Fasting on Ramadan

In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Fasting in the month of ramadan is one of the Five fondations of islam. It is mandatory for all those who do not fall in the exemptions.

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺

Quran: 2:183

Ramadan is a blessed month which is to elevate our state. We remember our Maker consistently and interact more with the Quran, increase good deeds such as charity and work hard on ourselves.

Fasting on Ramadan is 29 to 30 days depending on moon sighting.

˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.

Quran: 2: 184

Some people might be exempted due to accepted circumstances such as illnesses, menstruation, postpartum period, and traveling.(Please, look thoroughly about the cases of exemption).

When these cases of exemptions are over, an equal number of days missed must be offered.

Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

Quran: 2: 185

It is important to note that it must be offered all its requirements.

Ramadan is the month during which the quran was revealed, so it is important to show a lot of gratitude during this blessed month as Allah, The Best of the merciful and Most Merciful, has guided us to that which we did not know and would never have been guided to it if He, Exalted is He, had not guided us to it.

Allah, Exalted is He, has honoured the children of Israel(Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) by giving them the Torah and many prophets(Peace and blessing of Allah be upon Them) so perhaps they will be guided and grateful:

And ˹remember˺ when We gave Moses the Scripture—the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺ that perhaps you would be ˹rightly˺ guided.

Quran: 2:53

Then at the end of verse 2:185 Allah, Exalted is He, says to the muslim community:

.....and perhaps you will be grateful.

Quran: 2:185

Therefore, it is important to exalt Allah, The Most Merciful, much during the month of Ramadan by showing our gratitude contrary to some of the previous nations.

Also, it is important to keep hold of the Rope of Allah,Exhalted is He, by applying in our daily lives as we have been commanded in verse 2:121:

Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it - it is they who are the losers

Quran: 2:121

Ramadan is also an opportunity to have our sins forgiven.

Narrated Abu Wail from Hudhaifa:

`Umar asked the people, "Who remembers the narration of the Prophet (ﷺ) about the affliction?" Hudhaifa said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, 'The affliction of a person in his property, family and neighbors is expiated by his prayers, fasting, and giving in charity." `Umar said, "I do not ask about that, but I ask about those afflictions which will spread like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa replied, "There is a closed gate in front of those afflictions." `Umar asked, "Will that gate be opened or broken?" He replied, "It will be broken." `Umar said, "Then the gate will not be closed again till the Day of Resurrection." We said to Masruq, "Would you ask Hudhaifa whether `Umar knew what that gate symbolized?" He asked him and he replied "He (`Umar) knew it as one knows that there will be night before tomorrow, morning.

Sahih al-Bukhari 1895

Some Haadiths about fasting:

Narrated Sahl:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

Sahih al-Bukhari 1896


'Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah's Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of Allah! Here is prosperity.' So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar-Raiyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity." Abu Bakr said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them."

Sahih al-Bukhari 1897


Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1899


Narrated Ibn `Umar:

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1900


Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1901


Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1902


Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1903


Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 al-Bukhari 1904


Narrated 'Alqama:

While I was walking with `Abdullah he said, "We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said, 'He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power."

Sahih al-Bukhari 1905


The Night Of Qadr(Decree/Power)