Fasting

Fasting : 

Fasting Fasting

Fasting In Islam : 

Fasting In Islam Originally, in Arabic the word 'as-Sawm' (Sawm) meant 'al-Imsak', that is, to abstain totally from any act including eating, drinking, walking, speaking, etc. Thus, the Arabs used to refer to a horse refusing to run or to be fed, as 'Saum', that is, fasting. As is clear, the word 'Sawm' is ancient and was used in a different context by the Arabs before Islam. Then, however it did not have the specific meaning given to it by Islam as a term denoting a certain religious obligation. As an Islamic term, it means to refrain intentionally from what breaks fasting.

Fasting In Islam : 

Fasting In Islam To a Muslim, Ramadan fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking but carries the added significance of worship, psychological comfort, morality and legislation. It is neither the irrational motionless 'Imsak' of pre-Islamic Arabs nor the mere abstaining from eating and drinking, but is, in fact, the building of one's character, control over desires, and an inspiration towards social and scientific creativity.

Fasting In Islam : 

Fasting In Islam God has commanded this sanctified duty and enjoined it on the Muslims, as He had enjoined it on the believing nations before. He assigned the blessed month, the month of Ramadan, for every adult and healthy Muslim as a period of fasting. This sacred ordinance was prescribed by God, for all believers and revealed in the preceding month of Shaaban, nearly a year and a half after the Hijra (the Prophet's auspicious migration from Makkah to Medina [in 622 BC] which marks the start of the Islamic calendar).

Fasting In Islam : 

Fasting In Islam Gradually, God revealed numerous other verses about the month of Ramadan and the rules of fasting. In light of these divine injunctions, Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) expounded the merits of fasting, its significance, regulations, effects, benefits and great reward. Hence, fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and a religious duty for all those who believe in monotheism, and consequently, whoever denies it is an unbeliever.

Fasting according to the Quran : 

Fasting according to the Quran Believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, that you become God fearing. Quran 2:183

Fasting according to the Quran : 

Fasting according to the Quran Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever, voluntarily, does more good than is required, will find it is better for him;  and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know. 2:184

Fasting according to the Quran : 

Fasting according to the Quran During the month of Ramadan the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance to the people with clear signs of the true guidance, and as the Criterion (between right and wrong). So those of you who live to see that month should fast it, and whoever is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of other days instead. Allah wants ease and not hardship for you so that you may complete the number of days required, magnify Allah for what He has guided you to, and give thanks to Him.  2:185

Fasting according to hadith : 

Fasting according to hadith Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Fasting according to hadith : 

Fasting according to hadith Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Fasting according to hadith : 

Fasting according to hadith Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

‘Fasting in other religons : 

‘Fasting in other religons Fasting - The Bahá’í faith In the Bahá'í Faith, fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset during the Bahá’í month of `Ala' (between March 2nd through March 20th). Bahá'u'lláh established the guidelines in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. It is the complete abstaining from both food and drink (including abstaining from smoking). Observing the fast is an individual obligation, and is binding on all Bahá’ís who have reached the age of maturity (15 years).

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting - Buddhism Buddhist monks and nuns following the Vinaya rules commonly fast each day after the noon meal, though many orders today do not enforce this fast.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting - Christianity Fasting is a practice in several Christian denominations. Other Christian denominations do not practice it because they see it as a merely external observance. Moses fasted for forty days and forty nights while he was on the mountain with God. King David fasted in petition for one of his sons who was sick. King Jehosaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah for victory over tribes who were attacking them.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons The prophet Isaiah chastised the Israelites in Isaiah 58 for the unrighteous methods and motives of their fasting. He clarified some of the best reasons for fasting and listed both physical and spiritual benefits that would result. The prophet Joel called for a fast to avert the judgement of God. The people of Nineveh in response to Jonah's prophecy, fasted to avert the judgement of God. The Pharisees in Jesus' time fasted regularly. Jesus rebuked them, however, for doing so to gain favor from men. He preached to them that they should fast in private, not letting others know they were fasting.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights while in the wilderness, prior to the three temptations. The prophetess Anna fasted regularly. There are indications in the New Testament that members of the early Christian Church fasted regularly.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons For Charismatic Christians fasting is undertaken at the leading of God. Fasting is done in order to seek a closer intimacy with God, as well as an act of petition. Some take up a regular fast of one or two days a week as a spiritual observance. Holiness movements, such as John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield started in the early days of Methodism, often practice such regular fasts as part of their regimen.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons For Orthodox Christians, there are five fasting seasons, which include Nativity, Meatfast, Great Lent & Holy Week, Apostles' Fast and Dormition. Fasting during these times refers to abstention from animal products, olive oil (or all oils, according to some Orthodox traditions), wine and spirits -- see Eastern Orthodoxy (Fasting). Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The idea is not to suffer, but to use the experience to come closer to God, to realize one's excesses and for alms giving. Fasting without prayer and almsgiving (donating the money saved to a local charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances) is considered useless or even spiritually harmful by many Orthodox Christians.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting - Jainism Jains fast for a variety of time periods. In Jainism fasting is seen as a must for purification of the soul. Jains may take boiled natural water while fasting or take no water at all (nirjala upvas). Many Jains abstain from food and water after sunset until next sunrise which is considered to be a kind of fasting.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting - Judaism Observant Jews fast on 7 days during the Jewish calendar. Five of these are considered minor fast days, and on these days fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset. The Fast of Gedaliah The Fast of the 10th of Tevet The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz, The Fast of Esther, which takes place immediately before Purim The Fast of the Firstborn, which takes place before Passover, and only applies to first-born sons (or their father, if underage).

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting - Hinduism Fasting is a very integral part of the Hindu religion. Individuals observe different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local customs. Some are listed below- Some Hindus fast on certain days of the month such as Ekadasi (the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight) or Purnima (full moon). Certain days of the week are also set aside for fasting depending on personal belief and favorite deity.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Fasting during religious festivals is also very common. Common examples are Shivaratri or the 9 days of Navratri (which occurs twice a year in the months of April and Oct/Nov during Dussera just before Diwali, as per the Hindu Calendar). Karwa Chauth is perhaps a form of fasting unique to the northern part of India where married women undertake a fast for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. The Fast is broken after the wife views the moon through a sieve after sunset.

Fasting in other religons : 

Fasting in other religons Methods of fasting also vary widely and cover a broad spectrum. If followed strictly, the person fasting does not partake any food or water from the previous day's sunset until 48 minutes after the following day's sunrise. Fasting can also mean limiting oneself to one meal during the day and/or abstaining from eating certain food types and/or eating only certain food-types.