Sawm

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Ṣawm (Arabic: صوم) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. Contrary to popular (non-Islamic) belief, its observance by Muslims is not confined to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam.

Contents 1 Etymology 1.1 Other languages 2 Definition 3 Conditions of Fasting 3.1 Intention (Niyyah) 3.2 General conditions 3.3 Breaking oaths and the consequences 3.4 Beginning and ending the Fast 4 Benefits of fasting 5 Times when fasting is forbidden 6 Fasting in other religions 7 See also 8 External links

[edit] Etymology

The word sawm is derived from Syriac sawmo.^{[citation needed]}

Literally, Sawm means 'to abstain'. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means 'to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse ^[1]

[edit] Other languages

For many Muslims, Arabic is not a first language, therefore, such Muslims may use other words to represent Sawm depending on their location and language. For example, the Muslims of Afghanistan, India, Iran, and Pakistan use the word rozah which comes from Persian.

[edit] Definition

Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib).

Because eating is permitted during the hours of darkness, Muslims have been known to eat more during Ramadan than during the rest ef the year.

[edit] Conditions of Fasting

[edit] Intention (Niyyah)

For a fast to be valid in the first instance, an intention (niyyah) must be made beforehand; this is considered to form an oath.

[edit] General conditions

Throughout the duration of the fast itself, Muslims will abstain from certain provisions that God has otherwise allowed; namely eating, drinking, and intercourse between husband and wife. This is in addition to the standard obligation already observed by Muslims of avoiding that which is not permissible under Qur'anic or Shari'ah law (e.g. ignorant and indecent speech, arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts). Without observing this standard obligation, Sawm is rendered useless, and is seen simply as an act of starvation.

If one is sick, nursing or travelling, one is considered exempt from fasting. According to the Qur'an, for all other cases, not fasting is only permitted when the act is potentially dangerous to one's health - for example; those elderly who are too weak to fast for extended periods of time, diabetics, nursing, and pregnant women.

Observing the fast is not permitted for menstruating women. However, when a woman's period has ceased, she must bathe and continue fasting. Any fasts broken/missed due to menstruation must be made up whenever she can before the next month of Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting). Women must fast at times when not menstruating, as God indicates that all religious duties are ordained for both men and women.

[edit] Breaking oaths and the consequences

During Ramadhan, one who fasts and breaks the oath out of forgetfulness must nevertheless continue, since the fast will remain valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks the fast, by eating, drinking, smoking or having sex, then they must continue for the rest of the day, add one day onto their fast and fulfil a set "penalty" (kaffarra). These exist in three forms, of which the person chooses one:

• Fasting for an extra 60 consecutive days, if he/she couldn't then;
• Feeding and clothing 60 people in need, if he/she couldn't then;
• Freeing a slave.

Penalties for voluntary fasts at other times of the year, are, however, more lenient; if an oath is given, and circumstances dictate that it be broken (or the one giving the oath dilberately breaks it), one needs to fast for three days consecutively if they cannot initially find 10 poor people to feed and provide clothing for (both of which are commanded before the act of fasting as a form of repentance). The penalties are harsher during Ramadan because all mentally able Muslims are expected to have an increased awareness\consciousness of the fast at that time.

[edit] Beginning and ending the Fast

In accordance with traditions handed down from the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called the suhoor. All eating and drinking must be finished before sunrise. Unlike the Salat-ul-Zuhr and Salat-ul-Maghrib prayers, which have clear astronomical definitions (noon and sunset), there are several definitions used in practice for the timing of "true dawn" (al-fajr as-sadq), as mentioned in the hadith. These range from when the center of the sun is 12 to 21 degrees below the horizon [1] which equates to about 40 to 60 minutes before civil dawn. There are no restrictions on the morning meal other than the restrictions on Muslims diet. After completing the suhoor, Muslims recite the fajr prayer.

The meal eaten to end the fast is known as al-Iftar. Many Muslims, following the Sunnah of the Prophet, break the fast with dates and water before praying Salat-ul-Maghrib, after which they might eat a more wholesome meal.

[edit] Benefits of fasting

Fasting inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims will feel and experience that which their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel; however, even the poor, needy, and hungry may participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together, the latter offering more reward than if eating alone.

As briefly mentioned earlier, fasting can also be observed voluntarily (as part of the Greater Jihad ): Sawm is intended to teach believers patience and self-control in their personal conduct, to help control passions and temper, to provide time for meditation and to strengthen one's faith. Fasting also serves the purpose of cleansing the inner soul and freeing it of harm. Most importantly, the fast is also seen as a great sign of obedience by the believer to God. Faithful observance of the Sawm is believed to atone for personal faults and misdeeds and to help earn a place in paradise.

While fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered Fard (obligatory), Islam also prescribed certain days for non-obligatory, voluntary fasting, such as:

• each Monday and Thursday of a week
• the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month
• six days in the month of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan)
• the Day of Arafat (9th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar)
• the Day of Ashuraa (10th of Muharram in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar), with one more day of fasting before or after it

[edit] Times when fasting is forbidden

Although fasting is considered a pious act in Islam, there are times when fasting is prohibited. There are certain days on which fasts are prohibited:

• Eid ul-Adha
• Eid ul-Fitr
• Ayyam at-Tashriq (the 11th, 12th and 13th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah).
• Fasting should not be started on a Friday, unless one has been fasting prior to Friday, or unless the start of Ramadhan falls on a Friday.

[edit] Fasting in other religions

Lent in Christianity, Yom Kippur, Tisha B'av, Fast of Esther, Tzom Gedalia and the Fast of the Firstborn, all in Judaism, are also times of fasting. In the Qur'an, in verse 183 of the second chapter (2:183), God says, "fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you." Nevertheless, the fasting practices are different from one another. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) generally fast for 24 hours on the first Sunday of each month. Like Muslims, they refrain from all drinking and eating unless they are children or are physically unable to fast. Fasting is also a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Members of the Baha'i Faith observe a Nineteen Day Fast from sunrise to sunset during March each year.

[edit] See also

• Fasting

[edit] External links

• Comprehensive Article and Book Collection on fasting and Ramadhan
• Esoteric view on sawm - fasting in Ramadan