Fast is giving up food, or certain kinds of food, for a certain period. The origin of fasting is unknown. But the custom of fasting has played a part in the practices of every major religious group at some time.
There are many purposes for fasting. It has often been a way in which people have sought pardon for their misdeeds. In some religions, people fast during times of mourning. In others, the people believe that fasting will take their minds away from physical things, and produce a state of spiritual joy and happiness.
There are important fast days in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jewish law orders a fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Many orthodox Jews follow the custom of having the bride and groom fast on the day before their wedding. Many Christians fast during Lent, the period of 40 days, excluding Sundays, from Ash Wednesday until Easter. Lent commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. Generally, for Christians, fasting seldom means doing without all food for an entire day. People who are ill can usually receive permission from their religious leaders not to fast.
Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day during Ramadan, the ninth month of their year. During these hours, Muslims avoid food and beverage, even though this month often comes during the hottest season of the year. Buddhists and Hindus also fast.
Most people have fasted at some time during their lives, either for religious reasons, for initiation ceremonies, or for help in developing magical powers or control over the body. In some religions, such as Zoroastrianism, religious leaders have protested against fasting. They claim that the food fast actually has no moral value, when compared with “fasting from evil” with eyes, hands, tongue, or feet.
Sometimes, personal or political goals are sought through fasting. The Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi used fasting both as a penance and as a means of political protest (see Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand).
People have also fasted for health reasons. Scientists have studied the effects of fasting on the body and found that food intake increases the body’s metabolism (see Metabolism). After fasting, metabolism can become as much as 22 percent lower than the normal rate. But research has also shown that, after long periods of fasting, the body tends to adjust by lowering the rate of metabolism itself. After fasting, a person should gradually resume eating. Religious groups do not intend fasting to be harmful. They believe it promotes self-control and strengthens the will.
See also Lent; Ramadan; Yom Kippur.
