Q&A

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the great acts of worship ordained by Allah for Muslims and is a fundamental pillar of the five pillars of Islam. The obligation to fast was gradually established in Islam, as with many other rulings, until it became mandatory for every adult and capable Muslim. Allah mentions the obligation of fasting in the Qur’an and links it to piety and guidance:

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
(Al-Baqarah: 183)

When Was Fasting in Ramadan Made Obligatory?

Fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory in the second year after the Hijrah, when the Prophet ﷺ migrated from Mecca to Medina. Allah says:

“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the month, let him fast it.”
(Al-Baqarah: 185)

This was in the month of Sha’ban in the second year after the Hijrah, approximately one and a half years after the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Medina. The obligation of fasting was gradual; initially, Muslims were given the choice to fast or pay a fidya (compensation), then fasting became obligatory for every capable Muslim.

Gradual Obligation of Fasting

1. Stage One: Fasting was initially recommended, not obligatory. For example, the fasting on the day of Ashura was observed voluntarily before Ramadan became obligatory.
2. Stage Two: When Ramadan fasting was prescribed, Allah allowed Muslims to either fast or feed a needy person for each day they could not fast:

“And upon those who can fast with difficulty, a fidya – feeding a poor person.”
(Al-Baqarah: 184)

3. Stage Three: Fasting became obligatory for every adult, sane, and capable Muslim. Exceptions were made only for legitimate reasons such as illness or travel.

Allah prescribed fasting in Ramadan for a great wisdom: spiritual purification, self-discipline, and increasing piety. It was made obligatory in the second year after Hijrah and has remained a duty for Muslims since then. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Thus, the month of Ramadan remains a significant spiritual season for Muslims to increase piety and faith.