Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam. Such is its rank in the religion, and it is obligatory by unanimous agreement of the Muslims, for both the Qur’an and the Sunnah unequivocally establish it.

The author then cites the verses that prove this, saying: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become mindful of Allah” (Q 2:183). Allah directed this address to the believers because fasting Ramadan flows from faith itself; fasting perfects faith, while neglecting it detracts from faith.

The jurists have differed concerning the one who abandons the fast out of indifference or laziness: does such a person become a disbeliever or not? The sound position is that he does not become a disbeliever, for no one is ruled an unbeliever for abandoning any pillar of Islam other than the two testimonies of faith and the prayer.

His words, “prescribed for you is fasting,” mean “made obligatory for you,” and “as it was prescribed” means “as it was made obligatory” “for those before you.” Allah mentioned that He had enjoined it upon earlier communities—something He did not say about the prayer—because fasting involves hardship, exertion, and the abandonment of familiar comforts. In the heat of summer and the long daylight hours, it weighs heavily upon the soul. By telling us that He had obligated it on those before us, Allah consoles us, for when a person knows that others share the same burden, it becomes lighter. He also mentions this to show that He, exalted is He, has perfected virtues for us just as He perfected—according to His will—the virtues of those who came before.

His statement, “so that you may become mindful of Allah,” means: in order that you fear Him, for fasting is a shield. It protects you from sins and guards you from the Fire, for whoever fasts Ramadan with faith