SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING THROUGH FASTING
Bukhari has reported in his Sahih that the Messenger of Allah said, "Paradise haseight gates and one of them is Ar-Rayyan through which none will enter but thosewho observe fasting." As-Suyuti has reported that alHarith ibn Kalda stated that,"imposing abstinence from food" was the essence of medicine. Fasting, in medicalterms, may mean a variety of things.Some health care practitioners might recommend juice fasting. This type of fasteliminates all solid foods and the person consumes only fruit and vegetable juices.Others might recommend elimination of all foods except fruits and water for aspecified time. Some might even recommend eliminating all foods and drinks forspecific periods. The reported purpose for these forms of fasting is to cleansetoxins and poisons from the body and the digestive tract. Islamically speaking,fasting both voluntary and obligatory is an act of worship. Although there may behealth benefits, its primary purpose must always be to please Allah.Alternative medicine views fasting as a detoxification method. This simply meansthat it is used to purify the body by eliminating "toxins." This process enhances thehealing processes of the body. Fasting generally is perceived to spare any harm tovital organs but uses fatty tissues, etc. for energy production. Naturopathic healthcare practitioners generally prescribe short fasts. Because body temperature maydrop during a fast, as does blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, it is consideredimportant to stay warm. Fasting is seen as possible treatment for a variety of disorders and diseases including obesity, chemical poisoning, arthritis, allergies,psoriasis, eczema, leg ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchial asthma and evendepression.Fasting is a protection for the body and the mind. At-Tirmithi has reported that theProphet said, "Fasting and the Qur'an intercede for a man. Fasting says, 'O myLord, I have kept him away from his food and his passions by day, so accept myintercession for him.' The Qur'an says, 'I have kept him away from sleep by nightso accept my intercession for him.' Then their intercession is accepted." Researchhas shown that fasting can improve the control of diabetes. Another study hasshown that fasting improved the health of persons with irritable bowel syndromeand constipation. Another study suggests that fasting may improve cholesterollevels.Bukhari has reported that the Messenger of Allah revealed that Allah said, "All thedeeds of the children of Adam are for them, except fasting, which is for Me and Iwill give the reward for it." Bukhari has also reported that the Prophet narratedthat Allah said, "The fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (whoobserves the fast) leaves his (sexual) desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting
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