The Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan
✿ Allah Almighty says:
«يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ»
“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.”
✿ Also, Allah Almighty says:
«شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ»
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the month, let him fast it.”
❀ «عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : بني الإسلام على خمس: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، والحج، وصوم رمضان.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Islam is built upon five pillars: bearing witness that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, giving zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting in Ramadan.”
❀ «عن طلحة بن عبيد الله، يقول: جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من اهل نجد ثائر الراس يسمع دوي صوته ولا يفقه ما يقول حتى دنا، فإذا هو يسال عن الإسلام؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” خمس صلوات فى اليوم والليلة، فقال: هل على غيرها؟ قال: لا إلا ان تطوع، قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: وصيام رمضان، قال: هل على غيره؟ قال: لا إلا ان تطوع، قال: وذكر له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الزكاة، قال: هل على غيرها؟ قال: لا إلا ان تطوع، قال: فادبر الرجل وهو يقول: والله لا ازيد على هذا ولا انقص، قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: افلح إن صدق.»
Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man from Najd, whose hair was disheveled, came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). His voice was buzzing, but it was not clear what he was saying until he came closer and it became clear that he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There are five prayers during the day and night.” The man asked, “Are there any other prayers obligatory upon me besides these?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No, except that you may pray voluntarily.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting in Ramadan.” He asked, “Are there any other fasts obligatory upon me besides this?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No, except that you may fast voluntarily.” Hazrat Talha says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also mentioned Zakat to him. The man asked, “Is there any other charity obligatory upon me besides this?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No, except that you may give voluntarily.” Hazrat Talha says that then the man walked away saying, “By Allah! I will neither add to it nor lessen from it.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “If he is truthful, then he has succeeded.”
In Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are opened:
❀ «عن أبى هريرة الله رضي الله عنه، يقول: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إذا دخل رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة، وغلقت أبواب جهنم، وسلسلت الشياطين.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”
❀ «عن ابي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” إذا كان اول ليلة من شهر رمضان، صفدت الشياطين ومردة الجن، وغلقت ابواب النار فلم يفتح منها باب، وفتحت ابواب الجنة فلم يغلق منها باب، وينادي مناد : يا باغي الخير اقبل، ويا باغي الشر اقصر، ولله عتقاء من النار وذلك كل ليلة .»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained. The gates of Hell are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened, and none of its gates are closed. And a caller calls out: O seeker of good, proceed, and O seeker of evil, desist. And from Allah, servants are freed from the fire; this continues every night.”
❀ «عن ابي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله ص الله عليه وسلم : اتاكم رمضان شهر مبارك، فرض الله عزوجل عليكم صيامه، تفتح فيه أبواب السماء، وتغلق فيه أبواب الجحيم، وتغل فيه مردة الشياطين، لله فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر، من حرم خيرها فقد حرم»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “A blessed month, Ramadan, has come to you. Allah has made fasting obligatory upon you in this month. In this month, the gates of the heavens are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. There is a night in this month which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is truly deprived.”
There is a night in Ramadan which is better than a thousand months:
❀ «عن انس بن مالك رضى الله عنه، قال: دخل رمضان، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” إن هذا الشهر قد حضركم وفيه ليلة خير من الف شهر، من حرمها فقد حرم الخير كله، ولا يحرم خيرها إلا محروم.»
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that when Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “This month has come to you, in which there is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and only the truly deprived will be deprived of its goodness.”
Every day in Ramadan, some people are freed from Hellfire:
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، أو عن أبى سعيد رضي الله عنه، – هو شك، يعني الأعمش -، قال: قال رسول الله صل الله عليه وسلم: إن لله عتقاء فى يوم وليلة، لكل عبد منهم دعوة مستجابة.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) or Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) (there is some doubt about the companion’s name, which was clarified by Hazrat A’mash (may Allah be pleased with him)) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah frees some people from (Hellfire) every day and night, and for every Muslim there is an accepted supplication.”
Note: In light of other hadiths, it is clear that this refers to Ramadan.
❀ «عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن لله عند كل فطر عتقاء، وذلك فى كل ليلة.»
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “At every time of breaking the fast, Allah frees many from Hellfire, and this happens every night.”
