Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
Fasting and Its Position in Islam (Part Five)
Fasting in Previous Religions
Due to its benefits and wisdom, all major historical religions and laws have included fasting and required it from their adherents. One of the oldest religions still followed by many is Brahmanism. Professor Mahadeva, head of the Philosophy Department at the University of Madras, India, explains the status of fasting in Hinduism and Indian society:
“Among the annual festivals and celebrations, there are days specifically dedicated to fasting for the purification of the soul. Each Hindu sect has designated certain days for prayer and worship, and most people fast on these days by abstaining from food. They stay awake all night, reciting sacred texts and meditating. The most common and well-known fast among various Hindu groups is Vaikuntha Ekadashi, which is associated with Vishnu. However, it is not only the followers of Vishnu who observe this fast; rather, most people fast on this day and stay awake throughout the night. On certain days, only women fast and invoke feminine deities at different times of the day. Due to its special significance, this type of fasting is called Vrata (Vow), and it is specifically intended for spiritual purification, aiming to nourish the soul with spiritual sustenance.”
Brahmins also fast on the 15th and 12th days of each Hindu month. Thus, if they adhere strictly, they observe 24 fasting days annually.
The Jain tradition in India is even stricter regarding fasting conditions and rules than other religions, and its followers fast for forty consecutive days.
In ancient Egypt, people used to fast during religious festivals. In ancient Greece, fasting on the third day of the month of Nemesephoria was specifically designated for women. The Zoroastrian scriptures also contain commands and encouragements for fasting, even if it was limited to a specific class. Some Zoroastrian texts indicate that fasting for five years was obligatory for religious leaders and figures.
Fasting in Judaism
During the Babylonian era, the Jews considered fasting a symbol of mourning and grief. Whenever they sensed a threat or a priest prepared himself for divine inspiration or prophecy, they would fast. They would also fast if they believed that Allah was displeased, angry, or dissatisfied with them, or if their land was afflicted by crises, catastrophes, dangerous epidemics, or widespread famine. Temporary fasts were observed when their rulers planned to implement new policies.
Apart from the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is the only fixed fasting day in Judaism, there are limited permanent fast days on the Jewish calendar. They continuously fast on certain days to commemorate painful events that occurred during the Babylonian captivity. These include:
– Certain days in the fourth month (Tammuz)
– The fifth month (Av)
– The seventh month (Tishri)
– The tenth month (Tebet)
Some Talmudic scholars believe that fasting is obligatory during times of oppression and hardship but not necessary during periods of prosperity and comfort.
Over time, additional fasting days were added to commemorate the difficulties and tribulations the Jews faced. While these days are not obligatory, they are observed by some communities, amounting to around 25 fasting days annually, though opinions differ slightly regarding their number.
Additionally, regional and communal fasts vary based on where Jewish communities historically lived, commemorating tragic events, oppression, and hardships suffered under different rulers. Certain groups also fast to remember personal tragedies, historical incidents, or mourning rituals. Many Jewish communities observe fasting on the first day of the year.
Jewish scholars declare fasting obligatory during times of national crisis, delayed rainfall, famine, or strict government regulations. Personal and voluntary fasting has been practiced in Judaism from its early days, often to atone for sins, seek divine mercy during impending disasters, or commemorate personal events. However, if the fasting individual is a scholar or teacher, Jewish authorities discourage it, fearing that it may impair their intellectual focus and harm their health.
Another form of fasting is observed after experiencing a disturbing dream as a means of seeking spiritual clarity. Although Jewish law prohibits fasting on festive occasions, the Talmud allows it, provided that the person compensates by fasting on another ordinary atonement day.
In Judaism, fasting begins at sunrise and ends with the appearance of the first star in the evening. However, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and the Ninth of Av (Tisha B’Av) begin at sunset and continue until the following sunset.
There are no strict rituals for fasting, but charity and feeding the needy—especially during the evening meal—are strongly encouraged. The first nine days of the month of Av, as well as certain days between the seventh of Tammuz and the tenth of Av, are considered semi-fast days, during which only the consumption of meat and drinking alcohol are prohibited.
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