Fasting

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "When Ramadan begins the gates of heaven are opened." A version has, "The gates of paradise are opened...

Sahl b. Sa'd reported God’s messenger as saying, "In paradise there are eight gates among which is a gate called ar-Rayyan which only those who fast w...

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from God will have his past sins forgiv...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "Every and when the day of the fast of any of you comes he must not use vile language or raise his voice, and ...

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "When the first night of Ramadan comes the devils and the rebellious jinn are chained, the gates of he...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which God has made it obligatory for you to fast. In...

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “Fasting and the Qur’an intercede for a man. Fasting says, ‘O my Lord, I have kept him away from...

Anas b. Malik told of God’s messenger saying when Ramadan began, “This month has come to you, and it contains a night which is better than a thousand ...

Salman al-Farisi told of God’s messenger saying in a sermon which he delivered to them on the last day of Sha'ban, “A great month, a blessed month, a ...

Ibn ‘Abbas said that when the month of Ramadan began God's messenger set every prisoner free and gave to every beggar.

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, “Paradise is decorated for Ramadan from the beginning of the year till a following year, and when the first ...

Abu Huraira said that when the Prophet stated that his people would be granted forgiveness on the last night in Ramadan and was asked whether it was L...

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break your fast till you see it; but if the weather i...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy treat Sha‘ban ...

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “We are an unlettered people who can neither write nor count. The month is thus and thus and thus,” draw...

Abu Bakra reported God’s messenger as saying, “The months of festival, Ramadan and Dhul-hijja, are not defective.”* *The most probable meaning is tha...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you must fast one day or two days just before Ramadan, except in the case of a man who has be...

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "When the middle of Sha'ban comes do not fast." Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitte...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "Calculate on the basis of the new moon of Sha'ban when Ramadan begins." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama said she never saw the Prophet fasting two consecutive months, except Sha'ban and Ramadan. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah tran...

‘Ammar b. Yasir said, "He who fasts on a day about which he is doubtful has disobeyed Abul Qasim"* *i.e., the Prophet. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, ...

Ibn ‘Abbas told a desert Arab coming to the Prophet and saying he had seen the new moon, i.e. the new moon of Ramadan. He asked him whether he testifi...

Ibn ‘Umar said that the people tried to see the new moon and he informed God’s messenger that he had seen it, so he fasted and commanded the people to...

‘A’isha said that God’s messenger used to count the days in Sha'ban in a manner he did not practise any other month, then fasted when he saw the new m...

Abul Bakhtari said: We went out to perform the ‘umra, and when we encamped in the valley of Nakhla we tried to see the new moon. Some of the people sa...

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, “Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time.” (Bukhari and Musl...

‘Amr b. al-‘As reported God’s messenger as saying, “The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is eating shortly before daw...

Sahl reported God’s messenger as saying, “The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”* *This refers to each...

‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “When the night approaches on this side and the day retreats on that side and the sun sets, he who fasts has...

Abu Huraira said that God’s messenger forbade uninterrupted fasting, and when a man said, “You fast uninterruptedly, messenger of God,” he replied, “W...

Hafsa reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who does not before dawn express his intention of fasting is not credited with it.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawu...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “When any of you hears the summons to prayer while he has a vessel in his hand he should not lay it do...

He reported God’s messenger as stating that God Most High has said, “Those of my servants who are quickest in breaking their fast are dearest to me.” ...

Salman b. ‘Amir reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you breaks his fast he should do so with dates for they provide blessing; but if he c...

Anas said that the Prophet used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates, but if there were no fresh dates he had a few dry dates, and i...

Zaid b. Khalid reported God’s messenger as saying, ‘He who gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast, or who equips a figh...

Ibn ‘Umar told that the Prophet said when he broke his fast, “Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if God wills.” Abu Da...

Mu'adh b. Zuhra told that when the Prophet broke his fast he said, “O God, for Thee I have fasted and with Thy provision I have broken my fast.” Abu ...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews an...

Abu ‘Atiya said: Masruq and I visited ‘A'isha and said, “Mother of the faithful, there are two of Muhammad’s companions one of whom hastens to break t...

Al-‘Irbad b. Sariya told that God’s messenger invited him to a meal shortly before dawn in Ramadan saying, “Come to the blessed morning meal.” Abu D...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “How good is the believer’s meal of dates shortly before dawn!” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If one does not abandon falsehood and action in accordance with it, God had no need that he should ab...

