Chapter #2: Ramadan

Written by: Barah

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and a clear proof of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. God intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify God for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” [Sahih International][2:185]

Perfect timing for this verse! Pretty self-explanatory, and I find it so beautiful, that, yes, God is asking us to fast for a whole month, but He’s also very considerate. He knows that not everyone will be able to fast during this whole month and so if you cannot for whatever (legitimate) reasons, then redo them later at your convenience when you’re capable! God isn’t trying to make our life hard but rather he’s trying to make it easier with the commands we are given; because life, without a guide and a way to live it, isn’t living.