Fasting

== Religious views ==
{{Main|Fasting in religion}}
Fasting is practiced in various religions, and details of fasting practices differ.

[[Yom Kippur]], [[Tisha B'av]], [[Fast of Esther]], [[Fast of Gedalia|Tzom Gedalia]], the [[Seventeenth of Tammuz|Seventeenth of Tamuz]], the [[Tenth of Tevet]], and [[Fast of the Firstborn]] are examples of fasting in [[Judaism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.al-mawrid.org/pages/articles_english_detail.php?rid=196&cid=330&search=fasting |title=History of the Fast |access-date=2016-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227090756/http://www.al-mawrid.org/pages/articles_english_detail.php?rid=196&cid=330&search=fasting |archive-date=27 December 2014}}</ref> Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av are 25 hour fasts in which observers abstain from consuming any food or liquid from sunset until nightfall the next day and include other restrictions. The fasts of Esther, Gedalia, Tamuz, and Tevet all last from dawn until nightfall and therefore length varies depending on the time of the year. The Fast of the Firstborn is not biblically mandated and can therefore be ended early in the case of a [[seudat mitzvah]].  

[[Muslims]] fast during the month of [[Ramadan]] each year. The fast includes refraining from consuming any food or liquid from dawn until sunset. It is a religious obligation for all Muslims unless they are children or are physically unable to fast.

[[Lent]] is a common period of fasting in [[Christianity]]. [[Eastern Orthodox Christians]] fast during specified fasting seasons of the year, which include not only the better-known [[Great Lent]], but also fasts on every Wednesday and Friday (except on special holidays), together with extended fasting periods before Christmas (the [[Nativity Fast]]), after Easter (the [[Apostles Fast]]) and in early August (the [[Dormition Fast]]). Members of the [[Latter Day Saint movement|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] ([[Mormon]]s) generally abstain from food and drink for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period on the first Sunday of each month and use the money they save for charity.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web |title=The Law of the Fast |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/fasting-and-fast-offerings/PD60001350_TMP_2016%20LeadMtg_The%20Law%20of%20the%20Fast_9-15-16%20KW.pdf |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]}}</ref>

Fasting is a feature of [[ascetic]] traditions in religions such as [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]]. [[Mahayana]] traditions that follow the [[Brahma's Net Sutra]] may recommend that the laity fast "during the six days of fasting each month and the three months of fasting each year".<ref>Brahma's Net Sutra, minor precept 30</ref> Members of the [[Baháʼí Faith]] observe a [[Nineteen Day Fast]] from sunrise to sunset during March each year.