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    6Mar, 2017
    Confident Living

    Women often find themselves in a fix when they have to decide for the best alternative for their issues. Whether is it a headache, cold, or even cooking a healthy recipie. Advancement in technology not only drifted manual approach to things but also pulled us away from our natural resources. This is how organic foodstuff are now called “Organic”. In olden days, everything was by default, organic and we did not have to specify them as a new category. So hence we at Holistic strive towards a better way of life in its complete sense, we need to be confident in deciding what is best for us. Our solutions and resources will give you a sense of peace when you look forward for having your issues addressed in the best manner, insha’Allah.

    22Feb, 2017
    8 Tips to Deal With Exam Stress

    Another few weeks filled with sleepless nights, stress, panic attacks, depression, angry parents, an unclean room and no social life. Does this sound like you during exam periods? but that doesn’t have to be the case, you can overcome exams this time round and make it the best month ever (well maybe not the best).

     

    Want to know how? Because this time round you place your full trust in Allah, take the means by studying as much as you can and leave the outcome and results to Allah. You do not relay on someone’s study notes to pass (off course they will help a lot).

     

    You can do this Inshallah! I know you can!

    Allah (Subhannah Wa Tallah) says : “Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity”   (Surah Albakarah, Ayah 286)

     

    So, when you think that it’s all too much and this time isn’t looking very promising or you start doubting yourself. Just let go of the thoughts, convince yourself of strong believe and trust that Allah will take care of you just like he always has. Remember that time when you were stuck and had no option and then everything just came together so beautiful. Inshallah this time will be the same. It too shall pass.

     

    Intentions 

    All actions are judged by intention, but how often do we stop to think about our real intentions when completing a task big or small. Ask yourself ‘why am I doing this exam’ and always link it to your destination (Akhirah). Your reason for doing the exam may be pleasing your parents which will please Allah, or you may want to be the best Muslim and use your knowledge to benefit humanity and the Ummah. Whatever the reason is, make sure you are intending Dunya and Akhirah together as the ultimate reward.

     

    Duaa

    The prophet saw said ‘The supplication is the essence of worship” (Jami at-Tirmadihi). This is a very powerful statement, use duaa and supplicate to Allah especially in prostration as that is when we are closest to Allah. Remember the time when Younes (as) made duaa and was saved from the whales’ stomach, and when Moussa (as) was in Madyan sitting under the tree and made duaa which then received a job, a place to stay and a wife! and many other stories (I am sure you have your own duaa stories too). What does this teach us? It tells us that Allah will answer us and he can help you through this tough situation, though the condition is for us to ask him and make duaa.

     

    Plan Plan Plan

    A very effective way to get through all the content is to plan. I beg you to write down your plans somewhere whether on paper or wherever and no a plan in your head just doesn’t end up working (well at least for the 99% of students I know).  A good method I use is write down all the topics I should study for each subject and split the topics to the remaining days left till exam, then mark of what I have studied (it feels soo good ticking it off).

     

    Exercise 

    I cannot stress how important exercise is during exams. If you never exercise in your life make sure you do so in the exam period. I know we all hate to get moving or to exercise, make soo many excuses and feel it’s a waste of time. However, a light 10-minute walk or workout is better than those caffeine shots. After a walk and a short sweat, you will feel soo good (30-day money back guaranteed if that doesn’t happen). Your anxiety and stress levels will drop and some feel good chemicals will be released in your brain (kind of cool right). If you can’t go for a walk you can do some stretches in your room or use a short YouTube clip or apps.

     

    Istighfar

    You may be surprised that I am speaking about Istighfar, I mean how does it relate to exam stress? We all know that there’s no doubt we have committed sins in the past, future, present and will continue to do so due to our human nature. Istighfar will help give you that easy Imaan boost and cleanses you from the inside. It will remove sins, open doors and boost your memory. and best of all its easy and can be done anytime (except when your asleep hehe).

     

    Grateful 

    Now you may think gratitude doesn’t have a place in this post, but trust me I thought the same until recently. Funny enough I feel as though my motivation to study has boosted up to the sky when considering this point. Often when we are blessed with something, we forget about others and focus on ourselves and maybe even criticize our situation or make excuses for ourselves. Be grateful that Allah has given you the opportunity to study, increase in beneficial knowledge and do an exam to know how far you have reached. I mean we are in 2017 but I will assure you that there are many people out there who were never given this opportunity. I am sure you have heard of many stories where others weren’t able to get educated due to lack of money or a need to work over study. What if that was you, what if you were the one on the other side who had to choose work over study to support the family. I mean something to think about and reflect on.

