Hadith on Fasting

Hadith on Fasting

“Sawm” is an Islamic and Arabic word that means “fasting”. “Fasting” is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam (the fourth one). We will know more about fasting after learning Hadith on fasting. Hadith on fasting shows the great importance of fasting for our body, our minds, and our hearts. Before learning about Hadith on fasting, we should first know its meaning.

What is the meaning of fasting in Islam:

“Fasting” is a word that means abstaining from something. It can also be defined as abstaining from all things that break the fast, from Dawn to sunset. It is important to say that holding the intention is the most important thing before fasting, as it is the heart of any good or bad deeds.   Allah Almighty said in His great book (the Holy Quran):  

أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

The translation of this Verse is: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous.” Fasting is not limited to Ramadan only, but there are many days that we can fast and Hadith on fasting will teach us what we need to know

The difference between fasting in Ramadan and other days:

Ramadan is the month of fasting, and Allah has required us to fast in this Holy Month. Days other than the 30 days of Ramadan (may be 29 days) are Sunnah, and not obliged to be fasted. So, we can conclude that: ● Fasting Ramadan is fard (obliged to be done), and if we don’t fast it with no excuse, Allah will be angry because of this sin. ● Fasting days other than Ramadan is Sunnah (not obliged to be done), so if we don’t fast it, it will not be considered a sin.

What are the days that we can fast?

Other than Ramadan, we can fast: ● We can fast 3 days every Month as the Prophet has advised. ● Then, Muslims can fast Mondays, and Thursdays every week. ● Our beloved Prophet (SAW) also has advised us to fast one day and break the fast the following day:

قال رسول االله صلى االله علیه وسلم لعبد االله بن عمرو:

ً صم یوم ً ا وأفطر یوما فذلك صیام داود وهو أفضل الصیام

  This great Hadith means that the best way to fast is to fast one day, and break the next day. ● Also Muslims can fast any 6 days of Shawwal (combined or separate).

قال رسول االله صلى االله علیه وسلم:

“من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستاً من شوال فكأنما صام الدهر كله”

  This is an example of Hadith on fasting. The translation of this Hadith is: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” ● The ninth of Dhul Hijjah. ● And the tenth of Muharram. A Muslim should fast these days if he can in order to get the great reward from Allah, and if he doesn’t, he doesn’t have any sin.

Hadith on fasting:

One great Hadith on fasting is:

 

وعن سهلِ بنِ سعدٍ عن النَّبِيِّ قَالَ : إِنَّ فِي الجَنَّة بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ: الرَّيَّانُ، يدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائمونَ يومَ القِيامةِ، لاَ يدخلُ مِنْه أَحدٌ غَيرهُم، يقالُ: أَينَ الصَّائمُونَ؟ فَيقومونَ لاَ يدخلُ مِنهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، فإِذا دَخَلوا أُغلِقَ فَلَم يدخلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ متفقٌ عَلَيْهِ.

 

The translation of this Hadith is:

“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of   Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry, the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”  

Simple explanation of the Hadith:

This great Hadith shows the fruit and the rewards of fasting from Allah. There will be a section dedicated to fasting people only, and no one will enter it except the fasting people. We hope that Allah will help us to enter through this door.   See More : Hadith on forgiveness