LGBT FLAG 5 REASONS WHY A MUSLIM DON’T APPROVE IT

LGBT FLAG 5 REASONS WHY A MUSLIM DON’T APPROVE IT.

MUSLIMS IN CHINA AND THE QURAN

  CHINA RAMADAN BAN 2015

The communist party of China has imposed a Ramadhan ban on chinese muslims. Chinese authorities have set restrictions on Uighur Muslims in the northwestern region of Xinjiang every Ramadan but this year it has gone ahead with lot more restrictions.

1)The Officials are forced to give verbal as well as written assurances “guaranteeing they have no faith, will not attend religious activities and will lead the way in not fasting over Ramadan,” state media reported.

2) Muslim shops and restaurants have also been ordered to sell cigarettes and alcohol or be shut down.

3) Two days before ramadan, on june 15,the local government held beer festival in a village in Niya,  deep south of Xinjiang, an area dominated by the Muslim Uighur people to promote drinking of beer by giving cash prizes upto 160$.

4) Radio Free Asia published an official notice issued by Aktash village Communist Party committee on April 29 that stated “all restaurants and supermarkets in our village should place five different brands of alcohol and cigarettes in their shops before [May 1, 2015]
.

A notice from the Aktash village Party Committee of Laskuy township orders shop owners to sell alcohol and cigarettes.

Photo Credit:
Radio Free Asia

5) the Education Bureau in the city of Tarbaghatay, or Tacheng in Mandarin, instructed schools to advise students of several imperatives: “[D]o not fast, do not enter mosques … and do not attend religious activities.”

6) the state publicity agency has launched a series of short online propaganda films earlier this month to “counter religious extremism.” One of the 10 films, titled“Fasting”, told the story of a Muslim schoolgirl who was instructed by her father to fast during Ramadan after celebrating her 10th birthday. She collapsed in school and hospitalized due to malnutrition. The six-minute film ended with the guilty father apologizing and offering food to his daughter.

So, will muslim fall pray to these tactics of the communist power?

The communist party of china is acting like the people of the jahilia era (pre-Islamic era).
It goes without saying that in an environment where no divine law is obeyed and no human right is respected, the strong will forcibly violate the honour, property, and chastity of the defenceless people,

A careful and just survey of the conditions of the Muslims at the beginning of Islam reveals the significant fact that In spite of all the brutal methods that the infidel Quraysh utilized in their struggles against Islam, the Holy Prophet and the Muslims, Islam advanced and people remained firm in their belief.

The Muslims underwent extremely severe torture, sufferings, and hardships and showed admirable patience in following this honorable path to guidance.They faced prosecution but still remained firm in their faith.Allah says in Quran, Surah Ankabut (29:2)

يَّقُوۡلُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَـنُوۡنَ‏ 

(29:2) Do people think that they will be let go merely by saying: “We believe,” and that they will not be tested.”

When this was said, the conditions prevailing in Makkah was extremely trying. Whoever accepted Islam was made a target of tyranny and humiliation and persecution. If he was a slave or a poor person, he was beaten and subjected to unbearable tortures. If he was a shopkeeper or artisan, he was made to suffer economic hardships, even starvation. If he was a member of an influential family, his own people would tease and harass him in different ways and make life difficult for him. This had created an atmosphere of fear and fright in Makkah, due to which most people were afraid of believing in the Prophet (peace be upon him) although they acknowledged him to be a true Prophet (peace be upon him) in their hearts; and some others who believed would lose heart soon afterwards and would submit and yield to the disbelievers when they confronted dreadful persecutions.

In order to change this state of agitation into forbearance, Allah tells the believers, “No one can become worthy of Our promises of success in the world and the Hereafter merely by verbal profession of the faith, but every claimant to the faith will have to pass through trials and tribulations so as to furnish proof of the truth of his claim.

