Why I Fast

Islam is not the only religion that prescribes fasting as most include teachings and commandments surrounding fasting. I have a good Hindu friend who routinely fasts – no food or water – for three or four days dependent upon the time of the year or specific happenings in his life. Being raised Protestant, I know some Christians fast in a similar fashion. In Islam, we fast during the ninth month, Ramadan, of the Islamic calendar and refrain from all drink and food from roughly sunrise to sunset for about thirty days.

Is it tough? Undoubtedly. Is it rewarding? Undoubtedly. My experiences from my second Ramadan and the lessons I’m learning from fasting are immeasurable. Allah doesn’t need me to fast. Allah doesn’t need me to do anything. It is I who benefits. Praying and fasting are for me to remember and focus on what really matters. Fasting reminds me that I routinely eat too much food. Fasting teaches me self control and empathy for the poor and hungry in this world. It reminds me that this life is a test and is but a blink of an eye in time. These are the reasons why I fast.