Fasting

Islamic fasting, also known as Sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is observed by Muslims around the world during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and devotion to Allah.

The month of Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar and lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. During this time, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset.

Origins of Islamic Fasting

The practice of Islamic fasting dates back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who received the first revelation of the Quran during the month of Ramadan. Fasting was already a common practice among the Jews and Christians at the time, and it was seen as a way to purify the body and soul.

The Quran states, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous" (2:183). This verse emphasizes the importance of fasting for spiritual growth and righteousness.

Purpose of Islamic Fasting

Islamic fasting has several purposes. Firstly, it serves as a means of self-discipline and self-control. By abstaining from food and drink, Muslims learn to control their desires and focus on their spiritual needs. This self-discipline can then be carried over into other areas of life, such as work, relationships, and personal growth.

Secondly, Islamic fasting serves as a reminder of the blessings of Allah. By depriving themselves of food and drink, Muslims become more aware of the necessities of life that are often taken for granted. This helps to cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what Allah has provided.

Thirdly, Islamic fasting is a means of seeking forgiveness from Allah. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to increase their prayers, charity, and good deeds. By doing so, they seek to purify their souls and seek forgiveness for any sins they may have committed.

Finally, Islamic fasting is a time of community and social solidarity. Muslims are encouraged to break their fast together with family, friends, and neighbors. This promotes a sense of unity and brotherhood, as well as provides an opportunity to share blessings with others.

Rules of Islamic Fasting

Islamic fasting has several rules and guidelines that must be followed. These include:

Intention: Fasting is only valid if it is done with the intention of pleasing Allah and seeking His reward.

Abstinence: Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. This includes smoking, sexual activity, and taking medication unless it is necessary for health reasons. No lie, fake nothing which can hurt humanity in any way.

Exceptions: There are several exceptions to the fasting rule, including illness, travel, and menstruation.

Night-time meals: Muslims are encouraged to eat a pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and break their fast with a post-sunset meal (Iftar).

Charity and good deeds: Muslims are encouraged to increase their charitable giving and good deeds during the month of Ramadan. Few Hadiths from Sahih al-Bukhari 1891 In-book reference: Book 30, Hadith 1 reference: Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 115 Narrated Talha bin 'Ubaidullah:

A bedouin with unkempt hair came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards the prayers." He replied: "You have to offer perfectly the five compulsory prayers in a day and night (24 hours) unless you want to pray Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards fasting." He replied, "You have to fast during the whole month of Ramadan unless you want to fast more as Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Tell me how much Zakat Allah has enjoined on me." Thus, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) informed him about all the rules (i.e. fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin then said, "By Him Who has honored you, I will neither perform any Nawafil nor will I decrease what Allah has enjoined on me. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If he is saying the truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted Paradise).

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened." Sahih al-Bukhari 1898 Book 30, Hadith 8 Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 122

Benefits of Islamic Fasting

Islamic fasting has many benefits, both spiritual and physical. Some of the key benefits include:

Spiritual growth: Islamic fasting helps Muslims to develop their spiritual side by increasing their self-discipline, self-control, and mindfulness. This can lead to a greater sense of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

Health benefits: Islamic fasting has been shown to have many health benefits, including weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation. It has also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Community building: Islamic fasting provides an opportunity for Muslims to come together as a community and share their blessings. This promotes a

sense of unity and social solidarity, which is important for mental health and well-being.

Appreciation for blessings: By abstaining from food and drink, Muslims become more aware of the necessities of life that are often taken for granted. This helps to cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what Allah has provided.

Self-improvement: Islamic fasting encourages Muslims to reflect on their lives and work on self-improvement. This can lead to positive changes in behavior, attitudes, and relationships.

For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is a time of increased devotion, prayer, and charity. It is a time to focus on one's relationship with Allah and to work on self-improvement. Fasting is a central aspect of this month, but it is not the only one. Muslims are also encouraged to increase their acts of charity, to read the Quran, and to attend nightly prayers at the mosque.

It is important to note that Islamic fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink. It is also about developing a deeper understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims are encouraged to use this month as an opportunity to reflect on their lives and to work on becoming better people.

In addition, Islamic fasting is not limited to the month of Ramadan. There are other times during the year when Muslims are encouraged to fast, such as on the Day of Arafat and during the month of Muharram. These fasts have their significance and serve as an additional means of spiritual growth and devotion.

Overall, Islamic fasting is a practice that is deeply rooted in the Islamic faith. It serves as a means of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and seeking forgiveness from Allah. While it can be challenging, many Muslims find that the rewards of Islamic fasting are well worth the effort. It is a time of increased devotion, prayer, and charity, and it provides an opportunity to reflect on one's relationship with Allah and to work on self-improvement.

Medical reserch on Islamic Fasting

Emerging evidence suggests that fasting could play a key role in cancer treatment by fostering conditions that limit cancer cells' adaptability, survival, and growth. Fasting could increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments and limit adverse events. Yet, we lack an integrated mechanistic model for how these two complicated systems interact, limiting our ability to understand, prevent, and treat cancer using fasting. Here, we review recent findings at the interface of oncology and fasting metabolism, with an emphasis on human clinical studies of intermittent fasting. We recommend combining prolonged periodic fasting with a standard conventional therapeutic approach to promote cancer-free survival and treatment efficacy and reduce side effects in cancer patients.

Conclusion

Islamic fasting is a practice that has been observed by Muslims for centuries. It serves as a means of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and seeking forgiveness from Allah. Fasting during the month of Ramadan has unlimited benefits, including improved physical health proven by Since, social solidarity, and appreciation for blessings. While it can be challenging, many Muslims find that the rewards of Islamic fasting are well worth the effort. According to our PBUM if any Muslim know how much reward is given by Allah then they will pray to have to fast the whole year.