Benefits of Fasting during Ramadhan

Hi there.
Found this interesting piece about fasting during Ramadhan in a book Islam Spirit and Form by Osman Nuri Topbas.

1. In moderate hunger there is clearness of mind and heart; the memory is stronger. In the state of being overly full, there is forgetfulness and foolishness.

2. In moderate hunger there is gentleness of the heart. The heart benefits and takes pleasure form worship and supplication. With a full stomach the heart is insensitive and takes no pleasure in worship.

3. In moderate hunger there is softness of the hear and humility. Satiety produces insolence, conceit, pride and bragging.

4. In moderate hunger one thinks of the poor and hungry, whereas a man with a full stomach never remembers the poor and needy.

5. In moderate hunger, the appetite, needs and wishes of the animal soul are broken. When full the animal soul is strong and the desires find strength.

6. In moderate hunger the body is in an agile and aware condition. When full it feels sleepy and careless.
7. In moderate hunger, one feels ready to worship and give service to Allah. When the stomach is full one feels lazy and lax.


8. In moderate hunger, the body is healthier. Sickness disappears. overeating makes the body feel worn out and sick.

9. In moderate hunger the body feels light and spacious making, one cheerful.

10. In moderate hunger one feels more generous and ready to prodvide support for the poor with charity. On the other hand those who do not experience hunger at all, do not understand the sufferings of the poor. Also, for this, in the heat of the fearful Day of Judgment, the servant will come into a state of coolness and shade. Fullness produces a state that goes from stinginess to wasteful spending which leads to the destruction of the servant.

Happy Eid ul-Fitr to my Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao.

Happy Eid ul-Fitr

 Happy Eid ul-Fitr to my Muslim brothers and sisters.
May this day be a meaningful day full of love, joy, and goodness.

Muslims in the Philippines by Cesar Adib Majul

I'm currently reading this book by University of the Philippines Professor Cesar Adib Majul. It digs deeper the Muslim history and its various versions in the Philippines. Now that the Philippine Government is  having  peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, this book could give us a historical glimpse on why the Bangsamoro people are struggling for their right to self-determination.This book is in authority when it comes to Muslim History in pre-Spanish until Spanish period in the Philippines as it makes use of the primary sources which includes correspondence made by the various priests and sultans. The author himself went to Mindanao to do an intensive investigation and  interviewed the heirs of Sultan. From first Muslims in the Philippines, to the Sultanates, including the Moro wars fought between Moros and Spanish with the "Indios" in between, this book is a must-read to all the Muslim youth as well as to the Christians.

mindanaoreader notes:

In brief the establishment of the Sultanate was based on the consent given to it by a generally Islamized people. p.7

 In general, Islam has always propounded obedience to authority as long as no danger to the faith exists. p.10

Saleeby's date of 1450 for the arrival of the Sharif Ul Hashim can be taken as plausible estimate...p.13

Qudarat was also entitled Nasir ud-Bin and around 1650's had become the most powerful Muslim ruler in the Philippine Archipelago. His declaration of the jihad (holy war) around this time could have endeared him so much to the ulama of the different Muslim sultanates, including the moluccas, that they could have included him in their prayers. After all, there was a heightened consciousness of Islam during this time that transcended regional and dynastic loyalties.

 When Legazpi arrived in Philippine waters in 1565, the process of Islamization was already manifested in varying degrees, in both extent and kind in the various parts of the country.p.36

 With regard to the time element, Manila at the arrival of Legazpi was still at a stage which Maguindanao and Buayan had already passed more than half of a century before.p.37

There existed during the last quarter of the thirteenth century if not earlier a Muslim settlement or community in Sulu. This probably consisted of foreign traders, some of whom married members of the ruling families or even played some political role. Tuan Masha'ika and Tuhan Maqbalu belong to this stage. Men like them brought the first elements of Islam and raised Muslim families.p.63 

 The establishment of Muslim political institutions, more specifically the Sultanate under the Sharif ul-Hashim by middle of the 15th century... The acceptance of the sultanate institution by the coastal chiefs suggest that Islamic consciousness must have been quite widespread among them. Organized religion instruction became common.p.63

 It was common knowledge among Spaniards during Legazpi's time that the ruling family of Manila was not only related to the Bornean Sultan but was of Bornean origin. The famous Rajah Sulayman of Manila a nephew of Rajah Matanda, was also reported to have married a daughter of a Borneo Sultan and to have been Bornean origin.