🌙 Ramadan and Fasting
The Quran introduces fasting with the words “fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you,” and gives its purpose: that you may be mindful of God. The fast lasts a fixed number of days. Whoever is ill or on a journey makes up the same number of days later, and for those who can fast only with great difficulty there is a ransom of feeding a needy person. Another verse sets the daily limits: eat and drink until the white thread of dawn is distinct from the black, then complete the fast until nightfall.
Ramadan is the only month the Quran mentions by name. It is described as the month in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for people, and the passage adds that God wants ease for you and not hardship. Elsewhere the Quran says it was sent down on the Night of Decree, a night better than a thousand months, in which the angels and the Spirit descend and which is peace until dawn.
Fasting also appears outside Ramadan: as an expiation during the pilgrimage, for a broken oath and for killing by mistake, and Mary is told to say that she has vowed a fast to the Most Gracious. The verses below are grouped under three themes: the fast itself, the month and the Night, and other fasts.
The Fast Is Prescribed
- 2:183
Fasting is prescribed for believers as for those before, so they may be mindful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
야 아이유할 라ð디나 아마누 쿠티바 알라이쿠뭇 시야무 카마 쿠티바 알랄 라ð디나 민 까블리쿰 라알라쿰 탓타꾼
O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful [of God],
- 2:184
The fast is for fixed days; the ill or travelling make them up later.
أَيَّامًا مَعْدُودَاتٍ ۚ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ ۚ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
아이야맘 마으두다틴 f파만 카나 민쿰 마r리단 아우 알라 사f파r린 f파잇다툼 민 아이야민 우카r라 와알랄 라ð디나 유띠꾸나후 f피드야툰 따아무 미스키닌 f파만 타따우와아 카이r란 f파후와 카이r룰 라후 와안 타수무 카이r룰 라쿰 인 쿤툼 타을라문
for a fixed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then [let him fast] the same number of other days. And for those who can fast only with great difficulty there is a ransom: feeding a needy person. Whoever does more good of his own accord, it is better for him. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.
- 2:186
Amid the fasting verses, God says He is near and answers those who call.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
와이ð다 사알라카 이바디 안니 f파인니 까r리분 우지부 다으와탓 다이 이ð다 다아니 f팔야스타지부 리 왈유으미누 비 라알라훔 야r르슈둔
When My servants ask you about Me—I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be rightly guided.
- 2:187
Sets out the nights of the fast and its hours, from dawn until nightfall.
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنْكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنْتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
우힐라 라쿰 라일라탓 시야미 르r라f파θ수 일라 니사이쿰 훈나 리바술 라쿰 와안툼 리바술 라훈나 알리말 라후 안나쿰 쿤툼 타흐타누나 안f푸사쿰 f파타바 알라이쿰 와아f파 안쿰 f팔아나 바시r루훈나 와브타구 마 카타발 라후 라쿰 와쿨루 와시r라부 핫타 야타바이야나 라쿠물 카이뚤 아브야두 미날 카이띨 아스와디 미날 f파즈r리 θ숨마 아팀뭇 시야마 일랄 라일리 왈라 투바시r루훈나 와안툼 아키f푸나 f필 마사지디 틸카 후두둘 라히 f팔라 타끄r라부하 카ð달리카 유바이눌 라후 아야티히 린나시 라알라훔 얏타꾼
It is made lawful for you to go in to your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you in forgiveness and pardoned you. So now you may lie with them and seek what God has ordained for you. Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread, then complete the fast until nightfall. But do not lie with them while you are staying in devotion in the mosques. These are the limits set by God, so do not come near them. Thus God makes His signs clear to people, so that they may be mindful [of Him].
