The significance of fasting
*Please appropriately reference this fatwa to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Question: What is the status and significance of fasting as a form of worship in Islaam, especially (during) the month of Ramadhaan?

Response: The status of fasting in Islaam is that it is one of its great (important) pillars, without which one's religion is incomplete.

And as for it's significance in Islaam, then it has been authenticated on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he said:

((Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadhaan, out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allaah's rewards, then all his previous sins will be forgiven)).

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 1, Page 37, Fatwa No. 9;
Fiqh al-'Ibaadaat - Page 171