哦，信道的人们！斋戒已被规定给你们，正如它曾被规定给你们之前的人们，以便你们敬畏真主。199

O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become more mindful of Allah.199

斋戒是伊斯兰教的另一根支柱，全世界有十多亿穆斯林在伊斯兰历的斋月中实行斋戒，此外一年中的其他时候也会定期斋戒。从黎明到日落，穆斯林为了对造物主的虔诚，戒除饮食、饮水和夫妻之事。这种对情欲的约束滋养人的灵性，加强宗教良知，并培养对真主的诚心——因为只有真主时刻注视着你。它也教人在生活的其他方面克制自己，因此先知穆罕默德ﷺ告诉我们：“凡斋戒时不戒除恶言的人，[应知]真主并不需要他戒除饮食。”200 当然，斋戒也让穆斯林体验饥饿与不适，从而对贫困者和受压迫者产生同理心。正因如此，先知穆罕默德ﷺ在斋月中格外慷慨施舍，201 并在月末为信徒规定了必纳的济贫捐（开斋捐 Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr）。

Fasting is another pillar of Islam, practiced by over a billion Muslims worldwide during the lunar month of Ramadan and periodically at other times of the year. From dawn until sunset, a Muslim abstains from food, drink, and conjugal relations out of devotion to his or her Creator. This restriction of the carnal appetites feeds one’s spirituality, reinforces the religious conscience, and cultivates sincerity with God—for only God is always watchful of you. It also teaches self-restraint in other spheres of life, and thus the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم informed us, “Whoever does not give up foul speech while fasting, [know that] Allah has no need for this person to give up food and drink.”200 Of course, fasting also allows a Muslim to experience hunger and discomfort, generating empathy for the underprivileged and downtrodden. For that reason, the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would outdo himself in generosity during Ramadan,201 and obligated his followers with a mandatory charity (Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr) at the month’s end.