Fasting During Ramadan Is One Of The Five Pillars Of Islam The Fundamental Rules Muslims Follow
The holy month of Ramadan was expected to start on Monday 12 April in the UK, but eventually began a day later.
This is because its start is signified by the new crescent moon, which did not appear on Sunday as had been predicted.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam the fundamental rules Muslims follow. The other four are the Shahadah , Salat , Zakat and the Hajj pilgrimage.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during fast during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.
Ramadan In Polar Regions
The length of the dawn to sunset time varies in different parts of the world according to summer or winter solstices of the Sun. Most Muslims fast for eleven to sixteen hours during Ramadan. However, in polar regions, the period between dawn and sunset may exceed twenty-two hours in summer. For example, in 2014, Muslims in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Trondheim, Norway, fasted almost twenty-two hours, while Muslims in Sydney, Australia, fasted for only about eleven hours. In areas characterized by continuous night or day, some Muslims follow the fasting schedule observed in the nearest city that experiences sunrise and sunset, while others follow Mecca time.
Whats Happening With Your Body: Healing Mode
During stage three, your body starts to enter into a healing mode. This healing process begins as your digestive system takes a rest from the common stressors and toxins it endures on a daily basis. As a result, your body has fewer free radicals entering the mix, and oxidative stress decreases.
On the flip side, fasting causes a stress that provides an added benefit. This is a kind of mild stress that is comparable to the stress caused by exercise, which ultimately makes you stronger and your immune system more resilient.
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How Does Fasting Work
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars or duties of Islam, along with the testimony of faith, prayer, charitable giving, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims are required to take part every year, though there are special dispensations for those who are ill, pregnant or nursing, menstruating, or traveling, and for young children and the elderly.
The practice of fasting serves several spiritual and social purposes: to remind you of your human frailty and your dependence on God for sustenance, to show you what it feels like to be hungry and thirsty so you feel compassion for the poor and needy, and to reduce the distractions in life so you can more clearly focus on your relationship with God.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating any food, drinking any liquids, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in any sexual activity, from dawn to sunset. That includes taking medication . Chewing gum is also prohibited .
Doing any of those things “invalidates” your fast for the day, and you just start over the next day. To make up for days you didn’t fast, you can either fast later in the year or provide a meal to a needy person for each day you missed.
How Dem Dey Celebrate Ramadan
Most Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. Fasting dey allow Muslims to devote demselves to their faith. E dey believed say e go teach self-discipline and remind dem of di suffering of di poor.
However, children, pregnant women, elderly pipo and those who dey sick or dey travel no need to fast.
During Ramadan, e dey common to eat one meal , just before sunrise and another , directly after sunset.
Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan. Na time for prayer and good deeds. Dem dey try to spend time wit family and friends and help pipo wey dey in need.
Many Muslims go attempt to read di whole of di Qur’an at least once during Ramadan. Dem go also attend special services for Mosques during which dem go read di Qur’an.
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What Is Ramadan Actually About
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims the Prophet Mohammed reportedly said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s sacred text, to Mohammed, on a night known as “The Night of Power” .
During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline of deep contemplation of one’s relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran.
But if that makes it sound super serious and boring, it’s really not. It’s a time of celebration and joy, to be spent with loved ones. At the end of Ramadan theres a big three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr,or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.
It’s kind of like the Muslim version of Christmas, in the sense that it’s a religious holiday where everyone comes together for big meals with family and friends, exchanges presents, and generally has a lovely time.
What Is Intermittent Fasting And Why Would You Do It
Intermittent fasting is not a diet, it’s a pattern of eating. It’s a way of scheduling your meals so that you get the most out of them. Intermittent fasting doesnt change what you eat, it changes when you eat.
Why is it worthwhile to change when youre eating?
Well, most notably, its a great way to get lean without going on a crazy diet or cutting your calories down to nothing. In fact, most of the time you’ll try to keep your calories the same when you start intermittent fasting. Additionally, intermittent fasting is a good way to keep muscle mass on while getting lean.
With all that said, the main reason people try intermittent fasting is to lose fat. We’ll talk about how intermittent fasting leads to fat loss in a moment.
Perhaps most importantly, intermittent fasting is one of the simplest strategies we have for taking bad weight off while keeping good weight on because it requires very little behavior change. This is a very good thing because it means intermittent fasting falls into the category of simple enough that you’ll actually do it, but meaningful enough that it will actually make a difference.
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Ramadan Timetable : What Time Is Iftar And Suhoor Today In London
The holiest month of the Islam calendar has begun but when is Iftar and Suhoor each day?
