Dr.M.A.Aleem: July 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Homeopathy in Inexperienced Hands May be Dangerous Aleem M A BMJ⁠ 2015;351:h3735

Head To Head

Should doctors recommend homeopathy?

BMJ⁠ 2015⁠; 351⁠ doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3735 (Published 14 July 2015)⁠

Cite this as: BMJ⁠ 2015;351:h3735

Rapid responses

Re: Should doctors recommend homeopathy?

Homeopathy in Inexperienced Hands May be Dangerous

Allopathy doctors who who are practising medicine should not recommend homeopathy drugs. By and large there is no randomized controlled study to find out the age appropriate dose and the side effects of many homeopathy drugs. A homeopathy drug is not a single agent but often it is a cocktail of many agents and may be dangerous to the kidney, brain and many other organs in the long run.

Competing interests: No competing interests

27 July 2015

M A Aleem

Neurologist

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India

Monday, July 27, 2015

World Hepatitis Day 2015 July 28: Prevent hepatitis. Act now

World Hepatitis Day 2015 July 28:
Prevent hepatitis. Act now

World Hepatitis Day 2015 to focus on prevention

WHO and World Hepatitis Alliance have announced that the campaign theme for World Hepatitis Day 2015 will be the prevention of viral hepatitis.

With 400 million people living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, 1.4 million die due to these infections every year and many more become newly infected. Transmission of this virus can be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations, blood and injection safety, and reduce harm.

The annual campaign, marked on 28 July, aims not only to raise awareness among the general public and infected patients, but also to urgently promote improved access to hepatitis services, particularly prevention interventions.

Viral hepatitis – a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E – affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and killing close to 1.5 million people every year, mostly from hepatitis B and C. These infections can be prevented, but most people don't know how.

In May 2014, World Health Assembly delegates from 194 governments adopted a resolution to promote global action to prevent, diagnose, and treat viral hepatitis.

On World Hepatitis Day, events will take place around the world focussing on preventing hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

The date of 28 July was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus and developer of the first hepatitis B vaccine.

Key messages of the World Hepatitis Day 2015

Prevent hepatitis – know the risks

Unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing drug-injection equipment can all result in hepatitis infection.

Prevent hepatitis – demand safe injections

2 million people a year contract hepatitis from unsafe injections. Using sterile, single-use syringes can prevent these infections

Prevent hepatitis – vaccinate children

Approximately 780 000 persons die each year from hepatitis B infection. A safe and effective vaccine can protect from hepatitis B infection for life.

Prevent hepatitis – get tested, seek treatment

Effective medicines exist to treat hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C

World Hepatitis Day 2015 July 28: Prevent hepatitis. Act now

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Materials should be used in the right sense in medical research.Aleem MA BMJ⁠ 2015;351:h3853

Views & Reviews

Personal View

We must convince the public that researchers need access to medical records

BMJ⁠ 2015⁠; 351⁠ doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3853 (Published 17 July 2015)⁠

Cite this as: BMJ⁠ 2015;351:h3853

Rapid response

Re: We must convince the public that researchers need access to medical records

Materials should be used in the right sense in medical research.

Researchers can access data which is useful to humanity. But this information should not be manipulated to promote pharmaceutical products and should not be linked to any other purpose than medical research.

Competing interests: No competing interests

25 July 2015

M A Aleem

Neurologist

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India

Materials should be used in the right sense in medical research. Resea

Thursday, July 23, 2015

World Brain Day 2015 July 22 "Epilepsy More ThanSeizures"

World Brain Day 2015
"Epilepsy More Than
Seizures"

Dr M A Aleem MD DM (Neuro)
Consultant Neurologist and Epileptologist

ABC Hospital
Trichy

President
Trichy Neuro association

World federation of neurology
in association with the World Health Organization
World Brain Da y 2015 will be held on 22nd which is devoted to epilepsy

“Epilepsy is more than seizures” – Global awareness-raising for the underestimated burden of epilepsy – 75-80 percent of people with epilepsy in low income countries do not have access to medication

“Epilepsy is more than seizures” is the motto of this year’s World Brain Day. This awareness campaign initiated by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and staged all over the world every year on 22 July is dedicated to bringing more attention to the importance of brain health and the prevention of brain diseases. This year, the WFN’s awareness efforts are supported also by the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the World Health Organisation. More than 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy, but diagnostic and therapeutic resources are unequally distributed globally.

“Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases. It is estimated to affect more than 50 million people around the world, and about 2.4 million people are newly diagnosed every year”. “However, there is a lack of awareness in the public and among decision makers about the severe consequences for the individuals concerned, their families and societies.” I addressed this appeal to the public on the occasion of this year’s World Brain Day (WBD) on 22 July. This awareness day was launched last year and will be dedicated to a different neurological disease or topic every year. In 2015, the WFN is partnering with the World Health Organisation, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) in order to “bring greater visibility to this neglected disease”. “Just in terms of life years lost from sudden unexpected death, epilepsy ranks second only to stroke among major neurological diseases. Health care and research agendas at the global, regional and national level clearly need to recognise and take into account the seriousness of epilepsy and its consequences. We need joint efforts to ensure that resources are made available for alleviating the social, medical and economic burden borne by those who suffer from a disease that is among the most treatable brain diseases.”

