Practices - EduqasSawm

Sawm is fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is special because it is believed to be the month in which the Prophet Muhammad began to receive revelations of the Qur’an.

During Ramadan, Muslims give up food, liquid, smoking and sexual activity during daylight hours. Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days each year. Because Islam uses a lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year, so there is no Western season associated with Ramadan.

Muslims who are unwell may be excused from some or all of the fast. Children under the age of 12, the very old, and those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, menstruating or travelling also do not have to fast. Any adult who does not fast for any reason apart from these should try to make up the fast later or donate to the poor instead.

Muslims are also expected to do their best to avoid evil thoughts and deeds. The break from the routine of preparing and eating meals leaves time for extra prayer, contemplation of God and reading the Qur’an.

Reasons for fasting

There are many valuable reasons for sawm, such as:

• obeying God and exercising self-discipline
• becoming spiritually stronger
• appreciating God’s gifts, which may otherwise be taken for granted
• developing empathy for the poor
• giving thanks for the Qur’an, whose revelation to Muhammad is believed to have begun in the month of Ramadan
• sharing fellowship with other Muslims

Suhur

During Ramadan, many Muslims try to eat a simple meal called suhur just before dawn, to sustain their energy throughout the day.

Iftar

When night falls, Muslims break the fast with a meal called iftar. Many Muslims ‘break’ or ‘open’ the fast with dates or water, before having their meal later, as this is what the Prophet Muhammad did. Families and communities often come together in celebration for the evening meals of Ramadan.