شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ 185
Translations
The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
Transliteration
Shahru Ramadana alladhee unzila feehi al-Qur'anu hudan lil-nasi wa bayyinatin mina al-huda wa al-Furqan. Faman shahida minkumu al-shahra falyas-umhu wa man kana maridan aw ala safarin fa'iddatun min ayyamin ukhra. Yureedu Allahu bikumu al-yusr wa la yureedu bikumu al-'usr wa litukmiloo al-'iddah wa litukabbiroo Allaha ala ma hadakum wa la'allakum tashkurun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the obligation of fasting during Ramadan while highlighting that the Qur'an was revealed in this blessed month as guidance and criterion between truth and falsehood. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Allah commands the fasting of those who witness the month, while providing concessions for the ill and travelers to fast on other days, demonstrating that Islamic law is built upon ease (yusr) rather than hardship. The ayah concludes with the wisdom of fasting: to complete the prescribed number of days, magnify Allah for His guidance, and cultivate gratitude.
Revelation Context
This verse was revealed in Medina during the second year of Hijrah, establishing the formal obligation of fasting in Ramadan. It comes after verses discussing the change of the qiblah and contextualizes fasting as a means of spiritual discipline and remembrance of divine blessing, particularly the revelation of the Qur'an itself.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and sincerity, his previous sins will be forgiven.' Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, 'The month of Ramadan is such that when it comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Ramadan is fundamentally about spiritual transformation through the Qur'an and disciplined devotion, with Islam offering mercy through reasonable accommodations for those facing hardship. Believers should approach fasting not as burdensome obligation but as an opportunity to magnify Allah and cultivate gratitude for His guidance.
Related Ayahs
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
They ask you, [O Muḥammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّى وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّىٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةًۢ بِيَدِهِۦ ۚ فَشَرِبُوا۟ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ قَالُوا۟ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةًۢ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allāh will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allāh said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allāh. And Allāh is with the patient."
فَمَنۢ بَدَّلَهُۥ بَعْدَ مَا سَمِعَهُۥ فَإِنَّمَآ إِثْمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Then whoever alters it [i.e., the bequest] after he has heard it - the sin is only upon those who have altered it. Indeed, Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.