Rayan
Jamshaid 24L-0699 BCS-2E
A Scientific Approach to Islamic
Worships
Islam is a complete code of life, revealed by Allah Almighty
on the Holy Prophet(PBUH). When we say that it is a perfect religion for this
life and hereafter, its worships and teachings being not only beneficial for
the next life but also are beneficial in this life.
Islamic Worships:
Islamic
worships are specific acts (or a set of acts) that are made compulsory on
muslims to succeed. These worships are a means of sawab (reward) for success on
the day of judgment and pleasing Allah Almighty. In addition, contrasting to
worships in other religions, Islamic worships have worldly benefits too, which
are being proved now-a-days using science. These worships majorly include
Namaz( prayer), Roza (fast), Zakat (alms), Hajj (Pilgrimage), along with other
worships like Zikar (recitation of Holy Quran, Tasbeeh), Holy War,
Amar-bil-Maroof wa Nahi Anil-Munkir (preaching goodness and stopping people
from evil).
Islam itself invites
people to research on this universe, and a scientific approach helps us to
understand that how the religion islam is perfect in all eras and for all
aspects of life.
Namaz:
Salah
(Prayer) is one of the Five Pillars in the faith
of Islam and an obligatory religious duty for every Muslim. It is a
physical, mental, and spiritual act of devotion. In namaz, a person first stands-up,
bows, straighten, goes to sajda, and completes while sitting in the prayer
platform. At the time of each posture, the person recites certain sections, phrases
and prayers. Many postures and acts of namaz are similar to the modern physical
bodily excercises and other traditional excercises which are renowned all over
the world. E.g. Yoga. Many physicists all over the world has announced namaz to
be the best physical exercise for persons of all ages.
Neurological benefits:
“Many scientific studies are done on belief
and worshiping approaches. A team of scholars from Malaysia recently answered
this query by learning how Muslim prayer affects alpha waves in the brain, and
their results show a profound connection between mind and body. The study was
completed using brain scanning technology, such as magnetic-resonance imaging
and electroencephalograms (EEG), to know how the brain responds to spiritual or
divine practice. During the study, the researchers studied brain waves at variety
of postures with and without vocal prayers. To learn more into this and
understand how these different postures mark brain waves, they fitted the
helpers with EEG monitors around the frontal, central, temporal, parietal, and
occipital regions and told the volunteers to complete a series of prayer cycle.
Consequently, they found substantial increases in alpha movement in volunteers’
parietal and occipital.” (reference given)
The rhythmic nature of recitation during prayer also
stimulates specific areas of the brain responsible for language processing and
memory retention.
Physical Health Benefits:
Namaz serves as a form of low-impact exercise. The
repetitive movements involved in prayer enhance flexibility, improve posture,
and strengthen muscles. For example:
- Standing
Posture: Improves balance and engages core muscles.
- Bowing
(Ruku): Stretches the lower back and hamstrings, promoting spinal health.
- Prostration
(Sujood): Increases blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function
and reducing fatigue.
- Sitting
Posture: Strengthens pelvic muscles and improves joint mobility.
Psychological Impact:
Namaz fosters mindfulness and
self-discipline. By setting aside specific times for prayer throughout the day,
individuals develop a structured routine that enhances productivity and reduces
procrastination. Moreover, the act of submitting oneself to Allah cultivates
humility and gratitude, which are essential for emotional resilience.
Fasting:
Autophagy and Cellular Rejuvenation
Fasting starts a process called
autophagy. It’s like a clean-up for your cells. This helps prevent diseases and
can make you live longer. During Ramadan, your body gets to fix and refresh
itself at a deep level.
Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology
or Medicine for his discoveries related to autophagy, a process where cells
degrade and recycle their components. This mechanism is crucial for cellular
maintenance and has implications in various diseases, including cancer. Moreover, fasting induces SUMO2‐
and/or SUMO3‐mediated REV1 alteration, resulting in enhanced p53‐mediated
transcription of pro‐apoptotic genes and, eventually, death of cancerous cells.
