40 Hadiths on Ramadhan

Virtues of Fasting in Ramadhan

——– Hadith 1——–

١ – عن عبد الله بن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله تعالى 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)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 8/Muslim Shareef: 16]

Translation: “Islām is resting on five [pillars]: Testifying that there is no deity besides Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the messenger of Allah; establishing Salāh, giving Zakāh, performing Hajj and fasting in the month of Ramadhān.”

——– Hadith 2——–

٢ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله تعالى عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (الصلوات الخمس، والجمعة إلى الجمعة، ورمضان إلى رمضان – مكفرات ما بينهن إذا اجتنبت الكبائر)
[Muslim Shareef: 16]

Translation: “The five Salāh and one Jumu’ah to the next [Jumu’ah] and one Ramadhān to the next [Ramadhān] is an expiation for that which is committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided.”

——– Hadith 3——–

٣ – عن أبي هريرة عبدالرحمن بن صخر رضي الله تعالى عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (إذا دخل شهر رمضان فتحت أبواب السماء وغلقت أبواب جهنم، وسلسلت الشياطين) 
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1899/ibn Hibbān: 3434]

Translation: “When the month of Ramadhān enters, the doors of the sky are opened and the doors of Jahannam are shut, and the Shayāteen (devils) are chained up.”

——– Hadith 4——–

٤ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (من صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 2014/Muslim Shareef: 760/Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 1372]

Translation: “Whoever fasts in Ramadhān in the state of Imān (faith) and whilst hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Virtues of Fasting (in general)

——– Hadith 5——–

٥ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (قال الله: كل عمل ابن ادم له إلا الصيام؛ فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به، والصيام جنة، وإذا كان يوم صوم أحدكم فلا يرفث ولا يصخب؛ فإن سابه أحد أو قاتله فليقل إني امرؤ صائم، والذي نفس محمد بيده لخلوف فم الصائم أطيب عند الله من ريح المسك، للصائم فرحتان يفرحهما: إذا أفطر فرح، وإذا لقي ربه فرح بصومه)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1904/Muslim Shareef: 1151]

Translation: “Every action of the son of Ādam is for him except fasting, for verily, it [fasting] is for me and I will give the reward for it. And fasting is a shield. When the day of fasting comes, do not have intercourse nor engage in abuse/arguments. If anyone reviles him or tries to fight with him, he [the fasting person] should say, ‘I am fasting’. And by the being in whose Hands is the soul of Muhammad, the smell from the fasting person’s mouth is more fragrant to Allah than the smell of musk. For the fasting person, there are two occasions of joy; when he breaks his fast he is happy, and when he will meet his lord, he will be happy with his fast.”

——– Hadith 6——–

٦- عن سهل بن سعد الساعدي رضي الله تعالى عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: (إن في الجنة بابا يقال له: الريان، يدخل منه الصائمون يوم القيامة، لا يدخل منه أحد غيرهم، يقال: أين الصائمون؟ فيقومون، لا يدخل منه أحد غيرهم، فإذا دخلوا أغلق فلم يدخل منه أحد)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1896/ibn Hibbān: 3420]

Translation: “Verily, in Jannah there is a door, which is called, ‘Rayyan’. The fasting people will enter through it on the Day of Judgement. No one else will enter from it. It will be said, ‘Where are the fasting people?’ They will stand, thereafter, no one will enter except them. When they enter, it will be locked, and no one will enter after them.”

Sighting The Moon

——– Hadith 7——–

٧ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم – أو قال: قال أبو القاسم صلى الله عليه وسلم (صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته؛ فإن غبي عليكم فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1909/Muslim Shareef: 1081]

Translation: “Observe fasting upon sighting it [the crescent] and terminate it on sighting it [the new moon], but if the sky is cloudy upon you [and you cannot see the new moon], then complete thirty days of Sha’bān.”

