Abstract
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and the Qur’an states its purpose in a single word: taqwa, God-consciousness. Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 addresses the believers with honour, informs them that fasting is obligatory, reminds them that earlier nations also fasted, and declares that its goal is “so that you may attain taqwa”. This article explains the verse phrase by phrase in the light of classical commentary, and shows how the daily discipline of fasting trains obedience, guards against sin, controls desire and softens the heart.
The article then studies a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah in Sahih al-Bukhari, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) promised Paradise to whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes prayer and fasts Ramadan, and encouraged believers to ask Allah for Al-Firdaus, the highest level of Paradise. From this hadith it draws lessons about hope, high ambition and the connection between fasting and the other pillars. It concludes with practical guidance for a fast that truly reaches its purpose.
Keywords: Ramadan Fasting, Al-Baqarah 2:183, Taqwa, Self-Control, Promise of Paradise, Al-Firdaus, Prophetic Teachings
Introduction
Every act of worship in Islam has an outward form and an inner purpose. Prayer has its standing and bowing, but its purpose is to restrain a person from indecency and wrongdoing (Al-‘Ankabut 29:45). Zakah involves giving wealth, but its purpose is to purify the giver (Al-Tawbah 9:103). Fasting, too, has a form, abstaining from food, drink and marital relations from dawn to sunset, and a purpose, which Allah named clearly: taqwa.
When the purpose is forgotten, the form can become empty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1903). A fast that ends with hunger but no change in character has missed its goal.
This article first examines the verse that made fasting obligatory, then a hadith that shows the reward awaiting those who fulfil it along with the other foundations of faith. Together they answer two questions: why we fast, and what we fast for.
The Verse: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183
Allah Almighty says:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَي الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ (البقرة: 183)
Translation: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.”
“O you who believe”
The verse begins by addressing people through their faith. The Companion ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud advised that when you hear “O you who believe”, listen carefully, because it is either a good you are being commanded to do or an evil you are being warned against. Calling the believers by their faith before giving a difficult command also tells them that their faith is what will make it easy.
“Fasting has been prescribed for you”
The word kutiba (“has been written”) is used in the Qur’an for firm obligations. Fasting Ramadan is therefore a binding duty on every adult, sane Muslim who is able, as confirmed by the hadith that Islam is built on five pillars, one of which is fasting Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 8). The next two verses explain the exemptions: the sick and the traveller may postpone the fast, and those who are permanently unable may give fidyah (Al-Baqarah 2:184-185).
“As it was prescribed for those before you”
Fasting is not new. It was part of the religion of earlier prophets and nations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described the fasting of Prophet Dawud, who fasted every other day, as the most beloved voluntary fast to Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1131). Commentators explain the wisdom of this reminder: it comforts the believers that they are not singled out for hardship, it encourages them to compete with earlier nations in goodness, and it shows that all prophets came with the same core message of worship and self-discipline.
“So that you may attain taqwa”
This is the purpose of the whole command. Taqwa comes from a root meaning to shield or protect oneself. In practice it means guarding oneself from Allah’s displeasure by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids. The word la’alla (“so that”) shows that taqwa is the expected fruit of fasting when it is done correctly.
Some commentators add that in the earliest period the rules of the fast were stricter: once a person slept after sunset, food, drink and marital relations were not allowed until the next evening. Allah later eased this in Al-Baqarah 2:187, permitting them throughout the night until dawn, out of mercy for the believers.
How Fasting Builds Taqwa
Scholars of tafsir and spirituality have explained in several ways how fasting produces God-consciousness:
- Training in obedience. During the fast, a person gives up even lawful food and water simply because Allah asked. Someone who can leave the lawful for Allah’s sake for a whole month is better prepared to leave the unlawful for the rest of the year.
- Awareness of Allah in private. A fasting person could easily eat or drink where no one sees him, yet he does not. This is why Allah said in a hadith qudsi: “Fasting is for Me, and I will reward it” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1904). Fasting is a secret between the servant and his Lord, and it builds the habit of remembering that Allah is always watching.
- A shield against sin. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting is a shield”, and taught that a fasting person should not use foul language or quarrel; if someone insults him, he should say, “I am fasting” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1904). Fasting protects from sin in this world and from the Fire in the next.
- Control over desire. Hunger weakens the pull of the lower self. The Prophet advised young people who could not yet marry to fast, because it helps them guard their chastity (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5066).
- A softer, more grateful heart. Feeling hunger reminds the fasting person of the poor, increases gratitude for daily blessings, and encourages generosity. The Prophet himself was the most generous of people, and he was most generous of all in Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6).
In short, fasting is a thirty-day school in which the believer practises, every day, the very qualities that make up taqwa.
