Editing Fasting in Islam (section)

== Introduction ==
Religious [[fasting]] is not a uniquely Muslim practice; it has been practiced for centuries by religions such as [[Christianity]], [[Confucianism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Judaism]], and [[Taoism]], among others.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/47/fourth-pillar-of-islam/|title=The Fourth Pillar of Islam: The Fast of Ramadan|last=IslamReligion.com|website=www.islamreligion.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24}}</ref> It is stated in the [[Quran]] that Allah says:

{{quote|O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.|[[Quran 2:183]]<ref name=":2" />}}

Some cultures in North America fasted to serve as penance for sin and avert catastrophes.<ref name=":2" /> The official practices of the [[Inca Empire]] and many [[indigenous peoples of Mexico]] observed fasts to appease their gods. Former nations such as [[Akkadian language|Assyrians and Babylonians]] observed fasting as a form of penance. [[Jews]] observe fasting as a form of purification and penitence on the [[Day of Atonement]] or [[Yom Kippur]] annually. Food and drinks are not permitted on this day.<ref name=":2" />

Fasting took a different form in the [[West]] such as [[hunger strike]]s, which are used as a political weapon, a technique made popular by the leader of India's struggle for freedom, [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. He undertook fasts to compel his followers to obey his precept of nonviolence.<ref name=":2" /> [[Early Christianity|Early Christians]] associated fasting with purification and penitence in the first two centuries. The [[Christian church]] made fasting a voluntary preparation for receiving the sacraments of [[adult baptism]] and [[Holy Communion]] and for the [[ordination]] of priests.<ref name=":2" /> Later,  fasting became mandatory  and other days were  added. The [[Lenten fast]] was expanded in the 6th century to 40 days where one meal was allowed each day. Fasting was retained by most [[Protestantism|Protestant churches]] and was made optional in some cases after the [[Reformation]]. However, stricter Protestants condemned both the festivals of the church and their traditional fasts. [[Roman Catholics]] fast on [[Ash Wednesday]] and [[Good Friday]]; their fast may involve partial abstinence from food and drink or total abstinence.<ref name=":2" />