The importance of exercise
Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wasallam states, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” (Sahih Muslim)
Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wasallam here was talking about physical strength and having this allowed a Muslim to properly perform their prayers. A strong believer can strive harder for his or her deen, be a better worshipper, be successful at giving da’wah and spread Islam, not being overcome by laziness. And how can we obtain this physical strength best? It is through exercise.
And if we look back at the stories of our great prophets, they were revered for their “quwwa” which is the term used in the Qur’an for power or strength. Prophet Nuh alayhi salaam built the large ship, the Ark, all by himself. Prophet Ibraheem alayhis salaam built the Ka’abah with his own two hands alongside his son Isma’eel alayhis salaam. Evidence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wasallam’s strength has been recorded to the minutest detail in ahadeeth.
Just as doctors and dieticians highly stress and push us to take care of our physical bodies by exercising, our religion also holds us to account for managing our body health. The Prophet sal Allaah alayhi wasallam said in Sahih Bukhari, “... And your body also has a right over you.” Exercising and staying fit is one of the closest guarantees we have to maintaining a sound healthy body. Our bodies are a trust or “amaanah” from Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala. We will be called to account on the Day of Judgment by Allah for how we took care of our bodies and nourished them, not allowing them to weaken and succumb to disease.
Indeed physical fitness is essential to our physical and mental well being, but we must remember to maintain a balance in this routine in that it does not interfere with our religious obligations. Also, we do not need to spend hours upon hours in the gym performing our workout routines without giving ourselves any time to rest. And most importantly, we must purify our hearts before engaging in any activity. A true Muslim combines diet, nutrition, and exercise with the proper intention to fulfill all of his or her religious obligations to Allah, thereby pleasing Him.
Fulfilling the obligations of three of the five pillars of Islam requires that Muslims be of sound health and fitness. The daily performance of five prayers is in itself a form of exercise, its prescribed movements involve all the muscles and joints of the body, and concentration in prayer relieves mental stress. Good health is necessary if one intends to fast the month of Ramadan and the performance of the Hajj (or pilgrimage to Mecca) is an arduous task that requires many days of hard physical effort.
Prophet Muhammad advised his followers, to work, to be energetic, and to start their day early, all of which are conditions for a healthy body. He said “O God, make the early morning hours blessed for my nation.” (Imam Ahmad) Obesity or an inadequate diet, laziness and weakness are all afflictions for which we will be called to account. Even though preventing illness or injury is often out of our control, there are many conditions brought on or made worse by our own lack of attention to diet and fitness. Prophet Muhammad, may Allah praise him, said, “Any action without the remembrance of God is either a diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target [during archery practice], training a horse, playing with one’s family, and learning to swim.” (At-Tabarani)
The Prophet Muhammad and his Companions were naturally physically fit. Life was tougher, long distances were covered on foot, men hunted and farmed their food to survive, and there were no useless recreations to produce laziness and waste many hours of otherwise constructive time. The 21st century contains many distractions and forms of entertainment that encourage laziness and induce ill health.
Although advanced technology has many benefits, it is important that time is not wasted in front of the television screen or game console to the detriment of our health. It has been conclusively proven that obesity in children increases the more hours they watch television.[1] Other studies have indicated that this is equally true for adults. Exercise on the other hand has many benefits.
Respected Islamic scholar Imam Ibnul-Qayyem stated that movement helped the body get rid of waste food in a very normal way and strengthened the body’s immune system. He also stated that each bodily organ has its own sport (or movement) that suited it and that horse riding, archery, wrestling and racing, were sports that benefitted the whole body.
Now here are 10 mind blowing benefits of exercise taken from various scientific articles:
1. Exercise helps you lose weight and prevent obesity. This is critical, since being overweight or obese can put you at risk for a variety of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.
2. Exercise protects you from heart disease and lowers blood pressure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American adults. Exercise can actually change how your heart works, making it stronger, more efficient, and better able to function as you age.
3. Exercise boosts brain power. It improves your learning and makes you smarter. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors, which help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells to help us learn. Some experts believe that exercise can, in fact, keep our minds sharp because it improves circulation throughout the body and the brain, which boosts your attention and ability to concentrate.
4. Exercise boosts the detrimental effects of stress and anxiety. Stressful episodes cause hormones like adrenaline to be released into your bloodstream. Vigorous activity helps your body to be rid of these. Just 30 minutes of such activity can blow off tension by increasing levels of “soothing” brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
5. Exercise lifts depression and boosts your mood. Research suggests that burning off 350 calories three times a week through sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as antidepressants. That may be because exercise appears to stimulate the growth of neurons in certain brain regions damaged by depression.
