Sawm (Fasting in Islam) – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Sawm is the Arabic word for fasting, which means going without food and drink from dawn to sunset as an act of worship.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define Sawm and state why Muslims fast.
2. Say who must fast and who is excused from fasting.
3. List things that break the fast and things that do not.
4. Name the types of Sawm and give examples of each.
5. Describe a typical day of fasting in Ramadan.
6. Describe how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

What is Sawm?

Sawm is the act of fasting from dawn to sunset for the sake of Allah.

• Meaning: Sawm is the Arabic word for fasting.
• Status: it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
• What is avoided: eating, drinking and sexual relations during fasting hours.
• Ramadan: the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast for the whole month.
• Time of fasting: from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib).

Why do Muslims fast?

Muslims fast because Allah (God) commands it in the Holy Qur’an.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

The main reasons for fasting are:

• Obeying Allah: Muslims fast to follow Allah’s command and show love and obedience to Him.
• Becoming more righteous: fasting teaches self-control and patience.
• Feeling empathy for the poor: hunger helps Muslims understand how people without enough food feel every day.
• Thanking Allah for His blessings: fasting helps Muslims value food, water and other gifts from Allah.
• Strengthening willpower: controlling the desire for food and drink helps Muslims resist temptations and bad habits.

Who must fast in Ramadan?

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory for every Muslim who meets the conditions below.

• Adult: the person has reached puberty.
• Mentally sound: the person can understand what fasting means.
• Healthy: the person is physically able to fast.
• Resident: the person is not travelling a long distance.
• Women: they must be free from menstruation and childbirth bleeding.

Who is excused from fasting?

Some Muslims are excused from fasting in Ramadan for good reasons.

• Children: those who have not reached puberty, though many practise fasting to learn.
• Sick people: those whose health might get worse if they fast.
• Travellers: those covering a long distance, who must make up the missed fasts later.
• Elderly people: those who are too weak to fast.
• Pregnant and nursing women: those worried about their own health or their baby’s health.
• Women during their monthly periods: they must make up the missed fasts later.
• People with mental disabilities: those who cannot understand the meaning of fasting.

How are missed fasts put right?

Missed fasts are made up later or replaced by Fidyah, depending on the reason.

• Temporary reason: for sickness or travel, the person makes up the missed days when able.
• Permanent reason: for chronic illness or old age, the person feeds a poor person for each day missed.
• Fidyah: the feeding of a poor person in place of a fast the person can never keep.

What makes a fast valid or invalid?

A fast is broken by certain acts and is not broken by others.

What breaks the fast?

• Eating or drinking intentionally: if someone forgets and eats or drinks, the fast is still valid.
• Sexual relations: these break the fast during fasting hours.
• Deliberate vomiting: making oneself vomit breaks the fast.
• Start of menstruation or childbirth bleeding: this ends the fast for that day.

What does not break the fast?

• Bathing or swimming: allowed as long as water is not swallowed.
• Toothpaste or mouthwash: allowed as long as it is not swallowed.
• Smelling perfume or cooking food: neither breaks the fast.
• Injections or medicines that give no nourishment: these do not break the fast.
• Unintentional vomiting: the fast stays valid.
• Swallowing one’s own saliva: the fast stays valid.

What are the types of Sawm?

There are five types of Sawm: Fard, Sunnah, Nafl, Makruh and Haram.

• Fard: fasting that every qualified Muslim must keep.
• Sunnah: fasting that the Prophet (peace be upon him) practised and recommended.
• Nafl: extra fasting a Muslim chooses to do freely.
• Makruh: fasting that is disliked.
• Haram: fasting that is forbidden.

What happens on a typical day of fasting?

A fasting day has three parts: before dawn, during the day and at sunset.

Before dawn (Suhoor time)

1. Muslims wake up before dawn to eat a meal called Suhoor.
2. They drink enough water to stay hydrated during the day.
3. They make the intention (Niyyah) to fast for the day.
4. They stop eating and drinking before Fajr prayer time begins.

During the day

1. Muslims avoid eating, drinking and other things that break the fast.
2. They do more good deeds, such as reading the Qur’an, giving to charity, being kind to others and praying extra prayers.
3. They avoid bad behaviour, such as getting angry, using bad language, fighting or arguing, and backbiting (talking badly about others).

At sunset (Iftar time)

1. Muslims break the fast as soon as the sun sets (Maghrib prayer time).
2. Following the Prophet’s example, they often break the fast with dates and water.
3. They say the special dua (prayer) for breaking the fast.
4. They eat a meal called Iftar.
5. Many go to the mosque for Maghrib prayer and later for Taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers).

What are the benefits of fasting?

Fasting brings spiritual, social and health benefits.

Spiritual benefits

• Taqwa: fasting increases God-consciousness.
• Gratitude: Muslims become more thankful for Allah’s blessings.
• Focus on worship: fasting helps Muslims give more attention to prayer.
• Self-discipline: it teaches patience and self-control.
• Closeness to the Qur’an: many Muslims try to read the whole Qur’an in Ramadan.

Social benefits

• Unity: Muslims around the world fast together.
• Charity: fasting encourages giving and helping the poor.
• Family bonds: families share Suhoor and Iftar meals.
• Empathy: Muslims learn to feel for those who are less fortunate.
• Community: communal Iftar gatherings bring neighbours together.

Health benefits

• Rest for the digestive system: the body gets a break from constant eating.
• Blood sugar and cholesterol: fasting may help lower them.
• Weight: it can help with weight management.
• Mental focus: it might improve concentration and clarity.
• Willpower: it may help a person break bad habits.

Why is Ramadan special?

Ramadan is special because it is the month of fasting and the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed.

• Revelation: the Qur’an was first revealed in this month.
• Laylatul Qadr: the Night of Power, found in the last ten nights, is better than a thousand months.
• Reward: good deeds are rewarded much more in this month.
• Worship: it is a time for more prayer, charity and Qur’an reading.
• Togetherness: families and communities gather for Iftar meals and prayers.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is the festival Muslims celebrate after completing the month of fasting.

1. Muslims pay Zakat al-Fitr (a special charity) before the Eid prayer.
2. They take a bath and wear their best clothes.
3. They attend the special Eid prayer at the mosque or prayer ground.
4. They greet each other with “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid).
5. They visit family and friends, exchange gifts and enjoy special meals.
6. Children often receive money or gifts.

Evaluation

1. What is Sawm?
2. Give three reasons why Muslims fast.
3. Name four groups of people who are excused from fasting in Ramadan.
4. State three things that break the fast and three things that do not.
5. What is Fidyah, and who must pay it?

Assignment

In your notebook, draw a table of the five types of Sawm and write two examples of each type.