Chapters on Fasting: Riyad al-Salihin (Gardens of the Righteous)

Translated by Ayesha Bewley (riyad6)

Chapters on Fasting

217. Chapter: On the Obligation to Fast Ramadan and Clarification of the Excellence of Fasting and What Is Connected to It

Allah Almighty says, “You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you…” to His words “The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance and discrimination. Any of you who are resident for the month should fast it. But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other days.” [Quran, 2:182-185]

(Hadith No.) 1215

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted said, ‘Every action of the son of Adam is for himself except for fasting. It is Mine, and I repay it.’ Fasting is a shield. When someone is fasting, he should not have sexual relations nor quarrel. If someone fights him or insults him, he should say, ‘I am fasting’. By the One in whose hand the self of Muhammad is, the changed breath in the mouth of the faster is more fragrant to Allah than the scent of musk. The faster experiences two joys: when he breaks his fast he rejoices, and when he meets his Lord he rejoices in his fasting.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

In one variant of Bukhari, “He has left his food and drink and appetites for My sake. Fasting is Mine, and I repay it. Any other good deed I repay with ten like it.”

In a variant of Muslim, “Every action of the son of Adam is multiplied. A good action receives from ten to seven hundred times. Allah Almighty said, ‘Fasting is Mine, and I repay it. He leaves his appetites and food for My sake.’ The faster experiences two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord. The changed breath in the mouth of the faster is more fragrant to Allah than the scent of musk.”

(Hadith No.) 1216

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“The one who spends out two kinds of actions in the way of Allah will be summoned from the gates of the Garden and told, ‘O slave of Allah this is better.’ All the people who did the prayer will be called from the gate of the prayer. All the people who did jihad will be called from the gate of jihad. All the people who fasted will be called from the gate of Rayyan. All the people who gave sadaqa will be called from the gate of sadaqa.” Abu Bakr said, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, Messenger of Allah. No one called from those gates will feel distress. Will anyone be called from all those gates?” He said, “Yes, and I hope that you will be among them.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1217

Sahl ibn Sa‘d reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“There is a gate in the Garden called Rayyan which those who fast will enter on the Day of Rising, and none but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are the fasters?’ They will stand up and none but they will enter it. When they have entered it, it will be closed, and no one else will enter it.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1218

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“No slave fasts one day in the way of Allah without Allah putting his face seventy years’ journey away from the Fire on account of that day.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1219

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Anyone who prays in Ramadan motivated by belief and in expectation of the reward will be forgiven his past wrong actions.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1220

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“When Ramadan comes, the gates of the Garden are opened, the gates of the Fire are closed, and the shaytans are chained up.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1221

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break the fast when you see it. If it is cloudy, then make Sha‘ban complete with thirty days.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

In the variant of Muslim, “If it is cloudy, you must fast thirty days.”

218. Chapter: On Generosity, Charity, and Doing Much Good in the Month of Ramadan, and Increasing That in the Last Ten Days of the Month

(Hadith No.) 1222

Ibn ‘Abbas said,

“The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during Ramadan when Jibril met him. Jibril used to meet him every night in Ramadan until it was over and the Prophet would go through the Quran with him. The Messenger of Allah was more generous with good things than the blowing wind.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1223

‘A’isha said,

“When the last ten days of Ramadan started, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to pray during the night, wake up his family and intensify his efforts.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

219. Chapter: On the Prohibition against Fasting before Ramadan after the Middle of Sha’ban Unless That Fasting Is Connected to What Is before It and Coincides with His Habit, Like Fasting Monday and Thursday

(Hadith No.) 1224

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“None of you should fast a day or two before Ramadan except for a man who customarily fasts. He should fast that day.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1225

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Do not fast immediately before Ramadan. Fast when you see the new moon and break it when you see it. If cloud obscures it, then complete the thirty days.” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1226

Abu reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“When half of Sha‘ban remains, then do not fast.” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1227

Abu al-Yaqatan ‘Ammar ibn Yasir said,

“Anyone who fasts the day which is doubtful has rebelled against Abu al-Qasim.” [Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi]

220. Chapter: On What One Says When Seeing the New Moon

(Hadith No.) 1228

Talha ibn ‘Ubaydullah reported that When the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saw the new moon, he would say,

