Fasting can be challenging and uncomfortable, but at the same time, it comes with many benefits.
It has health, mental, physical, and spiritual benefits.
Many people from all over the world fast for different reasons.
Some people fast for religious purposes, whereas others fast to get mentally and physically fit.
In this post, we’ve shared the benefits of fasting.
After reading all the benefits you’ll surely get motivated to fast.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Fasting in Islam
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me, and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).
Muslims observe fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan.
Every healthy adult Muslim must fast during this month. Not doing so will result in punishment from Allah (SWT).
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” (Qur’an, 2:185)
There are many health benefits as well as religious and spiritual benefits of fasting.
Those who fast with sincerity for the sake of Allah (SWT) will be rewarded with paradise.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Besides this obligatory fasting of Ramadan, Muslims also fast on other days of the year.
Some specific days recommended in Ahadith and Qur’an for fasting may help gain more benefits and rewards from Allah (SWT).
a) Six days of Shawwal
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” [Muslim].
b) Mondays and Thursdays
Aishah, RadhiAllahu Anha, narrated:
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays” [Tirmidhi, Nasai, and Ibn Majah].
c) Fridays
Friday is the most blessed day of the week for Muslims.
Every good deed done on Friday is multiplied in reward.
But if you want to fast on Friday, combine it with Thursday or Saturday.
Narrated Abu Huraira, Radhi Allahu Anhu:
I heard the Prophet (SAW), say:
“None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it” [Bukhari].
d) The white days
The white days are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every month, according to the lunar calendar. They are also called Ayyam Al-Beed.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“It is sufficient for you to fast three days every month, because for every good deed you will have (the reward of) ten like it, so that will be like fasting for a lifetime” [Bukhari and Muslim].
e) 10th of Muharram
The Day of Ashura is the 10th of Muharram. This is one of the most recommended days to fast.
Ibn Abbas, Radhi Allahu Anhuma, was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, where upon he said:
“I do not know Allah’s Messenger (SAW), singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan” [Muslim].
f) Day of Arafah
9th of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafah.
Abu Qatadah, Radhi Allahu Anhu, reported:
The Messenger of Allah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, was asked about the observance of fasting on the day of Arafah. He said, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year” [Muslim].
Now let’s discuss some benefits of fasting in Islam:
a) Increases Taqwa
The person who fasts for the sake of Allah (SWT) increases in Taqwa.
He becomes aware of Allah (SWT) and His oneness.
He tries to do all the good deeds and keeps himself away from all the evil.
b) Fetches greater rewards
The significance and value of fasting are so great in Islam that the person who fasts is rewarded with paradise.
He also gains many benefits in this life and the hereafter as his reward for fasting.
Fasting is also a way to attain the closeness of Allah (SWT).
c) Path to paradise
There is a gate to paradise named as Ar-Rayyan.
Those who fast with sincerity of their hearts for the sake of Allah (SWT) will enter heaven from this gate.
d) Prevention from hellfire
Fasting will help in getting away from the hellfire for Muslims.
Health and Physical Benefits of Fasting
Besides all the other benefits of fasting, it has many health and physical benefits.
Let’s discuss some of these down below:
a) Blood sugar management
Fasting improves blood sugar control. This helps in lowering the risk of diabetes.
b) Disease Prevention
Fasting helps in the prevention of diseases, including heart issues.
Chronic inflammation can also be healed by fasting.
Keeping your body resting from eating and drinking helps the body focus on self-healing.
c Improvement in brain function
Studies show that fasting helps in the production of new nerve cells.
It also helps increase brain health and protects it from any damage.
d) Cholesterol control
When your body gets to rest from constant eating, this makes the body healthier.
Fasting may help in reducing cholesterol levels.
e) Better metabolism
Fasting helps in making the body’s metabolism better.
f) Delays ageing
Studies show that fasting helps in delaying the process of ageing.
g) Weight loss
Fasting helps significantly in weight loss.
It helps control weight and burn extra fats, which results in maintaining proper weight.
h) Immune system
The immune system boosts when a person fasts regularly.
Moral benefits of fasting
Fasting helps to become a better person morally. It’s helps you have more self control.
Let’s see some more moral benefits of fasting:
The person who fasts keeps himself away from all immoral acts.
The discipline a fasting person follows during his fast makes him overall more disciplined in his life.
A fasting person tries to be more punctual in his prayers. This practice makes him more punctual in other matters of life too.
A fasting person tries to refrain from all evil deeds.
A sense of unity and brotherhood is developed in the heart of a fasting person for his fellow Muslims.
A fasting person practices eating moderately as told by our Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
When the holy month of Ramadan starts, it brings many changes for the person who fasts. His routine changes, as well as his personality after he adopts those changes. This helps the person prepare for all the radical changes that come in life.
Wealthy people realize the value of their lavish lifestyles. They recognize how difficult it is for poor people who don’t have any food and other necessities of life. So this way, rich people tend to donate more and do more charity.
People tend to become more kind towards others while fasting. So this practice makes them kind throughout the rest of the year.
Spiritual Benefits of Fasting
Here are some of the spiritual benefits of fasting as highlighted by Imam Ghazali.
a) Your nafs gets weak
The person who fasts and refrains himself from eating and drinking throughout the day, his nafs gets weak.
Nafs is responsible for encouraging a person toward all evil and sinful desires.
Fasting weakens the ability to sin by making your nafs weak.
b) Soul strengthens
Fasting makes your soul strong by weakening the nafs.
When a person fasts for the sake of Allah (SWT), he battles his nafs. Hence, this strengthens his soul.
It brings you closer to your thoughts and emotions.