In the initial stage of life at Madinah, after the migration, when the Muslims were in great trouble on account of economic hardships, external dangers and internal villainy of the Jews and the hypocrites, Allah said: “Do you think that you will enter Paradise without undergoing such trials as were experienced by the believers before you? They met with adversity and affliction and were so shaken by trials that the Prophet of the time and his followers cried out, `when will Allah’s help come?’ (Then only they were comforted with the good tidings:) “Yes, Allah’s help is near!”‘ (Al-Baqarah: 214). Likewise, when after the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims again confronted a period of afflictions, it was said: “Do you think that you will enter Paradise without undergoing any trial? whereas Allah has not yet tried you to see who among you are ready to lay down their lives in His way and who will show fortitude for His sake.” (Al-i-`Imran: 142). Almost the same thing has been said in AI-i-‘Imran: 179, Taubah: 16 and Surah Muhammad: 31. Allah in these verses has impressed on the Muslims that trial is the touchstone by which the pure and the impure are judged. The impure is turned aside by Allah and the pure is selected so that Allah may honour them with His favours which the sincere believers only deserve.

A muslim of china or any part of the world will not get demoralise or deviate from his faith.
A muslim knows that this life is a mere journey and the end of all hardship is rewarding.

Reference
1)http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-06-26/no-fair-china-trying-tempt-muslims-fasting-during-ramadan-beer
2) Tafseer al quran.

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LGBT FLAG 5 REASONS WHY A MUSLIM DON’T APPROVE IT

LGBT FLAG 5 REASONS WHY A MUSLIM DON’T APPROVE IT

The  rainbow flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender(LGBT) pride and LGBT social movements.The flag is often used as a symbol of gay pride in LGBT rights marches. It originated in Northern California, but is now used worldwide.

A muslim is against gay and lesbian marriage for various reason as stated in Quran.The warning of Allah in Quran, giving the evidence of people of sodom who were destroyed because they were engaged in consensual homosexual acts is the basic reason why a muslim is strictly against gay and lesbian support.
The people of sodom were a bunch of wicked and lewd people who committed lots of crime including  homosexual behavior. Prophet Lut was sent by Allah to warn the people but they didn’t heeded to his calls.Subsequently the whole city was destroyed and only those who followed the prophet,were saved from punishment.

1)EVIDENCE THAT QURAN FORBIDS LGBT

Quran narrates the story of the destroyed tribes so the people take hidayah and refrain from mistakes already done by previous tribes.
Story of the people of Lut summerised as :

PROPHET LUT’S WARNING

1)And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: “Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway and practice wickedness (even) in your councils?” But his people gave no answer but this: they said: “Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth.”}* (Al-`Ankabut 29:28-29)

THE PEOPLE’S CRIME

2)Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!}* (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26:165-166)

THE PUNISHMENT

3)The Quran describes the punishment as an awful cry that turned the town upside down and rained stones of baked clay.

The punishment came at sunrise, and God said,

“So We saved him and his family, all, except an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind.  Then afterward We destroyed the others.  And We rained on them a rain (of torment).  And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned.  Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers.”

EVIDENCE THAT BELOVED PROPHET DISAPPROVED HOMOSEXUALITY (LGBT)

2) – It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘There is nothing I fear for my ummah more than the deed of the people of Loot.’”

Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1457; Ibn Maajah, 2563. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) inSaheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1552).

3)– It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “… cursed is the one who has intercourse with an animal, cursed is the one who does the action of the people of Loot.”

Narrated by Ahmad, 1878. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Jaami’, no. 5891).

4) – It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever you find doing the deed of the people of Loot, kill the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1456; Abu Dawood, 4462; Ibn Maajah, 2561. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Jaami’, no. 6589)

5)Ibn Katheer said:

“The words of Allaah ‘And the two persons (man and woman) among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, hurt them both’ mean, those who commit immoral actions, punish them both. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), Sa’eed ibn Jubayr and others said: By condemning them, shaming them and hitting them with shoes. This was the ruling until Allaah abrogated it and replaced it with whipping and stoning. ‘Ikrimah, ‘Ata, al-Hasan and ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Katheer said: This was revealed concerning a man and woman who commit fornication. Al-Saddi said, it was revealed concerning young people before they get married. Mujaahid said:  it was revealed concerning two men if they admit it bluntly; a hint is not sufficient  – as if he was referring to homosexuality. And Allaah knows best.”

