Basic knowledge of Ramadan fasting, the Quran, Hadith, and modern science.

Ramadan Fasting: Guidance from the Quran, Hadith, and Modern Science

Ramadan fasting is an important part of Islam. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset by not eating or drinking. But Ramadan is not only about feeling hungry and thirsty. It is a time to worship Allah, control ourselves, be thankful, help others, give charity, and become better people.

Interestingly, science also shows that fasting can cause many changes in our body.

Why do Muslims fast?

Allah says:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٨٣

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺.

(Quran 2:183)

The main reason Muslims fast is to become more aware of Allah and follow His commands. This is called taqwa. Muslims do not fast only to lose weight or improve their health. They fast because Allah has commanded them to fast.

How Fasting Affects the Body

Fasting changes the way our body gets and uses energy. After we eat, the body uses the food for energy and stores some of it for later. When we do not eat for several hours, the body starts using this stored energy.

During fasting, insulin levels usually go down, and the body may start using more stored fat for energy. Studies on Ramadan fasting have also found changes in body weight, metabolism, cholesterol and sleep.

Ramadan fasting is different from some other types of intermittent fasting because Muslims also do not drink water during the fasting hours.

The effects of fasting are not the same for everyone. Some people may lose a little weight or see improvements in some health measures. Others may not notice much change. Some may even gain weight if they eat too much at night, especially foods high in calories, sugar and fat.

So, what we eat and how much we eat during the non-fasting hours are also very important.

Fasting and Metabolic Health

Scientists have studied how Ramadan fasting can affect the heart and the way our body uses energy. One large review looked at 91 studies involving 4,431 adults. It found that fasting during Ramadan may lead to small improvements in some health measures, including LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the results were not the same for everyone, so more research is needed (Jahrami et al., 2021).

Fasting may have some health benefits, but it should not be seen as a cure for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol. In Islam, the main purpose of fasting is not medical treatment. Muslims fast to worship Allah and develop taqwa, which means being aware of Allah and following His commands.

Suhoor and iftar

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Suhoor provides an opportunity to consume fluids and nutrients before the next fasting period.From a nutritional perspective, a balanced suhoor can contain foods that provide protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates, such as eggs, oats, whole grains, yoghurt, vegetables, fruit, or beans. These foods can help provide sustained energy and reduce the likelihood of excessive hunger later in the day.

Overeating fried foods, sweets and sugary drinks can lead to weight gain and poor health. Fasting should teach, not excess.

Sahl b. Sa'd (Allah be pleased with him) repotted Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ سَهْلِ، بْنِ سَعْدٍ - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ ‏" ‏ ‏.‏

we should eat a balanced meal without overeating.

Ramadan Is More Than Fasting From Food

Fasting is not only about staying away from food and drink. It also teaches Muslims to control their words, actions and desires. The Prophet ﷺ taught that fasting should affect a person's behaviour. A person who is fasting should try to avoid arguments, anger, bad language and other harmful behaviour. Ramadan is a time to improve ourselves. It encourages us to be more patient, kind and helpful to others.

It is also a time to increase our worship by praying, reading the Quran, remembering Allah and giving charity. Prophet ﷺ also taught Muslims to break the fast promptly, commonly with dates and water.

Fasting and Gratitude

Fasting can also help us appreciate the blessings that we normally take for granted. When we become hungry and thirsty during the day, we may understand more deeply how valuable food and water are. When we finally sit down for iftar, even a simple meal can feel very special.

This can remind us to be grateful to Allah for the food, water, health and other blessings that we have. Ramadan also reminds us to think about people who do not have enough food or clean water every day. This can encourage us to give charity and help those who are struggling. 

The Spiritual Goal of Ramadan

Although fasting may have physical effects and possible health benefits, the main purpose of Ramadan is spiritual. Allah tells us in the Quran that fasting is prescribed so that we may develop taqwa. Taqwa means being conscious and mindful of Allah and trying to live according to His guidance.

Therefore, Ramadan should not only change our eating schedule. It should also change our hearts, our behaviour and the way we treat other people.

Conclusion

Ramadan fasting has both spiritual and physical aspects. From an Islamic perspective, Muslims fast because Allah has commanded them to fast. Through fasting, Muslims can develop taqwa, patience, self-control, gratitude and compassion for others.

Modern science also shows that fasting can cause Overall, this article shows how the guidance given in Islam about Ramadan fasting has both spiritual and physical wisdom, while modern science helps us understand some of the effects fasting can have on the human body. Ultimately, fasting is an act of worship prescribed by Allah, and its greatest purpose is to develop taqwa.

 in the way the body uses energy and may have some health benefits. However, these benefits can vary from person to person, and fasting should not be treated as a cure for medical conditions.

Most importantly, Ramadan is an opportunity to become closer to Allah and to become better people.