يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

English translation:

O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.

Brief explanation:

This verse teaches that fasting is a command from God given not only to Muslims but also to earlier communities. The main purpose of fasting is to develop righteousness (taqwa), which means self-control, awareness of God, and avoiding wrongdoing. Fasting is therefore a spiritual practice that strengthens a person’s character and discipline, not just abstaining from food and drink.