Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

A healthy person is an asset in the society. Fasting is advantageous from the viewpoint of health and hygiene. Medical science has acknowledged many benefits of fasting. Firstly, it is an effective treatment for psychological disorders by strengthening one's conviction of welfare activities.

Nurturing resistance to face hardship offers a good physique.

From the viewpoint of health and hygiene, fasting has positive effect. A sound body is helpful to spiritual attainment. Fasting contributes to 'sound mind in a sound body.'

Medical scientists have acknowledged the benefits of fasting. According to their observation, it ensures soundness of both body and mind. Some of them said that it is an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that the advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed ingesting medicine several times.

Dr. Cleave stressed, "Fasting does not produce organic disease." (Peptic ulcer, Dr Cleave, P.93) According to his observation and research, the Muslims are less affected by peptic ulcer.

In the book 'Scientific indications in the Holy Quran' published by the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, the researchers have commented: "Allah clearly declares that fasting in Ramzan is good for mankind" t "There is slow, harmless and mild loss of weight in 80% of fasting subjects. The loss of bodyweight may be useful as a therapeutic method to treat the patients for obesity (over weight)."

They also said that fasting has positive effect on abnormal gastric acidity and peptic ulcer. They added: "Incidence of peptic ulcer is much less in Muslim majority countries" t "This may be due to regular Ramzan fasting and absence of alcohol in their diets."

Fasting nurtures resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance. It contributes to cutting out gluttony and getting rid of excess fat and reflects on outward physical appearance.

Fasting is instrumental in alleviating physical diseases in digestive system -chronic stomach ache, inflammation of the colon, indigestion, liver diseases and conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, diphtheria, obesity, arteriosclerosis. Fasting hastens the destruction of the decaying tissues by hunger and builds new tissues through nutrition.

Physically fasting has proved to be very much positive to contribute to cure diseases.