Ramadan 2009, Iraq Kirkuk

If we think about the practice of fasting across different religions in the world, a common trait we notice is that they all entail abstinence from one form of physical indulgence or another. In the Qur’an we are told, quite explicitly, the reason why we are required to fast: ‘in order to attain God-consciousness’ (Qur’an 2:183). So the idea is that we stop eating and drinking for some time in order to shift the focus of our lives from our bodies to our souls; to reawaken our sense of the Divine. But if Ramadan comes to be characterised by daily banquets and the preparation and consumption of huge amounts and varieties of food – how then is that indicative of a shift from the body to the soul? It is not. If food – not God-consciousness – becomes the focus of our Ramadan then perhaps we are not really fasting. Perhaps we are doing quite the opposite – feasting.

Things to remember:

• Fasting is not about feasting but in fact about the opposite: abstinence.
• As such abstinence should actively be incorporated into matters of iftar and suhur.
• Successful abstinence will, God-willing, create a shift from physical to spiritual concerns.

Practical tips to achieve the above:

• Prepare a Ramadan ‘menu’ to avoid cooking excessive amounts of food everyday.
• Observe the sunnah of filling only one third of your stomach with food.
• Allocate a reasonable number of hours to the preparation of food and do not exceed this.
• Use extra time gained from the above to focus on spiritual activities.

Fasting and Health

Physical well-being aids spiritual well-being. Fasting, if done according to the spirit of fasting as outlined above, can give rise to improved physical health. Here are some health-related benefits of fasting:

• A detoxification process occurs, because any toxins stored in the body’s fat are dissolved and removed from the body.
• Visceral fat, found usually on the belly, is linked to diabetes, heart disease, dementia and a whole host of cancers. The removal of fat is therefore not merely an aesthetic pursuit, but an important component of good health.
• The use of fat for energy helps weight loss. It preserves the muscles, and eventually reduces cholesterol levels – and weight loss results in better control of diabetes and reduces blood pressure.
• After a few days of the fast, higher levels of certain hormones appear in the blood (endorphins), making you more alert and giving an overall feeling of general mental well-being.

Things to remember:

• Fasting is detoxification for body and soul.
• Ramadan is not the time to indulge in all our favourite foods but rather to see food for what it really is: fuel.
• Eat food that is good for your body – your body is the vehicle with which you serve God; it has a right to be looked after.
• There is a Qur’anic injunction to eat not just halal, but also tayyib, food. (Qur’an 2:168)

Fasting and the Environment

The environment is the hot topic of our time. Over-consumption and waste are at the root of the environmental problem. We humans, especially in the modern world, are using up the world’s resources at a higher rate than ever before in human history. Not only does this go against our role as custodians of the earth, but it is also self-destructive since the world’s resources are both necessary for human life and limited. Fasting and the spirit of abstinence provide a physical reminder and training in minimalism: learning to get by with fewer things, starting with food.

Things to remember:

• Ramadan is a very good time to get into positive environmental practices like reducing our levels of consumption and waste.
• Every year UK households throw away almost 30 million tonnes of waste.
• Be part of the solution – abstain from throwing things in the bin and recycle all things recyclable.
• “Don’t be wasteful, for God does not like the wasters.” (Qur’an 6:141)

Fasting and the Community

Ramadan is an excellent time to strengthen family and community ties and this is often achieved by sharing meals. Gathering people together over food is indeed a noble and generous character trait and should be done. However, excessiveness, affectation and pretence are all ignoble traits and should not be mixed with the charitable act of feeding guests.

Things to remember:

• Excessiveness in food when entertaining guests easily lends itself to showing off – Ramadan is not the time for this.
• Provide for your guests not just halal, but also tayyib (good), food.
• Do not spend so much time preparing food for guests so as to resent their visit since that would detract from your generosity.

This resourceful article was taken from www.imase.org in conjunction with their “Fasting Not Feasting” Campaign.