Metabolic Reset
Ramadan fasting can also reset your
metabolism. Research shows it makes your body better at handling sugar. This
can lower your risk of diabetes and help you manage energy better. To fulfill
the body's fuel demands during fasting, metabolic stress causes insulin levels
to drop and glucagon levels to rise, increasing the breakdown of liver glycogen
reserves (into glucose) and triglycerides (into glycerol and free fatty acids).
As a result, in the long run, fasting benefits the brain, muscle, liver, and
adipose tissue through various biological mechanisms
Weight Management and Body Composition
Many people see positive changes in their bodies during
Ramadan. They often lose weight and have less body fat. A study in the Annals
of Nutrition Metabolism found that fasting during Ramadan can make your body
composition better.
- Clearer
skin
- Improved
digestion
- Better
cardiovascular health
- Reduced
systemic inflammation
These health benefits match Islamic teachings on caring for
your body.
Mental Clarity and Emotional Stability:
Fasting has profound effects on
mental health. The absence of constant food consumption reduces cortisol
levels, alleviating stress and anxiety. Moreover, the practice of
self-restraint during fasting strengthens willpower, which translates into
better decision-making and emotional regulation in daily life.
Zakat:
Today is an era of global village,
where every country’s status is defined by its economy. The modern society has
given rise to materialistic lifestyle where every person runs after money. The
modern era has given rise to complex economic structure, where taxes are used
on warfare, and different tactics are used to rob the poor, and this process is
making the illegitimate rich people more rich. In this era, zakat can become
the ultimate saviour of mankind to make the system right again. Where todays
governments lack funds for orphanages, old homes and shelters, the banks
crumble people by their heavy interest rates. Zakat is considered by the most
intellectual economists of the new era to be the best way of economy.
Many first world countries like Denmark have
Umar law, which states that all the expenses of a children, widows and old are
the responsibility of the state. During the reign of the second caliph, Hazrat
Umar (RA), the fund of the poor, orphans, widows and the elder was fulfilled by
Baitul-Maal, which was based on Zakat. This system of Zakat was formed by Holy
Prophet (SAW) on the rules of Islam, and was afterwards protected by the first
caliph Hazrat Abubakar (RA).
During this day, where the old and hungry exists (poor
countries like Pakistan, in our surroundings). The other rightfuls of Zakat can
be found by understanding the sense and soul of zakat.
1.
The zakat can be used to free people. If we
think in broader terms, Zakat can be used to stop worldwide war like that of
Palestine with Israel and Kashmir.
2.
Zakat can be used to run orphanages, to help
widows, to give opportunities to the poor to earn and get a sustainable living.
3.
For the education of children. In parts of world
or our country where literacy rate is low.
4.
To pay the debt and end the system of interest.
(like Islamic banking)
5.
To help the refugees of other areas, like people
who are victims of some natural disaster in current era.
Hajj:
Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah,
is a profound spiritual experience that unites millions of Muslims from diverse
backgrounds. While it is primarily a religious obligation, Hajj also offers
several scientific and psychological benefits.
Physical Labour and Health:
The physical demands of Hajj,
including walking long distances, climbing hills, and performing rituals under
varying weather conditions, provide excellent cardiovascular exercise. Muslims
feel increased stamina and improved fitness levels after completing the
pilgrimage.For instance, the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba) and Sa'i
(walking between Safa and Marwa) involve continuous movement, which strengthens
leg muscles and improves circulation. These activities are particularly
beneficial for older adults, as they help maintain mobility and prevent
age-related muscle degeneration.
Stress Reduction and Emotional Healing:
Hajj fosters a sense of community
and belonging, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression. The
collective prayers and Ibaadat (all acts like sacrifice and tawaf) create a
meditative environment that promotes emotional healing and stress reduction.
Studies suggest that engaging in communal religious activities enhances
oxytocin production, a hormone associated with bonding and well-being.
Moreover, the simplicity and
humility required during Hajj encourage self-reflection. Pilgrims shed
materialistic attachments and focus on their relationship with Allah, leading
to greater inner peace and contentment.
Cognitive and Behavioral Transformation:
The structured nature of Hajj
instills discipline and patience. Pilgrims must adhere to strict schedules and
protocols, which can improve time management skills and decision-making
abilities. Moreover, the experience of humility and gratitude gained during
Hajj often translates into lasting behavioral changes, such as increased
empathy and generosity.
Hajj also serves as a platform for
cultural exchange and mutual understanding. By interacting with people from
different countries and backgrounds, pilgrims develop a broader perspective on
global issues and appreciate the diversity within the Muslim ummah.
Zikar:
Overview of the Rhythmic Quranic Verse and Its Aesthetic
The Quran is considered a rhythmic
text when being recited due to the rhyming system, which comes from the
arrangement and combination of words and alphabets that are distinctive and
unique, which cannot be found in any other Arabic literature.
Neuronal Basis of the Relaxing and Pleasing Response to
Listening to the Quranic Verses
Several studies on the Quran have
focused on the effects of listening to and/or reciting the Quranic verses on
brain signals, particularly in terms of promoting relaxation or meditation. The
specific signal often investigated for Quran recitation is usually the alpha
brainwaves, which are often related to relaxation and mental inactivity. It has
been reported that listening to the Quranic verses can increase alpha power
compared to listening to various types of music. However, the increase of alpha
waves and the subsequent decrease in brain activity following Quranic
recitation does not signify that the brain is deactivated. Instead, a certain
part of the brain is functionally disengaged from doing specific tasks,
allowing another part of the brain to concentrate on completing the task.
Therefore, these findings indicate that listening to and reciting the Quran has
the ability to promote relaxation and pleasant effects.
Theta Oscillations in a Meditative State
It is found that listening to
Quranic verses yielded higher spectral power of both theta and alpha waves as
compared to listening to non-Quranic Arabic text.
Potential Brain Regions Correlated to Holy Quran
Listening
Both relaxation music and rhythmic
Quran can be classified as positive valence, as both can change negative
emotions into positive ones. Specific brain regions governing pleasant emotion
in response to pleasing stimuli include the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), ventral
tegmental area (VTA), hypothalamus, forebrain, limbic-cortical, and deep
brainstem regions.
Physiological Effects of Listening to the Holy Quran
Listening to the recitation of the
Holy Qur’an has been shown in a study conducted by Dr. Ahmed E. Kadi and his
associates to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and to cause smooth muscle
relaxation in Muslim Arabs, non-Arab Muslims, and even in non-Muslims.
Benefits of Tashbeeh:
The
researches show that Tasbeeh instill a hope and optimism in the muslims. Often
muslims tasbeeh in times of distress, but researches show that these tasbeehat
also instill a hope in people and give them courage to tackle sudden problems
and daily life problems.
Conclusion:
As
Islam is the best religion ever, its worships show perfectness and show health
benefits in every regard, which are being proved now by science. The worships
like Zakat and Hajj show economic success and guide to economy system against
the wrong systems and other poorly implemented systems in the world.
Muslims
should understand that if today’s technology is continuing to uncover the
benefits of Islamic worships, we do not know how many more benefits will be
uncovered in future. Muslims should stick hard to Islamic worships, and leave
the modern unislamic systems of life to succeed in this world and hereafter.
References:
https://www.alim.org/blog/salah-and-its-scientifically-proven-benefits/?
https://kharchoufa.com/en/the-healing-power-of-prayer-and-fasting-islamic-insights/?
https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(22)03596-4
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9530862/?
https://www.islamicity.org/53938/hajj-source-of-human-unity-and-universality/
https://www.theyogicjournal.com/pdf/2018/vol3issue1/PartI/3-1-104-870.pdf
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