“O Allah, make the new moon shine on us with security, belief, safety, and Islam! My Lord and your Lord is Allah. It is a new moon of guidance and good.” [Tirmidhi]

221. Chapter: The Excellence of Suhur and Delaying It as Long as One Does Not Fear the Approach of Dawn

(Hadith No.) 1229

Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Have suhur. There is blessing in suhur.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1230

Zayd ibn Thabit said,

“We used to have suhur with the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). Then he stood up for the prayer.” Anas said, “I said, ‘How long was there between the adhan and suhur?’ He said, ‘Enough to recite fifty ayats (verses).’” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1231

Ibn ‘Umar said,

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) had two mu’adhdhans: Bilal and Ibn Umm Maktum. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Bilal calls the adhan while it is still night, so eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum calls the adhan.’ He said, ‘The time between the two adhans was only long enough for the one to go up and the other to come down.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1232

‘Amr ibn al-‘As reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the Book lies in the eating of suhur.” [Muslim]

222. Chapter: On the Excellence of Hastening to Break the Fast and That with Which One Breaks the Fast and What One Says after Breaking the Fast

(Hadith No.) 1233

Sahl ibn Sa‘d reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“People will continue to be all right as long as they hurry to break the fast.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1234

Abu ‘Atiyya said,

“Masruq and I visited ‘A’isha and Masruq said to her, ‘There are two of the Companions of Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and neither of them is lacking in good. One of them hastens Maghrib and fast-breaking and the other delays Maghrib and fast-breaking.’ She said, ‘Which one hastens Maghrib and fast-breaking?’ He said, ‘Abdullah – i.e. ibn Mas‘ud.’ She said, ‘That is what the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did.’” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1235

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Allah, the Mighty and Majestic said, ‘The most beloved of My slaves to Me is the quickest to break the fast.’” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1236

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“When night advances from here and day retreats from there and the sun sets, then people fasting should break their fast.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1237

Abu Ibrahim ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) on a journey while he was fasting. When the sun set, he said to someone, ‘So-and-so, get down and mix some sawiq for us’ He said, ‘Messenger of Allah, won’t you let it get dark?’ He said, ‘Get down and mix some sawiq for us.’ He said, ‘It is still daytime.’ He said, ‘Get down and mix some sawiq for us.’ So he got down and mixed it for them. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) drank and then gestured with his hand towards the east, saying, ‘When you see the night advancing from here, then the faster should break his fast.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1238

Salman ibn ‘Amir ad-Dabi the Companion reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“When one of you breaks his fast, he should break it with dates. If he cannot find any. then he should break it with water. It is pure.” [Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1239

Anas said,

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to break the fast with fresh dates before he prayed, and if there were no fresh dates, then with small dry dates. If there were no dry dates, then with a few sips of water.” [Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi]

223. Chapter: On Commanding the Faster to Guard His Tongue and Limbs from Incorrect Actions, Verbal Abuse, and the Like

(Hadith No.) 1240

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“When someone is fasting, he should not have sexual relations nor quarrel. If someone fights him or insults him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1241

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Allah does not require someone who does not abandon lies, and acting by them, while fasting to abandon his food and drink.” [Bukhari]

224. Chapter: On Questions regarding Fasting

(Hadith No.) 1242

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“If someone forgets, and eats and drinks, he should complete his fast. Allah has fed him and let him drink.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1243

Laqit ibn Sabira said,

“I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, tell me about wudu.’ He said, ‘Do wudu thoroughly letting the water run between your fingers and snuffing the water well up your nose, unless you are fasting.’” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1244

‘A’isha who said,

“Fajr used sometimes to find the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) junub from one of his wives. Then he did ghusl and fasted.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1245

‘A’isha and Umm Salama said,

“When morning found the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) junub from one of his wives, he would still fast.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

225. Chapter: Clarification of the Excellence of Fasting Muharram, Sha‘ban, and the Sacred Months

(Hadith No.) 1246

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“The best fast after Ramadan is the month of Allah, al-Muharram. The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1247

‘A’isha said,

“The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not fast in any month more than Sha‘ban. He used to fast all of Sha‘ban.” In one variant, “He used to fast Sha‘ban except for a little.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1248

