Fasting practices across religions: tradition and spirituality
In Islam, fasting is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith, observed during the month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is a time for piety, reflection, and spiritual closeness to God, with fasting complemented by prayers and acts of charity toward those in need.
In Christianity, fasting is grounded in biblical traditions, with prominent figures such as King David and the prophet Daniel practicing it. Jesus himself fasted for 40 days before beginning his ministry, and taught his disciples the importance of combining fasting and prayer in their spiritual lives. Today, Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as an expression of repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
In Judaism, fasting has an expiatory and commemorative character, recalling the times when the Jewish people turned away from God. Collective fasts such as Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, are observed to atone for sins and renew the covenant with God.
The call of hunger: a path to spiritual elevation
Fasting holds a significant role in various spiritual traditions. It represents much more than a simple abstention from food. It is an inner journey, an exploration of the self and a communion with the divine. In each tradition, fasting is imbued with profound meanings and takes on different forms, but its ultimate goal remains the search for the spiritual essence of the human being.
With this perspective, those who fast view the practice as a way to disconnect from material distractions and strengthen their connection with the divine. Fasting becomes an act of devotion, a demonstration of faith, and a means to foster greater spiritual awareness.
Over the centuries, those who practice fasting have adopted it as a discipline for purification, transformation, and strengthening their connection with the divine. Whether observed during Lent, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, or in other traditions, this voluntary abstention serves as a test of faith, a time for profound reflection, and an opportunity to detach from material indulgences in order to foster a deeper connection with the spiritual core of life.
Fasting is often associated with rituals of physical and spiritual purification, symbolizing renewal and regeneration. For many believers, this period of deprivation is also an opportunity to refocus on their spiritual values, strengthen their determination and discipline, and cultivate a state of gratitude and inner contentment.
Fasting as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual
Although fasting is often perceived as an ascetic practice, reserved for devout believers, it also offers tangible physical benefits. Modern scientific studies have highlighted the positive effects of fasting on health, from cell regeneration to reduced inflammation.
Fasting can therefore be considered a form of holistic medicine, stimulating healing and well-being on a physical, mental and spiritual level. By depriving themselves of food, Fasting practitioners often experience increased mental clarity, a feeling of physical lightness and a deeper spiritual connection, helping them to transcend the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual, offering both bodily benefits and soul upliftment.
Fasting as a gateway to universal unity
Despite doctrinal and cultural differences, fasting unites believers around the world in a common experience of devotion, discipline and spiritual quest. It is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and our universal quest for meaning and transcendence. Through the practice of fasting, individuals rise above religious and cultural differences, fostering a connection to deeper truths and a sense of universal unity.
Across the diverse fasting practices within major religious traditions, we recognize a shared pursuit of spiritual growth, purification, and connection with the divine. Fasting continues to serve as a profound symbol of unity.
Sources :
https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/nutrition/d-ou-vient-la-tradition-du-jeune-dans-les religions_29178
https://www.geo.fr/histoire/judaisme-christianisme-islam-pourquoi-jeune-t-on-213958
https://www.atalayar.com/fr/articulo/societe/du-jeune-dans-trois-religions-monotheistes/20210430130652151013.html
https://jeune-et-sens.fr/le-jeune-les-religions/
