Fasting Is Not Only to Purify the Soul, but also to Cleanse the Body
Mariam Alireza, 27, September, 2006 (05, Ramadan, 1427)

As usual, it is with much anticipation, great expectation, and excessive preparation that we welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan. We look forward to the different ways of worship (fasting, extended prayers, charity, and Zakah) to thank the Almighty Allah for his benevolence and countless bounties and to beseech Him for salvation of our souls. All this is in the hope and expectation of His Mercy, Forgiveness, and ultimately his Greatest Reward, Al-Janah, or Paradise.

However contrary to the concept of fasting, excessive attention is given to food preparation during this holy month, which defeats its purpose. Ramadan fasting is not only an act of worship to purify the soul from malice and malevolence and feel the hunger of the deprived, but also to cleanse the body. This act of comprehensive purification results in psychological and physiological equilibrium, restoring harmony to our bodies, minds, and souls. According to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “Fast and you will gain health.”

Rather than an array of mouth-watering food fit for feasts, lighter meals (salads, grains, legumes, or vegetable soups) would be more appropriate for breaking fasts. I wish we would put an end to newly acquired unhealthy trends of excesses and extravaganza, and return to our healthier old customs of breaking fast, eating, and fasting in a manner befitting the true Islamic notion of Ramadan.

Fasting slows down the metabolism; regenerates energy, cells, and organs; detoxifies various body systems; and breaks down fat tissues, restoring health. Scientists believe that when the body finds no food supply, it feeds on waste that obstructs its functions. By consuming its own undesirable residue of degenerated (cancer) cells, harmful bacteria, cysts, lumps, skin pockets, and mineral-buildup in bones, joints, organs, and soft tissues, the body rejuvenates itself. During the process, the blood soaks in toxic compounds from the digestive tract and circulates them around the body for elimination.

This explains the resulting headaches and fatigue during the first few days of fasting, which are normal side-effects of detoxification. To relieve such debilitating after-effects and restore energy, we should drink lots of water, after iftar (breaking fast) until sahoor (meal before abstention). We should maintain a high fluid intake, avoiding consumption of fries, syrupy desserts, and refined, processed, or fatty foods in order to benefit from the purge.

It is of no wonder that many cultures and religions ordain fasting. It serves to cleanse the body, sharpen the mind, and purify the soul. Both traditional and conventional medicines also prescribe short and long fasts, as well as partial and total fasts. Recently, scientists at the University of MIT in the United States found a correlation between fasting and longevity.

With every coming year, Ramadan shifts closer to summer. With hotter and longer days, fasting becomes more strenuous, causing more thirst and dehydration, resulting in kidney-related complications. Rather than heeding Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) advice of drinking water and eating dates and fruits for iftar, most of us, unfortunately, pay attention to hunger pangs, ignoring the call for hydration. We indulge in harmful solids (fried samboosas and syrupy sweets), while the body yearns for water, water, and water. Can we stop for a moment to listen to our body needs rather than impulses?

Water, essential to survive, has become an overlooked nutrient in our diet. All the functions of our body depend on water. With dehydration, body, brain, and organs start to suffer, resulting in urinary tract infections, headaches, acid reflux, constipation, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and bad breath, whereas a glass of water for iftar would give a burst of energy to the lethargic body and mind. As an energy provider, water hydrates the vascular, digestive, hormonal, glandular, circulatory, and immune systems, which depend on it for functional efficacy. Allah, Our Creator, reminds us in the Qur’an, “...And We have created all living things from water...” (Chapter: 21; verse: 30).

Older citizens should be reminded to drink as their sensation of thirst diminishes with age, leading to dehydration and complications.

Water also prevents memory loss and poor concentration. School children should drink water (not soda drinks) after iftar to improve their ability to learn and focus. Studies indicate that water deficiency interferes with mental performance. A fasting mother-to-be should increase water intake as her fetus draws its needs from her body. With water deficiency, a pregnant mother could suffer from acid reflux, constipation, hemorrhoids, and other problems.

While food abstinence slows down the body’s metabolic rate to save energy, physical activity boosts energy; build muscle tissue; accelerates the metabolic rate to expend calories eaten after iftar, and dissipates lethargy caused by heavy meals. Both procedures counter-balance each other to benefit the body, mind, and spirit. Exercising enhances the body’s insulin (sugar burning hormone) sensitivity, lowering the incidence of adult diabetes type 2. Physical activity and deep breathing also improve the body’s oxygen intake and blood circulation.

Sleep is essential to the body. Night sleep allows the brain and body to rest and cells to repair. It enhances energy, mood, memory, thinking ability, and focus. Allah explains to us His purpose of creating day and night by saying, “And We have made your sleep as a thing of rest (9). And We have made the night as a covering [through its darkness] (10). And We have made the day for livelihood” (11) (chapter: 78; verses: 9, 10, 11).

Fasting, prayers, and charity are healing and rewarding to body, mind, and soul. Such are the benefits of this holy month. According to the Holy Qur’an, “... God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to have hardship...” (chapter: 1; verse: 185). We pray to Allah to grant us guidance and strength to perform His commands in the required manner. Ramadan Mubarak to all.

— Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist.