Fasting and Eid al-Fitr
Fasting in different religions
by Claire Law
Suitable for Key Stage 2
Aims
To reflect upon the spiritual benefits of fasting.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Fasting and Eid al-Fitr) and the means to display them.
- Have available the video ‘Everything to know about Eid al-Fitr’ and the means to show it during the assembly. It is 1.30 minutes long and is available at: http://tinyurl.com/26myjm67
Assembly
- I wonder who here has eaten breakfast today. Put your hand up if you’ve had a breakfast of some sort this morning.
- Ask the children what the word ‘fast’ means.
Listen to a range of responses. - Explain that fasting means avoiding food for a period of time. In fact, the word ‘breakfast’ is a shortening of ‘breaking a fast’ because it is the meal where we break the fast of not eating overnight.
- Show Slide 1.
Every year, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, which remembers when the Qur’an (the Muslim holy book) was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Since 10 March this year, Muslims around the world haven’t been eating or drinking during daylight hours. This means that breakfast during Ramadan needs to be very early in the morning, before sunrise. - Show Slide 2.
Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a feast on Eid al-Fitr, which happens on 10 April this year. Eid al-Fitr translates as the feast of breaking the fast, and is celebrated in various ways, including through sharing food together. In Islam, after the fast of Ramadan, it is forbidden to fast on the day of Eid. - Let’s watch this short video, which shows us how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
Show the video ‘Everything to know about Eid al-Fitr’ (1.30 minutes long). - So, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. But fasting for spiritual purposes is not unique to Islam; people from various religions use fasting to gain spiritual benefits.
Show Slide 3.
The aim is to gain something from giving up food for a short period - a point misunderstood by the person on the right in this picture! - Show Slide 4.
This year, Ramadan coincides with the Christian season of Lent, which is a time when Christians give up luxuries or treats as a form of fasting, again with the aim of achieving spiritual benefits. - Show Slide 5.
In Hinduism too, fasting for certain periods or days is considered a spiritual practice. Hindus choose to fast as a way to purify the body and mind.
Time for reflection
Whatever our religious beliefs, let’s consider the idea of giving up to gain. This idea is at the heart of religious practices related to fasting. It’s also something that we can apply to various scenarios in our life.
- We might choose to give up some of our spare time to help a friend in need and gain increased connection with them.
- We might give up some of our money to gain the satisfaction of helping a charity.
- We might give up sweets or other luxuries to gain a better understanding of how life is for people who struggle to have enough food to eat.
When people fast as part of their religion, they give up food to increase their awareness and gratitude for what they have in life, as well as to provide a focus on prayer and connection with God.
The idea of giving up to gain lies at the heart of a short story that Jesus told: the parable of the pearl.
Show Slide 6.
‘The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!’ (Matthew 13.45-46)
Through giving up everything that he has, the merchant gains something of great value. For people of various religions, fasting is a way for them to give up something and gain great spiritual rewards in return.
So, let’s take a moment to consider our own lives. What are we prepared to give up today to gain something of true, lasting value?
Perhaps we are looking to gain connection, love, forgiveness or friendship. What do we need to give up to gain this?
If we are looking for friendship, can we become less selfish and self-centred, and show care towards others?
Pause to allow time for thought.
If we seek to gain respect from others, can we give up cheating and not telling the truth?
Pause to allow time for thought.
If we seek connection with God, can we give up some of our spare time to pray?
Prayer
Dear God,
Please help us to think about these important issues.
Please help us to be willing to give something up so that we can grow into better people or grow deeper in our relationship with you.
We ask you to bless anyone fasting today, and to bless richly those who celebrate Eid al-Fitr this month.
Amen.
