Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 7
VII
THE BOOK OF FASTING
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When (the month) Ramaḍán begins, the doors of heaven are opened." And in another tradition it runs, "The doors of paradise are opened, and the doors of hell are closed, and the satans are chained." And in another tradition it runs, "The doors of mercy are opened."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who fasts in the month Ramaḍán, in faith, hoping for a reward, all his past sins will be forgiven him; and he who stands up (to pray) in Ramaḍán in faith, hoping for a reward, all his past sins will be forgiven him; and he who stands up (to pray) in the night of power in faith, hoping for a reward, all his past sins will be forgiven him."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The blessed month, Ramaḍán, has come to you. God has made its fast incumbent upon you. In it the doors of heaven are opened, and in it the doors of hell are closed, and in it the rebellious satans are manacled. In it there is a night better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its benefits is deprived indeed."—Aḥmad, An Nasái.
It is related from ʿAbduʾllʾáh bin ʿAmru that, 'Verily the Apostle of God said, "The fast and the Qurʿán intercede for the servant (of God). The fast says, 'O Lord, verily I forbade him food and sensual pleasures by day, therefore accept my intercession for him.' And the Qurʾán says, 'I forbade him sleep by night, therefore accept my intercession for him.' Then both their intercessions are accepted.'"'—Al Baihaqi.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God used, when the month Ramaḍán arrived, to release all captives, and used to give to all beggars.'
On Seeing the New Moon
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Do not fast until ye see the new moon, and do not break the fast until ye see it; and if it be concealed from you by clouds, then compute (the time) for it." And in another tradition it runs, " A month is twenty-nine nights, therefore do not fast until ye see it, and if it be hidden from you by clouds, then complete the full period of thirty."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Let none of you fast a day or two days before Ramaḍán, unless he be a man who is in the habit of fasting. In that case, let him fast on that day."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Umm Salamah that she said, 'I never saw the Prophet fast on two successive months, except in the months Shaʿbán and Ramaḍán.'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah, At Tirmidhí and An Nasái.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that he said, 'A desert Arab came to the Prophet and said, "I have seen the new moon," namely, the new moon of Ramadan. The Prophet replied, "Dost thou bear witness that there is no God but Allah?" He said, "Yes." He replied, "Dost thou bear witness that Muḥammad is the Apostle of God?" He said, "Yes." Then the Prophet said, "O Bilál, proclaim to the people that they keep the fast from to-morrow."'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí, An Nasái, Ibn Májah. It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Eat in the early dawn, for verily in the meal taken at early dawn there is a blessing."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAmru binuʾl-ʿÁs that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The difference between our fasts and the fasts of the People of the Book is in the meal taken at early dawn."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The Apostle of God forbade fasting continuously for two or more days during the fast Ramaḍán. Then a man said to him, "O Apostle of God, verily thou dost fast continuously for two or more days." He replied, "Which of you is like me? Verily I pass the night, and my Lord gives me food and drink."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Salmán bin ʿAmru that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When any one of you breaks the fast, then let him break it with dried dates, because that is a blessing, but if he cannot find such, then let him break it with water, because it is pure."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Muʿádh bin Zuhrah that, 'When the Prophet broke the fast he used to say, "O God, for Thee I have kept the fast, and with food provided by Thee I have broken it."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Religion will continue victorious so long as men hasten in breaking the fast, because the Jews and Christians delay (therein)."'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
On What Nullifies the Fast
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who does not abandon false words, and acts accordingly, God requires not that he give up his eating and drinking."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The person who has forgotten whilst engaged in the fast, and eaten and drunken, let him complete his fast, for verily it was only God who caused him to eat and drink." '—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'Whilst we were sitting with the Prophet, behold a man came to him and said, "O Apostle of God, I am undone!" He replied, "What has happened to thee?" He said, "I have had connexion with my wife whilst I was observing the fast." The Apostle of God replied, "Hast thou a female slave whom thou canst set at liberty?" He said, "No." He replied, "Art thou able to fast two months in succession?" He said, "No." He said, "Hast thou victuals wherewith to feed sixty poor people?" He said, " No." He said, "Sit down." Then the Prophet waited, and whilst he was waiting there was brought to the Prophet a bag in which were dry dates, and the bag was made of fig-leaves. Then the Prophet said, "Where is the beggar?" He replied, "I am he." He said, "Take this and give alms from it." The man replied, "O Apostle of God, shall I (be able to give to) one poorer than myself! By God! there is no household between the two hills (of Madína) poorer than mine!" Then the Prophet laughed until his teeth were exposed. Then he said, "Give to thine own family to eat."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Maʿdán bin Ṭalḥah that Abú Dardáiʾ informed him that the Apostle of God vomited and broke his fast. He said, 'Then I met Thaubán in the mosque of Damascus and said, "Verily Abú Dardáiʾ informed me that the Apostle of God vomited and broke his fast." He replied, "He spoke truly, and I poured out water for his ablutions."'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who breaks the fast for one day in the month Ramaḍán without permission, or except for sickness, the fasts of all the ages will not atone for it, even though he keep them."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "How many there are who keep the fast, who receive nothing from their fast but thirst! And how many there are who stand up (to pray at night), who receive nothing from their standing but wakefulness!"'—Al Dárimi.
