Ramadan and Fasting in the light of hadith

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (Al-Quran)

Significance of fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Reward of fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like).

 There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).

The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)

Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).

Breaking your fast

Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Behavior while fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Providing for those who are breaking the fast

Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same reward as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

Reciting and Reflecting Upon The Quran

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: “Jibreel used to meet him (Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallam) every night in Ramadan to study the Holy Quran carefully together. (Bukhari)

Praying in the last Ten Days of Ramadan and Lailatul Qadr – Night of Decree

Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallamsaid, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. (Bukhari)

Narrated Aisha: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallamused to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)

Observing Itekaf

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Prophet Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallamused to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. (Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallam used to perform Itikaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in Itikaf for twenty days. (Bukhari)