And comparison with other communities Bashaar Husain BSSS-IB

What is Fasting? One of the pillars of Islam. A month long abstinence from food, drink and marital relations. From dawn to sunset accompanied by intense devotional activity. Carried out in Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

Importance of Fasting: The month of purity in which virtue flourishes and evil is suppressed. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the doors of Heavens are opened and the doors of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Agreed upon) Allah wishes to teach us self-restraint and to make us righteous and God-fearing; temporary restraint from hunger and sex directs attention to higher and spiritual things.

Keynote of fasting is self-discipline and self-control. For the improvement of the moral and spiritual condition of man. Makes a Muslim steadfast and disciplined in his habits. Makes him capable of enduring hardships. Develops compassion and humanism and removes barriers between the rich and the poor. Enables the rich to thank Allah for the bounties bestowed upon them.

Method & Conditions: Before fasting, it is desirable to take Sehri that can be eaten till dawn. The intention for fast should then be made for which these words are recited: “I intend to keep tomorrow’s fast of Ramadan.” If a person does not eat or drink during the prescribed time, but he has not made the intention for a fast, then in the terminology of the Shariah, it will not be a fast. The person is then subject to all restrictions and prohibitions associated with a fast till the setting of the sun.

Eating, drinking, smoking, taking of medicine by mouth and marital relations are forbidden during fast. Swallowing something which is not used as food or drink or as a medicine, injecting liquid medicine, voluntary vomiting, smoking, and the entering of water in the throat while gargling are things for which a Qaza fast is necessary. If the breaking of the fast through eating, drinking and marital act was intentional then in addition to the Qaza fast, the person shall have to pay the Kaffara.

Exceptions: Females who are in a state of menstruation, or period of childbirth, or suckling her baby are not to fast as long as such condition lasts. A person who is ill may postpone the fast of Ramadan if it is feared that the illness would increase or be prolonged. Postponement of fast during journey is also allowed. A person who is so old and weak that he is unable to fast is not obliged to fast, but such a person must feed a needy person twice a day for each fast missed or give grain or cash equal to Sadagah-e-Fitr.

DOs & DON’Ts: While fasting, the use of toothbrush, hair oil and perfume is allowed. If paste or tooth-powder is used, care must be taken that it does not enter the throat. Injecting medicine directly into the stomach or the brain shall make the fast void. If there is fear that a person may die of thirst or he has become so weak that there is danger to his life, then the fast may be broken.

Eating or drinking by mistake does not break the fast and the fast should be completed in the prescribed manner; no Qaza or Kaffara is due in such a case. Immediately after the setting of the sun, the fast is to be broken after reciting the following prayer: “O Allah! I fasted for Thee and I believe in Thee and I put my trust in Thee and with the sustenance Thou hast given me, I now break the fast.”

General Fasting: While fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered obligatory, Islam also prescribes certain days for non- obligatory, voluntary fasting, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month; each Monday and Thursday of a week; six days in the month of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan); every other day, (also known as the fast of the Prophet Daud); the Ashura, which is the tenth day of Muharram as well as either a day before or a day after. However, fasting is forbidden on the days of Eid- ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha and on the 11 th, 12 th and 13 th of Zil Hajj.ShawwalAshuraMuharram

Fasting in Other Communities  Buddhism : Buddha himself encouraged monks and nuns to limit their food intake after the noon meal, and therefore it is common practice among Buddhist monks and nuns to refrain from eating after noon until the next morning on a daily basis. Many lay Buddhists also fast by not eating after noon until the following morning as well, but this is only carried out once a week. Some monks fast for between 18 and 36 days, drinking only water, as a means of reaching spiritual enlightenment. Buddhists, in general, often fast during festivals or on full moon days.

 Hinduism : Many Hindus believe that there is no ‘hard and fast rule’ in their religion. For instance in some cases fasting can be total abstinence from food or liquid from sunset to sunrise the next day, or it could mean limiting the number of meals one has in a day, or abstaining from certain food types. Individuals observe different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local customs and traditions. However, fasting during religious festivals is also very common such as Maha Shivaratree; most people observe a strict fast on this festival and don’t take a drop of water, or during the nine days of Navratri, which occurs twice a year in the months of April and October/November. Karwa Chauth is a form of fasting practiced in parts of India where married women undertake a fast for the well- being, prosperity, and a long life for their husbands.

 Judaism : There are two major fast days and four minor fast days that are part of the Jewish calendar year. The most important and holiest day of the Jewish year is Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), and on this day Jews fast and pray for a period of 25 hours; the other four fasts last 12 hours. The faster may not work on fast days, have sexual relations, take a bath, as well as use ointments and wear leather shoes. These fasts commemorate past events and are used to ask for forgiveness of sins as well as blessings. Jews may also conduct either personal or a communal fast to seek repentance when tragedy strikes, or in order to avert tragedy. It is also common amongst certain Jewish traditions for couples to fast on their wedding day before the ceremony takes place.

 Christianity : Lent is a solemn observance of many Christian denominations, lasting for a period of approximately six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.ChristianEaster Sunday During Lent, many branches of Christianity prescribe limiting food intake and giving up a particular vice. Practicing Catholics abstain from meat and limit food in-take on these days. Some inter-denominational Christians voluntarily fast intermittently throughout Lent, notably on Fridays. It teaches self control, atonement and empathy with the poor. It is seen as an act of sacrifice that reminds Christians of God and through fasting, while the flesh is denied comfort, the spirit is strengthened.

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