By Amal Al-Sibai
Saudi Gazette
Not only do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, but they are encouraged to fast regularly and periodically throughout the year.
There is a gate in Paradise, called Ar-Rayyan, promised to those special believers who fast frequently. For those who fast, they will enjoy the rewards of fasting which Allah has promised and also they will reap many health benefits, which modern science is proving again and again.
This year’s Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine scientifically proved that fasting is good for health.
What won the Japanese scientist, Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, the 2016 Nobel Prize is his discovery of the mechanisms involved in the cellular process called autophagy.
Autophagy means self-eating. It is the ability of a cell to consume or to set off a self-destruct mechanism on certain components within the cell. Autophagy actually preserves the health of the cell, and the body.
Disturbance in the process of autophagy is linked to the development of diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, type-2 diabetes, and other age-related diseases.
Thanks to Ohsumi, we now know that autophagy controls important physiological functions where cellular components need to be degraded and recycled. The cell isolates parts of the cell that are damaged, dead, unrepaired, diseased, or infectious and it breaks them down into harmless parts that are then recycled to produce energy in the cell.
Autophagy can rapidly provide fuel for energy and building blocks for renewal of cellular components. After infection, autophagy can eliminate invading bacteria and viruses. Autophagy contributes to embryo development. Cells also use autophagy to eliminate damaged proteins and organelles, which can help counteract the negative consequences of aging.
Can we trigger the initiation of autophagy in the cell?
Ohsomi showed that autophagy can be induced by fasting.
Autophagy requires the right kind of conditions for it to occur. Nutrient deprivation is the key activator of autophagy. When the body is fasting, it signals the brain that there is not enough food available and the body then seeks out stored foods. Autophagy is activated and the cells break down old and damaged proteins in the body. When insulin levels in the body are low, glucagon begins to work in the body, cleansing the body of dead and damaged cells and cell parts. Even the slightest amount of food is easy to stop the autophagy process. It requires complete abstinence from food for at least 12 hours, which is the typical duration of the Muslim’s fast.
With all this research pointing to the health boosting effects fasting can have on our bodies, and also because the days are shorter and cooler, making the fast a little easier, now is a good time to take up the healthy habit of our Prophet (peace be upon him). Whey wait until Ramadan to enjoy the health benefits and the spiritual rewards of fasting?
It was a regular practice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to fast every Monday and Thursday.
It was narrated from Abu Qataadah al-Ansari that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Mondays and he said, “On that day I was born, and on it the Revelation came to me.” (Sahih Muslim, 1162)
Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, said, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) was keen to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. (At-Tirmidhi, 745)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also recommended fasting the same way that Prophet Dawud used to fast, which was fasting on alternate days.
It is praiseworthy to fast three days each month; some scholars say any three days and others say specifically the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the lunar month.
It was narrated that Abd-Allah bin Amr bin al-Aas said, “The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said to me: “It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month, because for every good deed you will have (the reward of) ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 1874)
There are many ways that we can introduce a regular regimen of fasting in our lives.
