Lesson video

Hi.

My name is Mrs. Afshan.

Today we're going to be learning about a very important practise in Islam called sawm, or fasting, and how it helps Muslims find harmony.

The lesson is called "Sawm: finding harmony through fasting" from the unit "Muslims: how does prayer and fasting help Muslims find harmony?" The outcome of today's lesson is I can explain the importance of fasting during Ramadan.

By the end of today's lesson, we'll find out how prayer and fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan, help Muslims connect with Allah and the communities and with themselves.

Let's get started.

These are the keywords we will be exploring in our lesson today.

The words are sawm, an Arabic term to describe the act of fasting, Ramadan, holy month when Muslims try to deepen their faith, and fasting, going without food or drink to deepen faith.

Let's try reading these words by using my turn and your turn.

You're ready? My turn.

Sawm.

Your turn.

Sawm.

Ramadan.

Ramadan.

Very well, and the last one.

Fasting.

Fasting.

Well done.

You did that really well.

Our lesson has three cycles.

Let's start by finding out why do Muslims fast during Ramadan.

What do you think fasting means? Fasting means not eating or drinking for a certain time.

Did you think of the same idea? Well done.

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims are fasting.

This means not eating or drinking anything during the daytime.

Time for a check.

When fasting, many Muslims don't eat or drink anything during the daytime.

True or false? What do you think? True.

That's correct.

And why do Muslims fast this way? It's because Muslims believe that by not eating and drinking during the day, they can understand how others feel when they are hungry and so better help people in need.

Now let's find out about what sawm means.

For Muslims, Ramadan is the month when the holy Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Sawm is an Arabic word used to describe the act of fasting.

Muslims fast during the sacred month of Ramadan, which happens at different times each year because it follows the Islamic calendar and is based on moon sighting.

Sawm, or fasting, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Time for another check.

What is the Arabic word used for describing the act of fasting? Is it salat or sawm or is it shahadah? What do you think? That's correct.

It's called sawm.

You got that right.

Let's meet Noor and find out a little bit more about Ramadan.

Here's Noor.

Noor is Muslim and has a Muslim worldview.

She has fasted before and is excited for Ramadan this year.

Noor explains why Ramadan is so important to many Muslims like her.

Noor says, "I love Ramadan because it is a special time to be close to Allah, spend time with my family, and share meals together.

I believe it is a time for prayer and doing good deeds." Let's see if you got that.

List two reasons why Ramadan is special to many Muslims like Noor.

Is it because it is a time to buy new things or it is a time to be close to Allah or it is a time to do good deeds or is it a time to eat and sleep? What do you think? Have a go.

That's correct.

It is a time to be close to Allah, and also Ramadan is special because it is a time to do good deeds.

Great if you got them right.

Let's meet Mr. Rehman.

This is Mr. Rehman, who is another British Muslim and comes from Oldham.

He believes that keeping sawm is important because it brings harmony with Allah.

Mr. Rehman says, "I fast every year during Ramadan.

When I fast, I pray more, think about those who are hungry, and try to be kind.

This brings peace to my heart and helps me to become a better person.

It helps create harmony between myself and Allah." Why does Mr. Rehman say he fasts during Ramadan? Let's finish Mr. Rehman's sentence.

Fasting helps to create a sense of.

Is it happiness, harmony, or joy? What do you think? That's correct.

Harmony.

Fasting helps to create a sense of harmony.

Well done.

Now we know when Muslims fast they're not just giving up food and drink.

They're doing something that connects them with Allah.

It's time for our task.

Here we've got Sam and Alex.

Sam is asking, "Why do many Muslims fast during Ramadan?" Alex says, "It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam." Give two more reasons why many Muslims fast during Ramadan.

You can use the sentence starter saying, "Many Muslims fast during Ramadan because.

." You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready to check your answers.

Let's check our answers.

Give two more reasons why many Muslims fast during Ramadan.

"Many Muslims fast during Ramadan because.

." Here are some of the possible reasons.

Because it is the sacred month when the Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

It is a way to show their love and respect for Allah.

It helps Muslims find harmony with Allah, and also it is the time for prayer and doing good deeds.

Well done if you got them right.

Many Muslims, like Noor and Mr. Rehman, believes that fasting during Ramadan brings peace and harmony with Allah and between themselves and says, "Fasting, it's not just about not eating.

It's about prayer, kindness, and being a better person." Now we know why Muslims fast during Ramadan.

Let's now move on and learn about how do Muslims fast during Ramadan.

Noor shared her experience of fasting during Ramadan with her class.

Noor said, "I enjoy waking up early for a meal called Suhoor before the sun comes up.

I don't eat or drink during the day.

When the sun sets, I break my fast with dates and water, just like the Prophet Muhammad." Let's see if you got that.

What do most Muslims break their fast with? Is it dates and water or cake and milk or is it pie and juice? What do you think? Dates and water.

That's correct.

Let's find out a little bit about Suhoor.

Suhoor is the meal Muslims eat early in the morning before the sun rises to help feel strong for the day of fasting.

The whole family eats Suhoor together, sharing the meal and supporting each other before the fast begins.

Time for another check.

What is the meal called that is eaten by Muslims early in the morning before the sun rises? Is it called sunrise or Sawm or is it Suhoor? What do you think? That's correct.

It's called Suhoor.

Praying Salat is a key part of Ramadan.

Many Muslims pray five times a day, but during Ramadan, these prayers are even more meaningful as they bring Muslims closer to Allah and help them feel a strong sense of community.

This connection brings many Muslims peace and harmony between them and Allah.

