Fast to be healthy

Fasting has its advantages from the point of view of health and hygiene. Islam wants a Muslim to be healthy, clean, alert, agile and energetic. "Fast to be healthy," had said the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). And physicians today acknowledge the many benefits of fasting that ensure health and the soundness of one's body and mind. Some of these positive points have a direct influence on psychology and physique of the fasting individual.

Fasting has been found to be an effective treatment for psychological and emotional disorders. It helps a person to firm up his will, cultivate and refine his taste and manners, strengthen his conviction of doing good, avoid controversy, petulance and rashness, which all contribute towards a sane and healthy personality. Besides nurturing resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance, fasting reflects on outward physical appearance by cutting out gluttony and getting rid of excess fat. The benefits of fasting on health do not stop there but are instrumental in alleviating a number of physical diseases, including those of the digestive systems, such as chronic stomachache, inflammation of the colon, liver diseases, indigestion, and conditions such as obesity, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, diphtheria and many other maladies.

A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: The advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times.

As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled diet.

Generally speaking, fasting hastens the destruction of the decaying tissues of the body by means of hunger, and then builds new tissues through nutrition. This is why some scientists suggest that fasting should be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. However, Islam exempts from fasting sick and old people whose health is bound to deter.

But fasting should have its regulations too, and not simply the in orderly skipping meals, that is bound to harm health and stamina, rather than improving them. Here again Islam provides the answer, and in order to realize the benefits of fasting, it recommends the late midnight meals called 'Sahar' (before the formal start of a fast) and the breaking of the fast at the time prescribed. Of course, to ensure good health one should abstain from gluttony after breaking fast.

Moderation: It is difficult to identify the moderation in the desires for food and sex because of the different needs and energies of individuals. Moderation of an individual may be considered as exaggeration or shortage for another. The relative moderation is to have only the quantity that is sufficient, away from greed and fill. The best criterion in this regard is that which was stated by Imam Ali (AS):

"Son! May I instruct you four words after which you will no longer need medicine? Do not eat unless you are hungry. Stop eating while you are still hungry. Chew food deliberately. Before sleeping, go to toilet. You will not need medicine if you follow."

In the holy Quran, there is a Verse gathering the whole matter of medicine. It is: "...Eat and drink but do not be excessive."

