Some considerations about fasting in Judaism Christianity and Islam

Abstract

Fasting is an ancient act of worship that Allah Almighty commanded his servants to do, as stated in the Torah, Psalms, Bible and the Holy Quran. Fasting is also commanded in the Torah, as stated in the verse, “You shall celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as I have commanded you. In the month of Abib, at the appointed time, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days.” David (pbuh) said in his psalm: “My soul would burn with fasting, and my prayer would return to my heart. According to the statements in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus fasted for 40 days. As stated in the verse, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you,” and as stated by our Prophet (p.b.u.h.), fasting is “one of the five fundamental principles of Islam,” and is emphasized as an important form of worship. We discussed the literal and terminological meanings of the word “oruç” which is the Turkish form of the Persian word “رٔوزَه” “rûze” a long with, the historical development and virtue of fasting in Judaism, Christianity and Islam as well as ethical dimensions of fasting. Fasting is not only a form of worship that disciplines the soul but also a form of worship that spiritually heals the body. It is a form of worship that creates balance in the regulation of individual and social life. The positive effects of fasting on the human body have been demonstrated by scientific data. In our research, we have tried to address the spiritual benefits of fasting for people, both physically and spiritually, by taking advantage of the scientific results of the studies conducted on this subject.