The History Behind Fasting During Ramadan

[Before the reader is a brief article about the importance and history of
Ramadān. I ask Allāh, The Most High, to benefit us by way of it]:

Fasting the month of Ramadān was made obligatory (wājib) during the
month of Sh’abān, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from
Makkah to Madīnah. Therefore, the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace
be upon him, by scholarly consensus (al-Ijmā’), fasted the month of
Ramadān nine times.
Fasting during the month of Ramadān is one of the pillars of Islām, and its
obligation is of great magnitude. The Qurān, Prophetic tradition, and
scholarly agreement all testify to the fact that fasting during the month of
Ramadān is obligatory:

1. As for the Qurān, Allāh, the Most High, says (i.e. its meaning): “Fasting
[the month of Ramadān] has been made obligatory upon you.” [Sūrah al-
Baqarah (2): 183]
2. As for Prophetic tradition, the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace
upon him, said: “The religion of Islām is built on five [things]”, and he,
prayers and peace upon him, mentioned from them “the fast of Ramādan.”
[Muslim #16] There are also many other Prophetic traditions that mention
that fasting during the month of Ramadān is obligatory.
3. There is a scholarly consensus [that fasting the month of Ramadān is
obligatory].

[Additonally], before fasting during the month Ramadān became obligatory,

there were three stages:

The First Stage: Fasting the day of ‘Āshūrā (1) was made obligatory.

The Second Stage: The Muslims were given the option of either fasting
during the month of Ramadān or feeding a poor person for each day they did
not fast:

Allāh, The Most High, says:

“And those who are able to fast, they have the choice of either fasting
or feeding a poor person.” [Sūrah al-Baqarah (2): 284]

The Third Stage: Fasting the month of Ramaḍān became obligatory without
choice.

Allāh, The Most High, says:

“...So whoever from amongst you sights the crescent of the month of

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Ramadān, he must fast the month of Ramadān...” [Sūrah al-Baqarah (2):
185]

Important Point: The wisdom behind these stages is that fasting during
Ramadān contains a bit of hardship. With that being the case, Islamic
legislation considered this slight hardship by gradually and progressively
establishing the fact that fasting during the month of Ramadān would be
obligatory.

I ask Allāh, The Most High, to make us from those who fulfill our duty of
fasting during the month of Ramadān. I also ask Him, The Most High, to
forgive and pardon us our sins during this blessed month.

[Strengthen Your Understanding]:

1. In what month and year did fasting during the month of Ramadān
become obligatory?

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2. How many times did the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace be upon
him, fast Ramadān?

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3. Fasting during the month of Ramadān is a pillar of Islām. (true / false)

4. Mention a proof illustrating that fasting during the month of Ramadān is

obligatory.

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5. Mention what you know about fasting the day of ‘Āshūra.

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6. Mention a proof that the Muslims were once given a choice between
fasting during the month Ramadān and feeding a poor person for each day
they did not fast.

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7. Mention the three stages in which fasting during the month of Ramadān
becoming obligatory.

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8. Why wasn’t fasting during the month of Ramadān made obligatory

immediately?
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Complied and translated by:

Jamīl Finch
Umm al-Qurā University
Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ramaḍān 1, 1431 / August 11, 2010

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