Sub-section Four: Fasting:

Fasting is the most important rite of worship in all religions for its worldly and spiritual advantages, as it serves both body and soul that constitute man. Allah (SWT) says: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may ward off (evil).” (II: 183) So, fasting was prescribed by Allah for the nations preceding the Muslim Ummah, as Allah (SWT) says: “Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you.” But Islamic fasting is distinguished from fasting in other religions by many features, some of which are mentioned below:

The two pillars of fasting:

1.     Imsak: Abstaining from all things that render the fast invalid from dawn till sunset, as Allah (SWT) says: “You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset.” (II: 187)

2.     Intention: It should be made at night before fasting. Allah (SWT) says: “All that was asked of them was to worship Allah, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone.” (LCVIII: 5)

The difference between fasting in Islam and that in other religions is that a Muslim abstains from taking all kinds of food and water from dawn till sunset, whereas in other religions the fast may continue up to noon and one may abstain from taking certain kinds of food, and thereby the intended benefits are not realized as they are realized in Islam.

The wise purpose of fasting:

1.     It teaches the Muslim sincerity, for sincerity is practically manifest in fasting as we understand from the Qudsi hadith: “All the deeds of a human are for him except fasting, which is for me, and I Myself will give its reward.”

2.     Fasting is high practical training in controlling and rising above human districts of “eating, drinking and sex”. Man is in great need of such superiority and sincerity.

3.     Fasting reminds of the suffering of other needy Muslim brothers from hunger and stimulates the fasting person to offer them what may satisfy their need, and thereby the ties and love among Muslims get stronger. Therefore, you find Muslims most generous during the month of Ramadan.

4.     Hunger refines the soul, restrains its lusts and controls it with the fear from Allah (piety); therefore, acts of disobedience and corruption decrease in Ramadan. Allah (SWT) says: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may ward off (evil).” (II: 183)

5.     Fasting refines the soul, purifies it and restrains its anger.

6.     Fasting strengthens Islamic unity, for by fasting a whole month, the month of Ramadan, during which all Muslims fast, every Muslim will be aware of the strong tie among Muslims, and the Brotherhood of Muslims will be confirmed.

Following is a table illustrating the differences in fasting among the three religions: