Impact of Fasting on Altruism and Self-Regulation among Young Muslim Females

Abstract

The United Nation's World Youth Report (2011) concluded that the Asian region has the largest number of young people, numbered 754 million. Keeping in view these estimates, it is essential to know 'who young adults are?' A young adult is generally person in the age range of 20 to 39 (or 40), although definitions and opinions, such as Erickson 1963 stages of human development, vary. The young adult stage in human development precedes middle adulthood. Young adulthood is period of adjustments to new patterns of life and new social expectations. These adjustments make early adulthood distinctive period in the life span and also difficult one. Young adult find it difficult to become associated with congenial social group. They may be dissatisfied with the role the social group expects individual to play. The religion plays an important role in personality development of an individual Larson, 1978, young adults tend to be less interested in religion that they were when they were younger. That is why Peacocke has called the early twenties the Least religious period of life. Gender difference among young in religious practices have found Women to benefit more in religious practices than men and religiosity and self worth are more positively correlated for women than men during adult years.Fasting- The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right & wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on journey, number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful. Quran 2:185.Fasting in Islam- Throughout the duration of the fast itself, Muslims will abstain from certain provisions that the Quran has otherwise allowed; namely eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Quran 2:187.Altruism or selflessness, is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. It is traditional virtue in many cultures and core aspect of various religious traditions and secular world views, though the concept of towards whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions. Altruism or selflessness is the opposite of selfishness. The word was coined by the French philosopher, Comte 1851,in French, an altruism, for an antonym of egoism. Prophet Muhammad, said in his narration known perhaps every devout Muslim none of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. In Islam, the concept ithar (altruism) is the notion of preferring others to oneself'.Altruism sometimes leads to danger, volunteering is thought to be naturally related concept of altruism, Leventhal, 2009. Sometimes it leads to difficult situations, therefore self-regulation helps as it is an ability to direct our behavior.O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. 2:183Self regulation refers to the ability of an individual to direct the behavior and control the impulses so that an individual meet certain standards achieve certain goals or reach certain ideals. Self regulation involves being able to set goals monitoring one behavior to ensure that it is in line with those goals and having the willpower to persist until goals are reached. Bandura, in late 70s, Humans are able to control their behavior through process known as self-regulation.Self-regulation is concept developed by psychologist Goleman 1995, and it helps to stop unhelpful behavior, and keep calm under pressure. Self-regulation is defined as, like many other scientists (Baumeister & Vohs, 2004; Carver & Schevr 1998) process by which system uses information about its present state to change that state towards greater conformity with desired end. …