Fasting in different major religions.

Its the Holy month of Ramadan. So to fit the theme I decided to write about types of fasting in different religions. I used to know only about the Muslim fasting so if you know me I am a curious girl who loves to learn so I decided to do some research about different religions and how they fast.

After doing some research I learned a lot about fasting and how it is observed in different religions.  The first type of fasting which  I am going to share  is fasting  in Islam.   Fasting in Islam is called Ramadan which again is a name of a Islamic month. Muslims started to fast from the second year of hijri. Allah had sent all the holy scriptures in Ramadan. That is the main reason why Ramadan is a Holy month. In this month, Shaytan is locked so that he doesn't mess with the Muslims.  Fasting develops good behavior and self control.

The followers of  Baha'i   fast just like Muslims. No food or water etc but consumption of medicine is acceptable.

Buddhist monks and Nuns  follow the Vinaya rules  and commonly do not eat after noon meals although this is not considered fasting.

Fasting  is practiced  in several denominations in Christianity . In traditional Black   fast, they are only permitted to take one meal for a whole day until evening and sunset is the traditional time to  break their fasts with that permitted meal.

Courtesy: The purpose of fasting, Faithful Islam.

Some Hindus fast on certain days such as Ekadasi ,Pradosha or Purnima. They also fast during religious festivals. They can eat starchy items like Sago,potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Fasting for Jews means completely abstaining food and water.A break the fast is a meal that takes places following a fast. After Yom Kippur , the name of Jews Fasting ,it is viewed as a festive meal. 

In Japan fasting is a punishment for meat consumption.


To be honest, the last one was a little surprising. Well,  I have to go and help my mom prepare Iftar, so   Assalamualaykum everyone and happy Ramadan Kareem!