“At least half of the people living with epilepsy worldwide could be easily treated with medicines which cost as little as 350 rupees for one year of treatment. Apart from other causes of seizure-related mortality, an estimated 60,000 people die every year of sudden unexpected death related to epilepsy”. “In all societies, people with epilepsy often suffer more from neglect and social isolation than from the medical manifestation of the disease. Devoting World Brain Day to epilepsy is an important contribution to raising awareness and improving the lives of people with epilepsy throughout the world. We are truly grateful to WFN for joining forces with us in the fight against epilepsy.”

“Epilepsy is a disease that can have devastating consequences, affecting all aspects of life. Seizures severely affect the quality of life of people with epilepsy, often leading to social exclusion and depression, increasing the risk of suicide, and premature death. People with epilepsy are stigmatised and discriminated against in many social activities, in their education and employment. The International Bureau for Epilepsy representing the most influential voice in this setting, people with epilepsy and their families, has developed a strong communication with ILAE. As a consequence, they have established joint Task Forces, common activities such as the International Epilepsy Day and common initiatives such as to put the topic ‘Global burden of epilepsy and the need for coordinated action at the country level’ on the agenda of the World Health Assembly”. “We hope that this year’s World Brain Day helps in getting closer to our aims such as public awareness and education, protect the human rights of people with epilepsy, prevent the disease wherever possible and increase investment in epilepsy research.”

Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterised by recurrent seizures which are due to brief disturbances in the electrical functions of the brain with excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. The type of seizure depends on which area of the brain is involved. A person having a seizure may experience an alteration in behaviour, consciousness, movement, perception and/or sensation. In the majority of cases, the cause for the epileptic seizures is known, including origins such as genetic conditions, abnormalities in brain development, stroke, head injuries and brain trauma, infections, tumour or brain damage during or after delivery.

High proportion of the world population is not getting adequate care
“The burden of illness is unevenly distributed, with some neurological disorders more common in different parts of the world. Epilepsy is one of them. There are twice as many people affected by it in low-income countries”, Prof Wolfgang Grisold, Secretary General of the WFN, points out. “Although great progress has been made in diagnosis and therapy of brain diseases, appalling disparities in the availability of treatment persist, with many people all over the world having either no access or inadequate access to neurological care. Epilepsy is a dramatic example of such inequities. Up to 70 percent of people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with anti-epileptic drug treatments, but the proportion of patients who remain untreated at any given time is more than 75 to 80 percent in most low-income countries although cost-effective treatments are available. In addition, in many countries health care providers do not have adequate training to recognise, diagnose or treat epilepsy.”
Epilepsy is more than seizures
“Epilepsy is more than seizures” is a well-chosen motto for this year’s WBD.“Although epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases and one of the oldest recognised diseases of the brain, there are a number of myths and misconceptions around it. Stigma and discrimination, ignorance and fear cause social isolation and prevent people with epilepsy from seeking treatment. Epilepsy has never received the attention commensurate to its burden. In part this has been because many of the people affected work hard to hide the fact. They fear potential repercussions in many societies that have widespread and unfounded prejudices against people with epilepsy.”

Quite wrongly, as is known today. Some of the most exceptionally creative and talented people in history have had epilepsy, including – to name just a few – Julius Caesar, Dante, Jeanne d’Arc, Isaac Newton, Molière, Napoleon Bonaparte, Gustave Flaubert, Niccolo Paganini, George Byron, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Vincent van Gogh, Lewis Caroll, Alfred Nobel, Agatha Christie or Richard Burton.

Epilepsy has also been chosen to be the WBD’s focus in 2015, not least because earlier this year the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Global burden of epilepsy and the need for coordinated actions at the country level to address its health, social and public knowledge implications”. This resolution is a call for action from member countries and stakeholders to strengthen their efforts in providing care for people with epilepsy. The resolution also highlights the need for governments to formulate, strengthen and implement national policies and legislation to promote and protect the rights of people with epilepsy. In low- and middle-income settings, strategies to improve access to and affordability of anti-epileptic medicines should be a priority.

Brain health needs to be prioritised on the political agenda
“Our World Brain Day initiative is meant as a wake-up call to political decision-makers around the globe. Despite the huge burden they cause, neurological conditions are largely absent from the national and international health agendas”, says WFN President Shakir.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Awareness essential in treating epilepsy - TAMIL NADU - The Hindu

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Tipsy drivers becoming a menace on highways - TAMIL NADU - The Hindu

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Tipsy drivers are becoming a menace on highways - TAMIL NADU - The Hindu

Friday, July 17, 2015

Lailat-ul-Qadr — Night of Power, better than 1000 months - TAMIL NADU - The Hindu

EID-UL-FITR

Eid-Ul-Fitr

The month of fasting

Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2015, Ramadan begins at sundown on June 18th.

For more than a billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time of prayer, fasting, and charity.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).

Why this Month?

Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.

Fasting

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2015 occurs on July 18 in India. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

Zakatul-Fitr

Anas (ra), a companion of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told them: 'Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.' (Hadith)

EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Sunnah of Eid

Wake up early.

Prepare for personal cleanliness, take care of details of clothing, etc.

Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.

Brush your teeth.

Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.

Use perfume (men only).

Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On    Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are    doing a sacrifice.

Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).

Go to prayer ground early.

Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.

Use two separate route to and from the prayer ground.

Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid:

Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.

(Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no god but Allah. Allah is great, Allah is great. And all praises are for Allah).

How to offer Eid prayer:

Ibn Abbass (ra) reported: " I participated in the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer with the Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Eid prayer before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)."                       (

Who should go to the prayer ground & offer Eid Prayer:

Umm Atiyah (ra) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha, young women, hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaat but participated in good deeds and Duaa (supplication). I (Umm Atiyah) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): Oh! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment. He replied: Let her sister cover her with her garment."


On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.

Structure of Eid prayer:

Eid prayer is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah.
The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and Jihaad should be aroused in the community. At the conclusion of the prayer the Muslims should convey greetings to each other, give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Laylatul Qadr - The Night of Power which is better than 1000 Months (84.3 years)

Laylatul Qadr - The Night of Power
which is better than 1000 Months (84.3 years)

Laylatul Qadr is the crowning glory of the holy month of Ramadan. It is associated with the sending down of the Our'an the last Book of Allah on His last Prophet Muhammad (S) for the guidance of mankind. The Our'an describes this Night. "We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the Angels and the Spirit (Gibraeel) by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn!" (97:5).

The Night of Power is the night of spiritual bliss. Our Nabi (S) is reported to have said concerning Ramadan: "Verily this month has come to you; and therein is a night which is better than a thousand Months. Whosoever is deprived of it is deprived of all good; and none is deprived of its good except a totally unfortunate person". (Ibn Majah)."Whosoever stands up (in prayer) at the Night of Power out of faith and hopeful of reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Targhib)

Better than a thousand months: A thousand months are equivalent to 83 years and 4 months. Fortunate is the person who spends this night in prayer. The man or woman, who prays for the whole night during this Night, will deserve blessings and reward for the period as if he or she had been praying for eighty three years and four months consecutively. Since the Night of Power is better than one thousand months no one can actually measure the extent as to how much better it is. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) said: "Laylatul Qadr has been bestowed by Allah to my Ummah. It was not given to any people before this." (Dur-Mansoor). How manifest and replete the special bounties and mercies of Allah Ta'ala are upon this Ummah is quite really beyond imagination. It will therefore be extremely foolish to allow ourselves to be deprived of these great blessings at the expense of sheer laziness and a few hours of extra sleep.

Which Night is it? Although there are different reports in different traditions regarding the exact night, it is almost unanimous that the blessed night occurs in one of the last ten nights of Ramadan and more probably in one of the last ten odd nights i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th 27th or 29th night. The popular opinion is, however, in favor of the 27th Night of Ramadan but that is not absolutely certain. The traditions indicate that it is to be sought in one of the last ten nights and preferably in the last three odd nights. It was therefore the practice of the Holy Prophet (S) and his companions to make I'tikaaf in the Mosque for the whole time offering Divine service during the last ten days of Ramadan. Hadhrat Aisha (R) reported that the Apostle of Allah said: "Search for the Blessed Night in the odd (nights) from the last ten (nights) of Ramadan" (Bukhari).

Special attention should therefore be given to the excessive recitation of this dua on the blessed night. Furthermore one may engage in lengthy rakaats of Tahajud salaat, Dua, and Dhikr. The worship and the vigil of the Night of Power are a treat to the soul. The heart tends to melt into tears of heartfelt gratitude. The body is in a state of angelic ecstasy the soul strives to reach nearer to Almighty Allah. In this holy month of Ramadan let us strive to seek the Night of Power and its bliss.

I'tikkaf Benifits This great Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (S) is so replete with spiritual benefits that a brief treatise like this can never do justice to enumerating them. Perhaps the greatest and the actual motivation behind it is the search for Laylatul Qadr. In I'tikaaf, even one's sleeping is regarded as Ibadat, hence making it so much easier to gain the benefits of the blessed night. Furthermore one gains the opportunity of emulating Nabi (S) concerning whom Hadhrat Aisha (R) reports: "When the last ten Nights of Ramadan would come, Nabi (S) would spend the whole night in Ibadat He would exert himself tremendously and even wake up his family members: (Bukhari, Muslim). She even reports that he would never exert himself in worship at any other time like he did on this occasion (Muslim).

Beauty of I'tikkaf Allamah Ibn Qaiyyim (R) writes that the actual aim of I'tikaaf is to divert the heart from everything except Allah and to join it with Allah alone, thereby forming a complete spiritual connection with Him. In essence all love and desire becomes centered on Allah alone, one's only true Helper and Protector.

Virtue of I'tikkaf One cannot possibly imagine the tremendous virtue and reward promised for I'tikaaf. Our Nabi (8) said: "Whosoever performs I'tikaaf for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will open three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each being the distance between heaven and earth." (Tabraani) When Allah Ta'ala is prepared to grant us so much in return for a little sacrifice on our part, then it will surely be a great loss if we fail to avail ourselves of the opportunity

Friday, July 10, 2015

Four health benefits of fasting in Ramadan

Four health benefits of fasting in Ramadan

Some of the incredible health benefits of fasting on our overall well-being.

1.Provides tranquility of the heart and mind

There is intense spiritual meaning to Ramadan for those who fast. Muslims practice generosity by being charitable, family-bonding by gathering around the iftar table, spirituality by praying, and self-control by practicing good manners.
All these habits build a feeling of peace, tranquility and self-satisfaction.

