Every Ramadan brings many refreshing moments for the Muslim community where we decorate our homes, long to meet and greet our family members, and break the fast with utmost devotion. Ramadan is every Muslim’s favourite day of the year, where we seek blessings from the almighty. As Ramadan approaches, let’s dive in deep into its importance and how science proves fasting during the period benefits us.

What is Ramadan all about?

Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the year by Muslims as according to Islam, the holy Quran was first revealed in the month of Ramadan and only during the month of Ramadan, the gates of heaven are opened when the devils get chained up in hell. Muslims across the globe fast from sunrise till sunset during this month, which is considered one of the strictest fasts among all religions. Muslims have to follow a stringent set of rules which include avoiding eating and drinking anything during the fasting period. Other than this specific different rules say ‘only a person who is adult and healthy can keep the fast and the fasting person is prohibited from smoking, anger or acts of violence.

During this month, Muslims offer worship to God by reading the Quran during certain specific hours of the day. A person who is fasting can only consume food either before sunrise or after sunset. The meal before sunrise is called ‘Suhoor’ while the one after the sunset is called ‘Iftar’.

Why is fasting important during Ramadan?

According to Islam, Ramadan is all about giving yourself to Allah. Out of the five main pillars of Islam, one is Sawm, i.e, to fast. It is to get closer to God by sacrificing every other thought. Fasting teaches us to be more patient in life and only to be devoted to god. It is said that fasting makes every human equal and when someone sacrifices his hunger, God forgives all their past sins. Some Muslims fast for the whole month of Ramadan, while some fast only for some days, depending upon their will and capability. According to the Quran, one need not fast if they are ill, pregnant, menstruating, travelling, or elderly. However, they can make up for the missed fast by fasting on any other days when they can.

Benefits of fasting during Ramadan

As discussed above, fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, and it is to get yourself devoted to god and apologize for the sins you may have committed unknowingly. Moreover, fasting during Ramadan has also been proven beneficial to the human body according to science. Some of the benefits are:

• Detoxification Of Body
  According to experts, is it good to fast for a day or two as it cleanses your body and removes all kinds of toxins.
• Improved Metabolism
  When we fast, the liver enzymes break cholesterol which ultimately results in improved body metabolism and as a consequence, the body gets healthier and fitter.
• Weight Loss
  Many dieticians and nutritionists recommend fasting or intermittent fasting to people who suffer from obesity. As when we fast, the fat in our body gets utilized to produce energy, and as a result, the body loses extra fat.
• Mental Health
  As we fast, the brain releases certain anti-stress hormones responsible for alertness and mental well-being. If you are suffering from anxiety or stress, fasting can help you.

The end of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan ends with Eid al Fitr, which means the festival of breaking the fast.

If you’re a Non-Muslim and want to be a part of the Ramadan celebration, you can help your friends with the decoration and also invite them home for a meal. However, ensure that you invite them over before sunrise or after sunset.

You can also help people in need during Ramadan as described in the five pillars of Islam. If you want to wish your friends a Happy Eid, that’s fine, but trying to make the extra effort by wishing them Eid Mubarak, or Ramadan Kareem can go a long way in fostering beautiful relationships. Do you want to be a part of the Ramadan celebration? Tell your friends about our store and start by helping with Ramadan decorations.

Hope this was a useful read. Stay tuned with us for more articles.