Fasting — a unique form of worship !!!

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Fasting — a unique form of worship !!!

Posted by Rafiq A. Tschannen

ARAB NEWS

Friday 12 July 2013

Fasting has been practiced for centuries in connection with religious ceremonies

by Christians, Jews, Confucianists, Hindus, Taoists, and Jains. God mentions

this fact in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” (Qur’an 2:183)

Some Native American societies fasted to avert catastrophe or to serve as penance for sin. Native North Americans held tribal fasts to avert threatening disasters. Past nations of the Old World, such as the Assyrians and the Babylonians, observed fasting as a form of penance. Jews observe fasting as a form of penitence and purification annually on the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. On this day neither food nor drink is permitted.

Early Christians associated fasting with penitence and purification. Later, these fasts were made obligatory, as others days were subsequently added. In the 6th century, the Lenten fast was expanded to 40 days, on each of which only one meal was permitted.

Fasting took another form in the West: The hunger strike, a form of fasting, which in modern times has become a political weapon.

Islam is the only religion that has retained the outward and spiritual dimensions of fasting throughout centuries. Selfish motives and desires of the base self alienate a man from his Creator. The most unruly human emotions are pride, avarice, gluttony, lust, envy, and anger. These emotions by their nature are not easy to control, thus a person must strive hard to discipline them. Muslims fast to purify their soul, it puts a bridle on the most uncontrolled, savage human emotions. People have gone to two extremes with regard to them. Some let these emotions steer their life which lead to barbarism among the ancients, and crass materialism of consumer cultures in modern times. Others tried to deprive themselves completely of these human traits, which in turn led to monasticism.

The fourth pillar of Islam, the fast of Ramadan, occurs once each year during the 9th lunar month, the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which: “…the Qur’an was sent down as a guidance for the people.” (Qur’an 2:185)

God in His infinite mercy has exempted the sick, travelers, and others who are unable from fasting during Ramadan.

Fasting helps Muslims develop self-control, gain a better understanding of God’s gifts and greater compassion toward the deprived. Fasting in Islam involves abstaining from all bodily pleasures between dawn and sunset. Not only is food forbidden, but also any sexual activity. All things which are regarded as prohibited is even more so in this month, due to its sacredness. Each and every moment during the fast, a person suppresses their passions and desires in loving obedience to God. This consciousness of duty and the spirit of patience helps in strengthening our faith. Fasting helps a person gain self-control. A person who abstains from permissible things like food and drink is likely to feel conscious of his sins. A heightened sense of spirituality helps break the habits of lying, staring with lust at the opposite sex, gossiping, and wasting time. Staying hungry and thirsty for just a day’s portion makes one feel the misery of the hundreds of millions who go hungry in the world. After all, why would anyone care about starvation if one has never felt its pangs oneself? One can see why Ramadan is also a month of charity and giving.

Muslimsat the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah wait for breaking the fast on the first day of Ramadan on Wednesday. (AN photo)

At dusk, the fast is broken with a light meal popularly referred to as iftar. Families and friends
 share a special late evening meal together, often including special foods and sweets served only
at this time of the year. Near the end of Ramadan Muslims commemorate the “Night of Power”
when the Qur’an was revealed. The month of Ramadan ends with one of the two major Islamic celebrations, the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast, called Eid Al-Fitr. On this day, Muslims joyfully celebrate the completion of Ramadan and customarily distribute gifts to children. Muslims are also
obliged to help the poor join in the spirit of relaxation and enjoyment by distributing zakat-ul-fitr,
 a special and obligatory act of charity in the form of staple foodstuff, in order that all may enjoy
the general euphoria of the day.

n Courtesy of www.islamreligion.com ARABNEWS

Read more: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/07/countries/saudi-arabia/fasting-a-unique-form-of-worship#ixzz2YoxV5V8N