Ramadan 2021 began in the evening of Tuesday, April 13 and will last for 30 days, ending on Wednesday, May 12.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by Muslims worldwide as a month of day-time fasting.
The annual observance of this special month is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and commemorates Muhammads first revelation.
During the period of Ramadan, adult Muslims of able body and mind start their day-time fasting before sunrise with a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor.
This includes abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual intimacy until sunset, when the fast is broken with a special meal called Iftar.
Sorry, this video isn’t available any more.
Below are the times for London only of Suhoor and Iftar.
To check the times of Suhoor and Iftar in other UK cities, visit Islamic-Relief.org.
Should You Do Intermittent Fasting And The Keto Diet
We have a crazy extensive guide on the Keto Diet in case youre not familiar with it, so here it is in a nutshell:
This process is called ketosis, and there are two ways for a body to enter ketosis:
- Eating in a way that induces ketosis .
- FastingHey, thats what youre reading about right now!
We actually have an amazing success story here on Nerd Fitness, Larry, who followed our strategies, went Keto and start intermittent fasting. He ended up losing weight, getting stronger, AND overcame the challenges of rheumatoid arthritis !
Heres how the fasting portion of it works:
As your body enters a fast period when there are no sources of glucose energy readily available, the liver begins the process of breaking down fat into ketones.
Fasting itself can trigger ketosis.
Fasting for a period of time before kicking off a Keto-friendly eating plan COULD speed your transition into the metabolic state of ketosis, and fasting intermittently while in ketosis could help you maintain that state.
I personally love fasting for the simplicity: I skip breakfast every day and train in a fasted state. Its one less decision I have to make, its one less opportunity to make a bad food choice, and it helps me reach my goals.
WHY KETO + IF WORKS = eating Keto can be really challenging. And every time you eat, its an opportunity to do it wrong and accidentally eat foods that knock you out of ketosis.
Youre also tempted to overeat.
Your value may vary!
You need to decide what works for you.
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Practical Tips To Safely Fast During Ramadan
Stay energized and healthy with these expert fasting tips.
The holy month of Ramadan is a special month of the year for Muslims around the world. This is a time when Muslims connect more deeply with their religion, reflect on themselves, and give back to their community.
There are different kinds of Muslims and different traditions within the religion. When it comes to Ramadan, fasting is a ritual shared by nearly all.
Fasting during Ramadan involves not eating food or drinking water between sunrise and sunset for the entire month.
Ramadan provides the reward of self-growth and the opportunity to learn more about our religion and ourselves. These spiritual rewards require hard work and dedication to praying, a commitment to charity, and willpower when fasting.
Muslims follow a calendar based on the motion of the moon. Every year, Ramadan falls 15 days earlier than the last. Depending on where you live in the world, the days may be short or long.
The month often begins with an optimistic energy, and practitioners may set many spiritual goals. However, it can be easy to falter as you try to maintain your health while fasting and balancing your regular day-to-day responsibilities.
Here are some practical tips and tricks to support a safe, successful fast during Ramadan.
Dont Skip Your Morning Meal
There are only two opportunities to eat during Ramadan: in the early morning before sunrise and after sunset in the evening .
The morning meal can be easy to skip, as its difficult to have an appetite so early in the morning.
However, Nazima Qureshi, RD, MPH and author of The Healthy Ramadan Guide, explains that its extremely important that you dont skip this meal. The food choices you make will affect your energy throughout the day.
A lot of times people will turn to simple carbohydrates for the morning meal, says Qureshi. But simple carbohydrates will not provide long-term energy.
Instead, she recommends eating whole grains paired with healthy fats and proteins as well as fruits and veggies. These include dishes such as:
- savory oatmeal
Theres also some evidence that staying hydrated lowers appetite. This is especially useful when you cant eat for the entire day!
But how do you stay hydrated when you cant drink water between sunrise and sunset?
Use the time before sunrise and after sunset as an opportunity to rehydrate and meet the recommended water intake. Keep a water bottle close throughout the night and drink whenever possible.
It can also be helpful to pay attention to the foods youre eating. While sweets during Ramadan can be very tempting, try to choose foods with high water content instead.
Qureshi recommends integrating water-filled fruits and vegetables into your evening meal, such as:
- strawberries
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When Does The Body Oxidize Fat During Fasting
As your intermittent fast progresses, its possible for fat oxidation to occur. This is when your body consumes fuel, especially during athletic pursuits. The fat becomes energy without the need for intermittent fasting. Instead, its all about your level of physical activity.
You can trigger fat oxidation during a fast, too, just that its not always necessary. According to a 2004 study in the journal Nutrition, exercise intensity and duration are important determinants of fat oxidation.
