The Quran tells us exactly why we're ordered to fast during Ramadan. Here's my translation of the verse:
"Prescribed for you, like those before you: fast!
Perhaps your increased consciousness will last"
[Quran 2:182]
The ultimate purpose for fasting is to increase our level of consciousness, or 'taqwa'. This begs the question:
What is your level of consciousness and how do you know if it's increasing?
