What is Sawm? (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

The Role & Significance of Sawm

The Role & History of Sawm

• Sawm is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam and one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi’a Muslims

• Sawm is Arabic for fasting

• The main period of fasting is during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar

  • This is a lunar calendar and differs slightly from the solar calendar, so the date of Ramadan shifts slightly each year

  • The fasting starts at the sighting of the new moon and lasts until the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr

  • All Muslim adults in good health should observe fasts during this time

• The Qur’an teaches Muslims about Sawm

• The month of Ramadan is significant because it was the month when the Angel Jibril first visited the Prophet Muhammad and gave him the first revelation of the Qur’an

• During Ramadan, Muslims will not consume food or drink during daylight hours (between dawn and dusk)

  • Fasting means more than just refraining from food and drink: they must also give up anything that is a distraction from remembering God

  • This includes smoking, sex, and even listening to music

  • At this time Muslims take extra care to avoid evil thoughts and deeds

• Muslims will get up before dawn to eat breakfast (suhur) before their fast starts

• They will share a meal at the end (iftar) that starts with consuming dates, as the Prophet Muhammad did

The Purpose & Significance of Sawm

• Sawm is important to Muslims because

  • As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it is compulsory for Muslims and so fasting shows commitment and obedience to Allah

  • It helps Muslims to get closer to Allah and to be grateful for all that he has provided

• Extra prayers are offered during the night, which are believed to confer special blessings from Allah

• It helps Muslims to learn self-discipline

• It gives them an opportunity to reflect on their actions and try to lead a better life – in fact, the Hadith warns that there is no point in fasting if they do not become better as a result

• It gives Muslims a greater sympathy for the poor, makes them more grateful for what they have, and helps them to realise the importance of charity

• Because this was the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed, it makes Muslims more aware of the Qur’an’s value and importance

• It brings Muslims closer together as a community (ummah) and strengthens their unity

• It is an experience that makes the believer purer, physically and spiritually

Who is Excused From Fasting?

• Certain groups of people are not expected to fast

• These include

  • Young children

  • The elderly

  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women

  • Those who are sick

  • People who are travelling on long journeys

• If it would be harmful to fast, Muslims should not do it

• The Qur’an supports this, saying

• Anyone (except children) who does not take part must make up for it by

  • Fasting at another time

  • Or making a donation to the poor (known as fidyah)

The Night of Power

The History of the Night of Power

• The Night of Power is known as Laylat al-Qadr

• It is when Allah gave the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and started his prophethood

• The Angel Jibril visited Muhammad while he was praying in Cave Hira during the month of Ramadan and commanded him to read some words (although Muhammad said that he had not been taught how to read)

• The first words the angel revealed were

The Nature of the Night of Power

• Muslims believe the content revealed in the Qur’an is the final message of Allah to humanity, so Muhammad became a prophet for all humanity on this night

• Muslims can experience a Laylat al-Qadr or Night of Power themselves to strengthen their faith and bring them closer to Allah

  • The nature of how Laylat al-Qadr is experienced is explained in different ways

    • Many think that it is a moment when a person receives special blessings

    • Or when all of their prayers are heard and answered

    • Or even when the angels support them in some specific trial

• The Qur’an describes Laylat al-Qadr as a time of special blessings and rewards

Why is Laylat al-Qadr Significant for Muslims Today?

The Significance of Laylat al-Qadr to Muslims Today

• Laylat al-Qadr is of special significance during Ramadan to Muslims today

  • It is a time when Muslims remember the revelation of the Qur’an to all of humanity

  • Muslims try to come closer to Allah and attain special blessings

  • Muslims attend mosques in the evenings during Ramadan

  • Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr can remove past sins, and so this is a time to ask for forgiveness from Allah

  • Many Muslims spend the last few nights of Ramadan in i’tikaf

    • This is a retreat where they have a private space in the mosque to spend time in study, prayer, reflection, and repentance

    • They spend this time in seclusion to give them the opportunity to become more devoted to Allah

    • They do this because the Prophet Muhammad advised his followers to seek Laylat al-Qadr on one of the odd nights towards the end of the fasting month, meaning the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, or twenty-ninth nights