Ramadan is a spiritual exercise observed by Muslims. It celebrates the creation of the Quran which is the holy book of people who practice Islam.
The Primary aim of Ramadan? During Ramadan, Muslims try improving their spiritual well-being and to move closer to their families and Allah. These individuals accomplish this by fasting and abstaining from pleasures such as smoking, drinking, and any sexual activity between the hours of sunrise and dusk on each day.
There are several benefits of fasting during Ramadan, one of which is:
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Fasting effectively helps reduce the workload on the digestive system. It aids the repair and remodeling of the gut microbiome, thereby improving metabolic health and decreasing inflammation. Fasting during Ramadan also allows for the body’s enzymes to focus on detoxifying.
Another benefit of fasting is;
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During fast, the body has fewer toxic substances flowing through the lymphatic system and blood making it easier to think and process things. There is more energy available for the brain because the body doesn't have to break down food.
Headaches or pain points may occur at the beginning of the fast but after the body has cleared itself of the toxins and the brain has access to a clearer bloodstream, this results in clearer thoughts increased sharpness of other senses and better memory. Fasting during Ramadan improves cognition, stalls age-related cognitive decline reduces brain damage and enhances functional recovery after stroke.
Another important benefit to note is;
During the fast, fewer calories than normal are consumed and this, in turn, means lesser food intake leading to weight loss. This practice reduces the risk of obesity because it lets your body rest and repair itself. Fasting helps you live longer. There is an increase in vascular growth factor during fasting times, which aids in the formation of blood vessels and activates anti-inflammatory macrophages. Anti-inflammatory macrophages stimulate fat cells to burn fat storage and generate heat, hence reducing inflammation, as the name implies.
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Fasting frees up your soul's desire to do good, which is why you experience a closer connection to Allah (SWT) throughout Ramadan. The soul is empowered to do good because of the fast. Because good deeds improve one's spirituality and bring them closer to Allah (SWT), it makes sense that fasting has a lot of spiritual benefits, especially when it comes to reducing one's ability to sin. The logical conclusion is that depriving the body of food and drink would consequently weaken the Nafs, and hence its power to lure the individual to evil and sin. Weakening the Nafs would naturally mean strengthening the soul, as it is via this vehicle that an individual is prone to good deeds and hence to forging a closer relationship with Allah (SWT).
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One of the most significant advantages of fasting is that it teaches believers patience. Believers go through a period of training when fasting because they do not eat when they are hungry, do not drink when they are thirsty, and patiently say, "I am fasting," when someone bothers them. People with strong faith do not commit crimes or sins; they can manage their emotions and are patient. Fasting makes it simpler to be patient since it dissuades the illegal desires that mislead the soul.
There are several benefits of fasting during Ramadan and a few have been highlighted above. Missing fast means missing out on the benefits it brings. Ensure fasting is completed and patience, endurance, and contentment is observed in Ramadan during fast.
