Tips for a Healthy Mind & Body

In our last article, we discussed the importance of maintaining our spiritual well-being during times of calamities and hardships. In this episode, we will now briefly discuss the importance of preserving a healthy body and mind during such times.

Our Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “There are two bounties regarding which many people are deceived: good health and free time.” [Bukhari] He (Peace Be Upon Him) also said, “Ask Allah for forgiveness and health, for after faith nothing is better than health.” Similarly, his supplications include, “O Allah, keep my hearing well, keep my sight well and keep my body well.”

The following are a few effective ways to enjoy a good mental and healthy [as well as spiritual] well-being:

• Breathe in fresh morning air. Take a walk and breathe in deeply, from your nose, and exhale it from the mouth. Abstain from smoking or sitting near smokers. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi RA used to say that if a person takes a walk after the Fajr salah with the intention of enjoying good health, then he will Allah-willing receive the same reward as the one who sat in the Masjid up to Ishraq salah (slightly after sunrise).

• Drink clean and filtered water. Stay hydrated. But avoid drinking very cold water and drinking too soon before or after eating. Drinking water is very effective in upgrading our overall health and in eliminating many illnesses including toxins from the body.

• Exercise regularly to keep fit and healthy. It could be some regular exercise, or some press-ups and sit-ups, or simply brisk walk every other day for about 20 minutes. Those who live near the Masjid should walk to and from it for the five-times salah. An Arab saying goes, `the healthy brain lies in a healthy body`. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), “The strong believer is more loved by Allah than the weak one, and there is goodness in both.” [Muslim]

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Keep the supper a light meal. Avoid the following: unhealthy foods (such as processed-foods, oily foods, food fried in oil); prohibited items (such as alcohol and drugs); eating between meals; eating various types of food in one meal; and over-eating. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) instructed us to reserve one-third [of the stomach] for food; one-third for water; and one-third for air.
• Maintain hygiene. The Glorious Qur`an [9: 108] states, “And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.” The Prophet PBUH said, “Cleanliness is half of faith.” The Prophet PBUH himself was clean and pure. He also instructed his followers to regularly bathe, apply perfume, clean the teeth [with miswak], perform ablution, wash the hands, take care of hair by oiling and combing it, clip the nails, and remove pubic hair. Good scents are `food for the soul! ` [Ibn al-Qayyim]

• Sleep sufficiently. It should suffice to sleep 6-7 hours daily to function effectively throughout the day.  If possible, then a power-nap in the afternoon is a prophetic practice and can assist one in waking up for Tahajjud salah (in last one-third of the night).

• Don`t let emotions, worries and anxieties take over you. It is okay to feel upset, distressed or grieved by something. However, let us learn to control our emotions and cannel our energies and minds in productive avenues. There are many prophetic narrations on the importance of controlling our emotions. Our busy life-styles and work arrangements coupled with anger, jealousy, hatred and other such ill-feelings towards others, eventually build up stress with in us, due to which we and those around us suffer the consequences. The inability to effectively deal with stress leads to many illnesses such as high-blood pressure, diabetes etc.

• Keep a journal or diary. Set up a daily routine and a schedule with things to do. Record your thoughts and observations throughout the day. The Prophet PBUH said, “There is no intelligence like effective planning.” [Ibn Majah] Planning a daily timetable will help you to schedule your tasks and work systematically. You should allocate time for your family, work, religious duties, and relaxation. Strike a balance in your routine.

• Be positive. Aim to improve. “Whoever`s two days are the same [pass by without improvement] is in deception.” [Hilyat `l-Awliya] Aim high and work to improve. Try to improve your time management and work effectively and wisely within a time framework.

• Appreciate your life, your religion and those around you. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “One who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah.” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]. Also, once the Caliph Harun Rashid asked a wise man for advice. The man looked at the glass of water in the Caliph`s hand and said, “If you are denied this sip of water, will you give away your entire kingdom to have it?” the Caliph nodded. The wise man continued, “and if after drinking it, it was withheld inside your body, would you give your entire kingdom to get it out?” again the Caliph answered in the affirmative. The wise man concluded, “So what is the value of a kingdom that is not worth a sip of water or even a drop of urine?” [Imam Gazhali]

• Learn a skill, a trade or a new subject or language [perhaps, Arabic!]. The Prophet PBUH said, “The best among you are those who learn the Qur`an and then teach it.” [Bukhari]

• Live in the moment. Imam Ghazali narrated a story of a man who went on a journey carrying only a loaf of bread. He was afraid to eat it and leave no food reserve for the rest of his voyage. He kept telling himself, “If I eat it, I will die.” Allah entrusted an angel to him, saying, “If he eats it, give him more provision.” The man never ate his loaf; it lay there before him at the time of his death.”

• Let us stay safe and keep our environment clean and safe. The Prophet PBUH said, “Cover the pots and water bottles,” [Muslim] and, “do not leave the fire lit in your homes while you are sleeping: this fire is your enemy so put it out before you sleep,” [Bukari] and, “turn off the lamps before sleeping.” [Bukhari]

May Allah Ta‘ala strengthen us in our faith, keep us steadfast on good actions and preserve our spiritual, metal and physical well-being. Ameen

Posted in General on 8th Mar 2021 by Our Imam | 2424 Views