6. Exercise boosts your energy. Studies show that exercise increases feelings of energy and lessens feelings of fatigue. Exercise also teaches the body how to produce more energy, making it more efficient at burning fat.
7. Exercise helps ward off disease and strengthens your immune system. Increased blood and lymph flow makes it easier for cells to protect you from an infection, or track down and kill invading germs that have already succeeded in infecting you.
8. Exercise builds stronger bones and muscles making a better you. Weight-bearing activities, such as walking, make bones stronger. Strength-training activities, such as lifting light weights, make muscles strong.
9. Exercise enhances your self-esteem and confidence. You obtain a positive feeling of accomplishment when you finish your work out.
10. Exercise inspires you to be a healthier eater. You will start thinking of food as fuel for your engine. You will be more aware of how your body feels when you try to take out your troubles on unhealthy foods. Overall, exercise reminds you to take care of yourself.
Exercise and fitness play an integral part in the life of a Muslim, however it should not come at the expense of religious obligations, nor should it infringe upon the time spent with family members. In accordance with the holistic approach to life, which is Islam, everything must be done in moderation. There is no allowance for extreme or fanatical behaviour. Letting an exercise regime or a sport take over your life is against the teachings of Islam that call for a middle path and a balanced approach. Exercise and fitness should also not involve unnecessary mixing of the sexes or wearing clothing that exposes the parts of the body that should be kept hidden.
Islam encourages anything that promotes refreshing the mind or revitalising the body provided it does not lead to or involve sin, cause harm, or hamper or delay religious obligations.
A true believer recognises the wonder of the human body and is grateful to the Creator. This gratitude is shown in the care and attention given to maintaining optimum health. Islam’s holistic approach to health covers all aspects of the mind, body and soul. A truly health conscious person blends diet, nutrition and exercise with the remembrance of God and an intention to fulfil all their religious obligations.
Footnotes:
[1] These results were reported in a study by researchers from the University at Buffalo, Johns Hopkins University, The National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and reported in Crespo, Carlos J. DrPH, MS; Smit, Ellen, PhD; Troiano, Richard P., PhD, RD; Bartlett, Susan J., PhD; Macera, Caroline A., PhD; Andersen, Ross E., PhD (2001, March 15). Television watching, energy intake and obesity in US children. Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 155, 360-365.
Shaykh Al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wasallam here was talking about physical strength and having this allowed a Muslim to properly perform their prayers. A strong believer can strive harder for his or her deen, be a better worshipper, be successful at giving da’wah and spread Islam, not being overcome by laziness. And how can we obtain this physical strength best? It is through exercise.
And if we look back at the stories of our great prophets, they were revered for their “quwwa” which is the term used in the Qur’an for power or strength. Prophet Nuh alayhi salaam built the large ship, the Ark, all by himself. Prophet Ibraheem alayhis salaam built the Ka’abah with his own two hands alongside his son Isma’eel alayhis salaam. Evidence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wasallam’s strength has been recorded to the minutest detail in ahadeeth.
Just as doctors and dieticians highly stress and push us to take care of our physical bodies by exercising, our religion also holds us to account for managing our body health. The Prophet sal Allaah alayhi wasallam said in Sahih Bukhari, “... And your body also has a right over you.” Exercising and staying fit is one of the closest guarantees we have to maintaining a sound healthy body. Our bodies are a trust or “amaanah” from Allah subhaanahu wa ta’ala. We will be called to account on the Day of Judgment by Allah for how we took care of our bodies and nourished them, not allowing them to weaken and succumb to disease.
Indeed physical fitness is essential to our physical and mental well being, but we must remember to maintain a balance in this routine in that it does not interfere with our religious obligations. Also, we do not need to spend hours upon hours in the gym performing our workout routines without giving ourselves any time to rest. And most importantly, we must purify our hearts before engaging in any activity. A true Muslim combines diet, nutrition, and exercise with the proper intention to fulfill all of his or her religious obligations to Allah, thereby pleasing Him.
Fulfilling the obligations of three of the five pillars of Islam requires that Muslims be of sound health and fitness. The daily performance of five prayers is in itself a form of exercise, its prescribed movements involve all the muscles and joints of the body, and concentration in prayer relieves mental stress. Good health is necessary if one intends to fast the month of Ramadan and the performance of the Hajj (or pilgrimage to Mecca) is an arduous task that requires many days of hard physical effort.
