صَوْمُ رَمَضَانَ

The fourth pillar is the fast of Ramadan: الصَّوْم aṣ-ṣawm.

Allah says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ yaa ayyuha lladhiina aamanuu kutiba 'alaykumu ṣ-ṣiyaam "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you…" (meaning of part of verse 2:183)

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which the Qur'an began to come down (2:185).

What is fasting? From dawn until sunset, we do not eat and we do not drink. • Before dawn, we have a meal: suhur. The Prophet ﷺ said there is blessing in it (Bukhari 1923, Muslim 1095). • At sunset, we break the fast: that is iftar. The Prophet ﷺ broke it with dates, or water (Abu Dawud 2356 [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]).

Who must fast? Adult Muslims in good health. People who are ill or travelling can make it up later (2:184). Children do not have to fast yet, but they can practise: in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the companions had their children fast, and gave them toys to help them be patient until the evening (Bukhari 1960).

And at the end of the month? It is a celebration: Eid al-Fiṭr! 🎉

Little activity: with your parent, choose a day to practise fasting for a few hours (for example until lunch). Each time you feel hungry, say "Allaahu akbar"!

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Why do we fast? Allah says it is "so that you may become mindful of Him" (2:183): fasting teaches us to obey Allah even when it is hard, and even when no one sees us. When we are hungry, we better understand children who do not have enough to eat, and we thank Allah for every bite. Fasting is not only about the tummy: the Prophet ﷺ taught that we must also avoid lies and bad words (Bukhari 1903). And the reward is huge: in Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyaan, through which only those who fast will enter (Bukhari 1896, Muslim 1152). And whoever fasts Ramadan with faith, hoping for Allah's reward, their past mistakes are forgiven (Bukhari 38, Muslim 760).

Lessons to draw from it • I learn patience: I can wait, even when I want something. • I think of those who are hungry, and I share. • I also watch my tongue: no lies, no arguing.

Key points to remember • The fast of Ramadan is the fourth pillar (2:183). • From dawn to sunset: no eating, no drinking. Suhur before dawn, iftar at sunset. • People who are ill or travelling make it up later (2:184); children practise. • The gate Ar-Rayyaan is for those who fast (Bukhari 1896, Muslim 1152).

The main message Fasting teaches me patience and gratitude: I practise little by little, for Allah.