Fasting in Islam vs. Other Religions

Fasting is abstaining from food either completely or partially for a specified time period. It is for the purpose of purifying oneself and abstaining from wrongdoings. In the Holy Quran, God states, “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous” (2:184). Which religions were fasting prescribed to before prescribed to Islam?

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement which is also known as the day of “self denial.” It is observed eight days after Rosh Hashanah which is the beginning of the Jewish New Year for the purpose of repentance. It is a full 25-hour fast to atone for the sins of the past year. During the fast, the believer has to abstain from all foods and fluids. Five things are forbidden during Yom Kippur: eating and drinking, marital relations, washing, wearing leather shoes, and applying lotions. This is fasting in the Jewish religion.

Lent is a religious observance in Christianity which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday for a total of 40 days. The purpose is to prepare a believer for Easter through prayer and repentance. Some abstain from meat, some from fish, and some from fruits, eggs, or luxury food. However, abstaining from fluids is not required during the fast for Christains.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar (lunar based) set aside for fasting. The purpose is self-purification. Each day of the month, Muslims wake up early for suhoor (pre-dawn meal before fast starts) and abstain from food and fluids the whole day until iftar (meal after fast ends).

Regardless of some differences, fasting in almost all religions is a spiritual means for intensifying prayers and faith, while striving to get closer to God.