“He (God) decreed upon you Hajj to his holy mosque, his divine right”. Imam Ali

Dear Readers,

A young sufferer in hospital for her Anorexia Nervosa asked me how should she spend her days of Dhul Hijjah.

“I am inpatient at the Hospital. I am not allowed to leave. I am gaining weight and its very depressing. There is no choice but to eat. If you don’t eat, then you have to drink three fortisips. All we do is dress up, sit and eat.” 16 Year old Female UK

When I was at the hospital for my Eating Disorder, my biggest consolation came from praying. Just before  lunch, I would go and do my prayer and I would feel very calm. Recovery from Eating Disorder is not just about eating, it also involves healing our mind, heart and soul. The sad thing is that with malnutrition and poor eating, we completely destroy our minds and this really interferes with our prayers and engagement with Allah. We often forget to do the basic things like reading Qur’an with meaning, reciting Tasbeeh, being kind, not being angry and taking care of ourselves, the demon has overcome us and make us forget the remembrance of Allah. The power of prayer is incredible, and it is at our fingertips if we would only use it.

The days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most blessed ones; therefore let’s make much from this opportunity. Lets all unite and  embark on a journey of recovery, health, happiness and a defeat to the Demon of Eating Disorder and offer our thanks to Allah who has blessed us immensely.

 

“O son of Adam, prayer is from you, response is from Me. Repentance is from you, forgiveness is from Me. To ask forgiveness is from You, to grant is from Me. To Thank is from you, to give abundantly is from Me. Patience is from you, to aid is from Me….What have you ever asked of Me that I did not give?”

 

To Make Most of these days of Dhul Hijjah, incorporate following in your Day:

 

Prayer Salah

“Prayer enables ordained favors to reach you; it is the greatest blessing.” 

Pray Five times a Day. Pray as much as you can. Garner the blessings of Dhul Hijjah by incorporating extra prayers in your day, such as extra Nafls and Salat ul Tasbeeh. Don’t forget to Thank Allah for giving you a chance to pray and to turn to Him.

Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: “To whom the gates of prayers have been opened, the gates of mercy have opened, and nothing more pleasing has been asked of Allah than welfare”.

 

Let’s Increase in Glorification & Remembrance of Allah

“No Charity is a greater virtue than engaging in the Dhikr of Allah”

Ahmed Hulusi: “Dhikr is the most beneficial thing one can do in this world”.

 

“O Believers! Remember Allah Much!”

“Dhikr enables reaching a state of  certainty (Yakeen)”

The following are some easy and very beneficial dhikr and glorification we can do throughout these blessed days and nights.-

• Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd
• Subhanallah
• Alhamdulillah
• Allahu Akbar
• Laa ilaha ilallah
• La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
• Asthaghfirullah
• SubhanAllahil azeem wa bihamdihi
• Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm
• Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer
• One can also recite the durood that one recites towards the end of one’s salaah or the shortest durood: Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim.

Tip: Have something in your environment or on your person as a reminder for dhikr. It could be a special ring that you wear or a sticker placed on your desk or car wind shield.

Increase in Good Deeds

Do more good deeds than usual- be kind, love yourself and your family, offer gratitude to Allah, help your community, visit sick and elderly, help your mother with daily chores, be kind and generous to those who are in need, smile, and show immense kindness to yourself.

Give Charity

Show an Exemplary Character

 

 We must aim to be the best in character during these blessed days and nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.

Tip: Make an extra effort to be good to your friends, family, and neighbours, and especially those of other faiths.
Respect and honour thy parents- Make an extra effort to spend time with them during these blessed days. Recite Qur’an with them, read a book together, discuss a lecture you heard, share your plans for the future and seek their input. Call them a few more times in the day if they live far away.

 

Make Dua

Dua/Prayer is a solution of all problems. Allah the Almighty, loves his creation more then seventy mothers. How can HE not listen to us when e are asking for from protection from Anxiety and depression.

Hadith al Qudsi: “If my Servant raises his hands in supplication to Me, I would be ashamed to return them empty”.

