The Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most comprehensive chapters of the Holy Quran, presents an integrated system of divine rulings, knowledge, and guidance. Verse 185 of this Surah, with a focus on fasting during the month of Ramadan and the revelation of the Quran, establishes a profound connection between worship and gnosis. This verse introduces fasting not merely as a juridical obligation but as a bridge towards divine perfections and divine guidance. This treatise adopts a scientific, etymological, and epistemological approach to analyse the vocabulary and concepts of this verse in order to elucidate the position of fasting within the epistemic system of Islam. The present text, integrating lecture insights and supplementary analyses, examines fasting in the context of the Quranic revelation and divine guidance, and reinterprets its deep meanings within an academic framework.
Verse 185 of Surah Al-Baqarah is considered lengthy due to encompassing scientific, etymological, and epistemological backgrounds. This verse presents a collection of rulings and knowledge, which not only pronounces a juridical ruling but also situates it within a context of divine guidance and perfections.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ
Translation: The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it.
The Holy Quran, in articulating rulings such as fasting, avoids presenting a rigid or bare command; instead, it accompanies the ruling with knowledge, rationales, and divine signs. This approach elevates a ruling like fasting from mere outward observance to epistemic profundity. Contrary to certain jurisprudential methodologies that issue rulings without attention to their context or purpose, verse 185 places fasting within the framework of the Qurans revelation and divine guidance. This method prevents superficial fixation on the form of rulings and guides towards comprehension of deeper meanings.
Jurisprudential methods devoid of contextual awareness (recognition of social, psychological, and environmental conditions) and criterion-based analysis (the objective and philosophy of the ruling) fail to adequately address contemporary needs. Fasting, as a purposeful ruling, is presented in verse 185 with epistemic reasoning and in connection with guidance and criterion to avert harshness and superficiality. This approach indicates the necessity to revisit scientific religious methodologies so that rulings may be elucidated with regard to temporal and spatial contexts.
Verse 185 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by presenting fasting within the context of knowledge and divine guidance, exemplifies the systematic nature of the Quran in explicating rulings. This verse, with its rich content and association with the Qurans revelation, transforms fasting into an epistemic and purposeful practice. Criticism of approaches lacking rationality and emphasis on contextual understanding paves the way for a more dynamic comprehension of rulings.
The term Shahr in the Holy Quran refers to temporal and spatial extension. Spatially, it relates to geography (such as the city of Qom or Tehran), and temporally, it denotes a historical period or the moons orbit around the earth. In verse 185, Shahr refers to the temporal period of Ramadan, which is introduced as the framework for fasting and the revelation of the Quran. This temporal extension corresponds with the lunar calendar cycle (approximately 30 days).
The word Shahr in Persian is derived from its Arabic root, reflecting cultural interaction between the two languages. This influence resulted from the dominance of Islam over Iranian culture, and Shahr is used in Persian in both spatial and temporal dimensions. In the Holy Quran, Shahr as a temporal vessel plays a key role in explicating fasting.
The moons orbit around the earth forms the basis of the lunar calendar and the designation of Shahr in the Quran. This movement is observable directly through sky observation without inquiry. In Islamic culture, the moons sighting determines the beginning of Ramadan, and verse 185, with the phrase So whoever among you witnesses the month, emphasises this observation.
The word Ramadan stems from the root ramad, meaning heat, warmth, or burning. This denomination arose because Ramadan originally occurred during the summer season at the time of legislation. Although Ramadan now may fall in other seasons according to the modern calendar, its etymological meaning refers to hardship and restraint in fasting.
Names such as Ramadan and Muharram relate to the historical and climatic conditions prevailing when they occurred (heat and thirst). This correspondence illustrates the link between rulings and their historical contexts. Fasting in Ramadan, amidst the intensity of heat, aids in the reinforcement of willpower and gnosis.
The Quran only mentions Ramadan, the twelve months, and the four forbidden months, without naming other months (such as Shaban). This limitation reflects the Qurans focus on Ramadan as the vessel for fasting and the revelation of the Quran.
The lexical analysis of verse 185, including the terms Shahr and Ramadan, reveals the verses etymological and epistemic depth. These terms situate fasting within the framework of cosmic order and divine guidance, unveiling the link between worship and nature. The etymology aids in better understanding the position of Ramadan and fasting within the Quranic system.
Verse 185, by emphasising the revelation of the Holy Qur
