~~ Sawm ~ Fourth Pillar of Islam ~~

While we are waiting for others to join, please prepare your notebook and pen, so you can take note of what I say on the way. Please also send a picture right now while you are waiting very quickly of your previous notes for Shahada, Salah and Zakah. Jazakallah khairan. 🌸

رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا 

 رَبِّ هَبْ لِي حُكْمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ  وَاجْعَل لِّي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْآخِرِينَ  وَاجْعَلْنِي مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ النَّعِيمِ

قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ

~~ Fasting(Sawm) is a special and important part of the life of a Muslim. It is the fourth pillar of Islam. Fasting means that we do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. ~~

We fast in the holy month of RAMADAN, which is the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Fasting in this month is obligatory on all Muslims; however, it is not obligatory on children who are in primary school.

~~ During the blessed month of Ramadan, we wake up before dawn and we have a special meal called 'SUHUR'(the pre-dawn meal). The Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) told us to partake in the Suhur as it has many blessings.

~~ When the first rays of the sunlight can be seen on the horizon, we begin our fast. It starts the same time when the Fajr time begins. We fast during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. ~~

While we are fasting, we do not eat or drink anything. Eating and drinking breaks our fast. Even if we put something in our mouth and we swallow it by accident our fast breaks! Swallowing something, even if it is not food, will break the fast too. So, it is important to be mindful and not to put things in our mouth carelessly.

If you eat or drink something because you forgot that you were fasting, your fast does not break. In this situation, you were excused. Allah wanted you to forget because He wanted you to have something to eat and drink! You should continue fasting like normal and not eat anything else.

When we fast, we do not only fast with the stomach. Fasting is not just about staying away from food and drink. We must also fast with our eyes, ears, tongues, and hands!

~~ We fast with our eyes by not looking at bad things. We should only look at those things that help us get closer to Allah and become better human beings. ~~

We fast with our ears by not listening to bad words or music. During the month of Ramadan, we should listen to the recitation of the Qur'an. Nasheeds in praise of the Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) and lectures that help us increase our knowledge.

We fast with our tongues by not saying anything bad. We should never swear or say harsh things to other people. If we fast, but we say horrible things to others, then what would be the point of our fasts? The purpose of fasting is to become better people, so by doing this we are basically doing bad to ourselves.

We fast with our hands by making sure we do not hurt anybody. We should use our body only for good things and doing good deeds. In the month of Ramadan, we need to increase our good deeds by helping others and doing acts of charity.

When the sun sets in the evening, it is time for the fasting person to break the fast. Breaking the fast is called 'Iftar'. Allah has promised two delights for the fasting person: the first is the delight of breaking the fast with delicious food; and the second is the meeting with Allah.

Ramadan is a very special month for Muslims worldwide. In this blessed month, Allah gives us more rewards than in any other month, and every night He forgives people and frees them from the Hellfire. When this holy month starts the doors of Jannah are opened and the doors of the Hellfire are closed. The devils are chained and locked up. From one Ramadan to the next our minor sins are forgiven.

Throughout the month of Ramadan, we should increase our Dhikr(remembrance of Allah), Salat 'ala an-Nabi(salutation of the Prophet S.A.W), acts of charity and the recitation of the Qur'an. Every night we should join the Tarawih prayer. This is a special prayer which is 20 units in total and it is offered two units at a time. During Ramadan, the whole Qur'an is recited during this prayer.

In the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims stay in the mosque for a spiritual retreat. This is also known as Itikaf. During these ten days, we seek a special night which is better than a thousand months. This special night is known as the 'Night of Power', or as you may know it in Arabic, 'Laylatul Qadr'.

Laylatul Qadr is the night when the Qur'an was revealed, and Muslims seek this night from the odd nights from these last ten days. It is a night of forgiveness and Allah's mercy.

Let's see how much you remember about Sawm. But before we start, have a quick break. Take a sip of water or eat something, Inshaallah we will move on in 2 minutes. Please do not take this as a chance of leaving the class, it is only a break.

Good effort everyone! For that, you will all achieve a diamond merit!

Jazakallah khair for attending 🥰