What is Fasting?

Ramadan fasting is very specific; from dawn to dusk, no eating, drinking, smoking, or sex. The minute you eat or drink or whatever on purpose, the fast is broken. (if you break it accidently, you can repent and resume.)

So, there are millions, actually 1.2 billion Muslims fasting in some way during Ramadan.

On one hand, people talk about how "beautiful" Ramadan is. It's nice because there is special food, special TV programs, special activities, and the work/school schedule is changed for all of society. You stay up later and wake up later and go the work or school later. Everyone goes home earlier. For the pious, more people go to the mosque and give alms. Religion is "in the air."

On the other hand, there are increased auto accidents, argueing, street fights, overeating, illness, irritations, anger, going into debt from overspending, etc.

I beg the question:
what is true fasting that is pleasing to God? Is it merely following Ramadan rules? Or is it more?


"Yet on the day of your fasting; you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with your wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is that the kind of fast that God has chosen, only for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying down on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to God?

Is not this the kind of fast that God has chosen:
to loose the chains of unjustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed go free, and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry, and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then will your light shine like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and he will say, "Here am I"

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry, and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun=scorched land and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild again the ancient ruins,
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called: "Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

- Isaiah 58:3-12