Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ · Medinan · Verse 183 of 286

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

Translation

You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.

English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

Meaning and reflection

Wording

This blessed verse opens a profound instruction from Allah to the believers, calling them to an act of worship with deep wisdom.

The Special Call

The verse begins with "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا" (O you who have believed). This address is not a casual one. As Imam Ibn Ashur explains, this type of divine call signals Allah's great care and attention to the command that follows. It's a special invitation to those who have embraced faith, preparing their hearts for a significant injunction that carries great weight and importance in their spiritual journey.

A Divinely Decreed Obligation

The next phrase, "كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ" (Fasting has been prescribed upon you), uses a word that strongly denotes obligation. "Kutiba" (كُتِبَ) literally means "it has been written" or "decreed," making it unequivocally a mandatory act, not an option. The word "الصِّيَامُ" (as Ibn Ashur and al-Razi detail) linguistically refers to abstention or refraining from something. While it can apply to various forms of abstention (like refraining from speech, as in the story of Maryam), in the context of the Quran, it quickly came to signify the specific religious practice: abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn until sunset, with a pure intention to worship Allah.

A Universal Practice

The Quran then draws a powerful parallel: "كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ" (as it was prescribed upon those before you). This comparison serves several profound purposes, as noted by Ibn Ashur and al-Razi:
1. Elevating its status: It highlights the immense importance of fasting. This isn't a new or unique burden on this Ummah (nation); rather, it's an ancient, fundamental act of worship that Allah has ordained for righteous people throughout history. This shows its timeless value and the abundant reward inherent in it.
2. Easing the burden: Knowing that previous nations also undertook this demanding devotion makes it psychologically easier to accept. A shared struggle often feels less heavy, providing comfort and a sense of collective purpose for the believers.
3. Inspiring determination: This reminder also stirs the resolve of the believers, encouraging them to embrace fasting with strength and perhaps even to surpass previous nations in their devotion and commitment to this profound act of worship.

The Ultimate Goal: Piety

Finally, the verse articulates the profound wisdom behind this command: "لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ" (that you may become righteous, or attain piety). "Taqwa" (تَقْوَى) is a comprehensive term for God-consciousness, righteousness, and avoiding sins. As Ibn Ashur explains, fasting is a powerful means to cultivate *Taqwa* because it helps temper the natural human desires rooted in our physical being (like hunger, thirst, and intimacy). By consciously curbing these desires for a period, one develops greater control over impulses that might lead to sin. It elevates a person from material indulgence to a higher spiritual state, acting as a shield (جُنَّةٌ) against misdeeds, the punishment of the Hereafter, and even physical ailments. Through this self-restraint, believers can purify their souls, drawing closer to Allah and embodying the angelic qualities of patience and discipline.

Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn

Topics that discuss this verse

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 is discussed in 20 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.

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