The History of Fasting: Adoption and Adaptation of Religions

The History of Fasting: Adoption and Adaptation of Religions

In the Qur'an, the word "ash-shiyam" which means fasting is mentioned in the verses that came down after the Prophet Muhammad moved to Medina or called the "Madani verse". Before the hijrah, the word "shaum" was mentioned only once, namely in the QS. Maryam 26 which tells about Maryam's vow to fast. The word shaum in this verse according to some commentators means refraining from eating, drinking and talking. Another opinion says, only fasting from talking, that is silence. (Ath-Thabarî, 2000: XVIII, 184).

The lack of discussion about fasting in the Koran at the time of the Prophet in Mecca does not mean that people at that time did not know fasting. Fasting was well known in pre-Islamic Arab society. No mention of the word "shaum" is no more because the Prophet was still following the growing ritual of fasting, that is, he had not created or modified the ritual. In theological language "there has not been a command from God (revelation)".

The commandment of fasting in Islam said Ab Bakr 'Uthmân bin Mu h ammad Syaththâ (d. 1300 H), the author of the book I'ânah ath-Thâlibîn, only started one year after the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina, namely in the month of Sha'ban in the twentieth year. 2 H. During his life the Prophet only experienced fasting in Ramadan 9 times, because from the hijrah until his death the Prophet lived in Medina for 10 years. (2003: II, 358).

If fasting has been known by the pre-Islamic Arab community, then what is new in Islamic Arab fasting? The only fast that is obligatory in Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan with the ordinance of not eating, drinking, and intercourse from the second sunrise (al-fajr ash-shadiq) until the sun sets. This concept is based on QS. Al-Baqarah 183-187.

In terms of terms of time, namely in the month of Ramadan, has its own history. In the pre-Islamic period, the Arab community, especially the Quraysh, who adhered to the Hanif religion “retreated” or 'uzlah to get closer to Allah in caves in the mountains, such as the caves of Hirâ` , Abu Qubais, and Tsubair . In this place, the Quraysh, including Muhammad before being sent as a prophet, practiced ascetic behavior (zuhud), thought (tafakkur wa ta`ammul) and worshiped or called "ta h annuts" .

It was informed that Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, often ordered people to go to the mountains or caves to deliver food to Muhammad who was worshiping there. "Ta h annuts" in this cave is carried out within a month of a year, namely in the month of Ramadan. (Jawwâd Ali, 1993: VI, 343, 404).

After Islam came, Prophet Muhammad set the month of Ramadan as "the month of fasting (syahru ash-shiyâm) ". The choice of this month is likely -as concluded by John C. Blair, author of the book Mashâdir al-Islâm which examines the sources of Islamic teachings - based on the pre-Islamic Arab habit of making Ramadan a "month of worship". (1925: 109).

Such a conclusion does not reduce, let alone tarnish the sanctity of Islam which is based on revelation. Because the teachings of any religion are always closely related to local traditions and culture through adoption and adaptation. From this it can be understood that Islam from the beginning of its emergence was not anti-local culture.