The spirit of Ramadan is the spirit of abstinence. In Arabic, fasting is known as ‘Saum’ meaning abstinence. Abstaining from food and drink during the month of Ramadan is aimed to awaken the ‘sawm spirit’ of the believer. Food and drink are two of man’s basic necessities. These are the last things one should be asked to abstain from. Asking a person to abstain from basic necessities like food and drink is like giving a strong and powerful message that you have to abstain from all the things God has forbidden you, much as this may go against your wishes. A fast which is devoid of the sawm spirit will not be acceptable to God or be rewarded.