Life Style
#muslimah #womenempowerment #keepingfit #stayingfit
As a Muslim, keeping yourself healthy is a part of worship (Ibadah).
The Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) was a very physically fit individual. During my research, I came across a beautiful hadith that relates to exercise. The hadith was reported in Sahih Bukhari and is as follows: Aisha (RA) stated that, “I raced with the Prophet and I beat him. Later, when I had put on some weight, we raced again and he won. Then he said, 'This cancels that (referring to the previous race).’ ”
As the sahih hadith demonstrates, being healthy is a part of the Prophet’s Sunnah. And he did not only run by himself, he ran with Ummul Mumineen (Aisha)! In addition, when Muslim couples exercise together it helps form an exquisite union between the husband and wife; this, in turn, transforms into a stronger and beautiful bonding experience. Another important factor to point out here is that Aisha was running. Her participation highlights the fact that Islamic society does not leave women out. Women should not be excluded from exercise. This hadith expresses a great example of the equality of men and women in Islam.
Many individuals may ask, "How can a Muslimah workout since most workout clothing is not appropriate and modest enough to be worn in public?" My answer is: as long as a Muslimah, who has the intention of working out, is dressed appropriately and according to Islamic Shari’ah, she should be able to exercise.
Another question an individual may ask is, "Exercise can be done at home, why is there a need for a woman/girl to go to the gym?" Personally, I feel that working out at home does not do me justice. I end up being very lazy and I do not follow the workout regimen. Alternatively, when I go to the gym there are no distractions at all, so I get to complete my workout regimen and fulfill my exercise goal(s) for the day. Additionally, my biggest reason for going to the gym is the "motivation factor." I usually go with one of my Muslim sisters and we motivate and inspire each other to work extra hard. At times, another sister joins us and we work out as a group. Further motivation comes from using the different machines such as the elliptical machine and the exercise bicycle. The machines state how many calories I burn and that encourages me to continue working out and to continue living a healthy and vibrant lifestyle.
Finally, with the internet today, it makes it easier to have additional motivational tools such as fitness blogs and videos to keep you going. I have been influenced and inspired by the FitMuslimah page (https://www.facebook.com/FitMuslimah) on Facebook. Please do have a look at the page and I hope it inspires you too.
Jazakallah Kheiran!
photo credit: FitMuslimah
As a Muslim, keeping yourself healthy is a part of worship (Ibadah).
The Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) was a very physically fit individual. During my research, I came across a beautiful hadith that relates to exercise. The hadith was reported in Sahih Bukhari and is as follows: Aisha (RA) stated that, “I raced with the Prophet and I beat him. Later, when I had put on some weight, we raced again and he won. Then he said, 'This cancels that (referring to the previous race).’ ”
As the sahih hadith demonstrates, being healthy is a part of the Prophet’s Sunnah. And he did not only run by himself, he ran with Ummul Mumineen (Aisha)! In addition, when Muslim couples exercise together it helps form an exquisite union between the husband and wife; this, in turn, transforms into a stronger and beautiful bonding experience. Another important factor to point out here is that Aisha was running. Her participation highlights the fact that Islamic society does not leave women out. Women should not be excluded from exercise. This hadith expresses a great example of the equality of men and women in Islam.
Many individuals may ask, "How can a Muslimah workout since most workout clothing is not appropriate and modest enough to be worn in public?" My answer is: as long as a Muslimah, who has the intention of working out, is dressed appropriately and according to Islamic Shari’ah, she should be able to exercise.
Another question an individual may ask is, "Exercise can be done at home, why is there a need for a woman/girl to go to the gym?" Personally, I feel that working out at home does not do me justice. I end up being very lazy and I do not follow the workout regimen. Alternatively, when I go to the gym there are no distractions at all, so I get to complete my workout regimen and fulfill my exercise goal(s) for the day. Additionally, my biggest reason for going to the gym is the "motivation factor." I usually go with one of my Muslim sisters and we motivate and inspire each other to work extra hard. At times, another sister joins us and we work out as a group. Further motivation comes from using the different machines such as the elliptical machine and the exercise bicycle. The machines state how many calories I burn and that encourages me to continue working out and to continue living a healthy and vibrant lifestyle.
Finally, with the internet today, it makes it easier to have additional motivational tools such as fitness blogs and videos to keep you going. I have been influenced and inspired by the FitMuslimah page (https://www.facebook.com/FitMuslimah) on Facebook. Please do have a look at the page and I hope it inspires you too.
Jazakallah Kheiran!
photo credit: FitMuslimah
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