It must begin with niyyah, or intention, and individuals can perform it early in Shawwal to (*) make up for days on which it was not performed.
If this action is not performed, one may compensate by caring for a poor person or making a bequest in a wasiyat, and it is interrupted by waking for a sahri. This action does not occur on the three days of Tashreek, and it can be voluntarily done on the first nine days of Zil-haj. It must begin with niyyah, or intention, and individuals can perform it early in Shawwal to (*) make up for days on which it was not performed. Commencing before the Salat-ul-Fajr, or dawn prayer, most ceremonially end this practice with daily iftars of dates and water when it occurs before Eid-al-Fitr. For 10 points, name this pillar of Islam known as sawm that is practiced during Ramadan and that involves abstention from food during the daylight hours.
If this action is not performed, one may compensate by caring for a poor person or making a bequest in a wasiyat, and it is interrupted by waking for a sahri.
{fasting} [or sawm before mention]