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What is fasting?

Date: June 18, 2015

Fasting is a holy act of prayer and sacrifice for the sake of Allah and your sins will be forgiven by Allah. During the holy month of Ramadan, an Islam must abstain from food, drinks, life pleasures, intercourse, smoking and other sins. Islam must abstain from food and drinks before the break of the dawn till sunset. During Ramadan month, every sane and able Muslim should fast. In addition, for getting eligibility for fasting he or she must attain the age of puberty and maturity. Fasting should start by taking the sahri. Sahri is the food or drink you take in anticipation of the next day’s fasting. So you must take sahri before the Subah Sadiq. If you missed the sahri, you must skip fasting for the day. As soon as the sun set in the evening, you must break the fast by having dates and water. You should break the fasting before the Magrib prayers. Things that break fasting * Eating and drinking during the fasting time. * Smoking. * Pouring oil into ears. * Swallowing pebble, stone, paper etc. * Saliva mingled with blood. * Applying medicine drops in nostrils. * Masturbation. * Sexual intercourse. Things that do not break fasting * Smell perfume, using surma in the eyes and applying oil to the hair. * Inhaling a fly without one’s intention. * To swallow saliva. * Undergoing for a blood test. * To take bath during fasting time. * To pour water into ear unknowingly.

Precious Gifts a Person Leaves Behind

"The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him."

Sunan Ibn Mājah

Angelic Daily Prayers for Generosity

"Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.'"

Sahih Bukhari

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Fasting the Six Days of Shawwal

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Hadiths about Ramadan and fasting

The Importance of Ramadan and Fasting Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars that form the basis of Islam. These pillars lay the foundations of a believer and a Muslim must adhere to them with devotion. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is compulsory, as prescribed by Allah in The Holy Qur’an: *“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramadan˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.”* (Al-Quran 2:185) The importance of the month of Ramadan and virtues of fasting are described in numerous ahadith, or sayings of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They highlight the blessed month's merits and rewards, within the traditions of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related to fasting. The Gates of Mercy are opened Narrated by Abu Huraira: *Allah's Apostle (PBUH) 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 Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1900 When to start fasting Narrated by Ibn Umar: *I heard Allah's Apostle (PBUH) 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)."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1901 Suhur (Pre-dawn meal) Narrated by Anas bin Malik: *The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1924 Narrated by Anas: Zaid bin Thabit said, *"We took the Suhur with the Prophet. Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qur'an."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1922 Refraining leads to reward from Allah (SWT) Narrated by Abu Huraira: *Allah's Apostle (PBUH) 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 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."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1895 Hasten to break the fast Narrated by Sahl bin Sad: *Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1958 Increase in sadaqah and charitable acts Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas: *The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1903 Fasting during journey Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah: *Allah's Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1947 Maintaining excellent character traits and behaviors while fasting Narrated by Abu Huraira: *The Prophet (PBUH) 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.)"* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1904 Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting Narrated by Abu Huraira: *The Prophet (PBUH) said, "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8, Book 83, Hadith 6671 The Night of Qadr – The Night of a Thousand Months Narrated by Abu Huraira: *The Prophet (PBUH) 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."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 1902 Sins will be forgiven Narrated by Abu Huraira: *I heard Allah's Apostle (PBUH) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."* Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 30, Hadith 2009 May Allah accept this Ramadan from us and forgive the entire Ummah, granting us Jannatul Firdaus because of our actions and intentions this Ramadan. Ameen! The Alim Foundation: NPS / NH; April 20, 2021