Fasting in the month of Ramadan: Some Reflections






"There are numerous health benefits in fasting: It is medically accepted norm that dieting is good practice to control over weight: Although Muslims do not observe fasting for heath and medical benefits it is an additional health benefit in fasting: We Muslims fast only please Almighty Allah but yet it gives us immense social and religious benefits."

by Dr Rifai

(September 02, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Today over 1.4 Billions Muslims welcome the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan all over the world: This is one of the holiest months for Muslims: For the next 29 or 30 days Muslims will be fasting during this holy month: Fasting is one of main pillars of Islam which is prescribed in the Holy Quran: from dawn to sunrise Muslims are fasting each day of this holy month.

Muslims abstain from Eating, Drinking even water or any other drinks: Muslims are not permitted to have intimate sexual relationship during day time of this holy month. Fasting is not a new tenet in Islam: fasting had been prescribed in the previous scriptures: For Non-Muslim brothers fasting may seem as a self harming or cruelty to human body. Last year in the month of Ramadan when I was fasting an English friend of mine told me that starving yourself is harmful to your body and it is cruel to yourself.

In a surprise he asked me how do you go without food and drinks for whole day from dawn to sunset? It may seem that fasting is a daunting task for Non-Muslim brothers when they look at it from the out side fold of Islamic faith and community: In fact, fasting is one of the most enjoyable spiritual experiences for Muslims. It is a spiritual training camp for the entire Muslim communities all over the world: In fact Muslim do not starve 24 hours of the whole day alone. They get enough nutrition and hydration through their meals at night. Even certain group of people are exempt from fasting: Sick, elderly people, children, nursing mothers and travellers are exempt form fasting:

To grasp real meaning,, logic, rational and philosophy of fasting one needs to reflect on the very nature of human being: Human beings are made of physical & spiritual elements: With physical body & Soul: We provide enough nutrition to our physical body through food intakes with calories: Our food intakes sustain our health and physical strengths: Likewise, human souls are in need of spiritual nutrition: According to Islamic teaching basic five pillars of Islam are instituted and prescribed for Muslims to provide spiritual training and nutrition for Souls: Five time prayers are prescribed for Muslims to enhance and uplift spiritual developments of Muslim people: Hajj is prescribed for Muslims to enhance them spiritually and Zakat is prescribed for them to purify the wealth and hearts of Muslims people: In same manner fasting is prescribed for them to purify themselves during this holy month: Good deeds and charities are highly rewarded in this holy month: Indeed, good deeds are rewarded seventy times more on this holy month: During this month Muslims transcend their material and physical needs and enrich and cherish spiritual and religious needs of souls: That is why this holy month of Ramadan is very special month for the entire Muslim world: All over Muslim world Muslims dedicate and devote their times in devotion and worship during this months: Prayers are read in each and very mosques and the holy Quran are recited day & night and charities are offered to the poor and relatives: Welfare of weak and poor of Muslims communities are considered during this month as much as possible: in short this month is a holy month for Muslims in very sense: It is a period of spiritual enhancement and renewal: It is a special month in which Muslims recharge their spirituality & religiosity through variety of good needs and rituals: Therefore, fasting is not self harming rather it is a spiritual experience and enjoyments: The holy month of Ramadan is a gold opportunity for Muslims to seek Divine Mercy, Blessing and Foreignness: In deed, Muslims all over the world devote this month to seek Divine Blessing &Forgiveness in this holy month:

In addition to these spiritual benefits fasting indeed, provides with numerous social benefits to Muslims society: it creates a sense of brotherhood, love, affection between Muslims: It really manifest a real sense of equality among Muslims: Rich people feel sorry and sympathy for poor people during this months: When rich people endure hunger and thirsty during this holy months they are given a gold opportunity to ponder over feelings of poor and weak in the society and this automatically encourage them to give more charities for poor in the society: This create a sense of equality in the society: No any other human mechanism or project could create such equality as fasting does in Muslim society:

There are numerous health benefits in fasting: It is medically accepted norm that dieting is good practice to control over weight: Although Muslims do not observe fasting for heath and medical benefits it is an additional health benefit in fasting: We Muslims fast only please Almighty Allah but yet it gives us immense social and religious benefits:

Moreover, this holy month is more special not only just for Muslims but it is a special month for the entire humanity: Because, during this holy month Almighty Allah revealed his final and last divine revelation to the prophet Muhammad (SAWS) as a guidance to the entire humanity. This historical phenomenon changed the destiny of humanity: This according to the teaching of Islam is a historical turning point in the entire human history: Before this final revelation and divine guidance was revealed the humanity lived in the darkness of ignorance and injustice: It is meritorious and rewarding to read the holy Quran in this month. Muslims all over the world read this Holy Quran in this month day & night: Young & elderly, men & women collectively and individually read the holy Quran in this month. The holy Quran gives new impetus for Muslims to benefit more significantly in this month of Ramadan: at the end of this holy month Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al- Fitr.
- Sri Lanka Guardian