Fasting in Ramadan

[FearGod]

God ordered Muslims to fast for one month and I think some other religions have similar practice,
science supports the idea of fasting and found it to be healthier to humans.

God said in the quran, (it's good for you to fast, if you only know), and yes today we know.

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.(2:184)

Harvard study uncovers why fasting can lead to a longer and healthier life


A new study from Harvard researchers has now shown how fasting can increase lifespan, slow aging and improve health by altering the activity of mitochondrial networks inside our cells.

"Although previous work has shown how intermittent fasting can slow aging, we are only beginning to understand the underlying biology," says William Mair, senior author on the study.
Harvard study uncovers why fasting can lead to a longer and healthier life

 

[David1967]

My wife is a Pentecostal Christian (I am not) .She fasts occasionally for spiritual reasons. I never have. But I agree it would do us all some good to do so occasionally for health reasons if nothing else.

 

[Debater Slayer]

God ordered Muslims to fast for one month and I think some other religions have similar practice,
science supports the idea of fasting and found it to be healthier to humans.

I don't fast, but I respect the willpower behind the practice as long as one does it without being forced to.

An early Ramadan Kareem to you, by the way.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I'm hoping eventually I'll be in the space where I can do intermittent fasting. For me it's a purely psycho-somatic roadblock where my brain convinces my body that I'm feeling acid buildup if I don't eat every four hours or so. Fasting can help you appreciate putting the necessity of eating only when you need it over when you want it. Plus some other benefits you've described with your article. So long as we don't overeat at the end of the intermittent cycle or at Iftar.

Ramadan Mubarak (also early!)

 

[FearGod]

I don't fast, but I respect the willpower behind the practice as long as one does it without being forced to.

An early Ramadan Kareem to you, by the way.

Ramadan Kareem in advance.
I don't think God force us in anything, it says it's good for you, so you have the choice.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

FearGod

Namaste

I have been doing intermittent fasting (not eating Breakfast, small lunch such as fruit and then dinner) for the past 15 years every day, i keep drinking water to keep myself dehydrated. The Islamic Ramadan fast from my understanding causes dehydration as one cant even drink anything for at least 12-13 hours, and especially during the day time in warmer weathers is quite unhealthy.
Many Hindus practice "intermittent", type of fasting. Some eat less during some days, some have only a vego diest for certain days, and some are like me who skip certain meals, and its not because some God "Ordered", them to do it, but out of our own choice. The Ramadan fasting causes Binge eating at night, my friends suffer all day but chow down ALL NIGHT till before mornig, and therefore is not really a healthy way to fast, plus it is only for one month of a year, unlike many hindus who have been doing intermittent fasting for all their life (my mum and Dad have). The Ramadan fast to me seems like Binge Fasting, which is not really a healthy option, but i guess it is not really a option for Muslims anyway.

 

[FearGod]

FearGod

Namaste

I have been doing intermittent fasting (not eating Breakfast, small lunch such as fruit and then dinner) for the past 15 years every day, i keep drinking water to keep myself dehydrated. The Islamic Ramadan fast from my understanding causes dehydration as one cant even drink anything for at least 12-13 hours, and especially during the day time in warmer weathers is quite unhealthy.
Many Hindus practice "intermittent", type of fasting. Some eat less during some days, some have only a vego diest for certain days, and some are like me who skip certain meals, and its not because some God "Ordered", them to do it, but out of our own choice. The Ramadan fasting causes Binge eating at night, my friends suffer all day but chow down ALL NIGHT till before mornig, and therefore is not really a healthy way to fast, plus it is only for one month of a year, unlike many hindus who have been doing intermittent fasting for all their life (my mum and Dad have). The Ramadan fast to me seems like Binge Fasting, which is not really a healthy option, but i guess it is not really a option for Muslims anyway.

Science doesn't agree with you but with the quran.

Science Behind Dry Fasting

 

[Augustus]

God ordered Muslims to fast for one month and I think some other religions have similar practice,
science supports the idea of fasting and found it to be healthier to humans.

While fasting does have benefits, in many parts of the Muslim world the fast only lasts 12-14h or so which might not really be long enough to produce major benefits, especially if bookended by 2 large meals.

Fasting for health reasons should involve 24-48h fasts really.

Muslims in Northern Europe will do quite well this Ramadan with 20h+ fasts which should provide clear benefit. Some religions like certain Christian denominations, Hinduism have fast days where only 1 basic meal is allowed, which is more like the level that needs to be reached, although such practices are not nearly as widespread as fasting during Ramadan.

If a Muslim was wanting to maximise health benefits, is it permissible to not eat suhur, or is this not good Islamic practice like delaying the breaking of the fast/iftar?

 

[FearGod]

While fasting does have benefits, in many parts of the Muslim world the fast only lasts 12-14h or so which might not really be long enough to produce major benefits, especially if bookended by 2 large meals.

Fasting for health reasons should involve 24-48h fasts really.

Muslims in Northern Europe will do quite well this Ramadan with 20h+ fasts which should provide clear benefit. Some religions like certain Christian denominations, Hinduism have fast days where only 1 basic meal is allowed, which is more like the level that needs to be reached, although such practices are not nearly as widespread as fasting during Ramadan.

If a Muslim was wanting to maximise health benefits, is it permissible to not eat suhur, or is this not good Islamic practice like delaying the breaking of the fast/iftar?

Suhur which is eating foods and drink water before starting the fasting day and that should
be before dawn and actually it's a very light meal.

Also the Iftar which is the end of fasting, the prophet used to eat a little of sweet dates
and some water then prays and after that starting to eat,

The prophet said
“The offspring of Adam fills no vessel worse than his stomach. Sufficient for the child of Adam are a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third left for air?” (Musnad Ahmad)

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

"FearGod,",

Namaste,

Dry fasting has nothing to do with Ramadan, there is no binge eating after 12-13 hr at the end of a Dry fast, Dry fasting is only beneficial if done for 24 hrs straight, and although doable is not recommended for more then 3 days (72 hours).

From this website:

How to Do a Dry Fast

• Overeating after fasting can cause a series of problems such as digestive problems, bloating, rapid weight gain and depression.

For me a more balanced consistent fast is more beneficial, fasting is good for ones health without doubt, but should not be "Ordered", or Forced.

See link for the Hindu ways of fasting.

Fasting in Hinduism

Hindu fasting is most properly "Intermittent fasting"', and there are some differences with Ramdan, such as:

1) No dehydration at all during Hindu fasting, no scientific study has shown that dehydration has health benefits.Plus in Ramadan not drinking any water for 12-13 hours for 30 odd days causes the body to go from dehydration to hydration is a quick shock, which i presume is not healthy at all.

2) Hindu consistent fasting has more health benefit. The Ramadan fast is not long enough to get any benefit out of it, Fasting and if you equate Ramadan with ""Dry Fasting", should be for at least 24 hours, or fasting should be for 12-13 hours everyday 365 days a year to get any health benefits at all. Ramadan Month fasting is useless as a health option.

3) No Binge eating in Hindu Fast: Ramadan to me is no different from eating all day and sleeping all night. Ramdan is reverse that, it is letting people eat in the night instead of in the day. That's not really a fast in my view.

Buddhist and Jains also have many fasting techniques, these are fasts that are done consistently (daily, few times a week ect) during a persons life, and is more beneficial then a Binge fast once a month.

Anyways, hope this clarifies.
Dhanyavad

 

[GoodbyeDave]

I've never understood this enthusiasm for fasting. I believe Sikhs are forbidden to fast. My gods want us to be happy and comfortable: bring on the cakes and wine!