T
Read and explain the following.
Sawm (ie. fasting) is the third pillar of lslam. All adult Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking and intimate relations with their spouses from dawn (Subh Saadiq) to sunset (Maghrib), during the days of Ramadaan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar). Those who are travelling or sickly can defer fasting during Ramadaan, and make up for the missed fasts later. Children may fast too if they wish, but it is not compulsory upon them. The purpose of Sawm is to: ...develop piety and god-consciousness. ...gain Allaah’s pleasure & closeness to Him. ...gain the eternal rewards of Jannah. ...gain protection from the fire of Jahannam ...discourage Muslims from committing evil. ...remove sin and cleanse the heart. ...enlighten the thoughts and ideas of a Muslim. ...develop self-control and overcome greed, selfishness, laziness & other weaknesses. ...develop compassion & solidarity with others, in particular the poor. ...allow us an opportunity to experience the discomfort of hunger and thirst, which will increase our concern for the poverty stricken ...make us even more generous and kind. ...develop gratitude for Allaah’s many favours which are taken for granted. ...make Muslims humble by acknowledging their dependance on Allaah’s gifts of nutrition 162
my faith
ISLAM
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RY FH RY VN FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH FH VN LESSON
9
Sawm
PRE CONDITIONS OF FASTING
CT
Vocabulary
abstain .................... intimate .................... spouse .................... defer .................... solidarity .................... compassion .................... acknowledge .................... dependance .................... nutrition .................... sensual .................... obesity .................... sloth .................... menstruation .................... post-partum ....................