4 Quran Verses on Fasting During Ramadan

Ramadan is a sacred month that holds immense significance for Muslims around the world. It’s not just about abstaining from food and drink; it’s a time for reflection, spiritual growth, and strengthening our relationship with Allah. Here are four verses from the Quran that provide insight into the importance and guidelines for fasting during this blessed month.

1. Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 183

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺.

This verse reminds us that fasting is not a new practice; it is a commandment that was also given to the nations before us. The phrase "decreed upon you" emphasizes the obligation of fasting during Ramadan.

However, the primary goal of fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink but about achieving taqwa (God-consciousness). Taqwa here refers to being continually aware of Allah's presence, which encourages us to purify our hearts, renew our intentions, and strengthen our faith.

Ramadan serves as a perfect opportunity to reflect, improve ourselves, and deepen our connection with Allah. Through fasting, we not only refrain from eating and drinking but open our hearts to receive His guidance, leading us toward a more meaningful and purposeful life.

2. Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 184

أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍۢ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.

This verse highlights Allah’s mercy and flexibility, providing concessions for those who cannot fast due to illness or travel. If a person is unable to fast because of these reasons, they are required to make up for the missed fasts on other days.

However, for those who find fasting particularly difficult, such as the elderly or those with certain conditions, Allah allows for a fidyah, which is a form of compensation involving feeding the poor.

Despite these allowances, Allah makes it clear that fasting remains the preferred and better option if a person is capable. The essence of fasting is not just physical endurance but spiritual refinement, helping us enhance our taqwa and humility.

3. Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 185

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

This verse underscores the special nature of Ramadan, a month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for humanity. Fasting during Ramadan is not just an obligation but a means of deepening our connection with Allah by reflecting on the Quran's teachings. Allah's command to fast during Ramadan comes with His assurance that He wants ease for us, not hardship.

Therefore, if someone is ill or traveling, they can make up their fasts on other days. The verse also encourages us to complete the full number of fasts and to glorify Allah for guiding us.

Ramadan is an opportunity to express gratitude for Allah’s blessings and to refine our worship and obedience to Him.

4. Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 187

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَٱلْـَٔـٰنَ بَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them. Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves. So He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has prescribed for you. ˹You may˺ eat and drink until you see the light of dawn breaking the darkness of night, then complete the fast until nightfall. Do not be intimate with your spouses while you are meditating in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not exceed them. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to people, so they may become mindful ˹of Him˺.

This verse provides specific guidance on the permissible actions during the fast, particularly concerning intimate relations between spouses. While intimacy is prohibited during the daylight hours of fasting, it is allowed at night after breaking the fast. The metaphor of clothing signifies the mutual protection and care between spouses.

Additionally, the verse sets the timeframe for eating and drinking during Ramadan—until the clear break of dawn (the white thread becoming visible from the black thread). Fasting is to be completed until sunset, at which point the fast is broken.

The verse also reflects Allah's understanding of human nature and His forgiveness for our mistakes, encouraging us to seek His mercy and strive for righteousness.

Strengthening Taqwa During Ramadan

By reflecting on these Quranic verses, we are reminded of the deeper purpose of fasting: to purify ourselves, increase our devotion to Allah, and enhance our taqwa. Allah, in His infinite mercy, provides allowances for those facing challenges during fasting but also encourages us to embrace the full spirit of Ramadan whenever possible. Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink but about reconnecting with Allah, renewing our intentions, and striving for spiritual growth.

This blessed month is an opportunity to read, ponder, and practice the teachings of the Quran. It's a time to engage more deeply with Allah's guidance, seek His forgiveness, and enhance our relationship with Him. As we embrace this sacred time, let us also seek to integrate the ease Allah has provided, such as the Muamalat DIN feature, which offers easy access to the Quran anytime, anywhere. May this Ramadan be a time of reflection, gratitude, and growth in faith.