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Fasting is observed differently from one religion to another. However they all have the same end in common, a deep act of personal worship in which they seek a raised level of closeness to God. The purpose of fasting is to turn the heart and mind away from worldly activities and to cleanse the inner soul. Properly observing the fast induces a feeling of peace and calm.
The word "fasting" is derived from the root whose main meaning is to hold, to keep, to observe or to restrain oneself. It is one of the oldest and most common forms of worship.
Hinduism
Fasting is an integrated part of most religions, while a religion such as Sikhism does not encourage fasting. The Hindu religion does not require or mandate to fast; it merely suggests it, leaving it mostly to the individual's decision or belief.
Most fasting Hindus abstain from eating meat and only live on fruit and milk. They fast during certain religious holy days as a means of developing a closer bond with the Supreme Being and as a way of cleansing the body.
Judaism
There are three forms of fast in the Jewish religion and about six to seven days of fasting throughout the year. The best known event is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonnement which is observed by Jewish communities the world over. It is the only fast day mentioned in the Torah and its date changes according to the Hebrew calendar. It is a 25 hour fast where the following is forbidden: washing the body, wearing leather shoes, the use of oil and perfumes, marital relations, any kind of work or eating or drinking. On this day one goes to the synagogue and prays 5 times a day (instead of the normal 3 times a day). On the day of Yom Kippur, the faster takes a ritual bath in the synagogue as a purification of body and soul.
Other occasions of fasting include the commemoration of the day of destruction of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Each year Jews fast on that day as a request to the creator to reconstruct the temple of Jerusalem. Other periods of fasting can be decided by religious scholars depending on circumstances.
Christianity
The practice of fasting varies greatly between different denominations of Christianity. To the orthodox Christians, fasting is an abstinence from worldly pleasures and activities, seeking to return to the relationship of love and obedience to God that Adam and Eve lost as a result of their temptation in paradise.
As for Christians in general fasting is a matter of individual devotion. It has always been part of the Christian tradition as has alms giving to the poor. It is not seen as a guarantee of reaching God but it helps to condition the heart and mind to bring the worshipper closer to him. Self denial has always been an important feature of Christian devotion. Fasting is usually a matter of total abstinence from food and drink but water is allowed. Some Christians observe different patterns of fasting. Roman Catholics, for instance, fast before receiving Holy Communion. The main factor is to practice self denial and this is especially so during Lent prior to Easter and Advent prior to Christmas when the faithful ask God's forgiveness for their sins and try to lead a better life.
It could be said that greater secularism in the west has sometimes reduced the practice by making it a voluntary rather than a compulsory act.
Islam
One month a year, Muslims fast during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is the practice by which Muslims express their commitment and faithfulness to God's law. Ramadan is a period of religious observance that happens during the ninth month of the lunar calendar and it is either 29 or 30 days. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a month of fasting and prayer to get closer to God. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of purity. It allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, and intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. Muslims can eat after the sun has set. Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill and the young are all exempt from fasting.
The month of Ramadan is the month during which, in 610, the Prophet Muhammad had the revelation through the angel Gabriel that he had been chosen to be the messenger of God. Muslims believe that it was the night of the "Lailat al-Kadr" (The night of destiny that the Quran's first verse was revealed. The exact night of the "Lailat al-Kadr" is unknown but the prophet Mohammad indicated that it was one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. This event is celebrated by going to the mosques during a big part of night for prayer and repentance.
The date of the start of Ramadan is different every year, because it follows a lunar calendar. The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by the vision of the crescent moon.
In Morocco, fasting in Ramadan is scrupulously respected and it is the most prominent event of this month. "Siam" (fasting) during Ramadan is very strict: all day, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims must refrain from food, drink and marital relations. They break the fast at the sunset around the moment of the fourth prayer of the day "Salat al Maghrib" (the prayer of sunset).
