Pre-Islamic observation of fasting[edit]
During the Jahiliyyah (i.e. pre-Islamic period), the Quraysh tribe and the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura.[43][44][45] It marks two important events: the day Noah left the Ark and the day that Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God.[46] Ashura may or may not be referring to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur.[47][48][49]
Abu Zanad, an Arabic writer from Iraq who lived after the founding of Islam around 747 CE, wrote that at least one Mandaean community located in al-Jazira (modern northern Iraq) observed Ramadan.[50]
Historically, Ramadan comes "from the strict Lenten discipline of the Syrian churches."[51]
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Monday, January 27th 2014 at 8:58PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
