Fasting (Ramadhan)

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)

** Night Of Power (Night Of Qadr)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA) Allah's Messenger said, "Saum (fasting) is a shield 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 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 Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and sexual desires for my sake. The Saum (fast) 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 Sahl (RA)  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 Abu Hurairah (RA) 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 (RA) The Prophet (PBUH)  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 Abu Hurairah (RA) 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 saum, one at the time of Iftar (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 (RA) The Prophet 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 asexual discharge as a result of casting a look (at his wife) should complete his Saum (fast) ." (Sahih Bukhari :1927)

Narrated Abu Bakr bin 'Abdur- Rahman: 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 (RA) The Prophet said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his Saum (fast), for what he has eaten or drank, has been given to him by Allah." (Sahih Bukhari :1933)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA) on the authority  of the Prophet , "Whoever did not observe  Saum (fast) for one day of Ramadhan without genuine excuse or a disease, then even if he  observed Saum (fast) for a complete year, it would not compensate for that day."

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA) While we were sitting with the Prophet (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 (pbuh)  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 (pbuh)  kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates  was brought to the Prophet (pbuh)  He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet (pbuh)  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 I " 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 (pbuh)   Uamza bin 'Anir 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)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with them] that the Messenger of Allah forbade fasting on two days: The day of A1-Adha and the day of Al- Fitr (Sahih Muslim:2672)

It was narrated from 'Aishah [may Allah be pleased with her] that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever dies owing any (obligatory) fasts, his Wali (relative) should make themupon his behalf. (Sahih Muslim:2672)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with them] that the Prophet said: "If one of you starts his day fasting, let him not engage in any obscene or ignorant speech, and if someone insults him or argues with him, let him say: 'I am fasting, I am fasting (Sahih Muslim:2703)

Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with them] said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah it say: 'Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, says: "Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is for Me, and I shall reward for it." By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is better to Allah than the fragrance of musk." (Sahih Muslim:2704)

It was narrated that 'Aishah, the Mother of the Believers [may Allah be pleased with her], said: "The Messenger of Allah  used to fast until we said: 'He will not break his fast,' and he used not to fast until we said: 'He will not fast'. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah complete a month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Shaban." (Sahih Muslim:2721)

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with them] that the Prophet (pbuh) was asked: "Which prayer is best after the obligatory prayers, and which fasting is best after the month of Ramadan?" He said: "The best prayer after the prescribed prayer is prayer in the middle of the night, and the best fasting after the month of Ramadhan is fasting in the month of Allah, Muharram." (Sahih Muslim:2756)

It was narrated from Abu Ayyub Al- Ansari [may Allah be pleased with them] that the Messenger ofAllah said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted a lifetime." (Sahih Muslim:2758)

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar [may Allah be pleased with them] that some men among the Companions of the Prophet were shown Lailat Al-Qadr in their dreams, during the last seven (days of Ramadan). The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "I see that your dreams agree concerning the last seven (nights), so whoever wants to seek it, let him seek it in the last seven (nights)." (Sahih Muslim:2761)

It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar [may Allah be pleased with them] that the Messenger of Allah used to observe I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan. Nafi' said: "Abdullâh showed me the place where the Messenger of Allah used to observe I'tikaf in the Masjid." (Sahih Muslim:2781)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and stands (in the night prayer) for it out of faith and seeking a reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven what preceded of his sins. Whoever stands (in the night prayer) on the Night of Al-Qadr out of faith and seeking a reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven what preceded of his sins."(Tirmidhi:683)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever  does not leave false speech, and  acting according to it then Allah is  not in any need of him leaving his  food and his drink." (Tirmidhi:707)

Ibn 'Abbas narrated: "A woman came to the Prophet . and said: 'My sister died while she had two consecutive months of fasting due.' So he said: 'Do you not see that if there was a debt due from your sister then you would have to pay it?' She said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Then the right of Allah is more appropriate. (Tirmidhi:716)

'Abdullah bin 'Amir bin Rabi'ah narrated from his father who said: "I saw the Prophet - (a number of times) such that I was not able to count - using the Siwak (tooth-stick) while he was fasting. (Tirmidhi:725)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "A woman may not fast a day - other than in the month of Ramadan - while her husband is present, except with his permission." (Tirmidhi:782)