Lessons about Ramadan from the Qur’an

Bismillah.

In Surah al-Baqarah (2:185) Allah says,

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days must be made up) from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.

1. "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an"

A. We know from Hadith that the beginning of Surah al-Alaq [96] were the first verses that were revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

B. We also know that it was in Ramadan that Jibril (alayhis salam) would come to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in Ramadan so the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) coould recite the Qur’an to him.

C. We should try to increase out connection with the Qur’an during this blessed month.

2. "a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)"

A. The Qur’an is the only guidance from Allah that has not been corrupted. It is the guidance for the believers until the Day of Judgement. 

B. Every verse of the Qur’an is called ayah meaning ‘sign’, which means that every verse is a proof of the Qur’an’s divine nature and Allah’s greatness.

C. The Qur’an is also our criterion or yard-stick to know what is right and what is wrong. For this reasons what is halal and haram is mentioned in the Qur’an.

3. "So whoever of you sights (the crescent of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month"

A. Ramadan is a lunar month, so its beginning always starts with the sighting of the new crescent.

B. On this note, there are legitimate differences of opinion among different scholar about what exactly sighting the moon means. Some believe it to be sighting with the naked eye, while others permitted the use of telescopes. Some believed in only local sightings, while others believed in regional and international sightings. All these opinions are legitimate and we should not argue with one another about them. We should respect each other’s decision and be brothers in Islam. 

C. We must remember that the Sirat-ul-Mustaqeemis wide and that all Muslims sincerely following the Qur’an and Sunnah are upon it.

4. "whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days must be made up) from other days"

A. Those who are sick or on a journey are exempt from fasting until they get better or when they reach home for the traveller.

5. "Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you"

A. Allah reminds us that He does not want to make life difficult for us.

B. If a person is sick or travelling, one should not fast even if you can as Allah has given you ease over hardship.

6. "(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days)"

A. So once a sick gets better or the traveller returns home from their journey they must make up the days which they did not fast.

7. "and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him"

A. Glorify Allah during this month by making lots of du’a, praying sunnah, nafl and tarawih, as well as making a lot of dhikr.

Take home message:

1. Increase our connection with the Qur’an.
2. Do not argue about the sighting of the moon.
3. If you are sick or travelling don’t fast.
4. Increase your Ibadah, that is du’a, salah and dhikr.