The Quran and Hadith on Ramadan
THE QURAN ON FASTING
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed
for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on
a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as
for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they
have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day).
But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that
you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right
and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night
of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill
or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must
be made up) from other days.
Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult
for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days),
and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may
be grateful to Him" (2: 185).
"It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on
the night of the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same
for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned
to you and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek
that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white
thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness
of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.
And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are
in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach
them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that they may
become Al Muttaqun (the pious)" (2:187).
"Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr.
And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is?
The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months
Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah’s Permission
with all Decrees,
Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)
THE HADITH ON FASTING
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from
Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights
in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his
past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith
and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari,
Muslim).
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even
for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then
if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it
(Bukhari).
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted
said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except
Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There
are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast
and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing
from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at
night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).
When to start fasting
Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you
see the new moon, and do not end fasting until you see it. If the weather
is cloudy then calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).
The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)
Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is
blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).
Breaking your fast
Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast
with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
Fasting during a journey
Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when
on a journey, and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you
like (Bukhari, Muslim).
Behavior while fasting
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid
false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if
he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting
Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is
fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah
who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).
Providing for those who are breaking the fast
Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides
for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as
the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the
latter (Tirmidhi).
Lailat al-Qadr
Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered
night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes
Gabriel descends with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone
who is remembering Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).
article from: http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/qhfast.asp
