Sawm is the dawn-to-sunset fast that is one of Islam’s Five Pillars.
The most widely known obligatory fast is the Ramadan fast. From the beginning of dawn until sunset, eligible adult Muslims abstain from food and drink and observe additional restrictions defined by Islamic law. The fast is broken each evening, and another pre-dawn meal may be eaten before the next day begins.
Sawm is intended to cultivate taqwa, often translated as God-consciousness or reverence, along with patience, gratitude, and compassion for people facing hunger. It includes more than not eating: Muslims are encouraged to avoid harmful speech and conduct and to increase prayer and charity.
Islam also recognizes voluntary fasting outside Ramadan, including some days in other months. Exemptions and make-up rules apply in situations such as illness, travel, pregnancy, or old age, with details differing across legal interpretations. Sawm is therefore the pillar, while Ramadan is the month in which its central obligatory form occurs.