Receiving Ramadhan


It is appropriate that every Muslim should receive the blessed month
of Ramadan with repentance, sincerity, resoluteness and earnestness.
He/she should make the intention to perform extra acts of devotion
and worship therein, including the Night Prayer (qiyam), recitation
of Qur'an, and abundant charity to the poor and needy. On the
authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), used to say the
following when the month of Rajab began. "Oh Allah! Bless us in Rajab
and Sha`ban, and bring us, oh Allah, to Ramadan." [Narrated by
Tabarani and Ahmad]
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "Oh
people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in
which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah
has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray
by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the
(optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward
as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever
discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the
reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the
month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the
month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is
increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast,
shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of
Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person,
without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn
Khuzaymah]

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) says, "Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of
blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down
Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your
competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So
show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he
who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty,
the Exalted." [Narrated by Tabarani]

The preceding hadiths bring attention to readiness and preparation
for receiving Ramadan. This is achieved by having a clear
understanding of this month in one's mind, and greeting Ramadan with
love and yearning. Also, one should have the determination and
intention to perform good deeds and worship, and one should lay down
a program to accomplish this in the days of the blessed month.

It is communally obligatory upon the Muslims to seek the crescent at
the time of sunset on the 29th day of Sha`ban, and the 29th day of
Ramadan, in order to verify the status of the start and end of their
fasting. When seeing the crescent, it is sunnah for the Muslim to
supplicate with the following supplication, which has been reported
from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

On the authority of Talhah ibn `Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with
him): when the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) saw
the crescent, he used to say, "Oh Allah! Cause it to appear over us
with prosperity, faith (Iman), security and Islam. (Then to the
moon:) My Lord and your Lord is Allah." [Narrated by Tirmidhi, who
said it is a good (hasan) hadith.] Qatadah said that he was informed
that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to
say, when seeing the crescent, "A crescent of goodness and
orientation, a crescent of goodness and orientation, a crescent of
goodness and orientation. (To the moon:) I believe in Allah who
created you." (Three times), and then he would say, "Praise be to
Allah who has taken away such- and-such month and brought such-and-
such month." [Narrated by Abu Dawud]

The month of Ramadan has excellences over the other months, as is
testified to by the Qur'an and Sunnah, and out of these we will bring
to attention the following virtues:


1. It is the month of the Qur'an, with regards to revelation and
study. ("The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the
Qur'an." [Qur'an, 2:185]). On the authority of Ibn `Abbas: Angel
Gabriel used to meet the Prophet every night in Ramadan and used to
study Qur'an with him.
2. It is the month of seclusion. Ibn `Umar said, "The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to seclude
himself for the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."

3. It is the month of generosity. Ibn `Abbas said, "The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to be at his
most generous in Ramadan."

4. It is the month of standing (in voluntary night prayer). On the
authority of Abu Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace) said, "Whoever stands (in voluntary night
prayer) during Ramadan, with faith and in expectancy of reward, his
previous sins are forgiven him."

5. It is the month of the compulsory fast, because of Allah's saying,
(meaning) "So, whoever among you witnesses the month should fast."
[Qur'an, 2:185] A terrible error prevalent among people is to talk
about Ramadan just as they talk about the obligation of fasting, as
if Ramadan and fasting are synonymous, each carrying the meaning of
the other and not anything more nor less. Yet, fasting is one of many
acts of worship in Ramadan.


Many reports have been narrated from the Messenger of Allah (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) explaining the distinction of
Ramadan, of which we have selected the following.
"The month of Ramadan has come to you; a month of goodness and
blessing." [Ibn Khuzaymah] "The Master of the Months is Ramadan, and
the Master of the days is Friday." [Ibn Khuzaymah] "Whoever fasted
Ramadan with faith and in expectancy of reward, his previous sins are
forgiven him." [Bukhari and Muslim] "When Ramadan comes, the gates of
Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are
chained." And in a narration from Nasa'i, the following words are
added: "and a caller calls out every night: 'Oh seeker of Good, draw
near! Oh seeker of Evil, desist!' "



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Quotes from The Holy Quran


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A. Yousaf Ali Quran Translation 2:183
183. O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was
prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

A. Yousaf Ali Quran Translation 2:184
184. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill
or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days
later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the
feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his
own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye
fast if ye only knew.

