Sep

5

Fasting-An Eye Opening Article…

September 5, 2011 |

Tuhan Menegor Bagaimana Caramu Berpuasa? God rebuked the way you fast by Ram Kampas
(Translated from Indonesian Answering Islam)

Beware, for those who practiced the religious fast  “might well be did not get anything except hunger”  (Ibn Maajah, 1/539; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/453).

As defined in our dictionary, generally we understand fasting as “deliberately abstain from food and drink; a religious ritual”. Nowadays fasting during Ramadan is not limited only as a part of Islamic religious obligation, but also has become cultural fashion. The Muslims are obliged to fast, as it is written in Sura Al-Baqara 183,” O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before  you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint”

Many Muslims only read this “revelation” as an obligatory verse, automatically obey it as an obligation without questioning its truth or the person who commanded them to fast. Apparently, Muslims have failed to self examine whether this verse is indeed also includes God’s command to the Jews and Christians, as stated. Had God really prescribed the Jews and Christians also to fast in the same way as the Muslims did Obviously, this claim is far from the truth! Sadly, this so-called “revelation” dragged the third party into a form of fasting unfamiliar to them, because it is commonly known that the Islamic fast does not have any similarity with Biblical fasting! Muhammad had proclaimed a “revelation” that has no accuracy at all!

First, the Christians never were obliged to fast the same way Muhammad commanded his followers to fast. For the Muslims, fasting is a religious duty with certain rules to be exercised in order to receive abundant blessing. Failed to fulfill it will put one under curse and considered has done a terrible sin. Biblical fasting must be done to seek the presence of God in order to have a deep relationship with the Creator; it must be done for God and not for self gained righteousness.

Second, basically what is called fasting in Islam is not fasting at all, but merely CHANGING MEAL TIME! When the Muslims fast, they actually don’t lost anything because they only change their meal time, i.e they don’t eat from morning until noon but only after the sun sets until dawn they will eat many stuffs of delicious food! The quality and quantity of food they eat when they fast is not affected at all. It is also the same with their sex activity; they don’t really abstain from it, but only change the time to do it! Frankly during Ramadan, the month for fasting, they eat even more delicious food than any other month in lunar year. When a Muslim says “I have fast for 30 days full”, the non Muslims, especially the Christians will understand it as total abstinence for 30 days and 30 nights! Yet actually he fast for 30 days (in daytime) only and for 30 nights he indulged himself with plenty of food! He didn’t really abstain from food, but only change his meal time.

Third, Islamic fasting put more emphasize on physical activities, namely called as “jasadiyyah worship”, that is making sacrifice by abandoning, limitating dan abstain from lust (especially stomach and genital, wishing to receive blessing and reward from Allah SWT. Fasting is considered as a struggle and a heavy sacrifice, while ending the fast  is considered as a victory at the end of the struggle. Everything is physical in “winning over Satan and human lust”, yet food and drink certanly are not satanic, as  lust/human desire (a healthy and legal one) should not be fought and treated as an enemy! And the person who won the struggle is he who perseveres. He will receive rewards plentifully.

This is very different from Biblical fasting which basically rooted in “mourning condition”, a deep concern, a cry from the bottom of the heart to seek God’s hands and His presence with a humble attitude. We will discuss this further.  To read entire article Download here…


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Pastor Amer Aqeel on August 30, 2012 5:31 am

    Wonderful ministry is given to you by the Lord .I appreciate you, and keep your ministry and Nurul Hoque which is doing the amazing role in this world to take the people to Christ.we are sharing the Word of God among Hindus and others.keep us in your fellowship.

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