Sawm
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 4.3.7
Sawm: Fasting
Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan. The focus in Ramadan is on fasting, charity and being subservient to the will of Allah.
Ramadan
- Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. Muslims follow a lunar calendar. This means that the month of Ramadan will fall at different points in the secular calendar.
- Tradition teaches that it was during this month that the angel Jibril began to reveal the Qur'an to Muhammad.
- This is a very important month for spiritual growth. The Qur'an will often be divided into daily readings and completed during the 30 days.
Fasting
- Fasting takes place during daylight hours.
- Muslims will get up very early to eat before sunrise. In the UK this can be before 4 am in the summer. They will eat and drink enough to keep them going till sunset. In the UK this can be around 9:30 pm in the summer.
- The fast is broken often with a glass of water and a date. After that, a meal is eaten with family and friends.
Children and those unable
- Children will practice fasting but are not obligated until they have reached puberty.
- Muslim students in schools will be given space to pray and will be allowed to have a quiet space to sit away from tempting school dinners.
- Muslims who are not physically able to fast, are not required to do so. If they can make up the fasting at a later time they should. If not then they should give extra to charity during the month of Ramadan.
Features of Ramadan
- As the month is set aside for spiritual growth, there are extra prayers added and also more readings from the Qur'an.
- The fasting is not just from food. Other physical pleasures are also forbidden during daylight hours. Smoking and sex are also forbidden.
- To fast for so many hours takes commitment and loyalty.
The Night of Power
- The Night of Power is a festival with no fixed date during the month of Ramadan.
- Tradition says it’s the night when Muhammad received his revelation.
- Muslims will try to spend the entire night praying and studying the Qur'an.
- The spiritual benefits from this night are worth the effort from 1000 other nights of prayer and study (see Qur'an chapter 97).
Test yourself on Sawm
What month does Sawm (fasting) occur in?
Which of the following do Muslims NOT restrict during Ramadan?