FASTING IN ISLAM

 O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing, (Qur'an 2:183) 

The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. But the one who is sick, or is on a journey (should fast)  as much from other days (as he missed). Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you. All this is so that you may complete the number (of fasts as prescribed) and proclaim the Takbir of Allah for having guided you, and (so) that you may be grateful. (Qur'an 2:185)

  Narrated Ibn 'Umar (R.A)The Prophet observed the Saum (fast) on the 10th of Muharram ('Ashura'), and ordered (Muslims) to observe Saum (fast) on that day, but when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, the fasting of the 'Ashura' was abandoned. 'Abdullali did not use to observe fast on that day unless it coincided with his routine fasting by chance. (Sahih Bukhari 1892).

Narrated AbU Hurairah (R.A) Allah's Messenger said, "Saum (fasting) is a shield (or a screen or a shelter from the Hell-fire. So, the person observing Saum (fast) should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say to him twice, 'I am observing Saum (fast)." The Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h) added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a person observing saum (fast) is better with A1lah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink ad sexual desires for My sake. The Saum (tast) is for Me . So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."(Sahih Bukhari 1894)

Narrated SahI (R.A) The Prophet (pbuh) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe Saum (fasts) will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe Saum (fast)?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."(Sahih Bukhari 1896)

Narrated Abti Hurairah (R.A) Allah's Messenger said, "When (the month of) Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."(Sahih Bukhari 1898)

Narrated AbU Hurairah Allah's Messenger said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."(Sahih Bukhari 1899)

 Narrated Abu Hurairah (R.A) The Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever established salat (prayer) on the night of Qadr with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever observes Saum (fasts) in the month of Ramadan with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."(Sahih Bukhari 1901)

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (R.A) The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibril (Gabriel) visited him, and JibrIl used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) used to recite the Noble Qur'an to Jibril, and when Jibril met him, he used to be more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allah with glad tidings (rain) in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds.].(Sahih Bukhari 1902)

 Narrated AbU Hurairah  Allah's Messenger said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except Saum (fasting) which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Observing saum (fast) is a shield or protection (from the Hell-fire and from committing sins). If one of you is observing Saum (fast), he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am observing Saum (fast).' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the person observing aum, one at the time of Iftãr (breaking his fast), and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his saum (fasting) ."(Sahih Bukhari 1904)

Narrated 'Aishah (R.A) The Prophet  Muhammad (p.b.u.h)used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was observing .saum (fast), and he had more power to control his desires than any of you. Jabir bin Zaid said, "If a man gets a sexual discharge as a result of casting a look (at his wife) should complete his Saum (fast) ."(Sahih Bukhari 1927)

 Narrated Hishãm's father: 'Aishah said, "Allah's Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) used to kiss some of his wives while he was observing saum (fast) ," and then she smiled. (Sahih Bukhari 1928)

Narrated Abfl Bakr bin 'Abdur- Rahmãn: My father and I went to 'Aishah and she said, "I testify that Allah's Messenger ; at times used to get up in the morning in a state of Janaba from sexual intercourse, not from a wet dream and then he would observe Saum (fast) that day."(Sahih Bukhari 1931)

Narrated Abu Hurairah While we were sitting with the Prophet Muhammad  (pbuh) a man came and said, "O Allah's Messenger! I have been ruined." Allah's Messenger asked what was the matter with him. He replied, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was observing Saum (fast)." Allah's Messenger  asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Messenger ; asked him, "Can you observe Saum (fast) for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ; asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ; kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet . He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet  said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah; there is no family between its (i.e., Al-Madina's) two mountains who are poorer than L" The Prophet smiled till his premolar teeth became visible and then said, "Feed your family with it."(Sahih Bukhari 1936)

Narrated 'Aishah  the wife of the Prophet h: Uamza bin 'Amr Al Aslami asked the Prophet  "Should I  observe Saum (fast) while travelling?" The . Prophet replied, "You may observe Saum (fast) if you wish, and you may not observe Saum (fast) if you wish." (Sahih Bukhari 1943)