Hey there! Omg, it's been a month I haven't updated anything here. -sob sob- my deepest apologies from the very core of my heart. Seriously, there's a lot to think about now ( university offers, family, friends, books, love etc) but Alhamdulillah, finally Allah has granted me the opportunity to post something here. To be honest, proscrastination is the enemy behind all of my doings lately and yeah, I really really hate it to become its trapped victim. Well, I'll try my best to keep updating, in shaa Allah ;)
Now, the topic of today is The Wonders of our Brain. I've read this article from Productive Muslim and I thought I wanna share it with you.
The capacity of memory in the brain to store, process and recall information is truly a wondrous and amazing gift and blessings of Allah. We use our memory to gain knowledge, recall the mistakes we've made in the past and learn them to become a better muslim and muslimah. For instance, remembering the sins we've made may motivate us to utilize fruitfully to repent and make taubah- asking forgiveness from Allah.
Many associate aging with memory loss, but it doesn't have to be that way as demonstrated by 80+ grandparents who complete memorization of the Qur'an! So, the following are the useful tips to strengthen your memory!
- Use it or Lose it
Treat your brain as a muscle- if you want to keep it fit and agile, you have to use it always. For example, reading books and novels, memorizing the Qur'an, memorizing supplications and du'a are the best ways for Muslims to exercise their mind. The sense of being closer to Allah (The Exalted) will also protect us from depression which has negative effects on the mind. For instance, I'm trying to memorize short surahs right now and also correcting my tajweed. This way is also one of the effective ways to practise using your memory.
- Brain Food
A well-balanced diet is benefial to keep your memory at its best. A recent study conducted in France has found that the use of olive oil improves visual memory ad verbal fluency. The virtue of the olive oil is also mentioned in the Qur'an, and Allah (The All-Wise) takes an oath by this special food (95:1). Foods that contain high omea-3 content, such as salmon, are also important for the memory and brain function. Furthermore, your memory needs the right amount of sugar and vitamins that most of that will naturally be in your diet (if it's not, try honey, dates, blueberries and almond).
- Healthy Body for a Healthy Mind
Physical exercises, especially aerobic ones, are beneficial to keep the mind alert and healthy. If you can't do aerobic exercises, the good news is that a moderate amount of walking on daily basis can keep the mind healthy too.
- Rest
Taking a nap improves memory and mood, promotes physical well-being and sharpen senses. Napping has many benefits so taking a 15-30 minute before or after Zhuhr should significantly affect your intellectual performance, energy level and plus- its sunnah!
- Get a Nice Amount of Sleep
According to a recent German research lab, sleep helps memory shaping. Sleep is needed to clear the brain's short-term memory storage and create space for new information. Sleep and nightime is yet another gift and mercy from Allah, The Most Gracious. Imagine the whole day without nightime! So, place your hand to your heart and zikr "Alhamdulillah". :)
"It is out of His Mercy that He has put for you night and day, that you may rest therein (i.e. during the night) and that you may seek of His Bounty (i.e. during the day), and in order that you may be grateful." (The Qur'an 28:73)
- Ask for it
If you want a good memory, ask Al-Mujib (The Answerer of Prayers). Ask Allah (Subhannahu wa Ta'ala) for what you need- knowledge, understanding, good memory. The Qur'an also states that "Allah is He on Whom all depend" (Suras Al-Ikhlas, 2)
Our memory is indeed a true blessings of Allah and we should be grateful for it. To show our appreciation, let us keep it healthy and use it for better purposes that lead us to get closer to our Creator Allah, The Most Gracious.
❤
