The 5 Pillars of Islam

[القلب الحزين]

4. Fasting in the month of Ramadan


Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. It refers to the practice of abstaining from eating food, drinking liquids, and having intercourse from the break of dawn until sunset.

Similar to the pillars that have been mentioned already, fasting is obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim, male and female alike.


Allah has enjoined upon the Muslims to fast for one month of the year in order to strengthen our faith, piety and God consciousness.

This involves avoiding that which Allah has forbidden, practicing patience throughout the day, bringing our desires under *******, competing in generosity through charity, and demonstrating co-operation and mutual compassion. Allah says in the Qur’an:

O you who believe! Observing the fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious
Qur'an - Chapter 2, Verse 183
The month of Ramadan is a great month as it was the period in which Allah revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month