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Ṣawm 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

(صوم), (Kurdish: Rojî; Turkish: Oruç; Malay: Puasa; Hindi: रोज़ह, Persian/Urdu: روزہ rozah)

The word sawm is derived from Syriac sawmo.

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

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 from some things that God has allowed for them, namely eating, drinking, and intercourse between husband and wife. However, if someone is sick, nursing, or traveling they are exempt from fasting. Also, during the day of fasting, the Muslim is obligated to keep themselves away from that which is not permissible. 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 close 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 [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.

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 Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting). Women, at times when not menstruating, must fast as God indicates that all religious duties are ordained for both men and women.

Part of the Greater Jihad

It can also be done voluntarily, 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 and provide clothing for (both of which are commanded before the act of fasting as a form of repentance).

During the Islamic month of Ramadan, all able Muslims are required to fast. If a Muslim cannot perform part of their Ramadan (eg due to menstruation, traveling, illness or any other reason approved by Islam) they must make up for it at a later date before the next Ramadan. If one who should be fasting breaks the oath out of forgetfulness, they are forgiven and the fast is still 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 can come 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 (obviously this penalty is outdated).

The penalties are harsher during Ramadan because all able Muslims are expected to fast, whereas oaths made by an individual carry softer guidelines.

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.

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. Sixhism

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 ==Etymology==
-('''{{lang|ar|صوم}}'''), ([[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: ''Rojî''; [[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Oruç''; [[Malay language|Malay]]: ''Puasa''; [[Persian language|Persian]]/[[Urdu]]: روزہ ''rozah'')
+('''{{lang|ar|صوم}}'''), ([[Kurdish language|Kurdish]]: ''Rojî''; [[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Oruç''; [[Malay language|Malay]]: ''Puasa''; [[Hindi]]: रोज़ह, [[Persian language|Persian]]/[[Urdu]]: روزہ ''rozah'')
 The word ''sawm'' is derived from [[Syriac language|Syriac]] ''sawmo''.