Chapter on fasting

At-Targhīb wat-Tarhib – Inspiriting and Disheartening – Chapter on Fasting

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BOOK ON FASTING
INSPIRITING AND DISHEARTENING

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LIST OF CONTENTS
Inspiring one to fast
Chapter
Inspiriting on to fast in the Month of Ramadhān, seeking Allāh’s Reward
Disheartening one to break the fast except with a valid reason
Inspiriting one to observe the fasts of the six days of Shawwāl
Inspiring one to fast the day of ‘Ārafāh
Inspiriting one to fast in al-Muharrām
Inspiriting one to fast on the day of ‘Āshūra
Inspiriting one to fast during ShaÊban
Inspiriting one to fast 3 days of every month
Inspiriting one to fast on Mondays and Thursdays
Inspiriting one to fast on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the
forbiddance of singling Fridays or Saturdays
Inspiriting one to fast on alternate days
Disheartening a woman from voluntary fasts without her husbands permission
Disheartening one from fasting if it be difficult
Inspiriting one to have Sahūr with dates
Hastening the Iftār and delaying the Sahūr
Inspiriting one to break the fast with water, if there be no dates
Inspiriting one to offer food to a fasting person
Inspiriting the one fasting to offer food to those not fasting
Disheartening the one fasting from backbiting, obscenity, lies etc
Inspiriting one to practice IÊtikāf
Inspiriting one to give up fast-breaking and stating is necessity

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INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂAllāh, the Great, the Almighty
said, ÂAll deeds of the sons of Ādam are for them, except fasting which is for me. And I
will give reward for it.Ê Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from
committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife,
and quarrelling and If someone should fight with him, he should say, ÂI am fasting.Ê By
him in whose Hands is my soul, the smell from the mouth of one who is fasting is
better in the sight of Allāh than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the one
fasting, one at the time of breaking the fast, and the other at the time when he meets
his Lord, he will be pleased because of this fast.Ê1

2. Sahl ibn SÊād [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThere is a gate in Paradise called
ar-Riyān, and those who observe the fast will enter through it one the Day of
Judgement, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry, the gate will
be closed and nobody will enter through it.Ê2

3. ÂAbdullāh ibn ÂAmr [ra] that relates that the Prophet said, ÂFasting and the QurÊān
will intercede for the servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ÂO Lord, I
caused him to restrain from food and sexual desire, so accept my intercession for him.
And the QurÊān will say, ÂI caused him not to sleep at night so accept my intercession
for him. And then their intercession will be accepted.Ê3

4. Ibn ÂAbbās [ra] relates that the Prophet once sent Abū Mūsā [ra] on a Sariyyāh for
Jihād at sea. On their way while they had raised the sail in the darkness of night, a
voice called out to them, ÂO people of the ship, stop and I will tell you a judgement
decreed by Allāh for Himself. Upon then Abū Mūsā [ra] said, ÂTell us if you are a
reporter.Ê The voice cried, ÂVerily Allāh, the Exalted has decreed for Himself that he
who causes himself to be thirsty for His sake, Allāh will provide for him, with drink on
the Day of Thirst.Ê4

5. Abū Umāmah [ra] relates, I said, ÂO Prophet , tell me of a good action.Ê He said,
ÂObserve fasting, for there is no equivalent to it.Ê And I said again, ÂO Prophet , tell
me of a good action.Ê And he said, ÂObserve fasting, for there is no equivalent to it.Ê
Then I said, ÂO Prophet , tell me of a good action.Ê He said. ÂObserve fasting, for
there is no equivalent to it.Ê5

6. Abū SaÊīd al-Khurdy [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂEvery servant of Allāh who
observes fasting for a day, for the sake of Allāh, Allāh will remove his face further from
the Fire to the extent of 70 years distance.Ê6

1
Al-Bukhārī
2
Al-Bukhārī
3
Al-Hākim
4
Al-Hākim
5
An-Nasāi
6
Muslim

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CHAPTER

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThree are the people whose
supplication is never rejected; the one who is fasting when he breaks his fast his fast,
the just Imām and the supplication of the oppressed. Allāh raised them [their
supplications] above the clouds, the gates of Heaven open for them and then the Lord
says, ÂBy my Greatness and Majesty, I will answer your supplication, even if it be after
some time.Ê7

INSPIRITING TO FAST IN THE MONTH OF RAMADHĀN, SEEKING ALLĀHÊS
REWARD

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂWhoever established prayers on
the Night of Revelation out of sincere faith and hoping for Divine Reward, all his
previous ins will be forgiven, and whoever fasts in Ramadhān out of sincere faith,
hoping for Divine Reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.8

2. Abū SaÊīd al-Khurdy [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂHe who fasts in Ramadhān
while being aware of its precept and guarding against what should be guarded against,
his past sins will be expiated.Ê9

3. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe Five Prayers, from one Friday
Prayer to the next Friday Prayer and from one Ramadhān ro the next Ramadhān are
expiations [of the sins committed between their intervals] if major sins are not
committed. 10

4. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂWhen Ramadhān begins, the
gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are
chained.Ê11

5. Abū SaÊīd al-Khurdy [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂVerily Allāh, the Exalted,
saves some people from entering the Hellfire every day and night in Ramadhān, and
every Muslim has an answered supplication every day and night.Ê12

6. ÂAbdullāh ibn MaÊūd [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂAt the first night of
Ramadhān, the gates of Paradise are opened and not a single gate of them is closed
during the month. And the gates of the Hellfire are closed and not a single gate of
them is opened during the whole month. The insolent Jinn are chained and a
proclaimer proclaims from the Heavens every night till the rise of the dawn, ÂO he who
seeks good deeds, approach and rejoice and o he who seeks evil deeds, refrain and take
care. Is there anyone who would like Allāh to forgive his sins? Is there anyone who
would like Him to accept is repentance? Is there anyone who would like Him to accept

7
At-Tirmidhī
8
Al-Bukhārī
9
Ibn Hibbān
10
Muslim
11
Muslim
12
Ahmad

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his supplication? Os there anyone who would like to be granted something? At the
time of breaking your fast, Allāh, the Great and the Almighty saves sixty thousand
people from entering the Hellfire. On the eve of the Âīd, Allāh the Almighty would
spare from entering the Hellfire the same number as those forgiven during the
month.Ê13

DISHEARTENING ONE FROM BREAKING THE FAST, EXCEPT WITH A VALID
REASON

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂHe who breaks the fast on the
day of Ramadhān without any excuse or sickness, even if he fasts for what remains of
his life, it will not compensate for it.Ê14

2. Ibn ÂAbbās [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe basis and principles upon which
Islām is built are three. Whoever abandons one of them will be considered an
unbeliever whose blood would be legally spilt. The declaring that none has the night to
be worshipped but Allāh, the prescribed Prayers, and fasting during the month of
Ramadhān.Ê15

INSPIRITING ONE TO OBSERVE THE SIX DAYS OF SHAWWĀL

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂHe who observes the fasts of
Ramadhān and then followed it with six of Shawwāl. It would be as if he fasted the
whole year.Ê16

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST THE DAY OF ÂĀRAFAH

1. Abū Qatādhah [ra] relates that the Prophet was once asked about fasting the day
of ÂĀrafah, whereupon he said, ÂIt expiates the sins of the preceding year and the
coming year.Ê17

2. Sahl ibn SÊād [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂHe who fasts on the day of
ÂĀrafah the sins of the two successive years would be expiated.Ê18

3. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet forbade fasting on the day of ÂĀrafah
[for the one making Hajj]. 19

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST IN AL-MUHARRĀM

13
At-Tirmidhī
14
At-Tirmidhī
15
Abū Ya’lā
16
Muslim
17
Muslim
18
Abū Ya’lā
19
Abū Dāwūd

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1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet , ÂThe most excellent fast after
Ramadhān is the sacred month of Allāh, al-Muharrām, and the most excellent prayer
after the prescribed prayer is the prayer during the nightÊ20

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST ON THE DAY OF ÂĀSHŪRĀ

1. Abū Qatādhah [ra] relates that the Prophet was asked about the fasting on the day
of ÂĀshūrā. Thereupon he said, ÂIt expiates the ins of the preceding year.Ê21

2. Ibn ÂAbbās [ra] was asked about observing the fast on the day of ÂĀshūrā. Thereupon
he said, ÂTo the best of my knowledge, the Prophet never observed a dayÊs fast,
considering it more excellent then another except this day [ÂĀshūrā] or one month
over another month except this month [Ramadhān].Ê22

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST DURING SHAÊBĀN

1. Usāmah ibn Zāyd [ra] relates that I said, ÂO Prophet , I have never seen you
observe fast in any month more than ShaÊbān.Ê He said, ÂThat is a month which is
overlooked by people. It is between Rajab and Ramadhān. It is a month in which deeds
are submitted to the Lord of Worlds, and I would like my deeds to be submitted while
I am fasting.Ê 23

2. ÂĀisha [ra] narrated, ÂThe Prophet used to observe fast [continuously] that we
would say that he would not break his fast. And would remain without fasting till we
would say that he would not fast. I did not see the Prophet complete the fast of a
month but that of Ramadhān, and I did not see him fasting more in any other month
than that of ShaÊbān.Ê 24

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST 3 DAYS OF EVERY MONTH

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates, Âmy friend [the Prophet ], advised me to observe three
things; to fat three days of every month, to pray two rakÊāhs of the Dhuha prayer, to
prayer the witr prayer before sleeping.25