     

    Study tips

     

    Below are some study tips which I hope will help with your studying and exam stress.

    —> Breaks

    We all need breaks to keep going and not burn out. How often and how long? that depends on yourself and what works best for you. I usually like to have short study periods with short breaks but you may prefer long study periods with longer breaks.

    Ideas for breaks

    Colouring in – Calligraphy- Reading your favourite book- playing games – grabbing coffee or tea or fruit etc.

     

    —> Timer

    I recently discovered this technique. I love the timer

     

    —> Airplane mode or turn off your phones Wi-Fi

     

    —> Stay Focused – An app to ban Facebook for an hour

     

    —>Beware of your laptop/computer/phone

     

    —>Beware of Procrastination – don’t know what that means well its means to do everything but study, or the action of delaying or postponing something.

     

     

    For better study sessions make sure you 

    Say the duaa before study (http://www.duas.org/student.htm) and most importantly PRAY on time (that includes FAJR) and with as much concentration as you can.

     

    Soumaya is a passionate blogger who loves to share her thoughts on holistic approach to Islam.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    22Feb, 2017
    Dealing with PCOS Naturally

    Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and how to manage it naturally

     

    Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine problem in women and one of the leading reasons for female infertility. It is often associated with depression and anxiety as well as metabolic dysfunction, including insulin resistance and excess androgens (male hormones like testosterone).

    The cause of PCOS is complex and variable and can manifest itself through a spectrum of symptoms, including infertility, irregular menstrual periods, multiple ovarian cysts, acne, hirsutism (excess hair on woman’s face and body) and obesity.

     

    After confirming a diagnosis of PCOS, the first-line medical approach is often hormonal contraceptives for menstrual abnormalities and hirsutism, clomiphene for infertility and metformin for diabetic symptoms.

     

    These treatments, which may manage some symptoms, do not address the underlying causes of PCOS.

    A number of medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements offer safe and effective therapeutic options with the capacity to address the broad pathophysiology associated with PCOS.

    As with any health concern improvements to diet and lifestyle have significant improvement in the patient’s symptoms.

     

    Considering the high amount of obesity amongst PCOS patients – a weight loss program is essential, having said that long term modest weight loss is far more important in PCOS than acute weight loss.

     

    As little as 2-5% reduction in weight can be enough to improve metabolic and reproductive symptoms in women with PCOS.

     

    Exercise participation of at least 150 minutes per week should be recommended in all women with PCOS, especially those with a body mass index ≥ 25kg (overweight).

    Of this, 90 minutes per week should be aerobic activity at moderate to high intensity.

     

    Mediterranean, low carbohydrate, low GI and high protein diets have all been shown to be effective. A Palaeolithic (Paleo) diet in a clinical setting has been shown to be more promising in reducing symptoms associated with PCOS.

     

    This suggests that dietary interventions may best be individualised to patient needs rather than protocol driven.

    Monounsaturated fats including avocados and nuts, especially walnuts, cashews, almonds, and nut butters made from these nuts have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity.

    Strictly avoid safflower and sunflower oils, corn oil, cottonseed oil, and mixed vegetable oils. Avoid margarine, vegetable shortening, and all products listing them as ingredients and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind.

    Instead replace with olive oil, animal ghee, unrefined coconut oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil and butter.

     

    The importance of removing refined, processed foods and artificial sweeteners is vital for the healing process of PCOS.

     

    The best way to obtain all the daily vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients is by eating a diet high in fresh foods with an abundance of fruits and vegetables choosing from all colours – organic where possible.

    If fresh fish twice a week is not being consumed than supplemental fish, in capsule or liquid form (two to three grams a day of a product containing both EPA and DHA) should be taken. Look for molecularly distilled products certified to be free of heavy metals and other contaminants and third party tested.

     

    Some studies have shown that Inositol may have a positive impact on women with PCOS, lessening the infertility and weight gain associated with this condition. Some foods with high inositol content include:

    Lima beans, white beans and green beans, fresh orange, pear, strawberries and cantaloupe, eggplant, broccoli, almonds.

     

    Both lean and overweight women who suffer from PCOS have been found to have higher levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA has been linked to both insulin resistance and increased androgen levels. Therefore a detoxification program is well worth looking into in assisting the clearance of BPA.

    Avoid canned foods, plastic containers, water bottles and bottled juices where BPA is mostly found.

