The Politics of Constraint in Islam

Muslims and Christians traditionally deny themselves during the holy seasons of Ramadan and Lent. To the modern mind, this might seem like an odd and unreasonable practice of self-denial. Why do believers fast? Why do they deny themselves? Perhaps the “unreasonableness” of fasting is precisely the point.

While many know about the spiritual and emotional benefits of fasting, Shadi Hamid and Matthew Kaemingk push the conversation deeper. Here they explore the surprising ways in which fasting could improve our economic and political lives. (It might even help save our democracy!) In an American culture that has grown increasingly fast-paced, selfish, and materialistic, maybe we need religion to “impose” significant constraints on our everyday behaviour. What does freedom within these constraints actually look—and feel—like?

Links:

• Kyle David Bennett on the politics of fasting https://comment.org/church-practices-and-public-life-the-thickness-of-fasting/

• Kyle David Bennet’s book on spiritual disciplines and public life https://bookshop.org/a/65404/9781587434037

• Tariq Ramadan on the Politics of Ramadan https://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-politics-of-fasting-lessons-from-ramadan/10101262

• Shadi’s piece from last Ramadan, “Against the Cult of Productivity” https://wisdomofcrowds.live/against-the-cult-of-productivity/

• Shadi on the benefits of fasting from the news: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/information-news-addiction-liberal-depression/673351/