Feb 15 Sawm: What do you remember?

Prince Sultan-bin-Salman NASA spaceman . Fasted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5OOiO5yeS4

The Notes From The Text Book

• Sawm is fasting in the month of Ramadan from just before dawn until sunset• Ramadan recalls time when the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) and when Allah

looks with special favour on creation.• During Ramadan, all healthy adult Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours. This is the

part of each day when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. (Surah 2.187) • The rules are strict: nothing must pass the lips; no food, drink, gum and no smoke from cigarettes.

Unintentional breaking of the rules, such as accidentally swallowing water when taking a shower, is excused. No sinful thoughts. No gossip. No sex. Discipline.

• Children under the age of puberty, menstruating women, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, the elderly, the sick, travellers and soldiers are exempt.

• The prayer before breaking the fast is: ‘O God! For your sake we have fasted and now we break the fast with food you have given us.’

• Muhammad (pbuh) broke his fast each day with a few dates or a drink and most Muslims follow this example. This is Iftar.

• In the evening, after the prayer of maghrib, the family joins together for a meal.• Suhur is an extra meal which is sometimes eaten before daylight when Ramadan falls in long

summer days.• Each day, before the fast begins Muslims make a statement of intention:• ‘O God, I intend to fast today in obedience to your command and only to seek your pleasure.’• As well as the usual five daily prayers there is an extra ‘salah’ called ‘tarawih’, performed after the

‘Isha’ prayer.• Id-ul-Fitr is the first day of the month of Shawwal and celebrates the successful conclusion of

Ramadan. Id begins when the new moon appears, signifying the start of the new month

Video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/fasting-during-ramadan/3053.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/a-muslim-boys-id-ul-fitr/3576.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/la-nourriture-et-la-religion-ramadan-in-senegal/1821.html

(if you know French!)

Why might it be difficult to fast in non-Muslim countries?

Further notes from extra sources read by SGE

• Detoxification of body and mind• It’s a time for being together as community too eg others fasting (solidarity) • In theory can be done at any time but usually in Ramadan• Because of varying daylight across the globe, there are differenvd in terms of time of

the fast• Deliberate breaking of fast = meal for 60 people or extra 60 day fast. No point

cheating. Allah sees everything. • Opportunity to do POSITIVE things too eg Muhammad (pbuh) used to pray harder at

Ramadan. Personal prayers called Du’a and Muslims may help the poor. Not all negative!

• Night of Power = 27th Day of Ramadan • Muslims read whole Qur’an in this month (it is divided into 30 sections) • Final ten days of Ramadan = worship and prayer at Mosque. • They grow in faith, devotion and practice in this time. • Muslims use this to appreciate Allah. Obedience to Allah. Act of worship or ibadah.

It’s a JOYFUL TIME too • Fasting observed before Muhammad (pbuh) . But had become corrupted.

Muhammad (pbuh) re-instituted at al-Medinah. • Muslims link this to Zakah. Compassion for poor. Don’t be greedy, lazy, selfish and

help family and poor. • Fasting is its own reward but further reward at the Day of Judgement.

Qur’an Quotes

“It is better for you if ye fast if only yet knew. Ramadan is the month when The Qur’an was sent down as a guide to mankind…for guidance and judgement. So every one of you should spend that month fasting. Anyone who is ill or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made a few days later. Allah intends every faclility for you. He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to glorify Him in that he has guided you and you shall be grateful” (Qur’an 2.184-5) “Ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may be mindful of God” (Surah 2.185)

What is the importance of Sawm?

Extra facts

“Fasting attacks animal appetites and carnal cravings and is seen as another way of purifying the self and bringing the soul into line” (Turner) “It involves cultivating and peaceful and prayerful attitude of mind and physical discipline” (Masqood) “It stimulates reflection on human frailty, dependence on God, focus on spiritual goals and values and identification with the less fortunate (Esposito) “Its an important time of reflection, spiritual discipline, physical endurance and sharing with others” (Waines)

Past Papers/Mark Schemes

Explain how sawm might strengthen the Ummah. [25]

• AO1 Candidates might define the Ummah but most are likely to take the meaning for granted. The Glossary defines Ummah as ‘Community. World-wide community of Muslims; the nation of Islam.’

• Responses are likely to begin with a description of sawm as one of the Five Pillars and demonstrate understanding that it entails fasting during the hours of daylight in the month of Ramadan.

• Candidates are likely to use the opportunity to provide further practical details of the fast and might explain that the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad in Ramadan and that it is the month when Allah looks with special favour on humanity.

• Explanations are likely to concentrate on addressing the potential for strengthening Ummah within the family, the community and worldwide. Some candidates might include reference to Zakat-ul-Fitr but this is not essential for full marks.

• Responses might show some understanding of how reinforcing the sense of spiritual unity and cohesive communal solidarity might strengthen the awareness of the actual concept of Ummah in Islam

b) ‘Sawm is more about an individual’s relationship with Allah than about being part of the Ummah.’ Discuss. [10]

• AO2 Discussions are likely to develop from points made in the first part of the question and candidates are free to champion either stance or to attempt to attain some compromise as the conclusion.

• Candidates might use the opportunity to include material about discipline and self-denial and following the example of Muhammad which might be more appropriate to this discussion than to the explanation required for part (a).

• Arguments need to reflect accurate knowledge and sensitive understanding of the relationship of the individual and the community in Islam.

Explain how Sawm shows devotion to Allah (25)

• Good explanations will demonstrate accurate factual knowledge about fasting in the lunar month of Ramadan.

• Candidates might explain that for example observing this pillar of Islam is a daunting effort involving physical abstinence from food, drink, smoking and sexual activity and it involves also refraining from bad thoughts, speech and actions.

• Candidates may explain that, for Muslims, the intention of fasting must be totally sincere if the fast is to be valid because the discipline is not simply about self control (though that is one reason given in the Qur’an); nor is it simply about learning to appreciate Allah’s gifts and showing compassion towards the needy; observing sawm is an exercise in ibadah, obedience, as part of worship, commitment, submission and devotion to Allah

Sawm is more about uniting the Muslim community than about

showing devotion to Allah.’ Discuss.

• Discussions are likely to follow on from the purposes of and the effects on the individual explained in the first part of the question.

• Candidates are likely to explore the ways in which sawm also is intended to and does strengthen the worldwide Ummah not merely in shared experience and practical provision but in contributing to the concept of spiritual unity and cohesive communal solidarity which is the hallmark of Islam.

• Candidates might come to a conclusion in favour of or against the statement or might conclude that observing sawm is another example of the interrelation in Islam of the individual and the community.