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The obligation of fasting in
the month of Ramadhan is a decisive command from Allah Azz wa jal in
Surah al-Baqarah verses 183-185: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (pious). (Observing fast) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can fast with difficulty (e.g. an old man), they have a choice either to fast or to feed of one that is indigent. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew. Ramadhan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, and clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (at his home) should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends for you ease. He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful” [QUR’AN Al-Baqarah: 183-185]. Explanation of Ayah 183 “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (pious)” [QUR’AN Al-Baqarah: 183]. The meaning of ‘prescribed’ is to state what has been made an obligation (Fard) while ‘fasting’ is to abstain from food, drink and intercourse with a clear, loyal intention to please Allah Ta’ala“… those before you” refers to those nations that preceded the Muslim Ummah. “… that you may become al-muttaqoon” means that fasting helps to bring taqwa. However, it is not the divine reason (illah) for fasting. The divine rules related to ibadat cannot be reasoned by illah; rather they should be taken as they came in the text (tawkiffiyah). Taqwa comes from the word 'waqiya', which means to protect. The protection is from the anger of Allah Ta’ala and His Ta’ala punishment. This is why taqwa is used to describe the performing of actions, which pleases Allah Ta’ala and abstaining from all actions that displeases Him Ta’ala Fasting is an effective measure to help in the purification of the Nafs and its cleansing from the impurities and degenerative morals. It was narrated in both Muslim and Bukhari that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said; “O you youths, whoever has the urge, let him get married and the one who does not have this ability, let him fast, for it is a protection for him.” Explanation of Ayah 184 “(Observing fast) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can fast with difficulty (e.g. an old man), they have a choice either to fast or to feed of one that is indigent. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew” [QUR’AN Al-Baqarah: 184]. Regarding the “fixed number of days”, this as before Allah Ta’ala ordered the fasting in the month of Ramadhan. Prior to this, fasting was observed three days of every month. This was then abrogated by the fasting, which was prescribed in the month of Ramadhan. When Allah Ta’ala says; “but if anyone of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number should be made up at later days …” it is a ruksa (permit) from Allah Ta’ala to the ill and the traveller to break his or her fast and to make up all those days that he or she did not fast, later on. “For those that can do it with hardship…” refers to those that can fast but with a great deal of hardship. The difference between this group of people and the ill is that the ill can recover by Allah’s Ta’ala Will but those that are called 'zamani' are considered as those with a terminal condition. Allah Ta’ala has given the licence to the 'zamani' to feed a poor man a meal everyday in absence of fasting, but that if he or she gave more, of his own free will it is better for him or her. If the traveller, the patient and the 'zamani' could fast without bringing harm to them it is better than taking the ruksa (permit). Explanation of Ayah 185 “Ramadhan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, and clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (at his home) should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends for you ease. He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful” [Al-Baqarah: 185]. “Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down…” Allah Ta’ala sent the Qur'an wholly and completed, to Bait al Izam in Laila-tul Qadr (the night of power) in the month of Ramadhan. Then it was sent down in stages; the first ayat revealed in the month of Ramadhan in the Cave of Hira to Muhammad  ). “A guidance to mankind and clear signs for guidance and a criteria” means the Qur'an guides people and shows them how to distinguish between Halal and Haram, the haq and batil and the good and bad for them. Finally, Allah (swt) encourages man to complete the prescribed period of fast and to glorify Him (swt) in that he has guided man, that he may be grateful. Comment The above are some explanations taken from the classical Mufasireen on the ayat that refer to this blessed month of Ramadhan. All praise to Allah ta’ala who gave us this month to further gain a strong foothold to Jannah through our worship to Him (swt) and sent down the Qur'an during this month as 'houdan linnas' i.e. a (complete) guidance for mankind to live their lives by. Allah Ta'la says in the Qur'an: “Nothing is left out of the book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered” [Al-An’am: 38]. “And so judge (O Muhammad) among them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you away from some of what Allah has sent down to you…” [ Al-Ma’idah: 49]. This indicates not only the comprehensive nature of Islam, but the second ayat clearly demonstrates the obligation to take the Qur'an and the Sunnah and apply it in all spheres of life. The Qur'an though revealed in Ramadhan is not intended to be restricted and applied only during the month of Ramadhan or to matters that are solely related to the personal worships. Rather Islam came for all times and all aspects of our life, whether spiritual, political, economic as implementing all these systems in life is worship to Allah Tala. Therefore, in the same way that Allah Tala has ‘prescribed’ (obliged) fasting for us in the month of Ramadhan, Allah Tala has ‘prescribed’ (obliged) the implementation of Islam in its entirety. “Verily the rule is for none other than Allah” [An’am: 57]. “Whosoever judges by other than what Allah has revealed are the disbelievers” [Al-Ma’idah: 44]. In the same manner we do not neglect the observance of our fasting, we must not and cannot neglect the observance of implementing Islam comprehensively. Its absence is a sin on our necks, which we must work to remove through engaging in those actions prescribed by Islam to resume the Islamic way of life. And it is through its establishment that we can return the dignity that rightfully belongs to Islam and to this beloved Ummah, which Allah Tala has described as the best nation brought unto mankind. May Allah Azz wa jal accept our fasting. The Prophet said, “Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmed. Waslaam Your brother in islaam
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