Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
Fasting and Its Position in Islam (Part 6)
Fasting in Christianity:
Fasting in Christianity requires explanation and elaboration, as Christianity, more than any other religion, has been less concerned with comprehensive jurisprudential legislation and universal rulings that would apply to all historical periods, Christian societies, and religious groups. Instead, it has continually evolved alongside contemporary circumstances, political factors, and social and economic changes. Therefore, it is difficult to classify the regulations related to fasting as divine law. Nevertheless, we have attempted to provide a brief overview of fasting in Christianity and its historical development.
“Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days before beginning his mission, and he likely observed the Day of Atonement, which was a mandatory fast in Judaism, just as devout Jews did. However, he did not establish specific laws for fasting but left behind certain principles and entrusted the church with the responsibility of formulating regulations for fasting and its implementation. No one can claim that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) personally issued fasting laws. Recently, Christian sources have mentioned that Paul and the early Christians of Israelite descent continued to observe the Day of Atonement as a fast. Luke, the priest, referred to it as a day of celebration, but Christians of other ethnic backgrounds did not emphasize its observance as much.”
By the end of the first Christian century and about half a century after the death of Paul, there was a significant inclination among Christians toward establishing fasting laws. However, the practice of fasting was left to the piety and self-discipline of the individual. During this period, monks and church priests recommended fasting to help Christians resist material and sensual temptations. There was a prevailing belief that fasting should not be viewed as a mere external practice but rather as an act that spiritually impacts the fasting individual.
The priest Irenaeus described the various fasting practices of that era, stating that some fasts lasted one or two days, while others extended for several days or forty continuous hours. This continued for a long time, and the “Friday of Sorrows” or “Crucifixion Friday” became a nationally observed day of fasting.
In the second century, fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays became common in some regions. Those preparing for baptism would fast for one or two days, as did those responsible for performing baptisms. However, there were minor differences in fasting methods and regulations among Christian sects.
From the second to the fifth century, fasting became more systematically organized, and the church issued a list of regulations and guidelines on the subject. By the fourth century, fasting laws became more stringent and well-defined, transitioning from flexibility and leniency to rigidity, organization, and strict enforcement. Two days before the Passover (Easter) festival were designated for fasting, and the fast lasted until midnight. Those unable to fast due to illness were allowed to observe the fast on Saturday instead.
By the third century, fasting periods were officially recorded, though disagreements persisted regarding the time of breaking the fast. Some groups would begin fasting at the sound of the rooster’s crow and break it at the next crow, while others would fast until nightfall.
By the fourth century, there was no clear evidence of a forty-day fast, and fasting customs varied based on the geographical location of Christian communities. For instance, fasting practices in Rome differed from those in Lana and Alexandria. Some abstained from eating meat altogether, while others allowed the consumption of poultry. Some limited their diet to dry bread, while others refrained from eating any of these foods.
In later centuries, new fasting days were introduced to commemorate events related to the life of Jesus (peace be upon him) and Christian history. Listing all of these would be extensive. Some of these fasts lasted only three to four hours, during which the fasting individual abstained from food and drink.
During the Middle Ages, various fasting days were designated throughout the Christian world. However, over time, these fasting practices underwent significant changes and varied based on the regions and territories governed by the church.
After various reforms, the Church of England established fasting days but did not enforce specific rules and regulations for them, leaving the observance of fasting to the conscience and sense of responsibility of the individual. During the reigns of Edward VI, James I, and under the Charter of Elizabeth, the English Parliament enacted a law prohibiting the consumption of meat on fasting days. This law was justified by stating that “fishing and maritime trade must be expanded and made profitable.”
Thus, when Allah Almighty ordained fasting in Islam and made it obligatory upon Muslims, He revealed: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ» Translation: “O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety.”
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