Divine wisdom behind fasting Ramadan

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most merciful ...

Praise be to Allah who has revealed the Glorious Quran on His slave to be a guidance and light for both mankind and Jinn..

And Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and upon all those who fast Ramadan .........

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters: congratulations for the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, may Allah return it upon the nation of Muhammad- Prayers and peace of Allah be upon him- the best of mankind, with victory, pride and strength.

Every Muslim should know that fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, here we are trying to know some divine wisdom behind this great pillar:

Recently, the modern science discovered some of these wisdoms which we will discuss in this research, we ask Allah Almighty to give us sincerity in our work and to make it pure for His generous face and ask Him to guide us to what He likes and satisfies with He is the true Guider and Omnipotence....

The definition of Fasting

Fasting is abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse for a certain period.

Fasting history:

All the divinely revealed legislations from Adam, passing through Judaism, Christianity and till our prophet Muhammad (Prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), came with fasting ordinance. Allah Almighty says {O you who believe! Observing Asyam (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaquin (the pious).} [Al-Baqarah 2:183]

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ}

البقرة: 183

Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Kutiba Alaykumu Aş-Şiyāmu Kamā Kutiba Alá Al-Ladhīna Min Qablikum Laallakum Tattaqūn


Fasting through historical ages

Ancient Egyptians, Indians, Buddhists, Brahmin and others observed different kinds of fasting. In the era of Ptolemy, Alexandria’s Physicians were advising their patients with hunger to accelerate recovery; also, the Greek Physicians used it to cure a lot of incurable diseases. Our modern era physicians also advise with fasting.

The importance of fasting to the human being

It is known that the stomach is one of the organs that work continuously all year long, so it needs a rest from time to time otherwise it may be afflicted with diseases, that's why Islam granted it few days every year (during the month of Ramadan) in which Muslim fast to give his stomach a rest from eleven-months work.

Doctors says that the human body during his life receives the following poisonous substances:

First: About 200 kg of poisonous minerals and substances through drinking water;

Second: A lot of kilograms of polluted substances such as; carbon, lead and sulphur oxides through air inhalation, these poisons which are accumulating during man's life can only be removed at the time of fasting as the body devotes itself to effectively maintain and clean the body cells by destroying the weak cells and generating new sound healthy cells........

Fasting is really a great grace of Allah Almighty

Allah Almighty says: {..And that you fast is better for if only you know.} [Al-Baqarah 2:184]

{...وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ}

البقرة: 184  
 

Transliteration: ....Wa 'An Taşūmū Khayrun Lakum 'In Kuntum Talamūn

The man fasts ......the animals fast ........the plants fast

The physics scientists discovered that all creatures observe a certain kind of fasting :

Firstly: For example, the snake and polar bear abstain from food and water for about 6 months (hibernation) .

Secondly: Also plants, flowers, trees and forests are in need to be prevented or reduced of their nutrition of water and fertilizers for a certain period (drought period) to grow and flourish, otherwise they will be spoiled. All Glory to Allah!!!

Doctors’ attestation at the importance of fasting

The Swiss doctor (Parceloce) wrote the following: Fasting utility in curing exceeds with many times the utility of different medicines!!!

In addition, Feniamin, a professor in Moscow University, wrote that a man’s body sometimes detests and refuses food as a kind of the obligatory fasting to give a rest for the stomach.

Professor Beloy in a book under the title (Hunger for health) issued on 1976, asserted that every man, especially big cities inhabitants, should abstain from food for three or four weeks every year to enjoy a good health along their life!!!

Note: dear brother, you should contemplate on the suggested period of fasting in the previous recommendation to see its conformity with the fasting period of Ramadan.

Note: Dear brother, ponder on this advice, notice how identical it is to Fasting obligation, which is in Ramadan.

