taken from wikipedia.com

In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from fajr (dawn), until the maghrib (sunset). Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse while fasting. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times, a Muslim draws closer to their Lord by abandoning the things they enjoy, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of their faith and their devotion to God (Arabic: Allah) all the more evident.

The Qur'an states that fasting was prescribed for those before them (i.e., the Jews and Christians) and that by fasting a Muslim gains taqwa, which can be described as the care taken by a person to do everything God has commanded and to keep away from everything that He has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins and is a shield with which the Muslim protects him/herself from jahannam (hell).

Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting helps develop good behavior.

Fasting also inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims feel and experience what their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together.

Although fasting is fard (obligatory), exceptions are made for persons in particular circumstances:

* Prepubescent children; though some parents will encourage their children fast earlier for shorter periods, so the children get used to fasting.
* Serious illness; the days lost to illness will have to be made up after recovery.
* If one is traveling, since the fajr and maghrib times will change; but one must make up any days missed upon arriving at one's destination.
* Women who are pregnant or nursing.
* A woman during her menstrual period; although she must count the days she missed and make them up at the end of Ramadan.
* An ill person or old person who is not physically able to fast. They should donate the amount of a normal persons diet for each day missed if they are financially capable.

Penalty of purposefully breaking fast at Ramadan:

* For elders who will not be able to fast, a lunch meal (or an equivalent amount of money) is to be donated to the poor or needy for each day of missed fasting.
* If an adult who is sane, men or women, breaks his fast intentionally and without any excuse, some sayings tell that he cannot ever be excused and/or forgiven; however, most Islamic scholar opinions say that salvation / redemption can be attainted if the violator fasts for 60 days successively (two months) without missing a day.

simply coz im tired of explaining to ppl abt why i puasa... :P