Fasting in Islam
As Muslims around the world wrap up a month of fasting called Ramadan, you may be wondering: how is fasting in Islam different from fasting in Christianity? Let’s look at the two types of fasting, their foundation in the respective religions, and the purpose for each one.
For Muslims, fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam found in the Hadith, a collection of religious texts about the life of the prophet Muhammad. As one of the five pillars, it is an essential deed in the life of a Muslim as a way to be forgiven by Allah. This fasting, or sawm, takes place for 30 days during Ramadan, and requires that no food or water be consumed between sunrise and sunset. There are a few exceptions: young children, elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and women on their period are exempt, though the latter categories are encouraged to make up their fast at a later date.
To prepare for the day, women will wake up an hour or two before sunrise and prepare a large breakfast meal for their families to be eaten before the sun rises. Once the sun rises, no more food or water can be consumed. After the evening prayer, families and friends will break fast together. Typically, they start by eating a date or other small snack and then celebrate with a large meal and fellowship. At the end of the thirty days, people travel to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri, the holiest day in Islam.
So why do Muslims fast for thirty days? This season is a practice of self-discipline and devotion to Allah as they abstain from food and water. It is also a way to earn forgiveness of sins from Allah, though there is no certainty that following the five pillars of Islam will be sufficient to enter heaven – this is only known after one dies. How does this compare to fasting in Christianity?
Fasting in Christianity
Fasting is seen in both the Old and New Testaments and typically involves abstaining from food for a certain amount of time as a reminder of one’s dependence on God. In the Old Testament, Israelites fasted as a sign of repentance on the Day of Atonement. Daniel completed a partial fast of only fruits and vegetables for 21 days. Esther called upon her people to fast and pray with her before she asked the Persian king to save the Israelites from annihilation. In each case, the individual or group fasting was doing so to seek God and demonstrate earnestness in their prayers.
In the New Testament as well, we see several examples of fasting. Even Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness before starting His ministry. He cautioned His followers against fasting so others could see their devotion, but encouraged them to fast privately so only God could see (Matthew 6:16-18). When Jesus taught on this, He said “when you fast,” assuming that His followers would continue to fast.
In the book of Acts, we see the early church fast in several situations, including before Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey (Acts 13). The church was already worshiping and praying together when the Holy Spirit instructed them about Paul and Barnabas, and then they continued to fast and pray before sending them out. In none of these situations is fasting mentioned as a prerequisite for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through works like fasting. Romans 3:28 says that our justification is through faith, not works. Philippians 3:9 and Galatians 2:16 affirm this as well, in addition to many other verses in the New Testament.
Is Fasting a Means for Salvation?
So while fasting is a commonality for Muslims and Christians alike, there is one major difference that affects our eternal fate. Fasting for Muslims is a means of salvation, but fasting for Christians is a way to grow closer to God and not a way to salvation.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
How to pray:
- Pray that Muslims and other religions would realize that fasting and other works are insufficient to save them
- That Indonesians would find hope and assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ alone
- Pray that Indonesian Christians would have plenty of opportunities to share about this hope and assurance with their communities
