Worship

The Psychological Benefits of Fasting (Saum)

Published

August 11, 2010

Link to all Ramadan 2010 posts

Every vice in society stems from a lack of self-control. Whether it’s violence, addiction, gambling, infidelity or pre-marital sex – they are all a result of succumbing to desires. When a person does not have the strength in their character to withstand the numerous temptations and tackle his nafs (lower self) to the ground, then he will most definitely become a slave to those desires. As a prisoner of desires, a person feels completely powerless, lacking any ability to help themselves. In the extreme cases, these individuals become depressed, suicidal, bankrupt, imprisoned or in a midst of a scandal.

Since the root of all this evil is the inability to control oneself, then it would be of paramount importance to have training sessions for a whole society in order to strengthen their will power and avoid these destructive pitfalls that adversely affect everyone. Fortunately in the Muslim world there is such a training session during the blessed month of Ramadan. Every Muslim that fasts gets intensive exercise in withstanding many different kinds of temptations. The temptation to eat, drink, have relations or even get angry is overcome every day for a month which prepares us for the many arduous tests we face in life.

Aside from gaining will power and the ability to control desires, fasting instills within us a deep feeling of gratitude along with patience. Deprivation leads to appreciation. After a long day of fasting our sense of taste and smell are heightened. Each sip of water is like releasing a gushing, cool river in a dry, barren land and each morsel of food that is consumed is like feeding a person who has been stranded on a desert island with very little to eat, the most exquisite, scrumptious meal. It is what Gestalt therapy defines as being focused upon the individual’s experience in the present moment, being mindful and being in the here and now.

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In a world filled with immediate gratification, it is very healthy to learn how to delay the simple pleasures in life. Having the patience to withstand temptation and tolerating the delayed gratification are highly important elements in attaining personal maturity. We are trained patiently to wait for hundreds of things in life that take time and are delayed without a warning.

Firman and Vargiu remarked that fasting was a method of helping an individual move toward self-realization and reach for super conscious energies. In this respect, a period of fasting can trigger exceptional human performances, paranormal abilities, and altered states of consciousness. This explains how we are able to accomplish such lofty, spiritual endeavors during Ramadan although we are sleep deprived and abstaining from food with such zeal and contentment.

The euphoric state we experience while fasting can be classified as a spiritual catharsis which describes a purging that heals and restores the soul. It is the expelling, vacating and discharging of impurities within us to purify ourselves and reunite us with Allah. Fasting can be an extraordinarily transformative spiritual practice (Len Sperring). It provides the opportunity for releasing earthly ties, joining with the sacred and creating feelings of deep connectedness. Randi Fredricks stated that fasting has the innate power to change the individual, the community and ultimately the world.

When we reflect on the psychological implications of fasting (saum), then we are even more empowered to embrace the blessed month of Ramadan and soar to new heights of spirituality in hopes of strengthening, purifying and enlightening the soul.

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Related Topics:Benefits fasting Psychology ramadan Ramadan10

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Haleh Banani

Haleh Banani holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. A faith-based counselor, life coach, and mental health professional who has served the community since 1998 by saving hundreds of marriages and helping thousands of people around the world overcome their challenges and become the most amazing version of themselves. The host of "With Haleh" on Al-Fajr TV and was a featured expert on Al-Jazeera international and other media outlets. She is an international speaker and writer. https://halehbanani.com

19 Comments

Amad

August 11, 2010 at 4:16 AM

salam
jazakillahkhair Sr. Haleh,
i am sure it must be heart-warming for you to see your secular studies complement Islamic rituations in so many ways.

Reply
- Haleh
  
  August 13, 2010 at 12:45 PM
  
  Alhamdulillah …I am so grateful for studying psychology and sharing it with my brothers and sisters in Islam!
  
  Reply
Zakyya

August 11, 2010 at 4:19 AM

Assalamu Alaikum!Ramadan Kareem!

I love this article!Makes me feel more encouraged and gave my self esteem a good boost.Now I know that there’s more to look forward to this Ramadan Inshallah :)

Assalamu Alaikum.

Reply
- Haleh
  
  August 14, 2010 at 5:37 AM
  
  I am so glad that you got motivated. Enthusiasm
  is contagious so pass on your enthusiasm to friends
  and family to create a strong ripple effect inshaAllah!
  
  Reply
Pingback: The Psychological Benefits of Fasting « Care to Lend Me Your Ear?
Pingback: Ramadan a time for spirituality – Bristol Press | SpiritualMinute.org
Zyhaan

August 12, 2010 at 2:00 AM

Assalaamualaikum …..

What a brilliant article , may Allah reward you . In spired me to kerep my roza, even though it may seem seem difficult.

Allah U Akbar !!!

Zyhaan

Reply
- Haleh
  
  August 14, 2010 at 4:56 PM
  
  Alhamdulillah…It’s excellent when we obey Allah in doing acts of worship simply to obey (sama’na wa ata’na) we hear and we obey.
  When we are told about side benefits of the act of worship it somehow gives us a glimpse of the divine wisdom behind the ritual and we do the act of worship with more understanding and more zeal.
  
  Reply
Hira

August 12, 2010 at 3:34 AM

Excellent article subhanallah- makes you look at fasting from a unique angle.

Reply
Pingback: The Holy month of Ramadan and the Quran – Sri Lanka Guardian (blog) | SpiritualMinute.org
Sarah

August 12, 2010 at 6:13 PM

Masha’Allah! Excellent article! This really highlights an aspect of fasting that we do not commonly emphasize.

Reply
Abu Sa'ad

August 15, 2010 at 8:40 PM

A good article, mashAllah. It would be nice to cite some references, or give some background info’ (perhaps in the footnotes) regarding the names mentioned. Someone who’s interested could read more about them. For instance, I have no idea who Firman and Vargiu are!

Jazakallah khair Wa salaam.

Reply
- Haleh
  
  August 15, 2010 at 9:55 PM
  
  Your so right….I will definitely include the links next time insha’Allah.
  
  Reply
Zeina

August 17, 2010 at 6:49 AM

Salamu alaykom

Ramadan karim Haleh and jazzakom allah khairan; your article is very encouraging and gives us scientific proof of the advantages of saum ; now i have a powerful argument against people who beleive they don’t need to fast “”to feel with the poor”.

Reply
Sadaf Farooqi

August 17, 2010 at 9:28 AM

This post is proof that the number of comments under an article on MM in no way reflects its worth or quality.

A very lovely analysis of Ramadan fasting in the light of modern psychology, Haleh. Keep these great articles coming. I look forward to reading more of your work, insha’Allah!

Jazakillahu khair.

Reply
- Siraaj
  
  August 17, 2010 at 10:22 AM
  
  Actually, just look at the number of retweets and shares on facebook above, and you’ll see how well this article actually did.
  
  Siraaj
  
  Reply
- Haleh
  
  August 17, 2010 at 1:12 PM
  
  It’s gratifying to know that it’s been well received, Alhamdulillah.
  Thanks for your encouraging words Sadaf : )
  
  Reply
Hena

August 17, 2010 at 4:34 PM

Jazakillah Khair- Our Creator has commanded us to obey His Will by practicing rituals. There is infinite wisdom behind every command because He know us better than we know ourselves. Thank you for searching for that wisdom and sharing it with us.

Reply
Kareem

May 30, 2017 at 5:23 PM

What a great read! Thanks :)

Reply