Concerning the Fast of the Traveller
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'Verily Ḥamzah bin ʿAmruʾl-Aslami said to the Prophet, "Should I fast during a journey?" And he was a great faster. The Prophet replied, " If thou desirest, fast; and if thou desirest, discontinue the fast."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that he said, 'We went on a warlike expedition with the Apostle of God until sixteen days of the month Ramadan had passed. And some of us kept the fast, and some of us broke it. And those who fasted did not blame those who broke the fast; and those who broke the fast found no fault with those who fasted.'—Muslim.
It is related from Anas bin Málikuʾl-Kaʿbi that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily God has removed half the prayers from the traveller; and He has removed all the fast from the traveller, and from one giving suck, and from one who is pregnant."'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí, An Nasái, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Salamah binuʾl-Muḥabbaq that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who has a beast of burden, which carries him to his destination in comfort, must keep the fast of Ramaḍán wherever it comes to him."'—Abú Dáud.
On the Execution of an (Omitted) Duty
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "It is not right for a woman to fast when her husband is present, except with his permission; or for her to allow anyone in his house, except with his permission."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who dies leaving a fast unperformed, his heir must fast for him."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Málik that he heard that Ibn ʿOmar was asked, 'May one person fast for another, or may one pray in place of another?' He replied, 'No one may fast for another, and no one may pray in place of another.'—Al Muwaṭṭa.
On Voluntary Fasts
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The best fast, after that of Ramaḍán, is that of the month of God, Muḥarram. And the best prayers, after the five obligatory prayers, are the night prayers."'—Muslim.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that he said, 'When the Apostle of God fasted on the day of ʿÁshura (i.e. the tenth of Muḥarram) they said, "O Apostle of God, verily it is a day held in respect by the Jews and Christians." The Apostle of God said, "If I remain till next year, I will certainly keep the ninth day."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Qatádah that, 'A man came to the Prophet and said, "How dost thou keep the fast, O Apostle of God?" Then the Apostle of God became angry at his words. And when ʿOmar saw his anger, he said, "We are satisfied with Alláh as our Lord, with Islam as our religion, and with Muḥammad as our Prophet. We take refuge with God from the anger of God and the anger of His Apostle." And ʿOmar continued to repeat these words until his anger subsided. Then ʿOmar said, "O Apostle of God, how is it with the man who fasts the whole of the time?" The Apostle of God replied, "There is (for him) neither fast nor breaking of fast," or he said, "He has neither fasted nor broken the fast." ʿOmar said, "How is it with the man who fasts two days, and breaks the fast one day?" He replied, "Is anyone able to do that?" He said, "How is it with the man who fasts one day, and breaks the fast one day?" He replied, "That was the fast of David." He said, "How is it with the man who fasts one day, and abstains from fasting two days?" He replied, "I wished that I might be able to do that." Then the Apostle of God said, "Three days in each month and the month Ramaḍán (are sufficient) till the next Ramaḍán; and this is the fast of the whole year, and the fast of the day of Arafat. I hope in God that these will atone for the year which precedes it and the year which follows it. And the fast of the day of ʿAshura, I hope in God that it will atone for the year which precedes it."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that he said, 'The Apostle of God forbade fasting on the day of the breaking of the fast and on the day of sacrifice.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who fasts one day in the road of God, God removes his face seventy years from the fire."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿAmru binuʾl-ʿÁṣ that he said, 'The Apostle of God said tome, "O ʿAbduʾlláh, have I not been informed that thou dost fast in the day and stand up (in prayer) during the night?" I said, "Yes, O Apostle of God." He replied, "Then do not do it. Keep the fast, and also eat; and stand up to pray, and also sleep; for verily thou hast a duty towards thy body, and thou hast a duty towards thine eyes, and thou hast a duty towards thy wife, and thou hast a duty towards thy guests. He who fasts all the time, does not fast at all. The fast of three days in each month is equal to a constant fast, therefore fast three days in each month, and read the Qurʾán in every month." I said, " Verily I am able to do more than that." He replied, "Fast. The best fast is the fast of David, namely to fast one day and eat one day. And recite the (Qurʾán) once in every seven nights, and do not do more than that."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of G d used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.'—At Tirmidhí, An Nasái.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The actions of men are placed before God on Mondays and Thursdays, and I wish that my actions should be placed before Him whilst I am fasting,"—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that he said,' Verily the Apostle of God came to Madína and found the Jews fasting on the day of ʿÁshura. Therefore the Apostle of God said to them, "What is this day which you are observing by a fast?" They replied, "This is a great day. On it God saved Moses and his people, and drowned Pharaoh and his people; so Moses fasted on that day out of gratitude; and we fast thereon." Then the Apostle of God said, "We are more worthy of and nearer to Moses than ye." Then the Apostle of God fasted on that day, and ordered the people to fast thereon.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Umm Salamah that, 'The Apostle of God used to fast on Saturdays and Sundays more than on any other day, and used to say, "Verily these two days are festivals of the polytheists, and I like to act contrary to them."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Prophet used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and it was said, "O Apostle of God, thou fastest on Mondays and Thursdays?" He replied, "Verily on Mondays and Thursdays God forgives every Muslim except the two who are alienated from one another. He says, 'Leave them alone until they become reconciled.'"'—Aḥmad, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Umm Hání that she said, 'On the day of the conquest of Mecca, Fáṭimah came and sat on the Apostle's left, and Umm Hání sat on his right. Then there came a girl with a vessel containing drink, and she gave it to him, and he drank from it. Then she gave it to Umm Hání, and she drank from it. Then she said, "O Apostle of God, I have broken my fast, for I was fasting." He said to her, "Were you carrying out anything (omitted from a previous fast)?" She said, "No." He said, "Then it will do you no harm, if it was a voluntary fast,"'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí.—And in another tradition from Aḥmad and At Tirmidhí it runs, 'She said, "O Apostle of God, beware, verily I was fasting." He replied, "The performer of a voluntary fast is his own master; if he wishes he may fast, and if he wishes he may break the fast."'
Concerning the Night of Power
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Seek the night of power in the odd nights of the last ten days of the month Ramaḍán."'—At Bukhárí.
It is related from Ubádah bin Ṣámit that he said, 'The Prophet came out to inform us of the night of power; and two men of the Muslims were disputing together, and he said, "I came out to inform you of the night of power, and such-and-such an one were disputing together, and it was taken away (from my memory). And perhaps it is better for you; therefore seek it in the ninth and seventh and fifth."'—Al Bukhárí.
On Seclusion for Religious Exercises
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Qurʾán was recited to the Prophet once every year, but it was recited twice to him during the year in which he died. And he used to seclude himself each year for ten days; but he secluded himself for twenty days during the year in which he died.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet used to seclude himself during the last ten days of Ramaḍán; but one year he did not seclude himself, and when the following year came round he secluded himself twenty days.'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related trom ʿÁyesha that she said, 'It is the rule that they who seclude themselves should not visit the sick, nor be present at funerals, nor touch a woman, nor live with her, nor go out for any purpose except what is indispensably necessary. And there is no seclusion apart from fasting, and there is no seclusion except in a mosque.'—Abú Dáud.