Sawm RS

Sawm RS

1. There are many good reasons for Sawm such as:

   • Learning what poorer people have to go through everyday.
     • Appreciating what God has given us.
   • Self-discipline
   • Obeying God.
   • Sawm is intended to teach Muslims patience and self-control.

2. During the 29/30 days of Ramadan all adult Muslims must give up the following things during thew hours of daylight

   • Any kind of food or drink
   • Any kind of smoking (including passive smoking)
   • Sexual activity
   • Muslims who are physically or mentally unwell may be excused. Some of these may be:
     • Under the age of 12 or the very old.
     • Those who are pregnant, breast-feeding or menstuating
     • Muslims that are travelling
     • If an adult does not fast they should make up for it at a later date or donate to the poor

3. When and what can you eat during Ramadan.

   • During Ramadan many Muslims try to eat a large meal called 'suhur' just before dawn.
   • When daylight is over most Muslims break or open the fast with dates or water, following the example of Prophet Muhammad before having a proper meal later

4. Eid ul-Fitr The end of Ramadan ends with a festival called Eid ul-Fitr

   • This is marked by dressing up and visiting the Mosque for a prayer.
   • A lot of Muslims also visit friends and family for celebratory meals.

5. When is Ramadan?

   • Because Islam uses a lunar calendar, Ramadan usually comes around roughly 11 days earlier each year.
     • For example Ramadan in 2018 was from 16th May to 14th June. In 2019 Ramadan is from the 5th May to 4th June.
     • Ramadan is in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

6. The Qu'ran

   • During Ramadan Muslims should read the Qu'ran.