The Benefits of Fasting in Ramadan | A healthy Ramadan 2021

What is Ramadan?

9th month of Ramadan is in Islamic calendar / Hijri Calendar. The length of the Month varies between 29 and 30 days depending on the sighting of the Shawwal Moon which leads to the much awaited Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and during this holy month, Al-Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.). The word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic world ‘Ramad / Ramida’ which means scorching heat or drought. So the word Ramadan means abstinence from eating and/or drinking anything from dawn till dusk.

Health Benefits of fasting in Ramadan

Aside from the religious obligations upon Muslims during the Holy month of Ramadan, fasting has countless health benefits of Ramadan, too. From improved weight management and healthier blood cell regeneration through to better heart function and vascular wellbeing, fasting has become quite the go-to method of keeping young, fit and healthy.

Detoxifying

Abstaining from all matter of solids and surviving on liquids for a few days is a great way to cleanse the human body and detoxify; improving the function of organs whilst promoting a cleansed digestive system - improving blood circulation and getting rid of any harmful toxins in the body.

Appetite Suppressant

Do you ever get that feeling of not being able to tell when you’re full? Or eating out of pure boredom? Fasting can help solve those problems. By structuring your day around everything apart from eating, your body eventually gets accustomed to not feeling hungry all the time. During the Holy month of Ramadan, many Muslims who are partaking in the obligatory fasts will experience many cravings during the fasting day, only to find that they are not able to consume much upon opening their fast. This is due to the fact that the less you put into your stomach over a length of time, the more the stomach shrinks - leading you to feel full after just a small amount of food.

Immune System

Partaking in fasting promotes healing in the human body as it applies core focus to its immune system and metabolism as opposed to focusing on digestion, further enhancing muscle growth in the process.
The immune system is largely comprised of white blood cells and fasting encourages your body to recycle any old white blood cells which results in a healthier, more robust immune system. Your body regenerates stem cells that consist of red and white blood cells along with your platelets once your body consumes food again.

Blood Pressure

A decrease in the body’s salt intake and loss of salt through urine lowers the body’s blood pressure.

Training

HGH, also known as Human Growth Hormone, is organically produced by the human body and is known to build muscle mass which effectively burns fat. Although it remains active in your bloodstream for merely a few minutes, it can go a long way towards increasing lean muscle strength which could be incredibly beneficial for training.

Blood Sugar

During the fasting process, glucose levels are stabilised which can lead to the prevention of type 2 diabetes as a result.

Lower cholesterol

We all know that weight loss is one of the possible physical outcomes of fasting during Ramadan, but there’s also a whole host of healthy changes going on behind the scenes. A team of cardiologists in the UAE found that people observing Ramadan enjoy a positive effect on their lipid profile, which means there is a reduction of cholesterol in the blood.

Low cholesterol increases cardiovascular health, greatly reducing the risk of suffering from heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. What’s more, if you follow a healthy diet after Ramadan, this newly lowered cholesterol level should be easy to maintain.

Boost your brain

No doubt you’ll be aware of the positive effects fasting can have on your mental wellbeing and spiritual focus, but the brain-boosting powers of Ramadan are even more significant than you might think. A study carried out by scientists in the USA found that the mental focus achieved during Ramadan increases the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which causes the body to produce more brain cells, thus improving brain function.

Likewise, a distinct reduction in the amount of the hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenal gland, means that stress levels are greatly reduced both during and after Ramadan.

Month of Allah's Blessings:

The month of Ramadan is an opportunity given by the Gracious Creator for His servants to come close to Him, seek forgiveness for their sins, and fulfill their religious duties. Allah Has said in The Quran:

“… and men who fast and women who fast, … Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:35)

All past sins of a fasting person will be forgiven:
It was narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A.) that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hope for reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 38)

Gates of Heaven are opened
It was narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A.) that Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
(Sahih Bukhari: 1899)

Who is exempted from Fasting:

Even though fasting in Ramadan is obligatory upon every able Muslim, Allah has pardoned and excused certain people from fasting if they are unable to fast during Ramadan due to certain legitimate reasons. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah Has clearly mentioned that sick people and travelers are exempted from fasting during Ramadan. In addition to that, in the light of this Ayah and according to many scholars, following people are also exempt from fasting:

• Physically or Mentally ill people.
• Travelers.
• Women during menstruation.
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Elderly People (if fasting will cause their health to deteriorate further).
• Children who have not reached puberty.
  

