What Does Sawm (Fasting) Mean in Arabic?
صَوْم
ṣawm
Root: ص و م
Sawm (Fasting) Sawm (fasting) is the third pillar of Islam — abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. It is a spiritual practice aimed at developing taqwa (God-consciousness), empathy for the poor, and self-discipline. The Quran explicitly commands fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah.
The root of Sawm (Fasting) (ṣawm) appears 14 times in the Quran, reflecting its foundational importance in Islamic theology and practice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sawm (Fasting)
What does Sawm (Fasting) mean in Islam?
Sawm (fasting) is the third pillar of Islam — abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. It is a spiritual practice aimed at developing taqwa (God-consciousness), empathy for the poor, and self-discipline. The Quran explicitly commands fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah.
How many times is Sawm (Fasting) mentioned in the Quran?
The root of the word Sawm (Fasting) appears 14 times in the Quran, underscoring its central importance in Islamic theology and practice.
What is the Arabic root of Sawm (Fasting)?
The Arabic root letters of Sawm (Fasting) are ص و م.
Related Words
صَلَاة
Salah (Prayer)
Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam — the ritual prayer performed five times daily at fixed times. It consists of specific bodily postures, recitations from the Quran, and glorifications of Allah. Mentioned 99 times in the Quran, salah is described as the direct connection between the believer and Allah.
قِبْلَة
Qibla
Qibla is the direction Muslims face when performing prayer — toward the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Facing the qibla is an obligatory condition for the validity of prayer. The qibla was changed from Jerusalem to Mecca approximately 16-17 months after the Prophet's migration to Medina, as revealed in Quran 2:144.
دُعَاء
Dua (Supplication)
Dua is the act of supplication — calling upon Allah with humility, seeking His help, mercy, and blessings. Mentioned 211 times in the Quran and described as "the essence of worship", dua can be made at any time. Allah promises to respond to sincere supplications: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Quran 40:60)
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
La ilaha illallah
"La ilaha illallah" — "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah" — is the first part of the Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada). It is the most important phrase in Islam, representing the absolute monotheism at the core of the faith. The Prophet described it as the best form of remembrance and the key to Paradise.