RAMADAN Mubarak!
At the peak of the holy month celebration of Ramadan, I gave a message to my aspiring licensed professional teachers in Zamboanga. Inspired by my long admiration of Islam, and as a true advocate of tolerance, my message was posted in my social media and became viral to reach millions of views, with positive comments and shares in various platforms.
Muslims believe that Ramadan is the month when the first verse of the Quran holy book was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This year, Ramadan started on Feb. 18 (in Mecca, Saudi Arabia), which entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations during daylight hours to achieve greater “taqwa,” or consciousness of God.
This article pays tribute to the fascinating practice of the Muslim faith and tradition.
Islam in perspective
Islam is the youngest of the world’s large religions — Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam was founded by Muhammad the Prophet around 622 CE (Common Era), or about 1,401 years ago in Mecca. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world with an estimated 1.6 billion followers (23.4 percent of world population) in 2010. Islam is today’s fastest-growing religion, according to the Pew Research Center. If current trends continue, Muslims will make up 26.4 percent of the world’s total population of 8.3 billion in 2030. A majority (about 60 percent) of the world’s Muslims will continue to live in the Asia-Pacific region. Muslim populations tend to have higher fertility rates (more children per woman) than non-Muslim populations, and a large share of the Muslim population is in, or will soon enter, the prime reproductive years of 15 to 29 years old.
Out of the expected 2023 Philippine population of 117 million in the predominantly Christian Philippines, 6.01 percent is Muslim.
In appreciation of Islam, in my speech, I created an acronym borrowing ISLAM.
Impermanence and intelligence in Islam
“I” stands for impermanence, where “Dunya,” the world, is temporary. Such a reminder that we must not hold on to the material things in the world.
“I” also stands for intelligence, where Islam prescribes the pursuit of knowledge (Aql). The holy Quran contains many elements of science (Mitchell, 2022) as Muslims frequently describe science and their religion as related, rather than separate, concepts. Islam considers science as an essential prerequisite for human survival (Sandar).
Salah, sacrifice
Salah is the prayer in Islam, with so much discipline. Around the world, millions of Muslims pray — salat — five times daily, orienting their lives toward God, just as Muhammad did — standing, bowing, kneeling and prostrating the body before God and reciting Quranic passages. It is noteworthy that sitting down and standing up several times help in positively charging blood cells (Millikan and Fletcher). It increases flexibility, stretching the spinal cord and all its blood vessels, as well as joints, tendons and muscles. The positioning compresses the blood from the gastrointestinal tract to incite circulation. The lowering of the head allows gravity to circulate it to the head, sensory organs and the brain.
“S” also stands for sacrifice, just like in fasting during Ramadan.
Muslims perform a daily fast — sawm — during the daylight hours. Ramadan is a time of discipline for the spirit as well as the body, a time to cultivate patience and commitment, and a reminder of those who are hungry every day — underscoring the need for social justice. Ramadan is also a time of community solidarity, as meals and festivities are shared with family and friends after sunset.
Fasting could help metabolism renew itself, triggering a detoxification process. Fasting also helps the brain rest, leading to the release of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is crucial to the production of stem cells. These cells are the essential units of the body’s repair department with their potential to regenerate and repair damaged tissue.
Fasting can help the body fight conditions like oxidative stress, which can increase the possibility of cancer, slowing the speed of the spread of cancer cells. Fasting may enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy (Southern California University). During fasting, the body focuses on other areas like strengthening the immune system and diminishing the levels of infections.
The most important gain of fasting, according to empirical evidence, is weight loss. Fasting improves the digestive system forcing the body to use fat reserves and killing harmful toxins stored in fat deposits. There is also a decrease in levels of insulin — reducing fat.
The condition of the liver improves significantly as fasting decreases its fat. Fasting helps people lower LDL cholesterol and reduce excessive fatty tissue, decreasing the possibility of heart-related diseases and strokes. Fasting increases adiponectin hormone which is important both for protecting our heart health and keeping our glucose levels low.
Love for peace and parents
“Assalamu Alaykum” is the usual Muslim greeting, meaning “Peace be with you” — a proof that Islam is a religion that values peace. It is referred to as a religion of peace although the Muslims are typecast in movies and other portrayals in society for terrorism and crimes.
Muslims have great practice of respect for parents. The Quran is quoted as prescribing that paradise lies at the feet of the mother. Maryam, the Virgin Mary, is named and regarded well in the Quran as the mother of Isa, Jesus Christ.
Alhamdulillah
“Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God) is a Muslim expression that means gratitude and appreciation for blessings. The Quran assures that those who are grateful for blessings will increase blessings.
Mercy and modesty
Forgiveness, letting go and mercy are important teachings of Islam. It is greater than revenge. Modesty is translated that true greatness and strength lies in humility. It also protects a human from sins.
Halal meat is best
Halal meat is always best, according to science. Tazkiyah, which means purification. The Islamic mode of slaughtering an animal requires a sharp knife to minimize the pain. The blood has to be drained completely before the head is removed to drain out most of the blood which would serve as a culture medium for microorganisms. The spinal cord must not be cut because the nerve fibers to the heart could be damaged during the process causing cardiac arrest, stagnating the blood in the blood vessels.
That is why halal meat is much better and tastier. In Abrahamic religions, eating pig flesh is clearly forbidden by Jewish, Islamic and Adventist dietary laws. The pig is the only mammal that does not perspire, thus the sweat and toxins merge in the flesh. A pig’s meat holds twice as much fat as beef and carries about 30 diseases which can be easily passed to humans.
Scientific journals publish that the incidence of cancer in the Middle East is far lower than the reported figures from Western countries. Lower diabetes and atrial fibrillation rates among Muslims in Greece might account for their lower incidence of stroke. The prevalence of coronary heart disease is lowest among Muslims. And this could be attributed to many factors — including the yearly monthlong Ramadan.
Beyond embracing diversity and upholding tolerance is the science that could make us appreciate the Muslims’ practice of Islam not only as blind obedience but as enlightened wisdom called faith.
To all Muslims and everyone, Assalamualaikum! Shukran!
