2. ITS IMPORTANCE, BLESSINGS & GUIDELINES 2Muslims.com Presents

3. The Commandment t O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self- restraint,- t (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. Holy Qur'an 2:183-184

4. The Month of Ramadhan t Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. Holy Qur'an 2:185

5. Some Pearls from the Prophet (PBUH) t Its Importance Abu Hurairah narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Whoever misses the Fast for one day of Ramadan without an excuse or illness, even a perpetual fast will not compensate for it. Ahamed, Tirmidhi (An excuse here refers to an unavoidable journey or to hard physical labour. It also includes a nursing Mother if it could hurt her baby or herself)

6. t Its Blessings Abu Hurairah related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadhan with Iman (faith) and seeks his reward from Allah alone, will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays at night during Ramadhan with Iman and seeks his reward from Allah alone, will have his past sins forgiven. And whoever passes the Lailat-al-Qadr (The Blessed Night) in prayer with Iman and seeks his reward from Allah alone, will have his past sins forgiven. Bukhari, Muslim

7. Abdullah Ibn Amr reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Fasting and Qur'an will both intercede for a believer on the day of Judgement. Fasting will say: O Lord! I denied him food and sexual pleasure during the day, so accept my intercession for him. The Qur'an will say: O Lord! I denied him the rest and sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him. Allah will accept the intercession of both. Baihaqi

8. Abu Saeed Khudri reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: When a servant of Allah observes Fast for a day for the sake of Allah, he thereby repels the fire (of hell) from him a distance of a journey of seventy years. Bukhari, Muslim

9. t Fasting on a Doubtful Day Ammar Ibn Yasir reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Anyone who fasts on a day about which he is doubtful has disobeyed Abul Qasim Abu Daud, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi (Abul Qasim is one of the many titles of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). A doubtful day is one about which one is not sure if Ramadan has begun or come to an end).

10. t The Intention Hafsah bint Umar reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Whoever does not make an intention to fast before daybreak, there is no Fast for him. Abu Daud, Nasai, Tirmidhi

11. t Sahoor (Early Morning Breakfast) Anas Ibn Malik related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Take Sahoor (early morning breakfast), for there are blessings in Sahoor. Bukhari, Muslim

12. t On hearing Adhan while eating Sahoor Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: When one of you hears the Adhan while he (is eating Sahoor and) has a cup in his hand, he should not put it down till he satisfies his need from it. Abu Daud

13. t Eating or Drinking by Accident Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: If anyone forgets while he is fasting and eats or drinks by accident, he should complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink. Bukhari, Muslim

14. t Fasting on a Journey Aishah related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) 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

15. t Personal Conduct during Fast Abu Hurairah related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Fast, Allah does not care if he abstains from his food and drink. Bukhari, Muslim

16. Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) 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 (The Qur'an says : O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint (2:183). Thus the object of Fasting is not just to stay away from food and drink but to make a conscious effort to improve our conduct and try to learn self-restraint)

17. t Reward for providing for one who is Fasting Zaid Ibn Khalid Juhani narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: He who provides for the breaking of the Fast of another person earns the same reward as the one who is fasting, and no reduction is made in the reward of the latter. Tirmidhi

18. t Voluntary Fasts after Ramadhan Abu Ayyub related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: One who observes fast during Ramadhan and continues it through the six days of Shawwal is as if he observes Fast for the whole year. Muslim (Shawwal is the Arabic Month following Ramadhan. The six days of Shawwal does not include the first day, which is Eid-ul-Fitr, the day of rejoicing for the Muslim)

19. t Other Voluntary Fasts Aishah related that The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Tirmidhi (Tirmidhi reported another Hadith that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "A man's deeds are reported to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays and I prefer that I should be fasting when my deeds are reported”) Abu Dharr reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: If you observe Fast three days in a month, then make them on the 13 th, 14 th and 15 th nights of the (lunar) month. Tirmidhi

20. t Fasting on Fridays Abu Hurairah narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: None of you should fast on Friday unless you observe a Fast on the preceding or following day. Bukhari, Muslim

21. t Ashura Ibn Abbas reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fasted on the day of Ashura and instructed that it should be observed as a day of Fast. he was told that it was a day honored by the Jews as well. He said: If I live until next year, I shall Fast an extra day. Muslim (Ashura is the day when Allah saved Prophet Moses (PBUH) and his people from Pharaoh. It falls on the tenth day of Muharram)

22. Dear Brothers & Sisters … and none is deprived of its blessings except a very unfortunate person. One more important thing! LAILAT AL QADR (The Night of Power) DON’T BE DEPRIVED OF

23. The Glad Tidings We have indeed revealed This (Message) In the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. Therein come down The Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, On every errand. Peace !……This until the rise of morn. Holy Qur'an 97:1-5

24. t The Blessed Night Anas ibn Malik reported that at the beginning of Ramadhan the Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave a sermon and said: Verily, a blessed Month has come to you, and in this month there is a night which is better than thousand months (approx 83 years and better), whoever is deprived of its blessings is deprived of all good, and none is deprived of its blessings except a very unfortunate person. Ibn Majah...And whoever passes the Lailat-al-Qadr (The Blessed Night) in prayer with Iman and seeks his reward from Allah alone, will have his past sins forgiven. Bukhari, Muslim (O Lord! Help us to spend this Night in prayer and include us all in the ranks of those who receive the blessings of this Night)

25. t In Odd Numbered Nights of Last Ten Aishah related that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: Search for Lailat al Qadr among the odd numbered nights during the last ten days of Ramadhan. Bukhari

26. To Conclude, A Request… Please forward this to all the believers in your Address Book FOR...

27. Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. … Holy Qur'an 3:110