——– Hadith 8——–

٨- عن كريب، أن أم الفضل بنت الحارث رضي الله تعالى عنها بعثته إلى معاوية رضي الله تعالى عنه بالشام، قال: فقدمت الشام فقضيت حاجتها، واستهل علي رمضان وأنا بالشام، فرأيت الهلال ليلة الجمعة ثم قدمت المدينة في اخر الشهر، فسألني عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما ثم ذكر الهلال، فقال متى رأيتم الهلال؟ فقلت: رأيناه ليلة الجمعة، فقال: أنت رأيته؟ فقلت نعم، وراه الناس وصاموا وصام معاوية، فقال لكنا رأيناه ليلة السبت فلا نزال نصوم حتى نكمل ثلاثين أو نراه، فقلت: أو لا تكتفي برؤية معاوية وصيامه؟ فقال: لا، هكذا أمرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم”
[Muslim Shareef: 1087/Dāraqutnī: 2211/Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 2332]

Translation: Kurayb reported that Umm Fadhl, daughter of Hārith, sent him [Fadhl – who was her son] to Mu’āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Syria. He [Fadhl] said, “I came to Syria and fulfilled her tasks [that she had sent me for]. The new crescent of Ramadhān was sighted while I was in Syria. I saw the new moon [of Ramadhān] on the night of Friday and I came back to Madinah at the end of the month. Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) asked me about the moon, and said: “When did you sight it?” I said: We saw it on the night of Friday. He said: “Did you sight it yourself?” I said: Yes, and the people also sighted it and they fasted and Mu’āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) also fasted. He said: “But we sighted it on the night of Saturday, so we will continue to fast until we complete thirty [fasts] or we see it [the new moon of the next month].” Then I said: “Should we not rely on the sighting of the moon by Mu’āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) and his fasting? He said: “No; this is how the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has commanded us.”

——– Hadith 9——–

٩- عن ابن عمر رضي الله تعالى عنهما، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، أنه قال: (إنا أمة أمية، لا نكتب ولا نحسب، الشهر هكذا وهكذا)؛ يعني: مرة تسعة وعشرين، ومرة ثلاثين
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1913/Muslim Shareef: 1080/ Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 2319]

Translation: “We are a unlettered nation; we neither write nor calculate. The month is like this and this [meaning, sometimes it has 29 days and sometimes it has 30 days].”

Brief Explanation: The main point the Prophet (peace be upon him) was affirming is that the beginning and the ending of the months in Islām is based on the moon. As a result, the amount of days in the month, whether 29 or 30, can differ. However, the Islamic month will only commence when the moon is sighted.

Special Virtue For Ramadhān and Dhul Hijjah

——– Hadith 10——–

١٠ – عن أبي بكرة نفيع بن الحارث الثقفي رضي الله تعالى عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: (شهران لا ينقصان، شهرا عيد؛ رمضان وذو الحجة)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1912/Muslim Shareef: 1089/ Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 2323]

Translation: “There are two months that will not decrease [in reward], the months of the Eid – Ramadhān and Dhul Hijjah.”

Brief Explanation: There are a few explanations in regard to the ‘decrease’. The preferred view is that it refers to reward.

The Blessings of Suhūr

——– Hadith 11——–

١١ – عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (تسحروا؛ فإن في السحور بركة)؛
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1923/Muslim Shareef: 1095/Nasa’ī Shareef: 2151]

Translation: “Perform Suhūr (i.e. eating/drinking before the commencement of the fast), for verily, in the Suhūr, there are blessings”

——– Hadith 12——–

١٢- عن عمر بن العاص رضي الله تعالى عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (فصل ما بين صيامنا وصيام أهل الكتاب، أكلة السحر)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1923/Muslim Shareef: 1096/Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 2343/Musnad Ahmad: 477/Mu’jam al-Awsat: 3:305]

Translation: “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people who were given the book, is eating Suhūr.”

Brief Explanation: Suhūr is one of the key parts of a believer’s fasting and is encouraged as the source of barakah (blessings)

——– Hadith 13——–

١٣ – عن زيد بن ثابت رضي الله تعالى عنه، عن أنس رضي الله تعالى عنه: أن زيد بن ثابت حدثه أنهم تسحروا مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثم قاموا إلى الصلاة، قلت: كم بينهما؟ قال: قدر خمسين أو ستين؛ يعني: اية؛
[Bukhārī Shareef: 575/Muslim Shareef: 1097]

Translation: Zayd ibn Thābit (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that we performed Suhūr with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and thereafter, we stood up for Salāh. I asked, ‘How long between them [Suhūr and Salāh]?’. He replied, ’50 or 60′ [meaning verses].

Brief Explanation: This is clear proof of Suhūr being a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and also an indication to one benefit of performing Suhūr, which is the opportunity to read Salāh with congregation.

