Sawm
sawmFasting from just before dawn until sunset. Abstinence from food and drink (including water), smoking and sexual intercourse. is the fourth of the Five Pillars of IslamThe five observances which must be followed by all practising Muslims, eg Salah - to pray five times a day.. It happens during the ninth month of the lunar calendar, during RamadanThe month of fasting and prayer in Islam, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.. Ramadan is special because it is believed to be the month in which the Prophet Muhammad began to receive revelations of the Qur’an.
During Ramadan, Muslims give up food, liquid, smoking and sexual activity during daylight hours. Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days each year. Because Islam uses a lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year, so there is no Western season associated with Ramadan.
Many Muslims do this because the Qur’an says:
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may [learn] self-restraint.
Muslims are also expected to do their best to avoid evil thoughts and deeds. The break from the routine of preparing and eating meals leaves time for extra prayer, contemplation of God and reading the Qur’an.
The following Muslims are not expected to fast:
- children who have not reached pubertyTime during which sexual maturity happens.
- women who are menstruationAlso called a 'period'. The loss of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus through the vagina during the menstrual cycle.
- women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- people who are physically unwell
- the elderly
During Ramadan, if a Muslim misses a day of fasting then they are expected to make this up at the end of Ramadan or donate some extra money to charity. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims often spend time with family and friends.