The
Medical Benefits of Taraweeh Prayers
- Ibrahim B. Syed
(president@irfi.org) President, Islamic Research
Foundation International, Inc. (www.irfi.org)
Muslims derive
therapeutic and spiritual benefits starting from the Wudu to the
physical movements in the Salat - Takbir, Qiyam, Ruku, Sajda, Jalsa,
and Tasleems. Muslims perform five daily contact prayers (Salat) and
voluntary prayers (Sunnah, Nafl) throughout the year and Taraweeh
prayers during the month of Ramadan. This results in moderate physical
exercise particularly to every muscle in the body. Some muscles
contract isometrically (same length) and some contract in approximation
or isotonically (same tension). The energy needed for the muscle during
exercise is met by a process known as glycogenolysis. The rate of
muscle metabolism increases during the performance of Salat, resulting
in a relative deficiency of oxygen and muscle nutrients. In turn this
deficiency causes vasodilation - an increase in the calibre of blood
vessels - thereby allowing blood to flow easily back to the heart. The
temporarily increased load on the heart acts to strengthen the heart
muscle and to improve the circulation within the heart muscle. 
During the month of Ramadan,
additional prayers are performed after salatul Ishaa, called Taraweeh
prayers which vary from 8 rakat (unit of prayer) to 20 rakat with a few
minutes break after every 4 rakat for chanting and extolling the
Majesty of Allah. After Iftar (breaking of fast) the blood glucose
level continues to rise from the food ingested. Just before the Iftar
meals, the blood glucose and insulin levels are at their lowest level.
After an hour or so after the Iftar meal, the blood glucose begins to
rise and also plasma insulin. Liver and the muscles take up the
circulating glucose. The blood sugar reaches high levels in an hour or
two and the benefits of Taraweeh prayers come into effect. The
circulating glucose is metabolised into carbon dioxide and water during
the Taraweeh prayers.
Hence the
Taraweeh prayers help in expending the extra calories and improve
flexibility, coordination, reduce stress-related autonomic responses in
healthy persons, and relieve anxiety and depression.
Physical
and Emotional Well-Being
The gentle
exercises performed in Taraweeh prayers improve physical fitness,
emotional well-being and increase the longevity of the Namazi (one who
performs the Salat or Namaz). When a little extra effort is made, as in
performing the Taraweeh prayers, there will be a betterment in the
endurance, stamina, in flexibility and strength. It was noted that the
five daily prayers (Salat) produce the same physiological changes
without any undesirable side effects as those produced by jogging or
walking at about three miles per hour. Recent research studies
performed on 17,000 Harvard alumni who entered college between
1916-1950 give strong evidence that only moderate aerobic exercise,
equivalent to jogging about 3 miles a day, promotes good health and may
actually add years to life. Men who expended about 2000 kcal of energy
on a weekly basis (equal to a daily 30-minute walk, run, cycle, swim,
etc.,) had one-quarter to one-third lower death rates than classmates
who did little or no exercise. In addition to the health-boosting
qualities of the Salat, the Namazi will be trained to be ever ready for
any unexpected physical exertion such as sudden lifting of children,
chairs, or catching a public transportation vehicle. The elderly will
accomplish this more securely and efficiently. Hence this is an
advantage for the elderly to maintain their physical fitness for a
longer period of time. It has been observed that those who fast and
perform the Taraweeh prayers report feeling much convalescing and
robust.
As human beings
grow older, their physiological activity diminishes, as a result their
bones become thinner and if not taken care of will suffer from
osteoporosis (which causes the fractures of the bones when they fall in
the elderly due to a loss of bone mineral content and consequent
sponginess of the bones. The bone then becomes structurally unstable,
brittle and susceptible to fractures). Primary osteoporosis is most
common among postmenopausal (due to reduction in oestrogen) women or
those who have undergone a bilateral oophorectomy (both the ovaries
removed). Women are six times more likely than men to develop Type I
osteoporosis. The three major prevention strategies of osteoporosis are
a high dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise and
oestrogen replacement in postmenopausal women. The skin also becomes
fragile and crinkled. The repair processes of the body become slower
and immune responses are decreased. In the elderly their physical
activity is reduced as a result they have lower levels of Insulin
Growth Factor 1. Reserve functions of all vital organs decrease and the
elderly are more susceptible to mishaps and ailments. Because of
repeated and regular movements of the body during Salat the muscle
strength, tendon power, joint flexibility and the cardiovascular
reserve are improved. Hence Salat and Taraweeh prayers enable the
elderly to enrich the quality of life and to meet with unforeseen
difficulties such as falls which could injure their bodies. Therefore
Taraweeh prayers will improve their endurance, self-respect and
self-confidence in being self-reliant.
