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By Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, Ph.D
Introduction
The world we live in has undergone rapid change in many ways. Rural areas in many parts of the globe have transformed into major cities filled with industrial parks. This has led to a mass migration of people from the countryside to urban centres, resulting in high population density in many cities. The problem of urbanization and its related issues is common across many countries of the world.
Today, the fast-paced lifestyle in many parts of the world is causing numerous health problems. In many developing nations, economic challenges force people to work long hours, leaving them with little or no time for exercise to stay healthy and fit.
A country cannot become a great nation by focusing solely on infrastructure and economic development while neglecting the creation of a strong, healthy, and vibrant society free from disease. In placing too much emphasis on intellectual development—especially on academic intelligence—schools and parents sometimes overlook the importance of physical development and exercise. To prevent chronic illnesses and promote better health, governments and schools in developing countries must create awareness at all levels of society. The best starting point for promoting the importance of exercise and healthy living is the school and its educational system.
Physical Exercise in Islam
Islam is not only a religion that emphasizes rituals but also one that encourages moderation in eating and drinking. It emphasizes striking a balance in everything its adherents do. Balance and moderation (Tawazun/Wasatiyyah) are two of the values highlighted in the Qur’an when dealing with matters, whether mundane or spiritual. With regard to bodily exercise, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged the Muslims of his time to participate in swimming, horse riding, and archery. These three types of exercises not only keep the body fit but also provide psychological and emotional benefits. Commenting on the recommendations made by the Prophet (SAW), many Muslim scholars have written about the benefits one can gain from involvement in the three abovementioned sports.
Swimming:
The one who is swimming has to remain calm and in control while in the water, and at the same time must learn how to float without drowning. The more a person struggles and panics, the more likely he or she is to sink. The lessons learned in swimming can be applied to real-life situations and challenges. When problems threaten to drown an individual and drain the joy of living, he or she must rise above those problems—not only striving to survive but also learning to take control of his or her life. Individuals with patience and perseverance will be able to ward off negativity, despair, and even suicidal thoughts when various pressures mount upon them.
Horse Riding:
This sport illustrates a situation in which an individual must take charge of a sensitive and majestic animal that has a will of its own. He or she must learn the psychology (horsology) of the horse that is giving the rider a place on its back. Without understanding the behaviour of the horse, the rider will not be able to gain its full cooperation or achieve its best performance. Simply whipping the horse will not enable the rider to direct it according to his or her wishes. By understanding the horse’s nature and capacities, as well as its needs for food, water, and rest, the owner or rider can build a good relationship with the animal, resulting in a win-win situation for both. The lessons learned in horse-riding can greatly assist in managing people, whether in an organization, a workplace, or even a country—if one happens to be a king, president, prime minister, minister,teacher or simply an executive in a company.
Archery:
This is a sport that trains an individual to remain focused on the target, make sound judgments, and time actions correctly. In addition, one must be able to read wind direction and resistance before releasing the arrow from the bow. The lessons learned from this sport can help a person stay focused in life, set clear goals, and complete tasks efficiently.
Walking:
Besides that, it was the habit of the Prophet (SAW) to walk when visiting friends and family. It has been reported by Sayyidina Ali (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) used to walk briskly, covering a great distance in a short period of time. Relating this daily habit of the Prophet to our modern world, medical doctors now recommend walking as an exercise that improves breathing, blood circulation, and digestion; strengthens bones; boosts muscle power and endurance; burns excessive body fat that causes obesity; prevents constipation; and activates the lymphatic system to produce lymph—a fluid essential for draining excess fluid and removing toxins from the body. Since the medical field has highlighted the benefits of walking, people around the world have become more conscious of the need to walk at least 30 minutes daily or three times a week.
Another important finding shared by medical experts is that walking has a significant impact on the human mind. Many authors have noted that they gained creative inspiration while walking. This observation has been medically supported, as it is believed that a form of coordination occurs between the feet and the mind. When someone goes for a walk, the physical movement stimulates the brain, increasing connectivity among neurons and thereby generating new and innovative ideas. Walking also helps reduce stress levels and improves overall mental health.
With the many benefits that walking offers for our body, mind, and spirit, a new vocabulary has emerged in our daily language that refers to walking as a form of exercise. To promote walking for better health, governments and private organizations around the world have introduced terms such as “Walk for Life,” “Nature Walk,” “Walking Therapy,” “Jungle Walk,” “Walk to Work,” “Walk for Your Heart,” “Walk for Health,” and many others.
Exercise and Its Life-Long Benefits
Recent developments in the fields of medicine, psychology, and psychiatry have increased public awareness of the importance of physical education and bodily exercise, which are now emphasized in almost all developed and developing countries. Regardless of whether a nation is secular, communist, or democratic, great emphasis is placed on physical education at all levels of schooling. Furthermore, physical exercise is widely promoted at the national level to produce citizens who are healthy and productive. Such campaigns are also launched through mainstream media to encourage adults and senior citizens to stay healthy.
Generally, most countries uphold the age-old maxim, “A healthy body leads to a healthy mind.” It is believed that one cannot be strong, energetic, critical, creative, or analytical when suffering from illness. When discussing games and sports, there exists a wide array of activities, each with its own rules and regulations. Besides building a strong and healthy body with good bone and muscle development, sports and games offer numerous benefits.
Through sports and games, individuals learn to control their emotions, particularly in coping with the glory of victory and the agony of defeat. Any game or tournament teaches team members to face outcomes—whether win or lose—with dignity. The winning team should not tease or belittle the team that has been defeated, while the losing team must accept the result without being consumed by anger or disappointment that may lead to disruptive behaviour at the sports arena.
Lessons learned through sports and games can be applied in students’ adult lives. The principles gained on the field or court can be carried into their professional lives, where they will inevitably face successes and failures. Moreover, sports and games teach the importance of unity and cooperation among team members. It is a well-established fact that teams which face defeat often do so because members fail to cooperate and support one another. A team with stronger teamwork and strategy is far more likely to win.
Additionally, qualities such as being a team player, endurance, patience, focus, good strategy, and effective tactics can be applied by individuals later in life when facing challenges at home or in the workplace.
“The views expressed herein are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak of the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Potret Online.”
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