SWAM (FASTING)

A. Definition Of Swam
Sawm (Arabic: ‫صوم‬,plural: Siyam) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated
by Islamic jurisprudence. In the terminology of Islamic law, sawm means to abstain from
eating and drinking (including water) during daylight hours. The observance
of sawm during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, but
is not confined to that month. Ṣiyam is derived from Syriac: ṣawmā. Literally, it means "to
abstain", cognates to Hebrew tsom..
Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking and engaging in conjugal sexual
relationships from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). Whilst fasting, Muslims are also
obliged to abstain from smoking and other comforts such as chewing gum. Fasting is
essentially an attempt to seek nearness to Allah and increase one's piety. One of the remote
aims of fasting is to empathize with those less fortunate members of society who do not
always have food and drink readily available. One must also try to avoid cursing and
thinking evil thoughts, with the aim of controlling the tongue and temper during the fasting
hours. Fasting is also viewed as a means of controlling one's desires (of food, drink and
sex) and focusing more on devoting oneself to God.
Sawm also carries a significant spiritual meaning. It teaches one the principle
of love: because when one observes fasting, it is done out of deep love for God and to learn
self-restraint.

B. Types of Swam in The Quran

1. Food Fasting (Sawm ut Taam).
2. Money Fasting (Sawm ul Maal).
3. Word Fasting (Sawm ul Kalam).
Usually "Fasting" means Food Fasting.

C. Conditons of Swam
1. Intention (Niyyah)
The intention of the fast is to represent a special time of purification and
religious devotion.
2. General conditions
Throughout the duration of the fast itself, Muslims will abstain from certain
provisions that the Quran has otherwise allowed; namely eating, drinking, and sexual
intercourse. This is in addition to the standard obligation already observed by Muslims
of avoiding that which is not permissible under Quranic orShari'ah
law (e.g. ignorant and indecent speech, arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts).
Without observing this standard obligation, Sawm is rendered useless, and is seen
simply as an act of starvation. The fasting should be a motive to be more benevolent to
the fellow-creatures. Charity to the poor and needy in this month is one of most
rewardable worship.
If one is sick, nursing or traveling, one is considered exempt from fasting. Any
fasts broken or missed due to sickness, nursing or traveling must be made up whenever
the person is able before the next month of Ramadan. According to the Quran, for all
other cases, not fasting is only permitted when the act is potentially dangerous to one's
health - for example; those elderly who are too weak to fast for extended periods of
time, diabetics, nursing, and pregnant women, but this must be made up by paying
a fidyah which is essentially the iftaar, dinner and suhur for a fasting person who
requires such financial help.
According to the Quran and the Sunnah, if someone cannot afford fasting due
to illness or traveling they are permitted to suspend fasting and continue at a more
opportune time or condition of health. However, the question of those suffering a
permanent disease has not been resolved. One view is that they can waive the obligation
to fast if advised by a medical expert. Furthermore, it is held that they can provide a
poor person with a meal for each day of fasting waived. Nonetheless, such a delinquent
person must be willing to fast when in health.
Observing the fast is not permitted for menstruating women. However, when
a woman's period has ceased, she must bathe and continue fasting. Any fasts broken or
missed due to menstruation must be made up whenever she can before the next month
of Ramadan. Women must fast at times when not menstruating, as the Quran indicates
that all religious duties are ordained for both men and women.
3. Breaking the fast and the consequences
During Ramadan, if one unintentionally breaks the fast by eating or drinking
then they must continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. For those who
 intentionally break the fast by eating, drinking or having sexual intercourse, the
consequences is;
a. Free a slave, and if that is not possible,
b. Fast for two consecutive lunar months (approximately 60 days), and if that is not
possible,
c. Feed and/or clothe 60 people in need
During voluntary fasts, if one unintentionally breaks the fast then they may
continue for the rest of the day and the fast remains valid. If one unintentionally breaks
the fast there is no sin on them because it is involuntary.
4. Breaking oaths and the consequences
If an oath is given and circumstances dictate that it must be broken (or if the one
giving the oath deliberately breaks it), one must offer expiation (kaffara) by freeing a
slave and if that is not possible, feed and/or clothe 10 poor people and if that cannot be
done because due to lack of financial means or poor people cannot be found, fast for
three consecutive days.
5. Beginning and ending the fast
In accordance with traditions handed down from Muhammad, Muslims eat a
pre-dawn meal called the suhoor. All eating and drinking must be finished
before azaan-ul-Fajr, the pre-dawn call to prayer. Unlike the Salat-ul-Zuhr and Salat-
ul-Maghrib prayers, which have clear astronomical definitions (after-noon and after-
sunset), there are several definitions used in practice for the timing of "true dawn" (al-
fajr as-sadiq), as mentioned in the hadith. These range from when the center of the sun
is 12 to 21 degrees below the horizon[9] which equates to about 40 to 60 minutes before
civil dawn. There are no restrictions on the morning meal other than the restrictions on
Muslims diet. After completing the suhoor, Muslims recite
the fajr prayer. No food or beverage are allowed to go down the throat after the suhoor.
However, water unlike food may enter the mouth, but not go down the throat
during wudu.
The meal eaten to end the fast is known as al-Iftar. Muslims, following the
Sunnah of the Prophet, Muhammad, break the fast with dates and water, before
praying Salat-ul-Maghrib, after which they might eat a more wholesome meal.

D. Benefits of Swam
 Fasting inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims can feel and
experience that which needy and hungry humans feel. However, even the poor, needy, and
hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing
meals to break the fast together, the latter offering more reward than if eating alone. Most
importantly, the fast is also seen as a great sign of obedience by the believer to Allah.
Faithful observance of the Sawm is believed to atone for personal faults and misdeeds and
to help earn a place in paradise. ninth month of Islam calendar. It is hard, but it bring those
closer to God.
Sawm is intended to teach believers patience and self-control in their personal
conduct, to help control passions and temper, to provide time for meditation and to
strengthen one's faith. Fasting also serves the purpose of cleansing the inner soul and
freeing it of harm. Some scholars, following the earliest understanding of the uses and
objectives of the ritual of fasting strongly object to identifying mundane objectives of the
ritual such as physical and psychological well being. To them the ritual of fasting is purely
a worship and should not be treated as an exercise mixed with worship. The objectives of
the fast is to inculcate taqwa (God-consciousness) in a believer. As mentioned earlier,
fasting can also be observed voluntarily (as part of the Greater Jihad).

E. Detriments of Swam
Fasting on a long hot day carries a risk of dehydration. However, if one is at medical
risk of dehydration, which leads to serious consequences, then it is permitted to break one's
fast. An increase of negative health affects are observed exclusively during the month of
Ramadan due to fasting, such as migraines, tachycardia, severe headaches, dizziness,
nausea, vomiting, circulatory collapse, and sleeping problems.
One study showed that Muslims are more irritabale during the month of