Keeping an EYE on IRENE

Hurricane Irene, biggest in Philly since the 1970s

Hurricane Irene closes down East Coast

Hurricane Irene is on her way! I have been fortunate to not experience any natural diasters in all of my twenty seven years on this earth. All we've heard for the past three days was IRENE IRENE IRENE. Hurricane Irene is the biggest storm to hit the Eastern seaboard in fifty years. It's mere size is dauting, covering a sqare milage comparible to the continent of Europe. Now there are tonados stirring and floods from North Carolina on up the East Coast. I was excited at first. But I must admit my giddiness has turned into nervousnes. It is only a category 1 storm, so many of us did not take it seriously. But when the entire Jersey Coast is on a Mandatory evacuation and many parts of Lower Manhattan are evacuated for the first time in history, I start to worry.

The Spirit of Ramadan

The English translation of the Qur'an spells it out quite clearly in Surah Al-Baqarah:

183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).

184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you knew.

So what if you are nursing? Or taking medication? Or sickly? Or traveling? How do you maintain the spirit of Ramadan? Should you punish yourself by fasting when your body is giving you all the signs that the fast would not be beneficial for you?

No food and No drink from sunrise to sunset

 Hey, I'm not talking about people who are just really hungry, no thats your tummy talking, go read some Qur'an and ask Allah for strength- keep up the good work, may Allah make the fast easy on you and increase your Iman!

I'm saying if you have a valid excuse for not fasting from food, how do you maintain the spiritual fast? When your stomach is aching, it is a big reminder that you need to be more humble, give charity, pray harder, and read qur'an and hadith. When you are fasting in these long summer days, you will be inclined to search for peace, inshaAllah. But if you're eating, there is little reminder it is even the blessed month of Ramadan! Especially if you are secluded from other Muslims for whatever reason.

Here are 5 tips to stay focused:

1. Wake up for Fajr, and ask Allah to increase your Iman

2. Make a schedule. ie: 5a.m., fajr 5:15 -6a.m. read surah Al-Baqarah... 12 p.m. lunch 12:30-1p.m. read Hadith from Sahih Muslim. Stick to your schedule! and if something comes up, have make-up slots in your day.

3. Go to iftars. Be around the fasters - support your brothers and sisters - learn with them, feed them! It would be benefit you to surround yourself with people who are serious about Islam. There are many benefits to be reaped from the fast, but if you can't withhold from food and drink, try to get some of that piety to rub off on you by attending iftars and taraweh prayers.

4. Eat light healthy meals high in Omega-3 fatty acids. This is BRAIN FOOD.

5. Restrict television, as a matter of a fact, just leave it off because it can be a MAJOR distraction, as can be the internet. However, if you have small children, it is easy to watch Islamic songs and documentaries that teach about Islam and Ramadan either on DVD or www.Youtube.com. And the internet can be a great way to learn surahs of the qur'an on sites like http://www.mounthira.com/ and listen to lectures.

6. Think before you speak or act! It's Ramadan Muslims! Don't backbite! Don't cuss! Don't gossip or tell lies! DO be nice. DO help a person in need. DO feed a hungry person. DO go out of your way to say and do things in your everyday life that are pleasing to Allah. DO SMILE :-))

Okay Muslims, just thought I'd give a little inspiration in these last ten day of Ramadan 2011. May Allah reward the fasters! And may Allah reward those who persevere for the sake of pleasing Allah! Ameen.

SHAHADA...SALAT...ZAKAT...SAWM...HAJJ...
declaration of faith...prayer...charity...fasting...pilgrimage