O you who believe! Observing As-Saūm (the Fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqūn (the poius). [Qur'an (2):183]
Shortly afterwards, Allah also says:
The month of Ramadān in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you is resident during the month must observe fast... [Quran (2):185]
The entire Muslim Nation has agreed that it is obligatory to fast during the month of Ramadān, and it being one of the pillars of Islam. It is something that is known about the religion. The one who rejects it as a practice is a disbelieving apostate who has left the fold of Islam. [Fiqh As-Sunnah: 1/366]
The Divine wisdom behind the decree of fasting is that it involves purification of the human soul from immoralities and vices; for fasting blocks the evil ways of Satan, as Satan circulates in the body of a person just like the circulation of the blood. Whenever a person eats or drinks, his soul becomes vulnerable to his desires, his will weakens, and he becomes reluctant toward worship. This is contrary to the case of a person who is fasting. Moreover, fasting induces the reunification of worldly pleasure and personal desires and draws a Muslim's attention to the Hereafter. Fasting also makes one sympathize with the poor and needy by gaining a sense of their sufferings from the hardships of hunger and thirst.
The reference of the earlier Ummahs in the verse shows the importance on the one hand, and gives an encouragement to the Muslims on the other. It indicates that although there may be inconvenience in fasting but the same inconvenience was also faced by the earlier communities. This brings a psychological comfort to the Muslims, because if an inconvenience in faced by a large number of people, it becomes easier to bear. [Ruhul-Ma'ani: 1/453]
The verse simply says that fasting has been enjoined on Muslims as it was enjoined on past communities. From this it does not necessarily follow that the fasts which was enjoined upon the earlier communities is low that the fasts which was enjoined upon the earlier communities is identical in all respects with the fasts enjoined upon this ummah. There may have been difference in the number and the timings of the fasts, etc. Actually there is a big difference between the fasts as later generations completely altered it.
Jesus fasted 40 days before starting his mission. It is possible that he fasted on the Day of Atonement, which was an established tradition in Judaism. By the 4th century, there was no sign of 40 days fasting in Christianity. There are traditions which Christians live. The fast in Rome was different from the fast in Alexandria. Some abstain from meat, while others from fish and birds. Some will not eat fruit and eggs; some just fast on white bread. Some will abstain from all the above. Certain days has been made for fasting in later centuries to commemorate some events, such as the life of Jesus. There was a fast for three days in English law. During the time of Edward VI, James I and the Elizabeth, meat was prohibited during the fast, and James justified that saying:
The fishing industry and maritime commerce must become encouraged and it must be profitable. [Arkane Arba'ah by Abul Hasan Nadwi]
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