“O you who imagine! Fasting has been prescribed upon you simply because it was prescribed upon these earlier than you, so as that you could be acquire taqwa” Qur’an 2:183.
Brethren, I believed right now’s sermon ought to tackle a difficulty which we regularly gloss over or pay little consideration to throughout the blessed month of Ramadan. This pertains to our consuming behavior and schedules. You’d do not forget that throughout the month, we’re anticipated to eat early within the morning, start our quick as quickly because the fajr seems and observe fasting all through the day. As quickly as it’s sundown, the fasting believers are anticipated to interrupt their quick and luxuriate in each different lawful act until the daybreak of the next day. This month consequently gives alternatives for Muslim households to bond collectively greater than ever earlier than.
It’s equally true that throughout the month of Ramadan, we now have the chance to look at our non secular standing. A Muslim who forsakes the pleasure of meals and drinks and embarks on this fasting, a Muslim who creates the circumstances of starvation and thirst for herself, merely in obeisance to the desire of the Almighty is definitely and not directly concerned in sharpening his weapon of survival on the terrestrial earth the place survival has turn into merely troublesome if not unimaginable.
Thus, a Muslim who fasts is sort of a hunter who takes day without work searching so as to sharpen his weapon of hunt. Thus, he who fasts turns into an unassailable and an inimitable fortress in opposition to the satan and its brokers; you can’t be a beloved of the Almighty and nonetheless turn into a prey to earthly principalities.
Brethren by means of the act of fasting we create a synthetic or momentary shortage and need. This inculcates in us a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to Him. After fasting throughout the day, we calm down at nightfall to interrupt our quick. The meal on our desk ought to remind us of the perpetual shortage and need by which a few of our fellow human beings are presently steeped. In different phrases, every morsel we put in our mouth throughout this month ought to remind us of the lifetime of penury and need by which our fellow brethren all world wide are presently manacled.
The above brings me to the core of our sermon right now. To start with, each considered one of us ought to method our meal throughout this month and thereafter as an act of worship. Our Creator says: “O youngsters of Adam! Look to your adornment at each place of worship, and eat and drink, however be not prodigals. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals.” (Quran 7:31) “Eat of the great issues we now have supplied in your sustenance, however commit not extra therein.” (Qur’an 20:81). Thus, every time a Muslim takes a superb meal, he ought to have it in thoughts that he’s truly following His injunctions.
Now when reference is made to a superb meal, I’m truly calling your consideration to a meal which accommodates the precise combos of meals gadgets and recipes as suggested by our ‘realized’ brethren within the discipline of human diet. Thus, let my sister give precedence to a meal which is wealthy in greens and fruits.
Brethren, let’s bear in mind the recommendation of our chief Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) that we domesticate the behavior of consuming much less as a way of stopping illness and illnesses. He’s reported to have mentioned: “Eat much less you may be more healthy.”. He says once more: “Nothing is worse than an individual who fills his abdomen. It needs to be sufficient for the son of Adam to have just a few bites to fulfill his starvation. If he needs extra, it needs to be: one-third for his meals, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath”. Thus, to have fasted an entire day shouldn’t be taken as a warrant to turn into a glutton.
What about our water in-take throughout the month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet is reported to have mentioned: “Don’t drink water in a single gulp (or one breath) like a camel, however take it in two or three gulps (with breaks for breath). Point out the identify of the Almighty (say “Bismallah”) if you begin consuming and reward Him (saying “Alhamdullillah”) if you end. Our Uncle advised us that the human physiology in reference to water in-take is much like that of the rooster: it sips water; it doesn’t gulp it. Brother, it’s higher so that you can take water whereas sitting down not whereas standing.
Throughout this month, it’s normal for us to attend iftar gatherings the place we’d meet with our fellow brothers and sisters and break our fasts collectively. As Muslims we’re required to indicate compassion, grace, gentleness, and consideration in such gatherings. In such gatherings, give choice to others within the service of meals and drinks. Start by washing your fingers. It is a advantage which Islam has taught over a millennium in the past. Take your meals in smaller parts. Bear in mind, your desk manners generally mirror how nearer or farther you might be from this world. Do ‘justice’ to the meals plate. In different phrases, keep away from leftovers. Bear in mind tens of millions are on the market who wouldn’t have the form of alternative that you’ve got. What about consuming with the precise hand, it is a advantage which modernity continues to anathemize. To eat and drink with the left hand has turn into modern right now; to eat with the precise hand is to be primeval.
Brethren, as invited visitors to a feast, it’s permissible to ask your host for water or salt. In any other case, settle for what is obtainable and don’t request further gadgets your host might not be capable of afford. Pricey brother, bear in mind, Prophet Muhammad by no means discovered fault with any meals; if he had the inclination, he would eat it, and if he disliked it, he would go away it. Ought to my sister make a mistake in including much less salt to the meal, reward her for her efforts.
Bear in mind she is a like a decide in a court docket of regulation whereas within the kitchen: if she does it proper, she has hundred % of the reward; if there may be an imperfection, she has fifty % of the stakes! My sister! Use a mixture of locus bean, ginger, curry and garlic as recipes in your meal all through this month and keep away from different seasonings- the latter are unnatural and recipes for sicknesses and illnesses! Might this month’s fasting mark the start of higher favours from Him in your life. I say aamin in your behalf. Eat to quick this month, not quick to eat!
