A bedouin with unkempt hair came to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards the prayers." He replied: "You have to offer perfectly the five compulsory prayers in a day and night (24 hours), unless you want to pray Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards fasting." He replied, "You have to fast during the whole month of Ramadan, unless you want to fast more as Nawafil." The bedouin further asked, "Tell me how much Zakat Allah has enjoined on me." Thus, Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed him about all the rules (i.e. fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin then said, "By Him Who has honored you, I will neither perform any Nawafil nor will I decrease what Allah has enjoined on me. Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "If he is saying the truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted Paradise).

أَنَّ أَعْرَابِيًّا جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثَائِرَ الرَّأْسِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخْبِرْنِي مَاذَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسَ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصِّيَامِ فَقَالَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي بِمَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَىَّ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ فَأَخْبَرَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَرَائِعَ الإِسْلاَمِ قَالَ وَالَّذِي أَكْرَمَكَ لاَ أَتَطَوَّعُ شَيْئًا وَلاَ أَنْقُصُ مِمَّا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَىَّ شَيْئًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَفْلَحَ إِنْ صَدَقَ أَوْ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِنْ صَدَقَ

The Prophet ﷺ observed the fast on the 10th of Muharram ('Ashura), and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day, but when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, the fasting of the 'Ashura' was abandoned. ʿAbdullah did not use to fast on that day unless it coincided with his routine fasting by chance.

صَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ فَلَمَّا فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ تُرِكَ وَكَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ لاَ يَصُومُهُ إِلاَّ أَنْ يُوَافِقَ صَوْمَهُ

Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura in the pre-Islamic period. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded fasting it until Ramadan was made obligatory, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever wishes may fast it, and whoever wishes may break the fast."

أَنَّ قُرَيْشًا كَانَتْ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، ثُمَّ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِصِيَامِهِ حَتَّى فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ، وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ، وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ.»

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting."

The Prophet ﷺ added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: «الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ: فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ، وَلاَ يَجْهَلْ؛ وَإِنِ امْرُؤٌ قَاتَلَهُ أَوْ شَاتَمَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي صَائِمٌ مَرَّتَيْنِ».

«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ: يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ، وَشَرَابَهُ، وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي؛ الصِّيَامُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا».

ʿUmar asked the people, "Who remembers the narration of the Prophet ﷺ about the affliction?" Hudhaifa said, "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, 'The affliction of a person in his property, family and neighbors is expiated by his prayers, fasting, and giving in charity." ʿUmar said, "I do not ask about that, but I ask about those afflictions which will spread like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa replied, "There is a closed gate in front of those afflictions." ʿUmar asked, "Will that gate be opened or broken?" He replied, "It will be broken." ʿUmar said, "Then the gate will not be closed again till the Day of Resurrection." We said to Masruq, "Would you ask Hudhaifa whether ʿUmar knew what that gate symbolized?" He asked him and he replied "He (ʿUmar) knew it as one knows that there will be night before tomorrow, morning.

عُمَرُ ؓ مَنْ يَحْفَظُ حَدِيثًا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي الْفِتْنَةِ قَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ أَنَا سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ فِتْنَةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ وَجَارِهِ تُكَفِّرُهَا الصَّلاَةُ وَالصِّيَامُ وَالصَّدَقَةُ قَالَ لَيْسَ أَسْأَلُ عَنْ ذِهِ إِنَّمَا أَسْأَلُ عَنِ الَّتِي تَمُوجُ كَمَا يَمُوجُ الْبَحْرُ قَالَ وَإِنَّ دُونَ ذَلِكَ بَابًا مُغْلَقًا قَالَ فَيُفْتَحُ أَوْ يُكْسَرُ قَالَ يُكْسَرُ قَالَ ذَاكَ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ لاَ يُغْلَقَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَقُلْنَا لِمَسْرُوقٍ سَلْهُ أَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَعْلَمُ مَنِ الْبَابُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ كَمَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ دُونَ غَدٍ اللَّيْلَةَ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ: يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ؛ لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ؛ يُقَالُ أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ؟ فَيَقُومُونَ؛ لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ۔ فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ۔»

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah's Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of Allah! Here is prosperity.' So, (1) whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and (2) whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and (3) whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of al-Rayyan; and (4) whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity."

Abu Bakr said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them."

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ نُودِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ: يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، هَذَا خَيْرٌ۔ (١) فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلاَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّلاَةِ، (٢) وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الْجِهَادِ، (٣) وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الرَّيَّانِ، (٤) وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ باب الصَّدَقَةِ»

فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ: بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَا عَلَى مَنْ دُعِيَ مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ مِنْ ضَرُورَةٍ۔ فَهَلْ يُدْعَى أَحَدٌ مِنْ تِلْكَ الأَبْوَابِ كُلِّهَا؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ».

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ

I heard Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days."

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَصُومُوا وَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَأَفْطِرُوا فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَهُ وَقَالَ غَيْرُهُ عَنِ اللَّيْثِ حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ وَيُونُسُ لِهِلاَلِ رَمَضَانَ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ بِالْخَيْرِ وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ وَكَانَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ يَلْقَاهُ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ فِي رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى يَنْسَلِخَ يَعْرِضُ عَلَيْهِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الْقُرْآنَ فَإِذَا لَقِيَهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ كَانَ أَجْوَدَ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ

the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.'

"Fasting is a shield (protection from the Hellfire and from committing sins). If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say: I am fasting."

"By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk."

"There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «قَالَ اللَّهُ: كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلاَّ الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ».

«وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ».

«وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ، لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ لِلصَّائِمِ».

«فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ».

While I was walking with ʿAbdullah he said, "We were in the company of the Prophet ﷺ and he said, 'He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power."

بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي مَعَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ؓ فَقَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ الْبَاءَةَ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْ فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ

Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days).

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَكَرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَهُ

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha'ban as thirty days."

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ لَيْلَةً فَلاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ ثَلاَثِينَ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "The month is like this and this," (at the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time.

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الشَّهْرُ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَخَنَسَ الإِبْهَامَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ

that the Prophet ﷺ said or he said Abū al-Qasim said, "˹Start˺ fasting ˹the month˺ upon seeing it (the moon), and break ˹fasting the month˺ upon seeing it. If it is hidden for you (as a result of an overcast at the start of the month), then complete thirty days of Shaʿbān."

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَوْ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ ﷺ «صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُبِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلاَثِينَ۔»

The Prophet ﷺ vowed to keep aloof from his wives for a period of one month, and after the completion of 29 days he went either in the morning or in the afternoon to his wives. Someone said to him "You vowed that you would not go to your wives for one month." He replied, "The month is of 29 days."

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ آلَى مِنْ نِسَائِهِ شَهْرًا فَلَمَّا مَضَى تِسْعَةٌ وَعِشْرُونَ يَوْمًا غَدَا أَوْ رَاحَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّكَ حَلَفْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ شَهْرًا فَقَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ يَكُونُ تِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا

Messenger of Allah ﷺ vowed to keep aloof from his wives for one month, and he had dislocation of his leg. So, he stayed in a Mashruba for 29 nights and then came down. Some people said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! You vowed to stay aloof for one month," He replied, "The month is of 29 days."

آلَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ وَكَانَتِ انْفَكَّتْ رِجْلُهُ فَأَقَامَ فِي مَشْرُبَةٍ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ نَزَلَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ آلَيْتَ شَهْرًا فَقَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ يَكُونُ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "The two months of ʿId i.e. Ramadan and Dhul-Hijja, do not decrease (in superiority).

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «شَهْرَانِ لاَ يَنْقُصَانِ: شَهْرَا عِيدٍ رَمَضَانُ وَذُو الْحَجَّةِ۔»

The Prophet ﷺ said, "We are an illiterate nation; we neither write, nor know accounts. The month is like this and this, i.e. sometimes of twenty nine days and sometimes of thirty."

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «إِنَّا أُمَّةٌ أُمِّيَّةٌ لاَ نَكْتُبُ وَلاَ نَحْسُبُ۔ الشَّهْرُ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا - يَعْنِي مَرَّةً تِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ وَمَرَّةً ثَلاَثِينَ۔»

The Prophet ﷺ said, "None of you should fast ˹a voluntary fast˺ a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting ˹such days voluntarily˺ then he may fast that day."