The Month of Ramadan and the Night of Decree
- 2:185
Ramadan is the month the Quran was sent down; God wants ease, not hardship.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
샤흐r루 r라마다날 라ð디 운질라 f피힐 꾸r르아누 후달 린나시 와바이나팀 미날 후다 왈f푸r르까니 f파만 샤히다 민쿠뭇 샤흐r라 f팔야숨후 와만 카나 마r리단 아우 알라 사f파r린 f파잇다툼 민 아이야민 우카r라 유r리둘 라후 비쿠물 유스r라 왈라 유r리두 비쿠물 우스r라 왈리투크밀룰 잇다타 왈리투캅비r룰 라하 알라 마 하다쿰 왈라알라쿰 타시쿠r룬
The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for people, with clear proofs of guidance and the Criterion. So whoever of you is present in the month, let him fast in it; and whoever is ill or on a journey, then [let him fast] the same number of other days. God wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you, and [He wants] you to complete the number [of days] and to proclaim God’s greatness for having guided you, so that you may be grateful.
- 97:1-3
The Quran was sent down on the Night of Decree, better than a thousand months.
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
인나 안잘나후 f피 라일라틸 까드r르
Indeed We sent it down on the Night of Decree.
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
와마 아드r라카 마 라일라툴 까드r르
And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is?
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
라일라툴 까드r리 카이r룸 민 알f피 샤흐r르
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
- 97:4-5
Angels and the Spirit descend that night, and it is peace until dawn.
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
타낫잘룰 말라이카투 와르r루후 f피하 비이ð드니 r랍비힘 민 쿨리 암r르
The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord with every matter.
سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
살라문 히야 핫타 마뜰라일 f파즈r르
Peace it is, until the rising of the dawn.
- 44:3-4
The Quran was sent down on a blessed night, when every wise matter is made distinct.
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ
인나 안잘나후 f피 라일라팀 무바r라카틴 인나 쿤나 문ð디r린
We sent it down on a blessed night. We have always been warning.
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
f피하 유f프r라꾸 쿨루 암r린 하킴
In it every wise matter is made distinct,
Other Fasts in the Quran
- 2:196
One who finds no sacrificial animal on pilgrimage fasts three days, then seven more.
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أَمِنْتُمْ فَمَنْ تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۚ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
와아팀물 핫자 왈움r라타 릴라히 f파인 우흐시r르툼 f파마 스타이사r라 미날 하드이 왈라 타흘리꾸 r루우사쿰 핫타 야블루갈 하드유 마힐라후 f파만 카나 민쿰 마r리단 아우 비히 아ð담 민 r라으시히 f파f피드야툼 민 시야민 아우 사다까틴 아우 누수킨 f파이ð다 아민툼 f파만 타맛타아 빌움r라티 일랄 핫지 f파마 스타이사r라 미날 하드이 f파말 람 야지드 f파시야무 θ살라θ사티 아이야민 f필 핫지 와사브아틴 이ð다 r라자으툼 틸카 아샤r라툰 카밀라툰 ð달리카 리말 람 야쿤 아흘루후 하디r릴 마스지딜 하r라미 왓타꿀 라하 와을라무 안날 라하 샤디둘 이까브
Complete the pilgrimage and the lesser pilgrimage for God. But if you are prevented, then [offer] whatever sacrificial animal is easy to obtain, and do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its place. Whoever of you is ill or has an ailment of the scalp must offer a ransom of fasting, charity or sacrifice. When you are safe, whoever combines the lesser pilgrimage with the pilgrimage must offer whatever sacrificial animal is easy to obtain. Whoever cannot find one must fast three days during the pilgrimage and seven when you have returned—that is ten in all. This is for one whose family does not live near the Sacred Mosque. Be mindful of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.
- 5:89
Fasting three days expiates a broken oath for one who cannot feed or clothe others.
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُمُ الْأَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ ۖ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمَانِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
라 유아키ð두쿠물 라후 빌라그위 f피 아이마니쿰 왈라킨 유아키ð두쿰 비마 악까드투물 아이마나 f파캅f파r라투후 이뜨아무 아샤r라티 마사키나 민 아우사띠 마 투뜨이무나 아흘리쿰 아우 키스와투훔 아우 타흐r리r루 r라까바틴 f파말 람 야지드 f파시야무 θ살라θ사티 아이야민 ð달리카 캅f파r라투 아이마니쿰 이ð다 할라f프툼 와흐f파ð두 아이마나쿰 카ð달리카 유바이눌 라후 라쿰 아야티히 라알라쿰 타시쿠r룬
God will not take you to task for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths you have firmly made. Its expiation is feeding ten needy people from the average of what you feed your own families, or clothing them, or freeing a slave. Whoever cannot find [the means] must fast for three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn [and broken them]. Keep your oaths. Thus God makes His verses clear to you, so that you may be grateful.
