Guidelines concerning fasting, glad tidings of its vast rewards and information on Ramadaan.

"O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain piety" [Sooratul Baqarah 2:183]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Every good deed of the son of Aadam will be multiplied. He will receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold reward for a good deed. Allaah the Glorious and Majestic has said 'but fasting is exceptional, for it is done for Me and I will give reward for it, since one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it and joy when he meets his Lord; and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allaah than the fragrance of musk." [Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/118) and Muslim (no. 1153), from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree and the above wording is by Muslim]

Ibn Abee Laylaa said: "The Companions of Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) narrated to us that Ramadhaan was sent upon them and it was difficult for them. So those who did not fast fed a poor person for each missed day and this was an allowance for them, but it was abrogated by: "...and if you fast, it is better for you." [Sooratul Baqarah 2:184] So they were ordered to fast." [Related by al-Bukhaaree in mu'allaq (suspended) form, see Fathul Baaree (8/81). It was connected by Imaam al-Bayhaqee in his Sunan (4/200) and Abu Daawood (no. 507)] Imaam Ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee said: "Know that in the fast (sawm) is a special quality not found in anything else." [Mukhtasar Minhaajul Qaasideen (p. 38)]