KALMA TAYYABA

99 NAMES OF ALLAH ALMIGHTY

99 NAMES OF ALLAH ALMIGHTY WITH MEANINGS

Allah		The Greatest Name
Ar-Rahman	1	The All-Compassionate
Ar-Rahim	2	The All-Merciful
Al-Malik	3	The Absolute Ruler
Al-Quddus	4	The Pure One
As-Salam	5	The Source of Peace
Al-Mu'min	6	The Inspirer of Faith
Al-Muhaymin	7	The Guardian
Al-'Aziz	8	The Victorious
Al-Jabbar	9	The Compeller
Al-Mutakabbir	10	The Greatest
Al-Khaliq	11	The Creator
Al-Bari'	12	The Maker of Order
Al-Musawwir	13	The Shaper of Beauty
Al-Ghaffar	14	The Forgiving
Al-Qahhar	15	The Subduer
Al-Wahhab	16	The Giver of All
Ar-Razzaq	17	The Sustainer
Al-Fattah	18	The Opener
Al-'Alim	19	The Knower of All
Al-Qabid	20	The Constrictor
Al-Basit	21	The Reliever
Al-Khafid	22	The Abaser
Ar-Rafi'	23	The Exalter
Al-Mu'izz	24	The Bestower of Honors
Al-Mudhill	25	The Humiliator
As-Sami	26	The Hearer of All
Al-Basir	27	The Seer of All
Al-Hakam	28	The Judge
Al-'Adl	29	The Just
Al-Latif	30	The Subtle One
Al-Khabir	31	The All-Aware
Al-Halim	32	The Forebearing
Al-'Azim	33	The Magnificent
Al-Ghafur	34	The Forgiver and Hider of Faults
Ash-Shakur	35	The Rewarder of Thankfulness
Al-'Ali	36	The Highest
Al-Kabir	37	The Greatest
Al-Hafiz	38	The Preserver
Al-Muqit	39	The Nourisher
Al-Hasib	40	The Accounter
Al-Jalil	41	The Mighty
Al-Karim	42	The Generous
Ar-Raqib	43	The Watchful One
Al-Mujib	44	The Responder to Prayer
Al-Wasi'	45	The All-Comprehending
Al-Hakim	46	The Perfectly Wise
Al-Wadud	47	The Loving One
Al-Majíd	48	The Majestic One
Al-Ba'ith	49	The Resurrector
Ash-Shahid	50	The Witness
Al-h Haqq	51	The Truth
Al-Wakil	52	The Trustee
Al-Qawi	53	The Possessor of All Strength
Al-Matin	54	The Forceful One
Al-Wáli	55	The Governor
Al-Hamid	56	The Praised One
Al-Muhsi	57	The Appraiser
Al-Mubdi	58	The Originator
Al-Mu'id	59	The Restorer
Al-Muhyi	60	The Giver of Life
Al-Mumit	61	The Taker of Life
Al-Hayy	62	The Ever Living One
Al-Qayyum	63	The Self-Existing One
Al-Wajid	64	The Finder
Al-Májid	65	The Glorious
Al-Wahid	66	The Only One
Al-Ahad	67	The One
As-Samad	68	The Satisfier of All Needs
Al-Qadir	69	The All Powerful
Al-Muqtadir	70	The Creator of All Power
Al-Muqaddim	71	The Expediter
Al-Mu'akhkhir	72	The Delayer
Al-Awwal	73	The First
Al-Akhir	74	The Last
Az-Zahir	75	The Manifest One
Al-Batin	76	The Hidden One
Al-Walí	77	The Protecting Friend
Al-Muta'ali	78	The Supreme One
Al-Barr	79	The Doer of Good
At-Tawwib	80	The Guide to Repentance
Al-Muntaqim	81	The Avenger
Al-Afu	82	The Forgiver
Ar-Ra'uf	83	The Clement
Malik al-Mulk	84	The Owner of All
Dhul-Jalali Wal-Ikram	85	The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
Al-Muqsit	86	The Equitable One
Al-Jami	87	The Gatherer
Al-Ghani	88	The Rich One
Al-Mughni	89	The Enricher
Al-Mani'	90	The Preventer of Harm
Ad-Darr	91	The Creator of The Harmful
An-Nafi	92	The Creator of Good
An-Nur	93	The Light
Al-Hadi	94	The Guide
Al-Badi	95	The Originator
Al-Baqi	96	The Everlasting One
Al-Warith	97	The Inheritor of All
Ar-Rashid	98	The Righteous Teacher
As-Sabur	99	The Patient One

The Purpose of the Creation of Human Beings?

• We did not create the heaven and the earth and all that is between them inplay.
  
• If We had wished to find pastime, We could have found it in Our Presence -if ever We did.
  
• I have not created jinn nor men except to worship Me.
  
• I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask them to feed Me.
  
• Behold! Allah is He Who gives livelihood, the Lord of Unbreakable Might.
  

Allah, The Creator Subjected the Universe to Human Control

• And the cattle He has created for you. Fromthem you have warm clothing and uses, and whereof you eat.
  
• And wherein is beauty for you, when youbring them home, and when you take them out to pasture.
  
• And they carry your loads unto a land youcould not reach except with souls distressed. Behold! Your Lord is indeed MostKind, Most Merciful.
  
• And (He has created) horses and mules anddonkeys that you may ride them, and for ornament. And He creates that which youknow not.
  
• And depend on Allah for direction to theStraight Path, but some (paths) go not straight: And had He willed He would haveled you all aright (by His Guidance).
  
