Islam is a religion of peace and welfare. Islamic teaching not only guides us to the betterment of our soul but also of the body. Islam has prioritized the health of every being as a fundamental right. Hence, emphasize one’s well-being.
The Islamic teachings are a source of information for Muslims that we can relate to and incorporate into our daily lives. It helps us to be watchful of our spiritual, mental, and physical health. Therefore, we compiled some tips to take care of your health and fitness according to Islam.
Ultimate Cure for the Heart
Let us start this list with the most crucial thing, Salah. One of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims are obligated to follow. The praying of salah five times a day introduces a routine into our lives.
Other than aiding spiritual well-being, that is, cleaning the Heart from all the impurities and boosting our Imaan. Salah improves physical health, as well. The movements during the Salah increase blood flow toward the Heart. Hence, it is considered a good exercise for the Heart.
To make things easier and remind you about the times to pray, you can get the ‘Athan App’ by Islamic Finder. This app helps you build prayer habits and get reminders for Prayer and Azan times. It includes features such as;
- Dua
- Azkar
- Dhikr
- Reading the Holy Quran and
- Listening to the Holy Quran
Say No to Alcohol and Pork
Muslims refraining from alcohol and pork has to be a widely known fact. As technology advances and Science makes its way with research and studies, the harms caused by the ingestion of alcohol and pork; are confirmed by science.
According to a health education website, Livestrong.com, we have learned that consuming pork exposes our bodies to the risk of viruses and bacteria. It leads to vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and so on.
As for Alcohol, WebMD shares a medically reviewed opinion that Alcohol consumption leads to cardiovascular diseases and liver damage, as well as affecting your brain function.
Eat in Moderation
Food has more benefits when in portions. Islam emphasizes eating in moderation- not too little but not too much- such that the stomach should be 1/3 of food, 1/3 of liquid, and 1/3 empty for easy breathing. Too much eating causes weight gain, while too little eating may deprive you of necessary nutrition.
Science supports this approach. It states that this one-third rule helps to maintain healthy body weight and combat other disorders, such as binge eating and anxiety.
Chewing Properly
Islam advises chewing the food slowly to get complete nutrition and benefits from every meal. The stomach is a place for digestion and not for chewing. Hence, if you are not chewing a morsel enough, more energy is utilized from the intestines and stomach. People who eat in a hurry, preoccupied with other tasks eventually, develop dyspepsia.
Adequate Hydration
Avoid fizzy drinks and focus more on water. Drinking too much water in a short period may disturb the electrolyte balance in the body and cause dizziness and headaches.
But drinking water slowly and in three gulps helps the body to absorb fluid properly and keep healthy and hydrated. The latter way is also a Sunnah, that is, the teachings and practices of the Prophet SAW.
Dental Health
As we have said before, Islam spreads its teachings for the well-being of their follower. When talking about physical health, dental health is a crucial yet neglected aspect. Our Prophet Muhammad SAW used Miswak (which comes from the Arak tree) before and after bed.
He paid close attention to cleanliness and personal hygiene. Scientific studies show that people neglecting dental hygiene are more prone to the risk of heart disease.
Fasting
Apart from the religious obligations of fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan, it has countless other benefits to staying fit. It detoxifies the organs and body for better functioning and improves circulation. It helps in weight loss and obesity, improves immune function, and boosts metabolism and brain function. Intermittent fasting has become widely popular due to its advantages on health.
Active Lifestyle Is the Key
Some overlooked forms of exercise are a part of the five tenets of Islam, including Salah, the Hajj pilgrimage, and fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan. While the primary reason is spirituality, these acts also aid physical health.
Other than these, walking is encouraged in Islamic teachings. Islam emphasizes an active lifestyle and says that those who are strong physically will be more energetic in their faith.
A Good Night’s Rest
The Prophet SAW never deprived himself of sleep, nor did he oversleep. He used to sleep in the early part of the night and woke up at Fajr.
Science says that this ”early to rest and early to rise” phenomenon helps us maintain a healthy weight and avoid many grave diseases, including; diabetes and obesity. This routine also compels us to stay productive throughout the day.
Mental Health and Temperament
Islam puts forward the idea of acceptance. It recommends that we keep a peaceful mind and accept the changes that come with life to avoid anxiety, depression, or anger.
Anger not only has obstructive effects on our personality. But as bad as it is, it also weakens our immune system and increases the chances of a stroke. The Prophet SAW refers to a man as strong who can control their anger.
When someone restrains themselves from anger, they can control other aspects of life and expose themselves to great personality traits.
In Conclusion
Islam not only promotes spiritual development but also serves as a guideline for a healthy daily routine. Islam teaches the way to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The Prophet SAW shared many insights on how to lead a well-conditioned life.
Science today confirms that the Islamic understanding regarding health and fitness is spot on! We have shared a few tips hoping they could help you lead an active and wholesome lifestyle.
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Author Bio:
Dur-e-Sabih provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. Her educational background in Accountancy helps her in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development, finance, and digital marketing.
