The multiple benefits of one command
With Ramadan, we talk about its mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. It’s interesting to take a closer look at the wisdom behind what Allah prescribes for us to do.
One of the beautiful things I found when I was learning about the Islam and Qur’an is that Allah would prescribe something which has one obvious benefit. Not stealing is an example and it’s obvious why we shouldn’t steal. But sometimes there are hidden benefits in that particular thing.
It is always amazing to me how one command that Allah SWA has given us actually has multiple benefits in various areas of our life –and fasting is one of those things.
Fasting as Cleansing
This information was shared with me years prior. It truly inspired me to fast with greater conviction as it helped me to better understand what my body goes through at the time of fasting.
It’s something I’d like to share with you in hopes that in doing so, fasting might become a bit easier and you could draw closer to Allah SWA and his divine plan for us all.
As we go through Ramadan, our body is cleaning itself the same way we’re trying to focus on cleansing our heart and uplifting our character. It’s a holistic cleansing that includes the internal aspects as well as our physical body.
Let’s look at the amazing process that our body goes through.
3 Phases of Fasting
Phase 1
In the first one to three days of fasting our blood sugar and blood pressure drop, which is why we feel extreme fatigue. With these symptoms, the body is just about to start the cleansing process. Typically, we have headaches and brain fog because of the shift of the body to this cleansing mode. We experience an inability to focus because there are chemical changes in the body. We also feel intense hunger at this stage because the body is transitioning into a different type of process.
Phase 2
In the second phase, our body is more accustomed to the fasting schedule by now because we’ve been doing this for the past few days. We follow the same body clock for when to eat and when not to.
In this stage, the digestive system is finally able to rest. This means that it’s now focusing its energy on cleansing and the white blood cells have become more active which aids the healing. The internal organs also start the repair process.
The metaphor of healing crisis
In fasting, we go through the challenging process of fasting to be able to reap the benefits that go beyond our physical benefit. It’s like a metaphor for other things in our life.
As we strive to become better Muslims, there might be some things that are difficult for you to give up during the first couple of days –whatever it may be. But when you consistently do it, you get the benefits. With fasting, we’re getting physical healing and hopefully we’re getting spiritual renewal as well.
Phase 3
In this stage, we have higher energy levels because the body had mostly gone through the cleansing process. We’re past the days of hardship and our body is stabilizing.
It is really benefiting from the work we’ve been doing in terms of fasting.
The effect
We will find that the mind is clearer and there’s an overall better wellness. But I must say that if you’ve been eating sweets and fried foods, you’re not going to have the same level of wellness as those who are more mindful of their intake. Yes, you’d still get the benefits of cleansing, but it’s counter intuitive and counterproductive if we put stuff in our body that’s toxic or unhealthy.
Be mindful of what you eat
If you haven’t already, try to shift away from high sugar and high processed foods. Take healthier ones like fruits and veggies instead. If that’s not something you look forward to at the end of your fast, try something more savory and exciting that are also healthy. Doing this will aid your body in the cleansing processes as the healing becomes more efficient and the body is finishing the repair of those damaged cells. In this stage, the kidney, liver, colon, lungs and skin are detoxifying as well.
Multiple benefits
It’s amazing how our body goes through this cleansing when we fast. Allah calls us to be closer to Him through the detoxification of our bad ways and harmful practices; and so the entire body is going through healing. When Allah calls us to do something, there’s not only one benefit. There are multiple benefits.
If you wake up the next morning and think about how difficult it is to fast another day, just think about the beautiful healing in your body and how much you’re benefiting –especially health wise.
Allah cares for you
Allah is taking care of us by thinking about how our body needs to rest, reprogram, and clean itself so that it can have optimum health for the years to come. Think about why we’re fasting and the beautiful things that are happening inside our body that are beneficial to us.
Allah calls us to have patience. He knows that life has many challenges and that fasting can help us better get master self-control, a skill that can help us in so many areas of our life. If we can endure and have beautiful patience, we will have beautiful rewards–not only in the present life but also in the afterlife.
Happy fasting everyone.
Do check out our Youtube channel and Mindful Muslimah Speaks Podcast for more information and inspiration.
