Editing Five Pillars of Islam (section)

===Fourth Pillar: Sawm (Fasting)===
{{main|Fasting in Islam}}

The Fourth Pillar of Islam is [[Sawm]], or fasting. Fasting takes place during the daylight hours in Ramadan, which is the holy month in the [[Islamic calendar]]. Using a lunar calendar means the month of Ramadan shifts 11 days earlier each year. Sawm is directly mentioned in the Quran: "eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night…". The fast occurs from dawn to sunset each day, during which time believers are expected to prohibit themselves from any food, drink, sexual intercourse, or smoking. However, after sunset and before dawn, individuals can participate in any of the actions previously stated as they desire.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/> The reason for fasting during Ramadan is to remind Muslims that all individuals are similarly needy upon the assistance of God and that there are less lucky individuals who need their assistance. Ramadan is a period of reflection when Muslims are called upon to recharge their faith, increment their charity, and make apology. In the Quran, the month of Ramadan was first revealed to Muhammad.<ref name="Kamal-ud Din 2010"/> Ramadan fasting ends with the "[[Eid al-Fitr|Id-ul-Fitr]]" (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast), which lasts for three days; of the first day of this festival, there is a meeting at the mosque for prayer celebration and each family head gives money for alms.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/>[[File:Date-seller.jpg|thumb|[[Muslim]]s traditionally break their fasts in the [[Ramadan (calendar month)|month of Ramadan]] with [[Date palm#Fruit|dates]] (like those offered by this date seller in [[Kuwait City]]), as was the recorded practice ([[Sunnah]]) of [[Muhammad]].]] Three types of [[fasting]] (''[[Siyam]]'') are recognized by the Quran: ritual fasting,<ref>{{qref|2|183-187|b=yl}}</ref> fasting as compensation for repentance (both from [[Quran 2]]),<ref>{{qref|2|196|b=y}}</ref> and ascetic fasting (from {{qref|33|35|pl=y}})<ref>Fasting, ''Encyclopedia of the Qur'an'' (2005)</ref>

Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of [[Ramadan]].<ref name="Caesar_1">Farah (1994), pp. 144-145</ref> Muslims must abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins.<ref name="Caesar_1"/> Fasting is necessary for every Muslim that has reached puberty (unless they suffer from a medical condition which prevents them from doing so).<ref>talhaanjum_9</ref>

The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness and to look for forgiveness from God, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy.<ref>Esposito (1998), p.90, 91</ref> During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, profane language, gossip and to try to get along with fellow Muslims better. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided.<ref>Tabatabaei (2002), p. 211, 213</ref>

[[Fasting during Ramadan]] is obligatory, but exceptions are made for several groups for whom it would be very dangerous and excessively problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[Old age|elderly people]], and [[pregnancy|pregnant]] or [[breastfeeding]] women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those who are ill or traveling. Missed fasts usually must be made up for soon afterward, although the exact requirements vary according to circumstance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_21.html#HEADING20 |title=For whom fasting is mandatory |publisher=USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts |access-date=2007-04-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308025221/http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_21.html |archive-date=8 March 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{qref|2|184|b=y}}</ref><ref>Khan (2006), p. 54</ref><ref>Islam, ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'' (2005)</ref>