The Articles Of Faith And The Pillars Of Islam: Fasting, Sawm, Including The Way It Is Observed, Its Significance And Those ExemptedCopy
Sawm (Fasting) – Quick Revision Cheat Sheet
| Aspect | Details | Qur’an / Hadith Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Fourth Pillar of Islam; abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, and sinful acts from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) during Ramadan | Qur’an 2:183 – “Fasting is prescribed for you… so that you may attain Taqwa” |
| Purpose | Builds piety (taqwa), self-control, gratitude, and empathy for poor | Hadith: “Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith… his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari, Muslim) |
| Timing | Compulsory during month of Ramadan; 9th month of Islamic calendar | Qur’an 2:185 – Qur’an revealed in Ramadan |
| Daily Routine | • Pre-dawn meal (suhoor)• Intention (niyyah) before Fajr• Fast broken at sunset with iftar (dates, water)• Additional Tarawih prayers at night | Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Significance of Fasting
| Dimension | Significance |
|---|---|
| Spiritual | Brings believer closer to Allah, develops sincerity |
| Moral | Trains patience, discipline, truthfulness |
| Social | Creates equality, empathy for needy, community unity |
| Health | Promotes moderation, self-control |
| Accountability | Reminder of Judgment Day and self-purification |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Exemptions from Fasting
| Category | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Sick | Exempt; must make up later if possible |
| Elderly | Exempt; can give fidya (feeding poor) instead |
| Travellers | May delay fast, make up later |
| Pregnant / Breastfeeding Women | Exempt if fasting harms mother/child; make up later |
| Menstruating / Postnatal Women | Not allowed to fast; must make up later |
| Children | Not obligatory, but encouraged gradually for training |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Examples in Practice
- Muslims wake up for suhoor, fast all day, break with iftar.
- Mosques organise communal iftar for poor and travellers.
- A sick person unable to recover pays fidya instead of fasting.
- A student travelling during Ramadan delays fasts and completes later.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course