The month of Ramadan, in which the Quran was sent down as a guide to the people and a clarification of the guidance and the criterion. Therefore, those of you who witness the month shall fast therein. Whoever is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days. God wants to bring you ease and not to bring you hardship; and so that you may complete the count, and glorify God because He has guided you, that you may be thankful.
Translation endnotes
[2:183-187] Fasting, like timely prayers, the annual conference in Mecca and purification of blessings via sharing, originates from Abraham (22:73, 78). We are informed of any modification or correction in the ritual. For instance, verse 2:187 gives permission for sexual intercourse during the nights of Ramadan. Furthermore, the sectarian penalty of 60-day fasting for breaking the fast before sunset contradicts the Quran. The Quran makes no such distinction and considers breaking the fast before sunset to be equivalent to not fasting at all; it suggests a one-day-forone-day make up for the days missed.