Benefits and impacts of Fasting (Roza)

Benefits:
Fasting provides benefits for the soul, the society and health,
and they are as follows:
From the spiritual benefits of fasting is that it accustoms one to
patience and strengthens one’s patience. It teaches self-
restraint and helps one to practice it. It places the gift of piety
in the soul and cultivates it, and particularly the piety which is
the outstanding reason for fasting that is mentioned in Allah
the Almighty’s statement:
“Fasting has been made obligatory for you just as it was made
obligatory for those who were before you so that you have
Taqwa.” (2:138)

From the social benefits of fasting is that it accustoms the

(Muslim) community to organization and unity, and love of
justice and equality. It makes a feeling of mercy and good
character in the believers. Likewise, it protects the society from
evil and vices.

From the health benefits of fasting is that it cleanses the

intestines and benefits the stomach. It also purifies the body
from excess and deposits, and it lessens the settling of fat and
heaviness of the stomach with fat. It is narrated in a Hadith that
he (S.A.W.S.) said:
“Fast and be healthy.”

The Social Effects

During Ramadan, it is traditional for Muslims to collect and
donate to charities. Communities come together to donate to
local mosques for good causes. This time is a period of
reflection for many; many find new awareness of their lives and
find feelings of gratefulness.

Giving to charity is just as important as fasting. Muslims are

obliged to give 2.5% of their assets to charity, (this is known as
known as Zakah) and is another of the five pillars of Islam.
Ramadhan is also known as the month of selflessness and
charity, with more than £100million estimated to be donated to
charity by British Muslims during the month. A report in 2016
calculated Muslim charitable donations at an incredible £38
each second during Ramadhan.

Ramadan develops spiritual, social and moral values. During

this time the poor are given attention and charity, and faith led
neighbourhoods practice hospitality. Fasting aims to establish
equality between the rich and poor, as the rich experience
hunger and learn to show respect and appreciate the less
fortunate..

The Psychological Effects

Ramadan is not merely physical. Fasting is a commitment of the
person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast: a spiritual self-
purification method. Through fasting, much work on ones acts
of worship, and aims to purify the soul; cleansing impurities and
refocusing one’s self of worship.

Ramadan is about aiming to improve good moral character and

habits. Not only do people cut out food and drink, an equally
important aspect of Ramadhan but often overlooked by non-
Muslims with the focus of conversations being on food and
drink, is to abstain from negative vices and habits such as
arguing, fighting, or lustful thoughts. It is the fasting of the
tongue, ears and eyes that is in fact more challenging.