Gaining Perspective Through Fasting

In Carole Garibaldi Rogers' book "Fasting: Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice," writer Mary Aktay talks about the revelation that came to her while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

"The rationale in Ramadan is that it's not about giving up food. It's about not doing anything else during the day that would take your mind off God. At first I wondered how that could be since when you're hungry all you can think of is food. Then, as I got older and wiser, I started thinking , well, where does the food come from? The food comes from the grace of God. And then that brought me into justice issues and solidarity with the poor. The food comes from the grace of God, but it also comes from the sweat and labor of people like the migrant farm workers."

Fasting in Islamic Religion and Culture

Fasting is integral to Islamic culture and religion. Like all of the other five pillars, fasting has both an internal and external dimension. As it relates to the internal dimension the Prophet Mohammad says, "Cultivate within yourselves the attributes of God." It is believed that those who do not eat, drink or have sexual intercourse during the Ramadan fasting period can strengthen themselves and cultivate the qualities of God - to become more truthful, less angry, more loving. It is also said that those who fast but do not observe moral behavior, are not truly fasting. "There are many," said Prophet Mohammad, "whose fasting is nothing beyond being hungry and thirsty."