Rulings on Fasting the Month of Ramadhan

Fasting of Ramadhan is obligatory as established by textual proofs from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, as well as by way of the general consensus of the Muslims.

Proofs from the Qur’an:

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183 -

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm [fasting] is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).”

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184 -

“[Observing Sawm] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.”

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185 -

“The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadhan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.”

Proofs from the Sunnah:

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"Islam is founded upon five (pillars): The testimony that there is no true god worthy of worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishment of salah (prayers), the payment of Zakat (obligated charity), the fast of Ramadhan, and the Pilgrimage to the House of Allah." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

"If you see it (the crescent of the new moon of Ramadhan) then fast." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Proofs from the general consensus of the Muslims:

There is decisive consensus amongst the Muslims that fasting of the month of Ramadhan is an obligatory worship the knowledge of which is inevitably known to be of Islam. Anyone who denies its obligation becomes a kaafir (disbeliever) unless he lives in a remote place whereby he does not know anything about the rulings of Islam, then he is to be taught and if then insists, after the proof is established upon him, then he commits kufr (disbelief). Anyone who abandons the fasting due to laziness while he testifies to its obligation then he is in a grave danger since some scholars consider him as an apostate kaafir. However the preponderating opinion is that he is not an apostate kafir but he is a rebellious fasiq (sinner) and he is indeed in a grave danger.