Adrenaline is
secreted even by minor activity. The secretion outlasts the incitement.
Even after the Taraweeh prayers are over the effects of adrenaline and
noradrenaline are manifest. (Adrenaline also called epinephrine is
produced by the adrenal glands. The middle part of these glands, the
adrenal medulla, secretes the hormone, which is chemically almost
identical to the transmitter substance noradrenaline produced at the
ends of sympathetic nerves. Adrenaline secretion into the bloodstream
in stress causes acceleration of the heart, constriction of arterioles,
and dilation of the pupils. In addition, adrenaline produces a marked
increase in metabolic rate thus preparing the body for emergency.) Even
the thought or the intention of performing the Taraweeh prayers is
sufficient to activate the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic
nervous system (thoraco-lumbar nervous system) is one of the two
division of the autonomic nervous system, which supplies motor nerves
to the smooth muscles of internal organs and to the heart muscle.
Sympathetic nerve fibres arise via spinal nerves in the thoracic and
lumbar regions. Their endings release mainly adrenaline, which
increases heart rate and breathing rate, raises blood pressure, and
slows digestive processes, thereby preparing the body for "fight or
flight" and antagonising the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
The adrenaline would redistribute the blood in the body to the active
muscles, would mobilise liver glycogen if necessary in order to provide
glucose for the active tissues, would diminish fatigue in skeletal
muscles and would facilitate alveolar ventilation relaxing bronchiolar
muscle, and would initiate cardiovascular changes. Exercise induces a
more effective functioning of beta-adrenoreceptors located on cell
membranes.
Beneficial
effects of Gentle Exercise
The Taraweeh
prayer is considered to be gentle exercise. The beneficial effects of
gentle exercise on the body are many which are elaborated here.
Effects on Skeletal Muscle: Once
muscles atrophy inspite of the
availability of ample proteins. During
the
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Salat and Taraweeh, every muscle in the body contracts isotnically
and others isometrically. This
gentle exercise also enhances endurance and diminishes tiredness. It
helps the incapacitated to make the most of their remnant capabilities.
The blood flow in strung muscle is low. During the prayers the blood
flow is greatly increased to the muscles. Blood flow sometimes
increases even before the start of Taraweeh prayers, with just the
thought of performing the Taraweeh prayers. In addition to needing
fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, the human body requires minerals
such as Potassium for nerve and muscle activity. It is found in fruits,
meats, seafood and milk. Potassium deficiency leads to muscular and
neurologic disorders. Potassium is also important in the transmission
of nerve impulses and is a major positive ion in intracellular fluids.
Potassium is involved in cellular enzyme activities, and it helps
regulate the chemical reactions by which carbohydrates is converted to
energy and amino acids are converted to protein. Also Potassium ions
cause vasodilation of arterioles. During the Taraweeh prayers, systolic
Blood pressure may rise (the larger number in B.P.) a little and the
diastolic Blood Pressure(the lower number in B.P.) may remain unchanged
or even fall. However after the Taraweeh prayers are over, the B.P. may
drop to just below normal levels which is a welcome sign. Taraweeh
prayers improve respiratory efficiency; circulation in the capillaries
surrounding the alveoli, or air sacs, is increased, and this brings
about enhanced gas exchange and deeper breathing. The increase in the
maximal consumption of oxygen is what makes the Namazi feel better.
Those who perform the Taraweeh prayers, apart from the prescribed
Salat, are more alert and active than those who do not perform the
Taraweeh prayers, even after the age of retirement. Taraweeh prayers
improve physical strength and joint stability and reduce the risk of
injury to the tendons and connective tissues. After age 40, the bone
mineral density falls with age. Taraweeh prayers increase bone mineral
density in both menopausal and in elderly women and prevents
osteoporosis and maintains normalcy in bone structures. Osteoporosis
results in hip fractures in women after menopause and in elderly men.
The risk of osteoporosis is substantially reduced by regular Salat and
Taraweeh prayers. The prayers improve lubrication of joints, movement,
and maintain flexibility. Deep vein thrombosis (the most common cause
of ulceration of the legs in the elderly) is prevented by performing
Salat and Taraweeh prayers.
Metabolic
Effects
Salat improves
body weight control and expend calories without proportionate increase
in appetite. A combination of moderate dietary restriction, both at the
Iftar and Sahur (early morning breakfast before the start of fast)
meals, accompanied by the Taraweeh prayers, should achieve weight
reduction. This will also reduce both fat and body weight, but fat-free
weight will remain constant or may even increase slightly. Hence during
Ramadan one should not overeat at the Sahur and Iftar meals and
continue to perform Salat and Taraweeh prayers in order to lose some of
the excess weight.