A. Yousaf Ali Quran Translation 2:185
185. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a
guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment
(between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his
home) during that month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is
ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days
later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put
you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period
and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall
be grateful.

A. Yousaf Ali Quran Translation 2:187
187. Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to
your wives. They are your garments. And ye are their garments. Allah
knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned
to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what
Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread
of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete
your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your
wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits (set
by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His
signs to men that they may learn self-restraint.

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Quotes from the Sahih Bukhari collection of Prophetic Hadith


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Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.5
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle was the most generous of all the
people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of
Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of
Ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Apostle was the most
generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable
wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.7
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the
following) five (principles): 1. To testify that none has the right
to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. 2. To
offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and
perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) . 4. To perform
Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) 5. To observe fast during the month
of Ramadan.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.36
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said: "Whoever establishes
prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith
and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his
past sins will be forgiven."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.37
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever observes fasts
during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to
attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.46
Narrated 'Abdullah: The Prophet said, "Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (an
evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief)." Narrated 'Ubada bin
As-Samit: "Allah's Apostle went out to inform the people about the
(date of the) night of decree (Al-Qadr) but there happened a quarrel
between two Muslim men. The Prophet said, "I came out to inform you
about (the date of) the night of Al-Qadr (Power), but as so and so
and so and so quarreled, its knowledge was taken away (I forgot it)
and maybe it was better for you. Now look for it in the 7th, the 9th
and the 5th (of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan)."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.87
Narrated Abu Jamra: I was an interpreter between the people and
Ibn 'Abbas. Once Ibn 'Abbas said that a delegation of the tribe
of 'Abdul Qais came to the Prophet who asked them, "Who are the
people (i.e. you)? (Or) who are the delegates?" They replied, "We are
from the tribe of Rabi'a." Then the Prophet said to them, "Welcome, O
people (or said, "O delegation (of 'Abdul Qais).") Neither will you
have disgrace nor will you regret." They said, "We have come to you
from a distant place and there is the tribe of the infidels of Mudar
intervening between you and us and we cannot come to you except in
the sacred month. So please order us to do something good (religious
deeds) and that we may also inform our people whom we have left
behind (at home) and that we may enter Paradise (by acting on them.)"
The Prophet ordered them to do four things, and forbade them from
four things. He ordered them to believe in Allah Alone, the Honorable
the Majestic and said to them, "Do you know what is meant by
believing in Allah Alone?" They replied, "Allah and His Apostle know
better." Thereupon the Prophet said, "(That means to testify that
none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is
His Apostle, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat, to observe
fasts during the month of Ramadan, (and) to pay Al-Khumus (one fifth
of the booty to be given in Allah's cause)." Then he forbade them
four things, namely Ad-Dubba.' Hantam, Muzaffat (and) An-Naqir or
Muqaiyar (These were the names of pots in which alcoholic drinks used
to be prepared). The Prophet further said, "Memorize them (these
instructions) and tell them to the people whom you have left behind."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.549
Narrated Anas: Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the "Suhur" (the meal
taken before dawn while fasting is observed) with the Prophet and
then stood up for the (morning) prayer." I asked him how long the
interval between the two (Suhur and prayer) was. He replied, 'The
interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty to
Sixth 'Ayat."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1.777
Narrated Abu Salama: Once I went to Abu- Sa'id Al-Khudri and asked
him, "Won't you come with us to the date-palm trees to have a talk?"
So Abu Said went out and I asked him, "Tell me what you heard from
the Prophet about the Night of Qadr." Abu Said replied, "Once Allah's
Apostle performed Itikaf (seclusion) on the first ten days of the
month of Ramadan and we did the same with him. Gabriel came to him
and said, 'The night you are looking for is ahead of you.' So the
Prophet performed the Itikaf in the middle (second) ten days of the
month of Ramadan and we too performed Itikaf with him. Gabriel came
to him and said, 'The night which you are looking for is ahead of
you.' In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan the Prophet delivered a
sermon saying, 'Whoever has performed Itikaf with me should continue
it. I have been shown the Night of "Qadr", but have forgotten its
date, but it is in the odd nights of the last ten nights. I saw in my
dream that I was prostrating in mud and water.' In those days the
roof of the mosque was made of branches of date-palm trees. At that
time the sky was clear and no cloud was visible, but suddenly a cloud
came and it rained. The Prophet led us in the prayer and I saw the
traces of mud on the forehead and on the nose of Allah's Apostle. So
it was the confirmation of that dream."

