Ihsaan Magazine May 2017 (Ramadhan Issue) | Page 30

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healthy
What is Fasting?
ramadhan
Fasting is complete abstinence from
food and drink from just before the
break of dawn until sunset. Fasting
has both a spiritual component and
a physical component.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy
Qur’an “O ye who believe! Fasting
is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you,
that ye may (learn) self-restraint”.
(2:183). Therefore when we fast it
is an attempt to protect ourselves
from evil thoughts, words and
actions. This self-restraint (taqwa) in
Ramadhan is obtained both from our
dietary restrictions and our worship.
In the first case, when we become
obedient and stay away from the
halaal food and drink, it helps us to
become obedient from the haram
(prohibited things) as well.
Fasting is compulsory upon all
Muslims over the age of puberty,
except those who are exempted,
those who are ill, pregnant or
breastfeeding, menstruating and the
travellers.
What happens when we
fast?
Our body goes into a fasting state
eight hours after the last meal.
Glucose for energy comes from the
liver and muscles and when those
reserves are exhausted it comes
from fat. This leads to weight loss,
which can help to control diabetes,
reduce blood pressure and reduce
cholesterol. Detoxification of the
body also occurs and there is
an increase in hormones called
endorphins which increase alertness
and mental wellbeing. In addition,
most of our digestive organs get a
period of rest during fasting and
our body benefits from an increase
in HDL (good cholesterol) and
lowering of LDL (bad cholesterol).
Many scientific studies on the
effect of fasting on the human body
have found “significant metabolic
changes but few health problems
arising from the fast.”
WRITTEN by. IMAM SHERAZ ALI
Suhoor
The Pre-dawn meal is known as
Suhoor in the Arabic language or
Sehri in Urdu. There are many
noted benefits of partaking in
Suhoor, for example, it stabilises the
body’s blood sugar level, stimulates
digestion and delays hunger pangs.
Prophet Muhammad SAS said in a
Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik
(RA). “Take Suhoor, as there is
blessing in it.”
Ideas for making Suhoor a blessed
meal:
• Include a complex
carbohydrate for energy
such as cereal with low-fat
milk
• Whole wheat bread or roti
with vegetables
• Fresh fruit or fruit juice
• Coffee or tea
• Dates
• A couple glasses of water
• Your daily medication or
multivitamins supplement
• Protein such as eggs, beans
or nuts
Avoid:
• Spicy and peppery foods
that may lead to heartburn
• Too much meat especially
fried
• Foods that you are not
accustomed to that
may induce vomiting or
diarrhoea
IFTaar
The messenger of Allah SWT said in
a hadith “The Children of Adam fill
no vessel worse than their stomach.
Sufficient for him is a few morsels
to keep his back straight. If he must
eat more than a third should be for
his food, a third for his drink and a
third left for air.”
Some important etiquettes for the
Iftaar meal are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Breaking the fast with a
date or a sip of water as
this is the sunnah. Dates
provide a quick burst of
energy to replenish the
reserves after fasting. They
are also an excellent source
of fibre and potassium
We should eat slowly and
chew food well
We should drink fluids
especially water, coconut
water, pure juices
Do not overeat so that
you are unable to perform
Taraweeh or you are
uncomfortable
Try to space out your
meals to not overwork your
digestive system
Don’t eat foods that leave a
strong scent in the mouth
such as onions and garlic
Try to eat as many fruits
and vegetables as possible
Be generous and share as
much as you can
Ihsaan | Issue 2 | 29