7. Fasting

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied manifold. A good deed will be multiplied ten times up to as many as seven hundred times, or as much as Allah wills. Allah says: ‘Except for fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desire and his food for My sake.’ The fasting person has two joys, one when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord. The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk.” Mutarrif, from the tribe of Banu ‘Amir bin Sa’sa’ah narrated that ‘Uthman bin Abul-‘As Ath-Thaqafi invited him to drink some milk that he poured for him. Mutarrif said: “I am fasting.” ‘Uthman said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Fasting is a shield against the Fire just like the shield of anyone of you against fighting.’” It was narrated from Sahl bin Sa’d that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “In Paradise there is a gate called Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection the call will go out saying: ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ Whoever is among those who used to fast will enter it, and whoever enters it will never thirst again.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and mischievous jinns are chained up, and the gates of the Fire are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates are closed. And a caller cried out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, stop.’ And Allah has necks (people) whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day.” It was narrated from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “At every breaking of the fast Allah has people whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every night.” It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “Ramadan began, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘This month has come to you, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.’” It was narrated that Silah bin Zufar said: “We were with ‘Ammar on the day concerning which there was some doubt. A (roasted) sheep was brought and some of the people moved away. ‘Ammar said: ‘Whoever is fasting on this day has disobeyed Abu Qasim (ﷺ).’” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade anticipating the fast by fasting one day before sighting (of the crescent).” It was narrated from Qasim Abu ‘Abdur-Rahman that he heard Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan on the pulpit saying: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say from the pulpit, before the month of Ramadan: ‘Fasting will begin on such and such a day, but we are going to start fasting earlier, so whoever wants to start fasting earlier (i.e., in Sha’ban), let him do so, and whoever wants to wait until Ramadan begins, let him do so.’” It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to join Sha’ban to Ramadan.” It was narrated that Rabi’ah bin Ghaz asked ‘Aishah about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She said: “He used to fast all of Sha’ban, until he joined it to Ramadan.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Do not anticipate Ramadan by fasting one or two days before, except for a man who has a habitual pattern of fasting, in which case let him fast.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When it is the middle of Sha’ban, do not fast until Ramadan comes.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “A Bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘I have seen the new crescent tonight.’ He said: ‘Do you bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Get up, O Bilal, and announce to the people that they should fast tomorrow.’” It was narrated that ‘Umair bin Anas bin Malik said: “My paternal uncles among the Ansar who were among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told me: ‘The new crescent of Shawwal was covered with clouods, so we fasted the next day. Then some riders came at the end of the day and testified to the Prophet (ﷺ) that they had seen the new crescent the night before. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded them to break their fast and to go out to offer the ‘Eid prayer the following morning.’” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When you see the new crescent, fast, and when you see it, stop fasting. If it is cloudy then calculate it (as thirty days).” Ibn ‘Umar used to fast one day before the new crescent was seen. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When you see the new crescent then fast, and when you see it then stop fasting. If it is cloudy then fast thirty days.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘How much of the month has passed?” We said: “Twenty-two (days), and there are eight left.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The month is like that, and the month is like that, (and the month is like that), three times, and he withheld one finger the last time.” It was narrated from Muhammad bin Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The month is like that and like that and like that,’ and he showed nine fingers on the third time to indicate twenty-nine.” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "(The months in which) We fasted twenty-nine days at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), were more than (the months in which) we fasted thirty days. It was narrated that from ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakrah, from his father, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Two months of ‘Eid whose reward cannot be reduced (even if they are twenty-nine days): ‘Ramaadan and Dhul-Hijjah.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Al-Fitr is the day when you break your fast and Al-Adha is the day when you offer sacrifices.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted while he was traveling, and he broke his fast.” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “Hamzah Al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): ‘I am fasting, should I fast while traveling?’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘If you wish, then fast, and if you wish, then break your fast.’” It was narrated that Abu Darda’ said: “We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on one of his journeys on a hot day, and it was extremely hot. A man would put his hand over his head because of the intense heat. No one among the people was fasting except for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and ‘Abdullah bin Rawahah.” It was narrated from Ka’b bin ‘Asim that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘It is not an act of righteousness to fast while traveling.” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "It is not an act of righteousness to fast while traveling." It was narrated from ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The one who fasts Ramadan while traveling is like one who breaks his fast when not traveling.” It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that a man from the tribe of Banu ‘Abdul-Ashhal, while (one narrator) ‘Ali bin Muhammad said (he was) a man from the tribe of Banu ‘Abdullah bin Ka’b, said: “The cavalry of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) attacked us, so I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was eating a meal. He said: ‘Come and eat.’ I said: ‘I am fasting.’ He said: ‘Sit down and I will tell you about fasting. Allah has relieved the traveler of half of the prayer, and He has relieved the traveler, the pregnant, and the nursing mothers of the duty to fast.’ By Allah, the Prophet (ﷺ) said them, both, or one of them, and now I feel so disappointed that I had not eaten of the food of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).” It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) granted a concession to pregnant women who fear for themselves, allowing them not to fast, and to nursing mothers who fear for their infants.” It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: “I heard ‘Aishah say: ‘I used to owe fasts from the month of Ramadan, and I would not make them up for until Sha’ban came.’” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “We used to menstruate at the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), and he would order us to make up for the (missed) fasts.’” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘I am doomed.’ He said: ‘Why are you doomed?’ He said: ‘I had intercourse with my wife in Ramadan.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Free a slave.’ He said: ‘I cannot.’ He said: ‘Fast for two consecutive months.’ He said: ‘I cannot.’ He said: ‘Feed sixty poor persons.’ He said: ‘I cannot.’ He said: ‘Sit down.’ So he sat down, and while doing so a basketful of dates was brought. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Go and give this in charity.’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, by the One Who sent you with the truth, there is no household between its two lava fields (i.e., in Al-Madinah) that is more in need of it than us.’ He said: ‘Then go and feed your family.’” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever does not fast one day in Ramadan without having a concession allowing that, fasting for a lifetime will not make up for that.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever eats out of forgetfulness while fasting, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah Who has fed him and given him to drink." It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abu Bakr said: “We broke our fast on a cloudy day at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), then the sun appeared.” It was narrated that Abu Masruq said: “I heard Fadalah bin ‘Ubaid Al- Ansari narrating that the Prophet (ﷺ) came out to them on a day when he was fasting. He called for a vessel and drank. We said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you were fasting today.’ He said: ‘Yes, but I vomited.’” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever unintentionally vomits, he does not have to make up for the fast, but whoever makes himself vomit, has to make up for the fast.” It was narrated from ‘Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “One of the best actions of the fasting person is using the tooth stick.” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) applied kohl to his eyes while he was fasting.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done both break their fast.” It was narrated that Thawban said: “I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: ‘The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done both break their fast.’” It was narrated from Abu Qilabah that when Shaddad bin Aws was walking with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in Al-Baqi’, he passed by a man who was being cupped, after eighteen days of the month (of Ramadan) had passed. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done both break their fast.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had cupping done when he was fasting and in Ihram.” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to kiss during the month of fasting.” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to kiss when he was fasting, and who among you can control his desire as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to control his desire?” It was narrated from Hafsah that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to kiss when he was fasting. It was narrated that Maimunah the freed (female) slave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about a man who kissed his wife when they were both fasting. He said: ‘They have broken their fast.’” It was narrated that Ibrahim said: “Al-Aswad and Masruq entered upon ‘Aishah and said: ‘Did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) touch (his wife) when he was fasting?’ She said: ‘He used to do that, and he was the strongest of all of you in controlling his desire.’” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “A concession was granted to those who are older with regard to touching while fasting, but it was disliked on the part of those who are younger.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever does not give up evil and ignorant speech, and acting in accordance with that, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray and get nothing from their prayer but a sleepless night.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When anyone of you is fasting, let him not utter evil or ignorant speech. If anyone speaks to him in an ignorant manner, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Eat Suhur, for in Suhur there is a blessing.” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Seek help by eating Suhur for fasting that day, and by taking a brief rest (at midday) for praying at night.” It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that Zaid bin Thabit said: “We ate Suhur with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then we got up to perform prayer.” I said: “How long was there between the two?” He said: “As long as it takes to recite fifty Verses.” It was narrated that Hudhaifah said: “I ate Suhur with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when it was daybreak but the sun had not yet risen.” [(One of the narrators) Abu Ishaq said: “The Hadith of Hudhaifah is abrogated and does not mean anything.”] It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The Adhan of Bilal should not prevent anyone of you from eating Suhur, for he gives the Adhan to alert those among you who are asleep, and so that anyone who is praying can prepare himself for fasting. The Fajr does not come in this manner, rather it comes in this manner, and it appears along the horizon.” It was narrated from Sahl bin Sa’d that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break their fast.