“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [Surah Baqarah: verse183]
Ramadan is a sacred month of worship for Muslim around the world. Muslims are expected to read the Quran, perform prayers, and observe Saum (fasting) during this month. According to Muslim Religious Leaders, Ramadan occurs during the month in which the holy Quran began to reveal to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
One of the Five Pillars of Islam is Fasting. It is obligatory to healthy adults to observe fast. Fasting helps believers (Muslims) to purify their hearts, renew their faith, seek forgiveness to Allah Subhanahu WataAllah, and increase self-discipline. It is also a time to focus on what is most important and positive in a believer’s life.
The Ramadan fast is absolute. Each day, from the time of Suhoor (the final meal before sunrise) until Iftar (the meal to break the fast), Muslims abstain from all food and water. Nothing may be consumed during these hours.
Believers are also encouraged to abstain from anger and to show compassion. Fasting can be a way to increase awareness of Allah Subhanahu WataAllah and to be more aware of the plight of those who are poor and suffering.
NPC Sinolinding shared these benefits in observing one Fast:
1. Fasting allows us to naturally detoxify our body. We are what we eat. Avoiding all forms of unneeded and excess foods allow our body to rid itself of unnecessary substances and its metabolic by-products that eventually restores the balance of nutrients.
2. Fasting help overcome addictions. Sugar addiction is the most common form, followed by smoking, then the rest that includes drugs, and many other vices. Discipline that we achieved is the key to success in beating all these.
3. Helps maintain ideal body weight, normalizes blood sugar, reduces blood pressure, and improves immunity. Self-imposed dietary control saves you from buying expensive diet programs to stay fit. Fasting improves sugar metabolism, while it promotes relaxation that assures reduced blood pressure.
4. Fasting promotes healing. Gastritis, hyperacidity, hypertension, and diabetes are commonly aggravated by foods that we take. Avoiding such promotes normalization of physiologic state of our gastro-intestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
5. Fasting relieves mental stress. Putting yourself into a state of “forced relaxation” answers our commonly neglected solution to all stressors of life.
Source:
NNC-BARMM Dietary Tips During Ramadan.
Photo taken from https://zamzam.com/blog/ramadan-month/
Author: NO II Maleja Daud Jaamil, MD