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «لاَ يَتَقَدَّمَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ رَمَضَانَ بِصَوْمِ يَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يَصُومُ صَوْمَهُ فَلْيَصُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ۔»

It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad that if any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset. Qais bin Sirma-al-Ansari was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, "Disappointment for you." When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet ﷺ was informed about the whole matter and the following verses were revealed: "You are permitted To go to your wives (for sexual relation) At the night of fasting." So, they were overjoyed by it. And then Allah also revealed: "And eat and drink Until the white thread Of dawn appears to you Distinct from the black thread (of the night)." (2.187)

كَانَ أَصْحَابُ مُحَمَّدٍ ﷺ إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ صَائِمًا فَحَضَرَ الإِفْطَارُ فَنَامَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُفْطِرَ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ لَيْلَتَهُ وَلاَ يَوْمَهُ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَإِنَّ قَيْسَ بْنَ صِرْمَةَ الأَنْصَارِيَّ كَانَ صَائِمًا فَلَمَّا حَضَرَ الإِفْطَارُ أَتَى امْرَأَتَهُ فَقَالَ لَهَا أَعِنْدَكِ طَعَامٌ قَالَتْ لاَ وَلَكِنْ أَنْطَلِقُ فَأَطْلُبُ لَكَ وَكَانَ يَوْمَهُ يَعْمَلُ فَغَلَبَتْهُ عَيْنَاهُ فَجَاءَتْهُ امْرَأَتُهُ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْهُ قَالَتْ خَيْبَةً لَكَ فَلَمَّا انْتَصَفَ النَّهَارُ غُشِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَذُكِرَ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ {أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَائِكُمْ} فَفَرِحُوا بِهَا فَرَحًا شَدِيدًا وَنَزَلَتْ {وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ}

When the above verses were revealed: 'Until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread,' I took two (hair) strings, one black and the other white, and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night but could not make anything out of it. So, the next morning I went to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him the whole story. He explained to me, "That verse means the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the dawn."

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ {حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ} عَمَدْتُ إِلَى عِقَالٍ أَسْوَدَ وَإِلَى عِقَالٍ أَبْيَضَ فَجَعَلْتُهُمَا تَحْتَ وِسَادَتِي فَجَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ فِي اللَّيْلِ فَلاَ يَسْتَبِينُ لِي فَغَدَوْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَذَكَرْتُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ سَوَادُ اللَّيْلِ وَبَيَاضُ النَّهَارِ

When the following verses were revealed: 'Eat and drink until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread' and of dawn was not revealed, some people who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, 'of dawn', and it became clear that meant night and day.

أُنْزِلَتْ {وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ} وَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ فَكَانَ رِجَالٌ إِذَا أَرَادُوا الصَّوْمَ رَبَطَ أَحَدُهُمْ فِي رِجْلِهِ الْخَيْطَ الأَبْيَضَ وَالْخَيْطَ الأَسْوَدَ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ يَأْكُلُ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُ رُؤْيَتُهُمَا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بَعْدُ {مِنَ الْفَجْرِ} فَعَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ

Bilal used to pronounce the Adhan at night, so Messenger of Allah ﷺ? said, "Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till Ibn Um Maktum pronounces the Adhan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.

رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يُؤَذِّنَ ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يُؤَذِّنُ حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ قَالَ الْقَاسِمُ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَ أَذَانِهِمَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَرْقَى ذَا وَيَنْزِلَ ذَا

I used to take my Suhur meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the (Fajr) prayer with Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

كُنْتُ أَتَسَحَّرُ فِي أَهْلِي ثُمَّ تَكُونُ سُرْعَتِي أَنْ أُدْرِكَ السُّجُودَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ

Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the Suhur with the Prophet ﷺ . Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qur'an."

تَسَحَّرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قُلْتُ كَمْ كَانَ بَيْنَ الأَذَانِ وَالسَّحُورِ قَالَ قَدْرُ خَمْسِينَ آيَةً

The Prophet ﷺ fasted for days continuously; the people also did the same but it was difficult for them. So, the Prophet ﷺ forbade them (to fast continuously for more than one day). They slid, "But you fast without break (no food was taken in the evening or in the morning)." The Prophet ﷺ replied, "I am not like you, for I am provided with food and drink (by Allah).

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَاصَلَ فَوَاصَلَ النَّاسُ فَشَقَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَنَهَاهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ قَالَ لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ إِنِّي أَظَلُّ أُطْعَمُ وَأُسْقَى

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it."

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً

Once the Prophet ﷺ ordered a person on 'Ashura' (the tenth of Muharram) to announce, "Whoever has eaten, should not eat any more, but fast, and who has not eaten should not eat, but complete his fast (till the end of the day).

