Sawm

• which pillar of islam is sawm? (sunni)

  fourth
• which obligatory act is sawm? (shi'a)

  third
• what is sawm?

  fasting during the month of Ramadan (ninth month in the Islamic calendar)
• why is Ramadan a significant month to Muslims?

  it is when the Qur'an began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Jibril
• what is the night of revelation also known as?

  the Night of Power
• when is the Night of Power?

  the 27th day of Ramadan
• what is the Night of Power

  the holiest night of the year. a night of forgiveness and mercy
• quote about the Night of Power

  "Better than a thousand months" - all spiritual activities are worth more on this night
• why might a muslim stay up all night reading and studying the Qur'an on the Night of Power?

  to show their devotion and make the most of the holy night
• why might muslims come together at the mosque on the Night of Power?

  because the mosque is holy so they can feel closer to God and their community
• why might a muslim ask for forgiveness for their sins and make intentions to improve on the Night of Power?

  Ramadan is a night of self-reflection so they are more motivated to improve themselves and it means more
• quote about Sawm

  "fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you, to learn self-restraint."
• why is fasting significant during Sawm?

  • obeys Allah's commands
  • teaches self-discipline and restraint
  • finding empathy with the poor and less fortunate
  • seeing the value in almsgiving
  • give thanks for what they have
  • finding fellowship in the Ummah
• how might a muslim observe Sawm?

  • fasting
  • no smoking
  • no sexual activity
  • no impure thoughts
  • no loud music
  • forgive others
• who cannot fast?

  • people who haven't reached puberty (usually under-12s)
  • menstruating women
  • pregnant and breastfeeding women
  • sick people
  • travellers
  • people who are physically and mentally unable to fast
  • the elderly
• what do the exceptions to fasting show about fasting?

  fasting shouldn't be a burden or dangerous and should be done in the right state of mind so it retains its meaning
• benefits of sawm

  • teaches self-discipline
  • time of self-reflection
  • can get closer to Allah
  • you can make up the fast later so there's no pressure to fast if you're sick
• possible challenges of sawm

  • physically draining
  • can cause sickness
  • may be hard to avoid loud music
  • hard to see others eat, causes feelings of isolation
• two contrasting ways in which sawm is observed

  • some muslims don't fast and just avoid music, sex and smoking
  • not all muslims can fast so they celebrate in other ways