Sawn (fasting in Islam) for JSS 2

Class: JSS 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Islamic Religious Studies
Topic: Sawn (fasting in Islam)
Subject Matter: Time and how to fast, significance of fasting; (Ramadan)
Previous Lesson: The Hadith

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define Sawn (fasting).
• State the prescribed time for beginning and ending a fast.
• Describe the correct procedure for observing a fast.
• Explain the significance of fasting in Islam.
• Identify acts that invalidate a fast.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the spiritual benefits and importance of fasting.
• Show willingness to observe fasting according to Islamic teachings.
• Develop empathy for the less fortunate through the experience of hunger.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate understanding of fasting rules by correctly listing its conditions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Islamic Religious Studies for Junior Secondary Schools, Book 2
• The Holy Qur’an
• Hadith collections (e.g., Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing the Islamic calendar.
• Pictures depicting Muslims observing fast (e.g., during Suhur and Iftar).
• A copy of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith books.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because Sawn (fasting) is one of the five pillars of Islam, essential for every Muslim. Understanding the correct time, procedure, and significance of fasting enables students to fulfill this religious obligation properly. It also fosters self-discipline, spiritual growth, and empathy towards others in the community.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of the five pillars of Islam and a basic understanding of Islamic worship.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Sawn (Fasting in Islam)

Sawn, or fasting, in Islam, is the act of abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). It is a spiritual act of worship and one of the five pillars of Islam, primarily observed during the month of Ramadan.

Time for Fasting

The prescribed time for fasting is:

1. Beginning of Fast: Fasting begins at the break of dawn (Fajr prayer time). This is after the pre-dawn meal (Suhur).
2. End of Fast: Fasting ends at sunset (Maghrib prayer time). This is when the fast is broken (Iftar).
3. Month of Ramadan: The obligatory fasting for Muslims is during the entire lunar month of Ramadan.

How to Fast

To observe a fast correctly, a Muslim must:

1. Make Intention (Niyyah): The intention to fast must be made before Fajr. It can be a mental intention to fast for the sake of Allah.
2. Abstain from Prohibited Acts: From dawn to sunset, one must abstain from:
   1. Eating and drinking.
   2. Sexual intercourse.
   3. Smoking.
   4. Intentional vomiting.
3. Avoid Negative Behaviour: Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also from lying, backbiting, slandering, and other sinful acts.
4. Observe Suhur: It is recommended to have a pre-dawn meal (Suhur) before Fajr, as there is blessing in it.
5. Break Fast (Iftar): The fast should be broken immediately after sunset, usually with dates and water, followed by a meal.

Significance of Fasting (Ramadan)

Fasting, especially during Ramadan, holds great significance in Islam:

1. Obedience to Allah: It is a direct act of obedience to the command of Allah (SWT) as mentioned in the Qur’an.
2. Spiritual Purification: Fasting helps purify the soul, strengthen faith, and increase piety (Taqwa).
3. Self-Discipline and Patience: It teaches self-control, patience, and endurance by abstaining from basic desires.
4. Empathy for the Poor: Experiencing hunger and thirst helps Muslims empathize with the less fortunate and encourages charity.
5. Forgiveness of Sins: Fasting sincerely for Allah’s sake can lead to the forgiveness of past sins.
6. Increased Worship: Ramadan is a month of increased prayers, recitation of the Qur’an, and other acts of worship.
7. Health Benefits: Fasting can also offer certain physical health benefits when done correctly.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Storytelling.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Recalling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall the five pillars of Islam. The teacher then introduces Sawn as one of these pillars and states the lesson topic.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by listing the pillars of Islam and listen attentively to the introduction of the topic.

Learning Point: Pillars of Islam recalled.

Step 2: Time for Fasting

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the specific times for starting and ending a fast, using a chart or drawing to illustrate dawn and sunset. The teacher also mentions Ramadan as the month of obligatory fasting.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the illustrations, and ask questions for clarification regarding the timing of the fast.

Learning Point: Start and end of fast.

Step 3: Intention and Abstinence

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of making the intention (Niyyah) for fasting. The teacher then lists the primary acts that one must abstain from during fasting, such as food, drink, and sexual intercourse.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and note down the key requirements for fasting, participating in a brief discussion.

Learning Point: Intention for fasting.

Step 4: Acts that Invalidate Fasting

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Clarification/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further clarifies acts that invalidate a fast, including intentional vomiting and smoking. The teacher also emphasizes avoiding negative behaviour like lying and backbiting.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and understand the acts that can break their fast, asking questions about specific scenarios.

Learning Point: Acts that break fast.

Step 5: Suhur and Iftar

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Description/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes the practices of Suhur (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (breaking the fast), highlighting their importance and recommended practices.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and learn about the recommended practices associated with fasting.

Learning Point: Suhur and Iftar practices.

Step 6: Significance of Fasting

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the spiritual, social, and personal significance of fasting, such as obedience to Allah, self-discipline, empathy for the poor, and spiritual purification. The teacher encourages students to share their thoughts on the benefits of fasting.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, contribute to the discussion, and understand the deeper meaning of fasting.

Learning Point: Benefits of fasting.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is Sawn?
2. When does a Muslim begin and end their fast?
3. Mention two things that invalidate a fast.
4. State two significances of fasting in Islam.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Fasting rules recalled.

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on Sawn (fasting in Islam) into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Sawn notes copied.

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points about Sawn and encourages students to practice its principles in their lives. The teacher reminds them that fasting is a means of drawing closer to Allah.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main message.

Learning Point: Fasting importance reiterated.

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. In your own words, explain what Sawn means.
2. List three things a Muslim must abstain from during fasting.
3. Describe the spiritual benefits a Muslim gains from observing Sawn.
4. Why is the month of Ramadan particularly significant for fasting?
5. Research and write down one Hadith about the virtues of fasting.

Lesson Keywords

• Sawn – Fasting in Islam.
• Ramadan – The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast.
• Fajr – Dawn, the time when the fast begins.
• Maghrib – Sunset, the time when the fast ends.
• Niyyah – Intention, a prerequisite for fasting.
• Suhur – The pre-dawn meal taken before fasting begins.
• Iftar – The meal taken to break the fast at sunset.
• Taqwa – Piety, God-consciousness, a goal of fasting.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide simplified definitions and focus on the basic requirements of fasting (time, what to avoid). Use more visual aids and allow them to draw simple diagrams of the fasting period. Pair them with stronger learners for note-taking support.

For faster learners: Encourage them to research the categories of people exempted from fasting (e.g., the sick, travelers, pregnant women) and the conditions for making up missed fasts. Ask them to write a short paragraph on how fasting promotes community spirit.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search for videos on YouTube using the following terms:

• Sawn fasting in Islam JSS 2
• Rules of Ramadan fasting
• Significance of fasting in Islam

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear understanding of the rules and significance of Sawn. Prepare any charts or visual aids that depict the times of Fajr and Maghrib, and possibly the Islamic calendar. Begin by engaging students with a recall of the pillars of Islam to set the context. Systematically explain the time for fasting, the acts that constitute fasting, and those that invalidate it. Emphasize the spiritual and social significance of fasting, encouraging open discussion. Guide students to copy the Board Summary notes during Step 8. Throughout the lesson, check for understanding by asking frequent questions. Provide additional support to learners who struggle with the concepts by simplifying explanations, and challenge faster learners with deeper questions or research tasks. Ensure a respectful and engaging learning environment.