Fasting and the Physical Body
We eat and drink for energy, which we then burn up when working or
playing. When we generate greater amounts of energy than we actually use we
then end up with excess energy and this is stored in the body as fat. There are
two ways through which we can get rid of fat, and that is either by rigorous
exercise which burn up a lot of energy rapidly, or by fasting. When we fast we
still need energy to meet our daily requirements. When the source of energy
through food and drink is limited the body uses its stored energy. In this way
we get rid of excess fat.
By reducing or eliminating excess body
fat every year during the fast of Ramadhan
fasting makes an important contribution to physical health. It should be
obvious, however, that this elimination of excess fat will not be achieved if
one fasts for the whole day and then, at the time of breaking the fast, eats
three times as much food as one would normally eat. In fact this overeating
after a long day of fasting can have a distinctly negative impact on health.
The human body, like a motor car, needs
to be serviced at regular intervals. By changing spark plugs, points,
condenser, oil, oil filter, etc. and then “tuning” the engine, the car works better
and more efficiently. There is, in addition, an increase in the life of the
car. Similarly, the human body needs to be serviced and Islam achieves the
servicing of the body during the fast of Ramadhan.
While fasting, a number of bodily organs (particularly the digestive organs)
are rested and thus serviced. This servicing restores human health and
increases man’s longevity.
Physical strength cannot be sustained
without good health, and fasting is essential for the maintenance and the preservation
of good health. Indeed fasting helps in the cure of many illnesses! The
question is: Does Islam establish a link between physical strength and power? And the answer is: Yes, it does! When
the Israelites questioned the Divine choice of Saul (or Talut) as their king on the grounds that he
was not a man of wealth, Allah Most High responded and pointed out that Saul
was eligible for the status conferred upon him because he possessed knowledge
and (physical) strength:
“And their prophet said unto those
elders: “Behold, now Allah has raised up Saul to be your king.” They said: “How
can he have dominion over us when we have a better claim to dominion than he,
and he has not [even] been endowed with abundant wealth?” [The prophet] replied:
“Behold, Allah has exalted him above you, and endowed him abundantly with
knowledge and bodily perfection. And Allah bestows His dominion upon whom He
wills: for Allah is infinite, all-Knowing.”
(Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:247)
To Be Continued ....
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