"Fasting in Ramadan keeps us health" yes or no?

First of all;

“RAMADAN MUBARAK TO ALL MUSLIMS AROUND THE GLOBE.  MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY Bless all with Health, Pleasures and Successes during this HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN (AAMEEN)”.

HONESTLY, I don’t find words to pay my homage to all who diligently participated in this discussion and ORNAMENTED it with their JEWEL-LIKE WORDS. HATS OFF TO YOU ALL!

My Dear Colleagues! You know what?, the sole purpose behind starting this discussion is that I wholeheartedly wish that the FOLLOWERS OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE share their precious viewpoints regarding “Fasting in the context of their specific SOCIO-CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS" and as such contribute to enhance  everyone's Knowledge,,,,,, and,

hitherto, the response which I’ve got from my Respected Colleagues on Bayt.com PRACTISING DIFFERENT RELIGIONS from all corners of the world, is just AWESOME….

 

Special Thanks to My Dear Friend Elke Woofter who especially informed and permitted me to share the following piece of information with all of You,,,, which I am going to quote in Elke Woofter’s own words, “Once up in time the Church furnished the rulers of the land and with this power these things were put into place. The poor man did not have to fast for health reasons, since food was a treasured commodity. This was put in place for the ruling class or those which had plenty and started to become obese "fat cats".

 

Detailed researches regarding ‘FASTING’ have been shared in this discussion by My BONA FIDE COLLEAGUES AND I PAY MY TRIBUTE TO ALL OF THEM.

To Me, in one sentence, “FASTING IS AN ASTOUNDING SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL, MENTAL and PHYSICAL PURGING.”

Hope, My Worthy Colleagues on Bayt.com will continue to contribute to this discussion with their METICULOUS submissions to enhance our knowledge. Thanks

Wonderful question as usual and more wonderful answers. Ramadan Mubarak for all collegues, friends and all Bayt's users and staff. Thanks

Ramadan Kareem to all those who are fasting, and may Allah (SWT) reward you in this month of Mercy, Forgiveness, and Reward. 

The purpose of fasting for the muslim is to achieve only one goal and that is to please Allah (SWT). Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (SWS) said:

"Allah said 'Every action of the son of Adam is for him except fasting, for that is solely for Me. I give the reward for it. The fast is a shield."

In this regard, fasting is viewed as abstention for the sake of Allah's pleasure, not to be healthy.

However, fasting is healthy and it does have many, many benefits that are mentioned in the hadiths as well as by health professionals.  And in no manner is it harmful for those who observe the month of fasting.

My American friends, muslim and non-muslim alike, are familiar with these benefits and praise the health rewards of fasting that this month of physical and spiritual renewal has to offer.

Thanks

I strongly agree with all answers , specially those given By Mrs.Colleen and Mr. John.

 

Yes, It is so,

"Dr. Soliman, from the University Hospital, Amman, Jordan (ref. 8) has reported that during the month of Ramadan 1404 AH (June-July, 1984 AD) healthy Muslim volunteers; 42 males and 26 females, ranging in age from 15-64 and 16-28 years respectively were studied. They were weighed and their blood levels of cortisol, testosterone, Na, K, urea, glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and serum osmolality were measured at the beginning and at the end of Ramadan.There was significant loss of weight in males form a mean of 73.8 +- 6.2 kg 72.0+- 7.1 kg (P less than 0.01) and in females from 55.2 +- 4.8 to 54.6 +- 4.2 kg (P less than 0.05). Blood glucose levels rose in males from 77.7 +- 23.6 mg/dl to 90.2 mg/dl (P less than 0.05) and in females from 76.0 +- 7 mg/dl to 84.5 +- I 1.1 mg/dl (P less than 0.002). All other parameters did not show significant changes."