    With PCOS, most patients will need hormonal imbalances addressed. Herbs are a wonderful way to tackle hormonal issues.

    Below are a few of the herbs I commonly use.

     

    • Paeonia lactiflora (White peony) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) are two successfully used herbs in the treatment of PCOS.
    • Drinking Mentha spicata (Spearmint tea) twice a day has been shown to reduce hirsutism, acne and androgen levels.
    • Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) improves blood glucose control and has the same effect to that of metformin.
    • Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) significantly reduces insulin resistance. It also modulates inflammation and has been traditionally used for female reproductive problems.

     

    While the above recommendations may be helpful in the management of PCOS each person has to be addressed individually according to their unique symptom picture. There is no one treatment fit for all and each individual should be given a tailored management plan to support them on their journey to better health.

    Nour Abulughod is an Australian Doctor of Naturopathy, a graduate of the Australian College of Natural Medicine (Melbourne, Australia) and a member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA). Nour has special interest in woman and children’s health. Her natural fertility domain includes assisting couples with natural methods of contraception, planning pregnancy, optimising natural fertility and dealing with infertility and sub-fertility. Nour ‘s approach entails taking a full case history of her patients in an effort to thoroughly understand the underlying causes of a given disease and assessing each and every patient as an individual. She is academically qualified in taking a holistic approach and treating her patients with scientifically based nutritional and herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle modifications.

     

    Nour Abulughod is a practising Doctor of Naturopathy in BR Medical suites in Dubai Healthcare city. http://www.brms.ae/ 
    She has obtained a Bachelor of health science (Naturopathy) from Melbourne, Australia.She has special interest in woman and children’s health and has gained further academic studies in the field of natural fertility. She specializes in PCOS, weight loss, diabetes type 2, skin conditions and digestive complaints. Nour ‘s approach entails taking a full case history of her patients in an effort to thoroughly understand the underlying causes of a given disease and assessing each and every patient as an individual. Her treatment aims include herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle modifications. She is a regular speaker at schools and nurseries around Dubai. She has inspired many mums into adopting a healthy lifestyle for their children.
    22Feb, 2017
    3 Simple Ways To Reduce on Your Budget

    3 Simple Ways to Slash Your Budget 

    In this complex economic world, women need to start being at the forefront of their finances whatever kind of life you have going on, and one vital part of managing your finances is saving on your budget. Budgets can be tricky; you may end up often times than most making a huge list of your expenses thinking you are budgeting well but in reality, the expenditure is still high. How can you manage this? I identified some  areas of concern that are usually included in budgets and what we’re going to do is reduce their expenditures instead of getting rid of it entirely, they are the following:

    • New comfort food: Most people will advise you to get rid of any un-necessary expenses and they consider comfort food one of them, I’m telling you not to! Favorite snacks do help many cope, they may not solve problems but they definitely do make you feel better, the comfort food needs to stay! What needs to change is the type of comfort food, take me for example, white-delicious Cadbury chocolate was mine, fast-forward to after leaving my job, I took on éclair sweets, they have the same chocolaty taste I NEED! And are much cheaper, I save the extra money and get my comfort.
    • Personal Hygiene: Whoa! Whoa!, before I get crucified for attacking personal hygiene, let’s make it clear that I’m not attacking the actual essence of personal hygiene, just the products you use. Lets face it, a lot of cash goes into getting us clean, in reality too clean, here are a few tips to reduce on those costs;
    • Changing brands of things like tooth-paste, a cheaper brand will still fight those cavities and keep your breath fresh, it helps to save those extra pennies, trust me!
    • Think Substitute goods! I used to and many of us do, have products which basically do the same thing, for instance, I had both shower-gel and bathing soap, you need to choose one and save what you could have spent on the other.
    • Multiple- use goods, let me introduce you to your new best friends, goods that you can use for multiple tasks around the house: one such goods is baking soda also known as bi-carbonate. Its uses are many, not only are they great for baking, it can be used as a water purifier and a sort of detergent for stubborn stains on clothes and fabrics. And the best part, it isn’t that expensive.

    Making a budget means you should mentally prepare to make some changes according your financial standing, traditionally it would mean completely cancelling on some items but now we’ve given you a push to what we call price-reductions, the trick is to simply maneuver on how much you spend and not what you spend on.

