01/05/2021
-Shanjida Nabu
Fasting in Ramadan
Ramadan fasting is an Islamic religious fast strictly observed every year throughout the world during the month of Islamic calendar for about 30 days. In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from dawn, until the dusk. They are advised to be away from foods or water for the whole day, to stay away from s*x, misconduct and also from consuming medicines, nutritional fluids and addictions etc.
Ramadan fasting is obligatory for the healthy adult but, when fasting might significantly affect the health of the fasting individual or when one is genuinely sick, Islam exempts him or her from fasting. “God intends every facility for you; he does not want to put you into difficulties”. It is ordered in Qur’an that “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa (good deeds and God-consciousness).
Healthy adult Muslims should not fear becoming weak by fasting, but instead it should improve their health and stamina. In 1994, the first International Congress on “Health and Ramadan”, held in Casablanca, about 50 research articles presented on the medical ethics of fasting from the all over the world. It was suggested that Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate diseases such as Non-insulin dependent diabetes, essential hypertension, weight management, and for rest of the digestive tract includes lowering blood sugar levels, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the lipids profile. It was also suggested that patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether type I diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc. are exempted from fasting and should not be allowed to fast
The basic objectives of this month long process are to mould the behaviour and pattern of life of its practitioners in such a way that they turn out to be ideal human beings. In order to achieve this one has to restrain oneself from listening, speaking, hearing or thinking bad about others. The impact of this purification process is expected to last the remaining months, after which the process is repeated.
Psychological effects of ramadan fasting
Psychological effects of Ramadan fasting are also well observed by the description of people who fast. The Holy Qur’an is a great source of guidance to humanity and nothing in it is without the objective of benefits.
Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. Fasting also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, abstaining from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing, fighting, and having lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behaviour. This purification of body and soul harmonizes the inner and outer spheres of an individual. Muslims aim to improve their body by reducing food intake and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Overindulgence in food is discouraged and eating only enough to silence the pain of hunger is encouraged. Muslims believe they should be active, tending to all their commitments and never falling short of any duty.
Fasting is believed to help promote chastity and humility and prevent sin, the outburst of uncontrolled lusts and desires and farfetched hopes. Fasting also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, abstaining from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing, fighting, and having lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps to develop good behaviour. During the sacred month of Ramadan, believers strive to purify body and soul and increase their good deeds. This purification of body and soul harmonizes the inner and outer spheres of an individual. On a moral level, believers strive to attain the most virtuous characteristics and apply them to their daily situations. They try to show compassion, generosity and mercy to others, exercise patience, and control their anger. In essence, Muslims are trying to improve what they believe to be good moral character and habits.
Muslims do prayer as namaz/salat five times a day and 20 extra namaz of “Trahveeh” in the night. There is a beneficial effect of extra prayer. This not only helps with better utilization of food but also helps in energy output and it is also beneficial for extra calorie utilization. Muslims encouraged being doing more acts of piety, prayers, charity or reading Qur’an. Recitation of the Qur’an not only produces a tranquillity of heart and mind, but improves the memory.
Muslims describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. This involves restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing one to serve as a good Muslim and a good person. It serves as a means to sharpen our awareness of God and gives strengthens and self control. Besides abstaining from food and drinks, fasting involves getting into sublime states of mind in order to develop positive feelings. In an investigation in Jordan, a significant reduction of Para-suicidal cases was noted during the month of Ramadan.
Social effects of ramadan fasting
Ramadan fasting encompasses direction to develop spiritual, moral and social values. It is the message of equality amongst the individuals of the society. The poor are given attention and benefit from charity and the faithful practise of the concept of neighbourhood and hospitality. Apart from helping to achieve purity of body and soul through this process of self-purification, addressing these areas of social significance is bound to help people shed all those things which are not socially desirable. The practice of the concept of neighbourhood is equally important. The neighbourhood concept ultimately extends to the world and beyond.
Muslims cannot consume alcohol and use smoke in any form during the month of Ramadan. Those people who are addicted to such habits, it is the best time for them to quit these habits, which are spoiling their health and wasting their money. Since they are restraining themselves from these habits for one month, they should continue to do so, for the rest of their life.
In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians
Fasting has been made obligatory in order to establish equality between the rich and the poor; the rich experience the pangs of hunger and thus fulfil their obligations with respect to the poor. One of the greatest advantages of fasting in this month is that its true observance inculcates in a person a habit of speaking the truth. Ramadan fasting is actually an exercise in self-discipline. For those who are chain smokers, or nibble food constantly, or drink coffee every hour, it is a good way to break the habit, hoping that the effect will continue after the month is over.
Fasting is prescribed by many religions of the world. Islam specifically outlines one full month of fasting during the month of Ramadan. It is a physiological, psychological as well as a spiritual experience. It is generally accepted that a reward for the self-discipline of fasting is better health
Health Benefits of Ramadan Fasting
Ramadan fasting can be good for one’s health and personal development. Muslims do not fast because of medical benefits which are of a secondary nature, but the health benefits of fasting are important issues. Islamic law is very clear about the exemption from fasting for the children below the age of 12 years, sick, travelling, elderly, the women who are menstruating, breastfeeding and pregnant, and those unable to understand the purpose of fasting during Ramadan. They are allowed to restrain from fasting for one day to onwards depending on the conditions of their illness. Young children and those with unsound mental faculties are completely exempted from fasting and also exempted from compensating for the lost fasting days for as long as they remain in these states .
Ramadan focused patient education should focus on pre-Ramadan evaluation, risk stratification, and reminder about the generous religious exemptions available for deserving individuals. Those who are medically fit to fast need to be educated about the importance of balanced nutritious diet, moderate physical exercise, adherence to the advised drugs and medications, self-monitoring of their glycemic status, early recognition of dangerous situations, and the necessary remedial measures.
Review of available medical literature indicates that fasting in Ramadan is safe and probably beneficial with proper education and good management for the majority of persons suffering from diabetes. Healthy stable and well informed type-1 diabetes are also able to fast safely.
