THE MEANING OF FASTING AS THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION OF ISLAM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstrak

This paper examines the therapeutic communication of Islam incorporated within the ritual of fasting. Correspondingly, medical science recommends fasting as a method of healing. Taking the undiscovered function of fasting; therefore, the author keen on understanding the meaning of fasting as therapeutic communication of Islam for the development of physical and mental health. The author uses data collection techniques such as observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. The results from this study show a positive correlative meaning of fasting as therapeutic communication of Islam in the development of physical and mental health. This research examined the therapeutic elements of islamic communication—which includes communicators, messages, media, communicants, and effects—and found out an element of messages and effects that become state-of-the-art of this study. Fasting turns out to be the medium to get closer to Allah SWT.; it provides peace of mind (mental) and cleanses human being of liver diseasewhich causes medical illness resulting from the burden of mind and stress; it familiarizes persons in managing a healthy and essential diet to support physical health; as well as it becomes self-controlling mechanism in holding back emotions and instilling patience.

Keywords: Fasting meaning, therapeutic communication, Islam, health