Health Benefits of Fasting from a Medical Perspective
According to Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most honored and significant month of the year. Islam is a complete way of life, encompassing all aspects, including health principles. Islam does not encourage unnecessary hardship on the body. Fasting (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam. The word "Roza" is of Persian origin, while its Arabic term is "Sawm," with the plural form being "Siyam." Sawm means abstaining or refraining. Observing Sawm refers to abstaining from eating, drinking, and other specific activities from dawn (Subh-e-Sadiq) to sunset with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
As time progresses, the month of Sha’ban passes, bringing forth the blessed month of Ramadan. Like a thirsty bird longing for rain, Muslims eagerly await Ramadan throughout the year. When this holy month arrives, it brings streams of divine mercy, and joy spreads among believers. The gates of forgiveness and paradise are opened, while the doors of hell are shut.
During Ramadan, Satan is chained, and people purify themselves. The wealthy fulfill their duty toward the poor, and sinners seek forgiveness, returning to the path of righteousness. Rich and poor, friend and foe, all stand in the same row, fostering unity, peace, and brotherhood. This month brings discipline, sacrifice, and a divine message, marking the ninth month of the Hijri calendar. Allah has ordained this month for fasting, and every moment of it is filled with His special mercy. Undoubtedly, Ramadan holds a unique status and great significance.
Ramadan is divided into three parts: First ten days – Mercy (Rahmat), Second ten days – Forgiveness (Maghfirat) and Last ten days – Salvation (Najat).
Muslims worldwide engage in rigorous spiritual practices during this blessed month. The fasting, prayers, and self-restraint cultivated during Ramadan aim to instill piety (Taqwa) and spread goodness throughout society. If the essence of Ramadan is fully realized, it can lead to peace and welfare across the globe.
Fasting disciplines the soul, burning away desires through self-restraint and devotion to Allah. A true fasting person achieves self-purification and personal reform. This spiritual growth brings one closer to Allah, eliminating injustice, corruption, immorality, and terrorism from society. A disciplined life, guided by faith, ensures security and peace for individuals and communities.
Ramadan in the Quran, Hadith, and Modern Science. The Holy Quran is the ultimate guide for human life, containing all fundamental Islamic rulings. Allah states: "We have not left anything out of this Book. " (Surah Al-An’am: 38) If we examine the verses related to fasting, we will find comprehensive guidance regarding its principles and etiquettes. Quranic Verses on Fasting:
"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind and as clear proofs of guidance and criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever among you witnesses the month must fast. But if anyone is ill or on a journey, let them fast the same number of days later. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you complete the prescribed period and glorify Allah for guiding you, and so that you may be grateful." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)
"And when My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when they call upon Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me so that they may be guided." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 186) "O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain piety (Taqwa)." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 183)
"It is lawful for you to be intimate with your spouses during the nights of fasting. They are your garments, and you are theirs. Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves, so He turned to you in mercy and forgave you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has decreed for you. Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread (of night). Then complete the fast until sunset. Do not be intimate with them while you are in I’tikaf in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them. Thus, Allah makes His verses clear to the people so that they may attain piety." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)
Hadiths on Fasting, Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The blessed month of Ramadan has come to you. Allah has made fasting in it obligatory upon you. During this month, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of hell are closed. The devils are chained. In it, there is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is truly deprived." (Ahmad & Nasai)
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past minor sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays during its nights with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever worships on the Night of Qadr with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Sahl ibn Sa’d (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "There are eight gates of Paradise, one of which is called Rayyan. Only those who fast will enter through it." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Every good deed of a son of Adam is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times, but Allah says, 'Fasting is for Me, and I alone will give its reward. The fasting person abstains from food and desires for My sake.' The fasting person has two joys—one at the time of breaking the fast and the other when meeting his Lord. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more fragrant to Allah than musk. Fasting is a shield, so when one of you fasts, let him not engage in obscene speech or quarreling. If someone abuses him or fights with him, let him say, 'I am fasting.'” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Fasting and the Quran will intercede for the servant on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, 'O Lord! I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.' The Quran will say, 'I kept him away from sleep at night, so let me intercede for him. ' Their intercession will be accepted."
(Bayhaqi & Shu’ab al-Iman) Let us observe all the rules of Ramadan sincerely and strive to gain its full rewards. May Allah grant us the ability to benefit from this blessed month and accept our fasting, prayers, and good deeds. Ameen.
Sakibul Hasan
Department of Sociology
Dhaka College, Dhaka
sakibulhasanlearning@gmail.com
আরও খবর
ধর্ষণ: পোশাক নয়, অপরাধীর বিকৃত মানসিকতা ও প্রশাসনিক অবহেলা দায়ী
৩ দিন ২১ ঘন্টা ৮ মিনিট আগে
নারী দিবসের প্রত্যাশা নারীর অগ্রগামিতা
৪ দিন ৪ ঘন্টা ৫২ মিনিট আগে
মেডিক্যাল ডায়াগনস্টিক ফি কমানো জরুরি।
৫ দিন ১৪ ঘন্টা ৫৮ মিনিট আগে
মাটি দূষণ রোধ করা প্রয়োজন
৬ দিন ১ ঘন্টা ৪৮ মিনিট আগে
Health Benefits of Fasting from a Medical Perspective
৭ দিন ১৯ ঘন্টা ৩২ মিনিট আগে
রমজান মাসে যে আমলে জীবনের গুণাহ মাফ হয়
৮ দিন ৬ ঘন্টা ৩৭ মিনিট আগে
যে পাঁচ কারণে লেখালেখি করা উচিত সবার
১৬ দিন ১৯ ঘন্টা ১৫ মিনিট আগে
ধর্ষণ বন্ধে প্রয়োজন আইনের কঠোরতা
১৭ দিন ৫ ঘন্টা ৪ মিনিট আগে
