Oh you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those who were before you, in the hope that you will reach taqwa. (Quran 2: 183)

There are two things I want to just note in this beautiful verse.

A Gift of Honor

Allah Almighty, first of all, doesn’t just address anyone and everyone. This address is to a particular type of people. And if you consider yourself part of this group, then Allah has chosen you, he is addressing you.

He says:

Oh those who believe.

In Arabic language, when you say ‘Ayuha’, it is a form of respect and honor to a people when you address them, you’ve given them respect and a status of honor.

So it is amazing that Allah has given you this status of honor; He has called you those who believe.

Fasting in Ramadan is not for the people who like to show off on the outside. It is something that no one can really see in your actions; it is something that’s quite secret between you and Allah.

So for this reason, Allah began by saying:

Oh those who believe.

Belief is something which is a secret inside of your heart, so He is speaking to your hearts. This is something very intimate between you and Allah and it is connected to something called Rahmah (the Mercy of Allah).

I’m calling out to you, Oh those who believe, I have honored you. Only for you, I have written upon you fasting the month of Ramadan as I have written it upon those before you.

Read: Fasting in Different Religions

Meaning it’s not something new, it’s always been there, it’s always been with the Christians, with the Jews, it’s always been with every single nation or tribe that a Prophet came to you.

It is written upon you as it was written upon those before you.

It is as thought Allah is telling us that you are the final of these nations and you will carry the final command (of fasting) in the best form. And I will not command it ever again after you.

What will happen after you is the end of time.