Sawm

Sawm (fasting) is the fourth pillar of Islam. All adult Muslims must fast from dawn to sunset every day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This means abstaining from eating, drinking and conjugal relations during the hours of fasting. Travelers and the sick can defer fasting during Ramadan and make up for it later.

Fasting develops self-control and helps us to overcome selfishness, greed, laziness and other faults. It is an annual training program to refresh us during our duties for Allah, our Creator and Sustainer.

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint” (2:183)