     

    Fatima Abdulrazak Siraji is Ugandan but of Somali Descend. She is Branch Accountant at First Pharmacy (U) LTD. She believes that all aspects of one’s life is inter-twinned and for someone to have a balance, it is necessary to have all the factors inter-connected and not independent of one another. In order to live a fulfilling life style, one must consider all aspects of what makes up their life and that to her is the best approach than any other.
    17Nov, 2016
    Integrated Healing

    Integrated Healing is simply a unique and customized approach to conditions which require multiple treatments. We study your case and provide you with the best possible solution to your health or mental well-being concerns by utilizing innovative healing methods such as acupressure, hydration therapy, mental and emotional support and naturopathy .

    17Nov, 2016
    Cupping: Through the eyes of media today

    Originally taken from themuslimahnetwork.com

    Another sign for sleeping souls…

    By Fakeha Neelofar

    Sharjah, U.A.E

    The Olympics are a global news catcher. Every sports fan, young and old, during the Olympic season, is glued to their Television sets, pitching for their favourite sports person and athlete.

    Rio Olympic 2016 brought a practice in news that has been universally applauded due to the stardom of sports, but has been a part of the Islamic history since thousands of years.

    So what is this hot topic in the media these days?

    – Michael Phelps, an American former competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, makes yet more history to win 22nd Olympic gold. But what captured everyone’s attention, and began a worldwide social media discussion, were the dark reddish purple circular marks on the back of the Swimmer. The marks are the result of a therapy called Cupping, or Hijama.

    – Former Team USA swimmer Natalie Coughlin introduced Michael Phelps to cupping about ten years ago, and says athletes wear their marks as a ‘badge of honor’. Coughlin says the therapy speeds up the recovery process – allowing the likes of Phelps to compete night after night without a break.

    After reading about all this hype, what is the normal reaction?

    “The scripture (media) just directed us to something beneficial…Let’s read about it.”

    What is Cupping/Hijamah?

    Hijamah comes from the root Al-Hajm, which means “sucking”. The practice of applying partial vacuum through glass cups or plastic cups causes the tissues beneath the cup to be drawn up and swell. This increases blood flow to the affected area. The enhanced blood flow draws impurities and toxins away from the nearby tissues and organs towards the surface for elimination through the break in the skin layer created by incisions made on the skin.        This therapy dates back to thousands of years but Islam is the only religion that stresses its use and recommends it to treat many diseases.

    Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

    “Healing is to be found in three things: drinking honey, the knife of the cupper, and cauterization of fire.”

    (Al-Bukhaari, 10/136).

    Narrated Abu Hurayrah ( رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

    “The best medical treatment you apply is cupping.”

    (Sunan Abi Dawood, 3857)

    You can get Hijamah done for any type of pain in the body because pain is either from a superficial part like muscle or from an organ. Hijamah is beneficial for endocrine problems, for improvement of blood circulation, gall bladder problems, psychiatric problems, depression, insomnia, stomach and gynecological problems, stones in kidney, renal pain, diabetes, colon (any obstruction in sanity disposal), arm problems, numbness, cervical and ovary problems, osteoporosis, sciatic nerve, varicose veins, skin diseases, immunity, speech, sexual problems, memory, paralysis, ear and eye problems, facial paralysis, thyroid problems, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, behavior exchanges, autism, sinus, any addiction, tongue problems, menstruation or infertility, heel pain, urine leakage, urinary problems and many many more.

    While doing my Islamic studies degree course, I heard about Hijamah for the first time and got to know that practicing it is a Sunnah (a tradition of prophet ).

    Therefore, I decided to study it further and got enrolled in a Diploma course. After completing the course, I was so impressed that I invited my family to try it. Some of them agreed but most of them stayed away, some even thought of it as ‘ridiculous’—because their scripture (media) never talked about it. According to these people, Sunnah was only for the people of ‘those days’ and they have their latest technologies and medicines to deal with everything today. But now since their scripture has showed them so many examples in Rio Olympics 2016, they are ready to give it a shot. This is another sign for the sleeping souls.

    And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]

    (Al- Qur’an, 51:20)

    In another place:

    So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

    (Al- Qur’an, 55: 38)

    The age-old practice of Hijamah has surpassed all modern medicines and technologies, that too without any side-effects. According to some doctors, one sitting of Hijamah is equal to three months of physiotherapy. Sub’han Allah.

    Allah, Al Khaliq, created us. He, Al Hadi, guided us through Qur’an and His prophet (ﷺ). He, Ash Shafi, gave us the solution to not only our spiritual diseases but also our physical ailments.

