The life and teachings of Isa al-Masih can be found in the Holy Injil. Many of the statements about Isa found in the Qur’an are summaries of this. The following points are taken from the Holy Injil:

1. Isa, in the power of the Holy Spirit, practiced a regular form of fasting throughout his holy life.
   • After receiving baptism from Nobi Yaya, Isa went to a remote desert region. There he fasted from food and water for both 40 days and 40 nights! No Iftar! Following this incredible fast, he was tempted to sin by Iblish but remained obedient to God. (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-4)

2. Isa taught his disciples about fasting.

• In Matthew 6:16-18, Isa teaches his followers about prayer, giving, and fasting. Isa’s fellow Jews had many traditions about these practices coming from the times of Abraham and Moses. The devout people of Isa’s day practiced a complete fast two days weekly. (That makes over 100 days of fasting annually!)
• Isa’s instructions do not include specific days or times for fasting. He says, “Whenever you fast”, meaning his followers were given freedom to fast as necessary. Many early followers of Isa continued to fast 2 days weekly after his return to Heaven.
• Isa said, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do…But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
• Isa also condemned those who fasted in pride without humility and confession of their sin to God. (Luke 18:14-19)

3. Isa also revealed his true identity through fasting.

• In Matthew 9:14-17, Isa is asked by the disciples of Nobi Yaya about why Isa’s disciples did not fast like Yaya’s or the other Jewish teachers’. Isa replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.”
• When Isa uses this picture though, he puts himself into the position of groom. His disciples cannot fast while he is present with them because his presence is like the time of a multi-day wedding ceremony. There is to be celebration and no fasting, only feasting!
• However, Isa also points to a time after his life is done when he will be gone. During this time, his followers will fast, longing for him to return. Followers of Isa until this day continue to fast at various times in prayer for his second coming to earth.
• Why would Isa die? The answer to that is Korbani. Isa gave his life to be a Korbani, a sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

We see in Isa’s life and teaching that he was not just a “normal prophet.”

• Unlike Prophet Adam, who chose to sin when surrounded by food and paradise, Isa chose to obey God after 40 days and nights fasting in the desert.
• Unlike Prophet Moses, who passed on laws he received from God, Isa declares new laws about things like prayer and fasting with his own authority.
• Unlike Prophet Daoud, Isa did not have to fast because of his own sins.
• Unlike any other prophet, Isa told his followers not to fast when he was present. People fast to draw closer to God, but with Isa, God has already come close to His people. This claim comes from Isa’s own words.
• Unlike any other prophet, Isa tells his followers to fast for His return. We are not given instruction in any Holy Book to long for the 2nd coming of any other prophet than Isa al-Masih. Why is he so special?

Fasting is a great way to put aside normal life and eating and pursue God. When we feel hunger, it reminds us that we need God in our lives more than any food or water.

Perhaps you are fasting with this hope in mind this Ramadan. However, according to the Holy Books, fasting alone will not bring you into right relationship with God. Fasting alone cannot remove the shame of our sin, the times we disobey God. Perhaps you have skipped the fasting this year because deep in your soul you have come to realize that you ended Ramadan no closer to God than you began.

Only one can bring us back to God, the Messiah Isa. The title Messiah or Christ means “one chosen for a special purpose.”

The name Isa means “God saves.” We need salvation from our sin and only Isa is the one chosen by God to provide this salvation.

That is what the cross is all about. While Islamic tradition struggles to come up with a consistent explanation for the death of Isa, the Qur’an itself says that Isa was killed and rose again (Al-Imran 55, Maryam 33). His death was not an accident though.

Isa said, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:17-18) Isa was giving his life as a sacrifice, a Korbani. The Injil also says, “and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

A few verses later it explains clearly, “just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so the Messiah was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)