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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Worship and Ritual

Fasting

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈfɑːstɪŋ/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, fasting means: Going without food, drink or certain foods for a set period as a religious practice, for example during Ramadan, on Yom Kippur or in Lent.

In Turkish: oruç, perhiz

How it is used

From the verb fast (Muslims fast during Ramadan) and the noun a fast (a 40-day fast). You keep or observe a fast and break your fast; the evening meal in Ramadan is iftar and the pre-dawn meal is suhur. Christian Lent is called Büyük Perhiz in Turkish.

Example sentences

  1. Fasting during Ramadan lasts from dawn until sunset.

  2. Orthodox Christians observe several periods of fasting, when they avoid meat and dairy products.

Common collocations

  • fasting month
  • break the fast
  • observe a fast
  • periods of fasting
  • fast during Ramadan
  • RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and give special attention to prayer, charity and reading the Qur'an.
  • observeTo follow the rules and practices of a religion, or to keep a religious holiday or custom in the expected way.
  • asceticismA way of life of strict self-discipline in which a person gives up comfort, pleasure or possessions in pursuit of religious or spiritual goals.
  • almsgivingGiving money, food or goods to people in need as a religious duty or act of devotion, such as zakat in Islam, dana in Buddhism and tzedakah in Judaism.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Worship and Ritual

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