Collection: Fasting

Modern Scientific Discovery:

In recent years, scientific studies have confirmed that fasting provides numerous health benefits, including:

🔬 Key Scientific Facts:

• Weight Loss & Metabolism Boost → Fasting helps the body burn fat efficiently by switching to stored energy.
• Improved Insulin Sensitivity → Fasting reduces insulin resistance, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Cellular Repair & Longevity → Fasting triggers a process called autophagy, where the body removes damaged cells and regenerates new ones.
• Reduced Inflammation → Scientific research shows that fasting lowers inflammatory markers, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
• Brain Health & Clarity → Fasting increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports cognitive function and reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

These health benefits were discovered through modern medical research, yet the Qur’ān encouraged fasting over 1400 years ago, stating that "it is better for you if you only knew."

Qur’ānic Revelation:

📖 Verse on Fasting & Its Benefits
أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍۢ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

"Fasting is for a fixed number of days. But if one of you is sick, or on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast), there is a redemption: feeding a needy person for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, it is better for him. And that you should fast is better for you, if you only knew."
📖 (Qur’ān 2:184)

Scientific Explanation:

The Qur’ān highlights fasting as something beneficial, and modern science has now confirmed multiple physical and mental health benefits associated with it.

✅ "That you should fast is better for you" → This aligns with the scientific benefits of fasting, such as improved metabolism, reduced risk of diseases, and mental clarity.
✅ Allows exceptions for illness & travel → Science acknowledges that fasting should be avoided in certain medical conditions, which is exactly what the Qur’ān states.
✅ Encourages self-discipline & charity → Fasting develops self-control and empathy, which is now supported by psychological studies on self-restraint and compassion.

At the time of revelation, the medical benefits of fasting were unknown, but the Qur’ān already prescribed it as something beneficial—knowledge that modern science has only recently validated.

Conclusion:

The scientific benefits of fasting were discovered centuries after the Qur’ān was revealed, yet the Qur’ān already stated that fasting is good for human health. This verse serves as yet another clear example of divine knowledge, proving that Islamic teachings align with modern medical science.