The
fast of ramadan, according to the Qur'an,sunnah
and consensus, is obligatory.
The
evidence from the Qur'an consists of
thefollowing two verses: "O you who
believe,fasting is prescribed for you as it
wasprescribed for the people before you in
orderfor you to gain God-consciousness, and,"
..The month of Ramadan, during which theQur'an
was revealed, a guidance for mankind,and
clear proofs of the guidance and thecriterion;
and whoever of you is resident, let him fast
the month [2:185]
From
the sunnah we have the following statements
of the Prophet: " Islam is built upon
the five pillars: testifying that there is no
God except Allah and that Muhammad is His
Messenger, the establishment of prayer, the
giving of zakah, the fast of Ramadan and the
pilgrimage to Makkah." Talhah ibn
Ubaidulah reported that a man came to
theProphet and said " O Messenger of
Allah, tell me what Allah requires of me as
regards fasting." He answered, "
The month of Ramadan." The man asked
" Is there any other fast?" The
prophet said " No unless you do so
voluntarily."
The
whole Muslim ummah agrees that the fastof
Ramadan is obligatory. It is one of the
pillars of Islam, and if one disputes this he
cannot be called Muslim. [it was made
obligatory during the year 2 A.H.]