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Not a muslim myself, but its pretty apparent you haven't the faintest clue about the reasons behind the fasting.

If you actually read even a little of the article, you will notice that there is no reference to "making one's faith more valid", but rather more practical values like self-discipline, self-control, patience etc.

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I born in orthodox Russia, this branch still have tradition of fasting 40 days each year, so your "pretty apparent" is pretty funny. I know a lot of people who each year follow this fasting rite but never donate to poor, they don't even think about it.

1 visit to Orphanage will give lesson much more effective than this ancient spectacle. I know what I'm talking about.

But of course the real reason is "everyone I know is doing it so I must fit in".

Of course, imitation plays a part whenever you have some kind of group identity. However, there's a distinction between why the practice actually exists and why people partake in it. The question being answered is the former.

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