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‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.’

It is related that when someone fell ill, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) would recite one of these du’as for them.

Allahuma rabbi-nas adhhabal ba’sa, ashfi wa entashafi, la shifa’ illa shifa’uka shifa’ la yughadiru saqama.

Oh Allah! The Sustainer of Mankind! Remove the illness, cure the disease. You are the One Who cures. There is no cure except Your cure. Grant us a cure that leaves no illness. (Recommended to touch the area of pain with the right hand while reciting this supplication.)

‘As’alu Allah al ‘azim rabbil ‘arshil azim an yashifika.

I ask Allah, the Mighty, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you. (Recommended to repeat seven times).

 

 

Pray for Others to Heal Yourself

The Prophet was always concerned about other people, Muslims and non-Muslims, and would regularly pray for them. Praying for others connects you with them and helps you understand their suffering. This in itself has a healing component to it. The Prophet has said that praying for someone who is not present increases love.

Make the Quran your Partner

Reading and listening to the Quran will help refresh our hearts and our minds. Recite it out loud or in a low voice. Listen to it in the car. Connecting to the Quran means connecting to God. Let it be a means to heal your heart of stress and worries.

“O humanity! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a cure for all [the ills]in men’s hearts – and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy” (Quran 10:57).

Recite Al-Mu’awwidhatayn ; Surah E falaq and Surah e naas

Eating Disorders are internal  feeling of self-doubt and thinking one’s self  extremely low in esteem. Mainly depression that comes with Eating Disorder is nothing but the deceptive whisperings from the Demon of ED.  If one peruses through the meaning of Suratul Nas, it is  noticed that it is a  best prayer for protection from the whispering of the demon of ED.

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:

“Do you not see that there have been Ayat revealed to me tonight the like of which has not been seen before. They are “Say: “I seek refuge with, the Lord of Al-Falaq.” (Surah Al-Falaq 113:1) and “Say: “I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind.’‘

(Surah An-Naas 114:1)

[Muslim]

Reciting Surah ul Nas will safeguard one from depression and uplift the mood whenever feelings of self-doubts surface; of one who suffers from depression.

 

Sleep the way the Prophet slept- This helps trust me…

End your day on a positive note. Make Wudu, then think of your day. Thank Allah for all the good things you accomplished, like Zikr and Salat. Ask yourself what you did today to bring smile to someone’s faceJ. For everything positive, say Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah). For everything negative say Astaghfirullah wa atoobo ilayk (I seek Allah’s forgiveness and I turn to You [Allah]). Recite the last two chapters of the Quran, thinking and praying as you turn on your right side with your hand below your right cheek, the way the Prophet used to sleep. Then close your day with the name of Allah on your tongue. Insha Allah, you will have a good, restful night.

Help Others

When “you give happiness, you get happiness”. This is very simple formula to be happy. Giving one’s time to provide happiness to others by engaging in social causes have an  effect on a person’s mood, countenance and disposition.

It can be any act that you can do to make others happy and helping them. Helping someone else will bring and internal feelings of satisfaction and this will help you not to feel low of your self esteem. When  you start to put a smile on others faces, InshAllah you will  feel happy.

Be Thankful to Allah

“If you are grateful, I will give you more” (Quran 14:7).

Counting our blessings helps us not only be grateful for what we have, but it also reminds us that we are so much better off than millions of others, whether that is in terms of our health, family, financial situation, or other aspects of our life. And being grateful for all we have helps us maintain a positive attitude in the face of worries and challenges we are facing almost daily.

 

Remember that your responsibility is limited

While we need to carry out our duty to the best of our abilities, always remember that you don’t control the outcome of events. Even the Prophets did not control the outcome of their efforts. Some were successful, others were not. Once you have done your duty to your health, mind and body, leave the results to Allah. Regardless of the results of your efforts, you will be rewarded for the part you have played.

However, never underestimate your abilities. Understand the concept of Barakah (blessings from Allah) and remember that Allah can and Insha Allah will expand them if you are sincerely exerting your energies for the right path.