Health Benefits of Fasting

We are on our seventh day of fasting. Gosh, a person is so busy during the day, the time literally flew past. But as I said in my previous post, there is so much blessing in one's time, you can accomplish so much (its amazing how much time we spend on eating!).

Here in South Africa, it's winter for us now, which means that we fast a very short day (less than 12 hours).
For me personally, to go without food or drink is not a problem, but the cold is quite debilitating some times (we are experiencing the coldest winter ever). But as a result of going without food, the stomach shrinks and I've actually found that as we go on, we tend to eat less (and less of the junk as well).

I've noticed some things the past two days though, which just proves that there are definite health benefits to fasting...

1. I don't feel bloated...and this I think is directly linked to the fact that I've been eating a lot less bread, which has prompted me to embark on a wheat free diet...much less cakes, pastries, savouries (coz let's be honest, there is no way that I am going to completely give these things up) and also switching from regular bread to rye and other wheat free types.

2. Eating dates (which is a natural sugar source) kills the cravings for chocolates and other sweet things.

3. Increased consumption of soup makes sure I get in alotta veggies.

4. My eyes are a lot clearer and the irises are brighter (even though mine are just brown, they twinkle in the fast).

5. My skin looks super clean.

6. Increased recitation and listening to the Qur'an keeps the blood pressure down.

So yeah, definite health benefits, not just from a physical perspective but a mental and spiritual one as well.

Ramadaan

And so we come to the end of the first week back at school after our winter break.
It's been okay...lots of work (at work and at home).

Tonight is the first Tarawih salah. For those of you who do not know what it is, Tarawih is a voluntary prayer that Muslims perform which is unique to the month of Ramadaan. During the month, the intention is to complete the recitation of the entire Qur'an in the 30 nights. I actually want to go to mosque tonight because we are starting the recitation tonight and the second surah (pronounced soo-rah, and meaning Chapter) is my favourite.

I was thinking again back on how a person's perception of and attitude towards fasting changes over time.
When you are a child, fasting for the first time, all you are worried about is how you are going to manage without food for most of the day. You are excited when it's time to break your fast in the evenings, and you are excited to go shopping for Eid clothes, and just generally excited when the month draws to a close. This phase lasts for quite some time (well into your teens and twenties).

For me personally, this phase ended about 5 years ago.
I was at an institution, doing religious studies, and our lecturers made us see the beauty and benefits of the month. And once you become aware of it, you start to notice other things.

I am a generally pleasant person. But I become downright hyper-happy during this month. It's magical...the atmosphere is just different in Ramadaan. It's as if you can literally taste and feel Allah's love and mercy, and it makes you want to emulate that with whomever you meet or whomever you are with.

Also, its as if the day suddenly has 30 hours in it, instead of 24. There is so much blessing in one's time...and despite the fact that I am without food, I find that I have so much more energy and can get so much more done.

At the beginning of the month, Muslims wish each other by saying "Ramadaan Karim". The word "karim" in Arabic translates as "generous"...and this is very appropriate, as Allah's mercy, love, generosity and blessings is amplified in Ramadaan, to such an extent that our capacity to show mercy and love, and to be generous, is amplified as well.

To all the Muslims reading this post, Ramadaan Karim to you all and to your families. May this month be for you a beneficial one, may the Almighty accept all your good deeds and sincere repentence and may He answer all your prayers, In sha Allah.