Mujiba al-Bahiliyya on the authority of her father or her uncle that,

“He went to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and then went to him again a year later when his circumstances and appearance had changed. He said, ‘Messenger of Allah, do you not recognize me?’ He said, ‘Who are you?’ He said, ‘I am the Bahili who came to you last year.’ He said, ‘What has changed you? You had a handsome appearance.’ He said, ‘I have only eaten at night since I left you.’ The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘You have tortured yourself!.’ Then he said, ‘Fast the month of endurance (Ramadan) and one day every month.’ He said, ‘Let me do more. I have strength.’ He said, ‘Fast two days.’ He said, ‘Let me do more.’ He said, ‘Fast three days.’ He said, ‘Let me do more.’ He said, ‘Fast in the sacred months and stop. Fast in the sacred months and stop. Fast in the sacred months and stop.’ He spoke with three fingers, putting them together and then releasing them.’” [Abu Dawud]

226. Chapter: The Excellence of Fasting and Other Things in the First 10 Days of Dhu’l-Hijja

(Hadith No.) 1249

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“No virtuous actions done during any ten days are better liked by Allah than the actions done on these days (the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijja).” They said, “Messenger of Allah, not even jihad in the way of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out putting his life and property in danger and returns with nothing.” [Bukhari]

227. Chapter: On the Excellence of Fasting the Day of ‘Arafa, ‘Ashura, and the Ninth of Muharram

(Hadith No.) 1250

Abu Qatada said

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafat. He said, ‘It expiates the past year and coming year.’” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1251

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) fasted on the Day of ‘Ashura and ordered it to be fasted. [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1252

Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura and said,

“It expiates the past year.” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1253

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“If I remain alive until next year, I will fast the ninth.” [Muslim]

228. Chapter: On the Recommendation to Fast Six Days of Shawwal

(Hadith No.) 1254

Abu Ayyub reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Anyone who fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six from Shawwal, it is as he had fasted the entire year.” [Muslim]

229. Chapter: On the Recommendation to Fast Mondays and Thursdays

(Hadith No.) 1255

Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) was asked about fasting on Mondays and he said,

“That is the day on which I was born and the day when I was sent – or when revelation descended on me.” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1256

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Actions are presented on Mondays and Thursdays, so I like my actions to be presented while I am fasting.” (Muslim related it without mentioning fasting.) [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1257

‘A’isha said,

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to take care to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” [Tirmidhi]

230. Chapter: On the Recommendation to Fast Three Days of Every Month

It is best to fast the “white days,” which are the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.

(Hadith No.) 1258

Abu Hurayra said,

“My friend (Allah bless him and grant him peace) ordered me to do three things: to fast three days every month, to do the two rak‘ats of Duha, and to do the witr before sleeping.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1259

Abu al-Darda’ said,

“My beloved (Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded me to do three things which I will not forego as long as I live: to fast three days of every month, to pray Duha, and not to sleep until after praying the witr.” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1260

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Fasting three days every month is equivalent to fasting continuously.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1261

Mu‘adha al-‘Adawiyya asked ‘A’isha,

“Did the Messenger of Allah fast three days of every month?” She said, “Yes.” “I said, ‘What part of the month did he fast?’ She said, ‘He did not care what part of the month he fasted.’” [Muslim]

(Hadith No.) 1262

Abu Dharr reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“If you fast three days of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1263

Qatada ibn Milhan said,

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to command us to fast the white days: the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.” [Abu Dawud]

(Hadith No.) 1264

Ibn ‘Abbas said,

“The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not fail to fast the white days either when at home or on a journey.” [Nasa’i]

231. Chapter: On the Excellence Giving the Faster Something with Which to Break the Fast, and the Excellence of the Faster When People Eat in His Presence and the Supplication of the One Who Eats for What Is Eaten

(Hadith No.) 1265

Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Whoever gives a faster something with which to break his fast has the same reward without that diminishing the reward of the faster in any way.” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1266

Umm ‘Umara al-Ansariyya reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) visited her and she presented him with some food. He said,

“Eat.” She said, “I am fasting.” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “The angels pray for blessing on a fasting person when people eat in his presence until they finish.” Perhaps he said, “Until they are full.” [Tirmidhi]

(Hadith No.) 1267

Anas reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) visited Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubada, who brought some bread and oil, and he ate. Then the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said,

“Those who were fasting have broken the fast with you and the pious have eaten your food and the angels prayed for blessings on you.” [Abu Dawud]