Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Allah has enjoined fasting upon Muslims in the month of Ramadan. In Surah Al-Baqara, Ayah no 183 it is stated “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint”.
Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one’s spiritual life.
Ayah 184 of the same surah states ‘(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.” The words ‘And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew’ have lot of meaning in it, since it has been proven scientifically that fast positively effects human health.
According to PTI report, in a recent study conducted by researchers at University of Southern California it was found that fasting could help fight cancer and increase effectiveness of its treatments. The study revealed that ‘fasting slowed down the growth of tumours and cured some cancers when it was combined with chemotherapy.’
The researcher did experiments on mice, in which they found that tumour cells responded differently to the stress of fasting compared to normal cells. Instead of entering a dormant state similar to hibernation, the cells kept growing and dividing, in the end destroying themselves.
Lead study author Valter Longo claimed “The cell is, in fact, committing cellular suicide.” “What we are seeing is that the cancer cell tries to compensate for the lack of all these things missing in the blood after fasting. It may be trying to replace them, but it cannot.”
Longo and his team looked at the impact fasting had on breast, urinary tract and ovarian cancers in mice. Fasting without chemotherapy was shown to slow the growth of breast cancer, melanoma skin cancer, glioma brain cancer and neuroblastoma – a cancer that forms in the nerve tissue.
In every case, combining fasting with chemotherapy made the cancer treatment more effective. But none of the mice survived if they were treated with chemotherapy alone.
According to the researchers, they are already examining the effects of fasting on human patients, but only a clinical trial lasting several years will confirm if human cancer patients really can benefit from calorie restriction.
Dr. D Gupta, deputy director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMP) while delivering a lecture on the topic of ‘Fasting and being healthy and active’ at a conference organised by the Rotary Club on March 14, 1996 claimed “fasting not only prevents stomach diseases and diseases related to digestion but also destroys cells in the liver which cause cancer.”
Referring to the study conducted in Australia Dr. Gupta said that controlled diet prevented the growth of cancer in animals; it is more likely that this function is performed in humans too.
Experimentation done on effects of starvation in rats by CCMB showed that while starvation, excess food present in the body is absorbed by intestinal cells. Excess food is gathered in liver in the form of fats. When the food is not available some enzymes break themselves and change themselves into glucose and thus the body gets energy.
If we never fast the enzyme system which changes fats into glucose cannot remain effective.
The two studies have proved that fasting not only has positive impact on spiritual health but it is beneficial for human health also. This may be the reason that Allah wants us to be grateful for the obligation. In Surah Baqarah, Ayah 185 Allah says “Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.”
Rasia Nayeem Hashmi