The Importance of Fasting in Islam, Judaism and Christianity

Introduction

In this article, we will try to understand what is the importance of fasting in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Therefore, the last Messenger of Allah says that we are the community of the Prophets (peace be upon them). Our mothers are different, but our father is one. This means that prayer, fasting and zakat were obligatory and obligatory on other Prophets (peace be upon them) and their nations, but their way of performing them was different.

Ibn Jarir (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Suddi (may Allah have mercy on him) that the words of the verse “As it was written on those before us” refer to the Christians who were before us, upon whom fasting (in Ramadan) was made obligatory, and upon them it was also made obligatory to eat and drink after sleep and not to marry during the month of Ramadan.

The fasting of Ramadan became burdensome for the Christians. They gathered and changed the fasts to another season between summer and winter and said, “We will add twenty days to it as an expiation for our change (against Allah’s command).” To understand the importance of fasting in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, we must remember the following evidence.

Ibn Hanzalah narrated in his history, al-Nahas in his Nasikh, and al-Tabarani narrated from Ma’qil ibn Hanzalah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Fasting Ramadan was (obligatory) upon the Christians.” Their king fell ill and they said, “If Allah cures him, we will fast ten more days.”

Then another king, who ate meat, suffered from a sore mouth. He said, “If Allah cures him, we will fast seven more days.” Then another king of theirs said, “We will not leave out the remaining three days. We will complete the ten days and we will fast during the Rabi’ season.” They did so, and thus their fasting became fifty days.

Ibn Jarir narrated from Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) that the verse “It was written upon those before you” refers to the People of the Book.

Abd ibn Humaid narrated from Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him) that the verse “It was written upon you to fast as it was written upon those before you” refers to the fasting of Ramadan which Allah Almighty had made obligatory upon those before you, and they used to fast three days of every month and pray two rak’ahs in the morning and two rak’ahs in the evening until He (Allah Almighty) made obligatory upon them the month of Ramadan.

Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Dahhak (may Allah have mercy on him) that the first fast was that which Noah (peace be upon him) observed and those who followed him, until the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions also observed it.

Let us read this narration to remember the importance of fasting in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Abd bin Humaid narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that fasting was made obligatory on the Christians just as it was made obligatory on you, and this is confirmed in the Book of Allah, namely the verse “Kutuba Alaikum.”

Then he said that the case of the Christians was that they fasted one day and said, “We will not fast.” Then they added one day and put it back one day. And they said, “We will not fast.” Then their last case was this: they said, “We will fast ten days and put it back ten days until we will not fast.”