Fasting Ramadan improves spiritual and physical health.[14,15,16] The main purpose of fasting the holy month is to attain righteousness.[17] Some other benefits include strengthening the believers' relationship with their Creator (His name is Allah), having self-reflection and appreciation of Allah's blessings, remembering and helping the people in need, and learning self-control.[1,14] Many Muslim individuals also consider this holy month a great opportunity to make healthy changes to their lifestyles because it is, if practiced correctly, an annual training in appetite control and having a balanced diet, which can help in losing weight.[16,18,19] In addition, Ramadan can be an ideal time for many individuals to quit smoking, an action that breaks fasting and a habit that is prohibited in Islam according to the vast majority of Muslim scholars, with the need of continuous support after Ramadan to prevent relapse.[1,14,20]
EXEMPTIONS FROM FASTING RAMADAN
In Islam, there are several excuses for not fasting Ramadan, including prepubertal children, women during their menstrual period or postnatal bleeding, travelers, pregnant or breastfeeding women who believe fasting for long hours may cause harm to either themselves or their babies,[21] the elderly who cannot tolerate fasting, the mentally disabled and the sick whom fasting will aggravate their condition.[15,21,22,23,24] However, many exempt Muslim patients with chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes) may still choose to fast. They may discontinue their medications or alter treatment regimens to fast with/out consulting their primary care physicians (PCPs). As a result, serious complications may develop, such as dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and others.[2] With careful support and advice, along with shared decision-making regarding treatment plans, successful health outcomes and safe fasting can be achieved.
How a Hardcore Zionist Jew Found Islam Against All Odds!
