Benefits of fasting

Whatever methods of worship Allah Ta’ala has ordained for us, apart from the benefits of the hereafter, there are many benefits in this world itself.  Fasting is the 4th pillar of Islam.  It is such a form of worship that through it, the person who fasts is trained.  Through it the person who fasts learns the value of the bounties of Allah Ta’ala.  He or she develops a spirit of sacrifice for the poor, needy and understands their problems and needs.  Through the blessings of the fast, the fasting person becomes patient.  Because of staying away from food, drink and sexual relations with one’s spouse from sunrise to sunset, the fasting person develops some likeness with the attributes of Allah Ta’ala and the fasting person is dyed in the colors of the attributes of Allah Ta’ala, i.e. the fasting person’s qualities become somewhat similar to the attributes of Allah Ta’ala.

 

About the medical and scientific benefits of fasting, it is said that the health of a human being depends on the stomach.  If the digestive system is fine, then the body remains strong and human beings will have the necessary immunity to drive away diseases from the body.  Due to consistently digesting food, the digestive system becomes overworked and consequently weak.  For this reason, the Creator has given us the system of fasting and provided relief to the stomach and the digestive system.  Through this the digestive system becomes rejuvenated and strong for the next 11 months.

 

For every form of worship, Allah Ta’ala has set a particular reward.  However, fasting is such a form of worship that Allah Ta’ala Himself is the reward for it and He graces the fasting person with His vision in the hereafter.

 

We should stay away from all kinds of sin while fasting and should even stay away from the undesirable and doubtful things.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that if a person does not stay away from indecency in fasting, then Allah Ta’ala does not care about the person’s staying away from food and drink.  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 1903)

 

Using toothpaste and tooth powders, etc. is Makruh while fasting.  If they end up entering the throat, then the fast is invalidated.  As a precaution, it is better to stay away from them.  With smoking (cigarette or beedi), as the smoke enters the throat, the fast is invalidated.

 

If someone suffers from asthma and expert Muslim doctors declare the use of inhalers as absolutely necessary, then the Shariah excuses that person.  After regaining health, that person can make up the fasts.  If there is no possibility of this condition going away, then in lieu of each fast, 1 Sadqa Fitr should be given away.

 

If blood is drawn in a fast, the fast does not get invalidated with it.  About glucose and injection, most of the scholars say that as they are not sent into the body through nose, mouth, eyes, etc., so the fast does not get invalidated.  Other scholars rule that these are sent inside the body and they provide nourishment to the body, thus a fast will get invalidated.  As a precautionary measure, the second opinion should be taken and followed.