‘A'isha said, “God’s messenger used to kiss and embrace while he was fasting, but he was the one of you who had most control over his desire.” (Bukh...

She said that God’s messenger would be overtaken by the dawn in Ramadan when he was in a state of sexual defilement, not owing to a dream, and would w...

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet had himself cupped when he was wearing the ihram and also when he was fasting. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone forgets when he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only G...

He said that while they were sitting with the Prophet a man came to him and said, “Messenger of God, I am undone.” He asked him what had happened to h...

‘A'isha said that the Prophet used to kiss her and suck her tongue when he was fasting. Abu Dawud transmitted it.* *Saum, 34. This is said by some t...

Abu Huraira said that a man asked the Prophet whether one who was fasting might embrace his wife and he gave him permission, but when another came to ...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "If one has a sudden attack of vomiting while he is fasting no atonement is required of him, but if he vomits i...

Ma'dan b. Talha said Abu Darda’ told him that God’s messenger vomited and broke his fast. He said that he met Thauban in the mosque of Damascus, and w...

‘Amir b. Rabi'a said he had seen the Prophet more often than he could count using a toothstick while he was fasting. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmit...

Anas told of a man coming to the Prophet and saying, “I have a complaint in my eyes, so may I apply collyrium while I am fasting?” He replied, “Yes.” ...

One of the Prophet’s companions said he had seen the Prophet in al-'Arj* pouring water over his head while he was fasting; either because of thirst or...

Shaddad b. Aus said that when God’s messenger was walking hand in hand with him on the eighteenth of Ramadan he came across a man in al-Baqi who was b...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone breaks his fast one day in Ramadan without a concession* or without being ill, a perpetual ...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Many a one who fasts gets nothing from his fasting but thirst, and many a one who prays during the night gets ...

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “Three things do not break the fast of one who is fasting: cupping, vomiting, and a nocturnal ...

Thabit al-Bunani said that when Anas b. Malik was asked whether they disapproved of cupping for one who was fasting in the time of God’s messenger he ...

Bukhari said without a complete isnad that Ibn ‘Umar used to have himself cupped whan he was fasting. Then he abandoned it and had himself cupped at n...

‘Ata’ said, “If one rinses his mouth and ejects the water in it, swallowing his saliva and anything that remains in it does him no harm; but one shoul...

‘A'isha said that Hamza b. ‘Amr al-Aslami who was greatly devoted to fasting asked the Prophet whether he should fast when on a journey, and received ...

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said that when they went out on an expedition with God’s messenger on the sixteenth of Ramadan some fasted and some broke their fa...

Jabir said that in the course of a journey God’s messenger saw a crowd and a man who had been put in the shade. On asking the reason and being told th...

Anas said that in the course of a journey with the Prophet when some of them were fasting and others broke their fast, they alighted at a stage on a h...

Ibn ‘Abbas said God's messenger left Medina to go to Mecca and fasted till he reached ‘Usfan. He then called for water, and raising it aloft so that t...

Anas b. Malik al-Ka‘bi reported God’s messenger as saying, “God has remitted half the prayer to the traveller, and fasting to the traveller, the woman...

Salama b. al-Muhabbiq reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone has a riding-beast which carries him to where he can get sufficient food he shoul...

Jabir said that God’s messenger went off to Mecca in Ramadan in the year of the Conquest, and he and the people fasted till he came to Kura' al-Ghamim...

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf reported God’s messenger as saying, “One who fasts in Ramadan while travelling is like one who breaks his fast when not travell...

Hamza b. ‘Amr al-Aslami told God’s messenger that he found himself strong enough to fast while travelling and asked whether it would be wrong for him ...

‘A'isha said that when she had some part of the fast of Ramadan to make up she would be able to do so only in Sha'ban. Yahya b. Sa'id said she meant t...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “It is not allowable for a woman to fast when her husband is present without his permission,* and she ...

Mu'adha al-‘Adawiya said that when she asked ‘A'isha why one who has been menstruating must make up for her fast but not for her prayer, she replied, ...

‘A'isha reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone dies when some fast due from him has been unfulfilled, his heir must fast on his behalf.” (Bu...