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The people will remain upon goodness so long as they hasten to break the fast. Hasten to break the fast, for the Jews delay it." Salman bin ‘Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When any one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates. If he cannot find dates, then let him break it with water, for it is a means of purification." It was narrated from Hafsah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There is no fast for the one who did not make it incumbent upon himself from the night before." It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would enter upon me and say: ‘Do you have anything (any food)?’ If we said: ‘No,’ he would say: ‘Then I am fasting.’ So he would continue fasting, then it we were given some food, he would break his fast.” She said: “Sometimes he would fast and (then) break fast (i.e., combine fasting and breaking fast in one day).” I said: “How is that?” She said: “Like the one who goes out with charity (i.e., something to give in charity),and he gives some away and keeps some.” It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr Al-Qari said: “I heard Abu hurairah say: ‘No, by the Lord of the Ka’bah! I did not say: “Whoever wakes up in a state of sexual impurity (and wants to fast) then he must not fast.” Muhammad (ﷺ) said it.’” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to spend the night in a state of sexual impurity, then Bilal would come to him and inform him that it is time for prayer. So he would get up and have a bath, and I would see the water dripping from his head, then he would go out and I would hear his voice during Fajr prayer.” It was narrated that Nafi’ said: “I asked Umm Salamah about a man who gets up in the morning when he is in a state of sexual impurity and wants to fast. She said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to get up in the morning in a state of sexual impurity after having intercourse, not from a wet dream, then he would take a bath and complete his fast.’” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Shikhkhir that his father said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever fasts continually, he neither fasts nor breaks his fast.’” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There is no fasting for one who fasts continually.” It was narrated from ‘Abdul-Malik bin Minhal, from his father that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to enjoin fasting the bright days – the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth (when the moon is full). He said: “It is like fasting for a lifetime.” It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts three days in every month, that is fasting for a lifetime.” Then, in testimony of that, Allah revealed: “Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten time the like thereof to his credit.” [6:160] So one day is equivalent to ten (in reward). It was narrated from Mu’adhah Al-‘Adawiyyah that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast three days of each month.” I said: “Which were they?” She said: “He did not care which days they were.” It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: “I asked ‘Aishah about the fasting of the Prophet (ﷺ). She said: ‘He used to fast until we thought he would always fast. And he used to not fast until we thought he would always not fast. I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha’ban. He used to fast all of Sha’ban; he used to fast all of Sha’ban except a little.’” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast until we thought he would never stop fasting. And he used to not fast until we thought we would never fast. And he never fasted any compelte month apart from Ramadan, from the time he came to Al- Madinah.” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of Dawud, for he used to fast one day and not the next. And the most beloved of prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud; he used to sleep half of the night, pray one-third of the night and sleep one-sixth of the night.” It was narrated that Abu Qatadah said: “Umar bin Khattab said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What about a person who fasts two days and does not fast one day?’ He said: ‘Is anyone able to do that?’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What about a person who fasts one day and not the next?’ He said: ‘That is the fast of Dawud.’ He said: ‘What about a man who fasts one day and does not fast the next two days?’ He said: ‘I wish that I were given the ability to do that.’” It was narrated from Abu Firas that he heard ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr say: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘(Prophet) Nuh fasted for a lifetime, except for the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha.’” It was narrated from Thawban, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts six days after the Fitr will have completed the year, for whoever does a good deed will have the reward of ten like it.” It was narrated from Abu Ayyub that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts one day in the cause of Allah, Allah will keep the Fire away from his face the distance of seventy autumns (years) for that day.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will move his face away from the Fire a distance of seventy autumns (years).” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The days of Mina (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) are days of eating and drinking.’” It was narrated from Bishr bin Suhaim that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered a sermon on the days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) and said: “No one will enter Paradise but a Muslim soul, and these days are the days of eating and drinking.” It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. It was narrated that Abu ‘Ubaid said: “I was present for ‘Eid with ‘Umar bin Khattab. He started with the prayer before the sermon, and said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on these two days, the Day of Fitr and the Day of Adha. As for the Day of Fitr, it is the day when you break your fast, and on the Day of Adha you eat the meat of your sacrifices.’” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting on a Friday unless it (is joined to) the day before or the day after.” It was narrated that Muhammad bin ‘Abbad bin Ja’far said: “While I was circumambulating the House, I asked Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: ‘Did the Prophet (ﷺ) forbid fasting on a Friday?’ He said: ‘Yes, by the Lord of this House.’” It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: “I rarely saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) not fasting on a Friday.” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Busr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not fast on Saturdays apart from days when you are obliged to fast. If anyone of you cannot find anything other than grape stalks or the bark of a tree, let him suck on it.” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah. They said: “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He said: “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, unless a man goes out with himself and his wealth and does not bring anything back.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are no days in this world during which worship is more beloved to Allah, Glorious is He, than the (first) ten days (of Dhul- Hijjah). Fasting one of these days is equivalent to fasting for one year, and one night of them is equal to Lailatul-Qadr.” It was narrated from Aswad that ‘Aishah said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasting the (first) ten days (of Dhul- Hijjah).” It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” It was narrated that Qatadah bin Nu’man said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Whoever fasts the Day of ‘Arafah, his sins of the previous and following year will be forgiven.’” It was narrated that ‘Ikrimah said: “I entered upon Abu Hurairah in his house and asked him about fasting the Day of ‘Arafah at ‘Arafat. Abu Hurairah said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade fasting the Day of ‘Arafah at ‘Arafat.’” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast ‘Ashura’, and he ordered (others) to fast it too.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Al- Madinah, and he found the Jews observing a fast. He said: ‘What is this?’ They said: ‘This is the day when Allah saved Musa and drowned Pharaoh, so Musa fasted this day in gratitude.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘We have more right to Musa than you do.’ So he fasted (that day) and enjoined (others) to fast it also.’” It was narrated from Muhammad bin Saifi that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us on the Day of ‘Ashura’: “Has anyone among you eaten today?” We said: “Some of us have eaten and some of us have not.” He said: “Complete the rest of your day (i.e., do not eat for the rest of the day), whoever has eaten and whoever has not eaten. And send word to the people of the suburbs to complete the rest of their day.” He was referring to the people of the suburbs around Al-Madinah. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar that the Day of ‘Ashura’ was mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “That was a day when the people of the Ignorance used to fast. So whoever among you wants to fast may do so, and whoever does not want to may leave it.” It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’, I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.” It was narrated from Rabi’ah bin Ghaz that he asked ‘Aishah about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). She said: “He used to make sure he fasted on Mondays and Thursdays.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you fast on Mondays and Thursdays?” He said: “On Mondays and Thursdays Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’” It was narrated from Abu Mujibah Al-Bahili that his father or, his paternal uncle, said: “I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Prophet of Allah, I am the man who came to you last year.’ He said: ‘Why do I see your body so thin (and weak)?’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I do not eat during the day; I only eat at night.’ He said: ‘Who commanded you to punish yourself?’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I am strong enough.’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience* and one day after it.’ I said: ‘I am strong enough (to do more).’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience and two days after it.’ I said: ‘I am strong enough (to do more).’ He said: ‘Fast the month of patience and three days after it, and fast the sacred months.’” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘Which fasting is better after the month of Ramadan?’ He said: ‘The month of Allah which is called Muharram.’” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that: The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade fasting Rajab. It was narrated from Muhammad bin Ibrahim that Usamah bin Zaid used to fast the sacred months. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: “Fast Shawwal.” So he forsook the sacred months and he continued to fast Shawwal until he died. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “For everything there is Zakat and the Zakat of the body is fasting.” (A narrator in one of the chains) Muhriz added in his narration: "And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Fasting is half of patience.'" It was narrated from Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have a reward like theirs, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Zubair said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) broke his fast with Sa’d bin Mu’adh and said: ‘Aftara ‘indakumus-saimun, wa akala ta’amakumul-abrar, wa sallat ‘alaikumul- mala’ikah (May fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels send blessing upon you).” It was narrated that Umm ‘Umarah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us and we brought food for him. Some of those who were with him were fasting, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘If food is eaten in the presence of one who is fasting, the angels send blessing upon him.’” It was narrated from Sulaiman bin Buraidah that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Bilal: ‘Come and eat, O Bilal.’ He said: ‘I am fasting.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘We are eating our provision, but most of Bilal’s provision is in Paradise. Do you realise, O Bilal, that the bones of the fasting person glorify Allah and the angels pray for forgiveness for him so long as food is eaten in front of him?’” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If anyone of you is invited to eat when he is fasting, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” It was narrated from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever is invited to eat when he is fasting, let him accept the invitation; and if he wants to let him eat, and if he wants let him not eat.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: There are three whose supplications are not turned back: A just ruler, and a fasting person until he breaks his fast. And, the supplication of one who has been wronged is raised by Allah up to the clouds on the Day of Resurrection, and the gates of heaven are opened for it, and Allah says, ‘By My Might I will help you (against the wrongdoer) even if it is after a while.’” It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin ‘As that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When the fasting person breaks his fast, his supplication is not turned back.” It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) would not go out on the Day of Fitr until he had eaten some dates.