#RamadanGiveawayDefinition of Fasting

The Arabic term, Al-Sawm, usually translated into English as "fasting", literally means "to abstain". From a religious perspective, Al-Sawm means to abstain from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset with sole purpose of worshipping (Allah), subhanahu wa taala.

During the month of Sha'ban of the second year in the Hijri calendar, fasting was enjoined onto the Muslims by Allah, as it had been enjoined on the previous nations which existed since Adam. Allah says:

"O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (2:183)

The Importance of Fasting

In one of his Hadiths, or reported sayings, the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of the son of Adam are for his sake, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward it. Fasting is a shield which protects man. If it is a fasting day for one of you, you should not be vulgar or loud, and if somebody curses you or fights with you, you should say, 'I am fasting'. To him who holds the soul of