Nafi‘, on Ibn ‘Umar’s authority, reported the Prophet as saying, “If anyone dies when fasting in the month of Ramadan has been unfulfilled by him, a p...

Malik said he heard that Ibn ‘Umar used to be asked whether one might fast or pray on behalf of another, and reply, “One may neither fast nor pray on ...

‘A'isha said, "God’s messenger used to fast to such an extent that we thought he would never break his fast, and he would go without fasting to such a...

‘Abdallah b. Shaqiq said that when he asked ‘A'isha whether the Prophet used to fast a whole month she replied, "I never knew him to fast a whole mont...

‘Imran b. Husain said that the Prophet asked him, or that he asked a man in ‘Imran’s hearing, “Father of so and so, did you not fast the last day of S...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is in God’s month al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer af...

Ibn ‘Abbas said, "I never saw the Prophet singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day, the day of ‘Ash...

He said that when God’s messenger fasted on the day of ‘Ashura’ and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, he was told it was a day held in h...

Umm al-Fadl daughter of al-Harith said that on the day of 'Arafa some people near her argued about whether God’s messenger was fasting, some saying th...

‘A'isha said she never saw God’s messenger fasting during the first ten days of Dhul Hijja. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Qatada said that when a man came to the Prophet and asked him how he fasted, he was angry at what he said, and when 'Umar observed his anger he sa...

He said that when God’s messenger was asked about fasting on Monday he said, “On it I was born and on it the revelation was first sent down to me.”* ...

Mu'adha al-‘Adawiya said she asked ‘A'isha whether God’s messenger used to fast three days every month, and she replied that he did. She asked which d...

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari told that God’s messenger said, “If anyone fasts during Ramadan, then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpe...

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said God’s messenger forbade fasting on the day of breaking the fast of Ramadan and on the day of sacrifice. (Bukhari and Muslim....

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “No fast is to be observed on two days, al-Fitr and al-Adha.* *In this tradition I have used the Arabic words,...

Nubaisha al-Hudhali reported God’s messenger as saying, “The days of at-tashriq* are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God.” *The three da...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying. “None of you must fast on a Friday unless he fasts the day before or the day after.” (Bukhari and Mus...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not choose Thursday night as a particular night for prayer, and do not choose Friday as a particular day fo...

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone fasts for a day while engaged in jihad, God will remove him* seventy years’ distanc...

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As told of God’s messenger saying to him, “Have I not been informed, ‘Abdallah, that you fast during the day and get up at ni...

‘A'isha said that God’s messenger used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Men’s deeds are presented on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like mine to be presented when I am fastin...

Abu Dharr reported God’s messenger as saying, “When you fast three days in the month, Abu Dharr, fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” ...

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said that God’s messenger used to fast the first three days every month, and he would seldom break his fast on a Friday. Tirmidh...

‘A'isha said that God’s messenger used to fast on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday one month, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the next. Tirmidhi...

Umm Salama said that God’s messenger used to command her to fast three days every month beginning with Monday or Thursday. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i tran...

Muslim al-Qurashi said that he or someone else asked God's messenger about perpetual fasting, and he replied, “You have a duty to your family. Fast du...

Abu Huraira said that God’s messenger prohibited fasting on the day of ‘Arafa at ‘Arafa. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Busr, on the authority of his sister as-Samma’, reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not fast on Saturday except during what has been ...

Abu Umama reported God’s messenger as saying, "If anyone fasts for a day while on jihad,* God will put between him and hell a ditch as wide as the dis...

‘Amir b. Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “Fasting in winter is booty gained without trouble.”* *Literally, 'the cold booty.' The idea is th...

The tradition of Abu Huraira, “No days are dearer to God”, has been mentioned in the chapter on the sacrifices.* *Reference to the first ten days of t...

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s messenger came to Medina and found the Jews observing the fast on the day of ‘Ashura’, so he asked them what was the signif...

Umm Salama said that God's messenger used to fast on Saturdays and Sundays more than on other days, and he used to say, “They are days of festival for...

Jabir b. Samura said, “God’s messenger used to command us to observe the day of ‘Ashura’ as a fast, urge us to observe it and pay attention to us when...

Hafsa said there were four things the Prophet never omitted: fasting on ‘Ashura’, the first ten days of Dhul Hijja* and three days every month, and pr...

