A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Sawm – Fasting of Ramadan
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SAWM – FASTING OF RAMADAN
Sawm, or ritual fasting is the third pillar of Islam. Fasting is
prescribed once a year during Ramadan, the 9th month of the
Islamic Calendar. The fast of Ramadan lasts for the whole month
beginning from sunrise and ending at sunset God Almighty says:
“You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed
for those before you that you may (learn) self - restraint” (2:183).
Fasting means to refrain and abstain from dawn till sunset, from
food and drink and certain other things. Fasting in the month of
Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon, and it ends
with the sighting of the moon of the next month of Shawwal. With
the new moon of Ramadan fasting becomes obligatory for all those
who are required to fast. With the new moon of Shawwal the fast
comes to an end. The following day is the day of celebration of Id
festival.
If one is sick or on a journey, one is allowed to postpone fast. But
the missed fast has to be made up by fasting the same number of
days afterwards.
The fast teaches discipline to the soul. The believer recalls the
month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed.
According to the Qur’an, the main purpose of fasting is to attain
taqwa or God-consciousness. Fasting, according to the Prophet, is
a shield, which guards us from evil ways.
