Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month Muslims spend all of their daylight hours fasting. This includes abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. The purpose of the month is to help Muslims purify their souls by refocusing their attention on God and by enduring self-sacrifice. Muslims are to use this month to essentially clean up their lives, thoughts, and hearts. During the month they are to make peace with their foes, bond with family/friends, and rid themselves of bad habits. Refraining from not only food/water but also “evil actions, thoughts, and words”.
During this month every aspect of the body must be restrained. (In the Arabic language the word for fasting actually means to “refrain”.) One must restrain their tongue from harsh words and gossip. One must restrain their eyes from looking at bad/unlawful things. One must restrain their hand from touching or taking anything that does not belong to you. One must restrain their ears from hearing idle talk or obscenities. One must refrain their feet from taking them to sinful places. Through all of these actions and others the whole body observes itself to a month of “refrain” or fasting. To deny ones self and ones body. Ramadan’s monthly fast is therefore not only physical but it also involves the total commitment of one’s body/soul to the spirit of the fast. It is a time for Muslims to practice self control and to cleanse their minds, bodies, and souls as they re-focus themselves on the worship of God, or “Allah”.