OYCBWmp.



6
Nutrition and Food Engineering / Health Benefits Of Warm Water
« on: May 10, 2018, 05:20:10 PM »
Most of us start our mornings with a fresh, hot cup of coffee or tea to warm our bodies after getting out of bed. When we drink water, we tend to prefer it cold, but according to Ayurvedic medicine, we have it all wrong. Regularly drinking very warm water, especially in the morning, can heal our bodies, providing digestive power and reducing metabolic waste that could have built up in our immune system.

“Physicians recommend drinking warm water in the morning, usually, with a polyphenol-rich lemon immersion, or with a tea shown to decrease free radical activity in the body,” Stella Metsovas, clinical nutritionist and media health expert in Food and Nutrition Sciences, told Medical Daily. The consumption of warm water increases the tightening of the intestines, which optimizes elimination. Unlike hot water, processed cold water is devoid of many essential minerals that could become very unfavorable to the digestive tract when consuming a meal. For cold water drinkers, Metsovas recommends refraining from drinking 20 minutes before eating — even if the source is natural spring water.

Read: I Drank 3 Liters Of Water Per Day, And Here's What Happened

While drinking warm water may not suit your taste buds, it may be beneficial to put the caffeine and tea aside for your health's sake. Here are six reasons why:

1. Cleanses Digestion
A very warm cup of water in the morning can help cleanse your body by flushing out toxins. Water and other liquids help break down the food in your stomach and keep the digestive system on track. Warm water will help break down these foods even faster, making them easier for you to digest. Drinking cold water during or after a meal can actually harden the oil in consumed foods and therefore create a fat deposit in the intestine. Adding ice to processed cold water will strip it of natural-containing minerals, says Metsovas, as these minerals are essential to keeping the digestive tract healthy. Luckily, you can replace a glass of cold water with a warm one to aid digestion, especially after eating a meal.

Read More: How Much Water Should You Drink Each Day?

2. Aids Constipation
At one point or another, many of us are plagued by this common stomach problem where we have little to no bowel movement. The strain felt during elimination, accompanied by bloating, is brought on by a lack of water in the body. Drinking very warm water in the morning on an empty stomach can help improve bowel movements and aid constipation while breaking down foods as they smoothly pass through the intestines. Stimulating the bowels will help return your body back to normal functioning.

3. Alleviates Pain
Warm water, considered to be nature’s most powerful home remedy, can help alleviate pain from menstruation to headaches. The heat from warm water is known to have a calming and soothing effect on the abdominal muscles, which can help provide instant relief for cramps and muscle spasms. According to Healthline, warm or hot water is usually better for cramps, as hot liquids increase blood flow to the skin and help relax the cramped muscles.

4. Sheds Excess Pounds
If you’re on a diet, chances are you’ve heard drinking a glass of warm water first thing in the morning can help with weight loss. Warm water increases body temperature, which therefore increases the metabolic rate. An increase in metabolic rate allows the body to burn more calories throughout the rate. It can also help the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys to function even better.

Read: How Much Water Should You Really Drink Each Day?

“Physicians recommend drinking warm water in the morning, usually, with a polyphenol-rich lemon immersion, or with a tea shown to decrease free radical activity in the body,” said Metsovas to Medical Daily. Drinking a glass of warm water and a lemon will help break down the adipose tissue, or body fat, in your body, and also control food craving due to lemon’s pectin fiber.

5. Improves Blood Circulation
The fat deposits in the body are eliminated along with accumulating deposits in the nervous system when you drink a glass of warm water. This flushes out the toxins that are circulating throughout the body and then enhances blood circulation. Making sure the muscles are relaxed will eliminate poor circulation and blood flow.

Read More: The Benefits Of Drinking Water

6. Halts Premature Aging
Premature aging is a woman’s worst nightmare, but luckily, this can be prevented by drinking warm water. The presence of toxins in the body can lead to aging faster, but warm water can help cleanse the body from those toxins, while repairing skin cells to increase elasticity. Metsovas told Medical Daily: “Women will always benefit because they [have] more hormones to contend with, making constipation more of an issue.”

To reap the health benefits of warm water, drink it every morning plain or with a lemon for taste. Metsovas urges drinkers to have warm water, as drinking straight hot water can potentially be damaging to tissue in the mouth and esophagus. After boiling water, be sure to let it cool for a few minutes before you start consuming.  Also, “always check with your prescribing physician before drinking warm water if you’re on any medications that could impact the efficacy of your medications,” Metsovas said.