The Promise of Paradise: The Hadith of Abu Hurayrah
The Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّی اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَصَامَ رَمَضَانَ کَانَ حَقًّا عَلَی اللَّهِ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ جَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَوْ جَلَسَ فِي أَرْضِهِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَلَا نُبَشِّرُ النَّاسَ قَالَ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِائَةَ دَرَجَةٍ أَعَدَّهَا اللَّهُ لِلْمُجَاهِدِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَتَيْنِ کَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَاسْأَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ فَإِنَّهُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَعْلَی الْجَنَّةِ أُرَاهُ فَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَمِنْهُ تَفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ (صحیح البخاری، کتاب الجہاد والسیر: 2790)
Translation: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes the prayer and fasts Ramadan, it is a promise upon Allah to admit him into Paradise, whether he strives in the path of Allah or stays in the land where he was born.” The Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall we not give this good news to the people?” He said: “In Paradise there are one hundred levels which Allah has prepared for those who strive in His path. The distance between every two levels is like the distance between the sky and the earth. So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaus, for it is the middle of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise.” The narrator added that he thought the Prophet also said: “Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it the rivers of Paradise gush forth.”
Lessons from the Hadith
1. Fasting stands beside faith and prayer
The hadith joins three things: faith in Allah and His Messenger, establishing prayer, and fasting Ramadan. Fasting is not an isolated seasonal ritual; it belongs to the core of a Muslim’s identity. A person who fasts but neglects prayer has broken this chain. Hafiz Ibn Hajar, in Fath al-Bari, explains that zakah and Hajj are not mentioned here possibly because they are obligatory only on those who have wealth and ability, while faith, prayer and fasting are required of everyone.
2. “A promise upon Allah”
The phrase “it is a promise (haqq) upon Allah” does not mean that anyone can place an obligation on Allah. Scholars explain that Allah has, out of His generosity, committed Himself to this promise, and He never breaks His promise (Al-Rum 30:6). This gives the believer firm hope.
3. Paradise is open to every sincere believer
The words “whether he strives in the path of Allah or stays in the land where he was born” show that Paradise is not limited to a special group. A farmer, a teacher, a mother at home or a worker in a factory who holds to faith, prayer and fasting is promised Paradise just as a fighter in Allah’s path is.
4. Do not settle for the minimum
When the Companions wanted to spread this good news, the Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately described the hundred levels of Paradise. Commentators explain the wisdom: he did not want people to hear only the minimum and stop striving. Entry into Paradise is one thing; the level reached within it depends on effort. The gap between two levels is as great as between the sky and the earth.
5. Ask for Al-Firdaus
The Prophet taught the believers to ask for the very best. Al-Firdaus is described as both the middle and the highest of Paradise: the middle in honour and the highest in position, with the Throne of the Most Merciful above it and the rivers of Paradise flowing from it. The Qur’an also mentions it as the dwelling of the successful believers (Al-Mu’minun 23:11; Al-Kahf 18:107). This teaches high ambition in worship: a believer asks Allah generously, because the One being asked is the Most Generous.
6. Special rewards for those who fast
Other authentic narrations add to this promise. “Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have his previous sins forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 38). And Paradise has a gate called Al-Rayyan through which only those who fasted will enter (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1896).
Practical Guidance for a Fast That Reaches Its Purpose
- Begin with intention. Fast “with faith and seeking reward”, reminding yourself each day that you are fasting for Allah and seeking taqwa.
- Fast with the tongue and eyes too. Avoid lying, backbiting, arguments and unlawful viewing. These do not break the fast legally, but they can empty it of its reward.
- Guard the five daily prayers. The hadith links fasting with prayer. A Ramadan without regular prayer misses the foundation.
- Spend time with the Qur’an. Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed (Al-Baqarah 2:185). Daily recitation and reflection strengthen the inner purpose of the fast.
- Be generous. Give charity and feed others. The Prophet said that whoever provides iftar for a fasting person receives a reward like his, without reducing the fasting person’s reward (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 807).
- Follow the Sunnah of suhur and iftar. Eat suhur, delay it toward dawn, and break the fast promptly at sunset.
- Ask Allah for Al-Firdaus. Make it part of your daily supplication, especially at the time of breaking the fast.
- Use the exemptions where needed. Islam does not require the sick, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women at risk, or travellers to harm themselves. Anyone with a medical condition should consult a qualified doctor and a scholar about fasting.
- Carry taqwa beyond Ramadan. The true sign that a fast was accepted is that its good effects continue afterwards, for example through the six fasts of Shawwal and voluntary fasts during the year.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 tells us why we fast: to attain taqwa. Fasting trains obedience, builds awareness of Allah in private, shields from sin, controls desire and softens the heart. The hadith of Abu Hurayrah tells us what we fast for: the promise of Paradise for every believer who holds to faith, prayer and fasting, and the encouragement to aim for its highest level, Al-Firdaus.
Between the purpose and the promise lies the daily effort of the believer. A fast that guards the tongue, keeps the prayers, embraces the Qur’an and opens the hand in generosity is the fast that leads to taqwa in this world and, by Allah’s mercy, to Paradise in the next. May Allah accept our fasts and grant us Al-Firdaus.
References
- The Holy Qur’an: Al-Baqarah 2:183-185, 2:187; Al-Tawbah 9:103; Al-Kahf 18:107; Al-Mu’minun 23:11; Al-‘Ankabut 29:45; Al-Rum 30:6.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6, 8, 38, 1131, 1896, 1903, 1904, 2790, 5066.
- Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 807.
- Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, commentary on Kitab al-Jihad.
- Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim, and al-Qurtubi, al-Jami’ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an, commentary on Al-Baqarah 2:183.
