The respect [abstinence] of eating and drinking was only ordained so that the faster might be distinguished from the breaker of the fast, just as bowing, prostrating, and standing for prayer were made based on what is seen of them, for they are not known except through these [outward acts]. And likewise, the faster and the breaker of the fast are only known by the abandonment of food and drink; and it is by silence that the people of knowledge and understanding are known. And with Allah is the success.

One of those who were present with the Messenger said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is Ramadan?"

He said: "Preserve its sanctity, and Allah will preserve your sanctity. And do not say: 'Ramadan,' for by Allah, you do not know what Ramadan is. Were it not for Ramadan, you would not have attained mercy, nor would you have known Allah, nor would any creature among you have crawled on the face of the earth. Ramadan is a mercy from Allah to His servants, and a compassion for His creation in His lands. Were it not for Ramadan, Allah would not have forgiven any sin, nor pardoned a sinner."

And if a speaker says: "But has not Allah the Exalted commanded that [outward fasting]?"

We say to him: Likewise, the Exalted commanded us to eat and drink, saying: {Eat and drink but be not excessive} (Al-A'raf 31).