2.Improves your blood fat levels

A study conducted in 1997 in the Annals of Nutrition Metabolism demonstrated that fasting lowered bad “LDL” cholesterol levels by 8 percent, triglyceride by 30 percent, and increased good “HDL” levels by 14.3 percent thereby protecting your heart from cardiovascular disease.

This can be explained by our eating and exercise habits. In Ramadan, people tend to go for healthier options such as dates, nuts, lentil soup, and home cooked meals. Studies have noted that overall saturated fat consumption, usually found in butter, lard, fatty meat, and fast food, is reduced in Ramadan. In addition, the night prayers of “tawarih” may provide an adequate level of physical activity equivalent to moderate physical activity which, for some, may be more than they usually exercise.

3.May help you overcome addictions

Addictions can come in all shapes and forms and Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity to ditch them. Because Ramadan teaches you self-restraint for most of the day, you will come to realize that forgoing your addiction all together may not be has hard as you think!

Choose one addiction to drop this Ramadan. It could be an addiction to smoking, lying, chocolate, or even gossiping and say your good-byes.

4.Promotes fat breakdown and weight loss

Calorie consumption is overall decreased in Ramadan. Of course if you’re binge-eating on Arabic sweets that’s not going to happen. However, if you maintain your usual eating habits, you are very likely to eat less amounts of food and lose weight. This is especially true in Ramadan, when your source of Energy during your fast is mainly fat. Trying to stay lightly active during the day can promote even more fat break-down.

Ramadan may be the perfect opportunity to re-train yourself and get back on track of eating healthy. When you fast, you learn to control your cravings. As a result, by the end of Ramadan you’ll have stronger will-power and you will have re-gained the strength to say no to tempting food.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Holy Month of Ramadan

The Holy Month of Ramadan

Definition of Ramadan: Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad began. The entire month is spent fasting from sunrise to sunset.

From Quran: Allah says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you that you may (learn) self-control.” [Sűrah al-Baqarah: 183]

From Hadith: “He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Intention (Niyat): “Nawaitu-Un-Assuma Gadam Min Shahri Ramadanal Mubarak, Fardullaka Ya Allah Fatakabbal Minni Innaka Antas Samiul Alim.” (I intend to fast today in the month of Ramadan which is obligatory, O Allah, please accept from me as you are the All Hearing and All Knowing.)

Supplication (Braking Fast): “Allahumma Laka Sumtu Wa Tawakkaltu, Wa’alaa Rizkika Aftartu.” (O Allah, for you I have fasted and with your provision I have broken my fasting.)

Practices for during Ramadan:
1. Tarawih (Teravih): During this month, extra optional prayers of eight to twenty raka'ah, called tarawih, are prayed each night in the mosque. For those praying at the mosque throughout the month of Ramadan, the whole Quran in many mosque is recited during this month.
2. Suhoor (Sahur): Most practicing Muslims, especially children and the elderly, have a light meal or snack before dawn. This light meal is called Suhoor or Sohoor or Sehri.
3. Keep Fasting: Eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and smoking are not allowed between sunrise (fajr) and sunset (maghrib).
4. Laylat-Qadr: “This is the night of power, a night better than thousand months -Sura-Al-Qadr”. “Seek Laylat-Ul-Qadr on an odd number night among the last ten nights of Ramadan - Bukhari”. The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown, but it is known to have occurred in one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, usually thought to be on one of the odd-numbered dates are 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th.
5. Eid ul-Fitr: The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the beginning of the following month nth. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fasts. On the day of the Eid, congregational prayers are held in mosques or Islamic community centers. It is two rakaahs only. Following the prayers, people congratulate each other and eat sweets at a mosque or community center.

Time of Ramadan: The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year. It should be 29 days or 30 days for keeping fasting month of Ramadan depend on moon or calculation method.

Main four things Prohibited during the Ramadan:
1. We can not eating from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Magrib).
2. We can not drinking from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Magrib).
3. We can not sexual intercourse from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Magrib).
4. We can not smoking from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Magrib).

People who are exempted from fasting: It has eight categorical of people.
• Minors
• Aged
• Sickness
• Traveler
• Pregnant Women
• Sucking Women
• Menstruating Women
• Mentally Retarded

Days of Ramadan: It has three parts of Ramadan.
• God’s Mercy: First ten days from Ramadan (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10)
• God’s Forgiveness: Second ten days from Ramadan ( 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20)
• Salvation from Hell-fire: Last nine or ten days from Ramadan (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 or 30)

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Ramadan: The Blessed Month to Get and Give

Ramadan: The Blessed Month to Get and Give

Allah (subhanahu wa t'ala) created man fully equipped with all integral aspects of his entity - physical, mental, spiritual - so that he would recognize his fitra, his purpose, and accomplish the goal in his life to which he has committed himself. He cannot survive without the laws of Allah if he wishes to be a normal, functional human being.

Fasting was ordained at the first moment of man's appearance on Earth, along with the execution of all other Shari'a laws to be performed upon reaching maturity.

The goal of fasting is to attain all avenues of Divine protection, security and peace, as Allah concludes in the verse of Siyam, "...so, that you will attain taqwa."

Ramadan is derived from the root ra-ma-dha, which means: heat, thirst and dehydration.

Abstinence from consuming liquids is perhaps the most difficult ordinance in fasting. Next comes other prohibitions of refraining from eating and intimacy with one's spouse. Allah says, "And seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread. Then continue fasting until the sunset."