Some of the benefits of fasting

Fasting benefits are not restricted only on the spiritual benefits (of Allah's reward), as the modern science discovered that fasting has amazing health benefits include but not restricted to the following:

Fasting and obesity

Excess eating or drinking leads –in most cases- to increase in weight and dangerous complications like; high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, liver diseases, joints diseases, diabetes ......etc. Doctors' advice for anyone wants to decrease his weight, is to follow a diet which means to abstain from food and drink for a certain period. To give the body a chance to burn the excess stored fats and consequently get rid of obesity.......This is what is achieved by fasting as it is the cure for all these diseases, by the will of Allah, Glory be to Allah…

Fasting and internal medicine:

Fasting is useful in curing the chronic disorders of the intestines as the digestive system takes rest during day hours, which in turn gives the intestines a chance to get rid of the accumulated poisons and offal. Fasting is considered one of the best ways of cleaning the intestines

...Allah is the Greatest ...

Fasting reduces sexual desire:

Producing sexual hormone is nearly nonexistent during fasting, this what our prophet (Prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) indicated when he said: «O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his chastity (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting is a protection for him (diminishes his sexual power).» [Agreed upon]

‹‹يا معشر الشباب، من استطاع الباءة فليتزوج، فإنه أغض للبصر وأحصن للفرج، ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم، فإنه له وجاء››

متفق عليه

This prophetic tradition refers to a scientific sign as it was scientifically proved that fasting continuously reduces sex hormone production to the lowest level (if he fasts continuously) and this was proved by modern day science….Really he is the messenger of Allah (Allah’s Prayers and Peace be upon him) …..

Fasting is even useful for smoking and drug addicts

It is known that the human body destroys the sick cells, including addicted cells, during fasting and builds sound strong cells. Therefore, as for smokers and drug addicts, they get rid of the weak cells affected by nicotine and drug poisons, their bodies build new sound non-addicted cells, and consequently they regain health fast. Fasting helps the body in demolition and building process...Praise be to Allah....

Fasting is a recovery from joints pains

One of fasting amazing benefits, is that it helps on recovery of back pains, neck and backbone pains . A Norwegian study showed that fasting continuously for four weeks, is a successful cure for arthritis..... Glory be to Allah....

Fasting and its benefits to the rest of body organs

It was also scientifically proved that fasting has amazing uses for the immune system, circulatory system, digestive system, urology, genital, heart, diabetes, cancer.....etc. This is a great grace of Allah Almighty.....

The prophetic signs in prohibiting Al-wisal fasting (fasting continuously day and night):

Al-wisal fasting means to fast day and night continuously for two or three or more days. The modern science proved that Al-wissal fasting (or even delaying breaking fast after sunset) has dangerous complications , as the body stored amounts of proteins, sugars, amino acids and others are drastically decreased after 12-14 hours of fasting which may cause a dangerous disorder in both cerebral nervous systems and sensory centers of body. So the Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon  him) warned Muslims against Al-wisal fasting by the following words «(O you people) Be cautious! Do not practice Al-Wisal. » The people said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied, «My Lord feeds me and quench my thirst during my sleep…» [Al-Bukhary]

‹‹لا تواصلوا. قالوا: إنك تواصل، قال: إني لست مثلكم، إني أبيت يطعمني ربي ويسقيني››

البخاري

Note: A lot of people severely abstain from food and drink, unlike Islamic fasting, to lose their weight, however this way destroys the vital reserves in their bodies and may cause a dangerous complications which may lead to a health collapse or sudden death.

Notice 1:

The fasting practiced by non Muslims is a fasting of starve and must be under Doctors' supervision, while Islamic fasting has divinely safe results and has no dangers or harms.

Notice 2:

In medical fasting and other kinds of non Islamic fasting, the man fasts while all other people don't fast which negatively affects his morals, psychology and health. But in Islamic fasting, all Muslims easily and eagerly engage in fasting together and break their fast together as if they were one family … Allah Almighty says {…Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you……} [Al-Baqarah 2:185]

{...يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ...}

البقرة: 185
 

Transliteration: .... Yurīdu Allāhu Bikumu Al-Yusra Wa Lā Yurīdu Bikumu Al-Usra...


