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THE QURAN ON FASTING
"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).
(Fasting) for a fixed number of
days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should
be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with
difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast
or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his
own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for
you if only you know." (2:183-84)
"The month of Ramadan in which
was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the
guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you
sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he
must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same
number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.
Allah intends for you ease, and
He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you)
must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah
for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185).
"It is made lawful for you to
have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They
are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you
used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now
have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained
for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn
appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then
complete your fast till the nightfall.
And do not have sexual relations
with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are
the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make
clear His signs to mankind that they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)"
(2:187).
"Verily! We have sent it (this
Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr.
And what will make you know what
the night of Al-Qadr is?
The night of Al-Qadr is better
than a thousand months
Therein descend the angels and
the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees,
Peace! until the appearance of
dawn (97:1-5)
THE HADITH ON 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).
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).
When to start fasting
Ibn Umar related that the
Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you see the new moon, and do
not end fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then
calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).
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).
Fasting during a journey
Aisha related that Rasulullah
was asked whether one should fast when on a journey, and he replied:
Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).
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 merit as the one who was observing Siyam
diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).
Lailat al-Qadr
Aisha related that the Prophet
said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last
ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
Anas ibn Malik related that
Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a
company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering
Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi). |