Fasting is the ultimate form of self-discipline for man, as it helps him control his desires and reconnect with his Lord; for whenever he senses the pangs of hunger and thirst, he will be elevated to the level of spiritual bliss, as if he were seeing Allah; and if not actually seeing Him, he would at least perceive that Allah is seeing him.

In fasting, both the poor and the rich experience the same deprivations, as they are overcome with hunger and thirst by the decree of Allah (SWT). This is the law that elevates man from enslavement to his desires to the level of one who controls, and ultimately transcends, his desires. Man's response to the guidance and law of fasting is to find the strength to say "No" in a powerful way. He remembers how Adam lost his battle with the shaitan by neglecting the law of "Don't".

It is the substantial mercy of Allah that a sick person need not fast, nor a traveler, an elderly person who cannot fast, a menstruating woman, or a woman in nifas (postpartum bleeding). Likewise, pregnant or breast-feeding women, if a physician advises her against it, are exempt from fasting. This illustrates the ease of the Shari'a. Allah makes every law flexible and compatible with man's circumstances. "Allah wills ease for you, but does not will difficulty for you."

Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed, so there is harmony between the fasting body and the soul, which is yearning to receive the message of heaven. The heart, which controls desire, is the heart which can assimilate the substance of inspiration. The Muslim now becomes qualified to carry out the message with patience, constancy and commitment.

This holy month is characterized by devoting oneself to living with the Qur'an. The Prophet (SAWS) was the most generous during Ramadan, when Gibreel (Gabriel) used to review the entire Qur'an with him. During these times, the Prophet would be more generous and fruitful than a wind loaded with rain.

The month of Ramadan is also precious for the believer because of the evening prayers after Salat ul-Ishaa (the 'Taraweeh). The Prophet (SAWS) said, "The one who observes the night prayers of Ramadan in faith and seeking Allah's blessings, will be forgiven his former sins.” This optional prayer is referred to in Surat al-Muzammil. "Oh, thou folded in garments! Stand to prayer by night, but not all of the night, half of it -or a little less, or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones."

The Creator who prescribed fasting for man's welfare, out of his boundless mercy and compassion, grants man the greatest bounties: "The one, who fasts the month of Ramadan out of true faith and looking to Allah for blessing, will be forgiven his former sins."

We should strive to seek the night of Layla al-Qadr, the night of power, which is so exclusively loaded with the value of being “better than a thousand months." Can anyone spend more than eighty years making ibadah incessantly? Of course, this is humanly impossible! This glorious night was designated with the existence of Creation. On this very night of al-Qadr, Gibreel suddenly appeared and surprised the Prophet (SAWS) in the cave of Hera when he delivered the first immortal words, "Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, who created...." A Muslim should seek this night in the last ten nights of Ramadan, in particular, the odd nights.

A Muslim is ranked during Ramadan on the steps of righteousness and glory until, finally, at the end of the month, he provides the poor with the sadaqat al-Fitr and invites his needy brother to join the community for special food, clothing and rejoicing at the conclusion of the completion of the fast.

At the conclusion of Ramadan, Allah will bestow upon believers a new dignity and elevation of taqwa, whose reverberations will be felt throughout the months to come. Allah says, "So you will complete the days of Ramadan and make takbir because of how Allah guided you and in order to show your acknowledgement of Allah's grandeur."

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The Last Ten Nights and Days of Ramadan

The Last Ten Nights and Days of Ramadan…

In this blessed month of Ramadan, we have now come to the grand finale – the last ten days of Ramadan that are even more blessed than the rest of Ramadan. In it is a night that Quran tells us is better than 1000 months (yes, months – not days).

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

So, in preparation for the grand finale, here is a checklist of some of the things that we can all do to make the remaining days of Ramadan work to our advantage –

1) Get in high gear for the next 10 nights and days –

Time is of the essence. Every moment counts. Whatever you need to do for the next ten days to make the most in Ibada, good deeds, reciting Quran, dhikr, making dua, etc., rewards are going to be multiplied. No one knew about the importance of these days more than the prophet (saws). Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and tie his lower garment tight. According to Ahmad and Muslim: he would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan as he did not do at other times.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said “When Ramadan would come, the Messenger of Allah would say,

Verily, the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.)” An-Nasa’i recorded this same Hadith.

If we lose this opportunity, we get our next opportunity next year – assuming we are still around and are in good health and shape to make use of it. Even if we are – we have the past years’ sins on our shoulders and life’s normal trials and tribulations to face the coming year. So, there is no better time to ask Allah to make all that easier than NOW.

2) Get a Quran and recite as often as you can –

A few lines on this post can’t even come close to explaining the benefits and virtues of Quran. It is proven in the saheeh Sunnah that the Quran will intercede for those who read it at night, as Ahmad (6626) narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

Fasting and the Quran will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of his food and his desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Quran will say: ‘I deprived him of his sleep at night so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will intercede.” Narrated by Ahmad; classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jami’, no. 3882.

