Allah placed great virtues and benefits in fasting, some of which are obvious, while others are hidden and unseen. Yet, while some of these virtues were later clarified by experts, others are explained and revealed day by day.
Allah has also kept some knowledge of them for Himself, while He made some available for a number of his chosen worshippers.
The benefits of fasting interact with the three core elements of every human. It sharpens the mind, purifies the soul, and makes the body sound and healthy. The level of benefit the believer harvests during Ramadan depends on how much he commits himself to the essence of fasting and what he comprehends from its teachings.
Hence, through fasting, a Muslim gains the spiritual strength necessary to carry on with his life and prepare for the Hereafter and the Day of Judgment.
In fact, fasting is distinguished from other acts and pillars of worship. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), quoting the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said: “Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it.’”
Since fasting will only be rewarded by the Gracious Almighty, the Creator and the Sustainer, what do we expect the prize to be? Would it be limited or infinite?
Shall a Muslim receive his prize for fasting in the Hereafter, not on Earth? Is it possible that the Sustainer singles out such an act above all other pillars of Islam without blessing it with the secrets and benefits that manifest the endless ability of Himself, the Compassionate who knows what straightens his creations and nurtures their brains, souls and bodies?
Thus, we can ask, what benefits does the human body gain from fasting? My loved ones, the benefits for the human body are infinite, for which books may never suffice especially as medical discoveries continue to reveal miracles day after day.
Medical research has proven the numerous positive effects of fasting on the digestive system and patients with type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. Moreover, fasting benefits our immune system, helping it fight against various types of sicknesses.
However, I assume these benefits may never be gained unless one is totally committed to the correct manners of fasting. Today, I’m discussing one such manner, which is avoiding overindulgence in eating at the time of breaking fast. A heavenly order in the Qur’an says: “…and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste by extravagance.”
The benevolent Prophet also said: “A man does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat enough to keep him alive. But if he must do that, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for his air.”
Several studies confirm that reducing the amount of food eaten decreases vulnerability to diseases such as cardiac problems, diabetes and cancer. Fasting also strengthens the immune system, leads to rejuvenation and extends life expectancy.
A Muslim who eats excessively at iftar time loses the physiological, physical and health benefits Allah prepares for those who fast during Ramadan in this world before the Hereafter.
Fasting may not have a considerable influence on weight loss as it only helps get rid of excessive weight via a balance between anabolism and catabolism.
However, scientific studies prove that fasting, followed by a balanced diet at sunset, helps those who are obese lose weight. This makes fasting a key factor in obesity control. Obesity is a major cause of a number of serious health problems including hypertension, cardiac disease, type II diabetes, fatty liver, gallstones and osteoarthritis. It also plays a role in increasing the risk of developing cancer.
May Allah bless our patients, heal their sickness, keep disease away and grant us all health.
Reducing food intake during the month of Ramadan is not the sole means of weight loss, since it also depends on the amount of calories burned during daily activity. That is why one of the secrets of fasting lies in daily work, not rest and laziness.
One should be freed from the delusions of reducing his workload during Ramadan and the inclination toward laziness under the pretext of fasting. It’s no coincidence that all crucial battles in Muslim history, such as Badr, Hattin and Ain Jalut, took place in Ramadan.
Overeating at iftar time does not only deprive a Muslim of the physical benefits of the act, but of its mental and spiritual virtues as well. Someone who surrenders to gluttony and provides the stomach with all the food he missed during the day, thus triggering more gluttony, gains him nothing except fatigue, thirst and hunger.
This is typical of a fasting person who knows not what reward may await him. As the Prophet said: “Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing but hunger and thirst from fasting.”
If fasting is meant to cultivate the will of human mind, a person who submits to his gluttony during iftar and sets his desires loose would certainly deprive himself of such great benefits. Indulgence in food pleasures, filling the pantry with its different sorts, as well as doubling the amounts eaten at iftar time, would certainly demean the soul. Moreover, such indulgence is to supercharge gluttony in a month when Muslims are supposed to purify their souls and help restrain their cravings.
Yet, how could the soul be purified throughout the rituals of the great month if restrained and burdened by a body filled with food? A burdened soul and a cruel heart are, no doubt, paired with luxury, extravagance and satiety.
Nevertheless, balance is the ultimate goal of our Shariah. If soul purity cannot be attained in a case of satiety, then the mind cannot function sharply with dire hunger.
That accounts for the Prophet’s recommendation of an instant break of the fast, and the importance of suhur. Moreover, he barred continuous fast, ordered temperance, warned against extremism and exaggeration when he told some of his companions: “I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers).”
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