(18) CHAPTER. Taking the Sahür (late night meals taken before dawn) hurriedly (shortly before dawn)
1920. Narrated SahI bin Sa’d: I used to take my Sahür (late night meals taken before dawn) meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the Fajr prayer with Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him.
(17) CHAPTER. The statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him, : The Adhan of Bilãl should not stop you from taking Sahür (late-night meals).
1918, 1919. Narrated ‘Aishah: Bilal used to pronounce the Adhan at night, so Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till Ibn Umm Maktum pronounces the Adhan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.”
(16) CHAPTER. The Statement of Allah ” … 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 Saum (fast) till the nightfall…” (V.2:187) Narrated Al-Bara: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said as above.
(15) CHAPTER. The Statement of Allah: “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libãs [i.e., body cover or screen or Sakan (i.e., ‘you enjoy the pleasure of living with her’ — as in the Verse 7:189) — Tafsir At-Tabari], for you, and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So, now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring)…” (V.2:187)
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1915. Narrated Al-Bara: It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him, that if any of them was observing As-Saum (fast) and the food was presented [for Iftar – breaking his Saum (fast)], but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset.
Qais bin Sirma Al-Ansari was observing Saum (fast) and came to his wife at the time of Iftar and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, “No, but I would go and bring something 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, peace be upon him, was informed about the whole matter; upon which the following Verses were revealed: “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts)…”
So they were rejoiced greatly by it. And then Allah also revealed:
“…And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)…” (V.2:187)
(14) CHAPTER. Not to observe Saum (fast) for a day or two ahead of Ramadãn.
1914. Narrated Abü Hurairah: The Prophet, peace be upon, said, “None of you should observe Saum (fast) from a day or two ahead of Ramadan unless he has the habit of observing Saum (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can observe Saum (fast) on that day.”
1911. Narrated Anas: Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, vowed to keep aloof from his wives for one month, and he had dislocation of his leg. So, he stayed in a Mashrüba* for 29 nights and then came down. Some people said, “O Allah’s Messenger! You vowed to stay aloof for one month,” He replied, ”The month is of 29 days.”
1908. Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet, peace be upon him, 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.
1907. Narrated ‘Abdullãh bin ‘Umar : Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e., days), and do not fast till you see the crescent-moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha’ban as thirty days.”
(11) CHAPTER. The statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him, “Start observing Saum (fasts) on seeing the crescent-moon of Ramadan, and stop observing Saum on seeing the crescent-moon (of Shawwãl).’ And ‘Ammãr said, “Whoever observes Saum (fasting) on a doubtful day* is disobeying Abül-Qasim (i.e., the Prophet, peace be upon him)
(10) CHAPTER. As-Saum (the fasting) (is recommended) for those who fear committing illegal sexual acts, i.e., those who are unmarried.
1905. Narrated ‘Alqãma: While I was walking with ‘Abdullãh: he said, “We were in the company of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he said, ‘He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him to lower his gaze (from looking at forbidden things and other women), and save his private parts (from committing illegal sexual acts etc.), and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to observe Saum (fasting), as Saum (fasting) will restrain his sexual power.”