What's fasting?

Question

as in a type of indian prayer or something, what is it exactly

Answer 1

Fasting is a way to get spiritually closer to God. One does not eat for a peiod of time, but instead they spend all the time in a deep prayer, alone with God. Some fast for one day and spend the entire day alone at home on their knees talking and meditating with God.

Answer 2

Fasting- From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4621; without (taking) food: - fasting.From G3523; to abstain from food (religiously): - fast.

Fasting is giving up eating, and continuous praying to the Lord while you fast. It is giving up something that you cannot live with out in exchange for a deeper connection in prayer with the Lord.

It is done in priviate,and should not be done to where everyone knows that you are fasting. God disaproves of a public display of suffering when you fast.

Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.

Answer 3

Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan from sun rise to sunset. Fasting is not eating any food, drinking any fluids, nothing passing your throat. I'm sure other religions and cultures fast for other reason too.

Answer 4

Traditionally, Fasting generally means depriving yourself of nourishment until you start to have hallucinations, which people so disposed call messages from their god. All quite silly.

Answer 5

When you stop doing something for a while. For instance very night you stop eating until morning, then you "break-fast" you have breakfast.

Answer 6

Fasting means not to eat grains,legumes,vegetables,meat and products made from them. To get some nutrition we can take fruits,juice,milk etc.

Answer 7

I DONT KNOW ABOUT INDIAN FASTING ,BUT HERE IN ISRAEL WE HAVE A FEW FASTS A YEAR,THE MAIN FAST IS ON YOM-KIPPUR.WE FAST FOR SUNDOWN TO THE NEXT SUNDOWN ,AFTER THE RAMS HORN IS BLOWN IN THE SHUL ,WE END OUR FAST OF 24 HOURS,FROM MIKHAL IN ISRAEL.

Answer 8

Prophet Muhammad's Sermon about Ramadan

"O People ! Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of God. A month of
blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which with God is the best of
months. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its
hours, the best of hours. It is the month which invites you to be the guests
of God and invites you to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you
take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your
supplications are answered. So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound
body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his
book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of God's forgiveness during
this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah
(Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor,
honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with
your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is
not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden
to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people, so compassion may be
shown to your orphans. Repent to God for your sins and raise your hands in
dua during these times, for they are the best of times and God looks
towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and
granting their needs if he is asked ...

"O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with
Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that
God swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays
and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man
stands before the Lord of the worlds.

"O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will
be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven. Some
of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s): "Not all of us are
able to invite those who are fasting?"

The Prophet replied: "God gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a
drink of water." "One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be
able to pass the 'Siraat' ... on the day that feet will slip ... "One who
covers the faults of others will benefit in that God will curb His anger
on the day of Judgement ... "As for one who honour an orphan; Allah will
honour him on the day of judgement, "And for the one who spreads his
kindness, God will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement. "As
for the one who cuts the ties of relation; God will cut His mercy from him
.... "Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month God will keep
the fire of Hell away from him ... "Whoever performs an obligatory prayer
God will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month. "And who
so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the
day of measure. "He who recites one verse of the Holy Quran will be given
the rewards of reciting the whole Quran during other months. "O People!
Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore ask God
not to close them for you; The doors of hell are closed, so ask God to
keep them closed for you. During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so
ask your Lord not to let him have power over you."

Quran Verses about Ramadan & Fasting

[2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.

2:183-187. Like all duties in Submission, fasting was decreed through Abraham
(22:78). Prior to revelation of the Quran, sexual intercourse was prohibited throughout the fasting period. This rule is modified in 2:187 to allow intercourse during the nights of Ramadan.

[2:184] Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.


[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.


[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the Masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress
them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.

http://www.submission.org/ramadan.html