----

Dr. F. Azizi and his associates (ref.9) from the University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran has reported the following. serum levels of glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorous, protein, albumin, FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, TSH, TI, TI, and T uptake, as well as prolactin and TSH responses to TRH were evaluated in group of nine healthy men before and on the 1Oth, 20th and 29th days of Ramadan. Mean body weight decreased from 65.4 +- 9.1 to 61.6 +- 9.0 kg at 29th day. Serum glucose decreased from 82 +- 4 mg/dl on the 10th day, and increased thereafter (76 +- 3 and 84 +- 5 on the 20th and 29th days of fasting respectively). Serum bilirubin increased from 0.56 +- 0.17 to 1.43 +- 52 mg/dl on the 10th day, and decreased thereafter (I. I.+- 0.4 on the 20th and 29th days.) All Changes returned to basal values four weeks after fasting. There were no significant changes in serum levels of Ca, P, protein, albumin, and any of measured hormones. Prolactin and TSH responses to TRH were also unaltered. He concluded that:: (1) intermittent abstinence from food and drink for 17 hours a day for 29 days does not alter male reproductive hormones, hypothalainic-pituitary-thyroid axis or peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones and (2) physicians caring for Muslims should be aware of changes of glucose and bilirubin during Ramadan.

 

Therefore it is concluded from the above two studies that Islamic fasting does not cause any adverse medical effect and may have some beneficial effect on weight and lipid metabolism.

 

References

-----

8. Soliman, N., "Effects Of Fasting During Ramadan", Journal of Islamic Medical Association, November 1987.

9. F. Azizi et el, "Evaluation of Certain Hormones And Blood Constituents During Islamic Fasting Month", Journal of Islamic Medical Association, Nov. 1987.

 

Thanks for invitation dear FARHANA

  I agree with answers's  colleagues

First of all Ramdan Mobarik to all Muslim Brothers and sisters. Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds. As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence. For Muslims, fasting has a number of benefits: 1. It helps one to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged, since each day Muslims feel greater appreciation for what they have as a result of feeling hunger and thirst. 2. It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and peer-pressure. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural urges such as hunger and thirst, and thus are able to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such as drugs or other unhealthy or harmful substances and behaviors. 3. It offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims, and often they invite each other to one another’s homes to break the fast and pray together. A greater sense of generosity and forgiveness is also characteristic of this time. As with other duties in Islam, fasting becomes obligatory

No doubt about it

Holy Prophet said: Fast when you wake up

Peace be upon him

I always thankful for your kindness and invitation. 

I agree with you% that Ramadan keep us healthy.  Let me tell you the meaning of Ramazan. Do you know name of islamic months in which only the Ramazan named by Allah by himself. Why Allah selected the name Ramazan. What does it means?

According to the noble and beloved scholar the ramazan means to burn, not only it burns inner calories, fat etc but also it burns our last year sins when we feel hungry and thirsty but still keep ourself stronger. 

In a narration of Abu Nuaim, Prophet Mohammad S.A.W said, “soomo wa tsahhoo”, which can be translated to mean, “Fast and be healthy.” Even science has proven that Ramadan is a month full of blessings. Further says, Fasting is for Me and I shall reward for it.   

Ramadan may be the perfect opportunity to re-train you and get back on track of eating healthy. When you fast, you learn to control your cravings. As a result, by the end of Ramadan you’ll have stronger will-power and you will have re-gained the strength to say no to tempting food.

This can be explained by our eating and exercise habits. In Ramadan, people tend to go for healthier options such as dates, nuts, lentil soup, and home cooked meals. Studies have noted that overall saturated fat consumption, usually found in butter, lard, fatty meat, and fast food, is reduced in Ramadan. In addition, the night prayers of “tawarih” may provide an adequate level of physical activity equivalent to moderate physical activity which, for some, may be more than they usually exercise.

 

Thanks for the invite ............................ agreed with the answers Mr. Ramadan Hamid

And i was waiting whose going to put something related to this blessed month :). It definitely keeps us healthy its definitely keeping me healthy. To me one can only be healthy if that person is psychologically healthy mentally relaxed and satisfied and this staisfaction's ultimate source right now is this holy month of ramzan. Yus im feeling relax and healthy Alhumdulillah. Secondaly one important thing that i want everyone to consider specially non muslims. This month is a blessing to entire human race. Almighty Allah is not restricted or bounded or less hearted that his blessings are for muslims only. When it comes on giving. This month Allah becomes thouand times more on giving forgoving and it would be silly to think that he will be such hearted that his approach will change while considering non muslims. So, God is thousand times more kind hearted this month especailly, either it be muslims or non muslims. You just need to ask to wish for God's blessing Keep asking keep praying keep getting satisfied.