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ بَعَثَ رَجُلاً يُنَادِي فِي النَّاسِ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ أَنْ مَنْ أَكَلَ فَلْيُتِمَّ أَوْ فَلْيَصُمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ فَلاَ يَأْكُلْ

At times Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُدْرِكُهُ الْفَجْرُ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ وَيَصُومُ

The Prophet ﷺ used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting, and he had more power to control his desires than any of you. Said Jabir, "The person who gets discharge after casting a look (on his wife) should complete his fast."

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُقَبِّلُ وَيُبَاشِرُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ وَكَانَ أَمْلَكَكُمْ لإِرْبِهِ وَقَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ {مَآرِبُ} حَاجَةٌ قَالَ طَاوُسٌ {أُولِي الإِرْبَةِ} الأَحْمَقُ لاَ حَاجَةَ لَهُ فِي النِّسَاءِ

Aisha said, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to kiss some of his wives while he was fasting," and then she smiled.

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ عَنْ مَالِكٍ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ قَالَتْ إِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَيُقَبِّلُ بَعْضَ أَزْوَاجِهِ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ ثُمَّ ضَحِكَتْ

(daughter of Um Salama) that her mother said, "While I was (lying) with Messenger of Allah ﷺ underneath a woolen sheet, I got the menstruation, and then slipped away and put on the clothes (which I used to wear) in menses. He asked, "What is the matter? Did you get your menses?" I replied in the affirmative and then entered underneath that woolen sheet. I and Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to take a bath from one water pot and he used to kiss me while he was fasting."

بَيْنَمَا أَنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي الْخَمِيلَةِ إِذْ حِضْتُ فَانْسَلَلْتُ فَأَخَذْتُ ثِيَابَ حِيضَتِي فَقَالَ مَا لَكِ أَنُفِسْتِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَدَخَلْتُ مَعَهُ فِي الْخَمِيلَةِ وَكَانَتْ هِيَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَغْتَسِلاَنِ مِنْ إِنَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَكَانَ يُقَبِّلُهَا وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ

(At times) in Ramadan the Prophet ﷺ used to take a bath in the morning not because of a wet dream and would continue his fast.

عَائِشَةُ ؓ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُدْرِكُهُ الْفَجْرُ {جُنُبًا} فِي رَمَضَانَ مِنْ غَيْرِ حُلُمٍ فَيَغْتَسِلُ وَيَصُومُ

My father and I went to ʿAisha and she said, "I testify that Messenger of Allah ﷺ at times used to get up in the morning in a state of Janaba from sexual intercourse, not from a wet dream and then he would fast that day." Then he went to Um Salama and she also narrated a similar thing.

أَشْهَدُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِنْ كَانَ لَيُصْبِحُ جُنُبًا مِنْ جِمَاعٍ غَيْرِ احْتِلاَمٍ ثُمَّ يَصُومُهُ ثُمَّ دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَقَالَتْ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ

The Prophet ﷺ said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah."

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ إِذَا نَسِيَ فَأَكَلَ وَشَرِبَ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ

I saw ʿUthman performing ablution; he washed his hands thrice, rinsed his mouth and then washed his nose, by putting water in it and then blowing it out, and washed his face thrice, and then washed his right forearm up to the elbow thrice, and then the left-forearm up to the elbow thrice, then smeared his head with water, washed his right foot thrice, and then his left foot thrice and said, "I saw Allah's Apostle performing ablution similar to my present ablution, and then he said, 'Whoever performs ablution like my present ablution and then offers two rakʿat in which he does not think of worldly things, all his previous sins will be forgiven."

رَأَيْتُ عُثْمَانَ ؓ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْمَرْفِقِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى إِلَى الْمَرْفِقِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ الْيُسْرَى ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ لاَ يُحَدِّثُ نَفْسَهُ فِيهِمَا بِشَىْءٍ إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said that he had been burnt (ruined). The Prophet ﷺ asked him what was the matter. He replied, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife in Ramadan (while I was fasting)." Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet ﷺ and he asked, "Where is the burnt (ruined) man?" He replied, "I am present." The Prophet ﷺ told him to give that basket in charity (as expiation).

