Sawm (Fasting)

Narrated Abu Huraira: "(Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times." (Sahih Bukhari)

The aim of fasting is to have piety: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescrbed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint [become pious]" (Al-Baqarah/2: 183). But why after so many Ramadhans went by, we are yet to be pious?

First and foremost, good deeds by Muslims are only accepted if they are performed:
1) Sincerely for Allah's sake
2) Following the way of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

So for Sawm, it includes:

• Taking the sahur meal, and deferring it to the last hour - Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Take meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking meal at that time. (Sahih Muslim)

• Hastening in breaking the fast - Narrated Sahl bin Sad: Allah's Apostle said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast." (Sahih Bukhari)
  

• Sawm is not merely abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations, but also abstaining from anything that devalues the sawm, such as back-biting, lying, displaying one's Awrah, etc. - Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Sahih Bukhari)
  

May our piety increases this Ramadhan.. amin!