• Allah is He Who sends down water from thesky, from it you have drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation with which youfeed your cattle.
  
• Therewith He causes crops to grow for you,and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and fruits of all kinds. Behold!Herein is indeed a sign for people who reflect.
  
• And He has constrained the night and theday and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you, and the stars are madesubservient by His command. Behold! Herein indeed are signs for people who havesense.
  
• And whatsoever He has created for you inthe earth of diverse hues, Behold! Therein is indeed a sign for people who takeheed.
  
• And Allah is He Who has constrained thesea to be of service that you eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, andbring forth from it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships plowing therein,that you (mankind) may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful.
  
• And He has cast into the earth firm hillsthat it quakes not with you, and streams and roads that you may find your way.
  
• And landmarks (too), and by the stars theyfind their ways.
  
• Is He then Who creates like one who doesnot create? Will you not then remember?
  
• And if you try to count the favors ofAllah you cannot number them. Behold! Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving, MostMerciful.
  (16:5-18)
  
• Allah has given you in your houses andabode, and has given you (also), of the hides of cattle, houses which you findlight (to carry) on the day of migration and on the day of pitching camp; and oftheir wool and their fur and their hair, caparison and comfort (to serve you)for a time.
  
• And Allah has given you, of that which Hehas created, shelter from the sun; and has given you places of refuge in themountains, and has given you coats with which to ward off the heat, and coats(of armor) to save you from your own foolhardiness. Thus He perfects His favorunto you, in order that you may surrender (unto Him).
  
• But if they turn away, your duty is onlyto preach the Clear Message.
  
• They (the unbelievers) know the favor ofAllah but then deny it. Most of them are ingrates.
  
  
• Allah is He Who appointed the sun asplendor and the moon a light, and measured for it stages, that you might knowthe number of the years, and the count (of time). Allah did not create (all)that but in Truth. He details the revelations for people who have knowledge.
  
• Behold! In the difference of day and nightand all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are portents, forthose who fear Him.
  
• Will they not look at the camels, how theyare created?
  
• And the heavens, how it is raised?
  
• And the hills, how they are fixed firms?
  
• And the earth, how it is spread out?
  
• Remind them, for you are not but a reminder.

Signs in the Other Creatures

• Behold! In the cattle there is a lessonfor you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betweenthe refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.
  
• And of the fruits of the date-palm, andgrapes, you derive strong drink and (also) good food. Behold! Therein is indeeda sign for people who have sense.
  
• And the Lord inspired the (female) bee:"Choose your habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that whichthey (humans) dwell."
  
• "Then eat of all fruits, and followthe paths of your Lord (which were) made smooth". There comes forth fromtheir bellies a drink of diverse hues (honey), and wherein is healing formankind. Behold! Herein is indeed a sign for people who give thought.
  
• And We have placed therein gardens of thedate-palm and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein.
  
• That they may eat of the fruit thereof,which their hands did not make. Will they not, then, give thanks?
  
• Glory be to Him Who created all the pairsof that which the earth grows, and of themselves, and of that which they knownot!
  
• And a reminder for them is night. We stripit of the day, and behold! They are in darkness.
  
• And the sun runs on unto a resting-place(orbit) for it. That is the measuring of the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
  
• And for the moon We have appointedmansions until it returns like an old shriveled palm-leaf.
  
• It is not permitted that the sun catch upto the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day: All float in an orbit.
  
• And a reminder for them is that We beartheir offspring in laden ship,
  
• And We have created for them similar onwhich they ride.
  
• And if We will, We drown them, and thereis no help for them, neither can they be saved.
  
• Unless by mercy from Us and as comfort fora while.
  
• When they are told: Fear that which isbefore you and that which is behind you, that you may find mercy (they areheedless).
  
• Never did a sign come to them (theunbelievers) of the signs of their Lord, but they did turn away from it!