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/463).

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HELL AND ITS INHABITANTS

.

    THE GATES OF HELL / JAHANNAM AND WHO WILL ENTER THROUGH IT:

1. Jaheem...the shallowest level of Jahannam. It is reserved for those who believed in Allah and His Messenger [sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam], but who ignored His commands.

2. Jahanam...a deeper level where the idol-worshippers are to be sent on the Day of Judgement.

3. Sa’ir...is reserved for the worshippers of fire.

4. Saqar…this is where those who did not believe in Allah will be sent on the Day of Judgement.

5. Ladha…will be the home of those who are calling Prophet Musa (Moses) their God

6. Hawiyah...will be the abode those who worship Hisa (Jesus) as their God.

7. Hutama...the deepest level of Jahannam. This is where the religious hypocrites will spend eternity. The worst of Allah’s creation are the Munafiqeen [hypocrites], whether they be mankind or Jinn, for they outwardly appear to accept, but inwardly reject Allah and his messenger.

ROHINGYA-A COMPARISON WITH THE TALES OF QURAN

Radical Buddhists? Violent monks? Ethnic cleansing? Concentration camps? And now, mass graves? What’s happening in rohingya(BURMA)is terrible.

ABOUT ROHINGYA MUSLIMS

The Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority in Burma have been called “the most oppressed people on Earth”. They suffer vicious attacks and systematic abuse by Burma’s government.

The 1.3 million Rohingya have been denied citizenship and stripped of all rights. They are forced to live in Apartheid conditions where they cannot travel, work or even marry without permission. Over 140,000 were forced into concentration camps after their homes and villages were burnt to the ground in 2012, and remain there today.

The government of Burma denies their very existence, prohibiting the use of their name and pressuring foreign officials not even to utter the word Rohingya. According to Burma’s President Thein Sein, “There are no Rohingya” in Burma.”

As Burma’s government persecutes the Rohingya and denies their existence, the precursors to genocide are loud and clear.

PLIGHT OF ROHINGYA MUSLIMS

• The Rohingya muslims are struggling for their basic rights.
• As the violence escalates, Rohingya have begun to flee, paying thousands of dollars to  flee on leaky boats. Of the country’s approximately 1 million Rohingya (numbers vary, in part because the government’s censuses permit no such identification), some 100,000 have already fled, and nearly 140,000 are displaced.
•  In the refugee camps,the Pregnant women, sick children, elderly men and women are suffering and sometimes dying because they don’t have access to medicine and basic healthcare.
• The unluckiest are sold to human traffickers, who extort their families back home for more money. They seem to be the source of mass graves found near the Thai border.

THE PHAROAH WAS DESTROYED AND SO YOU WILL BE;

The body of Pharoah is still preserved  by Allah (presently in a meuseum in egypt)so that the people take heed .

The story of Pharoah from Quran

Israelites were living a life of slavery under the rule of the Pharaoh where hardship and oppression was part and parcel of their life.

The Pharaoh still did not accept the divinity of Allah and continued to reject Allah and his Prophet Musa (AS). Allah Ta’ala had granted Musa (AS) many signs. These signs were a means to break the tyranny of the Pharaoh so he may accept the One Allah and set free the Israelites. Each sign was greater than the previous sign. Whenever the Pharaoh and his men were afflicted with one of these signs, they came to Musa (AS) and asked him to supplicate to Allah to remove them from this hardship. Upon removing the sign, they use to return to their heedlessness. Allah Ta’ala says:

