Understanding Sawm (Fasting) During Ramadan

Sawm, also known as fasting, is a foundational pillar of Islam observed during the holy month of Ramadan. 

There are different types of fasting within Islam:

• Fard (Obligatory): This refers to fasting throughout Ramadan each year.
• Mustahabb (Recommended): These are optional fasts observed on specific days throughout the Islamic calendar.
• Sunnah (Exemplary): These are practices followed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), such as fasting on specific days.
• Haram (Forbidden): Fasting is not allowed on certain days, including Eid celebrations and specific days following Eid al-Adha.

Ramadan fasting holds immense importance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized its power for forgiveness of past sins when observed with sincerity. It’s crucial to avoid breaking the fast without a valid reason during Ramadan.

Here’s a breakdown of what breaks the fast and the corresponding consequences:

• Actions Requiring Makeup (Qada’): These include unintentional consumption of food or drink, or forced vomiting. The missed fast needs to be made up later.
• Actions Requiring Makeup (Qada’) and Expiation (Kaffarah): Deliberately breaking the fast without a valid reason falls under this category. Expiation may involve feeding a certain number of people or providing them with food for a set number of days.

There are situations where fasting is excused:

• Illness: If someone is ill and fasting would worsen their condition, they can break the fast and offer fidyah (compensation) instead.
• Travelers: Travelers (musafir) can break the fast but must make up for the missed days later (qada’).
• Extreme Hunger or Thirst: If someone genuinely fears for their life due to extreme hunger or thirst, they can break the fast and make it up later (qada’).