Sawm (Fasting)

Sawm (Arabic: صوم) means "fasting" and is the Islamic practice of abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). Fasting during the month of Ramadan is the fourth of Islam's five pillars and is obligatory (wajib) for all adult, healthy Muslims.

Fasting and prayer are inseparably connected. The fast begins at the time of the Fajr prayer and ends at the time of the Maghrib prayer — the prayer times literally define the framework of the fast. The Quran says: "Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread. Then complete the fast until the night" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:187).

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Fasting is a shield against the Fire" (Al-Kafi, vol. 4, Kitab al-Siyam). And the Prophet said: "Allah says: 'Fasting is for Me, and I reward it'" — a hadith qudsi that shows fasting's special status with Allah. Fasting is not merely physical abstinence, but a holistic spiritual exercise that includes abstaining from gossip, lies, anger, and all forms of sin.

In Shia fiqh, there are beyond the Ramadan fast several recommended (mustahab) fasting days: the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of Rajab, the entire month of Sha'ban, the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each month (al-ayyam al-bid), Mondays and Thursdays, and specific dates connected with Islamic events. It is haram to fast on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The connection between fasting and prayer is deep: fasting purifies the body and soul, while prayer maintains the spiritual connection — together they shape the believer's daily rhythm.