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said,

The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is that of a citron (a citrus fruit) which is good in taste and good in smell. And the believer who does not recite the quran is like a date which has a good taste but no smell. And the example of an impious person who recites the Qur’an is that of Ar-Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but is bitter in taste. And the example of an impious person who does not recite the quran is that of a colocynth which is bitter in taste and has no smell.” (Book #93, Hadith # 649)

As is stated in the hadeeth narrated by ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with them both), in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

Whoever recites ten aayaat (verses) in qiyaam will not be recorded as one of the forgetful. Whoever recites a hundred aayaat (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the devout, and whoever prays a thousand aayaat (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the muqantareen (those who pile up good deeds).” (Reported by Abu Dawood and Ibn Hibbaan. It is a hasan report. Saheeh al-Targheeb, 635).

3) If your sins are holding you to move forward, this is the time to get them forgiven –

First the bad news – In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Thawbaan said: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said:

A man is deprived of provision (Rizq) because of the sins that he commits.’” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4022, classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah).

And now for the good news –

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”

4) What to say on Laylat al-Qadr –

One of the best dua’s that can be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). It was narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh, that ‘A’ishah said: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, If I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?” He said: “Say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so forgive me).”

5) Get in the class of the Pious People –

Allah has described the pious as follows (interpretation of the meaning):

They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope). [Quran: Surah Adh-Dhariyat (17)]

And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness, [Quran: Surah Adh-Dhariyat (18)]

6) Finally……

Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadan, you would want to do this again and again – even after the month is over.

And finally, when you are in a state of prayers and worship, please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters in your prayers. Remember what the Prophet said:

“The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.” Reported by Abu Daw’ud and Tirmidhi

May we all make the most of the last ten nights and days of Ramadan…

Monday, July 6, 2015

Ramadan what it mean?

Ramadan what it mean.

Fasting during Ramadan was ordained during the second year of Hijrah. Why not earlier? In Makkah the economic conditions of Muslims were bad. They were being persecuted. Often days would go by before they had anything to eat. It is easy to skip meals if do not have any. Obviously fasting would have been easier under the circumstances. So why did not then?

They answer may be that Ramadan is not only about skipping meals. While fasting is an integral and paramount part of it, Ramadan offers a comprehensive program our spiritual overhaul. The entire program required the peace and security that was offered by Madinah. Yes, Ramadan is the most important month of the year. It is the month that believers wait with eagerness. At the beginning of the Rajab – two full months before Ramadan -the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to supplicate thus: ”O Allah! Bless us during Rajab and Shaban, and let us reach Ramadan (in good health).”

During the Ramadan the believers get busy seeking mercy Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and protection from hellfire. This is the month for renewing our commitment and re-establishing our relationship with our creator. It is the spring season for goodness and virtues when righteousness blossoms throughout the Muslim communities. “If we combine all the blessings of the other eleven months, they would not add up to the blessings of Ramadan.” Said the great scholar and reformer Shaikh Ahmed Farooqi. It offers every Muslim an opportunity to strengthen his Iman, purify his heart and soul, and to remove the evil effects of the sins committed by him.

“Any one who fast during this month with purity of belief and with expectation of a good reward (from the creator), will have his previous sins forgiven,” said Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. “Any one who stands in prayers during its nights with purity of belief and expectation of a reward, will have his previous sins forgiven.” As other hadith tell us, the rewards for good deeds are multiple manifold during Ramadan.

Along with the possibility of a great reward, there is the risk of a terrible loss. If we let any other month pass by carelessly, we just lost a month. If we do it during Ramadan, we have lost everything. The person misses just one day’s fast without a legitimate reason, cannot really make up for it even if he/she will fast everyday for the rest of his/her life. And of the three people that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, cursed, one is the unfortunate Muslim who finds Ramadan in good health but does not use the opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy.

One who does not fast is obviously in this category, but so also the reason who fasts and prays but makes no effort to stay away from sins or attain purity of the heart through the numerous opportunities offered by Ramadan. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him warned us: "There are those who get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst. There are those who get nothing from their nightly prayers but loss of sleep.”

Those who understood this, for them Ramadan was indeed a very special month. In addition to fasting, mandatory Salah, and extra Tarawih Salah, they spent the whole month in acts of worship like voluntary Salah, Tilawah (recitation of Our'an), and Dhikr etc. After mentioning that this has been the tradition of the pious people of this Ummah throughout the centuries, Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi notes: "I have seen with my own eyes such ulema and mashaikh [scholars and men of religious knowledge] who used to finish recitation of the entire Qur’an everyday during the Ramadan. They spent all most the entire night in prayers. They used to eat so little that one wondered how they could endure all this. These great valued every moment of Ramadan and would not waste any of it in any other pursuit… watching them made one believe the astounding stories of Ibadah and devotion of our elders recorded by history.

This emphasis on these acts of worship may sound strange – even misplaced – to some. It requires some explanation. We know that the term 'Ibadah (worship and obedience) in Islam applies not only to the formal acts of worship and devotion like Salah, Tilawah, and Dhikr, but it also applies to worldly acts when performed in obedience to Shari'ah and with the intention of pleasing Allah. Thus a believer going to work is performing 'Ibadah when he seeks Halal income to discharge his responsibility as a breadwinner for the family however a distinction the two. The first category consists of direct 'Ibadah, acts that are required for their own sake. The second category consists of in direct 'Ibadah - worldly act that become ‘Ibadah through proper intention and the observation of Shari'ah. While the second category is important for it extends the idea of ‘Ibadah to our entire life there is also a danger because by their very nature these acts can camouflage other motives. (Is my going to work really 'Ibadah or am I actually in the rat race?). Here the direct ‘Ibadah comes to the rescue. Through them we can purify our motives, and re-establish our relationship with Allah.