Ramadan as a means of forgiveness of sins:
❀ «عن أبى هريرة الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول: الصلوات الخمس، والجمعة إلى الجمعة، ورمضان إلى رمضان، مكفرات ما بينهن إذا اجتنب الكبائر.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say: “The five daily prayers, and Friday to the next Friday, and Ramadan to the next Ramadan, atone for the sins committed in between, provided that major sins are avoided.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ارتقى المنبر فقال: آمين، آمين، آمين، فقيل له: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ما كنت تصنع هذا؟ فقال: قال لي جبرائيل عليه السلام: رغم أنف عبد دخل عليه رمضان فلم يغفر له، فقلت: آمين، ثم قال: رغم أنف عبد ذكرت عنده فلم يصل عليك فقلت: آمين، ثم قال: رغم أنف عبد أدرك والديه أو أحدهما فلم يدخل الجنة فقلت: آمين.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ascended the pulpit and said: Ameen, Ameen, Ameen. Then it was said to him, O Messenger of Allah! You did not use to do this? He (peace be upon him) replied: “Jibreel said to me: May the nose of the servant be dust-covered who encounters the month of Ramadan and is not forgiven, so I said Ameen. Then Jibreel said: May the nose of the servant be dust-covered who hears your mention (peace be upon you) and does not send blessings upon you, so I said Ameen. Then Jibreel said: May the nose of the servant be dust-covered who has one or both parents alive and does not enter Paradise, so I said Ameen.”
Note: The phrase “nose being dust-covered” means being deprived of and distant from Allah’s mercy.
Indeed, that servant is extremely deprived who encounters the blessed month of Ramadan and fails to benefit from its blessings to secure forgiveness; such a person is distant from Allah’s mercy and favor. Similarly, the one who has one or both parents alive and, despite serving them, does not make himself deserving of Paradise, is also extremely deprived.
The reward of Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه، قال:” لما رجع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم من حجته، قال لام سنان الانصارية: ما منعك من الحج؟ قالت: ابو فلان تعني زوجها، كان له ناضحان حج على احدهما، والآخر يسقي ارضا لنا، قال: فإن عمرة فى رمضان تقضي حجة، او حجة معي.»
«وفي رواية : فاذا جاء رمضان فاعتمري، فان عمرة فيه تعدل حجة»
Hazrat Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrates that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم returned from his Hajj, he asked Umm Sinan Ansariyah رضي الله عنها: What prevented you from performing Hajj? She replied that Abu Fulan (her husband) had two camels for fetching water; he went for Hajj on one, and the other was used for irrigating our land. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Performing Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj or equal to performing Hajj with me.”
And in another narration, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “When Ramadan comes, perform Umrah, because performing Umrah in it is equal to Hajj.”
The words are from Sahih Muslim.
Ramadan is the month of increased generosity and munificence:
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه، قال: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اجود الناس بالخير، وكان اجود ما يكون فى رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل، وكان جبريل عليه السلام يلقاه كل ليلة فى رمضان، حتى ينسلخ يعرض عليه النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم القرآن، فإذا لقيه جبريل عليه السلام، كان اجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous and munificent among the people, and he was most generous during Ramadan when Hazrat Jibreel (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) met him. Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) would meet him every night in Ramadan until the month ended. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would recite the Quran in front of Hazrat Jibreel daily. When Hazrat Jibreel met the Prophet (peace be upon him), he became more generous than a flowing wind.”
Ramadan is the month of increased connection with the Quran:
✿ Allah Almighty says:
«شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ»
“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion (between right and wrong).”
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما، قال: كان جبريل عليه السلام يلقاه فى كل ليلة من رمضان، فيدارسه القرآن.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that Hazrat Jibra’il (peace be upon him) used to meet the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) every night in Ramadan and review and discuss the Quran with him.
❀ «عن أبى هريرة الله عنه، قال: كان يعرض على النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم القرآن كل عام مرة، فعرض عليه مرتين فى العام الذى قبض فيه.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that Hazrat Jibra’il (peace be upon him) used to recite the Quran once every year in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, he recited it twice.
Note: Hazrat Jibra’il (peace be upon him) and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to review the Quran once every year in Ramadan; both would recite the Quran to each other, and in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, they reviewed it twice.
Fasting in Ramadan as a means of forgiveness:
❀ «عن أبى هريرة الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صل الله عليه وسلم : من صام رمضان، إيمانا واحتسابا، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه.»
«وفي رواية عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: من صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه، ومن قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking Allah’s pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven.”
And in another narration, Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking Allah’s pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever prays during the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) out of faith and seeking Allah’s pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven.”
The words are from Sahih Muslim.
