WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FASTING

1. When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of paradise are opened, the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained. (Al-Bukhari 1898, Muslim 1079)

2. Every Muslim must make intention before fajr to fast(for an obligatory fast). Intention is not uttered. It is determination in the mind and should not be done with audible wordings. (Al Bukhari 1, Abu Dawood 2454)

3. Fasting is NOT just abstaining from eating and drinking, it is also refraining from vain speech and foul language. If one is verbally abused, he should say 'I am fasting' (Muslim 1151)

4. Taking the pre-dawn meal (Sahuur) is a BLESSING. Every Muslim is expected to take the meal EVEN if with a mouthful of water. (Al Bukhari 1923, Ahmad 44)

5. It is the Sunnah to DELAY the Sahuur and HASTEN to break the fast as soon as the sun sets. (Al Bukhari 1921, Muslim 1099)

6. If one hears the call to prayer WHILE still eating the Sahuur, he should not stop eating, rather he should finish his food. (Abu Dawud 2350)

7. Whosoever does not give up speaking falsely and acting on lies and evil actions, Allaah does not care for his abstaining from eating and drinking. (Al Bukhari 1903)

8. The Messenger of Allah used to break his fast BEFORE magrib prayer with 3 fresh dates, if there were no fresh dates, he would eat 3 dry dates, if there were no dry dates, he would take 3 draughts of water. (Abu Dawud 2349)

9. Whoever provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast, he will earn the same reward as the person without the person's reward being reduced. (At-tirmidhi 807)

10. It is PERMISSIBLE for a fasting person to bath or pour over his head to relief him of the hotness of the sun or of thirst. (Abu dawud 2365)

11. If somebody eats or drinks FORGETFULLY while fasting, he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk been given to him by Allaah. (Al Bukhari 1933, Muslim 1155)

12. Zakaatul fitr is OBLIGATORY on every muslim, old & young, slave & free, male & female. One Sa'a (approx. 3kg) of food items should be given out before people go out for the 'Eid prayer. (Al Bukhari 579/2, Muslim 2159)

13. The Messenger of Allaah never proceeded(for prayer) on the day of 'Eid ul fitr unless he had eaten some odd number of dates. (Al Bukhari 73/2)

14. We should put on our BEST garments and chant Adhkaar TO & FRO the Eid ground. (Al Bukhari 88,89,102/2)

15. On the day of Eid, the Messenger of Allaah used to return (after offering the Eid prayer) through a way DIFFERENT from that by which he went. (Al Bukhari 102/2)

16. Whoever observes fast in Ramadan and also fasts for six days in Shawwal, the reward of a whole year fast is recorded for him. (Muslim 2614/6)

May Allah (swt) reward you accordingly for this reflection and enlightenment....