Sawm (Fasting)
the fourth pillar of Islam
Page Summary
What is sawm?
Why is sawm significant?
What does sawm look like in practice?
Fasting is intended to teach Muslims discipline and self-control. Some think that if one can master the basic desires for food, water, and sex, they can master any temptation throughout the rest of the year. It also helps Muslims to grow in their submission to Allah.
Ramadan is a focused time of drawing closer to Allah – to let the hunger pangs serve as reminders of a need for God. It is also a time of “reformation” (working hard not to lie or do bad deeds) and “rewards” (earning extra merits and favors).
Islam teaches that people can change themselves for the better – as long as they have the discipline to do so. Ramadan is also a time for remembering the poor and sharing with the needy.
Fasting is intended to teach Muslims discipline and self-control. Some think that if one can master the basic desires for food, water, and sex, they can master any temptation throughout the rest of the year.
It also helps Muslims to grow in their submission to Allah. Ramadan is a focused time of drawing closer to Allah – to let the hunger pangs serve as reminders of a need for God.
It is also a time of “reformation” (working hard not to lie or do bad deeds) and “rewards” (earning extra merits and favors). Islam teaches that people can change themselves for the better – as long as they have the discipline to do so.
Ramadan is also a time for remembering the poor and sharing with the needy.
For the whole month of Ramadan, life is turned upside down, and people become nocturnal! Life begins when the sun goes down. A big meal (iftar), usually starting with a date, is eaten after sunset and again just before sunrise (suhur).
Women are exceptionally busy cooking and cleaning during this time. Some people spend their evenings visiting with family and friends. Some enjoy their favorite soap operas on TV. Others spend their evenings in prayer and reading the Quran.
While it is indeed a high and holy month, oftentimes sleep deprivation, dehydration, and low blood sugar levels lead to grumpiness during the day. The last ten days of Ramadan are very special, and the 27th is called the “Night of Power” (laylat al qadr). Muslims believe this is when Muhammad first received the Quran.
On this night, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of hell are locked up tight. Some spend all night in the mosque praying and reading the Quran. If a Muslim genuinely asks for forgiveness on this night, his or her sins are forgiven. It is “one night equal to a thousand months” (Quran 97:3) — and every good intention and deed is multiplied in reward.
Ramadan ends with Eid al Fitr, a huge day of celebration on par with even the biggest holidays. There are new clothes, gifts, donations to the poor, special foods and time spent with family and friends.
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Prayer points
- Pray for Muslims would become aware of evil thoughts and desires within that cannot be avoided by fasting.
- Pray for Jesus would reveal Himself in visions, dreams, and the Injil (New Testament).
- Pray for Muslims would be delivered from the crushing burden of striving to earn God's favor.
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