22 Benefits Extracted By Shaykh al-‘Uthaymīn from the Verses of Fasting (Al-Baqarah:183-186)
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O you who believe! Observing As-Ṣaum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqūn (the pious – see V. 2:2).
أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
[Observing Ṣaum (fasts)] 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 Miskīn (poor person) (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.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
The month of Ramaḍān in which was revealed the Qurān, 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 Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Ṣaum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Ṣaum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allāh 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 Allāh [i.e. to say Takbir (Allāhu-Akbar; Allāh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramaḍān and Shawwāl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
And when My slaves ask you (O Muḥammad ṣallallāhu alaihi wa salam) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣālih al-‘Uthaymīn(raḥimahullāh) extrapolates 22 benefits from the 4 āyāt of Al-Baqarah:183-186:
- The obligation of fasting Ramaḍān upon this nation.
- That fasting was obligatory upon those who came before us from other nations.
- The importance of fasting, since it was obligatory upon all of the nations.
- The tremendous wisdom of fasting is to attain the Taqwa of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
- That fasting is an easy obligation; in that it is not performed for years or months; rather it is only for a fixed number of days, specified for this nation during the month of Ramaḍān.
- Fasting is not obligatory to be performed by the sick person, who fasting is difficult upon, or the traveller.
- At the beginning of the obligation of fasting, the people had the choice between fasting or feeding a person, this was to make it easy for the people and to allow them to adjust to the obligation of fasting.
- Affairs wherein there is difficulty on the souls, then there is wisdom in the Islamic legislation in progressing gradually.
- The specifying of Ramaḍān for the obligation of fasting upon this nation.
- The wisdom behind specifying Ramadhan for fasting, is that the Qurān was revealed in it.
- The virtue of the Qurān, due to that which is mentioned of its tremendous characteristics.
- An exhortation and encouragement to return to the Qurān for whosoever desires guidance and beneficial knowledge.
- Clarification that Allāh wants for this nation, ease in their religion.
- Affirmation of the Will of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
- Allah wants from us to complete the period (of fasting) and to glorify him due to Him guiding us.
- It is obligatory to make up the amount of fasts that were not kept in Ramadhān, even if it was 29 days (of fasts to catch up).
- Carrying out and establishing acts of worship is from showing thanks and gratitude to Allah (The Most High).
- Allah blessing upon his servants by clarifying that which they asked about Him.
- Allah is close to His servants by way of His Vast Knowledge of them.
- Allah answers the call of the supplicant, who supplicates to Him, when he supplicates to Him with sincerity and truthfulness.
- The obligation of seeking after the answering of a request of Allāh to your supplications and having ēmān in Him.
- Seeking Allāh’s response and answering of your request and having ēmān in Him is guidance and a cause of guidance in all deeds.
Al-ilmām bi b’ad Āyāt al-Ahkhām Tafsīran wa Istimbātan Pgs. 256-257