Prophet Muhammad advised his followers, to work, to be energetic, and to start their day early, all of which are conditions for a healthy body. He said “O God, make the early morning hours blessed for my nation.” (Imam Ahmad) Obesity or an inadequate diet, laziness and weakness are all afflictions for which we will be called to account. Even though preventing illness or injury is often out of our control, there are many conditions brought on or made worse by our own lack of attention to diet and fitness. Prophet Muhammad, may Allah praise him, said, “Any action without the remembrance of God is either a diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target [during archery practice], training a horse, playing with one’s family, and learning to swim.” (At-Tabarani)
The Prophet Muhammad and his Companions were naturally physically fit. Life was tougher, long distances were covered on foot, men hunted and farmed their food to survive, and there were no useless recreations to produce laziness and waste many hours of otherwise constructive time. The 21st century contains many distractions and forms of entertainment that encourage laziness and induce ill health.
Although advanced technology has many benefits, it is important that time is not wasted in front of the television screen or game console to the detriment of our health. It has been conclusively proven that obesity in children increases the more hours they watch television.[1] Other studies have indicated that this is equally true for adults. Exercise on the other hand has many benefits.
Respected Islamic scholar Imam Ibnul-Qayyem stated that movement helped the body get rid of waste food in a very normal way and strengthened the body’s immune system. He also stated that each bodily organ has its own sport (or movement) that suited it and that horse riding, archery, wrestling and racing, were sports that benefitted the whole body.
Now here are 10 mind blowing benefits of exercise taken from various scientific articles:
1. Exercise helps you lose weight and prevent obesity. This is critical, since being overweight or obese can put you at risk for a variety of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.
2. Exercise protects you from heart disease and lowers blood pressure. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American adults. Exercise can actually change how your heart works, making it stronger, more efficient, and better able to function as you age.
3. Exercise boosts brain power. It improves your learning and makes you smarter. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors, which help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells to help us learn. Some experts believe that exercise can, in fact, keep our minds sharp because it improves circulation throughout the body and the brain, which boosts your attention and ability to concentrate.
4. Exercise boosts the detrimental effects of stress and anxiety. Stressful episodes cause hormones like adrenaline to be released into your bloodstream. Vigorous activity helps your body to be rid of these. Just 30 minutes of such activity can blow off tension by increasing levels of “soothing” brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
5. Exercise lifts depression and boosts your mood. Research suggests that burning off 350 calories three times a week through sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as antidepressants. That may be because exercise appears to stimulate the growth of neurons in certain brain regions damaged by depression.
6. Exercise boosts your energy. Studies show that exercise increases feelings of energy and lessens feelings of fatigue. Exercise also teaches the body how to produce more energy, making it more efficient at burning fat.
7. Exercise helps ward off disease and strengthens your immune system. Increased blood and lymph flow makes it easier for cells to protect you from an infection, or track down and kill invading germs that have already succeeded in infecting you.
8. Exercise builds stronger bones and muscles making a better you. Weight-bearing activities, such as walking, make bones stronger. Strength-training activities, such as lifting light weights, make muscles strong.
9. Exercise enhances your self-esteem and confidence. You obtain a positive feeling of accomplishment when you finish your work out.
10. Exercise inspires you to be a healthier eater. You will start thinking of food as fuel for your engine. You will be more aware of how your body feels when you try to take out your troubles on unhealthy foods. Overall, exercise reminds you to take care of yourself.
Exercise and fitness play an integral part in the life of a Muslim, however it should not come at the expense of religious obligations, nor should it infringe upon the time spent with family members. In accordance with the holistic approach to life, which is Islam, everything must be done in moderation. There is no allowance for extreme or fanatical behaviour. Letting an exercise regime or a sport take over your life is against the teachings of Islam that call for a middle path and a balanced approach. Exercise and fitness should also not involve unnecessary mixing of the sexes or wearing clothing that exposes the parts of the body that should be kept hidden.
Islam encourages anything that promotes refreshing the mind or revitalising the body provided it does not lead to or involve sin, cause harm, or hamper or delay religious obligations.
A true believer recognises the wonder of the human body and is grateful to the Creator. This gratitude is shown in the care and attention given to maintaining optimum health. Islam’s holistic approach to health covers all aspects of the mind, body and soul. A truly health conscious person blends diet, nutrition and exercise with the remembrance of God and an intention to fulfil all their religious obligations.
Footnotes:
[1] These results were reported in a study by researchers from the University at Buffalo, Johns Hopkins University, The National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and reported in Crespo, Carlos J. DrPH, MS; Smit, Ellen, PhD; Troiano, Richard P., PhD, RD; Bartlett, Susan J., PhD; Macera, Caroline A., PhD; Andersen, Ross E., PhD (2001, March 15). Television watching, energy intake and obesity in US children. Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 155, 360-365.