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Glite Dictionary
sawm

sawm

1 9.9
A Muslim fast of not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan
  • noun
  • /sɑːm/
  • Specialized
: sawm
  • During Ramadan, Muslims observe sawm by fasting from dawn until sunset to cultivate spiritual discipline.

Examples

  • The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain"—and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

    Blog text (6)

  • Every year, millions of people engage in sawm to fulfill one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

  • The practice of sawm encourages self-reflection and compassion for those who are less fortunate.

Surface Forms

sawm singular
sawms plural

Etymology

Sawm comes from the Arabic ṣawm, which means 'fasting'. Today sawm refers to the Muslim practice of not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.