When the sun begins to set, Noor is excited because it is time to break fast with her family.

This is called Iftar.

Noor says, "We gather around the table with relatives and friends, saying a prayer together before eating Iftar.

This moment of breaking the fast with others makes me feel connected to everyone who's fasting around the world." Time for another check for understanding.

At what time of the day is the fast typically broken during an Iftar? Is it at noon or at sunset or at midnight? Have a go.

That's correct, at sunset, where everyone comes together as family to break their fast at Iftar.

What can you see? What might be happening? Have a look at the images closely.

This is an Iftar party organised at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Another important part of Ramadan is the sense of community it brings.

Many Muslims attend Iftar parties where they break their fast with their communities.

These gatherings promote unity and togetherness among people from different backgrounds and religions where they are invited to join in the celebration.

Over 500 guests came together to break the fast at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

It was open to Muslims and those of any worldview.

Many places around the world organise Iftar parties to promote togetherness and celebrate Ramadan.

They are a symbol of harmony.

Time for another check.

Only Muslims can attend an Iftar party.

True or false? False.

That's correct.

If you had false as your answer, why? Because we've seen an example, didn't we? It's because many communities organise Iftar parties where people of different worldviews can come together to celebrate breaking the fast, just like the one we've seen at the Royal Albert Hall.

Well done if you had false as your answer.

After the Iftar, many Muslims get ready to pray Taraweeh salat together.

Taraweeh is a prayer performed by many Muslims during Ramadan.

It brings the community together in worship.

By praying Taraweeh, many Muslims strengthen their connection with God and with each other.

Taraweeh prayers are performed at night after the Isha prayer during Ramadan.

Taraweeh prayers are longer than the regular prayers, and Muslims pray many rak'ahs, which are the units of prayer.

This helps Muslims to feel closer to Allah during the holy month of Ramadan.

Let's check if you got that.

When are the Taraweeh prayers performed? Is it at night after Isha prayers or on Fridays after Jummah prayers or is it in the morning after Fajr prayers? What do you think? Have a go.

That's correct.

The Taraweeh prayers are performed at night after Isha prayers.

You got that right.

Well done.

It's time for our next task.

Jacob is unsure how Muslims fast during Ramadan.

Help Jacob understand how many Muslims fast by putting these special events that happens during a day in Ramadan in the correct order, which is pray Salat during the day, wake up early for Suhoor, pray Taraweeh, break fast at sunset with Iftar.

Put these events in the correct order.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready with your answers.

Let's check our answers.

Let's help Jacob understand how many Muslims fast by putting these events that happen during a day in Ramadan in the correct order.

The correct order is first Muslims wake up early for Suhoor.

Then they pray salat during the day.

Next is break fast at sunset with Iftar.

And then finally, they pray Taraweeh after the Isha prayer.

Well done if you put them in the correct order.

Great work.

Now let's consider what difference does fasting make.

Do you think it's important to listen to someone who loves you and wants the best for you? Many Muslims believe that fasting, it's not just about not eating.

It is about listening to Allah's commands and showing obedience, as it brings harmony with Allah.

Let's check if we got that.

Fasting for Muslims is about listening to Allah's commands and showing obedience.

True or false? What do you think? True.

That's correct, and why? Let's have a think.

It's because when Muslims fast, they're following a rule Allah has given in the Qur'an.

Well done.

Mr. Rehman believes fasting is about more than just food for many Muslims. "Fasting is not just about staying away from food and drinks," he says.

"It's about being kind, honest, and thinking good thoughts.

I try to avoid bad words or actions like arguing or being rude during Ramadan." Time for another check.

What two things does Mr. Rehman believe fasting is about? Being kind and honest, or it is only about not eating food, meeting friends, or thinking good thoughts? Two things that Mr. Rehman believes fasting is about.

Have a go.

That's correct.

Being kind and honest is one reason, and also thinking good thoughts is what Mr. Rehman believes about fasting.

Well done if you got them.

Noor believes that fasting helps Muslims feel what it's like for people who don't have enough food to eat.

Fasting can help Muslims to be more kind and generous and share with others.

Most Muslims give to charity, Zakat, to help those in need during Ramadan.

Muslims learn to be patient during Ramadan, and this helps them stay calm even when things are difficult.

What else do you remember about the difference fasting made? That's correct.

When Muslims show kindness and patience in Ramadan, it helps them grow closer to Allah and to each other.

Also, the good habits Muslims learn in Ramadan, like being kind and helping others, can last all year.

Time for our next task.

We have Jacob and Laura.

Jacob says, "Many Muslims fast during Ramadan." Laura says, "Fasting helps Muslims obey Allah." Write three more reasons about how fasting makes a difference to many Muslims. You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready to check your answers with me.

Let's check our answers.

Write three more sentences about how fasting makes a difference to many Muslims. Possible reasons are it teaches them to be kind and honest.

It reminds them to avoid bad words or actions.

Fasting helps them remember to be grateful for food, and it reminds them to help others who do not have enough to eat.

It brings harmony with Allah.

Let's remind ourselves about what we've learned about sawm in our lesson today.

We've learned that many Muslims fast during Ramadan because it is a way to show their love and respect for Allah and find harmony with him.

We have also learned that Ramadan brings people together, creates a sense of community, and teaches important values like patience and kindness.

We now also know that fasting is about obeying Allah, controlling actions, and being kind to others.

Thank you for your attention today.

I hope you now have a deeper understanding of why fasting is so meaningful to many Muslims during Ramadan.

This is the end of our lesson, and I hope to see you in our next lesson.

Bye.