Fasting in Islam is a fundamental practice that involves abstaining from certain worldly pleasures during a specific period, primarily from dawn to sunset. It serves as a means of disciplining the soul, cultivating self-control, and fulfilling one’s duties toward Allah. Fasting holds numerous religious, physical, and mental benefits, including the development of maturity, empathy, and equality among individuals.
Moreover, it promotes physical health by detoxifying the body, improving organ function, and preventing various diseases. The history of fasting in Islam dates back to pre-Islamic times, with Muslims following the tradition of fasting on the day of Arafa and subsequently observing Ramadan as mandated by Allah. Pregnant women are exempt from fasting, but if they choose to fast, they are promised a great reward in paradise.
Fasting in Islam found in one of scientific research achieved that fasting for a precise number of hours pushes the body to inflame cancerous cells inside the body. Let’s learn more about fasting in Islam:
Table of Contents
What is Fasting In Islam?
Fasting in Islam means abstaining and is Idiomatically prohibited from certain world pleasures during the period of fasting. Fasting in Islam is one of the corners of Islam and is ranked third in priority. Muslims should not do things such as eating, drinking, cursing, and marriage, and Allah made it a discipline and discipline for the soul of humanity.
Fasting is present in all divine and non-divine religions, While when you compare fasting in Islam with others in different religions, You will be capable to see the great wisdom of fasting in the Islamic religion
What is the importance of fasting in Islam?
There are numerous religious, life, health, and mental blessings that accrue to human beings from the practice of fasting, and we will list some of them:
1. Control yourself
One of the most important things a servant learns from the imposition of fasting is managing the human soul, correct control over it, and realizing the real cause for creation.
2. Learn Your duties toward Allah
Where fasting in Islam prevents you from the enjoyment of daily life such as eating, drinking, distractions, etc., you acquire the correct meaning for life and learn how to control yourself and qualify as a good servant for Allah.
3. Build a matured mentality for children
We should train our children at an early age to fast so that they grow up with a complete mind and realize that man was created to worship Allah, not desires.
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4. Helping others
In addition to making you feel the poor and the needy, so mercy strikes within the hearts of human beings, and thus all people are equal, as the rich aid the poor, support them, and sympathize with them.
5. Equality between all classes
On the other hand, the application of fasting makes you feel equal, as there is no difference between the rich and the poor, and from here the images of the power and glory of Islam appeared.
6. Protection from dangerous diseases
Protection from diseases, surely, you ask how fasting protects from diseases, much scientific research proved that fasting protects from the most dangerous diseases like cancer and this is considered one of the most important achievements reached.
7. Application of treatment program
Because doctors began to use fasting in the treatment of many diseases and fasting became an element in a treatment program for cancer disease.
8. Removal of toxins
Fasting makes man feel hungry, so the internal organs begin to work for getting rid of the body from all toxins, sebaceous cysts and polyps.
9. Making internal organs better
Also, for protection from diabetes disease, the pancreas turns sugar into CHO and fat but if it continues in this job for a long period, it will be tired, so fasting gives a period of rest for working again actively.
10. Other purposes
Finally, gout disease, heart and brain clots, decreasing cholesterol levels, relief of joint pain, skin disease and loss of weight, are a group of diseases. Fasting is its treatment if you follow it.
What is the purpose of fasting in Islam?
The purposes of fasting in Islam multiply and differ according to the purpose of fasting where:
- You can fast for the reward of fasting from Allah, do you know what the reward of fasting in Islam is?
- Allah opens for fasting persons the door for entering paradise and putting them in high status in paradise.
- This purpose of fasting in Islam is from the religious side and is considered the most important for fasting persons.
- On the other hand, fasting persons can build strong bodies which can move efficiently and work hard
- Also, Build a mature and strong mind which can think of good things and seek for better future.
- Many purposes you can obtain if you realize the value of fasting and do it.
Benefits of fasting in Islam
We speak about the importance of fasting in Islam, let’s know what benefits we obtain when we fast:
- First, manage and control yourself especially If you are in front of desires of life.
- So, You manage your mind in the correct way in addition to good planning for life and the hereafter.
- The closeness of Allah will be the goal that seeks for achieving and know that living in love and obedience to Allah is real life.
- Will not be frightened of death because you live for Allah, not his desires.
- Finally, you will live your life happily with a healthy body and mind.
What are the Fasting days in Islam?
The fasting days in Islam could be divided into voluntary and involuntary days:
- Compulsory fasting days in Islam
- Fasting Ramadan month is 30 days in the year, fasting begins from fajr to sunset, because Allah ordered us to fast this month.
- Voluntary fasts in Islam
- These days we fast in for Allah’s satisfaction and to follow the prophet, Muhammad where:
- We fast weekly Monday and Thursday.
- Yearly, we fast six days in Shawwal month which follow Ramadan month, especially Ashura day
- Also, ten days in Dhu al-Hijjal especially the day of Arafah.
- In Shaban and Rajab before Ramadan we can fast on
- On monthly, lunar days which are the 13,14 and 15th we can fast
- Finally, we can fast as atonement for swearing and divorce.
What is the History of fasting in Islam?
the history of fasting in Islam starts in the era of the pre-Islamic period for Arabs and non-Arabs as well. Some people used to fast on the day of Arafa (from the Abrahamic Traditions) as well as Jews and Christians who also used to fast under different conditions.
Muslims follow Prophet Muhammad in fasting on the day of Arafa until Allah gives the order to fast during Ramadan month.
From here, Muslims began to fast Ramadan month as the order of Allah and fast Arafa day as the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad.
What is the reward of fasting during pregnancy in Islam?
Fasting during the period of pregnancy is very difficult for women.
Allah gives permission for pregnant women to not fast during that period.
A Muslim pregnant woman can fast these days after the pregnancy period until she can recover her health. But if she can fast during the period of pregnancy, Allah will give her a great reward in paradise.
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, fasting in Islam is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual journey that encompasses discipline, self-awareness, and devotion to Allah. It serves as a reminder of the purpose of life and the importance of empathy and equality among all individuals.
The practice of fasting offers a multitude of benefits, ranging from physical health to spiritual growth. As Muslims observe fasting during Ramadan and on various voluntary occasions, they embark on a path of self-improvement, seeking closeness to Allah and fulfillment of their religious duties. Ultimately, fasting in Islam is a sacred tradition that fosters both individual and collective well-being, guiding believers toward a life of righteousness and piety.
