2. Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ ...

2: 184. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days;

C189. This verse should be read with the following verses, 185-88, in order that the incidents of the physical fast may be fully understood with reference to its spiritual meaning.

The Muslim fast is not meant for self-torture. Although it is stricter than other fasts, it also provides alleviations for special circumstances. If it were merely a temporary abstention from food and drink, it would be salutary, to many people, who habitually eat and drink to excess.

The instincts for food, drink, and sex are strong in the animal nature, and temporary restraints from all these enables the attention to be directed to higher things. This is necessary through prayer, contemplation and acts of charity, not of the showy kind, but by seeking out those really in need.

Certain standards are prescribed, but much higher standards are recommended.

... فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ...

but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.

C190. For journeys, a minimum standard of three marches is prescribed by some Commentators: others make it more precise by naming a distance of 16 farsakhs, equivalent to 48 miles. A journey of 8 or 9 miles on foot is more tiring than a similar one by bullock cart. There are various degrees of fatigue in riding a given distance on horseback or by camel or in a comfortable train or by motor car or by steamer, aeroplane, or airship.

In my opinion the standard must depend on the means of locomotion and on the relative resources of the traveler. It is better to determine it in each case according to circumstances. (R).

... وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ...

For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him,

C191. Those who can do it with hardship: such as aged people, or persons specially circumstanced.

The Shafi'is would include a woman expecting a child, or one who is nursing a baby, but on this point opinion is not unanimous, some holding that they ought to put in the fasts later, when they can.

... وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨٤﴾

and it is better for you, that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Other versions:

2: 184

Asad [fasting] during a certain number of days [note 155]. But whoever of you is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days; and [in such cases ] it is incumbent upon those who can afford it to make sacrifice by feeding a needy person.

And whoever does more good than he is bound to do does good unto himself thereby; for to fast is to do good unto yourselves – if you but know it.

Yusuf Ali (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.

Pickthall (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need. But whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know--

Transliteration Ayya_mam ma'du_da_t(in), faman ka_na minkum maridan au 'ala_ safarin fa 'iddatum min ayya_min ukhar(a), wa 'alal lazina yutiqu_na_ fidyatun ta'a_mu miskin(in), faman tatawwa'a khairan fa huwakhairul lah(u_), wa an tasu_mu_ khairul lakum in kuntum ta'lamu_n(a).