Muslims starts fasting today
The teaching of fasting is a physical act of devotion and a spiritual exercise that has existed for thousands and thousands of years. Mainly it has been prescribed by Allah the Merciful to help believers foster the spirit of worship, piety, tolerance, self restraint, habit breaking and physical and psychological renewal. However, fasting was observed by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks. And before Islam, fasting had been already known to the people of the Scriptures, Jews and Christians.
The word fasting in Arabic means the refrainment from doing something.
If a person abstains from speaking, drinking and eating and he does not talk, drink or eat he is then said to be fasting. In this respect Allah says in the Surah (Quran Chaper) Mary: " In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent and may not speak this day to any mortal."
According to Islamic jurisprudence the word fasting means abstinence from fast breakers from dawn till sunset with the declared intention to fast during the night prior to the day of fast.
Furthermore, the Holy month of Ramadan has great importance and is fully tackled by the Glorious Quran. In Surah (chapter) " the Cow," God says: O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that you may ward off ( evil)."
Upstaging the prominent significance of fasting prophet Muhammad says: " Islam is based on five principles: the Creed that there is no God but save Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of God, Prayers performance, Zakat ( Almsgiving ), fasting Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House ( Mecca) by him who can make the Journey."
In general the beginning of Ramadan is decided by the Judge of Islamic Jurisprudence ( Mifti) when two reliable witnesses sight the Hilal ( Crescent) on the 20th night of Shaaban, the month preceding Ramadan or when a large group sees the crescent. If all fail to sight Hilal the Mufti then announced the start of Ramadan when Shabaan completes thirty days in full.