DAY 480: Baqarah 183-189

•  O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you¹—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. ˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew. Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺. It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them. Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves. So He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has prescribed for you. ˹You may˺ eat and drink until you see the light of dawn breaking the darkness of night, then complete the fast until nightfall. Do not be intimate with your spouses while you are meditating in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not exceed them. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to people, so they may become mindful ˹of Him˺. Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly, nor deliberately bribe authorities in order to devour a portion of others’ property, knowing that it is a sin. They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the phases of the moon. Say, “They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” Righteousness is not in entering your houses from the back doors. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful ˹of Allah˺. So enter your homes through their ˹proper˺ doors, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful. 
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  After defining true righteousness (177) and discussing retribution and wills (178–182), Allah now addresses the Muslim community directly: fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was for those before you. Then He gives permission for intimacy during the nights of Ramadan — a beautiful concession that shows God's understanding of human nature. Then a powerful verse about asking God directly: "When My servants ask you about Me — indeed I am near."
  Then a warning about a superstitious practice: some people, after entering a state of pilgrimage (ihram), would enter their houses from the back instead of the front, thinking this was piety. The Quran says: Righteousness is not entering from the back. Righteousness is fearing Allah. Enter houses from their doors.
  
  Be like Abraham, not like the Children of Israel — submit to truth, give what you love, keep your word, be patient, don't sell truth cheap, don't love what will leave you, and know that the One you call on is near — no membership required, just honesty and action.
  
  183    Fasting prescribed — to develop righteousness    Self-denial builds self-control.
  184    Limited days — with exceptions for sick and traveler, and ransom for those unable    Mercy is built into the command.
  185    Ramadan — Quran revealed as guidance. Fast if present. Ease, not hardship.    God wants ease, not suffering. Fasting is gratitude.
  186    "I am near. I answer the call of the caller."    No middleman needed. Call on Him directly.
  187    Intimacy permitted at night during Ramadan. Eat and drink until dawn.    God knows human nature. He makes things easier when needed.
  188    Do not consume wealth unjustly or through bribery    Worship does not cancel corruption.
  189    New moons are for time. Righteousness is not entering from the back. Enter houses from their doors.    Superstition is not piety. Face life directly.
  
  Fasting is prescribed to develop righteousness, with built-in mercy for the sick and traveling — and when you call on God, He is near, answering your call; so do not consume wealth unjustly, do not invent superstitious rituals like entering houses from the back, and enter life directly from the front door.
  
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