Obligation of Fasting

the month of ramadan has long ago been established as the month of fasting for muslims. but from where does the authority and instructions for its observance come? how can we know with certainty the correct performance and acceptability with allah the sublime?

we can begin by looking into the book of allah, the holy quran for foundation and authority of this blessed event in muslims traditions:

allah has said in surah baqarah:

 o you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may do your duty,

 on days which have been planned ahead. any of you who is ill or on a journey [should choose] a number of other days. for those who can [scarcely] afford it, making up for it means feeding a poor man. it is even better for anyone who can volunteer some wealth; although it is better yet for you to fast, if you only knew.

 the month of ramadan is when the quran was sent down as guidance, and as a standard. let any of you who is at home during the month, fast in it; while anyone who is ill or on a journey should [set an equal] number of other days. allah wants things to be easy for you and does not want any hardship for you, so complete the number and magnify allah because he has guided you, so that you may act grateful.

 whenever my servants ask you about me, [it means] i am near. i answer the appeal of the prayerful one whenever he appeals to me. let them respond to me, and believe in me so they may be directed!

 it is lawful for you to have intercourse with your wives on the night of the fast: they are garments for you while you are garments for them. allah knows how you have been deceiving yourselves, so he has relented towards you and pardoned you. now [feel free to] frequent them and seek what allah has prescribed for you. eat and drink until the white streak [of dawn] can be distinguished by you from the black thread [of night] at daybreak. then complete the fast until nightfall and have no dealings with women while you are secluded at your devotions in the masajid (mosques). such are the limits set by allah, so do not attempt to cross them! allah explains his signs to mankind so they may do their duty.

[noble quran 2:183-187]

translation of the meaning of the holy quran from the original arabic text to the english language by t. b. irving (al-hajj ta'lim 'ali)
amana books brattleboro, vermont - 1412 a. h. - 1992 a. d.

 performing the other acts of worship and duties is most important, and salah (ritualistic prayers) in particular, without which no other act of worship is accepted by allah. praying in congregation is a great aspect in our religion. everyone should attend: its reward is twenty seven times greater than that which is performed individually. the prophet (peace be upon him) was just about to burn the houses of those who did not attend the congregational prayers.