In the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast. But how and why? Dr Abdul Bary Malik, who is a Justice of the Peace, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and founder and chief executive of Asian Disability Awareness Action in Bradford, explains.

Muslims in all parts of the world started fasting on Sunday, September 24.

Fasting by all able adult Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan or Saum is the third act of worship in Islam. By fasting, a Muslim can purify himself spiritually and physically, elevate his soul and obtain nearness to the creator.

To fast is to abstain from food, drink, smoking and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset. Sacrificing of physical needs increases a Muslim's awareness of the suffering of poor and needy.

Ramadan was appointed by God for this spiritual exercise. It was the month during which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy Prophet.

The discipline of fasting is an excellent form of training for the physical, moral and spiritual development of man. It exists in some form or another in most world religions but none of the other faiths attach so much importance to it as Islam, where the ritual of fasting through the ninth lunar month of Ramadan is still observed with great sincerity.

According to Islam, fasting constitutes a symbol of complete sacrifice of food, drink and sex during the prescribed hours of the fast, and this exercise is undertaken with the sole objective of becoming more righteous in one's life.

Fasting time commences at dawn and ends at sunset. During this period eating, drinking, smoking and any sexual contact is prohibited. The rest of the time is allowed for normal activities.

Fasting is compulsory during the month of Ramadan for every sane and adult Muslim, whether male or female. Those exempt from fasting are pregnant women, mothers suckling their babies, people with permanent illnesses and minor children.

Others who do not fast are the sick, travellers and women during their menstruation or confinement after child birth, but these people have to have their missing fasts made up as soon as possible after Ramadan and certainly before the next Ramadan.

Children are also encouraged to fast before reaching maturity, slowly at first, maybe missing a meal or fasting for couple of hours or half a day.

Anyone who does not fast has committed a sin. If one breaks fast deliberately, without an acceptable excuse, then one has to pay expiation. This is one of the following: set a slave free, feed 60 poor people or fast for 60 days. If you do any of the following you break fast: eat, drink or have a conjugal relationship intentionally, take an injection or vomit.

During the month of Ramadan Muslims make cash contributions called Fitrana. This is a fixed amount paid before Eid so it can be distributed to the poor and needy people.

The Holy month of Ramadan is followed by Eid Ul Fitr; truly a day of joy for those who have fully benefited by the blessings of the month of Ramadan.

This year Eid Ul Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 24.