Ramadan

Fasting Emphasized and Modified*

[2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.

[2:184] Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.

[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.

 

[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD’s laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.

footnote *2:183-187 Like all duties in Submission, fasting was decreed through Abraham (22:78, Appendices 9 & 15). Prior to revelation of the Quran, sexual intercourse was prohibited throughout the fasting period. This rule is modified in 2:187 to allow intercourse during the nights of Ramadan.

Thoughts on Ramadan from
Submitters around the world

A pre-dawn meal and then several hours later, a post-sunset meal.

You can’t feed your body in between but you continuously feed your soul. What a blessing.

AR

***

Ramadan is one of the basic practices in submission and it is a blessing for the soul. We strive to complete our fast, and we glorify and thank God for the gift of guidance through the month of Ramadan. Fasting from sunrise to sunset can require different levels of effort for different people. God designed the human body to be very resilient and under certain conditions it can go a long time without water and food. Since Ramadan this year comes during the summer solstice, the amount of time we fast may seem daunting but we implore God for help. In return we complete Ramadan and receive strength from God that lasts forever. The physical benefits of fasting are a blessing, but the benefit to the soul is also a blessing to be greatly appreciated. Ramadan heightens our ability to implore God during the time of fasting when the body becomes hungry and thirsty.  It is a blessing to have Ramadan. By the end of Ramadan we have strengthened our ability to be better submitters. God willing we continue to

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