Studying Islam

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[quote]Ramadan..... come closer to God

A. Prophetic rule on eating : fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space......

Once Ifttar time comes our stomachs take control of our minds, our appetite already stimulated by the tantilizing smell of food you are preparing and piling on the table. You eat food quickly without thinking and at  times without tasting or enjoying it.Thirst drives you to gulp down one glass after another of water or whatever you are serving.  ...... in the end a bloated stomach and all you can do is plop on the couch. In Ramadan how do you acheive this Prophetic rule on eating?
 Rule number 1  reduce your bite size. if you use a spoon then use a teaspoon or take small bites.
 Rule number 2  chew slowly enjoying each bite or spoonful.
 Rule number 3 Talk , yes talk to your family or friends whoever is on the table. This cuts down the quantity of food consumed and time for your brain to take over.
 Rule number 4 Pour only half a glass of water in your glass and put the jug or bottle at a distance from the table, so everytime you want a refill you would have to get up, giving you incentive to make the water last by sipping instead of gulping.

B. Go to Tarawih prayers

Now that you have enjoyed a meal Iftiari with family and you are not that full or bloated but refreshed and nourished you can go Tariwih prayers.To build a community spirit pray in a congregation. Find out which mosque will have a section for women too and go as a family. Go as many times as you possibily can maybe  a week or more.

C. Learn to be patient and Tolerant

Easily said than done. I think counting till 10 in your mind gives you time to think and control your reaction. Instead of reacting or loosing patience on the road count and calm your self .Get a good collection of Naats now a days there is a variety of collection and you can pick any with catchy lively tunes to serious melodious tunes. Pick the ones with 
words that appeal to you and bring you closer to God. Keep them in your car on your cell phone I pod Mp3 walkman whatever you use. Music can distract you in a long tedious journey maybe a bus  ride home , a long wait in a traffic jam etc. Always remember each person is different and has a right to live the way he or she wants to live, what upsets us when we are faced with differnces not only do we become judgemental but down right mean we do all sorts of things starting from backbiting to cursing and also throwing in four lettered words, the bottom line is we have to shoot our mouths off.&quot;This isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.&quot; I particularly liked this idea given by a friend,&quot;Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.&quot; At the end of the month give it to charity..

D. bond with friends or relatives:

Call, E- mail, SMS if  far or  visit your friends and relatives you haven't done in a long long time. share a part of your life and take interest in theirs.

E. Forgive and Forget : A very difficult task but forgive people who have hurt you let go of the pain anger and anguish caused by people.&quot; In Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?&quot;

F. Read the Quran for 5-10 minutes a day:
This is something all of us can do maybe after Sehri when you cant sleep as you need to get dressed and go to work but have some time to spare. It is always good to understand what you have read so if you have read  the quran in arabic for 5 minutes then it will only take you around 3 minutes to read the translation. You can read the Quran in any pattern that you want the point here is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the holy month of  Ramadan.

&quot;Without doubt, it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find contentment&quot; - Qur'an 13:28.[/quote]

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