Ahlan Sahlan Holy month Romadon 1445
Ramadan…with Baby!
(Courtesy of: 
Allah The Most High Says (what
means): {To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He
creates what He wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He
gives to whom He wills males…} [Quran 42:49]
A mother lode of Ramadan blessings
Children are God’s gifts to whomever He so pleases. As
such, they should not become obstacles to our thankful efforts in Ramadan to
increase our worship of a Most Gracious and Generous Lord.
Ramadan is back again, Al-Hamdulillaah—and not a moment too
soon! We should be grateful we are granted another precious chance to fast,
increase our acts of worship, and pile up as many good deeds as possible in
just a month's time. It is often over in a blink of an eye. So it's a race to
make the most of each day and night in devotion to, and sincere worship of
Allah, our Lord and Creator.
But for a worshipper who's also a wife, this goal can be an
oh so difficult one to achieve—balancing a Ramadan schedule for the soul
against taking care of a home and a family in a fasting and night intensive
time. This is exponentially truer for mothers who are breastfeeding and caring
for a baby while fasting and running a fasting household.
How often a new mother is up all night with her baby
tending to its needs and settling it to sleep! She barely closes her eyes
before it's the wee hours of the night and its time to get up and start the
fasting day. The loss of sleep, weakness from fasting, and the substantial
calorie and time losses of nursing a hungry baby can leave a worshipping mother
exhausted, even depressed.
These are the last feelings of spirit a Muslim seeks to
mine, especially during the auspicious month of Quran. When that Muslimah is
also a mother, she struggles both to fulfill her family's needs and that of the
home, in addition to her own Ramadan worship. There can be no doubt that
fasting, prayer, and recitation of Quran own a higher priority over her, even
as Allah Almighty reminds us in the Noble Quran (what means): {O you who
have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from
remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers.}
[Quran 63:9] Yet a Muslim mother's household and care-giving worship do not
desist.
Yet while maintaining the fast and sustaining increased
acts of worship in Ramadan presents such women with particularly arduous
challenges, it nonetheless remains true that she can excel on the Siyaam
(fasting) and Qiyaam (night prayer) side and in the administration and nurture
of home and baby too. Indeed, it is not only absolutely possible, but utterly
spiritually invigorating. With substantial organization and pre-planning,
motivated new mothers (and new mothers again) can reap all the rewards of
Ramadan and then some, and enjoy this special month too.
Down-home Ramadan advice
Sister Alayah, a stay-at-home mother of four in Georgia,
has this counsel for Ramadan mothers: Do as much preparation as possible well
before Ramadan even begins. "I have fasted during pregnancy, while
breastfeeding, and [while] coping with colicky babies. You name it and I went
through it.” What worked best for sister Alayah was making a balanced Ramadan
schedule and sticking to it. "I just made sure that everything had its
time and place. I planned the Ramadan Suhoor and Iftaar meals beforehand. I
created the daily menus and went shopping."
For older children, Alayah recommends having crafts and
simple toys on hand to keep them occupied so that you can perform prayer, read
the Quran, or work in the kitchen. "I make Ramadan folders for my children.
They have their own schedule for fun activities during the Ramadan day, as well
as Quran and Hadeeth study pages. I also print coloring and craft pages from
the Internet, which is an excellent resource."
As for caring for a baby, Alayah says: "I always make
sure that my baby is well fed and cared for first before I tend to other
activities." By doing this, the baby is less likely to be fussy when the
mother wants to perform prayer or read the Quran. With a clean diaper and a
full belly, the baby will most likely be content while the mother engages in
acts of worship or other activities.
Mothers can also rely a bit on technology when trying to
free her hands up for worship or housework.
Automated baby swings and rockers are hot items for
infants, though they can cost. They may soothe your baby, but they won't
protect them. Be sure you are in the same room supervising to ensure the safety
of your baby.
Samurai strategies for a sweet Ramadan
Aasiya, another stay-at-home mom who lives in Japan,
remembers being all alone during Ramadan with her then 1-month-old baby Safa.
"I was recovering from a C-section and could not do much around the house.
I relied on an 'old wives' technique to make my baby sleep longer during the
Ramadan nights." Aasiya bathed her daughter every night before bed then
swaddled her firmly in a blanket. "She would sleep tight through the
night. I would be able to recite Quran and [make] Thikr or warm up my heart in
prayer without interruption."
Aasiya also made it a habit of getting up an hour before
the Suhoor meal so that she could perform the Tahajjud Salah night vigil and
prepare things for the next day while her baby snoozed. Simple things like
quickly chopping vegetables or defrosting meat can be done right before Suhoor
so that they will be ready when you need them later in the day.
What helped Aasiya most during Ramadan was keeping the
Iftaar menu simple. "I stuck with preparing one appetizer, one main course
and fruit salad every day during Ramadan." She also kept the cleaning of
her home to a bare minimum. "Being a cleaning freak, I had to make myself
understand one thing in Ramadan: I am supposed to perform my prayer and Quran
recitation properly. Nobody is going to award me medals for keeping the house
super clean. All energy I have would be my baby's requirement when she was
awake in the daytime, so I should be loyal to Allah and my daughter in
Ramadan."
For breastfeeding mothers who want to fast but fear their
milk supply will diminish or they will feel extra thirsty, Aasiya shares some
advice that helped her during Ramadan with her baby. "I always ate yogurt
during the Suhoor meal, as someone told me it helps prevent thirst. It worked
like a charm for me. I also drank a lot of fluids, mostly water, during Suhoor
and after Iftar." As a result, sister Aasiya had no trouble fasting in
Ramadan and rarely felt thirsty, even though she maintained her regular
breastfeeding schedule to keep up with the demands of her baby.
