In this lecture, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan discusses three things about an Ayah from Surah Al Baqarah. One of them is the placement of this Ayah. The story begins with the beginning of Surah Al Baqarah and reaches a point when Ramadan is given to the Ummah - how Allah SWT builds the argument and finally reveals to us this incredible gift. He also shares certain insights about the Ayah itself and also acquaints us with a clue that Allah gave us on how to make the most advantage of Ramadan.
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 185
Surah Baqarah is basically divided into two halves. The first half overwhelmingly deals with Bani Israel and the second half overwhelmingly deals with the Muslim Ummah. Quran is a guidance for people, the conversation no more about Ramadan it's about Quran. The Quran is so important in this Ayah that the subject of the month of Ramadan is stopped and the conversation began about the Quran itself - What Allah says about Quran in this Ayah.
Did the Muslims fast before Ramadan came? Yes, and Allah gave some rules. What were those rules? Listen intently to unravel the details.
Taqwa means consciousness and also ‘protection’. So, when we were given fasting, we were expected to get Taqwa. One can develop Taqwa hopefully by the act of fasting. What is the connection between one not drinking and eating and developing Taqwa? Not drinking and eating is something physical and we feel the effects of it physically. But Taqwa is something spiritual. Allah says to do something physical and then, Allah will help us attain spirituality.