Things that invalidate the Fast
Things that invalidate one’s fast are:

• Medication taken through nose or ears.
• Vomit Intentionally.
• Water accidentally goes down the throat whilst gargling.
• Ejaculating because of contact with a woman.
• Swallowing items.
• Smoking a cigarette.
• Continuing to eat or drink after eating or drinking unintentionally and assuming the fast has already been broken.
• Eating after Suhoor / Subh Sadiq / Sehri (starting time of Fast before Fajr Salah) with the impression of it being before Suhoor / Subh Sadiq.
• Eating Iftar (meal to be consumed after breaking the fast at Maghrib Salah) at the wrong time i.e. eating it before sunset with the assumption that it is after sunset.

Make most out of Ramadan:

8 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Ramadan

• Recite the Quran frequently. ...
• Voluntary Prayers. ...
• Purifying your intentions. ...
• Doing excessive remembrance of Allah. ...
• Behaving in the best way and controlling your tongue. ...
• Implementing Sunnah into your daily life. ...
• Charity and generosity. ...
• Schedule and Monitor.

Find Lailat ul Qadr

Lailat al Qadr, the Night of Power, marks the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah.

Muslims regard this as the most important event in history, and the Qur'an says that this night is better than a thousand months (97:3), and that on this night the angels descend to earth.

This is a time that Muslims spend in study and prayer. Some will spend the whole night in prayer or in reciting the Qur'an.

Lailat al Qadr is a good time to ask for forgiveness.

    "...Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven..."
    (Hadith, Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2:34)

Lailat al Qadr takes place during Ramadan. The date of 27 Ramadan for this day is a traditional date, as the Prophet Muhammad did not mention when the Night of Power would be, although it was suggested it was in the last 10 days of the month.

Because of this, many Muslims will treat the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan as a particularly good time for prayer and reading the Qur'an.

Observe Itikaf

Itikaf means to be in isolation in a Masjid or at home with the intention of solely dedicating your time to the worship of Allah (SWT). It is Sunnat-al-Muaqidah (Sunnah that is urged to be performed) to sit in Itikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan. A person may commence Itikaf after sunset of 20th of Ramadan, and end it when the moon for Eid is sighted. The Sunnah stays the same if the month of Ramadan is of 29 or 30 days.

Narrated by Aishah (R.A.):

"The Prophet (S.A.W.) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf after him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 2026)

Pay Zakat:

What is Zakat?

An obligatory annual payment, Zakat is paid by qualifying adult Muslims whose wealth exceeds the Nisab value for one Islamic (lunar) year. This donation pleases Allah (SWT). Payments are made to support those most in need both domestically and around the world.

Who is Eligible for Zakat?

The Holy Qur’an determined who is eligible to receive Zakat, stating:

“As-Sadaqat (Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (Zakat funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
(Chapter at-Tawbah Tevbe, 60)

This means that Zakat donations cannot be given to just anyone. A husband cannot give his Zakat to his wife as he is already responsible for her, just as he is his children. A wife, though, is permitted to give Zakat to her husband, so long as he meets the relevant criteria – she must not benefit in any way from this donation (i.e. the husband using the funds to pay for a gift for his wife).

Those eligible to receive Zakat can be placed into one of eight categories, which are:

•     Fakir – those with little to no income or wealth
•     Miskin – those who are without food
•     Amil – anyone designated to collect and distribute Zakat
•     Riqab – anyone held involuntarily against their will in captivity or as a slave
•     Gharmin – those struggling with unmanageable debt
•     Fisabillillah – those who fight for Allah (SWT)
•     Ibnus Sabil – struggling and/or stranded travellers
•     Muallaf – friends of the Islamic community and/or revert Muslims
  

Not every Muslim is obligated to pay Zakat as per the rules set out in the holy Qur’an. To be eligible to pay Zakat, you must be past the age of puberty, of Muslim faith, sound mind, free and have a positive cash/goods flow, as well as a personal wealth which exceeds the Nisab value.

Summary

Ramadan is the month of worship and contemplation. Every Muslim should avail this chance to receive countless blessings from Allah during this month by standing in prayer. Ask for Allah’s forgiveness, worship with genuine dedication and hope for Allah’s reward in this world and the hereafter.

Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. ... Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.