2.Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ...

2: 185. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'án, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).

C192. Judgment (between right and wrong):

Furqan: the criterion or standard by which we judge between right and wrong. See 2:53 n. 68.

... فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ...

So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting,

... وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ...

but if anyone is ill or on a journey, the prescribed period, (should be made up) by days later.

... يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ...

Allah intends every facility for you, He does not want to put you to difficulties.

... وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ ...

(He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you;

C193. The regulations are again and again coupled with an insistence on two things:

- the facilities and concessions given, and

- the spiritual significance of the fast, without which it is like an empty shell without a kernel.

If we realise this, we shall look upon Ramadhan, not as a burden, but as a blessing, and shall be duly grateful for the lead given to us in this matter.

... وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥﴾

and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Other versions:

2: 185

Asad It was the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self- evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ell, or o a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol God for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].

Pickthall The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.

Transliteration Syahru ramada_nal lazi unzila fihil qur'a_nu hudal lin na_si wa bayyina_tim minal huda_ wal furqa_n(i), faman syahida minkumusy syahra fal yasumh(u), wa man ka_na maridan au 'ala_ safarin fa'iddatum min ayya_min ukhar(a), yuridulla_hu bikumul yusra wa la_ yuridu bikumul'usr(a), wa litukmilul 'iddata wa litukabbirulla_ha'ala_ ma_ hada_kum wa la'allakum tasykuru_n(a).