    So flee to Allah…

    (Al- Qur’an, 51:50)

    12Nov, 2016
    What are GMOs and Why They are Harmful

    Reading and researching about processed food and its harmful effects, I am almost obsessed with reading the labels of anything that comes packaged in the name of food. It was one of those days when I happened to flip a pack of Lays Stax chips at my cousin’s place and I was shocked to see the label clearly mentioning that it has GMOs. To a person like me, it is just as equivalent to something “toxic”. But somehow, I was not able to convince her within a short span of time of why GMOs are harmful for our health. That made me think about writing this, so, let us begin our journey here, learning all that you need to know about GMOs and why you need to avoid them like plague.

    What are GMOs?
    “GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding” Source“A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic, hence they are also known as transgenic organisms. This process may be called either Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM); they are one and the same.” SourceWhy are they Harmful?
    Genetically Modified plants have two main characteristics: a) herbicide tolerant b) the ability to produce their own pesticides. So, a genetically modified plant will not die even if an excessive amount of chemicals are sprayed on it. The fact that it has the ability to produce its own pesticide means that the plants are toxic by themselves. This easily explains why GMOs are harmful for our health. It is loaded with harmful chemicals and carcinogens (cancer causing substances). Plants like cotton, soy and canola have foreign genes taken from bacteria and viruses inserted into them which was never done before in history.GMOs were introduced by profit making corporations like Monsanto only a few decades ago. The safety of its use on living creatures including human beings has not been established so far and there are several reports of massive destruction caused to the ecosystem because of it. Farmer suicides across the world, especially in India is a standing proof for the kind of harm that GMOs can causeWhat are the Plants/Crops that are Genetically Modified?According to The Institute of Responsible Technology, the following eight plants are GM:1. Soy
    2. Cotton
    3. Canola
    4. Sugar Beets
    5. Corn
    6. Hawaiian Papaya
    7. Zucchini
    8. Yellow SquashAlso, artificial sweeteners that contain Aspartame (Sugar Free) are also made from Genetically Modified sources. Genetically modified growth hormones are injected into cows to produce more milk. Now, just think why products like soy milk, soya chunks, corn flakes, corn oil, canola oil, are all marketed as healthy food. In fact, most of us regularly buy a couple of these things thinking that they are healthy and nutritious. From infant formula to your breakfast cereal, most of the processed food contain ingredients that are derived from genetically modified sources. It is not a solution to feed the hunger, as it is propagated by the pro GMO people, but it is a source of profit for the corporations that make them.What are the Health Hazards?Our diet is mostly comprised of processed food these days and food manufacturing companies have successfully replaced our traditional food with products like corn flakes, margarine, soy milk and so on.  As discussed previously, the safety of consuming GM food has not been established and there are many health risks associated with consuming genetically modified food. From infertility to cancer, there are several diseases caused by consuming GMOs. Here is the brief snapshot of the health hazards from GMOs1. Infertility and Infant Mortality in Hamsters
    2. Food Allergies, especially among children
    3. Antibiotic Resistance
    4. More Dangerous for children than adults.To put it simply, genetically modified crops have genes that can resist a huge amount of pesticide, which means you are getting more of these nasty substances on your plate instead of any nutrition.GMOs from an Islamic PerspectiveGenetically Engineered food has been propagated as the solution to feed the millions of hungry people across the world, as it promises more yield by killing pests and weeds. However, remember that it is Allah swt who provides sustenance for every living being on this earth. There is enough food in this world to feed everyone, and the promises made by companies and lobbyists are only an eyewash.Are GMOs Halal?Genetically Modified food are not considered haram, and according to some scholars it may be haram if the DNA of a prohibited animal is inserted into a plant. The following excerpt from an answer to the question on whether it is halal gives us a better idea of what we must know about Genetically Modified food:Sh. Assim Alhakeem: ” The one who researches this issue cannot state that it is haraam to eat genetically modified crops and fruits unless it is proven for certain that they are harmful. This does not mean that we can be careless about this matter, because of what we have pointed out above of the possibility that they may pose a danger in many ways, and because people still prefer natural plants and crops, and people like them even if they are more expensive.
    The matter still needs more research and more time until the effects of these plants and the harm they may cause becomes clear.Until it is proven that they are harmful, the basic principle is that these plants are permissible and it is permissible to eat animals that have been fed on these plants, but it is also essential to be cautious about what these plants may cause in the future, and it is essential to follow up on research and information about these plants”.ConclusionHaving known the dangers of consuming GM food, it is best we stay informed and stay away from them. Remember that Allah is perfect in His creations and He knows what is best for us. Our food system has been messed up so much that the ones that are grown with loads of chemicals sprayed on them are cheaper than the ones that grow naturally.  We know for certain that our parents and grandparents were healthier than we are now and the reason behind this is simply our food habits. It is time to establish a habit of conscious eating and being more careful about reading the labels, because it is not only our health which is at risk, but also that of our children.
    10Nov, 2016
    The outstanding benefits of breastfeeding

    originally taken from themuslimahnetwork.com

    By Asma Ismaaciil

    Hargeisa, Somaliland

     

