The spirit of Ramadan: fasting, mercy and renewal

1Why Muslims fast

'O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous (taqwa)' (Qur'an 2:183). The purpose named in the verse is God-consciousness — which is why Ramadan is treated as a training month meant to last beyond itself.

2The month of the Qur'an

'The month of Ramadan [is that] in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance for mankind' (Qur'an 2:185). The Qur'an, revealed in a month, is the centre of Ramadan: recitation, reflection and acting on it are the month's work, not its decoration.

3The Night of Decree

'Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree… The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months' (Qur'an 97:1–3). The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have sought it in the last ten nights, especially the odd ones — so Ramadan ends with its most intense worship.

4Carry the month forward

The most common lament about Ramadan is that its change vanishes with Eid. Guard it by choosing exactly one habit to keep — a daily verse, one prayer on time, a fixed sadaqah, a page of Qur'an — and protect it in the months after, when no one is watching.

Names of Allah in this article