Collection of Hadiths Regarding Ramadan and Fasting

154. Obligation of Fasting:​

Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. Allah Almighty says:"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 183]

The obligation of fasting was established in the second year of Hijrah. Fasting the entire month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every sane, adult Muslim, male or female.

155. Virtues of Ramadan:​

Ramadan is the blessed month in which the final book, the Qur'an, was revealed—a source of guidance for all humanity until the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"When Ramadan begins, the gates of the heavens (in another narration: the gates of Paradise) are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 5; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

156. The Virtue of Fasting:​

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:"Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 6; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

In another narration:"Every good deed of the son of Adam is multiplied tenfold to seven hundred times. Allah says: 'Except for fasting, which is for Me, and I will reward it. He leaves his desires and food for My sake.' There are two joys for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord. And the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. Fasting is a shield (from sinful acts and the Hellfire)."

[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

157. Sighting of the Ramadan Moon:​

Efforts should be made to sight the Ramadan moon on the 29th of Sha'ban. If the moon is sighted, the fasts begin; otherwise, Sha'ban should be completed to thirty days. Fasting on the day of doubt (i.e., when unsure whether Ramadan has begun) is prohibited. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"Whoever fasts on the day of doubt has disobeyed Abu al-Qasim (the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم)."

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 3]

158. Sighting of the Eid al-Fitr Moon:​

For the sighting of the moon for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the testimony of two trustworthy Muslim men or one man and two women is required. In one narration:

"The people differed regarding the last day of Ramadan until two Bedouins came and testified before the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that they had seen the moon the previous evening, so he ordered the people to break their fast and to gather for the prayer the next morning."

[Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter on the Testimony of Two Men]

159. The Sighting from Distant Locations:​

Scholars differ on whether the sighting of the moon in a distant location is valid. Some believe that if the sighting is confirmed in the east, it applies to the west as well. Conversely, if the sighting is in the west, it is valid for up to about 500 miles (833 km), beyond which the moon's visibility may differ.

160. The Simplicity of Islam:​

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"We are an unlettered nation; we neither write nor calculate."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 13; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

In Sahih Muslim, it is narrated that Kuraib was sent to Syria by Umm al-Fadl during Ramadan, where he witnessed the moon on a Friday evening. When he returned to Madinah, Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) did not consider the Syrian sighting, adhering to the sighting in Madinah instead. He said:

"This is how the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed us."

[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

161. Intention:​

For the fast to be valid, one must make the intention before dawn (Fajr) for obligatory fasts. For voluntary fasts, the intention can be made before midday. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"Whoever does not make the intention to fast before Fajr, there is no fast for him."

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 33]

Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated:

"One day, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came to me and asked if there was any food. When I replied that there was none, he said: 'Then I am fasting.'"

[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

162. Suhoor:​

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"Eat Suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in Suhoor."

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

In another narration:

"The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is the Suhoor meal."

[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

The Sunnah is to delay Suhoor until just before the break of dawn.

163. Iftar:​

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"The people will remain in goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 45; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would break his fast with fresh dates; if none were available, then with dry dates; and if not even that, he would take a few sips of water.

164. Iftar Supplication:​

At the time of breaking the fast, the following supplication should be recited:

"The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is certain, if Allah wills."

[Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Sawm]

165. Reward for Providing Iftar:​

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

"Whoever provides food for a fasting person to break their fast will receive the same reward as the one who fasted, without any reduction in their reward."

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 82]

166. Actions That Invalidate the Fast:​

  1. Deliberately eating or drinking, even a small amount.
  2. Engaging in sexual intercourse.
  3. Inducing vomiting.
  4. Smoking or using similar substances.
  5. Chewing betel leaves (Paan).
  6. Excessive rinsing of the nose, causing water to reach the throat.
  7. Eating, drinking, or having intercourse while mistakenly thinking that sunset has occurred.
  8. Eating or drinking after Fajr, thinking that dawn has not yet broken.
These actions require a makeup fast (Qada). In the case of deliberate intercourse, expiation (Kaffarah) is also required, which involves freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people.

167. Actions That Do Not Invalidate the Fast:​

  1. Using a toothbrush or miswak.
  2. Applying kohl or eye drops.
  3. Applying oil to the skin.
  4. Inhaling perfumes or fragrances.
  5. Rinsing the mouth or tasting food without swallowing.
  6. Having a wet dream.
  7. Ejaculation due to gazing at one's spouse.
  8. Vomiting unintentionally.
  9. Taking injections that do not serve as nourishment.

168. Legal Excuses:​

A traveler or someone who is ill may refrain from fasting during Ramadan and make up the missed fasts later:

"And whoever is ill or on a journey, then [they may fast] an equal number of other days."

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 184]

169. Making Up for the Fast of the Deceased:​

If a person dies and they were supposed to make up fasts but didn't get the chance due to illness or travel, their guardian must fast on their behalf:

"Whoever dies and still owes some fasts, his guardian should fast on his behalf."

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter 43; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]
 
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