Remarks

Safe/Unsafe Ways of weigh loss

1-Islamic fasting is the only way that can be continuous and has no negative effects Safe
 

Islamic fasting = safe
Chemical regime = unsafe
vegetal regime = unsafe
sport regime = unsafe
health regime = unsafe
Japanese regime = unsafe
Chinese regime = unsafe
American regime = unsafe

2-the other ways are sometimes useful and sometimes harmful unsafe Indian regime

Operations = unsafe
Using rubber wear = unsafe


The Messenger of Allah, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him, said: «Allah Almighty and His angels Pray upon who observes Suhur.» [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

‹‹.....إن الله تعالى وملائكته يصلون على المتسحرين››

صححه الالباني

The blessing of suhur (predawn meal):

The prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) urged on Suhur with his saying «Take Suhur (predawn meal) as there is a blessing in it.» [Agreed upon]

‹‹‹‹ تسحروا، فإن في السحور بركة
البخاري ومسلم رواه

Some of Suhur blessings:

1-It is blessed food as it supports Muslims to obey Allah.

2-It prevents bad manners, which may result from hunger.

When the Muslim eats Suhur, he does not feel bored of fasting but he becomes always eager to it, unlike the one who does not eat Suhur, as he faces hardship because of hunger and it becomes difficult for him to resume fasting.

The prophetic signs in breaking fast by dates:

"The prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) used to break his fast by ripe dates or dates (in the absence of ripe dates) or sips some water (in the absence of dates) before praying." [Al-Albany classified as Good (Hassan)]

‹‹كان يفطر على رطبات قبل أن يصلي ، فلأن لم يكن رطبات فعلى تمرات ، فإن لم يكن حسا حسوات من ماء ››
حسنه الالباني

Some wisdoms behind this Hadith:

Firstly: when the person fasting breaks his fast by dates only and then prays Maghreb prayer, that will give a chance to the stomach to be ready for the gradual arriving of food after prayer.

Secondly: date consists of monosaccharide, so it is delivered faster to the liver, which absorbs it easily and sends it to the body organs to remove fast the effects of tiredness, fatigue and thirst…Glory be to Allah….

The wisdom of Taraweeh (night prayer during Ramadan) prayer:

Taraweeh prayer is the night prayer in Ramadan month, it was given this name because the worshipper takes a rest between every four Rak’as. This prayer comes after ‘Isha prayer to help the body to burn the breakfast food, which may lead to obesity and flabbiness.

Islam has taught us to be occupied with useful things. Allah could have ordered us to practice meaningless sports that wears out energy easily. Instead He ordered us to perform prayer and worship which is the general main reason for man's creation to be consistent with the special wisdom of practicing worship which is removing the unhealthy excess substances from the body….praise be to Allah ……

The wisdom behind performing ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage) in Ramadan:

Ibn Abbas narrated that the prophet (peace be upon him) said: « …performing Umrah in Ramadan is equal (in reward) to performing Hajj with me. » [Muslim]

‹‹...‹‹فعمرة في رمضان تقضي حجة أو حجة معي
مسلم

The one who performed Umrah in Ramadan, has gathered the following righteous attributes:

1-He performed prayers;

2-He observed fasting;

3-He spent money in the cause of Allah;

4-He is an emigrant in the cause of Allah;

5-He left his family and money for the sake of Allah;

6-He is a performer for rituals (visiting Mecca and circumambulation around the Ka’ba) that Allah Almighty ordered us with;

7-He acquired a lot of utilities in this world and in the hereafter that only Allah knows them, so performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan deserved that great reward.

Finally: dear beloved brother, you should know the following:

Firstly: Islam has preceded all physicians, in their call to fasting, when it prescribed fasting on Muslims hundreds of years ago. Allah Almighty says: {should not He who has created know? And He is the most kind and courteous (to his slaves), All-aware (of everything).} [Al-Mulk 67:14]

{أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ}

الملك: 14
 

Transliteration: 'Alā Yalamu Man Khalaqa Wa Huwa Al-Laţīfu Al-Khabīr

Secondly: Allah Almighty, with his mercy, doesn't prescribe upon his slaves but what gives them benefit in this world and in the hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {...And that you fast is better for you if only you know.} [Al-Baqarah 2:184]

{...{وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
البقرة: 184

Transliteration: ... Wa 'An Taşūmū Khayrun Lakum 'In Kuntum Talamūna

An advice :

Dear brother, we remind you that fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink ,but also keeping the righteous deeds and abstaining from all what Almighty Allah has forbidden of sins and evils.

We ask Allah Almighty to support us to be of those righteous people…He is the all hearer who answer His servants' invocations…
 

Translated by Wathakker.info website