Pilgrimage Ready: Healthy & Strong

Physical Preparation for Hajj and Umrah

The original intent for writing this book is to address the deteriorating state of health of Muslims in Singapore, particularly the Malays. The content focuses on improving physical health through lifestyle interventions in exercise, diet, and rest. To support the narrative, verses from the Quran and the Hadith are used because the authors believe that religion is a strong motivator. Many perceive Hajj and Umrah as the pinnacle of Islamic worship, yet many are unaware of the grueling tasks involved in them. Readers will learn how to achieve peak physical health so as to be able to complete the Tawaf and Sai with greater ease InsyaAllah. Not only that, they can also expect an improvement in the quality of life as a person and as a Muslim when adopting the right practices and beliefs. Included is how the Quran and Hadith place much emphasis on physical health and how science debunks many health myths on weight loss, exercise, and rest. And because the wait time for Hajj in Singapore can take up to twenty years, physical preparation should start as soon as possible. Readers will discover why adopting the right motivation and changing mind-sets can increase the chances of success. There is a special section on healthy practices during Ramadhan and Syawal, two celebratory months in the Islamic calendar where diet and exercise take a back seat due to the focus on ibadah. Two special Muslims take center stage in this chapterone talks about his positive experience with intermittent fasting during and after Ramadhan and the other who exercises and trains every day while fasting. The authors of this book speak from experience as they themselves exercise regularly and observe healthy diets. Readers who are interested to know about Umrah the DIY way will also benefit, as one of the authors give a detailed account of his recent trip.