Each country has developed through time its traditions during Ramadan. Unlike the past, there are now more Moslems spread around the globe enriching those traditions and their way of life .These customs include festivity and family gatherings. After breaking the fast "Iftar", the festive atmosphere prevails. Families gather for the "Fotour" meal that was carefully prepared with several traditional meals specific to the month of Ramadan. In Morocco, one finds meals such as the traditional "Sellou" (a sweet powder made of cooked flour topped with almonds), Moroccan pancakes: "Beghrir", "Mssemen" and "Harcha" and the sweet Moroccan cookie "Chebakiya" (fried and covered with honey). The "Fotour" meal is composed also of the "Harira" (traditional tomato soup), boiled eggs, mint tea, orange juice, milk, coffee…in addition to dates that are highly consumed during this month because of their nutritional benefits and the energy they provide.
Ome people have a late dinner then they go to bed and their next meal would be at sunset while others wake up before the sunrise to eat the "Sohour", a meal that is generally the equivalent of a normal breakfast. It is an important meal since it will allow the faster to stay active all day. "Salat al Fajr" (the prayer of the dawn) which is the first prayer of the day and the beginning of the fast.
Ramadan is a time for reading the Koran (the sacred book) and praying to be closer to God. Often, in the oratories and mosques, prayer continues into the night. Ramadan is also a time when Muslims turn from worldly affairs and focus on self reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between God and themselves by prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. This does not mean that Moslems do this only during Ramadan, but in this holy month these virtues are concentrated.
Ramadan ends with Eid el Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast). This is a great explosion of joy. After the early prayer at the mosque, family, friends and neighbours share festive meals. There is a lot of cooking to receive guests, family, and friends. Muslims also pay "Zakat" (the mandatory religious pittance) at the end of the month of Ramadan. For those who qualify to pay the "Zakat", it is a percentage of the profit earned on their wealth in that Islamic calendar year.
Besides Ramadan there are voluntary days for fasting that include each Monday and Thursday of the week, the 13-14-15th days of the lunar month. Six days of Shawal (after Ramadan), the day of Arafat (9th day of Hijra) and the day of Ashura.
The word "fasting" is derived from the root whose main meaning is to hold, to keep, to observe or to restrain oneself. It is one of the oldest and most common forms of worship.
Hinduism
Fasting is an integrated part of most religions, while a religion such as Sikhism does not encourage fasting. The Hindu religion does not require or mandate to fast; it merely suggests it, leaving it mostly to the individual's decision or belief.
Most fasting Hindus abstain from eating meat and only live on fruit and milk. They fast during certain religious holy days as a means of developing a closer bond with the Supreme Being and as a way of cleansing the body.
Judaism
There are three forms of fast in the Jewish religion and about six to seven days of fasting throughout the year. The best known event is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonnement which is observed by Jewish communities the world over. It is the only fast day mentioned in the Torah and its date changes according to the Hebrew calendar. It is a 25 hour fast where the following is forbidden: washing the body, wearing leather shoes, the use of oil and perfumes, marital relations, any kind of work or eating or drinking. On this day one goes to the synagogue and prays 5 times a day (instead of the normal 3 times a day). On the day of Yom Kippur, the faster takes a ritual bath in the synagogue as a purification of body and soul.
Other occasions of fasting include the commemoration of the day of destruction of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Each year Jews fast on that day as a request to the creator to reconstruct the temple of Jerusalem. Other periods of fasting can be decided by religious scholars depending on circumstances.
Christianity
The practice of fasting varies greatly between different denominations of Christianity. To the orthodox Christians, fasting is an abstinence from worldly pleasures and activities, seeking to return to the relationship of love and obedience to God that Adam and Eve lost as a result of their temptation in paradise.
