Abstract
Fasting in Ramadan is presented in the Qur’an as a significant act of worship and a divine command whose main purpose is to develop taqwa (God-consciousness) in believers. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183), Allah addresses the believers and declares that fasting has been prescribed for them just as it was prescribed for the people before them, so that they may become righteous and mindful of God. The interpretation of this verse explains that fasting requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn until sunset for a fixed number of days. Through this discipline, a believer learns patience, self-control, and spiritual purification while strengthening the connection with Allah. The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further highlight the spiritual rewards of observing the fast during Ramadan. As narrated by Abu Hurairah in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, performs the prayers correctly, and fasts in the month of Ramadan will be granted Paradise by Allah, whether he struggles in the cause of Allah or remains in his homeland. The hadith also mentions that Paradise has one hundred (levels), and believers are encouraged to ask Allah for Al-Firdaus, the highest and most excellent part of Paradise. Thus, the Qur’an, its interpretation, and the hadith together show that fasting in Ramadan is not merely physical abstinence but a profound spiritual practice that purifies the soul, strengthens faith, and leads believers toward eternal success and the promise of Paradise.
Keywords: Ramadan Fasting, Qur’an, Patience and Self-Control, Promise of Paradise, Teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Al-Firdaus, Faith and Righteousness
Allah almighty said in Quran:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَي الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ۔آلقرآن،آلبقرۃ:183۔
O ye who believe! prescribed unto you is fasting even as it was prescribed unto those before you, that haply ye may fear God.
Interpretation:
( O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you) for a specific number of days; it is said that this means: fasting is prescribed for you: you abstain from eating and drinking and from sexual intercourse from thedawn prayer or from the time one sleeps before the dawn prayer, (even as it was prescribed for thosebefore you) for the people of the Book, (that ye may ward off (evil) ) that you may ward off eating, drinking and sexual intercourse after the last night prayer or before sleeping after the last night prayer. However, this is abrogated by the verses: (It is made lawful for you to go unto your wives on the night of the fast) and (and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn).
The Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) Said:
أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ للَّهُ 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 السَّمَائِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَاسْأَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ فَإِنَّهُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَعْلَی الْجَنَّةِ أُرَاهُ فَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَمِنْهُ تَفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَفَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Hadith Number 65))
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):
The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s Cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Apostle (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) ! Shall we acquaint the people with the is good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (i.e. The sub-narrator added, “I think the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) also said, ‘Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.”)
Conclusion
In the light of the teachings of the Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183), the interpretation of the verse, and the authentic hadith, the true wisdom and importance of fasting in Ramadan become clearly evident. The Qur’an declares fasting as an obligation upon believers with the main objective of achieving taqwa (God-consciousness). The explanation of this verse shows that fasting is not merely refraining from food and drink, but a complete spiritual training that develops self-discipline, patience, sincerity, and obedience to Allah. Through fasting, a believer learns to control desires, purify the heart, and strengthen faith, thereby drawing closer to the Creator.Furthermore, the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah in Sahih Bukhari highlights the immense reward for those who believe in Allah, establish prayer, and fast during Ramadan. Such individuals are promised Paradise, and believers are encouraged to seek Al-Firdaus, the highest and most excellent level of Paradise. Together, the Qur’an, its interpretation, and the hadith demonstrate that Ramadan fasting is a profound journey of spiritual growth, moral refinement, and eternal success, leading ultimately to Allah’s mercy and the promise of Paradise.
