The President having fast breaking meal

Fasting in Human History Fasting has been practiced for millennia across cultures. Ancient Greeks and Romans used it for health and spiritual purposes, with Hippocrates advocating it as a remedy for ailments. Indigenous societies often incorporated fasting into rites of passage or cleansing rituals. This historical prevalence reflects an intuitive belief in fasting’s restorative power, predating modern scientific validation of its effects.

Fasting Across Religions Major religions integrate fasting into their traditions, often for spiritual purification. In Islam, Ramadan involves fasting daily from dawn to sunset for a month, fostering discipline and empathy. Christianity’s Lent is a 40-day period of fasting or abstinence before Easter. Judaism observes Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and atonement, while Hinduism and Buddhism use fasting to cultivate detachment from material desires. These practices underscore fasting’s dual role in physical and spiritual well-being.

March 15, 2025 | 5:10 am