Smartwatches Offer Health, Spiritual Benefits During Ramadan

Smartwatches and wearable devices are increasingly offering a blend of health monitoring and spiritual support for Muslims observing Ramadan, providing benefits ranging from tracking vital signs to facilitating religious practices.

During Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, maintaining a close watch on one's health is particularly important. Smartwatches equipped with health-monitoring features can help users keep track of key indicators such as blood pressure and heart rate, offering immediate insights into their physical condition.

For individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension or heart irregularities, the ability to monitor blood pressure and pulse rate can be invaluable. These devices provide real-time data that can aid in making timely health decisions.

A study in the Ayub Medical College journal indicates that fasting can directly impact blood pressure levels, often leading to a decrease. This is further supported by research from Imperial College London. Continuous monitoring becomes crucial for those with heart conditions or blood pressure issues, and smartwatches offer a convenient means to achieve this.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against relying solely on smartwatches for blood sugar monitoring, these devices can still offer guidance. By tracking calorie burn rates, users can estimate whether they are at risk of hypoglycemia, especially when combined with tools such as the popular Whoop band.

Beyond health tracking, smartwatches enhance the spiritual experience during Ramadan. Many smartwatches allow users to install apps that provide a range of Islamic features, including Quran readings, Qibla direction finders, prayer time alerts, and daily reminders.

Garmin, for example, offers smartwatches with a dedicated application for identifying the direction of the Kaaba and providing prayer time notifications.

Additionally, smartwatches can serve as silent tools for Tasbih (the repetitive saying of short sentences in praise of Allah) and remembrance. With specialized apps, users can track their recitations discreetly, offering a modern alternative to traditional Tasbih beads.

Apps like Tab Tsbih for Apple watches and Tasbih Counter Pro for Wear OS devices provide this functionality, allowing for silent and continuous engagement in prayer and remembrance throughout the day.