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) would not go out on the Day of Fitr until he had had given his Companions some of the charity of Fitr to eat.” It was narrated from Ibn Buraidah from his father, that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not go out on the Day of Fitr until he had eaten, and he would not eat on the Day of Nahr (the day of sacrifice) until he came back. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever dies owing the fasts of a month, one poor person should be fed on his behalf for each day.” It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, my sister has died and she owed a fast of two consecutive months.’ He said: ‘Do you not think that if your sister owed a debt, you would pay it off for her?’ She said: ‘Of course.’ He said: ‘The right of Allah is greater.’” It was narrated from Ibn Buraidah that his father said: “A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died and she owed a fast. Should I fast on her behalf?’ He said: ‘Yes.’” It was narrated that ‘Atiyyah bin Sufyan bin ‘Abdullah bin Rabi’ah said: “Our delegation who went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to announce the Islam of Thaqif told us that they came to him in Ramadan. He set up a tent for them in the mosque, and when they became Muslim, they fasted what was left of the month.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When her husband is present, no woman should fast any day apart from the month of Ramadan without his permission.” It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade women from fasting without the permission of their husbands.” It was narrated from ‘Aishah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “If a man stays among a people, he should not fast without their permission.” It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “A grateful eater is equal to a patient fasting person.” It was narrated from Sinan bin Sannah Al-Aslami, the Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A grateful eater will have a reward like that of a patient fasting person.” It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said: “We observed I’tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the middle ten days of Ramadan. He said: ‘I have been shown Lailatul-Qadr, then I was caused to forget it, so seek it in the last ten night, on the odd-numbered nights.’” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to strive hard (in worship) in the last ten nights of Ramadan as he never did at any other time.” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to stay up at night, tighten his waist- wrap, and wake up his family (to pray).” It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to observe I’tikaf for ten days every year. In the year in which he passed away, he observed I’tikaf for twenty days. And the Qur’an would be reviewed with him once every year, but in the year in which he passed away, it was reviewed with him twice.” It was narrated from Ubayy bin Ka’b that: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in I’tikaf. One year he was traveling, so the following year he spent twenty days in I’tikaf. It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “When the Prophet (ﷺ) wanted to start I’tikaf, he would pray the Subh, then he would enter the place where he wanted to observe I’tikaf. He wanted to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in I’tikaf, so he ordered that a tent be set up for him.” Then ‘Aishah ordered that a tent be set up for her, and Hafash ordered that a tent be set up for her. When Zainab saw their two tents, she also ordered that a tent be set up for her. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw that, he said: “It is righteousness that you seek?” Then he did not observe I’tikaf during Ramadan, and he observed I’tikaf during ten days of Shawwal. It was narrated from ‘Umar that he had vowed during the Ignorance days to spend one night in I’tikaf. He asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about it, so he commanded him to spend it in I’tikaf. It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in I’tikaf. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that: When the Prophet (ﷺ) observed I’tikaf, his bedding would be spread for him, or his bed would be placed there for him, behind the Pillar or Repentance. It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed I’tifak in a Turkish tent, over the door of which was a piece of reed matting. He pushed the mat aside, then he put his head out and spoke to the people. It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “I used to enter the house to relieve myself, and there was a sick person there, and I only inquired after him as I was passing through.” She said: “And the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not enter the house except to relieve himself, then they were observing I’tikaf.” It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘The person observing I’tikaf may attend funerals and visit the sick.’” It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to bring his head towards me when he was next door (observing I’tikaf), and I would wash it and comb his hair, when I was in my apartment and I was menstruating, and he was in the mosque.” It was narrated from Safiyyah bint Huyai, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), that she came to visit the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he was in I’tikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. She spoke with him for a while during the evening, then she stood up to go back. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up to take her home. When she reached the door of the mosque that was by the home of Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ), two men from among the Ansar passed by them. They greeted the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with peace, then went away. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Take it easy, she is Safiyyah bint Huyai.” They said: “Glorious is Allah, O Messenger of Allah!” And they were very upset by that (i.e., that he thought they may have some doubts). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The Satan flows through the son of Adam like blood, and I was afraid that he might cast some doubt into your hearts.” ‘Aishah said: “One of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed I’tikaf with him, and she used to see red and yellow discharge, and sometime she would put a basin beneath her.” It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said concerning the person observing I’tikaf. “He is refraining from sin and he will be given a reward like that of one who does all kinds of good deeds.” It was narrated from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever spends the nights of the two ‘Eid in praying voluntary prayers, seeking reward from Allah, his heart will not die on the Day when hearts will die.”