It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.

Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.

Special fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes,tongue, hands and feet-and all other organs-free from sin.

Extra-special fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah.

See not what displeases Allah

A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or which distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God.

Every year, for one complete lunar month-the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, you as an adult Muslim are required to fast. From dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadan, you are required to refrain from all food and drink and sexual relations with your spouse.

If you are sick or on a journey you are allowed not to fast but you must make up for it by fasting the same number of days missed during Ramadan.

Why should I fast?

The main purpose of fasting is described in the Quran as "so that you may attain Taqwa or God-consciousness." Fasting is thus yet another instrument for bringing us closer to our natural state, our state of Fitrah and for cleansing this state from the dross of any disobedience and corruption.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting.

The word sawm (plural siyam) literally means 'to refrain', but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset.

Allah says in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2-183):

'O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained.'

The importance of Siyam in Ramadan is clearly expressed in several sayings of the Prophet(S.A.W.). It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

Tarawih prayer is Sunnah Mu'akkadah for men and women since the blessed Messenger said:

'The month in which Allah has prescribed for you fasting and I have initiated for you the night prayer.Whoever fasts in it and prays with sincerity and faith, sins leave him clean and the day his mother gave birth to him'. (Ibn Maja)

The Tarawih with congregation is more virtuous since `Umar (r) established it with the congregation and the congregational prayer is a communal Sunnah. If no one prayed it in the Mosque all the people have sinned and missed the Sunnah.

Praying at Night in Ramadan (Taraweeh) & the importance of The Night of Power

Ahadith from Sahih Al- Bukhari, The Book of The Prayer Of Taravih, Chapter of The benefits of standing in Ramadan:

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 227:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said,

Order and encouragement to fast

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you might learn piety ... The month of Ramadan is that wherein was revealed the Qur'an, as a guidance to mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion. So, whoever among you witnesses the month should fast." [Al-Qur'an 2:183, 185]

"Every deed of the Son of Adam is for himself, except fasting - it is for Me, and I shall reward it." [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

"There is not any believer who remains hungry, and abstains from the forbidden things, and does not wrongfully consume the wealth of Muslims, except that Allah will feed him from the fruits of Heaven." [Musnad Abu Hanifah]

Today, the abundance of wealth is everywhere, especially in the western societies where the race is on for the biggest house, the best cars, the latest clothes...but STOP!

What about our duty to Allah? What of the poor and needy? The arrogant will simply turn around and state that Allah could feed the poor if he is so wills. But what the arrogant do not realise is that spending in the way of Allah is actually doubling up their own reward in the hereafter. The prophet (SAW) explained that the greatest test for his followers will be the test of wealth.