Arab News:
As usual, I find it appropriate to elaborate on one aspect of Ramadan, to celebrate this holy month and to appreciate the spirit of fasting with its many rewarding facets. Very few realize that the practice comes with multiple and diverse benefits to our bodies, spirits, emotions, characters, well-being, health and even society. The previous years, the emphasis was mostly on how fasting stimulates spirituality by relieving bodily functions in order to refresh energy, based on Islamic and traditional principles. Due to recent scientific findings on the powerful effects of fasting on body, mind and soul purification, I decided to write about such benefits.
Like the other pillars and ordinances in Islam, such as the five daily prayers, ablution (wudu) before prayers, stipulated charity (zakat) and pilgrimage (Haj), fasting is an offering to the Almighty, the Creator, in order to receive His blessings and rewards now and in the thereafter. Islam is not the only religion that commands the practice of fasting; other ancient civilizations and religions before it have practiced the rite in similar or different ways. Both prophets, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) were ordained to fast. The ancient Egyptians and Hindus before them also performed it for different reasons, with variations, and at different periods of the year.
Categories: Alternative Medicine, Health, Preventive Medicine