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا آَلَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِالسِّنِينَ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ (130) فَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا لَنَا هَذِهِ وَإِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا بِمُوسَى وَمَنْ مَعَهُ أَلَا إِنَّمَا طَائِرُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ (131) وَقَالُوا مَهْمَا تَأْتِنَا بِهِ مِنْ آَيَةٍ لِتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا فَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ (132) فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الطُّوفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ وَالدَّمَ آَيَاتٍ مُفَصَّلَاتٍ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا مُجْرِمِينَ (133) وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّجْزُ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِنْدَكَ لَئِنْ كَشَفْتَ عَنَّا الرِّجْزَ لَنُؤْمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرْسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ (134) فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْزَ إِلَى أَجَلٍ هُمْ بَالِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمْ يَنْكُثُونَ

And We seized the people of Pharaoh with years of famine and poor production of fruits, so that they may learn a lesson. When good times came to them, they said, this is our right. And if an evil touched them, they took it as an ill omen of Mūsā and those with him. Listen, their ill omen lies with Allah only, but most of them do not know. They said, whatever sign you bring to us to enchant us with, we are not going to believe in you. So We sent upon them the storm and locusts and lice and frogs and blood, as signs distinct from each other. Yet they showed arrogance, and they were a guilty people. Whenever a scourge befell them, they said, O Mūsā, pray for us to your Lord by the covenant He has made with you. If you remove the scourge from us, we will truly believe in you, and will send the children of Isrā‘īl with you. But when We removed the scourge from them for a term they had to reach, in no time they started to break their promise. (Al-A’raf)

Finally the time came when Allah revealed to Musa (AS) to take the Israelites and escape from the land of Egypt. Allah says:

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي إِنَّكُمْ مُتَّبَعُونَ (52) فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِي الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ (53) إِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌ قَلِيلُونَ (54) وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَائِظُونَ (55) وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَاذِرُونَ (56) فَأَخْرَجْنَاهُمْ مِنْ جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ (57) وَكُنُوزٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ (58) كَذَلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَاهَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ (59) فَأَتْبَعُوهُمْ مُشْرِقِينَ (60) فَلَمَّا تَرَاءَى الْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَابُ مُوسَى إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ (61) قَالَ كَلَّا إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ (62) فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى مُوسَى أَنِ اضْرِبْ بِعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ فَانْفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَالطَّوْدِ الْعَظِيمِ (63) وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ الْآَخَرِينَ (64) وَأَنْجَيْنَا مُوسَى وَمَنْ مَعَهُ أَجْمَعِينَ (65)

And We revealed to Mūsā saying, Make My servants travel at night. You will be pursued. So Pharaoh sent into the cities (his) men to muster (people) saying, these are a small band, and indeed they are enraging us, and we are a host, well-armed. Thus We expelled them (i.e. the people of Pharaoh) from gardens and springs, and from treasures and a noble abode. Thus it was. And We made the children of Isrā‘īl inherit all such things. So they (the people of Pharaoh) pursued them (the people of Mūsā) at the time of sunrise. And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Mūsā said, surely we are overtaken. He said, Never! Indeed with me is my Lord. He will guide me. So We revealed to Mūsā saying, Strike the sea with your staff. So it was severed apart, and each part became like a big mountain. Then We brought others close to that place. And We saved Mūsā and all those with him. (Al-=Shu’ara)

When seeing the Israelites passing the sea, the Pharaoh and his men also went into the separated sea in their pursuit. However, the sea united itself and drowned the Pharaoh and his army. The Pharaoh at the throws of death realized that his life is about to end and the unseen things of the hereafter became apparent to him. In one breath he states thrice his belief in Allah, but alas, it is too late and was doomed for eternity. Allah says:

وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ وَجُنُودُهُ بَغْيًا وَعَدْوًا حَتَّى إِذَا أَدْرَكَهُ الْغَرَقُ قَالَ آَمَنْتُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا الَّذِي آَمَنَتْ بِهِ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ (90) آَلْآَنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ قَبْلُ وَكُنْتَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ (91) فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ آَيَةً وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ عَنْ آَيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ (92)

