Allah has blessed us with the holy month of Ramazan. During this ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from morning (Fajr prayers) till evening twilight (Maghrib prayers). The Holy Quran was revealed on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) during this blessed month for the guidance of mankind.

Allah has made it obligatory for Muslims to fast in the month of Ramazan.

Fasting withholds one not only from eating and drinking, but also from bad activities, and it encourages Muslims to participate in prayer, charity and good deeds. Moreover, this month brings one closer to Allah.

The word Ramazan comes from an Arabic word which means burning heat or dryness.

Medical benefits of fasting

Besides spiritual benefits, fasting also has many health benefits, such as:

• It decreases the amount of blood sugar in our body;

• It boots our metabolism;

• It supports fat loss and ketosis;

• It gives us better insulin sensitivity;

• It improves our cardiovascular health;

• Promotes greater satisfaction;

• It makes our body fit and healthy;

• Maintain cholesterol levels.

What else we should do

Besides fasting, there are other things that we can do during this month to gain the Blessings and the Pleasure of Allah. We should recite the Holy Quran as much as we can and try to understand its message by reading its translation in a language we understand.

Acts of charity, such as feeding the needy, giving Zakat and alms, giving new clothes to the poor and other acts of kindness are increased during Ramazan as a single good deed is awarded manifolds.

We should control our anger and learn the concept of forget and forgive. In this way, we become pleasant and strengthen our relationship with others.

This is the month in whcih Muslims ask for forgiveness from Allah, and seek His Blessings and Mercy.'

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 9th, 2018