Ramadhan Fasting-The perfect time for cleansing & healing

July 18, 2011

As Ramadhan is approaching, I think it's fair enough that I write an article on fasting as it is the month Muslims have been waiting for. Every year, Muslims fasts for the whole month of Ramadhan, depends,it can either be 29 days or 30 days, exception is permitted for those who falls under several circumstances.

Fasting means to abstain one self[1] from all kinds of temptations and to be patient dealing with it through out the month of Ramadhan, every day from the break of dawn until sunset, in between sunset and the next dawn, these prohibitions are not applicable, for Allah S.W.T, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful surely knows that we humans can't restrain ourselves for a much longer duration . The temptations I mentioned includes drinking, eating, smoking, intercourse, emotions(anger, etc..) and whatever that may pollute the state of fast, as when we are fasting, we are meant to be calm and sensible. Fasting is a shield[2].The month is Ramadhan serves a purpose, it is to cleanse our body physically and to nourish our spirituality. It's the perfect remedy for any diseases and for those who don't fast on a regular basis, the month of Ramadhan is the time(as it is compulsory for muslims to fulfill this obligation) to detoxify their systems and their hearts.
When we cease ourselves from eating and drinking, InsyaAllah we tend to feel what others, who are less fortunate and living in poverty are felling, when they have little food to chew on and when

Fasting ettiquettes according to the sunnah

It is recommended that before we start fasting, that is anytime before the break of dawn, this is called sahur[3], and as the azan goes off, the fasting begins. For sahur and breaking fast, it is recommended that we take dates, as Rasulullah SAW did[4].
Fasting guides a Muslim towards piety, when we fast, we should abstain ourselves from:-

Anger
Bad mouthing/ Foul language
Gossiping
Inter-mixing & socializing freely with non-mahrams
Lies and cheating
Exposing our aurat

Benefits of Ramadhan Fasting

First I'd like to take the benefits mentioned in hadiths sahih, that is fasting as a shield from hellfire and removes sin.[5]
With fasting, we learn to control ourselves, to think sensibly and be in constant serenity.
One is distant from evil deeds.
We learn to eat moderately.
Detoxification- when we don't eat and drink for the whole day, our organs are given the chance to rest, and with this later on, it can function better. And a rested digestive system helps a better elimination and toxins are easier diminished, thus we are going through a detox program without even realising.
When fasting, All mucus diseases such as colds, flu, asthma, hay fever, sinus and bronchial troubles are rapidly dissolved and eliminated from the body, leaving the sufferer free from the allergies which causes breathing difficulties and clogging of the sinus cavities.
Assist weight loss and relieves joint pain.
Hasten cell renewal and improves cell activity.
Increased physical and mental endurance.

That's all, just a little bit from me, for those non-muslim who sees the month of fasting for Muslims as a suffering and hardship, you have been mislead. It is the most awaited month and it is the most blessed month. In the month of Ramadhan, we are taught to become better, to embrace humbleness, courtesy , patience, graatitude, caring and it brings us closer to our Creator. In the end, we become cherished and we are healthier, isn't this a magnificent gift God has granted us?

And remember, there is no one occasion nor is there one creation by Him that is purposeless or wasted. It all discloses a blessing and all serves a purpose. MashaAllah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah.

Here I end my post for today, to all the muslims, may you all earn the most in this coming Ramadhan. Goodnight and salam.

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[1]QS Al Baqarah (2:183) : O ye Who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restrain.

[2]Narrated by Abu Huraira (r.a) :“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted said, ‘Every action of the son of Adam is for himself except for fasting. It is Mine and I repay it.’ Fasting is a shield. When someone is fasting, he should not have sexual relations nor quarrel. If someone fights him or insults him, he should say, ‘I am fasting’. By the One in whose hand the self of Muhammad is, the changed breath in the mouth of the faster is more fragrant to Allah than the scent of musk. The faster experiences two joys: when he breaks his fast he rejoices and when he meets his Lord he rejoices in his fasting.”

[3]Bukhari; The Prophet(S.A.W) said: " Have sahur, for there's a blessing(barakah) in sahur"

[4]Reported Abu Dawood: Sahur is blessed food, and it involves being different from the people of the Book. What a good sahur for the believer is dates.”

[4]Narrated by Anas(r.a); “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.”

[5]From Ahmad(Sahih) : "Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire."

[5]Bukhari/Muslim: The Prophet (peace be upon him.) said: "He who fasts Ramadan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven."