Does fasting pose a health hazard during pandemic?

During the month of Ramadan, Muslim believers do not eat or drink from the rising of the sun to its setting. Families and friends often gather together to break the fast. Many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims frequent mosques more often. But the coronary crisis this year has changed everything.

The disease, which has infected over 2.8 million people and killed over 200,000 to 25 April, has raised fears that fasting could pose health risks, weakened people's immunity and made them more vulnerable to taking the virus.

The frequent meetings of family and friends during Ramadan have also sparked concerns for more infected.

So is fasting advisable during pandemic?

If you are healthy and fasted before without a problem, there is no evidence that suggests that you cannot fast this time, if you want”, says Free Europe Radio Dr Salman Waqar, of Oxford University.

Waqar is a member of the Islamic Medical Association in Great Britain, which has published fast instructions during the pandemic of the Coronavirus.

In most cases, people who are in good health and fasted earlier must be able to do so even during the pandemic”, Free Europe Radio Dr. Shafi Malik, the transplantal Ndipologist at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire in Britain, says.

According to him, those with chronic illnesses should consult their doctor and stop fasting if they are to do so.

According to the Koran, children, the elderly, the sick and those travelling are exempted from the Ramadan fast of one of the five pillars of Islam.

Fasting is intended to bring believers closer to God and remind them of the suffering of less fortunate people.

Fasting, faith, charity, prayer, and Hagi are the basis for how practicing Muslims live their lives.

Can fasting weaken the immunity and ability to fight the coronary?

Ramadan comes from Arabic “Al-Ramad” means the intense heat and dryness that follows. It is symbolic of the difficulties experienced by fasters and the burning of sins.

Many are asked if fasting harms one's immunity and makes it more sensitive to the coronary.

There is not enough evidence to suggest that fasting weakens people's immunity”, Malik says.

Waqar says that the main issue requiring caution during fasting at this time of pandemic is dehydration.

He says that people with a constant fever or disease “should stop fasting and seek quick medical attention”, because people with coronary “can get sick quickly and proper hydration here is of vital importance”.

Some Islamic scholars claim that fasting actually strengthens immunity. Is that true?

Egypt's Al-Azhar University, which is considered high theological authority by Sunite Muslims, has issued a statement on April 18th, reminding Muslims that they must fast, without special exceptions due to pandemic.

“Disgusting during Ramadan, due to coronary, is not allowed. Fasting is the duty and necessity for Muslims”, Al-Azhar said.

Shiite religious leaders issued similar statements.

Aiollah Bashir Hussainal-Najafi, senior Shiite cleric in Iraq, issued a aftawa (decision) on April 15th, saying that fasting strengthens the immune system and could prevent Muslims from contracting corruption.

But Malik says that “has no final evidence suggesting fasting strengthens immunity”.

Waqar says medical research on Ramadan is in progress and is based more on observations than on evidence. This, he says, makes it difficult to determine whether fasting improves or weakens immunity.

We know that, for example, to some people, weight and blood pressure can improve in Ramadan, but they often return immediately after”, says Waqar.

“Vlen also mention that fasting outside Ramadan has also become popular, as a diet choice”, he adds.

Can Ramadan traditions increase the possibility of contracting the Coronavirus?

For many, Ramadan includes communion dinners. It also means the most frequent attendance of mosques.

Coronervirus is transmitted by close contact between humans. According to the World Health Organization, it spreads through saliva spray and contact with contaminated surfaces.

To curb the spread of the coronary, many countries have taken strict measures of physical distance. Many majority Muslim countries and those with considerable Muslim communities who fear increasing the number of infected have limited Ramadan religious services and communities' holidays.

“During Ramadan, people traditionally associate very closely with each other, but this year should be different”, Waqar says.

Social DPS is essential to this pandemic. If someone does not follow government advice on social distance, he contributes to further increase in cases with Coronavirus”, he says.

Many governments have made efforts to deliver this message to Muslim families. And various Muslim organisations have launched awareness campaigns in social media with the hashtag #RamadanAtHome (#Ramazani Intep).

Malik says that physical distance measures are essential in limiting and curbing the spread of the coronary.

“People fasting during Ramadan should respect local rules and follow social distance guidelines”, he says.

What measures can Muslims take during Ramadan?

“People should stay home”, Waqar says.

According to him, fasters should take common precautions: During non - fasting hours, get well - hydrated, eat well - balanced, healthy foods, and seek medical help if they get sick, even on matters that do not concern the coronobrist.

“Ramazan has shown that it improves the mental health of several individuals. However, in the time of pandemic this may be different, but people have to try and experience the spirit of Ramadan in other ways, such as virtual if it is”, Waqar says.

“Those who are asmptomatic and healthy should be able to fast as in previous years”, Malik says.

“Those who do not feel good or have symptoms of coronarys have a high risk of lack of liquid consumption and later dehydration and should consider breaking the fast and seek help from physician”, Malik says.