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Ramadan and Fasting / Why you should have dates in Ramadan
« on: May 10, 2018, 03:57:17 PM »
Dates, often termed as the “fruit of paradise”, are considered as one of the most nutritious and delicious fruit. Mentioned in the Holy Quran 20 times, this fruit is of great importance for Muslims. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world break their fasts with dates. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to break his fast with dates.

Muslims across the globe make sure that their kitchen cabinets are stocked with this wonderful fruit in Ramadan. Ever wondered why? Because, apart from being a powerhouse of various minerals and vitamins, dates have tremendous health benefits as well.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Indeed in dates, there is a cure.” Muslim (14/3)
Here are some nutritional and health values that this fruit has.

Improves Digestive Health
Dates are an excellent remedy for digestive problems. They contain soluble fibers, amino acids, and enzymes which are a must for good digestive health and also have a rich source of potassium which is known to treat diarrhea. So, if you are having any digestive problems, soak some dates overnight and have them in the morning, this will strengthen good bacteria in your stomach and relieve you from the discomfort in no time.

Good for Heart
Dates have an impressive amount of potassium and fiber that reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body, preventing heart-related diseases. It’s suggested to have dates twice a week for a strong and healthy heart.

Strengthens the Nervous System
Dates will give you nerves of steel. Literally! They are known to have 3 times the amount of potassium found in bananas. Potassium does wonders for our body by keeping all cardiac problems in check. The vitamin B found in dates is vital for mood balancing effects and proper nerve function.

Improves Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a disease we all have heard of since it’s very common among women. This is due to the weakening of bones with age. Dates contain the perfect amount of magnesium, manganese, and selenium to strengthen our bones and make them healthy.

Treats and Prevents Anemia
Anemia is caused due to the lack of iron which reduces the red blood cells in a person’s body, making them look all pale with additional dark circles. Dates not only boost up the iron level in your body but also increases strength and vitality.

Acts as a Natural Energy Booster
We all know how there comes a time of the day when we feel our sugar level drop and crave for something sweet. Dates are the natural and healthful energy boosters everyone needs to include in their daily diet as they contain just the right amount of glucose and fructose to get you going without providing the additional calories. Adios energy drinks!

Helps in Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Good things come in small packages. These tiny miracle workers can balance the sugar levels in your body and make you feel fuller than any junk food you’d cheat with on your diet. Dates are also a healthy supplement for someone who wants to gain weight or does not want to lose it too fast. For those folks who want to maintain a balanced weight, having cucumbers with dates would do wonders.

Relieves Allergies
Dates are the miracle food that can help reduce the awful symptoms of seasonal allergies. With high levels of organic sulfur present in it, they surely act as a tonic for allergic reactions.

Helps in Maintaining Healthy Skin and Hair
Consuming dates regularly gives a boost of Vitamin B5, C, and D which helps in repairing damaged skin cells  and nourishes hair and its root. So, make sure to add dates to your diet for baby smooth skin and the shiny, strong hair you’ve always dreamed of.

Such a delicious food with tremendous nutritional values should not only be consumed during Ramadan but should also be included in the daily routine. This Ramadan, go easy on the sweets and reach for a date. In addition to satisfying your craving, you will get some health benefits as well! Have a healthy and happy Ramadan!

https://www.islamicfinder.org/iqra/why-you-should-have-dates-in-ramadan/

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We all know we look forward to the Iftar and Suhoor in Ramadan and feel our taste buds watering at the thought of all that scrumptious food being laid at our dining tables, but the ones taking care of the food arrangements are usually the women of the household. There is nothing wrong with celebrating Ramadan and its blessings but more often than not, the focus on food preparations take up most of the time of women and the purpose of this blessed month tends to get overshadowed.

Allah (SWT) constantly gives us chances and opportunities to turn back to Him and seek His refuge and guidance. If we miss a chance, He gives us another. If we miss it again, He gives us another chance to redeem ourselves. He never gives up on us. So why do we keep missing our chances? Why does the kitchen somehow overpower the need to spend those minutes in Ibadah?

The month of Ramadan is a golden opportunity for Muslims throughout the globe to fortify their bond with the Creator, solidify their faith and purify their soul through worship of Allah (SWT). So ladies, take this Ramadan and dedicate it to increased Ibadah- find that balance. Here is a small list of acts of Ibadah that you can integrate into your daily routines this Ramadan.

