What is Ramadan, and why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Question

Please no shi*posting, I genuinely want to know.

In: Other

Answer 1

Thanks for your question.

Ramadan is simply a month in the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle.

A lot of Muslims might initially respond to this question by saying something along the lines of “So that you can learn what it’s like to be hungry and therefore be more likely and willing to help feed the poor”. While this is partly a reason for fasting, it’s not the main one.

The reason for why fasting is prescribed for Muslims can be found in verses 183 to 185 of the second chapter of the Quran: https://quran.com/2/183-185?reading=false

With the main reason being from the 183rd verse which states:

>O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous

The last word here is translated to “righteous”. But this word doesn’t help convey what the actual Arabic meaning is. The meaning of the word is explained in a conversation between two companions of the Prophet (pbuh), Umar Ibn Al-Khattab and Ubay Ibn Ka’ab, where Umar asked Ubay what “Taqwa” is.

He replied,

>“Have you ever taken a thorny path?” Umar replied, “Yes I have.” Ubay then asked, “So how did you travel along this thorny path?” Umar replied, “I rolled up my garment and was cautious as to where I would tread to avoid being pricked by the thorns.” So Ubay responded and said, “This is Taqwa.”

The explanation of the above is that Taqwa is when a person is mindful and aware that they need to be careful to avoid sinning.

In another narration of the Prophet (pbuh),

>”Fasting is a shield, so the one who fasts should avoid obscene speech and ignorant behavior. If someone abuses him or starts to fight with him, he should reply by saying: ‘I am fasting. I am fasting’.”

So we can now explain that the reason for fasting is to help develop a person’s “Taqwa”.

As for why it is prescribed in the month of Ramadan only, the reason for that is because Ramadan is the most sacred month in Islam. The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) on the 27th night of Ramadan.

I wanted to avoid the stereotypical answer of “because God tells them to” in this reply. It is true that being commanded by God is a valid reason for a Muslim to do something, I wanted highlight the actual reasoning that is given by God himself for why fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy Muslims.