Dr. Waleed Hakeem 

I am really shocked! I know there are more important deaths to talk about, but there are a few reflections I would like to share that have valuable life lessons for me.

I personally was extremely inspired by Anthony Bourdain's travels, success story, and I learned so much from his travels about what to eat in each country, and learned to be brave in trying new things. In fact, I own his entire collection of episodes and use them as a reference when travelling. He was a chef who was stuck inside a kitchen working long hours, wrote a best selling book in his spare time, and from there, his dunya success was nonstop. His work in supporting Palestinians through his show and humanzing them is just monumental!

Then again, we could clearly see the pattern. Someone who has achieved everything they could achieve in life: fame, money, awards, travels, you wonder, how could someone like this commit suicide? Let's be honest. There are many of us who could only DREAM to have even one-tenth of his life!

When a person achieves everything, they get to a point where they start feeling there is no more bigger purpose in life. There is nothing else to achieve, so they may lose the meaning of life, feel depressed, and take away their life (If you want to protect yourself from this, always find a higher purpose in life. A mission that drives you!)

Believing in an afterlife and a Creator protects a person from many forms of depression, as they live for a higher purporse (although religious people may have depression too for chemical imbalances or from other life traumas, so don't mix both please!). 

We also learn that looks may be deceiving. You may think someone is the happiest person alive because you see them travel, eat best food, have enough money to never work, etc, but deep inside they may feel something else. I personally went through this, where people on my page think that I am super happy because they saw me travel to 100+ countries, but they have no idea how much pain, problems, or suffering I have in my life from other issues that Allah tested me with (and I'm always thankful to Allah for everything, AlhamduliLlah!)

Make time for people. Talk to them, listen to their pains. You never know how many lives you could save when you save someone from depression. When you empathize with their pains! Robin Williams, Michael Jackson, Anthony Bourdain, and many others, remind us that even if you appear to have it all, you may still suffer depression, which is intensified by not having a purpose and not having a connection with our Creator or afterlife. Return to your lord, and seek his help. Especially in these blessed days!

Thank you Anthony for inspiring me to travel, try food that I never imagined to try, and teaching me about other cultures. I learned from you that even if a person is small and unknown, they could work hard to make their message global, not just food, but for a bigger and better legacy. It is sad that even though you have visited many Muslim countries, you didn't find your path to guidance. You are now with your Creator!

P.S I know he used foul language a lot in his shows, and that's really bad, but always observe and see what positive things you can learn from each person you meet, regardless of their background.

By Dr. Waleed Hakeem, Traveling Imam

Nabeez [Nabidh] was one of the drinks consumed by the Holy Prophet (SallaLlahu alaihi wasallam).

In his time, it was typically made with dates or raisins and water. 

It is an alkalizing tonic, having the tendency to remove acidity from the stomach and digestive system and it also helps to remove other metabolic wastes from the body.

It improves digestion as it’s high in soluble fiber and it strengthens the memory.

It assists the spleen function, liver, throat, chest and prostate, and so is particularly good for men.

Nabeez will also benefit patients of Arthritis and elevated levels of Uric Acid (gout).

INGREDIENTS:

Ajwa Dates or any other dates available

Water 1 glass

Honey 1 tsp

METHOD:

Soak dates overnight in a covered container.

You can soak MUNAKA OR GOLDEN RASIN also instead of dates.

Remove seeds next day and grind dates with water, you can add honey too.

Strain and serve.

You can drink water without grinding dates.

Eat dates separately.

An ideal drink for Ramazan that will boost u.

This post contains following topics

1) Common mistakes in Ramadan

2) Helpful things in Ramadan and Fasting

3) Things To Be Avoided During Ramadan

1) Common mistakes in Ramadhan:

1. Drinking Milkshakes made with syrups etc on a daily basis

- Why Don't: It contains high amounts of sugar, additives  and colourants

- Solution: If you have to, drink it twice a week maximum

2. Drinking large amounts of water at iftaar time

- Why this mistake: Filling the stomach with water is more strenuous to it than with food. 

- Solution: have a few sips at iftaar then a glass after every two hours.

3. Exercising directly after iftaar.

- Why this mistake: the body's blood flow is concentrated around the stomach at that time.

- Solution: Exercise after two hours of eating to ease digestion.

4. Chewing and swallowing food fast.

- Why this mistake: chewing food slowly can speed up digestion and help maintain your weight

5. Having dessert directly after iftaar

- Why this mistake: they make you drowsy and sleepy 

- Solution: leave at least a two hour gap between iftaar and dessert to stay fresh and awake for ishaa and taraweeh prayers

6. Consuming foods with high amounts of sodium

- Why this mistake: Sodium triggers thirst through out the fasting hours of the day

- Solution: instead, eat foods that are high in potassium, they retain water and supress your thirst.

2) Helpful things in Ramadan and Fasting

# Bananas are high in potassium. A banana at Suhoor time can control your thirst level through out the day.

# Best sources of potassium for Suhoor time: 

 - bananas

 - milk

 - dates

 - avocados

 - dried peaches

 - pistachios

 - pumpkin

 - peas

 - dark chocolate

# Worst choices for Suhoor: 

 - biryani

 - kebab

 - pizza

 - fast food in general

 - cheese

 - haleem

# Best choices for Suhoor: 

 - potato

 - rice

 - dates

 - whole grain bread

 - banana

# Drinking lots of water at suhoor is important, but not as much as drinking it through out your non-fasting hours.

3) Things To Be Avoided During Ramadan

1. Don't sleep during the day and pray all night. By doing this you are converting the day into night and the night into day, which is not the purpose of fasting.

2. Avoid being lazy and inactive during the day.

3. Don't waste time playing games during the day. Rather, please Allah by increasing in your worship of him.

4. Avoid having Iftar parties. Ramadan wasn't meant to be a food extravaganza.

5. Dont ask and let your mother or wife to spend Ramadan in the Kitchen. Eat something light and quick. Let her also make Du'a n utilize the month of forgiveness.

6. Spend the last 10 days worshipping Allah rather than trying to prepare for Eid! A day that is better than a thousand months is in these last 10 days. You can't afford to miss this.

7. Dont stay awake the full night. Your body has a right over you, and when it wants rest, then rest.

8. Avoid excessive socialising after Taraweeh

9. Avoid shopping a lot in Ramadhaan.

10. Dont eat the full night.

11. Dont loiter around at night rather than worshipping Allah.

12. Eid doesnt require loads of preparation. Dont fall into this trap! Keep it simple, and it will be blessed.

May we avail this Ramadan with sound health and with loved one family - Aameen....

Beta: Amma, bahar darwazay par kooray wala aya hay...

Maa: Beta, kooray walay to hum hain, wo to safai wala hay...

Bachon ki tarbiyat kay andaz badlo, bachon may positive change khood aye ga...

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