Pillars of Islam-Sawm

Sawm is Arabic word for fasting. By Islamic law Sawm means to abstain from eating, drinking, sex and anything prohibited by Islamic Law. Sawm during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam along with Tauhid, Salat, Zakat and Hajj. Sawm is obligatory in Ramadan but it can be observed other time of year also. As Allah Almighty says in Quran,

                “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,” (2:183)

Muslims are prohibited from some things which are legal and normal in other circumstances. Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, having sex and smoking from dawn to sunset. Fasting or Sawm is an attempt to seek nearness of Allah Almighty. Another reason of fasting is to sympathize with those who are less fortunate and do not always have something to eat or drink. It is important that one try to control his temptations and desires of food, drink and sex etc. One must control his anger, evil thoughts and stop cursing. Sawm also teach one love and obedience because fasting during Ramadan is done out of respect and love of Allah Almighty.

Sawm is obligatory in the month of Ramadan which is a great month in sense that it was the month in which Quran was revealed to Muhammad (SAW) and the rewards of good deeds done in this month is multiplied several folds for the believers. Lailat Ul-Qadr comes in this month which is regarded as night better than thousand months. Gates of paradise are opened and gates of hell are closed during Ramadan.

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory on every adult and healthy Muslim. According to Quran, if there is any danger to one’s health than fasting can be delayed to time when he gets healthy. Same is case with women who are expecting and elderly, they should either make up for the lost days by fasting after they get healthy enough or feed needy person for every day missed.