Fasting in Religion
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
"O' you who have Faith! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves (against evil).” -(Quran 2:183)
Fasting is the act of abstaining one’s physical body from food and drink, and one’s soul from all that is foul and impure. Millions of muslims partake in this holy act on the month of Ramadan annually; but was this act of worship implemented solely on the followers of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him & his progeny )?
Fasting is the act of abstaining one’s physical body from food and drink, and one’s soul from all that is foul and impure. Millions of muslims partake in this holy act on the month of Ramadan annually; but was this act of worship implemented solely on the followers of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him & his progeny )?
According to the holy verse fasting is an act that God has ordered many nations and prophet’s to do, even before the religion of Islam was introduced.
Imam Al-Sdaiq (PBUH) stated, “Only the Prophets were ordered to fast in the holy month of Ramadhan, the first time God imposed this holy act. Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&P) was the only prophet who’s followers were blessed in fasting the holy month. Before that the followers of previous prophets would only fast on some days”
Imam Al-Sdaiq (PBUH) stated, “Only the Prophets were ordered to fast in the holy month of Ramadhan, the first time God imposed this holy act. Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH&P) was the only prophet who’s followers were blessed in fasting the holy month. Before that the followers of previous prophets would only fast on some days”
Ancient civilizations dating back to the 5th century BCE in Greece and the near East ( roughly today’s Middle East), have been fasting as a form of healing and increase in efficiency. Greek philosophers such as Socrates and Plato, have fasted for 10 day periods to gain mental and physical efficiency. Pythagoras fasted for 40 days before taking his examination at the University of Alexandria. The great Greek physician, Hippocrates, prescribed fasting during the critical periods of disease. Census is said to have used fasting in the treatment of jaundice (yellowing of skin/whites of eyes) and epilepsy. Plutarch said, “Instead of using medicine, better fast a day.” It is evident that cultures were aware of the plentiful benefits of fasting.
Fasting In Judaism
Fasting in Judaism is prominently done for a full 24 hour on Youm Kippur; abstaining from any food and liquid. It is done as an act to purify the soul of all sins that were committed. This day is mentioned in ‘Leviticus 23’. The religion of Judaism views fasting as mainly a way for its followers to repent, providing a thorough purification of the soul.
Fasting in Judaism is prominently done for a full 24 hour on Youm Kippur; abstaining from any food and liquid. It is done as an act to purify the soul of all sins that were committed. This day is mentioned in ‘Leviticus 23’. The religion of Judaism views fasting as mainly a way for its followers to repent, providing a thorough purification of the soul.
Fasting in Christianity
Prophet Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2) before starting his preaching There are traditions of fasting which differ greatly according to the country in which Christians live. Some abstain from meat, while others from fish. Some will not eat fruits, eggs or luxury foods; some just fast on white bread. Some will abstain from all these items. The intake of fluids is allowed during the fast. Fasting in Christianity is particularly linked with self humiliation in repentance (I Kings 21:27, Psalms 35:13). It is also brought into a close connection with prayer (Matthew 17:21) especially in the seeking of God. Christians also view fasting as a time of temptation (Matthew 4:1) and therefore of testing with a view to gaining greater strength.
Prophet Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2) before starting his preaching There are traditions of fasting which differ greatly according to the country in which Christians live. Some abstain from meat, while others from fish. Some will not eat fruits, eggs or luxury foods; some just fast on white bread. Some will abstain from all these items. The intake of fluids is allowed during the fast. Fasting in Christianity is particularly linked with self humiliation in repentance (I Kings 21:27, Psalms 35:13). It is also brought into a close connection with prayer (Matthew 17:21) especially in the seeking of God. Christians also view fasting as a time of temptation (Matthew 4:1) and therefore of testing with a view to gaining greater strength.
Fasting in Islam
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
(١٨٤)
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ
وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
(١٨٥)
(١٨٤)
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ
وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
(١٨٥)
"(Fast for) a certain number of days. But whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) the same number of other days, and for those who are hardly to do it, (there is) a redemption by feeding an indigent. But whoever volunteers to do good, it is better for him; and it is better for you that you fast, if you did (only) know.” - (Quran 2 : 184 )
"The month of Ramadan that wherein the Qur'an was sent down to be a guidance for mankind, and as clear signs of guidance and a criterion (between right and wrong). Therefore, whoever of you is present (at his home) during the month, he shall fast therein and whoever is sick or on a journey, he shall then (fast) the same number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you; so you should complete the number (of days decreed), and exalt Allah for His having guided you, and that happily you might be grateful (to Him).”
"The month of Ramadan that wherein the Qur'an was sent down to be a guidance for mankind, and as clear signs of guidance and a criterion (between right and wrong). Therefore, whoever of you is present (at his home) during the month, he shall fast therein and whoever is sick or on a journey, he shall then (fast) the same number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you; so you should complete the number (of days decreed), and exalt Allah for His having guided you, and that happily you might be grateful (to Him).”
The religion of Islam, unifies all aspects and understandings of fasting. God stated in the holy Quran that fasting is not only done as a form of repentance but it is truly a golden opportunity to build a closer relationship with the All Merciful. Fasting is a true test of patience, and virtue one must not only abstain from food and drink, but must also abstain from all acts that are foul. A muslim must not curse, backbite, participate in any forms of violence and or do what might cause harm to others*. These 30 days are a way for a person to not only grow a stronger spiritual relationship but to also become a human that emulates the beloved behaviors of prophet Muhammad ( Peace be upon him & his progeny) and his household. It is key to understand that God does not benefit from a persons fasting, He is perfect and whole no matter what the human being does. But God is the all Merciful, guiding his beloved creation into a path of righteousness, and providing them with this opportunity annually.
Fasting is a vital part in a human’s life, it provides nothing but benefits both physically and spiritually. Thus it has been passed down to generations upon generations of prophets, whom were first the only ones deemed capable of performing it. Until the followers of prophet Muhammad were blessed to take part in this holy month alongside him. This sacred act although might be tiresome to our earthly bodies, but is extremely delightful for the soul.
* All these acts are a vital part of a muslim’s life that should be implemented throughout the entire year, but are emphasized in the month Ramadhan.
Sources:
- https://imamhussain.org/islamic/25590
- https://www.al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-2/section-23-fasting-during-ramadan-rights-property#surah-al-baqarah-verses-183-185
- https://www.uindy.edu/eip/files/interfaith_conversations-1.pdf
- https://www.alislam.org/articles/fasting-in-religions/
- Fig.1 : Universal Paintings (Page #14 of 35) | Fine Art Americahttps://fineartamerica.com › ... › Universal Paintings
- Fig.2: jeremiah-ezekiel-daniel-isaiah-1532x900-1.jpg (edited)
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- Fig.4 : jews praying in the synagogue on yom kippur
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- Fig.7 : the-light-in-the-soul-chirila-corina.jpg
