From yesterday Muslim all over the world have started observing fast which is done during Ramadan(Ramadan and Ramazan both mean the same, just the "da", in Arabic script and "za" in Urdu script which differentiate it!), the 9th month of the lunar calendar followed by the Islamic world. Each month begins with a sighting of the moon’s crescent and lasts 29 or 30 days until a sighting of the next month’s crescent. Due to a difference of interpretation, some Muslims may begin and end Ramadan a day before the others. There are various interpretations as for the sighting of the moon. Since neither interpretation rejects the Islamic sources, Muslims remain one international community despite this interpretive variety.

Ramadan is that time of year when Muslims recharge their spiritual batteries. For a whole month they fast from dawn to sunset, and offer additional prayers at night. After the end of Ramadan comes one of the two Muslim festivals, a day of Eid. On this day Muslims thank God for his guidance and grace in helping them to control their baser desires and fulfill their spiritual needs.

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for all mankind. It is a criterion by which to distinguish truth from falsehood. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said that on each day of Ramadan God frees many souls from the fire of Hell. Fasting is a major feature of Ramadan. Many religions recognize the benefits of fasting, but only Islam institutes a month of it to secure its benefits for all its adherents. God prescribes in His book that all able-bodied Muslims must fast. This will develop in them a consciousness that will help them towards right conduct and prevent them from wrongdoing.

Fasting is deemed as one of the pillars of Islam. The 5 pillars of Islam are
1. Declaration of the oness of the Creator, 2. Establishing of Prayers,
3. The Zakath, which is Is devoting worship to Allaah by offering the obligatory prescribed amount of charity deducted from the wealth upon which Zakkat is due. Some of its Benefits are: purifying the self from immoral characteristics like misery, and fulfilling the needs of Islaam and Muslims. 4. Fasting and 5. Pilgrimage

Fasting is not just refraining from food. There are formal and informal aspects of the fast, both the aspects which are of great importance. The formal aspects include abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse. The informal aspects of the fast are just as important. The fasting person must abstain from lying, cheating, argumentation, fighting, foul language and every sort of evil. In this month one has to cultivate a lasting awareness of God, and a keen sense to observe his commandments throughout the year. Another one important preaching of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) is that if someone does not give up falsehood in speech and actions, God has no need for such a one to give up his food and drink.

Benefits of fasting can be listed as Spiritual, Medical and Psychological benefits

Spiritual and medical benefits of fasting : Fasting is a special act of worship that is between a human and God only, since no one else can know for sure whether or not we are actually fasting. It is our experience that the temptations and ways of the world tend to spoil our purity and austerity. But let me tell u we don't fast to benefit from these issues. though this is a good chance for people to reduce weight, giving rest to the digestive tract, and lowering lipids.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and training that carries the hope that its benefits. The basic difference between days when Muslims are fasting and when they are not fasting is the timing of our meals; during Ramadan, we have an early breakfast and then we do not eat or drink again until dusk (basically, we skip lunch).

The physiological effects of fasting include a lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes; obesity; and essential hypertension.
There is a physical benefit from increased prayer at night as well. It not only facilitates better utilization of food, but it also increases energy output. An extra 10 calories are expended for each unit of prayer. Again, we do not perform our prayers for the exercise; however, a mild movement of the joints accompanied by additional caloric utilization is beneficial.

Psychological benefits : There are also psychological effects of fasting. Those who fast during the month of Ramadan gain peace and tranquility. Hostility is at a minimum, and the soul is at peace. Muslims take advice from the Prophet (SAW) who said, “If one slanders you or aggresses against you, say I am fasting."

A prayer on everyone's lips is Peace and proseprity to the entire world. Lets hope the Almighty, accepts our prayers and bestows his mercy on us, Amin!