Ibn ‘Abbas said that it was the custom of God’s messenger not to eat on the middle days* of the month whether travelling or not. *Literally, the days...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “There is zakat applicable to everything, and the zakat of the body is fasting.” Ibn Majah transmitt...

He said that the Prophet used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and when someone remarked on this to him he said, “On Monday and Thursday God forgives...

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone out of a desire to please God fasts for a day, God will remove him from jahannam as far as a crow fl...

‘A'isha said: The Prophet came to visit me one day and asked if I had anything . When I said I had nothing he replied, “Then I shall observe a fast.” ...

Anas said that the Prophet visited Umm Sulaim, and when she brought him some dates and clarified butter he said, “Put your butter back in its containe...

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you is invited to a meal at a time when he is fasting he should say he is fasting.” In a ...

Umm Hani’ said that on the day of the conquest of Mecca Fatima came and sat on God’s messenger’s left and Umm Hani on his right, and when the maidserv...

Zuhri reported on ‘Urwa’s authority that ‘A'isha said: When Hafsa and I were fasting we were offered food which we liked very much and ate some of it....

Umm ‘Umara, daughter of Ka‘b, said that once when the Prophet visited her and she called for food for him, he told her that she must eat also; but whe...

Buraida said that once when Bilal went in to visit God’s messenger while he was having his morning meal he invited him to join him, and when Bilal rep...

‘A'isha reported God's messenger as saying, “Seek lailat al-qadr on an old number night among the last ten in Ramadan.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that some of the Prophet’s companions had a dream that lailat al-qadr was among the last seven nights, so God’s messenger said, “ I see...

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “Seek lailat al-qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the twenty-first, twenty-third and twenty-fifth....

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said: God’s messenger spent the first ten nights of Ramadan in devotion, and spent the middle ten nights in devotion in a round Tu...

Zirr b. Hubaish said: I questioned Ubayy b. Ka'b about a statement by his brother ” he replied, “By the indication (or sign)* of which God’s messenger...

‘A'isha said that God’s messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. Muslim tra...

She said that when the last ten nights began God’s messenger prepared himself for religious exercises, stayed awake at night and wakened his family. ...

‘A'isha said she asked God’s messenger to tell her what prayers to say on lailat al-qadr if she knew which night it was, and he told her to say, “O Go...

Abu Bakra said he heard God’s messenger say, “Seek it (meaning lailat al-qadr), on the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twentyseventh, or on ...

Ibn ‘Umar said God’s messenger was asked about lailat al-qadr and replied, “It occurs every Ramadan.” Abu Dawud transmitted it and said that Sufyan ...

‘Abdallah b. Unais told that he said, “Messenger of God, I have a place in the desert where I live and in which I pray praising God, but give me comma...

‘Ubada b. as-Samit said that the Prophet came out to inform them about lailat al-qadr, but finding two Muslims disputing together he said, “I came out...

Anas reported God's messenger as saying that when lailat al-qadr comes Gabriel descends with a company of angels who invoke blessings on everyone who ...

‘A'isha said that the Prophet used to engage in private devotions in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan till God took him, and then his ...

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s messenger was the most generous of men, and he was as generous as possible in Ramadan. Gabriel used to meet him every night...

Abu Huraira said that the Qur’an was gone over* to the Prophet once annually, but that this was done twice in the year in which he died. He used to en...

‘A'isha said, “During his private devotional exercises God’s messenger would put his head near me when he was in the mosque, and I would comb it; and ...

Ibn ‘Umar said that when ‘Umar consulted the Prophet about a vow he had made in the pre-Islamic period to spend a night in devotion in the sacred mosq...

Anas said that the Prophet was accustomed to engage in private devotion in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan; but one year he omitted i...

‘A'isha said that when God’s messenger intended to engage in private devotion in the mosque he prayed the dawn prayer and then entered his place of se...

She said that the Prophet used to visit the sick while engaged in a period of private devotion in the mosque and he would pass on straight ahead witho...

She said that the sunna for one who is observing a period of private devotion in a mosque is not to visit an invalid, or attend a funeral, or touch or...

Ibn ‘Umar said that when the Prophet observed a period of private devotion in the mosque his bedding was placed for him, or a couch was put down for h...

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying about one who observes a period of private devotion in a mosque, “He turns away from sins and he is rewa...