Details of Fasting

A Great Reward for Those Who Fast

The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said that your Lord said,

"Every (sinful) deed can be expiated; and the fast is for Me, so I will give the reward for it; and the smell which comes out of the mouth of a fasting person, is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."

[Bukhari]

The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said,

"Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk."

[Bukhari]

The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said,

"(Allah said), 'Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk."

[Bukhari]

He(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) also said:

"Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said: 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me'. For the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time of joy when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of Musk."

[Muslim]

"Verily, the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the men and women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and women who are patient, the men and women who are humble (before their Lord), the men and women who give charity, the men and women who fast, the men and women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and women who remember Allah much. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)."

[al-Ahzaab, 33:35]

Breaking of the Fast at Sunset

Anas Ibn Maalik said:

"The Prophet used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water.

[Ahmad and Abu Dawood]

The Prophet(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said:

"Whoever gives someone something to break the fast with, he would hove The same blessings as the fasting person and this would not reduce the blessings of the fasting person in any way"

[Ahmad and Tirmidhee]

Sahl Ibn Sa'd said that the Messenger of Allah(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said:

"The people will continue to be in good condition as long as they hasten to break the fast."

[Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The Reason We Fast

Allaah has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[al-Baqarah 2:183]

Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allaah), and taqwa means doing that which Allaah has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.
Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfil the commands of Islam.

Some Rules for Fasting

Fasting is obligatory on the mature sane and healthy Muslim. Those who are immature (i.e. young children) are encouraged to fast. Exempted are those who suffer terminal illness, or are too old to fast. Allah does not overburden His slaves.

1. Permission to abstain from fasting is granted to the travelers who do not travel for the purpose of breaking their fast.
2. As for those whose sickness does not allow them to fast, they fall into three categories:
   a. If it is neither hard nor harmful for them, they must observe fasting.
   b. If it is hard, but not harmful for them, they are permitted to break their fast.
   c. If it is harmful for them, then they must abstain from fasting.
3. During the monthly period or period of post-natal bleeding, women are to abstain from fasting,but must make up the days they missed after the fasting month is over. The Pregnant or breastfeeding woman whose health or the health of the suckling baby might be affected by fasting should break her fast and make up the missed days after Ramadhaan.
4. Performing the other acts of worship and duties is most important, and salaah is of particular importance, as without it no other act of worship is accepted by Allah.
5. Refraining from bad behavior such as lying, cheating music, smoking, backbiting and slandering others to create animosity among backbiting and slandering others to create animosity among them. The Prophet( sallalahu alayhi wasallm) said, “ No slanderer shall enter paradise.”
6. Taking the meal of suhoor. The prophet (sallalahu alayhi wasallm)said: “ Take (the meal of) suhoor because there is blessing in it.” He(sallalahu alayhi wasallm) also said: “ The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the book is taking the meal of suhoor.”