A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Sawm – Fasting of Ramadan
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In Ramadan extra salat is performed. There are extra sunnah salat
on Ramazan nights called salat at- Tarawih. In the last ten days of
Ramadan, some retreat to the mosque to perform Itikaaf, to pray
and to read the Qur’an as much as they can.
Ramadan is a blessed month. The Qur’an was revealed in this
month. Ramadan is also called the month of the Quran.
BENEFITS OF FASTING
1. All Muslims, rich and poor, fulfill the same demands of the fast
and then share their food together at night. This promotes the
spirit of togetherness.
2. The rich gain a better understanding of what it must be like for
the poor who cannot always eat when they want to. This should
make them more generous towards them.
3. Muslims learn to appreciate all the good things they have each
day, and to thank Allah for them, instead of just taking them for
granted.
4. Muslims learn self control.
5. Muslims learn how to endure hardship.
Ramadan thus brings us closer to the path of goodness and God-
consciousness (taqwa). Ramadan thus brings us closer to God.
