Simple Fasting GuideMufti Hasan Pathan JamnagarSAUM (FASTING)"Rozah" which is called "Saum" in Arabic, means to restrain and keep silence. The Holy Quran defines "Saum" as "patience" too which means "self-control, perseverance, and determination". Thus Rozah (Saum) stands, according to Islam, for guarding oneself against selfishness, sensual and carnal desires and protecting one's instinctive restraint and perseverance.Food, drink and sexual relation between man and woman play a very important role in human life that usually destroys human values and merits if not checked.Regulating and keeping oneself away from such human needs for a certain period is Rozah (Saum). But according to Shari'ah terminology "Saum" means conscious abstinence (of a Muslim) from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk with the sole intention of worship. It is conditional for a woman to be free from "Haiz-o-Nifaas" (menstruation and discharge of blood of the childbirth) for the observance of fast.The importance of fast in IslamThe importance of "Saum" (fast) can be gauged from the fact that:1. It is the fourth of five pillars of Islam.2. Fasts help maintain health and develop the body well.3. Fasts cleanse and purify the heart, mind, and soul.4. Fasts acquaint the rich with the plight of the poor.5. Fasts help promote equality among community members by bringing the well-to-do and poor at par.6. Fasts firm up spiritual strength and weaken carnal forces.7. Fasts help one become used to difficulties and hardships.8. Fasts provide one with forbearance, patience, and endurance against hunger and thirst.9. Fasts provide mental and spiritual concentration and peace.10. Fasts serve as sentinel against evils and sins.11. Fasts inspire Islamic spirit and zeal to do virtuous deeds.12. Observance of fast is secret and quiet worship which is free from show and hypocrisy.13. Fast is an effective source of warding off calamities and disasters.There are many other benefits and advantages of fasts as defined by Quran-o-Hadith.