Islam does not approve of monasticism. It does not ask us to permanently isolate ourselves from this world, since our test is in living here according to the Commands of our Creator. But it does ask us to take periodic breaks from it. The mandatory Salah (five daily prayers) is one example. For a few minutes every so many hours throughout the day, we leave the affairs of this world and appear before Allah to remind ourselves that none but He is that none but He is worthy of worship and of our unfaltering obedience. Ramadan takes this to the next higher plane, providing intense training for a whole month.

This spirit is captured in I’ttikaf, a unique 'Ibadah associated with Ramadan, in which a person gives up all his normal activities and enters a mosque for a specific period. There is great merit in it and every Muslim community is encouraged to provide at least one person who will perform I’ttikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan. But even those who cannot spare ten days are encouraged to spend as much time in the mosque as possible.

Through direct ‘Ibadah we “charge our batteries”; the indirect ones allow us to use the power so accumulated in driving the vehicle of our life. Ramadan is the month of rebuilding our spiritual strength. How much we benefit from it is up to us.

Ramadan what it mean

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Climate change: things we can do. M A Aleem BMJ 2015;351:h3591

Editor's Choice

Climate change: things we can do

2015⁠; 351⁠ doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3591 (Published 02 July 2015)⁠

Cite this as: 2015;351:h3591

Rapid response

Re: Climate change: things we can do

Man-made disasters should be mitigated to prevent climate changes and global warming. More than the population explosion, the emission of electromagnetic radiation from millions of electronic instruments, deforestation and motor vehicle emissions should be checked to slow down and prevent climate change.

Competing interests: No competing interests

05 July 2015

M A Aleem

Neurologist

ABC Hospital

Annamalainagar Trichy 620018 Tamilnadu India

Climate change: things we can do. M A Aleem BMJ

The Spiritual Holy Month of Ramadan

The Spiritual Holy Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims the world over. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk for the duration of Ramadan. For some, fasting may appear as a form of deprivation and of bodily exertion. On one level, abstaining from sensual needs and pleasures is indeed a physical experience. But those who stop at the physical aspects of fasting miss the essence of Ramadan and its purpose.

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. These are the foundation upon which the entire structure of Islam is built. These consist of the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting Ramadan, paying of Zakah [the annual charity payment], and performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, known as hajj. Three of the five pillars of Islam are rituals, that is, prescribed religious acts whose rationale is not immediately available for understanding. These are prayer, fasting, and hajj. Muslims are required to do them because they are part of their religious duties, that is, they are part of their covenant with God.

As a ritual, fasting is a symbolic act whose meaning becomes gradually apparent through experience. The meaning embodied in a ritual is always unveiled when one immerses him or her in the act itself. This does not mean that fasting is not open to intellectual delineation, but rather any intellectual delineation either presupposes or predicts a meaning that can best become apparent through performing the symbolic act itself.

Spiritual Development

The essence of fasting Ramadan and its goal is summed in the Qur'an in one word: taqwa. "0 you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may attain taqwa." (2:183) But what is taqwa? And how does it relate to the physical act of fasting?

Taqwa is a recurring theme in the Qur'an and a paramount Qur'anic value. Taqwa is both an attitude and a process. It is the proper attitude of the human toward the divine that denotes love, devotion, and fear. Love to the source of good and beauty that make life worth living; devotion to God's boundless wisdom and majesty; and fear of misunderstanding the divine intent or failing in maintaining the appropriate posture and relationship.

The attitude of taqwa cannot and does not stay in the confines of the human spirit, but is ultimately revealed in expression and action. The attitude of taqwa is ultimately revealed in, and in turn reveals, the true character it nurtures: thiie commitment to the sublime values stressed by divine revelations of courage, generosity, compassion, honesty, steadfastness, and cooperation in pursuing what is right and true.

Taqwa is equally the process by which the believers internalize the sublime values of revelation and develop their character. Thus the Qur’an reminds the believers that they should not reduce religious practices to a set of blind rituals, of religiously ordained procedures performed at the level of physical movement, and that they should always be mindful that religious practices, like praying and fasting, ultimately aim at bringing about moral and spiritual uplifting: “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West. But it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last day, and the Angels, the Book, and the Messengers, to give out of the things you hold dear to your kin, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, the one who asks, and to free the slave, and to be steadfast in prayer and to give for charity. To fulfill the covenants you have made, and to be firm and patient in times of pain, adversity, and panic. Such are the people of truth, and such are the God-conscious.” (Qur’an 2:177)

As Ramadan helps us to develop our moral discipline, it also reminds us of the plight of those who live in constant hunger and deprivation. We are reminded time and again by the revealed book that religiosity is meaningless and pointless if it does not lead people to care and share: "Have you seen one who belies judgment; it is the one who repulses the orphan, and does not insist on feeding the needy, so we to those who pray but are neglectful of their prayers. Those who are guilty of duplicity and refuse to provide for the ones in need.” (Qur’an 107:1-7)

Commitment

Fasting Ramadan, like other religious practices in Islam. is an occasion for pursuing moral excellence that can also be translated into excellence in social organization and interaction. In a tradition that was reported in the books of Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet was once asked: "0 messenger of God! who is the most honored of people? He said: the one who has most taqwa. They said: this is not what we are asking about He said: ... the best of them prior to Islam is the best of them in Islam if they comprehend (the revealed message)."

