The Book of Fasting

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.83

(6) CHAPTER. Whoever observed fast in Ramadan out of sincere faith (that it is an enjoined duty), and hoping for a reward from Allah and with honest intention (i.e., only for Allah’s sake).

And ‘Aishah  narrated from the Prophet, peace be upon him,  “The people will be resurrected (and judged) according to their intentions.”

1901. Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet, peace be upon him,  said, “Whoever established Salat (prayer) on the night of Qadr with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever observes Saum (fasts) in the month of Ramadan with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

(7) CHAPTER. The Prophet, peace be upon him,  used to be most generous in the month of Ramadan.

1902. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:  The Prophet, peace be upon him,  was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibril (Gabriel) visited him, and JibrIl used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet, peace be upon him,  used to recite the Noble Qur’an to Jibril, and when Jibril met him, he used to be more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allah with glad tidings (rain) in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds.].


Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.84

(8) CHAPTER. Whoever does not give up lying speech (false statements (i.e., telling lies) and acting on those while observing Saum (fast).

1903. Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet, peace be upon him,  said, “Whoever does not give up lying speech (false statements) and acting on those lies and evil actions etc., Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink [i.e., Allah will not accept his Saum (fasting)]”.

(9) CHAPTER. Should one say, “I am observing Saum (fast)” on being abused?

1904. Narrated Abu Hurairah:  Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him,  said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except Saum (fasting) which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Observing Saum (fast) is a shield or protection (from the Hell-fire and from committing sins). If one of you is observing Saum (fast), he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am observing Saum (fast).’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the person observing Saum, one at the time of Iftãr (breaking his fast), and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his Saum (fasting) .”


Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.85

(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.”

(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)

1906. Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:  Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him,  mentioned Ramadan and said, “Do not observe fasting unless you see the crescent-moon (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent-moon of (Sawwäl), but if the sky is overcast and you can’t see the moon, then act on estimation (i.e., count Sha’bãn as 30 days and Ramadan also as 30 days).”

*The doubtful day is the day that is not certainly the first of Ramadan, but perhaps the last of Sha’ban, the preceding month.


Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.86

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.”

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.


Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.87

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.”

*Attic room


Sahih Al-Bukhari – Volume 3 – Book 30 – P.88

(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.”