The Fourth Pillar: Siyam

The Fourth Pillar: Siyam

Multiple Choice

How many pillars of Islam are there?

• 5

• 3

• 6

Multiple Choice

The 1st pillar....

• is a declaration of faith

• Charity

• Daily prayer

Multiple Choice

The 2nd pillar....

• is a declaration of faith

• Charity

• Daily prayer

Multiple Choice

The 3rd pillar....

• is a declaration of faith

• Charity

• Daily prayer

The fourth Pillar of Islam is siyam (see-YAM), or fasting (going without food).  Muslims were not the first people to fast as a way of worshipping God.  The Bible praises the act.  But  the Qur'an instructs Muslims to fast for an entire month during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan: the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are required to fast

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from daybreak to the setting of the sun.  Pregnant women, travelers, the sick, the elderly, and young children do not have to fast.

Ramadan is April 12-May 12 this year

According to Islamic teachings, Ramadan was the month when God first revealed his message to Muhammad. Muslims use a lunar calendar (one based on the phases of the moon). A year on this calendar is shorter than a 365-day year. As a result, over time, Ramadan cycles through all the seasons of a standard year.

During the daylight hours of each day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat any food or drink any liquid, including water. At sunset, Muslims then break their fast, often with dates—as Muhammad usually did—and other food and beverages. They then perform the sunset prayer. After a meal shared with family or friends, Muslims attend special prayer services in which a portion of the Qur'an is read aloud each night. By the end of Ramadan, devout Muslims who attended mosque regularly would have heard the entire holy book.

The holy month of Ramadan encourages generosity, equality, and charity within the Muslim community.  Fasting teaches Muslims self-control and leads them to a deeper understanding of hunger and poverty.  Well-to-do Muslims and mosques often provide food for others.  During Ramadan, Muslims also strive to forgive people, give thanks, and avoid gossip, arguments, and bad deeds.

Toward the end of Ramadan, Muslims remember Gabriel's first visit to Muhammad.  It is supposed to have occurred during one of the last ten odd-numbered nights of the month.  Worshippers seek out this night because, according to the Qur'an, prayer during this “night of power” is equal to a thousand months of devotion.  A celebration called Eid al-Fitr (eed-AL-fitter) takes place when Ramadan ends.  People attend prayers, wear new clothes, decorate their homes, and prepare special foods.  They visit friends and family, exchange gifts, and give to the poor.

Multiple Choice

What is siyam ?

• giving to charity

• Fasting

• believing in god

Multiple Choice

When is siyam performed?

• Christmas

• During Ramadan

Multiple Choice

Who does not have to fast?

• Pregnant Women

• The Wealthy

Multiple Choice

Do children need to fast?

• Yes

• no

Multiple Choice

What rule about food do Muslims observe during Ramadan?

• During Ramadan, observant Muslims eat and drink between sunrise and sunset.

• During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.

Multiple Choice

What does Ramadan encourage ?

• Ramadan encourages Starving, sharing, and equality.

• Ramadan encourages generosity, equality, and charity.