Definition
Abstaining from food, drink, marital relations, and other nullifiers from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) with the intention of worship. Obligatory in Ramaḍān and recommended on many other days.
Pronunciation: ṣawm / ṣi-YĀM
Etymology & Root
From ص-و-م (ṣ-w-m), meaning 'to abstain, to hold back.' Maryam was commanded to say her vow was a 'ṣawm' — abstention from speech.
Usage in the Qur'an
'O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwā.' (al-Baqarah 2:183)
Usage in the Sunnah
'Every deed of the son of Ādam is for him, except fasting — it is for Me, and I will reward it.' (Bukhārī 1904)
Practical Application
Beyond Ramaḍān, fast Mondays and Thursdays, the white days (13, 14, 15 of each lunar month), and ‘Āshūrā' and ‘Arafah for those not on ḥajj.
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Related Terms
More from Fiqh Terms
The lesser pilgrimage — performed any time of year.
The direction of the Ka‘bah faced in prayer.
The state of consecration entered into for hajj or umrah.
Breaking the fast at sunset.
Permissible in the Sharī‘ah.
The pre-dawn meal before fasting.