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Sahih Bukhari Hadith 2.229
Narrated 'Aisha, the mother of the faithful believers: One night
Allah's Apostle offered the prayer in the Mosque and the people
followed him. The next night he also offered the prayer and too many
people gathered. On the third and the fourth nights more people
gathered, but Allah's Apostle did not come out to them. In the
morning he said, "I saw what you were doing and nothing but the fear
that it (i.e. the prayer) might be enjoined on you, stopped me from
coming to you." And that happened in the month of Ramadan.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 2.255
Narrated Nafi: Ibn 'Umar said, "In the lifetime of the Prophet I
dreamt that a piece of silk cloth was in my hand and it flew with me
to whichever part of Paradise I wanted. I also saw as if two persons
(i.e. angels) came to me and wanted to take me to Hell. Then an angel
met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me.
Hafsa narrated one of my dreams to the Prophet and the Prophet
said, "Abdullah is a good man. Would that he offer the night prayer
(Tahajjud)!" So after that day 'Abdullah (bin 'Umar) started offering
Tahajjud. The companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to tell him
their dreams that (Laila-tul-Qadr) was on the 27th of the month of
Ramadan. The Prophet said, "I see that your dreams agree on the last
ten nights of Ramadan and so whoever is in search of it should seek
it in the last ten nights of Ramadan."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 2.587
Narrated Nafi': Ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet made incumbent on every
male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or
barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan)." The people then
substituted half Sa' of wheat for that. Ibn 'Umar used to give dates
(as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr). Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and
Ibn 'Umar gave barley. 'And Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr
for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my
children. Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to those who had
been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give
Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the 'Id.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 2.288
Narrated Qaza'a Maula: (freed slave of) Ziyad: I heard Abu Said Al-
khudri narrating four things from the Prophet and I appreciated them
very much. He said, conveying the words of the Prophet. (1) "A woman
should not go on a two day journey except with her husband or a Dhi-
Mahram. (2) No fasting is permissible on two days: 'Id-ul-Fitr
and 'Id-ul-Adha. (3) No prayer after two prayers, i.e. after the Fajr
prayer till the sunrises and after the 'Asr prayer till the sun sets.
(4) Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Mosques,
i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my
Mosque."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 2.662
Narrated 'Aisha: The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of
the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made
obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a
cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan
compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day
of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."

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Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.10
Narrated Ata: I heard Ibn 'Abbas saying, "Allah's Apostle asked an
Ansari woman (Ibn 'Abbas named her but 'Ata' forgot her name), 'What
prevented you from performing Hajj with us?' She replied, 'We have a
camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e. her husband and
her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for irrigation.' He
said (to her), 'Perform 'Umra when Ramadan comes, for 'Umra in
Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward),' or said something similar."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.115
Narrated Talha bin 'Ubaidullah: A bedouin with unkempt hair came to
Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Inform me what Allah
has made compulsory for me as regards the prayers." He replied: "You
have to offer perfectly the five compulsory prayers in a day and
night (24 hours), unless you want to pray Nawafil." The bedouin
further asked, "Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as
regards fasting." He replied, "You have to fast during the whole
month of Ramadan, unless you want to fast more as Nawafil." The
bedouin further asked, "Tell me how much Zakat Allah has enjoined on
me." Thus, Allah's Apostle informed him about all the rules (i.e.
fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin then said, "By Him Who has
honored you, I will neither perform any Nawafil nor will I decrease
what Allah has enjoined on me. Allah's Apostle said, "If he is saying
the truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted Paradise)."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.116
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet observed the fast on the 10th of
Muharram ('Ashura), and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day, but
when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, the fasting
of the 'Ashura' was abandoned. 'Abdullah did not use to fast on that
day unless it coincided with his routine fasting by chance.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.117
Narrated 'Aisha: (The tribe of) Quraish used to fast on the day of
Ashura' in the Pre-Islamic period, and then Allah's Apostle ordered
(Muslims) to fast on it till the fasting in the month of Ramadan was
prescribed; whereupon the Prophet said, "He who wants to fast
(on 'Ashura') may fast, and he who does not want to fast may not
fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.118
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.122
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When Ramadan begins, the
gates of Paradise are opened."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.123
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.124
Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle 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 month of Ramadan
as of 30 days."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.125
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.126
Narrated 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.127
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.128
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Allah said, 'All the
deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is
for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or
protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is
fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and
quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he
should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The
unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is
better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two
pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his
fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he
will be pleased because of his fasting."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.130
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle mentioned Ramadan and
said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do
not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if
the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation
(i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days)." Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.133 Narrated
Abu Huraira: The Prophet or Abul-Qasim said, "Start fasting on seeing
the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent
(of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it),
complete thirty days of Sha'ban."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.136
Narrated Abu Bakra: The Prophet said, "The two months of 'Id i.e.
Ramadan and Dhul-Hijja, do not decrease (in superiority)."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.138
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "None of you should fast a
day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of
fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then
he can fast that day."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.139
Narrated Al-Bara: It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad
that if any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for
breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that
night and the following day till sunset. Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari was
fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftar (breaking one's
fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She
replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He used to do
hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept.
When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment for you."
When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet
was informed about the whole matter and the following verses were
revealed: "You are permitted To go to your wives (for sexual
relation) At the night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it.
And then Allah also revealed: "And eat and drink Until the white
thread Of dawn appears to you Distinct from the black thread (of the
night)." (2.187)

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.149
Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet used to kiss and embrace (his wives)
while he was fasting, and he had more power to control his desires
than any of you. Said Jabir, "The person who gets discharge after
casting a look (on his wife) should complete his fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.152
Narrated 'Aisha: (At times) in Ramadan the Prophet used to take a
bath in the morning not because of a wet dream and would continue his
fast.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.154
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "If somebody eats or drinks
forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten
or drunk, has been given to him by Allah." Narrated 'Amir bin
Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was
fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu
Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard
for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with
Siwak on every performance of ablution." The same is narrated by
Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not differentiate
between a fasting and a nonfasting person in this respect (using
Siwak). Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a
purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's
pleasures." Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the
resultant saliva."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.156
Narrated 'Aisha: A man came to the Prophet and said that he had been
burnt (ruined). The Prophet asked him what was the matter. He
replied, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife in Ramadan (while I
was fasting)." Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet
and he asked, "Where is the burnt (ruined) man?" He replied, "I am
present." The Prophet told him to give that basket in charity (as
expiation).

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.158
Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to the Prophet and said, "I had
sexual intercourse with my wife on Ramadan (while fasting)." The
Prophet asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in
the negative. The Prophet asked him, "Can you fast for two successive
months?" He replied in the negative. He asked him, "Can you afford to
feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. (Abu Huraira
added): Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet and he
said (to that man), "Feed (poor people) with this by way of
atonement." He said, "(Should I feed it) to poorer people than we?
There is no poorer house than ours between its (Medina's) mountains."
The Prophet said, "Then feed your family with it."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.162
Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa: We were in the company of Allah's Apostle on a
journey. He said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq (powdered barley)
with water for me." The man said, "The sun (has not set yet), O
Allah's Apostle." The Prophet again said to him, "Get down and mix
Sawiq with water for me." The man again said, "O Allah's Apostle! The
sun!" The Prophet said to him (for the third time) "Get down and mix
Sawiq with water for me." The man dismounted and mixed Sawiq with
water for him. The Prophet drank it and then beckoned with his hand
(towards the East) and said, "When you see the night falling from
this side, then a fasting person should break his fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.165
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle set out for Mecca in Ramadan and
he fasted, and when he reached Al-Kadid, he broke his fast and the
people (with him) broke their fast too. (Abu 'Abdullah said, "Al-
Kadid is a land covered with water between Usfan and Qudaid.")

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.167
Narrated 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 Bukhari Hadith 3.169
Narrated Tawus: Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah's Apostle set out from Medina
to Mecca and he fasted till he reached 'Usfan, where he asked for
water and raised his hand to let the people see him, and then broke
the fast, and did not fast after that till he reached Mecca, and that
happened in Ramadan." Ibn 'Abbas used to say, "Allah's Apostle
(sometimes) fasted and (sometimes) did not fast during the journeys
so whoever wished to fast could fast, and whoever wished not to fast,
could do so."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.171
Narrated 'Aisha: Sometimes I missed some days of Ramadan, but could
not fast in lieu of them except in the month of Sha'ban." Said Yahya,
a sub-narrator, "She used to be busy serving the Prophet ."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.173
Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever died and he ought to
have fasted (the missed days of Ramadan) then his guardians must fast
on his behalf."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.174
Narrated Ibn Abbas: A man came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's
Apostle! My mother died and she ought to have fasted one month (for
her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her behalf?" The Prophet replied
in the affirmative and said, "Allah's debts have more right to be
paid." In another narration a woman is reported to have said, "My
sister died..." Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: A woman said to the Prophet "My
mother died and she had vowed to fast but she didn't fast." In
another narration Ibn 'Abbas is reported to have said, "A woman said
to the Prophet, "My mother died while she ought to have fasted for
fifteen days."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.175
Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab: Allah's Apostle said, "When night falls
from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets,
then the fasting person should break his fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.177
Narrated Abdullah bin Abi Aufa: We were in the company of the Prophet
on a journey and he was fasting, and when the sun set, he addressed
somebody, "O so-and-so, get up and mix Sawiq with water for us." He
replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is evening?" The
Prophet said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He
replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (If you wait) till it is evening." The
Prophet said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us." He
replied, "It is still daytime."(1) The Prophet said again, "Get down
and mix Sawiq with water for us." He got down and mixed Sawiq for
them. The Prophet drank it and then said, "When you see night falling
from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.190
Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle used to fast till one would say that
he would never stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting till one
would say that he would never fast. I never saw Allah's Apostle
fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not
see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha'ban.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.192
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet never fasted a full month except the
month of Ramadan, and he used to fast till one could say, "By Allah,
he will never stop fasting," and he would abandon fasting till one
would say, "By Allah, he will never fast."

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.204
Narrated Mutarrif from 'Imran Ibn Husain: That the Prophet asked him
(Imran) or asked a man and Imran was listening, "O Abu so-and-so!
Have you fasted the last days of this month?" (The narrator thought
that he said, "the month of Ramadan"). The man replied, "No, O
Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said to him, "When you finish your
fasting (of Ramadan) fast two days (in Shawwal)." Through another
series of narrators 'Imran said, "The Prophet said, '(Have you
fasted) the last days of Sha'ban?"

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.211
Narrated Abu 'Ubaid: (the slave of Ibn Azhar) I witnessed the 'Id
with 'Umar bin Al-Khattab who said, Allah's Apostle has forbidden
people to fast on the day on which you break fasting (the fasts of
Ramadan) and the day on which you eat the meat of your sacrifices
(the first day of 'Id ul Fitr and 'Id ul-Adha).

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.219
Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the
day of 'Ashura', and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was
prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day ('Ashura')
or not.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.220
Narrated Aisha: Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' in the
Pre-Islamic period, and Allah's Apostle too, used to fast on that
day. When he came to Medina, he fasted on that day and ordered others
to fast, too. Later when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was
prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day of 'Ashura' and it became
optional for one to fast on it or not.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.224
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: I never saw the Prophet seeking to fast on a day
more (preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Ashura', or this
month, i.e. the month of Ramadan.

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Hadith Qudsi 10
Fasting is Mine and it I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his
sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fasting is like a
shield, and he who fasts has two joys: a joy whin he breaks his fast
and a joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the
mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell
of musk.

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compiled by Tariq Jangda

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