By Allah’s grace, we have entered the second phase of Ramadhan, a time of forgiveness and spiritual purification. In the first phase, we received Divine grace, the opportunity to fast, pray and give charity. We are now being spiritually cleansed. Doctors will say you are going through bodily detox, too.
Now is the time to talk about the health benefits of fasting, as you have now experienced it for two weeks. The beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) underscored its significance when he said, ‘fast and be healthy.’ Fasting is primarily for earning sawab, merits for the hereafter, but has matching benefits for the worldly life. That’s what I am exploring in this blog. Medical research shows fasting can boost happiness and immunity and enhance brain function. Learn how fasting transforms both body and soul!
A Journey of Body, Mind and Soul
For generations, our ancestors believed that the regular fasting and devotion practised during Ramadhan developed a clear conscience and progressive sense of a Godly lifestyle. However, it has amazing benefits for our bodies, too, and they shouldn’t be overlooked. Fasting in Ramadhan is not just a religious obligation but also a transformative journey, one that nurtures both the soul and body. The fast is a moral-spiritual training that prepares for the tests of life. The entire community fasts in Ramadhan, and this shared discipline is the key to its successful social training, like a football team training together.
The daily routine of fasting, the five prayers, recitation of the Quran and giving charity have a deep impact on minds, attitudes are changed. We develop empathy and kindness towards others. We control our appetite, we can stay hungry and thirsty for 14 hours, and we become patient, bearing, and willing to wait.
These are the moral benefits of fasting. Despite severe thirst and hunger, we don’t bat an eyelid, yet the fridge is full of exotic food and drinks. Why? Because we experience the presence of Allah around us, we are sensitive and more aware of His presence. That’s spiritual development, closeness to Allah Almighty, and perhaps fear, too. The Majestic Quran declares, “Believers fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed on those before you, so, you become Allah fearing” (Al-Baqarah: 183).
Together, as a community of believers, we fast for the 30 days of Ramadhan. It is short enough to stomach but long enough to change even old habits. We are guided by the light of divine wisdom, which shows that Islamic teachings have remarkable benefits for our health and well-being. It shows that this is from the Mighty Creator who made humans to worship him alone. He cares for our bodies as He cares for our souls.
The Health Benefits of Fasting
Here is a summary of a review of medical research done on fasting, it is from the New England Journal of Medicine 2019; 381:2541-51:
Healthy impact on the liver: Fasting increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood glucose levels. During fasting, the liver starts using the fatty tissues for energy, the byproduct is ketone bodies. They are not just fuel used during periods of fasting but potent signalling molecules with major effects on cell and organ functions. Ketone bodies regulate the expression and activity of many proteins and molecules that are known to influence health and aging.
Speeds up healing in immune system: Fasting reprograms T-cell populations, damping down autoimmunity and decreasing inflammatory cytokines. Fasting clips away autoimmune T cells.
Fasting is soothing for the heart: Intermittent fasting improves multiple indicators of cardiovascular health in animals and humans, including blood pressure; resting heart rate; levels of high-density and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin; and insulin resistance. Because fat is used for energy in the absence of incoming dietary calories, blood lipid levels go down, and cholesterol is reduced. This leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Fasting sharpens attention and learning: Fasting results in improved memory, learning, and neurogenesis in rodents and has been shown to repair some neurons. There is strong preclinical evidence that fasting can delay the onset and progression of the disease processes in animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
May speed up healing in cancer: Fasting is thought to impair energy metabolism in cancer cells, inhibiting their growth and rendering them susceptible to clinical treatments. By making tumour cells more susceptible to chemotherapeutic agents while protecting healthy cells from the treatment’s toxicity, intermittent fasting is showing promise in slowing the progression of breast cancers and melanoma in mice.
Conclusion
Fasting in Ramadhan is not just an act of devotion, it’s a holistic practice that nurtures our spirituality, strengthens our discipline, and benefits our health. As we continue our journey this Ramadhan, let us reflect on the wisdom behind fasting and embrace both its worldly and spiritual rewards. May we all find healing, happiness and nearness to Allah in this blessed month.
