As-Sawm (Fasting) Basic 4 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Definition of Fasting

Fasting (Sawm) means:

• Not eating any food
• Not drinking anything
• Not doing bad things
• From sunrise to sunset
• To please Allah

Types of Fasting

1. Obligatory (Must Do)

• Ramadan fasting – 30 days every year
• Making up missed days if you were sick

2. Voluntary (Extra Good Deeds)

• Mondays and Thursdays – every week
• 3 days each month (13th, 14th, 15th)
• Day of Arafah – special day
• Ashura – 10th day of Muharram
• 6 days of Shawwal – after Ramadan

Importance of Fasting (Quran 2:183-185)

Why Allah Commands Fasting:

1. To become God-fearing (Taqwa)
   1. Learn to control ourselves
   2. Remember Allah more
2. To feel for poor people
   1. Understand how hungry people feel
   2. Want to help others more
3. To train our bodies
   1. Become stronger
   2. Learn patience
4. To get rewards
   1. Allah loves people who fast
   2. Extra good deeds in Paradise

Allah’s Promise:

• Fasting is easy for those who try
• Sick people and travelers can make up later
• Allah wants what is best for us

Simple Rules

Who should fast:

• Healthy adults and older children
• Not sick people or very young children
• Not pregnant women or travelers

What breaks the fast:

• Eating or drinking on purpose
• Being mean to others
• Telling lies

Exercises

1. True or False:

• Fasting means not eating from sunrise to sunset ( )
• Only adults can do voluntary fasting ( )
• Sick people must still fast ( )
• Fasting helps us understand poor people ( )

2. Fill in the blanks:

• Fasting in Ramadan is _______ for Muslims
• We can fast on _______ and _______ every week
• Fasting helps us develop _______
• Allah promises fasting is _______ for those who try

3. Circle the voluntary fasts:

• Ramadan fasting
• Monday fasting
• Thursday fasting
• Making up missed days
• 3 days each month
• Day of Arafah

4. Why do we fast? (Choose 2)

• a) To lose weight
• b) To develop Taqwa (God-consciousness)
• c) To feel for poor people
• d) To show off

5. Match the type with example:

• Obligatory → Ramadan
• Voluntary → Mondays and Thursdays

6. Short Answer:

• What does “Sawm” mean?
• Name 2 voluntary fasts
• How does fasting help us become better Muslims?

Answer Key:

1. True, False, False, True
2. obligatory, Mondays, Thursdays, Taqwa, easy
3. Circle: Monday fasting, Thursday fasting, 3 days each month, Day of Arafah
4. b) and c)
5. Matching as shown above
6. Not eating/drinking from sunrise to sunset / Mondays-Thursdays, 3 days monthly / Develops self-control and helps us understand others