Originally published in Synapse on March 8, 1996.
To fast or not to fast is what Ramadan is all about. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and this year it runs from Feb. 23 to March 23. Muslims around the world fast during this month.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for every healthy Muslim (people with an illness and those traveling are exempt from the duty). It is also the month in which a Muslim is exceptionally devout in his/her worship of God. Interplay between the body and the spirit is what gives this event a special quality.
To “fast” simply means to abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Although a month of fasts sounds impractical, there are benefits for both the individual and the community.
Imagine yourself at noon and tired after a long morning, but unlike the rest of your buddies, you’re unable to go to the cafeteria to refill your reserves. You glance at your watch and oops!! only six more hours to go. This requires a lot of patience and perseverance, the building blocks of a strong faith.
Since the whole purpose of fasting is to control our infinite lust for worldly goodies, it is not surprising that the end result is a more disciplined spirit It is the best formula for eliminating the virus of materialism that has infected our minds.
Do you know how it feels to be hungry? I guess not. Neither do I because we are fortunate enough never to have experienced starvation. What about those for whom every month is Ramadan and any meal is a luxury?
Fasting gives you a chance to appreciate all that you have and to be more sensitive and charitable towards the less fortunate in our society. Can you imagine how reforming the effect would be if everyone felt the same as you? Just some ways to fill the gap between the rich and poor among us.
Fasting also has a cleansing effect on the body. If you ask anyone you know who has fasted, he/she will tell you how rejuvenating the experience is. According to a study done by two Canadians on the body metabolism of fasting men during Ramadan, it was seen that average consumption was 1,220 kcal per day with a significant 1.92 kg weight loss. 2.8% fat was lost, but fat-free mass did not change.
The physiology of this is simple: you lose fat that otherwise would not be lost so easily from the body. Glucose intake is highly encouraged, ensuring brain nourishment and pumping up the body reserves until the next day.
Ramadan is followed by Eid, a celebration symbolizing achievement by people of all ages. Those at the extreme ends of the scale are given an extra pat on the back. Eid includes new clothes, good food, relatives, friends, and, for me, the end of finals and beginning of spring break.