It is well known
that exercise prevents coronary heart disease (CHD), increases high
density lipo-proteins (HDL or healthy Cholesterol), increases maximum
oxygen uptake, slows the heart, lowers the B.P. slightly, decreases
ventricular ectopic activity, enlarges the lumen of the coronary
arteries and increases cardiac output. Exercise also improves
carbohydrate tolerance and improves late-onset diabetes, and helps
cases of chronic respiratory diseases. Beneficial changes have been
recorded in the lipid profile, B.P., clotting factors, weight reduction
and insulin sensitivity of muscles and other tissues in persons who
exercise regularly. Growth Hormone secretion is elevated by fasting and
it is further elevated by Taraweeh prayers. As Growth Hormone is
necessary for collagen formation, this may be an important factor as to
why the skin of those who fast regularly during Ramadan and perform the
Taraweeh prayers do not get wrinkled, even when they grow old.
Mental
Health
It is a known
fact that exercise improves mood, thought and behaviour. Exercise
improves the quality of life, induces greater sense of well-being and
energy, reduces anxiety and depression, influences mood favourably and
contributes to self-esteem and an aura of confidence; improves memory
in the elderly especially with constant repetition of the Ayaat
(verses) from the Glorious Quran and other Ayaat which exalt His Glory.
This constant repetition of the Quranic Ayaat would help to screen the
mind from the incoming thoughts. It has been found by a Harvard
University researcher, Dr. Herbert Benson that repetition of a prayer,
Ayaat of the Quran or remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah or muscular activity
coupled with passive disregard of intensive thoughts causes a
"relaxation response" that leads to the lowering of Blood Pressure and
decreases in oxygen consumption and a reduction in heart and
respiratory rates. All these are combined in the Taraweeh prayer which
is an ideal condition for "relaxation response." It combines repeated
muscular activity with repetition of Salat, chanting of words of
glorification of Allah and of supplications. The Taraweeh prayer puts
the mind in a relaxed state. This calm state of the mind may be partly
due to the release of encephalins, beta-endorphins (endogenous
morphines) and others into the blood circulation. Endorphins are any
one of the neuropeptides composed of many amino acids, elaborated by
the pituitary gland and acting on the central and peripheral nervous
systems to reduce pain. Endorphins are categorised as alpha-endorphin,
beta-endorphin, and gamma-endorphin which produce pharmacologic effects
similar to morphine. Beta-endorphin found in the brain and
GI(gastro-intestinal) tract is the most potent of the endorphins and is
a powerful analgesic(pain killer) in humans and animals. For example
during childbirth many women release endorphins reducing a woman's
sensation of pain. The release of endorphins is associated with an
euphoria. During childbirth, women who give birth with little or no
medication sometimes label this euphoria a "birth climax."
Conclusion
Islam is the
only religion where physical movements of Salat and Taraweeh prayers
are combined with spiritual exercise. When Salat and Taraweeh prayers
are practised throughout a person's life, recurring every few hours or
so, trains a person to undertake the difficult task of meditation
during physical manoeuvres of Salat and Taraweeh prayers, so that the
Namazi(one who performs the Salat) benefits both from spiritual as well
as physical exercise. Salat and Taraweeh prayers are unique in that
tension builds up in the muscles during physical manoeuvres on the one
hand, while tension is relieved in the mind due to the spiritual
ingredient, on the other hand. The following benefits have been noted
among those who perform the Taraweeh prayers: burning off calories and
losing weight, maintaining muscle tone and body composition, joint
flexibility (stiff joints are often the result of disuse, not
arthritis), increasing metabolic rate, improving circulation, improving
heart and lung function and aerobic capacity, decreasing heart disease
risk profile, increasing your sense of self-control, reducing your
level of stress, increasing your ability to concentrate, improving your
appearance, reducing depression and resistance to depression, helping
you sleep better and suppressing your appetite. Evidence is also
accumulating that those who perform regular Salat along with voluntary
prayers can conserve and actually retard the loss of bone mass in the
elderly, thus staving off the ravages of osteoporosis that afflicts
both men and women. It is also possible to retard the aging process and
confer some protection to health in later life. Those who have
performed Salat (Fard and Wajib), Sunnah and Nafl and Taraweeh prayers
throughout life get protection and a positive effect in terms of health
and longevity. They reverse the life-shortening effects of cigarette
smoking and excess body weight. Even people with high blood pressure (a
primary heart disease risk) reduced their death rate by one-half and
their risk of dying from any of the major diseases is reduced. They
also counter genetic tendencies toward an early death.
Hence Salat
(Fard, Wajib), Sunnah, Nafl and Taraweeh prayers are necessary for
Muslims to preserve life and their desirable qualities into old age.
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