The word “fasting” (ṣawm) is used in the Qur’an to describe the ritual fast or the month of Ramadan. Scholars define fasting as “abstaining from food, drink and sexual activity” and frequently reference verse 2:183-185 as legislating the month of fasting.[1] However, in the Qur’an, fasting does not always refer to Ramadan but fasting in general, most frequently as supererogatory fasting. For instance, fasting could be used to expiate sins and become closer to God. However, we find an instance in the Qur’an where the word “fasting” (ṣawm) is not used to describe ritual or supererogatory fasting but something similar but also distinct. In the chapter of Mary or Maryam, after the miraculous birth of Jesus/ ‘Īsā, Maryam is told “and say to anyone you may see: ‘I have vowed to the Lord of Mercy to fast (ṣawm) from conversation, and I will not talk to anyone today.’”[2] What does the word “fasting” (ṣawm) here exactly mean?[3]
