Islam - Explain the importance of Ramadan to Muslims and ways in which it may affect their lives

The first 200 words of this essay...

Section B

Explain the importance of Ramadan to Muslims and ways in which it may affect their lives

Sawm is the 4th pillar of Islam and is a religious duty for all Muslims. Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse from dawn (fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). Fasting is a mean of seeking nearness to Allah. One of the aims of fasting is to sympathize with those who are less fortunate and the ones who do not always have food and drink available. Also Muslims must try to avoid cursing and thinking evil and bad thoughts. Fasting is viewed as a way of controlling your desires (of hunger, thirst, sexuality, anger) and focusing more on Allah.

Fasting gives Muslims a chance to feel what a hungry and needy person feels when he or she does not have any food to eat and also teaches Muslims self control because fasting controls his or her desire or need to drink or eat during the fasting period. People who learn self control can resist wrong doing or temptation to do bad things. During fasting Muslims have to have both physical self control- keep from eating,