The person who fasts may be disturbed by the hunger and thirst he may feel, but he achieves a sense of serenity and peace. These calm emotions bring him closer to Allah (SWT).
c) Getting rid of worldly desires
Apart from eating and drinking, a fasting person refrains from all immoral activities and evil acts.
He gets rid of all worldly desires and the love of this Dunya.
This helps him stay away from immoral and evil acts on normal days (when he’s not fasting).
Social benefits of fasting
Fasting strengthens social ties. Muslims try to offer iftar to other Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:
“Whoever gives Iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” [Ibn Majah]
Fasting increases sympathy for poor people. Rich people try to do charity as much as they can when they fast to gain more rewards.
They feel grateful to Allah (SWT) for all the favours given to them. They feel for the poor and try to help them.
Let’s see some more social benefits of fasting:
- Fasting enhances the solidarity spirit.
- Fasting develops harmony and unity among Muslims.
- A sense of empathy invokes due to fasting.
- When people fast together, it becomes easy for them to socialize with each other and become friends.
- When a Muslim fasts for the sake of Allah (SWT), he becomes aware of the principle of sincere love.
- A sense of hope and optimism is developed among people when they fast.
- Fasting teaches the qualities of selflessness and patience in society.
- People learn self-control.
- People refrain from harming others physically and verbally.
- A sense of brotherhood is developed among people who fast.
- People who fast become dignified.
- Families come closer at the time of breaking the fast.
- People improve their behaviours and try to become closer to Allah (SWT).
Economic benefits of fasting
Fasting also offers many economic benefits to an individual as well as society as a whole.
Rich people spend very generously on the poor on fasting days.
Due to the rise in charity, there’s a good circulation of money in society.
Wealth gets distributed evenly among rich and poor people.
The demand for fruits increases during Ramadan, so these businesses can earn more.
People also spend money to buy clothes, shoes and other items for Eid. This also helps in the flow of money.
At the end of Ramadan, people go to their native towns to celebrate Eid with their relatives. This helps transporters earn more money.
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting comes with lots of benefits.
Some of them are mentioned below:
- It facilitates positive changes in the function of hormones, cells, and genes.
- Intermittent fasting helps in losing weight.
- The risk of type 2 diabetes lowers because of intermittent fasting.
- Reduces inflammation in the body.
- Oxidative stress also gets reduced.
- It’s good for heart health.
- This type of fasting helps in the prevention of cancer.
- Intermittent fasting is very beneficial for your brain health.
- It protects us against diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Studies prove that it may also help you live longer.
- It is very beneficial for lowering blood pressure.
- Cholesterol levels keep in control by this type of fasting.
- Intermittent fasting also provides you with a better night’s sleep.
Benefits of 24 hours fast once a week
A fast in which you don’t eat anything for 24 hours also has multiple health and other benefits.
Let’s see some of the benefits below.
a) Fat loss
Twenty-four hours of fasting helps lose fats because when you stay hungry for an extended period, your body starts using fat stores for energy.
Also, the intake of calories is less than the calories you are burning.
b) Blood sugar management
It helps control blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
c) Easy schedule
This type of fasting is simple to follow.
You eat your last meal and start fasting.
And you break your fast at the same time, the next day. There’s no calculation needed for time.
d) Fights inflammation
Twenty-four hours of fasting helps fight chronic inflammation.
It also helps to cure other health issues and other chronic diseases.
e) Boosts immune system
This type of fasting helps in boosting your immune system.
f) Good for brain health
It protects against brain disorders and helps in improving your brain health.
g) Improvement in heart health
Such fasting improves your heart health and makes it work more efficiently.
It also helps in resolving cholesterol issues.
h) You live longer
By eliminating most of the diseases from your body, 24 hours of fasting helps you to live longer.
Benefits of Water Fasting
Like all the other kinds of fasting, water fasting also has multiple benefits for our bodies. But before water fasting, you should consult your doctor first.
- It helps in providing oxygen to all the organs.
- It helps in cleaning the kidneys.
- Muscles and joints get protected if you water fast.
- More healthy skin is seen after water fasting.
- It helps in absorbing the right kind of nutrients.
- It helps in autophagy. In this process, your cells’ old parts are broken down for recycling.
- It helps in lowering blood pressure.
- Several chronic diseases are cured by water fasting.
- Water fasting is good for your heart health.
- It controls your weight.
- It helps in controlling cholesterol too.
- Water fasting is good for your heart health.
- It regulates leptin sensitivity.
- Water fasting improves insulin.
Benefits of dry fasting
Like water fasting, dry fasting also has many benefits which cannot be neglected. But before dry fasting, you should consult your doctor first.
- If you face regular sugar and caffeine cravings, you must dry fast. It is beneficial in controlling your cravings.
- The energy level gets high if you dry fast.
- Dry fasting is very beneficial for skin and hair issues. They get cured themselves.
- It lowers the inflammation level.
- People who dry fast tend to focus more and improve their concentration level.
- You get to train your body for a cycle of meals at regular intervals. This helps in maintaining a proper diet routine.
- Dry fasting is also very beneficial for patients with arthritis.
- Immune functions get enhanced.
- It is beneficial in losing weight.
- Dry fasting protects your brain functions.
- Dry fasting helps in preventing diabetes.
- The risk of heart disease gets reduced if you dry fast regularly.
Benefits of 12-hour fasting
12-hour fasting is a type of intermittent fasting where you have a 12-hour eating window while you fast for 12 hours.
12-hour fasting has many benefits, such as:
- Weight loss
- Body’s Detoxification
- Helps to live longer
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces bloating
- Improves immune system
- Reduces the risk of diabetes
- Controls blood pressure
- Reduces the risk of heart diseases
- Makes you more active and focused