I am not a muslim and i am thinking of fasting this ramadan month?

Question

I was wondering is it allowed? or any advice you wanna give me

Answer 1

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 s*x 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." (7:31)

The important thing in fasting is how to be close to God. If you want to be close to someone, you have to build a relationship."

And a healthy relationship with food, she says, is just one way to keep physically and spiritually fit.

Answer 2

fasting in islam is meant for muslims, if you wish to fast, and you feel you want to devote yourself to god, then yes, sure go ahead and get closer, a word of advice, if wanting to fast, why don't you make a wise choice and become a muslim 1st, no pressure, you don't have to, it's more better, because fasting is something muslims do to get closer to their lord and feel the pain of those less fortunate, it's the month of giving.

think through before you make your decision i would say

Answer 3

It's allowed, in that you are free to do so.  It's not a bad idea to try out the customs of other religions to better understand them.

I wouldn't advertise that you're doing it any more than you need to, though, because devout muslims may find it offensive.  Also, you may get some irritating questions from random others.

Long story short, do it for yourself and for your spiritual education.

Answer 4

More BBQ for me. I can understand wanting to do something new, I just cannot see doing this without being a Muslim.

Answer 5

You can fast if you like.

There is no law against it.

But medical research has shown that fasting - even for quite short periods - is injurious to health. It also causes the body to add fat cells, which makes you more prone to future weight gain.

Of course, the choice is yours.

Answer 6

Well, if you want to, you can fast whenever you want. I'm sure there won't be angry Muslims hunting you down.