SAUM AND POVERTY

Many may have not seen the wisdom behind saum and poverty. Many do not like their status in life having not so much of material goods in this material world. Many forgot Allah's teaching "do not look up when you walk through the streets of the Cities. Focus your vision on the road where you are walking." Many seems not to trust Allah's words "If you keep on asking for worldly goods, it will be given. But, you will not have a share in paradise". Because of the struggle to material goods to get away from the 'bondage of poverty', as most earthlings call it, they miss the essence of poverty, saum or fast.

During the month of Ramadhan, while most Muslims fast and pray, there are those who pursued their beliefs that since life has to go on, they can not forgo with their endeavors for material goods. But, sadly, right after the gates of heaven were closed for Ramadhan came the inevitable penalties for those who remained stubborn. Perchance, those who are left behind will learn a lesson that saum is just like bearing poverty for sometimes to give glory and a chance for the creator to provide sustenance according to His will and plans.

SAUM

Saum is fast. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting is a must for all Muslims whose religion is Islam in the month of Ramadhan for thirty days. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims in fast do not eat anything. Most of the activities are limited to prayer and charity.

"O you who believe,

Observing as saum, fasting, is prescribed for you

As it was prescribed for those before you,
That you may become Al-Muttaqun" (strong in your faith) (Al Baqarah: 183)

A believer may also fast for 3 days in a month during the full-moon.