- 4:92
One who kills a believer by mistake and lacks means fasts two consecutive months.
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَنْ يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَأً ۚ وَمَنْ قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَأً فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَصَّدَّقُوا ۚ فَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَكُمْ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِيثَاقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
와마 카나 리무으미닌 안 약툴라 무으미난 일라 카따안 와만 까탈라 무으미난 카따안 f파타흐r리r루 r라까바팀 무으미나틴 와디야툼 무살라마툰 일라 아흘리히 일라 안 얏삿다꾸 f파인 카나 민 까우민 아두윌 라쿰 와후와 무으미눈 f파타흐r리r루 r라까바팀 무으미나틴 와인 카나 민 까우밈 바이나쿰 와바이나훔 미θ사꾼 f파디야툼 무살라마툰 일라 아흘리히 와타흐r리r루 r라까바팀 무으미나틴 f파말 람 야지드 f파시야무 샤흐r라이니 무타타비아이니 타우바탐 미날 라히 와카날 라후 알리만 하키마
It is not for a believer to kill a believer, except by mistake. Whoever kills a believer by mistake must free a believing slave and pay compensation to the victim's family, unless they forgo it as charity. If the victim was from a people hostile to you and was a believer, then [the penalty is] freeing a believing slave. If he was from a people with whom you have a treaty, then compensation must be paid to his family and a believing slave freed. Whoever cannot find [the means] must fast for two consecutive months, as repentance [accepted] by God. God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
- 58:4
One who retracts declaring his wife like his mother may fast two consecutive months.
فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَتَمَاسَّا ۖ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ ۗ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
f파말 람 야지드 f파시야무 샤흐r라이니 무타타비아이니 민 까블리 안 야타맛사 f파말 람 야스타띠으 f파이뜨아무 싯티나 미스키난 ð달리카 리투으미누 빌라히 와r라술리히 와틸카 후두둘 라히 왈릴카f피r리나 아ð다분 알림
And whoever does not find [the means] must fast for two consecutive months before the two touch each other. And whoever is unable must feed sixty poor people. That is so that you may believe in God and His Messenger. These are the limits set by God, and for the disbelievers there is a painful punishment.
- 19:26
Mary is told to say she has vowed a fast to the Most Gracious.
فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنْسِيًّا
f파쿨리 와시r라비 와까르r리 아이난 f파임마 타r라인나 미날 바샤r리 아하단 f파꿀리 인니 나ð다r르투 리르r라흐마니 사우만 f팔란 우칼리말 야우마 인시야
So eat and drink and be at peace. And if you see any person, say, ‘I have vowed a fast to the Most Gracious, so today I will not speak to any human being.’”
- 33:35
Men and women who fast are among those promised forgiveness and a great reward.
إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
인날 무슬리미나 왈무슬리마티 왈무으미니나 왈무으미나티 왈까니티나 왈까니타티 왓사디끼나 왓사디까티 왓사비r리나 왓사비r라티 왈카시이나 왈카시아티 왈무타삿디끼나 왈무타삿디까티 왓사이미나 왓사이마티 왈하f피ð디나 f푸r루자훔 왈하f피ð다티 왓ð다키r리날 라하 카θ시r란 왓ð다키r라티 아앗달 라후 라훔 마그f피r라탄 와아즈r란 아ð디마
For men and women who submit [to God], men and women who believe, men and women who are devout, men and women who are truthful, men and women who are patient, men and women who are humble, men and women who give in charity, men and women who fast, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember God often — for them God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.