Sawm
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Ṣawm (Arabic: صوم ), (Turkish: Oruç) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. It can be done for different reasons and at different times, but it is primarily done by Muslims during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Etymology
The word sawm is derived from Syriac sawmo.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).Some benefits of fasting
A Muslim keeps away from those things that Allah has allowed for them (eating, drinking, and intercourse between husband and wife). Fasting from these permissable actions allows for them to train to keep themselves from that which is not permissable in Islam (such as lying, cursing, smoking, drinking alchol, committing fornication/adultry, masturbation, and other sins). Also, during the day of fasting, the Muslim is obligated to keep themselves away from that which is not permissable (such as the brief list noted in the previous sentence). Otherwise, if they only keep themselves from that which is permitted (eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse between the husband and the wife) then they are only starving themselves. So a Muslim, during the day of fast must keep away from some of that which is Halaal (permissible) and stay away from that which is haram (forbidden) in order to gain piety.Beginning the Fast
In accordance with traditions handed down from the prophet Muhammad, Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called the suhoor. All eating and drinking must be finished before sunrise. Unlike the zuhr and 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 [link] 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.Prohibitions while fasting
Eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib).Certain Muslims are excused from fasting. According to the Qur'an, not fasting is permissible for those for whom fasting is potentially dangerous to their health, and to the elderly who are too weak to fast for extended periods of time. For example, diabetics are not expected to fast, nor are 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 Ramadhan (Muslim month of fasting). Women, at times when not menstruating, must fast as Allah indicates that all religious duties are ordained for both men AND women.
Fasting during Ramadan
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is specifically mentioned in three consecutive verses of the Qur'an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Yusuf Ali, 2:183)
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (Yusuf Ali, 2:184)
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Yusuf Ali, 2:185)
Part of the Greater Jihad
It can also be done voluntarly, as part of the Greater Jihad. The Sawm can teach the believers patience and self-control. 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. It is also believed to be beneficial for 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.Breaking oaths
If an oath is given, but if circumstances dictate it to be broken (or the one giving the oath dilberately breaks it), one needs to fast for three days if they cannot find 10 poor people to feed. If a Muslim cannot perform part of their Ramadan (eg due to menstruation) they must make up for it at a later date before the next Ramadan.[[Citing sources citation needed]]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 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.
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