Al Hadith - Fasting (Sawm)

Fasting

♣ Allah's Apostle Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is Allah's Apostle.

2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.

3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .

4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)

5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 1, Book 2, Number 7

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting 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 tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118

♣ The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe 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 fasts?' 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."

Narrated by Sahl (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 122

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) 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."

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123 &

Sahih Muslim - Book 006, Hadith Number 2361.

♣ I heard Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)".

Narrated by Ibn Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 124

Sahih Muslim - Book 006, Hadith Number 2363.

♣ The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125

♣ The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)."

Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 130

♣ Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha'ban as thirty days."

Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 131

♣ The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it."

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 146

♣ Abdullah bin Shaqeeq RadhiAllahu 'Anhu reports: "I inquired from 'Aayeshah RadhiAllahu 'Anha regarding the (nafil) saum of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. She replied: 'At times Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam fasted continuously. We used to say, he will keep on fasting (this month). At times he did not fast, till we began thinking he will not fast (that month). Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not fast for a month after he came to Madinah, besides the fasts of Ramadhan'".

Narrated by Abdullah bin Shaqeeq (RadiyAllahu Anhu)

Book - Shama-il Tirmidhi - Chapter 042, Hadith Number 001 (281)