Make it Count: Watch What You Eat!

I know of a woman who's like a mother to me who never fast, not just the month of Ramadan, but at all! Not because she don't want to, but because she's suffering from ulcer, a chronic one for that matter. "I cried for myself every Ramadan Misbahu," she once told me.

I myself have one time happened to only fast for just three days the entire Ramadan because of the same problem - ulcer.

That was a bitter experience I can't take off my head. It's accompanied by lot of pain; not been able to fast while others are doing is a pain in itself, it makes one reluctant in other spiritual actions during Ramadan especially Qiyam al-lail, feeling a kind of shame inside you, especially when you hide to eat your halal meal during the day. And to talk of paying it back when you're healthy after Ramadan, that's the worse part to me.

Many people today suffer from this illness and as a result miss out to fast the days of Ramadan. So I have a piece of advice for us as Ramadan's about to pay us a warm visit.

See, my chest still burn, but Alhamdulillah it never stops me from observing my full days of Ramadan. In fact, last year my family and some friends had to call to congratulate me. And my mother used to give me a call every blessed day to know how I was coping. Most times she called, she advised I should break the fast any time I feel I can't move on. But Alhamdulillah I did it. 30 days straight.

But I think, it's Allah's Mercy coupled with an effort I chose to make especially when Ramadan approaches. It's a simple effort to make, depending on the level of ulcer you're suffering - WATCH WHAT YOU EAT & DRINK!

Avoid too much of fried food, e.g. bean cake (called K'osai in Hausa), during and days before Ramadan. Be mindful of anything carbohydrate as well like white rice and Tuwon Masara. Sour and bitter foods are also acidic in nature. You'll enjoy taking them but suffer the burn in an hour or two. This is the case when I take the likes of Fura and Yoghurt. The timing of eating should also be studied and control beautifully.

And of all medications so far, my system do well with Gestid, tabs or syrup. In fact, I take the tabs most times I took anything acidic for a fast relief. Taking much of it however, I observed result in a running stomach. So, when it comes to medications, I advice we consult a physician for, we've different systems just as the ulcer itself is of different categories.

Health is wealth. It's a reason enough for you to be happy, even if you don't have kobo. But the fact is, one have to invest to be wealthy and be happy as well. There's no better means of happiness than serving or worshiping your creator. And you can't do that no matter the will and enthusiasm without a good and sound state of health.

So, as we prepare to welcome this blessed month, let's do a fitness check of ourselves in other to strive and get the best out Ramadan.

May Allah make us among those that will witness this blessed month with Iman and a good state of health.

Let's make it count.

Misbah, 17th Sha'aban, 1438 H.