The entire idea of fasting is definitely not to starve oneself but to be on a different spiritual plane altogether. In doing this, it must be a period of total rededication to Allah with increase in activities that are in consonance with the dictates of Allah while also shunning the ways of shaytan (devil).

Prices of basic food items have increased in most markets in Lagos since the commencement of Ramadan fast. A visit to most of the food and fruit markets in Lagos reveals an increase in prices of fruits which are major needs of Muslims during the holy month. Prices of other basic food items like beans, yam, pepper, tomatoes, oranges and water melons have also gone up.

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.

As the blessed month of Ramadan commences, it is incumbent upon all Muslims to identify the meritorious acts in the blessed month and how to do those acts. No doubt, one of the factors that places Islam ahead of other religions is that there are laid down rules on how to perform every acts. One of them is fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong) [Quran al-Baqarah 2:185]