Ramadan is a time for Muslims from all over the world to unite in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection. It is a time for Muslims to re-evalute themselves spiritually, and become better people and better Muslims. However, often times the root of Ramadan is forgotten. Where has Allah commanded for Muslims to fast? Why has Allah commanded for Muslims to fast? This is why I decided to go back to that, and remind all of you of this initial commandment.

If we look at Surat Al Baqarah Verse 184 Allah states:

(2:184) O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be righteous. 

If you read the verses leading up to this verse, you know that Allah speaks of self-discipline to refrain from sin. So we can assume that by speaking of fasting in this verse (that follows), Allah is speaking of fasting as a form of self discipline. Allah speaks of the fasts of Buddha, Moses and Jesus (as), all of whom came before us and observed the fast for various reasons. 

Now let's look at the word fasting itself. Dictionary.com defines fasting as 'an abstinence from food, or a limiting of one's food, especially when voluntary and as a religious observance; fasting.' Meaning that fasting isn't only observed by Muslims, but also by people of other faiths and earlier faiths. By stating 'so that you may become righteous' Allah means that you may become safe from harm and suffering, and safe from evil and sin. Harm and suffering come with committing sin. When any of us do a bad deed, we tend to regret it later on. This in itself is a form of suffering by feeling guilty. However, during Ramadan when we focus on worship, we are able to constantly seek forgiveness for our past sins, decreasing this pain and suffering. As well, during Ramadan we tend to abstain from worldly desires and naturally move towards spiritual things. This causes us to be less likely to do sin and evil as we know that must try to please Allah. 

(2:185) The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey shall fast the same number of other days; and for those who are able to fast only with great difficulty is an expiation - the feeding of a poor man. And whoso performs a good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if you only knew.

We must remember that Islam is a practical religion. Allah says that those who are already suffering from a disease or on a journey are except from fasting. By saying 'those who are able to fast only with great difficulty' Allah speaks of  old men and women, youth, weak people and pregnant women. It also gives the alternative (feeding a poor man) for attaining the same number of blessings as fasting for those who are unable to fast. Allah doesn't give us a command for anything which is impossible or impractical.

(2:186) The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present at home in this month, let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same number of other days. Allah desires to give you facility and He desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.

Notice that prior to this verse, Allah used the word 'prescribed'. Meaning that fasting is recommended, advised, suggested. However, this is the verse where Allah lays the actual commandment. This month was chosen for Ramadan because it was the sacred month in which the Qur'an was revealed. By stating 'clear proofs of guidance and discrimination' it points out that the Qur'an is a Book which does not make mere assertions, rather supports every assertion with necessary arguments and signs. And by stating 'let him fast therein' it signifies that it is necessary to fast all the days of this month, and a few days will not do. By stating 'whoso is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same number of days' the commandment is set.

It may look like a repetition of what was already said, however it is now stated as a commandment. It is made clear that this commandment like every other commandment in the Qur'an is not meant to cause us trouble or hardship; 'He desires not hardship for you'. The practicality of this command can also be seen when  it states 'so that you may complete the number'. Allah wants us to complete the number of fasts He has commanded, as it is essential for our spiritual welfare. It also suggests that a fixed number is essential so that there aren't some people who fast not even the minimum number of days, and others who fast for so many days that it becomes dangerous for their health. The Holy Prophet (saw) actually stated that "Verily, I am the most righteous of you all, yet sometimes I fast and sometimes I abstain from fasting, and so must you do" (Bukhari). Meaning we shouldn't fast continuously even after Ramadan that it becomes injurious to our health. The final words 'and that you may be grateful' prove that Allah isn't unkind or cruel, He understands that we are humans who sin and have weaknesses. Which is why we must develop a stronger love for Him in our hearts. 

(2:187) And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.

This verse means that when the faithful realize how much blessings are in the month of Ramadan, they will naturally try to gain as much benefit as they can from it. It also means that creating a connection with Him is not beyond human power, we all have the ability to do so. Allah doesn't only answer the prayers of the believers but anyone who prays to Him. It means that we should believe and trust Allah and His commandment, as it is for our own benefit. If we follow this commandment we will attain Allah's nearness resulting in Him accepting more and more of our prayers. 

(2:188) It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you have been acting unjustly to yourselves, wherefore He has turned to you with mercy and afforded you relief. So you may now go in unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of dawn. Then complete the fast till nightfall and do not go in unto them while you remain in the mosques for devotion. These are the limits fixed by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah makes His commandments clear to mean that they may become secure against evil.

"The words 'you may now go in' indicate that the Companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) were erring not on the side of indulgence but on the side of abstinence. Which is the opposite of what some Commentators have inferred 'you have been acting unjustly to yourselves' to mean. The Qur'an could now obviously say that 'you may now go in' to people who were already going in unto their wives. This verse enjoins that Muslims should abstain from from sexual relations while fasting, from dawn till sunset. But they are free to have recourse to these things between sunset and dawn." (Alislam.org | English w/5 Vol. Commentary | Holy Quran)

'So that they may become secure against evil' means that we may become pious, righteous and protected against evil. 

So there is still a lot more in the Qur'an about fasting and Ramadan, However, this post is quite long now, and I think I've highlighted the majority of the important points. So either this may be the first of two posts on this topic, or I may just leave it up to you to read the commentary of the Quran for the verses that follow.

In the comment section below, please tell me what you look forward to the most during the month of Ramadan, I look forward to reading them! 

Ramadan Mubarak!