APM: Moondance, Reclaim Your Gut, and The Power of Prayer

Allah

MOONDANCE

Unlike solar almanacks, dates on the lunar calendar observe all seasons.

Sun-counters, depending on their position of latitude, can only experience a date in a fixed solar seasonal cycle. But those following a lunar cycle guard dates from being co-opted and made distinctly seasonal.

Think of Christmas as an example. The poor Christmas mascot in the southern hemisphere must don winter attire in the sweltering heat, which is also proof that the south bows to the global north by following its traditions, even when they are impractical.

Now, if Christians followed the lunar cycle, this seared frosty Christmas image would not be possible.

The moon is our solar system’s emancipator. It makes dates universal and natural by freeing them, allowing them to float through the seasons.

The Prophet (s)

RECLAIM YOUR GUT

In December 2024, I set the intention to sculpt my identity as someone who eats as the Prophet (s) did.

Before setting up my eating system, I read Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia. I also listened to an interview between Attia and Steven Bartlett on the podcast Diary of a CEO. In this sobering conversation titled THE LIFE-EXTENSION Doctor: “The ONE thing that’s increasing your chance of early-death by 170.8%!”, Attia discusses the contents of his million-copy international bestseller.

I then used my knowledge of the Prophet’s eating model and the health data from Attia’s book to drive my new eating habits.

This dual approach did two things: 1) I gained physical health through spiritual means by following the Prophet (s), 2) I activated my agency by making the decisions that later illness would force upon me.

My body is my soul’s vessel. I should, therefore, focus my energies on my healthspan instead of something I have no agency over, my lifespan.

My goal was not to lose weight, but to eat as the Prophet (s) did. This powerful intention changed my entire relationship with food and consumption. In 12 months, I lost 21kg following my new eating system, the equivalent of three 7kg potato pockets.

The base appetites are the hardest to curb. But when curbed, set free the higher states.

Here are some tips:

1. Stop eating while you still have an appetite.
2. No faux meals or snacking. Only eat when you’re hungry.
3. Remember the Prophet’s wise words: “Most illnesses stem from the stomach.”
4. Here’s another of the Prophet’s pearls of wisdom: “Eat only a morsel to keep your back straight. If that’s too Spartan, then one-third each for food, water, and air.”
5. The Prophet also said: “Food for one is food enough for two.” Halve your meals. My lunch became lunch and supper.
6. The two most potent forces to combat ill-health are: 1) activating a robust physical lifestyle and 2) a clean, conscious, and natural eating plan.
7. Build total abstinence in one to three unhealthy products, one day at a time.

My prayer is that you reclaim your health in 2026. Below are two retro-APMs to assist you on your journey, inshaAllah.

EXPLOIT RAMADAN’S MOMENTUM

THE FOUR HORSEMEN

The Power of Prayer

The year 2026, like every year before it, will offer up many challenges, inshaAllah.

There is nothing sinister about this truth. The ebbs and flows of the lifecycle are part of Allah’s creation, it’s His sunnah, His way, and the vehicle essential for gaining proximity to Him: ‘(Prophet), if My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me, so let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be guided’ [2:186].

May Allah and His Prophet (s) be the bulwark for all of life’s challenges in 2026 and beyond. Amin!

Until next week, InshaAllah

Zaahied Sallie

Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme

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