Medical benefits OF Taraweeh
Medical benefits of Taraweeh
As we are approaching Ramadan, holy month, we need to struggle with ourselves to keep steadfast in worshipping Allah (Ibadah) and how to use every minute in that month to gain rewards and refrain ourselves from not only eating or drinking but from all minor and major sins.
Ramadan should be a turning point for every Muslim, a new beginning to rejuvenate our lives by strengthening our relationship with Allah. Before you enter upon fasting, try to renew your intention by supplicating to Allah, asking forgiveness and showing repentance for all sins then ask Allah to support you and give you the strength to fast.
Quran was revealed in Ramadan, it was sent down from Allah, the Almighty to Gabriel, Holy Spirit in one night in the holy month, then ayahs and verses revealed at specific occasions and situations to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) throughout twenty- three years of Prophethood. Gabriel used to revise the whole Quran with Prophet Muhammad once per year in Ramadan.
A hadeeth illustrates the virtues of Ramadan is when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) mentioned the differentiation of one Muslim to another in Jannah because he attended Ramadan.
Ramadan Islamic rituals
In Ramadan, Muslims hasten to perform good and charitable deeds, they practice fasting, giving out alms, reading Quran, increasing family connections, showing benevolence to parents and praying Taraweeh or Qiyam (night-prayers).
Ramadan is the month of blessing for every Muslim, even children, they await Ramadan; Family members gathered around a dining table to break-fast (iftar), they do a lot of family visits, they decorate their houses with colourful lanterns, they share in preparing meals and they go to Masjid to attend Taraweeh prayers.
What are Taraweh Prayers?
Taraweeh or night prayer -means take rest as it is basically derived from the word (Rauh), refers to the time taken to rest between voluntary prayers, it is a Sunnah act; i.e. recommended, not compulsory, it is performed after Ishaa prayer.
In the authentic hadeeth , Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) led prayers with the companions in Ramadan for the first and the second night of Ramadan and did not come out to pray in the third or fourth day, when the companions asked, he responded that he fears it becomes an obligatory prayer.
Taraweeh is prayed in 2 rak’ahs (least) till more than 20 rak’ahs, could be individually prayed or in the congregation, at home or masjid, it is preferred to recite juzu’ of the Quran daily, to complete the Quran with the Imam by the end of Ramadan.
It is an opportunity for Muslims to listen to proper Quran reading and to comprehend the meaning of Allah’s words that guides them throughout their lives. Women and kids participate in such congregational prayers, listen to Quran and supplicate to Allah with the Imam when he concludes the prayer.
Significance of Taraweeh prayers
- Islam encourages the unity of Muslims in every Ibadah, in prayers, in hajj, in fasting Ramadan, so the congregation of Muslims in Taraweeh is a continuation of the weekly Jumaa prayers, where Muslims meet together conforming to Allah’s orders.
- Performing two kinds of religious acts ( ibadah) in Ramadan, day fasting and night prayers, thus achieving the utmost reward in the holy month.
- Congregational prayers reward exceeds that of the individual prayers by twenty-seven times, in addition, it encourages Muslims to pray regularly in the masjid, not only in Ramadan.
- Muslims accustom themselves to masjid morals as they speak and react quietly, they do not supersede the Imam, they keep their surrounding environment clean, they abstain from personal conflicts and they gain the reward of walking into the masjid.
- Spending Ramadan night in a religious act, as night prayers or Qeyam is considered one of the best act Muslim could do.
- Listening to Quran from a proper scholar gives a chance to Muslims to stay attentive to the pronunciation of Quran letters and to ponder in Allah’s words, thus increasing his faith and strengthening the relationship with Allah, the creator.
- Some mosques hold religious sessions between Rak’as, they could interpret some verses of Quran, answer Muslim concerns (fatwa) or address any common dilemma from the Islamic perspective thus Muslims get the most benefit of attending such sessions.
- When Muslim concludes the prayer with the Imam, he gets the reward of Qeyam in the whole night in Ramadan, so he feels serenity, self-satisfaction and pleasure as he abides by what Allah has ordered.
Physical virtues of Taraweeh prayers
• Praying in general increases body vitality, energy and reduces laziness.
• After break-fasting, the stomach becomes full after whole day fasting, so praying helps in easy digestion of food.
• Praying pillars (bowing, prostrating, standing up straight) entails movement of every part of the body, every joint thus helps in body activeness.
• Praying enhances the psychological aspects of Muslims, as when the relationship with Allah strengthened, Muslims feel relieved.
• Praying reduces tension and depression
• Praying increases the burning rate of calories especially after break-fasting
• Regulates body metabolism, as blood circulates easily in the veins due to the regular movement of body parts
• Scientists proved the importance of prostrating on earth as it removes the electromagnetic charge when forehead touches the earth.
• People nowadays search for health clubs and gym places to practice fitness or lose weight, though if they keep on prayers, they would probably lose weight, increase their body fitness and strengthen their stomach muscles as a movement of body parts diminishes fats.
• Diabetic patients need to practice prayers after break –fast, as they suffer from a high level of blood sugar, especially after meals.
• Praying keeps straight body posture for longer periods, as Muslim stand straight in Prayers for almost quarter an hour in one Rak’ah, this period is sufficient to widen his chest muscle and facilitates normal breathing.
• Ablution and praying help keep Muslim clean all day, washing hands, face and legs could not be performed five times daily unless by a Muslim.
So, Ramadan is a win-win opportunity for Muslims to grasp, physically, emotionally and psychologically and above all, obedience and submission to the creator.
Wish you a blessed Ramadan.
