Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time
Fasting Introduction
Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. Depending on the tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual intercourse, masturbation, as well as refraining from eating certain types or groups of food.
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Sometimes people may need to fast before operations. Other times people may fast for their own self confidence and self belief. However, some people fast to lose weight. This can be quite dangerous and often leads to health problems such as bulimia or anorexia. This can not only cause physical problems but it often mentally affects people too.
Fasting has been used in the past for political reasons. The suffragettes used fasting as a way to be released from prison when they were arrested for their campaigns.
Also, lots of people use fasting as a way to raise money for charity. Sponsored fasts are quite popular and people of all ages participate. The Samaritans help organize sponsored fasts and other activities to raise money and awareness.
Fasting has also been used to demonstrate feats of endurance. For example David Blaine fasted for 44 days, drinking only water. In fact, the illusionist believed that he experienced a higher spiritual state and that living without food and human contact will lead to "the purest state you can be in".
Fasting can also be linked to religious practices. For example the period of time called Lent. This is where Christians give up a certain food or drink for 40 days. The forty day period is symbolic of the forty days spent by Jesus in the wilderness.
Another example is when Buddhist monks and nuns following the Vinaya rules commonly do not eat each day after the noon meal, though many orders today do not enforce this. This is not considered a fast, but rather a disciplined regime aiding in meditation.
Muslims follow the lunar calendar. This means that Ramadan is different every year. Sometimes it is in summer when the days are long and hot, other times it is in winter, when the days are short and cool. Because the fast lasts from sunrise to sunset, it is much harder for Muslims to fast in the summer time, as it is hotter and the day is longer, they are less hydrated and the time in which they do not eat or drink is greater. Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar; it's also the ...
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Muslims follow the lunar calendar. This means that Ramadan is different every year. Sometimes it is in summer when the days are long and hot, other times it is in winter, when the days are short and cool. Because the fast lasts from sunrise to sunset, it is much harder for Muslims to fast in the summer time, as it is hotter and the day is longer, they are less hydrated and the time in which they do not eat or drink is greater. Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar; it's also the month of fasting. The fast lasts for 30 days, one month.
In Islam, fasting for a month is a compulsory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from fajr (dawn), until maghrib (sunset). Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, and engage in sexual intercourse while fasting. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times a Muslim draws closer to their Lord by abandoning the things they enjoy, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of their faith and their devotion to God (Allah) all the more apparent.
God informs Muslims in the Qur'an that fasting was prescribed for those before them (i.e., the Jews and Christians) and that by fasting Muslim gains 'taqwa', which can be described as the care taken by a person to do everything God has commanded and to keep away from everything that he has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins and is a shield with which the Muslim protects him/herself from jahannam (Hell).
Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behavior. Fasting also includes a sense of company and harmony, as Muslims feel and experience what their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. So Ramadan is a month of giving Zakah (charity) and sharing meals to break the fast together.
Some people aren't permitted to fast. For example, the elderly, children, sick/ill people, pregnant women and poor people don't have to fast but often try to help in other ways, for example giving money, or volunteering to help with the festival celebration. These terms also apply to those that must break the fast.
All Muslims feast together. They must eat early in the morning (Suhoor) and then again late at night (Iftar). Traditionally, the Suhoor might include porridge, bread or fruit. It is said that the Prophet Mohammad himself recommended including dates as part of the Suhoor meal. Once the sun begins to set, the daily fast is slowly broken with a simple snack-like bread, cheese or fruit. Then once the edge has been taken off peoples hunger, evening prayers are said, followed by the big evening meal, called Iftar (the food that breaks the fast), which often includes a hearty stew or spiced vegetable dish.
When the new moon arrives to signal the end of Ramadan, there is a major celebration called Eid ul-fitr. The feasting and revelry of Eid ul-fitr are far grander than any of the other dinners held during Ramadan. Eid ul-fitr is a time when the whole community comes together to rejoice and, of course, eat. Platters of steaming food, music, games and general merriment appear as everyone celebrates their achievements.
It can be quite hard for Muslims to fast in non Muslim countries as they would be doing this within a majority community who is not doing it with them.
It might affect how they work, their attention span or their effort levels. In some Northern cities such as Sheffield where there are large Muslim populations Ramadan can affect the lives of others such as commuters seeking taxis from the train station, when Ramadan is taking place Muslims may change their work patterns which can have a knock on effect to the wider community.
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If you were fasting in a Muslim country, it would be much easier; everyone around you would be encouraging you and practicing it with you. Food just wouldn't be available to have during the periods of fasting, so there would be hardly any temptation. Also, employers would understand the affects and be able to deal with fasting employees better.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of Ramadan. The main advantages are as follows; Ramadan in of course a religious festival, one that brings together those who have faith and who believe in Allah. In Britain today, faith is a very big divide, some have it, and some don't. Faith is a very valuable thing to have. Ramadan gives a chance for those that have faith to share it with their community. It offers new relationships to grow, it helps families grow stronger, and it helps communities grow bigger. Ramadan is a time of happiness and sorrow. A time for charity, giving and receiving. A time to grow closer to Allah and to Islam itself. It also teaches you self-control because when you're fasting you have to control your anger and you cannot swear, while you are fasting you will feel hunger and thirst of the poor and less fortunate people and this is meant to learn you to control you're passions and appetite. It helps one to feel compassionate for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged, since each day one will feel greater appreciation for what he/she has a result of feeling hunger, thirst and the desire to smoke. It offers a time for Muslims to ''purify'' their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spiritually and community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims.
There are many benefits in what Ramadan offers however there are many disadvantages too. For example the fact that Fasting affects the physical state of people, they feel more tired, less energetic and generally less healthy. This can affect work. This is a huge disadvantage in non Muslim countries. As I have said before, people are less considerate of Muslim needs in non Muslim countries. Therefore bosses might not understand why you aren't working as well as normal. It doesn't only affect your work, but it affects your general mental state of mind. If you have less energy you tend to be less aware or things and get tired out easier. Therefore looking after your family may be harder and more work. Like many religious festivals, Ramadan could provoke a greater divide in those who are religious and those who aren't. Sectioning yourself off to one culture and one group of people can be a bad thing. It makes other cultures and groups of people feel further apart. Another disadvantage of Ramadan is that the hunger and the thirst can be agonizing and you have to try really hard to follow the rules of fasting e.g. no swearing, smoking or taking drugs. Therefore I believe that Ramadan has only got advantages because it teaches you self-discipline and how to control your passions and appetite.
Ramadan can be a very emotional time for Muslims. Many Muslims believe that it brings them closer to God and closer to Islam. Others believe that it brings them closer in their community and closer in their family. Ramadan is a way of showing their devotion to their faith. It also helps Muslims learn more about their faith, more about the Qu'ran.
