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The Islamic Bulletin
Volume X No. 23 Page 11
The fasts of Ramadan can improve a person’s health, but – if the
correct diet is not followed – can possibly worsen it! The deciding
factor is not the fast itself, but rather what is consumed in the non-
fasting hours. To fully benefit
from fasting, a person should
spare a great deal of thought to
the type and quantity of food
they will indulge in through the
blessed month. Overeating can
not only harm the body but it is
thought also to interfere with a
person’s spiritual growth during
the month. A diet that has less
than a normal amount of food
but is sufficiently balanced will
keep a person healthy and
active during the month of
Ramadan.
The diet should be simple and not differ too much from one’s
normal everyday diet. It should contain foods from all the major food
groups
Food has a great with one’s relationship with God. Chapter 20, verse
81 of the Qur’an states:
“Eat of the good and wholesome things that We have provided for
your sustenance, but indulge in no excess therein.”
The physical body is a gift from God; it is given to humans as an
amanah
(in trust) to take care of for a fixed period. How much food is
consumed and the choice of food has a direct impact on the
physical and spiritual well-being of the person. The food that you
consume affects your behavior and personality. Wholesome, natural
and healthy food assists the development of a good personality.
Overeating has long been frowned upon in Islam as it is thought to
increase worldly appetites and cause sluggishness, thereby ‘dulling’
the soul, hampering spiritual growth and increasing physical ailments.
The blessed Prophet (SAW) said:
“
The children of Adam fill no vessel worse than their stomach.
Sufficient for him is a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must
eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink,
and a third left for air
.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhî)
Islam sees health and ‘well-being’ as much more than just bodily
health: well-being or tranquillity requires a strong relationship with
one’s spirituality, good physical health, mental happiness, a sense of
purpose and good character and relationships. Islam makes a strong
connection between food and worship and teaches that all forms of
worship have a deeper purpose and impact and contribute in some
way to individual and social well-being.
Suhoor
, the pre-dawn meal, should be a wholesome, moderate meal
that is filling and provides enough energy for many hours. It is
therefore particularly important to include slowly-digesting foods in
the
suhoor
.
Iftar
is the meal which breaks the day’s fast. This meal could include
dates, following the Prophetic traditions.
Dates will provide a refreshing burst of much-needed energy. Fruit
juices will also have a similar, revitalizing effect. The meal should
remain a meal and not become a feast! Try to minimise the rich,
special dishes that traditionally celebrate the fast and keep to the
advice
of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
In chapter 7, verse 31 the Qur’an is categorical:
“Eat and drink freely: but waste not by excess, for He does not like
the wasters.”
Islam thus creates a sense of responsibility in people to take a healthy
living lifestyle as normal. Fasting in the month of Ramadan teaches us
to manage and practise spirituality and not to eat excessively. The
essential part of spirituality in food is that we are grateful and thankful
for the food we get.
The blessed Prophet once said:
“God has a right over you; your body
has a right over you…”
To strike a balance between the needs of the
physical body and your spiritual needs, you must on the one hand
consume the right type and amount of food and on the other hand
develop excellent interpersonal skills.
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“I have only been sent
for the perfection of character”
.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an opportunity to make significant
changes in your lifestyle and develop the resolve to make healthy living
choices.
Fasting is not only a physical but also a spiritual exercise that has many
lasting benefits.
1. Heightened consciousness of God
Fasting helps you to become less preoccupied with bodily appetites,
and gives the heart and mind the freedom to reflect upon deeper
spiritual matters, such as your relationship with God and with fellow
human beings. It enables a person to develop sustained consciousness
of God (Taqwa).
2. Healthy lifestyle
A fasting person learns restraint, and only responds to hunger and thirst
in the heightened level of consciousness and discipline. Through
fasting, a person begins to appreciate the value of food. In the Qur’an
“healthy and wholesome food” is described as the best of provisions.
Thus fasting helps a person to choose
a healthier lifestyle by making small yet lasting changes to their daily
diet.
3. Compassion and charity
When fasting, you should think of those in need who may be fasting
but have no food at the start or the end of their fast, those whose tiny
children are also having to go hungry because of poverty. The Prophet
Muhammad described Ramadan as “the month of mercy”. His
companions observed: “The Prophet (Muhammad) was the most
generous of people, but he would be his most generous during
Ramadan …” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
4. Community spirit
During Ramadan, the one who fasts has heightened concerns for the
well-being of the community – rich and poor, intellectuals and
labourers. Community spirit is promoted as people start fasting at the
same time and break their fast at the same time, and reflect together
through longer prayer and deeper devotions. It is greatly encouraged
that families invite each other to break their fast together.
5. A fast without the spirit is empty of blessing
Abstention for long hours can be very hard physically and spiritually.
However, by the end of the long month you should feel cleansed and
with a renewed spirit. Ramadan is an ideal time to break bad habits, to
reflect on personality and to improve your character. Those who fast
but make no change to their lives except delaying a meal cannot really
expect to become any different in their behaviour during or after
Ramadan. In many ways, this is a wasted fast, as stressed in a number
of sayings of the blessed Prophet: fasting is not merely
“abstention from
eating and drinking, but also from vain speech and foul language”
.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
Fasting is, therefore, about much more than just giving up food and
drink and hoping to lose a couple of pounds. By fasting, a person
reflects, acts and betters his or her character.
WHAT COULD YOU GAIN FROM FASTING?