Alhamdullilah, Ramadhan is here again, and so is fasting (siyam)

Al-Baqarah (2:183)

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alssiyamu kama kutiba AAala allatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona
English Translation (Yusuf Ali): O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-

Siyam or Saum ("fasting" in English) is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam. It involves fasting during the month of Ramadhan.

Observance of this fasting act involves abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, sexual intercourse, and other forms of worldly pleasure. It is is observed by devout Muslims throughout the daylight hours of the 29 or 30 days of the lunar month of Ramadhan. There are individuals who are excepted, for example children, pregnant women, sick Muslims, laborers, and travelers.

While fasting teaches patience and self-control, this is an act which is considered to be a direct worshipers act by the believer to Allah swt because the act of fasting cannot not physically exhibited/displayed to others. This is an exception to the other acts such as praying and giving-out alms or any public display or giving donation which can be seen by others, which is also used by unscrupulous worshipers as a personal boast, which is all that they gain, in fact, nothing else.

As well as fasting, Muslims spend more time praying during Ramadhan, taking advantage of the holy-status of the month, the month considered special for Allah swt.

Here's my wishes to everyone, for a successful act of fasting in Ramadhan and may it be able to return you all to your 'fitrah' come first day of eid-ul-fitr, insyAllah!

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Other links of interest.
Fasting in Islam.
Lesson 13 Fasting.
Ramadan in Islam and its significance.
Fasting in Islam and the Wisdom behind it.