As for Christians in general fasting is a matter of individual devotion. It has always been part of the Christian tradition as has alms giving to the poor. It is not seen as a guarantee of reaching God but it helps to condition the heart and mind to bring the worshipper closer to him. Self denial has always been an important feature of Christian devotion. Fasting is usually a matter of total abstinence from food and drink but water is allowed. Some Christians observe different patterns of fasting. Roman Catholics, for instance, fast before receiving Holy Communion. The main factor is to practice self denial and this is especially so during Lent prior to Easter and Advent prior to Christmas when the faithful ask God's forgiveness for their sins and try to lead a better life.
It could be said that greater secularism in the west has sometimes reduced the practice by making it a voluntary rather than a compulsory act.
Islam
One month a year, Muslims fast during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is the practice by which Muslims express their commitment and faithfulness to God's law. Ramadan is a period of religious observance that happens during the ninth month of the lunar calendar and it is either 29 or 30 days. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a month of fasting and prayer to get closer to God. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of purity. It allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, and intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. Muslims can eat after the sun has set. Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill and the young are all exempt from fasting.
The month of Ramadan is the month during which, in 610, the Prophet Muhammad had the revelation through the angel Gabriel that he had been chosen to be the messenger of God. Muslims believe that it was the night of the "Lailat al-Kadr" (The night of destiny that the Quran's first verse was revealed. The exact night of the "Lailat al-Kadr" is unknown but the prophet Mohammad indicated that it was one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. This event is celebrated by going to the mosques during a big part of night for prayer and repentance.
The date of the start of Ramadan is different every year, because it follows a lunar calendar. The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by the vision of the crescent moon.
In Morocco, fasting in Ramadan is scrupulously respected and it is the most prominent event of this month. "Siam" (fasting) during Ramadan is very strict: all day, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims must refrain from food, drink and marital relations. They break the fast at the sunset around the moment of the fourth prayer of the day "Salat al Maghrib" (the prayer of sunset).
Each country has developed through time its traditions during Ramadan. Unlike the past, there are now more Moslems spread around the globe enriching those traditions and their way of life .These customs include festivity and family gatherings. After breaking the fast "Iftar", the festive atmosphere prevails. Families gather for the "Fotour" meal that was carefully prepared with several traditional meals specific to the month of Ramadan. In Morocco, one finds meals such as the traditional "Sellou" (a sweet powder made of cooked flour topped with almonds), Moroccan pancakes: "Beghrir", "Mssemen" and "Harcha" and the sweet Moroccan cookie "Chebakiya" (fried and covered with honey). The "Fotour" meal is composed also of the "Harira" (traditional tomato soup), boiled eggs, mint tea, orange juice, milk, coffee…in addition to dates that are highly consumed during this month because of their nutritional benefits and the energy they provide.
Ome people have a late dinner then they go to bed and their next meal would be at sunset while others wake up before the sunrise to eat the "Sohour", a meal that is generally the equivalent of a normal breakfast. It is an important meal since it will allow the faster to stay active all day. "Salat al Fajr" (the prayer of the dawn) which is the first prayer of the day and the beginning of the fast.
Ramadan is a time for reading the Koran (the sacred book) and praying to be closer to God. Often, in the oratories and mosques, prayer continues into the night. Ramadan is also a time when Muslims turn from worldly affairs and focus on self reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between God and themselves by prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. This does not mean that Moslems do this only during Ramadan, but in this holy month these virtues are concentrated.
Ramadan ends with Eid el Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast). This is a great explosion of joy. After the early prayer at the mosque, family, friends and neighbours share festive meals. There is a lot of cooking to receive guests, family, and friends. Muslims also pay "Zakat" (the mandatory religious pittance) at the end of the month of Ramadan. For those who qualify to pay the "Zakat", it is a percentage of the profit earned on their wealth in that Islamic calendar year.
Besides Ramadan there are voluntary days for fasting that include each Monday and Thursday of the week, the 13-14-15th days of the lunar month. Six days of Shawal (after Ramadan), the day of Arafat (9th day of Hijra) and the day of Ashura.
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