The Fast Commences From Dawn

——– Hadith 14——–

١٤-عن عائشة رضي الله تعالى عنها، أن بلالا رضي الله تعالى عنه كان يؤذن بليل، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (كلوا واشربوا حتى يؤذن ابن أم مكتوم؛ فإنه لا يؤذن حتى يطلع الفجر)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1918/Majma’ al-Zawā’id: 3:156/Mu’jam al-Awsat: 2:246]

Translation: Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with him) would render the Adhān (call to prayer) during the night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would say, ‘Eat and drink until ibn Umm Maktūm renders the Adhān, for indeed, he doesn’t perform the Adhān until dawn occurs.’

Brief Explanation: This gives us an indication that the time for fasting starts from dawn and that the Fajr Adhān can be given thereafter. 

——– Hadith 15——–

١٥- عن عدي بن حاتم رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: لما نزلت: ﴿حتى يتبين لكم الخيط الأبيض من الخيط الأسود﴾ [البقرة: 187]، عمدت إلى عقال أسود، وإلى عقال أبيض، فجعلتهما تحت وسادتي، فجعلت أنظر في الليل فلا يستبين لي، فغدوت على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فذكرت له ذلك، فقال: (إنما ذلك سواد الليل وبياض النهار)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1916/Muslim Shareef: 1091/Abū Dāwūd Shareef: 2349/Musnad Ahmad: 19370]

Translation: “When these [two] verses were revealed: ‘Until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread’, I took two [hair] strings, one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it. So, the next morning, I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and told him the whole story. He explained to me, ‘The verse means the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn.’”

Brief Explanation: This emphasises that the time for fasting starts from ‘True Dawn’.

——– Hadith 16——–

١٦ – عن عبد الله بن أبي أوفى رضي الله تعالى عنهما، قال: كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في سفر، فقال لرجل:(انزل فاجدح لي)؛ قال: يا رسول الله، الشمس، قال: (انزل فاجدح لي)؛ قال: يا رسول الله، الشمس، قال: (انزل فاجدح لي)؛ فنزل فجدح له، فشرب؛ ثم رمى بيده هاهنا، ثم قال: (إذا رأيتم الليل أقبل من هاهنا فقد أفطر الصائم
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1941]

Translation: We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on a journey. He said to a man, “Get down and mix sawīq (powdered barley) with water for me.” The man said, “The sun [has not set yet], Oh Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him again said [to him], “Get down and mix sawīq with water for me.” The man again said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, the sun [has not set yet].” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him [for the third time], “Get down and mix sawīq with water for me.” The man dismounted and mixed sawīq with water for him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) 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.”

——– Hadith 17——–

١٧ – عن سهل بن سعد رضي الله تعالى عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: (لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر)
[Muslim Shareef: 1089/ibn Hibbān: 3502]

Translation: “The people will be continuously in goodness, as long as they break their fast quickly.”

Brief Explanation: Once sunset occurs, one shouldn’t delay in breaking the fast and consuming food/water.

——– Hadith 18——–

١٨ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله تعالى عنه، قال: نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الوصال في الصوم، فقال له رجل من المسلمين: إنك تواصل يا رسول الله قال: (وأيكم مثلي؟ إني أبيت يطعمني ربي ويسقيني)؛ فلما أبوا أن ينتهوا عن الوصال؛ واصل بهم يوما، ثم يوما، ثم رأوا الهلال، فقال:(لو تأخر لزدتكم)؛ كالتنكيل لهم حين أبوا أن ينتهوا
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1965]

Translation: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade from continuous fasting [i.e. one were to fast from dawn till dawn].”

Brief Explanation: One should balance fasting, to keep one’s passion alive. One’s body bestowed by Allah also has rights and thus, Sharī’ah has facilitated this. At most, one should fast every other day (known as the fast of Prophet Dāwūd – peace be upon him), as other narrations indicate, but with Suhūr and Iftār.

Fasting of the Body Parts (by avoiding sins)

——– Hadith 19——–

١٩- عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به، فليس لله حاجة في أن يدع طعامه وشرابه)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1903/ibn Hibbān: 3480]

Translation: “Whoever does not leave lying and other actions [whilst fasting], Allah has no need for his abstaining from food and drink [water]”
Brief Explanation: Fasting is a means of internal purification. The most virtuous fast is that which is performed sincerely, as well as being performed whilst refraining from other evils, whether via the tongue or otherwise. Sinning whilst fasting is even more so disliked and detestable. Thus, fasting should be kept pure so Allah can reward it accordingly.

Eating/Drinking Forgetfully

——– Hadith 20——–

٢٠- عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: (من نسي وهو صائم فأكل وشرب، فليتم صومه فإنما أطعمه الله وسقاه
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1933/Muslim Shareef: 1155/al-Hilyah: 2316]

Translation: “Whosoever forgets he is fasting and thus, eats and drinks, he should complete his fast, for surely, Allah fed him and made him drink.”

Brief Explanation: This applies to when someone consumes food/drink forgetfully without realising he is fasting. In such a case, his fast will remain intact. Refer to the books of jurisprudence for more detail.

Fasting Whilst Travelling

——– Hadith 21——–

٢١ – عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما، قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في سفر، فرأى زحاما ورجلا قد ظلل عليه؛ فقال: (ما هذا؟)؛ فقالوا: صائم فقال: (ليس من البر الصوم في السفر)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1946/Musnad Ahmad: 14410/Nukhab al-Afkār: 8:324]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 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 who is being shaded] is fasting.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey.”

Brief Explanation: Whilst a person is travelling, he/she has a choice, whether to keep the fast of Ramadhān, or not to keep the fast of Ramadhān. Yes, it is better to keep the fast, however, if it is difficult to keep the fast or that the fast will cause problems during the long travel or that the person wishes to miss the obligatory Ramadhān fast, he/she may do so and must make up for the fast after the month of Ramadhān. As for other Nafl (optional) fasts, he/she should only keep them when it is easy to do so.

——– Hadith 22——–

٢٢- عن عبدالله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خرج إلى مكة في رمضان، فصام حتى بلغ الكديد أفطر، فأفطر الناس
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1944/Nukhab al-Afkār: 8:333]

Translation: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) set out for Mecca in Ramadhān and he fasted, and when he reached [a place called] al-Kudayd, he broke his fast and the people [with him] broke their fast too.”

Brief Explanation: As outlined above, one may choose to postpone their Ramadhān fast whilst travelling. This is proven from the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself.

——– Hadith 23——–

٢٣- عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: غزونا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لست عشرة مضت من رمضان، فمنا من صام ومنا من أفطر، فلم يعب الصائم على المفطر ولا المفطر على الصائم
[Muslim Shareef: 1116]

Translation: “We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) on the 16th of Ramadhān. Some of us were fasting and some of us were not fasting. But the one fasting did not find fault with the one who was not fasting, and the one who did not fast did not find fault with the one who was fasting.”

Engaging In Intimacy Whilst Fasting

——– Hadith 24——–

٢٤- عن عائشة رضي الله تعالى عنها، قالت: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل ويباشر وهو صائم، وكان أملككم لإربه؛ متفق عليه، وعند مسلم عنها قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل في رمضان وهو صائم
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1927]

Translation: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to kiss and embrace [his wives] while he was fasting, and he had more power to control his desires than any of you.” Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) says, “The person who gets discharge after casting a look [on his wife] should complete his fast.”

Brief Explanation: This is specific to the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, if an old man does not fear desire and his kissing and embracing of his wife will not lead to intercourse, he may engage in such. Nonetheless, if the youngster fears his kissing reaching intercourse, it won’t be permissible for him to engage in such intimacy. In either case, in this day and age, it is best to avoid.

——– Hadith 25——–

٢٥- عن عائشة وأم سلمة زوجي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يدركه الفجر وهو جنب من أهله، ثم يغتسل ويصوم؛ متفق عليه، وعند مسلم عنهما أنهما قالتا: إن كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليصبح جنبا من جماع غير احتلام في رمضان، ثم يصوم
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1925]

Translation: “At times, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would get up in the morning in the state of major impurity, after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.

Brief Explanation: Having intercourse between Maghrib and Fajr is permissible as one is no longer fasting.

——– Hadith 26——–

٢٦- عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: هلكت يا رسول الله، قال: (وما أهلكك؟)، قال: وقعت على امرأتي في رمضان، قال: (هل تجد ما تعتق رقبة)؛ قال: لا، قال: (فهل تستطيع أن تصوم شهرين متتابعين)؛ قال: لا، قال: (فهل تجد ما تطعم ستين مسكينا)؛ قال: لا، قال: ثم جلس، فأتي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بعرق فيه تمر، فقال: (تصدق بهذا)؛ قال: أفقر منا؟ فما بين لابتيها أهل بيت أحوج إليه منا، فضحك النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى بدت أنيابه، ثم قال: (اذهب فأطعمه أهلك)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 6711/Muslim Shareef: 1111]

Translation: Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a person had intercourse with his wife during Ramadhān [while fasting]. He asked for the religious verdict [about it] from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), whereupon he said: “Can you find a slave [to grant him freedom]?” He said: No. He (the Prophet – peace be upon him) said: “Can you afford to observe fasts for two (consecutive) months?” He said: No. He (the Prophet – peace be upon him) said: “Then feed sixty poor people.”

Cupping Whilst Fasting

——– Hadith 27——–

٢٧- عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وهو محرم، واحتجم وهو صائم
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1938/Dāraqutnī: 2:394]

Translation: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did cupping while he was in the state of Ihrām, and he got cupping done whilst he was fasting.”

Brief Explanation: Cupping does not break the fast of the fasting person. Refer to the books of jurisprudence for further details.

Making-up For Missed Fasts (during one’s lifetime or after one’s death)

——– Hadith 28——–

٢٨ – عن عائشة رضي الله تعالى عنها، قالت: كان يكون علي الصوم من رمضان، فما أستطيع أن أقضي إلا في شعبان
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1950]

Translation: Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) states, “Sometimes, I missed some days of Ramadhān, but could not fast in lieu of them except in the month of Sha’bān.”

Brief Explanation: If one misses the fasts of Ramadhān for a valid reason, they can postpone ‘making-up for that fast’ to anytime during the year. It is preferable to have completed the missed fasts by the following Ramadhān, but it is not necessary. Refer to the books of jurisprudence for further details.

——– Hadith 29——–

٢٩- عن عائشة رضي الله تعالى عنها، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: (من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليه)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1952/Muslim Shareef: 1147]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever died and he ought to have fasted [the missed days of Ramadhān] then his guardians must fast on his behalf.”

Brief Explanation: According to the Hanafī Madhab (school of thought), no one is permitted to perform any outstanding fasts on behalf of the deceased, rather Fidyah (expiation) is to be given. Consider the following statement of ‘Allāmah ‘Aynī in ‘Umdah al-Qārī commenting on this Hadith:

وحجة أصحابنا الحنفية، ومن تبعهم في هذا الباب، في أن: من مات وعليه صيام لا يصوم عنه أحد، ولكنه إن أوصى به أطعم عنه وليه كل يوم مسكين نصف صاع من بر أو صاعا من تمر أو شعير، ما رواه النسائي (عن ابن عباس: أن رسول الله ﷺ قال: (لا يصلي أحد عن أحد، ولكن يطعم عنه). وعن ابن عمر رضي الله تعالى عنهما، قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ: (من مات وعليه صوم شهر فليطعم عنه مكان كل يوم مسكين)
[‘Umdah al-Qārī: Dār Ihyā’ al-Turāth: 11:59]

Translation: “And the substantiation of our companions who follow the Hanafī school of thought, as well as those who follow them [the Hanafī school of thought] in this chapter, is that if a person passes away and had fasts to complete, no one can fast on his behalf. However, if the deceased had stated in his/her will, the guardian should feed a poor person (who does not have nisāb amount) half a sā‘ (a type of measurement) of wheat, or one sā’ of dates or barley. This is because of what Nasa’ī has narrated from ibn Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) …”

Generosity and Goodness During Ramadhān

——– Hadith 30——–

٣٠- عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَأَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ، حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وَكَانَ جِبْرِيلُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ
[Bukhārī Shareef: 3554]

Translation: “Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadhān when Jibreel (peace be upon him) met him. Jibreel (peace be upon him) used to meet him every night during Ramadhān to revise the Qur’ān with him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then used to be more generous than the fast wind.”

Brief Explanation: One’s generosity, along with all other goodness, should increase in Ramadhān for two reasons (amongst others):

• 1. The actions one practices in this month will continue to remain his/her habit even in the other months, due to the numerous blessings which descend during Ramadhān.
• 2. The reward of goodness is multiplied hugely.

Performing Umrah During Ramadhān

——– Hadith 31——–

٣١- عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لامرأة من الأنصار: (ما منعك أن تحجين معنا)؛ قالت: كان لنا ناضح، فركبه أبو فلان وابنه – لزوجها وابنها – وترك ناضحا ننضح عليه، قال: (فإذا كان رمضان اعتمري فيه؛ فإن عمرة في رمضان حجة)؛ أو نحوا مما قال
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1782/Muslim Shareef: 1256]

Translation: Ibn Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to a woman from the Ansār (those that were from Madinah and helped the Muslims of Makkah, thus given the title of ‘Helpers’), “What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?” She replied, We have a camel, and the father of so-and-so and his son [her husband and her son] rode it, while we had left the other camel for irrigation. He [the Prophet – peace be upon him] said, “When it is the month of Ramadhān, then perform ‘Umrah in it, for an ‘Umrah in Ramadhān is equal to a Hajj [in reward].”

Multiplication of Reward in Ramadhān Due to Fasting

——– Hadith 32——–

٣٢- عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ( مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ)
[Muslim Shareef: 760]

Translation: “He who observed the fasts of Ramadhān with faith and seeking reward [from Allah], all his previous sins will be forgiven. And he who observed prayer on the Night of Power (a night during the last ten nights of Ramadhān which is better than a thousand months) with faith and seeking reward [from Allah], all his previous sins would be forgiven.”

Nafl Salāh During Ramadhān

——– Hadith 33——–

٣٣- عن أبي سلمة بن عبد الرحمن، أنه سأل عائشة رضي الله عنها، كيف كانت صلاة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في رمضان؟ فقالت: ما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يزيد في رمضان ولا في غيره على إحدى عشرة ركعة، يصلي أربعا، فلا تسل عن حسنهن وطولهن، ثم يصلي أربعا، فلا تسل عن حسنهن وطولهن، ثم يصلي ثلاثا، قالت عائشة: فقلت: يا رسول الله، أتنام قبل أن توتر؟ فقال: (يا عائشة، إن عيني تنامان ولا ينام قلبي)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1147/Muslim Shareef:738]

Translation: Abū Salamah narrates that he asked Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), “How was the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in Ramadhān?” She responded, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not increase upon eleven raka’āt (units of prayer) during Ramadhān or otherwise [in any other month]. He used to offer four raka’āt, and do not ask regarding the beauty and the length of them. He would then offer three raka’āt.” Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “Oh Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), do you go to sleep before offering the witr prayer?” He replied, My eyes sleep, but by heart does not sleep.”

Brief Explanation: The ruling of witr prayer is that if one is certain that he/she will wake up to offer the prayer, it is best to delay it until the last portion of the night. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) slept, but his heart was awake, indicating that he was certain that he would be able to wake up in the last portion of the night to offer his witr prayer. However, if one is not certain, it is permissible to read it after Ishā prayer.

I’tikāf During The Last Ten Days of Ramadhān

 

——– Hadith 34——–

٣٤- عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره، وأحيا ليله، وأيقظ أهله
[Bukhārī Shareef: 2024/ibn Hibbān: 321]

Translation: “When the final ten days of Ramadhān entered, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would tie his Izaar (bottom garment), stay awake at night and wake his family up.

Brief Explanation: The final ten days of Ramadhān contain Laylah al-Qadr (the night which is greater than a thousand months). Thus, one should exert himself/herself in worship and encourage their family to do so. 

——– Hadith 35——–

٣٥ – عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يعتكف في كل رمضان عشرة أيام، فلما كان العام الذي قبض فيه اعتكف عشرين يوما
[Bukhārī Shareef: 2044]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would perform I’tikāf in every Ramadhān for ten days. In the year he passed away, he performed I’tikāf for twenty days.

Brief Explanation: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) would also recite the Holy Qur’ān to Jibreel (peace be upon him) in Ramadhān. In the year that he passed away, he recited it more than previously.

——– Hadith 36——–

٣٦ – عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يجاور في العشر الأواخر من رمضان، ويقول: (تحروا ليلة القدر في العشر الأواخر من رمضان)
[Bukhārī Shareef: 2018/Muslim Shareef: 1169]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would perform I’tikāf in the last ten nights of Ramadhān and would say, ‘Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhān.’

Searching For Laylah al-Qadr During The Last Ten Nights of Ramadhān

——– Hadith 37——–

٣٧ – عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه، قال: اعتكفنا مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم العشر الأوسط من رمضان، فخرج صبيحة عشرين، فخطبنا، وقال: (إني أريت ليلة القدر، ثم أنسيتها)؛ أو (نسيتها، فالتمسوها في العشر الأواخر في الوتر، وإني رأيت أني أسجد في ماء وطين، فمن كان اعتكف مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فليرجع)؛ فرجعنا وما نرى في السماء قزعة؛ فجاءت سحابة فمطرت حتى سال سقف المسجد، وكان من جريد النخل، وأقيمت الصلاة، فرأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسجد في الماء والطين، حتى رأيت أثر الطين في جبهته
[Bukhārī Shareef: 2016]

Translation: “We performed I’tikāf in the middle ten days of the month of Ramadhān with the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) came out in the morning of the 20th of Ramadhān, addressing us and said, ‘I was informed of [the date of] the Night of Qadr, but I was caused to forget it; so search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhān. I saw myself [in a dream] prostrating in mud and water [as a sign]. So, whoever was in I’tikāf with me should return to it with me [for another ten days]’, and we returned. At that time, there was no sign of clouds in the sky, but suddenly, a cloud came and it rained till rainwater started leaking through the roof of the mosque which was made of date-palm leaf stalks. Then the prayer was established, and I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prostrating in mud and water and I saw the traces of mud on his forehead.”

Brief Explanation: This proves the notion that the date of Laylah al-Qadr was hidden from Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and thus, the companions were told to find it in the last ten nights and specifically, the odd nights of these last ten nights.

Forbidden Fasts (the two Eids)

——– Hadith 38——–

٣٨ – عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه، قال: هذان يومان نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صيامهما؛ يوم فطركم من صيامكم، واليوم الاخر تأكلون فيه من نسككم
[Bukhārī Shareef: 1990/Muslim Shareef: 1137]

Translation: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade from fasting on these two days; on the day when you finish fasting [the fasts of Ramadhān] and the day on which you eat the meat of your sacrifices of Hajj [the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adhā].

Brief Explanation: It is not permitted to fast on these days:

1. Eid al-Fitr
2. Eid al-Adha
3. Three days after Eid al-Adhā

This is becasue Allah Almighty presents his hosting on these days. Eating is being grateful to the host.

Giving Sadaqah al-Fitr to Mark the End of Fasting (during Ramadhān)

——– Hadith 39——–

٣٩- عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرض زكاة الفطر من رمضان على الناس صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير على كل حر أو عبد، ذكر أو أنثى من المسلمين
[Muslim Shareef: 984/Mushkil al- Āthār: 9:43]

Translation: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prescribed the payment of Zakāh al-Fitr of Ramadhān upon the people; for every free-person, slave, male and female from among the Muslims, one sā’ [type of measurement] of dried dates or one sā’ of barley.”

Brief Explanation: Zakāh al-Fitr which has been referred to in this Hadith is another name for Sadaqah al-Fitr. A person should ensure that he gives the amount which is due before the Eid Salāh, so that it can reach the poor and needy.
One should contact local scholars to find out the exact amount of Sadaqah al-Fitr.

The Six Fasts of the Month of Shawwāl

——– Hadith 40——–

 ٤٠- عن أبي أيوب الأنصاري رضي الله عنه، أنه حدثه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (من صام رمضان، ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال كان كصيام الدهر)
[Muslim Shareef: 1164/Sunan al-Nasā’i al-Kubrā: 2875]

Translation: “Whoever fasts in [the month of] Ramadhān and follows it up with six fasts of [the month of] Shawwāl, it is like he has been fasting for the entire year.”

In Conclusion

The month of Ramadhan is a gift from the Best of Givers; Allah. It is an opportunity for us to become closer to Him. It is an occasion for us to cleanse our heart and to train our nafs (internal subjectivity). It not only gives us a surge of spirituality, but enlightens us with the undeniable fact that we are capable of doing the very same beautiful acts every day! These thirty days allow us to re-examine ourselves and witness how obedient we are without the influence of shaytan (the devil).

Through this month, we see the extent of the damage caused upon ourselves by shaytan (the devil). It gives us a chance to recognise the bad habits that have become second nature to us, despite the devil being locked up! But most importantly, it is an opportunity to gain the pleasure of Allah and His forgiveness, by which we can enter into Jannah (paradise).

May the Almighty accept our fasts, our hunger, our thirst and our standing in prayer during the nights. May He allow us to fast in this blessed month for many more years ahead of us. May He continue to guide us and those we love towards the path upon which tread the Prophets and the pious servants. May He grant us the best in this world and the hereafter. Āmeen.

Posted in General on 19th Apr 2022 by Our Imam | 2636 Views