Fasting in Islam

Fasting in Islam (known as Sawm (صَوْم) Arabic pronunciation: [sˤawm] or Siyam (صِيَام) Arabic pronunciation: [sˤijæːm], also commonly known as Rūzeh or Rōzah (Persian: روزه‎) in non-Arab Muslim countries), is the practice of abstaining, usually from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity. During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Sawm is observed between dawn and nightfall when the evening adhan is sounded.Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar and fasting is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.

Month of RamadanMain article

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered Fard.

Days of Oath

If you swear or make an oath, for example: "If I graduate with a good mark, I will fast for three days for God" then common belief dictates that one should fulfil this. This type of fasting is considered obligatory. Breaking such an oath is considered sinful.

Days for voluntary fasting

Muslims are encouraged, although not obliged, to fast days throughout the year: the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur), and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast.such as:

• any 6 days in the lunar or "Islamic" month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan (Hijri)
• Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is desirable if possible.
• The White Days, the 13th, 14th, and 15th day of each lunar month (Hijri)
• the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhu'I-Hijja in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar)
• As often as possible in the months of Rajab and Sha'aban before Ramadan
• First 9 days of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar (but not for any who are performing Hajj (the pilgrimage)

Days when fasting is forbidden

Although fasting is considered a pious act in Islam, there are times when fasting is considered prohibited or discouraged according to the majority of the sunni scholars:

• Eid al-Adha and three days following it, because Muhammad said "You are not to fast these days. They are days of eating and drinking and remembering God", reported by Abu Hurairah.
• Eid al-Fitr
• It is also forbidden to single out Fridays and only fast every Friday, as 'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As said that he heard Muhammad say "Verily, Friday is an eid (holiday) for you, so do not fast on it unless you fast the day before or after it."
• Fasting every day of the year is considered non-rewarding; Muhammad said: "There is no reward for fasting for the one who perpetually fasts." This Hadith is considered authentic by the Sunni scholars.^[34]

Fasting is also prohibited on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah - Days of Tashreeq The Quran contains no other prohibition regarding the days of fasting.