Spirituality and Food

The Physiological Changes that Occur During a Fast

For many people the key question regarding fasting is whether it is good or bad for your health. The answer to
this requires a quick overview of what happens inside the body during fasting: the physiology of fasting. The changes
that occur in the body in response to fasting depend on the length of the continuous fast. Technically the body enters
into a fasting state eight hours or so after the last meal, when the gut finishes absorption of nutrients from the food.
In the normal state, body glucose, which is stored in the liver and muscles, is the body’s main source of energy.

 

During a fast, this store of glucose is used up first to provide energy. Later in the fast, once the stores of glucose
run out, fat becomes the next store source of energy for the body. Small quantities of glucose are also ‘manufactured’
through other mechanisms in the liver.

Only with a prolonged fast of many days to weeks, does the body eventually turn to protein for energy. This is the
technical description of what is commonly known as ‘starvation’, and it is clearly unhealthy. It involves protein being
released from the breakdown of muscle which is why people who starve look emaciated and become very weak.

As the Ramadan fast only extends from dawn till dusk, there is ample opportunity to replenish energy stores at
pre-dawn and dusk meals. This provides a progressive gentle transition from using glucose to fat as the main
source of energy, and prevents the breakdown of muscle for protein. The use of fat for energy aids weight loss,
preserving the muscles, and in the long run reduces your cholesterol levels. In addition weight loss results in better
control of diabetes and reduces blood pressure. A detoxification process also seems to occur, as any toxins stored
in the body’s fat are dissolved and removed from the body. After a few days of the fast, higher levels of certain hormones
appear in the blood (endorphins), resulting in a better level of alertness and an overall feeling of general mental well-being.

Balanced food and fluid intake is important between fasts. The kidney is very efficient at maintaining the body’s water
and salts, such as sodium and potassium. However, these can be lost through sweating, to prevent muscle break
down, meals must contain adequate levels of ‘energy food’ such as carbohydrates and some fat. Hence, a balanced
diet with adequate quantities of nutrients, salts and water is vital.

Spirituality and Food

Food has a great significance in Islam. It is associated with one’s relationship with God. Chapter 20 verse 89 of the
Qur’an states: “eat of the good and wholesome things that We have provided for your sustenance, but indulge in no
excess therein”.

The physical body is a gift from God; it is given to humans as an amanah (trust) to take care of for a fixed period. How
much food is consumed and the choice of food has a direct impact on the physical and spiritual well-being of the person.
The food that you consume affects your behaviour and personality. Wholesome, natural and healthy food assists
the development of a good personality. Over-eating has long been frowned upon in Islam as it is thought to increase
worldly appetites and cause sluggishness, thereby ‘dulling’ the soul, hampering spiritual growth and increase physical
ailments.

The blessed Prophet said: “The children of Adam fill no vessel worse than their stomach. Sufficient for him is a few
morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third
left for air”. (Sunan al-Tirmidhî)

Islam sees health and ‘well-being’ as much more than just bodily health: well-being or tranquillity requires a strong
relationship with one’s spirituality, good physical health, mental happiness, a sense of purpose and good character
and relationships. Islam makes a strong connection between food and worship and teaches that all forms of
worship have a deeper purpose and impact and contribute in someway to individual and social well-being.

In chapter 7 verse 31 the Qur’an is categorical “Eat and drink freely: But waste not by excess, for He does not like
the wasters.”

Islam thus creates a sense of responsibility in people to take a healthy living lifestyle as normal. Fasting in the month of
Ramadan teaches us to manage and practice spirituality and not to eat excessively. The essential part of spirituality in food is that we are grateful and thankful for the food we get.

The blessed Prophet once said: “God has a right over you; your body has a right over you….” To strike a balance between the needs of the physical body and your spiritual needs, one must on the one hand consume the right type and amount of food and on the other hand develop excellent inter-personal skills.

The blessed Prophet Muhammad said: “I have only been sent for the perfection of character”. Fasting in the month of
Ramadan is an opportunity to make significant changes in your lifestyle and develop the resolve to make healthy living
choices.

What Could You Gain From Fasting?

 

Fasting is not only a physical but also a spiritual exercise that has many lasting benefits.

1. Heightened Consciousness of God

Fasting helps you to become less preoccupied with bodily appetites, and enables the heart and mind to become free to reflect over deeper spiritual matters, such as your relationship with God and with fellow human beings. It enables a person to develop sustained consciousness of God – “Taqwa”.

2. Healthy living lifestyle

A fasting person learns to restrain and only responds to hunger and thirst in the heightened level of consciousness and
discipline. Through fasting a person begins to appreciate the value of food. In the Qur’an “healthy and wholesome food” is described as the best of provisions. Thus fasting helps a person choose a healthier lifestyle by making small yet lasting changes to your daily diet.


3. Compassion and Charity

When fasting, you should think of those in need who may be fasting but have no food at the start or the end of their
fast, those whose tiny children are also having to go hungry, out of poverty. The Prophet Muhammad described Ramadan
as “the month of Mercy”. His companions observed: “The Prophet (Muhammad) was the most generous of people, but
he would be his most generous during Ramadan …”. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

4. Community Spirit

During Ramadan the one who fasts has heightened concerns for the well-being of the community, both rich and poor,
intellectuals and labourers. Community spirit is promoted as people start fasting at the same time and break their fast at
the same time, they reflect together through longer prayer and deeper devotions. It is greatly encouraged that families
invite each other to break their fast together.

5. Fast without the spirit is empty of blessing

Abstention for long hours can be very hard physically and spiritually. However, by the end of the long month you should feel cleansed and with a renewed spirit. Ramadan is an ideal
time to break bad habits, to reflect on personality and to improve your character.

Those who fast but make no change to their lives except delaying a meal cannot really expect to become any different
in their behaviour during or after Ramadan. In many ways, this is a wasted fast, as stressed in a number of sayings
of the blessed Prophet: “Fasting is not merely “abstention from eating and drinking, but also from vain speech and foul
language”. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Fasting is, therefore, about much more than just giving up food and drink and hoping to lose a couple of pounds. By fasting a person reflects, acts and betters his or her character.

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