4. Sawm (fasting during Ramadan)

The fourth pillar of Islam is sawm, the annual fast of Ramadan, the ninth month in the lunar calendar. From dawn to dusk, all adult Muslims whose health permits are to completely abstain from food drink, and sexual activities. The rigours of the fast vary according to the time of year in which Ramadan falls and the geographical latitude. Ramadan is a time for reflection and spiritual discipline, for expressing gratitude for Gods guidance and atoning for past sins, for awareness of human frailties and dependence on God, as well as for remembering and responding to the need of the poor and hungry.

During this month Muslims besides fasting, increase their devotional exercises, both individually and collectively. An extra special prayer - besides the five obligatory - is offered during each night of Ramadan, a Hafiz (a person who has memorised the whole of the Qur'an leads this congregation reciting the whole of the Qur'an (one-thirtieth each night) over the month. The month of Ramadan comes to a conclusion with a celebration, known as the "Feast of the Breaking of the Fast", Id al-Fitr. The payment of a special alms for the poor (zakat al-fitr), alms for the breaking of the fast)is required by Islamic law on this occasion.

There are many benefits of fasting, some have been recorded, to summarise the institution of fasting in Islam one can say it provides man with:

• A transparent soul to transcend, a clear mind to think and a light body to move and act, all this is the never failing result of carrying a light stomach. Medical instructions, biological rules and intellectual experience attest to this fact.
• An opportunity to master the art of mature adaptability. This, in the long run, develops in him a wise sense of adaptability and a self-created power to overcome the unpredictable hardships of life.
• An opportunity to cultivate a vigilant and sound conscience, because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public.
• Indoctrination in patience and selfishness and an effective lesson in applied moderation and will power.
• The real spirit of social belonging, of unity and brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before the law. This spirit is the natural product of the fact that when a man fasts, he feels that he is joining the whole Muslim society in observing the same duty in the same manner at the same time for the same motives to the same end. No sociologist can say that there has been at any period of history anything comparable to this fine institution of Islam.
  

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