Sawm (plural siyam) meaning Fasting is one of the many unique moral and spiritual characteristics of Islam, being the fourth of the five main religious obligations (pillars) of Islam. Muslims believe the five pillars hold up a temple for God, known as "Arkan". They believe the religion of Islam is built on these five pillars, each represents a unique utility, an institution, through which the believer builds his relationship with their creator. Of all the five pillars, none is more important than Siyam, Sawm. It is believed that the five pillars do not represent the entire religion of Islam, but without any one of them, the whole religion will collapse. The word Sawm literally means "to refrain", but as an Islamic term it means refraining from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, between the hours of dawn and sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan.
Fasting is the act of abstaining from feeding the body in order to focus more on fully seeking God's love and trust and feeding the spirit. Fasting is seen as a way of humbling ourselves before God, letting him know that we are willing to exchange physical comforts to seek Him for a spiritual feast.
"O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained." Surah Al-Baqarah (2-183):.
The most significant aspect of Sawm is believed to be the development of Allah consciousness (Taqwa) in the heart and soul of the fasting Muslim. As Muslims must also abstain from immoral behaviour and attitude, as refraining from food ands such is essential during the fast but is not sufficient. The Prophet of Allah is reported to have said, "If one does not abandon falsehood in word and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.".
"If you do not give up telling lies God will have no need of your giving up food and drink," (Hadith).
"He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no that he did not eat or drink.
The aims of Ramadan are worship, working hard, self-refinement and nobility of character. ... Ramadan is either 29 or 30 days. ... It is on the last ten days of Ramadan. ... They pay alms at the end of Ramadan for each family member to the poor. ... There are lots of Ramadan drummers in towns. ...
What is Ramadan? ... Two important festivals: Eid Ul Fitr- Takes place at the end of Ramadan, they eat a celebratory meal with friends and family to thank Allah for help during the fast. ... Every Muslim must follow the five pillars of Islam. There is only one God. Pray five times a day (Salat) Give money to the poor. Go to Mecca once in your lifetime. No food or drink during the month of Ramadan. ...
(Fourth Pillar) The Fourth Pillar of Islam is fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is important to me, as I am sure it is important to all Muslims, because Ramadan is the month when Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qu'ran. ... During Ramadan, I fast and my parent play the audio version of the Qu'ran throughout the month. At the end of Ramadan we celebrate Eid-which is the end of fasting. ...
Candies are served to visitors during Ramadan. That is why Ramadan is also called the "Sugar Festival-. ... The Feast of Sacrifice festival is also so exultant like Ramadan. ... The Ramadan festival comes after one moth of fasting. There are also many traditions in the fasting month, which is known as Ramadan month. ...
Although protestors around the world, particularly in Syria and Egypt, vowed to temporarily forego their demonstrations in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Syrian army attacked the city of Hama, killing at least 113 people just one day before the month of fasting and prayer began. ... Joshua Landis, a Syria specialist associated with the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said al-Assad's regime "has been very frightened by Ramadan's onset." ... Turkey agreed that the government's decision to attack on the eve of Ramadan did not coincide...
A statement of faith (Shahada), regular prayer (Salat), alms giving (Zakat), fasting during the holy month of Ramadan (Sawm) and making a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) make up the pillars. ... The third pillar, sawm, or fasting, is undertaken during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar known as Ramadan. ... If one is unable to fast for reasons such as pregnancy she may pass on the sawm but must fast at another time during the year for the equal number of days missed during Ramadan. ... Zakat, meaning charity, is given once every year at the end of Ramadan. ...
They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able. ... This holy month is called Ramadan and is a period of fasting. ... There are many rituals performed during the Hajj, special clothing is worn while on the journey, and at the end of the Hajj there is normally a big festival of celebration of prayer and a feast day signifying the end of Ramadan. ...
These Five Pillars are; Shahada (daily confession of faith), Salat (daily prayer), Zakat (giving charity), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca.) ... Ramadan is also the month of blessing. For the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to fast. ... The last day of this holiday is here family and friends come together to share a big meal and celebrate the month of Ramadan. ... (What is Ramadan?)...
Religion or Terrorism? Recently, within the last year we have had a very sad, and tragic terrorist attack. All of us were very terrified and confused on why all this was going on. No one knew whom to blame, or what to do, everyone just tried to cope with it the best they could. September 11th 20...