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Author: Muhammad Hashim Bastawi

The physiological and medical benefits of fasting

While fasting is the cause of spiritual development in a person, it is also very useful for physical health. Apparently, eating and drinking less reduces physical weakness, but food control over a period of time and within a few days produces extraordinary positive effects on human health. Allah almighty has explained the benefit of fasting with the obligation of it, لعلكم تتقون: that you may be pious so that you may be saved. This is to avoid physical diseases as well; a person can avoid them as a result of fasting.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad said:

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, he said: The Messenger of Allah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, said: “Fast and you will be healthy.” (ِAl Mua’jam Al Ausat by Tabrani: 8312)

It is minted in other hadiths:

On the authority of Anas Bin Malik, The Messenger of Allah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, “The fasting reduces fats.” (ِAl Mua’jam Al Ausat by Tabrani: 9443)

Fasting has numerous medical benefits; some of them are here:

1. Fasting reduces obesity and eliminates excess fat.
2. Fasting reduces the risk of skin cancer and breast cancer.
3. Fasting cures stomach problems and diseases and improves the digestive system.
4. Fasting has a moderately high sugar level, cholesterol, and blood pressure, and due to this, there is no risk of a heart attack.
5. Due to fasting, the blood circulation decreases and the heart relaxes.
6. Fasting eliminates physical stress, mental stress, depression, and psychological diseases.
7. The body of a fasting person has more resistance power compared to others.
8. Fasting reduces the use of insulin.
9. During the fast, a person stays away from bad thoughts, and their mind remains clear.
10. Fat accumulation around the liver is reduced during fasting.
11. During fasting, the compounds that cause irritation in the body are reduced.
12. Fasting improves nervous diseases.

Testimony of various experts regarding the efficacy of fasting:

The efficacy of fasting has been recognized by many non-Muslim doctors, even in some countries. People are kept hungry for hours for the treatment of various diseases, and it has a good effect on the patient.

Let’s read some ideas about fasting:

1.  A non-Muslim religious leader says that I was very impressed by the fasting of Ramadan in Islam.
2. A doctor says that fasting has the power to prevent diseases.
3.  Another doctor says that fasting is a deterrent to physical and spiritual disorders.

Liver and fasting:

It is a very important organ in our body. Its function is to digest the food, spread it throughout the body, and expel unnecessary substances. Whenever we eat something, the liver has to start working immediately. While we keep eating something or another from time to time, the liver gets very little rest. Due to fasting, we stop eating for a long time, and this process lasts for a month, during which the liver gets enough rest. Understand that the liver gets refreshed in a month and prepares itself for the future.