2. ÂAbdullāh ibn ÂAmr ibn al-ÂĀs [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe fasting of
three days every month equals to life-long fasting.Ê26

3. ÂAbdul Mālik ibn Qudamah ibn Malhān [ra] narrated on the authority of his father
who narrated, ÂThe Prophet used to recommend that we should observe the fast of
the white days, the 13 th, 14th and 15th. And he said that it is as life-long fasting.Ê 27

20
Muslim
21
Muslim
22
Muslim
23
An-Nasāi
24
Muslim
25
Al-Bukhārī and Muslim
26
Al-Bukhārī
27
Al-Bukhārī

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INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂDeeds are submitted on Mondays
and Thursdays and I would like my deeds to be submitted while I am fasting.Ê 28

2. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet used to observe fasts on Mondays and
Thursdays. Someone observed, ÂO Prophet, you observed fast on Monday and
Thursday.Ê Thereupon he said, ÂVerily, on Monday and Thursday, Allāh grants his
forgiveness to every Muslim except tow deserting one another. He says, ÂLeave them till
they come to terms with each other.Ê 29

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST ON THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS &
SUNDAYS, AND THE FORBIDDANCE OF SINGELLING FRIDAYS OR
SATURDAYS

1. ÂAbdullāh ibn Muslim al-Qurashy [ra] narrated on the authority of his father who
said, Â I once asked the Prophet concerning life-long fasting. He said, ÂNo, you
should observe the right of your household. Yet you should observe fast during
Ramadhān and that which follows it [fasting six days of Shawwāl], Mondays and
Thursdays [if you observes these] you will have [the reward of life long fasting], while
you have given up fasting [some times during your lifetime].Ê 30

2. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂNon of you should observe
fasting on Fridays, unless he fasts a day before it or after it.Ê31

3. Umm Salamah [ra] relates that the Prophet used to observe fasts on Saturdays and
Sundays more than the other days. He would say, ÂThey are two holidays for the
polytheists and I would like to be different from them.Ê32

INSPIRITING ONE TO FAST ON ALTERERNATE DAYS

1. ÂAbdullāh ibn ÂAmr [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe most beloved fasts to
Allāh was the fasting of Dawūd [as], who used to fast on alternate days. And the most
beloved prayer to Allāh was the prayer of Dawūd [as] who used to pray for one third
thereof and [again] sleep for a sixth thereof. Besides, he used to fast on alternative
days.Ê33

DISHEARTENING A WOMAN FROM VOLUNTRY FASTS WITHOUT HER
HUSBANDS PERMISSION

28
At-Tirmidhī
29
Ibn Mājah
30
At-Tirmidhī
31
Al-Bukhārī
32
Ibn Kuzaymah and al-Hākim
33
Al-Bukhārī

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1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂA woman should not fast
[optional fasts] except with her husbandÊs permission if he is at home [staying with
her].Ê34

DISHEARTING ONE FROM FASTING IF IT BE DIFFICULT

1. Jābir [ra] narrated that the Prophet went to Makkah, in Ramadhān in the year of
Victory, and the people fasted till he came to KuraÊ al-Ghamim, and the people also
fasted. He then called for a cup of water which he raised till the people saw it, and then
he drank. He was told afterwards that some people had continued to fast, and he said,
ÂThese are the disobedient ones, these are the disobedient.Ê 35

2. Jābir [ra] narrated that in the course of a journey, the Prophet saw a man
surrounded by people and was shaded. Upon this he said, ÂWhat is the matter with
him?Ê They said, ÂHe is a fasting person.Ê Whereupon the Prophet said, ÂIt is no
righteousness that you fast on a journey.Ê In another narration, Âand you should make
use of the allowance of Allāh which He has provided for you.Ê 36

3. Anas [ra] narrated, ÂWe where with the Prophet on a journey. Some of us had been
fasting and some of us had not been fating. We made a stop at a place on a hot day.
Most of us had cloth for shelter. There were also those among us who sheltered
[themselves against the rays of the] sun with the help of their hands. The observer of
the fast fell down [on account of weakness]. Those who had not observed it got up and
pitched tents and provided water for the mounts. Thereupon the Prophet said,
ÂThose who have not observed fasting have obtained a great reward today.Ê 37

INSPIRITING ONE TO HAVE SAHŪR WITH DATES

1. Anas ibn Mālik [ra] narrated that the Prophet said, ÂYou should make the Sahūr,
for there is a blessing in making the Sahūr.Ê 38

2. ÂAmr ibn al-ÂĀs [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe difference between our
fasting and that of the People of the Book is the Sahūr.Ê 39