It is not difficult to see that the Prophet's companions did not have immediate access to the meaning of taqwa, as many Muslims today still don't. When they did not accept his first statement as an answer, the Prophet gave them an explanation of what he meant when he responded to their question about "the most honored of people." In responding with the question, the Prophet was reiterated the meaning provided by the Our'an: "Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous (mutaqi)." (Our'an 49:13) The Prophet's statement under scores the fact that taqwa as a moral and spiritual quality is significant in the human world insofar as it leads people to act with compassion and respect toward others.

Empowerment

Nothing does empower a community more than the development of the moral character of its members. By embodying the moral values of revelation, people can have a higher social life, one that is based on mutual respect and help, as it is based on honest and fair dealings, and a sense of duty that encourages people to observe the principles of right and justice as they pursue their varying and competing interests. The theme that moral life based on the notion of taqwa leads to societal strength and prosperity is an oft repeated theme in the Our'an: "Whoever has taqwa of God, He prepares, a way out for them, and He provides them from sources they never could imagine." (Our'an 65:2-3) And again: "Verily the earth is God's to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleases; and the end is best for the God-conscious." (7:128)

Fasting is not simply a time during which people deprive them selves from physical pleasures, but is an occasion to exercise moral restrain and experience spiritual growth. Ramadan is a time of remembrance of God and renewal of commitment to the high and noble values he revealed to mankind. And nothing would give us the sense of spiritual fulfillment than a state of taqwa, of God-consciousness, that Ramadan helps us to realize.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Celebrating spirituality - The Hindu

Historical Significance of Ramadan

Historical Significance of Ramadan

There many historical important had been happened in the holy month of Ramadan. They are:

• On 02 Ramadan, Torah was bestowed on Prophet Moses.
• On 10 Ramadan, Khadija, Wife of Prophet Muhammad died.
• On 12 Ramadan, Bible was bestowed on Prophet Jesus.
• On 15 Ramadan, Hassan ibn Ali son of Imam Ali was born and Sayyid Muhammad Alawi Al Maliki died
• On 17 Ramadan, Battle of Badr was won by the Muslims.
• On 18 Ramadan, Psalms was bestowed on Prophet David.
• On 19 Ramadan, Imam Ali was injured by sword.
• On 21 Ramadan, Imam Ali died.
• On 23 Ramadan, Qur'an was bestowed on Prophet Muhammad.

• Battle of Badr: 17th Ramadan 2 AH- Was the first battle fought by Muslims after their migration to Medina against the Meccans. The battle ended in a victory for the 313 Muslims participating in the war over whelming around 1000 Meccans.

• Assasination of Ali: 21st Ramadan 40th AH: The fourth and last caliph of the Muslims, passed away in this month. His death marked the end of Caliphate in Islam.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Trans Fats in Fast Food Harms Brain

Trans Fats Harms Brain

Higher intake of trans fat, commonly used in processed foods to improve taste, texture, and shelf life, has been linked to worse memory function in men in their prime earning years.

Each gram per day of dietary trans fatty acid intake was associated with an estimated 0.76 fewer words recalled . This translates into 11 to 12 fewer words recalled with the highest intake vs none from a mean of 86 words.

Adjustment for systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index, but not lipid or glycemic variables, attenuated the relationship, "consistent with mediation by factors involving, relating to, or concurrently influencing, these factors," the investigators write.

These observational data in humans are buttressed by experimental data in animals [in that] rats fed trans fats have impaired memory acquisition.

"In terms of brain function more broadly, our work has previously shown an association between trans fat consumption and worse mood and more aggressive behaviors. Thus, trans fats show adverse associations with two of the other key pillars of brain function, mood and behavior.

A large body of research has linked trans fat intake to other health risks, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Complete avoidance of industrial trans fats is a very reasonable dietary recommendation. Evolution did not intend or prepare for exposure, there is no need for these fats, and they are adversely associated with an array of outcomes. The evidence really does support that trans fats improve the shelf life of food ― but reduce the shelf life of patients.

Frequently, individuals who consume diets with higher levels of trans fat tend to consume less healthy diets in general ― for example, fewer fruits and vegetables and whole grains and more commercially prepared baked and fried foods. To fully evaluate the study, it would be important to see the full scope of the nutrients and food group in the diet and some estimate of diet quality, and then see whether there are additional associations with memory or whether it is unique to trans fat.

We currently recommend people consume as little trans fat as possible. These new findings would not change that recommendation.

The proper nutrition is essential for cognitive function.

The association of obesity with cognitive decline and that intake of trans fatty acids may mediate the influence of obesity on cognitive function. As a neurologist, I am frequently asked how to prevent dementia and preserve memory. With this and other evidence, I can confidently counsel my patients to avoid food with high trans fats. After all, sharp minds run on lean diets.

Recently the US Food and Drug Administration announced regulations requiring food manufacturers to remove partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of artificial trans fat, from processed foods in the next 3 years.

Artificial trans fat in processed foods are not "generally recognized as safe" for use in human food, and the elimination of PHOs could prevent 20,000 heart attacks and 7000 deaths from heart disease each year, the FDA said.