...If only you knew
It's important to note that pregnant and breastfeeding
mothers are not required to fast during Ramadan and can make up the missed days
at a later date. But the incentives, the incentives...
Allah, Transcendent and Exalted, Says in the Gracious Quran
(what means): {[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you
is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be
made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom
[as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess
– it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.}
[Quran 2:184]
Thus, many Muslim women opt to fast during Ramadan and it
is permissible for them to do so, in accordance with the approval of the
Prophet Muhammad 
. Remember! All the missed fasts from
Ramadan must be made up at a later date. Say, 29 or 30 days of fasting,
sometimes running into multiple years of childbearing and nursing, can be hard
to make up on your own.
. Remember! All the missed fasts from
Ramadan must be made up at a later date. Say, 29 or 30 days of fasting,
sometimes running into multiple years of childbearing and nursing, can be hard
to make up on your own.
Moreover, not fasting in Ramadan truly makes the heart heavy
and sad. "When you are determined to fast in Ramadan so that you do not
have to make up the fasts later all alone, you show courage," observes
Aasiya. "Ask Allah for help. It is His blessing that will energize you
during the fast. You will feel successful after a whole month of Ramadan
worship while juggling the care of your baby and the house-work."
Ramadan is like a rainbow that appears in the sky after a
cloudburst on a sun-drenched day. Its beauty and mercy last only as long as the
time it is permitted by Allah. Muslims must seize the Ramadan days and nights
in utter worship of Allah while striving to keep distractions at bay.
"Ramadan is a beautiful month, so have patience,"
says sister Alayah. "Get the whole family involved in worship and lending
a hand to the mother of the home so that she, too, can worship."
Incidentally, Sister Alayah has taken her Ramadan
scheduling to the ultimate level by implementing it for the entire year, not
fasting daily, of course. "Everything I have shared is now the basic
routine for my family, not just during Ramadan. So, when Ramadan comes again it
is not hard for my family to adjust.
Zakat (The Poor Due): Meaning, Ruling and Benefits
The
literal meaning of "Zakat" is purity. Its Islamic technical meaning
designates the annual amount of wealth, food, property etc. which a Muslim with
the adequate means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries.
Zakat is a remarkable institution and a major pillar of
Islam. Allah, Almighty, Says (what means): "And establish the
Prayer, and pay Zakat (the poor due)..." [Quran, 2:43]
Moreover, Zakat is an obligatory act because it is one of
the pillars of Islam: The Prophet said: "Islam
was built upon five (pillars): `The testimony that none has the right to be
worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; the
establishment of the prayer; paying the obligatory charity (Zakat); pilgrimage
to the House (Hajj to the Ka'bah in Makkah) and fasting (the month of)
Ramadan."' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
said: "Islam
was built upon five (pillars): `The testimony that none has the right to be
worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; the
establishment of the prayer; paying the obligatory charity (Zakat); pilgrimage
to the House (Hajj to the Ka'bah in Makkah) and fasting (the month of)
Ramadan."' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Zakat is a small portion of the Muslim's wealth that must
be given to the poor or to other specified beneficiaries. Whoever claims that
Zakat is not obligatory and refuses to pay it, is not a Muslim, but a Muslim
who refuses to pay Zakat due to stinginess, while affirming its obligation, has
committed a great sin for which one will be severely punished.
Allah, Almighty, Says (what means): "...and as
for those who hoard treasures of gold and silver, and do not spend them for the
sake of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. On the Day when that
[hoarded wealth] shall be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be
branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said
unto them): `This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste
of what you used to hoard." [Quran 9: 34-35]
He, Almighty, also Says (what means): "And let
not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of
His bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay
Zakat). No, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously
withheld will be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of
Resurrection..." [Quran 3:180]
There is no equivalent in any other language to the word
"Zakat" and the meaning it conveys. It is not just a form of charity,
or alms-giving or tax or tithe. Nor, is it simply an expression of kindness; it
is all of these combined and much more. It is a duty enjoined by Allah and a
source of purification for the individual and society as a whole.
He, Almighty, Says (what means): "Take from
their wealth 'sadaqah' (Zakat) in order to purify them and sanctify them with
it." [Quran 9: 103]
Zakat benefits the society in many ways. Here is an
explanation of the far-reaching effects of it:
1. Zakat purifies the individual and his wealth. The
status of his wealth is increased with Allah and in turn, he will be rewarded.
When a person becomes liable for paying Zakat, a certain percentage of his
wealth should be distributed immediately in the correct manner, because at that
point, the wealth which is to be distributed does not belong to him. If this
wealth is retained, it spoils the status of all of his wealth.
2. Zakat does not only purify the property of the one
who gives it, it also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. In return,
it purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, and it fosters
in his heart good will and warm wishes toward the contributor. As a result, the
rich and poor of society are bound together as a unit, working together and
helping one another.
3. Zakat decreases the sufferings of the needy and
poor members of society, however, those in need should not depend on it completely.
4. Zakat is an effective means of developing the
spirit of social responsibility on the part of the well-to-do, and the feeling
of security and belonging on the part of the underprivileged.
5. Zakat is a clear manifestation of the spiritual and
humanitarian interactions between the individual and society. It is a sound
illustration of the fact that though Islam does not hinder private enterprise
or condemn private possessions, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy control
of wealth and property. It is an expression of the general philosophy of Islam
which adopts a moderate and effective course between the Individual and
Society.
In conclusion, we mention a calling by Allah, Almighty
(what means): "O You who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain
that will save you from grievous suffering [in this world and in the life to
come)? You are to believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive hard in Allah's
cause with your possessions and your lives: this is for your own good – if you
had known it." [Qur'an, 61: 10-11]
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