and in hope of reward, his past sins are forgiven. The words, “so that you may become mindful of Allah,” mean “for the sake of God-consciousness,” and this is the very wisdom behind making the fast obligatory. This is supported by the Prophet’s ﷺ saying: “Whoever does not give up false speech, acting upon it, and foolish behaviour, Allah has no need for him to abandon his food and drink.” Allah did not intend to torment His servants by depriving them of what they crave and are accustomed to; rather, He intended them to renounce false speech, its practice, and ignorance.

He then said, “a limited number of days.” He mentioned it in this reassuring manner to make clear that the obligation is not months or years, but only days—and not lengthy ones—just a few counted days.

“Whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then let him fast a number of other days.” This verse offers a second clarification: first, that the days are few; and second, that anyone who finds fasting difficult because of illness or travel may break the fast and must make up an equal number of days later.

“As for those who can bear it while residing, the ransom is to feed a poor person; but whoever volunteers extra, it is better for him, and to fast is better for you.” At the beginning, when Allah first prescribed fasting, He told those who were able: “Your duty is to provide the ransom of feeding one poor person for each day. If you give more in charity it is better for you, yet to fast is better for you.” Thus, at the first stage Allah gave people a choice: either to fast or to feed one poor person per day; afterwards, fasting alone became obligatory.