Not to Eat from dawn to sunset is known as fasting in Islam, Sawm or Siyam. ِAlso it’s commonly known as Rūzeh or Rōzah in (non-Arab Muslim countries), and it’s the practice of abstaining not only from food, drink, smoking, but also sexual activity. Fasting is imposed on Muslims for a whole month called the holy month of Ramadan, and it is between dawn and nightfall at the evening prayers. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar and fasting is the 4th of the five pillars of Islam.
Fasting in Ramadan:
There are lots of matters that depend on the virtues and merits that a man could obtain from Allah (SWT) by fasting through this month of Ramadan. In this month, the doors of forgiveness, mercy, and kindness are particularly opened and the doors of punishments are closed. Thus, whosoever wants to have those blessings will immediately take up to fasting at the advent of this month. It is stated in the Hadith-e-Qudsee that Allah (SWT) says:
“It is for me and I shall certainly compensate it.”
The Prophet (SAW) also stated:
“The smell of the mouth of a fasting man is more pleasant to Allah (SWT) than the smell of musk“.
Verses in the Quran about fasting :
Many people would say that it’s not obligatory for Muslims to fast during Ramadan. However, the practice of fasting is aforesaid in Quran many times. Verse 2:183 in Quran expresses conditions during which when Islam allows Muslim to refrain from fasting and introduces alternative solutions like feeding needy people.
Also, it's emphasized in verse 2:183-185 that { it's not necessary for
people that are traveling or sick to be fasting. It may be postponed
until "another equal number of days}
The previous verse shows that it’s okay not to fast for specific reasons only. Such as, being sick or traveling, yet fasting must be done in different days.
ِ{Among other things, fasting could also be used to wash away certainly sins,
like killing an animal during a state of Ihram} Verse 5:95
{also states that the Quran was revealed within the month of Ramadan}. Verse 2:185
{states that it had been revealed "on the Night of Power"} Verse 97:1
The night of power is called Al-Qadr night, meaning “destiny and honor,”. In which the destiny of each individual is written, and it is the night in which God revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The benefits of fasting:
In fact, the benefits of fasting are so much. Some of them are listed, and supported by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Fasting is a helper in getting Taqwa (love and Fairness of Allah (SWT)
Allah (SWT) legislated fasting for getting Taqwa during the sequent verse of the Holy Qur’an.
You who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you because it has
been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa.
Surah Al-Baqara Ayat 183
Taqwa through this condition means to compose a shield between oneself and Allah (SWT)’s anger and hellfire. So we always want to ask ourselves once we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear and love Allah (SWT) more? Has it resulted that we would like to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not? Fasting helps in drawing closer to Allah (SWT). This is often carried out reciting and reflecting the Quran during night and day attending the Taraweeh prayers, remembering Allah (SWT), sitting in a circle of information, and for making Umrah for people who can. Also for those who can, making Itikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten days of Ramadan, so on leave all worldly
Fasting keeps time and trouble
Fasting decreases the period of sleep thus a good deal of the time is saved for work. Too much eating keeps a man engaged fairly often in taking food and responding to the recurrent calls of nature while this matter can be saved by fasting.
Fasting saves money
It keeps expenses on food and other unnecessary pleasure and thus it is a helper in the economy. This is often not less useful to a worldly man having small means.
Fasting greatly leads to the protection of health
The good American physician Dr. Dewey said: “Take the food far away from an ill man’s stomach, then your’e are starving not the ill man but the illness. The digestive organs are giving some rest, later to work with twofold energy and vigor. Like the land, leaving it without agriculture for one year, brings abundant crops within the year following, or simply as a person may work with redoubled vigor after some rest. Spiritualistic progress depends on a healthy mind, which again based on a healthy body. Thus the worth of fasting for the protection of health is extremely important.
The effects of fasting at health:
Enhances Blood Sugar Control by decreasing Insulin Resistance :
Many reviews found that both intermittent fasting and alternate-day fasting were as effective as limiting calorie intake at reducing insulin resistance.
Reducing insulin resistance could raise your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Letting it to transport glucose from your bloodstream to your cells more efficiently.
- improve Heart Health by enhancing Blood Pressure, Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels:
- A research done for 4,629 people showed that a continuous fasting with lower risk of coronary artery disease. As well as a significantly lower risk of diabetes, which is the main risk factor for heart disease.
- Many studies show that fasting can enhance brain function, raise nerve cell composition, and safe against neuro degenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
- Fasting may raise metabolism and help maintain muscle tissue to decrease body weight and body fat.
Despite that the idea of not eating from dawn to sunset may seem hard but revising the facts and knowing the benefits of it shows that it’s the best solution to your heath and body.