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَائِشَةَ ؓ تَقُولُ إِنَّ رَجُلاً أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ احْتَرَقَ قَالَ مَالَكَ قَالَ أَصَبْتُ أَهْلِي فِي رَمَضَانَ فَأُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِمِكْتَلٍ يُدْعَى الْعَرَقَ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ الْمُحْتَرِقُ قَالَ أَنَا قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِهَذَا

While we were sitting with the Prophet ﷺ a man came and said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I have been ruined." Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked what was the matter with him. He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting." Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ﷺ kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet ﷺ . He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet ﷺ said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah; there is no family between its (i.e. Medina's) two mountains who are poorer than I." The Prophet ﷺ smiled till his premolar teeth became visible and then said, 'Feed your family with it."

بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلَكْتُ قَالَ مَا لَكَ قَالَ وَقَعْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ هَلْ تَجِدُ رَقَبَةً تُعْتِقُهَا قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَهَلْ تَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَصُومَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ لاَ فَقَالَ فَهَلْ تَجِدُ إِطْعَامَ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَمَكَثَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِعَرَقٍ فِيهَا تَمْرٌ وَالْعَرَقُ الْمِكْتَلُ قَالَ أَيْنَ السَّائِلُ فَقَالَ أَنَا قَالَ خُذْهَا فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ أَعَلَى أَفْقَرَ مِنِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا بَيْنَ لاَبَتَيْهَا يُرِيدُ الْحَرَّتَيْنِ أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أَفْقَرُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي فَضَحِكَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ حَتَّى بَدَتْ أَنْيَابُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَطْعِمْهُ أَهْلَكَ

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife on Ramadan (while fasting)." The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. He asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. (Abu Huraira added): Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet ﷺ and he said (to that man), "Feed (poor people) with this by way of atonement." He said, "(Should I feed it) to poorer people than we? There is no poorer house than ours between its (Medina's) mountains." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Then feed your family with it."

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الأَخِرَ وَقَعَ عَلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فِي رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ أَتَجِدُ مَا تُحَرِّرُ رَقَبَةً قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَتَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَصُومَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ لاَ قَالَ أَفَتَجِدُ مَا تُطْعِمُ بِهِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَأُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِعَرَقٍ فِيهِ تَمْرٌ وَهُوَ الزَّبِيلُ قَالَ أَطْعِمْ هَذَا عَنْكَ قَالَ عَلَى أَحْوَجَ مِنَّا مَا بَيْنَ لاَبَتَيْهَا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أَحْوَجُ مِنَّا قَالَ فَأَطْعِمْهُ أَهْلَكَ

The Prophet ﷺ was cupped while he was in the state of lhram, and also while he was observing a fast.

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ احْتَجَمَ وَهْوَ مُحْرِمٌ وَاحْتَجَمَ وَهْوَ صَائِمٌ

The Prophet ﷺ was cupped while he was fasting.

احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ

Anas bin Malik was asked whether they disliked the cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, "Only if it causes weakness."

لاَ إِلاَّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الضَّعْفِ وَزَادَ شَبَابَةُ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ

We were in the company of Messenger of Allah ﷺ on a journey. He said to a man, "Get down and mix Sawiq (powdered barley) with water for me." The man said, "The sun (has not set yet), O Messenger of Allah ﷺ." The Prophet ﷺ again said to him, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." The man again said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! The sun!" The Prophet ﷺ said to him (for the third time) "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for me." The man dismounted and mixed Sawiq with water for him. The Prophet ﷺ drank it and then beckoned with his hand (towards the East) and said, "When you see the night falling from this side, then a fasting person should break his fast."

كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي سَفَرٍ فَقَالَ لِرَجُلٍ انْزِلْ فَاجْدَحْ لِي قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ انْزِلْ فَاجْدَحْ لِي قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الشَّمْسُ قَالَ انْزِلْ فَاجْدَحْ لِي فَنَزَلَ فَجَدَحَ لَهُ فَشَرِبَ ثُمَّ رَمَى بِيَدِهِ هَا هُنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ اللَّيْلَ أَقْبَلَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِمُ

Hamza bin ʿAmr Al-Aslami said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I fast continuously."

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَسْرُدُ الصَّوْمَ

(the wife of the Prophet) Hamza bin ʿAmr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish."

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّ حَمْزَةَ بْنَ عَمْرٍو الأَسْلَمِيَّ قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَأَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَكَانَ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَصُمْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَفْطِرْ