Assalamu alaikum, Ya nesan!
The holy month is upon us, and each and every Saracen is in preparation for the fasting that lay ahead. Fasting is an extremely beneficial activity which, when done right, will ward off ills that the consumption of food inflicts on the body. We are all familiar with the act of fasting, and righteously abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. But how beneficial our fast will be is dependent on how we behave at Sahar and Iftar. Getting these two meals right will make all the difference between a beneficial fast that enhances the body, and a corrupt fast that harms the body.
The holy month is upon us, and each and every Saracen is in preparation for the fasting that lay ahead. Fasting is an extremely beneficial activity which, when done right, will ward off ills that the consumption of food inflicts on the body. We are all familiar with the act of fasting, and righteously abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset. But how beneficial our fast will be is dependent on how we behave at Sahar and Iftar. Getting these two meals right will make all the difference between a beneficial fast that enhances the body, and a corrupt fast that harms the body.
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| Dates and tea, as traditional in the Middle East |
It is the practice of certain Saracen to gorge food at Sahar and Iftar. Ibn Serendib himself was guilty of this practice many years ago. This should be avoided as it will negate and nullify the physical (as opposed to spiritual) benefit of your fast, and may put you at risk of obesity and diabetes. Indeed, many of us may have observed that some Saraceni, rather amusingly, end up fatter after Ramadhan than they were before.
...Saraceni, rather amusingly, end up fatter after Ramadhan than they were before.
At Sahar time, eat three quarters as much food as you may eat for breakfast. Ibn Serendib suspects that many of you skip breakfast even on regular days, so in that case try to estimate how much you would eat for lunch and reduce that to two thirds. Contrary to popular belief, gorging on food during Sahar will not ward off hunger during the day, as a matter of fact it may increase your craving.
For those of you who skip breakfast on regular days, suddenly putting a heavy meal in at this time can be detrimental, therefore approach it cautiously so as not to shock your body. Eat your food slowly at this time. Slower the better. One handy tip for this is preached among Buddhist monks, where it is a part of the “Vinaya” (or “discipline of the monastic tradition”) not to mix the next morsel of food before the morsel that is in your mouth has been completely swallowed. This practice of eating slowly and steadily will not only help you eat less, it will also allow for the food to digest easily and thereby deliver more nutrition.
Contrary to popular belief, gorging on food during Sahar will not ward off hunger during the day, as a matter of fact it may increase your craving.
As for Iftar, leave out the sugary foods all together. When the body has undergone the stresses of fasting, taking in refined sugar is probably the worst thing you can do. Sweetness is best taken from not more than 2 date fruits. All though you may be ravenously hungry at Iftar, once again eat two thirds the quantity you will eat for dinner, and eat it slowly. “Gothambu Kanji” or broken wheat gruel, flavored with salt and pepper only, is not just the most traditional meal, but is gentle on the fasting belly. It replenishes your energy without the insulin rush, and replaces lost salts beautifully. “Arusi Kanji” or rice gruel is just as good. Other beneficial things to add to your Iftar are cucumber and lots of it, and a small portion of protein, may it be steamed fish, some chicken or beef. Give chili a rest during this month, as it unnecessarily increases your metabolism, and add heat to your food through pepper as much as possible.
As for Iftar, leave out the sugary foods all together. When the body has undergone the stresses of fasting, taking in refined sugar is probably the worst thing you can do.
By reigning in your diet at Sahar and Iftar you will feel very different by the end of the month. Fat will melt, you will think more clearly and feel happier. In addition, fasting is also about empathizing with the poor that is very difficult to do if we feast before and after fasting, because as god has willed the poor do not get that opportunity.
May this Ramadhan increase your health and prosperity, and may Allah make it easy, on all of us!
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