    One of the very first rights that a newborn baby has upon his parents is for the mother to breastfeed him, which is very important for both the physiological and psychological well-being of the newborn.

    We are living in a world where maintaining a comfortable lifestyle is not always easy and can sometimes require both parents to work, and that could in turn cause the mother to fail in the breastfeeding process. This might result in a lifetime of complications for both the child and the mother.

    Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) says in the Qur’an:

    “The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling.”
    (Qur’an 2:233)

    Breastfeeding is not only important for the baby but also crucial for the mother herself. In this article, we are going to discuss FIVE outstanding benefits that breastfeeding has for the mother.

    1)   Emotional satisfaction:

    Breastfeeding creates an amazing bond between the mother and the child which gives the mother a feeling of motherhood, strength, and satisfaction.

    It also gives the feeling of love and safety to the child and helps with cognitive development. Studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than formula-feeding mothers.

    2)   Postpartum weight loss:

    After delivery, one of the challenges that the mother faces is the struggle with weight. Breastfeeding mothers tend to lose weight much faster than non-breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers showed significantly larger reductions in hip circumference and more fat loss by one month postpartum when compared with formula-feeding moms. They also tend to have an earlier return to their pre-pregnancy weight.

    3)   Breastfeeding reduces the risk of a certain cancers:

    YES, breastfeeding reduces the risk of certain kinds of cancers, including breast cancer, uterus cancer, and ovarian cancer. Studies show that women who breastfeed reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 25 %. It’s  awesome isn’t it?

    This is one of the perfect times to show gratitude to Allah for how well he created us and the blessing that he bestowed upon us and our families.

    4)   Natural contraceptive:

    Artificial contraceptives are widely used around the globe nowadays for the child spacing. They are effective to a certain extent but they also cause a lot of complications. Some of the complications include:

    • The biggest risk of using artificial contraceptives is infertility.
    • Some types of contraceptives may even have the risk of causing cancer.
    • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
    • Migraines
    • Higher blood pressure
    • Gallbladder disease
    • Benign liver tumors
    • Decreased bone density
    • Yeast overgrowth and infection
    • Increased risk of blood clotting

    Putting these severe complications aside, contraceptives cause many other milder complications, and for some women, those mild complications are enough to stop their usage. these mild complications include :

    • Weight gain or loss
    • Reduced or increased acne
    • Slight nausea
    • Emotional sensitivity right before periods
    • Mood swings throughout the cycle
    • Irregular bleeding or spotting
    • Breast tenderness
    • Decreased libido

    The dangers of using these contraceptives are clear, but one must not worry as breastfeeding is the perfect replacement. Breastfeeding is a proven way of child spacing if it’s done properly, it is cost effective, safer for the mother, and doesn’t have any negative effects.

    Frequent and regular breastfeeding as a form of contraception is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and it is about 98 per cent effective.

    However, LAM will only work for you if:

    • Your baby is younger than six months old.
    • Your periods have not returned.
    • You are exclusively breastfeeding your baby on demand, both night and day.

    Using the LAM method means you are doing 6 long breastfeeds for the baby every day. However, it should also be noted that, before using this method it is important to  consult a lactation expert. Sometimes, breastfeeding as a contraceptive is not recommended, if for example, the mother is taking antidepressants etc.

    5)   Breastfeeding has socioeconomic benefits as well:

    Breastfeeding is literally free and has more advantages for the baby. It doesn’t require a special budget as in the case of formula milk, which costs around $1,200 per year. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that a breastfeeding mother saves around $400 during the first year of breastfeeding.

    Every Muslim mother will be rewarded by Allah for her efforts. Today, as the slogan “breast is best” is displayed in every clinic, we know that there are an increasing number of scientific and medical studies proving its great health and psychological benefits for both the mother and the baby. Islam puts such emphasis on it that the mother can be paid for breastfeeding her baby if she wishes.