The month of fasting is a period of spiritual purification. A time of proximity to the Lord, it is a special month of training meant to engender all those qualities desirable in Islam. The Encyclopedia Britannica has this to say in the chapter on fasting: The month of Ramadan in Islam is observed as a period of penitence and total fasting from dawn to dusk. (IV /62) Penitence, undoubtedly an important part of Islam, so permeates the entire Islamic system, that no Islamic act, including fasting, is devoid of this spirit. However, while enjoining fasting, the Qur’an tells us that its special significance in the month of Ramadan is thanks giving as well as penitence. It was in the month of Ramadan that the first revelations of the Quranic verses came down to the Prophet. It was a great blessing of God that He revealed this guidance in the form of the Qur’an so that it might be a true guide for man. That is why this month came to be held as one of thanks giving for the believers. ‘Taqwa’ (God-fearing life) means a cautious life. Success for man in both worlds lies in his invariably adopting the path of caution in all matters of life. It is taqwa, a guarded, disciplined life, that is the goal of fasting.