Fasting

We were commanded to fast and are told that those who came before us also did the same. We are also told why we have to fast.

We are told that we have to fast a prescribed number of days and those who are exempt from fasting, those who are ill or on a journey who will have to make up for the missed days by fasting an equal number of days outside of Ramadan. In the same verse, we are told that those who can only fast with a lot of difficulty, they have a choice. They can either choose to fast, which we are told is the better option, or they can choose to feed a needy person for every day not spent fasting.

Next, we are told that the Holy Quran was revealed in the blessed month of Ramadan. It, the Holy Quran was revealed as a guidance and to distinguish between right and wrong. Allah SWT tells us that He wants to make things easy for us, clearly shown when He has been merciful and given those who are either unable to fast, they may be ill or travelling, or find fasting extremely difficult, a second option.

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˺.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 183

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.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 184

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.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 185

Allah SWT Is Near

In verse 186, the Prophet Muhammad SAW is told by Allah SWT that when His servants ask the Prophet regarding Him, indeed he is near. This verse was picked out since it is quite unique. What we see throughout the Holy Quran is that whenever a question is posed to the Prophet, he is told to “say” the answer. However in this case, the response is more direct as if responding directly to the one asking, the servant, you and I.

Another thing which is significant within this verse is that Allah SWT says that He responds to the prayer of the servant. There is not description of the servant, it is not mentioned that the servant has to be righteous or have any specific qualities, just that they call upon Him.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 186

Du’a

In verse 200 of Al Baqarah, we are told about those who when making du’a ask only for His bounties in this world. We are indirectly told not to be from this group when we are told that this group will have no share in the hereafter.

Then, immediately, we are told about another group. This group makes du’a for the good of this world and the hereafter and for protection from the hellfire. We are told that this group is the one who will receive a share for what they have earned.

This is also a clear reminder for us. There is nothing wrong with asking for the good of this world but it should not be our only desire. We have to make sure that we work for our hereafter and ask Allah SWT for protection from the hellfire and for admission into paradise.

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَـٰسِكَكُمْ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ ءَابَآءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًۭا ۗ فَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَـٰقٍۢ

When you have fulfilled your sacred rites, praise Allah as you used to praise your forefathers ˹before Islam˺, or even more passionately. There are some who say, “Our Lord! Grant us ˹Your bounties˺ in this world,” but they will have no share in the Hereafter.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 200

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

Yet there are others who say, “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 201

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

It is they who will receive a ˹heavenly˺ reward for the good they have done. And Allah is swift in reckoning.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 202

Charity Begins At Home

Allah SWT tell us who, or in what cause, we should donate to and He gives us a list. This list begins with your parents, next is your relatives. This clearly shows that we need to take care of and help our parents before we help other people. Our parents have a right over us and we need to make sure that we always fulfil that right.

Another thing we noticed is that Allah SWT commands the Messenger Muhammad SAW to “Say” the answer to his followers, unlike when the Prophet Muhammad SAW was asked about Allah.

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَلِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ

They ask you ˹O Prophet in˺ what ˹way˺ they should donate. Say, “Whatever donations you give are for parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, and ˹needy˺ travellers. Whatever good you do is certainly well known to Allah.”

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 215

Do Not Forget Asr!

Allah SWT tells us to pray our five daily prayers and emphasises the Asr prayer. One explanation as to why Asr was emphasised is because we are quite busy at the time. We pray our Fajr and go to work. During our lunch break, we pray our Zuhr and then get back to work. However, when it’s time for Asr, we are already deep into our work and may forget to pray.

During our discussion, it was also emphasised to schedule our day around the prayers rather than scheduling our prayers around our day.

حَـٰفِظُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِينَ

Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer—and stand in true devotion to Allah.

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 238

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book! There is no doubt about it—a guide for those mindful ˹of Allah˺

Surah Al Baqarah Verse 2