“FASTING WAS MADE OBLIGATORY ALSO UPON THOSE BEFORE YOU”

Many people, looking at today’s non-Muslims, assume that fasting is an act of worship unique only to Islam. Whereas fasting existed in all previous religions as well. However, its conditions and forms were different.

In the Noble Quran, it is stated that fasting was made obligatory upon earlier communities. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also says that the difference between the fasting of Ahl al-Kitab (the People of the Book) and that of Muslims is the pre-dawn meal (suhur). Fasting has been regarded as a purification that facilitates turning toward the God.

When the Prophet Muhammad arrived in Medina, he saw that the Jews there were fasting on the Day of Ashura, the 10th day of the month of Muharram. When he asked the reason, they said that it was the day when the Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved from the hand of Pharaoh, and that the Prophet Musa fasted on this day. Thereupon the Prophet Muhammad said, “We are more deserving of reviving the sunnah of my brother Musa,” and he fasted; he also commanded the Muslims to do so. Later, when the Ramadan fast was made obligatory, fasting on the Day of Ashura became optional: whoever wished fasted, and whoever wished did not.

The Ramadan fast was made obligatory 18 months after the Hijra. The Battle of Badr took place immediately after this, in the month of Ramadan. The Turkish word oruç (fasting) comes from the Persian ruze, meaning “day.” Nevertheless, even Iranians today use the Arabic word sawm.

Fasting in Judaism

In the Torah, it is related that the Prophet Musa fasted for forty days on Mount Tur (taanit), and that the Prophet Dawud (David) fasted because of the calamities that befell him. Esther, a Jewish woman who wished to protect her people from the oppression of the Persian ruler, asked them to fast for three days. This fast, known as the Fast of Esther, is observed on the two Mondays and one Thursday following the 13th of Adar (March).

As atonement for having made and worshipped the golden calf while the Prophet Musa was on Mount Tur, the fast of Yom Kippur (= yawm al-kaffara, Day of Atonement), which is also the New Year, is observed on the 10th of Tishri (late October), and worship is performed in the temple throughout the day. There are also four other fast days observed in memory of the siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of Bayt al-Maqdis twice, and the Babylonian captivity: 10 Tevet (January), 9 Av (August), 17 Tammuz, and 3 Tishri.

In addition to these, there are fasts commanded by rabbis or left to the discretion of individuals. On the Monday and Thursday following the Passover (Pesach) festival (15–22 April), which commemorates the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, fasting is observed. Before Passover (14 April), fasting is observed in memory of the firstborn children; likewise, newlyweds fast on their wedding day.

In minor fasts, only eating and drinking are forbidden; on major fast days, bathing, applying perfume, wearing leather shoes, and sexual relations are also forbidden. Minor fasts last throughout the daytime; major fasts such as Yom Kippur and 9 Av last a little more than 24 hours. Between 1 and 9 Av, meat and wine are also avoided, and hair is not cut. Reform Jews accept only the Yom Kippur fast.

Fasting in Christianity

Fasting is mentioned in the Gospel, but no detailed instructions are given on how it should be observed. The prophet Isa (Jesus) fasted for forty days in the desert in preparation for his mission. The apostles fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. According to a narration, the first Christians, being unable to endure fasting when it coincided with the hot season, postponed it to winter; then, when they were struck by an epidemic, they thought this was a punishment and added ten more days, moving it to spring.

Today, Christians have a forty-day fast that ends before Easter, in commemoration of the fast that the Prophet Isa observed in the desert. It begins on the first Sunday following the full moon after 21 March. This is called the Great Lent. Since Sundays are not fasted, it totals 34 days. Easter commemorates the ascension of the Prophet Isa to heaven. The first day of the fast is also Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Consecrated ashes are sprinkled on the forehead or head. This is seven weeks before Easter. Before the fast, meat feasts are held; this is called Farewell to Meat (Carnival). Today, before this week, extravagant entertainments unrelated to religion are held. Fifty days after Easter is Pentecost, believed to be the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.

Apart from the Great Lent, fasting is observed on three days when repentance is believed to be accepted: Wednesday, when the Prophet Isa was betrayed; Friday, when he was allegedly crucified; and Saturday, when he was allegedly buried. There are also fasts observed on feast days. In Christian tradition, the Assumption, commemorating Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven (15 August), is preceded by a period of fasting.

Over time, the form of fasting was changed and turned into abstention from animal-based foods. During the reign of King James I, the English parliament passed a decision allowing the consumption of fish on abstinence days in order to support maritime trade. In the nineteenth century, permission was given to consume eggs, milk, and dairy products.

According to church law, those between the ages of 18 and 60 must fast. One of the three meals is eaten fully. Nothing is eaten between the other two meals, which together constitute two-thirds of a normal day’s food; liquids may be consumed. Meat may be eaten at the main meal of the day, and also on fast days other than Wednesday, Friday, the Assumption, and Christmas. Modernist Protestant Christians practice fasting according to themselves: by reducing smoking and drinking; performing their work and duties toward people more carefully; and engaging in good deeds.

The Twelve Imams Fast

In Alevism, there is the “Twelve Imams Fast.” It begins on the 1st of Muharram and ends on the 12th. (It resembles the twelve-day Akitu fast observed by the Babylonians at the New Year.) In memory of Husayn ibn Ali, who suffered thirst on the days of fasting, water is not drunk; however, other liquids may be consumed. Animal-based foods and onions are never eaten. Things that give pleasure are not used. In order not to resemble other religions, iftar (fast breaking) is made shortly before or after sunset; suhur is not observed. Some do not shave or bathe. On the last day, ashura (a customary dessert) is cooked and eaten. There is also the Hızır (Khidr) Fast, which begins on the Tuesday following 13 February and ends on Thursday. In this fast, water and animal-based foods are consumed. As a custom, on the last day water is not drunk, and it is believed that one will marry into the household that gives him or her water in a dream that night. Some observe the Hızır welcoming fast every Thursday for four weeks beforehand.