Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship.
It is the month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and fulfilling one’s desires, from dawn until sunset.
Fasting on the other hand teaches all mankind dicipline and self control.
The purpose of fasting during Ramadhan is because it is the order from our Creator, Allah swt.
Fasting makes us able to feel the pain, hunger, thirst and learn to sympatize with those in the world who have little to eat. We come to appreciate the blessings that God grants us. Encourages us to increase in doing good deeds and help the poor, thus develop feelings of generosity and goodwill towards others.
It is also very beneficial to our health, especially to our stomach.
**A team of cardiologists in the UAE found that people observing Ramadan enjoy a positive effect on their lipid profile, which means there is a reduction of cholesterol in the blood. (** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan)
It is compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. Although it is not compulsory for children, there are children who practice fasting for later life.
The elderly and the chronically ill, are exempted from fasting, and must recompense by feeding the poor.
Also exempted are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns, which they must make up the days they missed at a later date, or feed the poor as a recompense for days missed
On another note, fasting is also a spiritual practices found by other religions and belief systems – Hinduism, Buddism, Judaism, Christianity, etc and is observed in various ways.
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