Ramadhan, the Month of God (10)

Salaam dear friends and welcome 10th episode of “Ramadhan, the Month of God”

As usual, we start with the special supplication of 10th Ramadhan:

 “O Allah, appoint me this day to be among those who put their trust in You; include me therein among those who are triumphant with You; and count me therein among those who are brought near to You, with Your kindness, O Goal of the seekers!”

The month of Ramadhan is a means towards health and well-being both physically and spiritually. It is narrated from the Prophet of Islam that he said, "Fast to be healthy."

In the modern era, human beings have understood that having a healthy and useful food diet beside a regular programme for physical exercises will have deep impact on health. The harms of fast foods, fizzy drinks, fat and salty foods and so on, are clear. That's why some people have opted for vegetarian diet or marine foods.

But, does human body only need to eat to be healthy or it needs a period of respite as it is continuously digesting what is stuffed in it?

The digestive system begins with the mouth and ends in the intestines. Yet, the role of the liver, blood, blood vessels, hormones and glands shouldn't be ignored in digestion and absorption of food. Fasting for one month gives the digestive system the opportunity to rest after 11 months of working. Resting is vital for the digestive system like other bodily organs. It is better if this respite is practiced according to a fixed schedule for a full month. The blessed month of Ramadhan gives this golden opportunity to body and digestive system.

The Prophet of Islam said, "Stomach is home to every illness and abstinence is the basis of every cure."

Herbalists maintain that over seventy diseases are caused by careless eating and overeating; and that fasting is the best way for prevention of diseases. Modern medicine, too, has proved that fasting burns the extra and harmful fat, reduces pressure on the joints of the waist and lower organs and regulates the activity of cardiovascular and digestive systems. As a person fasts, an intense dieting system rules his body. Hence, the body embarks on eating itself and this begins with reduction of fat and sugar reserves and protein tissues. At the time of hunger, the body attacks the extra fat and destroys it. Thus, reduction of weight is one of the benefits of fasting.

The dead and sick cells and tissues are eradicated during fasting, while new and fresh cells and tissues grow after fasting. That's why some physicians believe that fasting is a rebirth of the body and the element of youth.

Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi, a member of the Iranian-Islamic Medicine Board, says, "Fasting for one month of the year destroys all poisons of organs and stomach, refreshes the fasting person, and restores health through internal cleansing." He maintains that fasting causes dense phlegm or extra substances in the body, that stick to the body pores, to be burnt and this burning of poisonous substances creates much heat in the body.

Dr. Mousavi adds, "The main factor for dangerous diseases are the sediments that pollute the blood and stick to the vessels and walls of the digestive system. Fasting is an important factor for prevention of all diseases like cancer, heart attack, dementia, Parkinson Disease, MS and other refractory diseases. Fasting insures the human body against all diseases for one year."

Fasting during Ramadhan improves functioning of the heart as well. According to cardiologists, heart performance is improved due to fasting for long hours during Ramadhan. Fasting for the entire month also improves blood circulation thus making people healthier.

A research study recently conducted by doctors of two hospitals revealed that due to increase in vagal tone (that is, functioning of vagus nerve), fasting induces a change in the electrical activity of the heart. The positive change in the electrical activity of the heart decreases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

The doctors studied a sample of 50 people who were on fast. At the end of 28 days of fast they found positive outcome of cardiac functioning.

Dr. M.N. Khwaja, a senior geneticist asserted that previous research studies revealed that fasting improves to a significant extent the para-sympathetic modulation. He further said ‘the strictly disciplined life coupled with increased physical activity in the form of regular and special prayers has been found to positively impact those on fast.”

Psychologists have also talked about the positive impact of fasting on human spirit. They opine that fasting strengthens psychological and spiritual power. It gives the individual self-confidence and instills in that person the spirit of resistance against obstacles and problems. Fasting makes a person steadfast against stress and concerns. That's why the magnitude of crimes and abnormal behaviours is so low in Muslim societiesduring Ramadhan.

Dr. Akram Pour-Shams, a specialist of kidney diseases, says, "Those who eat just one meal at the time of Iftar and do not consume anything till the next Ifatr, harm their health." She believes that fasting is useful for treating fatty liver, and says, "During the days of Ramadhan, as people have less food intake, they can better decrease their weight. Those suffering from fatty liver, if they pass through Ramadhan properly, it will be very helpful for their health and they may even be healed of their disease. Those who suffer from fatty liver must avoid eating fat and sweet food at Iftar and Sahar. Bread, cheese, vegetables and fruits are the best items for such people at Iftar. A few hours after Iftar they can have a light dinner."

Although fasting is very useful for the health of a person, it should be noted that neither of the meals of Iftar or Sahar should be cancelled. Moreover, fasting persons should refrain from overeating after Iftar. However, fasting might be harmful for some patients. Thus, in accordance with Islamic rules, they shouldn't fast at all.