fasting

Dr. Bilal Philips

Surah Al-Baqarah V. 185

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month 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 every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.”

Allah continues in this Surah telling us more about Ramadan and instructing us that this is the month that the Quran was sent to mankind as a guide and to give us clear signs from Allah to guide us and to show us how to judge. This explains to us that Quran is not just a guide for how to worship but also to legislate (judge). It is a complete guide for us to live our lives by.

Every year we remind ourselves of this by reciting the whole Quran or a part of it during the nightly prayers (taraweeh).

Allah also reminds us that He wants for us ease and not difficulty. This verse shows us that nothing in Islam is difficult or inconvenient. If Allah ordered it, then it can be done without difficulty. This is a promise from Allah, the Lord of the Worlds...to us--his slaves. SubhanAllah, what a generous and merciful Lord we have!