Make a schedule and set daily goals
If you feel like your days pass you by and you cannot find the time to multi-task with the kitchen duties and keeping up with your ibadah, put it down on paper, make a schedule, set daily goals of ibadah and organize your day. Jot down your cooking hours for the day- suhoor and iftar included- so you have a better idea of how to go about your day. Set daily goals of ibadah for yourself and try to integrate and distribute those throughout the day.

Choose simpler and less time-consuming dishes
There is no need to have extravagant iftars and suhoors every day. Stick to the basics and make the dishes that you are good at- this way, you can minimize your time in the kitchen. You can experiment and make special dishes too, but try to make the dishes you already know. Make it a point to choose recipes that are simpler and take lesser time to cook so you don’t find yourself stuck in the kitchen all day and can dedicate more time to Allah (SWT).

Sacrifice your sleep and pray
Prioritize your prayers over your sleep this Ramadan. If you know you have to wake up early to make suhoor, you can get up ten minutes earlier than the normal routine and pray your Tahajjud prayers before suhoor. There is no limit to the number of Rakaat in the Tahajjud prayer but it is advised to pray no less than eight rakaat.

And once the whole iftar ordeal finishes at the end of each day, try not to linger the kitchen chores and finish them up quickly and effectively so you can have some time for yourself and your Lord- take that time and offer eight Nafal prayers after the salah of Isha every night.

Recite the book of Allah (SWT) on a daily basis
If you know the main part of your day will be spent in the kitchen and you will not have the time to sit down and read the Quran in peace, you can put on the recitation of the Holy Quran on your phone or tablet and listen to it while you are cooking the food and doing the preparations. And if you find yourself free for even fifteen minutes, pick up the Quran, spend those minutes reciting the word of Allah (SWT), and remind yourself about the basic purpose of this month. Make it a goal to finish the Quran at least once in Ramadan- divide the parts according to your convenience and fit in the time to complete it in time.

Remember the Almighty and engage in dhikr
Another easy way of integrating the ibadah into your daily Ramadan routine is doing dikhr. You can do dhikr anywhere, anytime and for however long you want. Learn a few verses of dhikr this Ramadan, memorize them and then recite them throughout the day, even if you are busy in the kitchen or doing household chores or while taking a breather from the busy day. Remember Him so He may remember you.

These are just a few easy tips for you to balance your Ramadan cooking routines and earning Sawaab this Ramadan!

Reference linking:
https://www.islamicfinder.org/iqra/tips-for-spending-less-time-in-kitchen-and-more-time-in-ibadaah-this-ramadan/

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Hadith / Islamic Wisdom on Not to Lose Hope or Feel Helpless.
« on: May 09, 2018, 07:42:28 PM »
Islamic guidelines through Quran and Hadith tell us NEVER to feel helpless but rather to trust in Allah. Here is one piece of wisdom that we learn from Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s)

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say ‘If only I had done (such and such), the such and such would have happened,’ rather say: ‘Allah has decreed and what He wills He does,’ for ‘if only’ opens the door to the work of the shaytaan.” Narrated by Muslim (2664).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This hadeeth includes several important principles of faith, including the following:

Then he said: “and do not feel helpless”, because feeling helpless is contrary to striving for that which will benefit him, and it is contrary to seeking the help of Allah. The one who strives for that which will benefit him and seeks the help of Allah is the opposite of the one who feels helpless, so this is telling him, before what has been decreed happens, of that which is one of the greatest means of attaining it, which is striving for it whilst seeking the help of the One in Whose hand is control of all things, from Whom they come and to Whom they will return. If he does not attain what was not decreed for him, then he may feel either of two things: helplessness, which opens the door to the work of the shaytaan, so his sense of helplessness leads him to say “if only”, but there is nothing good in saying “if only” in this case, rather that opens the door to blame, panic, discontentment, regret and grief, all of which are the work of the shaytaan. So, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade us to open the door to his works in this manner, and told us to adopt the second option, which is looking at the divine decree and bearing it in mind, for if it was decreed for him it would never have missed him and no one could have prevented him from attaining it. Hence he said: “If anything befalls you, do not say ‘If only I had done (such and such), the such and such would have happened,’ rather say: ‘Allah has decreed and what He wills He does,’” and he taught him that which will benefit him in either case, whether he gets what he wanted or not. Hence this hadeeth is one which a person can never do without. [Source: Shifa’ al-‘Aleel (37-38).]

Reference Linking:

http://www.iqrasense.com/islamic-belief/islamic-wisdom-on-not-to-lose-hope-or-feel-helpless.html?awt_l=EZul9&awt_m=42dJYs2t4CBWmp.

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