ABOUT FASTS AND FASTING………

Vakil Mosque

Excerpted from 100 authentic Sunan

1. Pre-dawn meal (suhoor): It is narrated on the authority of Anas who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “Have the pre-dawn meal. Verily in the pre-dawn meal is blessing” [Agreed upon: 2549 & 1923]
2. Hastening the breaking of the fast when the sun has set: It is narrated on the authority of Sahl bin Sa’d who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “The people will continue to be fine so long as they hasten to break the fast.” [Agreed upon: 2554 & 1957]
3. Standing for night prayer during Ramadan: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra  who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever watches the night in prayer in Ramadan with faith and expectancy, will be forgiven all his previous wrong actions.” [Agreed upon: 1779 & 37]
4. Staying in `itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan: It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar who said: The Messenger of Allah used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. [Bukhari: 2025]
5. Fasting for six days in the month of Shawwal: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Ayub al-Ansari who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “He that observed fasting in Ramadan then he follows it with six days of Shawwal, this is equal to the fasting of the whole life.” [Bukhari: 2758]
6. Observing fast for three days every month: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: My friend (the Messenger of Allah ) directed me to observe fast for three days in every month, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed. [Agreed upon: 1672 & 1178]
7. Observing fast on the day of Arafah: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah  who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it.” [Muslim: 3746]
8. Observing fast on the day of Ashurah: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah  who said that the Messenger of Allah said: “Fasting the day of ‘Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it.” [Muslim: 3746]