Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayers for Muslims, the followers of Islam. Fasting is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. Other Pillars are Salat (prayer), Shahada (an affirmation that there is no deity besides God and his prophet is Muhammad), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during one's lifetime).  Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They are also supposed to avoid falsehood, impure thoughts and bad behaviour.

Prophet Mohammad said: “ One who does not give up falsehood and acting according to it, Allah has no need him giving up his food and drink.”

The word “Ramadan” is from the Arabic root ramida or ar – ramad , which means burning heat or dryness. That is why Ramadan takes place typically during the summers.

WHY RAMADAN IS CELEBRATED?

Ramadan is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of what became the Quran, the holy book for Muslims, from God.

The Quran states:

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.”

Ramadan is also known as the “The Month Of Quran.”

WHEN IS RAMADAN?

Ramadan is the ninth month of 12 – month Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar that’s based on phases of the moon. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar of 11 days. It takes about 33 Islamic years for Ramadan to return to the same place on the Gregorian calendar.

WHY THIS FASTING?

To attain “TAQWA”{Arabic word} means “God-Consciousness” through Self-Discipline, Self-Control, Sacrifice, Empathy & Compulsory Charity.

PURPOSE OF RAMADAN:

Fasting during Ramadan occurs from dawn till sunset. Before dawn, observers eat a pre-fast meal called “Sehri” following by reciting namaz called “Fazar”. After sunset, they break their fast by eating a meal called “Iftar” following by reciting namaz called “Maghrib”.

In Ramadan, observers are expected to abstain from food, drink and other pleasures of life. Removing these comforts from daily routine is intended to focus the mind on prayer, spirituality, charity and to purify the body and mind. Muslims are also expected to abstain from impurities such as gossip and cursing.

All adults are required to fast during this month, except those who are elderly, chronically ill, menstruating, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic and travelling. Children are not obligated to fast until they reach puberty.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND RAMADAN FASTING:

 Apart from the spiritual experience that a person undergoes during Ramadan fasting, there are tremendous scientific benefits of the month-long fasting includes:

• DETOXIFICATION: It is the process of removal of unwanted substances from the body in which many organs such as the Liver (primary organ), kidneys, gut, lymph nodes, Skin and tear gland secretions. Ramadan is very beneficial in speeding up the detoxification process. By not eating and drinking for the whole day, the body is offered a chance to detoxify your digestive system through the mouth as other metabolic activities are at low. To provide energy, the body starts using fat reserves and it will also burn away any harmful toxins present in that fat reserves.

• POWERFUL IMMUNE SYSTEM: Continuous fasting makes stem cells start pumping out fresh WBCs in the body and thus strengthens the immune system.

• IMPROVES DIGESTION: Ramadan fasting promotes the restoration of the gut Microbiota(Healthy gut microbe), which have a good effect on gut health, digestion and gut metabolism.

• WEIGHT LOSS: Due to prolonged fasting, Ketosis(a metabolic state in which there’s a high concentration of ketone bodies in blood or urine) occurs. A metabolic state where the body utilises stored Glycogen, followed by fat for energy. Fats are broken down into fatty acids and ketone bodies and thus helps in reducing weight.

• DELAY IN VASCULAR AGEING: One of the “Ketone bodies” produced in fat metabolism is Beta- Hyrodxybutyrate that plays a role in delaying vascular ageing in endothelial cells by promoting cell division and prevents senescence caused by the accumulation of damaged DNA. This prevents the occurrence and extremity of cardiovascular diseases.

• BOOST THE BRAIN: Ramadan not only increases spiritual focus and mental comfort but also rises the neurotrophic factor called BDNF(Brain-derived Neurotrophic factor ) up and as a result body produces more brain cells and boosts the functioning of the brain. There is also a reduction in the stress level during and after Ramadan.

• REDUCES IN BAD CHOLESTEROL: While fasting, Low-Density Lipoprotein(LDL), known as Bad Cholesterol starts reducing with a minimal increase in High-Density Lipoprotein(HDL)( Good Cholesterol) because the body enters into a self-protection mode and starts the hunt for other sources of energy throughout the body which results in this Lipid variations.
  
  
  
• DISEASE PREVENTION: According to medical experts, fasting acts as an antidote. It also destroys many antibacterial germs and prevents many diseases in the body.

• ABSORBS MORE NUTRIENTS: After iftar, eating late at night tends to release a protein hormone called “ ADIPONECTIN ”, which makes the muscle absorb more nutrients.

• POSITIVE EFFECT ON EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES: Emotional stress level in Ramadan are kept in check which can positively affect the healing and cleansing processes. Positive emotional responsible also have positive effects on memory and assist in delaying ageing, obesity and heart failure.

• Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training that brings peace and calmness to the personality. May Allah gives us forgiveness through fasting. Moreover, FASTING IS BENEFICIAL IRRESPECTIVE OF RELIGION.

HAPPY RAMADAN TO ALL