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When the sun sets behind the minarets of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, the air fills with the fragrance of dates, kebabs, and the soulful whispers of evening prayers. Not too far away, in the same city, a devout Hindu family prepares for their Ekadashi Upvaas with fruits, milk, and silent chants of Om Namah Shivay.
Two faiths. Two worlds. Yet, beneath the layers of rituals and languages, the spirit is the same.
Fasting, whether in the holy month of Ramadan or during Navratri or Ekadashi, is much more than an act of abstinence. It is a journey inward, where the body pauses and the soul awakens.
* Different Rituals, Same Purpose: At first glance, the fasting traditions of Islam and Hinduism may appear worlds apart.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, refraining from food, drink, and worldly pleasures. The fast begins with Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and ends with Iftar (breaking the fast at sunset), accompanied by heartfelt prayers and deep gratitude.
On the other hand, Hindu fasting traditions come in various forms, Ekadashi Vrat, Navratri Upvaas, Karva Chauth, and Shravan Somvar Vrat. Some fasts involve abstaining only from grains, while others permit only water or fruits.
But look closely, both traditions teach the art of self-restraint, purification, and mindful living.
* The Soul Behind the Fast: More than the rules of fasting, it’s the spirit behind it that binds these two faiths together.
In Islam, fasting is not just about staying hungry, it’s about cleansing the heart. The entire month of Ramadan is a journey of Taqwa, God-consciousness, where the hunger of the stomach reminds the soul to be kind, patient, and grateful.
Hindu fasting follows the same path, not just a physical detox, but a way to purify the mind and bring oneself closer to Ishwar. Whether it’s the nine days of Navratri or the weekly Somvar Vrat, fasting is believed to cleanse the body and free the mind from desires.
Both faiths whisper the same timeless truth, when the body is emptied, the soul is filled.
* Connecting with the Divine: In both Ramadan and Hindu fasting traditions, hunger is never the ultimate goal, it’s just a means to reach something higher.
In Ramadan, the empty stomach teaches Sabr (patience) and Shukr (gratitude). Every pang of hunger reminds a believer of those who sleep without food, igniting a spirit of charity and empathy.
In Hinduism, fasting is a way to control the senses and connect with the divine. The very word Upvaas means sitting close to God, a reminder that in detachment lies the path to self-realisation.
* A Symphony of Community and Solitude: Ramadan brings people together, from communal Iftar feasts to the soulful Taraweeh prayers at night. It’s a month where entire cities like Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Mumbai transform into living, breathing celebrations of faith.
Hindu fasting, on the other hand, often leans towards solitude and introspection. A lone devotee sitting in front of a flickering diya, chanting mantras, it’s a journey of silent communion with the divine.
Yet, both forms of fasting, one in the bustling bazaars, the other in the quiet corners of temples, carry the same message:
Come closer to God. Come closer to yourself.
* Breaking the Fast—A Celebration of Life: The moment of Iftar, when a devout Muslim breaks his fast with dates and water, is not just about filling the stomach. It’s a moment when the whole body rejoices in gratitude.
In Hindu traditions, breaking the fast after a long day or nine days of Navratri is celebrated with satvik food, simple, pure meals that cleanse both body and mind.
Both acts remind us that every morsel is a blessing, every drop of water is a gift, something our privileged lives often forget.
* Fasting Beyond Religions: If we peel away the layers of rituals, fasting is not just a religious practice, it’s a universal language of self-discipline and empathy.
Whether it is the Muslim observing Roza, the Hindu on Upvaas, the Christian during Lent, or the Buddhist monk practicing intermittent fasting, every faith teaches one simple truth:
To control the body is to free the soul.
* The Message of Unity: In a world often divided by religion, fasting carries a beautiful message:
‘Hunger is the same in every language.’
When we empty our stomachs, we begin to fill our hearts with kindness, for the poor, the hungry, and the less fortunate.
Perhaps that is why fasting remains one of the oldest, most universal acts of devotion, cutting across religions, continents, and centuries.
* Two Streams, One Ocean
Ramadan and Hindu fasting may follow different rituals, but they flow towards the same ocean of self-purification, empathy, and devotion.
In this divided world, perhaps the act of fasting is nature’s quiet way of reminding us that beneath all our differences, we are all seekers, all travellers, all children of the same universe.
May our hunger always teach us kindness.
May our empty stomachs always fill our hearts.
May our fasts always remind us that the path to God is not through rituals, but through empathy, simplicity, and love.
Deshwale’s Corner:
जब भूख की आग दिल तक पहुंचती है, तभी इंसानियत की लौ जलती है।
Wouldn’t this world be a better place if we all fasted not just for God, but for each other?
Also Read: Ramadan: A Sacred Symphony of Faith, Fasting, and Togetherness
