Ramadan Vocabulary in Arabic for Non-Native Arabic Speakers

Fasting Ramadan Vocabulary in Arabic for Non-Native Arabic Speakers

As-Sawm: Rukn Al-Islam Ar-Rabi’

Fasting (Sawm) is a great act of worship and a fundamental pillar of the five pillars of Islam. It is defined as abstaining from food, drink, and other invalidators from dawn until sunset with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. Fasting has many aspects, including its rulings, types, and benefits.

Table of vocabulary for Fasting in Islam

Arabic TermEnglish MeaningArabic Transliteration
صيام (Siyam)FastingSiyam
إمساك (Imsak)AbstinenceImsak
قيام (Qiyam)Standing (in prayer)Qiyam
تهجد (Tahajjud)Night prayersTahajjud
جوع (Jou’)HungerJou’
رياض النفس (Riyad Al-Nafs)Training the soulRiyad Al-Nafs
صبر (Sabr)PatienceSabr
اعتكاف (I’tikaf)Seclusion for worshipI’tikaf
غفران (Ghufran)ForgivenessGhufran
تقوى (Taqwa)Piety or God-consciousnessTaqwa

Explanation of New vocabulary

  • Riyad Al-Nafs (رياض النفس): Refers to disciplining the soul and controlling desires through fasting.
  • Sabr (صبر): Reflects patience, an essential quality cultivated during fasting.
  • I’tikaf (اعتكاف): A form of seclusion in the mosque, often practiced during the last ten days of Ramadan for worship and devotion.
  • Ghufran (غفران): Represents the forgiveness sought through fasting and devotion.
  • Taqwa (تقوى): Refers to the heightened sense of God-consciousness achieved through fasting and piety.

Types of Fasting

Fard (Obligatory Fasting)

  • Siyam Shahr Ramadan (صيام شهر رمضان): Obligatory for every adult, sane, and able Muslim.
  • Siyam Al-Kaffarat (صيام الكفارات): A penalty for certain sins, such as breaking an oath or deliberately breaking the fast in Ramadan.
  • Siyam An-Nadhar (صيام النذر): If a Muslim vows to fast a specific fast.

Mustahabb (Recommended Fasting)

  • Siyam Sittat Ayyam Min Shawwal (صيام ستة أيام من شوال): Fasting the six days of Shawwal.
  • Siyam Yawmayn Al-Ithnayn Wal-Khamis (صيام يومي الاثنين والخميس): Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Siyam Al-Ayyam Al-Bidh (13, 14, 15 Min Kulli Shahr Qamari) (صيام الأيام البيض 13، 14، 15 من كل شهر قمري): Fasting the white days (13th, 14th, 15th of every lunar month).
  • Siyam Yawm Arafah Lighayr Al-Hajj (صيام يوم عرفة لغير الحاج): Fasting the Day of Arafah for those not on pilgrimage.
  • Siyam Yawm Ashura (صيام يوم عاشوراء): Fasting the Day of Ashura.

Pillars of Fasting

  • Niyyah (النية): A Muslim must make the intention to fast for Ramadan or any obligatory fast.
  • Imsak (الإمساك): Abstaining from food, drink, sexual activity, and other invalidators.

Conditions for Valid Fasting

  • Al-Islam (الإسلام): Fasting is not valid for non-Muslims.
  • Aql (العقل): The insane are not obligated to fast.
  • Bulugh (البلوغ): Children are not required to fast, but they are encouraged to do so gradually.
  • Qudrah (القدرة): The sick and the incapable are exempted, and travelers are permitted to break their fast and make up for it later.

Benefits of Fasting

Spiritual

  • Brings the servant closer to Allah and enhances piety (Taqwa).
  • Teaches patience and self-control.

Social

  • Helps the fasting person empathize with the hardships of the poor.
  • Strengthens solidarity among Muslims.
  • Helps detoxify the body.
  • Regulates eating habits and improves digestion.
  • Promotes gastrointestinal health.

Invalidators of Fasting

  • Eating or drinking intentionally.
  • Engaging in sexual activity during the day.
  • Deliberate vomiting.
  • Menstruation or postnatal bleeding in women.

Fasting in the Qur’an and Sunnah

Allah (SWT) said:

“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ” (البقرة: 183)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“من صام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه” (رواه البخاري)

Etiquettes of Fasting

  • Avoid backbiting and slander, as fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink but also controlling the tongue.
  • Break the fast with dates and water, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
  • Hastening to break the fast and delaying the pre-dawn meal (suhoor).
  • Increasing supplication and seeking forgiveness, especially at the time of iftar.

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