Welcome Ramadan, the Blessed Month of Fasting

My name ‘Saima’ is Arabic and it means “somebody (female) who fasts”.

Fasting came easy to me since I was brought up in a Muslim majority society. But looking at history, one can see that some other world religions like Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism do have some sort of fasting as part of their faith as well. Something that Quran confirms by saying, “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.” (2:184)

Muslims in good mental and physical health are required to fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan, which means abstaining from any kind of eating, drinking and carnal pleasures from dawn till dusk. It is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and this year it is going to being on the 1st of August. 

Although Muslims can keep optional fasts at any time during the year, it is the month of Ramadan in which the believers fulfill the fast as one of the five pillars of Islam. The day after the last of Ramadan is celebrated as a day of feast called Eid-ul-Fitr.

At a personal level, Ramadan is a time of spiritual growth. It requires an individual to pay more attention to self-improvement and display exalted morals. It is a time to intensify focus on remembrance and praising of God while increasing charity. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everyday routine comes to a standstill because “Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity.”(2:287). In other words life’s daily routine goes on, but in an improved or elevated fashion.

From the religious point of view, fasting has always been considered very sacred and something that brings you closer to God. But it is part of our lives, even when it is not for religious reasons. Remember all those times, when the doctor asked you to fast before getting checked for cholesterol and blood sugar; or if you have to have surgery, you are asked not to eat or drink anything before the procedure. There are many health benefits associated with fasting, which we may not be aware of but there have been scientific evidence available and research still going on to make those skeptical souls change their minds.

According to these findings, since fasting helps detoxify your body, I think all those who are looking into detoxifying diets should look into fasting every once in a while instead of spending hundreds of dollars. Why? Because it is free. Whether you are thinking of boosting your immune system, want to fight a tough diseases like cancer, interested in rejuvenation or looking for ways to live a long healthy life, science says, fasting can play a significant role in achieving all these goals.

Muslims, by joining in the ritual of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan, benefit manifolds. On one level they strive to better themselves by performing their religious obligations to God and to His people and on another by being on the receiving end of tons of health benefits not to mention the public display of unity as a community.

Hence, this experience being as much as personal one is still very public, and I am blessed to be able to take part in it. Ramadan Mubarak!