“And We let the children of Isrā‘īl cross the sea. So, Pharaoh and his troops chased them in transgression and hostility, until when he was about to drown, he said, I believe that there is no god but the One in whom the children of Isrā‘īl believe, and I am among those who submit to Allah. (Allah said,) is it now (that you have come to believe) while you were rebellious all along, and you were among the mischief-makers? So, today, We shall save your body, so that you may become a sign for those after you. And many of the people are heedless of Our signs.” (Yunus)

THE BURMESE MONKS ARE NOT LESS THAN THE PHAROAH

                           Teaching of Quran and the sunnah :An oppressor must not be assisted:

Helping an oppressor is from the gravest of disasters; people should not imitate an oppressor and must prevent him and make him realise the wrong that he is doing; if people assist the oppressor then they will not get to drink from the fountain of the Prophet as He himself informed us of this being the case.

There are many proofs from hadith:

• The Prophet of Allah said: “There are three persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person when he breaks his fast, and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it, and (to whom) Allah will say: ‘By My Glory! I shall assist you, even if it is after a while.’“ [At-Tirmithi]
• Those who transgress other people’s rights should fear Allah and fear the oppressed supplicating against them, as this is a very dangerous matter.Mu`aath reported that the Messenger of Allah dispatched him (as governor of Yemen) and instructed him thus: “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• Anas reported: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.’ A man asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I (know how to) help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?’ He said: ‘You can restrain him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• Abu Bakr said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah saying: ‘When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allaah will punish them all.’” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
• Narrated Abu Ma’bad, that the Prophet (SAW) said, “… and be afraid of the curse of an oppressed person because there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.” Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 24, Number 573.
• “The best Jihad is to speak a word of truth to a tyrannical ruler”–Prophet Muhammad(SAW)
• Prophet (SAW.) said: When the Day of Judgment rises an announcer announces: Where are the tyrants and their helpers this calling also includes those who even filled an ink-pot for the unjust ruler or sew his purse or sharpened a pencil for the oppressors. So gather them along with the tyrants.“A tyrant and the one who helps an oppressor as well as the one who is pleased with such injustice all the three are accomplices in the sin”–Muhammad al-Baqir (RAA)
• It is also reported that Prophet Dawud, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Allah, You know that I love You and I love all those who love You, but how may I endear You to Your servants? Allah said: Remind them of My Favors, My trials and My anger. O Dawud, any of My servants who helped an oppressed person and stood by him in his oppressed state, I’ll keep his feet firm on the Day when all feet will be shaken.” (Reported by Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Ahadith Al-Qudsiyyah)
• One should prevent the oppressor physically if possible, and this responsibility is greater with respect to the rulers and those in authority. If one cannot stop the oppressor physically, then he should do it verbally.

WHAT IS THE WORLD DOING DOING?

• .On May 27 and 28,2015 the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened Foreign Ministers from across the Muslim world in Kuwait—some 57 countries were represented—and the Rohingya were at the top of the agenda. The OIC’s Secretary-General, Iyad Ameen Madani, has said “the plight of the Rohingyas” cannot be addressed without “international cooperation.” The meeting concluded with a vow to work with the Arakan Rohingya Union, which represents the world’s Rohingya.

• Indonesia and Malaysia have changed their initial stance towards Rohingya refugees, offering temporary asylum for 7,000, while

• Turkey has donated $1 million in relief assistance. One OIC member state, Gambia, has announced that, should transportation for the Rohingya be provided, it is a “sacred duty” to resettle all Rohingya refugees in its territory. But because Gambia lacks the money and resources to transport them, it would require partners,which one hopes the OIC is able to provide. Hopefully the OIC can bring resources together, and provide options.
• Several NGO’S have come up to aid ROHINGYA on humanitarian basis.

ROHINGYA,THE MUSLIM UMMAH IS WITH YOU.

ANYONE WITH A HUMAN HEART IS WITH YOU

WE FEEL FOR YOU

ROHINGYA,WE ARE WITH YOU.

FEW RAMADHAN TIPS FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS

    Diabetic and Fasting

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is an important spiritual practice.  When you have diabetes, you may be wondering how fasting will affect your diabetes.  There is a lot of misinformation about diabetes and Ramadan. This article clears some misconception and gives few  useful tips.

Does everyone have to fast?

No.  This is based on the Holy Quran as well as the teachings of Islamic religious scholars over centuries. The Quran states that there are groups of people who do not have to fast, especially if it puts their health at risk.  This includes children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly and anyone who might make themselves ill by fasting.  This also includes people with poorly controlled diabetes, people with type 1 diabetes who take insulin or type 2 on a mixed insulin regimen or those who often have very high or very low blood glucose levels.

I know many people with diabetes who fast and don’t have a problem.  Is it okay for me?

It is true, many people with diabetes can fast safely, but each person is different.   Part of the decision you will make with your doctor has to do with the kind of diabetes medicine you take.   It is important to schedule an appointment 2-3 months before Ramadan to discuss how fasting might affect your diabetes.  Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest a change in your medication plan.

What risks should I be aware of?

These are the key risks:
• Low blood glucose (or hypoglycemia) – The risk of blood glucose levels going too low is highest in people taking insulin or certain diabetes pills. Limit physical activity during fasting hours and be more active after sunset.  Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if your medicine puts you at risk for low blood glucose and discuss how to prevent it.
• High blood glucose (or hyperglycemia) – While low blood glucose levels may happen during the day, after the fast is broken, there is a greater risk to overeat.  Watch out for eating too many sweets and keep the portion sizes moderate.   Even though Ramadan is known as a time of fasting – it is not uncommon for people to gain weight during this month, as in some families, every evening meal is a celebration.
• Dehydration – This is especially a problem during the longer and hotter summer days.  Aim to drink sugar free and caffeine free drinks frequently throughout the evening and before dawn.

I was told to not check my blood glucose during the day as it will break the fast. Is that true?

Checking blood glucose will not break a fast!    It is important to monitor blood glucose levels especially to identify a low glucose level.  A fast will have to be ended if glucose levels fall too low (below 70 mg/dl)

How is low blood glucose treated?

If glucose levels do fall below 70, take 15 grams of carbohydrate in the form of one of these:  4 glucose tablets, 6 oz regular soda, 4 oz fruit juice or 1 tube glucose gel.  Wait 15 minutes and recheck again.  Follow with a snack if the evening meal is not for more than an hour.

Do I stop taking medicine during Ramadan?

No.  You continue taking your diabetes medicine, but you will take it at different times.  Your dose may also change.    This is one reason why it is very important to talk with your healthcare provider several months before Ramadan so you can plan ahead for how your diabetes medicines may need to change.

How do I plan my meals since I’m only eating twice a day?

The dawn meal (Suhoor) should contain a balance of whole grain sources of starchy carbohydrates as well as some protein and fat to help slow the digestion and help the feeling of fullness last as long as possible into the day.   Healthy breakfast options good for the hot summer month of Ramadan include:
• Whole grain cereal, low-fat milk, cottage cheese with sliced peaches topped with toasted almonds
• Plain Greek Yogurt flavored with blueberries and cinnamon, whole wheat toast with nut butter.
• Foul (a hearty middle eastern breakfast dish made of lentils or fava beans), small serving of sliced fruit
• Whole wheat roti (unleavened bread) and egg khagina (a southeast Asian dish)

Traditionally the fast is broken (Iftar) after sunset and begins with the eating of dates and drinking water.  Limit dates to 1-2 each evening.  Drink plenty of water and sugar free beverages though out the evening, but avoid caffeine beverages as they can be dehydrating.

While the iftar meal is a celebration time, aim to not overeat.  Discuss a plan with your dietitian.  Keep sensible portions in mind and follow the same guidelines for healthy eating that you do the rest of the year with an emphasis on whole grains, lean sources of meat, fish and poultry, small amounts of heart healthy fats and limit added sugars.

Hope the information helps.

ZAZAKALLAH KHAIRAN.