Fasting

Fasting is the willing abstinence or reduction from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.

 

Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. The practice is mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament, the Qur’an, the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads. Fasting is particularly important for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan and for Christians during Lent.

Empty plate

Benefits of Fasting

Benefits Of Fasting What are the benefits of fasting? Fasting has many purposes relating both to the Lordship of God and thanksgiving for His bounties, and to man’s individual and collective life, as well as to his self-training and self-discipline. One of the multiple purposes of fasting connected with the...

Cross during Easter

Black Fast

Black Fast A Black Fast is a severe form of Christian fasting. It is the most rigorous in the history of Church legislation and is marked by austerity regarding the quantity and quality of food permitted on fasting days as well as the time when such food is legitimately taken....

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness

Fasting In Christianity

Fasting In Christianity This article covers Fasting In Christianity. Fasting is a practice in several Christian denominations and is done both collectively during certain seasons of the liturgical calendar, or individually as a believer feels led by the Holy Spirit. In Western Christianity, the Lenten fast is observed by many...

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis Fasting

St. Francis Fasting This article covers the St. Francis Fasting. Francis of Assisi (San Francesco d’Assisi, Sanctus Franciscus Assisiensis), born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, informally named as Francesco (1181/1182 – 3 October 1226), was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s...

A crescent moon can be seen over palm trees at Manama, marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan in Bahrain

Ramadan

What Is Ramadan? Ramadan (رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five...

Depiction of the Buddha during his period of extreme fasting, Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, Bangkok, Thailand

Fasting In Buddhism

Fasting In Buddhism In Buddhism, there are a variety of attitudes towards different forms of Fasting. The Buddha is known to have practiced extreme forms of fasting which led to his emaciation and to have famously abandoned it before his great awakening. Nevertheless, different forms of fasting are practiced in various Buddhist traditions....

Wine Grape Apple Romance Cups Came Traditional

Christian Dietary Laws

Christian Dietary Laws This article covers Christian Dietary Laws. In mainstream Nicene Christianity, there is no restriction on kinds of animals that can be eaten. This practice stems from Peter’s vision of a sheet with animals, described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 10, in which Saint Peter “sees a sheet...

Woman Splash Water Face Glasses Girl Female

Detoxification Or Body Cleansing

Detoxification Or Body Cleansing Detoxification or body cleansing (often shortened to detox) is a type of body cleansing treatment which aims to rid the body of unspecified “toxins” – substances that proponents claim have accumulated in the body and have undesirable short-term or long-term effects on individual health. Activities commonly associated with...

surgery

Preoperative Fasting

What Is Preoperative Fasting? Preoperative fasting is the practice of a patient abstaining from oral food and fluid intake for a time before an operation is performed. This is intended to prevent pulmonary aspiration of stomach contents during general anesthesia. Pulmonary aspiration The main reason for preoperative fasting is to prevent pulmonary aspiration of stomach contents while under the effects...

Entrance of the St. Mark Cathedral, el-'Abbasiya, Cairo, Egypt

Fasting And Abstinence Of The Coptic Orthodox Church Of Alexandria

Fasting And Abstinence Of The Coptic Orthodox Church Of Alexandria This article covers Fasting and Abstinence of The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The Copts (Christians of Egypt), who belong mostly to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, observe fasting periods according to the Coptic calendar. These fasting periods are exceeded by no...

Nepal Yogi Hinduism Sa

Fasting In Hinduism

Fasting In Hinduism Fasting in Hinduism is is not an obligation, but a moral and spiritual act where the aim is to purify the body and mind and acquire divine grace. Individuals observe different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local customs. Some are listed below. Some Hindus...

a Daoist fasting

Bigu (grain avoidance)

Bigu (grain avoidance) Bigu (辟谷; 辟穀; bìgǔ; pi-ku; ‘avoiding grains’) is a Daoist fasting technique associated with achieving xian “transcendence; immortality”. Grain avoidance is related to multifaceted Chinese cultural beliefs. For instance, bigu fasting was the common medical cure for expelling the sanshi 三尸 “Three Corpses“, the malevolent, grain-eating spirits that live in the...

Baháʼí gardens in Haifa, Israel

Nineteen Day Fast

Nineteen Day Fast (Fasting in Baha’i Faith) The Nineteen-Day Fast (2 March–20 March) is a nineteen-day period of the year, during which members of the Bahá’í Faith adhere to a sunrise-to-sunset fast. Along with obligatory prayer, it is one of the greatest obligations of a Bahá’í, and its chief purpose...

Vrata may be observed as a silent private rite, or be more elaborate with activities such as vrata mandalas design such as kolam, rangoli or mehndi.[28][13]

Vrata

What Is Vrata? In the context of Hinduism and Hindu mythology, the term vrata (pronunciation: vrat or brat) denotes a religious practice to carry out certain obligations with a view to achieve divine blessing for fulfillment of one or several desires. Etymologically, vrata, a Sanskrit word (and also used in...

Bread Communion Eucharist Church Religion

Fasting And Abstinence In The Catholic Church

Fasting And Abstinence In The Catholic Church This article covers Fasting and Abstinence in The Catholic Church. The Catholic Church historically observes the disciplines of fasting and abstinence at various times each year. For Catholics, fasting is the reduction of one’s intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from...

Chacra

Fasting In Jainism

Fasting In Jainism This article covers fasting in Jainism. Fasting is very common among Jains and as a part of Jain festivals. Most Jains fast at special times, during festivals, and on holy days. Paryushan is the most prominent festival, lasting eight days in Svetambara Jain tradition and ten days...

Diet Vernier Sandwich Calorie Counter Weight Loss

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting Intermittent fasting (intermittent energy restriction or intermittent calorie restriction) is an umbrella term for various eating diet plans that cycle between a period of fasting and non-fasting over a defined period. Intermittent fasting is under preliminary research to assess if it can produce weight loss comparable to long-term calorie restriction. Practice...

Landy Turkish Honey Iftar Ramadan Turkish Mocha

What Is the Wisdom In Fasting?

What Is the Wisdom In Fasting? This article covers the answer to the question: “What Is the Wisdom In Fasting?” The hawk’s swooping contributes to the sparrow’s alertness and agility. Although rain, electricity, or fire sometimes harms people, no one curses them. Fasting may be difficult, but it provides the...

Jews

Ta’anit, Fasting in Judaism

Ta’anit, Fasting in Judaism A ta’anit (taanis in Ashkenaz pronunciation, or taʿanith in Classical Hebrew) is a fast in Judaism in which one abstains from all food and drink, including water. A Jewish fast may have one or more purposes, including: A tool for repentance An expression of mourning Supplication, such as the Fast...

Islamic prayer

Spirituality In The Holy Month Of Ramadan

Spirituality In The Holy Month Of Ramadan This article covers spirituality in the Holy Month of Ramadan. The Month Overflowing With Mercy There is no month but Ramadan that can sail by with relentless joy, everlasting pleasure and never fading love. Presenting the spirit, essence, and true meaning of all...