If your intensity of exercise hits an oxygen consumption rate of 59 to 64 percent as an athlete, your fat oxidation is maximized. Even an oxygen consumption rate of 47 to 52 percent should be okay for the general population.
The journal also notes that fat oxidation happens more with certain exercises than others, such as running and endurance training instead of cycling.
What about when youre fasting? Nutrition says this: Ingestion of carbohydrate in the hours before or on commencement of exercise reduces the rate of fat oxidation significantly compared with fasted conditions, whereas fasting longer than 6 h optimizes fat oxidation.
In other words, avoid carbohydrates, since theyre a source of glucose. Also, it takes six hours or more of consistent fasting to maximize the effectiveness of fat oxidation.
Are There Differences Between How Sunni Muslims And Shia Muslims Observe Ramadan
For the most part, no. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims fast during Ramadan. But there are some minor differences for instance, Sunnis break their daily fast at sunset, when the sun is no longer visible on the horizon , whereas Shia wait until the redness of the setting sun has completely vanished and the sky is totally dark.
Shia also celebrate an additional holiday within the month of Ramadan that Sunnis do not. For three days the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan Shia commemorate the martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed who was both the revered fourth caliph of Sunni Islam and the first “legitimate” imam of Shia Islam.
Ali was assassinated in the fierce civil wars that erupted following the death of Mohammed over who should lead the Muslim community in his stead. On the 19th day of the month of Ramadan, while Ali was worshipping at a mosque in Kufa, Iraq, an assassin from a group of rebels who opposed his leadership fatally struck him with a poisoned sword. Ali died two days later.
Ali is a hugely important figure in Shia Islam. His tomb in nearby Najaf, Iraq, is the third-holiest site in Shia Islam, and millions of Shia make a pilgrimage there every year. Although Sunnis revere Ali as one of the four “rightly guided” caliphs who ruled after Mohammed’s death, they do not commemorate his death or make a pilgrimage to his tomb.
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Should I Try Intermittent Fasting
Now that were through a lot of the science stuff, lets get into the reality of the situation: why should you consider Intermittent Fasting?
#1) Because it can work for your goals. Although we know that not all calories are created equal, caloric restriction plays a central role in weight loss.
When you fast, you are also making it easier to restrict your total caloric intake over the course of the week, which can lead to consistent weight loss and maintenance.
#2) Because it simplifies your day. Rather than having to prepare, pack, eat, and time your meals every 2-3 hours, you simply skip a meal or two and only worry about eating food in your eating window.
Its one less decision you have to make every day.
It could allow you to enjoy bigger portioned meals and STILL eat fewer calories on average.
#3) It requires less time . Rather than having to prepare or purchase three to six meals a day, you only need to prepare two meals.
Instead of stopping what youre doing six times a day to eat, you simply only have to stop to eat twice. Rather than having to do the dishes six times, you only have to do them twice.
Rather than having to purchase six meals a day, you only need to purchase two.
#4) It promotes stronger insulin sensitivity and increased growth hormone secretion, two keys for weight loss and muscle gain. Intermittent fasting helps you create a double whammy for weight loss and building a solid physique.
#6) Plus, Wolverine does it:
#7) Boy George is a fasting fan :
When Does Ramadan Start And Finish
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
It begins once the new crescent moon appears in the sky, and ends after 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon cycle. This means the dates vary around the world.
This year in the UK, Ramadan starts on Tuesday 13 April and ends on Wednesday 12 May.
The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a great feast at Eid al-Fitr.
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What Are The Benefits Of Fasting
Fasting can provide significant health benefits, for a variety of health issues, symptoms and conditions. Because fasting works to repair and heal on a cellular level, research suggests that it can help conditions like obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea, some types of cancer, Alzheimers disease, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, IBS and chronic or autoimmune conditions.
Fasting can help with the following:
- Stimulating growth hormones secretion by 1300%
- Triggering autophagy, ie. cleaning up of damaged cells
- Stem cells generation
- Normalizing ghrelin levels, aka the hunger hormone
- Reducing inflammation and lessen free radical damage
- Lowering triglyceride levels
- Boosting brain power by stimulating BDNF by 400%
- Supporting the treatment and prevention of cancer
Intermittent Fasting: Surprising Update
- By Monique Tello, MD, MPH, Contributor
Theres a ton of incredibly promising intermittent fasting research done on fat rats. They lose weight, their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars improve but theyre rats. Studies in humans, almost across the board, have shown that IF is safe and incredibly effective, but really no more effective than any other diet. In addition, many people find it difficult to fast.
But a growing body of research suggests that the timing of the fast is key, and can make IF a more realistic, sustainable, and effective approach for weight loss, as well as for diabetes prevention.
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