The Meaning of Sawm

The importance of sawm for a Muslim.

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• Literally, Sawm means to abstain. In Islam, it means to abstain from eating, drinking and other things that break the fast, from sunrise to sunset, with the intention to worship Allah ﷻ . However, Although these things are normally permissible, they are forbidden while fasting. Therefore, fasting is an act of one seeking the pleasure of Allah ﷻ , by observing His Order to abstain from such restricted things from dawn to sunset. Allah ﷻ made Sawm obligatory upon the Ummah of Muhammad, just as He made it obligatory upon the nations before. This is based on Allah’s ﷻ statement:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been made obligatory upon you just as it was made obligatory upon those who were before you, so that you may have Taqwaa (piety).” (Soorat al-Baqarah: 183)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ (سورة البقرة : ١٨٣)

• It is obvious from this statement of Allah ﷻ that the main aim of Sawm is extremely important and of utmost benefit. Piety shows that a Muslim fears Allah ﷻ and is aware of Him in all matters. Before performing any act, a Muslim has to be sure whether it is allowed or not, and whether it pleases Allah or not. How can this type of piety be achieved by fasting?
• In the case of a Muslim observing Sawm, why should he abstain from eating and drinking when no one can see him or punish him for any violation?
• It is because Allah ﷻ prohibits him from these things while fasting. Therefore, by observing Sawm continually for a month, everyone must try to fill their hearts with piety and sincerity.
• Fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking, but it is also refraining from everything else that Allah ﷻ forbids.
• Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Sawm is not [abstaining] from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language.
• If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibbaan, and Al-Haakim)
  [The latter said that it is saheeh according to Muslim’s criterion.]

Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast except thirst, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness” (Ad-Daarimee and Shaykh Al-Albaani graded its chain of narrators as Saheeh)

قال رسول الله ﷺ كم من صائم ليس له من صيامه إلا الظلما وكُمْ مِنْ قائم ليس له من قيامه إلا الشهر” . (رواه ابن ماجة)

• The true meaning of Sawm is to be found in the fact that it is a form of worship which carries many benefits for a Muslim. The most important meaning is that it purifies the soul of a Muslim and grants him peace in his life.

Aboo Hurayrah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said “When (the month of) Ramadaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened Al-Bukhaari

قال رسول الله ﷺ إذا جاء رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة .رواه البخاري

What we learn from the lesson:

1. Sawm – To abstain from eating, drinking, and all other things that break the fast.
2. Sawm is obligatory on all Muslims.
3. Sawm increases your Taqwaa (piety)
4. A Muslim who fasts must also stay away from vain speech and foul language.
5. Sawm is a form of worship that purifies the soul.