Fasting

In Islam Fasting is to refrain from certain activities between dawn and dusk including smoking, eating, drinking and intercourse, etc. It is one of the five Fardh (Compulsory) pillars upon which Islam stands. Fasting acts like a shield and protects one from evil, it has five types: Compulsory (including Fasting the month of Ramadhan), Expiatory, Compensatory, Qadhaa and Optional.
In previous prophetic eras fasting restricted other activities also, such as speaking which was restricted at the time of the birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus son of Mary, peace be upon them). In this Prophetic era speaking is permitted during fasting and it gained perfection in Islam. The injunction about fasting was revealed in 2AH in Islam. It gave the institution of fasting a finishing touch and introduced therein method, regularity, and meaning.
Also referred to as: Saum, Sowm, Rowza, Siyaam, Fast