Fasting in Ramadan as a means of entering Paradise:
❀ «عن ابي هريرةرضي الله عنه،” ان اعرابيا جاء الي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم , فقال : يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم دلني على عمل إذا عملته دخلت الجنة؟ , قال: تعبد الله لا تشرك به شيئا، وتقيم الصلاة المكتوبة، وتؤدي الزكاة المفروضة، وتصوم رمضان، قال: والذي نفسي بيده لا ازيد على هذا شيئا ابدا، ولا انقص منه، فلما ولى قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: من سره ان ينظر إلى رجل من اهل الجنة، فلينظر إلى هذا.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that a villager came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Tell me an action that if I perform it, I will enter Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Worship Allah and associate none with Him, perform the obligatory prayers regularly, pay the obligatory zakat, and fast during Ramadan.” The villager said: I swear by the One in Whose hand is my life! I will neither add to it nor decrease from it. When he was about to leave, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever wishes to see a person of Paradise, let him look at this person.”
The words are from Sahih Muslim.
The fasting of Ramadan is a means of elevation in ranks:
❀ «عن طلحة بن عبيد الله رضى الله عنه، ان رجلين من بلي قدما على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وكان إسلامهما جميعا، فكان احدهما اشد اجتهادا من الآخر، فغزا المجتهد منهما فاستشهد، ثم مكث الآخر بعده سنة ثم توفي، قال طلحة: فرايت فى المنام : بينا انا عند باب الجنة، إذا انا بهما فخرج خارج من الجنة، فاذن للذي توفي الآخر منهما، ثم خرج فاذن للذي استشهد، ثم رجع إلى، فقال : ارجع فإنك لم يان لك بعد، فاصبح طلحة يحدث به الناس فعجبوا لذلك، فبلغ ذلك رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحدثوه الحديث، فقال:” من اي ذلك تعجبون” , فقالوا: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، هذا كان اشد الرجلين اجتهادا ثم استشهد، ودخل هذا الآخر الجنة قبله، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” اليس قد مكث هذا بعده سنة”، قالوا: بلى، قال:” وادرك رمضان , فصام وصلى كذا وكذا من سجدة فى السنة”، قالوا: بلى، قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” فما بينهما ابعد مما بين السماء والارض.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that two persons came from distant areas to the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Both of them embraced Islam together. Among them, one struggled and worshipped more than the other. The one who worshipped more participated in the battle and was martyred. The other lived for a year after him and then passed away. Hazrat Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he saw in a dream that he was standing near the gates of Paradise. He saw that he was close to both of them. A person came out from inside Paradise and allowed the one who died later to enter Paradise. After a while, another person came out and allowed the martyr to enter Paradise. Then he returned and said to me, “Go back, your time has not yet come.” When morning came, I told this dream to the people, and they were very surprised by it. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to know about it and was told the whole story. He said: “What is there for you to be surprised about?” The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! The first person struggled and worshipped more, and he was martyred, yet the other entered Paradise before him! He said: “Did the other not live for a year after him?” The Companions said: Yes, he did. He said: “He was blessed with Ramadan, so he fasted, and during the year he performed so many prostrations (i.e., prayers).” The Companions said: This is certainly true. He (peace be upon him) said: “The distance between their ranks is greater than the distance between the heaven and the earth.”
The prayer of a fasting person is not rejected:
❀ «عن ابي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” ثلاثة لا ترد دعوتهم: الصائم حتى يفطر، والإمام العادل، ودعوة المظلوم يرفعها الله فوق الغمام، ويفتح لها ابواب السماء، ويقول الرب: وعزتي لانصرنك ولو بعد حين.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The supplication of three persons is never rejected: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the oppressed person. Allah raises the supplication of the oppressed above the clouds and opens the gates of the heavens for it, and Allah says: By My Honor and Majesty! I will surely help you, even if it is after some time.”
❀ «عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ثلاث دعوات لاترد، دعوة الوالد، ودعوة الصائم، ودعوة المسافر.»
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The supplication of three persons is not rejected: the prayer of a parent, the fasting person, and the traveler.”
A Prohibition:
❀ «عن ابي بكرة رضى الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:” لا يقولن احدكم إني صمت رمضان كله وقمته كله”. فلا ادري اكره التزكية، او قال: لا بد من نومة او رقدة.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “None of you should say in such a way that I have fasted the entire Ramadan and worshipped throughout Ramadan.”
The narrator says that I do not know whether the Prophet (peace be upon him) disliked self-praise or said: Or he said: Surely he will sleep for some time.