3. Abū SaÊīd al-Khurdy [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂThe Sahūr is a blessing, so
do not leave it, even if you would only have a gulp of water, for Allāh, the Great and
the Almighty, sends His Mercy on those who have the Sahūr, and His Angels ask His
Forgiveness for them.Ê 40

34
Muslim
35
Muslim
36
Muslim
37
Al-Bukhārī & Muslim
38
Al-Bukhārī & Muslim
39
Muslim
40
Ahmad

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4. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂDates are the best Sahūr for the
believer.Ê41

HASTENING THE IFTĀR AND DELAYING THE SAHŪR

1. Sahl ibn SÊād [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂPeople will remain on the right
path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fasts.Ê 42

2. Anas ibn Mālik [ra] narrated that, ÂI have never seen the Prophet performing the
Magrib prayer without first breaking his fast, even if it be with a mouthful of water.Ê43

INSPIRITING ONE TO BREAK THE FAST WITH WATER, IF THERE BE NO
DATES

1. Sulaymān ibn ÂAmir adh-Dhabby narrated that the Prophet said, ÂWhenever anyone
of you would like to break his fast, let him do so with dates, for it is a blessing, if there
be no dates, then with water for it is pure.Ê 44

INSPIRITING ONE TO OFFER FOOD TO A FASTING PERSON

1. Zayd ibn Khālid al-Juhayni narrated that the Prophet said, ÂHe who offers food to a
fasting person, will receive the like of his reward, without causing any reduction in the
reward of the one fasting.Ê 45

INSPIRITING THE ONE FASTING TO OFFER FOOD TO THOSE NOT FASTING

1. Umm ÂAmārah al-Ansāriyah narrated that the Prophet once visited her and she
offered him some food. Then he said, ÂHave some food.Ê And then she said, ÂI am
fasting [voluntary fasting].Ê So the Prophet said, ÂVerily the angels ask AllāhÊs
forgiveness for the fasting person, if people eat at his home till they finish eating, or
perhaps he said, till they become full.Ê 46

DISHEARTING THE ONE FASTING FROM BACKBITING, OBCENITY, LIES ETC

1. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂWhoever does not give up forged
speech and evil actions, Allāh is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.Ê 47

2. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂAllāh, the Great and Almighty
said, ÂAll deeds of ĀdamÊs sons are for them, except fasting, which is for Me, and I will
give the reward for it.Ê Fasting is a shield or protection. If one of you is fating he

41
Abū Dāwūd
42
Muslim
43
Ibn Hibbān
44
At-Tirmidhī
45
At-Tirmidhī
46
At-Tirmidhī
47
Al-Bukhārī

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should avoid sexual intercourse with his wife and quarrelling and if someone fights or
quarrels with him, he should say ÂI am fasting.Ê 48

3. Abū Hurairah [ra] relates that the Prophet said, ÂMany an observer of the fast shall
benefit nothing from his fast but hunger and many a passer of his night in prayer shall
benefit nothing from his nights prayer but sleeplessness.Ê 49

INSPIRITING ONE TO PRACTICE IÊTIKĀF

1. Ibn ÂAbbās [ra] relates, ÂHe who fulfil the need of his [Muslim] brother, it will be
better for him than IÊtikāf for ten years. And he who practises one day of IÊtikāf for the
sake of Allāh, the Exalted, Allāh will put between him and the Hellfire three trenches,
further than that which is between the east and the west.Ê50

INSPIRITING ONE TO GIVE UP FAST-BREAKING AND STATING IS NECESSITY

1. Ibn ÂAbbās [ra] relates the Prophet prescribed the charity related to break of the
fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as a food for the
poor. If anyone pay it before the Prayer of ÂĪd, it will be accepted as Zakāh. If anyone
pays it after the prayer it will be charity just like any other [ordinary] charity.Ê 51

According to al-Khattabi, the statement, ÂThe Prophet prescribed the charity, contains a
declaration that the fast-breaking charity is an assured obligatory practice, just like the
obligation of Zakāh in properties and wealth. Moreover, the masses of Muslim
religious scholars have adopted the obligation of Zakāh and its assuredness. They
justified that to be a kind of purification in the part of the fasting person from empty
and obscene talk. Therefore its is obligatory for all observers of the fast, whether rich or
poor who find it a surplus of his food.

Furthermore, fasting breaking charity is estimated by a SāÊ of wheat or barley. In other
words, it si a meal that suffices and satisfies an individual. Some scholars hold the view
that money is better. Some others are of the opinion of providing barely or any food
that resembles it. Yet, what is better is to know the state of affairs of the taker of
charity, whether the person is in need of crops and yield or money. Allāh knows best.

48
Al-Bukhārī
49
Ibn Mājah
50
At-Tabrāni
51
Abū Dāwūd

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