By Noor Ibrahim

Have you ever thought that a religious lifestyle can be beneficial for you health? Well, researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed data from an annual survey of high-school seniors from 135 schools in 48 states in a study called Monitoring the Future, they found the following:

“Students who say that religion is important in their lives and attend religious services frequently, have lower rates of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use, higher rates of seatbelt use, eating fruits, vegetables, and breakfast, and lower rates of carrying weapons, getting into fights, and driving while drinking.”

Following a religious lifestyle has direct benefits to individuals. For instance, followers of Islam are required to fast for one month (known as the month of Ramadan). The health benefits of this exercise top those of many medications.

Fasting is one of the five important rituals in Islam. The goal of fasting is divided into two parts, the improvement of the spiritual and the physical state. 

According to an article published by the United States National Library of Medicine, a study was conducted on rats to find the potential health benefits from fasting. Fasting led to the following: an extended lifespan; better insulin control; reduced nerve-cell injury; reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer; and an improved immune system.

The study was then done on humans. The results were as follows: Asthma and inflammatory markers were reduced, as were blood pressure, cholesterol, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. There was a decreased risk of diabetes, and an increase in human growth hormone.

Another study has shown that fasting improves eating patterns. This is most beneficial for individuals who suffer from binge-eating disorders.

A religious fast is not just a physical diet program. It is the very first element of the spiritual journey. When individuals fast from food they are expected to also fast from all harmful and forbidden actions and intentions — like violence, lust, and sloth. In other words, this process is a spiritual detoxification. During the year, a human’s main interest is the materialistic side of life. But there  are some other sides a Muslim must take into consideration when fasting: honesty, cleanliness/hygiene, respecting others and most importantly patience.

During the fasting season helping the needy will boost the spiritual credits the individual earns. Supporting and giving a hand is a social joint liability.  

Last but not least, a man wrote a letter to Imam Askari (peace be upon him) asking him: “For what reason did Allah make fasting compulsory?” The Imam (peace be upon him) wrote in reply, “God has made fasting compulsory so that the rich shall find the pain of hunger so they have mercy upon the poor.”

To conclude, it does not matter what your origins and spiritual beliefs are, fasting is an experience worth trying. In the end, remember that this process is for your health and a nice vacation for your digestive system. It is also a great challenge because it teaches a great amount of self-control! The faster will be able to overcome their desires of overconsumption.