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The Concept and Purpose of Fasting in Islam and Christianity; A comparative study

تلخیص
Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-historic times. It is a universal phenomenon within both Eastern and Western cultures. Over the centuries, abstaining from food has been undertaken by the people for a variety of purposes, one of the most significant being religious reasons. Many religions acquire fasting as an act of penance, obligation and or faith. The concept of fasting is relatively the same; a partial or total abstinence from all foods, or a selected abstention from prohibited foods for a set period of time. Fasting, in almost all cases, is an important act of the devout, and is observed in Islam and Christianity. In both the religions it is exercised as a sign of sacrifice to Allah and have prescribed specific days and times for fasting. Hence fasting in Islam and Christianity has an important place in both religions. In this article, concept and purpose of Fasting in Islam and Christianity is discussed. In Islam, fasting for a month made an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from Fajr (dawn), until Maghrib (sunset). Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of Islamic worship. Therefore every Muslim receives the blessed month of Ramadan with repentance, sincerity, resoluteness and earnestness. This is a month when a Muslim tries to see what displeases Allah and also contemplate on his belief and increase his faith by actively increasing worship, prayer and reciting the Qur’an. It is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also refraining from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts. It is the month of giving back and assisting those in need. Fasting was a symbol of sadness, mourning, atonement for the sins, a reminder of disasters as well as self - degradation in Christianity. Islam radicalized this doom and gloomed the concept of fasting into an enlightened concept of triumph over the forces of evil. While, in Islam the month of fasting is a month of worship. Muslims welcome this month each year with energy and happiness and are saddened when the month departs. This is contrary to the atmosphere of mourning; Fasting is for the living in Islam. Nevertheless, fasting is observed in various ways and for different reasons. Islam has taken the lead in reforming the institution of fasting.

S.M Ramzan, Prof. Dr. Hafiz Salah ud Din. (2018) اسلام اور عیسائیت میں '' روزے'' کامفہوماور مقصدیت؛ایک تقابلی مطالعہ, Al-Azhāar, Volume 4, Issue 1.
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